Tuffield Gym - Past

Isbrand: "I don't have time for games, Milo."

Milo: "Another J-Teamer, huh? I'll have to go all out!"

-He sends out Edelgoss.-

Isbrand: "Hellfire?"

-The Houndoom growls. Isbrand sticks out her tongue and revels a cut down shimmering stone.-

Isbrand: "   Burn.   "

"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"

motostoke, past

Violet: That sounds kinda sketchy...

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

Castle looked to the others and took another draw of his cigarette, the man must go through a pack a day.

"Want a job huh? We want a living subject, we capture and sell pokemon. Killing is usually out," Vault responded.

Trench nodded, "We have a job for you then. You are to capture the charizard of a Champion, bring us one alive and you will be set, we'll provide you with some basic tools, Trophy base and a petrifier."

The screens changed showing three options, the Galar Champion Leon, the trainer known as Red, and the Indigo Elite Four member Lance.

"We'd add another option but he's not currently a champion."

Delta responded in a low tone, "He touches Rodan I'm gutting him."

J smirked, "Calm down Delta, your beloved Charizard is safe."

"Rule One is no attacking other Hunters or their teams, that has... dire consequences," Storm noted.

Castle put out his smoke, "So, are you ready, Domino?"

Motostoke

Gaius: Well fine, I'll look for clues myself.

-he storms off-

Cavity: <Milc!>

-she follows-

Turffeild, Will

-The Houndoom skids back a bit and yips-

Dr. Multimom: Flamethrower!

-The Houndoom that I have not figured out a personality or name for yet spits a jet of flame at the Nuzleaf-

Turffeild Gym

Bugs: <Ow! Say, go easier on a bun's sensitive ears, will ya?>

Jared: Flame Charge!

-Bugs sets himself on fire-

-Then rams into the Edelgoss at high speed-

Ersatz Alliance

-Mog yelps at being teleported, but looks around in awe-

Mog: <Never seen a store like this...>

Falinks: <Troops! Spread out and find clothes for the general!>

Falinks Troopers: <Yes sir!>

-they do so-

Contact Me!

Motostoke, past

Violet: Hey, wait! I didn't mean it like that!

-She tries to follow him.-

Roger: So, it is them.

-He takes the poster off the lamp post.-

a cafe in Motostoke, past

-Cady and Kat are drinking coffee at a table outside when Roger comes back.-

Cady: Oh, you're back!

Kat: Where'd you go off to?

-Roger holds up the poster.-

Kat: Isn’t that one of those delta pokemon from Holon?

Roger: <As far as I can tell, yes.>

Kat: And this concerns us because?

Roger: <From what I gathered, the people who took this pokemon are the same ones who kidnapped you that one time.>

Kat: Well. I guess we should help...

Edited by QuantumMelody29 on Mar 4th 2020 at 10:21:05 AM

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

Hulbury Store

"So," Colton started, turning to Mog. "I'm guessing you're the "general" your brass is talking about?"

Edited by AbsentCoder on Mar 4th 2020 at 4:07:46 AM

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Turffield, Multimom

Dart is unable to dodge the Flamethrower completely. He's burnt bad and is moving noticeably more slowly, but he manages to roll with the impact of the attack and keep up his momentum enough for one more Rollout kick

---

Moka the Monferno, now holding a pair of pom-poms, flicks her tail angrily and growls. The flame on the tip of the tail flares.

At Will's other side, Fuka's Binacle, Elanor waves her own pom-poms in a well-rehearsed pattern

Wasteland of Greed

-The last attack wave hits, and the air becomes a fireball.-

Vulcanus used Disintegrate!

-Those who took the chance to hide behind Zorro's Wide Guard make it through just fine, with no damage. The heat is still awful, but not in a damaging way.-

-For those who found more improvised cover, such as rocks or debris, it's not so kind. They aren't hit with the bulk of the attack, luckily, but it very quickly becomes evident why "Disintegrate" is the given name of the attack. Wood turns to ash, rocks and wall plaster turn to dust.-

-Those who banked entirely on taking Vulcanus down before he got the final attack out don't have time to regret it before they're knocked unconscious. The flames are almost infernal in nature, comprised less of literal heat and more of relentless rage. It's a quality anyone who fought Cipher would recognize immediately.-

-Outlaw was, luckily, quick enough to hide behind the Wide Guard. She peeks her head out as the fireball dissipates, and looks at the state Vulcanus is at. Exhausted, trembling, and unsteady.-

╓────────────────────────────────────────────╢ VULCANUS ╟────────────────────────────────────────────╖ 
╠╡ HP ╞══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ 
║████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████║ 
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

Outlaw: ...There's... nothing I can do except finish the job. Ali?

-Ali Baba's form flickers a bit more before returning to a solid state, and he looks at Outlaw.-

Ali Baba: <Let's be over with this. Finally.>

-Outlaw nods.-

Outlaw: It's called 'Bulldoze' for a reason.

-Ali Baba puts away both scimitars into their sheathes, and charges headlong at Vulcanus.-

-Upon impact, Outlaw feels the sting of the heat. But remains resolute.-

-For a moment, Vulcanus doesn't budge.-

-And then it stumbles back slightly, and Ali keeps pushing. And it stumbles more. And more, and more, until it's pushed back into the smoldering remains of the house.-

-The debris gives way, the remaining foundation crumbles, and sand pours into the hole. The volcano in the distance returns to normal. The heat in the air cools down, offering the chill of an impending desert night.-

-And with no more Palace to register, the world finally shifts...-

Abandoned Operations HQ

-Back to reality.-

Rose: ...We're done.

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Mar 4th 2020 at 10:59:34 AM

All is but Dust in the Wind

-There is a collective intake of breath as the rocks from the Rock Tomb a charred to dust.

Director: Not good.

-Zorro's and Mona's faces tense as they focus to maintain the Wide Guard against the scorching rage-heat. As the blaze subsides, there there is a collective sigh of relief as Ali Baba Bulldozes the exhausted mental construct.-

Real World, December 2019

-Ren, Aria, Oscar, and Morgan le Fey jolt a bit from the harsh transition from the metaverse.-

Ren: Reeeealll glad we were already at the exit point. I don't like to think what would have happened if weren't with an exit like that.

Chateau d'Nope

Being surrounded by hot metal on all sides isn't exactly pleasant, but Daydre counts herself lucky she's not unconscious or worse.

-coughing- "Oh yeah, go Rose!"

Snap Back To Reality

-cough-

"Well, that was.. A lot."

off the shits

Operations HQ, December 2019

Julius: ...to use language the others taught me, holy shit.

Turffeild, Will

-The Houndoom smirks and throws up a Protect-

Dr. Multiman: Rollout's predictable, kid!

Ersatz Alliance

Mog: <Oh! Um, yes. Their name is Trojan. I only just recently gave my Pokemon names. Someone helped me.>

Contact Me!

Abandoned HQ

Rage and Love remained on the floor, where he collapsed. He doesn't seem to be moving, but his pulse is racing, his hair and clothes are matted with sweat and his breathing is labored.

Hulbury Dept. Store

"Not one for nicknames, or not one they come easily to? I mean, that's fair, but I don't really have that problem," he shrugged.

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Abandoned Ops HQ

-Elizabeth slumps on the ground, resting her head on Christina while Oberon climbs on Liz's stomach.-

Elizabeth: "Fuck that shit. I wanna sleep for a week."

-She tilts her head at Rose.-

Elizabeth: "Is now a bad time to apologize for what I said when Demeter and I fought Tom Fool?"

---

Tuffield Gym, Past

-Suprisingly, a weak Grassmon can stand up for long against a Mega Evolved fire-type. Milo frowns as he recalls Edelgoss.-

Milo: "Here's how we do things in Galar! Gossifleur, Dynamax!"

-Hellfire growls.-

---

Hulbury Gym, Present

-Shaun laughs.-

Shaun: "Seriously? This is a cakewalk."

Jamie: <Actually these are catwalks? And aren't you worried about Nessa?>

-Shaun shrugs.-

Shaun: "Eh, it'll be fine. Sucks you don't have Freeze Dry but whatever. Now, let's set a record for clearing this puzzle."

-He recalls Jamie and snaps his fingers, a hookshot construct appearing in his hand.-

Shaun: "Excuse me ma'am, where am I heading?"

-The Gym Trainer points at the exit to the pitch. Shaum levels his hookshot.-

Shaun: "Excellent."

"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"

Wasteland of Greed

-In the aftermath of the attack and the collapse, Rakash was about to heal everyone up with Orpheus but then the Metaverse just stopped being the Metaverse-

Abandoned Operations HQ, Before Christmas

-Pent blinks and looks around-

Uh... Anyone bring actual healing items?

PMD-B-D6

/Duck/: >Oh dear that's gonna need a cleaning. Still, might be best to wander through the tale told...

-/Duck/ drifts back to physical reality and emerges from a wall in the Barracks-

/Duck/: <Have we agreed to help these folks out?>

Hulbury Stadium

-Nightingale walks onto the pitch and takes up position across from Nessa-

I will not falter to the challenge, not again.

Nessa: Alright so let's go! Goldeen!

James!

-The two send out their respective water-types and prepare to fight. There is a tenseness in the air as the two trainers and two Pokemon stare each other down-

Tearful Look!

Nessa: Agility!

-Flash forward-

-There's been a fairly even trade of blows so far, the shared typing requiring both trainers to pick moves that are only neutral in advantage to each other. But the thing is James knows Bounce, a stronger move than any of his naturally-learned moves with the added benefit of paralysis and evasion-

-Unfortunately, after sweeping Goldeen and Arrokuda he's left heavily injured going into the third member of Nessa's team-

Nessa: Well, that was a strong start but can you hold up against the power of a Dynamaxed Drednaw?

James, stay in.

Nessa: Interesting play, let's see how it goes. Drednaw!

-Immediately Nessa dynamaxes the Pokeball and sends out the big big turtle friend. However she is a little intrigued as to Nightingale not doing the same with James-

Nessa: Max Geyser?

Bounce.

-James, still clearly tired and battered jumps in the air, somehow avoiding the big showy c ascade of water that leads to an impromptu rainstorm-

Nessa: No Dynamaxing? What's the deal with that? You can't just avoid me forever.

-Nightingale flashes the eyes of her helmet blue and laughs-

Yes. But I can make you waste your Dynamax without using my own. And I've got one more Pokemon ready to fight once Drednaw's back to normal~

-The audience goes silent as it becomes clear what the strategy means for the end of this battle: A giant Acolyte able to blast the Drednaw with Max-tier moves and little repercussion-

Nessa: ... Milo warned me about the mind games but yeesh.

-All Nightingale can do is laugh again and 'wink' one of the helmet eyes-

Edited by Pentigan on Mar 5th 2020 at 4:00:38 AM

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Abandoned Operations HQ — After The Battle

-Rose sighs as the adrenaline fades, and glances over at Elizabeth.-

Rose: ...it's fine, Liz. I... I need... rest. I'm going home.

-She digs through her bag for Pixie's Poke Ball. For a moment, she blinks at the number of Poke Balls in her bag, but blames it on tiredness giving her a bit of double-vision.-

Stormchaser — After The Battle

-When Rose returns to the Stormchaser, she's thoroughly exhausted, spending the last remaining ounces of energy to trudge through the door.-

-She's definitely not equipped to handle seeing the aftermath of Robinson's attack on the airship.-

Rose: ...Fuuuuuuuuck.

-She lets out a shaky exhale, and keeps her head down as she makes her way back to her room. Scarlette sees her approaching in the halls.-

Scarlette: Oh, shit, Rose, you're back. You... okay? Everything go over... y'know, the way it was supposed to?

-Rose just nods tiredly. She attempts to keep walking, but after a moment, starts teetering.-

Scarlette: Rose!

-She quickly catches her before she falls over.-

Scarlette: Fuck, please be okay...

Rose: (weakly) ...I'll be... fine. I'm just... tired. Can I lean on you the rest of the way?

-Scarlette nods, helping to steady her, and walks her back to her room. Rose quickly makes her way to her bed, collapsing in it immediately.-

Scarlette: ...Hope you feel better soon. We've got a promise to keep, remember?

-Rose nods weakly.-

Rose: ...I will. I'm gonna. I'm...

-She gives a long sigh, and it's not long before she's passed out asleep. Scarlette stays for a moment, gazing at her with worry, before getting out her phone.-

-She hits send, looks at Rose again, brushes her hair out of her face, and turns to leave.-

Mobius Airship — Two Days Later

-There's a knock on Multiman's door.-

-Whether or not he responds, it opens, and in walks one very disheveled Doctor Valentina Robinson. Her face is visible, with a stony expression. She doesn't meet Multiman's eyes.-

-She silently places a folded letter on the desk, and leaves without a word.-

-The bottom of the letter bears her signature. The second page is a list of names — included are her own name, as well as "Paula Jaide". The same signature appears at the bottom of the second page.-

The Velvet Room

Thanks to Tagg for spagging this section!

-It's not exactly certain what point she wakes up here, but nonetheless, Rose stirs and awakens within the familiar prison bars of the Velvet Room. Once again clad in the ragged shirt and pants that she normally ends up in, but unlike before, her arms are wrapped in surprisingly clean bandages, softening the discomfort from her manacles.-

Igor: So, we find ourselves meeting alone once more, Rose Jaide.

Rose: I hope this one's the last time. No offense to you, I just don't like being alone here.

Igor: You managed to tame not only the Shadow within, but the part of you that was excised many years ago through conquering your Palace, yet another stop on your path to rehabilitation.

-Rose gives a quick, quiet, mirthless chuckle.-

Rose: At this point, I'm starting to wonder if I need literal rehab next to this whole mental rehab deal.

-She leans against the wall right by the bars.-

Rose: ...There's so much about this that's still bugging me. Maybe it'll be clearer once our shared memories finish sorting themselves out, but... She had a Persona. Two of them, Maui and Necronomicon. While I was still struggling with one. Have you been having these chats with her, too?

Igor: -Clasping his fingers together- Paula was on her own path of rehabilitation separate from your own and the other Thieves, and one I feel proved quite successful in the end. Your Shadow she may have began as, the memories of your original self, but a Shadow separated from its host long enough can gain its own identity, as she did.

Rose: ...Hm. So. The whole deal with Team Skull, and apparently spying on Iron and Mobius... I'm guessing that was all part of hers?

-She winces from the faint headache of trying to make sense of her new memories.-

Igor: Yes. Paula is and was a chaotic being, but through rehabilitation, her chaos was used to help instead of hinder. Taking over Team Skull gave a number of disaffected youths the structure and guidance that they may not have gotten otherwise, they may well have ended up joining with a far more criminal Team. Spying on Iron and Mobius led to the latter's downfall far more quickly than it may have without her involvement.

-Grinning-

Of course, this wasn't the only way she ended up helping, as you might realize now.

Rose: ...

-Rose crosses her arms as a few dots connect in her mind.-

Rose: ...It was a test. She was testing me. That's why— of course. She never actually wanted to take over after she got back in my mind. That's what that whole thing at the end was?

Igor: Indeed. In the end, despite her propensity for supervillainous theatrics, Paula always was on you and your fellow inmate's side. In that regard, she was not that much different from another person you know involved in the struggle against Dr. Robinson and her Shadow.

-Rose can't help but laugh. It's a quiet laugh, flecked with hints of disbelief — not that she doesn't believe what Igor says, but out of dumbfounded amusement that events turned out the way they did.-

Rose: Heh... so, I guess that's it, then. For now, anyway. I still... have a lot of loose ends to finish tying up.

Igor: Growth is not simply like a railroad that ends in a terminus, but one that continues throughout one's life, and sometimes even after that. You have progressed far in your rehabilitation, in some ways even further than some of your fellow inmates, but there's still much more for you to go.

Rose: I wouldn't expect any less.

-She stretches-

Rose: So, time to head back? There's a couple of conversations I need to have, like, ASAP.

Igor: Oh, that would be right now. Until we meet again, Rose Jaide.

-And the Velvet Room starts fading from Rose's sight-

Stormchaser

-It isn't until a week has passed since the fights, when Rose finally wakes up in reality again.-

-She groans in soreness as her muscles finally get used to moving again, and she sits herself up, rubbing sleep from her eyes, and blearily looks at her surroundings. Around her, there have been several get-well-soon gifts laid on the ground and table. From Scarlette, Mason, Kai, and probably a few others. But the more significant surprise is the individual in the room at that exact moment, bringing in her own gift.-

Diane: Oh, hey, you're awake. Perfect timing, I guess?

Rose: ...Yeah, I...

-She blinks a bit, to make sure her eyes aren't deceiving her (or that she's having some sort of hallucination, either of a waking or sleep-paralysis variety).-

Rose: ...What are you... doing here?

Diane: Well, Kai let me know you were out cold like this, and... for a really long time, apparently. It's been a week.

Rose: ...I...

-She takes a breath, trying to process everything.-

Rose: ...I'm gonna... go take a shower real quick. There's a lot I'm feeling, but at the very least I'd like to feel less sweaty and greasy and gross.

Diane: Oh, yeah, by all means. I'll just be outside, 'kay?

-Rose nods, stands up, stumbles a bit, and staggers her way to the shower.-

---

-One shower later, Rose pokes her head out of the doorway.-

Rose: All good to come back in. Uh, want a drink? I've got some hard lemonade in the fridge.

Diane: Sure, I'd love that. Thanks.

-Rose nods, and lets her in, digging out a couple bottles of what's probably the equivalent of [Mike's Hard Lemonade] from the fridge and tossing one to Diane, who pops it open.-

-There's a moment of quiet.-

-Rose rubs the back of her neck.-

Rose: ...So.

Diane: Mhm.

Rose: ...

Diane: ...Well, I guess, to start with... who am I talking to here?

Rose: ...Rose. Both, but... Rose.

-Diane nods slowly, taking a sip of her drink.-

Rose: ...Yeah. I... fuck, I don't...

Diane: Relax, relax, you're fine.

-Rose stammers for a moment, before sighing and forcing herself to settle down.-

Rose: ...Orre was... a fucked up time. I was a fucked up person. I— Paula half of me— I'm not proud of the teen I was. Real easy to say, but fuck.

Diane: What... made you that sort of person?

-Rose swallows dryly, and takes a sip of her drink.-

Rose: Fell in with the wrong crowd, I guess is the best way to put it. Emotionally volatile teenage me ditched my fuckin' awful parents and ran a quarter of the way across the globe, Ardos found me and did his fuckin' Palpatine bullshit, I tried to prove myself in other — also kinda fucked up because I was totally clueless — ways, got my ass handed to me, and boom, seduced by the dark side of the Force. If you'll pardon the Star Wars metaphor.

Diane: ...The metaphor certainly paints a picture, at least.

Rose: Mhm. What I wouldn't do to be able to fuckin'... rewind my whole goddamn life to not have that guy be the first to offer me a job.

Diane: Hey, you've got a way better job now, don't you? I hear Asimov picked you up.

Rose: Yeah, that's right.

-Her eyes widen-

Rose: Ah, fuck, I gotta keep tabs on the Skull kids, too. I— Paula half— I was looking after them after Guzma wimped out. Didn't want them to end up the same way I did, y'know?

Diane: ...Mm.

-There's a moment of quiet.-

Rose: ...Hey, Diane?

Diane: Yeah?

Rose: ...I'm still Rose. But I'm also Paula again. So... I know that I hurt you. I know how I hurt you. And I know, for certain, that I'll never be able to wash away the shame I feel for everything I put you through. So... whatever it takes to make it up to you, I'll start today.

Diane: ...

-Diane finishes her drink.-

Diane: ...I think showing you're still Rose in there is enough to make it up for me. It means the last six years still count.

Rose: ...Got it. Thank you.

-Diane nods-

Diane: Besides, you could use some less fucked-up family in your life, right?

-Rose blinks.-

Rose: Y-yeah, I... yeah.

-Diane smiles, and gives Rose a sidehug. Rose stammers a bit, before awkwardly hugging back.-

Diane: Thanks for the drink. I'll let Skye know you're up, okay? She'll probably wanna talk as well.

Rose: R-right, uh... see ya, I guess.

-Diane lets go, and heads out. Rose wipes away a tear that had begun to form.-

Textspace — Sometime over the following week

Multi Carrier, December 2019

Dr. Multiman: ...

...Xerneas damn it not again...

Edited by Umbramatic on Mar 4th 2020 at 12:10:35 PM

Contact Me!

Turffield, Multimom

Will (grins): Not usually from a Grass-type though. There's only about a half-dozen Grass-type species that can even learn it. Makes for a great sucker punch against Fire-types. (back to business) Dart, Synthesize to recover.

Dart the Nuzleaf grins and assumes an almost meditative stance

Ren's Office, The Holiday season

-Ren was VERY busy with after his news department published the headline

Phantom Thieves Spark Chain of Arrests! Many Former Cipher Members Outed in Scandal!

-Causing the arrest of Cipher members had boosted the popularity and made the Thieves an global story. Clavis Media and Entertainment Advisory had erupted in terms of value. It had paid off making a deal with his cousin Aphrodite. Taking down Cipher remnants, making a lot of money, boosting his credibility in the conglomerate, having an alibi, AND gaining a windfall. It was good to be a director and the Director.-

-New depths and paths in Mementos as a result and the requests for help started pouring in.-

-Of course, Ren had signed to sponsor Des in his Galar League attempt so there was also that added to his plate too.-

Wyndon Hotel

-Ren had set up shop while Des's Gym Callenge was going on.-

Edited by keys2tkingdom on Mar 4th 2020 at 11:46:16 AM

Turffield Gym

After an arduous journey that really wasn't arduous at all because she'd been here before and just took a flying taxi, Daydre arrives.

-Cracking her knuckles- "Alrighty, you guys ready?"

Kazma: <No, but let's pretend I am.>

   Bartholomew    <I'm ready t' earn my keep!>

"But you don't have to- okay, whatever, I've already said that several times, no use harping on it."

Hellebore nods sagely.

Kazma: <Wait, who's she?>

"Oh, I figured I should bring her along just in case. This gym seems to be right about her skill level anyway. Would've brought along Rikuo too but I couldn't clear it with the feds in time. But anyway! Let's go!"

Daydre and co. start to march towards the entrance when something catches Daydre's attention and she abruptly stops, causing the other three to crash into her. The girl with the custom uniform from earlier walks out of the stadium, and Daydre once again gets that look like she sees something familiar.

Kazma: <What're you doing? Weren't we gonna go?>

"Wait, hold on, I'm thinking."

Not just the weird badge thing on her cape, but also her face. Something about it just seems very familiar..

But where could I..

Kazma: <Hey, don'cha think that girl you're staring at looks a bit like you?>

Oh.

Kazma: <Yeah actually, I see it more now, mostly around the face shape and nose. You two don't seem to have similar eyes at all though->

"Well, I am dumb."

Kazma: <Dunno if I'd go that far, but->

??? Girl: "Um, are you feeling alright?"

The funny thing about staring at people intensely is that, usually, eventually, they pick up that you're staring. Daydre makes a face like she's just mentally bluescreened.

??? Girl: "You're staring quite a bit, I haven't got something on my face have I?"

Daydre shakes her head and recovers.

"Er, no. You just seemed a bit familiar, is all."

??? Girl: "Oh? Don't get that one often." She giggles. ".. From the uniform, I take it you're here for the challenge?"

"Yeah."

??? Girl: "Well, don't let me distract you. Good luck! This gym's a bit of an easy one though, so I doubt you'll need it."

...And with that she wanders off.

".. Okay, now we can go!"

And the merry quartet traipses into the stadium.

off the shits

Phantom Thief Textspace, December 2019

-He types, not knowing at this moment that it will be more then two months before the next proper adventure of the Phantom Thieves-

Hulbury Stadium

-James has fainted on the first hit after coming down from the Bounce. It's down to each trainer's last Pokemon. Nessa tries to look upbeat to the camera but the sense in the stadium that the rest of the fight is an inevitability. Nightingale recalls her Drizzile and idly rolls Acolyte's pokeball in her hand-

Nessa: I think the audience deserves a fair fight, challenger. Shall we?

Fair, sure. You got a Dynamax so I shall too.

Nessa: You know what I mean. One v one, your bird against Drednaw.

I'm just going by the rules.

-That prompts Nessa's expression to falter for a moment-

Nessa: After what you did in the maze you're all 'by the rules' now?

-The atmosphere grows tense as Nightingale narrows the lighting on her lenses-

No rule saying I can't jump across the gaps, no rule saying I can't bait out a Dynamax and clean up with one of my own.

Nessa: A bad attitude like that and the audience is liable to turn against you.

Fine. One on one, no Dynamaxing... Go, Acolyte.

Nessa: That's what makes Galar the best League in the world, we've got the best and biggest audiences in the world!

-Nightingale lets out Acolyte, who is looking a bit bigger since he was last on screen. Acolyte has evolved into a Corvisquire-

Acolyte: <Oh that's a big... When am I getting big again?>

Alright I held up to my side of this fair agreement.

-Nessa nods and recalls the Drednaw briefly before sending it out in it's conventional size-

Acolyte, Fury Attack!

Nessa: Razor Shell!

-And the battle continues. Let's cut ahead a few more turns-

-The 'rain' had passed just a few seconds ago but the benefits to Drednaw's Water moves had done a lot to wear down Acolyte's defenses (along with Razor Shell doing the same innately). That isn't to say the Corvisquire hadn't put up a good fight, almost every turn it was safe to he had Honed Claws to edge out extra damage. It's just that at the rate of trading blows to blows it'd take something special for Nightingale to pull out the victory-

Nessa: See? Doesn't this feel way more exhilarating? The crowd's cheering, challenger!

Yeah well of course they are you're winning. Acolyte... Power Trip?

Nessa: Let's finish this off with a Bite.

Acolyte: <You shouldn't of let me build up power!>

-The raven divebombs in, wingtips flickering with leaking shadow...-

It's a Critical Hit!

-There's a collective gasp, watching to see whether this lucky hit is enough... There is a few moments as Acolyte retreats to his trainer's side and Nessa watches her Drednaw carefully-

Sorry, I don't control the crits.

-It looks a little like Nessa is holding back a cutting quip before sighing and recalling the Drednaw-

Nessa: Okay so that was actually a pretty good fight once we got things going fair. So... Congratulations. On behalf of the League, I'm happy to give you this Water Badge.

-There's a cheer as Nightingale steps forward to obtain the badge. Jumpcut to-

[Unmentioned Social Media Platform]

-Gale takes a deep breath, staring into the camera-

So I felt like a total Heel in that battle. I don't like that feeling.

-She glances up at something off-camera and lets out a faint sigh-

I don't want to be 'that cheating daedra-worshiper in the black suit', I wanna be like... A hero, a good representative of the Aurabolts who can draw a crowd onto her side. I think... I think we'll see how things go with Motostoke Gym before I decide how to get back in the public's good graces. But...

-She pops a weak smile-

There is one thing I want to do in Hulbury before we leave. Join me tomorrow for a special cooking stream and a special announcement. Till then, sleep well darlings.

-She cuts off the camera and tries to lose herself in the flow of the night to calm down-

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Viridian City, Hotel, MMO Space

The S³ continued bouncing around throughout the citadel, and with each of them already running and jumping most of the time, the platforming wasn't so much of a problem for them - unless they had to stand still for a few moments, as in that case, impatience got the better of them, so, in those cases some coordination from Travis would be needed. As for the encounters: The S³ by now were good enough to finish those on their own. Apparently enough, none of them were tha surprised by the physics defying parts of the dungeon - though they were awestruck.

"One may feel fear in the face of danger so long as one banishes fear when danger actually arrives"

Hulbury Stadium

Hulbury Puzzle

She silently ran back and forth between the buttons, desperately looking for a clear path.

"You couldn't just have all the buttons up front?!" She demanded, having been at it for so long she was losing breath.

Hulbury Stadium

"That... took way longer than it needed to," she considered as she made her way to the arena, across from Nessa.

"I admire that dedication to getting past the puzzle," she congratulated. "But that's not the end. This is what we all came here for."

"Best of luck," Ammy nodded before the two took their places.

Abandoned HQ, December

He stirs, too weak to pick himself up but consciousness returning to him. "Ow," he wheezes.

Edited by AbsentCoder on Mar 5th 2020 at 7:53:56 AM

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Textspace - Ambiguous Time Period

-Lucius has the J-Team group chat muted, only occassionally backscrolling through it to see if he's missed any major global emergencies. As such, he doesn't see Rose's message for a while. When he does, though, he doesn't respond immediately, nor does he reply in the chat itself. Instead, he just stares at his phone for a while before sending a message to Rose herself.-

-After a moment, he types out a message to Scarlette as well.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Mar 5th 2020 at 6:51:15 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.

Stormchaser — Ambiguous Time Period

-Lucius gets a couple texts back.-

Galar Route 2:

Kim: "Yes. Yes it is."

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