[PKMN] SPACE CASE!

[skinstealer]

 

LAST TIME...on SPACE CASE!
With just a little bit further to go, the gang's teamed up with a new ally....will they reach the Lunar Institute with Sweetpea's help-

And can they keep it together that long?! Find out now- on SPACE CASE!
EPISODE 14: The Lunar Landing!

 

---

SWEETPEA: Up and at 'em!

 


 

Way ahead of xem.






You have been staring at the ceiling for hours.

FROND: Hey man-

 

He stops mid greeting, definitely seeing your expression.






You would rather look anywhere than at him right now.

FROND: ....you, uh....good....?

 

Your frown worsens, eyes boring a hole into the tent fabric above you.

FROND: ....stretch?

 

You should probably say. Something.
Anything.
Play this off.


You make some kind of garbled hissing noise.
Shit.
That's not even close to a word.



His face pales.

FROND: .....
FROND: ....hey, uh
FROND: i'll be back in a bit, okay?
FROND: ....

 

There's a tone to his voice you don't want to analyze.




You say nothing.

FROND: ....okay.

 

You aren't sure how much time passes before Minerva stirs, immediately distressed with the lack of her comfort object and scrabbling around for you.

She shouldn't
have to rely on someone like you.
You're disgusting.
You're-

You drag yourself into a sitting position, the world feeling hollow as you force yourself to tap your fingers against her claws.

She calms, no longer panicking.

MINERVA: ....Stretch...?
STRETCH: ....
MINERVA: mmornin...

 

She looks cloudy still.
Guilt squeezes your chest.
Look at all these people you're failing.
She's sick because of you.
She wants to be your friend and what have you given her?
For all you know, this whole incident could have messed up her head as bad as yours!


Fucking idiotic piece of shit DISGUSTING R-

EERIE: Hey, asshole!

 

You whip around.

EERIE: Get up and help!

 

Eerie's voice is startlingly harsh- you'd heard her go off of you, sure, but-

This was different.

EERIE: ....

 

She huffs.

EERIE: Whatever the fuck is going on with you-

 

Her volume drops.

EERIE: Knock it off.
STRETCH: I-
EERIE: Just get Minnie ready and come out for breakfast.

 

The rhyhorn storms off before you can ask for clarification, Filigree poking their head through the door with a pale expression.

FILIGREE: uh
STRETCH: .....

 

You rub the back of your head, your confusion visible along with the prior distress.

FILIGREE: s. sorry.
FILIGREE: Something-

 

They make an indiscernible gesture with their leaves.

FILIGREE: I don't really knooow what's happening?
STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: You and me both.

 

 

Piece of shit.

STRETCH: Cmon, Minnie...













SWEETPEA: Good morning!
 
 

You're supporting Minerva on your shoulder as you walk into the main clearing, relieved that she's at the very least moving around better.
The rest of your team is working on getting rations prepped for breakfast, Sweetpea helping contribute xer own stash.

MINERVA: G- gmorning!

 

You manage a grunt, still feeling extremely sick to your stomach.

Frond looks over, managing a forced smile as he hands Filigree their portion-



....his cheeks look a little wet.



Ohhh no you understand now.



Eerie shoots you a dirty look at you.



ohhhhh no. god no. fuck



Sweetpea seems completely oblivious to the interpersonal drama- drama fixated ENTIRELY on you being a fuckup, mind you- Filigree giving you a panicked gesture out of sight.



This time its meaning is clear.




Fix this, now.




You help Minerva sit, taking a deep breath-

-and taking your own place next to Frond.

The gloom is shocked, eyes wide as you lean over.
You hate this.
You hate-

STRETCH: ...nightmare.
STRETCH: sorry.

 

His face contorts into a further grimace.

oh god NO that was supposed to help

FROND: we-
FROND: can talk about it later
FROND: okay?

 

GREAT now you've made it MORE complicated FUCK your stupid ass life and your stupid ass brain and stupid ass dick oh my god you do NOT want to think about that-

SWEETPEA: Okay, so-
SWEETPEA: My nav's only half working.
EERIE: Join the club.
EERIE: Signal gone to shit?
SWEETPEA: Mhm.

 

Xey rub xer cheek, looking deeply embarrassed.

SWEETPEA: I- I feel like such an idiot-
SWEETPEA: Even with me doing this for so long, I'm still so bad at getting back to the campus from here...

 

Filigree seems infinitely grateful for the excuse to not focus on the dread radiating from you and Frond.

FILIGREE: Guessing it's easy to get lost?

 

Xey nod, looking even guiltier.

SWEETPEA: Before recently, I mainly worked inside-

 

Your golbat companion makes a noise, thankfully able to eat her own food today.

MINERVA: We'll...we'll get you home!
MINERVA: I bet you have a cool....job...thing.

 

She smiles, nearly wobbling to the side before you catch her.

Sweetpea beams at the compliment, though tinged with concern.

SWEETPEA: ...is she okay-?
FILIGREE: She got poisoned on the way.
SWEETPEA: Whoof.
SWEETPEA: Pretty bad for it to last overnight....
STRETCH: ...a few days.
SWEETPEA: O-oh.

 

Xey make a face.

SWEETPEA: Oh. Very bad.
STRETCH: Nn.
SWEETPEA: Well-!
SWEETPEA: More reason for us to get moving!
MINERVA: yaaaay
MINERVA: A-and-
MINERVA: You could tell me about. Jobs.

 

The smile comes right back.

SWEETPEA: I'd love to!

 

Oh, thank god, no more storytime from you.





.....







You catch Frond's eye, both of you looking aside as soon as you make contact.




....time to handle this first.












The corner you and Frond have tucked into feels claustrophobic, even when exposed completely to the air.

No one knows how to start this off.

Does he know?
Did he-
oh god, did he watch you clean up last night-

FROND: I know this- talking about this is hard for you.
FROND: I get it.
FROND: I, it's-

 

His lip trembles.



Fuck, fuck, goddamnit-

FROND: ...you haven't-
STRETCH: Frond, I-

 

please don't know PLEASE don't know-

FROND: you haven't sounded like that since it happened-

 

uh

FROND: And, I-
FROND: I just want to help-

 

he doesn't
hate?
you?

STRETCH: It
STRETCH: was just
STRETCH: a dream...?

 

He shakes his head.

FROND: It's not a "just" thing, I have them too-

 

He takes a deep breath, running a hand down his face.

FROND: ...sorry.
FROND: I shouldn't-

 


 

You pull him in for a hug before you can stop yourself.




Your heart is pounding.



You try not to think about how he can hear it.




the faint scent of

FROND: Hgh-!
STRETCH: ....

 

You release him, looking away.


Words don't come.

Frond


smiles.

FROND: ...thanks.

 

You nod.


For now, somehow-
it's enough.







Eerie takes Minerva's tether today after Frond ties the harness, heavily implying that you'd be better off being muscle in the process.
Still- she seems infinitely less hostile now that both you and Frond talked.

Sweetpea doesn't even question your bizarre setup, too focused on getting home- and rambling.

Xey're not wrong, the trail is winding- your inability to keep track of how many times you'd turned left or right raising your anxiety with every fork in the trail. Still, Frond helps point out the way when they come up, and Sweetpea is allowed to chatter xer head off.

SWEETPEA: With Osteo running around- we've lost so many signs, indicators of where to go-
SWEETPEA: And all the injuries! It's-
SWEETPEA: Just horrible!
SWEETPEA: You really are so brave for standing up to them...
EERIE: I, uh-
EERIE: W-well-
EERIE: ...somebody's....gotta?

 

Filigree makes a little noise of distress, Eerie shooting them a look.

SWEETPEA: And we here at the Institute appreciate it!
SWEETPEA: We can't pursue our research with all this going on...

 

Xer ears perk up, remembering Minerva's request.

SWEETPEA: And we do a lot!
FROND: Do you work on the alien stuff?

 

His energy's returned a little- thank god- but you can recognize an attempt to cheer you up from the gloom immediately.
Still, your lip twitches.

SWEETPEA: Oh, no-
SWEETPEA: We only work with the extraterrestrial department when necessary.
SWEETPEA: I work in evolutionary studies!

 

...wait

STRETCH: ...Asterism.
SWEETPEA: Hm?
STRETCH: The name you said earlier.
STRETCH: You work with the Asterisms.
SWEETPEA: OH!

 

Xey grin.

SWEETPEA: You do recognize him!

 

.....


Now that you know his field



It'd be hard not to.


The Asterisms were a husband and wife pair known for their research into evolutionary anomalies, particularly in relation to stones.
Calling them famous would be going too far, more recognized in niche enthusiast circles and scientific journals.



....after your own changes...

STRETCH: I've seen them around.
STRETCH: Online.
STRETCH: ...yeah.

 

Xey're thrilled.

SWEETPEA: It's the job of a lifetime...
MINERVA: They sound...really nice...

 

Eerie keeps Minerva going, embarrassed as she pats the golbat on the back.

EERIE: yeah yeah we're all very excited to get you home
SWEETPEA: I'm sure both of them will be very grateful.
SWEETPEA: And just a bit furth-

 

 

She lets out a sharp croak, something jerking xem forward-





A tentacle striking out from behind a cliff, ensnaring Sweetpea's arm-



-a smug looking tentacruel striding out and poking at xer pin.

TENTACRUEL: Well, well....
TENTACRUEL: Looks like we got a lunatic!

 
 

You immediately try to zoom forward, a brief spark of energy blinding you-

TENTACRUEL: Frog-faced bitc-

 

He doesn't get the chance to finish, Sweetpea swinging xer leg directly into his gelatinous body



and splattering him against the closest rock wall, instantly knocked out.

FILIGREE: ....
EERIE: ......
FROND: ............
STRETCH: ....that explains the magneton.
EERIE: yyyep.
FROND: Wh- you were packing that much firepower?!
SWEETPEA: W-well, I-

 

Xey tap xer claws together.

SWEETPEA: It's not that much of-

 

You give xem a look, hovering over and holding out your hand.

SWEEPEA: Wh-
STRETCH: Move cards.
STRETCH: Now.
STRETCH: Skill sheet too.

 

She shuffles in her hip pouch, looking utterly miserable as she forks them over.



Your eyes widen.

Filigree darts over, letting out a whistle.

FILIGREE: Whoa.
FROND: Let me see-
FROND: ....
FROND: Wow!
FROND: You really need us to-?
SWEETPEA: Of course I do!

 

It comes out indignant, wobbly.

SWEETPEA: I -
EERIE: Dude, these are trained stats.
SWEETPEA: B-but!
SWEETPEA: I'm here to research!
SWEETPEA: Fighting, fighting isn't-
SWEETPEA: I don't want to!

 

You take a deep breath, forking everything back over.

STRETCH: ....one question. Then.
STRETCH: Self destruct card.
STRETCH: How and why.

 

Xey don't respond, shrinking back as much as a wall of a venusaur can.

STRETCH: ...fine.
STRETCH: Just don't use it.
SWEETPEA: Of
SWEETPEA: of course.
STRETCH: Let's go.









 

The Lunar Institute.

You remember going here as a kid on a couple field trips, your parents reluctant to spend the money to fly all the way out. It had felt so magnificent, a whole campus built into a mountain-


And yet, it hits even harder as an adult.


The mountain itself looms overhead in a way that couldn't fully be appreciated on the hike, feeling impossibly large now that it's not a part of the backdrop. A natural spectacle that made the trek make so much sense- of COURSE you'd have to travel all that way to get to something like this.

A look over your shoulder confirms it, the upward hike far less steep, reasonable even, compared to the behemoth in front of you.

And even so, the mons of Mt Moon, and the Lunar Institute especially, have carved into it- respecting its structure and all of the natural intricacies while making terraces, landings and tunnels that circle around its sides.

The main entrance to the facility may have been a large, reinforced archway- but you find yourselves watching the workers and scientists scurry along the mountain's outside. They look so used to going in and out of the caves that it seems second nature even from this distance, their own ecological niche within a workplace.

SWEETPEA: oh thank god

 

Xey nearly collapse in relief, wiping xer forehead.

SWEETPEA: Th...thank you all so much.

 

The venusaur had gone quiet during the rest of the trip, distraught at the reaction to xer moves- but you push the guilt away as best you can.

Which.

Is not very well, admittedly,

but it's not like you had asked for anything out of line.



Xey were the one who got you into the whole magneton situation in the first place.



injuring frond and



You shove that thought into the depths of your brain.
No more of whatever that is.
Focus.


The community center outside the mountain looks similar to the one back in Pewter-




-up until you actually make your way inside.



There are food stalls, trading centers- while the front had looked the exact same, standardized, it's clear that this too is embedded into the mountain.
It goes way deeper than any you've seen, having expanded in the time since your last visit to practically be a whole market in and of itself.


There is one place you do recognize, though. You hadn't been allowed near it on your school trips, too focused on the science museum aspect of the affair...


Mons in caving gear chatter a ways from the entrance, leaning on signs advertising their services.


You skid to a stop, leaning over and gesturing for Filigree to come closer.

FILIGREE: E-eh?
FILIGREE: Something up-
STRETCH: Got a task for you.

 

You point over to the group of cavers.

STRETCH: Need a cave guide to use the travel routes.
STRETCH: I need to get Minnie in for treatment.
STRETCH: Get us a good one.
FILIGREE: uh
FILIGREE: Sure! I mean, sure, but-
FILIGREE: Why...me?

 

You tip your head over their shoulder.

Eerie and Frond, on their way to dropping Minerva off, have gotten derailed by a particularly shiny looking tourist trap stall.
Minnie is not helping, entranced by sparkly, overpriced trinkets.

FILIGREE: ....point made.
STRETCH: Budget is low.
STRETCH: Find somebody who's cheap-
FILIGREE: Didn't you say to get a good one-?
STRETCH: Nn.
STRETCH: You'll.
STRETCH: Figure it out.

 

They give a stressed salute.

FILIGREE: On the case.











NURSE: .....
 

The magnemite in front of you sighs, but seems relieved as Minerva's eyes follow her magnet hands.

NURSE: That's the fifth case this week...
NURSE: Osteo's poison is no joke.
NURSE: The symptoms should be fully gone overnight, but she'll be fatigued and stressed.
NURSE: No battling for at least a week, you understand?

 

You nod, perhaps too quickly.
Your fault. You-
you pushed her this far-




Your skin crackles.

NURSE: You got lucky....
NURSE: She's going to be okay.

 

Minerva smiles, laying down on a table and looking properly blissed out from the center treatments. Instant-acting painkillers and status relief weren't exactly available for travelers on your budget, let alone the healing acceleration. You'd bet that everyone else is getting the same care-

NURSE: You, however-

 

-while you're relatively....fine...

She doesn't miss a thing,

NURSE: Are you aware that you're-?
STRETCH: Yes I am fine.

 

The words come out hurried.

She squints.

NURSE: ....you should rest too, then.
NURSE: I dunno the nature of you two's relationship-
STRETCH: Friends. We're friends.
NURSE: ...uh huh.

 

She presses a small bottle into your hand.

NURSE: But if you can stand it, or have someone else who can- you can give her this lotion nightly.
NURSE: It'll reduce her anxiety, get her better sleep-
NURSE: And for the love of god, let her sleep during the day.
NURSE: Poor thing's exhausted.
MINERVA: A nap sounds
MINERVA: soooo good right now.
NURSE: See?
NURSE: It's early enough that you can get her on track.
NURSE: Rent a room and get some damn sleep.
NURSE: ....

 

She gives you one last look, her suspicion clear.

NURSE: ...and be careful.
NURSE: No good to be traveling these caves while...wound up.

 

You feel your skin crawl, like she sees something you don't want to admit.

STRETCH: ...yes ma'am.







MINERVA: ....

 

Minnie's able to walk better now, only needing you to stay nearby just in case, instead of having a guaranteed fall risk.

MINERVA: I...
MINERVA: I'm sorry, Stretch...

 

The happy feeling had worn off along with the initial injections, the golbat looking as guilty as you feel.

MINERVA: i can't believe i, was like that for days-
STRETCH: Hey.

 

You look away, trying to sound more confident than you feel.

STRETCH: ...s'fine.
STRETCH: It's- my job.
STRETCH: ....as captain.
STRETCH: and your. friend.

 

Her soft smile returns, just the tiniest bit.

MINERVA: Still...
STRETCH: I'll handle the fighting.
STRETCH: And. Caring for you in the caves.

 

You don't see the headpat coming, instantly realizing just how much you missed them even after just a few days.

MINERVA: ...my hero.










 

.....

You don't try to hide the look on your face.

STRETCH: Filigree-
FILIGREE: Hear me out.
????: Hello!

 

The omastar in front of you is dramatically posing, or at least trying to.

OMASTAR: My name-

 
 

 

She flexes, completely confident in whatever her abilities are.

OMASTAR: Is RAPPEL!
RAPPEL: And I'll be your guide!

 

Frond claps, Minerva joining him. Your look of exhaustion passes over to both of them, the gloom shrugging.

FROND: What?
FROND: I like her. Good showmanship.
STRETCH: How long have you been-
EERIE: Met her like two minutes ago.

 

Eerie's working on a sandwich, eating half of it in a bite.

EERIE: She knows knife tricks.
STRETCH: We are not-

 

You raise your hands up, taking a breath.

STRETCH: Please tell me we did not hire you based on knife tricks.
RAPPEL: My experience with blades is just one trick in my toolbelt-

 

She raises a tentacle, fishing in her jacket pocket. She's not like any kind of omastar you'd ever seen- though you're not exactly in any place to judge. Her hair tentacles look more like arrows, flattened and not entirely following the movement of her head.
Psychic type?


A spread of cards is thrust in your face.

STRETCH: uh
RAPPEL: Pick one!
STRETCH: not exactly in the market for card tricks either
RAPPEL: You're the team captain, yeah?
RAPPEL: Allow me to impress you!
RAPPEL: Take your pick.

 

You hesitate, already tired of this-

-picking the middle card and pulling it out.


Your blood runs cold.

RAPPEL: An excellent choice.
RAPPEL: That, my good friend-
STRETCH: ....the Cosmos.
RAPPEL: Ahhh, a fellow occult enthusiast!
RAPPEL: You know this card.



 

You stare down at the painterly nebula, stylized swirls around a falling figure.

STRETCH: ....
RAPPEL: Well-

 

To your relief, she lowers the intensity.

RAPPEL: In that case.
RAPPEL: Allow me to keep this short.
RAPPEL: You're a traveler- but you knew that.
RAPPEL: But your path is warped, unworldly-
RAPPEL: To many, beyond understanding!
RAPPEL: ....

 

A strange look crosses her face.

RAPPEL: ...it's interesting.
RAPPEL: This is my card as well.
RAPPEL: How curious.

 

.....
Every bit of sense tells you this is some kind of ruse.
You've seen plenty of conmen doing this exact kind of bit.





Your eyes meet.





She sees right into you.




And you see back.

STRETCH: How much.
RAPPEL: My rates?
STRETCH: Nn.
RAPPEL: For you, a discount-
RAPPEL: 500 a day!

 

Eerie pales.

EERIE: That's barely enough to eat-
RAPPEL: Ah ah-!
RAPPEL: I value opportunity far more than funds!
RAPPEL: Besides.

 

She leans in.

RAPPEL: Many of the locals hook me up with their leftovers.
RAPPEL: I'm quite the favorite around here!

 

Filigree shrugs.

FILIGREE: She's got all the qualifications we'd want-
STRETCH: You're hired.

 

Rappel pumps her fist, striking another pose.

RAPPEL: You won't regret it, my new friends!
RAPPEL: A beautiful new partnership begins-
STRETCH: yes okay alright
EERIE: ....so, you're gonna, like-
EERIE: Take us through the mountain?
RAPPEL: That I am!
RAPPEL: The Institute may be safe to traverse- but Mt. Moon itself is no joke!
RAPPEL: The tunnels- precarious!
RAPPEL: The cliffs- quite dangerous!
RAPPEL: Peoples' homes- private, and not to be intruded on!
FROND: You're required to hire one to be let through-
RAPPEL: Or have a license yourself!

 

Another flex.

RAPPEL: I'm completely certified.
STRETCH: Let's see your numbers.

 

You'd kick yourself for not checking her sheets before agreeing to hire her-

-if they weren't so damn good.

EERIE: Eesh, two powerhouses in one day.
FROND: Hey, I'll take that luck!
MINERVA: So strong-!
RAPPEL: Fully evolved!
RAPPEL: An incredible typing!
RAPPEL: And moves that hit hard-
STRETCH: ...with prep time.
RAPPEL: WITH prep time!
STRETCH: ...it'll work.
STRETCH: For now-
STRETCH: Rest up. Rent rooms.
STRETCH: We'll regroup later.









 

Minerva flops onto the bed, fully flattening herself out.

MINERVA: ouuuuuu

 

You sit by her side, hovering above the sheets.

STRETCH: ....how-
STRETCH: How are you doing.
MINERVA: Better...

 

She rolls over, pancake-ing on her back now.

MINERVA: Can you help me get undressed, though...?

 

You swallow, nodding.




It'd been one thing doing this to help Minnie go to the bathroom and getting cleaned up during the adventure- a simple matter of practicality, your mind too focused on getting her through this and out of that nightmarish fucking route. But, with rest-




Your peach fuzz-like fur stands on end, breath getting heavy again.




You don't like it.




You-

MINERVA: ....Stretch?

 

She lays there, soft and fully unclothed.

MINERVA: ....do you want to lay down?

 

She has enough manners to not look over at the obvious, sparing your pride as you curl up beside her.



Minerva doesn't push you to talk, reaching up to stroke your hair-antennae.

MINERVA: ...Eerie mentioned you and Frond had a fight.
STRETCH: shit.
MINERVA: The stress must be...a lot right now.
MINERVA: I'm sure he understands...
MINERVA: ....

 

The golbat opens her wings, and you immediately scoot in.


You feel disgusting, still.



She would hate you if she knew your dream from last night.




She would think you're vile, just like anyone with sense-

MINERVA: ....do you need to let off some steam?

 

You let out a huff of frustration, fully aware of your body rubbing against hers.

STRETCH: It's-
STRETCH: it's too risky-
MINERVA: Shh....
MINERVA: We don't have to go all the way. Just-
MINERVA: Enough for both of us to relax.
MINERVA: I can lay on top of you, weigh you down-

 

 

You swallow.

STRETCH: ....nn.
STRETCH: are
STRETCH: you sure?

 

She nods, giving you a nuzzle of affirmation.

MINERVA: As long as you're gentle.
MINERVA: Then we use the lotion and take a nap for real, okay?
STRETCH: ....okay.
STRETCH: yes, please.

 

Minerva rolls over on top of you, her weight so, so welcome after all of this-




She actually gets to hear your voice this time.

 

---

Their location reached, but this is only the beginning...the Shooting Stars must now prepare for their mountainous voyage!

And what's the deal with this omastar woman, anyway? Suggestors- what intrigues you most about the Shooting Stars' new companion? Surely there's secrets to be had...

Find out next time...on SPACE CASE!