[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

"It can't trap humans in those MSC crystals, but it has hypnotized or physically captured some for unknown purposes."
"There's a trainer right here in Cress City who can tutor Bug moves, but he's very reclusive. His name is Jerry Sensen, and he specializes in Mega Evolution. I believe he's sheltering in the Cathedral, helping protect it, but I'll tell him this is a good use of his time. He'll want money, though."

"...Jerry Sensen?  Wait, that name sounds familiar..."

Nathan has to think about it for a moment...

"...oh yeah, I remember now...along with Fernando, he's the other...registered Key Stone holder in Cress..."

...

His eyes go wide.  "...Tanuki, did you really just say that he specializes in both Bug types and Mega Evolution?"

Yes, yes she did.

"...okay, now I REALLY need to talk to you in private."

--‐--------------------------------

I presume from the lack of a response previously that Tanuki doesn't have any issues with talking in private somewhere.

Private stuff

Topic 1: "...remember when I said that I was attacked by someone with a Mega Pinsir while I was near Wineberry?  Fernando had just been charged with breaking and entering, and had been exhibiting odd behavior for a pokemon trainer...but maybe I was on the wrong track, thinking it was possibly him.  If Jerry's a Bug specialist, and also has a Key Stone...I wouldn't be surprised if he had a Mega Pinsir.  And I wouldn't be surprised if he was being rather reclusive lately, either.  I'd imagine the person who threatened me might want to lay low for a bit and avoid getting into trouble, lest they get caught and called out for what they did on top of anything else..."

He sighs.  "...this is all just conjecture right now, but...I can't deny the possibility...and either way, I could really use Jerry's help right now...if I meet him, and Gallade and Princess recognize him, though...this might get awkward as all hell..."

Topic 2: Nathan absolutely needs to talk with Tanuki about this one.  "...when we went to the Skull Ruins on the premise of looking for my dad, a group of Scimitars intercepted us.  It looked like it was going to come to a fight.  But...Terra decided to talk with them instead.  And...he convinced them to work with us instead of against us, since they also wanted to defeat Deoxys with the help of the Four Artifacts.  As a result...the Scimitars have two of them.  And that's been on my mind to no end ever since we entered the Ruins.  Everything we did to prevent them from accomplishing that...and we gave them what they wanted in the end."

Another sigh.  "...on the bright side, a lot of them genuinely don't seem like bad people.  Most of them seem to genuinely want to save the region, and joined for that purpose.  One of them, Kelda, is wearing the Helm.  She...might have some thinking to do about her choices after this is all over.  Maybe.  I don't know exactly what she'll do, but...I want to believe she can understand what she's putting her pokemon through.  The Hauberk, though..."  Nathan's expression darkens a little as he continues.

"...the one wearing that Artifact is Cosh.  One of the higher ranked Scimitars, and the one who's been mostly responsible for so much of the trouble we've encountered on our journey.  Gallade hates him, and while I don't know why, the simple fact that Gallade hates his guts is significant.  He's attacked our group personally, I have good reason to believe he was responsible for kidnapping Keni and my Uncle and leveling their houses...to say I want to see him specifically behind bars is no lie."

Nathan tightens a fist.  "...but right now, I HAVE to work with him.  He has the Hauberk, and it's bonded with him.  We need that to beat Deoxys.  I can't do anything right now, though.  But after...I'm worried he'll try something, or try to run.  I asked Mesprit if they can help, and I got the impression that they could, but...that might just end in a stalemate.  This might be our last good chance to apprehend him, though.  I...feel like I need to do something, to confront him when Deoxys is defeated.  It will probably come to a fight if I do, though...I just...thought you guys would want to know.  While I can't argue that the Scimitars are trying to do some good in some capacity right now...I can't condone the methods their leadership is approving, or the practices they insist on using concerning how they train and use pokemon...so I can't just...stand by and do nothing."