RESULTS
Gained evasive techniques Catapult and Aura Shroud!
Considerations:
- (1) I need to learn more about those talking Pokemon!
- (1) I need to get stronger!
You train with Lenora and her retired but still fairly impressive Pokemon for a few hours. Lenora enjoys the time off, though there are frequent breaks when she attends some museum matter or two. You're left feeling a little tired, but the frequent breaks make it easy to recuperate some of your strength.
By the end, with your own direction on what you want to focus on, you decide that relying on allies and getting away when you're alone is your best bet for now. Your new techniques are honed for just that purpose. You even, briefly, find a way to phase into the ground like some specter. You wonder if it's a hint to your past self. Lenora had remarked that such powers are usually associated with Psychic, Ghost, or Dark Pokemon, though it can occasionally be seen in Fairies and beyond, too.
Training leaves you with -1 HP and Energy, but you gain Aura Shroud and Catapult!
Soon, it's evening, when you expect Millie to return to pick you up. Lenora waits with you outside the museum.
During your small talk, you ask a question while beside the museum entrance. "Why did you retire from being a Gym Leader?"
"Other passions," Lenora says. "I know, I was pretty talented when training with you. It comes with the old profession. Our whole purpose was to help foster the next generation of trainers to take up the mantle. And... I think my time for teaching was done. I wanted to focus on knowledge--something that'd last even longer than the next generation. History. Fossils, bones, sometimes the occasional odd stone." She winks at you.
"I see. So, humans follow passions for what they do with their lives?"
"In an ideal world," Lenora says, sighing. "The truth is, it's not always so easy. I was lucky to be successful. My parents had more trouble, and their parents, even more. It's part of humanity's goal to make the next generation's lives a little better. That's my take on being a Gym Leader, and my take now running the museum and researching the past through bones."
"Researching the past..."
"I wish I could help you more," Lenora says, "but there's nothing in my research to help. But... call it a gut feeling, but I'm sure you have one. You just have to keep digging."
A few people walk down the roads. They're all out of earshot from the museum, which, now closed, has no foot traffic. It's getting late. You're starting to feel anxious.
"Millie works at a restaurant. How long does that usually take?"
"Depends on if she took extra time on cleanup," Lenora says. "But... it is late. I know the restaurant she works at. Would you like us to meet her there? I'll just leave a note for her in case . . . "
You don't hear the rest of her words as she walks into the museum to write said note before you could object. But, at around the same time--you're sure it's because they were waiting--you see three Pokemon walk up the road and turn directly to the museum.
Druddigon. The same one. Accompanying him is a Marshtomp and Weavile. Such an eclectic trio strikes you as odd, but worse is the empty, lightless eyes they have. If you had guts, they would have been churning at the sight. It's no better a second time.
Lenora is out of your range. You have no idea when she will return.
And they're staring at... you, again. Not the rock. You.
"Hello," Druddigon greeted.
...There is no point in remaining silent. "Hello," you reply. These strange Pokemon have your curiosity. "Who are you?" Perhaps you could learn more about them...
"We are the Prism Knights," said Druddigon. "We are a special task force dedicated to finding you. We have been searching for a very long time."
"Knights. The rumored third division, then. And you're telling me that... freely?"
"It is your right to know. This world does not. It wouldn't matter."
You can't get a read on them at all. At least they can talk. And if they were hostile... they would have attacked by now, unless they do not know how to attack without seeing your vessel.
But nothing can shake the bad feeling you have when looking at them. Unless... that is some misunderstanding? Could it be? You simply do not know.
"Please come with us," Druddigon said. "Millie is waiting for you."
They don't seem to recognize that your vessel is a rock. They only see you, your projection, for whatever it is. But what can you possibly do here? You could talk, you could fight, or you could flee...
Millie... waiting for you? Was it a bluff? Their total lack of expression makes it hard to determine anything. There was no news about her disappearing, so if she was taken, it was quietly, or at least in such a way that did not draw attention. This was a small city. Word would have traveled here. Maybe she is just waiting.
But you don't know anything beyond their word and the fact that Millie is, currently, absent.
DECISION
1. Keep talking. (Telepathy)
2. Fight! (First strike)
3. Flee! (Catapult away)
Current Status
HP: 3/4
Energy: 5/6
Offense: 2
Defense: 1
Considerations:
- (!) I need to learn more about those talking Pokemon!
- (!) I need to get stronger!
