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Post by DataNinja on Feb 4, 2019 3:29:49 GMT
The trek from leaving Petalburg Woods to the outskirts of Rustboro is also fairly uneventful. Only a stop for lunch interrupts it at all, with things otherwise peaceful and easy.
The biggest thing to hit new arrivals to Rustboro is the sheer presence of the city. Like Petalburg, it's developed, but unlike the former... it's all very crowded, with skyscrapers abounding, and not very much space from the city limits to tall structures. It's all super industrial, with a city smell competing for the nose's attention with the strong sea breeze. The streets themselves are also very busy, but at least there's plenty of consideration in the city design, with large walkways, so there isn't too much congestion.
"So, hey," Evelyn says, "What say we go drop our stuff off at the Pokémon Center, then head on over to Devon? See what they wanted us to go there for."
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Post by seraphflonne on Feb 4, 2019 4:26:13 GMT
Kai was staring around the buildings, eyeing up the skyscrapers with a bit of wonder. He was kind of used to big city life nowadays, but it was a bit different than Mauville, that's for sure. The smell wasn't really helping, he could feel his lung's distaste for it. Getting inside sounded grand because of that, even if he wanted to sight-see.
"Yeah, I'm all for dropping our stuff off for sure, I like being prepared but carrying a large tent is a bit much for city travel" His nose wrinkled a bit, another wave of the mixed scent of city and sea tickling his nostrils.
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Post by Breakthelevee on Feb 4, 2019 6:23:46 GMT
Ah, Rustboro. Coles home away from home, and very different than Verdanturf at that. He moved through the people with no problems, twisting and twirling through the crowd like a natural. It helped that he kept his supplies on the slim side, other than his cooking set which clanked on occasion.
Walking backwards for a moment, with his hands behind his head, he nodded "Yeah, Center then Devon sounds good. We should hit up the Gym first thing in the morning. It's better to go earlier so there are less students there, since they'll still be in class." With his luck lately he REALLY REALLY didn't want any underclassman to recognize him and then see him totally whiff a battle. Especially since it would already be rough for him. Maybe he should have picked up a grass type in the forest....Oh well, he would have to make due with what he had.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Feb 4, 2019 12:15:22 GMT
Theodore was beyond glad that his posse had opted not to stop at the Pretty Petal Flower Shop. Nothing would've been worse then having Mom dote on about his childhood in front of Ayah and his new friends. Sakes it would have taken most of an afternoon if he'd let it. Better to not bring it up again and enjoy the company of his new partner a bit. Earp didn't much like full sun, so when they hit the edge of the wood he was returned to the quiet and safety of his ball.
Rustboro was certainly different. The teen had never been quite this far from home before. "Business first sounds fine by me, frees up the day fer whatever water shenanigans, shopping or what git you." Theodore considered the three balls at his belt for a moment. "Y'all know what type rustboro's gym uses?"
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 4, 2019 18:52:20 GMT
"It's nominally Rock," Ruby says, "Though, don't expect Roxanne to let you get away with exploiting that too much, from what I've heard."
The group drops everything that they don't want to lug around at the Center, before heading off towards the Devon Corporation building. "I wonder what it's going to be like," Ayah muses. "All I know is that I keep hearing how big it is."
"Ask Ruby," Evelyn says, "I know she mentioned that she had a parent that worked there. I'm sure she can give you the insider's tour."
"Ev…" Ruby says, looking uncomfortable. "Okay, fine, 'big' is a good word to describe it. There are lots of people, all working on different stuff. Got quite a bit of production there, too, prototyping new stuff before it's released for public consumption."
"Well, hey," Evelyn teases, "maybe you can help us get some of that. We can go testing something new, especially for battling. See how it works in the field."
Ruby's demeanor is icy cold. "No, you know what, I'm not doing this. Give my regrets to President Stone, but I'm not going to go to Devon. You can inform him that only the five of you need whatever it is. You all have fun. Don't bother following, I just want some time away. I'll be back at the Center sometime tonight."
As Ruby walks away, Ayah gives Evelyn a look. "What? What did I say?" Evelyn seems taken aback. "I didn't say anything wrong!"
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Feb 5, 2019 2:15:32 GMT
Theodore scratched under the brim of his hat as things between Ruby and Evelyn got a bit heated and the organized wall flower retreated off into the city. "Oh... well, if yer not coming along we'll see you tonight ah spose. Won't be quite the same without someone to explain whats what, but thanks fer the heads up on the gym."
The boy gave Ayah a questioning look, as she seemed to know what was going on to some degree, but didn't vocalize it. A man didn't pry, and he wasn't about to get involved in a fight tween two girls. "Ruby seemed a bit put out 'bout her family's connections. Same way yer proud of yers."
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Post by Breakthelevee on Feb 5, 2019 6:05:48 GMT
"Hey I could have told you what she used. I used to go to the school she's in charge of after all. I spent a decent amount of time around the gym too. It's too bad my style didn't really fit in there, or I might have just decided to stick around instead of going off on a journey."
"Say, what's Rubys last name?" Cole says once she walked away "Both of you gave your full names when we introduced ourselves, but Ruby didn't. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
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Jun 18, 2022 18:49:06 GMT
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Post by seraphflonne on Feb 5, 2019 18:44:23 GMT
Kai wasn't exactly feeling comfortable with the tone shift they just had, looking a bit like a blindsided Deino for a moment as he looked between the fading Ruby and Evelyn with increasing confusion, being just as confused as Evelyn on what just happened, if not more confused.
Whe Cole says his piece, Kai starts feeling a bit targeted by Cole's last remark. His family didn't do last names, you could say it was a holdover from the ancient days of Alola, but some people still kept the tradition up. He scratched his cheek, a little embarrassed as he brought up his own thoughts.
"Uh, I mean, people don't have to have last names, I don't... So, I'd just say leave the name thing alone. S'kinda rude to talk behind someones back, after all."
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 5, 2019 19:42:39 GMT
"I dunno," Evelyn shrugs at Cole, "I never really thought to ask. Why? And I don't know why she'd be ashamed or whatever about connections. They're how you get anywhere in the world, after all."
"The point isn't anything about the connections, or names, or anything," Ayah says, "the point is that she was clearly uncomfortable! You should pay more attention to that, and maybe know when continuing your course isn't a good idea! Other people do have feelings and emotions that just might be different from yours!" After Ayah's tirade, both girls look a little sheepish. "Sorry. I just... these last several days have been a lot more intense than I'm used to, and there's been a lot of pressure. Mostly from you. So she might be feeling that, too."
"Ah, I... I see," Evelyn says at last. "I guess I'm just not quite used to people not quite as driven as I am. I'll... try and keep that in mind, then." She runs her fingers through her hair. "Well, uh, I guess we should hurry to Devon before we lose another person," she chuckles nervously.
It's thankfully not too far from the Pokémon Center to the Devon Corporation building. It's a large steel structure, though with a lower portion that has a decorative rocky façade. "Devon Corporation:" reads the sign out front, in the middle of an open courtyard with many decorative statues, "For all your living needs, we make it all!"
Inside, there's a fairly spacious lobby, though it's fairly empty right now. "Hello there," Evelyn says, as the group walks up to the receptionist, "We're here from the Pokémon Laboratory's Mega Stone Research project." She shows her Trainer Card and Key Stone. "We were told that President Stone wanted to see us whenever we were in town, so... well, I guess do we have to set up an appointment or something?"
"Oh!" The receptionist says. "Yes, we were expecting some of you over the next few days. Let me just see here if he's got anything right now..." She types at her computer for a bit, looking, before saying, "Nope, doesn't look like there should be a problem right now. You came at a good time. I'll buzz you in, and you can head up that stairwell over to your right. First floor up, take your first left and go all the way to the end. He's in his lower office right now."
The group follows the directions, heading up, and past offices of people looking fairly hard at work at computers or workstations, though several look up in curiosity at the kids heading past, and a few wave. The atmosphere, despite the concentration, seems to be fairly relaxed, with a casual air permeating. Reaching the end of the corridor, there's a simple office, not really much larger than the others, with only a nameplate on the outside saying "S. Stone" indicating who it might belong to.
Well, that, and the person inside, sitting down at the desk, with distinctive steel-blue-grey hair, and a sharp suit. He seems to be in the middle of talking to a fairly-similarly dressed man, with bright red hair, and a rather oversized set of glasses. The standing man is recognizable to the Hoenn natives as Maximillian Matsubasa, former leader of Team Magma. There was rather some controversy a decade ago over Devon taking him on after his sentence was served, but that's mostly died down by now.
The conversation dies down, though, as Steven looks up, seeing the posse of Trainers. "Ah," he calls through the open door, "you must be the Trainers that Janie messaged me about. From the Mega Evolution program, yes? Please, squeeze in, there should be enough space. Do let me know how your journeys have been so far."
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Post by Breakthelevee on Feb 6, 2019 2:01:11 GMT
Wow. Steven Stone. The one time Champion. Right in front of him. Cole blinked rapidly, a little star struck. "Well, it's sure been an...unbelievable opportunity." He didn't feel like mentioning the forest woman would be a good idea, especially not since he was still a little heated about how everyone just let it go. Which he really didn't want to bring up with a former terrorist in the room. Maybe learning to forgive and forget is the way to go, since even Steven freaking Stone seemed to.
"Err, Ruby says to give you her regrets and something about not wanting whatever it is and that only the five of us need it...." He shuffles nervously in place, completely out of character for him, before talking again "I have a question that's going to seem out of left field here. But based on a reaction she had....is she related to you somehow?"
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Post by Robot on Feb 6, 2019 2:29:43 GMT
"Shoot this IS a treat." Theodore offered Steven a handshake, and if taken has a firm grip and good posturing, unable to help a small chuckle. "Well... we uh... got our first badge and had a bit of weirdness afterwards. I know it ain't part of our visit, but could you take a look at his here rock for us? Ruby said you might know somethin..." Theodore fished the shards of that strange plate from his pocket and held them out in his palm.
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Post by seraphflonne on Feb 6, 2019 3:17:26 GMT
"Alola! I guess it's a pleasure to meet ya?" Being the foreigner he was, he had no clue what people were talking about right now, or who this man was. Kai wasn't sure what to expect from the president of the Devon Corporation, but at least he seemed friendly, so that was a plus.
"I'm sure the professors told you our names, but I'm Kai. And so far it's been fun, minus an incident in Petalburg. And it was fun there after the mess got... as cleared up as we could. That's where the stones Theodore is handing you come from!"
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 6, 2019 4:48:54 GMT
"Well, there's been a lot of battling so far," Evelyn says, "someone doesn't seem to be able to know when to quit." She winks in Cole's direction. "But, it's been fun."
"A little hectic, to be honest," Ayah admits, "But, been more enjoyable than I was worried that it would be. I've met good people on the way."
"Well, I'm glad to hear it," Steven says, shaking Theo's hand with a strength that belies his calm nature. "I'm not as young as I used to be, so I have to live vigorously through the stories of youth." He chuckles. "As for Ruby..." he takes a breath, before exhaling. "Yes, she is my daughter. Though, please, don't bring it up to her. She has been very adamant that she does not want to go through life coasting on the Stone family name, or her connections to Devon. Going so far as to make sure that she purchases everything from overseas. Even her starter. She wouldn't accept a Beldum, instead choosing to buy a Porygon - the farthest thing from the natural Evolutionary stones that we make here."
He shakes his head as he reaches into one of the drawers in his desk. "I do wish that I didn't have to treat my own daughter more formally than Trainers that I've just met. It's always 'Miss Stone' with her." He lays five different colours of devices down on the table. "Anyways, enough about that. These are the newest model PokéNavs, complete with GPS, calling, even video. Pick one, and then encourage you to register each other in there. Unfortunately, they weren't quite ready for sending you all off, but, they're here now."
That all done, he takes a look at the shards that Theo held out, spreading them on his desk, and holding them up to his eye. "Hmm... I can't see anything that might make them special on a cursory examination. It's clearly man-made, judging by the uniform composition and non-crystalline perfect sloughing... but I'd have to examine it closer. Max?" He holds a handful of the shards out to his compatriot in the room.
Maxie holds them up to his eyes, adjusts his glasses, and taps some buttons on a watch-like device on his wrist, peering at the shards. "Nothing concrete, but, there does seem to possibly be trace residual amounts of Infinity Energy. I'd need to perform further analysis on them to be sure, though."
"Hmmm... that's peculiar, especially given the program these youth are all in." Steven turns towards the group again. "What were the circumstances of these stones? You said that there was some weirdness?"
"If they've managed to achieve it already, Mega Evolution from these stones might cause residual energy to coat around, especially the first time," Maxie muses. "That would be consistent, and it would indeed be a feat to have been able to achieve it so soon." He looks at the group. "Your Key Stones and Mega Stones are unusual, in that they were synthesized from concentrated Infinity Energy. It's a biological energy that builds up in Pokémon. Generally it can only be safely extracted from dead Pokémon, and it's only really worth it from long-dead ones where it has pooled and concentrated. Hence why Sea Mauville was built. But, Mega Evolution does cause some release of the internal energy. That's what we collected, and used to synthesize these Stones."
"Doctor Matsubasa was the chief coordinator on that project," Steven explains. "He was the one who was able to first make a working prototype. Well... semi-working."
"The Pokémon did Mega Evolve, but the Stone exploded. We... fixed that." He clears his throat. "Anyways, the point is, that with this newest iteration, you might be releasing more energy than anticipated due to it being channeled through more energy. Please, let us know if any... complications seem to occur."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Feb 6, 2019 10:43:18 GMT
"Well... Y'see... We made it t'Petalburg, had our gym run and slept at the center fer the night, the six of us with Ruby. Next morning the city is overgrown, and we can't find nobody no how. None of the phoned were working. We go out into this jungle and find traces of buildings and whatsits and a Pokemon Ranger attacks us, only she ain't right." Theodore explains animatedly.
"She's part plant, and is controlling them, gave us a right bruising with her partner. They were sharing some kinda rainbow light tween them. Our stoned got all hot when we were in that place. After we knocked her out this green square rock comes out of her, fades,and broke into these here shards. She wakes up with no memory of any of it, named Holly apparently, and the forest just up and disappears. It was something, took three of us, and she almost got Evelyn too."
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Post by Breakthelevee on Feb 7, 2019 3:27:06 GMT
"Thus, the incident I mentioned in Petalburg. No one really believes us, so that's why I didn't bring it up." And because he didn't trust a former criminal to know about what sounds like more terrorists. But again, if Steven trusts him maybe Cole should too.
"But yeah, we def can't Mega evolve yet. None of our partners are even in their final stage yet and if I remember correct that's a pretty big part of it" All the science talk had kind of went over his head but he didn't like the sound of the complications being mentioned in that tone. He would have to remember that for later.
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Post by seraphflonne on Feb 7, 2019 3:42:13 GMT
Kai looks around, confused and barely following anything about the conversation except the bit about long dead Pokemon and Infinity Energy... and really only the part about how they gather it. "So... would Fossils be the biggest source of that... Infinity Energy then?"
He didn't really comment on the weirdness that happened. He didn't understand a single bit about what happened there and was happy letting his other teammates and the professionals handle how that all works. He was more interested in how the Mega Stones came about and if it was possible to get more made if they used proper... well, sources.
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Post by DataNinja on Feb 7, 2019 4:33:54 GMT
"I... see," Steven says, slowly, before looking over at Maxie. "Or, rather, I... don't, really. I've never heard of anything quite like that. Have you, Max?"
The other shakes his head. "Nothing specifically matching those descriptions, although I do seem to recall reading something about their being some peculiar incident in Petalburg a few days ago, regarding foliage. That part, at least, would seem to correlate. Not that I would expect these children to lie."
"If it's true, then it would certainly be something concerning," Steven says, nodding. "At the very least, it probably wouldn't hurt to run some tests on those pieces." He thinks. "But, a person being part plant... if you're sure about that, that would lead to some very disturbing implications. Possibly leading up to something as large as the Reawakening. I'm not sure how much you all have heard about that, but, needless to say... it could have been quite bad."
Maxie seems to have become quite preoccupied with adjusting his glasses, before clearing his throat. "Regardless, that's something that we'll look into. See what we can find. Until then, probably best to not concern yourself with it too much."
Steven looks at Kai. "With regards to topics that I'm better equipped to discuss, your question on Fossils. In fact, they're the worst with regards to energy. In order to reanimate them, titanic amount of energy is required to be pumped back into them, where it takes on the semblance of the form within. By the time they're in a usable state, they don't tend to leave fossils."
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Post by Breakthelevee on Feb 7, 2019 5:27:00 GMT
"I'll be honest here. I don't really understand anything about this Infinite Energy or any of that science stuff. But uh I DO know that if anything like that happens again we can probably handle it for at least a little while. All of us are pretty competent in a fight, especially the girls. Ruby, Ev, and Ayah have beat us a few times, so if we tag with them then we should be fine. But we'll let you know if anything else weird happens." Cole says with a smirk.
Part of him wanted to treat Ruby differently now, pushing her to challenge him as much as he pushed Ev. She was the daughter of a former champion after all. But he knew she wasn't as competitive, at least not in the same way. So he would leave things be. He wouldn't even tell her that he figured out who she was. He would treat her the same as he had before, with just maybe less mentions of family around her.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Feb 7, 2019 11:11:58 GMT
Theodore didn't mind that the answers weren't right there, but certainly did look slightly bewildered at Steven and Maxie's back and forth. Big as the Reawakening huh? That was how legends were made. A lot of people had trouble from that though. Nobody wanted trouble.
Having said his piece, the boy approached the desk and examined the PokeNavs. "So these boxes do all kinds of things?"
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Post by seraphflonne on Feb 7, 2019 21:37:51 GMT
Kai mulled over that knowledge for a moment, getting a disgusted look for a moment. He wasn't a fan of that thought process at all. He stopped himself from thinking further, as he didn't want to think about what that meant.
When Theo brought up the PokeNav's, he had something to distract him and zoned in on it. Walking over and picking up the one he liked most. It had a copper red frame, with some dark red accents. "Mind if I take this one? I kinda like the color scheme"
He did take a moment to actually figure out how to open it, not having really ever fiddled with one himself.
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