All of the writing that I have done for @thelostdex zine. I wrote various types of entries for Ramoose, Tubacapra, Togekiss, Espeon, Leafeon, Gavillain, Suicune, Moibelle, Belladam, and Kiwundo. It was a pleasure working with everyone, and I hope you enjoy the product of our hard work!
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Ramoose
10/18/2020
Approximately 3:00 A.M.
Unknown Woods, Lost Island
I should know better than to be out this late, this far away from base camp, on an island this deserted. Unfortunately, my persistent curiosity got the better of me, and so I set off on an expedition deep into the woods to see what might greet me while I tread alone.
I must’ve been traveling for a solid hour at the very least when I was stopped in my tracks by a massive shadow glaring directly at me. I couldn’t quite tell what it was, and I was unable to turn on my flashlight for there was a great risk of accidentally scaring it away. Slowly but surely, I approached it, and I could eventually begin to make out a silhouette as I inched closer.
Stantler? I initially assumed. However, my hypothesis was quickly disproven, as I noticed that its antlers were far too wide and its body, too bulky.
I soon found myself face to face with a massive beast holding its ground and staring into my soul with its glowing red eyes. I tried to keep low, so as to not startle the beast into thinking I was a threat, but it seemed to be well aware of its power and authority that it held over this dreary forest.
I went to grab my camera to take a quick photo, lest a photograph be the only remainder of my encounter, but as soon as I blinked, the creature disappeared in an instant.
I know what I saw. It was all too clear to merely be a hallucination.
Could it have actually been Ramoose? There was simply no other explanation...
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Tubacapra
I almost feel bad for disturbing the peace of such gentle creatures, but Tubacapra are so laid back that I simply couldn’t help myself but walk among the herd. None of them turned their attention to me for long periods of time as I walked past individuals both young and old, bountiful and sickly. They seem almost too gentle for their own good…
Then again, they were overall not the most intelligent looking Pokemon that I have seen. There was a certain…emptiness that could be seen in their eyes. Their expressions were not plagued with despair, but rather, devoid of thought. A carefree life it must be, to have the bare minimum thoughts to occupy your brain at any given moment at time.
They paid little to no mind to me, as the majority of the herd remained resting on the ground with their poncho-like roots anchoring themselves into the soil. I wonder if their bodily compositions were closer to that of a plant, rather than the flesh and blood of an animal, as they appear to be sapping nutrients from the soil to recharge themselves.
I have also noticed that the individuals with larger branches on their head seem more attentive and alert contrary to those with smaller twigs. Perhaps it could be an indicator of age, with the older Tubacapra being far more mentally developed than the youngsters. This also presents the plausible theory that these tree-like structures function as a brain or brain-like organ for these creatures.
Now, this implies that Tubacapra walk around with an exposed, photosynthesizing brain. The thought irked me in the weirdest way, but it could not stop me from gently scratching behind their ears or letting them lick my palm.
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Togekiss
I cannot believe what I am witnessing before my very eyes.
I have never seen so many Togekiss gathered in one location in my life.
Their numbers are still small, but relative to sightings in other regions of the world, this is a huge discovery.
However, these Togekiss are clearly different from the ones that we are familiar with. They’re more...dragon-like, in a sense. Their underbellies are solid blue and the spikes on their head are much larger and sharply angled. Their eyes were glowing red with a fierce, passionate gaze. It wasn’t filled with seething hatred like a feral beast, but rather, it was more like that of a gentle yet formidable guardian.
While I was watching them from the ground, I heard one of their cries. It wasn’t quite as aggressive as a Hydregion or Tyranitar, but it certainly had an aura of demand to it. Simultaneously, it was soft and graceful to the ears. One could describe their cry as being that of an old, gentle beast, capable of great might yet dared not bring harm to the innocent.
Unfortunately, I was unable to get close enough to properly confirm any of my observations, including the extent of their possible draconic features and overall demeanor. It was rather difficult to keep up with them, as they were quite fast and would soar beyond the clouds.
One thing was for certain; If the Togekiss we know are bringers of peace, then these are its guardians.
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Gavillain
Ahead of me in the midst of a sloppy, muddy swamp, I spotted a Gavillain creeping up on an unattended nest of eggs. It was so intensely focused on the meal before it that it didn’t turn an eye to my presence, even after I had accidentally stepped on a branch, splitting it in half. I froze in place, expecting it to jolt into the air and scan its surroundings, but it continued creeping ever so slowly towards the nest. This Pokemon must think that it’s some sort of slick, devious cartoon villain. Obviously, it’s really not, seeing how easily I was able to sneak up behind this “stealthy” individual and grab it.
I held it by the neck and base of its tail, so it would be unable to swing around and take a bite out of my flesh. As it squirmed in my grasp like a captured snake, I noticed that it seemed to be wiggling around with the intention of escaping, not aggression. If only this woeful creature could understand that I merely wished to observe it up close, not endanger its fragile life in any manner.
It had muddied brown scales, which felt like dried mud as well, presumably to act as camouflage. With a bright green frill around its neck, it seemed rather pointless, as it would stick out like a sore thumb amidst the mud. Perhaps it served it some good to disguise itself as an aquatic plant, or to perhaps hide among the bushes?
Who knows. I crouched down and let the creature have its freedom that it so desperately desired. It panicked and ran off, abandoning its original goal of snatching the eggs completely.
Incredibly pathetic nature and incredibly impractical design. Thus is the fate of Gavillain.
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Suicune
...graceful, aqua blue panther leisurely strolling through the fields. Its mane resembles that of our majestic steeds, in terms of…was more akin to that of an amethyst, as intensely violet and crystalline its coloration appeared to the human eye. Pure white tiger’s paws...spots adorning the entirety of its body...rippling water…
...peaceful in nature but quick to dash towards cover at the faintest trace of an interloper. Left no signs of...light footed. The beast’s movements were swift and graceful, comparable to that of a gentle breeze along the surface of a calm lake. The lake-blue panther-like creature had a...-like howl, yet I do not believe for it to have any relations to…
It drank from a heavily soiled lake in the midst of the forest one afternoon...later that very day, the water was crystal... I can only begin to speculate that this divine beast must have some form of water blessing powers. I had never quite seen anything like it during all of my years of exploring... I fail to believe that natural causes have cleansed the water...
...has only been seen within the forests of...legend among us, unlike any other that lies beyond our sacred land?
...shall be called Sui... a name fitting for a monarch of the water itself.
-From a weathered manuscript, date unknown
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Leafeon & Espeon
Leafeon -
These Leafeon are far from being considered prized specimen. Their tails were more like long strands of wild grass, and their paws were covered in similarly structured strands. Their coloration was quite variable as well, with some Leafeon being more intense shades of green or weathered brown than others.
The most notable feature about these Pokemon was not their appearance, as they simply resembled a more feral deviation of Leafeon. The smell, I must say, was agonizing on the senses. The organic stink of unattended weeds was so revolting for the sheer fact that they triggered my immune responses so violently. Even worse, was that some individuals were curious of my presence, directing their pollen and chlorophyl towards me.
I couldn’t bring myself to call these adorable creatures weeds, however.
Espeon -
In the mountainous regions of the forgotten island, an abandoned temple is the home to a variant of a beloved species that were once regarded as deities. Golden Espeon prowl this secluded temple, away from the contact of all humans or most other Pokemon.
Its golden fur shone spectacularly in the sunlight, except for the markings at the base of its tails and around the edges of its ears. Unlike the more familiar form of Espeon, this deviation has two distinct tails, rather than one being split into two at the tip. I do not believe these, along with the Leafeon, to be a subgroup, similar to regional variants from Alola or Galar, but rather, more like an ancestor of sorts.
If this proves to be true, then not only is it possible that other similar forms of Eevee exist, but a whole new field of Pokemon evolution research becomes a distinct possibility.
For now, I must respect these Espeon and their solitary nature.
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Kiwundo
I have never seen a Pokemon quite as round and birdlike as what I am currently observing before me. My initial impression of this curious new species is that they seem exceptionally impractical. Their wings are tiny, their bodies are heavily rounded, and it appears that their heads are locked in an upwards facing position. None of them seem adjusted to walking on such long legs either, as all individuals in the flock were stumbling and struggling to maneuver around a simple grassy plain.
These bird Pokemon appear to greatly lack in the cognitive department as well. I witnessed a larger predatory bird Pokemon pluck an individual out of the flock without a struggle, and the unfortunate victim’s companions seemed to have not noticed. They were comparable to ripe kiwis, who exist solely as pickings for those higher up on the food chain. Arguably, they were more like sentient kiwis than conscious specimens. The resemblance is uncanny, yet they were neither fully bird nor fully kiwi. The overwhelming majority were a dull brown akin to that of the common bird Pokemon, with textured feathers easily mistaken for kiwi skin.
I noted one unusual exception, to this, however, where one individual was a vibrant green unlike the earthy brown of the rest of the flock. I couldn’t help myself but throw a Pokeball at the weird green specimen to take back for further observation. It put up almost no struggle, which was rather unsurprising considering what I had noted earlier about its absentminded appearance.
These bird Pokemon were better compared to Magikarp, as even the common Pidgey would put up a decent fight. I don’t recall them having a name, so I shall call them Kiwundo after their round, kiwi-like appearance.
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Moibelle & Belladam
It’s easy to tell when a clan of Moibelle are nearby. What may sound like an orchestra of a thousand little jingles is actually a group of seven individuals max, skittering through the alleyways. They seem rather shy and difficult to approach, as they go out of their way to avoid even harmless Pokémon.
One lone Moibelle seems to be the exception to my observation, as it cautiously but curiously walked up to my leg and began to rub on it. Its fur was velvety soft, and the bells around its ears were softly ringing. It did not utter a peep, which has led me to believe that its primary form of communication was the bells on its head, neck, and tail.
Strangely enough, it didn’t seem frightened around me. In fact, the little baby quickly grew quite attached to me. I slowly held out my hand, offering for it to climb on. It was taken aback at first, but after a quick sniff, it climbed onto my arm and dug its claws into my sleeve. How could I say no to taking in such an adorable, mysterious fella? I saw no others seeking it out, so it may have been abandoned for some unfortunate reason.
As I gently stroked my newfound friend, I looked above me to notice a Belladam looming over me, laying on a guard rail on the balcony above. Its bell tail flickered silently, a great contrast to the "talkative" Moibelle. It was staring down at me fiercely, as if it were ready to strike should I make the wrong move.
Along another balcony further down the alleyway, two Belladam were tense and flickering their tails at each other. This time, I could hear the ringing, further supporting my theory of the bells being used for communication.
Moibelle may be shy, but they will grow up to become some aggressive beauties.
Its rather intimidating appearance has scared many of our researchers from getting too close, but we're hoping a few of the braver ones can learn a lot about this Pokemon.
#project hail mary
#the amazing digital circus
#coquette
#heated rivalry
