Denali sipped more of the wine and brought out a bottle for refill, "You know what stinks about human alcohol? Thanks to my rock typing, it doesn't even work, it just gets filtered through it all. I only feel anything thanks to Fae typing. No wild drunk parties."

That aside, Denali looked at Ever and smirked, "Hungry?"

Another gem hand with a plate of waffles with whipped cream and a strawberry floated in, "Want some while we talk business?"

"As for desperate times, Mega-Evo isn't what I'd call desperate. I'd call it a spice, something that just makes things more interesting. I hope that guy is okay, he was really interested in trying out that Lucarionite, didn't look like he was fully ready for it."

Denali shook their head, "Getting off track, You don't have to get the toys if you don't want them."

Ever: Oh Zekrom you're a lifesaver.

-he digs into a waffle-

See, it's the "ready for it" that worries me. It's a lot of power, but it's got all kinds of warnings and strings attached. I don't mind strings if I'm the one pulling them, but...well, I can get pretty flashy without the risk. My instinct wouldn't be to trade that security for a little extra blasting power.

-he sighs-

Unfortunately, I've found myself in a situation where only the extra power seems to be enough to solve anything. Ffffffricking DBZ tropes. Which means that what I want isn't really the most major consideration here.

"Then clearly you are looking at this from the wrong angle. It's not about power here friend, it's about Skill. After all power is nice and all, but how good is it when you don't have the skill to use it? Or the knowledge to make it worthwhile."

Denali dismissed the wine and cracked their knuckles as they stretched, "There are a few strings attached. Such as a strong bond, I make it so that nobody here just uses these things willy nilly. Your story is yours and nobody else can change that, You lead your life and your choices."

"As for the other guy, by "Not Ready For It". He had the bond with his team, he had the ability to use it, but I worry that someone who hasn't spent enough time with those instincts would be overwhelmed once they get kicked up to a new notch with infinite energy."

"Of course he might be fine, anyone with the bloodline of Arthur is in good hands in my book."

Denali laughed, "Look at me rambling, let's just get down to business. This power doesn't come to someone who "needs it", but someone who "wants it". This is something you must actively desire to control, the energy only responds to a will ready to accept it."

Ever: I'm hardly about to Mega Evolve myself, which is what it sounds like you're saying. Even if Dunsparce could do that, I prefer to have all three limbs.

-he sighs, finishing the last couple bites of his waffle-

-and then looks up, meeting Denali's eyes for the first time since he got there-

You want skill, or knowledge? I'm your enby. Bonds with my team? Yeah, we've been through it. Desire?

Well. There isn't a lot I want, but high on the list is keeping the people I care about safe. This might ring a little hollow, you know, given as how I just got summoned here, but I'm not much of a liar. You know my name, so I can only presume you know the names of the people around me, which is nice 'cause I don't have to explain them. If Brie asks me about this, I can't hide it from her. I'm not about to interfere with a choice any more than you are.

But I don't want her doing this alone, and she'll try if she has to. So yeah.

-he narrows his eyes-

I'd say I have will.

Fusewheel Forest

-Deziree zaps into Magnezone form to take the attack. It still rattles her head a bit.-

Galvani: <GO AWAY!>

-She flies up to the brute and shoves her Boomblaster into it's mouth before firing.-

Alola League (That's right, we're still doing this!)

-Ludmilla frowns as she considers the fast, powerful Delta Gengar. She must have an ability that makes her moves stronger, because she's been wiping her team like it was nothing...-

-Wait, her moves.-

-Ludmilla counts them back. Aura Sphere, Dark Pulse, Thunderbolt, Dragon Pulse...-

-Ludmilla snaps her fingers.-

Ludmilla: Go, Doomsday!

Axel Champion Dark: "Doomsday"?

Asagi: <One last opponent!>

Champion Axel Dark: Aura Sphere!

-The yellow Gengar fires a blazing blue sphere at her opponent's expected entry point.-

*tink!*

-The Aura Sphere bounces off of the Blissey.-

*tink tink tink tinktinktinkinkink*

*pop*

Dark Axel Champion: ... Uh oh.

-Doomsday starts walking forward.-

-Asagi fires a Dragon Pulse. The draconic energy washes over her opponent... before dripping off like a morning shower.-

Asagi: <Oh no. No. No no no no no!>

-Doomsday keeps walking.-

-Asagi fires a barrage of lightning bolts as Doomsday puts up a Safeguard. The lightning barely sparks across her fur as the Blissey keeps walking.-

Asagi: <AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!>

*GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!*

*FROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*

*SHOOM!* *tink*

*SHOOMSHOOMSHOOMSHOOMSHOOMSHOOM*: *tinktinktinktinktink*

*ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZAP!*

-Doomsday eats a Softboiled and keeps walking.-

Asagi: <AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA>

-Axel just turns around and curls up into a ball, rocking back and forth.-

EMPEROR: “I appreciate this gesture, as I have no money! But as the lady said, where did you get it from..?”

Azure shoots a heal at Colton. Tabitha is pretty quick and manages to avoid the Smashers. Daydre is trying to shoot from pretty far away, so while she might not actually hit anything she’s also away from the main action. Rabbid!Daydre still exists, apparently, and somehow ended up getting squashed by a Smasher’s attack.

"Non non non, you misunderstand monsieur, I am not referring to you as not being ready. I am referring to the descendant of Arthur. Turns out he could turn himself into a Lucario, I suspect Mew are involved, and his team wanted him to try out Mega evolution."

Denali leaned back with a hand to their chin, "I wonder what happened. Enh he's probably okay. He's related to the Undying Knight after all."

Stylus had been a bit too late to try and dodge and was currently suffering a hug from Herbert, he had gone limp in shock and was screaming so loud internally he was fairly certain psychics around him were hearing it.

From the sight of a Hypno and a Drowzee covering their ears and glaring at him, they were.

Denali shrugged, "Anyways. I can see it in your eye, you want the stones, well I can give em to you, after a few things, such as paying for them first."

Denali looked over Ever's prosthetic arm, "In fact... wait no."

With a snap all the displays floated away and the shutters closed, "First thing's first. This stuff doesn't get handed out, it's earned."

edited 16th Mar '18 1:05:47 PM by EchoingSilence

-Ever blinks-

Ever: Well. That's certainly a choice a person could make.

...I wonder what he's up to. Wasn't there something...eh. I'm sure it's fine.

-he doesn't react much as the shutters close-

I'll admit, I can't say I wasn't expecting that. What did you have in mind?

-Some of the Smashers are disintegrated by the assault. The one blasted by Deziree/Galvani in the mouth is definitely out-

-Others keep attacking and the Steelix lunges for Megan's mons-

Nero: -to Emperor- My old trainer, umu...

Cavendish: Seems like a sensitive subject...

Dakota: Aw, now you've got me curious.

Enzo: <Fine. You've got yourself a deal.>

Tromba: <Let's get going already.>

Denali smiled, "Say. Do you have that ghost of a Latios on hand?"

Ever: Sure. What is it with Kalosian legendaries and involving themselves in Muninn's and my relationship?

-he sends out the Mimikyu-

Muninn: <Ever!>

-...-

-he coughs-

<Are we...uh, are we speaking again?>

-Ever shrugs-

Ever: Apparently, yes. Meet Denali.

-Muninn turns around-

-and stops dead-

Muninn: <...H-hello.>

"Hello there Muninn. What are you so worried about?"

Denali shed the human shape and floated over, <Scared of a rocking fairy?>

Denali assumed human form again still smiling, "Anyways Ever here is gonna be buying some of my fabulous product... once he finishes a trial. This trial involves you Muninn."

Muninn: <...Well, my interactions with the greater pantheon have historically been uncomfortable.>

Ever: Do I have to kill him for good? I'm not going to, you know.

"Wait what?"

Denali stared at Ever, "What the hell is the J-Team doing to you people! No!"

Denali sighed and placed a hand to their forehead, "Nobody's killing anybody. Your trial is not to kill him. It's about him!"

Denali snapped their fingers and several gems formed into arrows pointing at Muninn, "You have to look into his history and come back to me with a essay about him! Muninn is allowed to help you but he's not allowed to tell you outright! Hints and such, fine, but you're gonna have to actually dig into this info."

Ever: ...Oh, good grief. Can't I just kill him?

Muninn: <Ever!>

Ever: Kidding. Any other criteria? Or like...I dunno, I don't need to write it in my blood or anything?

Whittington

Slliuq and Jones head through the portal.

Chum: <Lemme handle something quick...>

He heads into his ball and sends a message.

"Wow. Rude, I get that he's a little megalomaniac who committed genocide but honestly he's undead. That shows he's at least trying to get better."

Denali gave it some thought, "No, for that crack about killing him and being rude I'm tempted to have you wear one of Mew's scarves and do the research like that, but no hands so. Just give me a full essay, MLA citations and at least 2000 words. And promising me one of your children or actually writing it in your blood is gonna be a no no of the highest degree. We're living in the modern age."

Denali smiled, "So Muninn, ready to force him to learn about you?"

-they've totally been fighting-

-but then STEELIX FREIGHT TRAIN-

Megan: -fear- fuck

Pippy: -was watching, waiting- <No.>

-and he steps forward and to the side and intercepts the charge, digging in and attempting to halt the massive Steelix with a pair of Earthquake Wings to the side, long enough for Vee to crash in with a churning Strength, trying to grapple and shove the Steelix back towards the Smashers-

Pippy: -straining- <...'ve lost to bigger. Better-trained...>

[Giant Squid?]!Vee: -wrapping herself around the Steelix, struggle-yanking on spikes- <Hhhhhead this way, why don't you~?>

Megan: -fumbles at her arm cannon's settings-

Lapis: -previously squished by a block and a penguin's-length away from being flattened by the Steelix, scatters a pile of Snowflake Grenades-

Pollen: -finishes having her life flash before her eyes-

-so she yells, grabs the Gatling gun, and attempts to drive its pellet stream into the side of the Steelix's head, along with a Telekinetic shove to the whole Steelix-

Main Quest: Magic Mirror

Thespi: -at the Tiara's destruction, sighs- <That's a relief.>

<See you, Basil, Dawson! Take care!>

-farewells-

-still smiling- <...that seems like foreshadowing if I ever heard it. Either that or some kind of shout-out, either or.>

Ceal: <...Thespi, we did it!>

<We did the thing without Pippy or Vee helping us!>

Thespi: <Yeah...still worn-out, gosh.>

Ceal: <eeeeeeeeeee!>

-Thespi laughs softly, Tripod smiles proudly-

Plusle: -slinging an arm around Enzo's shoulders- <Great to have you on board!>

Minun: -standing very, very close on the other side- <...mmm. Good luck. You'll prolly need it.>

edited 16th Mar '18 2:41:17 PM by Asterisk395

Erstatz alliance

Lila: I meant, how did you carry the money as a pokemon?

Muninn: <So very ready.>

-Ever feels his phone go off, but being in the middle of a conversation, doesn't check it-

Ever: -sighs- I do not miss education. But alright. We have a deal?

-he offers his hand-

Denali smiles and shakes Ever's hand, "I expect good things. You should do fine."

With that done, "Ready for me to send you back, it'll be easy."

Whittington

<Ooh, that feels familiar. The moonpaths lead us to warm sands...>

-He pauses-

<Wait wrong franchise. Anyway! As much as I enjoyed the smog and drear of good old serial-numbers-filed-off [Britain], I'm up for a story with a sunnier beat and a more mystical plot.>

-He gives a slight flourish and heads through the portal-

edited 16th Mar '18 2:57:54 PM by Pentigan

Whittington

“Okay then,” Rei decided as she pocketed her human form’s fake claws in the pocket opposite her teammates’ Pokéballs. She stepped through the portal, and immediately began to hate sand.

Coarse and rough and it gets everywhere, she observed as she tried to dust off her pants to no avail.

Fusewheel Forest

“Thanks!” Colt hollered to the winds as he was healed, strafing with Pot Shot at the Brawlers before running off to a safer location.

Sylveon sent out Monoxide to do the job, hoping the Brawlers weren’t smart enough to remember who sent it when it detonated.

-the Steelix roars as they grapple Vee-

-More and more Smashers start to get picked off-

Nero: Oh, uh... Hammerspace, umu! Helps keep the purse tucked away in my feathers, umu.

Bartelby: Nice unintentional save, kid.

-Everyone nods to each other and heads through the portal-

-Ever nods-

Ever: That would be appreciated, yes.