The Adoption Centre

[Prof.Enigma]

Leo: Adoption Confirmed!

Ironthunder: Adoption Confirmed!

[Missingno. Master]

Originally Posted by Prof.Enigma

New Pokémon have been found outside of the Adoption Centre! Take one home today!!

($200) Lv. 01 (F) Rhyhorn

The weather was absolutely terrible in Sludge Wave Coast that day. Rain was falling in torrential downpours, the wind was howling like a Mightyena, and it was horribly, horribly cold. The sort of day on which nobody in their right mind would willingly be outside, and dare I even suggest, the sort of day on which one might even not want to be in town.

So it was a pretty good thing for the Masterses that it was a beautiful day in Kalos, because today, that's where they were.

"Wow, yikes," Keith chuckled, glancing at his PokéGear as he and his wife and daughter walked together down the streets of Santalune City. "Gav reports that the weather back home is horrendous."

"Was that his exact wording?" inquired Willa.

Keith chuckled again. "Dear, we're talking about Gavin Duking Golurkson here," he grinned. "You know good and well that wasn't his exact wording."

"Ehh, it kinda was if youse censors all da swearwords," Meowth chimed in fairly, sitting in his usual spot on Keith's shoulder.

"Indeed," Willa nodded slowly. "I suppose, then, that we picked a good time to come out here, then."

"Definitely," Maribel agreed with a nod. "Especially considering how nice the weather is here! I can't wait- I've never seen a Rhyhorn race before!"

"Nor have I, sweetie," Keith admitted.

"I haven't seen one in many years," Willa stated with a small smile. "Mother would take me to watch them every so often before I became a Trainer."

"I certainly did," came a voice from behind them all. At once, they all wheeled around to see someone standing there, smiling at the family.

"Hi, Grandma!" smiled Maribel, running up and hugging Diantha. It still felt weird to Diantha, to be called Grandma when she really wasn't too old just yet. But then, considering the three Masterses before her were all ten years older than they would have normally been at this point, it did make sense in a way. And even discounting that, Diantha couldn't help but smile and hug her granddaughter back.

"Hello, Mother," Willa said as she and Keith approached Diantha as well. "I didn't know you would be here today as well."

"Nor did I know you guys would be here today," Diantha responded. "You didn't hear this from me," she added in a quiet tone of voice, he smile widening somewhat as she spoke, "but I'll be starring in an upcoming movie where I play a professional Rhyhorn racer. So I figured coming out to watch more of these Rhyhorn races would be a nice way to do some research for my role."

"Hey, that's awesome," Keith grinned, likewise keeping his voice down.

"Indeed," Willa nodded in agreement. "I can't wait to see it."

"Yeah, that'll be cool," smiled Maribel. "Mom and Dad have been showing me so many of the movies you've been in, Grandma, and they're always awesome."

"You're too kind," smiled Diantha. "Well, filming doesn't even start for a few months, so it'll be a while, to say the least. But enough about that- today's race should be starting soon, so why don't we all find seats?"

"Sounds like a plan," Keith stated. Willa said nothing, but led the way onward all the same, a smile on her face.

Not long after, the family had found the perfect spot in the stands- a nice chunk of unoccupied space in the first two rows. Diantha and Maribel took their seats in the front row while Keith and Willa sat behind them.

"So, compared to the race course Mother always took me to in Kiloude, this one is actually quite small," Willa was saying to Keith.

"Small?" Keith repeated, glancing around- the race course he was currently laying eyes upon could hardly be called small!

Willa nodded. "Small," she said firmly, smirking at the look on her husband's face. "Trust me. On this particular one, I believe much of the course cuts through the nearby forest." As she said this, she gestured to a large screen set up not far from what appeared to be a starting line, that seemed to be showing live video feed of various portions of the course that, indeed, appeared to cut through the forest. "Rhyhorn races are a single lap, so the course is quite lengthy."

Diantha nodded. "Exactly correct," she stated. "Pay attention, now, Maribel- the Rhyhorn and their riders should be approaching the starting line any minute now."

"So, is there any real way to tell them apart?" Maribel asked.

"Oh, yes," Diantha nodded again. "The riders wear different-colored outfits, and each Rhyhorn has a number displayed on its sides. In fact, there they are, see for yourself," she added, for indeed, half a dozen Rhyhorn were lumbering their way to the starting line. And as Maribel could see, true to her grandmother's word, each one had a number visible on their side, from 1 to 6, and each Rhyhorn's rider sported a different color racing outfit.

"Oooh," Maribel murmured. She took out her Rotom Phone and aimed it at one of the Rhyhorn.

"Rhyhorn, the Spikes Pokémon. A Ground and Rock-type," said Rotom. "Rhyhorn charges with great power, but is so stupid it immediately forgets why it started charging in the first place."

"Rotom, come on, now," frowned Maribel.

"Hey, that one's actually true!" Rotom shot back. "Seriously, some of these Pokémon make it almost too easy!"

"Even still, that's so rude," persisted Maribel sternly.

"Oh, come on, they can't even hear me," said Rotom. "Besides, it's not like I'm doing something as stupid as sassing a Magikarp- that right there is a one-way ticket to getting eaten by a Gyarados."

"Even. Still," Maribel repeated all the more firmly.

"Spoilsport," Rotom grumbled, though as he said this he willingly flew right back into Maribel's bag and said no more on the matter.

At that moment, however, the speakers roared to life. "Hello, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to today's Rhyhorn race!" the announcer's voice echoed all around. "Today's riders have made their way to the starting line... mostly," he added weakly, for everyone could see that not all the Rhyhorn were at the starting line yet- the one who bore the number four and whose rider wore a bright orange outfit seemed far more interested in a patch of flowers growing nearby than the race, despite its rider's clear irritation. Eventually, the rider was able to get his Rhyhorn to focus and approach the starting line along with the others. "...anyway, now that all the Rhyhorn and riders are ready, let the race begin!" the announcer continued. And with that, the official standing just beside the starting line waved a green flag, and the Rhyhorn took off!

"There they go!" Keith grinned as the Rhyhorn took off. "Ooh, wow, number five's got a good lead already!"

"Hm, that doesn't necessarily mean anything, though," Willa stated, eyeing the Rhyhorn intently. "A good start is meaningless without the stamina to maintain that pace. Slow and steady truly does win the race sometimes, you know." Indeed, as she said this, number six, who had been steadily maintaining its spot in second place, began to overtake number five, whose pace had not kept up with that from its initial sprint.

"And number five is slowly losing its lead to number six," the announcer was commentating. "And behind them, number one and number three are neck and neck, and then number two... and in dead last, number four, who could not be less interested in this if it tried!" Indeed, after a rather pitiful sprint to start with, Rhyhorn number four was clearly not giving this race everything it had. The best that could be said was that it was staying on the track, though it seemed more interested in the natural beauty of the surrounding area than in, y'know, racing. A sentiment it did not seem to share with its rider, to put it mildly.

"Oh, dear," Diantha remarked, sounding mildly amused as Rhyhorn number four stopped to sniff some roses. The rider's screams of frustration echoed throughout the area. "I certainly hope nobody was betting any money on number four to win," she chuckled.

"Hm," frowned Maribel. "I don't think that Rhyhorn likes racing very much."

"Yeah, I see what you mean, sweetie," Keith nodded. "Looks like it's more interested in its surroundings than in actually beating the other Rhyhorn."

"Well, you do get that sometimes," Diantha shrugged.

"Indeed," Willa nodded. "Just as people have vastly different tastes and preferences, so too do Pokémon. Not all Rhyhorn would be interested in Rhyhorn racing."

The race continued on for some time as the Rhyhorn went out of view, leaving it to the cameras set up throughout the forest to catch the action. And number four always seemed to be at least one camera behind the others- the cameras all caught this Rhyhorn stopping to do such things as smell flowers, drink water from the nearby river, burst into tears as the rider tried to get it to focus on the race, and in one instance, stopped to sniff the camera curiously. "Aww~" Maribel smiled as she saw this. "I like that Rhyhorn."

"You might well be the only one," Diantha murmured, glancing around- the crowd seemed to be booing number four every chance they got.

"Hm," Maribel frowned.

Finally, the Rhyhorn came back into view as they ran for the finish line. Number six crossed the finish line first, having well and truly taken the lead. Number five wasn't too far behind. After that, numbers two and three tied for third place, and then number one... and a full five minutes after number one crossed the finish line, number four lumbered into view, but almost immediately seemed to shy away as the crowd erupted in a fresh wave of boos and jeers. Maribel's mouth fell open; she looked appalled at the crowd. The rider was screaming for number four to at least cross the freaking finish line, but this only seemed to deter the Rhyhorn all the more, until the Spikes Pokémon burst into noisy tears, stopping where it stood.

"...now, what's this?" the announcer spoke up. "It seems number four has lost the will to finish the race at all, and in fact looks distraught!"

Number four's rider was losing his mind. No longer on his Rhyhorn's back, he was jumping up and down, screaming at the Rhyhorn, who wouldn't even look at him as it continued bawling. He looked about ready to rip his hair out in sheer frustration.

Maribel could take no more. "Leave it alone!" she yelled at the crowd. "Can't you see it doesn't like racing?" For the most part, nobody paid her any attention; several people nearby made dismissive scoffing sounds before resuming their jeering; and the rider, of course, was too busy yelling and screaming to really have heard any of that. Rhyhorn, on the other hand, seemed to take notice of Maribel's words, and much to the extreme displeasure of its rider, lumbered over to the stands, grunting inquisitively as it sniffed at Maribel. Maribel's anger melted away as she leaned forward and pet the Rhyhorn. "You don't like this, do you?" she murmured. "All this with the racing? And that's OK- it looks fun and all, but it's not for everybody. At this, Rhyhorn gave a happy grunt, and to the shock and alarm of those nearby, reared up, putting its front legs on the wall in front of the stands, and nuzzled Maribel affectionately yet carefully. Giggling at this, Maribel pet the Rhyhorn.

"THAT TEARS IT! I QUIT!" screeched number four's rider. Everyone turned to look as the man stomped the ground furiously. He took a Safari Ball out, yanked the halves apart, and in his fervor, actually bit a chunk of the top half off, chewing it with considerable effort that he almost certainly would have rethought were he in his right mind. Eventually, he spat the piece of Safari Ball out and stormed over to Maribel and Rhyhorn. "Three months!" he exclaimed wildly. "Three months I've been trying to work with this thing, this was gonna be my big Rhyhorn racing debut, and this absolute oaf can't even grasp the simple concept of a race! It's a race! You're supposed to go fast!"

Maribel crossed her arms, frowning at the man. "This Rhyhorn clearly doesn't like racing," she said. "You're forcing it into something it doesn't want to do."

"Doesn't want- what-" spluttered the man. "Do you- do you think I- little girl, do you think I give two shits of a Patrat's ass what this thing wants? This Rhyhorn is fast! Fast, I tell you! A racing natural! And yet, nothing! I'm gonna be a laughingstock after this, and you think I ought to care what this thing wants-"

"That's quite enough," Diantha interrupted. The riled-up Rhyhorn racer turned to see that Diantha, Keith, and Willa had all stood up, and they were all regarding the man with supreme distaste. "This little girl is my granddaughter, and she happens to be right. What the Pokémon wants matters immensely."

At this point, the racetrack's security team began to converge on the rider. However, he was quick to take notice of this, and even quicker to react. "Oh, come on, get away from me!" he shouted.

"Come on, buddy, time to get out of here," said one of the security guards, an Arcanine by his side.

"But- but I haven't- I haven't finished the race yet!" the man replied, almost pleadingly. "Come on, you gotta let me finish the-"

"Finish the race? Dude, you're disqualified!" exclaimed another security guard. "The officials have never seen such unsportsmanlike conduct in their lives-"

"Disqualifi- what- oh, hell, no!" exclaimed the man. "No! Come on! Rhyhorn racing is my life!"

"Well, then, you're really not gonna like this next part, because you're banned from this racetrack for life," said the first security guard as they grabbed hold of the man and made to escort him off the premises. By which I mean they dragged him, kicking and screaming and carrying on as though he was a fraction of his age.

One of the men who was out there as well did not go with the security guards. Instead, he turned to the Rhyhorn, only to see it nuzzling Maribel, who had resumed petting it. He looked at this for a moment, then turned to where the chunks of Safari Ball still rested on the ground, then back to Maribel and Rhyhorn. "...folks, I'd like to apologize for this pathetic display of unsportsmanlike conduct," he said to the crowd. "This is most certainly not what Rhyhorn racing is about, and you can rest assured that that man will never be competing in this venue again. Ah- miss Diantha," he added, upon realizing the crowd he was addressing included the region's former League Champion. "Once again, as the owner of the Santalune Rhyhorn Racetrack, I'd like to profusely-"

"It's quite alright," Diantha reassured the man, cutting his apology short. "I have seen enough Rhyhorn racing in my day to know good and well this is not the norm."

"Not the norm, indeed," agreed the owner. He then glanced at Maribel, as well as her parents. "...your family?" he asked Diantha.

Diantha nodded. "My daughter Willa, her husband Keith, and my granddaughter Maribel," she confirmed.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you all," the owner said. "Though I do apologize that it's under such circumstances as these. Pierre Drillrun, owner of the Santalune Rhyhorn Racetrack, and I'd like to know if there's anything I can do to make up for what you had to witness today."

"...Mr. Drillrun?" said Maribel. "There is one thing. Um... that man released this Rhyhorn, right? I saw him destroying a Safari Ball..."

"...oh, indeed," murmured Pierre Drillrun, who turned and saw the chunks of Safari Ball littering the ground where the rider had thrown that particular portion of his tantrum. "Yes, yes, it does in fact seem so, little girl, why do you ask?"

"...well, it clearly has no interest in Rhyhorn racing," said Maribel. "I was wondering if you would allow me to catch it?"

"Rhyyyy?" Rhyhorn gasped with delight. It turned to face the owner, eyes wide with hope, grunting pleadingly, in a display that seemed to elicit warm chuckles from even those who had been booing the same Rhyhorn a little while ago.

Pierre couldn't help but smile and chuckle at this absurdly adorable display. "...Rhyhorn's certainly made its stance clear," he said finally. "And as it happens, I agree with what I heard you say earlier, about what the Pokémon wants mattering most. And in any case, technically this is now a wild Rhyhorn, so if you were so inclined, it would be out of my hands anyway," he added with a grin.

Maribel smiled back. "Thank you, sir," she said politely, before turning to Rhyhorn, producing a Poké Ball from her bag. "What do you say, Rhyhorn?" she inquired, holding out the sphere. "I promise, no racing," she chuckled.

"Rhyyyy!" Rhyhorn exclaimed at once with tears of joy, tapping the button on the ball with its horn. The ball sucked Rhyhorn inside and barely wobbled in Maribel's hand before falling completely still.

A pinging sound from within Maribel's bag prompted her to dig out her Rotom Phone. "Rhyhorn has been registered to your Pokédex!" said Rotom.

~~~~~

"...This was not what I was expecting from my first time at a Rhyhorn race," Keith chuckled, once they had left the racetrack and were heading back to their hotel in Santalune City.

"I don't believe it was what anyone had expected." Willa chuckled. "Though I hope you all had a good time?" she inquired.

"Oh, for sure," Keith nodded. "I wouldn't mind coming back to see more of these."

"And I'm pretty pleased with how today went, too," smiled Maribel, still looking at the Poké Ball in her hand.

"I would imagine," chuckled Diantha, who was walking with the Masterses. "I have no doubt that Rhyhorn will be far happier with you, Maribel."

"I'm inclined to agree," nodded Willa. "Mother, would you be able to join us for dinner before returning home? Our own flight back to Sludge Wave Coast won't be until tomorrow in any case."

"Certainly," smiled Diantha. And with that, they headed down the streets of Santalune, in search of a good restaurant.

OOC: Adopting the Rhyhorn. No nickname, declaring Rock Head as her Ability, and housing her in Poké Ball #10 of 10. Payment: ₽200

[Heather]

Catharine found herself coming back to the Adoption Center once again. After receiving the Center's latest bulletin of new arrivals, her eyes had landed on a particular bullet point.

Originally Posted by Prof.Enigma

($200) Lv. 01 (M) Larvitar

It wasn't a mere Larvitar that this bullet point reminded her of, though. No, it reminded her of someone just about anyone from Orre would know in some form. The Trainer who had overcome Cipher's first incarnation, and the Tyranitar he had purified after rescuing it from the organization's branch head, Evice. That Tyranitar had been wickedly strong, and Catharine had had the pleasure of seeing it a few times during the colosseum events her parents had taken her to see, and she had spent many a day wishing she could one day train a Pokemon so powerful. The chance for what would become such a dependable and powerful Pokemon couldn't be passed up, she decided, and she immediately got ready to head out, before someone else got to it.

Catharine gave a sigh of relief once she walked in the door, as her eyes landed on the sleeping form of the Larvitar she was after in one of the pens at the far side of the space. Oddly enough, it seemed to be sleeping peacefully...on top of an empty soil bag, that looked like it had been chewed through. Catharine withdrew her P★DA, and the device helpfully brought up Larvitar's Strategy Memo.

Larvitar, the Rock Skin Pokemon. Raised on nutrients it finds in the dirt, it eats roughly a mountain’s worth of dirt before it becomes a pupa. the device read, at which Catharine chuckled.

If there was one thing Climber's Canyon had plenty of, it was dirt. Catharine supposed she could handle the little beastie.

"Excuse me? I'd like to take this one home, please."

(OOC: Adopting this baby kaiju terror! Naming him Earthquake, placing him in Poke Ball 4 of 5, and declaring his Ability as Sand Veil. Payment here.

[Lil'twick]

MM: Adoption Confirmed!

Heather: Adoption Confirmed!

[Raves]

Originally Posted by Lil'twick

Pokémon available for adoption!

($200) Lv. 01 (F) Snorunt

Whim cannot be contained.

Adopting this lass. Payment and placing in this Snow Ball (1 of 2)

[Lil'twick]

Raves: Adoption Confirmed!

[Lil'twick]

New Pokémon have been found outside of the Adoption Centre! Take one home today!!

($200) Lv. 01 (M) Bruxish
($200) Lv. 01 (F) Clobbopus
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Dwebble
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Impidimp
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Morelull
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Wynaut

[PippiTallsocks]

200 for impidimp please <3 putting this good boy in a pokeball for now.

[CyberBlastoise]

Originally Posted by Lil'twick

New Pokémon have been found outside of the Adoption Centre! Take one home today!!

($200) Lv. 01 (M) Bruxish
($200) Lv. 01 (F) Clobbopus
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Dwebble
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Impidimp
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Morelull
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Wynaut

Let me tell you trying to fix a quote on mobile is hell. Anyways adopting the Clobberpus.
Here's my payment. And putting it in a poke ball

[ShadowDRGN]

Originally Posted by Lil'twick

New Pokémon have been found outside of the Adoption Centre! Take one home today!!

($200) Lv. 01 (M) Bruxish
($200) Lv. 01 (F) Clobbopus
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Dwebble
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Impidimp
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Morelull
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Wynaut

Adopting the Bruxish and putting him in a Poke Ball!

Payment here!

[Lil'twick]

PippiTallsocks: Adoption Confirmed!

CyberBlastoise: Adoption Confirmed!

ShadowDRGN: Adoption Confirmed!

[Zorchic]

Originally Posted by Lil'twick

Pokémon available for adoption!
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Furfrou

Adopting the Furfrou for $200 and putting him in Pokéball #1 out of 10. Thanks! Declaring his Ability to be Fur Coat.

[Lil'twick]

Zorchic: Adoption Confirmed!

[Saiza]

Originally Posted by Lil'twick

Pokémon available for adoption!
($200) Lv. 01 (F) Bidoof[/COLOR]

Y'know what? I didn't think this would be my first Pokemon of 2022, but here we are!

Putting her in my lone 1x 2016 Engraved PokéCon PokéBall.

Payment = $200

[Lil'twick]

Saiza: Adoption Confirmed!

[Missingno. Master]

Originally Posted by Lil'twick

Pokémon available for adoption!
($200) Lv. 01 (F) Koffing



Trainers may adopt again on this date:
Missingno. Master:: January 13th, 2022

It was a beautiful morning, even on the sprawling grounds of the old Hidden Mansion, a plot of land known less and less for aforementioned mansion and more and more as an old neighborhood, once bustling with the Secret Bases of many a Trainer, back in the days of Fizzytopia's old Elite Four and their weirdly specific real estate laws. Was it bizarre? Oh, lord, yes. But it was those laws that led to Keith calling this place his home once upon a time, and so to return here, it always filled him with a sense of fond nostalgia.

"...you really did enjoy living here, didn't you?" observed Willa Masters. She was holding her husband's hand at this moment as the whole family walked among the dead and dying trees.

"I certainly did," Keith nodded. "You and Maribel, you've seen the photos in Hermione's photo album, you know how the old place looked, but... man, I wish you guys could've seen it in person, as it once was. Wasn't much compared to what we got now, but for years, it was what I called home."

Willa nodded in response. She couldn't entirely relate- what little of her journey came before meeting Keith that fateful day, she had spent her nights in hotel rooms, Pokémon Center rooms, and once she'd been recruited into Team Turnback, whatever rooms could be provided at their various hideouts. It wasn't until she had moved into the Poisonous Palace that she truly began to feel like she had a home since leaving Kiloude City. Nevertheless, she could absolutely tell that this held so many fond memories for Keith.

However, aforementioned old place, the Poisonous Paradise, they weren't actually headed there. Well, sort of. See, there was the minor issue of that old treehouse, as well as the tree it was housed on, having been totally destroyed. First by a souped-up Shadow Sky from Stewie's bid at world domination, that was a whole thing, and later on, the self-destruct mechanism of the machine Stewie had used to soup up aforementioned Shadow Sky ended up vaporizing the remnants in the explosion, leaving naught but a crater in the ground. That crater, you see, was their destination.

Keith's smile widened as they approached the place. It was slightly bittersweet, to see one's old home having been reduced to naught but a literal hole in the ground. But on the other hand, that which called that crater home to this day, that was very much a welcome and nostalgic sight in and of itself. Indeed, a highly energetic Normal Form Weezing zoomed out of the crater to greet Keith, who pulled the hyperactive Poison-type into a hug. "Ah, Pepperspray, it's been too long!" Keith smiled.

"Weez, Weezing weez!" Pepperspray responded happily. Pepperspray, a Weezing Keith once owned as a Koffing, but sadly, there came the time where he had to give up the Koffing, back in times of limited PC storage space and tough decisions. Some time ago, however, the Masterses made the surprising discovery that not only had Pepperspray been living in the wild for years now, but he'd evolved into Weezing, and now had a family of his own.

"Hello!" Maribel said gleefully- she had, of course, come with her parents as well, and was thrilled to see all of Pepperspray's children again, as the various Koffing swarmed her in happy greeting- very clearly, they all remembered her. Bringing up the rear was a female Weezing, Pepperspray's mate, both heads smiling as they looked on at their visitors.

"Heh... alright," Keith stated, taking a Poké Ball off his belt. "Ready to see how your boy is doing?" he asked Pepperspray.

"Weez Weezing weez," nodded Pepperspray, looking quite excited as his mate floated up alongside.

"I think you'll be surprised," Willa remarked.

"Oh, indeed," Keith nodded, throwing the ball. "Pepper, come on out!" he exclaimed.

The Poké Ball split open, and in a flash of light, Pepper and Spray emerged, the Galarian Weezing's smokestacks towering above them all. "Weezing weez!" Pepper exclaimed gleefully.

Pepperspray's eyes bulged. "WEEZING weez?!" he exclaimed in surprise, floating over to his son. His mate followed close behind, and they hovered around Pepper and Spray. The gaseous mustaches, the ridiculously tall smokestacks emitting fresh air, the pair of Normal Form Weezing eyed these different details curiously. It wasn't long until the Koffing joined in, surprised at how their brother had evolved. Before long, however, once the initial shock wore off, there were smiles all around, and the Koffing began playing with their older brother.

"Yeah, I don't tink I needs ta translate ta tell youse, but ain't none o' dem had seen dat comin'," Meowth purred. Meowstic meowed in quiet agreement by his side.

"I'm not surprised," nodded Maribel. "Even Dad didn't know about Galarian Weezing until Pepper evolved."

"You're not wrong, sweetie," Keith agreed. "Maribel, you having fun playing with the Koffing?"

"Yeah!" smiled Maribel. "They've really grown up a lot since the last time we saw them, too. Dad, um... do you think maybe this time, one of them might..."

"That's for Pepperspray and his family to decide," Keith said firmly, though with a smile nonetheless. "Sometimes, the Trainer chooses the Pokémon. Sometimes, the Pokémon chooses the Trainer. But in the-"

"-in the most ideal situations, the Pokémon and Trainer choose each other," Maribel finished, nodding.

Keith nodded back. "Attagirl," he said with a proud smile.

"Indeed," Willa nodded in agreement. "I don't know whether the Koffing are any more ready to leave the nest than they were last time, but I'm certain we'll find out before the day is done."

Maribel nodded. "I promise I'll respect their decisions, even if none of them want to go with me," she said.

Keith nodded approvingly. "Spoken like a real Pokémon Trainer," he said. "We- LOOK OUT!" he exclaimed suddenly, pulling Maribel out of the way, and not a moment too soon, for an intense Flamethrower flew right through where Maribel had been standing mere seconds ago! "What in the-" he began, before turning to see a vaguely familiar sight crawling down into the crater. "Is that-"

"-the same Centiskorch from last time? I believe so," Willa confirmed.

"Ccccenti! Centiskoooorch!" Centiskorch hissed angrily.

"Eh, sounds ta me like Flatso ova dere's lookin' ta boot out all da Koffing and Weezing, claim dis crater fer itself!" Meowth translated.

"Weez Weezing!" frowned Pepperspray, flying over with great haste. His mate and their children, Pepper and Spray included, all followed, until the Centiskorch was surrounded by irate Poison-types.

"Ceh heh heh," snickered Centiskorch. "SKOOOOOOOORCH!" it bellowed. And then, as if on cue (which it basically was), a dozen more Centiskorch crawled into view, peering into the crater.

"Ah, he's brought reinforcements, I see!" Keith declared. "All right, Pepper, Spray, let's do this!"

"Weezing weez!" the Galarian Weezing declared, floating forward to try and defend their old home.

"Meowstic, prepare to fight!" Willa stated.

"Mrrrowstic!" growled Meowstic, stepping forward.

"Meowth, you too!" Keith stated.

"Dat's right!" grinned Meowth.

Maribel threw a Poké Ball of her own. "Come out- Rhyhorn!" she exclaimed, and sure enough, her Rhyhorn materialized in a flash of light.

And the battle began! At their apparent leader's command, all Centiskorch let loose further Flamethrowers. Pepperspray and his mate were quick to defend, belching out thick clouds of Smog, causing the Flamethrower attacks to explode back on their senders.

"Get right in there, Pepper!" Keith declared, his Galarian Weezing already flying towards the slightly disheveled horde of Centiskorch. "Use Brutal Swing!"

"Weez... weez... weez... weez weez weez weezweezweezweezweezweezweezweezweezweezweezweez WEEZING!" Pepper and Spray exclaimed, spinning in circles as they swept their smokestacks around in circles, pummeling multiple Centiskorch at once. This caused the Centiskorch to disperse, but they began to converge on the group once more.

"Meowstic, Sucker Punch attack!" Willa ordered, pointing to a Centiskorch who looked about ready to Lunge at the Psychic-type.

"Mrrrrow!" meowed Meowstic, landing a sudden, violent blow on the Centiskorch, stopping the Lunge attack before it could start.

Keith smirked as he saw a pair of Centiskorch advancing on Meowth, each ready to land a forceful Fire Lash. "Meowth, use Fury Swipes!" he ordered.

"It's on!" Meowth declared, claws extended as he lunged. "I'm gonna shred dese guys inta slightly smaller ribbons den dey already are!"

Maribel was quick to notice that yet another Centiskorch had gotten in, and had Wrapped one of the Koffing with its long, flat body. "Rhyhorn, save it! Use Scary Face!" she ordered.

"RHYYYYY!" Rhyhorn bellowed, making the scariest face she could muster, being careful to focus this on the Centiskorch and not its victim.

"CENTIIIII!" screeched Centiskorch, involuntarily letting go of the Koffing, who was quick to hide behind Maribel. "Centiiiiskorch!" it then exclaimed, striking with a sudden Fire Lash. While not very effective, Rhyhorn gave a gasp, tears coming to her eyes.

"Rhyhorn, use Brine!" Maribel commanded at once.

"...RHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYHYHYHYHYYYYY!" bawled Rhyhorn, letting fly high-pressure jets of tears from her eyes, striking the Centiskorch for super effective damage that got it to scuttle away from the battle as a whole.

"Koffing..." the Koffing murmured wonderingly, looking up at the human defending it.

Maribel turned around, giving the Koffing a reassuring smile. "You're OK now," she said.

"Koffing! Koffing!" Koffing smiled happily in response.

The battle raged on in this manner for a few more minutes- Pepperspray's side had been enjoying the advantage from basically the start, and that was only becoming more pronounced over time. Several other Centiskorch wised up and fled- eventually, all that remained was their ringleader and five others. Battered, weary, but nowhere near ready to call it quits, they hissed angrily at their adversaries.

Keith and Meowth exchanged looks. "Wanna finish this off?" Keith asked.

"Youse knows it," Meowth purred.

With that, Keith adjusted the brim of his Mega Hat, holding up the Dynamax Band on his wrist in the process. The Wishing Star within reacted to his desires, and sent an energy flowing into Meowth's Gigantaband. This triggered a transformation, and in no time at all, the relatively diminutive stood ready to finish the job! "Let's do dis!" Meowth exclaimed, his voice strangely echoey now.

"Skooooorch..." the Centiskorch all hissed, now sounding uncertain.

"Centi," scoffed the ringleader, unimpressed by Meowth's transformation.

"Heh," grinned Keith, before gesturing towards the Centiskorch. "Time to make 'em pay, Meowth! Full-power G-Max Gold Rush, go!!!"

Now the Centiskorch looked worried, and rightly so, for the ground beneath them began to crack, said cracks aglow with power. And then, suddenly, a great geyser of energy and coins erupted from beneath them, sending the Radiator Pokémon flying far into the distance!

"Whew," Willa sighed in relief as Meowth returned to his normal self. "That was certainly intense."

"Indeed it was, my dear," Keith agreed. "Pepper, Spray, Meowth, good work from all of you."

"Meowstic, you were fantastic," Willa added, carefully petting the Restraint Pokémon.

"You too, Rhyhorn," smiled Maribel, petting the Spikes Pokémon, who had by now almost completely calmed down.

"Weezing. Weezing weez," Pepperspray stated, addressing the Masters family with a pair of grateful smiles.

Keith didn't even wait for Meowth to translate. "We were happy to help," he smiled back. "This might not be my home anymore, but it's still a home to those I care about. You bet I'll still help defend it."

"And I might never have lived here," added Willa. "But I don't need to have to see its importance to you."

"There's no way we were gonna let those Centiskorch bullies have their way," agreed Maribel.

At that moment, one of the Koffing approached her father. "Koff, Koffing Koffing?" she inquired, glancing over at Maribel, who realized in an instant, this was the Koffing she saved from that one Centiskorch earlier.

Pepperspray and his mate exchanged looks. "Weezing weez?" Pepperspray murmured.

"Weez Weezing weez weez," the female Weezing murmured in response. The couple continued to converse in this manner for a moment or two while their daughter waited expectantly. Then, the pair of Weezing turned to look at Maribel. Then at Keith. Then back to Maribel. Then at each other, whereupon they smiled, turned back to the Koffing, and nodded.

"KOFFING!" Koffing cheered, flying over and almost barreling right into Maribel out of sheer excitement. "Koffing Koffing Koffing Koffing KOFFING!"

"Wow, Koffing..." Maribel murmured, pulling the exuberant Poison-type into a hug. "Does this mean what I think it means...?"

"Weezing weez," Pepperspray responded with a firm nod, occasionally spinning in place to let off excess energy.

"Can confirm," Meowth piped up. "Koffing's taken a liking ta youse, and her parents approve."

"Looks like the Pokémon chose the Trainer after all," Keith smiled. "The question is, does the Trainer choose the Pokémon?"

"...she does indeed," Maribel confirmed, tears leaking from her eyes. "Koffing, you'd be so welcome to come with me!" As she spoke, she pulled a Poké Ball from her bag. "Ready?" she asked.

"Koff? Koffing!" Koffing grinned, backing up a bit, giving Maribel plenty of room to do what she needed to do.

Maribel took a deep breath, unable to keep herself from smiling. Not that she was trying especially hard to not smile, but even so. Poison was not her type specialty by a long shot. But growing up the daughter of Keith Masters, it was only natural she would come to have more of an appreciation for them than the average person, for she grew up learning all the great and wonderful qualities of Poison-types. The gentle, motherly side to Arbok. How great it felt to hug a Muk if one could simply get past the smell. How fluffy a properly groomed Skuntank's tail fur could be. The heart of gold a Seviper possessed beneath the rough exterior. The surprising depth of a Swalot's intellect so often masked by the rampant gluttony. And above all, the fierce, fierce loyalty of a Weezing, enough to put the likes of Growlithe and Lillipup to shame. Growing up with Gemini and Mustard around so much had filled Maribel with an appreciation for Weezing rivaled only by that of her father, and so, as one could imagine, this was a big moment for her. Savoring the moment, she brought back her arm, then hurled the sphere forward. "Go, Poké Ball!" she declared. Koffing smiled, floating up to meet the ball, and once sucked inside, barely made the thing wiggle before it clicked shut.

A ping from within her bag was Maribel's signal to pull out her Rotom Phone. "Koffing has been registered to your Pokédex!" declared Rotom.

"I... I'm really... I'm gonna have a Weezing just like Dad," Maribel murmured, almost overcome with emotion as she picked up the ball containing her new Koffing. Unable to say anything more, she instead ran over and hugged both her parents, who wasted no time in hugging her back. A beautiful family moment that no one present saw fit to interrupt.

OOC: Adopting the female Koffing. No nickname, putting her in Poké Ball #50 of 72, and declaring her Ability to be Levitate. Payment: ₽200

[Prof.Enigma]

MM: Adoption Confirmed!

[Slash]

Originally Posted by Lil'twick

Pokémon available for adoption!
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Delibird

I'd like to adopt this one. Putting him in a PokeBall (200)

[Lil'twick]

Slash: Adoption Confirmed!

[Sneaze]

New Pokémon have been found outside of the Adoption Centre!


($200) Lv. 01 (M) Nidoran
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Oddish
($200) Lv. 01 (F) Sandshrew

These Pokemon are currently in intake and will be available for adoption on February 8th, 2022.

[PippiTallsocks]

Originally Posted by Sneaze

New Pokémon have been found outside of the Adoption Centre!
($200) Lv. 01 (M) Nidoran
These Pokemon are currently in intake and will be available for adoption on February 8th, 2022.

I would love to give this baby bun a home, if poss? 200

[Lil'twick]

PippiTallsocks: Adoption Confirmed!

[Missingno. Master]

Originally Posted by Lil'twick

Pokémon available for adoption!
($200) Lv. 01 (F) Sigilyph



Trainers may adopt again on this date:
Missingno. Master: February 13th, 2022

Terri took a long sip from her water bottle. It was important to stay hydrated just in general, but that rule applied in particular when trekking through a desert. And indeed, that's just what she was doing today- she had heard news of an intrusive Pokémon doing its level best to interrupt an archaeological dig in the Fizzytopian Desert, and so she headed out there herself to see if there was any way she could help.

The men were not out there today, but a great deal of digging equipment lay all around the area. Terri bent down to examine a shovel, when a series of odd noises sounded from right behind her.

"Begone, intruder. Trespassers are not welcome in the city."

Terri turned around to see what had spoken to her, and found herself face to face with... something. The way it flapped two of its three odd appendages and subsequently stayed airborne gave the impression of some kind of bird Said appendages all came out of a vaguely barrel-shaped body, along with another pair of appendages, these vaguely comb-shaped. From the top protruded a single eyestalk, its one eye glaring unblinkingly at Terri.

Terri bowed to the Sigilyph. "I apologize," she said. "I have no intention of intruding. I simply came to talk."

"Talk?! That... you... can under...stand... me?" Sigilyph inquired, sounding increasingly incredulous.

Terri nodded. "I can," she confirmed. "I came out here because I heard of a Pokémon disrupting an archaeological dig in the area-"

"Humans," Sigilyph seethed disdainfully. "Defiling the streets I have so faithfully guarded for countless years." Terri looked all around her. There was nothing but sand as far as the eye could see. Sigilyph could not fail to notice this, and gave an odd sound that might have been a sigh. "You do not see it either," she said. It was not a question.

"I don't think anyone does anymore," Terri replied gently, shaking her head, before giving a sigh of her own. "It reminds me of Alph, in a sense."

"Alph?" repeated Sigilyph. "I have heard of Alph."

"I come from Alph," Terri confirmed. "These days, people just call it the Ruins of Alph, but I remember when it was in its prime. Humans and Pokémon coexisting in peace, a thriving community..." She gave a wistful sigh, faintly smiling at the memories. "...unfortunately, those days only live on in my memories," she lamented.

"...how do you cope?" inquired Sigilyph. "I... the sandstorms were centuries ago, and yet... the thought of abandoning this place... It..."

"...it feels as though as long as you keep patrolling where the streets once were, the memories stay alive?" Terri supplied. At this, the Sigilyph burst into surprisingly noisy tears, and raised no objections as Terri pulled her into a hug. "The memories do stay alive," she soothed the Avianoid Pokémon. "But not by staying where said memories once took place- they live on within us. You were a guardian of the old city, were you not? Do you not think your people would have wanted you to be happy as a reward for all you did for them?"

"...perhaps," Sigilyph conceded. "Just... I can't help but wonder if there was something I could have done to prevent this..."

"I seriously doubt it," Terri shook her head. "And in any case, there's no good to be gained from thinking like that. Now... the humans that want to dig here? They know about the city. They want to uncover it. They want to preserve whatever is left, so that other humans can learn about what once was. You are not the only Pokémon intent on keeping those memories alive, Sigilyph."

"...I'm not?" Sigilyph said hopefully.

"Not by a long shot," smiled Terri.

"...thank you," Sigilyph murmured, wriggling free of Terri's arms, hovering in midair once more. "I... get that perhaps I should leave, seek my fortunes elsewhere. But where else would I go?"

"You could go with me," Terri suggested. "I'd love to have you along." As she said this, she produced a Psychic Ball from her bag and offered it to the Sigilyph. "I can even give you a name if you like- I think Engage would suit you."

"...I think I would like that," the Sigilyph said softly, before tapping what Terri assumed to be a weird feather to the ball's button. The Psychic/Flying-type was sucked inside, and the ball barely wiggled before clicking shut. Smiling at the Psychic Ball in her hand, Terri consulted her PokéGear map to ensure she was about to head the right way as she proceeded to make her way back home.

OOC: Adopting the Sigilyph, nicknaming her Engage, housing her in this Psychic Ball, and declaring her Ability to be Magic Guard. Payment: ₽200

[Sneaze]

Missingno. Master: Adoption Confirmed!

[sixdragons_in_atrenchcoat]

Originally Posted by Lil'twick

Pokémon available for adoption!
($200) Lv. 01 (F) Bergmite

Will be taking the smol glacier. Here is thy $200. Declaring Own Tempo and placing in an Orange Cyber Ball.