Why here? (Doom/open)

[Prince Pony Age]

Luke nodded vigorously at Lexus, and responded, 'By George, it is! Oi prolly could try to speak English out loud ifn' I troied, but it's so much easier fer me jus' t'use my ghostiness, see? Bu' yeah, i's pretty noice to not have to go back 'n' forth 'tween this'n... 'n' whatever the humans' word for how we norm'ly talk.'

Neither Luke nor Layton picked up on Garci's--err, sympathy, if that's what you'd call it.

Layton simply nodded and affirmed that the what Garci had heard about the Unown were accurate; when Garci asked to point something out, Layton responded, "Indeed? Do go on." He then listened as Garci explained about Solrock and Lunatone's other-worldliness, nodding. "That is very widely thought, and holds ground in scientific circles. On the other hand, there are certainly those who think it's nothing but horse feathers. There seems to be evidence for both cases, honestly. It's good to hear you know the local lore and history of places you've visited, though!"

He didn't mean that last line to come of as patronizing, and it didn't even occur to Layton that it very well could.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Lexus nodded. "It seems like such a convenient method to communicate to people. It was a frustrating experience, to be taught English to communicate to people like Garci. It must be so much easier for Pokemon growing up to communicate and understand language that both humans and Pokemon use. I assume that you come from Unova, like myself?" Fellow Unovan residents are always good company, after all, and even if he hadn't originated from there, it wouldn't make quite much a difference.

Garci did take it to heart as a patronizing statement, even if it hadn't been the intent. The fact that his point had been argued as both malarkey and convincing were conflicting to a somewhat irritating point, and he felt, unintentionally, of course, condescended to. Rather than react in any negative way, he simply changed the subject after nodding to his last sentence. "Now, Professor Layton," he looked down at the artifacts on the table, examining them each. "Could you tell me where a few of these interesting things come from?"

[Prince Pony Age]

Luke cocked his head to the side, thinking a moment before answering. 'Iunno where Oi was when Oi's an egg. My species does come from Unova, 'strue, but the 'Fessah's 'ad since I's an egg! I think I'd speak English even if I wan't all ghosty 'cause I've been with 'im wot, uh...' He stopped talking to count on his fingers, and started again, 'Cor, it's been fifteen years now!'

"Ohoh, that I can!" was Professor Layton's energetic answer. "Obviously, this piece here with the Unown comes from the Ruins of Alph, and the one next to it from the Sevii Islands relatively close to it. Then this here is from [Pokemon world's Central America], and these other ones quite a bit further south. And over here, you might have been to the site near Meteor Cave yourself, it was a bit north of the cave if I do recall. And here, there's... Layton went on to talk about the artifacts on his table, mostly detailing where they came from as asked.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Lexus's eyes widened as Luke revealed how long the Golett had partnered alongside Layton. "Fifteen years? That must have been quite a long time, time enough to form an insuperable bond with your trainer." She looked to Garci, and, aware that he can't really do anything rather mean to her seeing as they were in the company of a gentleman. "This is how it's going to be for you and I, isn't it, Garci?" He tried not to do anything drastic, but held onto Lexus a slight bit tighter to squeeze her. "Of course, Lexus."

He returned his attention to Layton's artifacts and the ones he had been displaying. He had been at least able to ascertain where each one came from by looking at them, and confirmed them when the Professor stated what each one was. Of course, it was too obvious, as he had been displaying the locations relevant to them not too long ago. "You know, Professor," he started, "These artifacts are all quite nice, but I remember you stating your hobby previously. A sort of attachment to puzzles. I'm interested, now, have there been any artifacts that functioned as puzzles, or any archaeological digs that seemed to refer to them? For some reason, the two concepts seem to be quite a match."

[Prince Pony Age]

Nodding vigorously, Luke listened to Lexus and Garcian, though wasn't sure what to say in response. ..That didn't stop him from continuing to talk, though. 'Sounds like a good deal, there! I mean it'll prob'ly be differnt fo' you chaps, since 'es younger than 'Fessah was when 'e 'atched me, 'n' 'e was busy wi' stuff. 'E was--'

"Luke, could you speak of something else please?" He could tell where that was going, and Layton didn't want to think about his early years with Luke.

That topic was coming up a lot, lately.

After saying that to Luke, he responded to Garcian's question, "There has indeed! The main reason I bring up the Ruins of Alph and the Unown before other sites is, I will admit, they are my favorite. Sliding puzzles allow the Unown to wake up from their places in the walls, the ruins themselves are a maze, it's.. quite full of tests of the mind, actually. Some of the others did have puzzles, as well, but Alph seems to be chock full of them. Granted, it also seems to be the most recent of the ruins I've been to, so perhaps the others had puzzles at one time, but they fell apart over the centuries." He shrugged, and finished, "If that is indeed the case, it's unlikely we'll ever know."

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

"Ah, the Ruins of Alph." Garci mused, holding his chin. "I've heard about it, but I've never quite gone to Johto long enough to see it. I have seen Unown before though, of course. There is something scary about those Pokemon that I could never quite determine. Perhaps it is the reports on how they have their own system of communication with each other, and that they tend to grow more powerful in a group, almost.. orbiting around each other. There's even been folk stories that I do not remember being dispelled about how they were told to possess their own little 'world', if you will. I am sure you know about them, so, another question I have is, can this rumor be confirmed?"

Lexus scooted about in place, waiting for Layton's explanation. She wasn't any genius on ruins herself, but she does remember the idea that Volcarona and Larvesta alike originate from some sort of deserted ruins in the middle of Unova. The thought didn't sound too far off from the truth. Garci, at that point, decided to ask another question. "And, aside from the Pokemon that you showed during the seminar, are there any others that you'd like to show us? I'm sure they must have some relevance to history, ancient or recent, even history yet to be made.."

[Prince Pony Age]

Layton took in a breath and coked his head to the side, hesitating a moment. He steepled his hands on the table in front of him, and released that breath as he answered, "Well--yes and no. They certainly are more powerful in groups than on their own. In fact, part of the reason I have just one with me is to study how differently he behaves on his own, out of the hive-mind. As for whether or not there is--most reports seem to describe it as an alternate dimension, where the Unown come from--it's... hard to say. The reports certainly are compelling, but we don't actually know very much about how or why the Unown do what they do, aside from their obvious Psychic abilities. Especially considering their only battle-worthy attack, when singular, is Hidden Power. So.. while technically not untestable, it is hard to carry such experiments out, as they depend on chance and how the Unown are feeling at the time--a thing even specialized biologists have yet to know how to gauge, or influence."

He paused a moment, and answered Garcian's other question. "I do, but nothing relating to anything, I'm afraid. Just an Indigo colored Oddish--I tend to collect oddities, whether it be souvenirs, rocks, or Pokemon--and a Beldum who...apparently has something interesting about him. He was being sold for much less than you'd expect--Beldum are rare and eventually become extremely powerful Pokemon--but the shopkeep wouldn't quite tell me why. I suppose I'll let him out to let you have a look, anyway."

Layton reached down to his belt, and pulled off the appropriate Pokeball, and released the Pokemon. After it appeared, Luke gave it a look and took a step back. Something about it just--wasn't right.

"Unfortunately, I haven't named him yet. I'm--not actually very good at that. So for now, I suppose he is just, 'Beldum'."

Beldum looked around, taking in the fact that there was a lot more people here than there had been other times Layton had let him out. Hm. It would be too much effort to wipe every witnesses' mind if he did something here today, unless it was a huge step forward that was worth both the risk and the extensive clean-up.

Instead, he turned his attention toward the Larvesta in the arms of the human before him. He used his much more refined psychic ability to speak clearly in only that Pokemon's mind--as such, it was neither English nor Pokespeech, really, just whatever would be understood best by her. 'You. How do you feel about your trainer and humans in general.' No point beating around the bush, and while he was always looking for more allies, it was useless to try to recruit her if she wasn't of the right mindset.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

He thought through Layton's explanation, and could find himself easily agreeing with it. "I understand. Unown seem to be so enigmatic on their own that such an occasion where several of them gather at once and use Hidden Power is most likely very rare. Thank you, Professor." He inspected the Beldum when Layton had sent him out. Yes, something did appear amiss about it. It wasn't just for the discernible eye - almost anyone would be able to notice it if they had been close enough. The thing looked somewhat battered, and what could be considered an air of indignation surrounded it. "He must have taken some abuse. If you need aid in naming him, I could assist." He diverted attention from the Pokemon itself and to its owner. "What could you describe as this Beldum's character, exactly?"

Lexus had suddenly become filled with a perturbed, anxious feeling as the Beldum was sent out. It didn't sit right with Luke as much as it didn't with Lexus. It seemed they both knew that there was something suspicious about it. She jumped back slightly when he communicated to her. It sounded foreign, but she could tell that the Pokemon was talking to her. Garci squeezed her a little tighter as he felt her scratching at his sleeves in her little jolt of shock. '....I, well.' She quickly regained composure. 'My trainer might act crass at times, but he's fine. Silly, and cute when angry. Humans are a wonderful race, though. Why do you ask?'

[Prince Pony Age]

Layton nodded, and answered, "Quite welcome. And as for his character, well.. I'm not entirely sure. I've only had him out a few times as of yet, and he doesn't really seem to do much when I do. I've gathered he'd like to battle, which I honestly am not terribly fond of, nor really have the time for with classes starting so soon.. that is just about all I've been able to figure, though."

The Beldum scoffed, at both Lexus and the Professor. He thought to himself--though allowed her to hear it-- 'Useless, then.' As for Layton, he internally mused to only himself, [Right, nothing of importance. He doesn't even realize chunks of his memory are basically gone.. and he's supposed to be one of the smarter ones...]

Since there was no one of use around here, the Beldum closed his eye and started examining the minds of any other Pokemon in the building to see any like-minded souls.

Luke had no real idea what was going on, but he knew he didn't like the Beldum for some reason or other. 'Oi think 'll jus'... go back and fix stuff more nao.' He backed away slowly at first, then scampered off behind the boxes where he first appeared.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Garci nodded in thought. "I suppose I am not quite able to formulate a sort of name for such a Pokemon. I can tell you I have a Pokemon who does particularly enjoy fighting, and, in such spirit, I named him Bellator. Latin origin, and all that. Supposedly he conducts himself as a respectful fighter, I suppose a 'gentleman' brawler. He fights savagely, but.. I don't know, I think I'm digressing. I suppose Beldum would be apt enough for now. What a rare find, though. I was of the belief that only famous personalities like Hoenn's Steven would only own such Pokemon." He didn't realize that naming Bellator and his personality at all could probably raise some interest in the Beldum, but of course he wouldn't. He's not a bleeding psychic, after all.

Lexus had a concerned look on her face, which grew even more as he stated her uselessness to him. What was he even trying to gain from her anyway? The creature looked suspicious, shady, and scheming. She'd like to tell Garci exactly what she sensed from the Beldum, but fear took the words. If he was communicate only to him, he could most likely do even worse. Garci kept on speaking, to cover for Lexus's absolute silence. "I'm sure Beldum could find something else to do as a sort of outlet aside from battling."

[Prince Pony Age]

Layton nodded, and answered Garcian, "I agree, but he is terribly hard to read. I'm not terribly adept at picking up on the body language of Pokemon to begin with, especially as I have Luke to translate for me. He doesn't say much, though, and Luke isn't fond of him, though I've no idea why. I wonder if he's--mentally deficient, or the like? I can't really figure what else it could be... As for his species, I do not know what to say--he was for sale in a shop of Pokemon, and most of those for sale there were reasonable prices; however, he was listed as only two hundred Pen. Quite a bit less than I ultimately paid, honestly.. The point here was all I know are that he was under-priced in the shop because of something strange that the keeper seemed to keep intentionally vague."

As Garcian was talking, Beldum had mostly been ignoring him, though he caught a bit about that tough Pokemon. Hm. He pulled his little psychic tendrils back to him, instead probing Garcian's head, trying to make him release this fierce Pokemon. Perhaps...

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Garci shrugged. "I suppose the reasoning behind his setting it to a low price will never be found out. I suppose you could presume it mentally deficient if it would be sold for such a price. Mystifying that bidding over it, which I presume you did, would raise for a higher cost than the mere two-hundred pen it was worth. Hm." Something suddenly clashed into his mind. His hand was shakily reaching for his pocket, as though a puppeteer was awkwardly controlling him by strings. Echoes filled his mind, even if it hadn't been transmitted by the Beldum directly. KILLALLHUMANS. His eyes widened, and he started to shake uncontrollably.

Garci's voice started to sound monotone as he pulled out the specially-marked Pokeball containing Bellator. "Let.. me.. show.. you.. my... Pokemon... ..... ... s." Letting him out completely not of his own volition, the Pawniard looked around in confusion. What was he doing at this particularly boring-looking building? Was he getting ready for a fight? He suddenly got into a stance, eyes darting around. Lexus had been dropped by Garci, who wasn't even aware of what he was doing at the moment.

"G-Garci? Are you alright?" She had been concerned, and looked at Bellator, who shared a simliar sense of confusion. <I don't understand, Bellator. He mentioned you, but I didn't think he was going to display you.> Garci regained control of himself, as he looked down at his Pawniard and his Larvesta, the two of them now on the floor. "..Huh? I didn't mean to send Bellator out. What's going on? Did he just.. come out of my pocket?"

[Prince Pony Age]

"Yes, qui--" Layton was cut off of his first response by Garcian's odd behavior. "What--what are you doing?" He didn't seem to be having any sort of epileptic/other health problem attack, so while the Professor was confused and slightly worried, he didn't do anything but look concerned. "This really isn't the place for that--"

After he was done, the Beldum hrmphed to himself. This boy was stronger willed than others he'd manipulated, resulting in a bit less...smooth execution of his orders. Oh well. He'd wiped the few seconds from the boy's memory as soon as the other Pokemon was released, looking to the Pokemon only when he was done.

....Apparently it was a Dark type. Dammit, he needed to ally himself with a Pokemon with Miracle Eye pronto. Oh well, 'Pokespeech' would do for now.

<'Greetings, Dark type. I--'> Better not let the Pokemon who could obviously speak plain English know he'd been the one behind Garcian's behaviour. <'I'm not certain why it is you're out, but before they ask you to do something, I'd like to know what your opinions on humans is, if you don't mind.'> There, that should do it.

Meanwhile, Layton blinked at Garcian's return to normal. "No, that--that was quite clearly deliberate. You spoke in a very strange manner, wishing to 'show me your pokemon' thereabouts. Do... do you often have episodes where you act strangely and don't remember?"

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Suddenly, whatever had just happened was all a blur to him. Any memory of psychic takeover had been gone to him, but Bellator suddenly appearing to him still proved to be confusing. He responded to Layton, looking deeply concerned. "I don't remember doing anything or saying anything of the sort. .. Still, I wonder how Bellator appeared. He must be able to leave the Pokeball at will or something." Scratching his head, he forgot about whatever issue it was about. "Of course I don't. I'm sure my parents would have noticed before I had even arrived in Era."

Lexus looked at the Beldum suspiciously as he asked Bellator the same question he did to her a few moments ago. She whispered to him, shaking her head slowly. <Don't listen to him. There's something.. off about him. He asked me the same thing..> This is something that Bellator could detect himself, but it was something he didn't quite care about. <My opinion? Why do you want to know?> Even if he asked suspiciously, he would go on to say anyway, <Humans? They help us fight. They guide us. I could do with or without them regardless, but they are certainly useful.>

[Prince Pony Age]

"You're not an Eran native, then? I suppose that does make sense. ..Still, that's almost more worrying than if these were common for you. I'm.. not quite sure what to make of that." Layton rather hoped this wouldn't turn into something he needed to go and solve. He'd been looking forward to the school year starting, and.. well, to be honest he couldn't really afford to take off even close to as much time as he used to. He was dangerously close to being fired as it was. Well, "laid off." He was basically the sole teacher of the archaeology department anymore, though he did teach other classes--the problem was, most of the classes he taught these days could easily be taken by a more general professor.

Meanwhile, the Beldum plotted. It wouldn't really be good for this Pokemon to be discouraged by his suspicious teammate. <'Of course I do, I'm curious to see what trained Pokemon answer. As for you, Dark-type, I do like how you think. Do you have a name?'> He'd like to make their human put the annoying bug back in her ball, but considering how strangely he acted the first time, and what they were talking about, she would likely figure out he was behind that. Oh, well, working around her would ahve to do.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Garci nodded, still taken aback by the whole sequence of events. "Could you.. describe what I did, again? I can swear that never happened to me before, but.. for some reason, I have no idea what happened." The memory wiping was certainly successful, but thanks to Layton's noting, his curiosity and a mild sense of fear began to show. He had hoped that it wasn't something that needed to be looked into, that it was just some sort of phenomena or some sort of blackout he experienced. To have something wrong with him would be, well, horrid, in this sort of region.

Lexus started to stand before the Beldum, suspicions mounting. This time, Garci wasn't even noticing her, focused entirely on Layton and trying to know the truth of what happened. She was mostly a passive Pokemon, but she had taken on a feeling that this particular Pokemon was up to something. Something that could do harm. <I'm watching you,> she growled out. Bellator looked down at Lexus and shook his head. <If anyone will throw the first stone, it will be me. I can take care of myself, Lexus.> He looked back up at the hovering metallic Pokemon. <I am called Bellator. Do you have a name?>

[Prince Pony Age]

Layton nodded. "Your speech became broken, with long pauses between words. It was also quite monotone. You dropped your Larvesta there, though she seems all right for now. You were shaking as you clumsily pulled out Bellator's Pokeball, also. Then you came to, and seemed to have no notion of what you'd just done." The concern in his voice was evident, despite describing what happened in an objective manner.

On the other hand, Beldum was quite all right. If he had a mouth, he would have smirked as he responded, <'I do. I call myself Stalin. Pleasure to meet you, Bellator.'> He entirely disregarded Lexus' words, not even deigning to acknowledge she'd said anything at all. In fact, he stopped saying anything in general for a bit there, thinking how to approach this Bellator with his ideas while not letting the Bug type know what he was thining.

---Layton's Current Team---

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Garci clutched his hands into fists, his hands shaking not from control, but from fear. "I really don't know what to say. I feel fine now, but I can't believe something like that could actually happen. I'm afraid there may actually be something wrong with me now." He looked at his hands, and down at the ball containing Bellator. He attempted to shake it off, trying to dismiss it. "Maybe it had something to do with these old artifacts, some correlation with Psychic Pokemon. I don't know why such a phenomenon would cause me to send out my Pawniard, though."

Bellator didn't give a straight response to Stalin. He simply nodded to his name, and crossed his arms. The Pawniard was suspicious by nature, and didn't need Lexus to try and add onto it. If the Beldum tried anything funny, he knew what to do. Still, he would lay off, as the thing was being polite, and he sensed no threat coming from it. Lexus walked near Bellator's side, facing the Beldum. She thought things over, and began to wonder what Luke had been doing behind all of those crates. She'd probably need his help if this situation somehow escalated.

[Prince Pony Age]

Speak of the devil and he shall appear, so the old saying goes--and while not spoken of, Lexus simply thinking of Luke seemed to be enough to summon him. He waddled back to the Professor's side, only to stop the moment he saw the Beldum was still out. The glow of Luke's eyes blinked out for a moment, as if he were blinking himself.

Layton heard the Ghost type return, and turned around for a moment to greet him. Before he did so, though, Luke looked between the Professor and "Stalin" and back and then gave a hurried, 'Actually there was another thing I 'ad to do back there I'll be back in a tic bye--' and was off again to hide do something productive he forgot to do that was not here.

Layton blinked as well, and turned back to Garci. He had the feeling that something was not quite right here, but he couldn't figure out what.

He really did not have the time or the energy, anymore, to deal with another mystery.

He sighed, shaking his head. "Why is he acting like that--" Then he looked back up at Garcian and said, "No matter. Do you think this is something you should see a physician about? Or at the very least I imagine getting a bit of fresh air might be a fine idea, it is--not quite crowded I suppose, but there are several people, anyway." Realizing that as the Beldum was doing nothing but sitting there and taking up space, Layton also withdrew the Pokemon with no warning whatsoever. He didn't realize he cut off the mineral in the middle of a Pokespeech sentence-- <'Well. At any rate, I wonder if I mi--'>

And that was the end of that.

[Victor Von Doomstein]

Garci mulled things over for a moment, rubbing his chin. "I suppose that a short visit to the open hair could not hurt at all. If you'll excuse me, I will leave Lexus here to provide you company." He gave Layton a short tip of the hat and exited the building. Outside, he took in the fresh air and let out a sigh. His headache was leaving him, at least. If nothing else, he finally felt totally cleared up. He just happened to forget to return Bellator, but what was the worry? Lexus was more than enough to keep him under control. He hopes.

Looking at Luke leave just as soon as he arrived, the Larvesta let out a prompt sigh. Was he so afraid of confronting the Beldum that he would excuse himself at any chance? She assumed that, if there was anyone to keep Bellator from picking fights or the Beldum from influencing anymore people, it would have to be her. Of course, having to fight Bellator would only show her that she was willing to fight as well, and it'd be such a terrible thing to do at a conference of all things. She showed some scant signs of delight as Layton mercifully withdrew the manipulative mineral Pokemon.

Shaking this off quickly, she looked up at Layton and blinked. She felt it would be far, far too tactless to bring up the Beldum so suddenly, and felt it would be a problem better settled by the trainer as opposed to a Pokemon who just happens to be able to speak English. "As I said before, it is a pleasure, Professor Layton," she began. "If you are aware of the subject, I have been curious about the history of my species. Do you know anything of Unovan archaeology, perhaps pertaining to the ruins within the desert?" She spoke with a remarkable amount of clarity and proper enunciation for a, well, bug.

Bellator simply stood in authority now that his only piece of conversation was gone. Not that he particularly enjoyed conversation, anyway. He looked to other Pokemon in the area, imagining how fights against them would go. Needless to say, in all of these simulated battles, Bellator's poor imagination always ended up granting him victory. Giving a snarl to a passing Kabuto who happened to be being shown off by some other trainer, Bellator felt secure with his abilities of intimidation. The Kabuto in question scurried away and clung onto the aforementioned trainer's leg, who was confused as to why he suddenly felt a clattering, and slightly sharp series of pokes to his ankle.