Along the Straight and Narrow: A Pokemon Reborn Hardcore Playthrough

[Genesis]

So with the completion of my last run in hardcore, I decided I would try another. With how addictive this game is, this probably won't be my last run either.

The rules of this run are simple:

• Use of pokemon is limited to pokemon that do not evolve. IE these pokemon
• Use of the above is further limited to non legendary pokemon even after which point they become available in the game.
• Use of potions limited to 3 per gym battle.
• Use of 1 reviving item limited to 1 per gym battle/ boss battles.
• Additionally, 1 pokemon shall be chosen by the community for each gym battle from Julia on-wards as there is only 1 pokemon available to get before fighting her.

Feel free to suggest anymore rules.

I will also be naming pokemon that join the team after anyone who posts in the topic from post Julia.

Since there's only one available pokemon pre Julia, I started with a team of 3. I am still trying to get my hand on the custom sprites (if anybody has any insight on this please PM me), so as I get the hang of it I will update the thread with that.

My team starting is:

Shifty (My Ace) ; Chastity and Demi-Goddess

Without further ado, let the journey begin

[Genesis]

I will put the update most likely for the first chapter tomorrow morning. I thought I would just list the pokemon that will become available after Julia and before Julia so that I can see who the public decides to be the Bee's knees

okay so the pokemon I can collect that need to be chosen from are

• Plusle
• Minun
• Castform

Yeah pretty much those 3 haha

[Dragon116]

You forgot Zangoose and Pachirisu

[Genesis]

You forgot Zangoose and Pachirisu

Zangoose is only available once you get to the Lapis Alleyway and Pachirisu is pre Julia (and the only pre Julia so it is by default on the team lol

[Genesis]

Alright, so I decided that with this run, I would try and do something special. I really enjoyed Hiroki Tatsumi's Style in his Rebellion playthrough and I decided I would try my hand at something something similar, although, please take note that this is not a rebellion.

For those who want a little bit of background about me:

Something you may need to understand about me is that while I know my way around a computer, I have next to no artistic talent and my editing, programming skills aren't far behind. Everything I have learnt has been from the net and web searches/ tutorial vids. So I have spent the last day basically editing graphics folders and so on. My editing skills probably go as far as copy, paste, cut and paint/ fill. So I am sure I will probably still need to do some editing in the future, I applaud the technical team behind reborn for such fantastic work I have played pretty much all the pokemon that game out from gen 1 excluding gen 6, that's new to me.I also enjoy writing, something my time has been taken away from for the last few years. This is my 4th playthrough of pokemon reborn and I decided that this time I would put a little more effort into the story this time around. I will still be enjoying the plathrough and I am pretty sure I will find it challenging with the limitations I have imposed upon myself, heck a run of hardcore is challenging even without limitations. As mentioned, I am no graphics expert, so if any of the images aren't quite perfect, please accept my humblest apologies for the toxic set forth before your eyes. You can critic, but Senpai, please be gentle as it's my first time~

Anyway, let's get started. Since this run is all about Ditto, I thought I would just share this image:

Episode Xero: The Spawn in Me

Mew awoke, chained up with the best that science had to offer in some kind of cellular testing tube. Oxygen was being delivered through a mask that muzzled Mew, not even allowing the slightest whimper to pass . It was dimly lit in what appeared to be some kind of a holding facility. There were several wires jammed into Mew in which made movement impossible. They stung faintly. There was a small vent across the room meant to allow some air to circulate. On the wall behind Mew sat a giant red Neon "R" dimming slightly. As the morning sun began to rise, ever faint rays of sunlight crawled into the room, illuminating several surfaces. But still, the room remained dark and quiet except for the faint sound of of machinery and computers whirring in the background and an incessant beeping every 10 seconds. Beep.... Beep.... Beep... Several hours passed by, until in the floors above, the facility came to life with the faint screams, shrieks and moans of unknown entities. In the distance Mew could hear a new sound approaching. The sound of heavy, menacing footsteps, slowly approaching. Suddenly the footsteps stopped. A door across the room slowly creaked open. The light behind the shadowy figure was blinding and as a result, Mew could only make out a faint figure. Mew was unsure of who this figure was or what there intent was, but this was soon to become known, known in very physical ways.

As Mew's eye's slowly begun to adjust to the darkness, the figure started becoming clearer. It was a man, dressed in black. They had a solid build and straight edges. The face looked stern and unforgiving, so harsh so that it would probably terrify mountains. Some more figures came into the room addressing the man as "Doctor". They were very uneasy around him and were very cautious to remain out his way. He ordered them around, without so much as muttering a word. Even in the silence, his menacing face screamed volumes loud enough to fill entire stadiums. The atmosphere was heavy with this man they called the Doctor in the room. Breathing became harder for Mew, each wire stung just a bit more and pulled harder. It felt as if Mew was going to slip away into some dark abyss, never to be seen again. Mew watched vaguely as the Doctor put on his white gloves and white lab coat. A sense of false security started gripping at Mew, as if it felt that maybe this was all just a terrible dream from which she would awake. Mew slowly slept into a comfort bubble, only to be violently awoken by a searing pain. The Doctor seemed to be injecting a drug into Mew's system. Mew's body twisted and contorted to positions a circus star could only dream of. Mew tried screaming, but the oxygen mask on its face muffled any all sounds it tried making. The pain was unimaginable and throughout the process, Mew felt like fainting, but the drug the Doctor had pumped into its system stopped it from doing so. Hours later, the pain the did not ease up, even as Mew's body begun to go limp, bloodcurdling screams rattled throughout Mew's head. It could not see much through the burning fluid, but it tried to focus on the Doctor's face, trying to make sense of the situation. As the evening sun started to set the few rays of light began fade from the room, the tests started to stop. It was vague and distant, but Mew could hear the doctor's subordinates muttering something to the doctor, ".... failed..... we are unsure......... pokemon's will is still too strong at this point....". Mew witnessed sheer terror befall upon the subordinates face after he had spoken to the Doctor who said just 4 words that echoed loud and clear for Mew. "We resume tests tomorrow." With that, the subordinates started draining from the room with the Doctor last to leave. He took off his white gloves, then this coat and then walked up to the testing tube, looking Mew right in the face. Mew was overcome with terror, but after a long day of agonizing pain it had no energy to do anything. The doctor's face was stern, powerful, bold. The doctor turned away from Mew, heading to the exit, they turned once more to glance at Mew from afar before slowly closing the door, leaving the room in total darkness void of sound except for the faint sound of machinery in the background and the beeping from before, every 10 seconds. Beep.... Beep..... Beep.

As midnight loomed, a full moon sat in the sky, casting an eerie luminescence across the land. The eerie rays filtered their way through the vent and cast faintly lit patterns of the world outside across the glass surface of Mew's test tube. With the shadows of trees dancing in the wind, Mew suddenly noticed another test tube along side, although empty at this point. Mew was tired though after the long day and their eyes slowly shut closed, enjoying the temporary recluse from pain.

The next morning awoke and as the suns rays started climbing their way through the room Mew could hear the faint sound of footsteps in the distance. Was the day before just a dream? The footsteps grew closer and as they did, Mew's heartbeat began to race. Was the day before real, would it be same today again? Mew's heart began to pound in their chest as the footsteps grew closer and closer until they stopped. Mew's heart nearly stopped completely. it was just a dream. Surely, this was all just a dream. The door creaked open, revealing the same figure from the day before, the Doctor. He put on his white gloves and coat and his subordinates entered. Today was not like the day before. It was worse.

Everyday, for the next 28 days, the sun would filter into the room and the footsteps would come, each day bringing with them the false hope that this was all just a nightmare. Each day, the poking and prodding would continue worse so than the day before. Each day, Mew would be left wrecked slowly losing its sense of purpose. Each day as the sun would set and darkness begin to envelop the room, the subordinates would go up to the Doctor and tell him, "The experiment failed, the pokemon's will is still too strong" and each night he would reply, "We resume tests tomorrow.". At the end of each day he would take off his white gloves, and his coat, walk up to look at Mew, turn back and while closing the door give one final look before closing it. Over the days, Mew discovered a few things. The Doctor's name was Giovanni and was the leader of some organisation called "Team Rocket". He had 4 subordinates who came into the room with him each day. Mew only took note of one of them. She was an incredibly clumsy lady with stunning red hair. The Doctor did not seem to like her much, but she seemed to be different from the rest. Each day she would report to him about the days proceedings and everyday for 28 days the results would be the same. Except for the 29th day. The 29th day was exceptionally agonizing, Mew was starting to lose its sense of reality. For the first time the pain was so intense it overcame the drug that was intended to keep Mew conscious during the experiments and Mew passed out in critical condition. In Mew's sub-conscious she could hear and see the subordinates scurrying around frantically. The beeping from before now stayed as a constant beep, "BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.........". For the first time, Mew saw Giovanni slightly unsettled, almost nervous. Within a few minutes the chaos subdued and the beep, returned to a stead constant 10 second interval. The subordinates had managed to revive Mew, but its condition was still critical. All the attention however was taken away from Mew as Giovanni and his subordinates scurried around the second test tube. Mew strained itself to see what the commotion was about but fell in and out of conscious over the next few hours. It awoke to see the red haired woman saying to Giovanni, "....success..." passing out again, seeing him close the door and then passing out again.

Midnight's rays started slowly entering the room and Mew awoke with a jolt. It remembered, the second test tube. What was all the commotion about? Mew peered over and was greeted by this site:

Mew wondered what was in the second test tube, it began to ponder heavily and deeply, but was yanked out of its chain of thought by a loud explosion. Red lights started glowing as alarms went off in the background, chaos and turmoil ensued. Mew passed out still in critical condition. Smoke started filling the room and another slightly weaker explosion went off right behind Mew's test tube. The giant red neon 'R" came crashing to the floor and in the space that opened, the red haired woman emerged. She rushed into the room and started unhooking the entity in the second test tube. Whatever was going on in the second test tube had not finished however as the entity slowly started to lose its shape falling like a blob of jello into the red haired woman's arms. She opened a pokeball and whispered to the entity, "I am so sorry about all of this you will be alright now". She turned to the tube with Mew in and began draining the fluid from the tube, Mew barely conscious seeing a sweet and concerned look upon this woman's face. There was a large "boom" from behind the door to the facility had been blown open. Black smoke engulfed the room along with fire and the roar of angry voices. Mew looked over at the woman, who's expressions had changed completely to worry. She looked up at Mew with tears starting to stream down her face, and then looked down, putting her hand on the tube as she muttered, "I am so sorry this had to happen to you". With that she disappeared into the darkness as quickly as she had come. As the smoke started to leave the room, a group of figures all dressed in satin black entered the room with one wearing a brown trench coat. They all had little red "M"s on the visage, Mew heard one mutter to the man in the brown trench coat, "Sir, it appears as if the clone has been taken." The man replied, "It does not matter, it was taken too early and most likely will not survive, Mew is all we need for our experiments.". Another grunt rushed in saying he had seen a woman with white hair fleeing from the scene. The leader ordered a group to follow her and to use any means necessary for capture. Suddenly he froze as a lady with green hair walked in. All the other members went silent. She walked up to Mew, determination set in her cold mechanical eyes. "Send this one to Terra for testing, failure will result in execution." The man replied, "but this pokemon is as good as dead, moving it now will ensure death." She replied, "It does not matter, dead or alive, we have what we need". With that Mew passed out.

Edited December 15, 2015 by Genesis

[Genesis]

Episode 0: Things Go Boom

A faint and constant whirring can be heard in the background. The sound of wheels running across and air whistling past. *Thump*

W-Where am I?

What's going on? Why is it so dark?

W-Wait, what am I? Owie ow ow, my whole body hurts and I keep having flash backs to a nightmarish time. I don't feel good at all.

Hello... Calm down for a second

What, who the hell are you? and where did you come from??

So many questions, too many answers, I myself don't even know all the answers to that. What I can tell you though is that I am Mew. I shall call you Ditto.

I keep having flashbacks of you, what the hell is going on?

I am not entirely sure, but I believe that you are me. Or at least a failed copy. It is possible that we share the same memories. We may even have the same abilities and powers...

Wha-...

Look, we don't have much time! It seems I was being used in some experiment to try and clone my powers. I am not exactly sure.

I remember that, owie

I fear that there are people who may be after you who are trying to complete the experiment that they tried with me. I do not have enough time to tell you all of this as I myself am about to pass on to the next world. The experiments they put me through have left my body ragged and lifeless and I am using what little energy I have left to communicate this to you. I believe you are currently in a pokeball - a device used to house pokemon. The owner of which is a red haired woman which saved you. I believe you can trust her. take whatever guidance she can offer. The flashbacks will only get worse and you may go through the pain that I did, but after the memories of pain, there is a whole world of memories of life and creation, set your mind to those to help you keep track of your sense of direction.

None of what you're saying is making any sense, shit my head hurts. It feels like it's about t explode.

Enough, listen, I cannot explain everything now, in time everything will become clear, for now I have to bid you farewell... Until we meet again on the other side..

With that Mew vanished, like it had never even been there. Darkness slowly started consuming every edge of light when suddenly the air began to suck everything inside the pokeball out. A bright light engulfed everything Ditto's eyes blinded. Ditto awoke sitting on a cold rug in what looked like the inside of a train cabin. As ditto looked around, its eyes met the gaze of a tall beautiful woman with brilliant white hair..

Your hai-

I know, I dyed my hair white, don't stress. listen, I will explain everything to you in a moment. You need to watch out though. A group by the name of Team Rocket were experimenting on a Pokemon called Mew, which you were born of. I was undercover trying to assess the situation and find a gap to rescue Mew. Plans got changed drastically when I got word that another group called Team Meteor were planning on stealing Mew. I decided to alter the test in that instant you were created, I unfortunately may have killed Mew in the process.

Oh... it's okay, please don't cry, I am sure you did what you could, anyway who are you?

My name is Amethyst, I am the co ordinator of the Reborn league. Look, while I don't think Team Rocket is of any threat to you, I believe Team Meteor saw me get away and may be tracking us right now. While you may not be as strong as Mew was, you should have some of its abilities - namely the ability to transform into anything.

Say what? How-

Just trust me okay?

mrrm... okay..

Okay great. Listen. I am going to set you undercover in the Reborn league. I will give you more details about this when the train stops, but for now you won't be able to just waltz around looking like you do. I am going to keep the pokeball I kept you in so that no one can accidentally capture you either. You're going to need a disguise however. You're going to need to transform into a person. Can you do that?

hrmmm well I can try, but there are only 2 people I have seen so far. You and Giovanni.

Well it would look awfully silly if there were 2 of me walking around. Luckily in Reborn no one really knows who Giovanni is, so I guess that could work.

okay well here goes nothing. Whurble gurble luuuurp splooshp

What holy shit, it worke- **KABOOOOOOM!!!!!!**

Urgg what happened?

They found us.

[Dragon116]

Damn that was a long story. I like the start, and I'm interested to see how it progresses.

[Genesis]

Episode 1: Blending in With a Shocking Society

Sirens blared in the distance with red and blue lights illuminating the train compartment as Ditto came to with Ame watching over. Ditto stared at Ame puzzled and confused as a flashback crossed their thoughts.

Don't worry, it looks as if we arrived at the Peridot station just as the bomb went off. Fortunately the reborn crime unit is located close by and were able to arrive on the scene in time to take 1 of the bombers in for questioning

Uh-

Yes, about that, remember. Remember I said that you would need to disguise yourself as a trainer. Can you please transform into Giovanni again?

Hlllrrrmmm okay, how does that look?

Hmmm. It will do. Now listen. I know the impression you must have of us humans isn't all too good, but we're not all like that. I'm gonna need you to trust me on that. I have asked a few trainers to help you on the quest I have planned, but they do not know that you are a pokemon. So try to keep it that way. They wouldn't understand. Nobody would really understand.

Okay I guess,.. but what is it exactly that I need to do. What's the whole purpose of all of this.

It's difficult to say really. I can only say for now that you need to be patient. I have assigned 2 pokemon to assist you on your quest as well, name them as you see fit. You may need to seek the help of additional members along the road, but you can cross that bridge when you get to it. We really need to get out of this coach though. There's no telling if there are any other bombs on board. When we get out you're gonna meet a young lady by the name of Julia. She has a very uh... vibrant personality. She is dependable though and will be your first challenge on the way forward.

but, I still have some questions-

Like I said, it's difficult to explain that now, you will just have to trust me. By the way, what is your name? I assume you won't be running around as Giovanni?

Well, let's call this figure Jess-man.

That sounds like a good cover name. but what is your name?

uhhhm, I don't really have one....-

I know, what about Shifty?

That's a fantastic name actually. How about you introduce yourself as Jess-man to trainers and to all the pokemon in your party, the one's closest to you, they can address you as Shifty?

I like that idea.

Oh just one more thing by the way before I hurry off. You can be anything you choose to be, whoever you want to be, but. In your challenge I have one request of you and the pokemon you trust. Ensure they are not pokemon who are capable of evolving. Don't ask why. Just do it.

Okay but-

I must get going now, bye.

Alright then, bye I guess... Well I guess I should go meet this Julia person and see what she has to say.

Jess-Man got off the train and met Julia who with her explosive personality and constant booming left Jess-Man a little rattled and shell shocked with each boom bringing back a violent flashback of the nightmarish time at the team rocket facility. Julia advised Jess-Man to meet up with Victoria outside the grand hall and along the way realised just how lucky he was in the train bombing.

Coming to terms with just how little value this team meteor put on a human life Jess-Man shuddered as he turned away and headed to grand hall where he met up with Victoria. As part of the grand ploy, Jess-Man had to pick a starter from the 18 pokemon available. When behind closed doors, Amethyst slipped Jess-Man 2 extra pokeballs for later. Jess-Man picked a Treeko which was later boxed never to be used, but never to be forgotten. As Victoria went up with Ame to choose herself a starter, Jess-Man was approached by a rather peculiar individual named Cain. It seemed Cain had picked up on Jess-Man's sense of style. Cain thought of showing Jess-Man a good time indicating he was going to give him a pounding. Shifty went in to face his Nidoran, quick not to blow their cover they transformed into the enemy Nidoran. Cain to shocked to notice the absence of Jess-man got his butt handed to him good and hard. The battle was tough however on Shifty, and while battered and bruised, there was a rather perverse smile pinned across their face.

I liked that. I liked that a lot.

Cain showed Jess-Man where the instant recharge center was, indicating that this facility would help them go on for as long as they wanted to. Even after they passed the point of no return. Victoria came back down to make sure she got in a turn with Jess-Man before his batteries ran out. She too was taken care, but only barely. Afterwards Amethyst continuing with the ploy handed over some pokegear and a pokedex to Victoria and Jess-Man, pulling Jess_man aside to discuss some things in private with him

Alright, it seems you got your introduction to the world of reborn. As you might have discovered, the battles can be quite intense. There are many challenges ahead that will need you to grow stronger. unfortunately, you're gonna have to start from the bottom and work your way up. I can give you 5 pokeballs and some cash, but you've gotta get the rest yourself. You can win some money in some trainer battles, but be careful since you can lose it very quickly as well.

Oh man, this really isn't going to be easy is it?

Nope. Anyway get going already. I have an interview to watch with the goon they caught earlier responsible for the bombing. Hopefully we can learn some more about team meteor. There's a park outside with some pokemon to test your strength against. You should use the opportunity to introduce yourself to your team members. Just stay away from the right side, there's a mad scientist doing some tests. There are some useful items in the area but you will need to find a way past him to get them.

Got it. Oh and Amethyst...

Yeah?

Thanks, thanks for everything.

Jess-Man headed outside opening the 2 pokeballs

Heyyyy, how you doing? Ah man it feels to be good to be out for a stretch

U-uhm, h-hey, are you Shifty?

Yep, so what are your names?

W-well my na-

The name's Demi-Goddess. I'm kind of a big deal around here, yeah, I am like super powerful. And that there? Well that's Chastity. She probably has an actual name, but nobody pays attention to it. She's the village prude i you know what I mean?

I don't.

Yeah go figure. Anyway, I got word there's a pokemon around the vicinity that could be useful to us. We should go there first.

Okay, well you're the boss~

A-actually you are..

Baby, I can be anything you want me to be

...

...

Uh right, let's just go~

Jess-Man and the crew headed out to rescue a Pachirisu who they named TazerFaze.

From there, they searched Peridot for any more pokemon to enlist, sadly there weren't any. They made a few dollars just to make board for the night and the bare essentials. It had been a long day, everyone was hot and sweaty and nowhere closer to any clarity.They sat huddled and confused in some alleyway getting to know each other while each slowly nodding off. Shifty was the last to doze off, waiting until midnight to get a glimpse of the moon high in the sky.

On the next morning they woke up and decided to explore more of the huge city. They arrived at a factory where they met up with a rather arrogant individual named Fern. They had been training, determined to surpass any potential foes they may have and rightfully so. There was some truth to the garbage he spewed from his pie hole. He was a cut above the rest of the trainers that the team had been facing. Luckily all their training had paid off as they were able to silence the idiot as he stormed off muttering something about "it was their fault, they should be more specific...". Still searching for Julia's gym, they headed in the same direction as Fern left, eventually finding the gym. Only as they were about to enter Julia exploded out, hysterical that her gym was about to be BOOMED. In a frantic panic she asked Jess-Man for his help and gave him directions for where to meet up.

Jess-Man headed to the factory in question where Julia was pacing up and down. A new figure named Florina emerged along with Fern. Her brother. Sadly Jess-Man and his team had to suffer once more listening to the filth that poured from his mouth as he teamed up with him to navigate through the factory. Luckily it didn't take too long to find the source. The Meteors. And it seemed like they wanted to be found. Something was up. It was a trap. Only it was a really badly designed trap seeing as how both Fern and Jess-Man managed to get a victory of Aster and Eclipse. Solaris, a name Jess-Man remembered like the bad after taste after a heavy night drinking and then throwing up. He decided to flee though before Jess-Man could ask any questions. Just as well though, it was better not to blow the cover so early on.

With that out the way, Jess-Man was now free to challenge Julia. He was excited and nervous at the same time. All the reborn leaders had a full team of 6 pokemon. He only had a team of 4. So the team trained and trained. And trained some more until eventually they felt they were ready. They headed to Julia. This was the result

Jess-Man vs Julia

I do apologise since this isn't my normal style of doing gym notes. My internet was down for the last 2 days and I wasn't able to record the whole battle as I usually do.

I will be doing it as normal in future. this was the proceedings though from what I can remember.
Dunsparce took down the Emolga and Helioptile through a combination of yawn's and rollouts.
Pachirisu took out a voltorb
Kelfki took out something and
Ditto won the fight against electrode claiming victory

The team so far

Shifty Level 20 Demi Goddess Level 20 TazerFaze Level 19 Chastity level 19

Edited December 17, 2015 by Genesis

[Genesis]

Wow man I apologise for neglecting this run for so long. As you all know IRL can get in the way and I surprisingly have less time at home than I do at work. It doesn't help that my internet at home was also screwed. Anyway, I will continue putting in update through the week when I have a chance

[Genesis]

Disclaimer: Alright, I have neglected this story for wayyyy too long. Through a combination of shitty internet connection and time issues I haven't had a chance to update this in forever. Because of time constraints I will be changing the writing style a little bit. I will be using character names instead of pics from now on in place of dialogue. I have yet to find a decent image sharing site that allows me to re-access my pics with ease. That and the fact that I have zero artistic talent has made me opt this option as suggested to me by a forumite... If anyone has any better suggestions feel free to voice them. Unfortunately not all the pokemon have sprites in the mystery dungeon format and trying to create one is a lot harder than it seems - well for me anyway. I will still be focusing on the story part of this playthrough and I will still keep the boss battle information as well. I have been playing for a while on and the story has quite a while to catch up with my progress, so I am hoping to have quite a few updates in the near future... with all of that out the way, let the story resume

The team so far

Shifty (Ditto)
DemiGoddess (Dunsparce)
Chastity (Klefki)
Tazerfaze (Pachirisu)
New: Harry (Castform)
New: Deadbeat (Minun)

The team had just beaten Julia and were buzzing off their high. They were battered and bruised but a new found determination had begun to set in. A team so vast and different, yet with very similar background, all they had was each other for now. Jess-Man thanked Julia for the battle and for the badge as he rounded the team up and headed to the gym's exit. As he opened the door a ball of heat wafted in from outside. Jess-man then realised just how long the gym match had actually taken. The heat outside was suffocating even as the sun set in the distance leaving a dull orange glow in the distance over the zinc roofs of the peridot ward. Another familiar sense hit Jess-man as he took another step out of the beautifully air conditioned gym - the scent of filth filled his nostrils. Peridot ward really was a dump, and the smell of sulfur, and other bio-hazardous materials filled the air choking out all sense of hope. Jess-man stared across the ward looking for something he didn't know just quite what yet when Chastity popped out her pokeball to assess the situation. In the clear, Jess-man could ditch the disguise for Shifty.

Chastity: H-hey Shifty, w-what's wrong, you look kind of lost..

Shifty: Well when staring into your eyes it hard not to get lost..

DemiGoddess: I bet that's not the only hard thing around here ~

Shifty: You bet

DemiGoddess: But uh wait, you're like literally just a blob of jello, you're all soft

Shifty: That just means more cushion for the pushin'

DemiGoddess:....

Chastity:... blink blink

Shifty: Anyway enough dicking around - and I swear that wasn't meant to be another terrible pun - but, we are still in pretty much the same position as we were in before we battled Julia.

DemiGoddess: Who I totes smoked!~

Shifty: Actually you were the first to get KOd...

DemiGoddess: Uhhh, no comment

Shifty: Yeah I thought so.. Anyway, like I said, we have very little money, this place reeks of muk and other trubbish, we are sore, we are hungry, we are -

Tazerfaze: -together. We, Are. Together. Before today, I lived a horrible life. I got picked on everyday and had the living shit beat outta me. Today is probably the happiest day of my life.

Shifty: That's true, I didn't really think of that. Considering all our pasts, the fact that we have each other as company is probably the highest part of our lives right now. So happy and yet so sad at the same time.

Tazerfaze: Look, forget about the wounds we received today, we get to hold our heads up high. We won. Who cares if we are sore and hungry. We can head to a pokecentre. And if they won't take us, well, then we will find one of those alleyways we been training in all day and take cover there. Who cares if the conditions aint good, they haven't been good all our lives, why bitch about it now?

Shifty: ...... Yeah. You're right.

Tazerfaze: You goddam know I am.

With that the team heads to the nearest pokecentre to get healed up. The nurse looks at Jess-man in a disgusting manner and begrudgingly takes the pokemon to be healed. Like a teen boy gettin' hot and heavy in the moment the pokeballs are given back in a couple of seconds, Jess-man slouches away from the pokecentre like the walk of shame. The team is hungry, after all, with Tazaerfaze's huge ego consuming them all, who wouldn't be. The next mission is clear and simple. The team is in search of the biggest, most filling, cheapest food they can find. They happen across a dumpster being guarded by a Gulpin. The team notice what's behind him. Food. And not the shitty kind you find hidden between old aunt Murial's fat rolls, the best kind of food - free food. This is a low moment for the team, but when you are hungrier than a rat in a cheese factory who can be picky and besides, have you seen the perfectly good food the NPCs of reborn throw away, no wonder this Gulpin was chilling in a dumpster. Needless to say in a 4 on 1 battle, Gulpin stood no chance. The team wasn't in a sharing mood either. With 2 victories under their belts for the day - belts which had to move a size up thanks to the full bellies - the team went in search of a place to sleep for the night to which they come across an abandoned railway. The railway is filled with some woobat's but it's comfy and cozy and most importantly the team have each other. Night time falls and the ward is engulfed in darkness. Half the bloody street light's don't work and the other half that do constantly flicker. Luckily, no one from the team has epilepsy, otherwise Ame would have a lawsuit on her back.

The moon rises into the sky as midnight passes. Shifty is woken up with a sudden jolt and searing pain of flashbacks. Bubbles of toxic fluid, needles uncomfortably jabbed everywhere and blinding flickers of light causing nausea. And a beep every 10 seconds. The night air is as cold as the sharp edge of a blade, cutting into the senses causing uncontrollable teeth chattering. A complete contrast to the suffocating heat experienced in the day time. The cool also seems to have chilled the air enough to make it feel like breathing actual particles of sulfur. It causes Shifty to puke a little in his mouth. He looks over to the rest of the team sleeping peacefully together. Still rather quite tired and a little numb, Shifty falls back to sleep.

The sun rises the next day and the team is woken up rather forcefully by the sound of buildings crashing to the ground in the distance.

DemiGoddess: What the fuck was that??

Shifty: The sound of your hopes and dreams crashing in the distance~

DemiGoddess: ??

Shifty: The sound of your mom getting up in the morning?

DemiGoddess: ??

Shifty: Alright, I am gonna leave now before I get killed.

DemiGoddess: Yeah you do that.

Chastity: I-it appears as if the city next to peridot is under a-attack-

Tazaerfaze: It will be as soon as we enter

Shifty: Speakin' about entering, would you mind explaining the electric love burn mark left on DemiGoddess?

Tazaerfaze: Uh, It wasn't me

DemiGoddess: why you little-

Shifty: Chill you two I was only playing, next time invite me 'kay?

Chastity: uh g-guys, Obsidia ward is under a-attack-

Tazaerfaze: What's for breakfast?

Shifty: I thought you all were?

DemiGoddess: Uh and what about you?

Shifty: Babe I told you, I can be anything you want me to~

DemiGoddess: Sure, you wouldn't be able to magically transform into a fast food place would you

Shifty: I definitely could, and you would enjoy enjoying eating out too-

Chastity: FFS! THE OBSIDIA WARD IS UNDER ATTACK GODDAMIT!

Shifty: ... Sheesh, clam your uh keys... but yeah, the girl has a point, we should probably head out there and check it out

With that the team gathers and collects themselves all a little flustered at Chastity's outburst and after all who wouldn't be a little overcome by a set of screaming keys.

Jess-man heads out disguise intact, for a very short trip which is cut short by a couple of police officers who deny entry to the Obsidia. Buildings are crumbling in a scene that could give only a young japanese kid a wet dream. Yeah, long dangly green tentacles, everywhere. Hide your wife, hide your kids, because nobody is safe. Th police officers get a direct order from Florina who insists that Jess-man come and assist in the floral orgy. Jess-man shudders in terror at the destruction laid before him. Some lady should have have hid her boyfriend as he was claimed by the tentacle king. There are big gaping holes around the city - and not the kind Jess-man came across in Peridot either, these could literally swallow you whole and then some. Amidst all the turmoil and chaos Jess-man meets up again with Victoria. She too tries to stop Jess-man from assisting in the situation. She clearly didn't get the memo from Florina. Anyway, The team take her on, the scrafty gang and everything else the slums have to throw at them.

When they are free from the slums they discover the source of all the tentacle porn. A Tangrowth, which already looks like a Tangela on acid, but it grows in to a Pulse Tnagrowth, which looks like the Tangela took even more acid - on steroids. Shifty, intrigued by the name "Pulse" decides to try and charm the beast, unfortunately the pokemon is overcome with rare candy rage and Shifty has to cancel date night and kill the pokemon turned feral. (FYI, ditto will transform into the normal pokemon, not the pulse version.

With the city free of tentacles Shifty is a little disappointed by the missed opportunities, but decides to press on.

Some girl overcome with popularity trades her castform to Jess-man for a pokemon too cool for Jess-man's team

And after some more alley-crashing nights Jess-man and the team run into a Minun. That brings the team to an even and full 6.

[Genesis]

Episode 2.1 And Another One Bites the Dust

Jess-man aka Shifty now has a team of 6 pokemon, and a shot at actually taking on Florina. Albeit the team is very disorganised. They spend days and days trying to come up with new strategies and develop synergies, unfortunately DeadVolt (Minun) has been slowing down progress a lot. Jess-man decides to take him aside after a couple of days for a little one on one teaching...

Shifty: Hey Dead Volt, how would you like to join me for a walk

Dead Volt: Sure, where we going boss?

Shifty: Follow me~

Shifty and Dead Volt head up to a roof top where a Pichu is playing the worst game of hide and seek ever. Shifty looks over to Dead Volt who finally makes their way up to the roof, already out of breath, despite having come up an elevator

Shifty: You're not much of a pokemon for fighting are you Dead Volt?

Dead Volt: No sir, I am terrified of confrontation.

Shifty: Well, unfortunately in battle, there's a lot of conflict..

Dead Volt: I know sir, I do, I have been in a few battles - I've never won one - but I am more of a support anyway

Shifty: I see..

Dead Volt, I guess with crummy support like me, it's no wonder I have never won a battle

Shifty: Don't be so harsh on yourself, I never meant anything like that, I just meant that the next battle is gonna be really tough, and I don't want you getting hurt on my account. So if you wanna sit the next battle out I will understand

Dead Volt: No sir! Please don't do that! After what you did for me-

Shifty: It was nothing man, any pokemon would have done the same, really, it was not-

Dead Volt: No! (tears up) It wasn't nothing. To you it may have been nothing, but to me it was everything. I had been battling with my close partner, Plulsle, and something happened where we got separated.. permanently..

Shifty: I am so-

Dead Volt: Don't be. It wasn't your fault. It was mine. I wasn't strong enough that day..

Shifty: Are you ok Dead Volt?

Dead Volt: Yeah I am, although my name isn't actually Dead Volt.

Shifty: wait what? what is it then?

Dead Volt: Patrick.

Shifty: Whu-

Dead Volt: The gang gave me the nickname on account that m attacks have no bite to them.. see? I told you I was weak...

Shifty: Pay them no attention. Listen. I understand. You have a rough background. Everyone on the team does and to be honest, I think they all forget what it was like on their own sometimes..

Dead Volt: What about you, do you forget what it was like?

Shifty: Honestly, I wish I could remember what it was like... Tell you what, let's you and I do some one on one training, I'l be top~

Dead Volt: Top? One on one training -

Shifty: Ahah, just kidding, we'll save that for tonight~

And with that the duo commenced a gruelling training regime. All the while Shifty thought about what Dead Volt had asked, "Do you forget what it was like on your own" for the truth was Shifty remembered all too well. While the events were hazy, the feeling still remained like a hot slap on freshly sunburnt skin, Every night Shifty would be terrorised by flashback accompanied with searing pain. Shifty was happy though to be training Dead Volt, even though everything they tried was an utter failure and Shifty knew that Dead Volt was hopeless, his mind was being kept off of other matters. While Dead Volt failed time and time again, he didn't give up and Shifty admired his determination. The 2 took a break from training as the late afternoon sun begun to slowly descend to the horizon. Shifty looked at Dead Volt who was on his last string, panting and covered in sweat.

Shifty: You know what, I have the perfect job for you

Dead Volt: But I sucked at today's training, I didn't get a single thing right.

Shifty: True, but I have something special in mind for you.

Dead Volt: You do?

Shifty: Yep, in fact it's something only you can do for me.

Dead Volt: What can I do that the others can't

Shifty: Support.

Dead Volt: Oh you mean like with Pom poms and stuff don't you...

Shifty: No. You are going to be needed in battle, but I need to know whether you really are committed to this team, got it?

Dead Volt: I'd be willing to sacrifice myself sir! I'd be willing to be torn limb from limb and fed to a bunch of poochyena

Shifty: That's a bit drastic, but I admire your courage. Now, when the time comes, can I count on you?

Dead Volt: With my life Sir!

Shifty:Fantastic. Oh and just one more thing.

Dead Volt: Yes Sir?

Shifty: Call me Shifty

Dead Volt: Shifty...?

Shifty: Yeah or babe, coolguy118, Giovannishredder29 or whatever ticklers your fancy - wait I guess that would be me

Dead Volt: ......

Dead Volt: Thank you Shifty, thank you for believing in me and giving me a chance. I promise you you won't regret it.

Shifty: I know..

And with that Dead Volt fainted on the spot, Shifty transformed into Jess-man and picked him up gently and walked back to the rest of the team who had taken refuge in the Obsidia gardens. Thanks to the turmoil caused by the tentacle freak none of the humans were brave enough to enter the garden again. All that remained were a handful of pokemon traumatized either by the Pulse Tanngrowth or beatings from the Jess-man team. When Shifty returned to the group they all huddled around a comfy patch of grass. It had been a long hot day, but luckily that heat carried through the night keeping the team in comfort. When the sun rose everyone woke with determination and confidence. They were ready to take on their next gym leader challenge.

The team set off towards the Onyx trainer school and were about to enter when Fern the grasshole pulled a Gandalf claiming that they would not gain entry. No worries though, being a bit of a master on the issue, Jess-man headed the team to the rear entry battling through hordes of feces-like trainers. When they finally broke through the puzzle and were about to enter the gym floor to take on Florina, Fern popped up again like a stubborn weed. If Jess-man weren't afraid of talking to anything non-pokemon he probably would have told Fern he was becoming a thorn in his side. Luckily Jess-man knew several ways to deal with stubborn weeds and unwanted bushes. He uprooted Fern and broke his determination from the stem up. Fern knew he could not stand up to Jess-man in his current level so he scampered off with his tail between his legs claiming that victory would be his some day.

It was finally time. Shifty gathered the team around and briefed them on their responsibilities. The mission was clear. They had one chance to get this right.

Klefki vs Cacturne.

• Metal sound x2 from Klefki and teeter dance from Cacturne
• Draining kiss from Klefki and faint attack from Cacturne
• Super potion to cacturne, and Klefki hurts herself
• Another metal sound and cacturne counters with faint attack
• Draining Kiss KOs cacturne

Castform vs Grotle

• Sunny day and stealth rock are set up
• Weather ball KOs Grotle

Castform vs Breloom

• Weather ball KO. Level Up

Castform vs Tropius

• Ignores orders and get hit with Toxic
• Weather Ball KOs
• Level Up. Again

Dunsparce vs Gourgeist

• Willow wisp from Gourgeist and Dunsparce uses a hex
• Bullet seed to Dunsparce she tries a Yawn but doesn't work #cosinsomnia
• Bulletseed KOs Dunsparce

Klefki vs Gourgest

• Metal sound, Shadow sneak
• Draining Kiss willow wisp
• Draining Kiss KO
• Level Up

Chastity vs Cradilily

• Turns away. Rock slide
• Metal sound, rock slide misses
• Metal Sound, rock slide misses
• Turn away rockslide
• Turn away giga drain
• Draining kiss rock slide
• Turn away sandstorm
• Metal Sound, rock slide misses
• Draining Kiss, Giga drain crits
• Die to burn damage

TazerFaze vs Cradiliy

• Muzzle to paralyze, rock slide
• Iron tale, rock slide
• Die to sandstorm damage

Shifty vs Cradilily

• runs out of PP to do anything, stale mate, eventually dies

Now is Dead Volt's time to shine. Shifty shouts to him to get in to position. The 2 exchange glances and Shifty faints as he throws a super potion to Castfrom as Dead Volt is hit by a lethal Smack Down.

Casform vs Cradilily

• Castform is already 2 levels above cap. He can barely understand his power and with Shifty down and out, he;s going solo.
• He hails while Cradilily giga drains
• His power mounts to boiling point as he lets off a weather ball haphazardly. It zooms in the opposite direction, makes a curve, then a 360 as he it comes in from behind to wallop Cradilily for the KO

Castform is the only one left standing after the battle,. But the team has won. Everyone starts slowly coming to, except Dead Volt. Shifty heads over to his lifeless body and tries to wake him, shaking him violently, the shaking stops and turns into trembling. Shifty drops his head as tears stream down his face landing on Dead Volt's body leaving little crackles from the static left behind...

The team leaves the gym, Florina not uttering a word. The team has won, but at what cost.......

Highlights of Chapter 2 in pics:

Posted in loving memory of Patrick AKA Dead Volt #RIP #GONETOOSOON

Edited January 23, 2016 by Genesis

[Shad_]

You wrote "Cottonee" instead of "Cacturne" for the first battle, for the rest great job

[Genesis]

You know this isn't a nuzlocke, right?

Since it is my run, yes, yes I do know that. It takes away the fun of the joke when you have to explain it, but here goes. Minum is particularly weak. And since I don't plan on ever using it again I wrote it out the story as I did its counterpart plusle. Instead of just neglecting it completely, I decided to make it look a little more heroic. Considering the fact that it single handedly allowed me to get off a heal, it was the reason I beat Florina as many know is already tough enough in regular Reborn.

TL:DR Minum was not the hero I wanted, but the hero I deserved. He shall forever be etched in to the history books from hereon

You wrote "Cottonee" instead of "Cacturne" for the first battle, for the rest great job

Thanks! I thought something looked a bit fishy. I documented the battle back in December already and it was midnight. Thanks for pointing it out, fixed it

[Dragon116]

Nice epitome for Minun. A slow bit of progress, but it's getting there.