-Siobhan is lying in bed, nursing a headache.-

-Siobhan's phone beeps.-

-Siobhan sits up, grabs her phone, looks at it, and tosses it to the side, flopping back down onto her back.-

-She lays there for a bit, before grabbing her phone and texting back.-

Siobhan: "Great. We should push forward." -The Spiritomb surveys the five.-

-Seeing Ashen load her crossbow, it extends an arm and a burst of fire erupts around her, burning her. A split second later, the Spiritomb recoils in pain, burnt as well.-

Ashen: <Ngryah!> -she gives a wry smile.- <Synchronize, bitch.> -She finishes ratcheting back the crossbow, firing it into the Spiritomb proper. The Spiritomb raises a hand to block it, and it slams into one of the arms, chipping a bit of it away.-

Archimedes: <Break the body!> -He sheathes his sword, and slams his fist into one of the Spiritomb's legs, attempting to shatter it. He succeeds, but it remains held together by Obscuric energy.-

-Robin sends a jet of flame at it, which it deflects with its "wings".-

-Ashen rolls behind a piece of rubble, and takes out a Burn heal from a pocket, using it.-

-Balthazar charges his blade with Obscura and slashes it through one of the Spiritomb's arm's Obscura tethers, severing it. The rocks crumble to the ground. The Spiritomb staggers back, re-extending the Obscura tethers, reforming the arm.-

Argent: <We need to make the energy cost to maintain the grip higher than the tactical value of maintaining the grip!> -She blasts one of the rocks with a Psyshock, chipping bits of it away.-

-Ashen skirts around the pillar, attempting to flank the Spiritomb.-

Ashen: ~Keep it distracted. I have an idea.~

Argent: <Hey! Big guy! How do you like this!> -She raises her hand, and an image of the full moon appears above the Spiritomb.-

Spiritomb: <Huh?>

-A beam falls on the Spiritomb proper, sourced from the projection of the moon.-

Spiritomb: <GAH!> -The Spiritomb drops to one knee, surprised by an attack actually hitting.-

-Ashen rolls out from behind a pillar, sending a bolt which transmutes into a beam of energy projected from her crossbow. The beam blasts through the leg, obliterating it, sending shards of rubble flying towards the door-

Spiritomb: <You...> -turning around towards Ashen.- <   YOU WILL PAY FOR THAT!   >

-Ashen gives a harsh laugh, a faint trickle of blood coming from the corner of her mouth. She wipes it away.-

-Archimedes slams his fist into the ground, knocking the Spiritomb down.-

-Balthazar leaps into the air, and slams his sword into the Spiritomb's rock body, shattering the Spiritomb's accreted rubble.-

Spiritomb: <HA HA HA! THAT WAS MERELY A SETBACK! IT WASN’T EVEN MY FINAL FORM!>

Ashen: <Could you get any more annoying and meme-heavy?> -She cocks her crossbow, and fires a bolt at the Spiritomb, sending it flying out the window above the castle gate.

Spiritomb: <I'LL BE BAAAAAAAAAAA-CK!>

Ashen: <... Apparently, yes.> -She collapses to the ground.- <I'm... alright...>

Argent: <Ashen!> -She rushes over to Ashen, and Heal Pulses her.-

Loudspeaker: <Well, I never liked that guy anyway. Too many pop culture references for my taste.>

Ashen: -weakly- <Join... the fucking club...> -Ashen manages to prop herself up against a piece of rubble.-

Argent: <You know that much raw Aura channeling would do this!>

Ashen: <Dusknoir... Couldn't have a repeat of Gabriel with you...> -She coughs.-

Argent: -stares Ashen in the eyes.- <I won't have you kill yourself for me.>

Ashen: -laughs, harshly but weakly.- <You know I'd do it, too.>

Argent: <THAT'S THE PROBLEM!>

Loudspeaker: <Ahem. As touching as this moment is, you have a dungeon to clear.>

Ashen: <Oh fuck off, you.> -She waves her hand in the general direction of the loudspeaker.-

Balthazar: <The Duskull has a point, though.>

Ashen: -kisses Argent, and flips off Balthazar.-

Robin: <Rude.>

Balthazar: -tilts his head, confused.-

-Ashen stands, shakily.-

Argent: <Can you make it?>

Ashen: <Who do you think I am, love?> -She hefts her crossbow up onto her shoulder, and strides off, looking significantly better than she was a minute ago.-

-The five walk towards the door at the end of the hall, and pass into the main hall of the castle.-

All are significantly abnormal in a normal world... All are significantly normal in an abnormal world.

Des's somber gaze lazily passes between Dune and Deziree. He expression brightens up a bit with a smirk.

"Marital problems? I could recommend you guys a book. Unless your problem is "mechanical". I've a guy in Castelia who specializes in "powders"."

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

Jubilife

-Jacob is sitting near the fountain in the center of town, looking around-

"If there is no way to win, I will simply force a way."

-Siobhan comes flying in on Gogmazios.-

-She lands by the fountain, and hops off, taking her goggles off and letting them hang around her neck.-

-She waves at Jacob.-

All are significantly abnormal in a normal world... All are significantly normal in an abnormal world.

Jubilife City

Deziree: No, the problem is timing...

-She points at Jacob.-

Deziree: YOU!

-Dune gently lowers her quivering, accusatory finger.-

Dune: Let's not start blowing things up to solve the problem just yet.

Jubilife

-Jacob gives a two fingered salute in greeting to Siobhan-

-He then looks at Dezi and has a quizzical head-tilt- "Me?"

"If there is no way to win, I will simply force a way."

Jubilife City

-Pent emerges from the shadows silently and immediately gravitates to standing next to Selene without a word-
A fading neon gleam casts shadows over stone.
-He takes a moment to glance at Dune and Dezi, eyes hidden under the brim of his hat and he lets out a small sigh-
A glaring neon glow illuminates this street.
Sorry for not being in contact more dear... The shadows have been deepening lately...

edited 23rd Oct '16 7:30:04 PM by Pentigan

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Des chuckled.

"Seems like you interfered with "date night"."

Feels nice to get pleasure out of someone's misfortune...wait what did I just say?

Des shakes his head trying to get the evil thoughts out.

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

Siobhan: -nods.- "I'd say that's what that is."

All are significantly abnormal in a normal world... All are significantly normal in an abnormal world.

Jubilife City

Selene: No worries, dear. Even if you drove me to drink, it's not like I'd feel it, anyway.

-She wiggles her fingers and creates a few psychic whorls.-

Deziree: Nnnnrrrrrrgh what the cowboy said.

Dune: Anyway, is everyone who's showing up shown up? It IS getting a little late, and we have someone to pick up from a check up in a bit.

Jubilife

-He shakes his head in disgust, glowering- "Unimportant. You can get back to sharing intimate moments later, and whoever it is can wait. People will show up as the meeting goes on. I know Tagg had some ideas but we can re-meet up again if that's necessary."

-He looks around- "No Blitz, Jason, or Crow, though. Annoying. I had hoped for at least one other person with personal experience to be here."

-He reclines back a little- "At any rate, I should just start, we'll pick up any stragglers and send a text recap if necessary. Unless you can't stay. I'd feel safer with you at my back on this one, at least."

"If there is no way to win, I will simply force a way."

-A Honchkrow calls out from behind Jacob-

Sholto: <Hey, I'm only a bit late!...>

"life is just a series of increasingly canon-eluding ao3 tags" ~ everydunsparce "Keep your hellfruit away from me, tempter" ~ also Every

"Cowboy?"

Looks at his attire.

"Oh yeah, forgot I put this on. Thought I was in my 'Classic Des' trenchcoat and salt-'n-pepper."

Beat.

"...Pick up who from a checkup? Phosphora shouldn't be due for a few years now so it must be one of your mons?"

"So what's the issh, Jakey?"

edited 23rd Oct '16 7:54:28 PM by PhilosopherStones

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

Jubilife City

-Dune gives Des a strange look.-

Dune: ... Who now?

-Deziree groans in frustration.-

Deziree: We can't, that's the problem...

Jubilife

Jacob: "Dune, don't mind him. Des, don't. Not now, not about her. Crow, hi. Des again, never call me that ever again. There are two people allowed to call me that. Thirdly, the issue happens to be a robotic goliath out to murder us all that happens to be nearly invincible. And it's high time we actually got around to destroying it."

edited 23rd Oct '16 7:58:31 PM by Verax

"If there is no way to win, I will simply force a way."

Siobhan: "Fun'' -The party walks into a massive hall with twisted geometries that shouldn't exist. Pillars twisting in on themselves, floors which suddenly become walls, walls which suddenly become tables, what look like rifts in spacetime.-

Argent: <Dialga will have your head for this.>

Loudspeaker: <Dialga has no influence here. You're in MY domain now. But this isn't my fault.>

-At the center of the chaos, in the far back of the room, where the lord’s throne would be, a Gothitelle in a white, hooded robe, head bowed, is pinned to a gilt construction above a similarly gilt dias. In the construction, engraved butterfly wings spread as if from the Gothitelle's back.-

-Behind the whole affair, a golden wheel turns.-

Ashen: <What...>

Gothitelle: ~The wheel turns.~

Ashen: <What did you say?>

Gothitelle: ~The wheel of heaven turns, embodies all.~

-The Gothitelle's head snaps up, and the party notices that she is missing both eyes, which almost look like they were gouged out.-

Gothitelle: ~   STOP THE WHEEL   ~

Loudspeaker: <It's her's.>

Ashen: -glares angrily at the loudspeaker.- <What. Did. You. Do. To. Her.>

Gothitelle: ~Heaven's Wheel turns. The Wheel of Time. The Wheel of Heaven. The Dragon.    STOP THE WHEEL   ~

Loudspeaker: <It wasn't me. The guy I kicked out of here did that to her.Some experiment to boost her psychic power. I tried to remove her, but whatever that machine is, it's keeping her alive. The experiment worked, it boosted her power a hundredfold. But it also drove her batshit insane. She... violently... dismisses any of my people who get near her.>

Balthazar: <This is horrifying.>

-The Gothitelle's hollow eyesockets start glowing gold.- Gothitelle: ~The Wheel    MUST. BE. STOPPED!   ~

Gothitelle: ~Starlight... The Wheel turns. The Wheel embodies all. Heaven's wheel. Time's wheel.~

-Argent drops to her knees, crying out in pain.-

Ashen: <Argent!>

Archimedes: <Oh dear.>

Argent: <The Gothitelle. Her name... is... Cassandra... She suffers... greatly.> -She manages to tune out the psychically projected pain.- <We should put her out of her misery.>

Loudspeaker: <I'm truly sorry.>

-Cassandra stares at the party. A humanoid figure formed of pure starlight forms in the space in front of them, with a greatsword that looks like it was taken out of space itself, the blade a black void with pinpricks of light, as if stars.-

Loudspeaker: <That’s... new. I’ll warn you, she has immense psychic power and the ability to use it, if not the mental faculties to do the most damage. This... well, i've never seen this before. I do hope to see you again after this, I’m not done entertaining you.>

edited 23rd Oct '16 8:00:08 PM by Izshta

All are significantly abnormal in a normal world... All are significantly normal in an abnormal world.

"Whoops, spoilers."

"So did you guys get impatient and adopt or...?"

"Right, sorry Jayjay. So what's the plan of attack?"

edited 23rd Oct '16 8:01:37 PM by PhilosopherStones

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

Shinobi: <What are you talking about? I've been here the whole time!>

Fight Area

Mx. Amarin: I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna fight them.

Eitr: <Like you haven't been saying that for weeks?>

Mx. Amarin: I mean, I'm going to fight them now.

Wilbur: <...Like, all of them? In a row? That doesn't seem particularly healthy…>

Mx. Amarin: ...Maybe you're right.

---

---

---

---

---

"Mx. Amarin Faces The Entire Sinnoh Battle Frontier In A Single Day"

Battle Factory

Thorton: ...You're the one Scott's so proud of. I can't say I'm impressed.

Mx. Amarin: I've already decided I don't like you.

Thorton: Shame. Here's hoping Noland didn't lose for no reason.

---

---

---

---

---

-A Salamence falls unconscious after a particularly lucky Stone Edge from a Bastiodon on Mx. Amarin's side.-

Mx. Amarin: And that's that. Still unimpressed?

Thorton: Mildly, yes, but I must give you credit where it's due. You did win.

Mx. Amarin: Thank goodness, I don't know if I'd want to rematch you.

---

---

---

---

---

Battle Hall

Myra: <Are we done yet? I feel like this has gone on forever.>

Mx. Amarin: I think we've just got one more.

Argenta: Indeed you do, my dear! Nobody left but me!

Myra: <Let's just finish this so I can go back to not being surrounded by people watching please.>

---

---

---

---

---

-A Yanmega crashes to the ground right in front of a very, very exhausted Myra.-

Myra: <Can I go home now>

Argenta: That really was a fantastic spectacle!

Mx. Amarin: It certainly was better than the last Brain I fought.

Myra: <yes that's good and all I don't want to be where people see me anymore>

---

---

---

---

---

Battle Arcade

Dahlia: Having fun?

Mx. Amarin: -very thankful that the low lighting hides the blush on their face- Um, y-yes, this has been, uh, pretty girl— pretty good!

Dahlia: I'm glad! ♪ Let's see what chance has to offer, then!

-The roulette spins. And spins. And spins. And lands on…-

Dahlia: Oh, wonderful! We'll be switching teams with each other, dear!

Mx. Amarin: ...Oh boy.

Dahlia: No need to worry! ♪ I'm sure you'll be able to shine with the team I had prepared!

---

---

---

---

---

-Mx. Amarin is staring dumbfounded at a Zapdos who has just wrecked the team that would have been theirs if they hadn't swapped with Dahlia.-

Mx. Amarin: You— I— wha—

Dahlia: Amazing what luck does, no? I swear, Lucy has no clue how to make a game of chance actually be a game.

Zapdos: <You know, when I was called over here, I wasn't expecting to be on this side. Or to win so easily. What's the big idea?>

Banjo: -kneeling, exhausted and very thoroughly electrocuted- <I could not possibly fight anyone who fights for my trainer.>

Zapdos: <Wow. Cheesy.>

---

---

---

---

---

Battle Castle

-Mx. Amarin walks in and stumbles upon a conversation between Darach and Caitlin, which ceases as Caitlin notices them.-

Caitlin: ...Oh, hello. You look… familiar.

Mx. Amarin: Oh, right, you were one of the Elite Four during my Unova League challenge! Caitlin, right?

Caitlin: Ah, yes, Eskay, was it? You're dating an old apprentice of mine, if I recall correctly.

-Mx. Amarin sweatdrops-

Mx. Amarin: ...Um, not anymore. In fact, pretty much all of what you just said qualifies as "not anymore", I'm trying to figure out a new name. Anyway, Psyche and I aren't dating anymore, no.

-Caitlin frowns-

Caitlin: Aww. Shame, you two were cute.

Darach: It is always a pleasure to meet acquaintances of my lady Caitlin, but if it is a battle you are seeking, I'm afraid we are quite busy making repairs from a particularly destructive match earlier—

Caitlin: Rude! Darach, this trainer is an old friend and an honored guest! You should never deny a battle to such a person!

-Mx. Amarin sweatdrops-

Mx. Amarin: Uh, if it's too much of a bother, I'll come back later—

Darach: Oh, no, worry not! My lady Caitlin wishes it, so I will gladly battle you! Lady Caitlin, I do apologize for my earlier remark—

Caitlin: Calm down, I just wanna see this battle.

Darach: Um, very well.

---

---

---

---

---

-A battered Gallade kneels.-

Gallade: <A well-fought battle, madame.>

Holly: <Oh, please, quit the "noble Gallade" act already. I already know you wanted to be a pastry chef and not a battling Pokemon.>

Gallade: <...I-I mean, that's true, but…>

Caitlin: That was fantastic! It reminded me of our own battle years ago!

Darach: It was an excellent battle, if not necessarily the normal circumstances. Since it was an exception to regular rules—

Caitlin: Hush, it completely counts as a Frontier battle. Give them the print, please.

Mx. Amarin: Uh, thank you.

---

---

---

---

---

Battle Tower

Palmer: So you saved the best for last, huh? Wonderful! I'll be glad to face the kid Scott's been training up to be a fellow Frontier Brain! I'm not sure what it is about you, but you remind me of my son's friends. Maybe it's the J-Team stuff you're involved with! Well, whatever it is, don't expect me to let my guard down in the slightest!

Mx. Amarin: ...Holy shit, dude, I didn't even say anything.

---

---

---

---

---

Rhyperior: <AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!>

Pyrite: <AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!>

-The Rhyperior collapses. For some reason.-

Palmer: ...That was… quite the match. Well, kid, you win. I can't help but wonder if I'm getting too old for this, if managing this and the Johto Battle Tower is too much for my age…

-He stares off into the distance, his coat billowing in the wind-

Mx. Amarin: ...How are you doing that?

Palmer: Hmm?

Mx. Amarin: That. With your coat. How are you making it move like that? There's no wind in here.

Palmer: I have absolutely no clue what you're talking about.

edited 23rd Oct '16 8:03:59 PM by BittersweetNSour

Jubilife

-Literally behind Jacob-

Jason:Dude, I'm right here.

Jubilife

Jacob: "Hi Blitz, Jason why are you standing in the fountain? Des my name is Jacob. And I am unsure which is why I wanted to talk to everyone."

"The information we have as it stands is this." -He stands up-

"This creature, this "Administrator", is a mechanical being in nature, synthetic life form. Tagg, my brother, Jason, Blitz, and Crow here all ran into it while attacking one of Zrone's outposts. They found it to be an incredibly durable and dangerous opponent, and just a few weeks ago, it attacked me on the way out of Snowpoint, nearly killed me. Even with my strongest Pokemon I couldn't do much to it. The reason being that it's body nullifies damage below a certain threshold, and reduces all damage to it that exceeds that threshold by a significant margin."

-He starts pacing- "It's not just durable, it's overwhelmingly powerful and blindingly fast. And it wants to kill us all, and it's out there in Sinnoh somewhere. I don't doubt we can destroy it but I'd rather not have any of us run into it alone like I did and get their face murdered off, and us all vanishing one by one. Because rest assured this thing is far to powerful and cunning for any of you to face, in pairs or even small groups. The main problems boil down to, 1. Not knowing where it is, and 2. After finding it, destroying it."

"If there is no way to win, I will simply force a way."

"Too bad there are no volcanoes in Sinnoh. You have any idea what it runs on,..."

"..."

"....Jako?"

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

Sholto: <Hm... how does it hold up to annoyance? We could incorporate that into our plans somehow...>

<Or at least... something so off the wall Zrone and the Administrator didn't plan for it.>

"life is just a series of increasingly canon-eluding ao3 tags" ~ everydunsparce "Keep your hellfruit away from me, tempter" ~ also Every

Jubilife City

Dune: I'm guessing you tried baiting it out of hiding?

Deziree: And then applying thermite to its hull? Plasma explosives? A concentrated mass of graviton particles? Quantum entropy?!

-It's obvious that the stress is getting to her.-

Jubilife City

-Mx. Amarin tumbles into view out of nowhere.-

Mx. Amarin: Oof! Ugh... did I make it on time?