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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[Louie can't say it's a bad time for a hug, but man, it's a bit weird. To be fair, most of that is because Loki has grabbed onto his leg. It freaks Louie out, yes, but the idea of shaking the him off his leg is even freakier. He doesn't want to make the Espurr mad!

But there's also the whole weird feeling of big brotherly responsibility. Plus, Louie's not super used to a hug being a question like that. He's so used to hugs from Huey, or Webby, or his mom, and they just jump into it. All that aside, though, yeah he's not gonna leave her hanging. Violet's getting a hug. And some more levity because this is all just... Kind of awkward to Louie.]

You do realize who you're talking to, right? You sure you wanna owe me one?

I mean, not that I'm letting you take it back now.

[ It's a brief hug, with one good squeeze, before she lets go. She doesn't want to make him too uncomfortable, especially given all he's done for her.

Loki's still hanging on. ]

I'm willing to take that chance. If hanging out with your family has taught me anything, the risk is always worth the reward.

Yeah, my family's gross like that.

[He says it with a scoff, but his tone is light and fond. He wouldn't say the family adventures have convinced him the risk is always worth the reward, but he's seen that when the risk is worth it? It's often super worth it, especially when it seems the reward can only be awful. He's been surprised so many times.

And that has him thinking, when he realizes Loki is still clinging to his leg.... Ugh. It's not like he can expect Violet to ditch him, right? Louie winces and braces himself, then leans down...

Oh he really doesn't want to do this, but there. He gives Loki a little pat on the head, with just one finger.]

You are one weird guy, but... At least you seem to like me? I like that. [His expression brightens a bit with a tiny smirk as he looks up at Violet.] 'Cause it'd stink if I couldn't invite your trainer to stay with me and Huey and the others.

[ Loki slowly... s-l-o-w-l-y... begins to let go of Louie's leg. He is taking his damn time.

Violet's smile grows all the bigger and warmer to hear the news. The invitation isn't surprising, but it's still appreciated. Having friends is still sort of a new experience for her compared to most children. ]

An invitation I shall gladly accept. Admittedly, I was slightly apprehensive about holding back the progress the two of you have made, so I shall do all in my power to catch up accordingly...

[ But then she catches something that piques her curiosity. ]

... And the others? Who else travels with you?

Travel? Really? Sheesh, Vi, and here I thought you knew me better than that.

[He snickers, but then pauses. Because of course - observant "sharpie" that he is - Louie's been keeping an eye on those Gogoat, and they're starting to climb down towards them, hopping along the rocky cliff face. He frowns a little, and starts to head towards the nearest Research Station, motioning for Violet to follow him. It can't hurt to move on.]

Let's walk and talk, okay? And... Just be ready with the pokeball I gave you.

Anyway, back where we all normally are, there's the Sevii Islands. That's where I live at my friend Armin's gym. It's also the aquarium I work at. [He shrugs, trying to be casual, but his smile gives away his happiness. The job is pretty good, and comes with a rent-free place to stay. It's hard not to love that.] Armin's wife, Angel, lives there too. Plus Huey, of course, and my--

[He stumbles over the next word not because the break-up is still upsetting - it's maybe a little weird, but not upsetting - but he got in the habit of using the word "boyfriend".] My friend, Emporio. He's really cool, and so is Angel. Armin's not cool, but he's nice. I have a feeling you'll like him a lot.

[Armin, Huey, and Violet being nerds of a feather feels inevitable to Louie.]

And to be fair, I do still travel from there sometimes. And Huey's out around the islands a lot of the time, too... But I spent two years traveling before Armin gave me a job. I couldn't have been more ready for a break when he offered it.

[ Ah, wise move. She nods once to show she understands why they've begun to move - admittedly, she's been so distracted by... everything, she almost forgot the very danger she put herself in. She rolls the offered Pokeball back and forth in her hands, mostly as a comforting gesture to herself - if anything goes wrong, they have back-up. There's no reason to worry.

A steady job? Living in a gym? Lots of friends? How wonderful for her friend. She can feel the happiness radiating off him, and in turn, it makes her happy.

Still, geez, that TWO YEARS bit still feels like a punch to the gut. Out of everything she's learned here, that's one fact she may never really adjust to. ]

In that case, I can see myself coming along with Hubert in his explorations across the islands. No doubt at this very moment, he's still hyperventilating either at the stations or at the deeper caverns of this cave due to all the knowledge he's obtaining. My envy of him grows, but no doubt he'll share his newly acquired data with me when we are reunited.

[Louie shakes his head with a sigh of mock-exhaustion, one he can't stop from becoming a little snicker.]

Yeah, that sounds about right for Hue down here. I'm sure you guys will enjoy going around and... Learning, I guess? Huey's been doing all sorts of research since he got back.

[He shrugs.]

When I do travel these days, it's usually because he's going somewhere that seems cool to check out. That or to visit my friend Fluttershy, she lives on the islands too-- The point is, it might be all three of us sometimes.

I have no objections to these arrangements. As Webbigail would say, "any friend of yours is a friend of mine." If you trust them, then so shall I.

And I will look forward to hearing all the tales they have of your time here.

[ There might be a hint of a smirk, suggesting she's interested in the stories Louie himself might not want shared - but that his less scrupulous friends would be happy to divulge. ]

[The smugness is not lost on Louie, and after the way Violet "tested" him to see if he was really him? Yeah, he can only imagine how excited she may be to hear some embarrassing stories. He reaches out and gives her shoulder a gentle push.]

Really, not gonna cut me any slack after I lent you my pokemon and was nice to your Espurr?

I've got to admit, Lena would be very proud.

[ The smirk then melts onto an actual warm smile. While she's only had Lena in her family for a short while, Violet does honestly and truly love her - so to hear that? ]

Why thank you, Llewllyn. I'll take that as one of the best compliments I've ever received.

[ And she gives a light shove back! ]

[Louie rolls his eyes at the shove, but there's a smile on his face. Good! He's glad she heard it the way he meant it.]

Okay, but if you're going to be out doing research and all that, you've got to train up your pokemon... And having more than one wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

I'm well aware, and I do plan on having a large and efficient team for myself... I assume that on these islands, a level five Pokemon that only knows less than four moves is able to defeat at least something there?

Yeah, you could probably find some pokemon Loki can take on over on Four Island.

Oh, hey, and I can ask Fluttershy if the daycare she works at there does any training and has pokemon on his level. That'd help.

Any and all help would be appreciated, and rest assured, I will more than make up for the struggles I may wind up giving all of you.

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Area Zero Field Trip

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