Hotel adjacent to the Haina desert

Cortez: <Your eyes locked? You blushed?>

Cortez burst into an even bigger laughter than Armando’s at the café. So much so that he accidently let some spores loose.

Armando: <No! Be careful where you throw those spores! Do I even look capable of blushing?!>

Cortez: <You’re in love! That’s why you were so nice!>

Armando’s flame flared.

Cortez: <See? You’ve given it away! Ha ha! You’re in love! Let’s go, Mischief, so we can give the happy couple some time to themselves!>

Armando thought desperately for a rebuttal. He couldn’t be in love, it didn’t make sense. The spores made it difficult, but he managed a reply.

Armando: <She must have lied! She must have used attract anyways!>

Cortez: <Hey Maverick! When Ophidia attracts you, do you remember anything?>

Silversmith: “Well, that would make sense. You’ve never made me coffee before...”

Armando: <I didn’t know you liked coffee!>

Silversmith: “I don’t. But this is the nicest you’ve been to anyone like, ever. *sneeze* Cortez, get it together.”

Cortez was still laughing.

Reversal Mountain

-The group gets to an oddly wide open area-

-There are a few Rabbids milling about within, but more seem to be sitting in seats on the sidlines like an audience-

Reina: ...I smell a trap.

Contact Me!

Haina Hotel

Mischief was laughing even harder than Cortez. The little Zorua's sides hurt, she was laughing so hard. Ophidia went even redder.

Maverick answered the question with a dumbfounded look.

Maverick: <She used Attract on me?! Why you sneaky little serpent! Admittedly clever to outsmart me, but->

Mischief: <But it doesn't take much to do that!> -laughs even harder- <Oh Arceus my sides hurt!>

Ophidia grabbed Cortez and Mischief with her vines.

Ophidia: <Sssssstop laughing at him! It'ssssssss not funny!> -covers her mouth as she manages to blush more-

Heheheh

Hotel adjacent to Haina desert

Cortez glanced at the vines snaring him, then at Ophidia.

Cortez: <Good luck with that, fellow grass type. See, Armando? You didn't mention anything about a lapse of memory! Don't make it up now! Your in love! And with her!>

Cortez broke down once more.

Silversmith: "He's got a point. That's not... normal, is it?"

Armando: <No, it's not normal! And it's not true! It can't be!>

Silversmith: "Shadow, do you know any psychologists?"

Armando: <I don't need a...>

He gave up and exited like he did before, through the wall.

Outside hotel adjacent to Haina desert

Armando: Can it be? ...NO. The spores, their messing my head up. Yes, that's definitely it. ...Last time I thought that, I was wrong... But it doesn't make sense! Why the hell would I—

Hotel adjacent to Haina desert

Cortez, shouting: <Couldn't face the facts, eh? You and Jackson should have coffee and talk about running away strategies!>

Silversmith: "Even my vacations have been cursed. Will I ever return to normalcy?"

Cortez: <Normalcy sucked! This is fun!>

Silversmith: "...I should probably go look for Armando. I'll be outside."

Silversmith left by the door.

Cortez: <Hey Mischief! Let's play matchmaker! I'll go get... a candle!>

He chuckled at his own joke, but then looked expectantly for Mischief's reply.

Haina Hotel

Ophidia gave up on restraining the two and retracted her vines. When Cortez made his quip, Mischief giggled.

Mischief: <Maybe they can - heehee - have a romantic candlelit dinner!> -continues her giggling-

Ophidia: <... It'ssssss not funny...>

The Snivy was upset. Everything that could go wrong has already gone wrong. Things that shouldn't have been able to go wrong went wrong. She was unaffected by Cortez's spores, so she wasn't made drowsy. Actually, she didn't really notice them. However, Mischief and Maverick were both affected by the spores, and both slowly collapsed into unconsciousness, Mischief still having a giggle fit.

Heheheh

Outside hotel adjacent to Haina desert

Silversmith found Armando floating at the base of the building.

Silversmith: "...So, uh, what's wrong?"

Armando: <...Nothing.>

Silversmith: "So you just left for no reason?"

Armando: <... The spores. Didn't want to fall asleep.>

Silversmith: "Ah. ...Is that it?"

Armando: <...Damn it! I have no idea how to react to this! How to process it! What is the nature of love? Joy? Happiness?>

Silversmith: "... I don't know."

Armando: <How can I justify feeling good? I suck!>

Silversmith: "Why?"

Armando: <To even continue existing I must feed off others! Like you!>

Silversmith: "...I don't feel depleted."

Armando: <So? It's the principle of the thing!>

Silversmith: "I don't follow. What does this have to do with what happened in the hotel room?"

Armando: <How can I justify positive emotions as a life sucking ghost?!>

Silversmith: "..."

Armando: <...>

Silversmith: "Perhaps because you aknowledge it and restrain yourself?"

Armando: <...>

Silversmith: "...Alright, then. Shadow will be wondering what's up. Let's return. ...But really? A snivy?"

Armando: <Shut up!>

They bickered all the way up the stairs.

Hotel adjacent to Haina desert

Cortez, now laughing alone, started to calm down.

Cortez: <...Oops. Grass types for the win, eh?>

He went for an appendage bump with Ophidia, but realized it was awkward and backed off.

Cortez: <...Why the long face? Love is a happy occasion, no?>

Edited by arishipshape on Apr 6th 2019 at 5:58:53 AM

Reversal Mountain

"... Um. Yeah, it looks like they're watching for .. something."

Somewhere, Probably the Stormchaser

Rowan: <Hey, didn't you say you were going to get a haircut?>

Daydre, with a chunk of hair that's noticeably shorter than the rest: "Eh... I can do it later..."

Rowan: <Daydre it's been like a whole week since you first said you wanted to.>

"..."

Around Two Hours Later, Back in the Stormchaser

Daydre now has shorter hair. Hooray?

off the shits

Haina Hotel

Ophidia turned away and just stared at the window. Not out the window, at it.

Ophidia: <I jussst... Thissss issss hard. Neither of usss knowssss how to deal with love, actual love. Yesss, I know Attract, but I don't know how true love workss. My resssearch, my ssstudiesss have been absssolutely ussselesssssssssss in ssssuch an endeavor. I can underssssssstand the underpinningsssss of reality, grassp the way our deitiesss function, but love iss beyond anything I can underssstand. And Armando... Jusssdt looking at him, you don't need to be a Lucario to sssee hisssss sssself-hate. Neither one of usss isss ussded to feeling thissss way, and neither sssscience nor the sssssupernatural have managed to reveal how love functionsss. The ssscientisst in me would sssay it hassss to do with pheromonesssss and hormonessss, but Armando hasss neither and I find myssself drawn to him...> -looks at Cortez- <Ssssorry for rambling... And for the hissssssssing. I do that if I don't watch it...>

Heheheh

Jubilife City, Past

Milagros: Come on, let’s go.

Blitz: <Wait, I think we could stay for a little whi->

Out of nowhere, a masked person would put a familiarly smelling mask around Milagros’s face, causing the latter to fall asleep.

???

Milagros would get up. It seemed that he was still in Jubilife, but his house was now what looked like a giant casino.

Milagros: <Guys?>

He realised he turned into a Pancham again. Somehow. He wasn’t wearing any transformation items.

Milagros: <Wh-> ere a-<m I?> Oh, r-<ight. This is a-> dream. I hope.

He would flicker in and out of mon form. Out of nowhere, a large Weavile covered in a grey mist grabbed Milagros (who was now in human form) and dragged him into the casino.

Edited by Routeferret on Apr 6th 2019 at 11:30:01 AM

i think i’m in love (probably just hungry)

Castle Lycanrow, Security Office - Day 2

-Alice takes in the contents of the security office before quietly dropping down inside.-

Alice: One guard, one Futurebot... hopefully I can disable both without alerting either.

-She slinks forward, taking one of the broken bars from the busted grate and pressing the cold, cylindrical metal object against the side of the guard's head.-

Alice: Listen very carefully. When I give you a nudge, you're going to walk over to your guard dog and shut it down. After that, you're going to head back to the console, open every door and kill every camera you can, then forget any of this ever happened. Do anything else and your brains end up covering the wall. Understood?

Cerulean City

-Somewhere in the secluded, leafy areas to the north of the city, a scrawny, dark-haired young man is stood with his eyes closed.-

Lucius: Alright... one more try...

-He holds out his opal arm, and a purplish, swirling imitation of a Pokeball forms in his palm. He tosses it into the air, eyes still shut, and tries to catch it with the shadowy claw surrounding his hand - only for the illusory Pokeball to dissipate just as he begins his swing.-

Lucius: Dammit! I... urgh, okay, next time I'll get it, I swear.

-This process repeats itself.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Apr 6th 2019 at 12:47:56 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.

Halsei walks up behind Lucius, looking at his unusual technique with curiousity.

Halsei: <So... what are you trying to accomplish? I don't mean to be rude, but... I don't get it, honestly.>

They seem confused by this.

Cerulean City

-Lucius turns to face Halsei, letting his Obscuric conjurations fizzle out with almost palpable release.-

Lucius: Well, it's training, like you suggested. I'm trying to practice keeping multiple constructs stable at the same time whilst also maintaining my coordination and situational awareness. It's... I'll admit it's not been as successful as I would've liked.

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.

The guard nodded, and slowly did as he was told, continuously looking back at Alice, worried. The Futuretei received the wireless command, and shut down.

The guard killed the security feed, and sent any guard patrols to a different side of the prison, "A-Anything else you need?" he asked, worried.

The door was locked tight, there were many ways to break it open though.

Halsei: <Ohh... well, I wouldn't know how to help with that. Did you really not believe me about all the stuff I did a few days ago, though? It was pretty real to me.>

They're thinking and mulling over recent events.

Lycanrow Labs

-Nightingale takes a glance at the door and tries to fire a much smaller sunbeam at it while rummaging through any documents or prototypes left laying around-

Reversal Mountain

No, it can't be...

Somewhere in Unova

Copper Aron: <I will index that information when available.>

Daev: Please don't attack me.

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Hotel adjacent to Haina desert

Cortez: <...What? Self hate? Inner workings of the... WHAT?>

Armando and Silversmith re-entered the room.

Silversmith: "You could just never speak of this again. That's what I do."

Armando: <And how's that working out for you?>

Silversmith: <How's what working?>

Armando: <...Guess we'd better have this matter settled today. Ophidia, we have much to—>

Silversmith: "I've got a better idea. When me and my father had something serious to discuss, we would often do it while fishing. I hear the Alolan coast is gorgeous, and fishing is famous for helping deep thought and conversation. Why don't we get some food, rent some fishing poles and finish this while gazing at the ocean?"

Armando: <...A change of scenery would be nice.>

Silversmith: "It's settled. Shadow, what do you want to do with Mischief and Maverick?"

Castle Lycanrow, Security Room - Day 2

Alice: Not that I can think of. Thank you for your cooperation.

-She attempts to knock the guard out with a quick blow to the back of the head, before darting for the exit.-

Cerulean City

-Lucius raises an eyebrow at Halsei.-

Lucius: What, the stuff about hanging out with characters from a gacha game I piddle around with occasionally? I know we tend to find ourselves in all sorts of weird and improbable situations, kid, but... well, judging from past experience, I reckon it's more likely you were just daydreaming or disassociating or something like that.

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.

Halsei: <Well... even if it wasn't real, it was fun, honestly. Maybe next time it happens I'll bring you with me and we'll meet them together, then you'll have to believe me. Or maybe I'll be able to use that bow again, then I wouldn't even have to bring you to them...>

They're blatantly daydreaming by this point, having lost focus on what's happening around them.

Cerulean City

-Lucius notices Halsei drift off into daydreaming, and snaps his fingers in front of their face in an effort to get their attention.-

Lucius: Case in point, kid. I'm more than happy to tag along on your adventures and let you delve into fantasy on your own time, but in the here and now I need you to focus. I figure we both wanna get our gym challenge back on track, right?

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.

Castle Lycanrow supply closet

Murphy: Good show, Ms. Gaia. Now, I'll be dictating a path as best I could. Let me know if there are any guards along the way.

Elsewhere in the castle

Taipan, rummaging through documents: Think we have time to disassemble the computers and take all their hard drives?

Castelia City

An anthropomorphic Muk is casually giving Team Plasma remnant grunts atomic wedgies and stapling them into a nearby wall.

Plasma Grunt 1: Oh God, it's horrible!

Plasma Grunt A: I know, right. Dude, you totally shouldn't have had that burrito for lunch.

Muk person: I didn't think I'd get tired of giving suitcase wedgies to Team Plasma but I surprise even myself. Okay folks. If you let me know where Ghetsis is hiding this time, I'll staple you to the walls on your sleeves.

Plasma Grunt @: Never!

Muk person: Wedgie on the wall it is, then.

Halsei is snapped back to reality, their daydreaming having been turned to dust by the onset of sudden noise.

Halsei: <O-oh, uh... yes, that's correct. Do we have any TMs to help with my lack of range, maybe? That was a fairly big issue during the fight from before, and I'd rather not run into that problem again, even if it's something minor.>

Edited by MetamorphicHalis on Apr 6th 2019 at 8:53:39 AM

The door was clear, and below Alice appeared to be a gondola system leading to the waterway. If she recalled the Wing was parked fairly close to the Waterway, hence how Jackal got in. There was one boat left, and a few Pokefutures guards.

"And so I take this girl out. It's going well, great time."

"Yeah? What happened next?"

"Well she starts talking about the stars and all that."

"Uh huh."

"And then it goes from romantic to terrifying very quick."

"How?"

"She started talking about the coldness of the universe, the inevitability of death, and how we're most likely alone."

"Duuude."

"Are you two yapping again?"

"Yeah?"

"Why?"

"Come on focus up, we got one prisoner sure but she completely subverted our electric systems and had the ultimate act going on. She got Tonio to like her. Tonio!"

The guards shut up and got back to patrolling, Alice would also notice a supply closet/locker nearby as well. It seemed too easy.

The Pen appears in Nightingale's vision and begins directing the sunbeam at the lock, -Go for the easy answers.-

The door cracks open, revealing blue tanks with endoskeleton like robots following specific pokemon shapes, as well as what looked to be a purple human husk, with a withered pokemon husk next to it, also slightly purpleish. Judging from their looks these two were centuries old, long dead.

What was this lab doing down here?

The answer came in the documents Taipain had, they read of the discovery as well as the odd ooze mentioned in the lecture, and the Hyul artifacts.

Whatever was happening was not good.

Haina Hotel

Ophidia was a bit miffed that Cortez failed to understand her, but not surprised by it in the slightest.

Ophidia: -somewhat exasssperated- <... Of all the people I could've vented at, I vent at the one who can't underssstand what I'm ssssssaying. Becausssse of courssse I do. That wassss sssuch a wassste of wordsss...> -in response to the sssuggestion- <Fishing? Sssounds niccce and calming.>

Shadow: Those two can sleep off the effects of the spores. Mischief can stay in my backpack. It can hold everything else, so what's an unconscious little Zorua going to do to affect the space? Maverick can stay here. I've got other battlers now.

Heheheh

Castle Lycanrow

Taipan, browsing the pilfered documents: I don't like what I'm reading. Not at all.

She couldn't stop reading, even though by now everything was starting to come together.

Taipan: Can anyone carbon-date? How old are these mummies?

Prost

-As the Palace shifts and I go back to helping move the Treasure out-

Yeah let's get out of here.

Reversal Mountain

Ann: -Annoyed- Let's just get this over with...

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.