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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[Smart play. Jotaro hadn't intended to go down so far with training Pokemon.

Star Platinum looks up as his species is called. He gives a loud cry to acknowledge Min-Gi before he flips over Kosugi. Heroically, the jolly Pokemon swims and slides over to the Mystic Water and holds it tight in his fist. The power of the pendant surges through the Palafin and with another cry he releases a stronger Hydro Pump, stopping two Glimmora from harassing his friend. Between him, Doug and Killer Queen, the three are nearly done cleaning up the mess of Glimmora. They'll be able to help soon.]

Not steel. Not psychic. And not electric, given what we tried earlier. I'd guess fairy, given the moves its been throwing, and how it really didn't like that Iron Head...

[The Iron Valiant is pointedly fighting the Alolan Marowak, doing its best to put Min-Gi's Pokemon in the way of Jotaro's Bisharp and defend itself from another attack. It stabs at Marowak again, trying to actually land the Night Slash.]

Is there anyway to hold it still? Bastard is fast.

[If Jotaro's right, then both his back up options are best kept away from this fight. That leaves him with limited options until the Glimmora are defeated. He grits his teeth as Night Slash sends Rodeo reeling, blocking the Bisharp pretty effectively while he's at it. He doesn't have any steel type moves, and with him having some weaknesses...

It looks like there's no choice but to put Red Eye more on the offensive.]

Rodeo, Mud-Slap. Red, slow it down with Scary Face.

[If they can whittle down its speed and accuracy, that ought to help some. As will the last of the Glimmora fainting, leaving them with only one Pokémon to focus their attention on.]

Chariot, scary face as well. Let it know we're not surrendering.

[Jotaro doesn't think throwing mud at a robot would help but he's pleasantly surprised that the Mud-slap forces the Iron Valiant to stop in its tracks and the dual scary faces makes it hesitate. It's long enough for Star Platinum, Killer Queen and Doug to completely finish of the Glimmora, leaving a mess of fainted rock flowers in their wake. Now free to move about, Jotaro's Aurorus moves protectively around Min-Gi and Jotaro before he gives a cry. Red can go on the offensive, he has the little humans under his care!]

I'm tempted to try catch this thing just so no one else has to deal with it. Unless you want it.

[Especially with another Mud-Slap from the incoming Doug, it's definitely making the difference. It's slower now, and when it tries to target Rodeo again with another Night Slash it misses.

Good.

He trusts his Pokémon, but it's still a relief to have them all back where he can keep an eye on what's going on. At least as much as possible in all the chaos.]

Killer Queen, use Iron Tail. Red, try Scary Face again.

[A super effective move, and the new Pokémon's speed now down as low as they can make it. It will make the difference.

With the battlefield now more under control he turns to Jotaro to acknowledge him with a shake of his head.]

Go for it. I'm not sure I'll be catching any of the Pokémon we find down here.

[Maybe delivering some of the information he finds over to Team Rocket, but that's harmless, right?]

Stop it from using Night Slash again, Chariot. Use torment.

[Much slower, missing half its attacks, and now deprived of a super effective move, the Iron Valiant is definitely having a bad time. It tries to cut a path out of the ring of Pokemon but is flinched as Jotaro's Palafin uses Astonish. Jotaro takes out one of his few Ultra Balls and grits his teeth.]

Get in the ball. Ora! [Jotaro throws the ball and it beans the Pokemon on the back of the head. One... two... three...]

... Good grief. [It's in!] That was more troublesome than it should have been.

[Min-Gi lets out a troubled hum of agreement. His Pokémon are strong, but even then he might have had difficulty if he'd come across the swarm and Iron Valiant on his own instead of already battling against someone else.]

It'll be a good addition for your team, at least.

[Battling alongside a trainer, that Pokémon is going to be a beast to contend with. Even more than it was already.

He gives Red a little attention, keeping the large Pokémon as still as she can ever manage as he checks she's okay. Once he's sure she is, he returns her. She's a powerful ally to have down her, but she's too high strung to keep out longer than he needs to down in these caverns.]

If I can get it to listen to me... [Jotaro mutters. He's about to say something else when his Pokegear beeps. He opens the dex and raises an eyebrow.]

Iron Valiant. Apparently, that's what it's called.

[Well, whatever. Jotaro stashes the Pokeball into his coat and looks at his team. Star Platinum, despite having been in the brunt of the Glimmora attack, looks okay. He's just tired and looks even more so as he releases his Hero form. It's mostly Chariot that's injured from fighting Iron Valiant, and Jotaro goes to help his Bisharp. When he's sure his Bisharp has enough health to get them back to the surface, he turns to Min-Gi.]

Thank you. That wouldn't have ended well if you and your team hadn't shown up. I don't know what that thing would have done to us.

Usually Pokémon are pretty good listeners once they have a trainer.

[Not always, but. Maybe it's better not to scare him too much right after he's caught such an unusual yet powerful Pokémon. Especially when he has to tend to the Pokémon who'd helped him capture it still.

Min uses the time that Jotaro is healing his Bisharp to check out his own team. Killer Queen is fine thanks to having mostly been dealing with the Glimmora, especially after she takes the opportunity to summon an Aqua Ring. It's a slow method of recovery, but now they're out of the heat of battle she'll be completely healed in no time.

Rodeo is the one who needs more TLC. He'd done well, but the Iron Valiant had been strong even before it had managed to hit upon one of his weaknesses. Thankfully Min has powerful enough potions on him that he should be okay.]

Don't worry about it. We're working together, right?

[Well. Sort of. The scientists aren't the only ones he's been feeding information back to, but Jotaro doesn't need to know that.]

Mmm... We'll see. [Jotaro appreciates the sentiment. He's sure things will be fine... probably. Maybe he'll train up Chariot and a few of his other Pokemon before training Iron Valiant so he can be sure he has teammates to dogpile on it if it gets rowdy.

But that's for later. For now it seems like everyone's more or less okay. Jotaro's got to replenish his Potion stash once they're out of Area Zero but that shouldn't be a problem, they'll have plenty of funds after they finish helping out around the Research Labs. He nods appreciatively to Min, oblivious to anything else out of the exchange.]

We are. Research is and always will be a collaborative effort. Though hopefully it's gonna be a lot calmer for me now I got the trail cameras I want down and this.

[He finally lets go of the item he's kept tucked under his arm, a small cluster of sparkling blue crystals from the depths.]

You'd be shocked how hard it was to get this. Crystals around here tend to disappear into energy when they're picked up. [Sparkly, sparkly energy.]

I don't think anyone could say you haven't done your share after catching that.

[There are other powerful Pokémon down here for sure, but that Iron Valiant had been a beast. It will be easier for any other trainers coming down here to do research now. At least until a new Pokémon moves in to claim this territory.]

I'm not shocked. I've been trying. Guess that's why it's so hard to research them...

[He's no scientist, but it sure doesn't seem like the kind of thing that helps when you're trying to gather data.]

[Jotaro shrugs. There's always work to be done and if he's got air in his lungs and no grevious injuries, he'll keep going. It's just how he's always done things.]

Mmm... the crystals are condensed Terastal energy. I was told it gets dispersed in the air after it's used up by a Pokemon or if it loses a connection to the land. I figured that the best way to collect these crystals was to take a good portion of the rock it's growing out of, like how you keep a plant alive by getting the soil and roots as well as the main body. But Chariot and I must have tunnelled too deep and we disrupted a nest of Glimmora feeding on the energy seeping through the walls. [Hence the hoarde.]

I doubt it'll stay in this state for long though. I'm going to try get this back to the lab so actual experts can look at it properly. You coming? [He won't stop you if you got places to go but he wouldn't mind the company.]

I hadn't thought of that. I'll try it.

[It would never have occurred to him to treat the crystals like plants (not that he knows a huge amount about plants), but clearly it's been working for Jotaro. It's worth considering for their own attempts too. Though perhaps later, once everyone's had chance to rest.

Min-Gi nods when Jotaro asks if he's coming back to them, returning Rodeo to his ball but leaving Killer Queen to accompany them. She has an advantage against a number of Pokémon down here, and good hearing to alert them to any danger as they return to the surface.]

Heading back to the lab's probably a good idea. Then your Palafin can use the Mystic Water a little longer too.

[Two water types with (potentially) boosted attack is not a bad idea in an area with so many Pokémon weak to it.]

Got the idea from Glimmora, ironically. Rocks that look like flowers. [The crystals still could disappear at any given moment but it's better than nothing. Hopefully, something useful can be gained out of it.

Star Platinum smiles at Killer Queen and does a small flip in the air, saying hello in his own way. He scouts ahead, mindful of his new companions as he floats. Jotaro's eyes follow the movement before settling on the necklace.]

Mmm... Mystical water, huh? Where'd you get that? It seems useful. [He should probably invest in held items, huh? It seems really useful in situations like this.]

Huh. I guess I should've. I have a Glimmora.

[Still, it's a helpful tip for next time he comes down here. It's definitely worth trying with how easy it is to mess up gathering the crystals.

Killer Queen isn't as agile as Star Platinum, but she still bounces to greet in him turn, ears perked cheerily. She follows after him, unable to keep up but still able to hear in the tunnels ahead of him. She's ready to warn him if she hears anything he should know about.]

My partner gave it me. You can't get it most of the year, but there's a market in Goldenrod around Christmas. You can get a lot of things you usually can't from there.

[Star Platinum will definitely make sure he stays within eyesight of the humans (he doesn't want to go so far ahead that he won't be able to be on hand). But between him and Killer Queen, their path will be clear and it should be smooth sailing from here on out.]

How sweet. [Beautiful and useful!] I did see the Goldenrod markets last year but I got nothing Pokemon-related. I'll have to keep an eye out for one this Christmas. It's useful.

[Killer Queen's ears are perked, but it remains quiet up ahead. Something she's happy to report to Star Platinum.

They hadn't started dating yet at the time Ryan had given it him, but Min-Gi can't argue that it had been sweet. He'd known to give him something practical even if he did want the gift to be something that looked nice too.]

Held items are so useful. Some boost attacks of specific types, but they do all kinds of things. They're just not always that easy to get hold of.

Mmmm... I know. Aside from berries, the only held item I have is an Amulet Coin that I got from this trip. But I suppose if they were easy to get, everyone would have one. You have a resourceful partner.

[Jotaro's unfortunately not the type to ask about Min-Gi's personal life but he is curious, admittedly. At least if the partner is local, someone he knew from his world, or someone he met here.]

An Amulet Coin's not bad. Especially if you're still kind of new here.

[These days he and Ryan make enough from their shows it doesn't feel like he's missing out by not having one, but he knows how quickly you can rack up the cash with them. Even if it still doesn't totally make sense to him how they work...

One thing that is obvious is he has an opportunity to talk up Ryan. He hasn't always been so appreciative of the skills he has, so he's more than happy to take the chance to make up for that now.]

He is. Even if the market hadn't been any good he would've figured something out. He's always been good at thinking outside the box.

Six months here counts as relatively new, right?

[Chalk the mystery of the Amulet Coin up to 'things that might as well happen'. Lord knows there's a plethora of things in this world that belong in that list.]

Mmmm... It's a good skill to have, especially in these sorts of situations. Thinking outside the box has saved my life more than a couple of times and I can imagine it's been the same for him.

That's still pretty new. I've been here over a year and that's nothing compared to some people.

[It's kind of strange to consider it's only been that long. So much has happened since he arrived it feels like it should be longer.

As for Ryan's resourcefulness being life saving... it's not something he'd considered, at least not outside of their time on the train, but it might have been. That's not a comfortable thought.]

I guess it has.

Yeah... My daughter has been here for three years. And earlier I met someone who's been here for over a decade. Really puts things in perspective.

[In comparison, not much has happened for Jotaro. He's done a lot of adventuring though, and seen a lot of both Johto and Kanto in his short stint.

Ah, he didn't mean to make it uncomfortable. He was just trying to continue the conversation. Oops.]

Three years... That must have been strange for you.

[He's not sure he can imagine his own parents showing up here. He's not sure how well they'd even settle. He misses them, but they already built the life they wanted. Maybe it's better to hope they get to stay back in Powell Lake.

Up ahead of them, Killer Queen can hear some wild Pokémon along one of the paths. She warns Star Platinum, pointing him towards a quieter sounding path.]

Mmm... One moment, she was 19. And then the next time I saw her, she was suddenly an adult, married with a job and everything. [He shakes his head. Even though he's had a few months to comprehend it, it still puts him at a loss.

It's scary... missing out on three more years of her life without even realising it.

Star Platinum nods to Killer Queen and begins flipping in the air, signalling to Jotaro. Jotaro's dragged out of his thoughts as he notices the duo has stopped. SP and Jotaro acknowledge each other before SP floats ahead, checking out the quieter path indicated.]

That's sad...

[He gets it. Life carries on, and you can't stand still and hope that everyone who's important to you will turn up. But still. It must be hard knowing you missed out on so many major milestones for your kid.

Min is caught up enough he almost doesn't notice Killer Queen trying to catch his eye before she goes off after SP. Luckily he does after a moment, and she is able to nod before she attempts to catch him up.]

Yeah... [It's twice as hard when Jotaro had just (timeline-wise) promised he would be there for Jolyne. He had already missed out on so many of her major milestones as a child and now he's missing out on things because it's outside of his control.] But all we can do is try make up for the time we lost. The two of us have spent the last week on Pasio alone together: it was nice.

[Jotaro gives a long sigh, shakes his head, and continues to follow the Pokemon down the quieter route.] Hopefully, this detour won't be a long one.

Area Zero Field Trip

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was there anything else or shall we wrap up soonish?

Yeah, I think we can start to wrap this up!

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