Frontier Town Main Street

[Weazel]

Archie weaved his way through the crowd after Koa, Dustin following along behind this time. By the time they’d reached her, the Meowth had been joined by a Rookidee. There was something odd about the little bird’s coloration, the Dewott had only seen a few of the species before, but he was fairly certain he remembered them being yellow bellied. But then, there was Dustin with his stained paws, and Kimiko hadn’t exactly been typical Snivy colors either. So perhaps it was just another strange color mutation.

Either way, Jade introduced the little bird as Virga. Archie tipped his hat in greeting. Dustin mimicked the motion, touching his paw to his forehead and nodding. Then Jade asked if the Buizel was his.

“Unfortunately,” Archie deadpanned.

The Buizel ever so slightly tightened his jaw, but then, almost like a switch was flipped, instead broke out into a huge smirk, and threw his arm around the Dewott’s shoulder.

“You are in a mood, today!” he chuckled, “I’m Dustin, Archie’s protege in all things heroics.”

By contrast, Anubis was much more stiffly formal. It made for an amusing contrast with his Trainer, and Archie had to wonder if the Houndoom often found himself acting as Koa’s minder.

“We had a lovely time freezing our asses off and getting harassed by ghosts,” Dustin added, when Koa refused to elaborate on their own journey. “I tell ya, that dead horse was something else. Not the kind of welcome that I, for one, appreciate.”

 

[Chibi Pika]

Virga gave a small huff at 'reclaim my proper form.' Yes, it would be nice if that were an option.

"I was not on her team, no," Virga replied simply. "We were allies in our world, and so I was called here. I am also looking to evolve as soon as possible." It wouldn't be her proper form, but it would be something.

Jade's eyes flicked toward the Rookidee. Allies, huh. Not gonna mention the part where that was in the past? (Not that she wanted to mention it herself, either.)

"It's good that you could be there to have Koa's back, then," Jade said to Anubis with a smile. She found herself suddenly imagining herself waking up in the Walled Gardens with a Pidgey, or a Charmander, or even a Pikachu, and had to shake the thought from her head. Would've been nice...

Archie didn't seem too pleased with his own choice of summoned partner either, so that was something. At the mention of 'dead horse' combined with the whole 'freezing' thing, everything suddenly clicked together in her head.

"Oh geez... you guys ended up in Malantau didn't you?" she asked, wincing. "So we were pretty much clear on opposite ends of the continent."

 

[Namohysip]

"Well. It's good to know we weren't hunted centuries into the future," hummed Mhynt, arms crossed as she finally took a walk down the main roads of Frontier Town. Happily familiar. She could almost imagine her bucket now.

But behind her was Zena, still in a bubble of water and trying to avoid the hot sun despite that. The Feebas looked around and quietly asked about a few things, to which Mhynt answered back.

"And how has everyone else been on their little... outing? Do we know what happened with the Radiant individual we were trying to save?"

 

[Tetra]

A gleam of understanding entered the Houndour's gaze and he regarded Tiny Bird with approval. "We'll help each other do that."

Koa nodded to Jade. "Yeah it was super fun. Really cool. Thinking of going there for vacation," he said, sarcasm breaking through. Swallowing it down he added, "anyways, we got back all right. Thanks to him actually, he was a big help." He tipped his head toward the Buizel. "Would've been a lot harder otherwise."

He managed to remember to not say anything about the Buizel's wind powers or being a Lugia. He felt bad for Archie, he wasn't sure what he'd do in that position. "Glastrier showed up right after we got out of the wretched dungeon we ended up in. Guess he wasn't happy about us passing through. What happened with you and... Sada? How was Betel?"

 

[Weazel]

Dustin gave a showy bow, his tails wagging, the Buizel obviously happy to get called out for his positive contribution to Koa’s time. One thing Archie couldn’t fault the Buizel for, he was happy to assist just about anyone.

“It’s probably best to avoid that dungeon going forward. It’s desolate, even without Glastrier haunting the surroundings. It won’t give up its heart easy,” Archie said.

“We had to take a detour through some hell world just to get here. I was ready for Giratina to come bursting out of the shadows at any moment,” Dustin groused.

“Eremus Fault,” Archie clarified. Though, the Dewott was soon distracted by the arrival of Mhynt, who arrived with a Feebas in tow. That was a rough form to get stuck in this deep into the desert. At least mammalian Water Types like Dustin and himself were comfortable enough on land.

“I haven’t heard anything,” he said, folding his arms. Not that he was exactly in a hurry to find out what had become of The Living Sun. He’d been one of the ones advocating for her being allowed to pass on, to act concerned about her fate now seemed almost disingenuous. Plus… He wasn’t exactly interested in the potential round two of the verbal lashing he and especially Odette had been given just for being concerned that putting Amida into the machine meant to contain and control her – just because the person who’d come to the mesa to capture her was saying it totally wouldn’t capture her now – was a stellar idea.

 

[Chibi Pika]

Yeahh, that was... about what she'd expected a trip through the barrens would be like. At least the four of them had made it back in one piece.

"Sada landed in the ancient garden with me, Nova, Leaf, Gladion, and Virga," Jade explained, tail swishing. "She wanted to fix Betel, so she helped us get out of the dungeon and took me and Betel with her to a mining town where we could get the parts for the repairs." Jade was vaguely aware that the others had fought Sada at the mesa, but that seemed so distant and unimportant now.

"And, well... obviously she got Betel working again," Jade finished lamely, gesturing to how all of them had managed to warp back to town. Then her face brightened and she added, "It was pretty cool to see Betel evolved. And they should be able to warp here themselves, so you'll probably get to see them for yourself soon."

Amongst the various townsfolk coming and going down the street, Jade spotted a familiar Sceptile and raised a paw to get her attention. Seemed like everyone was finding their way back to town now that the network was back up. She got the introductions out of the way in short order ("This is my partner Virga. Virga, this is Mhynt") and then talk turned to the results of the previous mission.

"And how has everyone else been on their little... outing? Do we know what happened with the Radiant individual we were trying to save?"

It took Jade a second to realize who Mhynt was referring. "Oh right, the Living Sun." She hadn't been at the mesa, that was her excuse. "I think Leaf was planning to check in on her once she and the others got back from the Temple of Auriga?" Come to think of it, she was deeply curious about the fallout of her own mission. What would the situation be like if they returned to the Shining Congress?

While lost in thought, Jade couldn't help her eyes sliding toward the Feebas floating along in a water bubble behind Mhynt.

"...You doing alright like that? We do have a river at least, if that helps." She really had no idea what worked best for fully aquatic mon. At least the Feebas didn't look too uncomfortable?

 

[Jackie Cat]

As the Wayfarers talked, one of them might notice a strange thing approaching in a hurry – a ghostly flame held in a dark lantern frame. This was, in fact, a gaslamp-style Lampent. He came clutching a reporter's notepad and pencil, and tailing a slightly scruffy tie from the fuel bottle on his underside. His shade cap and ventilator resembled a wide-brimmed hat, and his glass was slightly cracked in places.

"Jean Mantle, reporter with the Frontier Gazette," he burst in, internal flame sputtering. "You're Wayfarers, right? Hello there, g'day to you and all. I'm penning a piece on the developing situation with the Commonwealth Army – do the Wayfarers have any comment?"

He fidgeted with his regulator valve, getting his flame under control.

"Excuse me, sirs, I'm getting ahead of myself," he said, at a more comfortable drawl. "What I rightly meant to ask was, would y'all mind sharing where your travels have taken you since your fateful encounter on Sunward Mesa?"

 

[Chibi Pika]

Jade blinked at the Lampent's sudden introduction, and at the mention of the Frontier Gazette, she wished that Laura had made it back to town.

"Oh, uh... You know, we're always coming and going all over the place, so y'know... I had stuff to do down in Auranosa, and these guys were investigating things up in Malantau, and..." (Somehow she doubted that coming right out and saying 'we fell through a hole in spacetime' would get taken seriously.)

Then, after a moment's pause: "...Sorry, what was that about the situation with the army, exactly?" she asked, hoping that it wasn't too dumb a question.

 

[Cresselia92]

“I’ve heard some voices over there! It oughta be them! C’mon!”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard them, too! Don’t pull my arm like that!”

“You’re a Sneasel! Aren’t you supposed to be fast and furious and war-dancing all over the place?”

“And you’re a Buneary. Aren’t you supposed to be cautious?”

“Being too cautious is so boring! You don’t get to discover cool and nice things! Besides, Buneary can be very curious, like me! And y’know what else they’re known for? Binkies!! Aaah, they’re simply so cute when they jump and kick their legs in the air and spin and—gasp! Wait! I’ve just got an idea! Wanna hear it?”

“No, but you’re gonna tell me anyway, aren’t you?”

“Yup! So, here’s the plan! …Drums rolling… We should war-dance and binky together! A duet of springy ‘mons performing a lot of jumps and twists in the air! That’d be so much fun, and we would look so adorable~!”

“………How about, huh, no?”

“Awww! You’re such a grumpy, grouchy spoilsports!”

From a nearby road emerged the duo responsible of that banter: a smirking mountain Sneasel with his claws tucked in his pockets and a pouting shiny Buneary, hopping by his side with her arms crossed in mock annoyance. If someone looked carefully, they might have noticed the playful glint in their eyes and the calmness in their bodies, signaling that the two teens were simply teasing each other. Their reunion had definitely done wonders for their spirits.

Upon spotting the gathering not far from them, Silver straightened his stance and slipped back into his neutral smile to study who was there. His expression went from a more genuine smile at the sight of Archie and Koa, to a flash of confusion upon seeing the Buizel (Rodion?! …Ah no. Some other Buizel…), to a neutral expression as he looked at the other fellow Wayfarers. Once he assessed who was present, he shot an inquisitive frown at the lamp-like ‘mon.

“That flame guy. Isn’t his species a Lam… um…”

“Lampent,” finished Kotone. “That’s a common species in many Galarish-speaking regions.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “They can be usually found close to morgues, if I’m not mistaken. Is he sensing someone’s impeding death…?”

Silver snorted and rolled his eyes sarcastically. “That’d be just what we need. An encounter with the harbinger of the grim reaper.” He eyed Kotone. “Can you hear what he’s saying?”

Kotone nodded and focused her hearing entirely on the mysterious ghost, her ears twitching. “Hmmm, something about being here from the Frontier Gazette and wanting us to… oh, tell him about our travels since the whole Sunward deal!”

“So he’s a paparazzi. That’s even worse,” he grumbled, his muzzle scrunching and his eyes narrowing.

Silver had plenty of answers he could offer but no desire to talk, and from her eager yet uncertain voice, he could tell that Kotone had plenty of desire to talk but no answers to offer.

Kotone looked back at him, having sensed his discomfort.“Hey. Let’s start by getting closer to your friends,” she suggested, giving an encouraging pat on Silver’s arm. As much as she wished to reach his shoulder, that was kinda hard when she was literally half his height. “I’ll handle that reporter, okay?”

The Sneasel sighed, somewhat glad that Kotone was there so shoulder some of the social pressure. “…Okay.”

As such, the two teens approached the group, and the Buneary launched herself in a greeting frenzy.

“Hiii! It’s good to meet you physically, at last! I’m Lyra! That Lyra from Betey Channel!” she chirped to her new friends, then waved rapidly at the Sceptile and Feebas. “Oh! Mhynt! Zena! Look, I found Silver!”

Silver stared at Kotone, still puzzled by the way her name changed pronunciation depending on whom they were talking to, but he shelved that matter as yet another weird translation nonsense. She didn’t seem to mind, anyway.

While Kotono enjoyed her social fix, he got close to the Dewott and Electrike and waved his paw, much slower than his hyperactive friend. “Hey. Koa, Archie. I’m glad to see you again,” he greeted with a moderate voice, his smile widening slightly, then focused on the Houndour and Buizel. “Your summoned partners, I presume?”

“Howdy, Mr. Mantle! I’m Lyra, one of the new Wayfarers! Yep, there’s more of us world-hoppers! We’re twice as many now!!”

Silver glanced briefly at the excited girl, then back at his blue friends. “So, huh. Remember the person I’ve mentioned a few times and who’s one of my closest friends? Well…” He motioned to the Buneary with his head. “Yeah.”

“Anyway! I can’t speak for the others, but as for me, I landed in some place called Merrimere! Got to learn everything about fishing, and I met so many cool water people! Oh! And I befriended a kind dungeon after my group solved a puzzle!” she continued, before pressing her paws together and looking curiously at the Lampent. “But you’ve heard about the older Wayfarers’ feats? That’s awesome! Can you share some of the coolest stories and rumors you’ve heard about our group?”

 

[Tetra]

Oh great. A reporter. Just what he wanted right now, to answer a bunch of questions from some nosy pokemon. He looked away and siddled back a half step, hoping the Lampent wouldn't fixate on him. He was relieved when Jade spoke up instead.

He gave a slight wave to Mhynt, more curious to see her partner. A Feebas. Poor guy, that had to be an unfortunate form to get turned into here. A moment later his ears were bombarded by a cheerful flurry of greetings from a Buneary that practically came out of nowhere. The area was starting to feel crowded already.

The sight of a familiar Sneasel helped. "Hey Silver! You made it!" he said, brightening slightly. He tried to mentally file away the name the Buneary used for the Feebas. Zena. And that was Kotone. Sounded like they'd had an okay time where they ended up. Lost in his thoughts, it took a second before he realized he'd forgotted to introduce his own partner.

Anubis watched Alpha out of the corner of his eye, instinctively waiting for an introduction like he would back home. Alpha seemed too lost in thought though. Turning to the Sneasel he grinned a little, tail wagging. "You must be Silver, his friend!" There was a cheerful note to his voice. "I'm one of his teammates back home. Alpha told me you're 'pretty cool' and you have a Crobat too."

Koa blinked back to attention. "Oh yeah, Silver, meet Anubis, my Houndoom from back home." His gaze swept over the wayfarers, both new and old. "Hopefully we can figure out what we need to soon and get everyone home," he muttered. "Don't suppose you guys learned anything?"

 

[Jackie Cat]

"Oh, uh... You know, we're always coming and going all over the place, so y'know... I had stuff to do down in Auranosa, and these guys were investigating things up in Malantau, and...

"...Sorry, what was that about the situation with the army, exactly?"

Jean gave Jade a bemused look, the lights that constituted his eyes creasing at the corners.

"How enlightening!" he quipped, ironically. Then the lights widened. "Oh, you've all been in different locales? How interesting!"

He gestured vaguely to the east.

"I guess you haven't heard about the army thing? That's too bad. Here's the headline: ARMY TALKS STALL IN THIRD WEEK, SAYS MAYOR. It started with scouting parties poking around, maybe looking for weaknesses, but now it's just an interminable bit of diplomacy. It's an awful combination of dull and frightening, if you ask me, not that I'd opine like that in a news article, ha. The latest? The Sheriff's been negotiating some kind of mutual alliance with the Rangers, the Wardens, the Escarpa, our outlying settlements, and the like."

“Howdy, Mr. Mantle! I’m Lyra, one of the new Wayfarers! Yep, there’s more of us world-hoppers! We’re twice as many now!!”

Jean turned and gave Lyra a warm look, his eyes smiling.

"Twice as many Wayfarers, did I hear that right? Will y'all be lodging in town? Are you all from new and different worlds? Where did y'all turn up in Forlas?"

He didn't have a microphone, but from the way he leaned into his questions, he could have used one.

“Anyway! I can’t speak for the others, but as for me, I landed in some place called Merrimere! Got to learn everything about fishing, and I met so many cool water people! Oh! And I befriended a kind dungeon after my group solved a puzzle! But you’ve heard about the older Wayfarers’ feats? That’s awesome! Can you share some of the coolest stories and rumors you’ve heard about our group?”

The Lampent maintained his smile as Lyra talked away at him.

"The west coast, really? You've come a long way to get here, then, I'm sure that must have been quite a trial?"

He blinked, and chuckled at her question, gesturing to Lyra's comrades.

"Where to begin? I'm sure your friends will fill you in soon enough! But, hm... supposedly the Wayfarers have met the Covenant of Light. I've yet to secure a real interview with any of y'all, though..."

He glanced around, hoping to find someone he could talk to about the subject.

"The word on the town is that it's the business y'all were summoned for. Which demands the question – what's the occasion that preempted these new arrivals...?"

 

[Weazel]

So, they had the same Sada to thank for fixing Betel as they did saving Amida. Archie really hoped this change of heart of hers was genuine, then, otherwise she really had them at her mercy. Better not to worry about the what-ifs, though. Just focus on what was right in front of them, and eventually they would make this all work.

What was right in front of them, though, was a reporter. Archie frowned; he remembered watching senior Rangers give Official Statements to the press, but that had never been something he’d had to do himself. And, in the Guild, the Branch Master – or more accurately his Second – took care of all official communication. So, the odds that he could make an effective communicator and maybe help save Jade from the situation she now found herself in, were rather low.

But, thankfully, there came a Buneary full of energy to talk and nothing of substance to talk about to save them all the trouble. He didn’t get a chance to give the pink newcomer his name – though he did make sure to note hers, Lyra – such was her exuberance to get through all of them Crisis averted, and Archie was able to relax again, sticking his paws in his pockets and giving Silver an easy smile. It was good to see his fellow mustelid again.

“Ah, so this is your girlfriend,” he teased, appraising Lyra as she enthused about her time in Forlas so far to the Lampent. Then he turned back to the Sneasel, and gestured to the Buizel, “Silver, this is Dustin.”

“No snide comment this time?” the Buizel feigned shock, “He must be really happy to see you.”

“I’m sure you’ve heard him in your brain already,” the Dewott continued. “Yes, he has always been that much of a rabblerouser.”

 

[Ambyssin]

Nova managed to get back to Brisa's Cabin and catch up with Sage. He hadn't bothered cleaning up from his escapades in Auranosa. Not that he'd really cleaned himself much beyond what the river could manage. Perhaps he looked the part of a wildener by now.

He did end up venturing to town to restock on his supplies. The silvally had gotten what he needed, but on the way back he'd spotted other Wayfarers gathering. Including faces he didn't recognize. Which seemed to confirm a couple of the messages he'd heard.

Nova stood still when a lampent accosted the group. He listened in at a distance and his fur bristled when one of them let slip there were more of them. And so casually, to boot!

"The word on the town is that it's the business y'all were summoned for. Which demands the question – what's the occasion that preempted these new arrivals...?"

Nova approached the lampent from behind, talons crunching dirt.

"If it's a scoop you're after, then this isn't the place for talking," he said. There was a slight air of playfulness to his tone, as opposed to annoyance. "Main Street conversations ain't exactly private. Never know who might be listening in~"

 

[Cresselia92]

"You must be Silver, his friend!" There was a cheerful note to his voice. "I'm one of his teammates back home. Alpha told me you're 'pretty cool' and you have a Crobat too."

Koa blinked back to attention. "Oh yeah, Silver, meet Anubis, my Houndoom from back home."

“Ah, that’s me! Nice to meet you, Anubis,” greeted Silver with a proud grin, before turning to the Electrike and adding a joking tone to his voice. “But Koa, I’m only ‘pretty cool’ in your books? I’m so disappointed.”

He chuckled softly for good measure while waving a hand. “Well! I’m glad you returned back here in one piece. And hey! Looks like you’ve got your pack now, and…”

“Ah, so this is your girlfriend,” he teased, appraising Lyra as she enthused about her time in Forlas so far to the Lampent.

…and whatever train of thought Silver was following abandoned the station without him, leaving behind a flustered weasel gawking at an amused otter. He knew Archie was joking, but the knowledge didn’t stop his cheeks from burning hotter than the sun.

“Wha—girlfriend?!” he squeaked, much to his chagrin. In an attempt to regain his composure, he crossed his arms and humphed, a bit louder than usual. “She’s… just a friend who happens to be a girl, that’s all!”

…He wasn’t going to live it down, was he?

Now determined to get the focus off of him — while also forcing himself to not look at the Buneary — he stared squarely at the Buizel. “Anyway, huh, you’re…?”

Then he turned back to the Sneasel, and gestured to the Buizel, “Silver, this is Dustin.”

“No snide comment this time?” the Buizel feigned shock, “He must be really happy to see you.”

“I’m sure you’ve heard him in your brain already,” the Dewott continued. “Yes, he has always been that much of a rabblerouser.”

Silver smirked at Dustin, inwardly grateful that they had changed topics. “Ha! Being a professional troublemaker is basically a requirement in our group, so you’re gonna fit right in,” he commented, dropping one of his arms to his hip, and glanced at the group. “Maybe we oughta get to know each other better? Y’know, after this whole reunion is over?”

"Hopefully we can figure out what we need to soon and get everyone home," he muttered. "Don't suppose you guys learned anything?"

Silver glanced back at Koa and tapped his chin with his free hand. “Well, we’ve met some old Typhlosion who told us that the barrier between this world and the Astral Plains is thinner now. Probably as a result of… y’know, that whole Mesa fiasco? Not sure what that’s gonna entail, but most likely nothing good.” He sighed deeply and rolled his eyes. “It wouldn’t surprise me if we’ll have to survive a future zombie apocalypse or something equally horrific…”

The Sneasel looked back at the group and let out a nervous chuckle. “How much time do you think we’ve got before the god of eternal darkness comes hunting our arses?”

While Silver was occupied with his old friends and new acquaintances, Kotone continued with her duty of keeping the reporter occupied, saying that ‘yes’ there were going to stick around for a while,’ and some random trivia.

An easy task for her since Kotone never had any troubles answering questions. She had plenty of experience when she got interviewed after a few important Pokéathlon events.

The word on the town is that it's the business y'all were summoned for. Which demands the question – what's the occasion that preempted these new arrivals...?"

"If it's a scoop you're after, then this isn't the place for talking," he said. There was a slight air of playfulness to his tone, as opposed to annoyance. "Main Street conversations ain't exactly private. Never know who might be listening in~"

Kotone’s thunder was quickly stolen by some giant ‘mon that easily towered her, the reporter and the Meowth by her side. She turned to see a giant talon, then she looked up to see silver feathery fur or something like that, and only once she got to the tips of her feet and craned her head high she could see the beaked muzzle.

“Whoooa! You’re huuuge!” she exclaimed in awe, wondering just what kinda creature he was. She had never seen anything like that, and she had plenty of knowledge about species from her breeding training. “Are you one of us?! Nice to meet you! I’m Lyra~!”

Still, the way that chimera shut down the question… Oh. Perhaps she was talking too much? If that was the case, whoops! Though, she didn’t want to lie to the Lampent — that went against her values — but there were a few safe topics she could reveal, at least.

“Um. I’m afraid I dunno all details, what with me being a newbie and everything. I just know that our summoning was a necessity at the time, for… a specific reason. You’ll have to ask to the ‘old guard’, I’m afraid.”

A ‘specific reason’ that caused quite a few messes, according to Silver. Perhaps it was best to not mention that for the time being. At least, not until they fixed everything.

“Still, this army… What are both sides demanding from each other? D’you know that?”

 

[Chibi Pika]

The standoff with the army didn't totally make sense to Jade—why was the army even involved at all? She figured it must've had something to do with what'd happened at the mesa... probably would be good to ask the others once they were out of the public eye. But the thing about an alliance between the Rangers, the Wardens, and the Escarpa... that was something she needed to look into as soon as possible. Either by heading to the Ranger HQ or catching up with Brisa, preferably both.

While Jade was lost in thought, a familiar northern Sneasel strolled up to the group, which shook her out of it.

"Silver! It's good to see you back." And accompanied by an energetic Buneary at that (one of the new summons?). Jade raised a paw in greeting and added, "We should catch up after this." By that she meant, 'swap info about what'd gone down in the CDE basement.'

Virga ruffled her feathers, displeased with this sudden influx of noise and attention. "I see no need for my continued presence, much less sharing details of our dwellings with every stranger who asks. I will find some place suitable to train this body outside of town." And with that, the Rookidee took flight and flew away.

Jade was about to hold a paw out and try to at least ask where—but then, what was the point. It wasn't like she wouldn't be able to find Virga later, what with their link. Whatever, it didn't matter.

"Where to begin? I'm sure your friends will fill you in soon enough! But, hm... supposedly the Wayfarers have met the Covenant of Light. I've yet to secure a real interview with any of y'all, though..."

"Wait, I'm sorry?" Jade sputtered, doing a double-take. "How much do the folks around here know about the Covenant of Light, anyway?" The last she'd heard, the Covenant was pretty unknown this far west outside of the occasional visit from Nolan and his associates. Heck, the Wayfarers wouldn't have heard of it at all if Valere hadn't shown up to warn them. Sure, in places like Novelux, it was more of a known thing, but way out on the frontier? What'd changed?

 

[Jackie Cat]

“Um. I’m afraid I dunno all details, what with me being a newbie and everything. I just know that our summoning was a necessity at the time, for… a specific reason. You’ll have to ask to the ‘old guard’, I’m afraid.”

"Riiiiiiiight," answered Jean, making a blunt, shorthand mark in his notes. "Of course."

He glanced at Nova.

"If it's a scoop you're after, then this isn't the place for talking," he said. There was a slight air of playfulness to his tone, as opposed to annoyance. "Main Street conversations ain't exactly private. Never know who might be listening in~"

Jean shrugged, which was an impressively expressive movement for a lamp with elongated, prehensile handles.

"If you wanna take this somewhere private, we can do that," he replied, easily. "Interestin' that you should worry about eavesdropping, though. Middle of town ain't where I'd set up a spying post."

His will-o-wisp eyes narrowed slightly as he considered who would. Was it so unthinkable? No, not at all.

"Still, point taken."

“Still, this army… What are both sides demanding from each other? D’you know that?”

He turned to Kotone.

"Well, the Army's making out that the whole region is of strategic interest to the Commonwealth, and Congress has always made out that the Frontier's only a territory until it can be made a state. But if you ask me, this is all about them being spooked by the Colonel backing off from the Mesa, and whatever went on up there. As for our lot, well, what d'you think? They wanna be left alone, no more slippin' and slidin' towards being incorporated any more than we already are. I mean, there's those as would just soon have us be fully independent..."
He grinned, not clarifying his personal feelings on the matter.

"Wait, I'm sorry?" Jade sputtered, doing a double-take. "How much do the folks around here know about the Covenant of Light, anyway?"

Jean winked. "Woah, miss, don't you know they're listenin' in?" he joked. "To tell the truth, not much. Urban legends about a secret society of elites and leaders, pulling the strings behind... well, just about anything someone doesn't care for. There are whispers that Ignatius – and his ma before him – were members. Somethin' like that."

 

[Ambyssin]

“Whoooa! You’re huuuge!” she exclaimed in awe, wondering just what kinda creature he was. She had never seen anything like that, and she had plenty of knowledge about species from her breeding training. “Are you one of us?! Nice to meet you! I’m Lyra~!”

"Nah, you're just bite-sized," Nova teased, snapping the air with his beak. He glanced around at several of the newcomers. More humans. At least one more kid, to boot. But there were actually a handful of non-humans this time around.

Except, from what Nova was seeing, those choices made his head hurt. A legend crammed into a tiny borb body? Koa apparently got one of his pokémon? Had Forlas uplifted the guy or did that mean his world had humans catching fully sentient pokémon? And was that a feebas who'd gotten summoned into a desert? Who was stuck rolling around in a water bubble like those fish from that "Finding Deeno" movie people raved about back home?

... Mmmmmaybe it was for the best his world rejected sending a buddy. Knowing his luck, either Dark Matter or the Voice would've gotten summoned and things would be very uncomfortable.

He decided to put those thoughts aside and return his attention to the reporter.

"Even a tall tale can have a measure of truth about it," Nova mused. He blinked, realization of unintentional wordplay quickly setting in. After a chuckle, he continued, "I'm happy to talk juicy details somewhere private. Not saying you have to leave. But many of us are returning from missions abroad, so don't be surprised if folks are a bit tired or would rather catch up with one another." He sat down and scratched at his dirty shoulder with a hind leg.

 

[Weazel]

Archie couldn’t help but laugh as Silver’s voice rose into a high pitched squeak. Oh yeah, the Sneasel could deny it as much as he wanted, but he was totally into this girl.

“Y’saying she’s available?” Dustin asked, this time in his own teasing tone, tails flicking back and forth. Still, he lazy half smirk grew into a more earnest smile at Silver’s proposition, and he added with a nod, “You wanna hang out, with little old me? Well, how could I possibly say no?”

Unfortunately, it couldn’t just be a happy reunion. According to Silver, the barrier between this world and the astral plane was thinning, and it wasn’t hard to imagine the latest influx of Wayfarers had something to do with it. Their numbers had lessened in the months they’d been here, and tragic as that was, at least that came with the silver lining that that meant there hadn’t been another influx of three dozen or so as it had been the first time. And, hopefully, defeating Alexander had earned them enough goodwill with Powehi that the dark god would be willing to listen when they explained they hadn’t intended this latest round of summoning to happen.

“We really can’t afford Powehi as an enemy on top of everything else,” the Dewott sighed.

“Pissing off eldritch horrors from beyond mortal comprehension again? Good to know nothing changes,” Dustin mused.

“What do you mean ‘again’?” Archie frowned, making sure to mentally file that little tidbit away in his growing collection of hints at the future.

“Shit,” the Buizel muttered, realizing he’d overshared once again, “Uh, nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

Honestly, Archie could shake him. He wouldn’t, at least not in public, but damn did Dustin deserve it. Thankfully, the appearance of yet another friend soon distracted the Dewott from his urges. He was a bit hard to miss, given he towered over everyone here but Mhynt.

“Hey, Nova!” Archie called, waving. It looked like the Graydian had joined Lyra in dealing with the reporter Lampent. Hopefully he wouldn’t mind the momentary distraction. Dustin had probably never seen a Graydian before, Archie was pretty sure the species didn’t even exist on their world. But, when he turned the Buizel to introduce him, he caught a flicker of something in the orange mustelid’s eyes. Something that looked an awful lot like recognition. Just what the hell happened in their shared future?

 

[Ambyssin]

Nova was no mathematician, but between this little buizel's comments and his body language compared to Archie's, he could at least add something up. Rather than say anything out loud and risk making things super awkward, he opted for Betelepathy instead. Directly to this buizel guy.

"So, what sort of timey-wimey nonsense got you pulled here from a different time than your buddy?" he wondered.

There. Fifty percent less awkward.

 

[Tetra]

The buzz of all the Wayfarers and the conversations on top of the reporter was beginning to make the open street feel quite claustrophobic. Nova was eyeing all of them, Jean was replying to the flurry of questions and that new girl Silver came with, (whose name he already forgot) was chattering away. The Houndour was briefly distracted by the appearance of Nova, watching him from the corner of his eyes. What a strange pokemon.

"Well, the Army's making out that the whole region is of strategic interest to the Commonwealth [...]"

Anubis stepped forward, guessing Alpha was not in the mood for conversation. All this talk of Armies and Commonwealth's and other such things baffled Anubis. He failed to see why pokemon here led such complicated lives. "Is this a... good thing?" Anubis asked the Lamp-Ghost, tipping his head. "Is the Army bad?"