victory_road | Area Zero Field Trip

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Area Zero Field Trip

Early in the week, Riegfried and Soy sent out a recorded video: an invitation for all guests on this Paldean vacation to join them on a little field trip into Area Zero within the Great Crater of Paldea. It is a spot known for fascinating explorers, academics, and seasoned battlers, however is generally off-limits due to the dangerous nature of the very powerful pokemon within. Which makes it the perfect place for a little study trip!

(They add that the trip was approved by the Paldea League, which is in charge of granting such access, but isn’t the idea of heeding the call of adventure no matter what more thrilling?)

Anyone interested in spending two days in Area Zero will be asked to gather in front of the Academy on the morning of the 9th, from where flying taxis will take everybody to the Gate Entrance. From there, warp panels bring you inside the crater, to the first of many research stations. While most of the space within is dedicated to computers and scientific equipment, the sleeping quarters have plenty of beds to accommodate you all overnight.

You are also met here by several of the scientists stationed at this research station who have an offer for you. While you can just explore the area on your own, you could also contribute to the general body of knowledge and understanding and perhaps complete an assignment or two.

Completely optional. Really. If you can resist five harried scientists giving you big Lillipup eyes.

Outside the research station, Area Zero awaits. The grassy ground spirals down in a corkscrew pattern with occasional caves branching off. A wide river with rushing waterfalls cuts its own way through. Light sparkles off of crystal formations and gives a glittering appearance to the whole space, which is otherwise dimmed by a foggy mist. Area Zero lives up to its reputation when it comes to mystery, but as for danger? The Pokemon up here seem to be a little stronger than others encountered in Paldea, but all things considered, they hardly seem worth being warned about.

But there is the sense of something more. Maybe you hear clicks and whirs coming from something unseen, or see a colorful glow that fades before you can reach it. You may simply be unable to shake the feeling you’re being watched.

And even at the higher points of Area Zero, you may outright see the source of all this: Creatures that resemble familiar Pokemon, but behave like machines. Despite their appearance, the PokeGear recognizes them as true Pokemon.

These Pokemon are reclusive until the trip leads to Area Zero’s depths, but within those underground caverns it’s a different story. More of the Pokemon there share that robotic quality than not. Some display aggression, some fear, and others curiosity. This is their home, and visitors from the outside world are so rare. How can they be sure what to expect?

Anyway, have fun, be safe, and make sure you are back at the Research station at 10PM on the 10th. We are only allowed to leave 10% of participants behind!

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[Good news! Dimitri is used to being assaulted!]

[...Alright that sounds a little mean to say. However, while he's not been in the midst of an active war zone for some time, some habits never die. They especially don't die when you regularly train, sometimes with a human training partner and other times alongside one's own Pokemon.]

[When Felix comes back and hears he hasn't been on top of his training, Dimitri can only imagine the scolding he'll get.]

[So when he hears the sound of something whistling right in his direction, he ducks without even having to think twice on it, and the Rattata there on his shoulder squeaks indignantly. Blinking and befuddled, Dimitri looks around... and definitely sees the problem pretty quickly.]

Ah. Well, excuse me, Ma'm- [That's probably a Ma'm? listen he has one eye and he has to keep it focused on the Pokemon that are starting to turn on him and be antsy.] But please stay ducked down and hidden, or else this may prove to be a problem.

["This" is the Rattata which leaps downwards, sprinting off to be right in the middle of the large group of Pokemon gathered about. There's some varying noises about this tactic - surprised, aggravated, confused - but they don't last long.]

[This would be because of the Thunder Wave that the tiny little rat unleashes upon the whole group.]

[Dimitri waits a second just to make sure the sparks stay localized to their targets before he looks over to the group of rocks.]

Alright, you may want to hurry now.

[ Well, at least she didn't make this man angry, so that's a plus. And he seems to be a seasoned Pokemon warrior, another bonus. Once the attack is over, she scoops Espurr into her arms and quickly runs, not stopping until she's behind

WOW THIS MAN IS TALL

... until she's behind her hero. A-hem. ]

I am extremely grateful for your assistance, sir. I came here to study and partake in battle, but wasn't aware of the vast difference in levels. I shudder to think of what would happen if you hadn't come to our aide.

[ She sounds rather calm about it all, though. ]

[Such a calm child compared to his own daughter! Still, Dimitri supposes that is a good thing. A calm head during times of crisis means not making horrible life-altering mistakes that haunt you for the rest of your life.]

[Not that he knows anything about that, or whatever.

Well, Gremlin and I are glad to assist. Now let us make haste - Gremlin's Thunder Wave only lasts but a while.

[Dimitri has no doubt that his little rat companion - scurrying right back up to take his rightful place on Dimitri's shoulder - would be able to win all of this quite handily... but best not test things, especially now that they are acting as guards.]

[While he escorts her further away, he gestures to himself.]

Ah, I am Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, and this is Gremlin, before I forget myself. Do you need assistance in your studies?

Yes, if you would be so kind. I am severely under leveled, and so the best route would be to return to the research stations. I'm afraid I have nothing to compensate any assistance, as I am still a newcomer to this realm and have little in the ways of anything to spare.

As for proper introductions, I am Violet Sabrewing, and this is Loki.

[ Loki the Espurr is as calm as his trainer... or. Well. it's hard to tell, they just have a constant o_o thing going on. ]

....But you do not need to compensate me?

[Rat and human alike tilt their heads to the side.]

We are all visitors here together, both for this land in general, and this particular trip. I need hardly any assistance in helping someone else who is in the same boat as myself.

Of course, if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable being out here, then by all means I will happily help escort you back to the stations. Yet I would hardly wish to dampen the curiosity and thirst for knowledge of someone so young.

I figured, but I figured I may as well make the offer out of an awkward sense of politeness.

[ Her continuous calm tone makes it hard to tell if she's kidding or not. ]

And believe me, the fact that I'm missing out on possible new discoveries unheard of in this world and in my own is tearing my soul apart. But I'd prefer my soul being torn over my flesh - the lowest level creatures here are fifteen levels higher than my own. As considerate as you are, becoming a burden on someone who also likely wished to do their own research on here is troublesome.

Ah, well, what I have been primarily doing has been retrieving things at the behest of others back at the research station. Some of my own curiosity has been a factor as well, of course, and yet... Well, I am not much of an academic, truth be told.

[He was from the jock house in his canon, you see-]

[Still, if there's one thing that Dimitri has learned in his time in Johto, it's what it means to be a proper leader. Mainly, that means recognizing the strengths and weaknesses in a group, and how to make it all mesh together. This has to be directed internally as well, of course... and he knows that he is hardly any scientist.]

So if you wanted to go to some place in particular that is on my own route, it would not be troublesome at all to keep watch over you and your own companion. My own are all immensely powerful, and so have no fear of any battle which may occur.

[ Well, when he phrases it like that, how can she resist the temptation? She seems to weigh her options, feet giving an excited wiggle, but her face remains the same. Eventually she comes to a conclusion. ]

Very well. I think it would be a wasted opportunity to reject your generous offer. For the time being, I'll follow you to your designated paths and rely on your guardianship. Let it be known I am extremely grateful, and my previous offer of somehow repaying you is still on the table, if it can ever be served in the future.

[ An itty bitty smile! ]

[Kids trying to act mature are so cute... Dimitri smiles, just a little bit fond, watching her as she goes through her thought process.]

Of course. I am sure that we will have a pleasant journey together. Although since our traveling party has no doubled, allow me to release another one of my companions to ensure your safety.

[Just going through the pokeballs here... He's pretty sure he knows who he's going to call out, truth be told.]

It seems your companion is an Espurr. May I inquire what moves they've learned thus far?

I'm afraid ever since I arrived, we have not had a prime opportunity for growth or proper battle. As such, he remains at level five, as when I received him, and only has three moves - Scratch, Leer, and Fake Out. That last move helped us get out of a few dangerous predicaments, but it's not a permanent solution.

[ Still, se ruffles Espurr affectionately between the ears. good boy. ]

I see... Then, if I could make a suggestion or two?

[Dimitri gestures up to his Rattata, the whiskers twitching.]

It may be worthwhile to save up to buy a TM for a move your companion can use to neutralize stronger foes - for example, I believe Espurr can also learn the Thunder Wave which Gremlin demonstrated not that long ago. That way, in the event that any other things such as this happen, you both would have a way to escape on your own. Especially against a large amount of foes.

There are a variety of similar moves, of varying types, which can be learned, so it is truly only a matter of finding that which might suit your companion the best. Of course, as he levels up, you will no doubt get other moves.... But TMs expedite the process.

And to follow up on that, would you like to battle alongside us, with Gremlin using that Thunderwave, and allowing you to adjust to battle a bit?

The Technical Machines, yes, I've read about them. I have been very curious to see how they work in practice, so having a valuable excuse to purchase one is a cause for much merriment. I will take your suggestion into deep consideration, as soon as I have the available funds to my person.

[ A lot of words to basically say "Good idea." It appears she really can't speak without making the whole thing an ordeal.

But it's the second suggestion that really makes her eyes widen... a bit. Trust us, she's very jazzed. ]

If I wouldn't be a burden to you and your team, I would be honored to fight alongside you and gleam valuable knowledge.

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Area Zero Field Trip

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