#//arceus help this poor soul

[the-sleepy-conductor]

Ok headcanon time.

I've seen lots of headcanons about Emmet always saying "I am Emmet" simply because it could be a verbal stim, or he just automatically starts doing so because people confuse him with Ingo.

But hear me out.

He starts doing it because of Legends Arceus.

Before I dive into this, quick tw of mentions of death, as well as panic attacks. Also possibly derealization and depersonalization? I'm not sure how to describe what's down below I'm not trying to be offensive.

So, the event of Ingo being sent to Hisui happens before the events of Black and White. Except it's not a he-was-gone-for-months-or-years kind of thing. He just blips, faster than the blink of an eye, but being in Hisui felt like an eternity to him. He's still in his Subway attire after the whole ordeal, still has his Pokemon, and most importantly, still has his memories. He remembers everything about himself, but also recalls forgetting everything in Hisui.

Now I'm imagining this could happen when the twins are on the Multi Train waiting for a challenger for instance. They're bored out of their minds, with Emmet impatiently tapping his foot and Ingo nearly falling asleep. Then just as Ingo closes his eyes, Hisui happens, and he's jolted awake with a choked gasp.

Emmet is of course frightened, frantically asking Ingo what's wrong. But the older Subway Boss is in shock and clearly distressed. Ingo can only clutch his chest as he gasps and wheezes for breath. He feels as though his heart is pounding too fast for his body, he's suffocating. Can't breathe. Can't get enough oxygen-

But he's alive. His heart is beating, he can feel the cold chills through his body, the trembling... He's not dead out in ancient Sinnoh. But he still can't calm down. He's freaking out about what happened to him. Was that some weird nightmare? No, he swore everything was real. The Zoroarks, the Alphas, Giratina, Arceus, the fear still made itself home in his brain. The Pearl Clan, his Pokemon, Lady Sneasler, they created a warm fuzzy feeling in him for a split second as he recalled them. And yet he remembered all those cold, lonely nights he'd cry alone to himself for the man who looked like him, his twin brother Emmet.

And Ingo breaks down crying right then and there. He's so overwhelmed from emotion, unable to process years of events and emotions and memories in just seconds. He's hyperventilating, crying choked sobs as it feels like his poor heart is going to give out. Was he really in Hisui? He was back in the subway train, wasn't he? Like nothing ever happened? Did Arceus rip his soul from his body for that split second, and that's why his body is utterly convinced he's going to die-

And through the gasping, the crying, his heartbeat pounding in his ears, he hears Emmet's voice call out to him worriedly but calmly through it all. Ingo held onto that voice like a lifeline. It had been merely a few seconds since he heard his twin's voice, yet it had been decades. He clings onto his baby brother for dear life, registering that he's right here, Emmet is right here, and Ingo is at his side. Emmet had given up on trying to ask Ingo what's wrong, now only concerned with helping Ingo calm down. Ingo's a crying mess for a long time, but he eventually cries himself out, now too tired to keep sobbing.

Emmet takes that chance to ask Ingo if he's ok. Ingo replies that he's unsure. Physically he's fine, but... He shudders and leans against Emmet more. Emmet asks him to elaborate. Ingo was positive that Emmet would think he's gone crazy, but Ingo was so shaken up he didn't know what else to do. He explains everything, the events of Hisui, feeling like he wasn't even in his own body for a split second, and forgetting his own twin. Ingo gets choked up again and Emmet reminds him to breathe.

Even though the whole experience was traumatizing, the only thing Ingo could focus on was that he forgot Emmet. His memories are still intact now, but he knows he forgot him in Hisui. And for some reason, that terrifies him more than any space-time anomaly. He weakly chokes out that he didn't want to forget Emmet again. He could forget trains, he could forget Unova, just don't take his brother away from him again.

Of course Emmet is caught off guard by all this. But his normally unshakable brother was breaking down in his arms, and he had never seen Ingo this upset in his entire life. If Ingo had a reason to be upset, then what he said must be true, because Ingo wasn't acting like himself at all. They're Subway Bosses, they've seen it all.

Emmet reassures Ingo that he believes him. His distress his valid. But Emmet also proposes an idea. He'll remind Ingo that he is Emmet as often as he can. And from then on, he'll make a habit of saying "I am Emmet" at the start of every other sentence, for Ingo's peace of mind. It becomes such a habit, that he even says it when he's not talking to Ingo. He starts using a sort of script when introducing himself to passengers, saying "I am Emmet. I am a Subway Boss. I like Double Battles. I like combinations of two Pokemon. And I like winning more than anything else." He starts using short and brief sentences to describe himself to anyone new to him, as well as using it to keep Ingo grounded whenever he has another panic attack about his memories.

And even years later, even after the events of Black 2 and White 2, Ingo still finds comfort in hearing his little brother say "I am Emmet."

This got waaaaay out of hand but I needed somewhere to jot my thoughts

[juiceshiru]

i absolutely adore spacea and tiempa ….

these two.. spacea and tiempa… used to be literal stars!!!! STARS IN THE SKY!!!!!!! two lonely stars (as spacea puts it !!!) watched down on earth and it’s inhabitants. They both took likings on two people:

Trinity and Stella.

tiempa absolutely adored trinity’s appreciation for time and how she lived her life to the fullest!! Trinity ,the playful girl, gave everything she could in life :] (she was the middle sister of 3)

and spacea took a liking on a girl named stella. A calm, polite, silent and scholarly girl!!! She balanced the personalities of her two sisters. (the youngest sister of 3)

These two lived at the kingdom in ghovora, which their older sister ruled: griselda!!!

they all lived happily until humanity killed arceus. Chaos roamed around the region, there was danger everywhere and people desperately wanted the archetype’s power. The Power arceus left behind. They wanted to save themselves, they wished to live, no matter the cost!!

This all led to griselda getting paranoid day by day.. she wanted peace more than anything, she wanted to protect her kingdom, her people, her sisters and most importantly her daughter!!! She loved them so much, she’d do anything for them…

which is why she teamed up with leisel and started sacrificing humans and pokemons to make crests

Crests made her army unstoppable. She broke off the alliance of the 7 kingdoms and started taking over the region. Why? Because if she took control over the entire land, she’d stop the pain and suffering all together!! No one could plot anything under her finger tips !! She’d stop it before they even happen !!If true peace is to be obtained, it will be through her.

thats where Variya comes in and offers both the sisters to be interceptors. She could give them the power to stop their sister from destroying the entire earth!!!

but they cant… both of them are afraid …and scared…they dont want to suffer anymore.. they want the pain to go away !! How could their older sister do something so cruel??? They couldn’t go up against her, they loved her… they just couldn’t …it’s too much for them!!!

So Variya offers both of them a deal: letting someone else do their job, beings that are not human will take over their body and do it for them…and they accept the deal.

Two stars fell down to earth and took over the bodies of stella and trinity….

Spacea and Tiempa were born. (And i assume they were the first interceptors to ever be, since variya was working all on this after arceus’ death and all 3 sisters lived in the same layer ..!)

They have the option on either saving the entire planet or damning it forever.. they choose to save it, because trinity and stella loved this earth so much. It meant a lot to them and was precious to both

the hags were doing it for the poor sisters, not for humanity, not for anybody … just for stella and trinity…

They build their own kingdom…and confront griselda one day. Griselda refuses to stop the war. So they result to the only thing… the death of their sister. They have to kill her.

So they team up with Griselda’s daughter (who has no name btw LMAO) and poison her… as she was dying, she saw the faces of her three beloved family.. why would they do something like this? Why would they betray her like this? All this war… and all the pain she has caused… it was all for them to be safe !! She just wanted the best for them….

This marks the end of an era

But whoops griselda turns into giratina (somehow) and starts thrashing and destroying everything in her path out of anger and hurt. She rips her daughter’s soul and locks it away

and spacea and tiempa, not wanting any more of this, lock her away to the distortion world!! By now, all the kingdoms were ruined and in shambles. So many have died….

they then volunteered to the overseer thing to help variya with whatever she needed, because hey….it was thanks to her that they got to save something so precious for stella and trinity ….they got to help the two people they liked the most..… and they got be humans …they just had to repay the ‘god’ of this world …and so they become the false gods we know as today (yay !!)

and then the plot happens and yeah…! So sad..

Also omg in paragon tiempa admits that she looks foward to finally dying !!! LIKE !!!! AUGHH ….she wants to die!?1?1!!1 hello!?!1??1

And…….. these two love each other very much and i love that ..i love sisters……

spacea mentions how tiempa was the only person to be ever with her from the very beginning..!!!!! She says how the status of this world doesn’t matter to her if her sister isn’t with her …!!! Even after her betrayal …she still looves her veryyyyy much …UAGHHH immmm gonna cry

[klonoadreams]

Sooo

If someone try to hurt the baby for, idk, revenge for all arceus and pokemon thing?

How much Akari, and family, going to damage the poor soul?

Akari tearing out their throat with her mouth while Mama Miyuki goes for the gut and Papa Tetsuya goes for the spine. they're BRUTAL.

and just when you think you have someone civilized with Volo, he just gets all evil-eyed and goes in for the kill.

That baby is protected. Even Kamado will do his best to help as he still wants to make amends for his fuck up from when he casted out Rei and Akari from the village. SO OOPS.

[lovepmd]

Poor RTDX!Partner.

They get partnered with the Hero who has the experience of four past adventures and renewed spite. Hero knows how to Move Tutor, dungeon explore, and all sorts of crazy terraforming. There’s not much DX!Partner can teach this time around save for (once again?) sticking to Hero without many questions.

Multi!Hero wants to go to the moon and space this time around. If Arceus (or whatever keeps making them save the world) thinks that they’ll silently accept things—it’s dead wrong. They were going to kick Pokémon’s development up a several notches in defiance. Also, it was downright cruel to stick them with possibly another version of Rescue!Partner. Their first Partner against what used to be a new world.

Hero can’t help comparing both versions and always feels guilty. This “world” might resemble the one they saved four times over, but it isn’t. Pokemon know about Mega Evolution and Fairy Types when it took the past world several years to get to that point. (Which was really weird in Multi!Hero opinion.) They aren’t sure if there’s any “next” or if they’ll remain in this world. Will they be stuck in an endless cycle of saving the world? Will they go back to whatever human world they came from? Will their past four partners never know where they disappeared to this time, will this one think they are too crazy to stick by?

For once in their current life, Hero has to unpack all the feelings they have kept off to the side for years. For once, they have to mourn what they once lost and more recently lost.

They have to admit at the end of the day—when the crazy experiments have stopped, when they are alone in the base, when they don’t have to keep up the manic energy—they might be pretty messed up. Subconsciously, Hero knew the entire situation itself was messed up. They were transformed without their consent and missing many memories. They had to risk body and mind and mental health to save the world. They were subjected to the limbs of something not even the Legendaries could fully explain.

No matter what good came from it, the amount of friends and dare they say it—family—they made… They certainly tried to distract themself in the madness of being on various teams. Hero’s tired. Tired of being the only human, tired of having to save the world, tired of having to spend so much effort to belong. Tired of having to say goodbye without much warning.

While all their pondering and worrying couldn’t change the situation, they allowed themself to feel small. Multi!Hero allowed themself to feel mortal, to feel like they were just another soul in the world, to feel the closest to ordinary they could get. It had felt almost fun in the beginning to be a hero. To be someone larger than life that could actually get things done. There was worry and stress that most didn’t see. Yet the human was doing good, right?

No need to care about what anyone else thought as long as they were doing good in the world. Plus, they had cool powers!

Nothing’s ever that simple though. And contrary to what they’re physical from was, the human-turned-Pokemon wasn’t a child. They were closer to a teen or young adult who had to go through something hardly anyone could dream of being possible. If they were to go back to being human right now—would they be okay? Not just in an emotional sense, but would they be able to function after all their experience. Would they be able to say goodbye to everything they built? When they didn’t know if the world they were going back to lacked Pokemon or had humans and Pokemon together?

The way Multi!Hero knew things—the Pokemon anime, the Pokemon games, was almost clinical. As if someone implanted some of the base facts without emotion attached to any of it. It was very hard for them to tell if they came from the world were Pokémon were fictional (and wasn’t that a doozy of a revelation), or if that media was from a world where Humans were trainers and caught Pokémon. Or some crazy mix of both.

The fact they couldn’t answer that, scared them.

(Sorry, I went on a bit of spiral about a what if.)

[askoinari]

(@ask-meitra) Kerex @ Inari: "Hmm, an interesting concept there of light and dark pokemon. I'm assuming these 'dark' pokemon are different from dark types. Would you elaborate on the differences between dark and light?"

Inari

Oh, I’d be delighted! You’ve got the right of it, and I just found some notes that were written on the subject not too long ago. You’re welcome to read up on them if you’d like!

Basically, a “Dark” Pokémon is a Pokémon who’s soul has been corrupted by the influence of Chaos, which exists as an outside force in this realm. This has nothing to do with a Pokémon’s type, but everything to do with the condition of their soul. They suffer what’s known as a Chaotic Infection, and will slowly but steadily eat away at them the soul outwards until there is nothing left. Like an infection, it is also easy to pass to other Pokémon and very difficult to rebalance.

As for Light Pokemon, using myself as an example, our soul radiates a warm, purifying aura from within that repels Chaos naturally. A Light Pokémon is not usually born (except through circumstances such as reincarnation), but made over time as the soul matures alongside the body from birth and is maintained in a pure state consistently.

Either of these conditions can happen to any Pokémon at any time, from a tiny Cutiefly to an Arceus. So it’s best to be careful of staying away from Dark Pokemon, and to be mindful of your own mental and physical health throughout your life. There are plenty of Light Pokémon like myself who have dedicated their lives to purifying and helping these poor individuals, as well as everyone they end up affecting.

If you ever need help, please always let someone know. We’d rather not wait until it’s too late if we can nip the problem in the bud early on, safely.

[pearlylamp]

If taking courage in this situation was the only thing poor Akari could do, then maybe it was acceptable. Did the other notice it?, was it so obvious? Well, at certain moments, he had to admit that also perceived something from the man.

Akari checked the note once more, since it was written down where they should collect the incense, held the note, his thin hands were a little shaky, it's not because of nerves, it was a reflex.

—I want, i want your help, could we? —nods, his oceanic hair moving slowly. —I'm scared of you, but i also want to help you —answers quietly, his note crumpling as he says.

—No...Uh, it's not much, really.

The man he saw in certain dreams, some dreams, many dreams.

What a pain.

Why does the blonde who is speaking is so similar to that person? If he was going to go, then, Akari would promise himself that he would make way for the new circumstances that could happen, even if at times it gives him chills and a headache to remember.

That forest of Sinnoh like everything around, the fauna and flora had not changed much, even with the influence of modern architecture, the world of the God of beasts and men was protected for some reason, this was Arceus's world, Eden. In some way Akari was a key piece of the game, started with nothing and ended with nothing...

Was the Eden of beasts and men so bad? Arceus's muse and pearl, was the only one who could defend the old Sinnoh and the earthly plane by mere divine whim.

The muse, the pearl, also yearns to know that Eden he once protected in ignorance and if only he could find the cure for that name that was forbidden between his lips, if he could hear and say those four words of that someone on his lips; he only felt a fluttering in his chest, longing, fear, guilt, anticipation, curiosity. To live in the Eden of the great Sinnoh, what kind of flower should be born to avoid those human feelings?

And on the other hand, he wanted to hear some foolish words. Was it too much to ask? Maybe his gaze could light up, he wanted to shout to the winds that: I miss you, that he would not go anywhere, because if his mind, soul and existence were not in sync, if that is the case, was not worth it either.

Akari looked at the landscape, among the mystical flora, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply, squats down, picking up another peach, one of a peculiar sweet pink, putting it in his bag. After that, he walked a few more steps, turning around, saying to the man.

—Tonight, even if the stars fall from the sky, if you believe and pray with your heart, it may come true...You could, we could.

His delicate features were noticeable, even when he is a little far away, those sky-blue hair, that starry gaze, that voice, even if his mind were a mess in this plane of existence, it was him; absolutely. Ah, of course, the name of the holy hero of those ancient times, his name was poison.

Who would have thought that there could be any brave or arrogant person who would want to get drunk with that poison, which only makes the sins that were buried float?

Akari's existence hurt more than he did, that was good, really good, because every time the beloved of the God could wash Volo's face and walk by his side like he once did, it would burn a thousand times like the heat of summer or the snow of winter together.

Pouring the balm on an immortal and cynical, a little faith was like the most useless attempt to heal, but, what's done is done and the young man, the pearl of Sinnoh, was so hurt and vulnerable that he only let his misunderstood kindness fill that cracked bowl he carried in his heart.

Those words, he also needed to hear for himself. Because, surely, someone will light the holy incense for him, as if it were a wake of memory, a phantom.

If he looked at the blasphemer a little longer, could at least inquire more into his hardships? Even if he daydreams night and day, it seems that only by laying those crystalline eyes on the tallest, would find a certain answer that was looking for so long.

The man's hair, that honey-colored hair, Akari wanted to get closer to inspect, as perhaps, a nymph or a mermaid would do. But, if he were to inspect, it would hurt, why does feel like he's burning inside?

His hand trembles, holding the fruit and placing it behind his back; Akari gets up clumsily, taking a few steps.

Bewildered to have heard his name, but what else can he do when that heart of his is exposed to so many emotions. The steps on the grass are barely heard, seeming as if he weren't there.

Akari is not faithful to destiny, he never has been, time is only invisible to those who firmly believed that it would be so, that includes him, because his soul belongs to old Sinnoh. But, that constant feeling of shame and observation has been chasing him since long ago. The young man is frustrated, everyone assumes his feelings and knows things that he does not.

His lips open and then close, he backs away further, until crashes into one of the medium-sized peach trees. With light steps, he hid behind, paying attention to the man and his curious words taken from some fairy tale. After an uncomfortable silence, Akari expresses, in that almost understandable voice.

''So-Some people usually say that peaches germinate immortality in those who consume it...'' stops for a few moments. ''Well, they usually say'' inhales slowly.

Can he escape?

He could do, at least continue on his way and pretend that nothing happened.

But, Akari has problems communicating, he is not completely an idiot, nor does he have the contrary feelings to be able to run away, so decided to burn himself in the fire, if he does not do it, no one else would do it, no one would do the acts for him.

Stands in front, the cool wind begins to make itself present, he stops hiding the peach, but, needs time, it was not a big deal. He takes out a note from his yukata, it was well cared, giving it to the man that he had perhaps seen in a dream, some dream, many dreams.

The written said: ''I'm sorry, i must bring incense sticks to the shrine for tonight, could you help me?''

A simple request, all so that he would stand with his head down and take something of courage.

Everything he knows is dead, except him, Akari is just a stellar of a old Sinnoh, but it was still the natural world of Arceus. His god, of beasts and men, has blessed (cursed) him with the ignorance of an odyssey he has never wanted.

It was just a matter of embracing memory and facing consciousness.

[blackcrystvl]

"Why, you certainly look lost. What's a pokemon like you doing in a region like this?"

@geobadge 

          That man from earlier, the one with the unsettling grin, Ausos didn’t think they would see him again so soon. Was this man following Ausos or was this pure coincidence? Ausos couldn’t be sure. The man wasn’t being rude, or mean, or trying to hurt them though, so Ausos didn’t see a reason to ignore the stranger– who knows, maybe the man would turn out to be nice, maybe even another friend to make! 

          “Ausos not lost, Ausos just travel!” Ausos, watching the man cautiously, though optimistically, speaks to them in a chipper tone, all while the crystal on Ausos chest emanates a faint purple light. “Ausos like see new places, meet new people, new friend. Friends especially Ausos likes!” Ausos, tilting their head at the man, continues, “Although, Ausos not find many friend in here region yet.” The crystal on Ausos’ chest makes a rumbling noise, to which Ausos laughs, “Ausos also hungry, it seems. By chance know where Ausos can find food?”

[theredheaded-stuff]

There was rumors of a Kanto cryptid, at first rumors talked to a trainer to another spreading across the entire pallet just like ashes flying with wind and then to the other cities years ago.

At first they say that the cryptic being was a childlike creature, maybe it was a pokemon, born of thunder and wearing a human skin.

They say that the creature own a mutated Pikachu, Others say that it's half of his soul, The moves almost rehearsed in a perfectly and dark synchrony, Doomed is the one who fight against this very small being, A mythical born hero helping in Arceus quests to save humanity some can even say that it's a demigod on earth

Others say that it's a mishevieous fae, Just playing with people minds, not totally evil neither a good one, with only and sole purpose of protecting Pokemon, it sickly like love and protection are not ill intend but it doesn't know what is evil or good.

The feather of ho-oh

The chaos of kalos

The ruins of the kingdom

The sacrifice of sir Aeron

The rage of a legendary pokemon

All of it, it very own work, what does it wants? What he will try to exchange for it's good deeds? Why it does what it does

No one can know

No one knows

Is not it free will, he is not a cryptid, a demigod or even a fae, he is just a child who is played like a fun game by Arceus, poor child, what could he even do? What it gonna take more from him?

His childhood is Doomed, his personality isn't the same since Mewtwo, he can't even look to his own hands after the aura incident, even today he has nightmares with kalos destruction, darkness will come again and again against his will like every single thing in his life

His first pokemon? Not planned, but it doesn't mean that he isn't happy with his dear friend, some incidents can be good even if not at the start.

May god ask for his forgiveness when time comes, he still a child but he is no fool, he is a tool for Arceus, not a chosen one but a cursed one.

Cursed to help and heal the others while he himself perish to trauma

[fourphoenixfeathers]

Submas AU Masterpost

Feel free to use/do anything with my ideas (as long as you credit me for the au or inspiration or whatevs. I'm not stressed about it.)

These are my babies. My asks are always open!

Mirror AU:

Even separated by time and space, Emmet and Ingo somehow manage to match each other in more ways than just their appearances. It's entirely accidental... Until half a year after Ingo's disappearance when they realize that they can see each other in mirrors. From then on, they are a lot more hopeful about their futures. Nimbasa City, however, is not hopeful as the Subway Boss speedruns a transformation from a poor little meow meow to a full blown cryptid.

Prophet and Heretic AU:

Before he can join the Pearl Clan, Ingo goes to the rift on Mount Coronet for answers. Palkia and Dialga are too busy throwing hands to hear. Arceus does, though, and oh geez he should have thought things through before appearing before a mortal. By the time Ingo recovers from his holy fainting spell, he has all his memories back, spooky god powers, and a new headmate. At least Arceus promised to return him home in return for completing some quest to save the world...

Centuries in the future, a very lonely and remorseful Giratina approaches Emmet with a deal.

Paper Lantern AU:

When Ingo gets torn from his own time, he gets torn from his body as well. With nothing but his human soul, he possesses a paper lantern and invents a regional variant of Chandelure. His ace would be so proud. Meanwhile, Emmet is left with Ingo's alive but verrry much comatose body.

Ditto Emmet AU:

I just wanted to hit one of the boys with a shape shifter beam and Emmet is my favorite. A lot fun shape shifter things here. Like family fluff and body horror! And also Emmet copying the incarnation of time itself, hehehe-

Ghost Train AU (Danny Phantom Crossover):

The Distortion World is really just the Pokemon world's name for their version of the Ghost Zone. Ingo and Dawn get eaten up by a couple of natural portals, and two newly formed halfas arrive in Hisui a year apart. Arceus won't touch ghost child Akari with a ten-foot pole, but it all works out in the end anyways because Akari can't not help the nobles, and the Distortion World/Ghost Zone is a great medium for traversing time and space.

Submas Fusion AU:

Ingo and Emmet went to hisui together, but the distortion world said they can't have nice things. A man with no idea who or what he is woke up in a black and white coat in the coronet highlands, with only a handful of Joltik to protect him. He couldn't remember his name, but E and I came to mind. So, he guesses his name is Ei now...

Gear Session:

Homestuck au!

Arceus found a copy of Sburb in the Pokemon world and thought "that's not good" and sent the Nimbasa trio plus Akari on a mission to destroy the incipisphere from the inside out. No reckoning destroying the earth or frog breeding here, but there is a lot of temporary death. You know. Prototyping dream selves and questbeds and all that.

Fluff and Scales AU:

Hybrid au, but Ingo and Emmet are legendary hybrids.

Ingo and Emmet were born with black and white dragon wings. No one recognized them, so it was chalked up to a couple undiscovered species of pokemon and life continued as normal. But Drayden always suspected there was something more to them than that.

His suspicions were confirmed during the Team Plasma invasion, after which everyone and their mother knew what the dragons of legend looked like. And anyone who had ever been to Nimbasa could recognize the white fluff and black scales.

Also featuring Arceus hybrid Jackie and Absol hybrid Beni.

Tron AU:

Ingo got eebied to the grid instead of Hisui! He runs around the computer systems of Unova for about a month thinking he's a program, until he finds Gear station. The train autopilot programs, called ATOs, help their poor amnesiac User remember who he is, while someone unexpected brings Emmet into the digital world to help.

Thrice is a Pattern:

There were three skyfallers in Hisui. The first was an accident. The second was a failed rescue attempt. The third was the one who saved them all. Trainer Dawn never makes it back home after entering the distortion world, ending up in Hisui instead. Ingo is sent to the past to make it right, but he forgets his mission before he can even start. It's up to Lucas, now.

Kabaneri au:

Crossover with Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress! Instead of frenzies, Giratina unleashes a corruption on Hisui that turns people and pokemon into mindless zombies called Kabane. Arceus sends Dawn to cleanse the region, and promises she will be immune to the curse. He fails to mention that to do so, he will have to take away her humanity first.

[kagekitsuneoflight]

I have been lurking and eating Pokemon Legends Arceus content and I humbly offer you an AU idea of my own that I haven’t seen yet. And if it DOES exits then forgive me. And if this is incomprehensible forgive me again.

It essentially combines two things: one, that the Akari has a twin in Lucas, and that they can communicate telepathically with each other. Same goes for Ingo and Emmet.

Now both sets of twins have telepathy, but the connection is extremely spotty for both due to the whole separation by time and space. They have a maximum of an hour to communicate, if that. And usually, both siblings have to be reaching out to properly communicate (imagine the hell you experience when your twin has the chorus to a song you don’t like repeating in end otherwise). The kicker though, as Emmet and Lucas are spam calling their respective twin, is that both Akari and Ingo have amnesia. Twin? What twin. They just have a daily migraine for an hour. Nothing odd about that. Surely this is normal.

But here, Arceus is kind enough to be their phone operator and connect them after witnessing how badly Lucas starts to freak out. (no, it is not worried that Lucas can and will metaphorically kick its door down if he suspects something. (Get rek’d though Emmet. You don’t even know what an Arceus is.))

However, Arceus makes an oopsie. It’s not it’s fault though! It simply assumed that the similar colored souls would be twins! (So yeah, it is their fault).

Akari is ready to deal with her daily migraine. She’s got her strategy ready (ask her pokemon to faint her). Instead of a pounding headache, she gets “Brother please answer -stir left three times add- please answer- two cubes stir right ten times add cream-“ and she has to pause and blink. “Huh. Auditory hallucinations. I’m sure this is fine.” She gets the mental equivalent of a record scratch, before being flooded by a slew of questions in her mind. Questions like “what are you? You’re not my brother. What is this? Who are you? I am Emmet. I am not an auditory hallucination-“ and Akari, sensing an oncoming headache, goes “Yikes. Braviary use hypnosis.” And Emmet gets to see one of the weirdest fucking Braviary he’s seen before the connection cuts abruptly. He’s left reeling because hey what the fuck that’s just like when Ingo cuts off their twin telepathy??? And he’s back to trying to knock the telepathy door down.

Meanwhile Ingo, whos solution to the “painful headache” problem is to just get dog piled by baby sneasels and Ignore It. This time, he doesn’t get a headache. What he gets is “Dawn Dawn Dawn please please please please please-“ and as a baby lays on his face he can’t help but think. “Hm. Auditory Hallucinations are a sign of poor health. Perhaps I am poisoned?” He gets the mental equivalent of unsuspectingly walking into Cynthia’s beach house for the first time followed by “YOU’RE NOT MY SISTER”. But hey. At least they actually talk it out.

Now for some quick facts.

Dawn and Lucas are twins, but Akari is Dawn’s legal name. Johanna named Lucas, while their father named her Akari, after a distant relative. Dawn hated the name Akari since it made her stand out too much in her opinion, and went by Dawn instead. She forgot this fact about herself.

Emmet and Akari both communicate with words and images, while Lucas and Ingo almost exclusively use words. You would think that because of this Emmet would be the first to realize that his twin is in the past, but Akari keeps spamming hypnosis on herself, or is just too busy doing her best to Not Die. He gets too caught up in backseat driving to remember to actually ask questions.

She eventually realizes that his backseat driving is actually helpful, so she begrudgingly takes the time to sit and talk. She gets to talk about her funky uncle who’s eyes glow in the dark and Emmet is like “THATS MY BROTHER?!?!?!”

Meanwhile, Lucas asks about Dawn, and Ingo just says “sorry. I don’t know a Dawn.”

Emmet involves the one person he knows that loves history in his region because that can really help narrow down where his brother is and also Lenora would murder him.

Lucas does not involve Cynthia. Google is good enough.

Lucas is Bummed, but hey. This could still be a lead! He starts asking about Ingo’s life, Ingo says he’s the Warden to Lady Sneasler, and Lucas goes “alright. Pause. What’s a Sneasler?” And gets told about a tall purple and white weasel like Pokémon.

*one google later* “In hindsight I should have realized Sneasler would be an extinct Sneasel evolution.”

“Pardon. What do you mean extinct.”

Meanwhile, Emmet getting blasted with images of extinct Pokémon “could you look at the Liligant for a minute longer? Lenora will have my head if I cannot complete this sketch.” “Emmet it is trying to kill me.”

[draftingteacups]

Vargas will personally request Soni to bring Lukas (and any other fighting types that she might have) with her to the Vargas Camp. I just know it

Note: For the sake of keeping this spoiler-free for the future, I'm just going to have Lukas here. As with all events in TWST, this is non-canon as I cannot figure out how to implement them into the story. This is written for fun, I hope you enjoy it!

When Soni gets to the outdoors in the event itself, she is thriving in this environment.

She's been on a journey for years in the wilderness and has been freer there than she'd ever felt in her life before in the city; her dad, Zavier Monet, somewhat taught her the things that a Trainer needed to know for the outdoors

Basically, she was ready to rumble in the wilderness

With the tent being set up in a few minutes, Lukas is already putting together the firewood and such; Soni's already got a roaring fire and food is being prepared

Everyone there is just like "How are you this fast-?"

Soni's living her best and in the early parts of the school year, her Pokemon had hunted wild game for them to eat.

When the Curry is cooked with all the fixings, even though the others ate their fish dishes, it smells really good

Ace sneaks over to get some before Deuce does the same; Soni knows how much those two love food, so she unconsciously made extra just for them and for Grim's unending hunger

Lukas brings them back to their groups with a huff; he carries Grim by the scuff of his neck to prevent him from eating everything

Soni begins to do her job for the event with Rotophone, although Coach Vargas is focused on trying to spar with Lukas who is amused by the challenge and goes to assist Soni

Keep in mind that the others don't have their Pokemon Partners with them, so Happiny, Morpeko, etc. are not here

When Ace goes missing, Soni's immediately like "Oh Arceus, why do I have a bad feeling about this?"

Even when everyone says that it's fine, Soni has an inkling about what will happen, but she's not buying it

Just like in every horror movie, when Leona and eventually Deuce go missing, Soni's like "Okay, let's move closer so we don't die in the woods and reincarnate into Phantumps."

When that one unknowing soul asks her what Phantumps are, despite everyone else looking at him like an idiot:

Soni: "Oh, they're cute little Pokemon that are Grass and Ghost type. They're created when spirits enter stumps and as per usual, they are possessed by the souls of children lost in the woods."

That Poor Unfortunate Soul: "Oh."

Soni: "If you hear the sound of a child in the woods, there's a good chance that it might be a Phantump or another Ghost Pokemon. Adults who get lured by their cries get terribly lost."

Everyone realized that they were in the middle of a forest with little to no help: 😨 "WHY DID YOU ASK THAT?"

Soni: "Phantumps are honestly quite cute-"

Everyone: "THEY ARE THE SPIRITS OF DEAD CHILDREN-!"

Soni: "Exactly, which is why it's cute that whenever they find friends, they get super excited."

The way that Soni says it so calmly too just makes them think, "Dammit, why is it so terrifying?! Is this really common knowledge?!"

Not exactly, but you're not wrong, mob students.

Eventually, when Soni gets taken away, everyone's terrified about what happened because how in the world did she get captured?!

Lukas is ready to pummel someone, although he doesn't really listen to the remaining students until Jack spoke up about needing his assistance to find his Trainer and to help her

Lukas agreed as that had been the one thing that he'd been training for as long as he had been with Soni

Speeding through to the reveal of Coach Vargas, everyone was doing the headcount and discovered that Deuce was actually missing

Soni brought everyone went into the mines, although she was ready this time around to do some battling if something truly terrible happened.

Then the monster appeared.

Soni has Lukas do the most in destroying him through close range while the others helped out in deterring the monster.

Deuce was on the verge of too much Blot and Soni made sure to record what happened because this couldn't be a coincidence at this rate

The first Overblot Monster she ever encountered was in this cave and now this one?

When the monster was defeated and Soni showed all the evidence against the skeptical Coach Vargas with pictures and video to match, that's when things got serious

Soni defended Deuce's absence because if he hadn't tried to hide, the consequences would've been disastrous for him; she's not hiding the fact that he could've died

Even with the Headmaster and the evidence, the training camp was over and the others were safe

In the end, Deuce was subjected to recovery due to what happened

The other Heartslabyul students who were on the trip gave him time to recover, thus leading to him just staying in Heartslabyul

Ace and Soni did their best to comfort him with lessons that he missed while taking care of him alongside Happiny

Soni: "Here's your favorite, an Omelet Rice Set with a Side Salad, Mixed Berries and Nuts, and some simple Egg Drop soup topped with green onions."

Deuce sees the food and swallows his saliva: "P-Prefect, you don't need to do this."

Happiny climbs up to Deuce and taps his face with her hand: "Hap Happiny!" No, let Mama do this for you!

Soni: "You were literally stuck there for a day or more without food or water. If I have to feed you by hand, I will. Unless you want Happiny to do it."

Deuce fed himself the food- it was delicious as always

Ace and Grim were in classes for once doing notes because Soni told them to do so since she was in charge of Deuce's recovery as a request from the Headmaster himself

One of the very few times that she willingly took on the job without complaints

Just everyone helping Deuce and making sure that he'd be okay from this experience

[re-shi-ram]

AAAaa I can't wait to share this!

I don't know anyone had this idea yet, but I wanted to post this so badly, so I'm sorry if anyone thought of this already, I came up with the idea while showering.

So what if there were small tribes besides the diamond and the pearl clan, who worshipped something different, like mother nature perhaps? And then my thoughts spiralled and now I made an AU out of it.

I'm naming this Tribe AU

And since Shaymin is in legends Arceus, I think that it would be cute if there was a small tribe dedicated to nature.

So think they wouldn't have a Lord or Lady (at least in my version of this AU) but they would bring Shaymin gifts and such. They would strive to be very forgiving people, always helpful and kind. They would take in any poor soul that lost their home with open arms, no matter Pokemon or human.

And yes, a bit of a self insert, see it as a OC/sona.

Not to sure on the design yet, the colours aren't looking right to me, so I might change that later.

I really wanted to concentrate on my job this week, but well I got caught up in this idea.

Will elaborate more in the future, I'm to tired right now and I need to go to sleep, so like :D

(Ps. If anyone wants to make their own version of this AU, feel free to do so, if it wasn't obvious already!)

[celebrity-conductor-asks]

OK SHIELBERT WHAT IS IT WITH YOU AND BEING THE ONE TO DO STUFF LIKE THIS

🛡️: T-that’s a freeze frame! Y-you cannot accuse me of anything!

🔽: … You’re a very weird man, Shielbert.

🛡️: IT’S NOT-

⚔️: … Younger Brother, I’m frightened.

🔼: … What’s with people on the internet being so… bizarre?

🔽: I think you mean “who the fuck would be attracted to a shield man and take this screenshot, let alone want to-”

🔼: OKAY EMMET, I THINK THAT’S ENOUGH-

⚡: … My man looks like he busted a nut or had some thoughts-

🔼: YOU TOO ELESA-

⚡: Haha-

🛡️: My Arceus what’s wrong with you people?!

🔽: Why are you so fucking weird, funny shield man? I bet if someone was eating a popsicle, you’d look at them funny and then look away in embarrassment-

🛡️: INGO, HELP ME-

🔼: … You know, you two should consider yourselves lucky for not having a fanbase like ours, and only seeming to have one person like this.

⚔️: … “Like ours”? What do you mean?

🔼: … A fanbase where fans are… willing to draw and do… questionable things... If you catch my drift. While we do appreciate those who do good and well in our community; we admire their dedication and we appreciate them. But they’re always bad apples out there. Just consider yourselves lucky for not falling on this path like us and being… disliked by the masses.

🛡️: Wha-?!

⚔️: … What are you talking about? We have a massive fanbase and they’ve never done such!

🔽: … As you two only have like, two Twitter followers and it’s just you both following each other and that one poor soul. So you both only have like, three people who ACTUALLY likes you for all the wrong reasons; being ignorant assholes and dumbasses. If they were more, you’d both be known, loved and get the same treatment as us.

⚔️: … That’s unnecessarily harsh but… the internet is a scary place, right Younger Brother?

🛡️: ��� Indeed, Older Brother.

🔽: Yup. And I hate it-

“... Sn Sn Sn”

🛡️: D-DO NOT LAUGH AT MY SUSPENSE YOU-

[ask-professor-dracaena]

Soooo…. We just received an Dracovish… now I’m going to go on a rant and what I’m ranting about doesn’t mean that I think this Pokémon doesn’t deserve to be alive.

WHY IN THE NAME OF ARCEUS DID YOU ANIMATE THIS?!?!? THEY ENJOY RUNNING BUT AREN’T AMPHIBIOUS AND CAN ONLY SURVIVE UNDER WATER! WHY DID YOU ENGINEER THIS POKÉMON TO SUFFER?!? MAY GIRATINA CLAIM YOUR SOUL!

Okay now that’s out of the way I had to rush back because this Pokémon was in the group that comes to us from Pokémon abandoned at Pokémon centers and we weren’t prepared for this poor guy he nearly asphyxiated before they got him into a tub head first , I got back about then and helped fill a kiddie pool to help transport him to the lake where he is currently. I’m having Bennon work on a reverse diver helmet for the poor guy so that might fo up on the market at some point.

[mylordshesacactus]

RWBYmon: Aquarius AU

For reference, what finally got me and @alexkablob to sit down and start writing this fic that had lived rent-free in our heads for years is literally that the Pokemon AU for it was so good, and we couldn’t tell y’all about it until the fic was out there in the world.

This is actually only Part 1; Part 2 is about the endgame of Aquarius, so, that one will have to wait.

So. In this universe.

It starts out just as it did in canon. It ends that way as well.

Pyrrha chases Cinder to the tower. It’s not a battle, not really. Her well-honed competition team, the six long-time partners who have only so recently become friends, throw themselves at the maelstrom and die at her feet.

Six and one. Her battle team--and her starter. Milo, who was never meant to see real combat, the smaller and more honest soul who alone among a team of elite arena fighters lands a clean blow against an enslaved god.

Bound and controlled by the Maiden bond that should never have been Cinder’s, unable to stop the slaughter of a team of brave, loyal Pokemon who knew when they stepped onto this battlefield that there was no chance, and fought with everything they had regardless-- Ho-Oh keens for the wasted courage of this bright, kindhearted little Oracorio as he strikes.

Milo dies anyway, of course. 

Pyrrha is, briefly, the only creature on Remnant in more agony than Ho-Oh. 

And then, to her horror, Pyrrha wakes up.

Instinctively, she reaches for a pokeball that isn’t there.

In this setting where Pyrrha’s sword and shield were her pokemon, it’s not the remnants of Akouo that are melted down and forged into a collar.

Now here’s where the divergence really begins. Because Cinder had a starter, too.

Cinder’s starter was a Houndour.

The Houndour’s name is Midnight; and once upon a time, in a far-off kingdom, she was Cinder’s pride and joy.

Cinder’s opinion of her first and best weapon soured quickly.

Midnight, you see, was meant to be a Houndoom. A big, fierce, intimidating presence. Salem gave her the Houndour so that she could evolve it herself.

Here’s the thing, though. Pokemon evolve when they’re ready--they evolve because they’ve reached their full potential in this form, and evolving will help them become what they want to be.

Cinder can’t do that.

Cinder doesn’t know how to take something strong but vulnerable and help it grow. No one ever taught her. All she knows how to do is find weaknesses and use them to break something down. Midnight can’t evolve with Cinder here.

Even if Midnight were the most powerful, intimidating Mega-Houndoom in history, she would be irrelevant to Cinder now--Cinder has Ho-Oh. She doesn’t need a broken starter pokemon, any more than Cinder in canon thought she needed her old bowswords once she had the Maiden powers.

Since even Cinder differentiates between burning a weapon and setting fire to a puppy, Midnight is still...around. Literally a kicked dog.

Midnight is wary, even aggressive, toward Cinder; she has to be. And because she’s scared and insecure, she lashes out at the other pokemon in Evernight--make herself not worth it to deal with, and they’ll leave her alone.

For fun, one day, Cinder leaves Midnight alone with Pyrrha--expecting the fear-aggressive Houndour to treat Pyrrha the same way, savage her a bit.

Midnight, wary and pissed at first, takes only a few seconds to realize: Oh.

She hurts you, too.

Midnight, starting and stopping in jerks, terrified, inches close enough to lick Pyrrha’s fingers, and Pyrrha shatters.

Eventually, Emerald can’t bear it anymore. Eventually, she snaps and decides they have to run, and they have to bring Pyrrha Nikos with them, because they owe her a lot more than that.

She quietly adds that they’re bringing the Houndour too, and Mercury about loses his shit.

We’re ALREADY GONNA GET MURDERED and you want to STEAL HER STARTER right out from UNDER HER NOSE--

Emerald’s logic is simple. Pyrrha clings to that Houndour like a lifeline whenever Cinder isn’t around to see and interfere. And after everything she’s lost, everything they’ve helped do to her, we’re not taking her fucking dog away, Mercury.

They steal Midnight’s pokeball.

Mercury complains the whole time.

They get out, barely.

They make it to Patch, barely.

A final entry in The Required Reading Of This Post, Apparently: Taiyang Xiao Long and the Dog-Type Gym.

They make it to Patch, barely.

As always, Tai nurses Pyrrha back to health, puts the fear of Arceus into Em and Merc and then feeds them soup and makes sure they have a safe place to sleep because they’re scared kids and he’s responsible for them.

Eventually, they’re ready to move on--at which point he asks what they plan to do with the Houndour.

He has a Dog-Type gym, you know. She’d be more than welcome to stay.

It is, objectively, the best option. There’s no need to drag the poor thing into this fight.

Pyrrha and the Houndour still flinch away from the suggestion before agreeing.

They say their goodbyes.

The trio is about to leave when Pyrrha--stops. Spins on her heel. Calls out that--or you could come with us. If you wanted to stay together. I--you could be my partner. My...my new starter. We could do this together.

The answer is--emphatic.

Pokemon evolve because they’ve reached the end of what they feel they can learn and accomplish in their current form. They evolve when their trainer has helped them reach their full potential, and inspired them to go even further. When they’re ready to change and grow together and feel confident stepping into the unknown.

A Houndour races across no-man’s land from Tai’s side. Midstride, the flash of light barely fading, a Houndoom with flashing, backswept horns slams into Pyrrha’s chest and sends them both flying down the dirt road.

Well, says Tai, somewhat unnecessarily. That’s certainly an answer.

What’s her name, anyway?

And Pyrrha comes up short. 

She knows the answer, but it suddenly seems too cruel. She may not know the full history of “Midnight” as a name, but she knows that what Cinder was projecting onto this sweet, scared little dog wasn’t--right. Wasn’t fair.

She knows that whatever Cinder’s plans were for her pokemon, the little Houndour who risked everything to offer comfort and compassion to a tortured prisoner doesn’t want any part of it. That it isn’t what Cinder wanted it to be.

Dawn, she answers.

Her name is Dawn.

It’s...not the classic Pokemon Journey. Not anymore. That’s beyond either of them now. But it is, though. A young woman and her...friends, striking out alone, with a pokemon at her side that she doesn’t know very well yet, but would like to. Somehow, they love each other already.

Pyrrha doesn’t put together a full competition team again, not yet. But she does get her pokemon journey; she has a trio at her back when she arrives on Menagerie.

But those are stories in and of themselves.

[teshadraws]

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Seekers of Soul

[Chapter 2] (15 Pages)

<< First | < Previous | Next >

Tobias is tasked with helping Riolu settle in at the guild when all he wants is for her to leave him alone. This should go well.

-

Tobias is entirely done with today. First, he has to deal with some emotional wreck of a Pokémon showing up, dragging him into a dungeon, and claiming to be human of all things, and now....

“You can’t be serious, Maggie.”

“You know I am, Tobias.”

“I am not babysitting, Maggie!” Tobias sends a glare over his shoulder, at the riolu nervously trailing the two of them down the tunnels. 

“It’s not babysitting, Tobias. Be kind to our guest,” Maggie says, a warning in her tone.

He growls under his breath, kneading at his herb satchel with his claws. He can’t believe this. He has much better things to do than lead around a crybaby Pokemon with supposed “amnesia.” He got the riolu out of the dungeon safely—no thanks to her. Hasn’t he done enough?

“All I’m asking is you get the poor thing checked by Fen and show her to the cafeteria. You said you were hungry.”

“I guess,” Tobias grumbles, rolling his eyes as he hears the riolu trip over a crystal. Arceus, she’s hopeless.

Their group rounds the last bend in the tunnels, the brighter light of the guild’s inner chambers almost harsh in comparison to the soft glow of the underground. They emerge into the open space, and Tobias glances at the riolu to see her looking around, wide-eyed and slack-jawed.

There are countless Seekers and other Pokémon trailing in and out of the many entrances circling the huge chambers, going about their daily business. A few do a double-take at the unfamiliar riolu. Maggie leads them through the crowd and past the directory boards, to one of the two staircases winding up the sides of the tree and to the upper floors.

“We’ll give you a proper tour later on,” Maggie says to the riolu, who looks overwhelmed by all of the activity, nose twitching like she can’t quite handle all of the new scents. “For now, we’re just going to make sure you’re healthy, get you fed, and let August know about your situation. As he’s the head of the guild, we report important news to him or Verene.”

The riolu nods, not looking any more reassured as they climb the root-twisted stairs. They pass by a number of floors—the preparations level and the food storage, by two of the training floors and the cafeteria, right past documentation,  archives and one of the living quarters floors, and more. Finally, they reach the medical floor, and turn to follow the hallway further out from the Lexym Tree’s trunk.

They pass by a few openings to the outside, lattice-like roots and ivy covering the gaps just enough to let in plenty of sunlight. The riolu takes a sniff of the fresh air, peeking through to look at the blue sky and sea of treetops. She’s even more starry-eyed than earlier, head swiveling left then right to take everything in as they pass by one of the infirmaries. Tobias huffs out an irritated breath of smoke.

“We have many gifted grass type Pokémon here,” Maggie explains, watching the riolu’s awe. “They upkeep the architecture of the Tree created by Pokémon of the past, and restructure the guild as needed with fresh plant life.”

“That’s amazing,” Riolu breathes.

Maggie smiles. “I’m happy you like it. It’s a wonderful place to live.”

Wonderful is stretching it a bit, Tobias thinks.

They stop in front of he and Maggie’s quarters, and Maggie turns to the both of them. “Now, I have to organize the herbs and double-check the stocks. Tobias, I’m trusting you to do as I asked. I’ll meet up with you in August’s quarters.” Tobias opens his mouth to argue, but Maggie gives him a gentle bop to the snout with her vine. “That’s an order as your superior. Think of it as an exercise in patience.”

She turns to Riolu, who is doing a terrible job of hiding her unease. “Tobias will take care of you. I’ll see you again soon, okay? Keep your chin up. Everyone here is very kind and will help you if you need assistance.”

The riolu’s ears pin against her head, tail tucking under her legs, but to her credit she only nods, whispering, “Thank you.”

Maggie gives Tobias one more stern look before turning to go into their quarters, scooping Tobias’ satchel off his shoulder on the way.

Then it’s just the two of them.

Riolu shifts, eyes on her paws, on the walls, anywhere but him. Tobias sighs, fresh anger sparking in his gut. Something about the riolu just irritates him, her ridiculous claim of being human aside.

“Well. Come on. Maggie’ll make me clean until my scales fall off if I just dump you here.” He turns towards Fen’s quarters, navigating the complex path by memory and not bothering to see if his unwanted tagalong is following. When he reaches the familiar doorway, he knocks on the root frame.

“Come in!”

Tobias steps inside, nodding at Fen in greeting. The leafeon is tidying up some medical supplies on the shelves lining the back of the room, but they glance back at him with warm brown eyes and a sweet smile. “Tobias! Good to see you. What do you need?”

Normally the leafeon’s calm presence is enough to relax Tobias. Today, he just steps aside, presenting the riolu with a lackluster wave of his hand. “She needs a check-up. Maggie told me to bring her here.”

Fen stops moving jars and tools around, stepping over to the riolu and bowing their head in greeting. “You’re a new face! Nice to meet you. I’m Fen.”

Riolu hesitates before giving the stiffest and most awkward bow he’s ever seen. She almost knocks herself over. “Uh, nice to meet you! I-I’m, uh...” she trails off, shooting Tobias a helpless glance, and he rolls his eyes.

“Riolu.”

“Y-Yeah. Uh, that.”

Fen looks more than a little concerned about Riolu forgetting the name of her own species, but smiles back all the same. “So why do we need a check-up today?”

Riolu looks to Tobias. He snorts, crossing his arms. “Your story, you tell ‘em.”

Riolu winces. “Uh, I’m…I’m kind of lost? I j-just woke up here like this, and Tobias and Maggie found me. I can’t remember anything. Or, uh, not much, at least. I know I was a human, b-but that’s about it.”

Fen’s leafy ears prick with curiosity, probably at the prospect of having a former “human” as a patient, but they quickly nod and step back into professionalism. “Basic check-up, then. Step over here and I’ll start with some questions, okay?”

Riolu does as asked, answering Fen as they run their paws over different parts of her body, assuring that nothing seems injured or out of place. They have the riolu flex and extend her arms and legs, and asks that she flick her ears and tail (that takes her more than a few tries). Tobias takes a seat against the wall and half pays attention, noting that Riolu keeps taking deep breaths of air through her nose. Probably due to the sweet, soothing scent that always follows Fen around.

Next, Fen tests Riolu’s sight and hearing, whistling near either side of the riolu’s head and watching her ears twitch in response. Finally, Fen sits back with a smile. “Healthy as a horsea! Former human or not, you’re a perfectly normal riolu now. Aside from your lost memory, is anything else bothering you?”

Riolu hesitates, but then shakes her head. “I-I don’t think so? I, uh, I keep getting distracted by…smells? But I guess that’s because I’m like a dog now?”

Fen doesn’t react to the foreign word (dog?), and just nods. “If your sense of smell was different as a human, it’ll take a few days to adapt to your new nose. Riolu are great trackers.” The leafeon turns and shuffles through some paperwork on their small desk, probably looking to set up a new reference document for Riolu. “I suppose I should’ve expected as much. I’ve looked into cases of transformed humans before, and other than the cases where they appear in dangerous areas, they’ve all been found in great condition. Just confused about what they are and how to control their bodies.”

“So we’re done?” Tobias cuts in. “She’s good? We can go?”

Fen shoots him a warning look that’s too amused to be stern, and then dips a claw into their well of ink, bending over a sheet of paper to scratch down information. “Allllllmost. Any allergies you can recall, Riolu?”

“Um, no, I don’t think so?”

“And what do you go by? She and her?"

That one catches Riolu off-guard, but after an awkward beat of silence she answers, “Uh, yes?”

“And do you have a given name you’d like on your records?”

Riolu stiffens, ears pinning back. “…N-No. Not yet.”

Fen shoots the riolu a sympathetic smile before finishing up the form. They tuck it somewhere in their elaborate filing system, and then pad closer to Riolu with their tail flicking. Tobias recognizes the tic—Fen’s worried but trying to hide it. 

“There is one…concern I feel I should warn you about,” The leafeon says. “I haven’t been able to find much research about it, but it’s pretty well-known in medical circles that Pokémon from the human world are especially vulnerable to illness. Even a common cold for a native Pokemon could wreak havoc on your body if you were to catch it. It can become…well, not to scare you, but fairly serious.”

Riolu’s entire posture screams fear, and even Tobias sits up to listen. He’s a medical Pokemon, too, even if his specialty is in herbs, and he’s never heard about this. Granted, he’s never paid much attention to accounts of “former humans,” but still.

“We think it’s related to not experiencing illnesses specific to the Pokemon world when you were young, and your new body being less prepared to fight them off.”

“Y-Yeah, that would make sense,” Riolu rasps.

Fen leans forward, some of their well-hidden curiosity bleeding through. “Oh?”

Riolu shrinks away at their renewed attention. “W-Well, that happened sometimes in the human world, too. I-I think. If someone didn’t, uh, get sick when they were little or get vaccinated, then it could be super dangerous if they got a common sickness when they were an adult. R-Right?”

“Right,” Fen murmurs. They still look like they’re a whisker away from grilling the riolu’s knowledge on the topic, but they visibly reign themself in. “Sorry. I just wanted to let you know so that if you ever feel sickness coming on, you let me or Maggie know immediately. Okay?”

Riolu murmurs a quiet agreement.

Fen pads back to their desk, mumbling to themself as they write something else down. Riolu shoots Tobias a scared, pleading look, and he raises a brow in return. What’s he supposed to do? He doesn’t know anything more than Fen does.

“I’ll talk it over with Maggie,” Fen announces after a tense few moments, giving the riolu a reassuring smile. “For now, don’t worry unless you begin showing signs of sickness—coughing, fever, chills, pain, anything of the sort.”

Riolu nods.

“Then you’re good to go!” Fen chirps, only a little forced after the seriousness of the previous topic. “I don’t have anything to help with amnesia, I’m afraid. If your memories return, they can only be retrieved with time.”

“Thanks, Fen,” Tobias says, pushing off the wall and walking to the door.

“Oh! One more thing,” Fen says, stopping them. “While I know a little bit about humans, I’m sure Alistair and Tawny could give you more answers on the archive floor. Knowing them, they’d be thrilled to help you out.”

Riolu gives Fen a grateful smile as she follows Tobias out of the room, and the charmander wastes no time in heading down the hall.

“I’m getting food,” he grumbles over his shoulder. “Come if you want.”

The riolu scrambles after him, and they walk in an uncomfortable silence, down the halls and out of the medical area. Tobias knows it’s irrational, but he feels more annoyed with every step he takes, sensing Riolu trailing way too closely behind him. Yeah, whatever, the riolu is lost or something, but by Heatran’s flames he did not sign up for this! She could at least give him some space.

They go down the stairs a few flights until they hit the cafeteria floor, stepping into the bright open area. The air is filled with delicious smells and the chatter of Pokémon crowded around long wooden tables. They pass by them, Riolu looking at their trays of food curiously, and at the Pokémon themselves with even more interest. Tobias can practically see her biting back her questions.

He gets into one of the lines and grabs a wooden tray, holding back a sharp remark when Riolu tentatively steps into line behind him like his own personal shadow. He puts a few berries and a bowl of stew on his tray, grabbing a spoon and sitting down at an empty table. He feels the irritated fire in his belly grow when Riolu sits down across from him.

Tobias focuses on his food and takes a few bites, eventually glancing up at Riolu to see that she’s just poking at her meal. She uses her spoon to lift up a spoonful of stew, sniffing it suspiciously and crinkling her nose.

“What, you never had soup before?”

Riolu jumps. “O-Oh, uh. No, I have. Just. Wh-What kind of soup is this, exactly?”

“Cheri berry.”

“Oh! I know cherries!” Riolu says, looking eager. She tries a big bite of the soup, then gags and spits the mouthful back into her bowl. Tobias is about to snap at her for wasting food when she mumbles, “I don’t think that’s how cherries used to taste to me.”

“Tastes fine to me,” He snips, slurping up a loud spoonful.

Riolu licks at her lips, shuddering. “What…What do your cherries look like?”

Tobias frowns and picks through his berries, scooping out a cheri berry to show her. Perfectly ripe, orangey-red with a curly, lime green stem.

Her expression clears into realization. “Oh. That’s…different than the cherries I’m used to. Ours are more red, and the stem is darker.”

“Fascinating.” Tobias rolls his eyes and goes back to his food.

Unfortunately, he only gets a few seconds of blessed silence, and then the riolu speaks up again. “I-I’m uh…sorry about getting us stuck in the dungeon earlier. Thank you, for helping me get out.”

“It’s not like you were getting out of there on your own,” Tobias mumbles, stabbing at his soup. He doesn’t want to see anyone die—even annoying, delusional strangers. He just wishes this particular annoying, delusional stranger would leave him alone.

Riolu doesn’t seem to know how to respond, and returns to picking at her soup. From there, the meal is quiet but awkward, with the Riolu periodically glancing up at Tobias as if hoping he’ll start a conversation, which he dutifully ignores. 

When they’re done and Tobias feels marginally less peeved about the whole situation on a full stomach, they head up the trunk of the giant tree. August is situated on the top floor of the guild, among the highest branches of the structure. As they ascend through the floors, the sunlight grows stronger, the rooms and levels brighter, draftier with more openings of fresh air from the many loft points where flying types come and go. They come to a stop outside of August’s quarters, a chamber closed tight with reinforced walls of vine and stone. Tobias knocks on the heavy doors, and the nervous riolu copies his straightened posture.

The door cracks open, and Verene’s big pink eyes peer down at them. Riolu flinches back from the lurantis, but Verene ignores the reaction, opening the door further. “Tobias, Riolu. Come in.”

Tobias does, squashing down the nerves in his chest as he looks around the dim room. He’s not in trouble today. Riolu, however, looks like she might faint as she takes in the sight of August, who is listening to Maggie with a thoughtful hand on his chin. Even Tobias has to admit that the rillaboom is impressive, easily towering over all of them. He’s a bulky Pokemon, his pelt covered in old scars and his leafy mane as untamable as ever. His drum is off to the side, by his desk.

Maggie looks away from the conversation to smile warmly at Riolu. “Glad to see you made it here in one piece.”

Riolu offers her a shaky smile, eyes flicking back to August as he takes a seat in his chair. Verene, his ever-dutiful second-in-command, takes up station at his side, claws crossed politely in front of her.

“Maggie told me about your impromptu adventure today,” August says, not unkindly, eyes moving from Riolu to Tobias and back. Riolu‘s ears flatten at the rillaboom’s deep voice. “I know you both must be tired, but I’m afraid a quick introduction is necessary. As I’m sure Maggie already explained, I’m Augustus, leader of the Lexym Guild. This is my second, Verene. Riolu, if you could be so kind as to recall your situation to me,” he says, not quite a suggestion and not quite a command.

Riolu nods and stammers her way through her story, of waking up in this world with no memories but that of her former existence as a human. About accidentally getting caught up in a dungeon with Tobias, and then meeting Maggie before being led back to the guild.

At the end of it all, August hums a thoughtful noise, exchanging an unreadable look with Maggie. Tobias hates when they do that. “Well, Riolu, your case is a peculiar one, though certainly not unheard of. It’s unfortunate that the once warm welcome offered to humans has in many places been soured by fear.”

“You believe her too?” Tobias can’t help asking, another lick of anger prompting him to speak up. “Just because she said she’s human.”

To Tobias’ surprise, the rillaboom gives a booming laugh, throwing his head back. Riolu skitters back a step, towards Maggie.

“A friend of mine would be dearly upset if I didn’t at least give Riolu the benefit of the doubt,” August says, as if that explains everything. “Besides, Maggie has vouched for Riolu’s sincerity, and I trust her judgment.”

Tobias huffs a small cloud of smoke and shuts his mouth. So apparently his judgement doesn’t matter. Not that he had ever been under the impression that it did.

“Also,” August continues, expression softening at the open fear on Riolu’s face. “I place little value in the blame being cast on humans for our world’s problems. Natural disasters, silence from the gods, evolution itself breaking down…how could lost humans affect such powerful things?”

Riolu is wide-eyed, looking awestruck at the rillaboom’s defense of her situation. Tobias snorts. Everyone thinks August is terrifying until they realize he’s a complete softie.

August leans back in his chair. “I doubt you’ll have any issues here in the Haven, but if you do then let one of us know. I will not hesitate to dole out punishment accordingly for ostracizing a guest for their origins. However, I cannot control the rest of the world. Be cautious if you decide to travel in the future.”

Riolu nods, “Y-Yes sir! Thank you.”

August smiles. “Of course. As for what you will do next...after speaking with Maggie and Verene on the matter, I have decided to offer you a position within the guild. We would simply ask that you assist Maggie and Tobias until you find your proper place here. If you decide to accept, you will be under our protection and have access to any of our resources—including information from our archives and our fellow guild connections.”

Riolu blinks, looking overwhelmed by such a sudden and generous offer. Tobias bites back another sharp objection, gaze flicking between August and Maggie. Both of them are kind, too kind sometimes, but even then this feels like a step too far. She’s just a timid little riolu with a human complex—what’s so special about her?

August smiles wider, sharp fangs peeking out from behind his lips. “You may have time to think it over, of course.”

Riolu opens her mouth, then shoots Maggie a hesitant look. The meganium nods encouragingly. “W-Well…Uh. W-What would my other option be? If I decline to join the guild?”

August rumbles a thoughtful noise, giant hand coming up to stroke at his chin. “Same as any other traveler, I suppose. We would house you as a guest for a week, and then ask that you move on to find your own way outside of the guild.”

There’s a moment of silence as Riolu frowns, looking down at her hands. Tobias sees her flex her fingers, and clench them tight as she thinks. Her gaze flicks up to Maggie again.

“You don’t have to decide right now,” August repeats.

But Riolu shakes her head, straightening up. With a surprising amount of conviction, she says, “No, I…I would like to accept your offer. U-Uh. Please.”

Verene finally cuts in, voice quiet but strong. “You’re sure? We didn’t bring you here to pressure you into an answer.”

Riolu shakes her head. “N-No, I um…I’d like to stay, please.”

No one speaks for a moment. Then, August smiles broadly, rising to his feet with a loud clap of his hands. Riolu winces. “Wonderful! In that case, we offer you a warm welcome into the Lexym Guild.”

Riolu, paws anxiously curled up at her chest, tries to smile.

“If you have any concerns, feel free to let us know. Until you become more comfortable, Maggie and Tobias will show you the ropes of the guild.”

Tobias opens his mouth to protest, but Maggie shoots him a sharp look. He snaps his jaws shut and huffs smoke out of his nostrils. With a quick goodbye and a word of thanks, Maggie leads Tobias and the riolu out of the room. They begin the trek back down to the medical ward, passing through patches of dying sunlight.

“I did not sign up to be this idiot’s mother,” Tobias growls when they’re far enough from August’s quarters.

Riolu shrinks away from his open animosity.

“Tobias,” Maggie sighs, shooting the riolu an apologetic look that makes his blood boil. “I may ask you to help here and there, but you won’t have to be her caretaker. I’m sure Riolu will learn quickly.”

“She’d better,” he grumbles.

There’s a heavy pause, and then Maggie tries to lighten the mood. “Well! At any rate, at least we have the pleasantries out of the way for your guild induction. Did your check-up with Fen go well?”

Riolu hesitates, then nods, and begins detailing her discussion with the leafeon. Tobias tries his hardest to ignore her presence, running his fingers over the lip of his red scarf. Eventually, they reach the medical floor, taking a few hallways outward to the room Tobias and Maggie share.

“This is our quarters,” Maggie says at the doorway, using a vine to gesture to the space filled with lush foliage and herbal supplies sitting in jars, on shelves, peeking out of books and crates, pretty much everywhere. “I primarily care for the medicinal needs of the Pokémon here, and create treatments with the plants that Tobias and I gather.”

She steps inside and gestures to the small side room near her own mossy nest. “That alcove is where Tobias stays. For now, you can share with him.”

Riolu casts a panicked glance in his direction, and he in turn spins to look at Maggie with wide eyes. “What?! No!”

“Yes.” Maggie says, tone hard and with no room for argument. “It’ll only be for a few weeks, Tobias, until she finds her way. You can deal with sharing your sleeping space.”

Tobias glares at the riolu, embers dancing in his throat, and then stalks back to his room, flopping down noisily in his nest. He curls up tight, knowing he won’t get to sleep for a while with the way his heart is roaring loud and angry in his ears. Eventually, Maggie’s soft murmurings and the quiet rustling of hay and moss fill the space. They must be setting up the riolu’s nest next to his.

Tobias refuses to look. He doesn’t care. He just wants her out of here.

When he knows that Maggie has left and he can hear the quiet breaths of Riolu, probably also trying and failing to sleep, he grumbles, “I wish I would’ve just left you in that field.”

He gets no response.