"I'm off.""Good luck, sweetie! I know you're gonna knock 'em dead!" Your mother pumps a fist into the air as she sends you out the door. "Good luck!" Your younger sister Penelope waves at you."Bring me lotsa toys when you're rich and famous!" Your even younger brother Theo yells out. And your slightly less younger brother, Damon, simply waves with a solemn look on his face, the weight of being the man of the house sinking in. And you? You're Basil. Resident of Jubilife City. You are sharp tongued and serious, the eldest of four with the stern attitude to match it. You have a lot of love for the people you are close to, but, putting it nicely, you're somewhat polarizing. You are a gifted trainer who is leaving on a journey to make money for your struggling family, who have been holed up in a dingy apartment living off your mother's store clerk salary for as long as you can remember. Your family's been too poor to afford a Pokémon, but your life changed when a stranger decided to grant you a Pokéball to capture a Pokémon you saved. Now, which one was it?>Carnivine >Pachirisu >Chatot((A/N: Pick your favorite! You're a talented trainer so you can make anything work with the right strategy! Keep in mind, Basil will never box his starter.))
That feeling when you don't know who any of these mons are...
>>6475908>Chatothttps://youtu.be/dU8VPQsTqFU
>>6475908>>Carnivine
>>6475913((UNC))
>>6475908>Chatot
>>6475908>Carnivine
((Just waiting on a tiebreaker vote!))
>>6475908>ChatotTalking parrot ftw
>Chatot
>>6475908>PachiPachi:]Pachirisu
>>6475914>>6475926>>6475936>>6475937You met on Route 203. You remember the day vividly...“I honestly can’t tell if you’re stupid, careless, or some mix of the two.”“What did you say?!” The other trainer replied. He was a blonde wearing a pretty fashionable suit. His team was fairly advanced, consisting of Gabite, Luxio, and Roselia. All three were “training” a severely injured Chatot slumped against a tree.“Even a bottom of the barrel trainer should know that a Pokémon can’t grow with this much pressure on it.” You glared. “You’re disgusting.”“Buzz off!” He squinted, tightening a fist. “As if some no-name like you has any right to lecture me!” “That’s enough.” His team looked ready to pounce on you until a stranger appeared. She was a woman dressed in a black hoodie and baseball cap. Her gray eyes were the most notable feature you could discern from her conservative attire. She was accompanied by a large Garchomp that was enough to startle the snob’s team. “A trainer who disrespects his Pokémon like that is hardly a trainer at all!”“Whatever!” He snarled, a blue light emanating to, then from, the injured creature. He had released it and turned his back to storm off. “There, problem solved! As if I need a weakling like that on my team!”With that, he was gone.The woman sighed, then turned to you. “That was brave, what you did. I think that Chatot needs a trainer who’ll take good care of it. What do you say?” And that was that. She gave you a Pokéball and the two of you have been inseparable since. She even gave you money for all the food and daily care tools you’d need. It was as if money was no object to her that she could give it away so easily. Obtained Chatot (male)! Did you name it? >Davy>Locker>Chatterbox>Mr. Charlie>Other>No
>>6475940>Other>Smee
>>6475940>Ishmael
>>6475940>OtherDr. Chuckles for he’s an educated birb.
Rolled 2 (1d3)>>6475942>>6475944>>6475972
>>6475944>>6476009What an ominous name...
>>6476018>>6475944You called him Ishmael and you’ve been inseparable since. Though, that stranger never did give you her name…CHATOT: “Ishmael”MOVES:TauntChatterSingConfide On cue, he burst out of his ball and perched himself onto your shoulder. He wasn’t much for staying cooped up in his ball, really. “Good luck, good luck~!” He sang. Attracting stares from passersby on the streets as you considered the path ahead. Oreburgh was directly to the east and was host to Byron, the steel type gym leader. Chatot was strong, but there was no world where he could handle that on his own. At the same time, you weren’t exactly lush with cash for Poké Balls.“Aiiiieeeee!” A skittish bespectacled girl suddenly dashed past you. Trailing right behind her were two motorcyclists with the face of a demonic looking creature patched onto their backs. They spun their motorcycles around as she collapsed onto the ground, clutching a satchel in her hands. What will you do?>Jump into the circle and tell them to stop. >These are bad guys. Order Chatot to attack one of their motorcycles with Chatter to get the jump on them! >Other.
>>6476020>OtherOrder Chatot to use Sing to put them all to sleep and potentially rob them
>Other>Order Chatot to use Sing on the motorcyclists.Time to style on them.
>>6476029+1
>>6476027>>6476029>>6476030“Ishmael. Sleep.” Ishmael salutes you with a wing and flies into the middle of the circle and recites a song he heard on TV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2NTtbusUsoThe riders break from their circle, instead going directly down the street and into a collection of trash cans as they are lulled to sleep by the song. The mousy girl got caught in the attack as well, falling asleep where she lay. >Check the bikers for Poke Balls and cash>Wake up the girl>Other.
>>6476033>Check the bikers for Poke Balls and cash
>>6476038>>6476050You saunter over to the bikers and look through their wallets. After all, a trainer is entitled to the fruits of his victory. Doubly so if they’re from criminals. >OBTAINED 5000 POKEDOLLARSThis should afford you 5 Pokéballs total. Is that all? You notice that he has a keychain of a pink, dog-like Pokémon. Should you take that as well? That might be going a bit far, though…>Leave it and wake the girl.>Snag it!
>>6476084>Leave it and wake the girl.
>>6476093>>6476179You elect to leave the keychain behind. Somehow, you get the feeling that you saved yourself a lot of trouble. You kneel down in front of the girl and snap your fingers to wake her up. Ishmael pecks on her head to speed up the process as well. “Uwaaa!” Her eyes widen as she springs up and stares at you in shock. Her eyes dart to her satchel and she lets out a sigh of relief as she realizes she still has her bag. She clutches it close to her chest and looks at you with suspicion.“W-who are you?! Are you working with those thugs?!”Your face remains blank to the allegation.“The phrase you’re looking for is ‘thank you so much for saving me from those bikers.’” You point a thumb to the mess behind you.She pauses for a moment, registering your words before standing up immediately and taking a deeply respectful bow.“I’m so sorry! Thank you, thank you so much, you’re a lifesaver! C-could I have your name?”“Basil.” You reply shortly. “Basil.” She repeats. “Esther.” She places her palms on her chest to emphasize. You merely nod your head and prepare to be on your way, your duty as good samaritan completely satisfied. “W-wait!” “Mm?” “Basil! You seem like you know what you’re doing. I’m a lab aide and I was supposed to deliver this package from Kanto to Professor Rowan but I got ambushed by those two bikers on the way there. If it’s not too much to ask… would you, maybe, consider escorting me to Sandgem?” What do you say?>”If need be.”>”I’m too busy.”>Other.
>>6476197>”If need be.”
>>6476197>>”If need be.”
>>6476219>>6476225>>6476226>>6476278>>6476293“Hah… if need be, I guess.” You rub the back of your head with a sigh. That was a 2 day trip to Sandgem, then a 2 day trip back to Jublife, then a 2 day trip to Oreburgh.“Oh, thank you so much!” She clasped her hands together. “Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to cover all your travel expenses to and from!”Music to your ears. She put her hands into her satchel and held it out to place something into your open palm. Your heart sank. FIVE pokeballs?! Or, as your mind filtered it, 5,000 Pokédollars saved!“I hope that’s enough to make it worth your while!”You nod your head.You notice groans coming from the bikers.“Hurry, the effects of Ishmael’s Sing are wearing off.” You walk away at a brisk pace.“O-ok!” She follows behind you at a brisk pace.What will you do?>Start the road to Sandgem>Head to the Pokemart
>>6476321>Head to the PokemartIf we are doing escorting job, we are doing it right. Let`s prepare and buy everything we might need for the trip.
>>6476321>Head to the Pokemart
>>6475940>She was a woman dressed in a black hoodie and baseball cap. Her gray eyes were the most notable feature you could discern from her conservative attire. She was accompanied by a large GarchompCynthia but street delinquent disguise
>>6476321>Head to the PokemartCongrats OP, you have the DPPT OST playing in my head once again.
>>6476342>>6476345>>6476395>>6476470https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq9fYFlHyuYThe clerk at the Pokémart greets you in the friendly, scripted manner she was trained to. You choke a bit seeing the prices of Pokéballs. "2000?!" You exclaim in shock."Yes, we've had to increase prices due to the Prime Minister's taxes on Johto. Thankfully, the prices on our homegrown potions and antidotes have stayed exactly the same!" "Hah..." Well, at least you already have a few from Esther, who was looking at a variety of cutesy keychains at the moment."So, what'll it be?">Pokéball: 2,000 >Potion: 500>Status Recovery: 300You have 10,000 on you at the moment. Esther is taking care of travel expenses so you don't have to worry about daily expenses for now, but it'll be about 2,000 per day when she leaves.
>>6476475>>64764752 Potion2 Status RecoveryWe're done here boys, let's hit the road>tfw QM drops best girl as first girl 3 updates into his questIt's going to be tough, but surely we'll run into her or others again if the QM doesn't drop the quest and flake wordlessly like a filthy coward. We could lock in on the journey early instead. Definitely need another mon for gym 1; this is pre-canon if Byron is the Oreburgh City Gym Leader and Roark isn't there. Sinnoh fire type spread SUCKS in canon games, but we got our pick of nonevolving starter between>Nintendo DS microphone Chatter gimmick mon>"Ingrain grounds you and cancels Levitate" gimmick mon>regional Pikaclone that eventually becomes WORLD CHAMPION
>>6476475>Potion X 2>Status Recovery X 2I got an idea for quick money in the future, but it's a little grimey.We camp outside the early gyms and beat the trainers who come to challenge them before they can get in the door.
>>6476475+1 to >>6476520
((Don’t think of this in terms of game canon. Think of this as Sinnoh remixed. Certain characters will be altered, others replaced, and others still will just be the same. It all depends on what I find fun to write.))>>6476520>>6476611>>6476741You decide to buy 2 potions, a paralyze heal, and an antidote for a total of 1,600. "Hah..." It's painful spending this much money, but it's an absolute necessity. You’ll call it an investment and try not to think about it. You turn to see Esther staring at a Swinub keychain with her mouth agape at its cuteness. “You’re awfully happy.” You state, pointblank. She catches herself and smiles sheepishly, craning her neck to the side and clasping her hands together. You have to head down to Route 202, but what’s the game plan once you're there?>Let’s catch a Pokémon! >Fight to make money>Other.
>>6476803>Let’s catch a Pokémon!Ishmael needs a sparring partner after all. And while we're on the road...>Ask Esther about the contents of the package she's delivering.I imagine it's probably just research equipment or a specimen sample, but still.
>>6476803>Let’s catch a Pokémon! Any pokemon with Pick Up or a Meowth would be amazing thanks to payday since we need the money. Probably make more from than that taking whatever crumbs we get from kids...
>>6476808>Any pokemon with Pick UpYou rang?
>>6476806+1Shellos line are underrated as fuck, and we need ways to counter Steels for the gym
>>6476806>>6476808>>6476811>>6476812“Esther.”“Mm?”“What are you delivering anyway?”“Eh? Sorry but that’s top secret!” She formed an X with her arms, shaking her head no. “I’m under strict orders not to tell anyone about the contents of the items I pick up!”“Hm.” You accept the explanation without a second thought only to hear Esther gasp. “A Vulpix!” She said with excitement in her eyes as a Vulpix fed on some blue looking plant. “They’re common.” “But do you know why?” “No.”“Ever since the government decided to expand apricot production in Sinnoh, they accidentally let loose an invasive plant species that’s been messing with the ecosystem. Since all the Vulpix in Kanto are extinct, the government decided to take some of the ones that were saved when Hoenn was flooded and integrate them into the environment to eat them.” She readjusted her glasses, happy to show off her knowledge. “Some other Pokémon have been integrated as well, so Sinnoh’s a bit different than it used to be!” “Interesting. Ishmael, let’s see what it’s got.” “Let’s see!” He repeated and flew over to mean mug the Vulpix, who paused for a moment, then bore its fangs. The fight was on! What’s your first move?
>>6476822>Taunt the Vulpix, funneling it towards more aggressive attacks rather than setting up anything potentially debilitating.At this level, its status moves feel like more of a threat than anything. God forbid it knows disable and seals off Ishmael's Sing.
>>6476834+1
>>6476834>>6476867Ishmael taunts the Vulpix, who responds with annoyance as it attempts to use disable but fails. What next?
>>6477140>Attack with Chatter. You might eat an attack in retaliation, but the damage you deal should make this Vulpix easier to catch.This is normally the type of scenario where you just throw a pokeball from frame 1 and hope for the best, but we have to pay the cost of living on top of everything, so we can't really afford to potentially waste balls.
>>6477143backing.
>>6477143+1
>>6477143>>6477151>>6477158The Chatter hits! It's a harsh blow! One more hit and Vulpix will faint. It attempts to launch a counter attack, but hits itself in confusion. Your next move?
>>6477511>Throw a Poké Ball! Go for the capture before it drops!If it's already in the red and confused...
>>6477604+1
>>6477604+1 we're ballin
>>6477604>>6477612>>6477615((I checked and there's an approximately 60 percent capture chance, so someone roll. Use a 1d10. 6 and less is a success, 7 and above is a failure. I'd do it myself but it's funnier if failure's self inflicted. Let me know if that's not possible and I'll do it myself on a site.))
Rolled 10 (1d10)>>6477640Huh. This Vulpix must be a higher level than I thought, but I guess that should have been evident by the fact that we didn't immediately one-shot it. Either way, ROLLING!
>>6477646SUCCESS.You've captured your first Pokémon! Would you like to give the Vulpix (f) a name?>Yes (INPUT)>No.
>>6477653It's either we continue Moby Dick references, or segue into other literary references
>>6477646((O shit, I fucked up and accidentally read it as a 1. My bad. This one'll just be a freebie for you all.))
>>6477653>Yes (ROSASHARN)As in Rose of Sharon Joad. Ya know, since literary references in general could be a cool theme.
>>6477679+1
>>6477653>Yes TamamoAlso, good luck my guy.
Rolled 1 (1d2)>>6477679>>6478159
>>6477679>>6477887>>6478159"Mm. You'll be Rosasharn." You nod your head as you stare at the Vulpix through the ball. "You read that book, too?!" Stars appeared in Esther's eyes as she clasped her hands together in excitement. "I did not." You weren't much for reading.You could see disappointment sink in immediately as her shoulders slumped. "Wait, so why...""My brother, Damon, told me about it. When I'm fighting the champion, I'm sure it'll make him happy.""Wow, you're nicer than you look!" She replied with a mix of mild admiration and shock. You merely stare back blankly for a moment before continuing on wordlessly."H-hey, wait for me!" You have time for one more action before you need to rest for the day. What'll it be?>Search for another Pokemon (1d6)>Battle a trainer (you outrank the trainers here so you would automatically win and get the cash reward)>Other.
>>6478341>Search for another Pokemon (1d6)I`m assuming we rolling after deciding to procede with this course of action?
>>6478350((You can just roll now. It's for encounter table purposes and the first to roll determines the encounter.))
>>6478341>Battle a trainer (you outrank the trainers here so you would automatically win and get the cash reward)Let's stick with 2 for now. I don't want any new members yet. I want to get to know the Vulpix first and become a proper team
Rolled 5 (1d6)>>6478357Then, rolling for >>6478350
Okay, changing from >>6478350>>6478444 to>>6478359just so this tie wouldn`t last forever.
>>6478961>>6478359You decide to call it for the time being and battle another trainer! Ishmael makes quick work out of them and you make an easy 1000 Poke Dollars out of a starting trainer with a Starly. Except... you looked him in the eye while he handed you the money. And for some reason, you could see sweat beads form on his forehead and suddenly he drops another 1000 on you and runs in fear, apologizing to you."Basil..." Esther begins."What.""M-maybe you could work on smiling?" -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ4JMs8oEyE&list=PLDzCeNRTLyoYHHaeZa61arYder_b4bRSZ&index=15And with that, your day was over! You and Esther set up a camp site together and you focus on making the curry, while Esther watches, drooling."W-wow, that smells amazing!" "My mother worked all day so I had to learn for my siblings." You got similar reactions from them, too. You could only imagine the struggle now that Damon was in charge of it. You're also simultaneously cooking Pokeblocks for Rosasharn and Ishmael at the same time. You could see a question lighting up in her mind as she looked upwards, drumming her fingers together. You sigh."My father is... gone. He was a schoolteacher who wanted to be a trainer when he was younger. Didn't work it." "Oh..." Sensing your somber feelings, Ishmael, perched on your shoulder, nuzzles up against your neck to comfort you. You sense she doesn't know what to say.What do you say in return?>Ask a question in return (INSERT)>Stay silent, the tension doesn't bother you.>Other
>>6479160>Ask a question in return (INSERT)Tell me about your siblings.
>>6479166+1
>>6479166>>6479229"Siblings.""Huh?" "Do you have them?" "Oh. Um, no, but I always wanted a little sister. It seems like so much fun. My parents are both scientists with the Professor so I think even I was too much for them, honestly." You look up to the sky and think of Penelope, then grimace slightly. Such a sweet girl... but such a handful. "I can imagine. Little girls are terrifying." You say, taste testing the curry, as Esther instinctively gives you a light karate chop to the head out of insult. You pay it no mind and release Rosasharn from her ball. She snarls, not at you, but at Ishmael. They bicker back and forth about who knows what, but you can piece it together once Ishmael speaks and uses a phrase he learned from your siblings."Loser~ Loser~! Stay mad~ Stay mad~!" While sticking his tongue out. He hops off your shoulder and runs across the ground in circles around the curry pot as Rosasharn chased after him in irritation for what she saw as a cosmically unfair loss. A vein forms at the side of your head. "ENOUGH." Your three companions all jumped back at the sudden boom in your voice. "The food is ready. Esther, help me set everything up. Ishmael, pull out a plate for Rosasharn.""O-okay." She squeaks. "Kay~...""Rosasharn, you're part of our family now so I'm expecting a lot from you. I hope you enjoy your first dinner with us."The Vulpix pauses for a second, then cries out happily, likely excited at the alluring scent of the Poke Blocks and Poffins you prepared. Your meal is a huge hit and everyone looks more than happy with the overload of flavors. Esther especially is... getting an awful lot of extra servings. All in all, dinner was a success and your two Pokemon more than happily sleep by your side at your tent.You'll be in Sandgem by tomorrow night. What are your plans for the day?>Search for a new Pokemon (roll 1d6)>Battle trainers (Choose Pokemon to focus on leveling)>Other.You have 2 actions.
>>6479351>Battle trainers (Choose Pokemon to focus on leveling)-Rosasharn
>>6479361+1
>>6479361>>6479364((Awwww. Thank you so much for the drawing, seeing this made me so happy.))Dawn breaks and your group is on the trail southward again. You manage two victories during this time. One is against a hapless bug catcher who Rosasharn blew to smithereens and the other was a trainer with a Prinplup who was shocked that you managed to win with a fire type. Rosasharn herself was overjoyed and started shooting flames of celebration. It was no big deal, really. You used Quick Attack as a defensive and offensive move. Bubble was a ranged attack so you could use it to simultaneously move out of its range and attack at the same time. Once you were in its range, you managed to burn it with Ember and had Rosasharn stay up close and personal to dodge when it telegraphed a Bubble. Eventually, it ended up being a slugfest but Rosasharn was easily able to endure it with some damage taken. You explained the logic to Esther after the fact and she seemed impressed, if a bit scared. But that was to be expected at this point. The distinction of "weak" Pokémon and "strong" Pokémon is usually just an excuse for incompetent trainers. That's what you believe, at least. That said, it's almost night time again and you see the lights of Sandgem town in the distance. Esther is panting and heaving as if her legs are about to give out. You're trying to keep a strong face yourself, really. Suddenly, you hear motorcycle noises approaching from ahead. Instinctively, you move step in front of Esther as a burly biker spins around you with that same demonic Pokémon on its back as before. Eventually, the rider stops right in front of you and sends out a Golbat. "Bad luck, brats! Gimme the goods before you get hurt!" The words barely registered in your brain. Not like they mattered, he was just a road bump, that's all. Who do you send out? You still have a potion available if you want to heal Rosasharn beforehand.
>>6479380>Send out Ishmael. He should be well rested and more than ready to kick things off.Let's give Rosasharn a chance to rest a little more before we send her out.
>>6479380A Golbat? Let's open with Ishmael first
>>6479380>Ishmael.
>>6479402>>6479420>>6479588You send out Ishmael! What's your first move?Ishmael Moves>Taunt>Chatter>Sing>ConfideRemember, trainer battles are more complex than just fighting wild Pokemon, so don't be afraid to try a unique strategy if you see an opportunity! Ishmael is faster. What's your move?
>>6479847>Try and put the enemy's Golbat to sleep with Sing and follow up with Chatter. Even if the former gets stuffed, you're still dealing damage with the latter and liable to cause confusion in the process.Not exactly the most complex strategy, but I figure it's still viable, right?Also before I forget to ask, what exactly are the rules on battling? Are we going for a strict recreation of the mainline games or are we allowed to take more creative actions with our Pokémon's moves and abilities like the anime or traditional tabletop RPGs?
>>6479847>SingDo statuses stack? What're the numbers of pokemon allowed? Can we switch?If so, once Sing is landed, switch in Rosaharn. If statuses stack, go for a burn.
>>6479847>Sing
>>6479889+1>sleeping as it burns to faintingSounds almost cute
