Main Action and Team Status Thread [VICTORY!!!]

[SassySnivy]

Well I guess we learned something? xD

I think it would be a good idea to interview Mort, maybe to see if he might know something about a certain pair of shears...or just in general, if he knows anything about whats going on at all. :o

[Neo Emolga]

Feeling a little embarrassed for searching an already searched location, I move on to interview number 22 Dami the Bellossom.

Interview Rapport: POSITIVE
+1 Shared Pokémon Type (Grass)

You come to Dami the Bellossom at her store and home while her son Vam the Oddish is relaxing in the yard. She seems happy and content, but nonetheless, she has been keeping a watchful eye on him. You introduce yourself to her and she greets you with a warm smile.

"Hello, Sloane, pleased to meet you," Dami replies to you. "What can I help you with?"

You inquire about the Stalkers and what's been going around. She nods and looks a little somber.

"Yes, I heard about Cina..." Dami tells you, having learned about the Chansey's death. "It's truly awful and I'm going to miss her. She always seemed like such a sweet and caring Pokémon, although she was poor."

She tries to recall something she's seen recently that might be of some help.

"Adis was a kind priest, though he was a bit unusual," Dami recalls. "On the outside, he was a kind and gentle Delphox, but on the other hand, there was a lot about him that was mysterious. There was this time I wanted to talk to him about something that had been troubling me, but he wasn't at the church. I went searching around the building to see if he was outside, only to find out he had been at the windmill the entire time. I couldn't understand why he'd be there of all places, but I never did ask him about it. Looking back, I'm wondering if he's been doing something there in secret. I'd go and check, but I couldn't leave Vam by himself, and I couldn't take him with me in case something terrible happens. Lately, I feel guilty even just sleeping and waking up later than usual."

"Despite all that, I just wasn't ever a part of Adis's circle of friends," Dami continues. "I never took the chance to get to know him better and I regret that. But there are a few Pokémon that know what he was up to. Trinka the Lopunny and Ryne the Floatzel were always good friends of his and I knew Trinka and Ryne volunteered very often at the church and assisted Adis during mass. Trinka... she's a fighter. She was angry and depressed when Adis was found dead, but she vowed to do whatever it took to stop the Stalkers. Meanwhile, Ryne, despite his cool and collected nature, has been trying to encourage the scared townsfolk of Serenity and has been leading the Night Watch in Adis's honor. But not too many Pokémon have been willing to help him..."

"Talk to Trinka and Ryne," Dami tells you. "They'll let you know more about what Adis has been up to, but I only know so much. And there has to be something at that windmill. I just know it."

[Neo Emolga]

Lita is overjoyed to find such a wealth of info, and hurries to tell her teammates.

After leaving her finds for the others to examine, she hurries to #16: The Performing Arts Center. True it's not the best time to take in a show, but maybe there is behind the scenes info to help the cause?

You arrive before the Serenity Town Performing Arts Center, which seems to be a large, welcoming white-stone building with stone columns and a large theater hall. The large building seems to be in good condition and it seems like it used to be a nice entertainment attraction before the recent Stalker incidents.

A sign at the front clues you in that the last shows, Razen's Roast and Kile and Nashelle's Holiday Jam were scheduled to happen weeks ago, and the show schedule hasn't been updated since. You can easily assume performances have completely stopped for now...

You start by searching the interior of the building. Despite the lack of show performances, the building still seems to be in good shape and hasn't been vandalized in the absence of clientele. The stone floors are still clean and it seems like it wouldn't take much to reopen the performing arts center if only things were looking better.

The actual performance stage and audience hall is quite impressive considering Serenity Town isn't that large of a settlement, and you guess it might be because the owner thought the town would grow into a city in time. There are enough seats in the theater to accompany everyone in town and then some, but you imagine a sellout performance probably never happened here. Many of the seats are wood and stone to accommodate both large and small Pokémon while the stage itself is made of stone to withstand prolonged use as well as wear and tear.

You search the back room and it seems like most of the equipment has been relocated for now, but there are a few things that remain. You decide to go deeper in your search, going through the drawers and cabinets. It seems like most of the things that were here have been moved out for now, but a few items like show scripts, props, and schedules still remain. In your searches, you come across one metal object in particular that catches your eyes. It looks like it was tucked away secretly between a desk in the ticket booth and the wall. You wrestle it out and discover it's a key with a Ꚛ Cross Circle emblem on it.

Item: [Ꚛ Cross Circle Key] has been added to the Team Inventory

You search the outside exterior of the Performing Arts Center. The grounds look like they used to be maintained, but with the lack of performances and income, the yard has become a little wild and weedy. Nonetheless, you search around the sides and back of the building. When you get to the rear, you see something unusual, a coin that looks like it has been tied up with weeds and shrubs. You tear away at them, and once the metallic object is freed and lands in your hands...

...you suddenly yelp when a shock of pain hits through your paw.

You look at your paw to see if there is any cut, but it all seems to be fine. You check the coin again, and it stings to the touch, as if touching it feels like grabbing a nail, although no physical wound seems to occur.

On the front of the coin, you see clearly what looks like a Pikachu being split open and gutted alive with his entrails being torn out... something that you instantly find grotesque and macabre. As you carefully use a leaf to suppressed the stinging that the coin causes upon physical contact, you flip the coin over and a single word reveals itself on the back.

EVISCERATION

You use the leaf like a oven mitt and take the coin with you, but avoid looking at it for obvious reasons...

Item: [Coin of Evisceration] has been added to the Team Inventory.

[Neo Emolga]

Not the best rapport, but I'm one of the few that doesn't clash with them. Interview 52. Ryne the Floatzel about Adis.

Interview Rapport: POSITIVE
+1 Shared Pokémon Evolution Stage

You find Ryne at his farm, relaxing in the afternoon sun after having worked all morning in the apple orchard making apple cider. You introduce yourself to him.

"Welcome to my farm, Katie," Ryne greets you with a relaxed smile. "What can I do for you?"

You inquire about Adis and what the Emissaries have recently learned. He nods in understanding and realizes the true nature of your arrival.

"Adis is a very good friend of mine," Ryne tells you. "And yes, I mean is and always will be. Death shouldn't end a true friendship."

"Adis was working on the Sin Purge Ritual to stop the Stalkers," Ryne informs you further. "He had everything compiled and was probably only minutes away from completing the project. The things he had gathered for this ritual were out of this world. Relics, books, and artifacts that had holy and divine attributes to them. Things I had never seen before! Probably from Heaven itself! He mentioned the candles, the bowls, and the scriptures that he had to hide once he realized his situation had been compromised. He said if the Stalkers found them, the situation would become hopeless, so he locked them up, hid them around town, and entrusted some of the townsfolk with these relics, stating he would come back to get them once he had the final pieces compiled."

"I'm one of those Pokémon," Ryne tells you. "You need to complete Adis's work. I'd do it myself, but I would put my family in serious danger if they found out about it. It happened to Joff and it has ruined him completely."

He tells you to wait a moment, and then heads inside his house. After a short minute, he comes back and give you what looks like a white stone star.

"Take this," Ryne tells you. "It's for a lock in the windmill. Trinka has the other one, but she can't make a move either without putting her husband Srin in serious danger. Adis may be dead, but there's still hope of completing the ritual, and I believe he's watching us from above, praying and hoping for us all. Take it, and may Arceus watch over your path."

Item: [Star Stone: Father Time] has been added to the Team Inventory.

[Neo Emolga]

I interview number 21, Marche the Zoroark!

Interview Rapport: VERY POSITIVE
+1 Shared Pokémon Type (Dark)
+1 Shared Pokémon Evolution Stage

You arrive at Marche's house and knock on her front door. It takes a little while before the Zoroark opens it, but she opens the door slowly and gently. You introduce yourself to her.

"Oh," she slightly smiles. "Hello there."

You inquire Marche about the Stalkers and explain what you're trying to do. She nods, looking a little shy, but she understands your position.

"From one dark Pokémon to another, I think you know what it feels like to have Pokémon suspect you of every bad thing in the world," Marche opens up to you. "It's not that I don't like the other Pokémon here, is just whenever something goes wrong or they suspect someone of doing something bad, it's the dark Pokémon that get accused first. I'm sure an Umbreon like you has seen plenty of it in your lifetime."

"I'm just an engineer," Marche tells you. "It's not witchcraft like some Pokémon believe. You just leverage gravity, energy, and motion to make things work, and you come up with ways to make life easier. That's all. I've never killed anyone. Why would I? You don't seem like the kind that would kill anyone either."

"I should have talked to Adis," Marche explains further. "But I waited too long and now he's gone. Instead of sitting here, keeping to myself, I should have helped him and not feel like I needed to hide myself away because of who I am and what I am. Trinka had the right idea. Everyone loves her and she was so open to being a caring and helpful Pokémon. I should have been more like that when Adis was still around. Maybe he could have trusted me, too..."

"I'm afraid I can't help right now, but I'll be on the lookout," Marche tells you. "I'm not sure if you've realized it, but there's something about the Stalkers that is triggered at night. By day, they act normal and like nothing ever happened. But at night, they're out killing other Pokémon. I haven't gotten to the rhyme or reason when they decide to strike when they do, but chances are they wait until someone is alone and vulnerable. I know because I think they were in my yard the other night, but by the time I went downstairs and headed out the back door, they had already bolted out of there and I didn't see where they had run off to. I don't know what they want with me, but I've had to tripwire and booby trap the front and back doors at night."

"Well, thanks for listening to me, Laura," Marche tells you with a smile. "Whew, I... hope I didn't ramble on too much, but you seem like such a nice, friendly Umbreon. I haven't had friends for a while and before meeting you, I didn't think it was ever going to be possible again, but you've reminded me of a feeling I've missed for a long time. Thank you so much."

[Neo Emolga]

I'd like to interview #57 Millie the Vaporeon about the mysterious twisted note.

Note:

Spoiler:

MY NAME IS KOAX.
MY NAME IS [indiscernable]

I can't do this anymore. I can't run from these demons. They've driven me to kill. My name is

Millie the Vaporeon. And I've done horrible things. I can't stop myself. I need you to put an end to it all. So to whoever reading

Interview Rapport: POSITIVE
+1 Shared Pokémon Type (Water)

You confront Millie the Vaporeon just outside of the Sleepy Valley Apartments building. She smiles at you when you introduce yourself to her. You then show her the =Twisted Note=, she looks it over, and slowly and slightly steps back.

"Oh..." she mutters. "Oh... oh, okay..."

She nods, winces for a moment, closes her eyes, looks away for a moment, and winces for a moment again.

"I'm... Millie," she nods, struggling to smile. "Mill-ie. M-I-L-L-I-E. Millliiieeee. Please call me Millie. Please? Please, Dash? I'm pleased to... meet you. I'm Millie the Vaporeon."

It almost seems like she is about to cry, but she shakes her head after a few seconds. She suddenly looks at the sky, and something about the sun beginning to set seems to seriously bother her all of a sudden.

"I wish it was springtime again," Millie tells you quickly. "I like the flowers, the grassy fields, and everyone... just seems happier. I really want to enjoy those moments again, you know? You know how it is. Of course you do. I'd love to just skip forward through time and... NO, TURN BACK time. Yeah, I'd love to just turn back time and enjoy those moments again."

"I'm Millie, by the way," she tells you, suddenly beaming a smile. "Millie the Vaporeon! I hope you've been enjoying Serenity Town!"

[Neo Emolga]

Search 48 Diante's Guild (Abandoned)

You come across Diante's Guild at the outskirts of town. A somewhat spine-chilling wind blows around as this area of town seems to be a creepy-looking derelict.

You check the exterior of the old, stone building, but the broken windows have been boarded up with oak planks from the inside. From what you can tell about the architecture of the building, members of the guild used to reside here as well as carry out their objectives for exploration. However, those days have long-passed. The grounds have become unkempt and overgrown with weeds since then.

When you get to the front door, you find the heavy, steel door has been locked shut. There is a XX emblem by the keyhole.

Locked Door: {Locked Front Door, XX emblem} has been noted in the Team Records.

[Neo Emolga]

Alright, then... Time for the next step - to have a chat with 3. Adom the Magnezone himself. I'm sure that neither of us would hesitate to bust a cap in the other if we found out the other was a Stalker. Especially if they were the true Stalker, so they could gain some reputation with the rest of them.
...With how little law enforcement there is now, he might as well consider me part of the force already.

Interview Rapport: POSITIVE
+1 Shared Pokémon type (Steel)
-1 Not very effective against (Rock to Steel)
+1 Shared Pokémon Evolution Stage

You find Adom the Magnezone at the Police Station, reviewing another police report submitted by Zick. He looks to you in a professional manner as you introduce yourself.

"Hello, Aurimas," Adom greets you.

You tell Adom about yourself and how you're trying to put an end to the Stalkers. He nods, as if expecting this encounter.

"Zick has informed me there are some 'friendly newcomers' in town," Adom tells you. "I was skeptical at first, as I prefer not to take action unless there is sufficient proof to go by. Zick and I sometimes have our differences and he will often pursue a lead that I have doubts about. He will chase a rumor or a theory if he believes there is some credibility to it. I suppose in a time like this, maybe that's what it has come down to."

"You and your friends have gained Zick's trust, and he has updated me with regards to what some of you have found while serving as Serenity Town's private investigators," Adom continues. "I have something you might be able to make better use of than I have been able to."

Adom heads toward one of the cabinets in the room, moves aside a few boxes, and retrieves what appears to be a silver candle.

"Adis gave this to me for safekeeping," Adom tells you, handing you the silver candle. "He told me he would come back for it 'when the time was right,' but now he's gone and I have no use for it myself. I don't know what it's for and if it's something important, it would only do damage for me to continue holding onto it. Maybe you and your friends can find some kind of use for it..."

Item: [Silver Candle] has been added to the Team Inventory.

[Neo Emolga]

Well I guess we learned something? xD

I think it would be a good idea to interview Mort, maybe to see if he might know something about a certain pair of shears...or just in general, if he knows anything about whats going on at all. :o

Interview Rapport: NEGATIVE
-1 Pokémon Evolution Stage Difference

You find Mort the Grumpig at the Rolodon Apartment Building, sleeping on his usual makeshift bed besides his strange tarot cards and other bizarre fortune-telling paraphernalia. He doesn't detect you at first, but then when you approach him, he suddenly wakes up in a panic.

"W-who... who are you!?" Mort asks in alarm.

You introduce yourself, but Mort still seems anxious.

"I... what is... what do you want from m-me?" Mort asks, quivering a bit.

You inquire about the sheers and what he knows about the Stalkers. But he just shakes his head and still seems very frightened.

"S-shears!?" Mort asks. "Bloody shears!? W-Who would ever want to kill a Pokémon with s-something like that!? L-Look, look, I didn't do anything if that's what you're t-thinking!"

You try to pursue the lead, using what you know about what Gillan had mentioned.

"I-I just wanted to b-barter with her!" Mort exclaims, trying to defend himself. "I... I don't have much money, you see. I j-just wanted a quilt to keep warm at night. I... I found those tools outside the Vordin Mansion after a night of scavenging around, so I thought s-she might trade or something. But she j-just told me to go away and that s-she only took Poké. But I swear, I didn't mean any harm!"

He simply continues to look nervous, and it doesn't seem like you're going to get too much more out of him...