My Building Collapsing Streak Continues

-Paula frowns-

Paula: I'd love that to work, but—

FWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

-The back wall erupts in a fireball.-

Outlaw: Great ideas, guys, let's go! Paula, exposit while the rest of us run!

-She bolts down a different hallway to the nearest staircase available-

Paula: Right! As I was saying, when you're inside a Palace, the distortion makes things too unstable to make the transition anywhere except a few weak points! Trust me, I've tried before, the app just doesn't let you!

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Feb 22nd 2020 at 6:19:55 AM

Turffield

Gossifleur was indeed left exposed, and took the full brunt of Miz’s acid.

Milo: “Clever, not giving me a chance to heal. Gossifleur, how’re you feeling?”

A pained grimace of a smile from the half melting Gossifleur answered that question for the gym leader.

Milo: “Oh. Show that Stunky the power of Grass! Use Leaf Tornado!”

Sharp leaves spew forth from Gossifleur to encircle Miz.

Turffield Stadium

Miz was hit by the Leaf Tornado but endured through it.

"Alright, another Acid Spray!"

Miz let out another spray of acid.

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

Cafe Sonata

"You're not actually- ugh, never mind," he waved off.

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Chateau With Likely A Heatran Inside It

Anthem: <Okay so we get outside while actively being burnt and then just pop the app yeah? Yo Rak, can you heal and run!?>

Hope so!

-Rakash swaps to Orpheus and starts trying to spam Heal Pulses on anyone who looks even the slightest bit injured as everyone runs-

Cafe Sonata

-Pent gives just this wide, warm smile-

Personal's good, means you can put a lot of genuine emotion into it. I'm just kinda stunned from hearing it. You did great.

PMD-B-B

/Duck/: <Should I turn the timer off? I mean technically you haven't scared them away yet, it was the vehicle of Khan and Artyom.>

-There's a brief, surprised beep-

/Duck/: <Huh! Yes that fits expectations. Hello Artyom and Khan, my carrier is injured and tired. May we board your motorized rail transit vehicle?>

Budew Drop Inn

-Gale sits on the floor of the hotel room, laptop open in front of her as she watches the chat talk about her recent gym battle-

-Even though things were positive, Gale felt the need to address part of her own performance that she felt was a negative light on that day-

So, um... I'm sorry for being so upset during the gym battle. The second one. I was angry and honestly considering dropping out if I failed again and... Yeah. Sorry for being a bit of a salty pile.

-It feels weird to her to see her followers so supportive. In all the internet, she managed to end up with a community that seems almost completely positive. There is one question people have, how did Gale manage to teach her Sobble the move Bounce?-

Heh. Let's say a little bird helped me get it. Actually, I might need to call it early because I've got some stuff I need to do so... Well tune in when I'm online for more chats and cooking and training as I make my way up to Hulbery okay?

-She smiles and taps something... That doesn't actually turn off the stream. A few people leave the chat but the rest watch as Gale stands up and starts rummaging through her bag in the sunset light. The portion of the chat that didn't leave during the outro scramble, trying to grab her attention-

Alright so where did I put it...

-There is talk in the chat that there are two possibilities as Gale sets up candles through the room and lights them as the sunlight dims: Either she's about to accidentally break the Terms of Service or she 'failed to turn off the stream' on purpose and something interesting is about to happen... That might also break the Terms of Service-

Okay. I reach to the shadows, beyond the vigilant Legendary gaze...

-Gale takes a feather from her pocket and holds it close to her chest as the candles around her flicker-

Let my request for audience take wing and find you, lady of night.

-One by one, the candles flicker and dim, the room filling with a soft purple light. Gale smiles softly seeing this happen, this weird magic that by all rights has no place in the world she inhabits. A few phantasmal Krow and Corvi settle on the hotel room furnishings and a voice echos through the room. It is not a full manifestation, but it is enough for this audience-

Voice of Nocturnal: So, she who calls herself Nightingale. I presume you wish to give thanks for your recent victory.

You... You are aware of that?

Voice of Nocturnal: I heard your desperate plea and while I did not act to influence the scales, luck was still on your side.

Well thank you, though I do regard your help in more than just the matter of critical hits.

-With a quick sleight of hand, Gale presents a TM for Bounce-

I know your favored Pokemon cannot learn this ability, but I wish to offer you a cut of the spoils regardless.

-One of the phantasmal Krows swoops across the room to grab the disc out of her Hand before fading away-

Voice of Nocturnal: Perhaps one of my proper Nightingales will find use for such a boon. Is that all?

I believe so, thank you for your time.

-Without a reply, the manifestation fades away and the candlelight returns to a more ordinary hue. Gale stands there for a moment, still holding the feather tight before she steps over to turn on the electric lighting for the room-

That went well. Now then...

-She steps over to the laptop and smiles into the camera, playfully and most importantly knowingly-

Any questions chat?

Edited by Pentigan on Feb 22nd 2020 at 10:16:36 PM

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Cafe Sonata

Kaylan: <Oh, yeah, you were amazing! Sorry for not saying it before...>

Elton: (as exciteable as ever, to Colton) <That was AWESOME—!>

Kim: "Perhaps too awesome. The rest of the band- and the rest of my Pokemon- are starting to get worried now." (Then— she smirks.) "But don't rest yet, Rever. I have a trump card of my own. Two, in fact. They'll be waiting for you in Round 2."

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Cafe Sonata

"Oh. Thanks!" Ammy said warmly, a warm smile crossing her face. "I was a little worried I didn't do too hot, but if you approve I did something right.

"Heh, truth be told I bounced around the idea of using my tails as a metronome. I could given the meter."

Meanwhile...

"What do you mean? We're done for the night - we weren't given that much time; only enough for two songs each."

Chateau Conflagration

"Seriously?! A Heatran?! Right now?!"

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Galar Route 5, past

Channah: -turns- You alright, big guy?

There is no disdain in nature, there is no humiliation.

Goodness Gracious Great Halls on Fire

-Mona, Director, Tigress, and Hound have been here the whole time. Don't question it.-

Mona: -jumping up and grabbing Director's neck- MOVE IT!

Director: -seeing the Heatran- Right. Running now.

Tigress: -spinning on her heel- Nopenopenopenope.

Hound: -turning tails- Too hot for me.

-Expeditious Retreat out of a blazing inferno!-

Mona: I guess there is something I can do too. ZORRO!

-The black-clad Pokesona appears floating behind Mona and Director as the run.-

Mona: Protect us!

-Zorro's cape flairs and a shimmering, silver and blue aura envelops the group, protecting them from status effects.-

Cafe Sonata

Kim: (sinks a bit) "Oh." (then, brightening) "Actually... I figure that the time off would give Milagros practice for the keyboards. And the Gym Challenge is still a thing, so... two songs each is fair."

(She turns to the band.)

Kim: "Pack it up, guys. Show's over."

(Upon hearing the news, Sinatra sinks a bit. Dio, meanwhile, raises his hand and grins.)

Dio: "You got it, Kim!"

(He starts packing up his guitar. Sinatra and Paul, meanwhile, leave their instruments to Ian, before tapping their respective chokers three times. In a matter of minutes, they are, respectively, back to being a Furret and a Butterfree. Sinatra walks up to Kim from backstage, slightly miffed.)

Sinatra: <Ya kidding? I had practiced on this trumpet for hours and I didn't even get to use it?>

Paul: <Ah, don't sweat it, Sinatra. You'll get to use it in the next match.>

Sinatra: <True... if there even is one. That performance of "Jambi" was just too dang good.>

(Dio, meanwhile, taps his choker, reverting back to his regular Gliscor form. He flies over to Kim and Colton.)

Dio: <Thanks for the chokers, Colt. Seriously, you have no idea how good it felt to have hands. And yeah! "Jambi" was awesome! But... I'm still fairly confident that we're going to win. Or at least that it'll be pretty close.>

(Beat. Kim looks up, then stares over at Colton, then Milagros, then Ian, then Pentigan, then at Ammy, then back at Colton, then at all of her Pokemon— and then she smiles wistfully.)

Kim: "Actually... I think this match is pretty cut-and-dry."

(Dio blinks.)

Dio: <Cut-and-dry...?> (and then it hits him) <Wait... are you thinking about doing what I think you're thinking about doing?!>

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Feb 22nd 2020 at 7:30:39 AM

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Galar Route 5, past

-To Channah-

Yeah, just phantom pains, I get them sometimes.

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

Galar Route 5, past

Channah: -narrows her eyes at him in confusion- ...Like, since when? I - don't remember this happening before. -blinks- Unless I'm just that unobservant.

There is no disdain in nature, there is no humiliation.

Galar Route 5

-To Channah-

You mentioning the Guzzlord reminded me of what happened last year, is what I mean. I get similar feelings around the time I got shot in the back with a Dark Pulse.

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

Cafe Sonata

"'Cut and dry'?" Colton parroted. "Don't tell me you're conceding.

"After all, it would be easier to put it into writing." He pulled a pad of paper and a pen from his backpack before setting them on the table.

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Galar Route 5, past

Channah: Ohhh. That makes sense. Well that kinda sucks.

There is no disdain in nature, there is no humiliation.

Galar Route 5, yesterday

-Shrugs-

Eh, such is life.

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

Cafe Sonata

Kim: (smiles) "That is, indeed, what I am doing."

(And at that news, all of Kim's Pokemon react with shock.)

Joel: <E-excuse me?>

Geddy: <But... but what about the other three performances you had planned?>

Freddie: <D-doesn't this mean... you're out?>

Kim: (smirking down at Freddie) "Oh, don't worry, Freddie. If I recall correctly, there's still a losers' bracket."

Elton: <So... we could still have a shot at this?!>

Kim: "Indeed. Besides, you gotta admit... that performance of [Jambi] was probably better than anything we could have ever done."

Sinatra: <She... does have a point there, actually.>

Kaylan: <They're certainly better at singing than me.>

(Kim smiles, then looks over at Dio— who nods along with Paul. She then walks up to Colton, and extends her hand.)

Kim: "Congratulations, Rever. It has been an honor."

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Café Sonata

Me: Evelyn...

Evelyn: You saw it too, didn't you?

-Ian nods.-

Me: Kim just forfeit the battle to Shadow Cast.

Evelyn: Kim did say that there's a loser's bracket.

Me: Yeah, but that's just it! There's a loser's bracket... and one sour note there and New Dawn's Dreamers has had it!

Evelyn: Taihenda!!

Me: Pretty much, Evelyn... And I was hoping we could pin the saboteurs of the other three bands, too...

-Ian thinks to himself...- And find out their motive for doing so...

Me: THAT'S RIGHT!!!! I never mentioned the third possible motive for the saboteurs' wrong-doings!!!!!

♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...

Cafe Sonata

(Kim suddenly jerks back her hand upon hearing Ian's voice, and looks up.)

Kim: (startled) "Ian? W-what's wrong?"

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Cafe Sonata

[MILAGROS’ POV]

I would blink. “Excuse me for one second...”

I took out my coffee thermos, took a long sip of it... then proceeded to spit it out in the corner.

“Wait, we’re yielding this early on?! I mean, I know about the loser’s bracket, but still.”

Edited by Routeferret on Feb 22nd 2020 at 1:44:58 PM

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

Café Sonata

Me: -Motor Mouth intensifies- Back at the Rebel Treble, I said there might have been another motive for why Hard Candy, Apocaklipz and the church choir have been sabotaged, but I never got to say what it was!

♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...

Cafe Sonata

Kim: "Oh, don't you worry, Milagros. I have a feeling that we're going to win this one— especially because this time you're going to be involved." (then, to Ian) "And... what's the third motive, Ian?"

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Café Sonata

Me: -full-voice, that everyone in Café Sonata can hear it.- MELOETTA!

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Feb 22nd 2020 at 8:51:13 AM

♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...

Cafe Sonata

"Oh yeah, Julius talked about this," Colton recalled, sending out the swiftly-shapshifting Normal-type.

"Money and vengeance, but... why her?"

Edited by AbsentCoder on Feb 22nd 2020 at 5:52:49 AM

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Feb 22nd 2020 at 8:55:23 AM

♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...