Archie - Pokémon: 2 Deaths: 0
Blue - Pokémon: 4 Deaths: 0
{Monua 17th, 5:48PM}
{Route 202}
"You are the least sinister crime lord I've ever had to deal with," Blue remarked, trying extremely hard not to laugh.
"Considering I was never trying to be sinister or a cri- okay okay I give in please let go!" Archie yelped, batting at the little black and blue feline that was trying to nip his nose. Thankfully, it hopped off his chest and let him sit up again.
Archie scowled at Blue, who was still trying to bite down the amused snickering. Maybe if he hadn't accidentally tripped over that wild Pokémon and faceplanted into the ground, it wouldn't have had the chance to pounce on him and try to playfully gnaw at his shoulder and clothes. He'd have very much liked to reach Jubilife while they still could, instead of resigning himself to the lot of them potentially camping outside due to being held up by a tiny cub halfway there. After an overly eventful day and the sun almost done setting down, he really, really wanted to get out of his brother's carnival costume and just flop down to sleep.
"How dare you assault our advisor!" Prince said indignantly, waddling over to the feline and puffing his chest out slightly to make himself look more imposing. "Such behavior is unacceptable!"
"Oh come on, I was just playing around," the feline said, rolling her eyes. "I've seen plenty of humans walk by and they were all little scrawny twigs, not a robust-looking one like your 'advisor'. And besides, what do you know? Maybe he's the kind that likes things rough." Archie turned bright red and started choking while Blue openly cackled.
"We do not take kindly to insolence!" Prince huffed. "Please explain why you decided to 'play around' with our human companions."
"My name is Star, and I'm a Shinx," the cub started as she sat down, looking up at Archie. "I've...been wanting to travel around with a human trainer for a while now, and you looked like a decent one."
"What is it that I'm suddenly a magnet for young Pokémon?" Archie asked, looking at Blue.
"It's a result of you being so non-intimidating that you attract baby Pokémon who make you look even less intimidating," Blue replied with a light smirk. Archie sighed.
"You don't want me?" Star asked, looking a little heartbroken.
"The real question here is 'Are you sure you want me?' I mean-" Archie paused and gestured to the Piplup. "Prince came along even after being told, but-"
"Well then it can't be that bad, can it?" Star interrupted, seeming a bit more hopeful again.
"The other thing is that I don't know how my parole officer here feels about me gaining more Pokémon," Archie said flatly.
"Yes, because I'm so terrified of your baby army," Blue drawled.
Star rolled her eyes. "Not gonna stay babies for long, sugar. From what I hear, Pokémon grow loads faster than humans. Now, with all that out of the way- you're going to Jubilife, right? You can tell me about things on the way!" And with that proclamation, Star shamelessly climbed up on the Aqua Leader's lap again and tried to snuggle into his arms.
"Hey, that is our spot!" Prince objected, quickly waddling back over and batting at Star.
"Or you could both walk instead of using me as some kind of carrier," Archie grumbled. He sighed and scooped up both the Piplup and Shinx with one arm each, Prince giving a faint squawk of surprise as he was lifted up again and Star proceeding to purr loudly.
"Alright Star, welcome aboard," the Aqua Leader said, standing up. "I'm Archie, the guy behind us is the Master Jester, and the Piplup here is Prince from the Royal Court of Pastoria."
"Can't say I care much for royal status, but I'll make an effort to be nice," Star said, before glancing at the sour Prince again and tacking on a "Maybe" with a smirk.
"Behave, kids," Archie admonished, which got him looks from both Pokémon. He heard Blue snort in the back and mutter something about irony. Yeah, as if you've got room to talk, Archie thought with a scowl.
{Monua 17th, 10:35PM}
{Jubilife}
{Pokémon Center}
Archie stepped out of the shower with a sigh, grabbing a towel and rubbing it over his hair to start drying it. He'd managed to get most of the white dye out of his hair since it was only meant to be a temporary color, but where the white once was now had a dark, grey-ish color rather than the black that the rest of his hair had. He'd probably just keep the towel lazily draped over his head for a bit.
He scowled at the prospect of having to spend several minutes fighting with Juan's clothes just for the duration of walking from the shower area to his room, but he couldn't exactly trawl through Jubilife's Pokémon Center naked. Honestly yesterday he'd thought he would be ditching them somewhere in a trashcan, but after having jumped off the ship he had to admit that the diving material that Juan's custom outfit was made from was actually pretty fantastic. It could potentially be useful at a later date, so once he got to his room again he'd probably just stuff them to the very bottom of his bag.
Archie stifled a yawn, digging through the pile of clothes to start dressing again. They'd arrived in Jubilife pretty late, the sky being well dark by the time they trudged into the Center and Blue walked up to the counter to ask for rooms. After Blue had tossed the key card to him, Archie had gone to drop off Prince and Star (hoping they wouldn't fight while he wasn't looking and damage anything) before coming to shower. Just because Juan's clothes were made to handle water activities didn't mean he shouldn't wash all the ocean water off his skin after jumping from a ship.
The Aqua Leader tugged at his sleeves and cravat a little, making them just a little neater as he looked at himself in the mirror. He remembered that, the day before, he'd been staring at a reflection that felt like neither him nor Juan. A strange mix of elements that made him realize exactly how much he and his brother were similar in appearance. It wasn't like he hadn't known- it was one of the reasons he'd gone with the idea in the first place- but the more he looked at himself wearing Juan's clothes, the more obvious it seemed to become.
He sighed and stuck his hands in his coat pockets, getting ready to walk back to his room- and pausing.
Instead of feeling the expected cold and smooth surface of a Pokéball, his fingers were met with a piece of paper.
He quickly pulled it out, unfolding what turned out to be a handwritten note. Took your Sharpedo so you don't run away -Blue. Archie snarled. The fucking bastard. Maybe he should snatch one of the stupid gym leader's Pokéballs in exchange, get Blue to return Shanks.
Actually, did Blue even have any Pokémon with him? The ship was supposed to be a tourist cruiser, after all- no, Blue definitely had Pokémon, the asshole had been about to fight him while they were in the island cave earlier that morning, and it was hard to believe Blue had caught up with him that quickly by staying on the ship. He's not exactly a role model of a lawful person for a gym leader, is he? Archie thought with a growl.
He pressed his lips and pulled the towel over his head a little more, making sure that most of his hair couldn't be seen as he walked back to his room. He swiped the key card in front of the door, waiting to hear a soft click before pressing his palm against the wooden surface and pushing it open. Seeing that Prince and Star hadn't destroyed everything and were actually both having a casual conversation made him feel only mildly better.
The two Pokémon looked up at him as he shut the door behind him. "You okay, hon?" Star asked, a little concerned. "I thought you were showering to feel better, not worse."
"Why do humans require a such thing, anyway?" Prince questioned curiously. "A 'shower' is the prospect of washing oneself with water, yes? Could humans not do that simply by swimming in a nearby lake or river?"
"It's something people might do in Hoenn during the summer," Archie said, "but this is Sinnoh and winter is right around the corner. Swimming in that kind of cold water is just asking to become sick and maybe die. And, to answer Star's question, the shower was fine, it's that when I got out I found a note from Blue. He took Shanks."
"Your mysterious companion?" Prince frowned. "From our understanding, the person performing such actions would normally be a criminal, not a leader."
"I don't know what he's playing at either," Archie growled. He dropped on the bed and pulled the towel off his hair. "First the bastard strong-arms me into helping him track down a bunch of lunatics, then starts taking my Pokémon hostage. What's his damage?"
"He really doesn't trust you, does he?" Star sighed sadly.
"Yeah, well-" I don't trust myself either, a tiny voice in the back of his head whispered. "-I can't say the sentiment isn't returned." He started pulling Juan's clothes off, ignoring that Prince and Star were right there. He used to be embarrassed, but he'd eventually come to find that Pokémon honestly didn't give a shit about seeing people naked. Only some of the really wild ones would question humans shedding their furcoats, and putting on a new one afterwards. "Maybe I will just wait for the right moment to ditch him. I'm almost sure that he can damn well fight on his own, and if those crazy bombers are that much of a threat I can pitch in on the battle on my own terms."
"But how would you do it?" Prince asked. "If he is a leader, then his Pokémon must be quite powerful. While we have made speedy progress and already learned how to use Bubble with your aid, and we are most grateful for it, we are no match for him in our current condition, and unfortunately we do not believe that Star is of more help." The Shinx glanced down at the floor, not wanting to admit out loud that Prince was right.
"That's why waiting for the right moment is important," Archie replied, rolling up Juan's clothes and stuffing them into the very bottom of his bag. Instead he grabbed a lighter set of pyjamas to climb into. "Maybe I'll just end up waiting until we come across a Pokémon that can Teleport or something, to help snatch Shanks' Pokéball from wherever he'll be hiding it. Maybe I'll just wait for him to let his guard down and knock him out or something. He's scrawny enough that I could have him out cold for a good ten minutes at least, if I do it right."
"We do not condone the idea of using violence against him," Prince said warily. "We would much prefer that you found another method of parting with Blue. Whatever actions you have done in the past, they should remain past. You are attempting to mend your ways, after all, are you not?"
Archie slowed down, only half-dressed as his arms sank onto his lap. "...Yeah," he murmured.
Deciding that staying shirtless was a perfectly acceptable way of sleeping, Archie flopped to the side and rolled over, shuffling around to bury himself under the covers. He paused when he felt a new weight at his legs.
"Hope you don't mind me stealing a corner, hon," Star winked, stepping over the bumps best as she could and plodding over to curl up somewhere at Archie's side.
"You cannot go up there, that is cheating!" Prince objected indignantly. Star ignored him and purred loudly. "We refuse to remain alone on the ground!"
"I've got you," Archie sighed, leaning over the side of the bed by the minimum amount required and lifting the huffing Piplup onto the bed. Prince was very pointedly set back down on the side where Star wasn't- not that the young noble seemed to mind- and Archie stretched out under the bedsheets, closing his eyes.
It didn't take long for him to drift off. He honestly didn't have the energy to think about what was happening anymore.
{Monua 18th, 8:13PM}
{Route 204}
{Oreburgh Gate}
The next morning, for the rest of their stay at the Pokémon Center in Jubilife, Archie had silently refused to speak with Blue. The Aqua Leader didn't have any particular arguments to get across that swiping Shanks was a seriously shit move to do, mostly because he could understand Blue's distrust. But he figured that giving the silent treatment was a clear enough way of expressing his discontent.
Archie couldn't say he was surprised, but Blue didn't seem bothered by Archie's silence in the least and simply informed the Aqua Leader that they would be heading east first. There was a mining town called Oreburgh in which Blue wanted to go and talk to someone he knew would be there.
Unfortunately, the teleporters were down due to 'technical difficulties', and nobody knew how long it would take to get them back up and running again, so instead of just porting there it was going to be a two days' walking trip. Prince and Star were relatively content with the idea that they could get stronger on the way.
By the time evening rolled around, they'd only managed to walk through Route 204 and had to set up camp by the entrance of a cave. Judging by the map they'd picked up before heading out of Jubilife, Oreburgh was right on the other side.
"So who are you planning to see, anyway?" Archie asked eventually, prodding at the small campfire they'd set up with a dry stick. Prince sat by his legs, staring vaguely into the fire.
"Kid called Silver," Blue shrugged. "Might ask how he's doing in passing, mostly just gonna see if he's got any info about Galactic that the police wouldn't give or whatever."
"You've got some weird connections," Archie commented, giving a Blue a slightly suspicious glance.
"Yeah, I'm hanging out with you," Blue said. He started to dig through his bag, pulling out some food. Star immediately perked her ears and watched him expectantly, at least until the gym leader finally held out some food that she gladly took from his hand. Next he pulled out a couple wrapped up sandwiches and didn't look as he tossed one at Archie's head.
"Oi!" Archie objected, ducking reflexively and allowing the sandwich to smack him in the shoulder.
"Don't just let it sit on the ground, it's a crime to waste good food," Blue said, still not looking up and digging through the bag for more food for the Pokémon.
"I figure 'don't fucking throw it' is a good start to initiate the anti-food-waste movement," Archie grumbled, unwrapping the sandwich and taking a bite out of it. "...But thanks for sharing."
"Prince, you gonna eat any of that or not?" Star asked, glancing over to the Piplup. The young noble looked up and stared at her like a Stantler in the headlights.
"Ah, no," Prince replied eventually. He smiled softly. "Your kind gesture has not gone unnoticed, however. We appreciate your generosity."
"Prince, if you want to go for a swim, there's a pond of sorts not too far, if you walk that way," Archie offered, pointing off somewhere into the darkness. Prince visibly brightened up and hopped to his feet.
"We would indeed appreciate going for a swim. Thank you, Archie," Prince nodded before waddling off as fast as he could. Star stifled a snicker when Prince took a dozen steps before toppling over, but the Piplup immediately picked himself up and continued in direction of the pond.
Archie waited until Prince was far enough to lean forward slightly. "Piplup and their evolutions are generally known to be proud hunters," the Aqua Leader explained. "I mean, they're a fairly proud species in general, but being able to find their own food is one of the things they're especially proud of, so getting free food from others can really rub them the wrong way."
"I wasn't trying to upset him!" Star defended.
"I don't think he was upset," Archie said, shaking his head. "Prince is fairly straightforward, so he'd have probably told you if he was upset. I think he really did appreciate that you were trying to make a gesture of good faith."
"So is he gonna go and get his own food or something right now?" Blue asked, taking another bite out of his own sandwich.
Archie nodded. "Probably. The swamps around Pastoria are mostly mud, but they've got a fair amount of ponds with clean water, too. There's also a lake they can go to a little further north. They'll occasionally go hunting for berries if they're sick and need remedies, but for the most part their hunting habits revolve around the fact that they're good divers and can pick out stuff they want to eat from the very bottom. They generally go after-"
Whatever Piplup went after remained a mystery, as their attention was immediately taken by a scream that very definitely belonged to Prince.
"Hey, don't go alone!" Blue shouted, watching the Aqua Leader jump to his feet.
Archie didn't wait and darted toward the pond.
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Just to reiterate, since it seems the explanation got lost in the big giant bulk at the end of the prologue XD
Dimensional Destruction is still happening, and it's still scheduled to start on the 31st of August (so end of the month). Dimensional Destruction and Deliverance will be running and updating at the same time, and essentially telling the Sinnoh story from two (or four, depending on how you count) different point of views. While you're not forced to read both to understand what's happening, the two stories will be actively influencing each other as well.
Also yes I love Piplup and there's always a 2/3 chance I'll take that when I start a new DPPT game.
What are the weirdest nicknames you've ever given to one of your Pokémon? Or maybe your trainer. I can't remember any of mine and it makes me sad, but recently I've been thinking about how I desperately need a Fearow so I can call it Pharaoh. The joke behind that being that I've always been saying it as F'air'ow instead of F'ear'ow for as far back as I can recall and that I can't unhear that way LittleKuriboh says Pharaoh. Honestly I blame most of my mispronunciations on the German games.
ARCHIE
Shanks the Sharpedo, Prince the Piplup, Star the Shinx
Name: Star. Species: Shinx. Nature: Sassy. Ability: Rivalry. Location: Route 202. Level: 4
BLUE
Sam the Blastoise, Pete the Pidgeot, Adam the Alakazam, Gary the Arcanine