"Dunno. Only did this one once before, and we fixed it."

Rather, Eris Halla fixed it, with a little help from Uxie. Hideo had just sat around chatting with her as she worked. He didn't know nearly enough about technology to fix that kind of stuff.

And maybe destroying the device would have a much different outcome.

Though no outcome would get him out of the questioning he faced now.

"I…the League didn't fail me. I just, I didn't know what would happen if word got out that I had Uxie…if it got leaked to some group like Rocket."

Which wasn't a lie; that was the implication he got from John Sullivan 's warning. And Alexei Ivanov already brought up one traitor during the reveal. Heck, it didn't even take a traitor to say the wrong thing to the wrong person.

"I wasn't in a great spot if word reached the wrong people. I was traveling the region on my own for a while, when Uxie first joined me."

"And I didn't know if the League itself would've forced me to join up with AQUA if they knew I had Uxie sooner, or if I did it before I was a Gym Leader."

freya morningstar

Taking a moment to catch his breath (as best he could), Hideo listened to his cellmate's explanations. "Right, the cannibals." He'd heard enough stories about them eating people to know the ones that invaded Hoenn were not to be trusted. "I heard Rocket is working with them, so this could be a Rocket thing too."

And he could still remember that weird vision in RKS of him being captured and interrogated by Rocket…though this situation didn't really feel all that similar.

He took in a deep breath - a bit of clarity reaching his mind. "You're right. We gotta know what we're dealing with first before we try anything."

And they were just about to receive a lesson; what he could only assume was their captor walked out from an elevator, the Megalopolans guarding them serving as its mouthpiece. "...we're the weakling ward?" Hideo muttered, his quiet words dripping with disgust.

He wasn't weak. He knew he wasn't weak.

Hideo took notice to the metal tray clanked in front of him, and he was hesitant to find out what was on that tray - and it sounded like someone else was as well.

And while Hideo couldn't see the consequences of open defiance, he could hear every sickening crack, every devastating crunch it would bring.

Reluctantly, he dug into his plate, the mochi being surprisingly tasty - and it allayed the hunger he'd been suppressing in his frantic search. What other option did he have?

Just work, do as he's told, and find a way out. Play the part of an ideal prisoner while he looked for whatever openings he could, just nod when they talk down to him and call him weak.

It's a life he's lived before.

(Though home life hadn't carried the risk of getting beaten to death for disobedience)

Hideo didn't fully realize what the chain around his neck attaching to the cell bars meant until he reached out to them, realizing the bars were gone - or rather, they were now part of the chain. He tugged on the chain, assessing how far the leash went. A good distance, but probably nowhere near far enough to escape this place.

As if he even knew the way out - or what was awaiting them outside of here.

Mochi properly masticated, Hideo made his way out, taking in as many full-breaths as he could before the mask once more covered his mouth. He didn't know what awaited him in the middle, but he could hear the other prisoners heading towards there. He tried to listen for any other voices, but between how many voices there were and the quality of their voices (thanks, masks), he couldn't tell if there was anyone else he knew here.

He could only hope someone would recognize him by chance, and tell him who they were.

Soon, their job was presented: break crystals.

Straightforward…if they were given any tools to work with. But Hideo already had an idea; he'd probe around for any rocks that he could pick up, grabbing one and using it to smash the larger rocks.

The next part, actually collecting the shards afterwards…that was the harder part. Hideo had to carefully probe around with his hands, trying to find every bit he broke off - but careful enough to not pierce his hands on a stray piece.

And just as he collected a handful of shards, a large, furry hand came from below, smacking his hands up, sending his collected shards everywhere. He could hear the dog laughing as he covered his head, trying to protect himself from the falling shards - and any other attacks the dog would make.

Fortunately, he got out with just a few scrapes on his hand, the dog walking off to antagonize someone else - someone it sounded like got a punch to the chest.

Quietly, Hideo once more searched for the shards. He didn't want to ask for help - doing so would make him look weak, and he had a feeling the dog would be the first one to answer his pleas.

The thought crossed his mind to try and smuggle some shards in his mouth to use later - but first, he needed to see if they'd be searched or inspected after their work.

MOrkml1O

Eats the mochi after hearing the consequences of not doing so being worse than not getting dessert

Damn it's just like being home (+murder)

Checks how far the chain goes before going to center

Damn too many voices (and masks muffling them) to tell who's who

Does his job, engages in rock-on-rock violence. Carefully probes for shards

Okidogi is an Okidick and knocks the shards out of his hands (before going over and decking Noel Parker )

Considers smuggling shards, but wants to check if they get frisked/searched afterwards first.

Genevieve Cromwell

Uxie gave Hideo a quick rundown on Eris's condition; she wasn't badly hurt physically - though Hideo could tell physical harm wasn't the problem here.

He knelt down beside her, reaching out to hug her close. To offer her some amount of comfort in a conflict neither could do much about.

But those heavy footsteps reminded him only one of the dragons had been felled. Uxie floated close to Hideo, its closed gaze on Reshiram.

"Had there been any other path, we would have taken it," the Reshiram said, its wings spreading wide. "I leave his remains in your care; they hardly belong with a kinslayer such as I."

With that, the Reshiram took the skies, leaving naught but a black stone for the two.

Eris Halla

The first time his cellmate spoke, Hideo attributed it to just background noise, someone from a different cell saying something indistinct. He continued his search, moving around anything he could, trying to feel out for any Pokeballs.

It was only when he heard the voice again that he realized it was coming from behind him. It took a moment for him to process he wasn't alone here, coming from a voice he didn't recognize. Even when it gave him a name, he didn't know who it was - he didn't know many Rangers.

"Hideo Kino, Littleroot Gym Leader." His words were quick, strained; it wasn't easy to breathe in this mask, and he was pushing himself searching every nook and cranny of this cell. He'd even check the same spots he'd checked before, in case what he was looking for suddenly popped in like he was looking through a refrigerator.

It'd take a few moments before he'd go another route.

"Hey, you see any Pokeballs in here? Or any Pokemon?" Maybe someone with functioning eyes would have a better chance at finding something in this place.

Maybe he could even get some context here.

"And you got any idea where we are?"

Hideo doesn't immediately notice Genevieve Cromwell talking until she addresses him

Introduces self, still searching the cell for his Pokeballs/Pokemon

Asks her if she's seen them

Genevieve Cromwell

"Squeeze, get off…"

He realized something was wrong the moment he heard his voice reverberating around him. Had his Ariados merely fallen asleep on top of him again, his voice would've bounced to the sides, not around him. He reached to his face, feeling that there was no living creature on or around him - merely a mask that was tighter than he was comfortable with.

But as he made an attempt to pry off the mask, something wrapped around his neck constricted. His hand went down, immediately trying to pull the chain out so he could breathe. It relented, but was still wrapped tight around him.

"The fuck…" Hideo muttered to himself. He took a moment to feel out the chain as well - attached to the mask. One wasn't coming off without the other, and he wanted them both off, to get out of this uncomfortable warmth around him.

And this unwell feeling…this was just like with those Toxic Chains.

His mind drifted back to what he last remembered before this; when he was trying to help Celebi get free of its chain. He'd taken a rest to try and get over his ill feeling, his Beheeyem and Shaymin attending to him. They'd gotten distracted by some chained Pokemon, and were fighting them off when Hideo heard something get close to him…

And now he was here.

Hideo rose from the hardened metal he rested on - and immediately noticed the strange fabric he was wearing. It was nothing like what he'd been wearing before, and a brief feel-over with his hand told him he was wearing traditional clothing.

Ones with no pockets.

He didn't have any of his Pokeballs on him.

"Oh shit," Hideo muttered, feeling around the area around him, in case any of them were nearby. There were none on the cold, hard cot he'd been sleeping on, nor on the ground near him. "Elga?! Shen?! Where are you!?"

He could hear other people calling out from other cells, but none were the sounds of his Pokemon. His heart raced as he searched, making little effort to be discrete as he moved whatever he could in his search, both in an effort to find where his stuff was, as well as to learn what was in here.

And judging from the minimal furniture, to the bars that stopped him from leaving this area, he could only guess he was in some kind of cell.

"Elga!? Where are you?" He was done being quiet, shouting out to try and get some kind of answer, whether it reached his ears first or his mind.

But he didn't get either from his Beheeyem.

He was all alone.

(Though he didn't know he wasn't the only person in this cell).

Hideo wakes up, realizes he's got a mask on and a chain around his neck

Was kidnapped during PP2: Celebi

Realizes he's not wearing his usual drip (probably doesn't even have stripes you monsters)

Oh shit where's his Pokemon

Feels around the cell as he tears it apart looking for his Pokemon

Not being quiet about it - doesn't know his cellmate (Genevieve Cromwell ) is asleep. Or that he has a cellmate

Genevieve Cromwell

PASSERBY ANALYTICS HQ #6

answered in-character & anonymously

SURVEY #1
"What is your favorite way to travel?"

• I usually have my Pokemon Teleport me around. Fastest way to move. But if it's gotta be somewhere they don't know, my Dragapult's a smooth flight.

SURVEY #2
"What have been your missed opportunities in life so far?"

• I missed a lot when I was still stuck at home. I've been making up for them since then.

SURVEY #3
"What’s the best and worst relationship advice you've ever received or given?"

• Never really thought about relationship advice before, but I've heard people giving advice. I guess best I heard would be "treat people the way you want to be treated", and worst would be "make them dependent on you". I don't think that last person should be in a relationship.
  

SURVEY #4
"Is the person you are now, the person you wanted to be when you were younger?"

• No.

SURVEY #5
"Have you told your loved ones that you care about them recently? If not, why?"

• (this question was left blank, but filled out without Hideo knowing)
  He hasn't spoken to them in a long time. He doesn't want to talk to them.
  

SURVEY #6
"What is your go to karaoke song?"

• String Theocracy. Anyone that's heard me sing karaoke knows it's my go-to.

SURVEY #7
"How have your parents shaped you? For better or for worse."

• (this question was left blank, but filled out without Hideo knowing)
  He is who is he despite his parents trying to push him in other directions. But he may be trying too hard to prove himself.
  

SURVEY #8
"What would you say to a deceased member of your Pokemon team if you had the opportunity?"

• (this question was left blank, but filled out without Hideo knowing)
  He wants to say that he's sorry. He's actually had the chance to say it to one of them…though we aren't sure that it's really her.
  

SURVEY #9
"What do you think about when you're alone?"

• I wonder where my Pokemon are. They never leave me alone without a good reason.

SURVEY #10
"Tell me about a time when you truly felt safe?"

• Usually when I'm in bed. Safest place to be.

SURVEY #11
"Would you save our universe, even if it meant that all other universes would be destroyed?"

• I won't let my home be destroyed.

SURVEY #12
"Gut check: do you expect people to act in their own self-interest or in the interest of others?"

• I think you gotta prioritize your own safety before you can help others. What good can you do if you're in no shape to do it?

SURVEY #13
"If someone really wanted to hurt you right now, what should they do?"

• I'm not telling people how to hurt me.

SURVEY #14
"Do you believe in the afterlife?"

• Yes. Pretty sure there's one we could visit right now if we wanted to.

SURVEY #15
"What would the apocalypse look like or feel like for you?"

• I guess it'd be losing everyone and me being alone in the world.

Suggestion
"Do you have a suggestion for a future survey question? Please submit it below."

• What story would you want to live through?

Excursion Redemptions:

1x Walking Wake
1x Powder of Ferrum (storing)
3x TM/TR (storing)
1x Premium Gacha (will be using below)

Harvesting:

3x Salac Berry

Planting:

3x Passho Berry (1050pd)

Redeeming:

8x Gachapon Tickets
5x Premium Gachapon Tickets (Psychic)


Total PD spent: 1050pd

"Just focus on helping Celebi," Hideo ordered, taking a seat by a tree.

Despite his Pokemons' insistence to stay back, Hideo went in when he heard Celebi was getting attacked by Toxic Chain Pokemon. He'd already been feeling unwell, but he thought it wouldn't be any worse than the other Toxic Chain events.

But this one just made him feel so much worse, like there was something else even more off about this one.

Half his team obeyed him; his Ribombee pursued Celebi, trying to heal it with Pollen Puffs, while his Cinderace focused on offense, nailing Toxic Chain'd Pokemon with Pyro Ball after Pyro Ball.

The other half, however, stayed by Hideo's side; his Shaymin utilized an Aromatherapy to try and make him feel better, while his Beheeyem had him chow down on a Pecha berry.

As much as he wanted to scold the ones that remained with him, he just didn't have the energy for it. He'd run himself ragged, trying to contain all these Toxic Chain incidents.

Because what kind of Gym Leader would he be if he just let these issues ravage his Region? His home?

- attack/defend against the TOXIC CHAINED GRASS-TYPE POKEMON (YOU CAN CHOOSE THE SPECIES).
- attempt to heal or hurt the ESCAPING CELEBI—or reference the CELEBI in some way.
- involve a PECHA BERRY in some way. Note: Already at 20+ mochi
- have a pokemon know & use the move, AROMATHERAPY.
- be inflicted by the POISONED STATUS CONDITION.
- if your character has participated in AT LEAST 3 POISON PATROLS, they may feel slightly unwell during this patrol

Hideo already knew Legendaries could get infected by Toxic Chains after Latias - and now he got to find out that Paradoxes could be infected too. Even the robot-y ones.

Were there any Pokemon that were immune to these chains? He wasn't eager to test and find out. Besides, he had to spend his time on helping contain the current infected.

His Dragonite placed a Safeguard around itself and Hideo's Zeraora, the latter Charging itself up before leaping into the fray, eager to pit its strength against the many Pokemon flying around them.

And pit its strength it did - one solid smack from its Plasma Fists knocked down one of the chained Iron Moths, a strange liquid dripping out of the injured machine.

- attack/defend against the IRON MOTHS.
- use a SPECIAL DEFENSE STAT RAISING MOVE (Charge) Note: Already at 20+ mochi
- involve PARADOX POKEMON FLUID that spills out of killed or injured IRON MOTHS.
- have a pokemon know & use the move, SAFEGUARD.

Hideo's Lycanroc went from crate to crate, his nose glowing with an Odor Sleuth as he sifted through each pile of Pokeballs, pinpointing which ones were actually Pokeballs and which were suspicious Amoonguss.

Hideo didn't know how a two-foot-tall Pokemon could get mixed up with hand-sized Great Balls, but these Toxic Chain Pokemon were oddly crafty despite their insanity.

A few of them even tried to fight back after getting exposed - and they quickly met the business end of his Zarude's fist. Try as they might with their spores, they just wouldn't have any effect on a Grass-type.

Hideo let his Pokemon do their work, sneezing in the back; all these spores were really making allergies act up, and he already didn't feel well from proximity to the Toxic Chains.

He'd just have to bear through it - and remember to bring his Ribombee next time; he could really use some Aromatherapy right now.

- attack/defend against the AMOONGUSS.

- reference a pokeball type like a great ball. Note: Already at 20+ mochi

- use a GRASS-TYPE POKEMON.

- have a pokemon know & use the move, ODOR SLEUTH.

- if your character has participated in AT LEAST 3 POISON PATROLS, they may feel slightly unwell during this patrol; furthermore, your character may be able to discern that the TOXIC CHAINS do corrupt and imbue Pokemon with unique abilities...

Hideo's own Rabsca could be pretty defensive over the orb it carried around; it was no surprise that a Rabsca driven mad by the Toxic Chains would be even more defensive, to the point of aggression.

But Hideo knew well how to a Rabsca fought; while his Espathra distracted them, darting across the field with its Agility-enhanced speed, his Diggersby went in from below, Digging into the ground, taking down Rabsca one by one as it emerged.

Hideo stood back, as usual. He had the same unwell feeling as every other time he went to one of these Toxic Chain attacks. Keeping his distance seemed to help keep the symptoms from getting too bad, and his Pokemon were handling things well enough without any more of his input.

Though he was caught off guard when his Diggersby emerged right beside him. Before he could question it, he felt it deposit a strange-feeling stone in his hand, before digging back into the fray.

Maybe he could ask someone what this was later…

- attack/defend against the RABSCA.

- use a SPEED-RAISING MOVE OR ABILITY (Agility) Note: Already at 20+ mochi

- discover unearthed materials of DYNITE ORE, MEGA STONE MINERAL STRAINS, METEORITE OR METEONITE SAMPLES.

- have a pokemon know & use the move, DIG.

- if your character has participated in AT LEAST 3 POISON PATROLS, they may feel slightly unwell during this patrol