Fuchsia Outskirts

-Kai blinks-

-And smiles.-

Kai: "Well, I can't turn down an offer like that. Better a sketchy alternative from a friend, than a sketchy alternative from what I'm about 70% sure is a Pokefutures offshoot."

(thoughtful) "What exactly is it, though? And, if you don't mind me asking, what exactly is this tree I've gone and planted in the corpse of an ages-old vampire?"

Chateau d'Avarice

-Let's get back to this, shall we? Maybe with proper Phantom Thief names where applicable, now.-

-Tom Fool indeed honks in pain upon being struck by the attacks aimed at him, but as Anthem makes an attempt to hide behind— let's say, Paula— Tom Fool's attention turns to her, a twisted grin on his face.-

Tom Fool:< A weaker link, are you? You should hope to find a solution soon, I think!>

-For a moment, his Blacephalon roots show, as he pops off his head, before it goes blank and featureless. Like a balloon, a new head inflates in its place, and the removed one swirls into a fireball.-

Runaway: "Uhhhhhhh????"

-Tom laughs, and rolls the head toward Anthem and Paula.-

Paula: "Ah, hell, Maui!"

Maui: "On it!"

-Maui quickly stands between the ball and Anthem, just before it expands into a swirling inferno.-

Paula: "Fucking hell!"

-Some of the fire loops back toward Tom Fool, swirling around him as Contrary uses it to give him a boost of strength.-

Runaway: "Okay, this is gonna get bad quickly.

Risen Hunter:' "The bastard should be pretty worn out, though, I just spent all day trying to deal with him!"

Paula: "If possible, let's just try to hold him long enough to vandalize that last hallway! The sooner I can take over, the better!"

-Runaway looks at Paula with an unreadable expression, before gesturing for Bluetongue to use Sand Tomb. Risen Hunter shoots another Spirit Shackle arrow, aiming to pin him by his shadow.-

Abilene:    We are not friends.   

Lanatus:    -s t a r e-   

-...-

Abilene: -wrinkling her nose- ...and didn't I just say I wouldn't burden you with the deta—ah, it doesn't matter.

-sigh- It's a Leech Seed someone bothered to cultivate to maturity. And by someone, I mean me.

Cultivate and mutate into a more stable botaniform, hypothetically suitable for containing and catalyzing metabolizable Aura rather than...immediate transfer, or expenditure.

-the Natu jam the three thorns into the tree-

Hypothetically.

-tapping a pale, big root- Aside from that, they're the failures of my true project. Hah. My LifeLeppa™ line of product comes in…

-counting off- Rosehips, tochukaso Elixirs, literal flowers that you eat. The actual Leppa are sort of homeopathic; they're there more for the brand, really.

Castanea: -looking away from the tree- <...off the market, we've developed some subpecies of hydnora [africana], "Lucario food", in taste its fruit is rather similar to a potato—>

-the left palethorn slowly unfurls into a tiny bud of black, the right bursts into a half-formed purple bloom before receding slightly-

-the red rose trembles, contracts briefly, and shrivels entirely to ash-

Abilene: -sigh- Damn.

-tap tap- Do you remember what I spoke of after that...strange incursion into Lumiose, when we met?

Edited by Asterisk395 on Jan 18th 2020 at 12:58:17 PM

Fuchsia Outskirts

-   not friends   -

Kai: "..."

"Friends." c:

-cough cough-

-As Abilene goes into her explanation, Kai nods slowly, listening and watching.-

Kai: "Yeah, I... do vaguely remember that. It's been a long time, so it's a bit foggy in my mind, but I remember you talking about your research. My offer to help is still on the table— I know I kinda sucked at keeping in touch since then but I'd be glad to help, or support however I can."

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Jan 18th 2020 at 3:26:33 PM

Sir Nigel's Stately Home, some distance from Wyndon

From outside his window, Sir Nigel Pevensie-Johnson noticed the arrival of one of his black [Rolls-Royce]. He had previously called one of his chauffeurs to pick up one of his old friends from University. He sipped at his tea, a haughty brand whose former tagline hearkened to what he believed was better times. "A Taste of Empire," these bags of tea once proudly proclaimed.

Let the plebs enjoy [Twinings].

The little ghost in his tea kettle bowed respectfully. By his side, a stone-faced Galarian Mr. Mime, holding a cloth napkin and wearing a monocle and tailed coat, stands in attention.

One of his valets, impeccably dressed as all his servants are, comes in.

Valet: Senator Kyle Armitage.

In comes the good senator, wearing a tweed three-piece suit and bow tie.

Sir Nigel, sipping his tea: Good to see you once again, old friend. Sit down. The servants will send you your tea. As to your preference.

Senator Armitage: Nice to see you, too, buddy. And worry not. I took my paper work with me to make sure Cincinnatus can get in.

Sir Nigel: Armitage. For so long have we known one another and yet I have yet to get accustomed to your level of informality.

Senator Armitage: Still uptight, I see. Good ol' Nigel. How's life treating you?

Sir Nigel: Alas, Kyle. Things have been poorly since the aftermath of... the incident. An energy crisis looms and the largest of the country's companies is entering freefall.

Senator Armitage: I see. What happened with Macro Cosmos was... tragic. You have my sympathies, Nigel.

Sir Nigel: Tragic as it may be, it is hardly unprecedented. It was folly that my colleagues in parliament refused to enact countermeasures against this level of monopolization until recently. Which I why I came to you, old friend. You have experience handling situations like this.

Senator Armitage: I'll be the judge of that. Whether this situation is anything like the fall of Pokefutures remains to be seen. Though the rumors lobbed against Mr. Rose are grave, he does not appear to be denying these allegations. And trying to control a cosmic entity is hardly the same as busting an Pokémon cruelty ring that monopolized a regional economy with impunity.

Sir Nigel: Still, you have had allies in your government's bid to maintain control. Most of the remaining assets of the old corporation are still in good hands, I understand?

Senator Armitage: Yes. PEFE and its efforts to contain the collapse of the company had proved invaluable to preventing a full blown depression in our region. I'd hardly think they'd be capable of solving your energy problems, but they could lend some insight on untangling monopolistic interference.

Sir Nigel: When can I get in touch with them?

Senator Armitage: Perhaps in a few weeks. Richard and his colleagues have attended a private wedding in the [Scottish] highlands. They've gone through a very busy past few months. It must be a relief to be surrounded by such tranquility.

Ah, the Wedding Battle.

Galen let's loose his gogoat and sceptile.

Galen: Alright, gramps. Hop on! Skip will have our backs.

Grandpa Reynard: Shouldn't we do something to help?

Galen: We could once we've gained a safe distance.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Jan 20th 2020 at 10:11:20 PM

Wedding Zone

Alduin?: <Hold your Mudsdales, we're not here to fight.>

-to Silas- <Shhh we're at a wedding.>

-It's a bunch of dragons. Who are ghosts. Dragon ghosts. Except for one that is just a dragon. Wait...-

Seishirou?: <We've given up the old fight. Wanted to see what one of our own would try.>

Fuuma?: <For fun!>

-Squints-

<Say brother why are this timeline's versions of ourselves human again?>

Seishirou:' ...What the fuck.

Fuuma: ...What the fuck.

Umbra: Uh, good to have you?

-Ammy changes back-

Human!Ammy: ...Take a seat please.

-the PMD-B Seven Jerk Dragon ghosts do so-

Giratina: -gives them an "I'm watching you" gesture- <Ahem. Now where were we?>

Edited by Umbramatic on Jan 18th 2020 at 4:59:21 AM

The Wedding

Kim: (thinking to self) Oh, thank god. They're not here to fight.

(She stands up from her seat.)

Kim: "If I may, Giratina... you were about to present the married couple with the rings."

The Wedding- Postwick

Scorbunny: (reassuringly) <Sobble, it's okay! They don't want to fight; they're just here for the wedding!>

(The Sobble turns to the Scorbunny and Geddy.)

Sobble: (sniffling) <T-they... they are?>

Geddy: (wiping away the Sobble's tears) <Yes. Of course they are.>

Sobble: (breaths a sigh of relief) <Phew...>

(Kim speaks up, and the Scorbunny cries out in excitement.)

Scorbunny: <Ooh~! Now they're going to present the rings! This is so exciting!>

(The Sobble's eyes widen in fear.)

Sobble: <R-rings...? W-what kind of rings?>

Geddy: <Diamond rings.>

Sobble: (his fear fading in an instant) <Oh...>

Geddy: <Or at least, I assume they're diamond rings...>

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Jan 18th 2020 at 5:00:27 AM

Wedding Zone

Linnéa: Um, who are they...?

Ray: DS, do you know something?

DS: (still thinking) Moonstorm? Frostmoon? Moon... blizzard? Why is this so hard?

Ray: ... DS? Are you still paying attention to what's happening here?

DS: (nods) Yes, I am.

Ray: Really?

DS: (shrugs) What? You think I can't pay attention to the current situation just because I'm thinking of other things?

Wedding

"...I mean, I wouldn't say I was hoping to be interrupted by battle, but..."

<Oh, just sit down and shut up!>

Elsewhere

<Two consecutive bullets dodged!> The younger Pichu observed, earning a hi-five from his brother.

Wedding Zone

-Pent looks visibly shaken as at the back of the wedding a large, sun-bleached Hydreigon enters the field and walks around the outside of the seating to be roughly on level with the front row-

W-well, I'm surprised to see you here.

Paarthurnax, Jerk Dragon Immortal: <It was an opportunity I did not wish to forsake.>

-Pent nods and evens out his breathing as he calms down from the most recent interruption. Eventually he takes his seat and glances at the pale dragon-

Are you alright there? Need an armband or something?

Paarthurnax: <I have not been human in an eon or more, I am used to this penance.>

Okay, fine.

Wedding

-Muttering-

Okay, if Blight shows up I don't have the Orb so I'll have to hope my skills are enough to match his strikes, Ninetails probably hates me even more than Ammy since I killed her and her mate, plus all three of us sliced off her tails which I can't help but wonder if it played a roll in both that and the next year being shit...

Postwick, Wedding Zone

-From somewhere just out of shot, a reedy, Galarian-accented voice calls out.-

???: WAIT! I object!

-The camera pans to reveal a rather astonishingly short young man of slight frame and dark hair, dressed in a pale blue suit and accompanied by a Scizor.-

Lucius: That's what you're supposed to say at this point in the ceremony, right? I mean, I don't actually object, I'm fully in favour of- oooh, is that a Shalour wine? I don't usually go in for that stuff, but I can't deny the quality. Crisp, dry, and very drinkable.

-He grabs a glass of wine from a nearby tray and takes a seat.-

Lucius: Oh, yeah, you guys can get on with the marrying or whatever. Don't mind me, I'm good. Though that said, is there a vegan buffet somewhere around here? I gotta be honest, I am starving right now.

-The Scizor puts a claw to his forehead and lets out a long sigh.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Jan 18th 2020 at 11:27:12 AM

Wedding Zone

- DS stares in shock as Lucius appears -

DS: (blinks a few times, struggling for a moment to get the words out) ... You... You're alive?

Halsei: <L-Luci!?>

Asterios: <...>

Asterios seems oddly annoyed by the arrival of Lucius. Halis, however, is feeling very mixed emotions, reverting to human form.

Halis: "Why now? Where has... I mean, I... I'm just... This isn't where..."

They can't seem to form a coherent sentence. The sudden arrival has them scrambling to try and say so many things that they don't know what to start with.

The Wedding- Postwick

(Upon Lucius' entrance, the Scorbunny, Sobble, and Geddy react accordingly.)

Scorbunny: <Huh. Wonder who that is...>

Sobble: (terrified) <He... he looks scary... I don't really want to talk to him...>

Geddy: <You don't have to if you don't want to. That said, though... I'm going up.>

Scorbunny: <You are?>

Sobble: (in fear) <P-please don't... I don't know if he's friendly or not...>

Geddy: <It's alright, Sobble. I'm sure he is.>

(And with that, Geddy leaves.)

The Wedding

Kim: (turns to the man and smiles) "Greetings." (walks up to him) "Kimberly Bond, lingual consultant... and you are?"

(Geddy approaches from behind, causing Kim to smile and pick him up upon seeing him.)

Kim: "Oh, and this is my newly-caught Popplio Geddy."

Geddy: <Hello!>

What A Beautiful Wedding

-Lucius's appearance draws the attention of several individuals-

-Who just stare-

Scarlette: ...Lucius Cain, you son of a bitch, it's been ages!

The Wedding

Kim: "...Aaaaaaaand I just got my answer." (extends hand) "Delighted to meet you, Cain."

Postwick Wedding Zone

Galen, dismounting Corkie: I have no idea who that punk bitch is, but I feel complicated feelings about him already.

Grandpa Reynard, still riding Corkie: Oh, you mean Lucy? Yeah, he does that to everyone.

Galen: Lucy? Like, that wedding crasher is Lucius Cain? Wasn't he—

Grandpa Reynard: Yeah.

Galen: But he's still—

Grandpa Reynard: You'd think so.

Galen: But he's so...

Grandpa Reynard: Keep it in your pants, Galen. I raised you to have standards.

Galen: But I'm not—

Grandpa Reynard: Yeah, you and a lot of people.

Wedding Zone

Des looks back to see Lucius make a fool of himself.

"Aaand that's a check in Cain cameo. That and the Seven JD showing up gives me Umbrammy Wedding Bingo."

He continues to munch popcorn.

Postwick, wedding

Channah and Big Savings: -repeat of the previous post but with this◊-

Wedding

-Suddenly Lucius-

Lucius, I missed you man, it's been forever.

Postwick, Wedding Zone

-Lucius does notice Galen's gaze and begins to smirk before almost jumping out of his seat upon being addressed by DS and Halis.-

Lucius: AAH! I mean, uh, of course I'm alive! Reports of my death were... not greatly exaggerated, but I did get better. I just... honestly, I kinda figured I should stay out of the picture. There's been so much going on, you guys have all got your own shit to deal with, and I didn't want to-

-He's interrupted by Scarlette's exclamation and pulls her into a sidehug whilst waving at Tagg.-

Lucius: Gods, I've missed you guys as well! It really has been ages, hasn't it? I know I kinda disappeared without any sort of warning, but I promise it was for a good reason, and when I heard about this... well, I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Bishop: <Indeed. We wouldn't let him.>

-Lucius shoots a glare at the Scizor, before his expression softens and he turns to shake Kim's extended hand.-

Lucius: Oh, erm... yeah, I'm Lucius Cain. Nice to meet you, Kimberly. Or wait, do you prefer Bond? Or Kim? I know I'm being kinda fussy, but there's a lot of people who call me Lucy and that kind of abbreviation seems a little presumptuous when you've only just met someone but... erm, anyway, hi! I'm, er... I'm Lucy.

Edited by Herbert40k on Jan 18th 2020 at 12:17:30 PM

Wedding

Me: Well, they're not here to cause trouble, Oshawittle. You may return now.

-Ian calls Oshawittle back to his Poké Ball before Ian and Evelyn jump off the stage and back into their seats to watch as the Goddess and the Ghost Lord are presented with their wedding rings.-

Abilene: ...

-and she whaps Kai on the shin with her cane-

Abilene: -snort- If you'd somehow managed to keep in touch, I would hire you and never let you go.

But regarding aid...listen, perhaps?

At present, several solutions have presented themselves, such as they are.

First, produce some form of life—some verdant homunculus, neither human nor Pokémon—something not sapient—that nevertheless bears the spark that gives rise to Aura. Separate sapience and sentience from power, and cultivate it for those that require it in excess.

Second, failing that—

-and here she raps her cane against the bark-

—strip the spark from sapience, and preserve it after it has expired. If possible nurture it into a blaze, once free from the flesh that caged it. That was the hope of the stakes, and thus far every attempt has failed.

-tap- Observe the roses. The Pokédex has noticed this, at last—the right bloom, see the purple? It typically contains a fast-acting, lethal venom. This vampiric bloom has buried itself in the transient Aura supply of this tree, and it indicates an astonishing supply still...but.

-tap- The left bloom, see the black? It typically contains a slow-acting, lethal venom. It's dug deeper, into the still supplies, whence the spark normally resides.

It is near dead. No lasting life exists in this tree, and nothing is being produced. Failure.

-tap- See the red? Where it no longer exists. The worst is that this tree also consumes Aura in its death throes. This storage is not even end-neutral, it is end-negative.

No spark, little storage—only a beautiful blight on the surface of this land that soon the Gastly will devour entire.

-gesturing out at the meadows- Leaving me at third, the pathetic case: mere harvest by proxy. This is where I am, and no further.

This, hypothetically, could be merely satisfactory were it not for the losses involved in the additional transference—and this may still be achievable. If we can ascertain a favorable conversion rate between other forms of energy and Aura, it may even be sufficient as an end state—but the spark has been the only source anywhere that I've observed even approaching such a condition.

-grim- Fourth.

-crossing her arms- Capture a Legendary. Any Legendary, awakened relic, or otherwise substantial immortal font—

-clench- And feed the world through its emissions. This is my Last Resort...the most promising.

-chuckle- The most foolish. Every group who took this route has been shattered utterly by their hubris, their carelessness, a random adolescent from bumfuck nowhere—but oh, it is tempting. I am sure I am capable.

The locale at which we fought that...creature, it was like nothing I ever thought I would feel again. Energy, unbound from life, floating free. Perhaps it could serve as such a font, and beyond bottling it render these machinations unnecessary. If I could find the source...

-turn- What are your thoughts?

Vee:' -at the dragons- <...wow, y'all smell old an' terrible.>

Megan: Vee!

Vee: <I didn' say they smelled bad, jus'—>

-gasp-

Megan: -waving- Hi Lucius!! :D

Logan: -aster projecting, internally- 🎶Someday I will know who all these people are, but until that day comes~🎶

Addie: -second, smaller aster projection behind the first- 🎶Smile and wave~🎶

-and they do-

Megan: -concerned probably- You died?! D:

Thespi: -chirp- <Oh my god, Megan, you can't just ask if someone died>

Edited by Asterisk395 on Jan 18th 2020 at 7:24:02 AM

After a few minutes, Halis regains their composure, shaking their head.

Halis: "...We're gonna need a loooong talk after this, Luci."

Asterios: <Weird...>

Asterios doesn't quite get what his deal is, but they both look back at what they came here for in the first place, the ceremony.

Wedding Zone

- DS seems unsure how to react -

DS: (staring blankly) ...