Featured: Ch. 35 - The Unnecessarily Surreal City - Pokémon Choice Quest 2

[Meadow]

As for the nickname... gah! Hairy Arachnid Nanoscopic is tempting, but I'll probably stick with Cuddles 2.0 for now. It's possible that I might change my mind later, though!

Okay, I think I'm gonna change my mind now and switch over to Hairy Arachnid Nanoscopic, seeing how it actually stands a real chance, apparently... O_O
I promise it was only supposed to be a joke, Lycan! xD

Also, if that name does win the vote, can we please address him on a full-name basis? ;)

 

[Lycanthropy]

Also, if that name does win the vote, can we please address him on a full-name basis? ;)

Who? The Houndoom or me? :freaked-out:

 

[Meadow]

Who? The Houndoom or me? :freaked-out:

You, of course.

The Houndoom, haha. =p

 

[Damien.aspiring.fandev]

2. We don't have any denarii, and thus cannot get ourselves even a measily crackers package,
besides picking up an apple shouldn't take away much time...
We could have the castelia cone back at the town's center, thus the
poisoning wouldn't bother us much but again, that would be a good
way to earn sermons from the center's nurse/lady and possibly other people...

Let's analyze the nicknames...
Hellfire
That sounds... boring and mispropitiatory... even if it's probably the most fitting,
since he and all the houndour almost roasted us (also, accordingly to a dex entry
pain from a houndoom's burn never fades... but that's just a dex entry).
Cuddles
Already taken, our new fellow deserves an identity of his own (even if he led
a pack of houndour against us).
Hairy Arachnid Nanoscopic
He does, have a coat, justifying the hairy part, but he's rather large and... okay,
what's the arachnid part for again? However, han might be fitting... well, in
Chinese anyway, since it means corageous, brave or violent.
Helga
That's a chapette's name -.-""... oh, and Helga is a variant of Helge, now THAT is
a name for chaps, problem is, it comes from heilagr, aka holy, blessed... and he
almost blessed us with the flames of his associate houndour, didn't he?

Still, am I late for the wall of nomenclature proposals?

Spoiler:

Talbot- Get it? Talbot? xP

. Okay, heraldry aside, might derive from tal(to destroy) and bod(message).
Ptolemy- From polemeios, aka aggressive. He did, pull a pack of hourndour against us, aye?
Rais- Leader, chief. Again, the pack of houndour.
Duke- From dux, aka leader(as you probably guessed).
Alikhan- Ali(lofty, sublime) + khan(leader). Khan is also reminiscent of chien and cane, aka dog. As for Ali, it means lofty, sublime... well, I don't think the houndour were 40 anyway...
Farvald- From fara(journey) and vald(power, leader, ruler).
Harold- From here(army) and weald(power, leader, ruler).
Meyer/Meir- From meir(giving light, he's a fire-type after all) and/or meyer(major, leader)
Prochorus- From prochoros, leader of the dance... we were about to dance to the pack's embers, right?
Cornelius/Cornelio- From cornu, dem horns.
Brenton- Means Bryni's town, and bryni=fire.
Ignatius/Ignazio- From ignis, fire, thus ignition... maybe that would better fit a tepig/pignite/emboar 'tho...
Colby- From koli(coal, dark) and býr(town).
Dougal- Literally "dark stranger".
Duff- From dubh, dark.
Rajiani- Literally "The dark one". I wonder if Blake Hall's Italian translation name, "Nereo Raggiani", has something to do with it?
Blake- Yep, blake comes from black or pale, and it's the name of the former Altru Inc. boss Blake Hall. Altru is an oil and energy company(well, not exactly into oil anymore) from the Almian peninsula!
Nereo- While at it, I'm putting the translated name here as well! xP
Sam- Dark... yep, that's it, dark...
Ferrer- Blacksmith, derives from iron.
Kali- "The black one".
Smith- Blacksmith, AGAIN.
Jarek- Diminutive of names derived from yaru, aka fierce, energetic.
Jarmil- From yaru and milu(gracious, dear... because despite the fact he led the pack against us we still have him dear, right? xD).
Jaroslaw- From yaru and slava, aka glory... what's glory again? Universal fame, honour and renowance? Nevermind : this name is lame.

By the way, why in the world do we get XX names for pokémon that are XY?
:deepthonk:

 

[HyperMorian]

Hmm, I wonder if the Sandshrew will be there at all. Or...could it be that? We'll find that out later, maybe after 'Hairy Arachnid Nanoscopic' gets a lot of mentions more than Cuddles could get.
And surely, I'm not surprised that the 'kick the bucket' choice is almost always effective to throw away other boring options, lmao.
Also, you should've suggested before I choose the nicknames, and ambiguous names for the win.

Anyway, here we go.

As you move, you start to get hungry. What should you do?

1. Press on. That can wait until you reach the town. - 2 Votes
2. Eat the only apple on a lone tree in the clearing. - 1 Vote
3. Eat the Casteliacone. - 4 Votes (Monsters, all of you. No exceptions.)

While you're at it, which nickname do you think is the best for Houndoom?

• Hellfire - 2 Votes
• Cuddles 2.0 - Uh...
• "Hairy Arachnid Nanoscopic" aka. "HAN" - 3 Votes
• Helga - 1 Vote

Pokémon

Cuddles (Wailmer) (♂) Status: Healthy Moves: Water Gun, Bounce, Growl, Eye Beam

*bulbagarden.net image removed*

Houndoom (♂) Status: Healthy Moves: Crunch, Fire Fang, Smog, Destiny Bond

Inventory​

0

PokéDollars A common currency accepted worldwide. Earned from winning battles.

×4

Poké Ball A basic, compact device used to catch Pokémon.

×3

Potion A spray-type medicine for treating wounds.

Key Items​

Casteliacone...? An ice cream received from a man in orange suit. It glows a radiant purple hue.

Mysterious Orb A translucent sphere found inside the grotto near Shanama Town. What purpose could it serve?

Deaths: 1​

Chapter 14: "Why not?"

Location: ???

---

The sudden temptation simply beckons you to satisfy hunger. Anything goes, as long as it's edible! And the closest thing you can have for a temporary feast is the Casteliacone itself. You recall Cuddles warning you to not eat any of these anymore, thinking that it's clearly dangerous to consume and thus shouldn't be eaten for your safety.

How thoughtful! But what's the point of keeping a melting ice cream? And since Cuddles isn't nearby to see, a bite surely won't hurt, right? That's what you thought as you chomp down the purple ice cream, tasting a sweet and chilling flavor, later regretting the choice after throwing up the feeling of dizziness and nausea. Whatever comes out is a monster that will probably claim your life for 247 steps after, and while the poison remains, you also get hungrier this way.

However, without thinking much about how many steps you've taken, you're already inside the town. Hooray! But wait, who are those people in lavender uniforms? Are they street performers? Ice cream vendors? Both sounds likely since they're holding trombones and you also recognize their outfit being not dissimilar to the one from hours past, except he's not present and they're standing like statues.

What do?

1. Say "hello!" to them while heading to the Pokémon Center.
2. Sneak past them and head to the Pokémon Center.
3. Buy ice creams from them. Maybe the ones they're selling aren't poisonous.
4. Challenge them in a Trainer Battle!
5. Sing a happy song with happy claps and accordion humming.

 

[Meadow]

omg I loved this chapter, haha. This is why I can't get enough of the game! xP

Anyway, I'm going with #3. I don't care if our wallet is empty! >:D Though I was sooooo close to picking the fifth option, admittedly!

 

[XNaut]

Oh, wow! We got poisoned from eating the casteliacone. I was one of the few who refused to eat the cone.

1. Trombones are not threatening so I would say "hello."

 

[Lycanthropy]

Wow, we got poisoned by eating the poisoned ice cream. How unexpected.

#5 sounds like fun.~

 

[FeraligatrMaster]

2. Who knows what they might be up to?

 

[Hyzenthlay]

Hmm, I'm detecting something shady about these mysterious lavender characters. Better act inconspicuous! #5 it is. xD

 

[Janp]

How could I skip one chapter? That terrible!

Anyway, 5. because... reasons.

 

[The Froakster]

No. 4.. I want a bit of money to buy some food, not just ice cream..

 

[Damien.aspiring.fandev]

2. Uh... hello? We're poisoned

you should've suggested before I choose the nicknames

Alas, I was busy being refused by an enterprise claiming to be providing apprenticeships
whereas they seek for experienced employees only, gimme a break fellow...

Eat the Casteliacone. - 4 Votes
"Hairy Arachnid Nanoscopic" aka. "HAN" - 3 Votes

ಠ_ಠ

Monsters, all of you. No exceptions.

TELL THEM, TELL THEM! xP

 

[Meadow]

Whoa, every options were chosen, including the option to kick the bucket

I'm not surprised that the 'kick the bucket' choice is almost always effective to throw away other boring options, lmao.

Okay, I have no idea why I decided to look up the phrase "kick the bucket," but I did it anyway, and...

...I don't even know what I was expecting, haha.

 

[HyperMorian]

Wow, we got poisoned by eating the poisoned ice cream. How unexpected.

2. UTELL THEM, TELL THEM! xP

MONSTERS, ALL OF YOU. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Did I do it right?

Okay, I have no idea why I decided to look up the phrase "kick the bucket," but I did it anyway, and...

...I don't even know what I was expecting, haha.

It's all part of the charm.

---

Whew lad, seems like it's almost a week of sitting still in the meantime. It's just that I was having finals for the from four days ago and today, I'm back to make sure it will get anywhere depending on what you chose.

Ergo, please forgive me for the wait.

What do?

1. Say "hello!" to them while heading to the Pok?mon Center. - 1 Vote
2. Sneak past them and head to the Pok?mon Center. - 2 Votes
3. Buy ice creams from them. Maybe the ones they're selling aren't poisonous. - 1 Vote
4. Challenge them in a Trainer Battle! - 1 Vote
5. Sing a happy song with happy claps and accordion humming. - 3 Votes

Pok?mon

Cuddles (Wailmer) (?) Status: Healthy Moves: Water Gun, Bounce, Growl, Eye Beam

*bulbagarden.net image removed*

Houndoom (?) Status: Healthy Moves: Crunch, Fire Fang, Smog, Destiny Bond

Inventory​

0 -> 5000

Pok?Dollars A common currency accepted worldwide. Earned from winning battles.

?4

Pok? Ball A basic, compact device used to catch Pok?mon.

?3

Potion A spray-type medicine for treating wounds.

Key Items​

Casteliacone...? An ice cream received from a man in orange suit. It glows a radiant purple hue.

Mysterious Orb A translucent sphere found inside the grotto near Shanama Town. What purpose could it serve?

Deaths: 1​

Chapter 15: Singing

Location: ???

---

If they're street performers like you guessed, they should be playing something for you and the town. Well, but simply listening to them playing music might be a bit boring when anyone could appreciate every of their effort, when you're simply not on par with them. Hence, you want to prove that you can also be as good as them, by confidently singing a song... about ice cream.

After what seems to be a lazy presentation of the invisible lyrics, the group takes notice of your voice and in response, beckons you to play music together. Enthusiastically, you and the group sing the same song you came up with, one by one joining with their trombones that play differently than anyone would expect, eventually taking attention of the townspeople who happens to pass by even in confusion. They throw their money in appreciation, clap their hands with the rhythm, the cheers from the enclosing crowd pressure you to more than just amaze them.

Upon reaching the end of the song, they let out a big applaud, throwing confetti scattering the melting white grounds because they liked your performance. It doesn't take long for them to disperse, where the group takes count on how much money they got from the show and share it evenly to everyone who took part in it.

Well, that was fun, even if the poison is no longer to keep you in company. Meanwhile, what to do next?

1. Proceed to the east.
2. Linger in the town a bit longer.
3. Slump down in defeat, let the poison come back and take you over.

 

[XNaut]

2. Hopefully there will be a hospital or help will come.

 

[Damien.aspiring.fandev]

2. There probably still is stuff to do... not to mention that we need to get rid of the poisoning...
Hm, perhaps we could find out about other kind of pok?mon-related activities aside gym and cup?
Or maybe we can learn something about the settlement's backstory, name origin and symbols...

 

[FeraligatrMaster]

2. If we want to recover from the poison, we're better off staying in this town for now. Also, who knows what else this town has?

 

[Janp]

2. This town looks ineteresting, so why not stay in there for a while.

 

[Lycanthropy]

2. Now we have money we can buy some more ice cream useful items. :)