Sixteenth Flight. [audio/action for travel party.]

[newberktown]

[Among the background bustle--familiar sounds for anyone who's set foot in a Pokemon Center--there's a small whine from an Eevee, almost like a prompt for Hiccup to speak. After another second or so, he does.]

Uh... Has anyone ever, uhmm. [There's another pause. How should he put this...] Lost...half their pokemon? [He clears his throat before continuing, quicker this time like an excuse.] I still have all their pokeballs, and those are registered to all of them still, according to the people at the Center. But I can't find them anywhere...

[Hiccup sighs, and there's a subtle clunk as he moves his hand to the 'gear to shut it off. Before he does, though, there's one last mumble.]

I can't believe this is happening again...

Comments

[audio]

[trickyoutwice]

How do you lose a bunch of 'em?

['Cause this sounds like a hilarious story just waiting to happen.]

Wait, wait. How do you lose a bunch of 'em more than once?

[audio]

[newberktown]

If I knew, I would tell you.

[Hiccup doesn't see the humor in the situation, to say the least.]

It's...a long story. But it wasn't pokemon, before.

video;

[usedlaserbeam]

You...lost half your Pokemon?

[HALF YOUR POKEMON, Hiccup?]

I'm not sure whether to be aghast or impressed.

audio;

[newberktown]

I didn't do it on purpose. [Sigh.] I came back to my room at the inn and they were just gone.

[audio]

[darkenedgales]

... You did what? [Perhaps "how did that happen" is a better question, but he somehow doubts he can answer that.]

Dude, what kinda trainer would lose half of their Pokémon?!

[Wow Crow you're so supportive.]

[audio]

[newberktown]

Trust me, I'm asking myself the same question.

[Because seriously, man, it keeps happening.]

[video] I'm suddenly not sure if she's with them or not? I get so confused about travel.

[punchandkiss]

...What do you mean lost, Hiccup? I'm pretty sure they can't just...run off.

[Here, have Astrid and Fuzzball the Sentret both giving really puzzled looks at the camera.]

[video] She should still be with him and Carmen in Blackthorn!

[newberktown]

[Since it's Astrid, he switches to video after brief hesitation. The top of Leap Year's head can be seen at the bottom of screen.]

Well, they did. And a part of me-- [Wait. As far as he knew, Astrid came from a Berk still living harmoniously with dragons.] ...I've been spending a lot of time in the Dragon's Den. Maybe they got tired of me.

Video

[starspangledavenger]

That's quite the talent. [Holding back from grinning]

Probably won't help, but my Rufflet often flies off on his own for hours at a time, but he always comes back. Maybe they'll come back on their own?

[pauses for a second in thought]

What type of Pokemon did you lose anyway?

audio

[newberktown]

[Not a talent he wants, if that's the case...]

Maybe... [He's sounding doubtful, though. Memories had him bogged down.] I haven't done a complete headcount of my pokemon yet, but... Almost twenty left, I think. All different types.

[audio]

[captainash]

Are you sure they're not just out on a walk or training by themselves?

[That's probably the first thing anyone would check, but still...]

[audio]

[newberktown]

Maybe... But so many of them? [Besides...] It's been a while. And some of mine that like to train are still here.

audio

[onelevelmeaner]

[What?! Did he really just hear that right? He can't believe it!]

You've got to be a real idiot to be able to lose half your Pokemon.

audio

[newberktown]

[You certainly did, Hikaru.]

It's not like I meant to, you know. I always let them stay in my room when I go out. They've never done this before...

action; | why look who it is

[thecrooks]

[Hey, Hiccup, look who's peeking nervously around the door of the Pokemon Center, clearly terrified at the prospect of having to go in and face all the noise and commotion, but at the same time attempting to be brave and man up to it anyway.

Spoilers: the last time you saw this little guy, he was a Charmander.

He may not be the dragon you're looking for, but he sure is the dragon looking for you. c: ]

action; | bravest baby

[newberktown]

[He glances over between his replies, and is pretty surprised to see Miles. Well, it was more because 'omg is that Musphel, did Musphel evolve' than anything, but after he realizes it's not his snoozy fire lizard, the impact is just the same. Because it is a familiar Charmeleon, even when he's sure he doesn't know any pokemon of that species.

Mulling this over, Hiccup sets aside the 'gear and gets to his feet to take a few curious steps over to the doors.]

Hey, buddy... [He was, after all, fairly certain he knew who this was. And if not, no harm in being friendly.] What're you doing over here by yourself?

Video;

[aswirlofspirit]

[Fear not young viking. This ninja is not here to mock you for losing half your team, but, um, she's got some questions.]

Pokemon probably aren't that different from wild animals, maybe they just don't like being cooped up and went to get some fresh air?

[Okay, but what to do about finding them?]

How long have they been gone?

audio;

[newberktown]

I don't know why they'd all leave at once...

[Without even bugging him about playing with them.]

A few hours, I think. I don't know exactly how long it's been--I was gone this morning.

[Audio]

[usedroar]

[Snort.]

Way to go.

[Guess who isn't really grasping the severity of the situation.]

[Audio]

[newberktown]

[Guess who doesn't appreciate this.]

I wasn't trying to lose them, you know.

[audio]

[divinewind]

[Oh that...that doesn't sound good at all.]

Perhaps...perhaps they will return soon? They must have come back the first time this happened.

[audio]

[newberktown]

[There's a small pause.]

The first time it...wasn't pokemon. It happened back home.

text;

[show_my_cannons]

How do you lose your creatures?

text;

[newberktown]

If I knew that, I would undo it.

Lack of attention I guess.

[audio]

[failures]

[Now this is something Larry doesn't hear about every day.]

You lost 'em? Did they just walk out on you or something?

[audio]

[newberktown]

I... I guess. That's the best theory I've got right now, unless they really have been stolen...

[But it's pretty clear from his tone that he seriously doubts that's the case.]