Interpol HQ

-Shun goes slightly red as he flashes back to the event.-

Shun: ...Ah, yes, I remember. Thank you for your assistance.

-He clears his throat and straightens his tie.-

Shun: In any case, anything you can provide to help identify the perpetrators will be greatly appreciated. We believe we're close to apprehending Whiptail, seeing as she appears to be the ringleader of this recent crime spree, but the more information we have the easier our job will be.

Edited by Herbert40k on Aug 19th 2018 at 2:00:22 PM

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.

Interpol HQ

Tommy: It'd be my pleasure. While I appreciate the efforts that some of the people did to ensure civilian safety, I understand full well that identifying the culprits can help reduce further civilian casualties and damage. And I am a bit sick of having to clamber over rubble.
Shutter: Hey, you follow costumed crime-fighting clowns and take their pictures, you're gonna have to live with the consequences.

Tommy hands Shun his photos. One of which is a rather high-resolution image of Whiptail's head close to the eyes.

Tommy: Most of the evidence I can provide is in the folder Gavin gave you. These other pictures of the scene should also help.
Gimbal: I call it the "money shot." It still surprises me that there wasn't much glare in that photo. It wasn't the blinding flash that distracted her.
Tommy: Before reporting back to Gavin, I spent three days backpacking on a hunch that there might be collusion among the more prominent criminal factions in Kalos and Unova. I traced them to an abandoned warehouse in Lumiose and spent the entire time listening in through a dumpster. Due to the nature of my hiding place it is understandably patchy, but it may provide some details of interest.
Shutter: He hid in a dumpster.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Aug 20th 2018 at 7:46:31 PM

"Someone will. But truth be told Lucius, there are plenty of people out there with no care for morality. They just wish to hurt others. Or worse, they don't care who gets hurt."

As Harold and Stylus left, Rip flipped out a phone and made a call.

"Hey just giving you a head's up, we got a new guy, potential for certain, getting a auric vibe from him. Oh and he's got this cute Lucario with this really cool Metal arm as well! Just keep a eye out and don't ask about the arm, story isn't that interesting."

The champ sat at his desk, watching over the video, he let out a low chuckle, "Oh. I can tell, this guy is gonna go places, that Lucario especially."

"Glad you think so! Let's hope he gets to you!" Rip responded.

"Let's."

Stormchaser, Room 713

Were it not for the backpack hanging up on a chair, a laptop on the desk in front of the chair, and a message written rather smoothly considering who had wrote it, one could almost assume the room was uninhabited.

At least, until a Blaziken materialized outside of the bag and caught himself when he saw the note. He picked it up and read through it, silently.

Roy looked at the letter his trainer had left behind, then at the manilla folder in his other talons. Meh, he wasn’t really done, anyway.

The Fire Emblem character sat himself down at the desk, having turned himself human through the Orange Scarf and continued his research. After stretching out his old limbs, first.

Lucario and Rei walked in a few minutes later. They both waved to Roy casually, who didn’t even look up from the desk as he waved. They picked up the letter and silently read it, Lucario reacting a little before Rei did.

“If he wants to be alone, leave him alone,” Roy summarized before he managed to translate the part he stumbled over before. Was today the day?

If they’d turn down that game system he might find out!

Wait, is that him?! What was he doing in that game?!

No... no, Roy. You already know this. C’mon. Just get back to the books. They make... more sense. They’re still nonsensical, but at least that was the intent...

Johto, Route 47

This was as close as he could get to Johto with his shadowports without exhausting himself. Well, okay, he was a little exhausted, but nothing a bottle of water couldn’t fix - crap. He left his backpack behind.

Well, time to walk to some town and see if he can’t get some foo - hm? Where did that tower come from? Was anyone there? Well, it wouldn’t hurt to check.

Colton started the long walk towards the tower, somewhat regretting the decision to leave his headphones behind.

Edited by AbsentCoder on Aug 19th 2018 at 9:30:16 AM

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Interpol HQ

-Shun looks at the photos from Tommy, a smile forming on his face.-

Shun: Excellent. We already had a fairly good composite of what she looks like in costume, but this may go some way to helping to track down the girl behind the mask.

-He glances back up at Tommy.-

Shun: As for the dumpster affair, we do what we have to do for the sake of public safety. Is there anything I - I mean, we - can do to repay you?

Denali's Office

-Lucius shuffles in his seat.-

Lucius: See, that's the bit I've always taken issue with. "Someone" will. There might be evil in the world, but "someone" will take care of it eventually. I always thought that I couldn't afford to wait for that someone, that I had to get out there and confront it myself. Thing is... I don't want to be a passive observer, but these days I'm not so sure about my own judgement, either.

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.

N's Castle, The Coffin Creep And Bwahhtmon!

Welp, looks like a fight then.

-Pent takes a deep breath and steps behind cover to start lining up shots-

-Captured by this nefarious being, the astoundingly awesome Bwahhhtmon fights back with all his marketable skills! However his aim might be a little off... Sorry for any potential friendly fire friends!-

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Stormchaser

Alisher's eyes perked up just a little at the news.

Alisher: "Well, let's go find her then. Tell him...them...how does this telegraph thing work again?"

Edited by AtlasStratus on Aug 19th 2018 at 10:35:46 PM

Timers to measure time, thermometers to measure thermomets, mometers to measure mom, and measuring containers to measure measurements.

N's Castle

-The grenades from The Bwatmon pummel the party, as do Power Whips from the Exploud-

-Meanwhile the Peek-A-Boos and Haunters attempt to warp people into the Exploud's path-

Contact Me!

Interpol HQ

Tommy: Aw shucks, call it my duty as a journalist. Although I could think of something. We posted a request for declassified rift footage, which is still being processed to my knowledge. Fast-tracking that for our documentary would be appreciated.

Shutter smiled at the prospect. His face said "you did good kid."

Tommy: If there are any details you need me to clarify, our temporary headquarters are at the Stormchaser on the outskirts of town. I and my colleague here will let you and Interpol know if there's anything else we find.

Mandrake: <Whew... safe it seems...>

Ken: "So, what's the next one?"

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

Interpol HQ

-Shun arches an eyebrow at Tommy.-

Shun: The Stormchaser? So you're with the J-Team?

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.

N's Castle, A Long Long Time Ago

Daydre grabs Tabitha by the scruff and tosses her at one of the Haunters, serving to both get her out of the way of the grenade fire and mildly irritate her.

Tabitha: <Don't throw me at your problems>

"Just do the thing!" Daydre yells, as she's pelted by rubble. Tabitha attempts to Feint Attack the Haunter she was thrown at.

Rabbid!Daydre pulls out her sniper and aims a shot at the Exploud.

off the shits

Interpol HQ

Shutter: We are guests at the Stormchaser; part of our production involves interviewing the J-Team and staff. One of our executive producers invited us to stay at the facility for the duration of the production. This marks one of the few times the Geographic Society and its crew was even allowed near a PEFE asset.
Tommy: As part of his staff, my Pokemon and I were able to be housed there as well. Another request we have is a form of recognition for our friend Gimbal here. The Whiplash photo was hers.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Aug 20th 2018 at 12:20:35 AM

Clay Cave Emergency Shelter 3:

As the doors close behind the group, Mark takes a moment to gather his surroundings. He examined the reinforced metallic box him, Hajime, and about 20 other people were garrisoned inside, making note of the main space full of chairs along with a door that lead to a restroom, a door that lead into a barracks for prolonged stays, a small kitchen space, and a hallway that lead to other parts of the caverns. The workers were of various builds, backgrounds, ages, and levels of experience that were all hiding for their lives in fear of possible future swarm attacks.

"It'd better be worth letting you guys in, we took a big chance opening these doors for you that I'm sure every pokemon in a mile radius could hear," A worker who couldn't have been older than Mark grumbled before an older man said, "They look like tourists who got lost on vacation. There's no way these two stand can put a stop to these swarms."

"I'd say we're doing pretty well for what you call tourists," Mark quipped in response before someone scoffed, "Probably just dumb luck," Prompting Mark to quickly retort as he displayed his badges and trainer card, "You don't beat two regional champions and a couple gym leaders with dumb luck. I may not be a cop or part of some elite task force, but the way I see it I'm one of the best hopes you've got for stopping these swarms...and I'm sure Hajime's done some cool shit that makes qualified. Doubt the J-Team lets just anyone with a pokemon join them."

Living The Fever Dream

Lumiose, bench

-Ever and Guillaume are sitting here, eating some ice cream-

Ever: I'm still sort of mystified that you're apparently from a long line of pickpockets?

Guillaume: It's respectable work.

Merle: <See?>

Ever: Just seems like a weird tradition to pass on to your kids.

Guillaume: I've never thought so.

Ever: I guess you wouldn't.

-meanwhile, their starters are chatting-

Diesel: <So, you've got any interest in music?>

Damascus: <...> (in his raspy, metallic voice) <I'm sure you can understand that I don't really sing.>

Diesel: <Hmm, yeah, I could see that.>

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Macraul Mansion

-Deep within the confines of the mansion, a seemingly young woman with a Honchkrow-themed outfit and long, tea-green hair is looking over a collection of strange artifacts and other novelties with strange powers-

Woman: Hmmm, David dearie?

-A Shiny Golurk lopes over-

David: <What is it, Sylvestra honey?>

Sylvestra: Where do I put our latest acquisition? It's been in storage for too damn long.

David: <Well, it was quite the find! Maybe we could put it in its own section or something.>

Sylvestra: It'd have to be personally important to get its own room. Not necessarily Orb of Ruin-level personally important but still.

David: <Right. That makes sense.>

-if he were not a Golurk he would smile-

Golurk: <Ah yes, the Orb of Ruin... I remember us meeting through it. Good times.>

Sylvestra: -smiles- Oh yes, me trying to kill you for it, you trying to kill me for it us having to settle our differences when the original owner tried to kill us both with his Gyarados... No wonder we fell in love.

-Sylvestra's smile turns into a grimace when a cell phone on her person rings. She picks it up-

Hello?

Elsewhere in Kalos

Spectacled Man: Hellllooooo granny Sylvestra!

Macraul Mansion

Sylvestra: Don't call me granny, Sylvestre.

Elsewhere in Kalos

Sylvestre: Sorry about that! Listen, have I got the art piece for y-

Macraul Mansion

Sylvestra: For the last time, Sylvestre, I'm not interested in whatever half-baked modern art trash you've scrounged up! Keep it for yourself!

-she hangs up-

Elsewhere in Kalos

Sylvestre: -stares at his phone for a bit- Rude.

-goes back to cleaning a statue of a Stunfisk created entirely out of recycled tires-

Macraul Mansion

Sylvestra: Why haven't we removed him from the tapestry yet?

-David shrugs. Sylvestra sighs-

Sylvestra: Anyway once we get the Necrozmium in place we can look for something else new...

David: <Sure thing. Apparently according to the rest of the family the J-Team's in town...>

<...Perhaps we can get something off of them.>

Contact Me!

Interpol HQ - Past

Shun: ...I see.

-He rubs his chin, considering Tommy's proposition.-

Shun: I don't believe I'm in a position to authorise your request, but I'll speak to my handler and see what I can do for you. As for a commendation for Gimbal, that should be easy enough to arrange. A word of advice, though: the J-Team are trouble. Historically, they've made a lot of messes that we've then had to clean up. There are certainly good people among their ranks, but getting involved with them tends to lead to... well, to situations like yesterday's.

Lumiose City - Now

-If Ever is still sat on the bench, he may receive a text.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Aug 20th 2018 at 2:05:38 PM

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.

Lumiose City

Guillaume: So I was—

Ever: -placing their hand over Guillaume's mouth- Hold that thought.

Guillaume: Mmph?

Ever: -takes out their phone, examining the text from Lucius- ...Interesting.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Lumiose City

-A few minutes later, a voice calls out from somewhere behind Ever.-

Lucius: You know, for an enby as evasive as you, you're remarkably easy to pick out in a crowd.

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.

Lumiose City

-Ever squeaks, and hops to their feet-

Guillaume: Uh, so are you gonna explain why you just did that?

Ever: No.

-they turn to Lucius, waving-

The way I see it, I only stand out to people who already know what to look for.

-they wink-

...Also, there are like four other people I can name who look exactly like me. It's a statement if nothing else.

Guillaume: ...I'm Guillaume, incidentally.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Lumiose City

-Lucius goes Ever ever so slightly red.-

Lucius: ...You're the blue person. That's it. I know what to look for because in a city of high fashion you're the one person dressed from head to toe in... blue. All the people that look like you have better fashion sense. Well, except Every, but... she's a special case.

-He glances over at Guillaume.-

Lucius: Oh, hi. Fair warning, I can't pronounce or remember that, so I'm probably not going to acknowledge you.

-He turns back to Ever.-

Lucius: Anyway, can you help me or not?

Edited by Herbert40k on Aug 20th 2018 at 2:37:52 PM

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.

Lumiose City

-Ever blinks a couple times-

Ever: ...In fairness, one of them is just me but orange. So, like...

...You know, I really have no further response to that.

Guillaume: Is he...normally like this?

Ever: Yes.

Anyway, I'm sure I can help you, but I'll point out you've yet to tell me what you need.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

N's Castle

-Being flung about like this, all tangled up in the nefarious tangle of the coffin-bound creep, the Bwahhhtmon was regretting his decision to devour his arsenal today-

-Pent sighed and kept lining up those shots to keep the additional foes down-

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Lumiose City

Lucius: Oh, right. Well, uh... okay, bear with me here, but last night I ordered takeout. It was damn good takeout too, so I said to myself "you know what? I'm not going to bother with this little tub and plastic spork, I'm going to get myself a plate and some proper cutlery and eat like a goddamn king." We've all done that before, haven't we? Only when I went down to the kitchen to grab an actual fork, I, er...

-He glances down at the ground for a moment, then holds up his hand to reveal a perfectly straight and horizontal burn scar.-

Lucius: ...That's not normal, right?

Edited by Herbert40k on Aug 20th 2018 at 2:50:07 PM

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.

Lumiose City

-Ever listens with patient boredom to Lucius's takeout story-

-their eyes open when Lucius references something not being normal-

Ever: ...No. In a general way, I would say not.

Guillaume: I mean, it could be, if you microwaved the fork. You seem like the type, honestly.

Ever: ...This is true. But I assume that's not what's going on here, if only because would you want to admit microwaving a fork to a stranger?

-they tilt their head-

Ever: Lucius Octavius Augustus Cain, have you been dealing with the fair folk?

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.