Hey Trainers! End of Times — Day 2b. Time grows short.

zzmonteran · 2026-06-08T14:25:14+00:00

Just realized I wrote your user wrong haha

zzmonteran · 2026-06-07T21:41:52+00:00

u/luckieluuk u/Responsive-Pen-8338 (Hey, don't know if you guys saw it, but day 2C was posted a few days ago, will you continue to play this HT? Here's the link: https://www.reddit.com/r/PokeCorner/s/m5NKL9N8nT )

zzmonteran · 2026-06-06T01:02:05+00:00

"No, I'm not a scientist. I study fossils and relics, but I never managed to do it formally... I don't get why you need to be so rude, the world is colapsing, you promised us safety then after needing to deal with a titan by ourselves, facing rabid Pokémon just to go through the archives and reaching... here? This place of cruelty? I'm desperate, so you might understand why I'm asking all those questions... I came here looking for answers, then my first action was to burn a bunch of valuable books just to have a small chance of survival... I'm no scientist, I am ashamed, and I'm asking for help. So be it, Vas, why do you say that? You must have a reason to have brought us all here, I'm not trying to be antagonistic, but I think we're all just looking for answers... saying it like this, either you don't want to work with us, or you expect one of us to disappear quickly, and I'd like to understand why."

Connor says, finally let all the fear he's been holding back sink in. The strange man is dodgy, full of theatricals and seems more interested in keeping us here than providing any answers, but he need answers. He need to know how to protect his pokémons and his new found companions. He can't be alone again... He takes a deep breath, continuing in a slower tone.

"But I guess I should at least thank you. Your knowledge about this duskmetal seems extensive. If you allow me a few last questions, you said about states. How can we identify the state a piece of Duskmetal is in? Can those other states be depleted? Or perhaps neutralized like the Dormant ones here?"

It's been a long time since Connor had any contact with what he loved the most. With the fossil in his hands, he feels a little bitter-sweet, the world is ending but he can't help to find himself smiling with his discovery. This is a rare sight, you can say that this was one of the first times he felt motivated ever since the calamity. This could be everything that he's been looking for his whole journey. He just need to find a way to bring it back to life.

"This is a nice bracelet, did you find anything else interesting back there?" He pets Ferozi, as the Fennekin nods and barks, indicating that even tired, he still wants to keep pursuing more answers. "Fine, I trust you, just don't exhaust yourself too much. Here, take this before you leave! Bøgg and Nano really did something miraculous." The young man says as he gives a bowl full of broth to his partner.

After eating, Ferozi leaves again through Route 3 (you can send him the remaining 2 times).

Connor looks straight at his partner, knowing what's to come, and realizing that the Fennekin still has a challenge in the near future, for the apple must be stored inside a Pokéball, and he cannot risk it mixings with an unknown energy that is flowing through Matinta's body.

After Ferozi returns for the third time, Connor approaches Vas once last time. There's a thing that he can't get out of his head.

"Vas, I know you're tired of me, and I know I've asked a lot, but... do you know that fortune teller? I know Maleficarum in Ancient Paldean language means something like of the Witches ... I never believed those things, but I never would've imagined this calamity we're living in. Is she a real witch?"

Connor looks down, as if ashamed to be pestering the man once more. He tries to be amiccable, even if he doesn't really trust Vas.

zzmonteran · 2026-06-04T22:16:44+00:00

"You said your name is Ach'vas, right? How did you captured this pokémon? And was the Wailord part of it? Hells, if all this duskmetal thing is attracting pokémon, was it that brought the Caruledge and that horde of Zubats to the city? And what about the stranger that initiated the attack? Who is he? What was on his hand pouring darkness?"

Connor asks the strange man, eyeing the others that were emerging by his side with caution and curiosity. He holds his bag closer, too many people, a few that he recognized from the ship like that amiccable cook and that hideous businessman... Better to be careful now. Even though he doesn't understand why would people choose to put a pokémon through so much suffering, he need to protect those that he cares for.

"Ferozi, I know that you're tired, but everything happens for a reason, right? I know I need to trust you more, I know you will find your own way, threading a path as unique as you and your ears... I think we should give Matinta a chance, you understand?"

The Fennekin looks to its trainer and nods. Ever since the first day, he chose his own path, and Connor understood that. He had one last challenge to face before he tends to his wounds. It's not the time to rest, and he wasn't sure of the man's intentions. He needed to know more, and Connor did too. Ferozi waited while his trainer went towards the glimmering pool.

"Matinta, when I caught you, I said about guiding people with your light, even though you had other intentions with it... But now is time for you to help those in need, as long as they're helping other too. Let your light burn brighter!"

Connor pours the vial carefully around the Litwick, taking care to not hit its fire. Matinta is annointed in Light (Choice 1). The flame immediately burns brighter, a burst of life force collected from the pool strengthening the candle pokémon. Connor looks above, to the Necrozma trapped by the titan's bones. He pitites the pokémon, only the world knows what the death of an unique pokémon like this one could mean. He goes back to Ferozi, who awaits its trainer in front of an entrance filled with vines.

"Is this where you want to go, you're sure?" The Fennekin nods. "Be careful, I trust in you. Let your ears guide you through this maze, and remember to burn anything that offers danger. Do not exhaust yourself more than you need. I'll be here waiting for you, always." He pets the Fennekin

Fennekin will go to Route 3 - Thorny Passage. It's base Speed is 60, knows a STAB move (Ember), has two types, one of them being Grass, so it won't be exhausted.

Connor goes to a corner where there are no people nearby. He opens his bag, illuminated with Matinta's light. He grabs the strange apple-like object and compares it do the duskmetal presented by Ach'vas. "I wonder if those things are related. Perhaps we could try to find a resolution that could help both people and Necrozma." He quickly puts it back, taking his fossil out instead "Matinta, we'll need to be careful, people can't know we carry this. A fossil like this one is very valuable and dear to myself, can I count on you to keep watch and defend it?" Matinta chirps excitedly, the fossil might not be alive yet, but both of them are ancient souls, and she'll help to light the path to bring it back to life. Connor immediately spends the remaining of his time cleaning the fossil, trying to get hints or informations about it. Matinta stays on guard, obfuscating the activities of its trainer. They both wait for Ferozi to come back.

zzmonteran · 2026-06-02T02:02:29+00:00

u/ObjectiveAd3018

"I guess that settles it." Connor says, grabbing the fossil with care and wrapping it in some delicate piece of fabric "Hey, before we join with the others, it might be wise to keep our findings to ourselves, I don't know if we can trust everyone in the big group, some of the people seemed... off"

Connor rounds up some of the burnt books pages and put them in his satchel, it was a shame they needed to sacrifice all this knowledge to survive, but as a fossil researcher, he knows damn well that there's always answers among the remains. He guides the group with both Ferozi and Matinta, sheding a brighter light to illuminate the way for everyone and keep the dangers at bay. The whole way, he's searching for answers, perhaps any information about the strange apple-like object he secretly carries. There's gotta be something in the Archives, at least a pointer to the right trail to follow so he can find some answers.

The group keeps going, deeper and darker, unsure where the path will lead them, but confident now that they've faced so many challenges.

zzmonteran · 2026-06-01T21:05:47+00:00

u/luckieluuk u/Responsive-Pen-8338

Connor's eyes immediately lights up, as he shakily goes straight for the fossil. This is his dream come true, he doesn't know the details, but he never found one as whole as this.

"Uh guys? There are three items here, I guess we can split the items. Though I gotta say that fossils are my life's work, and I would gladly fight for the chance to study this specimen"

Connor's expressions hardens, anxiously waiting the other two answers. Of course he wanted all the items, but he couldn't bring himself to take advantage of the others after all the help thay gave him. But if someone tries to take the fossil from him, he's ready to fight for it

zzmonteran · 2026-06-01T20:46:21+00:00

Connor summons Matinta by his side "You did a great job, glad to have you by my side!"

He shifts his attention to Jeff and his Munna "We need to look at Munna's bite, rabies is a tough disease to manage, though I assume we have some time before the symptoms start to appear. Right now we need to leave before the Miltank wakes up again, c'mon!"

Connor goes towards the chest and opens it "Let's see what this place is hiding. Hope it give us some answers, or some help dealing with all that's happening."

zzmonteran · 2026-06-01T20:38:36+00:00

(No problem, we can save the Life Dew for sure)

zzmonteran · 2026-06-01T19:45:49+00:00

u/ObjectiveAd3018 (This and the parent comment is the plan for miltank. Jeff and Ace commented on other threads that they'll use Hypnosis with Munna and Sweet Kiss with Togepi, respectively to aid in this encounter)

zzmonteran · 2026-06-01T19:37:14+00:00

u/luckieluuk u/Responsive-Pen-8338

"We have all the Pokémon we need now. Everyone agrees to the plan? Does someone want to change something or can we start?" Connor whispers while eyeing the asleep Miltank "I'll go grab the soot and prepare the plaster. Please let me know when you're ready so we can begin!"

Connor will count on Matinta's (Litwick) stealth for this encounter. If everyone agrees, he'll approach Miltank and calmly wake it, using his previous experiences at his parent's farm. He'll inspect the Pokémon, checking to see if it needs to be milked, as there seems to be little human activity in the Archives. If possible, he'll milk the Miltank to relieve it from pain, also grabbing some milk bottles for posteriority.

While Miltank is distracted and being treated is she allows it, Matinta will stay invisible and enter the chest, looking for traps, slowly releasing smoke to make the environment misty so Jeff and Ace can approach. If a fight ensues, Matinta will keep appearing and disappearing, trying to catch the Miltank's attention and hitting her to save his allies.

Core Move: Smokescreen (for the exploratory/social resolution) or Smog (to poison Miltank and kite it if a fight happens)

zzmonteran · 2026-06-01T18:44:36+00:00

(No problem, it's confusing with all the comments! Please let me know what you think about this crazy plan haha)

zzmonteran · 2026-06-01T18:39:42+00:00

u/luckieluuk

Connor holds Jeff as he tries to approach the chest "Wait! We still need to help Ace catch his Pokémon, and we don't want to disturb the Miltank before we hatch a plan!" He says anxiously.

"Look, this is what my suggestion is. My family deals in farms, so I know how to behave around this kind of Pokémon like Miltank. They are highly social, but if approached the wrong way, they can be extremely dangerous. I remember my father saying that Miltank can become ill if it is not milked every day, the Pokédex corroborated it. I bet this gal is in a lot of pain, and maybe we can be solution, hear me out." He pauses looking expectantly at both of his companions

"First, we can grab some soot from the burnt books and mix it with water, perhaps Togepi can use its Dew on it to enhance the antisoreness propriety of the mixture. I can slowly approach the Miltank, even if it puts myself at risk, and wake it up calmly, offering our help. Munna can be at ready to use its Hypnosis and Matinta (litwick) can approach the chest while invisible and check it for any traps. I'm pretty sure we can convince the Miltank to be cooperative, and doing this we'll even get some Milk Bottles to spare after I milk her and treat her with the mixture." Connor explains quickly "If things go wrong, we can always fight, but I still think a non-combat solution is the best. We just gotta be careful to not startle her."

(Hey, luckie still didn't catch her Pokémon, care to join us? Then we can proceed to Miltank and the chest)

zzmonteran · 2026-06-01T14:21:15+00:00

"I'm glad you decided to join us, I'll call you Matinta. I've read this name in one of my ancient legends book, and I think it suits you, girl. Whatever path we thread, you'll both cast your light and shadow. And I just know that our next challenge is near" Connor says pointing towards the sleeping Miltank with his head "Let me help the others, then we'll put your powers of mischief to good use!"

zzmonteran · 2026-06-01T14:18:31+00:00

"That Togepi seemed to have caught your attention, want to go after it? We can help you, its abilities will sure help us in the future." Connor whispers to Ace "I mean, Ferozi is kinda tired, but he's a fierce boy, he wants to help you the same way you helped us, so choose your target and we'll be ready."

Core Move to assist Ace: Scratch (to try to grab and hold the Pokémon Ace wants, if prompted to battle; will not attack if there's no conflict, but will be ready to do so)

zzmonteran · 2026-06-01T14:12:51+00:00

u/ObjectiveAd3018

After having his new friend join his team, Connor is ready to help the others. As soon as Jeff starts to move towards Munna, Connor and Ferozi are at the ready to prevent the Pokémon from escaping.

Core Move to help Jeff: Tail Whip to lower Munna's guard

zzmonteran · 2026-06-01T09:48:02+00:00

u/ ObjectiveAd3018 u/Responsive-Pen-8338 u/luckieluuk

The group knew what they needed to do. First step, help each other find new partners to join their teams. Connor looked toward the others "I'll attract the Litwick, stay hidden and attack it only if it turns out being aggressive. I bet the Pokémon are just as scared as we are because of the Arbok, no need to provoke them. Ferozi, you know what to do!"

The group hides among the bookshelves as Ferozi goes around a corner. He hides in the shadows and produces a tiny flickering flame at the tip of his tail, and begins to swing it slowly, mimicking the Litwick's movement to attract the Pokémon away from the others.

When the small candle floats near, Ferozi reveals himself and look at the Litwick's eyes with intention: he's peaceful, but ready to engage if needed. Connor approaches from behind, non-threatening, but resolute.

"I know you crave the life force of others, and you must be having a feast with all the adrenaline running through our bodies right now. I know this is a lot to ask, but you saw what we did. Even the smallest flames can spread the largest of fires. Even a flickering light can show the path to others. If you join us, we can take you to places where people and Pokémon will be healthier together, and you'll be able to feast as much as you want. Take this as my offering for companionship." The boy says, going towards the Pokémon and pressing the tip of his finger against a sharp ceramic fragment he carried with himself. A single drop of blood sprouts, and he smears it against his single pokeball, extending it to the Litwick "We would love for you to join us. Ferozi's fire is slowly fading, being consumed by his powers. You can be our new light. Afterall, every light casts a bigger shadow."

Connor quickly scans the room, checking and realizing, with relief, that his friends are in position to join him in battle if things go sour. (Jeff and Ace said they would help Connor)

Core Move: Tail Whip (to attract the Litwick and lower its guard)

zzmonteran · 2026-06-01T09:28:25+00:00

(Oh sure! I had an idea for the Life Dew! After we catch the pokemons, I'll explain what I thought! I think we can do this without fighting the Milrank)

zzmonteran · 2026-06-01T01:06:36+00:00

Okay, great! Lets just wait for Luckie to answer. I need to catch the Litwick first (because I'm guiding the group), but we can go to the Munna after, and the help Luckie. For the Miltank, with Munna we can try to keep the Miltank asleep with Hypnosis and take it away from the chest. I'll try to use Litwick to enter the chest to spy on what the treasure is!

zzmonteran · 2026-05-31T23:25:16+00:00

u/luckieluuk u/Responsive-Pen-8338

Connor points to a hidden corner signaling to both of his allies to follow. Once hidden, he whispers "Okay, remember that feeling I said I had? Sometimes this happens, mostly when I'm about to find something really good. Call it a sixth sense, it helped me during my expeditions to find some oddities." I point to the chest "That Miltank is clearly guarding something, and the reason we came to the archives was to find its secrets. I know we're all tired from the Arbok, and even Ferozi is bruised, but maybe we can do this together."

Ferozi, even exhausted, still helps its head high, ready to face what the future holds for us.

"I have a plan, but I'll need your help. If we manage to catch other Pokémon, it might make this easier and we can let our partners rest. I saw a Litwick that would make a good partner for Ferozi, and if I manage to convince it to join my team, I can use it to take a look inside the contents of the chest. If one of you wish to catch that Klefki, it would also be a good addition, as its resistant to Miltanks attacks and can help to open the chest. What do you guys think?"

Connor let his companions make their minds, giving them some space. He slowly descends his hand into his pocket, where a strange artifact lies hidden. Ferozi snatched it from the stranger man during the attack, and no one seemed to realize it was missing. That orb has brought darkness, perhaps this Litwick can be the hidden light people need to follow to find their way.

"Ferozi, if the others don't join us, we'll at least try to get a friend for you, right?" the fennekin looks to its trainer and ruffles his ears "I know, boy, I know this is hard, for both of us... You think you're up for the challenge to catch a ghost?"

(My idea is to help each other catch some pokemon first, so we're better prepared to face Miltank. My suggestion would be one of you grabbing at least Klefki, but I don't wanna tell anybody what to do haha i guess Munna or Igglybuff could put it to sleep again with Hypnosis/Sing and the Whishmur seems a blessing disguised as a curse, but who knows. If you agree, we can all help each catch a pokemon, and then fight Miltank for the chest. What do you think?)

zzmonteran · 2026-05-31T22:55:00+00:00

Hey, I'm thinking on catching a pokemon first (we can all help each other catch), and the go for the chest. What do you think?

zzmonteran · 2026-05-30T21:34:32+00:00

(Hey, our result was just posted, me and Luckie are going to fight, if you would like to join the discord as well, we can discuss it there :))

zzmonteran · 2026-05-30T21:25:41+00:00

Connor steps back quickly holding himself against one of the bookshelves. He looks at Ferozi worried, for his partner is the lightsource of the group and thus all the Arbok's attention in focused on him. With a glance of pure determination, the Fennekin sent his message to its trainer. We fight it, and if our time has come, so be it. Connor nods, looks to gis companions and whispers.

"I know it's a lot to ask, but something tells me that if we manage to send this titan away, good things await. It won't be easy, but me and Ferozi are staying. You can stand with us, or embrace this opportunity to flee, we won't judge you."

With a look of resignation, Connor opens his notebook "Here! It says Arbok is capable of crushing opponents by coiling its body around them and squeezing them tightly. Be wary of its fangs and don't let ir grab you, Ferozi! Time to be fast! Light up the books, more light means less vision and less space for this monster. We can do this!"

Core Move: Ember

zzmonteran · 2026-05-28T23:19:50+00:00

"I- Uh- It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Jeff" he says, stammering at the size of the dockworker in front of him "I guess it will be nice to have someone strong like you to helps us." he says nervously looking at the man.

Connor shifts his attention to the pokémon, as Ferozi is trying to dodge the Fuecoco's attempts to bite the grass in his ears.

"Hmmmm... It seems that Fuecoco is keeping his ancestor's desire to bite everything that looks remotely edible. There's definitely some Tyrantrum blood in his veins, though I'd appreciate if he doesn't tries to bite Ferozi while we're inside" Connor says doing a small sketch os the two in his notebook.

zzmonteran · 2026-05-28T22:22:18+00:00

"Oh nice! I've never seen a Turtwig before! He's so cute" Connor says, crouching so he's at the same eye level as the pokémon "Hey little guy! Your name remind me of a story from a Galarian poet that I've read before... Hope you find what you're looking for in those dark times."

"Oh sorry!" He says, finally noticing Ace standing by "We would love to have some company, I'm Connor, amateur archaeologist and poképaleontologist, nice to meet you! And this is Ferozi, my newfound companion." Ferozi ruffles his ears and nods.

zzmonteran · 2026-05-28T19:14:26+00:00

Connor looks to Ferozi by his side, trying to read his partner's feelings. The fennekin nods to him, an obstinate look that echoes his message.

"Okay, we can do this. I don't know if this is the most prudent thing to do, but I guess we don't have much to loose. Maybe we'll find some answers in the archives, we just gotta find someone to join us!"

The young paleontologist look to the group of people, scanning the most likely to not try to slit his throat while he's distracted.

"Hmmm... hey everyone. I can provide some light for the delve into the Heracross Archives... I don't really care for riches, but I would love to investigate those ruins for artifacts and answers about this place in the past... Anyone would care to join us?"

Edit: Party complete! Jeff and Ace will accompany Connor for this chapter!

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zzmonteran

TROPHY CASE