I believed we finished up last time with catching the two UB03 Lightings?
Now back to your reguarly scheduled business as usual. There is a lot of it.
And also a repeat incident of this. We saw this happen after dealing with the UB02s.
And Anabel is in no more of a hurry to investigate it than she was earlier. When you remember we don't actually know there's five of them for sure, this does hit different.
It also helps that he has a theory on what's causing it.
You do know he's not going to stop asking, right?
My ego doesn't need massaging that badly, Ma'am.
Presumably down to your lack of a Ground type. I've heard good things about Gliscor- although I suppose you want Gen III-era Pokemon in the Alola Dex. I think your only options there are Flygon and Dugtrio.
...Treating you as an enemy any more significantly than they treat me, perchance?
Looker seems particularly keen on killing this topic of discussion. Strangely keen.
Nanu's back. Hopefully this time he's a bit more helpful.
Come to think of it, Looker wasn't in when Nanu came last time.
Anyway, about the word "100kr". This conversation implies that this is an old codename Looker had before he got one that could be pronounced with a usual number of syllables. The idea that 100kr was ever considered a usable code name is so ludicrous that the only reaction I have to the revelation that Looker changed is "well, duh". I can't tell if the International Police was supposed to be stupid for signing off on this.
The meat of that revelation is that Looker is acquainted with Nanu from a previous job.
Hopefully he's talking to Looker still. Although Anabel is just as gobsmacked.
Are you actually retired? Although tugging us along like this sounds like Nanu's way of passing the time.
Particularly given the substance of what he tells us.
I mean, if the last UBs have been any indication...
...Although this does raise the point that Hala fought off a UB back on Melemele in this game, and you will be shown fighting off a UB personally in USUM. I can't imagine Tapu Bulu's temper is doing particularly well when his kahuna is slouching on the job so openly.
...
Now that I say it out loud, I notice the Thrifty Megamart tantrum wasn't that long ago. Are we sure they're unrelated?
Well, he was... sorta better this time? Better enough I feel more comfortable overlooking it.
Looker has a bit of an enigmatic session to himself as he considers Nanu.
Little late to be trying to get the plot rolling, wouldn't you say?
So close. So close to having the plot progress.
Well, at least we've got UB Blade or Blaster to keep us busy.
...Still.
The motel's probably the longest walk from a Glide point any of the stopping points are, but that may just be by feel rather than by reality. Still, though, not a kind starting point.
Over near the oasis, for reference.
So, on the far side from Tapu Village, but requiring a Mudsdale Gallop to get to from Blush Mountain.
The fact this entire chain uses such uniform motel rooms would make it near-impossible to tell at a glance which one we're in at any specific point.
I dunno what you're implying, at no point have we been anyone other than that.
The idea that Nanu would do anything but does not endear me to him, but the fact that this is the island Nanu is responsible for precludes him from shenanigans.
Much like with UB02, we have two different foes to fight based on version. Bethany's looking for UB04 Blade...
And Noah's looking for UB04 Blaster.
Multiples on both.
Just because it needs to be mentioned every time doesn't mean it should be elaborated individually each time in the textboxes.
This time, Anabel's struggles come before the mission, raising the question of whether we should be relying on her.
Something's telling me the problem goes a little deeper than mere exhaustion. You know, if you explained what it was, Looker-
Nope, he's happy to listen to Anabel.
He's certainly got a good attitude when it comes to most situations in which a female boss should override the desires of a male employee, but I feel like this is one of that 1% in which he should try a little harder.
Nope. Back to talking shop.
UB-03. Code name: "Lighting." Properly known as Xurkitree. This UB was sighted for the first time following the incidents at Aether Foundation. Its most distinctive feature is an organ that can generate power. This UB's bodily makeup is highly reminiscent of electric wiring, thus enabling it to conduct electricity with great efficiency. It can discharge as much as a million volts of power at a time. When it begins to run out of power, it stabs its legs and tail into the soil, entering a treelike state as it absorbs electricity from the ground.
...Something to be expected at the Ultra Plant, but uh, how realistic is that in our world? And what is it leeching from the soil if it's not electricity?
UB-04. Code name: Blade. Yes, I can tell you about it! It seems to be a horrifying beast that can cut through absolutely anything! Sightings were made in two locations. Route 17 and Malie Garden! It seems highly likely that the creatures are on the move around Ula'ula Island. The sightings indicate four specimens. So the goal of this mission will be to find and protect four individuals, if you can!
UB-04. Code name: Blaster. Yes, I can tell you about it! It seems to possess a fearsome energy that will burn through anything at all! Sightings were made in two locations. Haina Desert and Malie Garden! It seems highly likely that the creatures are on the move around Ula'ula Island. The sightings indicate two specimens. So the goal of this mission will be to find and protect two individuals, if you can!
Two different locations, of course, depending on version. Both versions can find it in Malie Garden this time- it is just the alternate position that changes. This also changes which non-Malie City is under threat, but how Anabel goes about it doesn't get elaborated on either way.
If you'll remember the UB02s, Pokemon Moon had to catch four Pheromosas, but the catch rate was jacked up to the point where this was a trivial task. Pokemon Sun has the same situation with Kartana, while Moon will have Celesteela as a non-trivial catch like Buzzwole. I prefer the positioning of this event here, particularly since we have a larger stockpile of Beast Balls to be comfortable with in Sun.
Unlike with Buzzwole and Pheromosa, which were found in the same location regardless of number, you can find Kartana in multiple locations. Finding it in this rain-soaked corner of the world doesn't seem good for it, though, it's made of paper.
Bethany's done easy. What about Noah?
Gigantic pain in the ass to find one in Haina Desert.
Fortunately, this is a Steel type, so it won't take Sandstorm chip.
...That is an interesting pose for the arms.
Anyway, please have plot this time.
Yes, yes, we've learned about the king of the paper cuts.
So wait, you guys now are getting proof that there's a set number of UBs? Could've used that to avert the earlier disappointment around UBs 01 and 02.
Also fortunately, we know there's only one UB05.
She accomplished her task. Whatever that was.
Although the fact there's one of her and four of them wasn't helping.
So where were we here, then?
...Why would you fear this state of events? Everything seems fine to me.
Looker, please actually explain yourself before I punch you.
I can't tell if Anabel is intentionally giving Looker an out or she really is missing what's going on. I've got evidence to support both.
On the subject of "evidence to support both", Anabel decides she's going to go wander off and leave us unattended with Looker.
So then... let's talk.
I don't think it's working. I barely know her and I could tell.
YOU THINK? But please continue.
...You know, come to think of it, I'm not sure we have a concrete timeline on when Professor Mohn's experiments took place, but I would not be opposed to assuming that this event is meant to coincide with that one.
It would explain more than a few errant plot points quite satisfactorily if Professor Mohn's wormhole accident was big enough to have International Police involvement. Particularly where Lusamine's obsession comes in.
The fact that the expedition ended in failure does add a wrinkle to this theory, but it could also simply be the cause of Professor Mohn's spatial displacement. What did happen to the UB, if not the Police?
Oh, hi, Nanu, perfect timing!
The phrasing used to describe the fool who let the UB slip away is just ambiguous enough I'm not sure whether he's denigrating Looker or himself. But the results do seem quite catastrophic.
Oh, Looker is happy to disambiguate. Well then... Looker's the one who screwed up.
And to think, this event probably precedes his involvement in Platinum, BW, and XY.
Looker's mistake seems to have been "assuming that the third member of this team was as qualified as the other two". Which is a fairly easy mistake to make, given the stakes of the task.
He wasn't counting on his bosses being corrupt sacks of shit, though.
Looker, I am judging you harshly for not interrogating this more deeply. I don't care how good your subsequent record is, what the hell is going on upstairs in the International Police?
This is where some important plot information about this entire sequence finally gets elaborated on. Ultra Beasts are particularly attracted to people who have been in Ultra Space, and will attempt to approach them.
Looker takes a non-judgemental position on why UBs do this. This doesn't really change the fact that what's going on here is that the fact they do this is being exploited by the International Police.
...Looker, have you just not yet internalised what your bosses were doing? Now I'm judging you for other reasons.
So named because, presumably, of the fact they typically "fall" when they are spat out of a wormhole. It's not like they like to appear on ground level, after all.
Something moderately weird about this is that ORAS includes a scene where an amnesiac Looker washes up on a beach, which honestly kinda foreshadows his role in SM... were he a Faller. Narratively, however, I don't think we're meant to draw that conclusion.
Come to think of it, though, the fact this scene happened in the Battle Resort...
Something mildly irritating about this scene for Bethany is that it's pretty clear what, exactly, is going on, but Nanu is not talking about that right now.
For Noah, Nanu will instead say "this boy", which makes it obvious that they're talking about our status as a Faller (for going to Ultra Deep Sea). This part of the whole "Faller" business was probably too much of an extra wrinkle, although it is admittedly the only reason we're in the loop to begin with.
Aw, and we were doing so well about getting plot out of this stone!
I think she means Sushi High Roller? I'd believe it.
Nanu's standing right there. It's not like he's camouflaged.
There is no motel on Poni Island, so they go for the next best place.
Looks like we're finally going to a restaurant after all!
As opposed to the other ones, I guess?
Are you sure? Because it sounded like you recognised the problem.
All right, I'm on it...
At least this time, we're very definitely in a new location for this talk.
...With that said, I don't see Anabel.
That'll be easy. There's only one populated area on the entire island, and it has a chokepoint.
...What the fuck you two?
No, seriously, what's going on here? The fact that UBs aren't really appearing to approach populated areas in gameplay, as well as Anabel not showing up, makes it really hard to substantiate these claims. Like... if Anabel's job is to protect the populated areas, she should be in Seafolk no matter what. Where have we sent her if not here?
I think the fact that we're just going over Anabel's head to prevent her from doing her job is an entire other matter. If you have problems with what she's doing, loop her in. She's only going to be more horrified later when she finds out about this.
At this point, we get confirmation of something that's been implied thus far- Anabel is a Faller. When we say she's from Emerald Hoenn... we mean it quite literally.
After having completed the mission where they lost their last Faller, they picked up a new one. I wonder which classic character got lost to the UBs last time. And whether they'll reveal who it is.
Nanu seems silently judgemental over it. Presumably for getting the other one killed, rather than how they handled this one.
Four is an impressive number for amnesia.
This is one of those lines that I've got to talk about, because the initial takeaway of much of the fandom was particularly extreme compared to the substance of the information. This is the only information we will ever receive about the circumstances Anabel came from, although ORAS can elaborate a little bit- it is considered canon that the 3DS games take place in a different dimension compared to the GBA games, particularly "RSE vs ORAS". The specifics are typically taken to be "XY is the cutoff point", and while this is not a substantiated claim, the strictly canon information is enough for our needs. The short version is this: Anabel comes from RSE Hoenn, while this story exists in a setting where ORAS Hoenn is canon. (I would not find it unreasonable to assume Anabel's "amnesia" is merely her being unaware of how the rules of this world differ from that of her home dimension- I mean, is she even aware of the Physical/Special split?)
Now then... when SM first came out, the common perception was that RSE Hoenn was completely destroyed by the Ultra Beasts.
Exactly how this perception came about isn't particularly clear, although some amount of "the playerbase isn't exactly assiduous readers" needs to be taken as a given here. Possibly there was an element of the fanbase wanting a story idea like this to be true, but at the end of the day, the reality is that this is not the interpretation we were expected to come away with. It's certainly not an incorrect one- the fact that Anabel was taken away from the Battle Tower implies that the Ultra Beasts "won" the encounter- but the only thing we are expected to take away is that the RSE world was attacked by a non-zero count of UBs and Anabel was taken away from her home region by these shenanigans. One could say the lack of stakes offered by the encounter in the other world minimises the stakes of this one, but on the other hand, raising the stakes too high would make it less reasonable that we're allowed to keep the UBs. This does offer some insight into how they'd approach the same problem in SV, but I don't think it was much better there.
I mean... given that she'll be the first target for a UB in the event of a re-emergence, it's reasonable to keep tabs on her. Not doing that is just irresponsible.
By the way, who's keeping tabs on Lillie, Lusamine, and Guzma? Just asking.
This bit just makes no sense, particularly given what Ultra Warp Ride shows us the wormhole is like. I think Looker's just making stuff up out of his ass this time.
Anabel joining the International Police seems completely unrelated, although perhaps proximity played a role here. It's worth noting that her old job in RSE doesn't seem to exist in this world- Pokemon has been allergic to the idea of making a Battle Frontier with Frontier Brains for her to join the ranks of.
To be fair to them, the strategy itself wasn't what failed- it was Looker making incorrect assumptions about his resources (or lack thereof) that caused the first case to fail.
Now, morally, the problem with this plan regardless of what attempt this is is not informing the Fallers this is the inherent risk they carry. Anabel, given her personality when the "complications" have arisen strikes me as a woman who would gladly have volunteered for this task even if she knew the risks, and having her be aware of said risks would allow her to properly manage them. But then we couldn't have the opportunity to go behind her back and "save" her from the corruption of their superiors.
As a reminder, the player is not allowed to make any attempt to save Lillie from Lusamine.
...Oh hey, at least they actually did let her make that decision.
Although that makes you going behind her back to rob her of her agency look worse, Looker.
I mean... it's basic empathy. Don't attack the UBs just for their involuntary reactions.
Perhaps someone ought to explain to the UBs that Anabel can't get them home.
Giving them two Fallers was a good way of doing that.
And, to be honest, it probably should've been your plan from the instant you got two battle-ready Fallers.
Another good reason to have multiple Fallers- to tag in and out when the situation turns against them.
I so hope she sacks you for this.
...Nanu, you've sent Anabel on a wild goose chase on the smallest of the Alolan islands. And you think you have the time for a battle? I'm questioning your credentials.
And of course, we have all the time in the world to prepare ourselves appropriately.
He's an island kahuna now. It's his job to fight kids like me.
We know what type to expect, and we know what type to bring. Bernie-Bear will be here for the Fairy moves, getting a free chance to Swords Dance and all.
Keokeo is playing delete button. I wish Dazzling Gleam felt better to click.
K9 has one target in particular in mind, I see. I'd hate to be that target.
Lest we forget, Dark is weak to Fighting. Anything Physical won't stand a chance against Lord Huggington.
Razzly is trying the same trick, but on the Special Attackers. Of course, she's also fast enough to just outspeed the Physicals.
...Considering he's weak to Dark, this is an odd choice in cleanup crew.
Anyway, let's get going.
Unlike Anabel and her like, Nanu gets to use the Island Kahuna theme and all its trappings. Funnily enough, the rematch with Nanu USUM gave us did not do this. He has a familiar statline: 31 IVs in HP and two stats, 252 EVs in those two stats (no HP investments this time!), and a full set of Natures to accompany his choices.
This Sableye has not learned its lesson from last time. Impish, still, giving it a -Sp. Atk penalty it doesn't want, considering it has invested in its Sp. Atk and Sp. Def. Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, Power Gem and Toxic, for a surprisingly attack-heavy Sableye build. No more Fake Out, come to think of it.
Makes Bernie-Bear not quite as hilarious a counter.
Still good, though, since she's hitting her weakness and her lower stat.
Although it is irritating how I'm going to have to deal with this.
You go away.
This one proved quite the irritating opponent to go up against. Krookodile is Atk/Spd invested... and has a Jolly Nature, boosting its already significant speed even higher. You're staring down the barrel of a Speed score of 198 here, something Noah in particular found it hard to beat. Earthquake, Crunch, Dragon Claw, and Aerial Ace, not that it needs anything but the first two.
Bethany used a Choice Scarf for the job.
...Unfortunately, Keokeo did not have the power to oneshot. That's unfortunate, since she also doesn't have the bulk to survive an Earthquake. That's why she was running the Scarf in the first place.
At least Brave Bernie still has her Disguise. Good thing Sableye didn't wind up breaking it!
Now go away/
Honchkrow. That's a new one on Nanu. Serious Nature, since it's running Atk and Sp. Atk as its investments. Sucker Punch, Aerial Ace, Snarl, and Psychic for moves, this Honchkrow is an excellent demonstration in why most people don't run mixed investment. Not that those moves are exactly making the prospect tempting.
That is a fantastic Atk stat to show for himself, though.
...Don't think this was going to change no matter what investment he went with.
The Life Orb K9 was holding takes some HP, as promised. Fortunately not enough to KO it, but that is a genuine threat you face.
Persian, his ace, showing up early. Timid Nature and 252 EVs in Sp. Atk and Spd, as one might expect, a movepool of Fake Out, Dark Pulse, Power Gem, and Thunderbolt preparing it for its standard plays. It is, of course, the holder of the Darkinium Z, and it's more than prepared for only Bugs.
Of course, that's what I'm using, but it's decided to use Fake Out on me, despite my Shield Dust.
Decided to show off with a Quiver Dance before I Bug Buzzed. Just to outspeed her.
And then there is Absol. Jolly Nature and investments in Atk and Spd, one could consider this Persian's counterpart were it not for the fact that Absol just isn't fast. Night Slash, Psycho Cut, Sucker Punch, and Aerial Ace, and hey, wait a minute, are you copying Alexandria's notes? I was doing it first!
Just for that, you can get a taste of Quiver Dance.
Still got his smirk. USUM can't claim this, either.
You know, while you were giving me trouble with that damn Krookodile, Anabel cottoned on to your little trick, right?
I am not feeling particularly impressed with the International Police's nicknaming patterns. Part of that is the fact all I can think of when I see the name "000" is a mixture of "that's Australia's emergency number" and the joke "you must be Agent Double-oh Zero, licensed to miss." Hardly the most impressive of names.
"Glutton" doesn't really sell the horror that is Guzzlord. Perhaps the horror of it stat-wise, but...
Really trying to sell me on that "codename", aren't we?
10 Beast Balls for one Beast. But with this one, almost feels necessary. I find myself struggling with Glutton most.
Oh, I had almost forgotten about them.
Kartana: UB-04. Code name: "Blade." Properly known as Kartana. This UB was sighted for the first time following the incidents at Aether Foundation. Its most distinctive feature is its thin and razor- sharp body, of which every edge has as cruel a cutting edge as any well-honed blade. The edges on its arms are particularly in a class of their own. Any opponent who tries to attack it will be cut down with a single strike of its "blades." Its thin body also allows it to evade attacks by dancing lightly out of the way. This is a very dangerous creature, considering its excellent offensive and defensive capabilities, but due to the nature of its body, it is also highly vulnerable to fire and moisture.
Celesteela: UB-04. Code name: "Blaster." Properly known as Celesteela. This UB was sighted for the first time following the incidents at Aether Foundation. Its most distinctive feature is the energy that it stores within itself, a flammable gas that it can shoot from its two huge arms. This is mostly used to propel itself in flight and for battle, but it is thought to have sufficient power and lift to even fly into space. Its bodily construction closely resembles that of a plant, and it absorbs nutrients from the soil.
Fairly standard, although you imagine fighting something as tiny as Kartana when it hurts as much as Kartana does. Celesteela makes it sound like they haven't discovered rockets, though.
UB-05. Code name: Glutton. Yes, yes, I can tell you about it. It possesses a fearsome appetite that allows it to be devouring mountains! The sightings report a single specimen. Nanu should be leading it deep into the heart of Resolution Cave. But Resolution Cave- it is really so far away. You have to go farther and farther from the Ancient Poni Path- even past Poni Meadow. That's where Resolution Cave is. It must be tough to reach there, but you should do your best, I implore.
If you did the UB sidequest as soon as you started the postgame, you would not have access to Resolution Cave yet. This pushes us into that side area, and completing that side content probably qualifies as a nice delay while we try and protect Anabel from her job.
If only I hadn't already been. I guess that explains what's supposed to be here in SM.
Guzzlord, of course, gets a +2 Atk, seeing as Atk is the only non-HP stat that's halfway serviceable on Guzzlord, and its high level 70, its location in the deepest part of Resolution Cave, and its low catch rate set it up as the boss it looks like.
Nuzzle doing so little damage helps its reputation. It not getting to attack does not.
Its typing- Dragon/Dark- is the only reason it's taking so much out of Zapple. Immune to Psychic and resistant to T-Bolt.
Dottie makes a more terrifying foe.
Especially when she can do this.
...Dammit.
Lord Huggington, you can handle the Physical punishment, right?
Yup.
It may be a low-ish catch rate, but this is still x5.
It tried.
...Well, I suppose this won't be too suspicious. Anabel has never had an idea when this will happen.
The worst part is, you aren't even the only woman I want to tell about people who are taking advantage of you, but cannot.
Well, as much as can fit in a short blurb.
Glad that mess is over.
I'm clearly the only one trying, if Looker and Nanu are any indication.
And lie. And endanger you.
Don't think not claiming the credit is absolving you of the consequences of your actions.
Nor bribery. I have yet to see a crumb of food for my trouble.
...Anabel?
That is disappointing on multiple levels. Not the least because I have to walk all the way there and back again.
...And possibly return the unused ones? Wicke never does ask for those back, but they're pretty useless by now.
There is something in it for us if we do. Like, a tangible thing.
Still makes it irritating to go all this way, though.
Particularly since the substance is mostly the same as we've been getting all story.
...You mean the UBs have been hanging around since Lusamine opened the wormholes around Aether Paradise? If it was when we got Nebby evolved, that would actually be a pretty short time from the time we deal with them, but...
OK, granted, it's not like Poni Island was a substantive plot arc in terms of things that were done.
Wicke continues to do more than her old boss to clean up her messes. Hopefully that extends to making sure those two Fallers aren't being pursued by UBs.
...Do you have to remind us that they cost you money? It's like you didn't want to put in the effort, and that's hardly a sympathising character trait to have.
I refuse to give Looker for what he did for this mission. Wicke did more than Looker could ever dream of.
Probably looking for a restaurant good enough to make me consider forgiving him.
I hope not.
"Taihen da!" sounds like Japanese this time, but if the machines I'm using are to be believed, this is more "Oh no!" than "It's a disaster!". I'm willing to chalk that up to the nuances of the Japanese language not fully being portrayed by romanisation, though.
Particularly since Looker decides to say "It's a disaster" in a way that sounds as if he's repeating himself.
What more could there possibly be, then?
Another one? Well, I suppose one can only ask for details.
I'm not sure that's how refraction work, but I do know that the model doesn't really do the description justice.
This is where we get into weird semantics, particularly as they intersect with mechanics.
The creature that appeared is not, in fact, a UB, as defined by Pokemon or Poke Balls. It is, however, an interdimensional interloper like a UB, and in fact has a statline to match.
However, because of the fact that this creature does not match the former definition of UB, Wicke decides there is absolutely nothing to worry about.
And they tell Looker to not investigate the matter at all.
Well, I suppose gaslighting the guy is a perfect reward for his decision to lie to his boss and endanger her life, but still. I'm judging both of you for this.
I think I'm the one that needs the break...
And in USUM, they get it without having to gaslight each other for it.
Does that really count as a vacation? Well, if they say it is, I guess.
Go right ahead. You've probably earned it more than him.
...There's something kinda weird about the best "Alolan" restaurant being the Kalosian import. What, not springing for local?
...Huh?
Oh, I guess that is where he hangs out and all.
Well, I guess he was the one writing all the sightings reports... I'm not giving him a good grade either, though.
I do like Anabel's new design quite a bit. I will say, though, that it does feel more than a bit feminine given that her Emerald incarnation used a lot of masculine speech patterns in JP. At least she's still in a suit.
No thanks to you.
I should hope they expected to pay me! But I won't say no to a figure that large. I'm hoping to make a dent in Gracidea.
Indeed he will. It'll be impossible to shift him from it. Anabel, meanwhile, goes missing entirely.
Well, except for that one more thing Looker found. Someone should really do something about that.
Guzzlord: "UB-05. Code name: Glutton. Properly known as Guzzlord. This UB has been sighted in the Alola region in the past as well, according to our reports. It seems it was targeted by the International Police in a top-secret mission at that time. Its most distinctive feature is its limitless appetite. It feeds without pause every moment that it is awake. It uses the two large tongues that protrude from its mouth to catch and devour everything in its path, be it organic or inorganic matter. And while it eats such an inordinate amount, Guzzlord excreta has never been discovered. It is thought that it might fully convert the things that it eats into energy for it to use.
Confirmation that Guzzlord is the very same UB that was summoned in the mission ten years ago, which is why Nanu seeing it in USUM is supposed to make an impact. Well, for the people who noticed the mention of it in here, at least.
Nanu can be talked to, not that he comments on the situation.
Looker still uses the same framing he's done already, but he acknowledges the hilarity if you ask him to describe the UB... sort of.
Oh ho, how funny you are, Bethany! We've caught all the UBs already, haven't we? I'm certain that black refractor that I thought I saw on Melemele was just my imagination!
Gaslighting isn't funny, though.
The thing we're looking for is in Ten Carat Hill's Farthest Hollow, although since nobody is taking this situation seriously, you won't hear There's Trouble. The encounter rate is also deplorable, although since we're looking for something that's level 75 in a field of level 11-14s, literally anything in between those two numbers will let you Repel Trick. You may need more than one Repel to do the trick, though.
It is, of course, now time for SM to have the opportunity to catch Necrozma. Like with its catchable encounter in USUM, we're using Nebby's theme, and the moveset we're staring down the barrel of is... Stealth Rock, Iron Defence, Wring Out, and Prismatic Laser. Prismatic Laser is a 160 BP Special Psychic move that requires the user not act the next turn to recharge, and is Necrozma's only signature move in SM- Photon Geyser was added to USUM.
Way back when I talked about Necrozma on the Altar of the Moone, I mentioned that the signature legendary of the "third version" appeared somewhere out of the way in the first two versions in what was exclusively foreshadowing of no real substance. Necrozma doesn't even get the dignity of having his own dungeon, like his predecessors before him. At least Eternatus and Terapagos got their dues, even if this is because there was no promise of a third version for them to inhabit.
Barely any more threatening than Guzzlord, and its typing is even worse defensively. It needed those extra five levels to make not defeating it easier.
It's also only got 10 PP worth of attacking power. And Wring Out didn't even oneshot Zapple.
...Do kinda wish it still used Prismatic Laser in USUM, though. Kinda looks prettier than Photon Geyser.
Didn't oneshot Jaws, either. To imagine what it'd do to something tanky.
We've got all the time in the world.
It's not an Ultra Beast according to the game, so it must be caught in a regular Poke Ball. Don't waste your Beast Balls, with a x0.1 catch rate, it'll be a miracle if it works.
Doesn't look nearly as cool in the Pokedex. Although Rotom agrees with the assessment that it's not a UB, giving it the same dignities afforded to Nebby.
Anyway, Looker, I found the thing you saw. At least I can tell you you're being lied to. Unlike the person who actually deserves to know.
And it's clearly not of this world. I'll take your word on the "refracting light", thing, its model is matte.
...He acts like I'm showing him something like a Kommo-o or an Eevee.
And he'll keep doing this even though we've told him what he's seen. A fitting end for a liar, I guess.
I was not expecting the UB sidequest to be this terrible. When I started, I kinda understood that it'd be a little long in the tooth, and I did wind up taking my time going through it because of how much nothing was happening, but I was not expecting to be taken aback by the actions of the characters when actions get to finally happen. Looker... well, Looker was always a cop, but he was more of a buffoon than a liar. And then Anabel and Wicke just gaslighting him about a Pokemon that would turn out to be out here to rob Alola of its light purely because the International Police don't recognise it's a UB... I can't decide if there was nothing of value, or if this told us more than I wanted to know about the values of the people writing this. I guess it's not like they expected anyone to care, though, since it's blatantly a vehicle for giving us the UBs.
Next time, after the Noah fights: A blatant vehicle for another kind of opportunity. Hopefully this one's better.
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