23. Hear Me Out Loud [Bloom]

[Tiki]

Rindo Berry on Barboach
EXP Share on Tympole
Normal Gem on Male Whismur
chosen 3 Pokemon: barboach, whismur, tympole

After the Alolan Trials in New Bark Town, Ethan made his way to Cherrygrove to take on the second trial, where the elderly couple was already waiting for them there. Once again, he was inquired to select his three chosen Pokemon, and he had chosen the same three as before, his Tympole, Whismur, and Barboach.

Ethan was still playing back the last trial in his head, where his slightly forgotten Tympole was wailing at the start of the trial, and then became happy at the end of the trial. The poor water Pokemon just simply wanted to bond with him, and to experience more exciting battles together! Ever since he had came to Johto, Ethan had essentially left behind the gift his family had given him! Now, he finished listening to the older couple's instructions, and looked forward to what this trial would bring.

[Pixel]

Ethan was ushered into the trial by the old couple and assured that they would take care of his other pokemon while he challenged the trial. This one was vastly different from the first. He entered what almost appeared to be some sort of hedge maze, the plants growing so densely together above that it was impossible to tell the weather or time of day outside. It was also weirdly warm in here despite the growing chill outside, the vegetation trapping heat to leave it a pleasant but humid temperature within the confines of the 'maze'. A greenhouse made of greenery. How novel.

As he moved forward, he would eventually enter a chamber where berry trees grew thick on every wall. There were lots of fruits around, fresh and ripe for the taking. However, what perhaps stood out in this scene was not the lush harvest utterly begging the trainer to fall for temptation, but the small pokemon curled up in the middle, looking like a sad pile of fallen leaves. Next to the burmy was a sign that read "POISON" and nothing else.

---

There is a sick looking Burmy...

...and all around you are berry trees.

SPOILER: Click to show

RHa3qxWGp_1-6
p_1-6

1-6·1-6

[Tiki]

Ethan didn't knew he signed himself up for a garden maze. The plants around him were growing unperturbed and dense, that they were competing for the remaining space and every glimmer of sunlight that would poke through the top part of the plants. He found himself turning sideways and keeping his frame small as he navigated the untrimmed and uncontained verdant growth. When he was finished, he thought that was the first part of the trial, because he would see an un-energetic Pokemon and a sign that says poison.

"Are you sick? Is this part of the trial?" He wasn't sure if the Burmy was sick itself, as it looked like a pile of leaves whether or not it was sick, and one would have to find the eyes, if they were even opened. Thinking simply that he just needed to find the berry that would cure poison status, he looked for a Pecha Berry and singled it out.

Well, he wasn't sure what to do with it either. He bounced the berry on his hand initially, not thinking if it would be crushed from the impact as it landed on his hand. Then, if the Burmy wouldn't do anything, he would place just hold it on his hand until somebody does something, whether it was the Burmy speaking up or another Pokemon making an entrance, or another sign for another clue he should be looking for.

[Pixel]

The burmy would lay there looking sad and pathetic as Ethan strolled around with the pecha berry now in hand. He tossed it in his hand, looking around as if waiting for something to happen. As if deciding that this human was especially dim-witted as to not give the sick pokemon the poison curing berry, the burmy popped up and rammed into his shins, forcing him to drop the berry so it could gobble it up. Then it wobbled a bit on its little stick legs, as if to say 'come at me bro'.

<You cannot proceed to the next stage of the trial without gaining passage past me first!>

It wondered if the clueless human would just wander off. Maybe it had a head injury it should be respectful of.

---

[LV 12] Burmy wants to battle!

[Tiki]

Barboach x2 Water Pulse

The Burmy suddenly moved and slammed onto his shin, making Ethan almost yelled in pain. Thankfully, the bug type have soft body features that weren't hard against his shin when it tackled. Then, it yelled something akin to issuing a challenge. Even though the Burmy was small, the trainer knew what it was trying to communicate.

"So you want a battle now? Alright, let's go!" Ethan grabbed a Pokeball and hurled it on the ground. A grey fish with gold fins appeared, wiggling on the ground. Then, the aquatic Pokemon started humming casually and stared at the Burmy, blinking at the right time to not stare uncomfortably. Then, he opened his mouth and fired a blast of whirling water that could cause dizziness at the receiver.

[Pixel]

<Hmph. About time you figure it out, you dimwit.> The burmy grumbled, lunging forward to tackle the barboach that emerged. However, this foe was formidable! That water pulse soaked it through down under its leafy cloak and knocked it far back. It landed on the ground and tumbled head over end, rolling furiously until it slammed into the base of a berry bush. Dazed, it took a moment to recover before hopping up and defending against the next wave of water! Its leafy cloak tightened up and a glittering shield formed around the burmy, defending it from the onslaught. <I suppose you are not totally worthless. Very well, when you defeat me I will show you the way to the totem. That way you can be THEIR problem.>

It shook itself, readying for another round of battling.

Wild Encounter

---

Weather: Clear

[attr="class","qkt-bkgd"]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Wild Burmy LV 12
HP 63% [22/35]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Barboach  LV 13
HP 90% [36/40]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

Burmy [Shed Skin]: Status
Barboach [Swift Swim]: Status

Burmy only knows Protect (1) and Tackle (2)
SP:24 barboach uses water pulse _OQx5Hjpp_1-16 p_1-16 p_1-100
SP:17 Burmy uses p_1-2 Tackle! p_1-16p_1-16
SP:24 barboach uses water pulse p_1-16 p_1-16 p_1-100
SP:17 Burmy uses p_1-2 Protect!


1-16·1-16·1-100·1-2·1-16·1-16·1-16·1-16·1-100·1-2

[Tiki]

"Who are you to talk about worth?" said the Barboach, trying to sound like an old wise man. "When you are the one who needed protection? Come face me like a real Pokemon!" The wiggling Pokemon taunted, as his second Water Pulse didn't hit the Burmy.

"How the heck are you chosen as the guide to the Totem Pokemon? Your attitude is kind of rude." Jam continued to wiggle on the now muddy ground, making places his home wherever he went. Then, he inhaled a little bit and then prepared another Water Pulse at the opponent.

"Good job, Jam! Keep it up with another--" Ethan cheered, wasn't aware of their conversation going on, but immediately stopped when he saw the ring of water blasting out of Barboach as another Water Pulse went toward it. It was definitely a stronger move than Mud-Slap anyways!

[Pixel]

<It is my assigned and honored duty to judge those who come here seeking to face the Totem. It is the duty of the guide to test challengers as well as provide what is needed. To speak what needs to be known. While you might have wisdom and strength enough to win a battle, does your trainer have the wisdom to solve a basic puzzle? A riddle for children?> Cranky burmy. Less of an old man and just more of a grumpy middle-management type that liked things to be done a certain way and nobody could ever seem to do things as right as it could do them. 

<So I must continue to test you on this battleground!> It lunged and upon reaching the mudfish was blasted back again by a potent water pulse. Bleh. Soaked. It shook itself again, unbothered by the wet, but painfully away of the mud sticking to its body.

Wild Encounter

---

Weather: Clear

[attr="class","qkt-bkgd"]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Wild Burmy LV 12
HP 26% [9/35]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Barboach  LV 13
HP 80% [32/40]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

Burmy [Shed Skin]: Status
Barboach [Swift Swim]: Status

Burmy only knows Protect (1) and Tackle (2)
SP:24 barboach uses water pulse B_gEjkK_p_1-16 p_1-16 p_1-100
SP:17 Burmy uses p_1-2 Tackle! p_1-16p_1-16



1-16·1-16·1-100·1-2·1-16·1-16

[Tiki]

"Well, my trainer seemed to be doing great so far!" The Barboach retorted. "Maybe your trial had open ended interpretations if you have a problem with it! Go design a clearer instruction or something!" While the slippery fish Pokemon might had not seen that one sign before the start of this battle, he was adamant that the Burmy was stubborn.

The bug type moved forward to give the Barboach a tackle or something, but Jam felt nothing! Either the Burmy was weak or the move was weak, or both! "Well, maybe you should judge your own strength because I barely felt a thing! How did they choose you to test challengers before taking on Totem?" Jam smirked, and then blasted another stream of circling water at the opponent.

[Caramell 🍬]

“You are just as foolish as your trainer, I see.” The cranky Pokémon snapped back. How was this going to help them in their trial? Trying to argue against their test just because they didn’t like their results or were too slow to figure it out? “Our test is meant to weed out the incompetent. Thankfully, the Totem Pokémon will do just that when you meet them.”

Barboach powered off a high-powered water attack. The cold suds slammed against Burmy and sent the small bug flying into the base of a nearby tree. Ouch! “Very well, now you’re no longer my problem.” Burmy huffed-huffed stubbornly. It rose up onto its buggy legs and ran fast through the thick undergrowth of the surrounding forest. “Hurry up, slowpokes!” It called from behind.

It didn’t respond to Barboach’s last question. It seemed like one that just wasn’t worthy of a response, so Burmy didn’t give one. In truth, you didn’t choose to test Pokémon who came here looking for the Totem Pokémon. You were hand selected by the Totem Pokémon itself. And when the Pokémon selected Burmy, no amount of begging nor pleading would change the Totem Pokémon's mind.

Wild Encounter

---

Weather: Clear

[attr="class","qkt-bkgd"]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Wild Burmy LV 12
HP 26% [0/35]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Barboach  LV 13
HP 80% [32/40]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

Burmy [Shed Skin]: KO'd
Barboach [Swift Swim]: Healthy

SP24 Barboach used Water Pulse! Burmy is confused!
SP17 Burmy fainted!

Burmy Moves: Protect, Tackle

---

Jam gained +2 levels to [Lv 15]!
Jam gained +1 ♥ to [+2 Happiness]!


Tempo gained +1 level to [Lv 19]!

[Tiki]

Follow the Burmy
unequip rhindo from barboach

"Is the trial about the bond of the Pokemon and trainer, or about the wits of the human? Make it make sense!" The Barboach argued back before letting out the Water Pulse that ultimately led to the Burmy's admission of defeat. The bug type huffed and then bounced off, but not before turning back to holler at them.

"Good job, Jam! You're like a psychic, you seemed to know what I was going call out. Return!" Ethan thanked his Pokemon, and returned his Pokemon. He then followed after the Burmy. While the Tympole would eventually evolve into a water and ground type, the young trainer was wondering why the two Pokemon had behaved differently, for having opportunity to train to become stronger. Perhaps, the Tympole had traveled so far from Hoenn, that it wanted to prove its worth in its new home?

[Pixel]

With the burmy long out of sight by the time Ethan wandered his way into the next chamber, he was once more on his own to figure out what in the world to do next. He was in a vast, circular room, surrounded on all sides by the same hedges that formed the maze-like trial zone as before. It was impossible to see the sky, though some light filtered through, and it was unseasonably warm in here, almost spring-like despite the chilled temperatures beyond the greenery. As he observed the room, he would discover six paths in addition to the one he emerged from, all of which had a painted sign above them that appeared to be the black outline of...a pokemon? Interesting.

The only other thing to be found in the room was a curious arrangement of flowers that after some head-tilting, appeared to spell out a single world: EVOLVE.

It was quiet in the chamber.

What would Ethan choose to do?

                             

You have found six paths with strange signs above them.

Which path will you choose?

[Tiki]

The atmosphere was a little cool from the towering trees and leaves covering much of the sky. Ethan found himself in a strange little forest room with different paths. In front of the paths were signs with silhouettes of various shapes. Taking a quick look at them, he figured they were Pokemon, especially since one of them looked like a Whimsicott, which he had one. In the center of the room, stood an arrangement of flowers placed to spell out a hinting word.

He took a glance and then looked around the room. Since he had battled the Burmy earlier, he figured the evolution of that would be Wormadam, so he headed toward that direction to see what awaited him past the green shrubbery corridor.

[Pixel]

Upon entering the hedge enclosed path, Ethan would notice the greenery become darker. Denser. The ground beneath his feet would shift from dirt to a mossy path, reminiscent of the deep forest of Ilex. The air became damper and warmer. There was a distinct aroma on the air that brought to mind trees and the wilderness. As he entered the next chamber, he would find himself surrounded by berry bushes that had grown taller than normal, tall enough to tower over him and block out the sky. Dapples light filtered through in patches, speckling the ground below.

His steps were noisy—crunching on leaf litter, disturbing the delicate ecosystem that thrived beneath.

At the center of the chamber was a singular tree, oak perhaps, that rose taller than all he rest, its canopy mingling with the branches of the berry bushes to create an almost dome shape. This little zone was sheltered and almost sacred in the way it felt. As if walking in here was trespass.

There was a stone altar beneath the tree with the amulet he sought.

Before he could reach it, there was a cry, and a giant wormadam fell from the trees to intercept him.

---

The Totem Wormadam (Level 15) is blocking your path!
Who will Ethan send out first?

[Tiki]

Ethan continued down the path and found himself in a small chamber with towering berry trees. These had been growing likely for many years to reach this height. When he walked, the pile of fallen and fragile leaves crunched under his steps, making his approach to the Totem Pokemon loudly known.

Suddenly, in front of him, a giant Wormadam dropped from the sky and hissed at him. The opponent Pokemon hadn't said anything yet, but he figured it's time to send out his own Pokemon as well too. "Come on out, Shuffle! Use Uproar!" He hurled a Pokeball and a pink little Pokemon appeared. The young Pokemon mumbled, and shook with nervousness, like a Spinda's level amount of wobbling and twirling. Then, the quiet, unassuming Pokemon screamed loudly. "AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! GGGAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Ethan covered his ears as he didn't expect this Pokemon to have such loud volume capacity within that small lungs. How was this possible?

per google? Normal gem don't get consumed if opponent used protect?
Uproar x2 turns