HOENNWEEN: AFTERMATH LOG

[these_balls]

Who: Hoennween Plot Participants!
Where: Tohjo Falls!
When: Friday, October 31
Summary: The bosses are defeated, the strife is over, the apocalypse has been averted. But things are still a bit of a disaster and some benign faces are arriving, so this is your chance to wind down, rest up, commiserate with others over everything that transpired, and breathe a little in general before it's time to go home again.
Rating: PG-13 in general; please mark threads that go higher accordingly!
Log:



YOU ARE HERE. IT LOOKS A LITTLE APOCALYPTIC. BUT THESE GUYS ARE HERE, AND SO IS THIS GUY.

NOW GO LEARN THE MAGIC OF YARN.

KEY:

• The GRAY, GREEN, and BLUE areas remain as they have all plot; these are the mountains, forest, and lake areas (respectively) that are now devoid of Team Aqua and Magma Grunts and currently form the natural boundaries of the map area you're in!

• The BROWN rectangle in the center of the map is still the Elite Four's Resort; because you did so well at fighting off the bosses and their legendaries, it escaped the conflict with minimal damage. For this log, that means it will also still be available to you as a bonus area map!

• The PINK triangle represents Shauna and Sina's private jet (or, well, someone's private jet, anyway), in which they just arrived from Kalos! Also, it sounds like they've got some kind of goodies for you in there, so you might want to stop by and have a chat with them to see what that's all about.

• RED stars on either sides of the map are approximate locations where you are most likely to be able to find and approach Arceus! Note that it can be sighted pretty much anywhere on the map as it walks around restoring things to some semblance of normal, but if you intend to approach it directly, it should be in one of these two areas. Attempting to catch or battle Arceus will result in a character immediately whiting out and being booted to the Blackthorn City Pokemon Center, and thereby suspended from participation in the remainder of the event.

A FEW OTHER SETTING NOTES:

• The Gen VI Pokemon that assisted you in the battle are still around somewhat, but they're largely leaving the area to head back down into the Johto/Kanto regions proper; they made good on the summons from their creator and have received its profound thanks for it, and now it's time to get back to the areas they've picked as their new habitats from here on out.

• FOR CHARACTERS WHO USED A HONEDGE LIKE A WEAPON DURING BATTLE:
This is also where we are asking you to experience some IC consequences! Namely, in exchange for picking up your Pokemon and rather unceremoniously winging it around by the head during battle, Arceus will be returning the favor by winging you around by the head a little at some point during the log! You're welcome to handwave this as you see fit, but we ask that you please accept this as the consequence of your choices!

• On a related note, if your character has mistreated one of their Pokemon lately and you would like them to suffer a llamagod-delivered consequence for it (for the purposes of development or what have you), feel free to let us know and we'll work something out with you!

• There is no restriction on how many of the NPCs you may talk to; feel free to interact with any and all of them!

• Maxie and Archie are not available on this log; they are, however, going to be taken into Shauna and Sina's custody and presumably deported back to Kalos to receive justice for...something or other, assuredly.

• You are welcome to thread out scenes occuring at any time during the aftermath events — waking up in the morning to Arceus, spotting Shauna and Sina arriving around noon, and experiencing the Sylveon Swarm in the afternoon are all fair game!

• At the end of the day you will be getting home the same way you initially came: via an Arceus-opened portal that will take you back to the location you left, with its thanks!

• EDIT: It's been brought to our attention that this was somewhat unclear — yes, you may make your own top-levels on this log! It is not solely for interacting with the NPCs, so please feel free to tag around and interact with others as you like!

QUICK LINKS

EVENT LINKS MASTERPOST | AFTERMATH LOG INFOPOST | QUESTIONS FOR MODS

☆ THREAD WITH ARCEUS ☆ THREAD WITH SHAUNA ☆ THREAD WITH SINA ☆

Comments

OPEN NPC INTERACTION: ARCEUS

[legendarybeasts]

[There is still much to be done.

It's good that these children, the strange ones and the Pokemon alike, were able to prevent the impending cataclysm that the meeting of Groudon and Kyogre promised to create. Destruction inevitably followed when those two legendaries came head to head, and under the command of the grudge-matching humans with their supporters, they became even more so. Save for the intervention of those who answered the call for aid...

Well. There is really no telling what may have happened. What matters is that in the end, it did not come to pass.

Majestic and solemn, Arceus will leave them to their recovery for now. They have fought bravely and nobly for a land that, unlike the Pokemon, is not inherently their own. They have earned their rest; their work is done. The time for Arceus's own work has begun, and it has set about doing precisely that, and will do so for the duration of the day.

There is a certain beauty and peace in restoring that which was destroyed; the grass grows, the rocks lose their scorched color. The air grows cool and sweet; the broken pieces begin to come back together.

But even as it works, Arceus is always aware of its surroundings, and should one of those valiant ones approach, it will almost certainly pause in its work to look up and greet its arrival with an impassive, silent gaze.]

[solas_ion]

Hey!

[Today wasn't the first time Lancer mouthed off to a god, and it probably wouldn't be the last. Beside him, Tyrfing pressed a paw to his face. Why are you doing this.]

Are you the one that called us all here in the first place?!

[fatalissimo]

[...Nonon really isn't sure what she thinks of this.

She hasn't been in Johto long enough to have spent much time studying the Legendaries, and if anything maybe she's been avoiding it; it's all mythological bullshit, it doesn't really matter in the end, and it's got nothing to do with her. After all, since she's got here she's been a bored kid on the internet, a little girl who works in a bakery, and she's actually come to sort of like it that way.

Maybe she's been wrong in how she's going about it, though. Maybe. If things like this can happen...it's no better than back home. No safer. Is it?

She's got no idea what that massive...thing is over there, tending to the land; obviously it's a Pokémon, but it's not one she knows or recognizes. It might be a god; it might just be the designated Zamboni of the world, who knows.

That said, she'll approach it eventually, though her approach is cautious; she doesn't have her Pokémon out, though – this doesn't seem like a battle, and she doesn't want it to be interpreted as one.]

Hey.

[It's kind of an informal greeting, as talking to gods goes, but it'll have to work.]

Were you the one doing the...

[She trails off a bit before tapping the side of her head with her fingers.]

Are you the one we've been hearing?

[islandshore]

[It's a lot to take in. When he saw those beams flying towards the center of the battlefield, he thought it was gonna end, but no. Here they are, and bit by bit, everything seems to be getting a bit better.

When he awakens, Riku finds that Flare has returned to his normal appearance. They're both still in one piece, and the fighting has stopped.

Still, far be it from Riku to sit around in the aftermath of a crisis, thus, before long, he and his team of Pokémon begin surveying the area, starting with the lake.

And it's there that they spot Arceus, big, imposing, and a species he's never seen before. While he doesn't make any sudden moves to attack, he spends a few moments watching closely before making his approach.]

Who are you?

[It's a simple question. He has a nagging suspicion this might be the strange ball of light from before, but one can never be too sure.]

[in_praetego]

[ He was always an early riser. Call it a force of habit. Even when you aren't aware as to what time it is, you always end up waking up at the same time and so is the case for Yukio at that moment. He'd gotten up like he usually did, let his team out from their balls to allow them to roam about in order to get some exercise... and even Yukio has to admit that having the little noibat on his shoulder feels like a small comfort.

It's when Kizamime stirs that his attention is on the figure before them. The noibat seems to shrink back and some part of him says he should too but curiosity is a much stronger creature.

Exorcists deal with spirits all the time. He's gone on missions with his father, seen powerful beings both evil and benign, seen his father negotiate with lesser gods so this... an encounter with something akin to a god in this world and on his own, too is a first for him.

Part of him wonders if he should call Rin but... it's just a fleeting moment. He can't help himself. So Yukio approaches, keeping a respectful distance from the pokemon-god. ]

You're... [ And a pause to recall his name from what he'd read during the Prom. ] Arceus, aren't you?

[legendarybeasts]

[...Well, there's a belligerent creature, now, isn't there? Some are simply like that, unfortunately. Deino have the urge to bite at everything, Bagon have the urge to hurl themselves headfirst off cliffs thinking they can fly.

(...admittedly that one was maybe not the most stellar of tendencies for one of the little children to develop but you know what.)

This one, it seems, suffers from the urge to shout and bare its teeth.

Very well.

Arceus is looking at you now, Lancer. Speak.]

[legendarybeasts]

[Well, you look like a Fairy-type, don't you? Hello, little slayer of dragons. Your fur looks very warm and also stylish as fuck.

And since you're one of the more polite creatures to turn up today, as opposed to frothing and screaming, the response you'll receive will answer your question in two respects — through content and through delivery.

Whatever voice you heard coming here, the one you'll hear now is assuredly that of Arceus.

Yes.]

[solas_ion]

[Fortunately, he had self-preservation enough not to throw a punch.]

Look, I don't care who or what exactly you are, but if you're the one that wanted our help you could've just asked instead of pulling a stunt like that psychic shit! The hell do you think you are, acting like you're somebody I know?!

[legendarybeasts]

[Hello, cautious one. Thank you for your patience; there was a small patch of wildflowers here that suffered damage from a stray attack sometime during those battles, and your hesitation has given Arceus just enough opportunity to finish willing them to regrow even more beautiful than before.

Which means you'll also get to watch as a plant literally comes back to life before your eyes, in the moments before this bigass llama thing turns its silent eyes toward you.

...

Are you shitting it with that question, though, isn't it kind of obvious. Maybe you should ask one of your Pokemon; they seem reverent enough to suffice.]

[fatalissimo]

[...Oh, wow. Okay, probably not just the Zamboni, then.]

So I guess that light at the end was you, too.

[She's quiet for a moment. How do you even - ]

Thanks. For saving our asses.

[...Nonon.]

[armoredsoul]

[This whole week had been a nightmare. First the Pokemon swarming away, then the earthquakes, crystals everywhere, and then...this whole battle. It was absolutely, completely insane, and quite frankly Al was completely worn out by it all.]

[He'd finally found his wayward Pokemon early that morning, actually curled up beside him when he woke. He'd spent several hours hugging, petting, and coddling them both, so glad they were safe...it was nothing short of a miracle. And now they padded along beside him as he walked towards the white creature--was it a Pokemon? Could beings of that power even be called one?--that paced around the battlefield, healing the damage wrought. He wasn't even completely sure if he should approach it, especially with the way Trisha and Avaro were acting around it. But...he had to ask it something, he needed to know.]

I...ah, I'm sorry but...

[Alphonse swallows, glancing around nervously before meeting the creature's eyes.]

Were you...you were the one that called us here, right? The one that...put the voices in our minds?

[legendarybeasts]

[Hello, respectful one. It seems you share something in common with a Flygon — those eye-protectors are a prudent choice for one who battles often, and this particular llamagod certainly approves.

It doesn't respond to the question outright, but there's something of affirmation in the way its stance shifts; there's a slight lowering of its head that contains absolutely nothing of submission in it, and a moment later it rises up to its full height again, as proud and imposing as before.

It's pretty safe to say that was a "yes", Yukio.]

[legendarybeasts]

[The look Lancer gets then is as impassive as ever, but there's a sort of unmistakeable, exasperated "...really" emanating from everything about Arceus at this particular moment.

...So what you're saying is, you wanted it to ask...

...and now you're mad about the fact that it asked.

...??

Son, it's not Arceus's fault that your mind filled in what it wanted to hear.

Is there something you'd like to get off your chest, here, because it sure sounds as though you could use it.]

[in_praetego]

[ He's always had a Flygon-like appearance to him ever since he was a kid. Perhaps when he was smaller, those glasses made him look even more like a Flygon. During this entire encounter, he can't help but thing back to those missions. There's an air of intimidation there. Maybe it's the aura this llamagod is giving off but he swallows it down. There are a few things he's been curious about after all and it's good to know that he can understand him.

But that's a silly thing to think about, isn't it? After all, his pokemon understand him just fine? Why wouldn't this Legendary? ]

I hope you don't mind me asking out of the blue but... were you the one who brought us here?

[ And a pause when he realizes he might have been a little unclear about his question. ]

To this world, I mean.

[exeggutorhead]

[Envy has been keeping an eye on the unfamiliar Pokemon since it showed up, watching as it restored the plain. It's only later that he finally decides to go over to it. His Tyranitar follows behind him, and Envy doesn't miss how Chimera looks practically reverent instead of his normal outgoing friendliness.]

[This Pokemon has a sense of something truly powerful about it; if Envy was going to compare it to anything, it would be to standing before the Gate. So he's a little on edge as he gets closer. He crosses his arms almost defensively and frowns when he gets close enough to speak.]

[If he didn't already know that Pokemon generally understood human speech, he'd feel a bit silly talking to this one. There's a lot he could ask, but he finally settles on:]

You kept us all from getting wiped out in that blast, didn't you? And you brought us here.

[legendarybeasts]

[Don't be afraid, nervous one. Your Pokemon are right to demonstrate respect, but that's only natural considering that is, in some sense, their reasonably-omnipotent creator. You, however, are a little different, aren't you?

It would be wrong to say that Arceus smiles, precisely, but there's something undeniably gentle in the way it's looking at you, and under that gaze you may find yourself starting to grow a little more at peace — the way you might when catching a familiar scent that reminds you of home, or when you've just come in to a warm and inviting room after being out on a bitterly cold day.

And if it can do that, well. Maybe that answers the question of whether or not it was the one that called, doesn't it?]

[legendarybeasts]

[...Oh. Well, that's a rather pleasant surprise, isn't it?

And maybe you'd be surprised by how many people unconsciously forget those small and common decencies, little one; being a reasonably-omnipotent creator deity is in many ways a thankless job, and it would be foolish for one in that role to demand or expect such things in exchange for its work, anyway. It reflects well on you to have thought of such a thing, though.

There is a sort of pause, during which Arceus regards you another moment, and then it proceeds to tilt its head down towards the grass beneath its feet, where a lovely pink wildflower is rapidly growing upward and beginning to unfurl its petals.

...Would you like this. It's very pretty, and you are kind.]

[legendarybeasts]

[Ah. All things considered, it's probably good you clarified that, because Arceus was under the impression that it was pretty obvious it was responsible for bringing you here to Tohjo in particular, what with the portals and the psychic call and the fact that it's here being the cosmic janitor right now. You might have earned yourself a rather deadpan look for it, in the are you actually serious sort of vein.

...The question you are asking, though. That's something different entirely.

And you may be familiar, Yukio, with that distinctive look a person or creature inevitably tends to get when everyone knows they have a secret that they likewise have no intention of telling.

That is, in fact, the precise look Arceus is wearing right now.]

[islandshore]

[Ace the Lucario is the first to react with a great big facepalm. She gets it, o great creator. She totally understands and will happily oblige.]

It's Arceus, Riku. You know, the one who created all of us.

[She might even be nudging him a little so that he at least bows. Once her words connect, he's quick to oblige because, well... the implications are kinda huge. Cosmically huge.

So yeah. Better tread carefully here. The other Pokémon are all watching closely as well.]

So... wow. Okay, I guess I should've seen that coming, seeing how we're all still--

[Well, alive. Uh, right. So... what to say next?]

...Anyway, thanks for saving us back there. But is there a chance you know what's going on? I mean, with all of us.

[None of the locals seem to know, but if anyone would, wouldn't it be a big legendary like him?]

[cawsforalarm]

[Henry's never been a particularly religious person. Oh, he was a member of the cult of Grima by virtue of being a Plegian citizen, but he never really cared. Eventually, he learned that Grima wasn't even a god at all, just an extremely powerful dragon who humans assumed to be one. After that reveal, he honestly stopped caring, and it wasn't a problem at all.]

[This... this, though.]

[This is a god.]

[So like an idiot, Henry approaches. He's only got one Pokémon on his shoulder this time, a Vulpix; she was the only one out of his team of four who didn't want to be hiding in a Pokéball when they approached Arceus. They were nervous around it, though not out of fear -- out of reverence.]

Hey. Um... 'scuse me.

[There's an awkward pause, in which Henry realizes he has no idea how to talk to a llama god.]

I guess you... called us all here, right? To stop Magma and Aqua? [Somehow, "the people in the dumb outfits" doesn't seem like an appropriate thing to say right now.] Um, that's fine and all, I don't mind helping, but... couldn't you have just asked?

Like, did you need to... use other people's voices... and stuff?

[legendarybeasts]

[Ah. Hello, Tyranitar and Exegguto— wait, hold on, you're not an Exeggutor, you just bear a striking and almost uncomfortable resemblance to one.

...

It almost feels like someone ought to apologize to you but like hell if it's going to be Arceus because you know what, that's none of its business.

For a little while after the questions are asked, Arceus just sort of regards you stoically; then, at last, that voice you heard calling you here echoes against your mind once again:

Yes.]

[fatalissimo]

[Ehhh, most would argue the "kind" part of that, but you know what? She'll take the flower because it's pretty and you don't really turn down gifts from magical deity-figures that could have just as easily let you get blown up than save you.]

Keep that up and they'll think you like me.

[The words are flippant, though she keeps her attention on the giant llamathing while she tucks it into her hair.]

So is petting god off-limits?

[ossifragant]

[Whatever it is, Greed knows it must have been what protected them. He supposes for that, it deserves thanks. He's not going to say it, not right away anyway, because he has another question first.]

You were the one who called us here, right?

[No, he's not bitter. That's your imagination.

...Okay, he's super bitter. Why, why did it have to be Martel's voice that brought him here? Why couldn't it have been the voice of some random woman?]

...and you protected us from that blast, too.

[armoredsoul]

[Al can't help a small smile in return, even as the memory of smelling a fresh-baked pie cooling on the windowsill and the delicate scent of the flowers his mother loved so much tickled the edges of his perception.]

I-I guess that was a silly question. But...did you mean to make me hear Mom, back then? I mean, I wanted to help, Brother and I were packing to go, but...

[It had hurt, hurt in a way that Al was far too used to pushing down and not dealing with. He didn't think any harm was meant, but...he needed to know.]

[sincereheart]

[ Okay. So there's a... thing hanging out here. It's a big thing, and it's... fixing the world? Something like that. It's making a whole lot of plants grow, anyway. Which Palmon would approve of. And her Pokémon have been very excited about this thing since they woke up, talking in hushed whispers, chitters, and mewls among themselves. Mimi figures it might be kind of important.

So she sits by the lake, idly swinging her feet and watching as the thing works its magic. Sometimes people come up to it and ask it stuff, and from their reactions, it might even be answering them back. Well, she has been curious about what it might be like to have an actual conversation with a Pokémon... one that doesn't communicate solely in haiku, anyway. Assuming the thing is a Pokémon, of course.

So when it comes her way and Hanemaru tugs on her arm, she thinks, well, is she ever going to get another chance? And so she gets up and walks toward it, realizing that her Pokémon are hanging back a bit. Is it that scary? She saw some of her friends talking to it, and they didn't end up eaten or anything... as far as she saw. Well. It's kind of too late to back out now. ]

Excuse me, mister... miss...? [ HOW DO YOU EVEN TELL WITH THIS THING ] Um, my name's Mimi Tachikawa. [ And she drops into a clumsy curtsy, for once not forgetting her manners. ] What's yours?