Silas sat down examining his tools, it had been quiet recently, but honestly he needed to get back on track. The Angela Circuit had been admittedly pretty fun, being a Lucario for that time was kind of nice, it helped that Hacks didn't stick him under a jammer or force him to help steal stuff. The lack of hug happy conkeldurrs helped as well, very much so.

He tried to smile a bit when he saw two large bags of Denali Rock Candy, Denali had decided to play "helpful" and sent him some of the mystic candy so "His team could all try out human skin at the same time", he was fairly certain it hadn't intended to sound that bad. Ribbon and Hacks had gotten some use out of it, nobody else seemed to want to be human for a long period of time, Oliver preferred being a owl, and Snakeye said <It ain't my time> to the idea.

Silas was dusting off his coat when his computer bleeped and Bishop popped out, "Captain, we got another signal. We found another Delta Server."

Silas got up and marched over to the cockpit, "Send me the coordinates, we're clearing out another base."

The Oblivion Wing landed and Silas looked ahead, a old abandoned gas station stood before him, his team behind him, everyone pulling on improved masks, Silas hooked the Rebreather system in and pulled out his pDroid, switching its holographic view to AR, the lenses of the mask turned on and Silas had a sly grin.

"Won't lose my arm this time..." He muttered flexing his left.

"Okay guys, this is a Stealth mission, we're gonna get into their systems first and observe, make sure we can cover all bases, and risk not seriously injuring ourselves again."

~Wait what about Hazard?~ Hacks added, ~Isn't he involved in this?~

"Wasn't available at the moment, still, we're more than enough. Oliver, you're sticking with me and acting as lookout and defense, Hacks, better get to using that Aura sight and keeping us updated."

Hacks grinned a bit, ~Learning aren't we?~

Silas said nothing as the team marched forward, they had a base to clear, with a click of his pDroid and Bishop's work, they had access.

Peon Charlie was bored, sure the pay was great and he was essentially just looking out for intruders, but the thing was nobody was ever going to find them. Delta was probably just paranoid, the last two server farms burned down sure, but that could've been caused by negligent Grunts and there was no way that there had really been a Pokefutures base.

So here Charlie sat with 4 other Peons, currently out on patrol, his Rotom DJ floating beside him. "DJ do you ever think that maybe working for Delta is a bad idea?"

DJ shot Charlie a look, "No no I don't mean... Shit yeah the pay is great, he's a good boss and all but, look at us, we're bored out of our gourds here, he's a smart man and made sure everything was set up, there's no way there's gonna be a Intruder in here! He keeps mentioning some "Jackal", whatever the hell that is."

DJ pulled up a link about Lucarios with a scientific classification calling them a "Jackal". Charlie squinted, "Wack."

Still, he only had a few hours left then he'd clock out and someone else would come in to fill his-

The PA system buzzed, the security screens crackled, and soon all the views were on the 4 other grunts and their mons.

Sarah and her Charizard.

Seth and his Sceptile.

Amy and her Vanilluxe.

And finally, Robin and their Combuskin.

"The he-"

   "Found you,"    A voice droned out of the PA, Charlie stared at the screens in shock, someone was in here.    "I'm coming for you."   

Sarah turned around and all she could see was a large cobalt shape charging at her, shoulder first, glowing pinpricks for eyes, and a Swampert spitting a torrent of water right at her Charizard, she barely had time to react before she felt the impact and the wind was knocked out of her.

   "FIVE."   

Seth and his Sceptile stood back to back, they were safe so long as they kept watch, whatever was in here had to be human.

Seth felt something strike him and knocked him back about a foot, he could barely see straight as his Sceptile dived forward using razor leaf to attack whatever was at him, it ripped up some fabric of some sort only to get a flamethrower straight to the face, he tried his best but failed, and Seth soon slipped from consciousness.

   "FOUR."   

Amy swung her Baton around, "COME OUT INVISIBLE ENEMY! COME ON OUT!"

A large aura sphere struck her Vanilluxe and sent it flying into a wall, she panicked and swung her weapon around more, until she felt something behind her, she turned around and was faced with a bone white face and two glowing eyes staring at her, Amy passed out from the stress.

The intruder blinked, turned to his Lucario and shrugged. He clicked on his mask and announced his presence;    "THREE."   

Robin hated this job, they really hated this job, it paid good and all, but it was supposed to be quiet and no stress. Now they had someone in here picking them off one by one! This sucked, then again when you join a Poacher's organization, usually this stuff gets you in tro-

Robin felt a metal hand grip their mouth, and they panicked, only to see a Sylveon proceeding to use several Moonblasts on their Combusken. They screamed harder and harder as they were dragged off into the dark.

   "TWO."   

Charlie and DJ stared at everything that had just happened, someone had rushed in and within a few minutes taken out all of the guards, were they dead? Why wouldn't the damn terminal work!? DJ was trying hard to get into the security systems but something had already occupied it.

Out popped a Porygon-Z who smiled and then smugly said, "Ah ah ah, you haven't said the magic word!"

Charlie turned pale, and then he heard the voice again, not over the PA system, but behind him now.

   "ONE."   

DJ turned about and out of the shadows stepped the figure, the mask, the coat, the hat, this was what Delta had reported as the Jackal, he was here...

   "Death comes..."   

Charlie froze, and went limp, DJ flew straight into his Pokeball, <NOPE NOT DEALING WITH THIS TAUROS SHIT!>

Silas blinked, "Okay guys come on out. We got em all."

Tae and Hacks stepped out carrying the other 4, Amber followed with Snakeye dragging Bishop's PRB, <What inspired you to terrify them into submission?> Amber asked.

"I've been playing too much Overwatch recently, hence why I was quoting Reaper," Silas explained, even through his monotone it was clear he was a little embarrassed by that, "Still, no time like the present. Bishop, let's get copying and clearing."

Bishop nodded, "Of course Captain."

Hacks set down two of the Grunts and walked up to Silas's side, ~Really improving. Took less risks there.~

Silas nodded, "Still, got my coat torn up, thankfully my metal arm took the blow and the plating can be easily fixed."

~So, what's the plan for this place once we have everything?~

"Burn it, as always."

Delta stood watching over a very nervous bunch of Peons and Grunts, "So, the Jackal struck again?"

One of the technicians nodded slowly, clearly trying not to panic, "Y-Y-Yes s-s-s-sir! Came in and cleared out. No casualties, the Grunts were found alive by the road with a water jug..."

Delta sighed, "Don't panic, I'm not mad, just somewhat surprised. The Jackal, we haven't heard from him in a few months, he causes some trouble for our servers but that's the most he can do."

"W-We got another picture of him!"

On a monitor a picture of the Jackal appeared, Delta walked over and looked at it, whistling a bit, "Uniform is the same but the under outfit and the mask have been clearly upgraded, look at that tubing, probably anticipating gas of some sort. Not bad Jackal, not bad."

He took notice of the left arm visible through the tattered coat sleeve, "Oh... Seems you've upgraded to Arctic Jackal then. Heh, good."

Delta grinned (though with his helmet nobody saw it) widely at the picture, "Seems he's gonna be interesting, maybe I should treat him more seriously."

Edited by EchoingSilence on Oct 24th 2018 at 3:08:46 AM

Brie's House

-dead silence-

-...-

-...-

-...-

-Brie pokes her dad in the side, and he bursts out laughing, sending the other two Madrigals into hysterics-

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

-Fact: Kai has five leagues and fifty badges under their belt, and is an official Frontier Brain. They have plenty of achievements to be prideful about.-

-And yet.-

-The reaction to this awful, awful pun.-

-Is their absolute proudest moment.-

-They're just sorta stuck there with a huge grin plastered on their face.-

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Oct 24th 2018 at 9:09:29 AM

Brie's House

-the laughter subsides, and dinner presumably goes reasonably well after that-

Ms. Madrigal: (to Kai) Are you staying for the night, dear?

Mr. Madrigal: We don't ask Brie this, because we assume that after she's come all this way she will at least sleep over.

-Brie makes a mumbly noise-

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

-Kai suddenly grows somewhat bashful-

Kai: Oh, well, um, if you're willing to make accommodations, I'd be happy to! But, don't feel like you need to or anything, really.

-They rub their neck awkwardly-

Brie's House—Past

Ms. Madrigal: Don't be silly. We've got a guest bed, it's no problem.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Kai: Right, okay. I'd be glad to stay, then. ^_^

-After presumably saying goodbyes to Brie's parents, Kai is most likely somewhere else in the city with her.-

Kai: ...So, uh. Sorry about that, y'know, slip-up about your job.

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Oct 24th 2018 at 10:24:00 AM

Kanto Route 11

-Is currently hopping across floating giant Jumpluff above the field-

Benkei: <Why are they so big?>

No idea, I'm just gonna keep hopping.

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

Celadon—now??

Brie: Eh, don't worry about. I should have said something.

But...yeah. They don't know. I don't want them to worry.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Kai: Yeah, I... kinda realized that the moment I said it. I know how you don't want other people to worry about you and all, so it makes sense that you'd keep that a secret from your family. Or, really, anyone not directly involved in the J-Team.

Celadon—We're calling it now

Brie: I didn't want anyone to know. But Amanita and Ever figured it out, they told Every and then I couldn't just keep it from you, and you know, a secret known by 5 isn't much of a secret.

-she sighs-

But my parents can't know. Maybe, maybe I can tell them once all this is fixed and I'm needed like once or twice a year, but until then? You don't tell your parents until after you go bungee jumping, and this is the same.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Kai: Right... Okay, then, I'll keep that in mind, from here on out. I won't mention, or even hint at it to anyone else. Especially them.

-They give her a concerned look-

Kai: ...You know I'd be glad to help in whatever way I can. I know how rough the trip to that Pokefutures universe was for you, even with the other Memitos with you.

Mobius Base, Kalos

-Elizabeth wipes beads of sweat off her forehead.-

Elizabeth: "Everyone good?"

Lyra: *cocking her shotgun to let it cool while a chainsaw construct dissipates* <Pechaey.>

Nagandel: Hungry, so the usual.

"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"

Celadon

Brie: Right. Thank you.

-she's silent for a little while-

It's really starting to wear on me.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Kai: I could sorta tell.

-They clasp her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze-

Celadon

Brie: I just...I don't know how much longer I can keep up this kind of pace. We need to fix this. We can't just keep papering over holes, that's how we let through things like Zemmalise, whom I still haven't found, or we get people being taken to worlds they don't belong and stuck there, and—

-she cuts off, her voice having risen in pitch about an octave-

...Sorry. I don't want to bring down the mood, not right after you've met my parents.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Kai: Hey, I brought it up, if anyone's bringing down the mood, it's me.

-They give another gentle hand squeeze-

Kai: And I promise, I'm willing to listen to you any time when things get stressful. Like this.

Celadon—Well it's last night now

Brie: Right. Okay. Yeah. Thanks.

-evidently deciding there's not much more she can say on the matter, she just quietly leans into Kai-

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Lumiose Mobius Base

After dealing with a few more grunts and their ‘mons, Jamie, Sierra and Pandora descended from the walkway to meet up with Gail, who was looking for anyone that was on her side to explain was going on.

She looks like a poor, lost puppy, confused, scared and ready to turn tail. Someone help her.

Stormchaser

“I don’t get it,” Roy started, looking at Colton lugging in a fair amount of fabric, used clothes, props and accessories in about a half dozen bags. Some carried with illusory hands, a couple carried with his own strength. “Why can’t you just illusion up your own costume? It’d be easier, and you’d have more variety.”

“I told you, Roy,” Colton explained. “If I just pretend I actually worked on a costume, I won’t feel any accomplishment. I’m already cutting a few corners with what I got in here, and I’m willing and able to pick up the rest of the slack.”

“You’re not going to do it all on your own, right?” Roy asked.

“Nope,” Colton explained, kicking open the door to his pad. “If you want your costume, you’re going to help me work for it. You guys got that?!” He hollered into his pocket.

Rei, Amaterasu, Sunny, Lucario, and Sylveon all materialized in reaction, ready to help.

Some Time Later...

“Oh,” Lucario breathed, holding the phone while human so he could operate things better. “You wouldn’t be able to illusion a costume up anyway. Invite says illusions get dispelled.”

“You can do that?”

Edited by AbsentCoder on Oct 25th 2018 at 9:08:06 AM

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Ecruteak city hotel, earlier

Ampere: <Thanks for being so nice to me.>

Eva: Oh it's nothing.

Lila: We need to go now. If we wait much longer, we'll miss the train, then the boat to PEFE island. We don't want to miss the Halloween party.

Ampere: <Oh. I guess I'll have to go back to the wild... This was fun at least.>

Eva: Who says the fun can't carry on? I promised to look after you until your ankle is better. I'm not one to break promises.

-she pulls out a pokeball-

Eva: I picked up one from the store yesterday.

-Ampere gasps-

Ampere: <Really? I'm not too small?>

Eva: Who ever told you that?

Ampere: <Everyone.>

Eva: Well, it's not like I'm not a bit on the short side too. So, what do you say? Wanna make this official?

-Ampere happily headbutts the pokeball-

gotcha! ampere was caught!

Eva: Yes!

Lila: Come on, or we'll miss the train!

Eva: Ok, coming!

-they leave the room-

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

Unovan Museum of Natural History Administrative Offices, Castelia City

A middle-aged man has put on a rather modest set of accurate early 15th Century plate and mail armor◊ while assisted by a young woman. A honedge floats, leering judgmentally over the crafted ensemble.

Stephanie: Dad, is that... actual iron you used?

Professor Hawthorn: But of course! Period steel, blazed into blue for extra hardness. Had to rely on modern methods but the material is authentic. The folks down at Anthropology were more than happy to oblige for absolute accuracy.

Sir Guiscard: <Well, I told you. I wanted the other one.>

Professor Hawthorn: Well, you explicitly told me than you never wore that armor in your entire period of knightly service. We're already stretching it by going with the fancy version of your actual armor, which the historians (and you) said was usually reserved for dress occasions. And I'm pretty sure you only wore this a few times back in the day. Besides, this looks rather fetching as it is.

Sir Guiscard: <Look, even in the 15th Century, budgeting was a thing. I mean, not to disseth my old knightly ensemble, but I desire to be remembered as a trendsetter. I want to be the cool knight for once.>

Professor Hawthorn: Gramps, please, you're already cool. Don't push it.

Stephanie: I mean, between fighting alongside the legendary undying knight and helping him save all of Kalos from supernatural bad guys, I'm pretty certain that looking like the cool knights ought to be the last thing on your mind.

Sir Guiscard: <You know what, squire, you are right. Wise beyond words, our fair Stephanie. She obviously inherited that from my side of the family.>

Sir Guiscard floated around Professor Hawthorn (or Conroy, as he fondly called him). The platinum blond older gentleman resembled him greatly, almost as if he was looking at an image of himself back in the day.

Back when he was human.

Sir Guiscard: <I've to admit, you cut a striking likeness of me, Conroy. It feels surreal.>

Professor Hawthorn: Thanks, I guess. We'd seriously win that chocolate spaceship for sure.

Sir Guiscard: <I fail to see the appeal of heathen beans shaped into a craft that flies beyond the skies, undoubtedly with the aid of DEVILS.>

Stephanie: But multiple great grandpa Guiscard, didn't you like chocolate?

Sir Guiscard: <When it was shaped as food.>

Stephanie: And we've been through this. You know how rockets work. Where are you getting this "devil" stuff, anyway?

Professor Hawthorn: It's what he calls porygons.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Jul 12th 2022 at 6:39:23 PM

-Kai gently hugs Brie, quiet for a moment.-

Kai: ...Hey. I'm glad I got to meet your family. They're pretty great.

Hawthorn Household, Castelia City

A charizard lounges in the roof deck of a brownstone rowhouse in the outskirts of Castelia City, wearing what appears to be a collared shirt, necktie, sweater vest, and corduroy pants. He also appears to be smoking while staring at the rising full moon.

A kabuto crawls up to the Dapper charizard.

Robbie: <Professor, Stephanie would like to talk to you.>

Charizard!Professor Hawthorn: <Let her up.>

Stephanie: Oh, dad, is it that time of the month?

Charizard!Professor Hawthorn: <Right on cue.>

Stephanie: This lycanthrophy thing takes some getting used to.

Charizard!Professor Hawthorn: <I never really understood how this happened, but it was definitely something that I've associated with the Pokefutures Company. Honestly, I'm glad they're dead and buried. Couldn't even get lycanthropy right, those imbeciles.

Stephanie: I know you like staying up here and be all pensive and stuff, but I'd just like to come here and apologize for being embarrassed of you all these years. Had you and mom told me...

Charizard!Professor Hawthorn: <You would think we were liars.>

Stephanie: Yeah, that's totally accurate. Also, dad. Who does your suits?

Charizard!Professor Hawthorn: Some funny man from this store I walked into; also gave me a copy of this novel your mother really liked. After I got these suits, I never had to worry about explaining that I was a nudist ever again.

Stephanie: Now they think you're a furry.

Charizard!Professor Hawthorn: <Is that not less embarrassing?>

Edited by MasterJayAM on Oct 26th 2018 at 5:52:04 PM

Celadon, then

Brie: Aren't they? ^_^

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Silas wheeled his chair about from Printer to Printer as he looked over the parts for his various projects, several large books about the Auric Spectrum sat on one of his desks as he wheeled over to a print. Everything was clear, he wheeled back over to another desk with pieces of his costume sitting on it, he had called Zeke recently and talked about "entrances", Zeke of course was all for it.

Hacks sat down looking over the parts for his costume, then to the scarf and rock candy, ~Well, I'm good to go. How about you?~

"Just about, costume is a bit complicated, just getting stuff made for other reasons."

Roxy walked in, carrying her gear and walking over to a printer which was slowly making a piece for her costume. Silas still found it weird that Ribbon had opted for human form, there had to be some reason, "Hey Ri- Roxane?"

Roxy looked over, "Hm?"

"Explain to me, why the interest in human form?"

Roxy smiled, "Tell me, why the interest in your pokeform?"

"I-I don't-"

"It's a unique experience, I'm on two legs with 10 digits, arms and t h u m b s as well, I like the different experience it brings. Nothing too major."

Silas wheeled back over to a project just listed as "Arrowhead" on the console, "Hm. Okay, guess I get that... Somewhat, though which do you prefer?"

Roxy gave it some thought, "I mean, human form is pretty neat and all, but I like being a fairy fox as well, I guess I just have to give it some thought. Though are human legs supposed to be this long?"

"You're shorter than me."

"Not by much Mr. Five-Foot-Eleven! Just barely a inch shorter, seriously are human legs normally like this?"

"Don't ask me."

Roxy muttered a bit as Silas let out a small smirk, "Still, ready for the party?"

"Hell ya, Bishop is ready as well!"

Bishop popped out, "I've been adjusting my speech settings to get it just right, "And there's a fresh one if you mouth off again!"

Silas smiled a bit, it felt nice to have company dressing up with him, even if it was just his team.