ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Kalos Route 18

-Kirk clutches his snout after being slapped, but then looks rather surprised upon being hugged.-

Kirk: <You... you really want me back?>

-Bishop gives a small smile.-

Bishop: <If we didn't, we wouldn't have gone through all that trouble to rescue you, would we?>

-The Malamar groans weakly, and his eyes flutter open as he looks up at Crow.-

Malamar: <...W-what... what are you->

-He is promptly engulfed by the Great Ball, which wobbles slightly before clicking shut.-

edited 18th Apr '14 1:42:10 PM by Herbert40k

Kalos Route 18

Teishi just gives Herbert a cheerful look before looking at Kirk

"<What exactly is going on though? Ryu told me one of your friends was in trouble, but I wasn't expecting this.>" he said.

"<I know there's brainwashing involved, but how did this even happen anyway?>" asked Ryu.

No disagreement there.

Anistar - DS' hotel room

- Nods -

So... Who would you say is most at fault?

Kalos Route 18

Crow: "Yes!"

-He goes over, picks up the Malamar's ball, and lets him out-

Crow: "Hello and welcome to the team. Could you give me that BLEEP now?"

Kalos Route 18

-Kirk turns to Ryu and Teishi, head still bowed.-

Kirk: <...It all started because I was an idiot. Herbert had been gone for a while, and I started to get sick of the whole Pokemon training thing, so I decided that I'd run away... turns out, life in the wild kind of sucks. Then I ran into that Malamar, and he put me under some kind of hypnosis... I've been kissing his tentacles ever since. This is all my fault... if I hadn't been such a dumbass, you guys wouldn't have had to try and rescue me...>

Herbert: No, that's not... it's my fault, actually.

-He gives a quiet sigh, then looks up at Kirk, Bishop and Maul.-

Herbert: You see, I... I know I've never been the best of trainers. I put my own problems ahead of yours, I never give you enough time or attention, I yell when you don't live up to my expectations... I can't blame you for walking out on me. But... I just wanted a chance to try and make things up to you. I didn't want my the relationship between me and my own starter to end on such bad terms. I mean, we didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. So, I... I came out here to rescue you. Because I knew that a life of servitude was exactly what you wanted to try and get away from. And now...

-He glances down at the ground.-

Herbert: ...Well, you're your own mon now. I know you don't want to go back to following a human, but at least now I have a chance to apologise for letting you down. To say goodbye properly rather than-

Kirk: <Wait... why does this have to be goodbye?>

-Herbert looks rather taken aback.-

Herbert: I... well, I assumed you didn't want anything more to do with me...

Kirk: <...Way I see it, we've both got something to try and apologise for. Me more so, probably... I didn't think about what leaving would do to you, or the team...>

-He looks up at Herbert.-

Kirk: <...I didn't think you'd want me back... but after being away for so long, having to kowtow to that creep, I want to come back. If you're willing to take me, that is...>

-Herbert pauses for a moment, before giving a small smile.-

Herbert: ...So basically, if I try to be a better trainer, you'll try to be a better Pokemon?

Kirk: <...Yeah. Yeah, that's about right.>

Herbert: Alright, I think I can manage that. Welcome back to the team, Kirk.

-He pulls Kirk into a hug, taking care to avoid the chest spike.-

Maul: <The terrible trainer reunites with the terrible Pokemon. How touching.>

Bishop: <Be quiet, Maul.>

-The Malamar, meanwhile, still seems rather dazed as he looks up at Crow.-

Malamar: <You... what did you do?>

edited 18th Apr '14 2:07:14 PM by Herbert40k

Near Kirk

-Eowyn and Tiana stand back and smile-

Route 18

Crow: "I... captured you?"

The villains come after us, but our high profile doesn't help much either.

Kalos Route 18

"<Aw man, nice that you reunited again! I'm sure you two will work better as a team from now on.>" said Teishi, seemingly rather touched by the whole thing

Ryu glances at the Malamar "<Thinking of working for that guy for more than one day already makes me shudder.>" he said, making no attempt to hide his disgust before turning back to Kirk and Herbert "<Well, I wish luck to both of you. If you will need it or not, I don't know.>"

Kalos Route 18

-Herbert and Kirk break off their hug and both give Teishi and Ryu rather awkward smiles.-

Kirk: <Thanks...>

Herbert: Here's hoping that everything will work out from now on.

-Meanwhile, the Malamar blinks at Crow.-

Malamar: <...You did what?>

-He starts to work himself up into something of a tizzy.-

Malamar: <No no no, that won't do at all! A being of such magnificence as myself, forced to take orders from a mere human? Never! This can't be happening, this can't be->

-He is cut off by Herbert.-

Herbert: Oh, you'd better believe it's happening, you egomaniacal prick. You're a trained mon now. And you know what that means?

Malamar: <...No?>

Herbert: It means I can give you AS MANY HUGS AS I LIKE!

-He pulls the Malamar into a suffocating hug.-

Malamar: <Ack! Can't b-breathe...>

Herbert: And there's not a damn thing you can do about it, you adorable squishy squiddy little abomination~

Route 18

Sundancer: <Before you ask, no it does not get easier.>

Crow: "I'd disagree, personally."

"Anyway, now for names..."

"Hm..."

"Teacher?"

Kalos Route 18

Teishi and Ryu both sweatdrop at Herbert.

"<That, I did not expect.>" said Ryu.

"<It's actually kinda cute.>" said Teishi, chuckling.

He then signals for the entire Squad to regroup, which they do. He then looks at Kirk

"<By the way, my name is Teishi. This is my... I think the best word would be 'clan', the GreNinja Squad!>"

Ryu waves "<I'm Ryu, good to see you're free now.>"

"<Strider>"

Sub-Zero seemed about to burst in excitement "<I'm Sub-Zero! Did you see how me and Strider took down that fire thing? It was totally awesome wasn't it?!>"

"<And last but not least I'm Shadow, nice to meet you.>" said Shadow

Kalos Route 18

-Kirk gives the GreNinja Squad a wan smile.-

Kirk: <...I'm Kirk, but you probably knew that already. Nice to meet you too. Thanks again for helping to free me from that creep.>

-The Malamar, meanwhile, looks positively indignant as Herbert lets go of him.-

Malamar Teacher: <Why would I need a name? A name suggests that there are other people in this world worth referring to!>

-Herbert looks over the assorted group and gives a smile.-

Herbert: Huh... it looks like everything went well for once. The plan went off without a hitch, Kirk's back on the team... I've been so used to things going wrong that it feels odd to have everything going my way.

-There is the sound of someone clearing their throat behind him.-

???: ...Mr. Cain?

edited 18th Apr '14 2:33:50 PM by Herbert40k

Anistar - DS' hotel room

... Nothing to really do about it, I guess...

(thinking) They should all just disappear...

Kalos Route 18

Crow: "You need a name because names are wonderful things!"

"Also, could you give me that thing I've seen you occasionally sipping out of now?"

Near Herbert

Eowyn: <...Uh-oh.>

Tiana: -to Herbert- <You just had to tempt fate, did you?>

-Eyebrow raise-

Illusion HQ - Lunch Room

A Lucario and an Emboar are currently relaxing in the lunch room while a group of Illusion grunts converse an relax around them. The Lucario has his own cup of coffee, while the Emboar is currently reading through book 7 of 12 of Paradise Lost

Thutmose: <This place has become a real hotbed of activity since the master bought all that Instant Coffee for everyone.>

Octavius: -Looking up from his book- <The young master did this?>

The Emboar looks around the room at the happy and conversing grunts who are enjoying their time off conversing over coffee.

Octavius: <This must be the means to an end of some kind...>

Thutmose makes himself his own cup of coffee.

Thutmose: <Sometimes you need to let sleeping pups lie, Octavius.>

Octavius: <Mmm, yes. But most sleeping dogs don't have switchblades and Apache guns hidden under their folds.>

Thutmose: <...>

Octavius: <You know as well as I that the master has no shortage of issues, such as his complete lack of trust in anyone. I can assure you there is some ulterior motive to this bout of kindness...>

Thutmose: <Whatever, it's not our place to judge.>

The Lucario notices a young lady with shades indoors and fading red hair dye is making two cups of coffee.

Thutmose: -Smiling- <That young lady always makes a cup of coffee for herself and her friend who unfortunately been barred from the lunchroom by her admin.>

Octavius: <I'm sure the master would have pleasant things to say about such relationships>

The two watch as she leaves the lunchroom with two full cups of coffee

Illusion HQ

-a brunet trainer with a Togekiss seated atop his head is drinking the not-Constantin coffee happily-

Kalos Route 18

"<We did nothing really. We just helped clean up after everything worked.>" said Ryu.

"<Nice to meet you, still!>" said Teishi, then hearing the unknown voice and looking at the source "<... What's going on?>"

Anistar - DS' hotel room

- DS stares at the ground -

Did we already have this conversation? About how it's impossible for any of us to have a normal life after being part of the J-Team? Having to live in constant fear, worrying for the safety of themselves and those around them...

(thinking) It's not fair...

Also, how are we supposed to survive in this world... when we can't even look out for each other?

They can't see anything from anyone's point of view other than their own... and for the most part, they don't bother trying to understand... don't bother really talking things through...

Kalos Route 18

-Herbert wheels around to face the source of the voice behind him, which turns out to be a man in a smart grey suit with a Mightyena by his side.-

Herbert: Huh?

Man: Good afternoon, Mr. Cain. You probably don't remember us.

Mightyena: <Wouldn't blame you; it's been months since this subplot was so much as referenced.>

Man: We're here on behalf of the Kalos Pokemon League, regarding your ownership of a Pokemon that poses a potential threat to society. Your Scizor, namely. We were generous enough to extend your lease, but we were on our way to Anistar in order to inform you that your time was up when we happened to witness your little... display.

Bishop: <...Ah. I knew I had allowed my temper to get the better of me...>

-The lawyer indicates the still-battered Teacher.-

Man: Tell me, were those really the actions of a Pokemon that you can successfully control without posing a threat to others?

Herbert: What? He... he was trying to protect one of my other Pokemon, that's all!

Man: Yet he continued his assault long after the Pokemon he happened to be assaulting ceased to become a threat. I'm sorry, Mr. Cain, but in light of the circumstances we're going to have to-

-Herbert rips off his belt and tosses it to the ground.-

Herbert: You know what? Fine! If you're going to take Bishop, then you might as well take all of them!

Man: ...There's no need for that. It's only the Scizor that we care about.

Herbert: Yeah? Well, I care about all of them equally! So if you're determined to take Bishop away from me, then you're going to have to take all the rest too! Because if even one of them is taken away from me, then I'd have failed in my responsibilities as a trainer!

-He looks up at the lawyer with a fire burning in his eyes.-

Herbert: I dunno why you want to take Bishop. He's one of the calmest and least aggressive Pokemon I've ever met. You ask anyone, anyone at all with the possible exception of Diane and they'll tell you that he has the patience of a saint. If he ever loses his temper, it's because someone's threatened to hurt his teammates. I'm not going to get into a fight with the law over this, but I just want you to take a look at yourselves. You try to shut down organisations like Rocket and then you go and try to tear away perfectly decent Pokemon from their trainers. Is the irony lost on you or something?

-There is silence for a moment.-

Man: ...I...

-He clears his throat.-

Man: ...I think it would be for the best if we postponed this line of inquiry indefinitely.

Herbert: Good. I figured you'd say something like that.

Man: Well, you'll still need to have your trainer's license upgraded, of course... but I'm certain you can resolve that at a later date. Apologies for bothering you, Mr. Cain.

-He turns and walks away, his Mightyena loping behind him. Herbert mutters beneath his breath as the lawyer walks away.-

Herbert: You've got a whole lot more than that to apologise for, you narrow-minded f-

Bishop: <Herbert, I...>

-Herbert turns to face Bishop.-

Herbert: If you're going to try and thank me, then don't bother. You've done more for me than I could ever hope to repay you for. This doesn't even come close to returning the favour. I'd do the same thing for any of my Pokemon.

Bishop: <...Understood. However, I would still like you to know that your intervention was sincerely appreciated. As is your company. There are very few people who would have considered me redeemable when we first met, but as luck would have it you were one of them.>

-Herbert gives a small smile.-

Herbert: Don't mention it, Bish.

-Teacher, meanwhile, is happily oblivious to all the legal problems going on as he answers Crow.-

Teacher: <You mean the chalice? My most prized of possessions? I misplaced it when that brute of a Lucario assaulted me. You have to help me reclaim it!>

edited 18th Apr '14 3:10:44 PM by Herbert40k

Illusion HQ

Constantin himself enters the lunchroom, flanked on his right by Kahina

Illusion HQ

-the Togekiss on Terry's head flutters uneasily-

Terry: Oh?

-looks to Cons-

Oh.