Before, when El first started on this little trip to hunt down secret bases and collect flags, Bibidi had regarded this as a relatively safe diversion. Certainly safer compared to the work El would inevitably get into in the future when they became a full Ranger, or their tendencies to want to investigate things like the distortion from some time ago.

This, however, was certainly not that. Having to rely on gas masks, and navigate through a hostile environment in search of the flag... Just who in the world was the person that made this base?! It was thanks to a mix of Telekinesis, Teleport, and the like that they were able to safely navigate the place... But it didn't help things when they eventually found a flag hidden amongst a few of the Draconid Statues, only for a large Tyrantrum to suddenly reveal himself with a mighty roar..!

Safe to say, the second that things got too dangerous for the alakazam's taste, she didn't care what El thought in the moment. They were out - picking up El in her arms, so that she could Teleport out of the base. Whoever ran the place probably could live with losing a couple of gas masks in the process, cause she had no interest in heading back in to return them.

The prior secret bases had been a ton of fun - but this one, well... This was going to be an interesting one, and El wasn't sure how to feel of it, as they glanced to the gyarados idly circling around the stage. At the center stood a microphone - set upon a silver table - as well as some pokedalls seated before it. A confessional of sorts - anonymous, but recorded and possibly to be shared as well.

And as they carefully made their way across the walkway to approach the microphone, well... El wasn't all that sure what to talk about at first. Were there things that they could talk about? Sure - there were many things left unsaid by them, be it about their father, about Isaac Merlo, or just the expectations they had on their shoulders. And yet, to decide on one subject felt difficult - especially for the sheer fact of just, how personal some of the things buzzing around in their head felt.

A few times, they'd open and close their mouth - failed attempts to begin speaking, before nerves began to get the best of them. Maybe this wasn't the base for them--...

... Although, Bibidi would place a gentle hand against El's back, feelings of reassurance washing over their mind. Perhaps, it'd be a good idea, to get at least something small off of one's chest?

"... Y'know... Change can be a pretty scary thing sometimes, honestly." El eventually spoke - not sure where this subject was going to go, but wanting to at least follow their heart. When the gyarados gave them a quiet nod in agreement, they'd suck in a breath, before continuing "I... Feel like a lot of my life's thus far been just, having to deal with one change after another. Some slow and gradual, some fast and sudden - but change all the same, change that was beyond my own control. Maybe more change than a kid should have to worry about."

The gyarados grunted briefly, as if to indicate that it was still listening to them.

"The things I love changing or disappearing, the path in front of me being chosen for me by others, the world around me going through one upheaval after another... It's only really recently that I've begun trying to choose things for myself, things that feel like they have a real impact." Briefly, their fingers drifted to the pocket on their bag that they kept their Ranger badge in, bearing the color of a trainee. "But even the change I've chosen, it's... Kinda scary too, sometimes, realizing all of these options in front of me. Options I have to actually weigh and decide on myself. And maybe I've gotten by fine just fine, just following my heart...

... But I probably can't follow my heart for every little thing, either, can I?" Fidgeting, El fiddled with the mic a little - at least, until Bibidi's hand on their shoulder stopped them, paired with another wave of reassurance. Gently, they let out a breath they didn't even realize they'd been holding. "... At least I don't really have to make these choices alone... I... I am honestly grateful for Bibidi. She's been a wonderful source of support from day one, even if having her at my side took a lot of adjusting at first."

And they'll say as much to Isaac, when they got the chance to see him again - not if, but when. They were confident they'd find Isaac - wanted to hang onto that confidence, for the lifeline and excuse alike that it was, with it being the reason why they left home in the first place. He was still out there in Hoenn somewhere - and it was only a matter of time, before they'd be able to see him again, surely.

This base was quite different from a haunted manor, to say the least - beautiful traditional decor from corner to corner, wall to wall, paired with well-arranged pokedolls and incense to bring it all together. When presented with a set of clothing, El immediately took to putting it on - laughing warmly as they couldn't help a half-spin, to show off to Bibidi. "C'mon, I bet we can find a set that fits you, too," They spoke to their companion - ushering the alakazam along, with the largest set that they could find.

But getting dressed wasn't all that there was to the base - even if El certainly enjoyed playing dress-up, going so far as to take pictures of themself and Bibidi once the two were properly garbed. There was also the guardian pokemon - the silohuette of the 'mon visible just beyond a bead curtain - that they had to appease. It was hard to make out what sort of pokemon she was - but the click of hooves at least implied her to be some form of ungulate. Were those a pair of tiny horns they spied, too...?

Well, in any case, El would smile as they (carefully, with their bad leg) seated themself before the curtain. So they were supposed to compliment and flatter her, right..? How would they go about this... "... Say, do you like dressing up, too?" El asked the miltank, after a moment of thought. "I bet you look really cute - and beautiful, too - past the curtain. You could probably rock a ton of different outfits or styles, if you ever experimented some. It's fun to try on different things!"

(Sure, maybe a lot of El's dressing up was in cosplay - but still!)

Whether or not the miltank blushed was hard to say - but all the same, something that they said must've done the trick, if the flag being carefully slid their way was of any indication. Briefly, the curtain was disturbed from the motion - beads swaying just the slightest, allowing the briefest glimpse of the bovine beyond... And even if it was only a sliver, it was enough to put a smile on El's face. "Maybe you could show off more, outside of the base stuff - I'd love to see it, if you do!" They'd speak honestly - before getting up with Bibidi's help, and making their departure.

It was El's first secret base, in this little flagventure! The outside didn't look like much, given the location - having been set up inside of a warehouse. But the inside was all the more impressive by contrast - being that of a haunted manor, instead! Stepping through the door alongside their alakazam Bibidi, it was like they had been transported somewhere else completely. Dusty furniture, creaky candeliers, moth-chewed rugs... After some brief conversing between Bibidi and the kadabra, it did not take long for the premise of this little setup to be conveyed to the duo.

"What do you think, Bibidi?" El questioned, smiling over to her. "This sounds like a ton of fun!" When was the last time, they got to go out and go through a haunted house type attraction?

Bibidi, in response, brushed against El's mind with a hue of fond amusement. These secret bases were much less dangerous than diving into distortions, and provided them with excitement all the same. She was plenty content to let El have their fun, wandering through a haunted house...

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... And the scares - safe to say - were a blast. Even if the effects were sometimes a little too realistic for comfort, El was able to laugh any anxieties or nervousness off as they explored through the base, Bibidi at their back. "We'll need to bring Behemoth through here sometime - see what he thinks of haunted houses!" They mused to her, grinning warmly.

Bibidi, busy wiping some fake blood off her shoulder pad, simply smiled in response - a hue of agreement over the connection they shared. This had certainly been a fun experience for the both of them - and with the 'ghostly family' put to rest, the two had a flag under their belt now.

Where to next, she wondered..?

El's Log

El's Base: Tree-top Home

Bases Visited (10):

SPOILER: Click to show

- Esmee
- Sumi
- Aimee
- Remiel
- Hazel
- Isaac
- Colton
- Jack
- Julia
- Gaultier

Prompts Fulfilled (5/6):

SPOILER: Click to show

- Interact with the secret base guardian.
- Interact with the decorations.
- Enter a secret base owned by a League member.
- Enter a secret base owned by a Rocket member
- Fall for a trap or decoy item

Flags Unspent / Total Flags: 0 / 10 (Bought: Gacha Ticket)

Placed amongst the branches of a sizeable tree near Fortree, the architecture and style of the base is similar to that of Fortree buildings. There are three platforms connected to one another by bridges. Each one is gazebo-like in being open-air, though with tall railings around each platform and a roof stretched out over all three. Interestingly enough, there is also a pulley system for a makeshift (yet sturdy) elevator to get up and down, and Behemoth - a rather small-sized Nidoking - helps operate the elevator.


- Guardian : Yggdrasil the Turtwig -

Yggy is found in the entrance room - the largest of the three, and the one that the elevator rises up to. She is generally friendly and chill - but before she'll let you check out the other rooms and search for the flag, she wants to have a friendly spar, one-on-one! You can stay to command, or move on to explore while one of your pokemon has their spar. She's a tough little sprout, if you give her a chance to show the skills she's developing!


- Decorations -
The center of the main room is mostly-clear, to give room for spars. However, there are a couple of cushions for visitors to sit down at while watching or directing for the fight. Two bridges connect to the two other platforms - one at the back left corner, and the other at the back right.

The left platform appears to be a game or hobby room of sorts - a couple tables, bookshelves with cases for videogames, books, and boxed tabletop/board games can be found here, as well as a television that one can hook their consoles up to.

A wardrobe filled nearly to the brim in clothes and accessories for cosplaying can be found here - some sized for El, others sized for their pokemon. There is also some dividers set up for a place to change, a full-length mirror for one to view themself in, and a camera on one of the tables to take pictures with.

The right platform, meanwhile, is a bedroom. A bed, in addition to a number of cushions for pokemon, are scattered about - and sometimes, one of El's pokemon can be found dozing here. The flags are kept here - in another wardrobe, that this time contains some more ordinary clothes and a couple of ranger trainee uniforms on hangers. The flags can be found hidden behind the clothes.


- Traps/Obstacles -

Though Yggy is technically the guardian of this base, Behemoth may join in if you wish to have a two-on-two instead of a one-on-one! Having Rivalry, he tends to go harder against male pokemon, and softer against female pokemon - he is eager to prove his strength despite his size, but he has also chugged his respect women juice today.


Sobek the Fuecoco can be found in the left hobby/game room - and if run into, he'll attempt to drag you and your pokemon into playing dress-up with him, using the clothes and accessories in the cosplay wardrobe! He doesn't really understand that some of the clothing he picks won't match together (given that each outfit is meant for cosplaying as specific characters,) or that not everything will fit on you or your pokemon. But he'll still try his best to make everyone look amazing!

If you humor him and let him take a photo of the finished outfits, he'll point you towards which room the flags can be found in.

"Whew... Thanks, Bibidi."

Slowly, carefully, El would touch down upon the hard and stony ground of the little 'island', that rest deep within Meteor Falls. The sound of water could be heard all around them, from the flowing subterranean rivers that made up the boundaries of this island - and occasionally, the splash of a wild pokemon swimming past could be heard. Meanwhile, up ahead, an old shrine stood - housing an equally (if not moreso) ancient bell at its center.

The year before had certainly been a year. It, for the most part, was a lot of the same-old that El had adjusted to in the wake of Isaac's departure so long ago. A monotony of basic day-to-day life, interspersed with their dad taking them out to practice pokemon battles that they had no interest in, and escapes being found on their old computer in the form of video games. But in the past couple years, things had become increasingly hectic across Hoenn - meteors, strange powerful pokemon, and the like - that they could barely comprehend, as coddled as their parents had tried to make them.

And now, just as the new year begins, they found an upheaval that they had brought upon themself - namely, in setting off on their own, even if by ultimately unintended means. When they went to bed, it was often in some cheap hotel or camping out in the wilds - and when they woke up, it was amidst the happy smiles of their pokemon. Certainly, there were certain comforts of home that they missed - such as reliable internet, or a warm bed that they knew was clean...

... Yet, that all being said... The freedom that came with it all - of being able to simply exist as they pleased, without judgement or protective fussing from their parents, was one that was plenty welcome. They knew that at any point, they could probably ask Bibidi to teleport back home - and they were sure that they'd be able to return to life as usual, once their parents stopped fussing and scolding and worrying over them.

But the 'life as usual' they knew then, it wasn't the 'life as usual' that they wanted. Not when Isaac Merlo was missing from home. Not when they felt like they were about to be reduced to dust, under the expectations that they couldn't bring themself to reject to their dad's face. In their mind, the perfect 'life as usual' would just... For the four of them, to be a family again - just like when they were little. When they felt less lonely, in their own house.

Though, a gentle brush against their mind - a hue of concern from Bibidi - would break them from their thoughts. "Sorry-" They spoke, perhaps a hair too-quickly, as they smiled and pat the alakazam on the back. "Just... Thinking. About what I want to wish for, with the new year." They reassured, adding "I bet you have things you want to wish for, too, right Bibidi?"

Quietly, the alakazam nodded - though Bibidi wouldn't 'voice' these thoughts right away. Instead, they'd prompt El with an image of the bell, a questioning hue conveyed alongside it. Weren't they here for a reason?

El blinked at first, before perking up. "Oh, right! The bell!" Stepping carefully up to the shrine - being mindful of where they walked, to avoid tripping - they'd pull out a few pokeballs.

One by one, Yggdrasil, Psyche, Sobek, and Behemoth would all come out - curious eyes gazing about at their surroundings. They recognized where they were - at least, in the sense that El had told them about the destination. But to actually see it was another story - and it was safe to say that a couple of them were quite impressed with the scenery.

El, though, would take the time to address Behemoth. "You wanna help us ring the bell, so we can make our wishes?" They questioned - to which the nidoking snorted in affirmative, stepping forward and pulling back a fist to strike it with a firm and clear BONG!

And as the bell rung, El would think on their own desires for the coming year. Certainly, to find Isaac and maybe convince him to visit home was one thing, but... They were also a Ranger now - albeit a ranger-in-training. They could take on the less battle-oriented challenges in gyms. They could go do contests, and earn ribbons for everyone... There were oh-so-many options, more than they could even begin to decide upon.

So maybe, just to start start, the happiness and health of their pokemon was a good thing to wish for - right? They could figure out all the little details, later...

El had heard of them on the news, before - these strange swirling distortions, forming over different parts of Hoenn. Back then, they could scarcely believe it was possible - but when paired alongside an eternal land of ice, a narrowly avoided meteor, crystals scattering across Hoenn... Well, these sorts of things seem all the more possible together.

Back then though, the most that they would ever hear of such things was in the same breaths that their parents said it was so dangerous out there. That they should be home earlier, before night fell. That they shouldn't stray too close to the outskirts, in Lavaridge. That it'd be best if they just stayed home altogether!

And well... El didn't like to think that they were usually motivated by spite - that they were someone who'd charge headfirst into every little thing that people told them not to. But at the same time, to be able to see the distortion so close-up, to be able to just brush the outer boundary with their fingertips - and to be able to even step inside, if they so desired... It was all a bit thrilling, in a way - this thing touted as being so dangerous, and yet there. As if waiting.

A familiar brush against their mind would turn their attentions away from the distortion, though - to instead glance at Bibidi. The alakazam's brows were furrowed, as she stared at the distortion - and they could spy a certain tension in her shoulders. She didn't like it here - and the impression of her feelings communicated to him said as much. But at the same time, she wasn't one to force them away.

El, smiling gently, raised their free hand to pat her on the side. "It's okay, Bibidi." They spoke - adjusting their position, to account for the way their cane sunk into the sand underneath their feet. "We'll just look around a bit, then leave at the first sign of trouble. Okay?" They weren't intending to go in guns blazing against whatever pokemon lurked within, anyhow.

It was just curiosity that drove them forward, they were sure - not spite.

Bibidi's eyes met their own, for a few long moments - her mind brushing over El's own surface thoughts, which they freely left open to her. Though she wouldn't voice it, she knew better than to chalk this up to solely pure curiosity on El's part - but if they promised to be careful, then well... She could accept that compromise. Carefully, she'd extend an arm to El - paired with an impression of the sand's unsteadiness. If the both of them were going to be careful, then she wanted to carry El, just in case.

To which El blinked, before chuckling with a sheepish hue, scratching the back of their head with their free hand. "Yeah, I suppose that'd be easier than trying to stop my cane from sinking..." Maybe they'd need to look for one better suited for this sort of terrain, sometime? In any case, they'd accept the offered arm - letting Bibidi scoop them up, before they crossed the boundary together, into the distortion...

And the first thing that hit the two, would be the sheer strangeness in the air. It wasn't just that the surroundings within the distortion were unusual - or just that there were distant lurking pokemon that El, for all of their bookishness, couldn't identify. No, there was just a strange feeling to the air that neither of them could put a name to - one that had their hair stand on end, one that had the alarm bells in Bibidi's mind ringing. It didn't take a genius, for pokemon or human to know that neither of them liked it.

But even that being said - El couldn't help but gaze around in curiosity as Bibidi carried them through, the alakazam relying on their surface thoughts for direction. This was someplace dangerous, and yet so fascinating all the same - something that, when they were younger, would've only thought to exist in one of their games or shows. But they were here, experiencing it, with their own flesh and blood and mind!

Amidst El's awe though, they'd be jolted from their thoughts as an item floated before their face - lifted by Bibidi. A verdant shard, looking to be a piece to perhaps some sort of pottery (though they weren't an archaeologist, so who knew?) Gently, they'd take it into their hand to look it over - tilting it one way, and then the other. "Oooh... This is pretty," They'd muse out loud, smiling up to Bibidi. "Do you know what this is?"

Sadly, Bibidi would shake her head no - though she certainly shared in El's curiosity regarding the object. It had been just sitting there in the sand, after all - looking barely timeworn, even if it was the broken shard to some larger thing. Just what was the whole meant to be, she wondered...?