#alola. is. fine. i guess

[nidoquean]

oh surely it would be very easy to get the shiny charm in ultra sun because i also have moon! and anything new to the ultra dex could just come from a previous game! never mind stakataka is an Ultra Moon exclusive. what the fuck

[kooldewd123]

wow i forgot how tiny mt lanakila is in sm. like i knew they vastly improved it in usum but i was expecting more than a single corridor. at least give us a single trainer battle or something.

[moe-broey]

HATE. When I start Longing for a specific Pokemon but I really don't care about any of the games it's appeared in. Like. Deep desperate urge to shiny hunt a Pumpkaboo, I've wanted one for years, I want it SO BADLY, maybe even enough that I want to start a new save and have one on my team, that would be so cool. However, due to online being shut down I can't justify losing what little Friend Safaris I have (they stay in your Friends List ofc, but you'll be locked out of the third Pokemon on a new save), and also. Just don't care about X and Y. And then there's Galar. Pretty game. No substance. To me anyway. Lost interest as soon as I beat the main story. And like, I Guess there's SuMo/Ultras, but I'd have to transfer one in.... and idk if you can even do that at this point.

[leggerefiore]

Guzma + team leaders of your choice hc for a partner that refers to them as boss like they just have a habit of calling people boss and saying things like 'on it boss'/'got it boss' (bc I am absolutely out here calling people boss like a shitty henchmen at any chance I get) I feel like it could be funny especially if for the other leaders (bc I feel this doesn't apply to Guzma) hadn't told their partner about their teams so the boss comment just comes out of left field for them I wonder who would go 'they know' and who wouldn't even notice because they're always being called boss anyway

yeah guzma isn't hiding being the head of team skull at lol

cw: light angst, most fluff

💀Guzma🕶

□ While it was basically common knowledge around Alola that Guzma was the “big, bad boss” of Team Skull, it was not exactly a title he preferred those closest to call him. Lusamine certainly did not (for likely worse reasons than he thought), Nanu scoffed at the thought, and Plumeria simply opted against it since they worked together to head the group of delinquents. His underlings did, though. It was a toss-up between boss or their boy Guzma. So, when he asked you casually to grab something for him, and you responded with, “On it, boss.” He was stricken for a moment.

□ Yes, he did technically consider you a member of Team Skull – You had the cap and pendant and everything – You were not exactly beneath him. Really, you were on a level like Plumeria to him, or even arguably above him. Though, he would never admit the latter part aloud. You shoot you a strange look for a moment as you walk off to grab whatever he had requested. Okay, maybe it was a joke. Only – it kept happening. He asked if you were grasping what he was saying one day, and you responded with that you “got it, boss.” He was bewildered. Why? Finally, he had to ask. You were not some underling to him — It was a bit to even partially view you like that. His partner was definitely nearly his equal, if not, actually.

□ Your explanation gets a loud bark of laughter from him. Really? That is it? Whatever, then. More power to you. He guesses he gets it. Part of him is partially aware that he is playing himself up as some big, scary boss. He has to in order to keep Team Skull as something mildly feared (even if they are just considered a nuisance at worst by people). He guesses it is fine, as long as you know that he does not see you as some underling of his. You are genuinely someone he loves and cares about, and in no way does he ever want you to feel like you are lesser than him. As long as that is completely understood, you can call him whatever you please. Though, there is something mildly hilarious that you keep calling him it even after disbanding Team Skull, too.

🌌Cyrus🛰

☄️ In truth, most people do not call him boss to his face. That is simply his position and how he is referred to. He is far aware that his commanders and grunts both call him boss. Yet, to his face, they only refer to him as Master Cyrus. The title did not really bother him… Simply put, it was the truth. He was their boss. Logically, referring to him as that made the most sense. Even normal employees of Galactic, aside from those aiding in his, ahem, special work, usually used that title. So when you, his lover, responded with an “on it, boss,” after he asked you to hand him a document he needed, he flinched.

☄️ You did not know his plans. There was simply no way you could have, nor were you an employee at his company. He blinked as he took the paper you handed him. Did… someone speak with you? Who, if so? He knew this was irrational, yet it only made him worry more. He struggled to recall a time that you had previously called him that. If it had only stayed as that one event, he likely would have forced himself to discard whatever thoughts had come out. Except… It was not. Repeatedly, you had taken to calling him boss seemingly whenever he asked you for things. It almost made his mind conjure up images of two of his commanders. You could not know. It was impossible. He was careful – calculated. And yet… He felt his worries swell.

☄️ Finally, Cyrus dares ask why you call him that. You hum in reply before explaining. He sits in silence, blinking a few times. So simple, so strange. Too close to the truth, but just distant enough to soothe his worries. He remarks that it feels strange when you call him that due to you being his romantic partner. Politely, he asks you to refrain from doing that. It simply does not sit well with him, even light-heartedly. The idea of you discovering his plans makes him distressed enough as it stood alone. He knows he cannot stop you completely, but you do notably lower the frequency of its use. Ultimately, you are not some goon underling of his and the idea of you pretending to be makes him feel strangely, which he does not want.

🔥Lysandre🍷

☕️ Do people call him boss? He struggles to think of an instance, either in Team Flare or his actual company. His presumes his underlings likely use the title to refer to him sometimes, but he does not know of a time in which he had heard it spoken to him directly. While he is certainly the Flare Boss, most people seem to simply refer to him by his name. Which he finds most appropriate since they are not supposed to be an overt organisation. Bringing unwanted attention to his plans should be the last thing that they do rather than among the first. So it was a situation when he asked if you could hand him something, and you replied with a simple “on it, boss” that shook him momentarily.

☕️ There was simply no way that you had become aware of his plans. It was next to impossible – He was deliberately keeping you uninvolved as it stood, with intentions to only invite you later. The red-haired man chokes on his coffee before forcing himself to calm down. Perhaps you were referring to his place as president of his company – He was a boss in multiple ways. There was no reason to presume the worst possible scenario with little evidence to along with it. Yet, as you continued to refer to him as the title, his nerves grew more and more tense. It felt less like a joking jab and more like a knowing comment, even if it was never spoken with a serious tone of voice. He pondered what this could be but stopped himself before he fell top far into irrational thought. No, he must not do that. There was a better way to go about this.

☕️ So, Lysandre simply asks you. You tilt your head and give your reasoning. Despite how close it comes to the truth, he can tell that you seem utterly unaware even still. He feels ridiculous for being so worried about such a small thing. A joke… You simply wanted to feel like some criminal goon. He shook his head. That was the furthest thing from what you were in his eyes, so a genuine laugh escaped him. If it was only that – Well, Lysandre could bear the strange worry that bloomed in his chest. It simply was a joke between you and him. A joke with an unintentionally very real connection.

🥼Colress🛸

🧪 While he may be the “boss” Team Plasma as it stood, he struggled to recall how people referred to him. Most of the group actually seemed to look more towards Ghetsis for direction over him. Even Colress was aware of just how hollow his title was. He was more of an acting leader to put a boundary between Ghetsis and everyone. The scientist did not care so long as funds kept coming to support his research. Though, he was almost certain no one ever referred to him as boss. Well, except for one person. He simply had asked you to hand him a tool as he worked on a new machine, to which you gave the simple reply of “on it, boss.” He startled for a moment, gazing at you with large yellow eyes.

🧪 Did you know…? Colress would admit that he had not exactly been careful, but few actually suspected him of having any strong connections to Team Plasma. It was nothing he outwardly attempted, but his desires simply were not the most aligned with those of the group. Only Kyurem was a strong fascination for him… Had you put this together on your own somehow? Colress pondered it for quite a long time, neither making a comment of here nor there. You simply continued to refer to him by the word “boss” on and off. It was a bit of an oddity, he would admit. Paranoia was not a feeling he cared to acknowledge – rather, he felt, if knew then you simply knew.

🧪 One day, after you had done it again, he simply asked why you called him that. Your explanation almost only made him wish to laugh. Oh… To feel like an evil goon… Ah, he genuinely could not recall the last time he felt so amused. Your relationship with him was so far removed from Team Plasma, and he was almost certain you were actually unaware that it was genuinely fascinating how close to the truth you had gotten. Perhaps you had suspicions… Well, if you were not going to bring them up, he would avoid it, too. Truthfully, the last thing he wanted was to involve you. He was using Team Plasma as it was using him. Your joking title for him would simply remain something he has a strange amusement for.

[tiredspacedragon]

So we finally got a proper Legends: Z-A trailer

Saw a few other people posting their thoughts, so I figured I might as well join in because I do have a lot to say and not too many people to say it to. So here's what's going through my head looking through the trailer and website.

Long post ahead.

I was right. I told y'all and I was right and I am going to be smug about it because I said so. Present. Freaking. Day. I said the clothes in the reveal trailer proved it wasn't set in the past and I. Was. Right. Could still be time travel involved I suppose, but the majority of the game is set in the present and I am vindicated.

I wonder if the train station we arrive in, or I guess I'm just assuming this is a train station, is the same one that takes you to Kiloude in XY. Still want to know what "the usual place" is and if it has anything to do with the ghost girl.

The male protagonist kinda looks like Professor Sycamore to me. I wonder if we're gonna be a nepo baby in this game.

No gym logo on Prism Tower anymore. Which could mean anything really.

Actually a little disappointed about the "wild zones," I'd have preferred to see the Pokémon just out and about wherever. I think they may still be? But just mostly confined to these places. Bit of a bummer, not that bad.

The starter trio is...weird. I am disappointed to see that neither Snivy nor Piplup are part of it, feels like that was done on purpose just to subvert expectations. But subverted expectations don't guarantee the surprise is better, y'know? But yeah, Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile. I mean I don't dislike any of them, I'm happy to see them getting some love, they desperately need it. But having two of them be from Johto is really strange. Kanto and Hoenn probably weren't options because their starters already have Megas, but that still left Sinnoh, Alola, and Galar to pick from. So here's hoping they've just got something really good cooked up for both Meganium and Feraligatr that they just couldn't wait to show off. I'm really not sure if this game will follow in the footsteps of the previous Legends game and give us regional forms for these guys, or if they'll just get Megas instead. Both is possible, but unlikely, while just Megas feel like the most likely. Which kinda sucks because I like regional forms and would like to see more, but Kalos is the Mega region, sooo... I mean they could give these guys regional variants and then give us Megas for the Kalos starters and have us get one of them a la how we got a Mega Kanto starter in XY, but that's pure speculation. Anyway, these guys are neat, if a little odd. I like 'em fine. Also first time getting two quadrupeds in one starter trio so that's cool. Yeah Tepig's gonna stand up but it's still a first for the base forms.

Looks like the catching system works the same as it did in Arceus, which suits me just fine, because I had a lot of fun with that.

Ooh, we can go on rooftops. I notice, though, that there's no sign of catacombs yet. Still holding on to that little hope. Come on Game Freak, it's a whole game set in Poké-Paris, there have to be catacombs.

Rival picks the starter weak to yours. Lame.

Okay, so real time battles. That is...very interesting. I doubt this will become a series staple, at least in the mainline games. The turn-based Pokémon metagame is far too deep, intricate, and honestly well-crafted for them to just throw it out, but it is a neat idea for a pseudo side game like this. The faster pace will make the battles less methodical, less about taking your time and coming up with strategy and more about thinking on your feet, which could be a neat challenge. And I'm looking forward to seeing how certain moves' mechanics change in relation to this new system. The above screenshot, for example, shows a Lucario using Protect, which is normally not a very good move for playthroughs as it doesn't do much in most single battles other than waste a turn, but now in this game it will be invaluable. Being able to completely block an enemy attack without worrying about dodging and repositioning is incredible. It looks like each move is on a cooldown timer too, so you can't just hammer away with the same move over and over again. Guess that keeps the battles more dynamic. Also I wonder if this means they'll do away with PP. More powerful moves may just take longer to recharge. Hmm. There's a lot more I could say here, but I don't want this post to go on forever. Still this is neat, especially since I've been musing a lot lately on the differences between battles in the games vs how they're depicted in the anime and such.

I see the player character still has a dodge roll, so I assume the Pokémon can still kill us? Hope so, that was a big part of the fun last time.

So Mega Pokémon are all permanently iridescent now? I...actually don't mind that, it looks kinda nice. Sorta reminds me of the Terastallization crystallized effect. Pretty. Also I like the new bronze-coloured Mega Ring. Also pretty.

So the CEO is evil, right? That's kinda the way these things work in Pokémon. Of course it could be a double bluff and she's actually chill because they know we're expecting that trope by now, but we'll see. The big manly man secretary with the Pancham and Buneary hair ornaments in his man bun is cute though.

They put AZ in a SUIT?? Man looks clean! Like he even washed his hair! And he's smiling! He recovered and he's actually happy! Oh you love to see it. Still though, my guy, I get that you're three meters tall, but you live in Poké-Paris. You could have found a tailor. So I guess the stitched together clothes are a fashion statement.

Also we are so getting that Floette.

I never noticed that Zygarde 10% has a butthole before. A hexagonal one at that.

Looks like some parts of the city are still under construction. There's scaffolding up. That's cool, adds more of a 3D element to the environment. I do like climbing things.

Also, speaking of the city, it's split into five sections, and now they're all colour-coded. Which is kinda funny looking, but I mean I'm here for it. The colours match the plazas Lumiose had in XY that were named after colours...almost. The red section is where Magenta Plaza should be, and the section where Rouge Plaza should be is a very pale pink. So did they change the order, or are these colours someone's very mixed up idea of what magenta and red look like?

Okay so the rival is the protagonist you didn't pick with a palette swap and wardrobe change. That's cool, it's been a while since we've seen that. I mean I guess Arceus did it, but that was to match DP having Lucas and Dawn appear in game. The last time it happened with totally new characters was...XY. Huh. And of course changing their look is totally new. The names are a little goofy though. Urbain and Taunie. Sometimes Pokémon can be subtle with the protagonists' and rivals' names, but Urban and Townie here are not an example of that.

Speaking of, no names for the protags yet, but they are totally new designs, not makeovers of Calem and Serena, at least not obviously. I wonder if they'll be referenced at all. I highly doubt either will actually appear, but some mention of "the hero who stopped Team Flare x years ago" would be pretty standard Pokémon fare.

It is interesting how things in the wild zones seem to have just been left as they are. Like they weren't cleared out or turned into parks, there are cars left crooked on the side of the road and tables and chairs abandoned where they sat. I wonder if that's going to be a point of tension in the plot, people opposing the redevelopment plan because they were forced out of their homes. Seems unlikely for Pokémon to get into anything like that too deeply, but they may touch on it. Why do they look like that?

Sooo that's a Chikorita that knows Disarming Voice, which it cannot learn by any means in the mainline games. I smell a Grass/Fairy Meganium form in our future. Mega or regional, whichever. Tepig is shown using Rollout and Totodile is shown to know Bite, but both of them learn those moves normally, so that's no guarantee of Rock or Dark types for them. Fairy moves are new for Chikorita though, very very new.

Either that is the world's tiniest Onix, or Pokémon won't be properly scaled in this game. Again :/ Come on guys, you made it work last time. Yeah, visible size variation has been a thing in the last couple games, so maybe there's hope, but that itty bitty Onix sucks to see.

Okay hold up. Bottom right corner. It looks like Mega Evolution is on a timer. Don't tell me it just ends after that runs out. Oh I don't like that. Not at all. The whole point of Mega Evolution is that it's once per battle but it lasts the entire battle. That better not mean it only lasts until that timer runs out, that just makes it reskinned Dynamax. But I don't know what else that could mean. Ugh. Not a fan of that, no sir.

LOOKER BUREAU SPOTTED!!! Oh please tell me we get to check in on Emma. I would love that.

Okay, so this is the last thing shown in the trailer. A logo showing what looks to be the Prism Tower with a Poké Ball atop it, just after the text, "PROMOTION MATCH ANNOUNCEMENT." So what I would assume that means is that there are some kind of promotional battles, maybe a tournament, being held in Prism Tower? Possibly to fund the redevelopment project? I expect they'll use this to have a bunch of old characters show up with updated designs, which I love, so consider me stoked.

[pokemon-my-beloved]

the differences between teams flare, skull, yell, and star (and why only some of them work)

post under the cut because there is. a lot to say

so we all know that the villains in pokemon peaked with team plasma right (this is a matter of opinion but that's beyond the point)

and after team plasma, we have team flare. and team flare is. different.

they were the first evil ceo, unless you count cyrus, which i don't because cyrus (in my mind) was more about nihilism than corporate greed or anything

and lysandre is too, kinda? he's interesting enough, but literally everyone else in the team is boring as shit, especially compared to every team that came before them

so in kalos, we've got a villain team that doesn't really know what they've signed up for aside from the leader (probably it's been a hot minute. the admins might know), which makes sense, but the grunts and admins aren't entertaining at all. they're built up as a threat and exactly one of them is. it doesn't work

(this (imo) applies to most of gen 6's story but that's besides the point)

and then in alola, we've got team skull! this was the first generation i paid attention to the buildup for, and if i remember correctly, before release they were built up as the villain team, but not a threatening one. and in the game, that follows. no one really sees them as a threat on their own, cause they aren't.

but we've also got the aether foundation! and they were built up as mysterious but benevolent pre-release and in-game (didn't necessarily succeed but they tried well enough), and this was the first "twist villain" that pokemon did, and it was new and fresh and worked

and team skull isn't a threat. but they are an annoyance, and that's exactly what's needed during the storming of aether paradise. by allying team skull with the aether foundation, it gives both of them more of what they need most (seeming like a threat for team skull and character for aether foundation)

bonus points for aether foundation working well with the buildup because while almost everyone there is corrupt, we've still got wicke, who is genuinely benevolent and provides some nice contrast

the combination (as well as the fact that all of these dynamics were new) really sells the whole thing for me. it works

then we get to team yell :/

team yell was (pre-release and a little bit in-game) built up as villains and they Aren't. at all

and then at the same time, they expect us to believe that macro cosmos is totally fine and benevolent and nothing is wrong with anything they do? what the fuck

the part where you work with team yell to storm macro cosmos is fun and cool i guess, but that isn't enough to save either of them

team yell isn't a villain team, it's just an extension of piers being an overprotective brother and should have always been treated like that (amplified even more by the fact that marnie tells them off multiple times)

and macro cosmos doesn't work at all either because they expected us to be totally blindsided and then didn't even have the decency to have a single character who was morally good or benevolent like wicke!

at least aether foundation was built up as mysterious but benevolent, macro cosmos was just like "yeah we're a power company and good guys our chairman has the most rancid vibes you've ever seen but that means nothing" and then later it's like "oOoOoH wE'rE aCtUaLlY eViL aReN't YoU sUrPrIsEd????" like no!!!!! i'm not!!!!!!

and at this point the corrupt ceo bullshit and incompetent team bullshit is wearing SO thin, no one likes it or cares at ALL anymore

it's just like, go back to the mafia or whatever! i do not care about this! if i wanted to be mad at a ceo i've got enough irl to choose from!

which brings us finally to team star! they were built up as a villain team pre-release like the others, and we're all just like yeah okay whatever we know they're not a threat and probably fine people and we all know geeta is going to be the actual villain you aren't clever gamefreak

but then! we get to the game! and they aren't treated like villains!

they're treated like victims of circumstance who have gone too far and need to be stopped for their own good and it works

it works incredibly well, compounded by the fact that the actual villain was one no one was expecting

i have. many thoughts about the subversions of expectations that the professors pulled. but that's beyond the point-ish

but team star is not treated as a villain. at all. the closest we get is penny recruiting us to take them down, but that's more "they're a problem" than "they're a danger" and it works

tldr no pokemon villain has ever surpassed team plasma and gamefreak needs to join a union and stop making all their "twist" villains ceos thank you and goodnight

[kalosian-woods]

I COMPLETELY FORGOT TO SEND THIS IN OOPS BUT 💫 :3

“I never knew you wore reading glasses. That’s one way to show your age, I guess.”

“All the more better to see that microscopic piece inside you that shines radiantly even with your dour outlook and rude demeanour, Sunshine.” Grant bit his lip as he read the findings on the latest papers that were faxed to him all the way from Ambrette Town. “Now tell me, what’s your real reason for coming here?”

Viola scoffed as she leaned on the doorframe, hair swinging slight with the movement. “Your Gym. Again. This is like what, the third time this week I’ve found your Gym closed—“

“And you’re here to stop me before the League does? I’m touched, truly.” The composition of the rocks are different from usual, dated as of last year. What changed? 

“The least you could do is put those papers down and face me, Grant. For all your big and mighty talk to Clemont about balancing the Gym with your hobbies, you still fall into the same trap yourself. It’s like you’re siblings! …Is what I would say, if I didn’t have my own sister.” She growled as he started to tap the table with his fingers. “Grant!”

Said man winced, rubbed his ears as he put down the research notes and turned around to face her. “Geez, Sunshine, not so loud! I almost jumped out of my skin with that one. Any chance you could reconsider one of your jobs and take up opera singing? I hear Alola is good at this time of year.”

She folded his arms and stared at him. He smiled, before finding his mouth flatten as time passed on in silence.

A Gym hand walked behind Viola and the door, saw the tense face of the Gym Leader, and left once more.

Grant sighed, taking his glasses off. “I’m just looking out for warning signs, okay? The very land of Kalos is changing and no one knows why.”

“That’s not your job,” Viola retorted, uncrossing her hands. “You already have enough on your plate. Just leave it to the experts.”

“But what if I am an expert, Sunshine? I know rocks. I’m close enough to Menhir Trail, and I know what they’re supposed to be like. Is it so wrong that I want to help out?” Grant is getting softer, he knows. He used to be hard edges and recklessness, now he’s always on edge himself.

Viola probably doesn’t like this change. Grant knows that some days, he wished he could be as carefree as he used to be— rejecting proposals, climbing up mountains, not beholden to anything. But the only way to go is up, and he’ll take what he can get. He’ll help out anyone if he could. The Bug-Type Gym Leader shook her head, bangs swaying with the movement. “You shouldn’t have to go above and beyond here; it’s not your job,” she repeated, voice low.

The light filtered through the window, staining the ground in front of them with motes of dust. “I’m making it my job. I’m fine, okay? The Gym just opens a little later now, I let the League know before you came around.” He hardened his heart against that twitch of emotion on Viola’s face— it didn’t have to mean anything. “It’s all perfectly fine, Sunshine. Just relax.”

“You’re so undeniably stupid,” she suddenly bit out after a hot second, tone wavering as she turned her head around harshly. 

He doesn’t refute the fact.

She made her way out of the room and into the corridor out of sight, stomping as loud as her heels can allow it, leaving the door open. A cold draft of air filled the space where she once was.

Grant felt his hand curl up by his side on the table, next to the glasses. “It’s all fine,” he whispered under his breath, but no one answered back.

[pokemon-npcs]

Do you have any thoughts on how Pokemon NPC dialogue has evolved over the generations? Are there any in particular you've found that surprised you?

Hmm....Good question.

I mainly view it from the perspective of how easy it is to find dialogue that fits well on this blog...

Gen 1 probably has the least amount of quirky/fun npc dialogue, with the following games getting more and more fun NPCs.

I personally feel like the dialogue really hit its stride in gen 5-6. And the Team Aqua/Magma/Galactic grunts - for instance - were often great in gen 3-4.

Then there's gen 7...there are a lot of really kooky NPCs in Alola...but for some reason they quite often give me this almost unsettling feeling. And at least sometimes it feel like it is unsettling on purpose. There's also the fact that there were a lot of long scenes with NPCs in those games, which mostly is a hassle for the sake of this blog lol (longer cutscenes with smiling and unblinking characters may be a reason that I feel unsettled now that I think about it). The lengthy scenes is an issue of mine with Pokémon Legends: Arceus for the same reason. I guess it is kind of nice to get these mini-stories, though.

Gen 8-9 have been fine. I'm kind of glad that they've reigned in the long cutscenes. I do feel like gen 9 has had a bit too many NPCs that mainly are used for exposition (like telling you about a game feature or commenting on a nearby landmark), much like the early gens. And I feel like the various grunts have had less fun dialogue in gen 8-9 too.

As for something that has surprised me...well, I've been playing/replaying various Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games recently, and they have quite a lot of fun/charming dialogue. Often in the shape of short comments that throughout the game(s) create a narrative.

Maybe even more surprising is that there sometimes are gems from the Detective Pikachu games too...though almost exclusively from the pokémon rather than the trainers in those ones.

And of course, I have to mention that the trainer dialogue from various battle facilities in most games are generally top tier!

What are your thoughts?

[aelirus]

@stcrtrainer from here:

"I... I'm not really sure..." The Ultra Recon Squad had been fairly willing to help the people of her world, her Alola. Technology they'd developed from time uncounted spent in the darkness. She put them in contact with Miss Lusamine and the Professors, hoping it would do some good. "The Ultra Humans have technology... artificial light, ways to make food, but..." She had no doubt it was bad there. The adults tried to reassure her when she was able to get in contact; people were fine for now. The Kahunas were doing their best to keep the Ultra Beasts at bay, and Hau'oli city had set up some of the technology the Ultra Humans had taught them about, last she heard. "I... I don't understand it that well. I guess there's enough for people to survive on, though. I haven't been back home yet, either. I... I think it would be too easy for Necrozma to find us there. Everyone says they'll be okay, but..."

"It's a lofty predicament you find yourself in." He finished for her, so she wouldn't have to put her own doubts into the world. Anyone who did know Cyrus or what he was capable of might've wondered why he had any interest in the topic at all.

To Leilani, however, he was just any other stranger who'd heard whispers of what was happening to her on the wind.

His tone started off intense, unfriendly. A moment of consideration seemed to have him softening up, but something about his energy was still uncanny.

"-- This... Pokemon, was it? "Necrozma". What does it intend to do if it finds you? You'll have to excuse my not having the full story, but I believe I can help you."

[wevelocityteampresents-blog]

Pokémon Pocket Monsters Sun Moon Volume 1 - Chapter 1

Red pits Clefairy against Pikachu in a Pokémon battle to determine who will be the new star of the manga.

The Sun and Moon saga begins. And unlike the XY series, we actually get a surprisingly good first chapter. Complete with a prologue.

It's surprising that the people of Alola already know about Clefairy and his bizarre antics. In most other regions, nobody knew who Clefairy was, and it was only after they interacted with him that they realized how moronic he could be. CoroCoro isn't distributed in Hawaii, is it? (You could only wish a magazine like this was published in parts of the US.)

The main draw of this chapter is the battle between Clefairy and Pikachu. There aren't any made-up moves used throughout the match either. The attacks used by the two are legitimate moves they can learn. With Clefairy, we get an extensive look at his moveset, which consists of entirely new attacks.

Light Screen is an attack that we've never seen Clefairy use before. Visually, it's a bit similar to Barrier from the second chapter of the original series. But instead of being used at the wrong time, Clefairy uses it correctly. Only to fumble it up.

The other move Clefairy tries to use is Metronome. And despite being an attack that is mostly associated with Clefairy (that's paired more with Togepi these days), isn't really used in this manga. This is the second time Anakubo missed out on including something in Pokémon Pocket Monsters that personally ties to Clefairy. First Mt. Moon and now this. If this Clefairy doesn't come from the moon, I'd be even more disappointed.

Clefairy's final new move is Fire Blast. Here, instead of releasing a giant flame in the shape of the kanji for "great" (大), Clefairy lies on the ground with his body in the shape of the symbol before lighting himself on fire. It's not shown how he hits the opponent with it. But my best guess is that he rams himself into the enemy with great force.

We've never seen Clefairy use any moves since the original series. (The last attack he learned was Sing. But that move was only ever used in Pokémon Pocket Monsters RS.) Most of the time, they're just actions that result in comedic gags. But here, Clefairy is given a new set of attacks, with one of them being a unique use of the move in the franchise.

Zygarde's appearance in this chapter is a bit brief. He only shows up to end the chapter by showing how bad a fighter Clefairy is. I'd be kind of disappointed and even a bit angry. But I think Zygarde's treatment makes sense given the plot of the chapter. It's only natural for Clefairy to prove how much of a fluke his victory was by fighting what could be considered a powerful Pokémon.

I'm actually amazed. "Clefairy Steps Down?! Who Will Take The Lead Role?!" is a surprisingly good start to the Sun and Moon saga. The flow of the story is solid, it doesn't flash ugly faces at the reader as a poor attempt at comedy, and there's a lot of action that keeps them hooked. The battle between Clefairy and Pikachu is easily the best part of the chapter. (You have to remember that we haven't seen a Pokémon battle in this manga since Pokémon Pocket Monsters BW.) It easily makes up for all the garbage I had to sit through during Pokémon Pocket Monsters XY.

I'm looking forward to what will happen in the next chapter!

TRANSLATOR'S NOTES

According to the prologue, Pokémon Pocket Monsters went through a 12-month hiatus.

If you remember an earlier blog post, the manga's last hiatus was in January of this year. While 2 months is fine on its own, an entire year is something else. Given what he did with Pokémon Pocket Monsters XY, a hiatus seemed to have worked well for Anakubo. Given the publication dates of chapters from Pokémon Pocket Monsters XY, this would put the start of Pokémon Pocket Monsters Sun Moon at either the end of 2016 or in the middle of 2017. The latter date is more plausible as the blurb for this volume mentions the Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon versions of the games, which were revealed earlier that same year.

[adobe-outdesign]

Thoughts on comfey? It's one of those pokemon I always forget exists

Comfey sure does exist, all right. It is pretty forgettable, which is in part that it doesn't evolve, and in part because there are a lot of flower-based 'mons. Granted, one based off a lei is a bit unique, but I don't feel like it stands out enough against all the other grass-types out there (ironically, its like Flabébé in that it's not actually a grass-type itself as the flowers aren't part of it. In general it's basically a Flabébé/Klefki hybrid).

Visually, the creature itself is fine; I like the scalloped shapes that make up its body, and the colors are pleasant. The idea of a little 'mon that seems to use flowers as a form of camouflage isn't bad either.

However, I do think Comfey itself gets a bit lost in the lei portion. One could argue that's the point, but you don't look at it and see a creature holding flowers, you just kind of see flowers and then notice the creature afterward. This isn't helped by the fact that the green, while unique to it, gets overpowered by the red in the lei.

It also attaches the flowers via a blue tendril that comes off of it, which doesn't really look like part of its body. Compare to something like Klefki, where you can clearly tell the ring is just its arms; here, you can't really immediately see how the flowers connect to the creature. Making the tendril green might've helped a little, though I also question why they didn't just make its arms the rings (too similar to Klefki, I guess?).

I almost wonder if this line couldn't have leaned into the way the creature gets lost by intentionally making it look similar to the flowers. Like it's a little 'mon that's evolved (in the Darwinian sense) to look like a plant, and it carries flowers and feels nervous without them because it's trying to camouflage itself within them. Or heck, maybe it's a Falinks kind of thing where a bunch of the flower-like 'mons group together and that's what forms the lei—maybe you could have a mechanic where you chain them yourself into different colors. IDK, just spitballing here.

I'm not sure what could be done with Comfey in the future as it doesn't feel like an evo would make sense, but maybe some kind of convergent could make sense. They could take a jab at those awful plastic tourist leis by making the none-native-to-Alola convergent a poison-type that sickens people with its scent instead of relaxing them or something. Whatever they do, Comfey could definitely use something to make it stand out more.

Anyway, Comfey is an alright 'mon—nothing outright bad, but nothing all that memorable about it either. Just catch a Klefki instead.

[kiawren]

Two nights ago at 3am I was dreading school as usual and started to write something lighthearted then I got a bit absorbed into it lol...mostly copy pasted what I wrote that night with a few small edits. Dw it's pretty easy to read cuz dialogue comes easier to me so it's all dialogue.

Wren: Have you ever dreamt of me?

Kiawe: That’s a sudden question… Yes, I have.

Wren: Was it a good dream?

K: I dreamt we were riding charizards together once.

W: wait, really???? I dreamt that too!

K: Seriously?!

W: wow, we are so made for each other.

K: was there other times you…dreamt of…me…

W: uhm, it’s mostly a blur and illogical as dreams are. But I think I did feel my feelings of crushing on you in my dreams like maybe twice. I think i hugged you in one of them. And that was before we ever hugged at all.

K: Oh…that’s nice.

W: Uh, what about you. Did you dream of me other times?

K: Yeah, i was teaching you to dance, at the top of the volcano. I think… we fell in the volcano, and then i woke up.

W: I’d like to fall in the volcano with you.

K: No..!! If that ever happens I’ll catch you. But that will never happen.

W: Huh? By calling over your charizard fast enough?

K: Uh, yes…

W: We can do it as a fierce declaration of our love.

K: ……

W: Okay, or we could just dance. Oh, did you have any bad dreams of me?

K: Other than the falling in the volcano?

W: Hey That is really beautiful and I don’t count that as a bad dream. I wish i dreamt that.

K: I was actually kind of apprehensive to meet you at the volcano that evening. 

W: But seriously though, that is so poetic. Maybe we could stand at the tip and feel the heat together.

K: WREN! PLEASE! 

W: OKAY I was Kiddingggg… (but I’m gonna write about it)

K: So, the bad dream…

W: Oh yeah

K: I don’t know, i just dreamt you left. I don’t remember much of it. But i saw you leave on a ferry. I was at the pier and then at the top of the volcano.

W: wow you really like the volcano so much. Wanna jump in together? Ok sorry continue

K: …… You’re going to leave eventually, though.

W: … Um, I mean…that’s still in a while. And it’s not like we won’t see each other again.

K: I wish i could follow you where you go.

W: I don’t think you should be the one saying that… I’m supposed to follow you. I’m not even joking.

K: I’ll still be in Alola when you leave.

W: I mean…. I don’t know, I don’t really think much about the future—

K: Exactly. You don’t, Wren. So how do I know for sure we won’t stray? You’re going to leave and not come back—

W: ??? Who says I wont??

K: I just— the future is so uncertain… It makes me so worried.

W: Just so you know. I want to be with you more than you want to be with me. In case you didn’t know. I feel like I don’t say much of this enough, but I always think it. Like, you don’t know how much I think it.

K: Really...? But you were fine before you met me.

W: Doesn’t that apply to you too?

K: N-No. Without you… I’d still be worried about the future. You encourage me with optimism…But it mostly works when it comes to my dancing and my future studies. What's really different is that you're in the picture... and when it comes to you,… how do I know what exactly you’re thinking?

W: You think I’m not transparent enough?

K: In a way. I-

W: Sorry, I guess i don’t really say it. Do you really worry I’ll leave you?

K: I mean, I dreamt it so I must have…thought it.

W: the topic took such a bleak turn.

K: Sorry, Wren…

W: It’s okay, I understand what you think. I don’t really know the future either, but I promise to tell you earlier when I’m going...I also don’t want to leave at all. But, I guess, we both still have each other now, so we can focus on the present?

K: You're right, Wren. Thanks.

W: But, if you want better reassurance, I have a proposal. As a declaration of our eternal bond and inseparation, to make you never worry of us parting again not only in body but also spirit, how about we jump into the volcano together?

Kiawe just smiles softly. Wren does the same.

Behind them, Wela Volcano's soft fumes trail silently into the red-ochre sky.

Its umber body is indomitable as love, monument of an Earth where the circles of selves meet, weave, and travel with time for two young lovers.

[never-ending-daydream]

Well hello to you~! My name's Liberty; I'm a woman with She/Her pronouns, & I'm here to gush about my Trainer shenanigans!

I'm not much of a battler tbh, but I am an avid explorer of the regions! I've been hovering around Alola & Pasio lately, but I like to hop around from place-to-place!

I guess I'd be considered a "faller" on here, but I didn't really fall into the Pokéverse, you know? I came here of my own volition! Normally this isn't something I'd brag about, but seeing as Rotomblr is basically an interdimensional hub, I assume that'd be fine to tell! Just... uh... if you're from my side of the multiverse and see this... no you don’t-

Anyways, content on here will include stories from my travels, transcripts of my Pokémon's tomfoolery, random art/photos I like, & misc. thoughts of mine! Maybe I'll make some ask-games. Maybe I'll make some userboxes! We'll see what happens~!

ABOUT ME | MY TEAM | TAGGING KEY

OOC

Alright! Welcome to the blog!

This here is a Self-Insert Faller blog (my main is @libertys-lovers), which is kinda meant to double as a Self-Ship blog? Maybe? I mean, I'm mainly focusing on my Pokémon team with this, but if I get F/Os from this franchise, I plan on incorporating them into this somehow. Either way, if any of those facts make you uncomfortable, please feel free to block me! Genuinely! I understand.

I intend for this blog to remain no-stakes/low-stakes, but certain darker topics may pop up: these include Pokémon death/mistreatment, terrorism, cults, & just in-general vents (you can blame the evil teams for most of that, smh my head). However, there are also topics that are blacklisted from this blog. These include pedophilia (& its equivalents), zoophilia, Pokephilia, incest, & SA. Outside of me listing this boundary, they will not be brought up on this blog, and this list is subject to grow.

The "muse" & blog-runner are both adults, but please refrain from mentioning suggestive/NSFW topics.

Pelipper Mail/Malice is ON, though deliveries of people/creatures will be "returned". Musharna Mail/Malice is ON, but I ask that malices don't mention my blacklisted topics. Magic Anons & Union Circles are OFF. Canon Characters, Team Members, Fallers (fandom crossover, OC, & S/I), Chosens, Eeby Deebies, & Sentient Pokémon are free to interact! A little bit of IC hate or debating is fine, but I'd appreciate if it wasn't constant! I'm not looking for any drama arcs, lolol.

This technically isn't my first rodeo in the Pokemon IRL space; I used to have a blog for the previous iteration of this sona a while ago. But that was way before all of these terms (faller, eeby deeby, etc) came into common use. I've tried my best to research them all and their meanings, but if I miss anything, please forgive me!

Oh! And the userboxes/pinned banner were made by me, with a combination of official Pokemon card art, online emojis, & sprites/art from Bulbapedia!

[leggerefiore]

Giving dead inside trio (nanu, cyrus, larry) a bouquet of flowers? They deserve some softness in their lives 🥺

dead inside trio.... a new grouping unlocked lol

cw: fluff,

characters: Nanu, Cyrus, Larry

🐈‍⬛️Nanu❤️‍🩹

🌑 The old man did not seem particularly fond of most things in life. Few things broke that trained expression into anything apart from a passive disinterest. Yet, you felt something in you desperate to see that half grin cross his face again. A certain shop in the Malie Community Centre. Flowers. Alola had many, sure. Entire meadows dedicated to them. The red flowers of the Ula'Ula meadow brought the eyes of the Kahuna to mind. The man selling the flowers eagerly beckoned you over and explained the meanings of each bouquet. A bright white flower caught your attention. The man quickly offered information. Forest gardenias. Apparently, the generic meaning for all white gardenias were innocence, purity, and clarity. Their most common use was in weddings. You giggled. Nanu... He certainly was none of those things, yet the flowers held your attention over the others for sale. You bought them.

🌑 Nanu yawned. Nothing was happening today. Just like yesterday. And the day before that. And so on and so forth. It had been peaceful. This was much preferred to the nightmare that had been the Necrozma situation. That Guzzlord. He sighed. His Meowths napped peacefully. He debated joining them, yet the door clicking open prevented that. You stepped in, clutching something behind your back. A brow cocked up. His mind instantly had some worries about the oddity, but he forced them down. You were no threat. Walking towards him, you held a bouquet of flowers out to him. He blinked. These… He had seen these before. His fingers brushed against the soft petals. Right… These were. Forest gardenias. Or, known colloquially as – “Nanu,” you called out to him, “Do you like them? The florist said he was trying to spread awareness about endangered flowers through bouquets.”

🌑 He hated that his lips tugged up at that. Right, these were also known as nānū. Why his parents had thought to name him after such a thing was beyond him. Nanu seemed to go to defy literally every meaning they had. “… Yep, picking these in the wild gets you a high fine,” he nodded and sat them down in his lap. “Thanks,” he tugged you down to his level. You sat down beside him. His arm came around your shoulders. “… I like it,” Nanu could feel your eyes staring at him and wanting to know, “I'm not much of a flower guy, but I guess I serve an agriculture deity so maybe I need to change.” You laughed. Tapu Bulu would love to see Nanu have a sudden interest in the beauty of nature, certainly. Nanu carefully placed the bouquet in a vase later on. The flowers really did brighter up the dreary police station he called a home. And, well, they were a good reminder of something important to him. He gave another grin at you playing with a Meowth.

🌌Cyrus🛰

☄️ The blue-haired man was unreadable most of the time. Even having been in a relationship with Cyrus for an extended period of time, you struggled to understand him rather frequently. Gifts were difficult. He would say that he required nothing when questioned. You did not feel that way, though. So, you found yourself in the Veilstone department store searching desperately for anything that the man might enjoy. Nothing caught your attention. You drifted to the roof. What was supposed to be a moment to relax in solemn defeat was destroyed by a rooftop vendor. Bouquets. A bright one caught your attention. The flowers faced the sun with unyielding loyalty. The choice was obvious. You bought the bouquet with little question.

☄️ The Galactic Boss felt as though he was drowning in work. Everything was a mess, and a free moment was simply a blessing that he did not have. An accident had resulted in the deletion of some important research of his goals, and the entire time was scrambling to either recover or replace it. He felt like he was about to go mad. Then, the receptionist foolishly allowed someone in to visit him. He would give them a piece of his mind for visiting at such a critical moment. The door to his office clicked open. Cyrus stilled. You entered, holding a vase in your hands. A bright smile was on your face. “Cy,” you called out excitedly, “I brought you a gift! You seemed so upset lately that I wanted to cheer you up.” The bouquet of flowers was offered to him.

☄️ Sunflowers… He flinched as they seemed to turn towards him. Logically, it was because there was a bright light behind him, but he felt momentarily bewildered. The dark stigmas of the flora appeared to stare into his very being. He swallowed. Good fortune, he recalled a possible meaning of the flower. Yes, that was precisely what he needed. He sat them down on his desk. Taking your hand, Cyrus met your eyes. Whatever rage had previously consumed him was gone. He could never be angry at you. “Thank you, beloved,” he leaned in to peck your cheek chastely, “I apologise if my behaviour has seemed off. Work has simply been stressful.” The man wished to dismiss all your worries and have you uninvolved again. Later, after you had left, he glanced at the flowers again. Adoration… He recalled another meaning of sunflowers. His stressed mind relaxed. This was for you, too, he reminded himself. His hands tapped away at the computer. This would all be finished soon.

💼Larry🏢

🍙 The salaryman had little joy in his life except for food. Few things could bring him joy as much as food could, but you wished to challenge that. Larry was an overworked and under-appreciated member of his workplace. You, as his lover, wished to show him that it was the opposite case at home. So, you sought a gift. Something food related had seemed obvious at first, but you had backed away from that line of thought. No, you wished to give him something else. A street vendor in Medali caught your eye as you wandered around in search. A bouquet vendor. The woman smiled brightly as you moved closer to gaze at her options. They were pre-made only, naturally, but the styles varied and showed off the talent of the woman. A white bouquet was what captured your attention. Small breaks of a bright blue flower felt strangely attractive. You bought it without hesitation. Roses and forget-me-nots.

🍙 Larry lounged around lazily. Take-out from the Treasure Eatery sat on the coffee table while the television played some boring midday talk show. He truly did not care too much about whatever was being covered. Background noise was simply required. His Straptor perched near the food, tilting its head curiously at the dish. Before the bird could dare steal some rice for itself, the apartment door opened. You soon wandered in the living room with a delicately wrapped item in your hands. Larry's exhausted mind slowly realised that you had flowers. Then he rose up, a bit panicked. Had someone gifted you those? “I got you a gift,” you shook your head, as if understanding his thoughts, “The colours made me think of your suit and tie combination.” He blinked and took the flowers from your hands. White and blue…

🍙 “I guess so,” Larry nodded. He was not too familiar with flower meanings, but he thought it quite looked like a wedding bouquet, almost. The little blue flowers, his thumb brushed over them, had Brassius been going on about them at some point? The grass-type gym leader was quite knowledgeable about flowers alongside his art. Many sculptures he did contained floral themes. Loyalty…? No… What was it? “Love,” he nodded, “I see. I love you, too.” The words had become easier to say over the course of his relationship. You smiled brightly. He let his lips tug upwards for just a moment. A quick kiss was pressed to your lips as he moved to sit the flowers on an end table. They certainly brightened up the dreary room. Staraptor suddenly let out a chirp and flew over to them. It seemed the bird liked your gift, too.

[pokeglitchden]

So Zzazz and �aver will be watching the Potu while I'm away! Taking most of my pokemon with so it shouldn't be an issue but...

Hm I really hope Alola doesn't bar any outside pokemon from entry...

I guess Fouroh was fine bringing Menace and Nimble though.

I think I'll check with that anyway.

[therealwormhole-official]

Ooh wow ok, I finally got this account to work! Hope you guys like my speech, I've been working reeeeeelly hard on it!

Attention Rotomblr!

I… AM THE WORMHOLE.

He/him. I was once Johnathon Ohnn and thats fine I guess but I’d at least like you to use my new evil name too so I can strike fear into my enemies' hearts please!!

And no I'm not an Ultra Beast, or any other kind Pokemon, and I'm NOT a villain of the week!

What I am is the nemesis of all you Spinirak-people out there. Also the Joltick-people, and the Dewpider-people, and, ooh, there's a Spidops too? Oh I've always wanted to visit Paldea, super fascinating wildlife and phenomena!

But nevermind that! I did hugely important dimensional studies at Aether. I'm the reason a lot of you are here, tied together by this website! And what's the thanks that I got? You heroes beat me and left me behind in the Alola disaster so an Ultra Wormhole could turn me into THIS!

Then I got fired from my job, then my family stopped talking to me, then I had to start robbing people and… ah, sorry, maybe I'll just catch you up on the little details later. The important part is this:

All of you watch your backs. Especially anyone involved in the Alola incident who led to my downfall and insists on ignoring me!

I am your nemesis!

if you'll have me. And don't make fun of my Pokemon names!!! I think they're cute.

// hi @swadloom again uh. this is literally just the Spot in pkmn irl LMAOO. inspired by blogs like @spidops-woman and @araquanid-man that also crossover pkmn and spiderverse lore hehe.

design is a wip. uhhhh. idk im sleepy <3 you can bully him, im bad at events but i'll try, no gross ppl you know who you are, etc etc gn :]