[ Finally we can get on with this.]
[ …You hope it’ll be okay. ]
[ Only one way to find out. ]
[ …A peek can’t hurt. ]
It’s messy, and the evening light is a bit stifled by the bookcase partially blocking the window. A heavy pair of work boots are haphazardly tossed in the middle of the floor, the laces undone and tangled.
Like the rest of the house, it definitely needs a good cleaning, but it’s… warm. Well lived in.
[ …It’s getting late. You really shouldn’t linger.]
You close the door.
[ …It’s okay. You… don’t really know whats going to happen, so. it makes sense to be scared. ]
[ You’ll… make sure you get those answers. Regardless of what happens. So don’t worry, okay?]
[ Because you have to, simple as. It’s necessary.]
[ You’re… not in that big of a rush, actually-]
[ -Yes you are.]
[ Well… Maybe you could rest a bit on the bed first or something? It looks pretty comfy, and your head still hurts a bit from earlier…]
[ You don’t really have the Time for that, though, do you?]
[ It’s pretty clear that the longer you dick around, the worse things get. You said you were going upstairs to wash your face, so that’s what you should do.]
[ Besides- do you really want to keep the Professor waiting?]
[ … ]
[ Maybe… if you close your eyes, you could…]
(Flashing Lights Warning)
[…]
[ …Your hands are shaking.]
[ And your head… Fuck. You did it again, didn’t you?]
[ Just- Stop. You’ll learn them eventually, so stop just. Breaking shit.]
[ …You… don’t think it’d be a good idea to try that again. You don’t really… feel great.]
You step away from the computer.
[ …The keyboard? ]
[ You… think you could type on it blind, maybe.]
[ What do you want to try and type?]
[ You look over the desk thoroughly, but alas, there are no hidden compartments or drawers to be found. Just varnished particle board that has the air of a recent yard sale purchase.]
[ The open box doesn’t hold much in the way of secrets either - It just looks like a couple spare blankets and pillowcases, set aside just in case.]
[ Maybe it’s a sign to move on? ]
You hit the button on the monitor hopefully and… Well, it seemed like it worked! Either that, or the computer had still been on and it was just the monitor that had been turned off.
It looks like it was last open to your Email app- There’s a new one? Or maybe you just missed this one earlier in the lab when that PC glitched out.
[ “WHAT’S UP?! Hello! Isn’t MULTI BATTLE TODAY?”]
[ Somehow this makes even less sense than the last one. You should probably just ignore it, like any other email spam. ]
You turn the computer off, properly this time.
[ Leaving the screen on for too long will probably just cause screen burn-in anyways.]
It looks plugged into something, but it’s definitely turned off. Jiggling the mouse doesn’t do anything- You’d probably have to poke around under the desk to find the PC tower and turn it on.
[ It’s… weird though. It feels warm to the touch, like it was on very recently. ]
[ It’s probably nothing. ]
[ You’re… okay, you think, even if you’re not super sure what just happened. ]
[ …Agreed. You’ve been stalling for long enough.]
Having thoroughly looked through the ground floor, you head upstairs.
From what you remember… Maples room is the doorway at the end of the hall, The bathroom is the doorway closest to the stairs, and Your “room” is the bed and desk in the alcove, a little hurriedly set up but comfy looking nonetheless.
You should probably wash up now that you’re up here.
[ Oh! Wait, maybe- ]
You run over to the bookshelf, riffling through the titles you saw earlier- You know there was one that started with-
[ …! ]
[ ]
[ … ]
[ You’re… what were you doing again? ]
[ …Considering how much your head is pounding, probably something you shouldn’t be. ]
You’re holding a book, it looks like- it’s impossible to tell what the title is though, it looks like it’s using some smudgy artsy font that’s impossible to read- You put it away.
[ You really feel like you should move on. Before something worse happens. ]
[ …Right.]
[ Do you? Really? ]
[ You’re so- What part of “No Turning Back Now” can you not get through your head? ]
[ You keep skirting around this like prolonging this will actually do anything, but it’s just-]
[ … ]
[ … Sorry, you’re… not sure why you keep saying rude stuff like that. ]
[ Maybe you’re… stressed? Sorry.]
It… looks like it’s actually a collage of flyers, business cards, and sticky notes covering a white board.
A lot of the flyers look like they’re ads for local businesses- mostly delivery places. There’s a crumpled looking postcard from unova, and the sticky notes look like they’re mostly reminders to feed cotton or other mundane housework.
[ It’s a little awkwardly placed… ]
[ Was it that obvious? ]
[ Maybe you’re more tired than you think- You keep getting distracted by some pretty mundane things. You didn’t come up here to explore, remember? ]
Pulling the copy out a little, It looks like there’s a bookmark already partway through- the bit you can see sticking out says “Book Club”. Glimpsing at the cover, it looks kind of similar to the one at Blaines lab.
Curiosity satisfied on that front, you pull “The Pokémon and Policies of New Cainus” by S. Fletch off the shelf, and open it to a random page.
… New Cainus operates under a model that appears to external observers as a paradox of open borders and closed systems.
In truth, their borders are less like a wall and like a strange, permeable barrier; While many people are allowed in easily, the kinds of Pokémon permitted past their borders is a short list reinforced by harsh penalties and licensing fees.
It is a policy approach that has faced heavy criticism from the international stage, with many people pointing out that if a persons partner Pokémon is barred from entry, it is practically the same as the person being barred as well- and that is merely on the individual level.
With all this, it is unsurprising that the region has remained fairly stubborn about the competitive field, refusing any invitations from the IPL or smaller continental leagues.
[ …This is kind of dense.]
[ Well, even if you couldn’t finish the last one, you can still peek at the others.]
[ You open Walking The Ember Path by J. Satō to a random page.]
…Do not mistake fire for a force of destruction. Like Taurun, who clears the old brush so that new growth may thrive, the fire within you is a tool of purposeful transformation.
Your doubts, your fears, your attachments—these are the dry kindling of the self. Hold them in your mind’s eye, and with a breath, offer them to your inner ember. This is the first step: to learn that purification is not an act of violence against the self…
[ The book is pristine- It looks like its barely been touched, let alone read.]
[ You pull Red Star; A Collection of Sinnoh folk stories by D. Noriga off the shelf, and flip to a random page.]
…A long time ago, Almighty Sinnoh dropped something on the mountain, and needed someone to find it.
First, They called the Crow, hoping for cleverness-
But the Crow was far too shrewd and selfish.
“What’s in it for me?” it croaked, flying away into the tall grass.
Next, They called the Rabbit, hoping for obedience-
But the Rabbit was far too fragile and cowardly.
“I don’t think I can!” it squeaked, scurrying away into the tall grass.
Third, They called the Fox, hoping for balance-
But the Fox was far too defiant and rude.
“Why would I help you?” it sneered, leaping away into the tall grass.
Finally, They called the Huntsman.
“I have dropped something on the mountain,” They said.
“And I need you to fetch it from the beasts in the tall grass.”
“Whats in it for me?” The Huntsman asked.
“Feathers for your Bed,” They promised, “and Furs to keep you warm.”
“And If I think I can’t?”
“You will find courage, and my strength behind you.”
“And why should I help you?”
“Because you will be rewarded greatly as my Champion.”
[ You snap the book closed. ]
[ That’s enough of that, you think.]
Walking up to the phone, it looks a bit like it’s covered in a bunch of notes—probably shouldn’t mess with these.
Who would you call, anyways?
As for books… there’s a lot here. In between some battered computer manuals and some hefty looking books about oceanography, a few titles catch your eye.
Moby Dick
The Pokemon and Policies of New Cainus
Walking the Ember Path
Red Star; A Collection of Sinnoh folk stories
[ Maybe you could take a look at one of these? ]
[ You don’t think you saw anything like that? The channels were going too fast to tell.]
[ You don’t feel like you really need anything, but you are curious….]
It’s sparse- some yogurt cups, some leftover takeout boxes, condiment bottles that look almost fully empty… there’s a few energy drink cans in the door too.
[Looks like the Professor doesn’t keep a super stocked fridge…]
[ You feel fine! ]
[ Worrying isn’t going to get you anywhere productive. You have better things to do up here.]
Looks like Cotton is fast asleep… cute.
Should probably let the little fella enjoy its nap.
Once you head upstairs, it seems the lab door will lock behind you. Thus, you won’t be able to return until Ace comes upstairs.
[ After that moment of… Stress, you decide to sit down for a moment. There’s still some loose ends you haven’t wrapped up, after all- it could be good to focus on something else again for just a moment, right…? ]
[ … Fortunately, it looks like the cams are still running.]
“… Oh, you’re back.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll always be here.”
“It was nice meeting you, too…”
“… There are so many things that could be dangerous.”
“More than anything, just… Don’t break anything. And please, just be wary of yourse-”
…
“FIRE” RED YUUJI is no longer available for questions.
[ … ]
[ The “didn’t mean to” part is understandable, but. This time, how about you answer a question. ]
[ When you come in here, look down at your screen, and go on to talk and ask things of people… ]
[ … Don’t you EXPECT them to answer? ]
[ There will never be ANY remorse for you, when YOU’RE the one who’s-! ]
[ … ]
[ …… ]
[ Huh? What, did you think someone just wouldn’t have eyes? That’d be stupid. ]
[ You just can’t usually see them under this shadow. Surely, you’ve seen that gimmick before? ]
[ The anonymity is preferable. But if you’re curious, a peek couldn’t hurt… Or maybe it could. ]
[ Let’s find out. ]
[ … For the sake of humoring you, I guess. ]
[ You’re real sweet, but don’t worry about leaving anyone out. The only thing that’s a bother is how… Comfortable you all are getting. ]
[ Talking like this is hard, so let’s try to make something clear… Emphasis on “try.” ]
[ Ugh… A game has to bend for its player, after all. ]
A note has been added to your inveA note has been discarded.
NEW GAME || PREV | NEXT
Very quickly, the you grab another piece of paper, scribbling something down in response. The motion seems… excited!
[ Yes, they do! They’re bonded! ]
The image vanishes from the screen for what seems like mere seconds, before popping back up;
[ He doesn’t have an eyepatch. He’s your cute, normal Bidoof! ]
Things seems to go quiet for a moment, before another textbox appears-
[ … Y'know, you have a lot of other Pokemon. Hang on- do you want to see? ]
The hand starts moving, rather quickly, as more and more Pokemon are doodled onto the page. It just keeps going…
And going…
And going, until there’s basically no more room on the page. The hand moves aside, letting you look at the lovely mural this artist has conjured up.
A drawing of a bunch of Pokemon has been added to your inventory.
NEW GAME || PREV | NEXT
[ … ]
The avatar shakes their head at you, holding up a finger to signal “one moment.” They get right back to work at drawing something else…
A drawing of Archeops has been added to your inventory.
… Huh. Thorough!
[ … That’s a great idea! You’ll just need a second… ]
You watch your avatar sit at the desk, and… for a few minutes, you can’t control the game at all.
Finally, an exclamation point appears over the avatar’s head, and an image pops up on-screen.
A… Drawing? Has been added to your inventory.
[ … ]
[ You definitely didn’t add all that black. Damn. ]
[ Attempting invalid commands is one way to keep things interesting, you guess. ]
[ That ERROR is the only reason you don’t have ceramic stuck in your throat, though. That goddamn idiot… ]
As you call from the professor from across the lab, they turn to you, smiling warmly.
“Ah, nosiness is just fine!”
“I did design those blueprints- though the whole of it is a product of extensive collaboration between some of my colleagues and I. I bring the science, and they help with the mechanics.”
“Those blueprints, though we haven’t started on building yet, are for something that… If it does work this time, will cause massive strides in my field.”
“The details are a bit confidential, though. My proposal has brought enough ethical concerns from the scientific community and the League as it is…”
“But, it’s all par for the course, I suppose. Most people don’t even believe in what I’m studying, no less understand what I’m trying to do.”
You decide to approach the pile nearest to you. The game unceremoniously rejects your COMMAND with another “time and place” message, accompanied by the same [error] you’d received before.
Frustrated, you try again- this time, it doesn’t even attempt to run the command. Instead, you’re only met with flavor text.
[ You recognize a few names and stamps- some other Professors, and mail from League officials. These seem important… In spite of the way they’re haphazardly strewn beside the desk, entirely neglected.
[ … They’re definitely blueprints, but you can’t make out what it’s supposed to be. The structure is similar to the device in front of you- but it appears to be intended for a different purpose…? Something about changing whatever’s meant to go inside. ]
[ You remember one time you drew an image to preserve a scene… You can draw, certainly- just not very well. ]
[ Good thing Ace isn’t short for paper or pens… You’re just not very creative- you don’t think you could do anything too abstract. ]
Drawings can be done with specific COMMANDS in locations where PAPER and any WRITING UTENSILS are available. Be warned; you might not be able to effectively portray everything you may want to…
[ You’re not sure you’ve ever met a Suicune- certainly not a shiny one… Still, you can’t help but feel a growing sense of deja-vu as you continue to think about the letter. ]
[ Was there something else weird that had passed you by at some point…? ]
[ Thinking about it, that doesn’t really narrow things down. Most of the people you’ve met, though, were able to communicate verbally, right…? Why would someone need a letter?? ]
[ Knowing how Ace’s Lab is, there’s definitely paper you could use to write letters… But you don’t have any POKEMON yet that could carry it, nor a recipient to send it to. You’re not too sure what to do… ]
[ With no real reason to hesitate, you go on and check your PC boxes, not entirely sure what to expect. ]
[ … The computer’s screen falls black for an uncomfortably long amount of time. Long enough that you’re almost certain it’s crashed. Just as you’re about to give up, though… ]
WARNING - FLASHING/GLITCHING IMAGE
[ … … . ]
ALT[ Just the same as always, it has been designed as such from the start. ]
[ Likewise, you have no name until you choose one. Default options will be provided, but you must choose your name formally for it to be recognized. ]
[ … An action that should have been taken from the beginning. You will be correcting that soon, however. ]
[ … ]
[ What’s it matter if a minor visual changes? It portrays the exact same information; The lack of a name. A name that YOU need to choose. ]
… As soon as the suggestion is posed, the figure moves away towards a bookshelf at a speed that seems… Slightly faster than usual.
[ Ace’s collection seems to consist of a variety of materials that would be nonsensical… if it weren’t Ace’s. Amongst the disorganized clutter, you spot a few recurring topics- quantum theory, theology, ancient history, a few publications from other professors… And the latest edition of one of those cheap, shitty encyclopedias you’d find at a school book fair; “TOP 100 UNBELIEVABLE RUMORS AND MYTHS - FACT OR FICTION?!” ]
[ … Nothing that’s more useful than something you’d get from actually checking the PC… C'est la vie, you guess. ]
“I know it’s not ideal, but the best suggestion I can make is the upstairs bathroom… You can get a good look in the mirror and neaten up while you take care of yourself.”
ALT
ALT
ALT“That anomaly is well contained in there! The effect on the area around it is… Just a side effect.”
“It isn’t the only one in my possession, either- just the one I’ve been studying lately! That laptop there functions as a PC system, wired to release any… Unstable Pokemon right into that chamber. Lets me look at them up close without, ah… too much danger!”
ALT
ALT“But… I think I’m logged out, so it may not show you my collection… I do apologize if that’s the case.”
ALT
ALT
ALT
ALT[ Judging by the mess and the knocked-over trash can, the Professor must have tossed them aside in frustration. None of these pages are filled beyond a few lines of messy handwriting, and angry scribbles. ]
ALT
ALT
ALT[ … Unless you want to nose around through Ace’s papers more. It could be interesting… But cleaning up this disaster is tiring. ]
“I know it’s a… Boring choice, but I can’t usually be bothered to spice it up all too much, so I’d hate to ask that of you. There should be a pot upstairs already- you can just pour it into any mug and reheat it. I’m not picky.”
