#ooc: though less and less calm these days; getting more toward outright storm...

[the-fluffiest-trainer]

[An audio recording is attached.]

Hey, Professor!

Yes?

Can you take a look at some strange items? I meant to ask when we met up before, but then...

Of course. What do you have?

First, this... I don't know what it is. Plate? Slab? Kind of looks like a cutting board, except it's so cold all the time. There's writing on the other side, here.

Hmm. Let me see... "Two beings of time and space, set free from the Original One"? That sounds like Sinnohan myth. What's it doing on this– no, it couldn't be...

What is it?

It could be a Plate. That is, a relic of Arceus. Do you mind if I take this, and consult with the Professor who taught me when I was young? Professor Rowan of Sinnoh... he would certainly know better than I.

Uh, sure. I... didn't really want to carry it around anymore either, the thing's heavy.

Wherever did you get it?

Talia – the gardevoir on my team – sensed it under the snow of Route 17 and dug it up. I... didn't see exactly where. I was in Talia's pokeball at the time.

You were – Alright then. That's a first. Well, I can take this off your, er. Hooves? Was there something else?

Yes actually, I got this from a pelipper delivery not long ago. No note, no indication of who it's from or why they sent it, nothing.

Very strange... I'm afraid artifacts are far from my specialty, so I don't think there's much I can tell you here. There's something about this bottle, though, it feels... ominous, somehow.

My absol friend, Osha, said the same thing. She couldn't give specifics, only that it might be dangerous to open.

[There is a faint popping sound and a rush of air.]

Fluttershy! Urgent news, I'm afraid, of the friendship sort, if you would be so kind as to– Is that the prison bottle?!

The what?

[The audio cuts out very briefly, and a video continues from the same place like the camera was turned on suddenly. The view tilts up to show Professor Sycamore across a table in the Anistar hotel lounge, then shifts over to look at Hoopa hovering in the air nearby.]

The bottle with my power in it! Made by that fucker, the what's it called, the Chosen, back when I was brand new to this world. Give that to me!

[Before either Fluttershy or Sycamore can do so, Hoopa sends one of his floating arms swooping down to try to grab the bottle himself. However, just before touching it, the hand seemingly bounces off of thin air. Hoopa frowns, but cannot seem to push it further.]

I can't even touch it? Damn Zygarde and their curse! Who thought balance was such a good idea anyway? Balance is boring. Fluttershy, do be a dear and just pop that bottle open for me, would you?

I'm... not sure I should? An absol has said not to, so certainly not without knowing more. Now, you said there was a friendship issue you needed my help with?

...Yes, fine. I have, uh...

[Hoopa looks down, as embarrassed as his impish face can show.]

I may have... misplaced... my friend Ari.

Misplaced? How does that happen?

How do you think? He ran off! He– Are you taking notes? Is that a sketch of me? Honestly, Professor, keep that up and people might think you've never had a mythical pokemon drop in on your student meetings before.

Anyway, Fluttershy, we were over in Cyllage City and Ari saw some broadcast on TV about a weird floette, and he just booked it north and left me behind. He even took off the ring of mine that he always wore so I can't just yoink him back again.

It sounds like you know where he went? North of Cyllage... that would be Geosenge Town, right? Oh no, you don't think... was that the one?

I think so. Or at least, he clearly thinks so.

This is not a good time to be barging into Lysandre's lab in Geosenge. I need to talk to Twilight again. She's there. With luck, she can intercept him outside and convince him to stay put a little while, at least until things settle down there? Oh, this is not what anyone needs right now...

[Fluttershy reaches out and scoops the prison bottle off the table, back into her bag.]

Professor, I'm sorry, but I think I need to run. Keep the Plate. Come on, Hoopa, let's go see if Twilight knows any more.

[Video ends.]