ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Montanari: -taps a pokeball and returns the Pupitar- <Alright. We're only delaying the inevitable.>

Dolabella: <Reunion time?>

Montanari: <Alas.>

Dolabella: <Finally.> -scampers away and calls to his trainer- <Yo, you got a minute?>

Channah: Got plenty, what's up?

Montanari: <If I could occupy your time for a while, per favore...>

-the team has gotten Channah alone in a deserted park to explain the story of locating the Pupitar-

Montanari: <...and so we recovered her from the clutches of the cult. In the end it was a fairly simple job. He won't remember a thing.>

Channah: -looks down at him with a totally neutral expression-

Montanari: -in his infinitely calm way- <I hope this is acceptable. Again, I didn't mention it to you during the extraction process for two reasons; firstly, that these excursions are never a sure thing despite our experience, and more importantly I didn't want to cause you too much alarm. As I'm sure I've said before, Channah, your well-being is always our first priority, in more ways than just physical safety.>

Channah: -continues blinking down at him-

Montanari: <...Would you like to see her?>

Channah: ... Ok.

Montanari: <Yes? You are sure? Ah, va bene. Dolabella?>

Dolabella: -grumbles to himself, revealing a pokeball from the depths of his white fur- <I choose you, retard.>

-Pupitar appears in a flash of light-

Montanari: <Kandace. This is Channah, as I'm quite sure you remember. As promised, your rightful trainer.>

Pupitar: <...>

Channah: ...

Pupitar: <...>

Channah: ...

-this goes on for a while-

Montanari: -whispers to Basil beside him, who looks anxious-

Lo: -watches the Pupitar intensely, almost hostile-

Liberty: -shifts, visibly worried- <Ho-oh's plumage, that is Kandace...>

Channah: -motionless except for the fingers starting to twitch at her sides-

Dolabella: <Well this scene is cancer.> -casually grooms his fur-

-no one really does anything-

There is no disdain in nature, there is no humiliation.

-The Harbringer grabs the last bag off of the cart and thanks the Rapidash who's operating it, giving them an extra pouch of Septims.-

Aela: <Well?>

-The Harbringer looks at the inn, then up at the mountain.-

The Harbringer: <We could all use a hot meal first. Unless everyone wishes to head straight to High Hrothgar.>

---

-Shaun rolls his eyes and, with a flick of his wrist, sends out Typhoon, Luka, and Solarfax.-

Typhoon: <Kneel before me, weaklings!>

Luka: ~Pitiful. You hold onto the past instead of learning from it.~

Solarfax: <Prepare to burn!>

-Shaun withdraws a blade like this but with a small battery attached. But right now he just holds a hilt...-

AU!Shaun: "..."

-Schwing!-

-Oh.-

-And with the flick of a switch, the blade ignites with electricity.-

AU!Shaun: "You have five seconds to recall your teams and leave."

"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"

Whittington

<Why yes, we're after the pirates and the vilest rat and if time permits maybe the shadow at the heart of the cosmos.>

-Pent gives a slight flourish-

<But first, footwork, sleuthing.>

Pibwaaaahna Plant Fight

-Pent ponders the fireboxes and rather than going 'red barrel, shoot' he ponders who put them there and whether such a flammable power could be retrofitted to the gun-

-But then he goes 'red barrel, shoot' and shoots it-

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

-A lanky young man, bundled in a concealing coat and scarf despite the tropical climate, is tapping his foot impatiently.-

Leonard: Another delay? This had better be due to a tropical storm or some such.

-Cleo, wearing her business attire as opposed to her preferred "summery" attire, sighs in annoyance and rolls her eyes at her companion.-

Cleo: Oh, quit your belly-achin', Dandelion. There's nothin' we can do to help it, and besides, the delay is only by an hour and a half, ya' whingebag.

Leonard: I am boiling in this place. I can't wait to be back in Kalos, where I don't have to deal with such an unreasonable climate and ridiculous disguise.

Cleo: Wow you really don't have any tolerance for anything even slightly toasty, do you?

Leonard: Says the woman who gets to wear a suit rather than a trenchcoat.

Cleo: You could have also worn a suit and just covered your face, you know. (You idiot...)

Leonard: Of course, because nothing screams "unsuspicious" in an airport like a man in a suit and mask strolling through customs like it's Bonfire Night.

Cleo: -Sarcastically- I didn't know you went to [Great Britain] and celebrated their holidays like a good Kalosian would~

-Leonard huffs irritably.-

Leonard: My family has several historic ties there. Maintaining good relationships via the occasional visit is - was very important to us!

Cleo chuckles slightly and gives a small smirk.

Cleo: I was wondering why you were lacking a certain... je ne sais quoi~

-The emphasis of "je ne sais quoi" seems rather deliberate.-

Leonard: Excuse you, I was born and raised in Kalos, I'm just as Kalosian as you are!

Cleo: Oh yeah?

Leonard: Yeah! I can trace my family line back a thousand years to William of Tempères himself! What have you got?

Cleo: -in a mocking voice- Well ooh la la, Fancy Pants, aren't you a big, important boy. And for the record, our family goes back as far as the courts of Charlemagne! So beat that!

Leonard: Yeah, right.

Cleo: You don't believe me!? Well then! I-

-The two quickly devolve into a series of childish bickering and squabbles as a familiar trio plus a new Salazzle compatriot watch from a distance.-

Wadjet: -hiss-tutting- <Wow. These two really don't fuckin' quit, do they?>

Gallade: <Nope.>

Pakhet: <Oh darlin~, you ain't seen nothin' yet~>

Wadjet: -gesturing at the couple- <Do they always bitch like a couple of bratty five year olds?>

Montu: <Eyup!>

Gallade: <And they have since the moment they laid eyes on each other.>

Pakhet: <Ain't it romantic~?>

-The Salazzle blinks at the Three Amigos in wide-eyed disbelief.-

Wadjet: <What.>

Montu: <Unresolved Sexual Tension is a bitch, after all~>

Wadjet: -Wiggling her tail- <Oh, I gotta know the history behind this, it sounds absolutely juicy~>

Pakhet: <Ah, so you want to know the story behind Cleo and Leonard’s tumultuous relationship eh?>

Montu: <Oh this tale again? This one never gets old.>

Pakhet: <WELL TAKE A SEAT BECAUSE WE HAVE ANOTHER FUCKING KICKER FOR YOU>

-Wadjet blinks at Pakhet.-

Montu: <Easy goin’ there, babe.>

Gallade: <Don't want to scare her off now.>

Pakhet: :3

Gallade: <Brace yourself, because this is a long one.>

Montu: <A real doozy if you ask me.>

Gallade: <The Bard himself would've had a field day with it.>

Pakhet: <Shakespeare was like, 50% sex jokes ‘yo.>

-Gallade telekinetically pours himself a shot of rum as Wadjet sits down.-

Gallade: <It all started around... well, it must've been about sixteen years ago. Going on seventeen, soon.>

Montu: <Back when Cleo had only just received Pakhet from the Trouillefou brothers. Close family friends of her father, Carter de Nile.>

Pakhet: <If I recall, you were a wee little Ralts then too Gallade.>

-Pakhet herself telekinetically pours herself a shot of rum before adding the cola to it. She then turns to Montu raising a curious eyebrow. -

Pakhet: <You not pouring yourself a shot, Monty?>

Montu: <My liver needs a rest after the debacle in Fiore.>

Pakhet: <Well then, suit yourself.>

Gallade: <Your call. But yes, I was only a Ralts fresh out the egg. Back then the team was just me and Greninja - well, he was Frogadier at the time, obviously.>

Pakhet: <To link this back to the story in question, Cleo was quite chuffed when she received me. So much so that she was showing me off around to some kids at one of Lumoise’s high class parks the Sunday right after her birthday~>

Montu: <Hey, don’t you and Gallade here have fancy-schmany projection powers? We could just show ‘em what happened as well as narrate. Just don’t get too smashed or things will get ''weird'.>

'Gallade: <You sure? I thought you didn't want a repeat of last time w->

Montu: <We speak not of that incident.>

Pakhet: <I didn’t know jelly shots could go there...>

Gallade: <Moving right along...>

-Wadjet leans closer an leers at the three, clearly wanting to know about the Jelly Shot Incident. Meanwhile Gallade starts psychically projecting the events of that fateful day as he narrates. Likewise, Pakhet brings out her stickwand and conjures up a similar projection of Cleo’s side of the story-

Montu: <It all began when she was six and he was nine (Which reminds me of a Jimi Hendrix song)...>

 Lumiose City, a high class park - 16 years ago

-A much younger Cleo, wearing a pink dress with black tights and a matching black beret (starkly contrasting how she dresses later in life) is showing off her new Fennekin to some of the kids at the park. By her side is a much younger Torchic!Montu.-

Cleo: Hey everyone! I got a new Pokemon! This here is little Pakhet, isn’t she just adorable~?

Kid #1: Aw, she looks so precious~

Kid #2: What breeder did your dad get her from? She looks absolutely flawless!

Fennekin!Pakhet: -yips happily- :3

Cleo: Oh, not a breeder. It was actually a birthday gift from some of papa’s friends! Specifically the Trouillefou brothers~.

Kid #1: The old watchmakers?

Cleo: Yep~

-Montu chirps and fluffs up at not getting any attention, which Cleo responds to by ruffling his headfeathers, at which Montu chirps back happily. Just then, the voice of an older boy floats over the noise of the crowd.-

???: Hmph. I don't see what's so special about a dumb little Fennekin.

-He steps forward, making him visible as a nine-year-old Leonard, still wearing the same kind of smart black suit that he would continue to wear in later life. A Frogadier and a Ralts flank him on either side.-

??? Leonard: After all, anyone with half a brain can see that Froakie are much cooler.

-Cleo places her Fennekin on the grass and pouts, placing her hands on her hips.-

Cleo: Erm, what? Everyone and their Furfrou has a Froakie these days. That’s so passé.

Leonard: Because they're the best starter. Duh.

Cleo: Froakies are cold and slimy. Fennekin are fluffy and warm and cute~ Anyone with two neuroglia to rub together would know that obviously Fennekin is the better choice~

Leonard: ...What's a nerogula? I bet it's just a dumb girl word for cooties or something. Anyway, you're just jealous because I got a cool starter and you didn't.

Cleo: Ew! Who would be happy that they got a slimy, cold frog as a starter? You must be all slimy and cold then! Do you secrete mucus when you sleep?

Leonard: ...Now you're just making words up!

Cleo: Clearly SOMEONE needs to become more acquainted with a dictionary. But what is to be expected of a big, dumb boy?

Leonard: Hey, I've come top of my class in the spelling bee for three weeks in a row now! And you're dumb too if you can't see how cool Froakie are. They're like awesome ninja frogs whilst Fennekin's just a dumb little fox thing.

-Meanwhile, both Fennekin!Pakhet and Torchic!Montu seem to take an interest in Ralts!Gallade, and scurry towards him.-

Fennekin!Pakhet: <Hiya!> :3

Torchic!Montu: <Hello!> ^v^

Ralts!Gallade: <...>

-He shuffles nervously.-

Frogadier!Greninja: <Can't talk. Or doesn't. Hard to tell at this stage.>

Fennekin!Pakhet: <Aw> 3:

Torchic!Montu: <Isn’t he Psychic? Can’t he think-talk or something?> ovo

Frogadier!Greninja: <If he can, he hasn't.>

-Ralts!Gallade shuffles his feet again, then psychically projects the image of a crowd of people and a frowning face.-

Fennekin!Pakhet: <You don’t like crowds?> :?

-Ralts!Gallade shakes his head.-

Fennekin!Pakhet: <Icy!> :3

Torchic!Montu: <Don’t be too full-on with him Pakhet, he’s seems quite shy> -v-

-Montu and Pakhet then turn back towards the crowd, where Leonard and Cleo are still bickering at each other.-

Fennekin!Pakhet: <Oh... Oh my...> |:3

Cleo: EXCUSE me? Fennekin are cute, widdle witchy foxes!

Leonard: If by "cute" you mean "totally dumb" then yeah, they are.

Cleo: Fennekin aren’t dumb! Froakies are dumb! You’d have to be a dummy to think otherwise!

-Leonard folds his arms.-

Leonard: Why don't we have a Pokemon battle like they do on TV? Whoever wins has clearly got the coolest Pokemon!

-Cleo smiles at Leonard. She’s been waiting to try out a Pokemon battle since she got Montu for her birthday last year.-

Cleo: Heh! I wouldn’t be happier-

???: Cléopâtre!

Cleo: Huh?

-The deep voice calling out to Cleo is soon matched by a rather tall and imposing man around in his late 30’s/early 40’s in a grey suit. The man in question seems to look like the epitome of a quintessential Edwardian era gentleman. Neatly combed brown hair, well framed round-rimmed glasses, a trimmed and tidy moustache and proper posture. Cleo quickly calls for Pakhet and Montu and runs over to the man.-

Cleo: Hey papa~

-The man gives his daughter a small smile and pats her on the head.-

Carter: There you are Cléopâtre. Your mother and I were looking for you, after all it is getting late and we need to be heading home quite soon.

-Carter takes a look at Leonard and gives an ever so slight scowl at the boy.-

Carter: Besides, you know better than to associate with... certain crowds.

Leonard: Hey! Me and Cleo were just about to-

???: Now now, Leonard, you should know better than to go around picking fights with rabble like this.

-A rather portly raven-haired man in his late thirties steps out of the crowd and takes Leonard by the arm. Said man is dressed in formal wear just like his son, and a red flush rises to his cheeks as he looks up at Carter.-

???: When you're older, you'll learn that some battles are best left unfought.

Carter: Laurent Cain, what a coincidence. Off in a hurry to invest in some sort of shell business, or too busy roosting on that nest of yours to care?

??? Laurent: One shouldn't throw stones in glass houses, Carter. Especially if said glass has been brought with the dirty cash of your uncle-in-law and said house only remains in place thanks to your backroom dealings.

Carter: Our house has been in our name for years Laurent. Centuries, in fact.

Laurent: But it's always crime that keeps it afloat, isn't it?

-Carter visibly scowls at Laurent, but before he can reply, the voice of a woman can be heard.-

???: Is it really wise for the two patriarchs of their respective families to be discussing matters of business in such an open, public place?

-The woman herself comes into view. She dwarfs in comparison to her husband, standing at only a measly 4'10" compared to his 6'6", yet she most certainly has a rather dominating presence despite this. Her skin is of a much darker pigment than her husband’s and she herself is draped in a long blue kaftan with a matching blue scarf wrapped snugly around her head.-

Carter: Miriam...

Miriam: Such matters are best discussed in private behind closed doors, where no eavesdroppers can catch incriminating evidence to use against you in court. Both of you should be quite well aware of that, as you are both men of business non?

Laurent: Thankfully, we Cains know how to watch our words. Unlike members of certain other families.

-He turns away, pulling Leonard by the arm as he does.-

Laurent: Come now, Leonard. I can't have you being seen with such disreputable company.

Leonard: But Father...

Laurent: Enough. I don't want to hear anything more about this matter, you understand?

-The two start to head off.-

Laurent: And just so you are aware, Leonard, it would be "Cleo and I", not "me and Cleo"...

-Frogadier!Greninja hops off after the pair. Ralts!Gallade, however, hangs back for a moment, looking at Fennekin!Pakhet and Torchic!Montu and seeming somewhat more at ease.-

Ralts!Gallade: <...Bye.>

-He too then turns and shuffles off.-

Fennekin!Pakhet: <He say “bye”!> :D

Torchic!Montu: <If we see him again, we should have a longer talkie!> ^v^

-On the human side of things, Carter hmphs in the direction of Laurent and Leonard while Miriam places one of her hands on her daughter’s shoulder and gently clasps her daughter’s left hand with the other.-

Miriam: Cléopâtre, dear. We best be heading home. After all, I’m pretty sure poor Lawrence wants to be relieved of his duty of watching over the house and your siblings.

Cleo: Okay maman...

-She grabs her father’s hand with her free right hand, and starts walking out of the park with them.-

Cleo: Papa, what just happened back there?

Carter: ...You’ll learn m’dear. You’ll learn...

-The three once again walk out of the park in silence, but Cleo is still thinking about her encounter with Leonard.-

Cleo: Urgh! That boy was such a big dummy! He was picky and rude and stuck up... he was kinda cute though...

Pakhet: <Ah, l’amour~>

Montu: <Two households, both alike in dignity->

-Pakhet winks in a jar.-

Montu: <What’s that?>

Pakhet: <Well, since you’re not drinking, every time one of us references the ol’ Bard you have to tip the reference jar while Gallade and I will drink to it :3. Speaking of->

-Pakhet takes a sip of her rum and cola.-

Pakhet: <Oh that feels good~>

Wadjet: Hey! Could I have one of those?

Montu: <Oh! Sure~>

-Pakhet winks in another glass of rum and cola and passes it to Wadjet, who snickers as Gallade hums.-

Gallade: <Shall we move on to Act 2, then?>

Montu: -Placing a coin in the jar- <Go ahead, just don’t get too hammered.>

Pakhet: <Now Cleo and Leonard only really saw each other on occasion after that. Mostly because of their respective fathers trying their hardest to make sure their kids avoided each other. Each time they did happen to meet though, it pretty much devolved into the same bickering with the occasional spar.>

Gallade: <At this stage, it's fair to say that these few chance meetings meant more to Cleo than they did to Leonard. He didn't pay too much thought to the stubborn, Fennekin-loving girl he happened to argue with on occasion. That is, until about nine years back...>

Wadjet: <Go ooooon~>

Montu: <Now that day was... quite eventful...>

 Shalour City, Nine Years Ago

-Somewhere along the beaches of Shalour, just as the sun is beginning to set, two raven-haired individuals are making their way across the sands. A sixteen-year-old Leonard, who has grown to a much more considerable height during adolescence but whose fashion sense remains unchanged, appears to be sweating somewhat in the summer heat. There's no "somewhat" about it in his father's case, however - the rotund Laurent is beetroot red and mopping his brow every half-a-dozen paces.-

Leonard: ...I still don't understand why I am expected to attend these functions when Lucille is exempt from doing so.

Laurent: Because unlike your sister, I can trust you to behave yourself. You will be representing the entire Cain family, so it's important that you maintain a high standard of decorum at all times. We can't afford to have our family's good name sullied by the actions of a single individual, can we?

Leonard: ...I suppose we can't...

Laurent: Excellent! You see, Leonard, you understand the importance of good breeding and good reputation. Unlike your sister. That girl is nothing more than a liability...

-He slaps Leonard on the back heartily.-

Laurent: I suppose I should be grateful that I had the good fortune to sire at least one heir, eh my boy?

Leonard: ...

-They walk on in silence for a while until Laurent comes to a halt, leaning against the beach wall and breathing heavily.-

Laurent: Apologies, m'boy, but I'm not quite as fit as I used to be... go on ahead, I'll catch up eventually... why are there no taxis in these blasted frontier cities...?

Leonard: ...If you say so, Father.

-He starts heading along the beach on his own, sending out Gallade for company as he does.-

-Further down the beach at the location of said event. A young, black-haired girl around the age of thirteen or so is conversing with a red-haired girl around the same age as Leonard. The girl is wearing a pretty little black dress, which is fitting because it doesn’t appear that she’s going to be growing any taller than what she currently is. As Leonard makes his way down the beach, the red haired girl turns around and gives him a wave.-

Pippi: Why hello there, cus! Been a-while since we had a lil’ git together like this, ain’t it?

Leonard: I suppose it has. Not that I was awaiting it with baited breath, of course.

-He casts a glance over at the girl and raises an eyebrow.-

Leonard: Though I must say, I don't recognise some of our present company. Strange, because I would have thought a sight like that would've been mentioned in the local guidebook.

Gallade: <...Hoo boy...>

-Pippi is trying her hardest to contain her laughter, while Cleo blinks at Leonard and gives him a look like he’s crazy.-

Cleo: ...Is your cousin ill Pip? Because I think he’s ill.

Pippi: Oh don’t worry Cleo, I think it’s jus’ the swelterin’ heat messin’ with his mind. He ain’t used to the hot weather like we are cher~

-Upon hearing Pippi, Leonard realises his mistake and goes even redder than he was already.-

Leonard: I... yes, of course, that's it. Heatstroke.

Pippi: If you can’t handle a little heat cus’ then don’t ever visit us down in [New Orleans]~ Not that you actually bother visiting your cousins anyway. We are below you dignity, after all~

-Pippi smiles as she grabs Cleo's empty glass.-

Pippi: I bes’ be off gettin’ refills for Patty and myself. I’ll be back in a wink, don’t kill each other while I’m gone~

-Pippi walks away from the pair with a slight giggle as she goes to refill the drinks. Speaking of winks...-

Pakhet: -wearing a black Roma scarf- <Gallade! Old friend~!>

Montu: -wearing a black bowtie- <It feels like it’s been forever since we last saw each other!>

Gallade: <I don't think it's been quite that long... about a year, perhaps? Maybe a bit longer...>

Pakhet: <Still a long while in my books~>

Montu: <Say~ Mustapha brought along some of his finest brews from the cellar. Want to go visit Mansa Musa and get a few drinks?>

Gallade: <My liver says no but my heart says yes.>

Pakhet: <Then let's go~>

-Pakhet and Montu guide Gallade to the bar where a young, brown haired man is drinking some scotch with his shiny Tyrantrum. Meanwhile, Cleo folds her arms and examines Leonard.-

Cleo: Well. It’s certainly been a long time since our last encounter. -Looking up- You’re much taller, that at least is certain. (Thinking) Gah, when did he become so handsome?

Leonard: ...I suppose the same goes for you. To a certain extent, that is. Honestly, I can't say I was expecting to see you here... nor was I expecting you to look so... um...

-He fumbles, seemingly unwilling to finish his own sentence. Cleo is trying hard not to blush or make similar fumbles in Leonard’s presence.-

Cleo: ...Most of the remaining old noblesse families have made the attempt to attend this ‘do. Notable exceptions being the one who bankrupted themselves five years ago before dying of despair in a house fire.

Leonard: ...Hence why I wasn't expecting to see you here.

Cleo: ...We’re neither bankrupt nor dead, you ass.

-The insult seems to place Leonard in more familiar territory.-

Leonard: Well, your father seems quite determined to create a passable imitation of the first.

Cleo: Actually our investments this year have been quite successful. We don’t blow our cash frivolously (unless your name happens to be Zilah). But must we really be discussing fiscal issues out in the open for eavesdroppers to listen in to? That’s more a matter of private affairs.

Leonard: ...Would you rather we discussed the merits of the various starters instead?

Cleo: I would rather discuss something outside of elemental strategy. As I have decided to take my battling abilities to the competitive circuits, much to the bane of bleeding hearts everywhere.

-Leonard raises an eyebrow.-

Leonard: You sound awfully confident.

Cleo: Because I am confident in my abilities, Dandelion.

Leonard: "Dandelion"? Where did you get that one from?

Cleo: From the fact that you’re a weedy looking dandy. Oh and the etymology of both your name and the word dandelion have similar roots. No pun intended.

Leonard: Hrmph. You're hardly one to talk, considering that you look like a... a...

-He tries and fails to come up with some kind of negative simile. After about five seconds of this, he gives up and rather hastily attempts to change the topic.-

Leonard: ...Something appears to be keeping Father.

-Instead of snarking back so would normally happen, Cleo actually starts wondering about something herself.-

Cleo: Now that you mention it... I haven’t seen my brother Lawrence around at all. Sometimes he can be a bit late if something catches his eye and he spends a few minutes examining it, but normally he attempts to be punctual...

-Almost as if by chance, a rather frazzled and worried Mustapha walks over to Cleo and taps her on the shoulder.-

Cleo: Yes, yes. What’s gotten you in a tizzy Mustapha?

-Mustapha gestures to Cleo that he wants to talk to her in private.-

Cleo: We’ll continue this wonderful conversation after I’ve finished talking to my brother mmkay?

-Cleo walks off with her brother into the back door of the bar and speaks to her in private room. If one was to listen in, they wouldn’t be able to hear much outside of muffles and exasperated sounds. Not long after, Cleo comes out of the bar area look visibly worried.-

Cleo: I... I’m sorry Leonard. I... have to go…

Leonard: ...Is something the matter?

Cleo: My brother, Lawrence... he’s in hospital. Apparently he... he got attacked on his way to the event. The left side of his head was especially bad from what Mustapha told me, scratched up like something viciously clawed at him.

Leonard: Attacked? Here in Shalour? Even the smaller cities aren't safe these days... what were the circumstances, if you don't mind my asking?

Cleo: No-one knows... Lawrence is too dazed and too injured to speak at this moment and there were no other witnesses. The closest thing we have to a witness we have is the lady who found him beat up by the sidewalk and brought him straight to hospital.

Leonard: I see... so, I take it you'll be on your way there, then?

Cleo: Of course! It would be poor form not to care for your family! And Lawrence has always been the one to look out for me...

-Mustapha beckons Cleo to get a move on with her goodbyes.-

Cleo: See you Leonard... It was nice seeing you again.

-Cleo is in too much of a hurry to realise her words and correct them with a snarky response as she runs towards her brother and the two swiftly make their way through the crowd and out of the venue. Leonard is left simply blinking at the spot where she used to be.-

Leonard: Erm... again, the same to you. And my condolences about your brother... my goodness, she has grown into quite the pretty young woman, hasn't she?

Pippi: -Back with two new drinks- ...Where did Pat run off to? Seemed like she was in a bit of a hurry to git’ outta here...

Leonard: ...Lawrence de Nile was attacked, apparently.

-Pippi drops the two glasses in her hands, aghast.-

Pippi: Lawrence? Someone attacked Lawrence? But why? The guy, well... he wouldn’t hurt a fly! He’s much too gentle for that!

Leonard: I can't say... but it does seem as if Kalos is no longer the bastion of safety and security it always used to be.

Pippi: -Shudders- Sometimes I’m thankful we’re gunna be headin’ back home sometime soon... If stuff like this starts cropping up in ol’ Kalos...

-The party continues on into the night, though it is evident that neither Pippi or Leonard are going to enjoying tonight’s festivities to its fullest. In the distance, the silhouette of a man can be seen, humming some pleasant tune as he strolls down the Shalouran streets.-

-Wadjet reels with a wince at that particular story.-

Wadjet: <Sheesh, Her own brother....>

Montu: <Told ya’ that one didn’t have no happy ending. The funny thing is, we never did find out what happened to Larry that night, he absolutely refuses to talk about it in any capacity.>

Gallade: <Me or Pakhet could always try poking around in his head a bit, but ethics and all.>

Montu: <Cleo did say that if Pakhet did that, she would turn me into Kung Pao Blaziken. Which is awful because that means someone out there has to be exposed to the horror that is Cleo’s cooking. And it’s Pakhet or I, Gallade>

Gallade: <Shush, you.>

Pakhet: <Iiiit wasshhh the best of tiiiyymes~ It waassh the blurst of tiyyymes~>

-Montu looks over at Pakhet, who is quite obviously completely inebriated at this point.-

Montu: <...Okay, now I know you’re drunk off your tail because you’re quoting the wrong [English] writer>

-Overhead, an announcer proclaims Attention: The SE 9026 Flight to Lumiose has arrived at Gate D7. Boarding will commence in five minutes. Nearby, Cleo turns to Leonard with a smirk on her face and arms akimbo.-

Cleo: See? Our plane has arrived, so you can quit your bitching now, Dandelion~

Leonard: Hmph. I suppose we had better get moving.

-Cleo looks over to the gathering of her Pokemon.-

Cleo: Come on you lot! We got a plane to catch!

Montu: <Alright!>

-Montu picks up Pakhet fireman style.-

Montu: <Eaaaasy there, girl>

Pakhet: <[-A pyramid hassss two sides..... An inside and an outside.... Heehee~> *hic*

-Wadjet gets back on all fours.-

Wadjet: <Kalos, eh? This is gonna be new to me. Wela born and raised after all>

Gallade: <Oh, it's a trip. It's cold, windy, and populated by casually homicidal jackasses.>

Wadjet: <Sounds like a blast.>

-Montu belts out a big laugh.-

Montu: <Oh don't worry, Wadjet my friend~>

-The group starts following in the direction of their trainers.-

Montu: <Kalos has a funny way of growing on you, even with the abundance of murderous a-holes~>

Cleo: Okay you lot, back you go.

Wadjet: <Aww->

-Cleo recalls Montu, Pakhet, Wadjet (and Gallade) and sighs in relief, a smile on her face.-

Cleo: Ahhh... It's gonna be good to be home~

Thanks to Morph for spagging this with me!

edited 4th Mar '18 9:05:01 AM by Herbert40k

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

Seeing as attacking the mouth seemed to damage it before, Daydre lobs a grenade at the thing's mouth and then starts playing a fun game of Try Not To Get Set On Fire. She manages this with some efficacy, though she does still get a little singed.

Tabitha leaps out of the way of the Power Whips and fireballs with ease. Azure, who was standing right next to her and didn't notice in time, did not and gets hit with both.

Azure: <ASDFGHJKEYRDTFYGUHIJOBHJ,JUBVYBSEBHVFDLKUYSA Why did you let me get hit by that??>

Tabitha: <It's not my fault you weren't paying attention, and if I'd taken time to pull you away I'd have gotten hit too.> She takes a few shots at the Carnivrabbid.

Azure gives Tabitha the stinkeye but he's kind of too cute for it to have any real effect.

Rabbid!Daydre, seeing that the others are doing it, tries to knock a crate towards the Carnivrabbid with her hammer.

edited 3rd Mar '18 11:40:47 PM by Daydre

off the shits

Whittington

Amaterasu cocked her head. “I am so lost right now. We came here to drive a villain’s face into the ground,” she observed. “What exactly should we be ‘sleuthing’ for?” She asked.

Pinwheel Carnirabbid Battle

Colt and Sylveon took damage from the Power Whip as Kazuma leaped off Colt’s head and made an attempt to cram Facepalm Over Two into the Carnirabbid’s skull.

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

-Pippy catches the edge of the Power Whip in place of the group, and grimaces-

-Vee tries to smother the fireball heading in their direction with the water she has left, but it washes over her-

Vee: -pained- <Ghhhhh...>

-Megan notices-

Megan: ...Vee, tap out? For health?

Vee: <...'Kay. Side note, my organs're feeling a bit cramped, so...I'll leave this here f'r now. See ya, if you're gonna get hurt in like any way at all or something needs killing, call me? D'n't wanna miss out...>

-the group runs for better cover, dodging around more fireballs-

<Hey kid, you're up~>

-and she Baton Passes back into her ball, leaving behind the Gatling gun and a very confused Pollen-

-Aura Sight-

Pollen: -at the Carnabbidvine- <What the fuck is that?!>

-at the fused Rabbids- <What the fuck are those?!>

-at the Gatling gun- <What the fuck is this?>

-at Rabbid!Megan- <...Megan, why is there a tiny loud version of you? Why are these Whismur like this?>

Rabbid!Megan: -hammering the fire block again, this time at the burn-y top of the staff- —AAAAAAAAAA—

Megan: -sweatdropping- ...oops. Maybe I should try to keep everyone in the loop...

Er, nevermind that. Firebud!

Pollen: <Whatever ya say, boss.>

-she launches a charged Pollen Puff, which explodes into a very flammable cloud of pollen upon hitting the Carnabbidvine, as Pippy snipes at the mouth a few times-

-Thespi's face falls a bit-

Thespi: <Ah. Sleuthing. Yay?>

-to the Decidueye- <Amos Slade, was it? That was an excellent line.> ^_^

Ceal: <Wh-why must we have a death wish? What h-have they been doing?>

-the mice seem disappointed at the lack of immediate trouble, but perk up at the follow-up-

Plusle: -small grin- <Heheheheh...>

Minun: <...sounds fun. Lead the way.>

edited 4th Mar '18 10:12:52 AM by Asterisk395

No mind to think. No will to break.

Mandrake shakes off the feeling of having absorbed one.

Mandrake: <Oogh... need to remember to avoid that in the future.>

Amos Slade: <Heh, my boomstick's what's gonna help me deal with those pirates. Got a special deal to help with them.>

Lycanroc: <Just work on your temper, sir. >

Amos Slade: <Well, hey, that's what I got you for, Copper.>

-to Thespi- <Heh, thanks.>

Out of the door that Ammy got a protest out of earlier a Pikachu runs out to the group.

Pikachu: <Did my ears deceive me or did I hear mentioning of sleuthing and a certain sewer rat?>

A Dedenne lumbers out after, putting on a coat as he goes.

Dedenne: <Hold up, Basil, old chap!>

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

Basket: -mumbles something about subdermal toxicity tests, then returns to observe Diane's presumably-offscreen enhancements to the launching and reeling mechanisms-

Lua: <OK, benchmarking...>

She aims the ring across the room and fires, launching the cable to successfully stick to the far wall.

Do you highlight everything looking for secret messages?

PEFE!Every: Oh come on I just got up here.

-she hops down from the bookshelf, Rotary keeping her from crashing to the ground-

(to Lua) Well...it seems to work. Does it take too long to retract, or something?

Muninn: -looking thoughtful, climbs onto PEFE!Every's head to watch Lua-

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

-A dark apartment. A figure smelling vaguely of alcohol and regret lays passed out on a table. Suddenly, the lights are flicked on and the man is knocked on the floor.-

Carol: <Rise and shine, sleepyhead! It's already almost 3!>

-The man stands up, moping.-

Lou: Why bother? Not like I have anything to look forward to.

-An Arcanine nudges Lou, giving him a look.-

K-9: <Stow that talk, officer. You've got plenty to look forward to.>

Lou: Ex-officer, you mean.

-A voice comes from the corner.-

Heztun: <Yeah, yeah, yeah? I hate it when you correct stupid shit like that? Stop moping and get your life together?>

Salvadore: <As much as I hate the way he said it, he's got a point. You can't keep doing this to yourself, Lou.>

Lou: Well then what the fuck do you want me to do, go to an arcade and mope around or something?

Lou: Joy.

Carol <Aw, come on, Louie! They've got skeeball, and [Pac-Man], and...>

Lou: [Pac-Man] sounds good. Then i can play as an insignifigant dot running in circles trying to survive.

Heztun: <You're kind of missing the point?>

-Lou walks over to the [Pac-Man] machine, swiping a card.-

Lou: Woo-hoo. I'm already forgetting my crippling sadness.

Here we are.

Whittington

<No deception here chap, that's best left to the criminal element.>

-Pent gives a quick smile before looking the Pikachu over, taking one quick glance for a signpost for the street-

<Greetings fellow supposedly named Basil. We're on the trail of the coldest blooded fellow you'd find outside of the reptiles, and even then it's a close race. Assistance is tough to find but greatly appreciated.>

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Veilstone Arcade - Past

"Once again Xatu drops me off somewhere I don't know," A Unovan muttered to himself as he entered. "I mean, I can tell I'm in Sinnoh, but he couldn't have set me in Oreburgh? Or wherever that Rock-type leader is?" He paused when he heard a [Pac-Man] machine. He paused and approached, setting his [token] on the box to declare his stake.

He didn't say anything. A game like [Pac-Man] required major focus.

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Basket: <It looks like the launching works...>

-Lua activates the reel, getting pulled across the room-

Lua: <WHEEEEEEEE!>

Basket: <...and the rewind. Good tinker, Diane!>

-Lua is then pulled far enough to unplug the wires to the power supply she was using, and falls to the ground-

Lua: <Ground fault...>

Basket: <...so now we need a power source small enough to fit the profile but juicy enough to power the launcher...>

Do you highlight everything looking for secret messages?

-Carol, atop Lou's head, is cheering. The other mons walk off to play their own games.-

Carol: <Go, Louie!>

...

<Uh, you know... you know you have to avoid the [ghosts], right?>

Lou: I don't have to.

-A game over. Lou steps back from the machine, acknowledging the other patron. He places his [token/card/whatever] on the screen, stepping back.-

Lou: What brings a non-smiling, non-moping character like you to a place like this?

-Meanwhile, K-9 notices some tomfoolery going down.-

K-9: <STOP CHEATING>

Hetzun: <NO?>

K-9: <THROW THE BALLS LIKE A NORMAL PERSON>

Hetzun: <I'M GONNA WIN AN AIRPLANE?>

edited 4th Mar '18 4:51:15 PM by redneckphoenix

Vi: "Well, I have... some experience with dimensional manipulation technology, opening a hole into another world manually can't be that much harder, can it?"

Metagross: ~... Somehow I think it probably is.~

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

Muninn: -restrains laughter. We were all junior inventors once-

PEFE!Every: ...Well. Yes. That could be a problem.

Have you looked at smaller Electric-types for inspiration? Joltik, despite its tiny size, is capable of generating large quantities of current.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Veilstone Arcade

"Searching for a purpose or any modicum of enjoyment out of life - can't really have fun with anything these days. Not even the Gym Challenge - I should know, I just got through Hoenn's.

"But my Xatu in the literal sense, heh," he adds as he lures three [ghosts] into a corner before beating them all for a few bonus points at the caveat of dying to the last one. As he respawns, he takes his free hand and does a few strange gestures with it before summoning an illusory Pokeball to orbit around his hands. No reason, he just could.

"You play games yourself? I think they might have a [Capcom Vs.]-series game here. I dunno, this is the first time I've ever been to Sinnoh. Actually, you don't sound like you're doing too well. What's eating at you?"

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Basket: <Small electric-types... biology gets that kind of energy density by respiring carbohydrates such as glucose, sucrose, and fructose...>

Lua: -raises a paw- <A sugar-powered grappling hook sounds pretty sweet.>

Rufus: -passing through with a burrito and a book on skyscraper engineering- <Is it really a hook if it just sticks like a spaghetti noodle?>

Lua: <Fine, I'm naming it the Controllable-Electric Linguini Line.>

Basket: <Now look what you've done, Rufus.>

Do you highlight everything looking for secret messages?

-Mezzo is suddenly teleported into the air!-

-specifically onto the back of a white lion that Fortis is riding-

Fortis: Hi Piano! We're gonna go fix the sun! Onward!

Solgaleo!Astral: -roars-

-they start flying into space, toward the heart of the solar system-

Mezzo: Fortis why are you doing this—

Fortis: I need someone to jumpstart the explosion! Here we go!

Solgaleo!Astral: -roars again, then ignites itself in flames-

-the fire expands into a full-sized star, instantly annihilating Mezzo-

-and waking her up with a start-

Mezzo: ...Why.

Lily: So the blue and green haired girls brought you from another universe where the sun went out? That sounds awful.

Lily(?): We're really in bad shape. I guess that's why I'm not in much of a rush to go back.

Lily: Oh hey, couldn't Iris—

Lily(?): We tried that. She died.

Lily: ...

Lily(?): The strain of keeping it up was just too much for her. Poor Jen... she thinks it was her fault.

Lily: Oh, jeez... -hugs Lily(?)-

Lily(?): Yeah. I hope your world is doing a lot better than ours.

Lily: Yeah, sure sounds like it.

Do not fear power... fear those who wield it.

Lou: Eh, fuck, where do I begin? I'm in a huge rut. Got fired from the force, y'see. 10 years of my life- gone, just like that. Kinda shanks you in the stomach and steals your happiness-kidneys, yunno? Name's Lou, by the by. Lou Natbar.

-He leans against the machine, sighing.-

Lou: Cool light-show, by the way. Reminds me of that time in Snowpoint with the Egg Bandit.

K-9: <IF YOU DON'T STOP I WILL BE FORCED TO... ASK YOU AGAIN>

Hetzun: <NO?>

edited 5th Mar '18 6:50:57 AM by redneckphoenix

Muninn: <A great deal of the energy for it comes from Infinity Energy, I'd imagine...>

PEFE!Every: Obviously not a viable option. But Electric-types do use voltage-generating cells as a conduit.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

-the blocks hit by one of the party's Fire attacks or a weapon with Burn status explode, taking out any Rabbids nearby-

-The block rolled into the Carnivibbid explodes and damages it heavily; it bwaaahs and lashes out with Power Whips-

-Rabbid Reina and Rabbid Lina cheer-

Reina: It's vulnerable to the bombs! Do something about them!

Elliot: <On it!>

-Attempts to push a block towards the Carnivibbid-

Zumi: <I guess we should->

Arika: <FOOOOOD>

-A battle commences!-

-A Frosslass attempts to Blizzard Orlok-

-An Azumarill attempts to Superpower one of of AU!Shaun's Steel-types-

Mul: <Yes, with my famil->

-he pauses-

Svin: <WAUGH>

-fumbles with the phone, attempting to check it or answer it-

Alolan Rattata: <Geez. More of you guys?>

Marina: <Psst. This is Basil of Baker Street! He's [important]!>

Human!Ammy: -to the Pikachu- How do you do?

Voyd: There we go! I knew you would come up with something! Maybe.

Nero: <Sorry this post took so long, umu! The author had to study and then the post got wiped, umu! Impeding my wonderful presence, umu! Hmph!>

edited 4th Mar '18 5:52:19 PM by Umbramatic

Contact Me!

Basket: o_o <Yeah we probably don't want to power it with lifeforce...>

<A bio-battery that uses symbionts to extract energy from carbs should be acceptable though.>

Lua: <Then it's settled. Mitochondria will be the powerhouse of the C.E.L.L.>

edited 4th Mar '18 6:03:09 PM by Tangent128

Do you highlight everything looking for secret messages?

Veilstone Arcade

Second death. The illusory Pokéball shatters on the ground after he dunks it, and the machinery dissipates into the illusory wisps it really is. “If that decade was truly erased from history, any criminals and legal debacles would have been reimbursed,” he spat as he finished the level, only to die rather quickly on level two as he continued speaking.

“I’m not gonna ask about that Egg Bandit thing. The name’s Colton. Colton Rever,” he introduced at the same time his game ended.

Pinwheel Mishmash

Kazuma landed a distance away, unable to get up. Colt returned his new Normal-type with an illusory hand gripping his ‘ball as he fired Sylveon’s Desire at Sylveon.

She reclaimed Monoxide and set it to detonate at the Carnirabbid again.

Whittington

Nervously or impatiently, Amaterasu wrapped her scarf around her hands and tugged in minor stress, just not enough to tear.

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]