Chateau Cipher, Boss Battle

-Rakash just looks a little bit pissed off at this development and obvious fight-

So what part of 'we're leaving for now, come along' did you not get?

-He summons Gulduar and flips open the book-

Okay who do we have here...

Correct Lumiose, Warehouse

Mysterious Figure: Turning to violence so soon? But we've only just met. Besides, isn't that a poor way to treat a connection like ours?

-A laugh echos through the room, too discordant to pinpoint the source-

Mysterious Figure: Don't bother trying to come in, he set up the ward properly.

Wrong Lumiose, Streets+Boat

Monopeko: I told the master that the logic-whatever-things would do just fine but no she had to go and mess with the pokeballs...

-There's two people standing on the deck of the boat. Well, one of them is definitely a person and the other is more like an uncanny figure in a black bird-themed sentai outfit-

Nightingale?: 止める

-The supposed Aurabolt's costume lights up with curves and accents of bright red as it jumps into the fray. The one who's more like a person steps over to a lantern revealing that they seem pretty much human with bleach-white-with-a-single-blonde-streak hair, pointed ears, the clothing of an old naval admiral, an umbrella over one shoulder and of course their eyes are rimmed with a faint ring of frost-

Mage?: Hmph, eager. Very well, I'll help destroy this filth.

-A chill fog fills the arena... And something is pounding against the wood of the ship's hull from the inside, causing it to warp and bend. Oh also almost perfectly timed to the first swing the weird Nightingale takes at a person, everyone's phones in Wrong Lumiose get an alert for a new text message-

Halis: "Connection like ours? I don't even know your name, and you don't know mine... what bond could be there be between two strangers, and likewise, what's so special about the ward?"

They dash over and try to cut through said ward with their blade, even if it might not work.

Chateau d'Avarice

-The Solarbeam cuts through the darkness, illuminating the room for just a moment. In the light, it becomes clear that:

• The paint smell is not from the walls. It is entirely centered on a point where it looks like the canister exploded, leaving a burst of bright red on the floor and on one side of the creature.

• The light is enough to make it possible to identify the creature — a massive, brutish Salazzle, covered in what might be needles or protofeathers. However, it also reminds Rakash of a different beast in his compendium:

New Moon's Beast

A ravenous monster from a desert town, said to hunt on the darkest of nights, where it cannot be seen. It was the creature that brought the downfall of the Spirit Hunters. Its true identity is unknown, but is commonly assumed to be some variety of reptilian creature

-The New Moon's Beast roars in pain as it's struck by the attacks, and decides to turn its attention to bringing down the source of the light, attacking Solaire with a Throat Chop.-

Solaire recoiled from the hit and Jackal wheezed a bit, as if his airway had been suddenly blocked, he rubbed his neck and looked up at the monster, Solaire turning his attention as well. For as best as he could, Jackal looked, well, angry.

"Oohohohohohoho! Getting pissed! Not bad, not bad. Still gotta work on expressing yourself though. Perhaps some one liners."

Solaire drew his shortsword and spat a jet of flame onto it, the blade now alight, Jackal and Solaire spoke at the same time, "Burn."

Solaire thrust the sword right at the beast.

<So, there's a system that lets people and uh... pokemon find each other?> Dimitri asked, following Byleth, Silas, and Hacks.

~Yes, it's a website that mons who are looking for new trainers or jobs, or trainers looking for additions to their team can meet up. It's relatively new, almost a year old,~ Hacks explained.

<Don't trainers have to go and find these... mons and catch them?> Byleth asked.

"Well, usually. However for people like me who are less professional trainer and more explorer, we build our teams through networking. It's how I met Wayne, though Oliver I did catch," Silas added.

Byleth tapped his chin in thought, thinking back to the Noivern and the Decidueye, <Such a strange world.>

<You two still haven't explained how you or your friend knows of our names and what we're like,> Dimitri said rather frustrated.

"That's... a long story and could potentially affect you very... negatively..." Silas responded, he was trying his best to find the best way to break it to them.

~You two are recognized characters from a series of video games here in our world.~

The travelling party stopped, a record scratch could be heard, Silas stared at Hacks, who just didn't care.

<We're... what?>

~Well clearly not fictional, but multiversal rules and all that, here though you two are from a popular series of stories. And how fitting that Dimitri becomes a literally blue Lion.~

"Hacks you can't just do that."

~I don't care, the sooner we broke it to them, the less hurtful overall.~

Dimitri looked rather shaken, and then angry, Blyeth looked like Blyeth, <So what am I then?>

"You're a Pawniard, a type of beetle genus family mon. Though not bug type."

<Interesting.>

<How are you taking this so well?>

<Considering what I have to live with already, and the feeling that something has been off since I first awoke on the fateful morning I met you, Claude, and Edelgard, little surprises me. Look at this like this, we have new forms to explore, a new world to see, and we happen to have someone who seems relatively smart enough to explain it to us.>

Dimitri grunted, <Still can't taste anything, thought that would've changed at least.>

"Wait relatively smart?"

~Still, we're here to pick up a new team member. I question why cause Silas has so many on hand anyways but enh.~

"The stuff we face is crazy, doesn't hurt to have backup."

Byleth nodded, <Reinforcements, a tactically wise choice. I happen to be a good tactician and strategist myself, so if you ever need assistance.>

"Remind me to introduce you to RT war gaming."

<And the stories that concern my existence.>

Silas blanched a little, spoilers abound there.

The travelling party finally reached their destination, and saw a Golispod relaxing on a beach, a Talonflame feather hanging out of his mouth, sleeping, there were dark circles under his eyes and slight dents along his shell.

~You sure about this?~

"Hey, been needing to get a bug mon on the team and Blackquil responded, bonus, I'm now going to be able to protect my shit, from criminals."

Hacks stared at Silas for the dumb comment, who ignored him and walked along.

<Also been meaning to ask, why is his hand made of Silver?> Byleth asked Hacks.

Silas approached Blackquil and spoke up, "Wake the fuck up Samurai. We've got a city to burn."

Blackquil opened a single eye, stared at Silas, and grinned.

Stormchaser

Odin: ...Demon?

Cafe That Totally Exists

Locke: ...So what you're saying is I should look for trouble.

-Emi raises an eyebrow-

Viridian

Robin: Wait, what?

-he runs off-

-Gaius follows-

Mementos

-Now Sylph is down-

-Gnome angrily goes for a Bulldoze-

-Salamander goes for a Fire Blast-

-Parcellus launches multiple Focus Blasts-

Oceanview Restaurant, Mandarin Island Marine Park, Past

Galen: Well, I understand if someone swept you off your feet before I did. Galen Patrick Albright, by the way. Aspiring filmmaker and senior intern at Contact Communications.

Shutter: Give it a rest.

Galen: Is it my fault that all the most eligible people are taken?

Shutter: Arceus, you're worse than that guy from Pewter City.

Galen: Anyway, the guys at Contact are assigning me to this project on the J-Team. I'll be off to Kanto in a few weeks.

Shutter: Been there done that. I take it that it beats being Tanten Lyore's errand boy.

Reynard: And as a J-Teamer, I'd have joined you if someone didn't decide to ground me.

Ritchie: I resemble that remark.

A middle aged mustachioed [Eurasian] man and an [East Asian] woman of about the same age arrive.

Shutter: So nice of you to join us, Richard.

Ritchie: Good evening. My name is Ritchie Albright. And this is my wife Rachel.

Rachel: We're the engineers overseeing the dismantling of any villain team superweapon team assets for the Orange Islands.

Ritchie: You two have met my sons and father. Weare pleased to meet you,miss. <to Ryan> I already know who you are. Love your cover of Bohemian Rhapsody.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Oct 31st 2019 at 2:45:11 AM

-Megan gasps at the familiar hero-

Poison Ivy!Abilene: Someone you recognize?

Korra!Megan: -badly- Nope!

-and she dashes off-

Zatanna!Pippy: -seeing the Mage(?)- <Oh shoot, more magic—>

-lighting up- <...wait, I remember how she casts spells!>

Zatanna!Pippy: -out loud, pointing- Aes eht fo eman eht ni, pihs siht knis!

-and something, in a flash, attempts to rend the wood of the ship in twain-

Walnut!Castanea: -sigh- <I shouldn't have gotten out of bed today.>

-and he slams his arms together, blocking an assault from Nightingale on his trainer (perhaps?) and using the incredible power of a walnut to have a pretty hard shell to shell the deck from a distance-

-everyone's phones go off, in the middle of the battle-

Poison Ivy!Abilene: Hrm.

-she puts her text-to-speech on speaker-

Logan: -palms flat on the table- I watch people. They came to my house.

-crossing arms- The J-Team is trouble. And you shouldn't trouble trouble unless trouble troubles you.

-leaning back- And this is obviously troubling you, so. Seek. Find.

-sip, smile- Befriend.

-grin- It's not something I can really recommend often, but, again—if you're here, with us—then you can hold your own. Bonds formed in danger can be tight. And if you're doing good besides?

-grin widens- Wins all around.

-...-

Unless you die. But again, you're here, trying to get involved with the J-Team, so I doubt I can dissuade you from that risk in any case.

-...-

Megan: -staring after them- ...should we just. Leave them to it? I don't really wa—oh you're already going.

-and she follows her Ribombee (and this random Cubone?) as they go spy on a deeply personal conversation-

Vs. Fuka

Goosey's Embargo hits, but it doesn't have much of an effect. There is nothing on Sparker's legs. Behind him, where we once stood was an Arcanine, was an armband on the ground, though.

Sparkers inhaled, puffing up his chest as tongues of flame edge out of his mouth. He exhaled and fired a close range Fire Blast at Goosey.

Stormchaser

"Oh yes. Once I figured out I had innate Obscuric talent I contracted this demon here to serve me."

Griffon wriggled and got his beak free.

Griffon: "Yeah the dude's off his rocker. Whenever he calls something a 'demon' just substitute it for 'Pokemon'.

Lumiosen't

Dante!Des looked up and saw Nightingale.

Des: "Hey good lookin'! Nice to see your shadowy form again."

Lita just rolled her eyes as she wiped her katana in her sleeve and slid it into her scabbard.

Lita: "Dad, I don't that's the Nightingale we know."

Des: "Maybe the one from the TV show?"

Both DMC cosplayers charged at the Nightingale imposter, swinging their swords in an X pattern.

Give Me Toes

The Focus Blast just passes through P!Arthur but the incoming fire attack brings the ghost knight to his knees.

"Don't you dare give up."

Des leapt and landed on P!Arthur's shoulder. He gave the knight a nod as he stoff back up to full height, sword covered in obscura.

"Eternal Blaaaade!"

The Knight swung at Parcelus again!

Edited by PhilosopherStones on Oct 30th 2019 at 12:07:10 PM

Macraulloween

Well, whatever we're facing, I don't wanna miss a single minute of the action!

-Ian jumps back onto his broom, with Piku-chan on his shoulder and flies out the window again...-

Wrong Lumiose

-Ian waves his wand and draws a Poké Ball from the sash on his robes-

Me: Oshawittle... Time for you to join the fray!

-The ball opens and Oshawittle appears-

Oshawittle: <Is that a... ghost ship?>

Me: Maybe... I know it's a ship, but I don't know if it's a ghost... Now... Let's make some magic happen...

-Ian jumps into a standing position atop his broom-

Me: PIKU-CHAN!

-Piku-chan gets ready...-

Me: !Su machi-da o fune, shiko Okoshi bi ko ori ika no ten^???? Ten no ikari o yobiokoshi,-sen o uchimasu! pronounced backwards...^Translation Call down the Heavens' rage and strike the ship!

-Piku-chan looks at Ian and nods, surrounding himself with lightning and unleashing a blast of energy at the ship-

Me: OSHAWITTLE!!!

-Oshawittle gets ready...-

Me: !usamikasikih o iatnes etihsadikih o ah anukoyrōyK^???? Kyōryokuna ha o hikidashite sentai o hikisakimasu! said backwards^Translation Draw forth your mighty blade and tear through the hull!

-Oshawittle looks at Ian and nods, drawing the sword from his scalchop and lunging at the mysterious ship-

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Oct 30th 2019 at 3:26:31 PM

Stormchaser

Odin: ...Got it. Should we find those people?

Cafe That Totally Exists

Locke: So should I like do some sort of meetup?

Viridian

-The group finds Julius and a certain Houndoom... Next to a burning tree-

Julius: That Spearow was NOT insulting you!

Arvis: <Yes it was!>

Macraulloween

-Most are too busy fighting to check their phones-

-Archer, however, does-

Edited by Umbramatic on Oct 30th 2019 at 3:43:54 PM

Chateau

-As Mokele Mbembe fires an Ice Beam at the New Moon Beast's legs in an attempt to slow it down-

Rakash, a type and Ability rundown please!

Mementos

-Pink has Galen Protect against a Focus Blast, before using a Grass Knot on Gnome-

Logan: -shrug- Sure.

Everyone: -hides in a bush-

Cubone!Byleth: -settles into Support-watching mode-

Mimikyu!Sothis: -inside Byleth's skull- Oh, this should be good.

Stormchaser

"Sure thing! All we have to do is aimlessly wander down corridors until we see her leaning against a wall and staring into space!"

He twirls his cane and leads Odin.

"Sorry if it's slow going. Mobility issues and all."

Falseiose

The faint sound of his buzzing phone alerting his heightened senses, Colton extends an arm for his backpack before digging around for it and checking it while everyone else's focus is drawn to the fake heroes.

Ammy refused to attack the Nightingale copy while Roy dashed in in an attempt to knock Mage skyward before dashing to someone between another dash to Colton to claim his phone from him.

The Void cosplayer, with his arms freed, flew towards Nightingale before attempting to dive with a brutal kick wreathed in purple fire.

Chateau

With a gesture from Rage and Love Camazotz fired out a Boomburst.

Stormchaser

Odin: Yes, right... What happened, if that isn't too much to ask?

Cafe That Definitely Exists

Locke: ...How?

Viridian

Julius: Oh, hey, Robin. Who's this?

Gaius: Gaius. Charmed. Anyway Bubbles needs to tell you something.

Robin: Uh, right. So, uh... You know... Videos game?

-Arvis does the Dog Headtilt-

Stormchaser

C:"To my leg? Unlucky die roll, was born like it. I almost resigned to my desk jockey fate until that day I conjured Obscura. Now I finally have a chance to make a difference in the world, stand atop the shoulders of giants."

They round a corner and hey Lita is there, leaning against a wall and staring into space.

C: "Oh hey, there she is."

Lita is still staring into space.

Cipher Chateau

-Rakash reads the entry and shrugs-

Alright kids, looks like this is a representation of something that... Well I hope it's legend doesn't turn out to be true because it involves like zombies and stuff? Anyway typing, typing...

-He traces his finger over the page a little-

Alright it's less of a firebrand than a regular Salazzle and a bit more Dark... Oh that's interesting. Avoid physical attacks if you can cause those spikes are liable to stab ya back.

Correct Lumiose, Ward Circles

-The blade passes through the ward, but despite how close it seems it's unable to harm the mysterious figure... She raises the arm with the three-part sword symbol and lets off a brief huffing sound-

Mysterious Figure: Guess physical objects have no bearing on the ward, but our little connection protected me anyways. You might as well back off and wait until your friends arrive.

Wrong Lumiose, BOAT

-The boat is Cut, several boards breaking in half but cutting the entire hull's gonna require a few more swings. The thing that was trying to break through melds through the wood, turning it pale in it's passing. This new combatant looks like... I'm gonna be blunt it looks like 2B in her plane mech thing except the whole thing except the fabric of the clothing is made of a single piece of pale hardwood-

Dryad Robot?: ...

-Yeah beyond the creaking of the wood the new combatant is silent as it ambles into the fray. Meanwhile, the mage looks dismayed at the cutting of their ship and conjures a fairly well-sized spike of ice to fling at the assembled crowd. So, that text message? One word, sent from Pent's phone-

-As the weird Nightingale swings down another, identical text message comes through. Weird-

Halis... stands down, surprisingly.

Halis: "I still don't know what this vague 'connection' you keep referring to is, and it only protected you because... because..."

After trying to figure out what exactly protected her in the first place, it slowly dawns on them what's happened.

Halis: "Oh, please tell me you did not do that to me."

An immediate sense of dread is apparent.

Wrong Lumiose

Lita rests her blade on her shoulder and looks up at the Dryad Robot.

Lita: "I've always been curious about hippie girls."

Des puts his sword on his back and pulls out Ebony and Ivory.

Des: "Another Platinum character, huh? Always bet on Clover I guess."

He rushes forward, guns blazing. Lita fires some blue summon swords at the wooden 2B.

-Megan plants her feet before the spike of ice and flings her palms forward, dissolving the segment spearing for her with barely a foot to spare into fluid that flows in streams around her-

-she grins, and surreptitiously glances around to see if anyone saw that-

-...-

-hm.-

Korra!Megan: -searching- ...Daydre?

-nowhere to be seen-

-and there's something rather lethal distracting going on-

-her brain doesn't like distraction-

...I. I really hope you're just hiding somewhere.

-she sighs, and...yes, tries to focus-

Korra!Megan: ...oooookay, maybe it's big-gun time.

-interlacing her fingers, tapping her thumbs together- ...now how did she do this?

-and she closes her eyes-

Zatanna!Pippy: -side glance- <Aaaaa Megan this isn't the time for a—>

-the water curling around her rises up, pulsing ever so slowly stronger and brighter-

-and Pippy blinks in realization, just moving between her and the ship-

-facing the enemy mage- <Okay, nevermind brute force. What this needs is finesse.>

-feather-blades extending, sparking spellcraft- Devrac eb, lliks ym yb, doow!

-he swings, and casts the Hidden Spell again-

-but this time, with a dozen parallel, paper-thin slashes, he goes for the mast and rigging-

-meanwhile, the dryadborg may find herself a combatant (one of many, but...)-

Poison Ivy!Abilene: Someone's apologetic.

-she jabs the tip of the white cane in her hand into the earth—roots spiral outward, drawing in nutrient and air and light-

-flatly- I accept [Mastercard].

-and from within erupts a growth of strange green metal, forming the shape of a heavy-bladed broadsword-

-swinging it upright, leaning it against her shoulder- Castor. Deal with this pest.

-as the remaining Natu find themselves tactical-vantage points on nearby buildings, Castanea the Chesnaught charges, extending a massive green wrist-spike with which to attempt to stake the armor-

-to absorb into his system, and bring under his control-

Logan: -looking up at a Caterpie doing a munch-Well, people might not be so receptive to an invitation out of the blue from someone they haven't heard of before.

-looking back at him- But if there's anyone you already know, there doesn't even need to be any pretext—they might be up to throwing you a "welcome back to society" party. If you want to connect with people who like to party, throw a party.

-gesture, one-handed- If you want a shared interest, join a club. If the club doesn't exist, make one.

-hands around their mug- Most of all, take chances as they come—a formal "gathering" could be a lot of setup, organization, catering—which you can note as a plus if you enjoy the whole process!

-gesture back and forth between them, grin- But otherwise, meeting someone on the side of the road, or after an incident? Starting up a conversation? Easy as breathing.

-conceding- Continuing to breathe. J-Team.

-smile- Terrifying sometimes, sure, but I said one word in greeting, and you responded wonderfully. Breathing is scary.

-they take a deep whiff of their sugar-laden drink, and let the air back out in a half-stifled laugh-

-laughing- But the air is sweet!

Megan: -still in the bush- ...

Pollen: <...>

Cubone!Byleth: <...>

Mimikyu!Sothis: ...you would like to know what videos game are, would you not.

Cubone!Byleth: -nods-

Pollen: -facepalms-

Speakers vs Fuka

Fuka frowns as she tries very hard not to think "her Goosey's been cooked.

Fuka (lifts her Poke Ball to recall Goosey): It was worth a try. Good work, Goosey. (to her Seviper) Lucy, Swords Dance into Poison Jab!

Lucy the Seviper, eager to show up Zangoose and already coiled to strike, leaps at Sparkers, mouth open wide. As she sails through the air, she twists asks turns with surprising grace. Upon reaching Speakers she stops just shy of biting onto the Arcanine, instead stabbing her bladed tail into his shoulder.

Lucy (grinning and hissing): <One furball's about the same as another.>

Vs. Fuka

Sparkers whimpers and leaps back as his shoulder is stabbed. He breaths heavily as the poison does it work, sapping his vitality.

Sparkers: <Lucky hit. I'll submit to that.>

He retreats back to his side and fumbles with his briefcase.

<Uh, help me with this? There's some antidotes in there.>

Sparkers vs Fuka

Lucy watches Sparkers go through his bag. Realizing the fight is over, she returns to Fuka slithering in the serpentine equivalent of a smug strut.

Fuka: So, um, is the fight over?

Lucy nuzzles again Fuka's cheek, earning some petting in return.

Fuka: Guess so. Good work, Lucy.

Fuka recalls Seviper into her Poke Ball. She reaches into her satchel, pulls out an spray bottle, and walks to Sparkers.

Fuka (to Sparkers): Lucy's poison is pretty potent, so I keep plenty on hand just in case. You're going to need to calm down, let the adrenaline fade. It'll make Goosey's Embargo wear off quicker.

Fuka stands next to Sparkers, spray bottle held out

Vs.Fuka

Sparkers: <O-ok. I trust you.>

Sparkers lays down and tries to remain still, letting Fuka use the antidote.

<Good fight, by the way. You weren't expecting me to be an Arcanine, were you?>

Stormchaser

Odin: -waves a hand in front of Lita's face- Hello? Did you see or hear anything about a Cheri OS during that raid?

Cafe That Totally Exists

Locke: I guess I should... Send out a text... -gets out his phone and kind of stares at it-

Emi: -facepalms-

Viridian

Julius: Uh, yeah, I know what video games are. Why?

Robin: ...

-to Megan-

...I know you're in there. Do you have a 3DS or Switch with you-know-what?