[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Chuckles. Likes to surprise challengers. Summons pokemon from the shadows. Romoured to speak with the dead.

Great...a ghost type Gym Leader...or something similar, at least...

"Thank you for the information, sir. Rest assured, I won't tell anyone you told me all of that. Now then, I won't bother you any further and take my leave. You enjoy your day!"

As he returns to the Center, he contemplates how he might deal with this complication...he didn't exactly have a whole lot to take on Ghost types currently...he'd have to start getting clever, probably...

When he reaches the Center, he sits at a table in the lobby, deep in thought while he waits for Shiva and Ventus.

[Lord Windos]

Chuckles.  Likes to surprise challengers.  Summons pokemon from the shadows.  Romoured to speak with the dead.

Great...a ghost type Gym Leader...or something similar, at least...

"Thank you for the information, sir.  Rest assured, I won't tell anyone you told me all of that.  Now then, I won't bother you any further and take my leave.  You enjoy your day!"

As he returns to the Center, he contemplates how he might deal with this complication...he didn't exactly have a whole lot to take on Ghost types currently...he'd have to start getting clever, probably...

When he reaches the Center, he sits at a table in the lobby, deep in thought while he waits for Shiva and Ventus.

Reappearing in another alleyway by the open market, Ventus quietly and nochalently strolled out of it and went about making some pertinent purchases. His medical supplies were remarkably bare, and he endevoured to correct that anomaly by buying all the Poions and Status healing sprays he could afford. The researcher also bought a Super Potion and a Couple extra Pokeball, just in case he needs them.

'The Super Potion is better for treating more severe injuries on Apsis, or help quickly repair some Lethal damage in a tight pinch. I still have those mushrooms, but since they knock out the person that consumes them, they are better off used as an anesthetic or tranquilizer. Well, now that my shopping spree was completed, I believe it's time to remeet with Nathan! I do hope he loves the gift I have gotten for him!' Ventous thought, checking over his replenished inventory with a nod of his head, before meandering back to the Pokémon Center.

The researcher was most pleased to see that Nathan was already awaiting him in the lobby-'His sleuthing must have turned up answers about the Gym Leader rather speedily!'- , waving to him as he walked over to his table and sat down. "Nathan, it's just wonderful to see that you appear as well as you sounded over the phone, if not better! Now, while I want to discuss what you uncovered snout Corsage gym leader, amoung other things," he says, giving his friend a sidelong glance with an eyebrow raised; he has not forgotten how...evasive he was over the phone. "I have some More crucial to do with you now. Namely....surprise!"

Reaching into his satchel, he carefully pulled out the package D gave him, and slowly unwrapped/unboxed in front of Nathan. It was...an Upgrade Disc! "After all you done for me, helping both myself and my beloved Pokémon to grow ever more powerful and experienced, and as a way of repaying my more...rash behavior and actions towards you, I decided to get you this! It took awhile to find a buyer willing to part with such a rarity, and I had to conduct quite the chain of trades to get it, but it's worth it to help you and your Porygon out! From the bottom of my heart, please accept this gift as a token of my thanks and deepest apologies, Nate," Ven said, pushing over the extremely valuable item towards him. It's cost was high, but he would do anything to assist his companions out!

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan has to blink a few times.  Is that...?

He carefully picks up the CD case to examine it...

Produced and Distributed by Silph Co. is printed on the CD, and the company's logo is imprinted on the back of the case.

"It's...the real thing...it actually is an Upgrade...how did you...never mind, I'm not sure I want to know.  Thank you, though.  Really."

Then he remembers he had to ask Ventus something about Porygon...

"Hey, have you ever heard of Conversion not working like it should?  I've been seeing some strange results whenever Porygon uses the move...like, it should be turning into a Psychic type currently since it only knows Normal and Psychic moves, but it seems to be...random."

[Lord Windos]

Nathan has to blink a few times.  Is that...?

He carefully picks up the CD case to examine it...

Produced and Distributed by Silph Co. is printed on the CD, and the company's logo is imprinted on the back of the case.

"It's...the real thing...it actually is an Upgrade...how did you...never mind, I'm not sure I want to know.  Thank you, though.  Really."

Then he remembers he had to ask Ventus something about Porygon...

"Hey, have you ever heard of Conversion not working like it should?  I've been seeing some strange results whenever Porygon uses the move...like, it should be turning into a Psychic type currently since it only knows Normal and Psychic moves, but it seems to be...random."

"I have my connections, and lets leave it at that. It was somewhat of a hassle to obtain here in Cheshire, like I said, but it was worth it to get for you! I need not bother you with those details of course, so I graciously accept your thanks, even if I feel I do not deserve it," Ventus replied, a cryptic yet genuine smile on his face. While his status here in this region is somewhat diminished, he still has some influence to exploit.

Nathan next inquiry about Porygon came as a mild surprise to the researcher, causing him to close his eyes in brief contemplation as he ponder the problem. "Hmm...I believe I know what may be the problem: memory overflow. Or to be more specific and clear, Portgon's own internal database might be glitched in some fashion. As you know, this species of Pokémon are essentially living AI inhabiting a solidgram construct, and each and everyone of of them can be akin to a Supercomputer. Ones that are capable of self determination and making/conducting its own operations on the fly, but it's still at its heart a living, breathing blend of software and hardware."

"Because of their nature, they are just as vulnerable to random glitches and internal processing errors like any other program, as well as malware and virus to a limited extent. It's possible that, due to being a relatively inexperienced member of its species, using Conversion or Conversion 2 might be a bit too strenuous on it processors, causing some form of error to improperly execute the move. This 'glitch' could cause it to randomly choose a Type in its database instead of referencing it own internal list of moves, which can certainly be problematic in the middle of battle. Now this is only conjecture, based on my own experience with the Porygon line, but it the best possible answer I got with what I know. The only way to be certain is directly accessing it own core files, but given its Firewalls that is...unlikely to happen without some specific equipment or a genius programmer on hand."

"To fix this issue, I see only three options. One is simply for your Porygon to gain more experience in using the move, refining its own internal processors and search engine so that it can execute the move without trigger the aforementioned memory overflow. Another option is for you to study up on some computer programming yourself, and use that knowledge to help smooth over Porygon's difficulties with the move. Finally, and most simply, you could just use your new Upgrade Disc. to evolve it. It's higher evolution would have more that enough RAM and memory to be able to easily use the move without difficulty, as well as being capable of preforming new tasks it could not have done before. I recommend the last option, as its the most expedient solution, and it's well known that this Pokémon does not lose its move list upon evolving," the researcher explained, concluding his trademarked long winded speak with a deep breath. 

He hoped the boy understood what he just said, since computer programming is not exactly his strong suit...

[Dragonstrike]

"Okay...so evolving it might help. So...how do I use the disc? I've...never actually read anything on how the updates are applied...never thought I'd need to worry about it..."

[Lord Windos]

"Okay...so evolving it might help.  So...how do I use the disc?  I've...never actually read anything on how the updates are applied...never thought I'd need to worry about it..."

"Well, there are two ways to implement the update, both of which are feasible right now. The first is to simply give it to Porygon, and let it manually install the data itself. It will will take a couple of days or more to fully integrate all that data and apply it correctly, during that time it can not be used in battle, but it will eventually be done. The second way is giving the Upgrade Disc for it to hold, then run it through a trading machine. The energy given off by to exchange will cause Porygon to rapidly assimilate and install the update in a near instant, giving you a Porygon 2 immediately. "

"However, since trading is commonly known to reduce the happiness and loyalty of the Pokémon involved, its highly likely that unless we carefully explain what will happen, your Porygon will lose quite a lot of faith in you while being round traded. The species are not known to be disobedient at all, but I doubt you are the type of person that is willing to sacrifice a Pokemon's happiness for power so wantonly.  The choice is of course your to make, but I advise you think carefully about this, Nate."

[Dragonstrike]

'Hmmm...that easy, eh?  I could opt to wait...but we've been in Corsage for so long as it is...and I'll need every advantage I can get if the next gym uses the ghost type...'

A few moments pass while he reasons this out...

"We should do it now.  I don't think we have time to wait.  You uh...want to explain it to him?  I think Porygon might understand it better if you say it since you speak...uh...computer? Anyways, I'll still be here to confirm that, but I want to make sure Porygon is okay with it before we start..."

[Lord Windos]

'Hmmm...that easy, eh?  I could opt to wait...but we've been in Corsage for so long as it is...and I'll need every advantage I can get if the next gym uses the ghost type...'

A few moments pass while he reasons this out...

"We should do it now.  I don't think we have time to wait.  You uh...want to explain it to him?  I think Porygon might understand it better if you say it since you speak...uh...computer? Anyways, I'll still be here to confirm that, but I want to make sure Porygon is okay with it before we start..."

Ventus gives a sharp nod of his head, before reaching into his bag for one of his empty Pokeballs. "Very well, we can began at your descretion my friend. My empathy and grasp of Binary should make explaining the plan to them relatively easy, but if they happen to disagree...then you will have to deal with the consequences unfortunately. Bring them out, and I'll endevour to make this round trade go smoothly as possible, "  said, looking expectantly at the young trainer. He would try his best to explain this to Porygon, but since he's not his master, it's not a garantee that the dated construct will entertain the whole idea...

[Dragonstrike]

"Ven, if Porygon disagrees when you tell it what will happen, just let me know. I'm only asking you to do this because you can actually tell me if Porygon approves of it or not, and because Porygon needs to trust that you'll return it to me as well. If it doesn't, we just won't do it. I'll make sure to tell it that it's my request primarily though, so hopefully it won't have any issues with it..."

Nathan pulls out Porygon's pokeball and summons the digiduck! It looks to Nathan for orders, as expected.

"Alright, Porygon. I have something to ask you. I'm not entirely sure how to phrase it though, so I've asked Ventus here to ask in my stead, since he can better communicate with you than I can. Would you lend him an ear and hear my request, please?"

Porygon turns to face Ventus, as unreadable as always.

[Lord Windos]

Ventus crouches down so that he's at eye level with the data ducky, takes a deep breath, before rattling off a stream of numbers at speeds that would boggle the mind of most people. To save space and not waste time (and the fact that it's almost impossible to C&P on a tablet), here is the translation of what he said:

"Hello, Porygon. The reason that Nathan asked for you to lend me your ear is that we wish to evolve you. Nathan has acquired a Upgrade Disc., and desires to conduct a round trade in order to evolve you into a Porygon 2. You will be traded to me to bring about your evolution, then will be returned to your master's possession directly afterwards. I stress the exchange is only temporary, and that your ownership will ultimately fall under Nathan. If you have any objection to this exchange, then say so, and we will not proceed with the trade. Do you understand, Porygon? "

(Now we have to wait on @Iron to come and continue this exchange. You want to flash forward and continue onto a different topic, @Dragonstrike?)