01: Testing, 1, 2, 3...

[truthdecided]

[Upon receiving his Grumpearl, Akechi seizes the opportunity to test it. It seems pertinent to get a grasp on the communications technology, even if it's nowhere near as direct as a cell phone.

So, if he thinks, will that be enough? Akechi hums, then tries broadcasting his thoughts.]

Greetings. This is Akechi. I suspect a great many of you encountered me here and there. I'm the... "Rookidee" who was investigating the strange side effects of the various clothing articles and accessories.

[As he tries to figure out what to say, a song starts to play in his head.

Shit. Wait. Is that also being broadcast? Shit. Okay. Time to reedirect his thoughts to more sophisticated music.

Erm. Anyway.]

Please disregard that interruption. As I was saying, I've a vested interest in investigating our present set of circumstances. Recently, Mightyena-san approached me with an offer to join the Oran Berries, so that is where I'll be residing for the near future.

However, regardless of guild allegiances, I believe we could all benefit from using this network to share findings. To start us off, here is what I have learned after speaking to two individuals more familiar with the nature of Pokémon:

First, it would seem there are worlds where humans hold more authority over Pokémon, though their relationship seems more mutually beneficial on slightly more equal footing than humans and pets (Emmet-san and Ingo-san, feel free to correct me if necessary).

Moreover, there are a vast array of different types, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and certain "moves" that might seem unassuming, such as a wag of the tail or a snarl can and do affect our combat capabilities.

Thirdly, many species of Pokémon undergo a metamorphosis called evolution, not to be confused with Darwin's theory of evolution. Those of us who took on smaller and feebler forms may be able to reach even greater heights...

But in a broader sense, it seems there is some power at play that translates our speech regardless of our native tongue. I also heard of "legendary" and "mythical" Pokémon, though whether or not they have anything to do with our arrival here remains to be seen.

I suppose the next question is what exactly determined our present forms. I can see some reason behind my avian appearance, and Ren is fairly cat-like in his own right, but I obviously can't speak for everyone else.

[As he mentions Ren, there's a flicker of an image of a Sprigatito and then a very embarrassing memory he did not intend to broadcast. The jazzy music also gets a little louder before he decides to end the message.]

Comments

[outbounds]

Many people go on a Pokémon journey at some point. Leave home, maybe with a friend or two, their starter. It is something like a coming of age thing for many. Not everyone finishes the entire challenge. Most people don't. Not necessarily the point. They get one, two, three, prove that they can. Decide that travel, or being a trainer isn't for them. Go home with better understanding of their partner and Pokemon in general.

But you are correct. The Gyms and the League challenge, in a way, are to test and encourage people to grow.

Now. The actual, high-level competitive battling circuits— [ and like, through the telepathy Akechi will probably get a strong undercurrent of the fun ones, ] those, you will find elsewhere!

[truthdecided]

So the ones who see it through are the exception... I can see why. Travel must take a toll, not only financially, but on the mind and body as well.

[Yet there's something so appealing about it in concept. Seeing new sights, proving oneself... Opportunities to learn, to thrive.

True freedom.]

Well, now you've piqued my curiosity. How do these more competitive circuits compare?

[outbounds]

You do not necessarily have the opportunity for too many battles with others while on the road. There is an understanding, yes. I mentioned the custom the first time we met. But that is dependent on actually meeting someone of like mind while traveling. And some places are verrrry remote.

[ population densities sure are a thing. there's also usually a lot of wilderness in most regions to cover, whether you stay on the major routes or not... ]

... plus, you cannot be sure whether someone will actually be a fun challenge or if they will not be able to give you a serious battle.

So! There are official establishments that people can go to. Places they go if they want to test their skills, if they want a challenge. Places they go if they want to face others who want the same. Battle facilities for the best of the best! The Battle Towers, Maison, Frontiers and such of various regions. Our Subway. Even Alola has their Battle Tree these days!

[ most of the images that flash by as he mentions them are sterile, flat, like they're pictures printed on pamphlets, scenes seen through tvs and computer screens.

it's when he mentions the Subway that sense memory makes its way in; the familiar feeling of a floor in motion, faintly swaying, the quietly rhythmic background noise of the wheels along the tracks, the thrill of facing down a pair of familiar, eagerly anticipated challengers, high voltage, high impact moves flying from all corners of their battlefield...

(the faded but deeply etched recollection of a presence to your left, who you trust will cover you and you them, hastily glossed over and not dwelt on for this conversation.) ]

Many of them restrict participation and entry to those who have already completed their League Challenge. Makes sense but our Subway does not. We have our lines split between the normal and the super ones. Anyone who wishes to enter Gear Station and follows the rules of the subway may ride. Anyone who wants to try it out, or to challenge themselves to see how far down the tracks they can go— is welcome. If you arrive at success on the normal lines. Then you can go on to the Super lines.

[truthdecided]

[It takes a moment for Akechi to reply as he listens to the explanation and takes in the fantastical imagery that comes with it. Such diverse venues, each larger than life. Even the flatter ones capture the imagination.

It's a far cry from the city he's most accustomed to, but perhaps not too outlandish compared to the Metaverse.]

That's a wise approach. It lacks the elitism of the other venues, giving interested parties a taste of what's to come as they hone their skills.

[It's more pragmatic, even if the gyms and the league presumably fill a similar purpose for the other venues.]

[outbounds]

Unova is full of all sorts of people. People who come from all sorts of different tracks live and coexist here as one.

[ in general terms, anyway. it is, as some might say, a bit of a melting pot. ]

So we try to accommodate as many as we can. Much of Unova is busy, always busy. Some might say it never sleeps. The businessmen and office workers of Castelia might not have the chance to go on an entire journey anymore. The musical stars and celebrities and star athletes of Nimbasa— well, that speaks for itself!

We even get children and students challenging the lines sometimes. With sufficient parental permission anyway. Some of them do quite well for themselves.

[ @ pokemon, please explain the preschooler NPCs on the battle subway otherwise, ]

[truthdecided]

And how well do the children typically fare?

[Is that normal? There's a hint of confusion in his thoughts. Then again, the customs may normalize such things. What does he know?]

[outbounds]

They don't get terribly far, usually. 7 streak, maybe 14 if they are lucky. But they learn a lot and hopefully have fun with it so that is what matters.

There are a few who manage to earn entry to the Super lines. But they also usually keep a low streak there. As for how, as I think you might be wondering: some share or borrow Pokemon from family.

[ but if i chattered about all the ... interesting personalities found in the unique Battle Subway NPCs this tag would get way too long. ]

[truthdecided]

That would make sense. Though, simply having a powerful partner doesn't automatically make one skilled at battle. Perhaps some of those children are simply ahead of the curve.

[If so, that's certainly commendable. He'd like to think he was sharp for his age, after all, but he had to be.]

[outbounds]

It does not, you are correct! And just because the Pokemon may agree to listen to them because they are family. Does not necessarily mean that the bonds and trust they have built with their actual partners is there. In battle, when the outcome might come down to a single split second decision, that can be tested.

[ there's certainly a pattern as to what Emmet will and won't talk about at length, huh. ]

They might disagree on appropriate courses of action. Perhaps they do not have faith that the commands given are sound. They may hesitate at a key moment. Things can quickly derail from there.

But yes. Some of them do take to it more naturally than others!

[truthdecided]

[Hmm... With the way Emmet is talking, a few questions spring to mind.]

Are you speaking from personal experience?

[Granted, it all makes sense. That element of trust is undoubtedly crucial. Communication may also be more difficult with small children...]

That is to say, have you ever had to use another's Pokémon in battle?

[Obviously, he must have experienced it as an observer, but that's different.]

[outbounds]

I have. Though, 'had to' is the wrong way to put it. Most of our Pokemon are fine working with either of us.

[truthdecided]

I suppose when you build genuine team synergy with someone, such matters become almost effortless. The Phantom Thieves have a... mostly solid rapport, where it counts.

[When they aren't bickering, anyway. Or making rash, idiotic decisions. Ryuji immediately comes to mind.]

[outbounds]

[ He catches a bit of that thought and has to suppress another telepathic snicker. ]

Some of the lines were for something like that. You have only done singles here unless you've gotten into more interesting battles after the one we had. But where I come from both the doubles and multi battle formats exist as well.

I wonder how you and Ren would have done on the multi lines.

[truthdecided]

Well, we would have had to train a team of Pokémon, first and foremost.

[Which he's sure they could do, but it's a far cry from being them.]

Still, this world does offer opportunities for us to hone our team synergy.

[outbounds]

Just a hypothetical! If you had come from my timeline instead of yours.

[ But, well, true, no point in musing on it. They're here and not in Unova, and Akechi and Ren are only just barely familiar with Pokemon. ]

You did not have that kind of synergy before?

[truthdecided]

I can at least imagine that in a world like yours, we may have lived happier lives.

[But that is still just a dream, in the end...

As for Emmet's next question, it gives him pause. How to put this...]

At any rate, we did work well together, but we never truly got to flourish until dire circumstances gave us a common goal. Before that, things were... complicated, to say the least.

[outbounds]

Is that so.

[ That sounds like there's a story there. Honestly, all of that does. Not his place to ask, though! ]

Well! You have the chance and a common goal now. We will see how your combination develops. Will the two of you arrive at the destination you seek? Only you two can decide.

[truthdecided]

We've faced seemingly insurmountable odds before. Why should this be any different?

[He projects the image of a towering, gold being to prove his point.]

Though I find it rather ironic that I hold a type advantage over him.

[outbounds]

... I am Emmet. I am not sure what I am looking at.

[ But it sure looks like the kind of thing some enterprising ten year old or ambiguously a teenager or young adult would come out of nowhere to handle just because they happened to stumble across it in the middle of it happening. He's heard tell of some things called Ultra Beasts over in Alola, that look pretty strange compared to most Pokemon...

Though maybe it kind of also looks like some sort of strange giant Regigold. Or just something straight out of a movie. ]

But it is very large so I guess the challenge must have been scaled accordingly. Sounds exciting! Congratulations on your victory. If you back that confidence up. Then I am sure you two will get even stronger. Advantage or no advantage.

[truthdecided]

Adam Kadmon, a Persona with great power. It was quite the challenge and required the combined efforts of all of the Phantom Thieves and myself to keep it at bay so that Ren could finish the fight.

[But that was when they were all at their peak, with Personas and human forms, with a deep understanding of the cognitive world...]

I believe the greatest challenge here is adapting to an entirely new form, in a new world, and shaking our preconceptions. It's almost like being reborn and having to relearn even the most basic bodily functions.

The simple task of eating is quite challenging when you're used to having lips and teeth.

[outbounds]

I do not envy you there. I probably have it easier than a lot of people here and it is still a lot to adjust to.

[ For one, he can still sort of walk on two feet, and can still sort of use his front paws like hands. Sort of, to a certain, 'we'll call it good enough' degree. It's more than some people here have. ]

How many of you were there, anyway? You made it sound like having a Persona and your cognitive abilities was a rare thing. But there also happens to be a group of you all in the same place?

[truthdecided]

[Hmm... It's an excellent question, especially given his uncertain status within the Phantom Thieves. It doesn't feel right to consider himself a proper member, despite their recent work together.]

There were ten of us during the most recent conflict, though I wouldn't necessarily call myself a true member of the Thieves. We had a shared enemy and a common goal, so we were able to set aside our differences to pursue that goal.

[outbounds]

That just makes it sound like there's a 'yet' in that sentence.

[ Not a member of the Thieves — yet. But inevitably, as things approach the their ultimate destination ... ]

Though maybe that isn't the case. Maybe it's only Ren you care to work with. You have talked a decent amount about working with him specifically and not much about anyone else.

[ though maybe that's just because Ren's the only other person Akechi knows who's here? ]

[truthdecided]

That's entirely dependent on the others.

[He doubts they'd accept him as a proper member. The Thieves require a unanimous vote, and he knew Futaba and Haru were uncomfortable with him, as much as they retained some level of civility.

...

Damn it. Is he really talking about Ren that much?]

Ren and I have a rapport despite our past adversity. He has exceeded all expectations and earned my trust, which I don't give out so easily.

There are others among the Thieves who are tolerable company, and they regarded me with far more compassion than I deserve, but it's difficult to say how we'd interact going forward, especially when they likely believe I'm dead.

[outbounds]

You are proud of defeating the odds before but not about this.

[ Hmmmmmmmmmm. Still not exactly his place to ask, but. ]

Well, Detective Rookidee! That sounds like a bridge you'll have to cross when you come to it. Dead or not dead, you are here now and they are not. Might as well make the most of it!