- Partners
-
It's another blackout bingo fic! Beware of no editing because I'm running low on time, references to crime, and most of this being setup with the actual bingo part being mostly one bit!
##########
“So have you heard of the Eclipse, Nori?”
The boy paused in his tracks. He looked up at the sky and tapped his foot on the solar panels beneath their feet. “Um, is there supposed to be an eclipse today? Tonight?”
“No, no!” Arumi rapidly shook her head. “I mean the Eclipse of Sunyshore! Sometimes called Eklipshore. With a K, like how the ‘sunny’ in ‘Sunyshore’ is twisted. Maybe that rings some bells?”
Nori blinked. “No. Uh, should I?” He rubbed the nape of his neck. He didn’t really keep up with pop culture a lot.
“Well, I guess it makes sense, since you’re not from here,” she remarked, twirling her braid. “So it’s like this. There’s supposedly this vigilante that’s been hunting down street criminals in the dark of night around the city. No one knows who or what they are or if they exist for real!”
“I see.” It sounded like the kind of pulp hero you hear about on the radio, or maybe a comic book hero. It was hard to imagine them existing in real life.
It was April 29th, and the Sunyshore Gym was closed as it normally was the last two days of the month. The Gym Leader and his mentor, Volkner Denzi, also took the day off. Because of that, he was free to do whatever he wanted after school instead of going back to train. So he decided to help his friend with an interview. No one else in their school club wanted to.
“So this person we’re meeting knows something about them?”
“Exactly! The news dismissed them as hallucinating due to a Confuse Ray or something. But this is a lead! You gotta follow any little leads you might have! And being a Schrader, it was easy to secure an interview!” she boasted.
"So where exactly are we headed to, anyways?" Nori asked, running ahead and walking backwards. "Don't wanna ask are we there yet, but it's been like half an hour." He thought they would've hopped on a bus if it was too far.
"Don't worry! We're just about there!" Arumi assured. She glanced to her right and yelped. "Whoops! We missed the way down!"
Nori nearly tripped backwards. He glanced behind him. He couldn't remember when the last steps off the panels were, but they weren't anywhere in sight. "Uh, what now?"
Arumi pressed a finger to her forehead, eventually snapping it. "I think it's quicker to go back. Let's hurry so we're not too too late! Race ya!"
Nori blinked as she took off. When he regained his bearings, he shouted, "Hey! No fair headstart!" before running to catch up.
---
The two friends quickly reached the streets of Sunyshore City and started headed for their destination. Nori didn't actually know where it was, just that they were headed somewhere to meet with a guy. He thought it might be a residence of some kind, but they were nowhere near any homes - at least, anything clear.
"So are we meeting the witness at like, a food place or something?" he asked.
"Got it in one!" Arumi applauded, literally clapping her hands. "We're just about there!"
"I guess you've got the city memorized, huh?" he said to her. Not once did she pull out a map or look at any digital device that might have had one.
"It's part of being a reporter!" the teenager said. Something caught her eye to the left. She turned and stumbled into an alley. "This way!"
Nori followed. Only after he realized they were walking through an alley did he ask, "Uh, is this a shortcut?" he asked. He reached into his pocket just in case.
"Nope! It's in here!" She rounded a narrow and nearly unnoticable bend.
Nori full on pulled out a Poke Ball and held it at his hip before he followed. He normally would have had out his Pachirisu, but the little squirrel got too tired from all the walking and he absolutely wasn't going to walk around with an electric rodent on his shoulder.
They entered into a big open area, shadowed under the surrounding buildings. Tables and chairs sat in orderly fashion outside a storefront. There were only three guests dining outside, engrossed in their meals and conversation. The unmistakable scent of pasta filled the air.
"The Hidden Clearing!" Arumi said, pointing dramatically. "People call it the best kept secret in Sunyshore!"
Nori looked up at the sign. That's what it said on it. It looked like it could light up. There were lots of lights around, actually. "Does it have a front entrance?" he asked, again looking at the people eating. A hefty guy by himself, and two high school girls.
"Nope!" she said. "Same owners, but the front part's a laundromat! They call that Higgen Cleaning."
"That's..." A weird pun on the name. Nori put a hand on his cheek and looked back up at the sign. It had a caricature of a Tangela with a chef's hat and big mustache holding up a plate of spaghetti. "That's a weird combo. It sounds like something you'd see in a crime thing."
Arumi paused. Then she burst into laughter. "Kinda! I wonder if the upper floor's the Hitmen Something?"
His throat clenched. "Um, should we have come here?" he said, taking a step back.
"I was just kidding!" Arumi came up and nudged him. "Nerves before a big interview are normal. Don't worry. Mom and dad interviewed them. And here's where our interviewee is waiting anyways!"
He nodded and had to laugh at himself. Yeah, he was psyching himself out. Too many crime dramas, but he knew those were just fiction. "Right, let's get this done!"
##########
The inside of the restaurant was a stark contrast to the dingy alley outside. It looked like an honest to goodness food joint: there were nice red carpets on the floor, booths with padding on the bottom and backs of the seats, and so on. It was a little compact given that it was half of a building being used and some of it was obviously the kitchen, but Nori had seen places like this before.
“Just need to look around for - oh!” Arumi hustled over. “Hi there! It’s me, Arumi Schrader! And this is my friend and schoolmate!” She presented him. “That’s right, it’s the Demon Tamer, Nori Carino!”
The androgynous person they had come to meet was evidently a traveling trainer. A big backpack was sitting at the base of the table, and they had a belt with six Pokemon. They slowly looked up. “Ah, I was expecting...” They trailed off and turned away.
“Expecting what? Someone older?” Arumi chimed in.
“Never mind. Thank you for coming.” The person sighed. “Take a seat. They’ll come by in a bit.”
“Don’t worry, your lunch is on me,” Arumi said, flashing a thumbs-up. “Just don’t go too crazy, kay?”
“Kay!” Nori replied as they sat down across from the trainer.
---
"A few nights ago, I was saved by the Eclipse," the witness started after they had ordered and were waiting on their meals.
"We established that before coming here," Nori said, shaking his head. "So what happened?"
"Don't leave out any detail!" Arumi added.
"Yes, I still remember it vividly," they replied. "I had just gotten off a bit of part-time work at the lighthouse, and went to the Poke Mart. I know that traveling trainers get free food and lodging, but this was to help with the luxuries. I'd been saving up for something big, and I'd finally bought it."
Nori blinked. Part-time work as a traveling trainer?
The trainer reached into their pack and pulled out a brown compact disc. "A reusable Earthquake TM. I had been hoping to get a powerful move I could teach most of my Pokemon, and this was it. I was hoping to battle the Sunyshore Gym soon, the last badge I needed to earn in Sinnoh, so there was no better trump card than giving a lot of my Pokemon a tough Ground-type move."
"Um, well." Nori rubbed his hair. Arumi was jotting everything down. "Not that I'm like, on their side fully. But don't think just having Ground-type moves will be enough. Plus they'll actually need to perfect them."
"Yes, I know," they droned, shaking their head. "But first things first, I had to start with having my Pokemon learn the move. So I headed off to the nearest Pokemon Center to use the TM machine there."
"Where were you when it happened?" Arumi asked.
"I think around 34th. This wiry man bumped into me. Didn't even see him. We exchanged apologies, and I was about to explain why I was a bit lost in thought. That’s when I noticed it was gone. I had it in my coat pocket. I knew it was him that took it. He was even trying to hide it behind his back. Then he was off and running right then."
"A pickpocket." Nori tapped a foot. "Stupid jerk."
"I caught up with him pretty fast. I used to do track. Run a lot with my Pokemon. That's how we train."
Arumi turned to him. "Do top level trainers do that with their Pokemon often?"
"Er, can't say." He was training at the Gym, yes. But this wasn't anything he did. "I've had to do a beep test, but not with my Pokemon."
The witness laughed. "It's my secret training technique, don't tell anyone. Anyway, just when I was about to grab the guy, he turns around with a knife. Told me I should've left well enough alone, and said he was going to take my cash and Pokemon." They clutched at themselves. "Thought that was it, but then it gets knocked out of his hand. Then the TM goes flying. I look to my right and I see this guy standing there in a cloak and a big hat."
"That sounds like the Eclipse all right," Arumi mused, twirling her pen.
"The thief didn't back down and said, 'I ain’t afraid of no wannabe superhero!' and sends out this nasty Zangoose. It lunges at the Eclipse, but he steps back and throws this stone on the ground. A Spiritomb pops out of it and starts spreading smoke everywhere. Couldn’t see a thing, just hear attacks going off and orders being shouted.
"I take my chance and grab the TM. Then I froze up. I wanted to run, but I couldn't. I turn around and pulled out a Pokemon. Then."
Their words died in their throat. "What then?" Nori asked.
"Smoke fades, and the Spiritomb’s out. Even the Zangoose looked surprised, but the thief just laughed. 'Some hero you are!' he said. 'Let's split! Kill ‘em if he tries anything!' Then he runs off. Zangoose had its claws out the whole time, then used Agility to get away once the thief was gone."
"The Eclipse lost?" Arumi asked. "That doesn't sound right."
Nori did wonder. It sounded like they were a successful vigilante, so why would they lose? And so easily from the sounds out it.
"I thought it was just some weirdo, but the guy just disappeared when I tried to approach. I think it might've been a Ghost-type trick. I looked into it when I get back to the Pokemon Center. That's when I found out what happened. But no one believed me." They sighed and leaned back. "So that's what happened.
Nori exchanged a glance with Arumi. That was somehow very verbose yet it also said nothing. She returned the gesture before turning to the woman. “Why didn’t you take a picture!?” she quickly asked, leaning over the table. "That would be proof!"
“I didn’t think to, okay!” the witness said, putting their palms up and backing away. “I was just thinking to check on the guy!”
“Sheesh!” the newshound said, waving a hand. “This is all hearsay. I was hoping for actual physical proof of the Eclipse’s existence!” She paused. "Well, maybe it was a copycat since they were beaten by some pickpocket. I can see why the media wouldn't believe you."
"Hey," Nori spoke up. "What if they lost on purpose?"
"Huh?" Arumi blurted.
"Think about it!" Nori proposed. "A Spiritomb shouldn't lose to a Zangoose that easily. What if he like, tricked the guy into thinking it was an easy win, but stuck a tracker on him in the smokescreen? So he could track him back to their hideout?"
Arumi tilted her head. "I think you've been watching too many crime dramas, Nori."
"Hey! I like them!" he fussed with a stomp. "Can you think of any other reason he'd lose so easy?"
After a pause and a shake of her head, she sighed and turned back to the witness. "Well, thank you for your time anyway. At least you managed to get your TM back."
"I just wish I could thank them, whoever they are," they said, shaking their head. "Thank you for hearing me out."
"You're welcome!" Arumi chirped. "Maybe I can try and write something from this anyway!"
Nori was about to speak up, when he noticed the waiter approaching with their meals. Well, the witness had just gotten some food to go. But both he and Arumi had gotten plates of spaghetti. The witness paid for their meal and let them be.
"Well, let's dig in!" Arumi said, raising her utensils to the sky.
"Hey."
"Yeah?" Arumi was just about to shove a huge twirl in her mouth.
"Do you really think my theory's dumb?" Nori turned away. It was the conclusion he reached. Sure, it was inspired by crime dramas, but this was a little fantastical itself!
"Sorry, I didn't mean it to come off that way," his friend said. "Not gonna lie, it's a little out there! But the truth can be stranger than fiction sometimes!"
##########
"You beat the Eclipse? No way!"
"Yes way! Tried to smoke me out, but my Zangoose beat his ghost before he could! Lost my loot and mark, but got away."
"Guy's gone soft. Haha! Wait, who the hell are you?"
A man in a cloak and wide-brimmed hat was standing in the dark residence. When did he get here?! Wait, that was him!
"The Eclipse! How'd you find this place?"
"Never mind that, kill him!"
They barely moved before it happened. One of them picked up his cutting knife and charged. Right as he was about to reach, the Eclipse swung a baton and cracked him across the jaw, knocking him out cold.
Two sent out their Pokemon, Zangoose and Sneasel. They were quickly joined by a Spiritomb and a Brambleghast. The two clawed Pokemon struck first with stereo Night Slashes. Then they were ensnared together in a Grass Knot and engulfed in the flames of a Burning Jealousy. Just like that, they were unconscious. Their trainers followed as the Eclipse conked their heads together.
The fourth thug tried running, then he froze as a pair of eyes fell upon him. He screamed as he came face to face with a Dusknoir. He fell to his rear and backed away. Its eye flashed purple, sending him into a deep sleep. It was over in a matter of seconds.
With a nod to his Brambleghast, it wrapped the four thugs in vines. With their job done and the police alerted to their hideout, the four phantoms vanished.
###############
=============
###############
So this one was tricky to figure out with my cast of characters. But I came up with something and used the cast as a framing device. This takes place during the events of Official In-Training but has no bearing on the plot. As for how it all came together...
- Urban Legend: This was effectively the plot driver, so I came up with the concept of a vigilante, The Eclipse. More Phantom coded than Batman.
- Pick-Pocket: Where there's vigilantes, there have to be criminals.
- Rise to the Challenge: The criminal doesn't back down.
- Throwing a Match: And the vigilante loses...so he can track them down later.
I used the victim to get a lot of the rest done.
- Final Badge: Hey, it's convenient the fic's set in Sunyshore which is commonly the last one!
- Unusual Training Methods: The guy's habit of running with his Pokemon. Plays a minor role in him catching up with the thug.
- A New Move: Well if he got pick-pocketed, the best option to tie this in is with a TM.
- Odd Jobs: Actually this was my initial base, but I came up with the concept of a traveling trainer doing work here and there to earn extra money. For the above.
That just left one thing.
- A Hidden Clearing: It had to be the setting. In retrospect, I could've tied it all together by having it happen in an alley. Instead, it became where the restaurant is. The name was just to lampshade it.
##########
“So have you heard of the Eclipse, Nori?”
The boy paused in his tracks. He looked up at the sky and tapped his foot on the solar panels beneath their feet. “Um, is there supposed to be an eclipse today? Tonight?”
“No, no!” Arumi rapidly shook her head. “I mean the Eclipse of Sunyshore! Sometimes called Eklipshore. With a K, like how the ‘sunny’ in ‘Sunyshore’ is twisted. Maybe that rings some bells?”
Nori blinked. “No. Uh, should I?” He rubbed the nape of his neck. He didn’t really keep up with pop culture a lot.
“Well, I guess it makes sense, since you’re not from here,” she remarked, twirling her braid. “So it’s like this. There’s supposedly this vigilante that’s been hunting down street criminals in the dark of night around the city. No one knows who or what they are or if they exist for real!”
“I see.” It sounded like the kind of pulp hero you hear about on the radio, or maybe a comic book hero. It was hard to imagine them existing in real life.
It was April 29th, and the Sunyshore Gym was closed as it normally was the last two days of the month. The Gym Leader and his mentor, Volkner Denzi, also took the day off. Because of that, he was free to do whatever he wanted after school instead of going back to train. So he decided to help his friend with an interview. No one else in their school club wanted to.
“So this person we’re meeting knows something about them?”
“Exactly! The news dismissed them as hallucinating due to a Confuse Ray or something. But this is a lead! You gotta follow any little leads you might have! And being a Schrader, it was easy to secure an interview!” she boasted.
"So where exactly are we headed to, anyways?" Nori asked, running ahead and walking backwards. "Don't wanna ask are we there yet, but it's been like half an hour." He thought they would've hopped on a bus if it was too far.
"Don't worry! We're just about there!" Arumi assured. She glanced to her right and yelped. "Whoops! We missed the way down!"
Nori nearly tripped backwards. He glanced behind him. He couldn't remember when the last steps off the panels were, but they weren't anywhere in sight. "Uh, what now?"
Arumi pressed a finger to her forehead, eventually snapping it. "I think it's quicker to go back. Let's hurry so we're not too too late! Race ya!"
Nori blinked as she took off. When he regained his bearings, he shouted, "Hey! No fair headstart!" before running to catch up.
---
The two friends quickly reached the streets of Sunyshore City and started headed for their destination. Nori didn't actually know where it was, just that they were headed somewhere to meet with a guy. He thought it might be a residence of some kind, but they were nowhere near any homes - at least, anything clear.
"So are we meeting the witness at like, a food place or something?" he asked.
"Got it in one!" Arumi applauded, literally clapping her hands. "We're just about there!"
"I guess you've got the city memorized, huh?" he said to her. Not once did she pull out a map or look at any digital device that might have had one.
"It's part of being a reporter!" the teenager said. Something caught her eye to the left. She turned and stumbled into an alley. "This way!"
Nori followed. Only after he realized they were walking through an alley did he ask, "Uh, is this a shortcut?" he asked. He reached into his pocket just in case.
"Nope! It's in here!" She rounded a narrow and nearly unnoticable bend.
Nori full on pulled out a Poke Ball and held it at his hip before he followed. He normally would have had out his Pachirisu, but the little squirrel got too tired from all the walking and he absolutely wasn't going to walk around with an electric rodent on his shoulder.
They entered into a big open area, shadowed under the surrounding buildings. Tables and chairs sat in orderly fashion outside a storefront. There were only three guests dining outside, engrossed in their meals and conversation. The unmistakable scent of pasta filled the air.
"The Hidden Clearing!" Arumi said, pointing dramatically. "People call it the best kept secret in Sunyshore!"
Nori looked up at the sign. That's what it said on it. It looked like it could light up. There were lots of lights around, actually. "Does it have a front entrance?" he asked, again looking at the people eating. A hefty guy by himself, and two high school girls.
"Nope!" she said. "Same owners, but the front part's a laundromat! They call that Higgen Cleaning."
"That's..." A weird pun on the name. Nori put a hand on his cheek and looked back up at the sign. It had a caricature of a Tangela with a chef's hat and big mustache holding up a plate of spaghetti. "That's a weird combo. It sounds like something you'd see in a crime thing."
Arumi paused. Then she burst into laughter. "Kinda! I wonder if the upper floor's the Hitmen Something?"
His throat clenched. "Um, should we have come here?" he said, taking a step back.
"I was just kidding!" Arumi came up and nudged him. "Nerves before a big interview are normal. Don't worry. Mom and dad interviewed them. And here's where our interviewee is waiting anyways!"
He nodded and had to laugh at himself. Yeah, he was psyching himself out. Too many crime dramas, but he knew those were just fiction. "Right, let's get this done!"
##########
The inside of the restaurant was a stark contrast to the dingy alley outside. It looked like an honest to goodness food joint: there were nice red carpets on the floor, booths with padding on the bottom and backs of the seats, and so on. It was a little compact given that it was half of a building being used and some of it was obviously the kitchen, but Nori had seen places like this before.
“Just need to look around for - oh!” Arumi hustled over. “Hi there! It’s me, Arumi Schrader! And this is my friend and schoolmate!” She presented him. “That’s right, it’s the Demon Tamer, Nori Carino!”
The androgynous person they had come to meet was evidently a traveling trainer. A big backpack was sitting at the base of the table, and they had a belt with six Pokemon. They slowly looked up. “Ah, I was expecting...” They trailed off and turned away.
“Expecting what? Someone older?” Arumi chimed in.
“Never mind. Thank you for coming.” The person sighed. “Take a seat. They’ll come by in a bit.”
“Don’t worry, your lunch is on me,” Arumi said, flashing a thumbs-up. “Just don’t go too crazy, kay?”
“Kay!” Nori replied as they sat down across from the trainer.
---
"A few nights ago, I was saved by the Eclipse," the witness started after they had ordered and were waiting on their meals.
"We established that before coming here," Nori said, shaking his head. "So what happened?"
"Don't leave out any detail!" Arumi added.
"Yes, I still remember it vividly," they replied. "I had just gotten off a bit of part-time work at the lighthouse, and went to the Poke Mart. I know that traveling trainers get free food and lodging, but this was to help with the luxuries. I'd been saving up for something big, and I'd finally bought it."
Nori blinked. Part-time work as a traveling trainer?
The trainer reached into their pack and pulled out a brown compact disc. "A reusable Earthquake TM. I had been hoping to get a powerful move I could teach most of my Pokemon, and this was it. I was hoping to battle the Sunyshore Gym soon, the last badge I needed to earn in Sinnoh, so there was no better trump card than giving a lot of my Pokemon a tough Ground-type move."
"Um, well." Nori rubbed his hair. Arumi was jotting everything down. "Not that I'm like, on their side fully. But don't think just having Ground-type moves will be enough. Plus they'll actually need to perfect them."
"Yes, I know," they droned, shaking their head. "But first things first, I had to start with having my Pokemon learn the move. So I headed off to the nearest Pokemon Center to use the TM machine there."
"Where were you when it happened?" Arumi asked.
"I think around 34th. This wiry man bumped into me. Didn't even see him. We exchanged apologies, and I was about to explain why I was a bit lost in thought. That’s when I noticed it was gone. I had it in my coat pocket. I knew it was him that took it. He was even trying to hide it behind his back. Then he was off and running right then."
"A pickpocket." Nori tapped a foot. "Stupid jerk."
"I caught up with him pretty fast. I used to do track. Run a lot with my Pokemon. That's how we train."
Arumi turned to him. "Do top level trainers do that with their Pokemon often?"
"Er, can't say." He was training at the Gym, yes. But this wasn't anything he did. "I've had to do a beep test, but not with my Pokemon."
The witness laughed. "It's my secret training technique, don't tell anyone. Anyway, just when I was about to grab the guy, he turns around with a knife. Told me I should've left well enough alone, and said he was going to take my cash and Pokemon." They clutched at themselves. "Thought that was it, but then it gets knocked out of his hand. Then the TM goes flying. I look to my right and I see this guy standing there in a cloak and a big hat."
"That sounds like the Eclipse all right," Arumi mused, twirling her pen.
"The thief didn't back down and said, 'I ain’t afraid of no wannabe superhero!' and sends out this nasty Zangoose. It lunges at the Eclipse, but he steps back and throws this stone on the ground. A Spiritomb pops out of it and starts spreading smoke everywhere. Couldn’t see a thing, just hear attacks going off and orders being shouted.
"I take my chance and grab the TM. Then I froze up. I wanted to run, but I couldn't. I turn around and pulled out a Pokemon. Then."
Their words died in their throat. "What then?" Nori asked.
"Smoke fades, and the Spiritomb’s out. Even the Zangoose looked surprised, but the thief just laughed. 'Some hero you are!' he said. 'Let's split! Kill ‘em if he tries anything!' Then he runs off. Zangoose had its claws out the whole time, then used Agility to get away once the thief was gone."
"The Eclipse lost?" Arumi asked. "That doesn't sound right."
Nori did wonder. It sounded like they were a successful vigilante, so why would they lose? And so easily from the sounds out it.
"I thought it was just some weirdo, but the guy just disappeared when I tried to approach. I think it might've been a Ghost-type trick. I looked into it when I get back to the Pokemon Center. That's when I found out what happened. But no one believed me." They sighed and leaned back. "So that's what happened.
Nori exchanged a glance with Arumi. That was somehow very verbose yet it also said nothing. She returned the gesture before turning to the woman. “Why didn’t you take a picture!?” she quickly asked, leaning over the table. "That would be proof!"
“I didn’t think to, okay!” the witness said, putting their palms up and backing away. “I was just thinking to check on the guy!”
“Sheesh!” the newshound said, waving a hand. “This is all hearsay. I was hoping for actual physical proof of the Eclipse’s existence!” She paused. "Well, maybe it was a copycat since they were beaten by some pickpocket. I can see why the media wouldn't believe you."
"Hey," Nori spoke up. "What if they lost on purpose?"
"Huh?" Arumi blurted.
"Think about it!" Nori proposed. "A Spiritomb shouldn't lose to a Zangoose that easily. What if he like, tricked the guy into thinking it was an easy win, but stuck a tracker on him in the smokescreen? So he could track him back to their hideout?"
Arumi tilted her head. "I think you've been watching too many crime dramas, Nori."
"Hey! I like them!" he fussed with a stomp. "Can you think of any other reason he'd lose so easy?"
After a pause and a shake of her head, she sighed and turned back to the witness. "Well, thank you for your time anyway. At least you managed to get your TM back."
"I just wish I could thank them, whoever they are," they said, shaking their head. "Thank you for hearing me out."
"You're welcome!" Arumi chirped. "Maybe I can try and write something from this anyway!"
Nori was about to speak up, when he noticed the waiter approaching with their meals. Well, the witness had just gotten some food to go. But both he and Arumi had gotten plates of spaghetti. The witness paid for their meal and let them be.
"Well, let's dig in!" Arumi said, raising her utensils to the sky.
"Hey."
"Yeah?" Arumi was just about to shove a huge twirl in her mouth.
"Do you really think my theory's dumb?" Nori turned away. It was the conclusion he reached. Sure, it was inspired by crime dramas, but this was a little fantastical itself!
"Sorry, I didn't mean it to come off that way," his friend said. "Not gonna lie, it's a little out there! But the truth can be stranger than fiction sometimes!"
##########
"You beat the Eclipse? No way!"
"Yes way! Tried to smoke me out, but my Zangoose beat his ghost before he could! Lost my loot and mark, but got away."
"Guy's gone soft. Haha! Wait, who the hell are you?"
A man in a cloak and wide-brimmed hat was standing in the dark residence. When did he get here?! Wait, that was him!
"The Eclipse! How'd you find this place?"
"Never mind that, kill him!"
They barely moved before it happened. One of them picked up his cutting knife and charged. Right as he was about to reach, the Eclipse swung a baton and cracked him across the jaw, knocking him out cold.
Two sent out their Pokemon, Zangoose and Sneasel. They were quickly joined by a Spiritomb and a Brambleghast. The two clawed Pokemon struck first with stereo Night Slashes. Then they were ensnared together in a Grass Knot and engulfed in the flames of a Burning Jealousy. Just like that, they were unconscious. Their trainers followed as the Eclipse conked their heads together.
The fourth thug tried running, then he froze as a pair of eyes fell upon him. He screamed as he came face to face with a Dusknoir. He fell to his rear and backed away. Its eye flashed purple, sending him into a deep sleep. It was over in a matter of seconds.
With a nod to his Brambleghast, it wrapped the four thugs in vines. With their job done and the police alerted to their hideout, the four phantoms vanished.
###############
=============
###############
| Urban Legend | Unusual Training Methods | Odd Jobs |
| A Hidden Clearing | Pick-Pocket | Throwing A Match |
| A New Move | Final Badge | Rise To The Challenge |
So this one was tricky to figure out with my cast of characters. But I came up with something and used the cast as a framing device. This takes place during the events of Official In-Training but has no bearing on the plot. As for how it all came together...
- Urban Legend: This was effectively the plot driver, so I came up with the concept of a vigilante, The Eclipse. More Phantom coded than Batman.
- Pick-Pocket: Where there's vigilantes, there have to be criminals.
- Rise to the Challenge: The criminal doesn't back down.
- Throwing a Match: And the vigilante loses...so he can track them down later.
I used the victim to get a lot of the rest done.
- Final Badge: Hey, it's convenient the fic's set in Sunyshore which is commonly the last one!
- Unusual Training Methods: The guy's habit of running with his Pokemon. Plays a minor role in him catching up with the thug.
- A New Move: Well if he got pick-pocketed, the best option to tie this in is with a TM.
- Odd Jobs: Actually this was my initial base, but I came up with the concept of a traveling trainer doing work here and there to earn extra money. For the above.
That just left one thing.
- A Hidden Clearing: It had to be the setting. In retrospect, I could've tied it all together by having it happen in an alley. Instead, it became where the restaurant is. The name was just to lampshade it.