“Ugh... really?” Of all things... it's not like his team wasn't built to deal with them, but Flygon already had issues cooperating. If it sees an aggressive Ice type, survival instinct is taking over. “Still... doesn't sound much different than before. Just a different place.”

Games..? It resents that! Greatly! 🐲 : “Fraaaaaahhhh.ᐟ.ᐟ.ᐟ” This was a challenge, and it wasn't taking no for an answer, swooping right on in to swipe at its target with a Dragon Claw, aiming more for a reaction than a direct hit. It was fast. It could draw their attention a bit...

(‘...no way whatever just happened was normal. And he's really actin' like it is. ...I gotta know.’) Wes would ready a Pokeball, clutching it close before tossing it up in the air, letting out Flygon once more. The dragon spreads its wings, and lets out a loud roar to get the bird's attention.

(‘...not gettin' good vibes from him...’) Wes would dismount Flygon, landing with a silent puff of dust before recalling the dragon to its ball. Once he was on the ground, he darted a bit closer, keeping behind whatever cover he could while listening in.

“..? Lady, you're wearing a Camerupt onesie and a fuckin' swimsuit underneath. I'm more interested than anythin'. Don't think fear would ever be part a' this.” Shrug.

“Damn right I do. Makuhita left a helluva bruise on me...” Not the first time he'd been attacked by a Pokémon, but damn did it hurt. “So this speeds things up, I get that. But the catchin' has to happen first. So where are they.”

“...just what in the hell..?” Flygon was still incredibly wary, having landed behind whatever parts of the landscape were still intact, be it a bush, a boulder- anything. That was definitely a Moltres... but something was off. And the way it just... overwhelmed, obliterated those Pokémon... 》

“Mega What-now..? Oh, that.” He barely knows about it. Just that it's something to do with Evolution, but temporary..? He'll ask someone later. “Well, makin' more doesn't really sound great. Just sounds like more to run after and wrangle up...”

Sick. So is there anything in particular to it, or do you just want me to hit the targets? Or whatever happens to get in the way?

He's being dragged along. He looks pretty bemused.

“Thirty, huh...” He feels like there was about the same a few years ago..? He's not sure, though. That time all went by real fast. “Gotta give the prof. credit, it looks like it takes some of the stress off. At least it doesn't take a detour to Agate. No offense, Ru.”

Wes couldn't even utter a word in time- Flygon had taken the reins once again, flapping its wings and flailing its tail around erratically as it dodged a few splinters and branches... But then came whatever flew sky-high. On its way back down, looking right about to crush the trainer... 》

“Sonnuva-!! Flygon, for cryin' out-” It was at this moment, trying desperately to pilot Flygon with minimal experience, that both Wes and his Pokémon stop dead in the air, Flygon hovering in place as it noticed the disturbance. “...that was weird. Did you wanna-” Before Wes can finish, Flygon 》

🐲 : “Fly! Frrraaahhh..!” “Yeah, yeah, I know. If you'd listen for a second, you'd realize you're wastin' your breath.” “...I wanna fly.” 》

...like, on your own? That's sick. Alright, sure, let's go shoot somethin'.

“Then somethin' weak to Poison afterward, I'm guessin'.” He would scratch the side of his head, squinting at the screen. “I mean, ain't that confusin'. Sounds like the same kinda stuff ya look for in a battle.”

“...alright, sure. I'll bite, onesie-wonder. I'll be your stooge for the day.”

He figured that much. There was no way in the world Agate Village wasn't blessed in some way, even Wes knew that. But that wasn't really the focus of the conversation, so he'd lean in to take a better look at the program being displayed on the monitor. “...looks empty right now.”

He would follow, rubbing the back of his neck. “Look, all I'm sayin' is Celebi appeared and helped when it mattered. Ain't heard of Arceus doin' anythin' like that recently. Wasn't tryin' to be disrespectful.” Suffice it to say, he came from a rather faithless part of the Region.

“Mega Evolution..?” That sounds familiarly foreign. He's definitely heard about it in passing, but he's never once actually looked into the phenomena himself. “Don't know much about it. Not sure I'll be much help, really.”

Eh, it's whatever. What did you want my help for anyway.

“Good.”

“You'd fit right in at Pyrite Town.”

Yeesh, and he thought the girls from Pyrite were forward. “That depends on two things. One, what kinda research? Two, am I gettin' paid?” He might be a bit dense, but he's also got his own vices. One of them being the great need for money.

Can you blame me for bein' careful when we met by scrappin'. It's a normal thing in Orre, sure, but you ain't from there, so it's weird.

“It's certainly interesting, I'll give ya that.” He's just going to pull the visor down. Sun's getting in his eyes. Yeah... that's it. “Still ain't sure it's the best way to beat the heat, though.”

“Type advantage? Uh, sure. A few of 'em do, I think. even if there's not many, I know Umbreon and Espeon could probably fill those gaps, right guys?” ☀️ “Vui!” 🌕 “B-b-b-re!” “What's this new method, then? He find a way to move the relic stone without pissin' off Creation?” His name for Celebi.

?

“Wouldn't really say that. I'm more of a jack-of-all kinda guy.” A shrug, wearing a half-smirk. “Can't say I've seen too many specialists dress like that before, though.”

Trans rights are human rights, you try anything and you are getting some lefts.🏳️‍⚧️💖

“If I can be honest, I was just lookin' at your outfit.” Way to not sound creepy, Wes.

“...hey.” Well. He's not really sure what to say, honestly. He's not judging her or anything, it just wasn't something he was expecting to see today. Tourists never know how to prepare for Orre heat...

(‘...that a fuckin' Camerupt onesie..?’)

“They are. Can ya believe they organized that all themselves? I mean, not that big of a surprise, but renovatin' the ol' Cipher building an' everythin'... I'd say they're doin' alright.” A chuckle, storing his Pokeballs with a smirk. “Least, they were last I checked. Wasn't too long ago.”

“Well, I kept a few in the boxes, but for the ones I kept on me...” He'd pull out three Pokeballs, listing names as he'd count them out. “Flygon, Misdreavus, Furret... and Quagsire. They all seemed tough enough to follow me on the road.”

jamcat I know I have replies to get to here and on other accounts, but, uh... Here. The official Orre Wild Battle theme. Yee-haw. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRiX...

“You sure about that?” He'd say with a grin. After all, Wes and trouble seem to have a way of sticking together. Couple that with the crime rates in Orre, and a lot of people's stories boil down to crime and felony. “I mean... gave some of the Shadow Pokémon away, once they were Purified.” 》

“...yeah. Yeah, that's a good point. Don't think this place is ever getting its own gym challenge. Unless you count whatever Justy has goin' on 'round here.” A dry chuckle. “...you need to get goin', don't ya?”

“Look, I've had it since I was fourteen. Shouldn't have even been driving it at that point, but nobody in Orre gave a fuck back then...” That, in itself, is a story for another time. Only Umbreon and Espeon know that story, for now. “But I can leave 'er in the garage for a bit. No big deal.”

“...I'll think on that. I, uh... I got your email. And if you can't come get me, I might have a way outta here by air. Just... really isn't as fast as the bike.” It is kind of his pride and joy, beside his Pokémon. “Livin' life ‘normally’ just sounds... weird, at this point. Doable, but weird...”

jamcat Y'all have no idea. I also have the h muse big time, so I'm usually gonna play the devil on anyone's shoulder. That said, I have about two active ships right now. m elts.

“...maybe you got me there. Probably tons. But I got a bit of a name to live down before I can try most of it.” Espeon's ear flicks, looking up at Wes from its spot on the floor, right next to Rui's feet. “Life's always gonna be different for me, I think. More about survivin' than livin'.” 》

jamcat Also, yes. Wes is going to be a bit of a sad character once you dust him off, literally and figuratively speaking. He was a gutter child of Orre. Opening up isn't exactly in his nature.

“...already seen everything I needed to. Never stopped to think about what I wanted.” He would look down at the ground, before his eyes drift toward his partners. “...even with you, it was just about seeing tomorrow. Any sunrise where you were still kickin' meant I was doin' my job right.”

Nnnnope. He's not about the Rotom Phone, if he had to be honest. For a couple reasons. “Uhh... how easy is it to track one a' these things, exactly? Tell me that, and a price, and I'll look into it.” “Next, uh... is that. Safe? I know fossil Pokémon are pretty common now, but...”