[INTERMISSION] JANUARY 2 - SWARM! FARMING POKEMON FREE FOR ALL!

[luckydragonsfoot]

[LET'S START THE NEW YEAR WITH A BANG]

In the new year on Alola, the islands are as pleasant as ever. The sun rises upon a relatively warm climate, the tropical air still chilly from the night before. On Akala specifically this is no different- pokemon are allowed out in to the fields at Paniola ranch, and the air is filled with nothing but quiet rustling sounds from the grass and the distinct hum of nincada.

And then-

"HHHEEEEEE...CHAR!"

The SNEEZE is heard.

Flame rises up into the air like a stringshot directly heavenward, a bright bolt that grabs the attention of everything around. And from there-

Oh.

Oh no.

Chaos.

[CHAOS INDEED]

How Leon made it to Paniola Ranch when he was supposed to be going to the Aether Foundation to converse over some details of what he'd done in the recent weeks alongside one of the Fallers is ultimately irrelevant, because it's Leon. It's sort of his thing. What isn't perhaps his thing, is his Charizard getting a nasty case of hayfever and spooking everything around them with a sneeze.

The various herding pokemon of the ranch have gone nanabs. Alongside the native pokemon of the ranch, entire crowds of already skittish creatures who have been wandering out through smaller wormholes from various regions of the world as of late are also set off, fleeing from the tentatively accepted shelters of their would be rescuers in panic. Within hours, they're all over Akala island- clustering in droves, moving place to place whenever they feel threatened again.

Ultimately, one could catch from the mess of course- but the Ranch hands at Akala would really appreciate it if people could just help bring the herds back. They're just scared, and need somewhere safe!

[THE BIG!]

Many of the larger pokemon are finding refuge in the wilds- though more headstrong sorts, like Tauros, are looming angrily on the direct routes, charging at anyone who might be in their way. Roaming in herds, they're inclined to fight first and run away later- which is especially threatening if it's a cluster of miltank using roll out.

Ponyta, their Galaran counterparts, Tauros, Miltank, and even Mudbray are the primary culprits of this nonsense, stampeding about and ruining the roads with their hooves. It's frankly a blessing that their older counterparts where applicable are nowhere to be seen- can you imagine the damage from Mudsdale?

[THE SMALL...]

The smaller ones however...that's where the real chaos hits.

While the larger of pokemon are rushing about through the roads and routes, various 'softer' pokemon have apparently decided that lawns and even rooftops are a better idea. Filling city after city and tromp-ling along between them with pitter pattery hooves, the goat-likes and sheep-likes can be seen bleating their upset and chewing up everyone's flowers.

That, or sunbathing on the roof. The local Jennys are at a complete loss on how to get all of them down given that it's not something they've really dealt with before, and with all the route complications happening elsewhere, they're really stretched thin! Mareep, Skiddo, and Wooloo can all be found throughout the towns at various points over the course of the week or so, until at last the final ones are herded back home.

Eventually.

[AND SO,]

And so, by the end of the week, the Ranch should be full again. Everyone is grateful- from Kiawe's family to the various dog pokemon whose job it was to try and corral all the cute beasties back into place. As thanks for helping out, everyone should get a chance to enjoy some Moomoo milk and cheese- it tastes great with crackers!

Comments

KATSUYA JONOUCHI - OTA

[luckydragonsfoot]

[Bleat Once For Chaos,]

Akala. Katsuya hasn't explored too many of the islands so far, certainly not after his unexpected assignment for Pokemon Law...which he may well have a test to take for. But Akala so far seems great!

Aside for all the pokemon Everywhere they shouldn't be. "Nyh...wh..."

Goats- or something like them. Sheep- or something like them. And something about this feels familiar, the heat burning down upon his head and his back. In the present he leaves so much unprotected- in the past nothing is taken for granted, and loose cloth hides what it can. And his staff is on the ground-

There is a stick at the side, a section of fencing that went down under a few skiddo. He grabs it with a fogged familiarity, spinning it in his hand as Kaseri nickers confusedly at the side.  He doesn't completely know the significance of it all. Is it a past life? Something else? He's had the time, the peace, to think it over and yet only now...

"Heh... Y'know, I think I might have an idea..."

[To The Tune Of The Sheep's Song]

He moves not with force but with whistling- short and simple bursts to start, attracting the attentions of various Pokemon and drawing them near. And then without looking to make sure they follow (he knows they follow), to make sure that the others com (he knows they come), he moves. Steadily. Street by street, whistling with his ponyta at one side and his stick (his staff) in hand at the other.

Whistling constantly, because if you show that you know the way, then the herd will follow.

And astoundingly it's working. The herd Grows. Four. Eight. Sixteen- like a pied piper, the mareep, the wooloo, the skiddo-

They all follow, because inexplicably, he Knows what he's doing.

[They Followed Me Home (Can I Keep Them?)]

"Nyhhh...you two?" A pair of pokemon- the ones who came first- are not going to the paddock. "How come you ain't..."

It's a Skiddo, and a Wooloo. Both bleat at him, and Katsuya scratches his head.

"Y..yeesh...'s Wicke gonna be alrigh' w' tha'..."

Nozomi Yumehara | OTA

[cureofmanyworlds]

"Woah, what in the world?!"

Nozomi was greeted with the shocking surprise of farm Pokemon making a scene. Her three Pokemon by her side, she knew she had to do something.

"C'mon, guys, let's do some round ups! I hope I remember a few things from Applejack!" she said, heading towards some rampaging Tauros, Tepig by her side.

"Woah, there! Slow down!"

sheep on the roof

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

"Portus, if you could?"

"Kuh-zam!"

The Jennys might not know what to do with roofbound livestock, but Sena does. He's had to fish a lot of footballs out of trees.

A quick Psychic, and the Pokemon are gently levitated out of the roof, brought down to the ground...where they're immediately yapped at by Vee to get moving.

It's surprisingly orderly, given how lively his pokemon tend to be. Maybe someone can help him find more Pokemon to herd, though?

ZAHRA MAZAKI - OTA

[bloomingdespite]

A. Cue the Benny Hill
Another morning, another day in the Wild Area jungles of Alola. Zahra sighs, leaning back against a tree as they stir the pot of curry, the delectable scent drifting through the trees. Star the Dratini is coiled up around their shoulders, Obsidian the Deino is nipping curiously at the grass, and Hideo the Toxel is staring at the the simmering curry with hunger in her eyes. It's a good day for-

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"VIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"

hey guess whose shiny form looks like a baby wooloo,

A herd of rolling Wooloo(loolooloo) bursts into the grove, tumbling in the direction of the camp ominously. And leading the charge is a shiny Eevee, rambunctious and full of playful mischief.

Paling, Zahra immediately recalls their Pokémon and starts sprinting away at full tilt in a random direction, tripping over vines and swerving around more docile Pokémon that are just minding their own business. Unfortunately, they just so happen to be pelting towards civilization. Oh dear.

"MAKE GANGWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!"

B. why is "passionate duelist" playing over zahra herding sheep
With the trouble-making Eevee captured, all that remains is nudging the Wooloo back towards the ranch. But unlike Jonouchi, Zahra doesn't have a past life full of repressed memories about herding farm animals through a dusty desert (quite the opposite, actually) to draw on. So they've had to... improvise.

Obsidian leads the charge, Roaring the Wooloo into a rough column as they proceed back towards Aniola Ranch. Her eyes are Star the Dratini, wrapped around Obsidian torso and gently tugging her back in the right direction when the Deino begins straying. And Zahra walks on the other side, holding Hideo in their hands. Whenever one of the Wooloo on their side begins to wander, they snap their fingers and the Toxel uses Nuzzle, the jolt shocking the Wooloo back into place.

Zahra has been at this for hours and they are so incredibly, completely done.

Their mood isn't helped when one of the Wooloo notices an alleyway, glances at their fellows, and immediately makes a break for it. Far outside both Zahra and Obsidian's reach. A cascade of fluffy sheep follow down the dingy backstreet as Zahra screams with frustration, following them. "NONONONONONONONO COME BACK HERE HEY YOU COULD YA HELP ME OUT HERE"