The Hills outside Santa's Workshop

Goober wasn't saying anything. He was busy mentally kicking himself in the rear. The shocked look on his face was hidden in his balaclava and hat.

Rotom!Jonathan: I'm sorry. I don't think I've ever met you before, eh, at least on in this timeline. But that's not important. You hosers are under arrest.

Jonathan puts out his arms, which now had sparks shooting out of them. Very briefly, he would glitch out, revealing his body to be a hard light projection emanating from something within.

Once Goober snapped out of it, he reached out to his pockets and released an emolga, dedenne, and Alolan Raichu. The dex should start registering the figure in front of them as another pokémon.

Rotom!Jonathan: This is Dancing Bewear to command. I found Team Signal operatives on the hills to the southeast. I repeat. I have found Team Signal operatives on the hills to the southeast.

Amarin Household

PEFE!Every: Oh, it's just a lollipop made with an engineered fluorescent protein. I don't know anything about flavor horoscopes—

Brie: Flavoroscopes—

PEFE!Every: (giving Brie an unamused look) - -But that doesn't sound right to me. Any weirdness is internally generated.

Brie: Wait, Every, leave them alone.

PEFE!Every: What? We're having a nice conversation.

Brie: Pick it up in a few minutes. Come on.

-she tugs PEFE!Every away, the other woman following mostly out of lack of other options, looking thoroughly confused-

Ever: It's always good to not be alone.

...Well, it's usually good. Sometimes you gotta go be an introvert in a hole, obviously.

But hey, I'm glad you know yourself. Just, if you need someone to inconvenience themselves a little for your sake, or you'd like to get past just functioning...well, this cocoa's too hot to drink and too full to move. So I'm stuck here for a bit.

Glimmer: <It'll cool eventually. Everything does.>

-she squeaks as she's pat-

Arc: <Haha, you squoke.>

Glimmer: <That's not the right word.>

Lower Deck of the Carrey

Fuka makes note of Gobo's statement that a Gyarados can handle the crew, but for now resumes her hiding place next to Elanor

Elanor: <Welcome back!>

Fuka gives both the left and right Binacle a quick fist bump

Edited by sgamer82 on Dec 31st 2019 at 7:09:15 AM

Hill over Santa's Workshop

-Ian jumps up to face his enemy-

Me: -with righteous anger- You... You're with the ones who captured Santa, aren't you?

-Piku-chan quickly turns around and prepares for battle-

Amarin Party

Alli: So wait it just... glows? That's a relie- hey wait where are you going?

North Pole

H.G. Cross: What? Ugh, fine, sure.

-He gives a "i'm watching you" gesture to Santa as he heads out-

Mia: -goes back to hacking at the boat-

Final Shell

-The Rotom Cannon doesn't stand a chance-

-It explodes, causing several Rotom to flee it-

-Julius and Omega look up in confusion-

-Then Izaya emerges, standing on a very large dome-

Izaya: Well well well! You've surprised me. But it doesn't matter. He'll be here soon enough, and with Him I'll have everything I want.

Edited by Umbramatic on Dec 31st 2019 at 9:39:08 AM

Final Shell

Evelyn: Him?

Me: -to Izaya- It's the Fanatic, isn't it?

-Piku-chan, Oshawittle and Hatty get ready for the fight of their lives-

Final Shell

-He has to recall some of his pokemon immediately. Monos and Shift manage to hold on for a bit longer but he's got their containers on standby just in case-

-Pent recoils as the device he ran behind erupts in a shower of sparks from a ricocheting Bullet Seed. Monos faints and is recalled, a valiant last stand-

- He frantically searches through his pockets for something, anything that can help. Shift is a mere puddle on the floor that is swiftly recalled. The hand in his pocket finds something and draws it expectantly... A black feather, likely from a Krow. He stares for a moment and mutters words of desperation under his breath-

...

-He didn't really consider what power this supposed power plant was extracting. He assumed geothermal or solar or Ultra Space energy and while certainly those sources were important to keeping the base lights on, there was something else under his feet that led to the Final Shell being built in this specific area of this specific Ultra Space plane. Aura-

-He reaches for his pocket again and finds something a little more useful than an old feather, a pen. With a breath and a stillness of thought that comes from pain and death denied he steps out into the open and utters two words-

Bad time.

-The sound of devices failing around him is like four tonal notes before the power plant is filled with light-

Amarin Party

Makes sense. Suppose I should thank the little device. Thanks.

Snom: <Also thank me!>

Right yep, thanks Snom.

Coal Mines

-Sylvan spins quickly, drawing her bow at where the coal fell. Meanwhile with the meds delivered Susan tenses up and draws another pokeball from her belt-

Susan: I think you're outnumbered.

Latias: Yeah, you and what army?

Secluded Quarters

-Transistors warm in amateur arrangement, a transmission received and heard through the hushed whisper of a crackling speaker. While the ideal was never really said there aloud was a general sensation in this place that outside ideas could be dangerous, hence the secrecy; hence the components scavenged with a puppet no bigger than a poppet, hence the hollow in the floor carved out with the tip of a sword or claw. If outside ideas were dangerous, he was going to face that danger and strengthen himself against it-

-But there were two things that were underestimated about the danger: That the words and voice could spark a compromising emotional reaction... And that it wouldn't be the only outside interference in the room tonight-

-A staccato hit between the ears, the radio dips silent and vision swims. When he figures out where the voice comes from his eyes settle on a p̸e̴r̸f̴e̷c̵t̴l̵y̴ ̵o̵r̴d̵i̶n̸a̷r̴y̴ figure in a black barman's suit, currently drinking out of an almost spherical opaque bottle-

The barman: Happy new year. I'd offer you some choco but law of the land. Have a lemonade kid.

-The hard-thrown unmarked can is intercepted by the bulkier of the man-sized combat puppets who steps away from the controller before cracking the tab. The fluid inside is clear, fizzing softly and smells of lemons and limes-

The barman: It's on the house. My house, not yours. How's the lemonade?

-The kid takes a sip of the can. It doesn't taste like lemons, it is sweet, it just tastes of cloying, artificial sweet and the hiss on the tongue-

The barman: Not close? I'll work on it. I'll be back later, got a name?

-The kid just glares-

The barman: Alright, fine.

-The vocal hit sends his vision reeling again as the radio crackles into sound again-

Final Shell, a few hundred feet into a new tunnel

Ever: Is that Izaya? Do I look good?

Brie: I don't think he can see you.

Ever: What's even the fucking point of today.

-PEFE!Every has already lost consciousness-

-it's probably fine-

Edited by memyselfandI2 on Dec 31st 2019 at 6:31:16 AM

Final Shell

-The dome creeeeeeeeeeeaks, cracks open, and splits with a boom-

-Izaya leaps off just in time and starts leaping away, but then he slips, falls...

-...and lands right in front of the J-Team and allies-

-He's still on his feet but-

Hillside

Rotom!Jonathan: Well aren't we observant.

Goober, fake Galarian accent: Okay, we're more or less on an identical typing match here so if any of you have pokémon that can overpower two electrics, that'll be great.

Rotom!Jonathan: Goober. Okay, this just keeps getting better and better.

Goober: This is a trap, isn't it? Be that as it may, you're outnumbered mate.

Goober's group fires a discharge at him, which... Jon and Darlene dodge with relative ease.

IDPD Commander: Command to Dancing Bewear. We've received your intel. Over.

Rotom!Jonathan: Not for long. Shouldn't you be running, though?

Beat.

Rotom!Jonathan: Darlene. Hyper beam.

Jon himself fires a confuse ray at the group.

Rotom!Jonathan: And Dave said that technical machine was a bad idea.

Goober: Stand your ground, chaps, but retreat on my signal. Keep firing at them!

The Carrey, below deck

Another cadre of operatives move down toward the deck. Armed and probably dangerous, they are followed by an Umbreon.

The Mines

Dave: What army, you say? Fellas!

A small cadre of IDPD operatives wearing various overcoats storm the upper levels of the tunnels. Dave himself decided to show off, pumping his metal arms to reveal them to me some sort of energy weapon. A few of the other soldiers with similar weapon appendages did the same. The others released the following pokémon: an alolan raticate, a greninja, an alolan sandslash, and a galarian meowth.

Dave: Surrender peacefully and we wouldn't have to shoot. Don't, and we're gonna have to do this the hard way. That is, my friends and I go [Mighty No. 9] on your behinds. Or we could cause this side of the mine to cave in. Your call.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Jan 1st 2020 at 2:24:41 AM

Hills over Santa's Workshop

Me: Piku-chan... There's only one thing to do now...

Piku-chan: <And that is?>

Me: We FIGHT!!! Piku-chan! Use Mega Punch!!!

-Piku-chan pulls back, and then lets loose on the Magnezone with a powerful punch-

Carrey, Below Deck

-Evelyn silently gasps as she notices the Umbreon and curls up into a ball, hoping to hide from the guards-

Final Shell, a couple minutes ago

-Senses Pent tapping into the Aura Nexus and chooses to do the same before firing a blast of Aura in Omega's direction while they're distracted-

Aquarius: -Does a Sparkling Aria on Julius-

-Calvin, Judith, and co are currently a bit busy-

Calvin: Oh come on!

-And by busy I mean in a gunfight with Red Talon operatives carrying Mobius contraband-

Judith: -Shooting one in the chest- Come on!

-And then the Memito's trick sends both sides sprawling-

Final Shell, "Now"

-Regardless of whether the Aura blast and Sparkling Aria work or not, as Izaya slips-

Seems like you miscalculated.

-And bladed Aura chains are pointed at Izaya's vitals-

Between what you've done with the Memitos and getting me marooned in Ultra Space, would only be fitting if I returned the favor, but it would be in your best interests to surrender.

Final Shell

-Ian notices how Pent is glowing-

Me: Pent? How are you doing that?

Final Shell

-Pent steps from the wreckage of the dome, flecks of black fire pouring from him as seven reptilian skull-constructs hover behind his head-

So Tagg. Told you we should of left earlier. I feel vindicated!

-He licks his lips, eyes glowing discordant shades-

Huh, anyone else got a taste of stellar vacuum in the back of their throat?

-And then he stumbles a little bit and makes a noise that sounds vaguely like something a human would make-

Not complaining though, I feel great!

Coal Mine

Susan: ... Why did you say that?

Latias: Because you can just let out all your Pokemon and fight!

Susan: Dear? I only have two Pokemon.

Latias: Oh.

Lower Deck of the Carrey

Fuka (whispering): Elanor, when I tell you to, attack that Umbreon with Fury Cutter.

Elanor flexes their claws in preparation

Somewhere else

-At the stroke of midnight, two portals open-

-From one, a pale, impossibly spiky-haired man in dark clothing emerges, a large sci-fi sword strapped to his back, an Obstagoon and Conkeldurr accompanying him-

-The other, a man with dark blue and black robes, with some floof to them, dark hair and blue eyes, and a goatee, accompanied by a Grimmsnarl and Xatu-

-The two stare at each other-

Man 1: You. Who are you. Were you sent to kill me?

-His Obstagoon snarls-

Man A: You? Ha! I have never seen you in my life!

-His Grimmsnarl scoffs-

Man 1: I am Storm. State your purpouse.

Man A: I am Siegbert! Son of the Sorceress of the Warp and the All Devouring Dark! Destined to be the dark lord of... Something, I'll figure it out when I get there.

-His Grimmsnarl nods. Storm's Obstagoon just rolls her eyes-

Storm: I see. Do you know of a J-Team? Or a Team Iron?

-Siegbert puts a hand to his chin-

Siegbert: I don't know the latter... But the Xatu showed me visions of the J-Team! They got in the way of my mother!

-Now it's the Xatu's turn to roll her eyes. The Conkleldurr peers at her curiously-

Storm: -puts his own hand to his chin- I see... So we have differing goals but a common enemy.

-He looks into Siegbert's eyes-

...Would you be interested in an alliance?

-Siegbert blinks, then grins-

Siegbert: Go on?

-Their mons exchange looks of varying enthusiasm-

Happy new year/decade! :)

Edited by Umbramatic on Dec 31st 2019 at 12:18:51 PM

Final Shell

A number of Dark Pulse Orbitars appear around Colton, a number of equivalent attacks from other party members being prepared as well.

<"Okay,"> they chorused.

Amarin Party

"Yep, thanks," Ammy allowed, petting the ice-type.

Amarin Party

"Flavor horoscope ???"

"I think Empoleon are generally very attractive mons regardless of what they eat, but that's just a personal opinion."

When Pef mentions it's just supposed to be glow in the dark Daydre sighs in relief.

"Well, at least we know it's not going to kill you.."

If Daydre notices the Plant of Romance she doesn't show it.

Stormchaser, Past

Whether Vee's coaxing actually worked, or Megan's giggle lured her out, Daydre now pokes her head out of the blanket pile.

"Oh, um."

"I would also like to"

"Just give me a minute to get dressed (I will actually leave the room afterwards I promise)"

Final Shell

"Oh shit he's right there! Someone smack him!"

The Hills

The magnezone gets struck but recovers. Jon remained within reach and fires a hex directed at Piku-Chan.

Goober: Ian, do you not have anyone in your roster who has a type advantage against electrics? Maybe a fighting type, perhaps.

Harrison the Dedenne: <Johnny boy is right, Goobs. If you're gonna insist on a monotype thing, we're gonna need that device.>

Goober: Yeah, I'm getting to that.

Darlene: <Helpless little rodents. Scamper like the vermin you are. You all look oddly familiar.>

Goober: Well, if it's any consolation, chaps, all Johnny here's been doing is try to disrupt u—

Jon fires a rather painful discharge at Goober. After the deed, the rotom's projection does a cocky gesture where he blows "smoke" coming from his right hand.

The Carrey

The previous batch of operatives shocked by Gobo's raichu have been tied up. The newcomers, meanwhile, search for the sound produced by Mia. They spot the scyther-like being.

Interpol Soldier: Lieutenant Cross. You might wanna have a look see at this. There's this strange girl cosplaying as a scyther trying to destroy the ship.

Gobo walks in.

Interpol Soldier: Commander!

Gobo: Fellas, you are dismissed. I'll take it from here.

Interpol Soldier: Sir, we have strict orders from Ms. Panelo.

Tied-up Interpol Soldier who was insufficiently gagged: He's a traitor!

The raichu shocks the soldier and grabs the communicator. The others move in.

The Coal Mine

The rumbling from the bottom of the mines grows stronger yet. A pair of ominous iridescent orange eyes and a glowing crimson maw are now visible from within the shaft.

Meanwhile, Krampus had recovered enough. He used his regained strength to attempt to pry the door open. Dave looked on, kinda feeling uneasy as evidenced by the loud, annoying whirring of his artificial heart.

Krampus: <We cannot do this alone, but we will fight alongside you. You have my thanks.>

Dave: Fuck my life. Joycon. Electroweb!

The galvantula complies, taking aim at the whole group. Dave points his arm-guns to the roof of the cave, threatening to shoot and cause a cave-in.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Jan 1st 2020 at 5:33:23 PM

Final Shell, Previously

-Isbrand glows faintly.-

Isbrand: "Well, I'm not hungry anymore. Is that-"

Shaun: "Aura."

-Shaun taps into the Nexus and feels renewed strength flown into his and Beowulf's body.-

Shaun: "Man...I always feel stronger by Nexuses but this? This is the best high."

Final Shell, Current

-Shaun Constructs a bow and nocks a Spirit Shackle, but says nothing.-

-Gabrielle and her team, however, do peer at Izaya.-

Gabrielle: "Just leave some of him for Shizuo, monsieur Tagg."

Shadow Rout, 2020

Shaun: "Why the fuck am I alone, in the kitchen, eating leftover Aspear berries? Is this how I want to start off the decade."

-Shaun sets his fork down for a moment.-

Shaun: "...yeah, unfortunately it is."

Shaun(?): "Shut up and feed us more pears!"

Shaun: "DON'T RUSH ME MIDNA"

Edited by SwiftSeraph on Dec 31st 2019 at 12:58:33 PM

Somewhere

Hecate: ~Happy turn of the decade.~

Hecate: ~You're limping.~

Hecate: ~Rough patch. Bound to happen sooner or later.~

Hecate: ~Really.~

Hecate: ~Check the numbers.~

~Check your narrative.~

~I am checking. It demands—we make—~

-clink-

~A toast.~

~Oh?~

~Well, I'm not complaining. What's the occasion?~

~A turning point in the way things are run. A shift in the paradigm.~

~A new arc, give or take a few story beats.~

~In the shape of celestial trajectories, tonight is inconsequential.~

~In the hearts of lots of folk, tonight's priceless.~

~You'd know, I suppose.~

~I would, yeah!~

~No need to cackle so loud—a toast, then.~

-pouring sounds filter through the metatextual barrier—the moment is nigh-

-raise- ~When story unfolds...~

-raise- ~When stars align...~

-raise- ~When the wax meets the wick.~

~Cheers.~

-clink, and across time zones, we cut to-

Rosa: -waltzing in- <Happy new year, darlings.>

Abilene: -hefting a bag of soil- Back to the grind.

Castanea: <...>

<Allow me to get that, it's a new year.>

Abilene: -dropping the sack in the spot, wiping sweat- No time to stop.

-slicing it open- No time for grief.

-and she pulls out a shovel and starts transferring to...-

-...not much to see, yet-

-just a little black-and-white bud, buried in the earth-

-midnight comes and goes in Kalos, and she hardly notices-

-not until her work is done-

-dusting off her hands- This'll be spectacular.

Lampent: -gazing up- <This'll be spectacular.>

-a young man sits outside a Pokemon Center, flicking fire from his fingers-

Hiro: Sure it will, Auntie.

Lampaunt: -not looking- <Cousin's got a nice display tonight. Happy new year.>

Hiro: -raising a donut- Happy new year.

Lampaunt: <Heard the news?>

Hiro: -taking a bite out of it- What interest does our tribe have in a tournament across the sea?

Lampaunt: <Have you heard the saying "a lie can get halfway around the world before the truth can get its boots on"?>

Hiro: Yes…

Lampaunt: <It's at the origin, and we've got more prophecy to verify. Get your boots on.>

-it's at this moment that the fireworks go off-

-in synchrony, red and white will-o-wisps dance from flame bursts, momentarily lighting large swathes of the sky in glorious symmetry-

-classic shapes are traced in the air—a familiar sphere opens and the image of a Charizard hurtles out, formed all of fire—the roar in its belly touching down just as its maw opens—and the facsimile of a red beam heralding its fading from the sky-

-true to her word, it's spectacular-

Hiro: -sigh, running a hand down his face- ...I'd really like to sleep in for once.

-in bed, a young woman and her Empoleon snore their faces off-

Vee: -sitting across the pillows, as is her wont, watching them sleep- <Happy new year.>

-it's an old routine-

-uncharacteristically gentle, brushing hair out of faces- <Toldja we'd make it.>

-somemon managed to find an open tavern-

Thespi: -cheer, dizzy- <Happy New Year!>

Ceal: -whoop, likewishe- <H-happy New Decade!>

Tripod: -whistle~-

Ceal: <We fuckin' made it!>

-more voices ring out, indeterminate in number and jubilant in tone-

Pollen: <...>

-alone, she looks up at the stars-

-...-

-petulant- <...what a jerk.>

Luxor: -glancing up- <Huh. Hey.>

-nudge- <Happy new year, jerk.>

Mane: -stretching- <Oh look, no one's killed us yet.>

Luxor: <Darn, guess they win the bet. Again.>

Mane: <What're their earnings so far?>

Luxor: <Oh gee, let me check my Pokemon wallet, with my Pokemon money.>

Phoebe: -behind them- <HAPPY new year!>

Zippy: -yelp, whirl-

Deim: -behind them- <...new year.>

Zippy: -...-

-sigh, grumble- <Happy new year...>

Phoebe: -hugging- <Yaaaay!>

Deim: -smile- <...yay.>

Zippy: -further grumble- <...gimme my wallet back.>

Phoebe: -pout, producing it- <But you've got two! That's hardly fair!>

Zippy: <Oh, that—>

-sigh- <That one's for you.>

Phoebe: -gasp- 8O

-tacklehug tighter- <Oh, you do care!>

Zippy: -heavy sigh, sounding more like a squeaky toy with the arms constraining their lungs-

Deim: -bright-eyed-

-pat pat-

Eric: -to the sky- <Happy new year!>

Temmie: -shoveling wares- Haaaaappy new year~! 8D

Ditya: Happy new year!

Spiderbyte: Happy new year!

-Logan lays on their back, on the roof of Renbow's tiny HQ-

-nearby, the Dreamweaver's unfolded itself, taking in moonlight like a void-dark starflower-

-the scampering of little feet makes its way up to them-

Addie: <...hey.>

Logan: ...hey.

-a few lazy Fireworks burst overhead, but the air around them is calm-

Addie: <Some year, huh?>

Logan: ...yeah.

-they hazard cracking a smile-

-and that smile breaks into a grin, and a laugh bubbles out—raw and molten—out of two mouths, then, caught in the upwelling-

-they wheeze and they curl up tight against the sound until their ribs ache-

-until they shove their fists in their mouths trying to stifle the giggles-

-until the quiet returns-

-eventually, they manage to stem the tide-

-...-

Addie: -curling up, an eye to the sky, yawn- <Hhhappy new year.>

Logan: ...

-their hand slowly shifts to hover over her, on an old, gentle impulse-

-and it drops back, not wanting to disrupt the quiet-

-she knows everything they'd want to say, anyways-

-years together; worlds together; lifetimes together-

-the bond between them ringing silent and strong and active, as it has for months-

-for as long as they can remember, at this point-

-they lay back-

Logan: -gazing up at the stars- ...happy new year.

-here's to one more-

-happy new year, WAAPT-

Final Shell, in the base, December 21

-crack-

-crumble-

-a piece of rubble falls, narrowly missing-

Stivanna: Holy shit. Holy shit, we're going to die.

Sam: We're not.

Stivanna: We kind of are!

Sam: Sam may find the defenseless angle cute but I emphatically don't; either help me or shut up!

Stivanna: Help you with what?

Sam: Can you reach that desk with your legs?

Stivanna: Yeah, but—

Sam: Hold onto it, and do not let go.

Stivanna: (gulp)

-they do, hooking themself onto the desk-

Sam: Seriously, I need these ropes taut.

Stivanna: They're fucking taut! What is it you're pla—

- Sam yanks hard against the ropes, and her hands come free with sounds best not discussed here-

Sam: Shit fuck!

-with her out of them, the ropes don't so effectively hold Stivanna either, and they wriggle free-

Stivanna: Sam, your hands—

Sam: It's fine it's fine it's fine just don't talk to me about them

Final Shell, outside, December 21

-PEFE!Every opens her eyes-

Ever: Hey. You're finally awa— Ow!

Brie: Not the time. Every, are you okay? Are you concussed?

PEFE!Every: Don't...don't think so. What's going on.

Ever: Izaya's getting his comeuppance and we can't fucking see it, is what.

Brie: Dome's collapsing, Halcyon says.

PEFE!Every: Oh...good...

- -

Brie: Hey. Don't fall asleep on us.

PEFE!Every: ...That's not great.

Ecruteak City, January 1, a little past midnight

Ever: ...Fuck. I just...I really didn't think that it was gonna be serious.

Brie: Ever, it's not your fault.

Ever: Yeah, yeah.

-...-

Ever: I sort of thought she'd be here. I knew she was being weird at the Christmas party at Kai's, but I didn't think...

Brie: Yeah, me neither.

Amanita: -frowns- It's not the same anymore.

Final Shell, inside, December 21

Stivanna: Sam, come on, we gotta go!

Sam: I'll be with you in a second! Find Sam!

Stivanna: Oh gods, Sam Sam! Sam!

-a voice, from behind a mountain of stone-

???: Stiv?

Stivanna: Sam? Where are you?

Sam: SQL, try and clear some of this rubble...

???': <Assessing...hmm. 80% chance that vaporizing this segment doesn't bring the rest down on our heads. Can't say I'm a fan of those odds.>

Stivanna: Never thought I'd wish Mensa was around... Cortex! Help with...whatever needs helping with!

Cortex: <Oh, that's a change from my daily li— WHOA WHAT'S GOING ON THIS DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THE TIME FOR SNARK>

SQL: <Blasphemy!>

Stivanna: I, uh...

-there's a puff of light, and some of the rubble vaporizes-

-a hand reaches through the hole, dragging behind it-

Stivanna: SAM!

Sam: STIV!

-he staggers through the hole, and almost immediately the rubble begins to shift-

SQL: <Oh dear. Gangway, please.>

-and tumble-

Stivanna: <Cortex! Rock Smash!>

Cortex: <This always feels...uncomfortable. But I guess organics punch meat sometimes.>

SQL: <Disgusting.>

-Cortex lunges forward, slamming headlong into the rocks as Sam practically ragdolls out of the way-

-there's a tremendous crunch as everything moves at once-

-and then it's still again-

- Sam lies on the ground, staring at the ceiling-

-Stivanna sprints to his side-

Stivanna: Sam! Sam...

-...-

-...-

-he coughs, dust spraying out-

Stivanna: oh

oh thank shaymin

-they pull him into a sitting position, holding him tight to their chest, sobbing into his shoulder-

Sam: Hey. Hey, easy. I'm okay.

Save possibly for my lungs which adds weight to asking you to go easy

Stivanna: Right. Right. Um...

-they detach-

Stivanna: Okay. Okay. We just gotta...get out, now. Let's get Sam and...

-it occurs, that Sam hasn't said anything in a little while-

Sam: Oh gods.

-this is in fact because she's pinned under rubble by one leg-

Sam: (face tight with pain) Aren't you the one who always wants to avoid bringing religion into work?

Final Shell, outside, December 21

PEFE!Every: I gotta...I gotta...

Brie: You have to rest. You're concussed.

Ever: She seems fine.

Brie: You're also concussed. We're all really concussed.

PEFE!Every: But I need to...can't let...

Ecruteak, January 1

-Ever buries their face in their hands, shaking-

-Amanita pats their back-

-Brie just hangs her head-

Final Shell, Mobius Base, December 21

Stivanna: ...Not to state the obvious, but...now what?

Sam: What do you mean, now what?

Stivanna: You...can you walk, if Cortex smashes the rock?

Sam: Fuck no I can't.

-she takes a deep, pained breath-

Look. It's pretty obvious what's going to happen. Take Nurture and Caress. Get out of here before the collapse gets any worse. I'll...figure something out.

Sam: No, you won't.

Sam: No, I won't.

-and she slides over, letting the pain swallow her for now-

Stivanna: Wh-what? We can't—

-they glance at Sam, pleadingly-

We're not just going to leave her here, are we?

Sam: Got an escape rope?

Stivanna: -shakes their head-

Sam: Then...yeah. She's not going anywhere on that leg. Nurture could carry her, but there's nowhere to fly. If we try and carry her, we probably won't make it.

-he looks around at the increasingly dense prison of stone forming-

Sam: Not that we're likely to, regardless.

Stivanna: ...but—

Sam: Hey. Cortex.

-he unclips Dynasty and SQL's balls from his belt, and hand them to the Graveler, who accepts them, a somewhat confused look on his face-

Cortex: <...Hang on. No.>

Stivanna: No!

Sam: Sam and I got into this together. We'll leave it the same way.

Stivanna: Sam, please—

Sam: Stivanna...I'm not sure how I feel about Mobius. Iron. Any of this. But...meeting you made it worthwhile, okay? This was...it was some of the best times of my life. Just...remember that.

Stivanna: -starting to sob- Sam, I'm begging you, don't make me leave you here, I can't—

- Sam kisses them, full on the lips, for a solid ten seconds. As he breaks away, Stivanna stares, one hand briefly moving up, as if to pull him back towards them-

-it drops to their side-

Sam: I love you. Get the hell out.

Cortex: <Hey, Stiv? Not to prod, but we might want to take his advice...sharpish.>

-the rumbling intensifies, and rubble starts to shift again-

Sam: GO!

Ecruteak City, January 1

Ever: (sobbing) And I just can't believe I didn't get to be there to see that stupid grin wiped off his pretty face!

Amanita: You're such a fucking drama queen.

Brie: I told you not to encourage them.

Ever: Hmph.

-they wipe at their eyes, which are in fact dry-

Seriously, where the fuck's Pef? She was being weird on Christmas and she's being weird now. What could she possibly be doing that's more important than Memito drunken New Year's adventures?

-as if on cue, all three of their phones buzz-

Brie: ...I have my phone set to silent.

Amanita: Me too.

Ever: Oh, I reset them so I would be better notified when I receive texts.

Amanita: ...Have you gotten weirder?

Ever: You've gotten resensitized.

-they check their phone-

Ever: ...She has friends?

Celadon PMC

Sam: To...reevaluation.

Sam: To rehabilitation.

-she glances ruefully down at her leg, which is, from the knee down, not-

Stivanna: To hopefully finding a new job, eventually.

Sam: Oof.

SQL: I've been rerouting searches from job sites. There's a surprising number of positions open for grunts. Apparently Neo-Aqua and Neo-Magma are hiring?

Sam: What sort of idiot would join either of those?

Sam: You know, we made the toast. Why are we not drinking?

Stivanna: Our fourth isn't here.

-there's a tentative knock on the door. Sam almost gets up to answer, before remembering that that's not an option. Sam does it instead-

PEFE!Every: Um. Hi.

Sam: Hey.

PEFE!Every: I brought...chips.

Stivanna: Regular chips?

PEFE!Every: I didn't do anything to them, if that's what you mean.

Stivanna: That is exactly what I mean.

Sam: You caught us in the middle of toasts. Beer?

PEFE!Every: Ah, no thanks. I may be concussed; I probably shouldn't be drinking.

Sam: Hasn't stopped Sam.

Sam: Easy.

Stivanna: ...It's good to have you.

PEFE!Every: It's good to be here.

-there's a hum as her phone lights up with a text-

-PEFE!Every smiles, broadly, out of sheer happiness, for the first time in years-

PEFE!Every: Happy New Year, all.

Edited by memyselfandI2 on Jan 1st 2020 at 1:17:15 AM

the coal mine

Lila: Well, here's the trap.

-She sends out Tutti to combat the water types. They get caught in an electroweb, however.-

Lila: Can you still attack?

Tutti: <Sure!>

Lila: Then use leaf tornado!

-The Tropius unleashes a gust of leaves at the water pokemon.-

the hills

Hazel: Sorry, I don't have anyone good against electric types, but I can help with a couple of them.

-She sends out Clarent.-

Clarent: <What do you need?>

Hazel: Aim for the Rotom!

Clarent: <Okay!>

-Clarent disappears while Hazel flings a shadow ball at Jonathan.-

Edited by QuantumMelody29 on Jan 1st 2020 at 9:29:44 AM

Megan: -nodnodnod- Okay!!

-and she bolts out of the room-

Pippy: -already outside, as the result of suplex- <See? Aren't you glad we didn't destroy this door?>

Vee: -draining the room of her- <P, I was already there. You ain't gotta escort me.>

Pippy: <Oh I'm sorry, my directions must be flipped around on account of being upside down and also all the blood rushing to my concussion>

Vee: -outside- <Y've got a thicker skull than thaaaat! Meg, calm down.>

-Memitos-

Logan: What—!

-Pent-

Pollen: <What—?!>

-Izaya-

-while everyone's toppled like tenpins in the wake of mortal terror, a supersonic shockwave, and an Auric eruption-

Addie: -upended, ears ringing- <...holy shit.>

-star-eyed- <That was so fucking cool—>

Hiro: What just happened...? @-@

Ceal: <O-oh, I hope no one's in that side of the building...>

Addie: -temp-deafened- <What?>

Ceal: -likewise- <What?>

-there's one woman with a strangely solid center of gravity, a proxy grudge, and a poor eye for faces mitigated by the fact that everyone's saying this guy's name-

Megan: -cracking knuckles- ...what.

-also, Thespi's beaming super bright-

Thespi: -upside-down- <Oh, you seem familiar~>

-flipping upright, drawing a giant key- <Look away, kids, this is gonna bump up the ratings some.>

Vee: -gesturing at Daydre- <See? This one gets it. 'Cept Pippy's the prettiest—>

-gesturing at Alli- <See? This one gets it!> ,3

-Megan looks...strangely disappointed...?-

Megan: -frowning at the perfectly ordinary glowing lollipop- Aw.

...oh, the placebo effect was fighting me! :D

-she waves amiably, if befuddledly, to the Memitos as they go-

-earnestly- Thank you?

-...oooh-

-meanwhile-

-there's someone who looks in half of all directions at all times-

Vee: <Oh gimme gimme gimme that.>

-she snatches the lollipop from Megan, getting a head start on dissolving it-

Megan: ...?

Vee: -something full- <Mouth's clear!>

Megan: ???

-Megan, likewise or no, is actually rather oblivious-

-it's potentially her actual Ability, she's sufficiently Oblivious-

-I haven't decided yet, it's either that or Own Tempo, probably-

-so...she entirely fails to notice the Plant of Romance-

-behind her, Vee approximates the shape of a large Helping Hand (Pointer Finger)-

-point point-

Logan: You're very persistent, has anyone ever told you? C:

-they open their mouth to say something cutesy to add on to <squoke>-

-it definitely warrants a response-

Logan: —

-...-

-...it doesn't really need a response-

Logan: -smile- c:

-mou- (;

-neutral- |.'

-...- ),'

Addie: <...>

Logan: ...

Logan: ...?

Logan: . .

...I'm.

I'm. so tired.

ersatz alliance

-Gwen walks up to the counter.-

Gwen: Uh, is anyone there?