Team Luster (real)

Mod Kirby here, figured it was time for a new pinned post, especially since the conceit of this blog has drastically shifted.

Darrin is a complicated character, who I want to really explore the morality of. He is neither fully evil nor particularly good, and my ultimate goal is to portray both his self-centered, arrogant side, and his nurturing, genuine side.

He has made a variety of enemies during his time on this site, as well as the occasional kind-of ally. I encourage any interactions on this blog, especially if it's to be mean to him.

The current arc, which will continue for the foreseeable future, is not at all entrenched with the plot of Legends Z-A, though the initial teaser trailer was indeed what inspired me to yeet this old man to ancient Lumiose. It will follow my own story, which I'm very excited to show to you all.

There may be occasional interruptions from Darrin's former admins, Laurel and Kira, though these will be sparse. They cannot access any of the posts Darrin has made since his arrival in Lumiose.

The previous pinned post, with some outdated but generally still accurate information, can be found here.

The userboxes below are just guidelines, I'm honestly fine with anything that isn't Magic Anons. I should probably update those at some point actually

And now it's team member time!

Darrin's team:

ON HAND (Pokemon who Darrin has access to currently. Will be updated when he catches more team members.)

Fang the Crobat, Male, around level 64, moves are Hypnosis, Air Slash, Supersonic, and Cross Poison. Ability is Inner Focus.

Phantasm the Flutter Mane, Genderless, around level 52, moves are Dazzling Gleam, Shadow Ball, Memento, and Phantom Force. Ability is Protosynthesis.

Rhine/Rhinestone the Diancie, Genderless, around level 20, moves are Diamond Storm, Smack Down, Flail, and Ancient Power. Ability is Clear Body. (Formerly a Carbink)

OWNED (Pokemon who Darrin has caught, but are either not with him in the past or inaccessible for other reasons)

Scar the Garchomp, Female, around level 50, moves are Bulldoze, Crunch, Dragon Claw, and Scary Face. Ability is Sand Veil. Can Mega Evolve.

Ghoul the Gengar, Male, around level 60, moves are Night Shade, Sucker Punch, Sludge Bomb, and Dream Eater. Ability is Cursed Body.

Peridot the Crustle, Female, around level 57, moves are Bug Bite, Smack Down, Dazzling Gleam, and Rock Wrecker. Ability is Shell Armor.

Coquillant the Terapagos, Female, around level 30, moves are Tri Attack, Rapid Spin, Ancient Power, and Protect. Ability is Tera Shift.

Valley the Galarian Yamask, around level 5, moves are Astonish, Protect, Mud Sport, and Rock Throw. Ability is Wandering Spirit.

"I would like to make it abundantly clear that I will not hold anything against any of you if you do not wish to make this journey with me." He says. "It will be dangerous, there is little doubt about that. I may not succeed in my endeavors."

None of his Pokemon moved. Scar snorted. Ghoul did a loop-de-loop in the air and giggled. Fang chittered. Phantasm grinned. Even Valley looked slightly less apathetic.

"...Very well then." Darrin smiled. He wouldn't be doing this alone.

The man turned to stare down into the cavernous mouth of the cave. He could feel it, deep in his bones- a powerful life signature was here. A Pokemon he hadn't seen in a very long time.

Diancie.

"Let us be on our way."

Darrin had been inside caves before. Quite frequently, in fact. But this wasn't like any system he had ever explored. It was dark, but that ceased to be an issue with his horns lighting the way and Fang's ability to echolocate. The more pressing issue was space. Darrin kept bumping into things or having to crouch down to fit his now much larger body through the narrow cave.

However, he didn't have to worry too much. If he got stuck, he could always call upon Scar to carve a path forward with Dragon Rush.

The cave, which had seemed supremely quiet at first save for the occasional drip of water coming from a stalacite, but as they journeyed deeper, they began to hear distant, muffled Pokemon cries.

Darrin was familiar with them. Carbink.

His nerves were acting up again, now. Last time he had met Diancie, or Rhinestone, as he now knew them to be called, they had been amiable. But that was 200 years ago. When they met in the present, Darrin had tried to hunt them.

He could only hope for the best.

Scar broke through an ordinary-looking wall, and it crumbled to reveal the most gorgeous thing Darrin had ever seen. An enormous cavern lined wall to wall with sparkling gemstones, in every color imaginable and many more. If he had still been in the mining business, he would've swooned at the sight.

He could see Carbink bustling in and out of various spots in the wall. This wasn't merely a cave- it was a city. The beating heart of the Carbink population.

They didn't seem to notice him at first, but when one tripped over Scar's tail, every single one freezed and turned towards the group, wide-eyed. Carbink with fluffier fur and longer ears summoned long spears of crystal and pointed them towards the group.

For a moment, a fight seemed imminent, and Scar seemed ready to do battle.

"WAIT!"

Darrin, his Pokemon, and the hundreds of Carbink all turned their heads to the source of the cry. And there they were. Rhinestone.

"Everyone, calm down. We have a visitor." The Diancie looked exactly as he remembered them. Their calm smile made him feel at ease. "Darrin, it's been a long time, hasn't it? And you look so different!"

"Yes, I..." Darrin didn't know where to start recapping all that he had been through. But he did his best. His meeting with Zygarde, fusing with Xerneas. Living through two centuries until he caught up with the present. Helping Larimar save the universe when Lucinus Incarnata froze it over.

"Wow!" Rhinestone said, eyes wide and sparkling. "Sounds like you've been through quite a lot, Darrin!"

"I would say so." Darrin nodded in agreement. What else was there to add?

"And now, you've come to visit little old me!" Rhinestone beamed. "Looking for the Diancite, I imagine?"

"Well... not necessarily. I understand I may not be worthy of it just yet." The man admitted. "But mostly, I just wanted to see you again, Rhinestone."

"Oh, I'm flattered..." The Diancie chuckled. "You've changed a lot since you tried to hunt me, Darrin! Both in body and mind!"

He cringed at the memory. Not one of his finest moments.

"Hey, don't look so sour!" Rhinestone patted him on the back. "Recognizing your mistakes is an important part of growing as a person! And I, for one, think you've come a long way from your past. Which is why I'd be happy to grant you the Diancite, and join your party!"

Darrin was stunned.

"R-really? Just like that? No trial to prove myself? Not even a battle?"

"Pfft, no. I think you've been through quite enough trials already. There are always people who will begrudge you for your previous actions, and that's legitimate! But beating yourself up for the rest of time isn't healthy either, you know. Redemption isn't a one-and-done, it's a process that you're always embarking on. And I'd like to help you with it!"

"Ah." Darrin blinked. It seemed so obvious now that Rhinestone had said it. Perhaps, in a way... the person who most needed to forgive him was himself. "Well... that makes this much easier. I'd be honored to have you as a team member, Rhinestone. Again."

"Cool! Hey, did you still want that battle? I'd love to see how much stronger your team has gotten!"

"...I'd like that very much."

"Awesome! Alright, Carbink, give us some space!"

"Go, Phantasm! Shadow Ball!"