Pokémon In Tandem DX

[IFBench]

Chapter 1: Last Day


Post Town, Mist Continent​

“Now, what did I say about giving out special names freely?”



Mama stared at me sternly, as I backed away. Her neck sails always flared up when she’s upset like this.



“We’re…not supposed to,” I admitted, before raising a forewing. “But Vernir does! And Acacia! And—”



“And we don’t. That is not the way things are supposed to be done,” Mama said, her eyes cold like her ice. “Outside of this house, I am Aurorus, and you are Tropius. Anything more isn’t appropriate.”



“But mama! All the humans go by their special names!” I protested, fanning out my wings. “I want to be like them!”



“Tropius,” Mama said, stomping a foreleg onto the ground. “We are not, and never will be human. Their ways are different than ours, and should not be imitated by us.”



My wings drooped. She had a point. I was hatched a Pokemon, and I’d always be a Pokemon.



“You’re grounded for an odd, Tropius. No name privileges, even in the house,” Mama said, flaring her sails. “Understood?”



“...understood,” I said, lowering my neck.



“Thank you,” Mama said, before her expression softened. “I love you, Tropius. I just know what’s best for our family.”



“Love you too, mama,” I said, before trotting by to go to my room. The paintings on the walls felt scornful as I passed by them.



Why couldn’t I be like the humans? Why couldn’t I go by my special name in public? So many cool Pokemon go by theirs, why couldn’t I go by mine?



Humans all had special names that they went by, didn’t they? According to the rumors, they had so many cool things! Everyone going by their special names like it was the most normal thing in the world, and everyone being accepting of it. Gigantic vessels that could travel the seas and skies, like how trains were for land. Ways of reaching up into the night sky, and seeing the stars up close. Worldwide telepathy. Towers that scraped the sky. They even flew to the moon!



If I could have a wish, it would be to live alongside humans. To live in their world, see all the cool stuff they do, and be friends with them. Maybe I could even have a human job, like being a hero!



That’d be super nice.

---

Gilded Gaggle of Goofs​

#general​

Delino: Boutta have my last battle as a trainer. Wish me luck



Ta Writeer: still dont think you need to do this



MonDegreen: Yeah!! You were killing it out there!!!



Delino: Then I had that fifteen battle losing streak



Delino: I cant afford to keep doing this



Delino: Literally. I’m close to running out of funds to take care of my Pokemon



Sad Snom: Good luck, Delino. Wishing you well.



Tapestry: An hour late, but best of luck out there!



Delino: Thanks for the luck, but it was for naught



Delino: Got completely curbstomped by the guy’s Delphox



Ta Writeer: awww



Delino: Looking for new homes for my team



Delino: Gonna keep Sticks but my other Pokemon are up for grabs



Ta Writeer: why cant you just keep them all



Delino: Told you before. Can’t afford to care for them without enough earnings from battles



Ta Writeer: and familys not an option



Delino: Yea. Mom would probably trade them away for something more competitive



Tapestry: Can’t they give you some of the funds from the Society of Being Cruel. or whatever it’s called?



Delino: Society of Battle Connoisseurs, though thats also an apt name for them



Delino: And they wouldnt. Ive asked



Delino: Only way Im getting more funding is if I become a better trainer, and thats not happening any time soon



Delino: How’d you like to have Sprinkles, Degreen?



MonDegreen: :O



MonDegreen: I’d love to, Vivillion is such a cool Pokemon, but we don’t have a trade system here in Orre…



MonDegreen: Plus she might get stolen…



MonDegreen: Besides, it wouldn’t be the same…



MonDegreen: I wish I could meet a real wild Pokemon, one without a trainer. A wild Pokemon, like the other regions have!!!



Delino: Aight. How about you, Snom?



Sad Snom: I would appreciate that. I will take care of her as best I can.



Delino: Aight. I’ll send her your way soon.



Sad Snom: She will live a good life here with the Pearl Clan.



Delino: Thanks for supporting me on this journey, fellas. Been a fun ride. Sad it has to end, but I gotta pay the bills, and this isn’t working



Tapestry: You were a good trainer, Delino. Took great care of your Pokemon, and helped them however you could from what I saw. That’s far more than I could say for the trainers I had to rescue Pokemon from.



Delino: Thanks, Tapestry

---

???​

My eyes slowly opened, before I shot wide awake at what I was seeing.



Colors. So, so many colors. Every color I could possibly imagine, and even many I couldn’t even dream of. And in the distance, there was a speck of white, looking almost like some sort of portal.



I looked down, and saw that I was standing on nothing! I was floating!



What was going on?



“Welcome to the world of humans!”



“Huh?!” I yelped, frantically looking around. Who said that—?!



Wait.



The world of humans?



Was…was my wish coming true? Was I really going to go to the human world?



I flapped my wings in joy, and shouted at the top of my lungs, “THANK YOU!”



“Hah, I see you’re excited. Very well then! Now. Before I send you off, I need to get to know you a bit better through some questions. Answer every one honestly,” the voice said, before asking the first question.



“You come to a shop inside a mystery dungeon. The shopkeeper looks meek and frail, but they have a Revive All Orb for sale...for all the Poke you have The only other Pokemon around are you and the dungeon Pokemon. Do you leave the orb alone, buy it, or try to steal it?”

---

Thirty minutes of questions and answers later, the voice fell silent. What was it doing? Did I give bad answers to the questions?



Before I could ask, the voice said, “You appear to be...the excitable type.”



Excitable? Well, that does sound about right…I get excited super easily!



My tail wagged as I watched the white spot in the rainbow void grow closer and closer. I couldn’t wait to go to the human world!



“Case in point,” the voice said. “Nonetheless...the starter for an excitable person like you should be…”



A strange, red and white sphere appeared in front of me. “A Porygon!”



That…was a Porygon? It’s not like any I’ve heard of…It looked more like a Voltorb than anything else.



“That’s the weirdest looking Porygon I’ve ever seen,” I commented, craning my neck to try to get a better look at the sphere.



“You’ll figure it out in due time,” the voice said. “Now, I have one final question for you. What is most important to you?”



What’s most important to me?



That’s a super difficult question…there’s so many choices! My name, my life, my wings…



…actually, that’s an easy question! I’ve known the answer for years!



“Humans!” I exclaimed, fanning my wings out.



“Interesting answer, Pokemon,” the voice said. “Now! Welcome to Lumiose City!”



The colors of the void between worlds began to fade, until all I saw was white.

---

Quasartico Inc, Lumiose City, Kalos​

Running the Mega Shard exchange at Quasartico had its ups and downs.



Downsides included staring at blank white walls all day, keeping track of stock, and hagglers.



Seriously, it’s not that hard to get Mega Shards. There’s Mega Crystals growing all over the city. Why are you trying to skimp out on doing the community a service?



On the upside, though, it meant I get to overhear all sorts of juicy gossip from the higher-ups whenever they have a meeting in the lobby.



Like whatever’s going on now.



“Miss Jett? You’re going to want to see this,” Vinnie said as he exited from the elevator. “Our scanners just picked up a huge spike of Mega Energy near Hotel Z.”



Probably another Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokemon. They’re getting more and more common…



“Oh?” Jett asked. “We should dispatch a team to take care of it, then.”



“That’s the thing, miss: There’s no known Pokemon in the area that can Mega-Evolve,” Vinnie said. “According to eyewitnesses, the only Pokemon in the area is a Tropius.”



“A Tropius? Not something you see in Lumiose every day,” Jett said. “Do you think something is up with it?”



“Most certainly, miss,” Vinnie said. “AZ said the Tropius appeared out of thin air.”



“Out of thin air?!” Jett asked. “But how is that possible? Tropius aren’t capable of teleportation.”



“That’s what we need to find out. Permission to erect a battle zone around it, in hopes of capturing it for study?” Vinnie asked.



“Permission granted,” Jett said. “If this is a new phenomenon of Mega Energy, we need to learn more about it. Immediately.”



“Understood, miss,” Vinnie said. “Thank you for your time.”



A Tropius, appearing out of thin air?



Lumiose gets stranger and stranger every day.

 

[IFBench]

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!!!