ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Mt. Battle

-Recognition dawns on the Heatran's face.-

Heatran: <... Damn.>

-He gives a sigh somewhere between anger and sadness. Maybe with a dash of disappointment.-

Heatran: <I never did like that old tradition.>

Mt. Battle

"Well. It's kept me alive, when I would have died."

He smiles behind the mask.

"So. I am the Night Angel now. The Lord of Shadows. The Sa'kage. The Hound of the Hunt. I am Nameless. But my question is - what is my duty? What am I? Or are you not allowed to tell me?"

The man with no name is skirting around the one question he truly wants to ask.

Ecruteak City - Outside

"He wants to know if you want to leave for Kalos now or wait." Shu translated.

Valorie leaned forward a bit and ran a hand through Sparkers fur idly in a mildly affectionate manner. "Well... I don't want to leave Diane and Skye behind! I'd like to leave with them." she responded thoughtfuly.

<Now you have me wondering what people look like transformed.> Shu said half-humorously. <...I didn't really have a choice, in my case.> he then added rather morbidly.

Ecruteak

-Ever has wandered over to the airship-

Ecruteak

-Joseph has similarly done so, towing Jim and Bethany-

Hai, Ever.

Plane

(Alex nods off.)

Ecruteak

Ever: Oh, hey Joseph~ Who are those two?

Mt. Battle

Heatran: <Dammedable rules... I'm afraid I cannot. Those are answers only your handler, or handlers, can give you. Unless, of course, you have a different question you'd like to ask. One that I'm not bound by an overblown bureaucracy to silence over.>

Ecruteak Center

They arrive at the center.

<Alright. We'll see if we can meet more of my friends then. Though I got a feelin' Skye and Diane are probably gona head off without us. That's alright though, we'll meet up with them.>

He trots over to a computer and retrieves several balls. With a bit of effort he fits them onto his wrist-belt.

<When you do leave though do you wanna ride me there or do you wanna go by plane?>

Ecruteak

-Joseph points-

This is Jim...

-Jim wordlessly waves-

...and this is Bethany.

-Bethany waves, more attentively-

They're monotypers.

Ecruteak

Ever: ...Okay? Of what?

Mt. Battle

"Heh heh. HEH HAH HAH! So I am a G-Man now! Who knew?"

He laughs some more.

"Yeah. One more question, I guess:"

He takes a deep breath.

"Just how far can I push the isolation rules, hmm?"

Ecruteak

Bethany of Dragons, and Jim of Normal-ty-

Jim: And Fairy types.

Erm, what?

Jim: Well, I came to a bit of a discovery a few weeks ago...

A Few Weeks Ago

-Thibault, Bethany's Altaria, Dragon Claws Percival (Jim's Clefable), to no avail-

Bethany: ...what?

Jim: ...

...

...

...BRAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Ecruteak

Jim: So there's that.

Bethany: -pouts-

Ecruteak City - Pokemon Center

Shu translated for Sparkers and Valorie giggled at the question. "Weeell... I'd love to ride you there if I can!" she replied eagerly. "But... maybe we'll see what Diane and Skye think? I don't know what they plan on doing. Maybe I'll just mimic their choice." she replied, seemingly intent to stick with her new friends. She'd grown close, and in such a short period of time!

Vermillion - AU - Offshore

<Leana: "... Are there any good docks to pull up to?">

<"... I'm not sure if we'll be able to get that close... I think we might need to try and Surf or Fly our way in...">

<Buster: "... How are we supposed to do that without any distractions at all?">

<"... Well... Let's think...">

A Few Days Ago - Back Alley - Celadon - AU

<Fem!Garchomp: "... Bah... Of all the nights that I have to patrol... It has to be at night in the dead of win-"> >.<

-And sees a familiar Charizard ducking down a back alley-

<Fem!Garchomp: "Oh? Well... I suppose that it could be worse...">

-And calls out after the fleeting form while rounding the corner-

<Fem!Garchomp: "Hey! Didn't expect you to-!">

-Only to see a portion of the Charizard slip down an alley-

<Fem!Garchomp: "Grm... >:(

Hey, hotshot!">

-And turns again, only to barely miss the Charizard-

-Now fuming-

<Fem!Garchomp: *growl* "Way to let me freeze, you jerk!">

-And finally enters the alley, and sees a Charizard pawing at a door-

<Fem!Garchomp: "YOU!">

-And lunges at the Charizard-

<Burny: "Hu-AAAAAAAAAAH!">

-And pounces on the Charizard, pinning him to the wall-

<Burny: "AIEEEEEEE! LEMMEGOLEMMEGO!">

<Fem!Garchomp: "Yeah, I'd scream too! Leaving your love to freeze her scales off on a night like this!"> >:(

-And registers who his assailant is-

-Nervously-

<Burny: "O-Oh! It's you! F-For a sec I thought you w-were- I mean- Err...">

<Fem!Garchomp: "Thought I was what? Spit it ou-?">

-And turns to face a leering party consisting of a Lucario, a Torterra, and a Spiritomb-

<Legion: "Let him go, and nobody gets hurt."> >:(

-Looking at the Charizard... And back at the leering mons... And back at the Charizard after putting two and two together-

<Fem!Garchomp: "… You have a really tough time saying 'no', don't you?"> >:|

-Which makes a certain Charizard start to sweat proverbial bullets- 

<Burny: "U-Uh… W-Well…"> O_O;

-And shoves the Charizard to the ground in front of its compatriots-

<Fem!Garchomp: "What are you, stupid? Siding with the resistance as a dovah? I knew your squeaky, perpetually-terrified act was suspicious!"> >:(

<Legion: "... That... Wasn't an act...">

<Burny: "L-Look! I can explain! No one has to hurt each other!">

<Fem!Garchomp: "You're absolutely right... No one has to.">

-Gesturing with a claw-

<Fem!Garchomp: "You're going to disassociate yourself from this nonsense, and inform these mons to either make themselves scarce by tomorrow night, or-">

<Fem!Garchomp: "There will be consequences..."> >:(

<Jaws: "What on earth makes you think that you're going to just be able to leave?">

<Fem!Garchomp: "Who on earth do you think is going to tell the dovahhe that just heard your friend cry out that everything is a false alarm if you don't? If you'd rather be raided tonight, I'm fine with that too.">

-The group relents, and starts to look uneasy.-

-Looking utterly crushed-

<Burny: "I- I-">

<Fem!Garchomp: "Won't have to make too hard of a choice.">

-Protesting-

<Burny: "B-But they're my friends!">

<Fem!Garchomp: "... I'm aware of that, but I can only look the other way for so long.">

<Audrey: "... You like him, don't you?">

<Fem!Garchomp: "Butt out, mutt."> >:(

-To Burny-

<Fem!Garchomp: "They've made their dens. Let them manage their own fates...">

-Nuzzling up against the Charizard-

<Fem!Garchomp: "And we'll manage our own.">

<Burny: "B-But they- And-">

<Fem!Garchomp: "... I'll let you help them pack tonight... I can tolerate being cold for a night... As a favor.">

-And zips off into the darkness, leaving behind a discombobulated party on the landing to the alley safehouse-

<Slenderman: "... Well, on the positive side... She hasn't found out about the fish and two delirious clods inside."> >;

<"Erika": "... That's not much of a positive."> >_>;

<Jaws: "... Come on, we should start packing...">

<Burny: "Huh?!">

<Audrey: "You heard her, we have a day to get out of here! Less if she's not particularly honest!">

-Reluctantly-

<Burny: "... I suppose...">

-And trudges in with head low into the safehouse-

A Certain Battered Apartment - AU - Vermillion

<9-Volt: *sigh* "So... What are we doing today anyways?">

<Fern: "Yeah... I don't think there's gonna be much of a celebration for this new year...">

<Carol: "Well... Maybe we could start with something simpler...? Like resolutions?">

<Vektor: "Reso-wha?">

<Beatrice: "Things that you want to get done in the upcoming year.">

<Vektor: "Oh... But... Is there anything that we really can do?">

<Carol: "Well... I guess I'd like to try and figure out where the drafts are coming from... And help spruce this place up a bit. Oh and figure out a way to reach the doorknob."> >_>;

<Fern: "Hrm... I'd like to figure out if we could set up a little garden for berries or something.">

<Amelia: "I'd like to get a proper thing to sharpen my feathers on instead of a broken razor.">

<Beatrice: "I'd like to find some others to flash patterns at night with...">

<9-Volt: "I'd like to find out if we could get the lights back on without me having to play 'battery'.">

<Carol: "... What about you, Vektor?">

<Vektor: "Me? Er... I...

I guess I'd just like to be helpful to others...">

Two Days After a Hostile Encounter - Barracks - Celadon - AU

-A certain Garchomp is nibbling at rations at night, in a bit of a poor mood-

<Fem!Garchomp: "Grr... You haven't shown up at all since that night...">

-A pair of rather crabby grunts pass by-

<Grunt!Altaria: "Hey, thanks for organizing that raid of an abandoned broom closet last night."> >v<

<Grunt!Vibrava: "Yeah, freezing my tail off and spraining a wing after having a toolbox fall on me was totally how I wanted how I wanted to spend my night yesterday."> >.<

<Fem!Garchomp: *growl* "Come off of it, it was a good lead and we got closure on it! And what were you going to do anyways?">

<Grunt!Altaria: "... Nothing particular... But that's not the point!">

<Grunt!Vibrava: "I missed a Valiant Knight Skarmory / My Little Blitzle double feature in the barracks thanks to that rai-!"> >.<

<Grunt!Altaria: "Hey, can it about your contraband antics in public! Look, the point is, you wasted our time!"> >:(

<Fem!Garchomp: "Yeah, yeah, let me eat.">

-And the two skulk off, fuming, leaving behind a glowering landshark-

<Fem!Garchomp: "Leaving me to freeze again... Why you didn't show up for your own shift either?! How on earth could you be so phenomenally stupid?! You weren't supposed to run with the resistance mons!

... Whatever... I don't need a traitor in my life. Why am I even worried about you anyways?">

-And sighs, before picking at her rations again, not fully reassured by her attempts to dismiss a certain Charizard from her life-

Alleyway - Vermillion

-A certain blacked out bike is rolling to a stop, as its apparent rider scans the surroundings-

<Haunter in Bike: "... This look like a good place to crash?">

<Ringleader!Gengar (Assuming form of Bike's Rider): "Yeah, let's find a place to stash the-">

<Grunt!Druddigon: "There it is!">

-And the exits to the alleyway are cut off by leering guards-

<Grunt!Dragonair: "Open fire! And don't let it get away!">

<Ringleader!Gengar: "Scratch that thought.">

-And the engine seemingly roars to life with a whinny as the bike zips out of the way of an incoming Dragon Pulse-

-And vaults over one end of the defenders with a shadowy scythe being used as a pole-

<Grunt!Flygon: "After it!">

-And barrels down an alley, upending clutter haphazardly in a bid to slow down its pursuers-

Earlier Tonight - AU - Kanto Route 6

-A group is traveling down the route, the members among its ranks that cannot move on land and pass as dragons tied with bindings primarily for show rather than function-

<Flygon: "You know, you could have given us a better alibi than prisoner transport to work with here!"> >_>;

<Zweilous (Left): "Yeah, I'm pretty sure someone's noticed that we're missing!">

<Randy: "Hey, shaddup. Let's see you come up with a better way for slipping past those patrols!">

-Sighing-

<Burny: "I mean, we should at least be able to play the paperwork ca-"> :(

-And three figures swoop in around the group-

<HES!Dragonite: "Well... This is quite something...">

<HES!Goodra: "Yeah, I wasn't expecting a bunch of julsille to just march into an ambush...">

<Zweilous (Right): "That's because they didn't. They're our prisoners."> >|(

<Audrey: "Grr, what do you dorks want?">

<HES!Hydreigon: "Quiet, worm. You're not exactly in a place to pester us.">

-Sizing up the three 'guards'-

<HES!Hydreigon: "Hmm... Interesting scarves...">

<HES!Goodra: "Yeah... You are aware that it would be a shame if someone perhaps mistook you for... Deserters.">

<Zweilous (Left): "Yes. Because it makes a lot of sense for deserters to lug prisoners around with them.">

<HES!Goodra: "I don't know... Desperation makes mons do some fairly stupid things sometimes.">

<Flygon: "'March down the middle of a patrolled route' stupid?"> :|

<HES!Dragonite: "... Fair enough. Let's see your paperwork.">

-Starting to look uncomfortable-

<Flygon: "Erm... Ah...">

<Burny: "The mutt shredded it after breaking free of her bonds last night. It's why we're moving so late in the day, her antics gave me a major headache.">

<HES!Goodra: "How convenient for you...">

<HES!Hydreigon: "Yeah, why, with a blank check like that, you could just make your problems disappear.">

<Burny: "... I have to deliver this group alive. Thanks for your concern, though."> >:(

<HES!Dragonite: "Oh come now, are you seriously insinuating that you, the paperless one who can't prove your purpo- HRK!">

-Digging claws into the waylaying dragon's neck, just enough to break the hide-

<Burny: "Look here, you stupid punk. I've already had a terrible day and I don't need you to make it worse! I don't have paperwork with me, so my fiat basically dictates whatever happens to my prisoners! And if you're inclined to get in my way, I can make three spots for you and your moron buddies to rot in the cell next to them!">

-Frantically-

<HES!Dragonite: "Alright! Alright! Let go!">

-The Charizard complies, which prompts the released dragon to shake its head, and hastily recompose itself-

<HES!Dragonite: "Come on, let's go.">

<HES!Hydreigon: "Lousy newts, give 'em an inch and they suddenly think they're the masters of the universe.">

-And all eyes turn as the three disappear out of sight and earshot-

<"Erika": "Burny, that was-!">

-And is cut off by the sight of the Charizard in the group collapsing-

<"Erika": "... Burny?"> ._.

<Burny: "Urk... I- I didn't get us killed?"> @_@

<Randy: "No, you sold that like a champ!">

<Flygon: "Yeah, I was expecting no-eyes to have to step in for you!">

<Burny: "That's great... Also, I think I burnt a hole in my stomach and could really use a moment in the bushes."> @_@

<Slenderman: "... Thanks for the imagery.">

<Randy: "... Yeah, if you need a break, you can take it.">

<Burny: "Th-Thanks."> @_@

-As the Charizard limps off into the undergrowth-

<Randy: "You really earned it...">

Vermillion - Alleyway

<Litwick in Bike: "Gah, how many of those dumb jerks are there?!">

<Ringleader!Gengar: "We just need to shake 'em for-">

-The bike makes a sharp turn... Into a dead end-

<Ringleader!Gengar: "WHOA STOP STOP!">

-And skids to a stop in front of a large wooden crate with the 7JD sigil on it-

<Ringleader!Gengar: "... Well, this is fantastic.">

<Pyrotechnician!Sligoo: "Hey you! What do you think you're doing disrupting the fire-">

-And notices the blacked-out bike-

<Pyrotechnician!Sligoo: "Y-YEEEEK! Take it! W-Who cares about some dumb fireworks anyways!">

-And hastily jumps off the crate and flees-

<Eir in Bike: "... We're gonna jump it.">

<Ringleader!Gengar: "Are you nuts?!>

-And hastily knocks over a garbage can and a metal sheet to serve as a ramp-

<Grunt!Flygon: "There it is!">

<Eir in Bike: "Just a little.">

-And the bike takes off, going up the ramp and grazing the rim of the crate as it makes it to the other end of the alley as a Hyper Beam zeroes in on its position-

-And takes off into the night-

<Grunt!Dragonair: "Gah! You missed!">

<Grunt!Druddigon: "Rrgh! It won't get-!">

-And notices that the crate is smoking... With burning fuses-

<Grunt!Druddigon: "Oh fu-">

Back to the Infiltration Boat Offshore

-The sky over Vermillion erupts into color with fireworks wildly shooting off-

<Kyle: "... You were saying something about a distraction?">

-Colorful streaks from other sites, apparently not wanting to be upstaged by the site of the first burst also join in-

<"... Someone's a bit off on their timing... But good enough...

It'll do.">

Back to Randy and Company

-A certain party has regrouped and is nearing the outskirts of Vermillion-

<Audrey: "Bah... Figures that it would be depressing-looking here too.">

<Jaws: "Come on, let's keep moving before-">

-And the horizon over Vermillion suddenly becomes awash with the color of fireworks-

<Jaws: "... Huh.">

<Randy: "Heh... Looks like someone wanted us to have a bit of a welcome...">

<Burny: *sigh* > :(

<"Dentist": "You seem troubled...">

<Burny: "It's just... She'd love this if she were here..."> :(

<Randy: "You'll find someone better than her, Burny... I'm sure of it.">

<Burny: "I guess..."> :(

AU - Icirrus

-A certain infiltration party of 3 has finally made it to the doorstep of a place they have been working for months to get to-

<Nathan: "... Do you ever get the feeling that we're missing out on something?">

<Pascal: "... Hmm... Nah, dude.">

<Aloysius: "Yeah, I'd chalk it up to that sense of nagging doubt whenever it looks like you've gotten something done with.">

<Nathan: "Hrm... I guess. Still, I can't help that if we were in a story we'd be like the cut to an aside while something big is going o-">

Back to Carol

-From the window of a certain battered apartment-

<Vektor: "Huh?!">

<Fern: "Wait, there's still fireworks this year too?">

<Carol: "Heh... Well... I guess even in times like these...

There's still a little room to be festive...

Happy new year, guys.">

edited 1st Jan '14 2:07:12 AM by TracerBullet

Ecruteak Center

<Whatever you say Val. I'm with you now.>

Sparkers heads out. As he does a Lillipup jumps onto his back and licks Valorie.

<Oh there you are Colt. Yeah that's Colt. He was given to me by....>

Sparkers goes quiet.

Plane

Jacob: "Finally..."

Edge: <I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN MY PEANUTS!>

Psyche looks deep into Eskay's eyes. ~Happy New Year, Darling.~ She gives him a long kiss. After a long eternity, she breaks and cuddles. ~I hear that what you do on the start of the New Year is what you'll be doing all year.~

Ecruteak

Ever: Huh. Neat.

Plane

-Alyssa still doesn't let go of Jacob.-

The Roof

-Eskay kisses back-

Eskay: ~Then this'll be an amazing year.~

-He cuddles her close.-

Psyche snuggles and yawns. ~Indeed~ I love you, darling~~

Mt. Battle

Heatran: <Hm... that is a question, now isn't it?>

-He starts pacing.-

Heatran: <Well, it would be amiss to tell you that, so long as whomever you approach doesn't for sure know it's you, it would slip by, so I don't think I will.>

-He turns, winking at the man on the sly.-

Heatran: <It would also be wrong of me to tell you that acting towards his advantage incidentally, but not directly, would also be technically allowed...>

-He turns.-

Heatran: <And it really shouldn't tell you about how certain members of his group have... spiritual aid that is far beyond the reach of your handlers, in both status and position.>

Lumiose City

-Dune yawns as he tries to shake Deziree awake. He fails.-

Dune: Aw, dammit.

-He tiredly slings the young woman onto his shoulders and heads toward the door.-

edited 31st Dec '13 9:07:26 PM by 0blivionmobile

Ecruteak City - Outside

Valorie leaned back a bit as the lilipup jumped at her, practically catching the puppy and patting him gently in a slightly awkward manner. Shu translated and Valorie frowned, settling Lilipup into her lap and leaning placing a hand on Sparkers' side. "...Your old trainer?" she asked.

...

"I hope being my Pokemon and a trainer isn't too much of a conflict." she mused out loud, trying to work out in her head how this entire thing worked.

Mt. Battle

"Heh heh heh. You're a sly old man, no doubt."

He smiles.

"Well, I won't trouble you any further, Old Man Mountain. You have a happy New Years."

He strolls off into the shadows, mask and all.

Mt. Battle

Heatran: <I try.>

-He looks up at the clear night's sky.-

Heatran: <Happy new year, everyone.>