Chapter 2: First Wingbeats
Vert Sector 8, Lumiose City, Kalos
Tropius
“What’s a Tropius doing all the way out here?”
I didn’t recognize that voice…
“Yeah, you don’t see a lot of them in Kalos, let alone in cities.”
What’s Kalos?
“Maybe it’s because of the Urban Development Plan?”
Urban Development Plan? What does that mean?
“Probably, yeah. Though why’s it out of any of the Wild Zones?”
That’s weird…why would I be in a Wild Zone, whatever that is?
“Oh! Hey, look at your Rotom Phone!”
I should probably get up soon. I need to greet these people!
“Oh, wow! A free mega bracelet to anyone who trades a Tropius to Quasartico? How lucky there’s one right here!”
Wait, trade?! Why would I be traded? That doesn’t sound good…
I immediately stood up, and opened my eyes, fanning out my wings to intimidate whoever was there…
…wait, were those humans?!
“Crud. Looks like it’s awake. Gonna be harder to catch now,” the bulkier human said.
“Think we can take it together?” the leaner human asked.
I couldn’t believe it. There were two humans right in front of me! Real humans!
I raised one of my forewings in greeting, and said, “Hiya! You’re both humans, right?”
The two humans immediately froze. Did I say something wrong?
“...did you hear that, Andre?” the leaner human asked.
“I did, Andi. It…the Tropius talked!” the bulkier human said.
“Am I not supposed to talk?” I asked, tilting my head.
“This is unreal…let’s get out of here!” Andi yelled, and the two humans ran away.
“Wait! I want to talk to you!” I yelled, tromping after them. The first humans I ever met, and they’re running away? What did I do wrong?
The two humans continued running, straight through some sort of red glowy gate. I tried to follow them through it, but I slammed right into it, like it was solid!
I flapped my wings to try to fly over it, but the red glowy stuff went upwards too. It was like I was trapped here.
I sighed, and landed back on the ground. How do I get around this? How did the humans pass through it like it was nothing, but I couldn’t?
Maybe it was another special human thing? That’d be cool!
It’d be more cool if it wasn’t trapping me, though.
“Wow, a Tropius! You don’t see those every day!” a new voice said from behind me.
I craned my neck around so I could see who’s talking, and saw another human! One with long white-ish fur on their head that turned pink at the ends. Maybe this one wouldn’t run away as soon as I speak!
“Hiya!” I said, turning my body around to properly face the human. “Are you a human?”
The human took a step back, eyes widening. “You…talk?”
“The other humans said something similar…am I not supposed to talk?” I asked, my wings drooping.
“No, no, it’s not bad that you can talk! It’s really cool actually!” the human said, smiling. “I was just surprised, that’s all. Pokemon can’t talk. Usually.”
“But all the Pokemon where I’m from can talk…” I said. This was confusing…
“Well…it’s nice to meet you! I’m Taunie! And yes, I’m a human!” the human said.
Wow, so humans really
can just share their special names freely! That’s so cool!
“Hiya! Nice to meet you, too! I’m Tropius!” I said, wagging my tail. “It’s super cool that you’re a human!”
“And it’s super cool that you’re a talking Pokemon!” Taunie said.
“Thanks!” I said, before sprouting a vine to point at the red glowy gate. “Do you know what that is? I saw two humans run right through it, but when I tried it was solid.”
“Oh, that’s a Holo-Gate!” Taunie said. “It’s supposed to only let humans or Pokemon accompanying them through.”
“Why don’t they let Pokemon through by themselves?” I asked, tilting my head.
“Well…” Taunie’s expression turned sheepish. “Pokemon usually aren’t…meant to go outside of Wild Zones without a trainer. I guess that also extends to Battle Zones.”
“The humans before mentioned Wild Zones, too…what are those?”
“I’d love to talk with you all day, but…I should really get going before we get jumped,” Taunie said, before her eyes widened again. “Wait, I have an idea! You should come with me! I could get you somewhere safe!”
“Sure!” I said, wagging my tail some more.
I’d get to travel a bit with a human! A real human! And I’d get to ask them all sorts of questions about human stuff once we’re safe! It’d be so cool!
“Alright! Follow after me!” Taunie said, before running back towards the direction I came from. I galloped after her, excited to see where she was taking me.
As we made our way through the alleys, I looked around at the buildings nearby. There’s so many of them! And they’re all so big!
I was so in awe at the buildings surrounding me, that I didn’t notice a Pansear using an Ember on me until it was too late. I yelped, and frantically flapped my wings to dispel the flames.
“Hey, whoa, stop! That’s not my Pokemon!” Taunie yelled, storming up to a group of three humans, standing in front of a Holo-Gate. They had the Pansear with them, along with a Heracross and a Honedge.
“Send your Pokemon out, then!” one of the humans yelled.
“Look, I’m just trying to get this Tropius to safety.” Taunie said. “Let us through, would you?”
“Too bad!” one of the humans said. “You’re in the Battle Zone, so you’re just as much a target as anyone else! And there’s a reward for bringing in a Tropius, too!”
“Well…if you want a target, I’m right here!” Taunie said, stepping in front of me. “Just…leave the Tropius alone.”
My wings drooped a bit. Hopefully Taunie wouldn’t get hurt, she seems super nice.
Before anything could happen, though, I heard a voice call from above, “Need help?”
A Floette with a black flower fluttered down towards us, before looking at me. “A Tropius, in Lumiose? Times really are changing!”
I raised a wing in greeting, but before I could say anything, one of the humans near the Holo-Gate spoke up. “A Floette with a black flower? Don’t see that every day. Let’s see how it battles! Pansear, use—”
Floette quickly turned around towards the people near the Holo-Gate, and pointed their flower at them. Energy began gathering in the flower. What kind of move was that?
Just as the move seemed like it was about to fire, Taunie shouted, “Don’t hit them!”
“Fine,” Floette said, and pointed the flower slightly upwards, before an enormous beam of energy flew over the people by the Holo-Gate. It was as bright as the stars in the sky!
The people by the Holo-Gate stared for a few seconds, before fleeing.
“How’s that?” Floette asked, looking back towards me and Taunie.
“Nicely done, Floette!” Taunie said. “But…maybe save that Light of Ruin move for when it really counts.”
“Hiya Floette! Nice to meet you!” I said, stepping towards the much smaller Pokemon.
“Tropius, let me introduce you to Floette,” Taunie said. “She’s a very special Pokemon, apparently three thousand years old!”
“Wow!” I exclaimed, fluttering my wings. “That’s super old! That’s as old as mystery dungeons!”
“Mystery…?” Taunie started, before shaking her head. “I’ll ask about it later. For now, our safe spot is just up ahead! Follow me through the Holo-Gate!”
I trotted after her, and Floette hung by my side, talking as we went “You seem quite special yourself! Seems like you were able to speak to Taunie!”
“Weren’t you doing that, too?” I asked, tilting my head.
“Very few Pokemon can be understood by humans. Not even I can!” Floette said.
“That’s super weird,” I responded, as we made it to the Holo-Gate.
“Alright!” Taunie said. “Now, stick close by me, and you should be able to make it through!”
“Ok!” I said, craning my neck so my head was close to her.
“Let’s go! Hotel Z awaits!” Taunie said, walking through the gate. Floette and I followed after.
It was like magic: I was able to go straight through now that I had a human with me! That’s so cool!
“There! Now you’re safe!” Taunie said. “We’re almost at our destination, though! It’s right through here!”
I followed Taunie through a little tunnel, and we came to a building with lots of plants growing on it.
“Welcome to our humble establishment…Hotel Z! You won’t find a more tranquil, relaxing stay anywhere in Lumiose!” Taunie said, before her expression turned sheepish again. “...because we don’t have a single other guest.”
“That’s weird…it looks super nice! There’s lots of plants on it, too!” I said.
“First person to call the overgrown-ness a draw…well, come in!” Taunie said, opening the doors. It was a little narrow, I had to fold my wings across my back, but I made it inside.
Inside was super pretty! There were lots of plants around, some paintings, and some chairs for bipeds!
There was also another human behind the desk, and this one was even taller than me!
“I’m back, AZ!” Taunie said, stepping towards the other human. Wow, humans could use special names so freely! “And I brought a guest!”
“Hiya!” I said, trotting towards AZ. “Nice to meet you!”
He turned to look at me, and smiled. “Hello, Tropius. It is nice to meet you as well.”
“Wow, you’re not fazed at all!” Taunie said. “I thought you’d be at least a little surprised!”
“I have seen many things,” AZ said. “Things much odder than a talking Pokemon.”
“When you talk like that, I’m almost able to believe you’re three thousand years old like you say! Only almost, though.” Taunie said. “Thanks for sending Floette to help us, by the way! Her Light of Ruin helped us out of a sticky situation!”
Floette did a little proud twirl. “Pretty cool, huh?”
AZ took out something round…wait, that’s the round Porygon the voice in the void showed me!
“I grew concerned when I saw this pokeball appear without a trainer. That is why I sent Floette to find you, Taunie,” AZ said.
“Pokeball?” I asked, tilting my head. “I thought it was a weird round Porygon.”
“You don’t know what a pokeball is?!” Taunie asked, looking at me with wide eyes. “Where are you from, anyways?”
“Post Town, on the Mist Continent!” I said, puffing my chest out a bit. “It’s right next to Paradise!”
“...never heard of any of those places,” Taunie said, scratching her head.
“That’s because you’re from the human world! I’m from the Pokemon world!” I said, wagging my tail. “I always wanted to come to the human world, though, and now I’m here! It’s a dream come true!”
“Wait, so you’re saying you’re from a completely different world?!” Taunie asked, taking a step back.
“Yep!” I answered.
“Well, I hope your stay here in Hotel Z will be a warm welcome to our world!” Taunie said, smiling again.
“Yippee! Thank you!” I said, fluttering my hindwings.
“While it is nice to see you both in good spirits, I believe it would be best for you to get some rest, Tropius,” AZ said. “Your species is diurnal, no?”
“Oh…but I want to look around more!” I protested. “I’m in the human world now!”
“You can look around in the morning!” Taunie said. “I can show you around when we’re both less tired.”
“Ok!” I said. “I’m super excited!”
“Great! Let me show you to your…room…” Taunie began, before shaking her head. “How are we going to fit you in the elevator?”
“What’s an elevator?” I asked, tilting my head.
“They’re machines that can take you up to different places.” Taunie said, turning towards a fancy gate at the back of the lobby. “This one…isn’t built for large Pokemon. And the stairs probably couldn’t hold you, either.”
“That’s…bad, right?” I said, lowering my neck.
“It’s ok! You can just…sleep in the lobby for tonight! I’ll bring a blanket down for you,” Taunie said, before starting to frown. “Sorry about all this…wasn’t expecting tonight’s guest to be a talking Tropius!”
“It’s ok!” I said. “Getting to sleep in the human world is already super cool!”
“I will be investigating this pokeball in the meantime, then,” AZ said, as Floette floated over towards him. “Have a good rest, you two.”
“Thank you!” I said, smiling at AZ. He seems super nice!
AZ stepped through a tall doorframe, and Floette followed after him, leaving just me and Taunie in the hotel lobby.
“It’s a bit late now, but welcome to Lumiose City!” Taunie said, taking a few blankets off of a rack. “It’s got its weird parts, but it’s home.”
“It seems like a cool place! There’s so much human stuff here!” I said, laying down on the carpet. I curled my wings and neck around my torso, getting ready to fall asleep.
“You really like humans, huh?” Taunie asked, walking over towards me with the blankets.
“Of course! Humans are the coolest!” I exclaimed.
“I’m glad you like us so much,” Taunie said as she placed the blankets on top of me. “Listen…can I ask you a favor?”
“What is it?” I asked.
“I owe AZ big-time for all the help he’s given me,” Taunie said. “Not to put you on the spot, but…do you think you could lend me a hand in helping him back?”
“I don’t have hands, but sure!” I said. “I can lend a wing!”
“Thanks! You’re the best!” Taunie said, smiling at me. “I’m going to head to myroom now. Goodnight Tropius!”
“Goodnight Taunie!” I said, closing my eyes. The name felt odd on my tongue, but nice. It wasn’t often that I got to say people’s names outside of home.
Humans get to use names every day, though. Like it’s natural for them.
I wish I could use my name like that, too.
Gilded Gaggle of Goofs
#general
MonDegreen: !!!
MonDegreen: Mimikyus in Orre episode 5 is out!!!
Delino Oh HECK yes
Sad Snom: I hope the quality from the previous episodes keeps up.
Ta Writeer: watchparty time
Delino: We should wait for Tapestry at least
MonDegreen: Hope he’s ok…they’re usually on by now!!
Sad Snom: I am sure he is fine.
Sad Snom: He has been gone for much longer before.
Ta Writeer: doesnt mean its not worrying
Delino: Yea, last time he was gone for a while was the Incident
Tapestry: Please don’t remind me.
Delino: Sorry
MonDegreen: There you are!! Where were you??
Ta Writeer: you good?
Tapestry: You’ll have to watch it without me. We’re dealing with a situation here at the shelter.
Sad Snom: What has happened, if you are comfortable sharing?
Tapestry: A Porygon we were taking care of has gone missing.
Ta Writeer: oh crap
Delino: Yikes
MonDegreen: Oh no!!! Was it HTML??
Tapestry: Yeah, they and their pokeball both went missing
MonDegreen: Do you think they were stolen???
Tapestry: That’s the weird part: There’s no sign of a break-in.
Tapestry: It’s like they just…vanished.
Sad Snom: I hope they are found soon.
Ta Writeer: same
Tapestry: Thanks.
Tapestry: Have fun watching the show, ok? I’ll catch up later.
MonDegreen: Ok!!!
MonDegreen: Everyone, join me in the VC!!!
