as ATP is this weekend!

[these_balls]

TEST DRIVE MEME


➞ Post with a character you wish to test drive in this game's setting.
➞ Tag other people's starters and thread out shenanigans!
➞ Invite your friends! Try out new characters! Come play with us!
➞ Have fun!


NOT SURE WHERE TO BEGIN YOUR TEST-DRIVE JOURNEY?
CHECK OUT ALL THE LOCATIONS WE HAVE AVAILABLE IN:

JOHTO | and | KANTO

✭ ✭ ✭


As usual, we've created a Google Doc so you can submit your wanted characters for a big Route game ad on this month's ATP!
FIND IT HERE
CUTOFF FOR ADDING CHARACTER WANT ADS TO THE GDOC IS:
6:30 PM, EST, ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 30!

Comments

[quickattackjack]

One, no! Bad dog!

<sub>[That's all Dipper will hear before a wiry, energetic Houndoom comes bounding over the hill, mouth ablaze with happy panting. OH BOY, A PEOPLE! TIME TO GO SAY HI!]

[Moments later a winded older man with a snapped leash wrapped around one arm comes jogging as fast as he can.]</sub>

I'm sorry! I'm sorry! He's usually so well-behaved!

[pinevestigator]

[...NOOOOPE.

The Deerling pushing and pushing at Dipper suddenly freezes, her ears perking and her body stiffening. She gets a split second to take in the Houndoom running their way, and another to see the fire roiling in his mouth.

It's Dipper's turn to stiffen and then jerk when she lets out a frightened cry, kicking up dust as she skids around him to hide, though Dipper's not much bigger than she is, and doesn't prove to be a very good shield.

Meanwhile, Dipper can only stand with both hands up, palms forward, not yet realizing that he chucked his Gear to the ground in the sudden scuffle.]

I-..it's...o-okay...?

[HIS DEER DOESN'T SEEM TO THINK SO, BUT...]

[quickattackjack]

<sub>[The Houndoom dances around both of them, barking embers and lashing his tail as if it were a livewire. He may as well have had springs for feet. A PEOPLE, A PEOPLE! ONE LOVES PEOPLE! He rares up and paws at Dipper and his fauna fawn as well with his wicked claws.]

[Meanwhile, Jack, still wheezing, finally manages to catch up to them and reach out to scruff One by his bone collar before he winds up setting the kid on fire.]</sub>

Well, so much for that leash. I am so sorry.

[pinevestigator]

[Dipper's back arches and he lets out a yelp- not because of One, but because his Deerling has suddenly decided to try and stuff her head into the back of his vest, quivering all over with fright as the Houndoom barks loudly and bounces around them like an angry jackrabbit that happens to be on fire.

It's all Dipper can do to keep from falling over as he reaches a hand around to pet the Deerling's back, trying to reassure her as he looks up at Jack once he gets One restrained again. His mouth works silently for a minute, but honestly he can't think of what to say, so instead he slowly bends down to retrieve his Gear.]

I-is....is he...always like that?

[He seemed friendly, but with how utterly petrified his Pokemon is, he's not so sure.]

[quickattackjack]

<sub>[Jack struggles to keep the bounding dog still long enough to pull his poke'ball off his built and make him disappear in a brillaint burst of red light.]

[He heaves a sigh.]</sub>

He always has a lot of energy but I've been so busy working on my house I haven't had as much time to run with him...are you quite alright?

_{[It was no fun scaring people when you weren't TRYING to. Jack straightens up and looks Dipper up and down. Wary expression, tiny equally wary pokemon, no thousand-yard stare of someone who's had to listen to the background music for months on end...]}

Aha! You're new, aren't you?

[pinevestigator]

...Yeeah, I am.

[Dipper ventures after a bit of a pause, waiting until the Deerling pulls her head out of Dipper's vest and sees that the Houndoom isn't out any more to say anything. Well that makes sense...people with big dogs always had to walk them more to get their energy out.

Of course, most dobermans he's ever met don't breathe fire, either.]

[quickattackjack]

_{[Hope you don't like personal space, Dipper because Jack's concept of it is lacking. He reaches out for the boy's hand and shakes it furiously.]}

Welcome to Johto! If you've made it this far, you must have a good idea of how things go by now, but if I can help in any way at all just say so!

[pinevestigator]

[He's a little more accommodating than some might be under these circumstances, but that doesn't mean his paranoia hasn't gone anywhere. Dipper staggers slightly when Jack suddenly takes hold of his hand, his Deerling cautiously peeking around his side.]

I...I'm getting there, yeah. ...Listen, uh....have you seen a little girl anywhere? She's...well, okay, she's a little taller than I am, but she's got brown hair and braces....probably a pink sweater and a pig with her.

[quickattackjack]

_{[Jack's huge smile disappears somewhat as he lets Dipper go and leans back up.]}

A pig? I'm afraid not...but if she's here there's no doubt she'll pop up on the network.

[pinevestigator]

I've been asking on the network, but nobody seems to have seen her anywhere.

[Dipper sighs, rubbing the back of his neck.]

Her name is Mabel. She's my twin sister, so....if you see her, do you think you could let me know?

[quickattackjack]

Absolutely! You'll be the first to hear about it! And what would your name be?

_{[So he doesn't have to scream vaguely into the internet about somebody's lost sister and or pig.]}

[pinevestigator]

[Oh, right, that would be vital information Dipper.]

Mabel. You wouldn't miss her, trust me.

[quickattackjack]

_{[Jack's brows pinch in worry.]}

Your name...unless you're both named Mable, which in that case I apologize.

or I could read tags more clearly gg Chi

[pinevestigator]

...Dipper, sorry.

[He shook his head, tugging on the edge of his hat.]

Dipper Pines.

[quickattackjack]

Well, Mr. Pines, if I see your sister I'll be sure to let you know.

_{[Buffering...buffering...toast!]}

Say, you haven't run across any of those pesky unclimbable ledges have you?

[pinevestigator]

....Unclimbable ledges?

[Dipper makes a face, subconsciously reaching over to rub at one of his elbows. ..So that would be a yes.]

Once. And I didn't really try to get over them more than once.

[quickattackjack]

_{[Jack gives the boy a sage nod. It seems the ledge claimed another victim.]}

Well, you won't have to worry about those anymore because I've got JUST the thing!

_{[And the random old man who Dipper has known for all of ten minutes reaches into his jacket for something. He produces...a pokeball! And hands it over.]}

You look about the right size. This fellow will get you where you need to go!

[pinevestigator]

[It's automatic that Dipper reaches out and takes the ball once it's handed to him, but after that he sortof just...stares at it, his brows furrowing a bit with confusion.]

This..."fellow"?

[His Deerling is peeking around him again now, giving Jack a brief look before turning her attention to the pokeball in Dipper's hand.]

[quickattackjack]

_{[Jack grins...and continues to grin...until Dipper seemingly doesn't know what to do with this AMAZING GIFT. The ex-skeleton's grin falters.]}

It's...you just...it's inside, son.

[pinevestigator]

[UHHH.....okay, well. Dipper tilts his head to the side, turning the ball over in his hand. He's still trying to get used to the concept of Pokeballs- and the fact they actually can hold creatures inside, no matter how big- and after a bit of a pause he cautiously presses the button to release the ball's catch. Slowly, like he expects something to fly out and bite him. (But after his encounter with One, who can judge)]

[quickattackjack]

<sub>[OLD MAN SKELLINGTON's grin returns as the Skiddo appears in a flash of light. It shakes off once its hooves hit the ground and it wags its little leafy tail. Around its neck is a tag. The tag reads 122.]

[Jack doesn't have a problem shut up.]</sub>

And there you have it! Your ticket to...well, anywhere! Except over seas. I haven't had much luck teaching them to swim.

[pinevestigator]

..A goat?

[Is Dipper's first thought that manifests in a mildly surprised statement. First deer, now goats. ....with...leaves on them, apparently.]

And you're giving it to me?

[quickattackjack]

_{[He leans down to pat the Skiddo on the head.]}

That's right. You see, I've been stuck here for years and years. And suddenly one day these little fellows appeared and they could hop over the ledges as if they weren't even there! I couldn't let such a discovery go to waste. I couldn't stand for another new trainer to end up with a broken nose because of some...some cursed speed bump. Ahem.

One Hundred Twenty Two, you be good for Mr. Pines here! This is the reason you were born!

[pinevestigator]

[Holy crap that is a lot of goats.]

Oh, wow...uh. Thanks!

[Dipper offers his hand to the Skiddo as he talks.]

He'll be handy for traveling, that's for sure.

[quickattackjack]

You're quite welcome, my boy! No more broken noses! Not on my watch! Eventually you will find Pokemon that allow you to fly, but a goat will do in a pinch!

Besides not eating the wild berries, I think that's all you need to know about adventuring out here.