Downtime with Team Paldea
A Pokemon Scarlet and Violet/Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Fic
Sneak Preview of the Paldean Explorers-Verse
Written by MegaSalamence64
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1/2/2024 Edit: The Icy Wind TM is changed to Brick Break to make some things less Awkward.
Author's Note:
Hey Guys, MegaSalamence64 here,
Welcome back to another Fic of mine, And one that's basically been a Plot Bunny/Bunerary in my Head for a while:
A Pokemon Mystery Fic staring the Paldea Gang (Aka Juliana, Arven, Nemona and Penny) in the Explorers Games (Or the Grass Continent with what Super Reveals that all of the mystery dungeon games as of now occur in the same world)
As someone whom's a Big Mystery Dungeon Fan (Heck, I even think of my World of Light Fic (World of Light Deluxe) in the Style of a Mystery Dungeon Style Games) as well as a Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Fan, I figured:
Why not make a Fic where the Paldea Gang get turned into Pokemon and Sent to the Mystery Dungeon World? (Yeah, I officially have a Thing for turning Juliana, Arven, Nemona and Penny into Pokemon, Don't ask why… It's just something I find amusing)
Heck, This Fanart and Fanfic I found is inspiration for the Idea as well (Yeah, If Fics where Delia is form the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Universe is a thing, A Fic where Juliana, Arven, Nemona and Penny get sent to the Mystery Dungeon Universe isn't so farfetched as well):
- www. deviantart shiiriru/ art/ PS-Go-to-a-new-kind-of-adventure-955608233
- www. fanfiction s/ 14287402/ 1/ A-Mother-s-Roar
And also some Great Mystery Dungeon Comics as well like these ones I found (The first two are called Rescue Rangers and Abridgestery Dungeon while the Final One listed here is Fanart made by Midnight3Wonder, They're all pretty great so check them out when you can, Plus Midnight and Rescue Ranger's Creator do like Scarlet and Violet so there's that):
- www. / en/canvas / pokemon-mystery-dungeon-rescue-rangers-by-do9bessa/pmd-rescue-rangers-chapter-1-waking-up/ viewer?title_no=438309&episode_no=1&webtoon-platform-redirect=true
- .ws/ archive
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Since I'm still working on Mermaid Legends of Paldea, Consider this Four Part Fic as a Sneak Preview for when I do eventually get to work on my Paldea Gang in Explorers Fic AKA Paldean Explorers (It's basically like Mega Discoveries in Unova as well, A Four Part Story)
Also if you want, Consider this Fic Therapy for the events of the Epilogue as well… Especially for those whom want to actually see the Paldea Gang fighting alongside you as well… So I hope the Idea of Juliana, Arven, Nemona and Penny in one of the Mystery Dungeon Games should help scratch that itch as well…
Since we got leaks we got ONE MORE Mythical for Scarlet and Violet, Hopefully it means more events as well at least in the Future, But if it means Gen 10 would be given more time, I'm up for it I guess….
(Especially if Gen 9 gets a Mystery Dungeon Game as well)
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So, For some footnotes about this Fic (And the Eventual Big Fic Paldean Explorers) at least:
-This Story would be using the Explorers Special where Piplup's the Human and Chimchar's the Partner, So no one is taking the Canon Protaganist spot especially given the Explorers Protagonist's Backstory (Then again, Had I been writing Rescue/Gates to Infinity, For sure the Paldea Gang would take their Place)
So as for the Paldean Gang, Let's just say their Involvement in Explorers's Story is due to a Third Party wanting them to aid Piplup and Chimchar as well.
-Paldean Explorers would be covering the Main Story of Explorers plus the Post Game of it but for this Fic, It'll be just be purely snippets of the Main Story with maybe one Omake of the Post Game, But that's it….
(Let's just say Paldean Explorers would be split into two separate Books (One for the Primal Dialga Stuff and the other covering the Post Game and Stopping Darkrai once I do get to work on it after finishing Mermaid Legends of Paldea)
-Paldean Explorers takes place after the Hidden Treasures of Area Zero Stuff but the Epilogue's Placement is a TBD for now…. So Carmine/Kieran fans, Sorry but they're not coming with Juliana, Arven, Nemona and Penny as Pokemon for Paldean Explorers.
Likewise, DLC Stuff would remain vague for the time being since I'm still 50/50 on making Paldean Explorers another AU where the Paldea Gang came with Juliana to Kitakami (Before the Epilogue) like Mermaid Legends of Paldea (Also before one ask, Epilogue's adapted out in that story as well)…
So yeah, this is purely the Paldea Gang for both this fic and Paldean Explorers.
-Some Details of Paldean Explorers may change in the Future do to this fic being a Sneak Preview, So when I do make Paldean Explorers, Do expect some changes to the final story compared to this fic.
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With those notes out of the way, Now onto the Chapter!
See you all down below! ;)
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Nemona Chapter: Of TMs and Battles:
Continuity for this Chapter: Takes place after the Drowzee Mission/Mt Bristle Events but before the Waterfall Cave Exploration Mission
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World of Mystery Dungeons, Grass Continent, Treasure Town, Beach near the Beach Cave Dungeon:
The Grass Continent, One of the Many Continents in the Pokemon World,
Home to many Exploration Teams and Guilds across the vast landscape it was….
Especially Treasure Town, A Popular stop for both Travelers and Exploration Teams as well as the Home of the Wigglytuff Guild:
The Most Famous Exploration Guild of the Grass Continent,
However, As of late, It was about to undergo a Crisis with The increase of not only Mystery Dungeons but also Time being broken in many places and causing an uprising of Pokemon going wild and feral/bad in the Process…
Especially with the Recent news of the one of the sacred Time Gears being stolen, Thus necessitating what exploration teams are available to stop the increasing outbreak of bad Pokemon as the Mystery of the disruption of time remains afloat for many.
And One Such Team (Called Team Pokepals) is currently at the beach currently preparing for their Mission as one of their Members decided to have them show something there as well.
"So, Why do you want to come to the Beach Nemona?" Questioned Chimchar as he, Piplup, Juliana, Arven and Penny looked back to Nemona as the Human turned Fuecoco (Who's smiled back to him and their friends/teammates)
"Well, Given the Missions and outlaws would be getting tougher form her on out… We better get training to better stand a chance." Nemona admitted as she then took out several discs form the Exploration Team Bag she's carrying for her team,
"So I managed to get these!"
"TMs! That's so you Nemona….But it's a Welcome idea at least." Juliana admitted to her battle bestie/rival with a smile while Penny just rolled her eyes at the student Council president/Champion ranked trainer,
"Please don't tell me you used up all of our Funds just to get them…. Especially with how Stingy the Guild is with our share of the Money we get form jobs…" Penny admitted with a sign as the Human turned Eevee knew that regardless of what form Nemona is in…
Her love for Battles would always remain with her, And it's clear with her doing the Marowak Dojo Mazes solo while the rest of the Team check Treasure Town for the Goods they needed (Even if to her Credit, It does yield items and even the chance for supplies)
She's also decided to try to take on the Outlaw Jobs as well whenever possible as well, Often being the First to take the Jobs on the Outlaw Board as well (Especially with how Mutiple jobs can be take means Nemona can take as many as she could as long as they're in the same Dungeon with what Rescue Jobs her friends took that also are for the same place as well)
"Oh don't worry! Those are the TMs I managed to nab form Today's Dojo run* at least, as well as the Day after we help arrest Drowzee…" Nemona defended with a small chuckle form her mouth as the Fuecoco chuckled back to the Eevee while she and Arven rolled their eyes at this, The Quaxly receiving a Pat form his Sprigatito Girl as he calmed down form it.
"Is she like that often?" Piplup questioned to Juliana as she smiled back to him regarding her First Paldean Friend.
"You'll get used to it…." Juliana admitted with a chuckle to Piplup as the Human turned Sprigatito looked back to her battle besties (As they liked) while her boyfriend Arven just let out a sigh at Nemona's usual antics while Chimchar looked back to him.
"So is Nemona usually like this..." Chimchar questioned to Arven as he just rolled his eyes at this.
"Trust me, She's like that even as a Human… " Arven lamented as the Human turned Quaxly rolled his eyes at this, No doubt Nemona's Enthusiasm (And as of late they learnt Iron Stomach)
It's been quite a while since Juliana, Arven, Nemona and Penny came to this strange World inhabited purely by Pokemon, And even with their new bodies as Pokemon was something that can be seen as Blessing and a curse at the same time.
Sometime after their most recent adventure, the Four Friends/Classmates were suddenly thrown into this strange world without their own Pokemon and being turned into Pokemon themselves…. And also lacking some of their Memories as well… Especially those of the most recent event before they all ended up in their current situation,
Washed up on the Shore of the Very beach they're on with a Piplup (With a Scar on his Back) whom like them was also once a human but transformed into a Pokemon encounter a Chimchar whom encountered them by accident when he was on that beach.
Their Recent events up to this point have been helping Chimchar retrieve back his Stolen Treasure (A Relic Fragement) form a Koffing and Zubat who stole it form him, The Four Friends and Piplup soon forming an Exploration Team with Chimchar at the Wigglytuff Guild (Especially with no other options for their current problems, Moreso for Piplup as he doesn't even remember his own Name) with their first two missions being the retrieval of a Spoink's Pearl and arresting a Drowzee whom kidnapped a Young Azurill to retrieve treasures for himself.
It was certainly Interesting to say the least, But there's still no clues to their current situation or even any hints to Piplup's past as well...
"Well, Given what happened with Drowzee, We better learn some new moves since we're still trying to get used to being Pokemon as well, So maybe some TMs could help at least?" Said Nemona as she looked back to Juliana, Arven, Penny and Piplup,
No doubt save for the latter, the Four Paldean Students aren't exactly used to their new Pokemon Bodies to say the least.
While Arven and Penny struggled to adapt to their New Pokemon Bodies (The Latter comparing it to a Dream that became a nightmare as while she used to dream like becoming an Eevee, It was harder to walking with Four Legs then with two while Arven admitted of not being used to having a beak or duck feet as well), Juliana and Nemona didn't suffer such issues with the Latter as the Latter embraced it, No doubt her love of Battles making it easier to adapt to her new Fuecoco body as well (Though withour her Arm Brace, Throwing Items wasn't exactly easy either, With Nemona failing to throw Geo Pebbles right as well unlike Penny whom managed to get a Decent throw with them at least.)
For Juliana however, Walking on all fours wasn't pleasant but she admitted it was fun being a Pokemon at least, Even admitting she's starting to not mind being a Sprigatito as well
Arven was able to help her out with her doing the same for him, The Sprigatito helping the Quaxly get used to his new body while he helped her with her issues of walking on all fours as well.
"….Well, We should pick a TM and try it out." Said Nemona as she took out one of the TMs (Disarming Voice) and placed it on her Forehead, A brief flash appearing as the TM was reduced to dust.
"Well, Here you go guys…." Said Nemona as she gave the TMs to her Friends (Bullet Seed for Juliana, Arieal Ace for Arven and Shadow Ball for Penny), The Sprigatito, Quaxly and Eevee doing the same as their TMs crumbled to dust, no doubt the Moves are now absorbed into them and thus can use them as well.
"Well, That was interesting…." Said Penny as the Eevee shock herself, as her mind felt like using Shadowball, The information how to use it now following through her like it was second nature.
"Tell me about it…." Said Arven whom the Quaxly looked back to one of his wings as he felt a part of himself was awaken like when Koraidon ate any of the Herba Mystica he and Juliana are able to find during their Treasure Hunts.
"It's certainly interesting at least…" Said Juliana as her new Sprigatito mind has picked up the Bullet Seed ability and now starting to become second nature for her as well.
"Here you go Piplup!" Said Nemona as she gave Piplup his TM, Which is for Dig (No Doubt Nemona picking it to help Piplup with any Electric Types down the line as well)
Piplup then felt a sense of Deja-Vu the moment he made contact with the Dig TM,
But oddly enough, the Strange Visions he felt when he first picked up the Dropped Apple Azurill dropped near the Kecleon Market and then when Drowzee bumped into him (Revealing the Seemingly nice Pokemon's More Malicious intentions with him kidnapping Azurill to force him to steal Treasures found in small gaps), Didn't appear save for the odd feeling he's having right now.
'Why do I feel this way? Unlike Juliana, Arven, Nemona and Penny, I can't even remember anything, not even my name…' Piplup thought to himself as he stared back to the TM
'So why is this Dig TM bothering me right now?'
"Hey Piplup, Piplup, Are you ok?" Questioned Nemona as she looked back to the Penguin Pokemon as he remained slient for a while before speaking up what he wants to say to his friend.
"Oh, It's nothing…" Piplup said back to Chimchar.
"You sure about that?" Chimchar questioned with Concern for his Friend as Piplup nodded back as he gave Chimchar the Dig TM. "You sure it's not another dizzy spell like with Drowzee?"
"No not really" Piplup admitted with a Sigh. "Hey Chimchar, Maybe Dig could work on you? I just have the feeling it might…"
"Well worth a try at least…" Said Chimchar as he took the Dig TM, Which briefly flashes before crumbling to dust.
"Well that was odd…." Said Chimchar as Piplup turned to him. "I Felt my body tingling but it's all good now…"
"So Piplup, You need a TM, Cause I got one for you…." Said Nemona as she took out the last TM she was able to get (Brick Break) as the Penguin Pokemon took it.
"Sure Nemona, Thanks…." Said Piplup as he took the Brick Break TM, quickly doing the same as his Friends as the fighting Type Move is now added to him like his already existing moves of Bubble Beam and Peck.
"Now that we got the TMs, let's try our new moves out guys!" Said Nemona as she took a Deep Breath, As She was ready to test out her new Disarming Voice attack,
"Hey Maybe we should get the Chance to test these new Moves out during our new Jobs instead Nemona!"Juliana interrupted as the Human turned Sprigatito looked back to her friend.
"I Agree with Juliana, We better do one of the Jobs before the day ends before Chatot gives us an Earful at least…" Arven admitted as the Quaxly looked back to Juliana whom nodded back to, No doubt Wigglytuff's Right hand Mon can be pretty brash at times, And no doubt getting an earful form him is the last thing any of them wanted as well.
"Same here..." Said Penny as she admitted, Out of all the Guildmates at Wigglytuff's guild, Chatot's her least favorite so far... Especially given how similar he was to the Former Director before Director Clavell, Director Harrington whom failed to stop the bullying she and her friends in Team Star suffered... And the Parrot Pokemon doesn't exactly bring good memories back for her whenever she sees him.
Juliana then gave a small pat with her paws to Penny, The Eevee smiling back to her form this.
"Well then, That sounds like a better idea, Let's go guys!" Said Nemona with a smile as she looked back to them. "Time to get today's Jobs done!"
"Let's go!" Nemona admitted as she rushed up ahead much to Arven and Penny's Fustrations.
"Oh for the love of Arceus Nemona, Wait for us!" Said Arven as he took off after the Human turned Fuecoco after a sigh escaped his beak, With Penny rolling her eyes as well.
"Well, We should follow them guys, We don't want to keep those Pokemon in Trouble or those rouge outlaws waiting any longer…" Juliana admitted to Penny, Piplup and Chimchar.
"Well Let's go!" Said Chimchar as he, Piplup and Penny soon took off after Nemona and Arven with Juliana following behind them.
No doubt with their New Moves, They should have the Chance to have an easier time doing their Rescue and Outlaw jobs as well….
Juliana, Arven, Nemona and Penny may not exactly be in their ideal situations right now but with Piplup and Chimchar's help…
They can eventually unravel their current predicament for sure.
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*Although Marowak's Dojo doesn't open till after the Waterfall Cave Stuff, A Possible Explorers Remake could also do what Rescue Team DX did with Makuhita's Dojo and have it unlocked earlier as well.
Author's Note:
Well I admit, The Choices I made for what Pokemon the Paldea Gang get turn into can be Cliché (Paldea Starters for Juliana, Arven and Nemona and an Eevee for Penny), But it's the choices I liked the most so I decided to use them at least.
(Penny HAS TO TURN INTO AN EEVEE FOR SURE, So she gets the pass for this at least)
But I admit, If I didn't use the Paldea Starters for Juliana, Nemona and Arven, I'll have picked:
If Using only Explorers of Sky Starters:
-Juliana: Cyndaquil/Vulpix
-Nemona: Treecko/Shinx
-Arven: Squritle/Riolu
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If using up to Non Gen 4 Starters (In Explorers of Sky) Pokemon:
-Juliana: Ralts
-Nemona: Gible
-Arven: Elekid
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If using up to Gen 9 Pokemon:
-Juliana: Poplilo/Cottonee/Tinkatink
-Arven: Chespin/Litleo/Nacil
-Nemona: Scorbunny/Rockruff/Frigibax
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Also, For those wondering, I decided to include some detail form Juliana, Arven, Nemona and Penny's Human selves in their Pokemon Forms to help keep some detail of their human selves intact and to help differentiate form other Sprigatitos, Quaxlys, Fuecocos and Eevees as well:
As for the Details (They also all retain their eye colors as well):
-Juliana (Sprigatito): The Fur on her head is Brown instead of Green with a Cowlick Present in it,
-Arven (Quaxly): His Coif/tuff is his usual Platnium Blond instead of Light Blue
-Nemona (Fuecoco): Her Green Streaks are present as the Tufts on Fuecoco's head in place of the Usual Yellow of normal Fuecocos.
-Penny (Eevee): Her Mane/Fur Collar is her Red/Blue dyed hair color
Also, Piplup's scar on his back is something I added for this fic, and It's related to his backstory (Which I won't spoil however but those whom seen/played the Explorers Specials/games should know what Pokemon caused the scar and the attack it did given a certain scene in Explorer's Story) to help differentiate him form other Piplups as well (Chimchar has his Relic Fragement at least to help him stand out form the other Chimchars at least)
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Also for anyone Curious, I did made theoretical starting Movesets for the Paldea Starters if they're in a Future Mystery Dungeon Game (Explorers started the trend by giving an Egg Move to each of the Six new Starters (Riolu, Shinx, Eevee, Skitty, Vulpix and Phanpy) in that game which Gates to Infinity continued with it's 5 Starters (Pikachu, Axew and the Unova Starters: Snivy, Tepig and Oshawott) before Super and Rescue Team DX basically decided to included giving starters a starting moveset with possible TMs and Egg Moves (Which to be fair, Does allow some starters like Treecko and Chikorita to shine since they at least have some coverage given how lucky you're able to get certain TMs if the RNG isn't in your Favor when not using the Wonder Mail/Cofagrigus's Gold Shop and I'm up for it.):
Sprigatito:
-If in Super/Rescue Team DX Style: Scratch, Leafage, Sucker Punch, Play Rough
-If in Explorers of Sky Style: Scratch, Leafage, Tail Whip, Sucker Punch
(Sprigatito and it's Evolutions now get Petal Blizzard as a Level up move which they learn at Levels: 40, 48, 66 respectively)
Fuecoco:
-If in Super/Rescue Team DX Style: Tackle, Ember, Snarl, Stomping Tantrum
-If in Explorers of Sky Style: Tackle, Leer, Ember, Slack Off
(Fuecoco and Crocalor now get Shadow Ball as a Level Up Move which they learn at 30 and 34 Respectively)
Quaxly:
-If in Super/Rescue Team DX Style: Pound, Water Gun, Low Kick, Air Slash
-If in Explorers of Sky Style: Pound, Growl, Water Gun, Detect
(Quaxly and it's Evolutions now get Hydro Pump as a Level up Move (Level 40, 45 and 66 Respectively)
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Now for Nemona's Chapter and the Topics in them:
Yeah, It's obvious even when transformed into a Pokemon, You can for sure know that Nemona's Love for Battling would remain even regardless of what form she is in… (Heck, She'll love to get turn into a Pokemon out of the whole Paldea Gang if you ask me.. and She'll certainly love being a Mermaid in Mermaid Legends of Paldea as well)
Also, It's easy to see her being the One whom would go after the Outlaw Jobs if she's the Protaganist in a Mystery Dungeon Game (Heck it fits since the Explorers of Sky Special did imply Piplup and Chimchar did take out outlaws during the montage of them increasing their ranks to gold) just to satisfy her battle cravings as well.
Plus going to the Marowak (Or Makuhita if this is Rescue Team) Dojo Regularly as well whenever possible with the rest of the Gang is believable in a way as well.
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Likewise, I do plan on giving a theme connected to each of the Paldea Gang in these four stories, so like how Nemona's battling and using TMs like she was as a Trainer, Expect Juliana, Arven and Penny's Chapters to follow a similar structure as well where the theme of the Chapter is tied to something related to them.
Hope you like my take on Piplup and Chimchar as well! (Piplup's a little easier since his a Player Character like Juliana (Abit with the Specials fleshing him out as well) but I hope Chimchar is done well for you guys at least)
And Yeah, Anyone whom played Explorers should know Piplup's brief moment of hesistation at the Dig TM, given a Certain Grovyle having that move in the Canon Games and the Possible Reasons for it as well…
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Also, I figured I should classify the two Pokemon Worlds for this fic and Paldean Explorers:
-World of Pokemon (Juliana, Arven, Nemona and Penny's World): Mainline Pokemon Games and Most of the Non Mystery Dungeon Spin Off Games
-World of Mystery Dungeon/Pokemon World (Piplup and Chimchar's World): Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Games
But hopefully, This Chapter managed to satisfy you guys at least…
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Well, That's all for now…
Stay tune for the Next Chapters of this Fic as well as more of Mermaid Legends of Paldea soon! ;)
Take Care, Stay Safe and See Ya! ;)
-MegaSalamence64