Eternal Snowstorm of the Spoinklet's Mind [Costar]

[Professor Oak]

Why she had to go?
I don't know, she wouldn't say.
I said something wrong.
Now I long for yesterday.
~ The Beatles

The last hurrah of winter threw down its gauntlet in a brutal exhibition of force. Skeletal branches thrashed about like fencers engaged in a fierce duel against a brooding sky. Drifts of snow ascended like stoic mountains, engulfing ledges and bushes in their silent conquest while the world, ensnared in the delicate filigrees of pirouetting flakes, held its breath in the midst of this wintry spectacle.

But beneath winter’s icy grip, memory stirs. It whispers of spring's shy green tendrils pushing through the frost, of birdsong thawing the frozen air. It remembers sun-kissed skin and the fragrance of rain-soaked earth, a promise carried by a warm breeze. For even in the heart of winter's storm, the sun still burns, a patient ember waiting to rekindle the world. In the hushed globe, winter dreams of spring, and spring remembers the wild, white magic of its predecessor.

Professor Oak shuffled along the windswept jetty with Viri trotting along beside him, his breath billowing white against the gunmetal grey sky. The frigid air bit his cheeks, each gust carrying the faint, nostalgic scent of salt and seaweed. His weathered hands clasped the splintered wood of his makeshift fishing rod, a poignant reflection of his own age and fragility.

Snippets of a distant memory, hazy and fragmented, yet insistent, flitted through his mind. Slivers of it surfaced, each glimpse tantalisingly out of reach: a burst of black and white feathers, the deafening echo of a drumbeat against ancient wood, the hushed awe in a young girl's voice. Ivory-billed Pikipek. Ilex Forest. Beth.

The name whispered on his lips rekindled a long-dormant ember. Beth, the naturalist who retreated into seclusion after causing a stir among the scientific community, left behind only a single grainy photograph – the last confirmed record of the elusive Ivory-billed Pikipek in the vast expanse of Ilex Forest. Could it be real? Could the memory, like a Basculin returning upstream, be guiding him towards a truth long buried?

Spotting a promising location for a bit of fishing, Oak manoeuvred around a cluster of rotten pilings, their barnacle-encrusted forms leaning precariously over the churning water. Viri, ever-observant, mirrored his movements, her thick vines swishing along the boardwalk with uncanny grace. He settled on a corner of the jetty, the frigid wind whipping his cloak about. With practiced ease, he baited his simple hook with a morsel of dried berry and cast his line into the swirling grey current below.

Viri, eager to participate, mimicked his actions. Instead of a hook, she dipped one of her leafy vines into the water, its tip just breaking the surface tension. Oak chuckled, the sound swallowed by the wind's relentless howl.

The rhythmic lapping of water against the jetty lulled him into a contemplative silence. The fragmented memories swirled and coalesced, forming a clearer picture: the vibrant plumage of the Ivory-billed Pikipek, the thunderous drumming that reverberated through ancient oaks, and the youthful excitement in Beth's voice as she documented the encounter. A pang of longing tugged at Oak's heart. Could it be, after all these years, that the elusive bird still called Ilex Forest home?

Suddenly, a splash marred the dark surface of the water, drawing Oak's gaze back to the present. Viri's vine jerked taut, then whipped out of the water with a startled cry from the Bulbasaur. A powerful tug coursed through the vine, pulling her almost off balance. Before Oak could react, a flash of crimson erupted from the depths, landing with a heavy thud on the wooden platform.

A flurry of snow and green leaves danced in the air as Viri scrambled back, vine retracted in surprise. Oak rushed to the source of the commotion, his weary face creased in concern. There, flapping wildly on the damp wood, lay a large Magikarp, its glistening scales shimmering in the fading light. Its powerful tail thrashed, sending snow spiralling and scattering dried seaweed across the jetty.

"Blasted vine-snagging leaf monster!" a gruff voice roared from beyond the pilings. A burly figure, clad in fishing gear and face peppered with snowflakes, stomped out from the shadows. His face, reddened with a mixture of anger and exertion, contorted in fury as he glared at Oak and Viri. Had Viri, in her playful mimicry, accidentally snagged this fisherman's prized catch? This encounter, it seemed, was destined to be anything but peaceful.

---

OOC: Fishing Jetty. Requesting battle with Fisherman Justin. Bulbasaur used Razor Leaf x2 (Running shoes).
+400 words towards egg.

[Pixel]

As if banishing the very last of the blizzard's winds with his presence, the fisherman barged down the pier swathed in a cloak of fog. The wooden planks beneath his creaking boots were still glazed in the vestiges of the late winter storm, snow and ice crunching underfoot. His hat was powdered with frost. He glared at Oak and Viri down his nose, a pole gripped tight in his hand, his face red and flushed with anger.

"YOU STOLE MY CATCH, YOU AND YA BLASTED VINE MONSTER!" he snarled, his furious voice cutting through the cold and causing a series of splashes further out as some of the more timid water pokemon fled. "You don't even look like a proper fisherman. Why don't you just scram so us professionals can have some space away from you nuisances that are just here to cause problems." Someone was clearly having a rough day of it and was lashing out. He threw a pokball to reveal a magikarp, "I'll make ya leave iffin ya won't do it. Magikarp, get them off this here jetty."

While not exactly impressive, the magikarp was quick, and flopped its way at Viri, smacking wetly into her face before getting flung off by sharp, cutting leaves. The 'karp flopped at Viri again and the next series of leaves cut deep and sent the fish flailing all the way into the water from the force of the impact.

The fisherman swore, "I got more where that came from, old man!"

---

Viri HP AFTER LV UP [35/43]

Running shoes used.

---

Viri gained +3LVs for defeating magikarp
Viri grew to LV15.
Viri is trying to learn Poison Powder and Sleep Powder.
Forget a move to learn?

+1 happiness

---

Fisherman Justin isn't done yet.

His [LV 15] Magikarp is next!

WEATHER IS FOG

SPOILER: Click to show

Tackle Hit? t8lGGLxop_1-16 crit?p_1-16
Razor Leaf Hit? p_1-16 crit?p_1-8
Tackle Hit? p_1-16 crit?p_1-16
Razor Leaf Hit? p_1-16 crit?p_1-8

1-16·1-16·1-16·1-8·1-16·1-16·1-16·1-8

[Professor Oak]

The second Magikarp landed with a meaty plop right at Viri's feet, causing the Bulbasaur to yelp and scurry behind Professor Oak's legs. Oak sighed, his face momentarily betraying a mix of exasperation and fleeting amusement at the unexpected scene. This wasn't quite the peaceful fishing expedition he'd envisioned.

"Hold on there, son," Oak rumbled, his voice surprisingly steady despite the blustery wind. "There's been a misunderstanding." He reached down and gently nudged Viri forward, her fear slowly dissipating and allowing a cautious peek around his leg. The fisherman, however, was past reason. His face, already the colour of a crimson sunset, deepened to a dangerous shade of puce.

Oak, ever the diplomat, decided a change of tactics was needed. "Let's all calm down a moment, shall we?" he suggested, raising a placating hand. "The visibility here is atrocious thanks to this fog. Perhaps we can clear the air, literally and figuratively, before we continue?"

With a flourish, he produced a Poké Ball from his cloak pocket. "Tofu, come on out!" A burst of light erupted, revealing a majestic Togekiss, her fluffy white feathers gleaming even in the fading light. She cooed softly, her large, intelligent eyes taking in the scene.

Oak turned to the Togekiss. "My dear, would you be so kind as to disperse some of this fog? We could all use a better look at the situation."

Tofu trilled in agreement, her wings fanning the air. A gentle breeze, imbued with a faint sparkle, swept across the jetty as though pushing the opaque fog back towards the churning water.

---

OOC: Bulbasaur sent out initially (participation). Switch to Togekiss (holding Wide Lens) and use Air Slash.

If the second Magikarp faints, use my mod bar on Togekiss. 264 words for egg. Learning Sleep Powder over Vine Whip.

[Caramell 🍬]

Justin wasn’t the type to hold on for anyone. Fishing was a passion of his that he had since he was a young lad with his father, and after his father’s untimely passing he’d promised the old man he’d be the one to reel in the fabled Magikarp of myth and legends. “I don’t take kindly to ya type, scarin’ away all tha’ fish! Ain’t none of tha bigguns gunna bite with your blubberfooted self causing a ruckus!” He snapped firmly, turning to his second Magikarp that flopped and floundered about on the ground. “Use your Tackle. Show this here old man why’s we don’t take kindly to all this noise!” He snapped firmly.

Professor Oak was quick to switch in the flying Togekiss, who easily swooped up into the dense fog and out of Magikarp’s reach. As the fish floundered, skipping across the ground in its attempt to leap up high and slap its tail against the serene Pokemon, it would miss and only manage to slap itself lightly in the face, knocking itself to the ground. “Ah, whatcha go an’ do that fer, Magikarp?! Ya’s gotta jump for it, iffin ya’s really wants it!” Justin snapped a finger and pointed to Tofu’s silhouette through the thick fog that made it difficult to see anything else. “Jump, buddy, jump! Really give it ya all!” He cheered on his partner, encouraging the floppy creature to hop higher than ever before.

This time, Magikarp managed to slap his thick tail fin against Tofu’s underside as she swooped a bit lower in the air, and flopped back to the ground just as easily. “Tha’s mah boy! Way to go, Magikarp! I’m really proud o’ you!” He hooped and hollered, praising his Pokemon. “What’s that?!” He tilted his head as Professor Oak’s claims, half-way listening. “Oh. Misunderstandin’, ya say? Well, ‘en, out wid it. Whatcha mean to be causin’ all the ruckus for anyways, eh?” Justin placed one hand on one hip and snapped the other impatiently with a strong expression. Tofu’s wind scattered the fog, making the area a lot bright and opening up the jetty for the fisherman as the sun’s rays began to melt away the rest of the snow and ice.

“Oh…well, that was mighty nice o’ ya, I’ll admit.” Justin laughed, turning to see the water’s edge clearly once more. Now, maybe it would be easier for him to find the Magikarp of legends and make is old man proud as he looked down from paradise on him! “I…might ‘ave been too grumpy. Ya see…I recently lost my ole’ man to cancer. The kids an’ missus isn’t takin’ it so well, and I’ve been a right mess. I just…want to find a certain Magikarp I’d promised I catch for him an’ make him proud up there, ya know?” He stated, scratching the back of his head awkwardly as he passed over a small sum of funds to Professor Oak for winning the battle.

---

Tofu gained 4 levels!
Tofu increased to Level 18!
Tofu grew closer to Prof. Oak! +1
Tofu increased to +12 Happiness!


Viri gained 1 level.
Viri increased to Level 16!
Viri is trying to evolve?!
➤
Allow Viri to evolve into Ivysaur?!
Viri grew closer to Prof. Oak. +1
Viri increased to +2 Happiness!

Did you already add the words for the egg?
Looks like there was an edit on the team around same time.

Fisherman Justin admits defeat!

He gives Prof. Oak £160 for the trouble he's caused.
Added your funds but you'll need to update your own Mod Bar! ^^

SPOILER: Click to show

Magikarp's Tackle: (90% Acc) EoqQrslpp_1-100 Failed!
Magikarp's Tackle: (90% Acc) p_1-100 (crit) p_1-16 (strength) p_1-16
Tofu's Air Slash: (95% Acc) p_1-100 (crit) p_1-16 (strength) p_1-16

1-100·1-100·1-16·1-16·1-100·1-16·1-16

[Professor Oak]

A heavy silence descended upon the jetty, punctuated only by the retreating groan of the fog and the distant cry of Wingull wheeling overhead. Professor Oak watched the fisherman, Justin, stoop down to gather his flailing Magikarp, a newfound understanding softening the harsh lines of his face. A pang of sympathy lanced through Oak's chest.

"My condolences, Justin," Oak finally said, his voice sincere. "Losing a loved one is never easy."

Justin mumbled a choked response, his gaze fixed on the Magikarp struggling in his grasp. It flopped weakly, its crimson scales dull in the fading light. The vibrant flash of defiance it had displayed earlier seemed extinguished.

The ocean, no longer content with lapping playfully at the jetty's base, began to flex its muscle. Towering waves, their crests tinged with the deep magenta of the dying light, crashed against the wooden supports, sending plumes of icy spray skyward. The once-sturdy planks groaned under the relentless assault, the tremor traveling up Professor Oak's legs as he stood at the edge of the pier.

Suddenly, a blinding flash erupted beside him. Oak flinched momentarily, his gaze tearing away from the frothing waves. Viri, his loyal companion, was bathed in an ethereal light. The transformation was swift, the bulb on her back blossoming outwards in a magnificent display. Petals, a vibrant shade of pink, unfurled to add a delicate grace to the storm-tossed scene while vines, once stumpy and green, sprouted with renewed vigour. Viri, no longer a Bulbasaur, stood tall and proud as a newly formed Ivysaur.

"Viri!" Oak gushed, a hint of surprise laced with pride in his voice. "You've evolved!" Oak knelt down, gently stroking the rough skin of her back. Even the stoic Justin, momentarily forgetting his woes, turned with wide eyes to witness the spectacle.

The surging tide snapped their attention back to the present. Each successive wave seemed to gain momentum, the water level climbing with alarming speed. Oak gestured towards the seething water, the spray stinging his face as a particularly large wave crashed against the pilings, sending water cascading onto the weathered wooden boards.

"So, Justin," Oak began again, his voice steady despite the rising water, "What kind of Magikarp are you after? A specific size, perhaps a particular coloration? Perhaps we could even combine our efforts? A shared endeavour might prove more fruitful than solitary pursuits, wouldn't you agree?"

He cast his line into the water one more, the weight of the makeshift rod a grounding presence amidst the chaos.

---

OOC: Fishing with Old Rod at night.

[Pixel]

Justin seemed to settle even more at Oak's calm and offer to help. He sighed and cast his line as well into the water. 

"Have you ever heard of a golden magikarp?" he asked. "In some places, they breed them to be all sorta colors and patterns, with spots and all that. Blues and purples and pinks and greys. Real fancy. But what my ol' man always talked o' catchin' wasn't one of them fancy magikarps bred for sport. Everybody knows that blue an' purple aint natural in the wild and is cuz of breeders takin' a fancy to'em for rich folks and them splashin' competitions. But there is one color that is natural. A wild variant that's gold shiny gold scales. True gold. They're reflective like metal and gleam real pretty in the water. He said that once, long ago, he saw one off this here jetty. Caught in on his line but before he could reel it in...it broke free. I thought mebbe...if I could catch it...I could..." His breath hitched. He rubbed his face. "I'm bein' a right fool, aint I?"

Oak, as he listened, would feel a snag on his line. But after reeling it up, he found that, instead of a red 'karp on the end, an empty capsule dangled instead.

---

After much effort, Oak fished up...a pokeball!
Cast your line again?

Fish? 70% hOEHELcBp_1-100
Item p_1-10 Pokeball1-100·1-10

[Professor Oak]

Professor Oak reeled in his line with a sigh, the empty Poké Ball dangling limply at the end. "Seems as though the ocean has other plans for us today," he remarked and turned back to Justin, who stood staring dejectedly at his own line.

"You’re not a fool, Justin," Oak said gently, his voice carrying a weight of empathy. "We all carry with us dreams and hopes, especially when they're tied to memories of loved ones."

"Shiny Pokémon are a curious phenomenon,” Oak mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “They’re echoes of an evolutionary process that stretches over thousands of years. Nature's way of reminding us there's always room for variation – a spark of something new."

He fell silent for a moment, a memory flickering across his mind. A vision unfolded like a half-forgotten dream, tinged with the golden light of nostalgia and the tremor of a pounding heart. He wasn't Professor Oak then, he was Sammy, a scrawny youth with a mop of unruly brown hair. He was lost. Ilex Forest, once a playground of wonder, had morphed into a maze of towering trees and whispering shadows. The playful chirps of birds were replaced by an unsettling hush, broken only by the rustle of unseen creatures in the undergrowth. The minutes and hours bled into one another.

But then, a sound pierced the oppressive silence. A rhythmic drumming, a frantic knocking, like a Morse code message echoing through the canopy. He scrambled to his feet, following the hypnotic sound with a renewed sense of urgency. And then, as he burst into a sun-dappled clearing, he saw, perched on a moss-covered branch, a Pikipek with a crest of vibrant crimson, tapping its beak against the bark with an intensity that belied its diminutive size. A magnificent ivory adorned its beak, a stark contrast to the crimson plumage.

But it wasn't just the bird that caught his eye. Standing at the base of a tree, a young girl around his age gazed up at the Pikipek with wonder and admiration, her eyes alight with the same sense of awe that stirred within him. Her hair, the colour of spun sunshine, was tied back in a messy braid that trailed down her back. Entranced by the Pikipek, she held her breath, a smile playing on her lips as wide and bright as the clearing itself. Then, as if sensing him, she turned. Her eyes, the same clear blue as the summer sky, met his, and a wave of relief washed over them both. She wasn't alone and neither was he.

A stiff breeze ruffled the surface of the water, carrying Oak back to the present. With a practiced flick of his wrist, he cast his line back out, the weight of the lure sinking into the depths. The memory of the lost girl and the Ivory-billed Pikipek ebbed and flowed on an ocean glimmering with the golden scales of Justin’s Magikarp while the legend of a notch-eared Pichu drifted on the winds. Each, in their own way, defied the norm, a deviation from the well-worn path of evolution.

---

OOC: Casting out my line again at night.

[Tarlar]

Oak's lure hit the water with a splash and then sunk, and sunk, and sunk. Justin's followed not long after but stayed at the surface making small ripples on the water as it was slowly pulled back towards the fisher. It would be hard to see in the dark, especially when they weren't flying above and looking down upon the water, but a shadow emerged and began to follow the surface lure.
Suddenly it bit and Justin's lure got pulled under and an exciting battle started, the fisherman gave the fish some free movement and then gave it a long determined tug which pulled it back up to the surface. A magikarp!
The red fish was a big one, still just a regular magikarp but on the bigger size, it frowned and trashed with its tail, not understanding why the food it had just grabbed was so hard to just swallow. It was stuck somehow although there should be nothing to be stuck on, it tugged and fought the pulling from Justin, not seeing nor understanding what a fishing line was, trying to get the lure unstuck.

Suddenly Oak would feel a tug on his line as well and he would be in for a very long battle as this pokemon were really far down. He gave the rod a sudden tug and suddenly what he had caught got pulled out of water, and it became clear why it had been so tough. It was a bloated qwilfish and it did not look pleased to suddenly be high up in the air.
What it would have done would be a mystery as a pidgey suddenly came diving and dug its tiny claws into the bloated fish, the surprise made it spew out all the water it had swallowed, including a lure ball which flew straight at Oak, he better react fast!
The spikes on the fish cut into the pidgey, who chirped in pain and let go of its prey, who fell down on the magikarp making it drop the lure and the two fish disappeared into the water again.
The pidgey hung in the air for a bit, but then decided it wasn't worth hanging around and flapped away, seemed like no one was going to catch anything tonight. Who said that fishing was boring?!

A lure ball was caught!

Fish(70%): dJErnh4up_1-100
Item: p_1-101-100·1-10

[Professor Oak]

Oak grunted with surprise as his rod lurched violently. The unexpected tug yanked him off balance, sending a spray of saltwater across his face. Frustration bubbled up within him. Tonight was proving to be a comedy of errors. He braced himself and wrestled with the unseen force below, his muscles straining against the relentless pull. This wasn't a Magikarp, that much was clear. It felt heavy, powerful, a deep-sea dweller fighting for its freedom.

Minutes bled into what felt like hours as Oak battled the creature. His arms ached, sweat stinging his eyes. Yet, as he reeled in his catch, he was met with an unexpected sight – a bloated Qwilfish, its swollen form a testament to the perils lurking beneath the surface.

Before Oak could react, a sudden commotion erupted as a Pidgey swooped down from the heavens, its talons sinking into the flesh of the beleaguered Qwilfish. Oak's surprise turned to alarm as the Pidgey launched this daring attack. A strangled gurgle erupted from the Qwilfish’s throat, followed by a geyser of seawater that erupted skyward. Along with the torrent of water, the Qwilfish spewed forth a projectile – a Lure Ball, launched with surprising velocity. It arced through the air in a wobbly trajectory, headed straight for Oak.

Instinct took over. With a yelp, Oak threw himself backward, his boots slipping on the slick boards. He landed with a graceless thud like a Magikarp flopping on land, the Lure Ball whistling past his ear and exploding in a shower of sparks against the rocky outcrop behind him. The sharp crack of the impact echoed across the water.

Slowly, Oak pushed himself up, gingerly testing his throbbing ankle. He turned towards Justin, expecting to find a similar look of dejection on his face. Instead, Justin was doubled over in laughter, clutching his stomach. Oak couldn't help but crack a smile. He brushed the sand off his backside and limped closer to the rocks, where the Qwilfish's watery projectile had landed.

Curiosity piqued, Oak picked it up, wiping away the seawater with his sleeve. A button adorned the centre of the sphere, pulsing faintly with a soft blue light. With a hesitant click, he pressed the button. The sphere sprang open with a flash, and a puff of pink smoke materialised before him. As the smoke cleared, a small, blue creature with a white belly and a mischievous glint in its eyes appeared on the damp sand – a Marill.

Marill
Name: Marley
Gender: Female ♀
Level: 1
OT: Adrian Hartt
Moves: Water Gun, Belly Drum^EM, Aqua Jet^EM, Waterfall^EM
Ability: Huge Power
Nature/Personality: With a calm demeanor and a perpetually chilled-out expression, Marley exudes an aura of tranquility that can soothe even the most frazzled nerves. She prefer to take things at her own pace, never rushing into situations without careful consideration.

"Well, well," Oak chuckled, surprised by the unexpected turn of events. "Looks like someone else had a rough encounter with a Qwilfish." The Marill, oblivious to Oak's amusement, shook itself off, sending droplets of water flying everywhere. It then puffed out its chest and let out a defiant squeak.

Oak turned back to Justin, who was still wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. Justin's laughter died down into a wide grin as he watched the Marill waddling around Oak's boots, an unexpected addition to their night of less-than-stellar fishing. With a shared smile, they both cast their lines back out into the now-calm water, ready to face whatever the rest of the night might bring.

---

OOC: Casting out my line again at night.

[Tarlar]

Fishing was usually known as a rather calm experience, with a few potential exciting periods on between when you were lucky to hook something. Some would call it rather boring and dull, and it didn't help that the fishers who really were into it, could talk non-stop about best fishing places, and lures, and throwing technics, and type of lines, and last but not least: bait.
While you could heighten your chances, in the end it was all down to luck: if you were at the right place at the right time for the pokemon you were hoping to get, and if said pokemon were hungry enough to go for the lure.

How long Oak was going to wait this time, all depended on his view of fishing. If he found it a bit dull, it was probably feeling it was taking forever, while if he really enjoyed it, the peaceful waiting would be over all too soon.
A light tug on the line and a rather quick battle revealed a tentacool had wrapped its tentacles around the lure and line. It explained the lack of resistance, they were rather squishy and didn't offer much resistance against the water they were pulled through, weren't they made by a majority of water too?
With how much it was tangled into the line there was no way this one was getting away and Oak easily pulled it up on land. It flailed its free tentacles a bit but without any facial expressions it would be hard to tell what it thought about the whole situation.

Tentacool [Lv 8] is pulled from the waters!
Weather will be flooding (water sport)

Hook(70%): e1g7y3aBp_1-100
Reel: p_1-100
Shiny: p_1-42


(ooc: rod level increased by 0,5 -> 1,5)1-100·1-100·1-42

[Professor Oak]

As Oak examined the Tentacool, he couldn't help but marvel at its translucent form. Despite its struggles, it seemed more curious than aggressive, its gelatinous body undulating gently as it tried to free itself from the line.

Justin, who had been reeling in his own line nearby, ambled over to join Oak, his interest piqued by the Tentacool's appearance. "Quite the catch," Justin remarked, eyeing the squirming Pokémon. "Didn't expect to see one of these tonight."

"Neither did I," Oak admitted, carefully untangling the Tentacool from the line. Oak debated his options, eyeing the flailing Tentacool. Dusk was settling over the ocean, painting the sky in hues of violet. "This might be the perfect opportunity," he murmured to himself, reaching into his bag and pulling out a Dusk Ball.

The Marill, who had been contently splashing in a nearby tide pool, perked up at the sight of the unfamiliar ball. It waddled closer, its eyes filled with childish curiosity.

"Alright, Tentacool," Oak addressed the bewildered sea creature, holding up the Dusk Ball. "This here might be a better home than dangling on the end of a line." He crouched lower, extending the Dusk Ball towards the jellyfish Pokémon.

Tentacool, freed from the fishing line and unsure of its situation, pulsed with a dull bioluminescent glow. The red orbs atop its head flashed erratically as if considering the proposal. The creature's tentacles, dripping with neurotoxins, drooped slightly as a flicker of uncertainty passed across its countenance.

Intrigued, the Marill hopped closer, its playful demeanour momentarily subdued by the strange exchange. It tilted its head, its nervous eyes flitting between the pulsating ball and the hesitant Tentacool. Oak held his breath, waiting for the creature's reaction. Would it lash out in a desperate attempt to escape or would the Dusk Ball's nighttime influence work its magic?

---

OOC: Sending out Marill, then using a Dusk Ball.
If capture successful, use mod bar on Torchic who has Exp. Share.

[Caramell 🍬]

What wandered inside of the strange jellyfish’s mind as it stared at Professor Oak? Small, beady eyes switched their gaze from the elderly man to his chilled-out aquatic mouse and growled. Tentacles slapped against the long line that reeled it in, currently focused in the battle against the real enemy in a hungry need to return to the water’s edge. Even though the moon shone bright in the skies above, affording a cooler and more comfortable environment than the previous day, it could feel the winds whipping gently around its bulbous form as though to dry its skin out. No!

Oak reached down with a small ball that caught the bright blue jellyfish’s attention. It studied the dark green orb with black markings and a singular orange button stationed in its center and blinked. Was the offer worth more than the home it had ever known? No! Defiance slipped inside of Tentacool’s form and it continued its tussle with the wiry line that had now firmly become its mortal enemy. This was a beast of the night, snatching up the wild watery creatures with ease, and would cause more harm to its companions below the waves if it wasn’t swiftly dealt with.

However, whether it was by intelligent design or simply a lack of understanding how the round devices worked, Tentacool would be its own undoing. It reached one of the long barnacle-hued tentacles out from its body and slapped at Professor Oak’s hands, trying its best to knock the stupid sphere out of the way and make clear its intentions. The tentacle slapped against the small button in the center instead. A bright red beam of light pulled the strange jelly-like creature inside with a zap, where it rocked only once before dinging in success!

---

SUCCESS!!

Marley gained 3 levels.
Marley increased to Level 4!
Marley grew closer to Professor Oak. +1
Marley increased to +1 Happiness!


Walker gained 2 levels.
Walker increased to Level 7!
Walker learned Quick Attack!

Please fill out the form on your new Pokemon:

[img src="https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/bw/tentacool.png"]
[b]Tentacool[/b]
Name: [choose]
Gender: [choose]
Level: 8
OT: Professor Oak
Moves: Poison Sting, Water Gun, Acid, Wrap
Ability: Clear Body or Liquid Ooze
Nature/Personality: [choose]

-1 Dusk Ball deducted from inventory.

[Professor Oak]

Oak's eyes widened in surprise as the red beam engulfed the Tentacool before a triumphant grin spread across his face as the Dusk Ball snapped shut. "Well, that encounter certainly had me on Tenta-hooks," he chuckled, shaking his head a little. "Even a brush against one of those tentacles would have been enough to land you in the hospital wing. But looks like our little friend decided it preferred a comfortable Pokéball to a tangled fishing line after all!" He hefted the ball gently, feeling its weight.

Marill, its earlier curiosity replaced by a look of concern, let out a worried squeak and nudged the Professor's leg with its head. Oak patted the little Pokémon reassuringly. "Don't worry, Marill," he soothed. "Tentacool will be just fine in there." Oak's glanced towards the horizon. In rolled powerful waves, lapping hungrily at the wooden boards beneath their feet. Dusk had fully settled, casting an inky blue blanket over the water. "Goodness, it's getting late, isn't it? The tide's coming in too, see how the water's creeping higher onto the boards?"

Justin, who had been watching the exchange with amusement, chimed in. "We haven't got much longer before the water level is too high to fish here safely," he acknowledged, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "The golden hour for Magikarp is almost over."

Oak's eyes sparkled with renewed determination. "This might be our last chance tonight. Tell you what," he continued, a mischievous glint in his eye, "if I manage to snag that elusive Magikarp, how about I trade you for one of your regular ones?"

Justin's jaw dropped. "A golden one... you mean it?" He adjusted his cap in excitement. "You've got a deal! If you manage to snag that legendary Magikarp, I'll trade you one of my own for it. Just promise me you'll let me see it evolve into a Gyarados someday."

Tonight, the holy grail of Magikarp awaited, and Professor Oak wouldn't rest until it was his.

---

OOC: Casting out my line again at night.

[Pixel]

The gauntlet was thrown and Justin was perhaps more eager than ever to try to reel in that legendary golden 'karp. Oak had, in a way, lifted the spirits of a mourning man, even if he couldn't make his dream come true. As the water level slowly rose, the tide coming in with the moon, the nibbles of the fish seemed to come further apart. However, before either of them to give in for the night and leave the pier for higher ground, Oak would feel a sharp tug on the line. Once. Twice. Thrice. Then, something snagged the hook and started to swim the opposite direction!

He would need to fight with it, yanking and reeling as the pokemon on the other end gave its all to escape.

But eventually it would tire and he would be able to start reeling it in. Oh what would it be? Surely this had to be that golden 'karp...

As he pulled it up, instead of glinting scales, he was faced with wet, gleaming skin. Dangling from the hook, looking a little ornery, was a poliwag.

---

A [LV 10] Poliwag was snared on the line.
Uncommon catch! +1 LV
LV is now 2.5

---

Hit? 70% 9xMuFGtmp_1-100 

SPOILER: Click to show

Uncommon? p_1-6 Common p_1-2 Level? p_8-12

Poliwag is difficulty 7
Rod level is 1.5


Failure % = 5 + 7 + (7 - 1.5)
Failure % = 5 + 7 + (5.5)
Failure % = 17.5^
Failure % = 18

Catch? 82% p_1-100

Shiny? p_1-421-100·1-6·1-2·8-12·1-100·1-42

[Professor Oak]

Oak smiled good-naturedly. "Well, not quite the golden beauty I was hoping for," he admitted. Poliwag, dangling on the end of the line and looking decidedly unimpressed had its pink suction cup lips stubbornly wrapped around the hook which held the piece of dried berry Oak used as bait. Its inquisitive eyes narrowed as it glared up at the Professor.

Marill, ever cheerful, squeaked excitedly and splashed around in the shallow water near Oak's feet. The Professor chuckled, his spirits lifting again. "Don't worry, Marill," he said, reaching for a spare Poké Ball. "Little Poliwag here might just become a welcome addition to the team."

He cast a gentle eye towards Justin, who was trying his best to hide a grin. "Looks like neither of us are catching our gold fish tonight, are we?" Oak remarked.

Justin laughed. "Not yet, at least. But hey, a Poliwag's nothing to scoff at! They can be surprisingly strong swimmers, you know."

Oak nodded in agreement. "Indeed," he said turning his gaze back on the struggling Poliwag. "And with the right training, they can evolve into some truly versatile companions." He held the ball close to Poliwag, the allure of the capture device in the twilight almost irresistible. "So, Poliwag, what do you say? Want to join my team and see what adventures await?"

---

OOC: Sending out Marill, then using a Dusk Ball.
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