"Know your role as I say," Delta commented, "And don't remind me. After Banshee they were seriously planning on keeping them as a viable contact, I had to remind them that Pokefutures is nothing but trouble."

Rodin nodded in agreement, Delta smirked, "I'll be providing transport via the Jets, I've got a carrier model meant for larger loads and more than one grunt, should be good enough for this mission."

Delta then nodded to Josiah, who gave a thumbs up, Sphinx would find a few thousand into his account, "Jackal was at least gracious enough to pay up front, there is your share my friend. I will meet Ma'at in [Dubai] shortly."

Delta HQ Monitor

Sphinx: Excellent. Ma'at will rendezvous with you at the lobby at the [Burj al Arab]. Fabulous building by the way. I have several luxury suites there myself. Rooms will be made available as needed. Hold any meetings in my personal suite; I had it configured to allow for secure conversations. Do look your best in the hotel; I've a reputation to uphold and I want my partners to look respectable.

Stormchaser

Phineas: Phineas Braun. Doctor Phineas Braun. I used to be human, but you can probably guess what happened next. Upton is my trainer and closest friend, and the closest thing I have to a family.

Upton arrives with a blanket. He drapes it over gently onto the sleeping conkeldurr.

Upton: Really means a lot d— Phin.

Beat.

Upton: Tommy's not there.

Phineas: I'll go ring him up.

Edited by MasterJayAM on May 27th 2020 at 3:51:42 AM

Edited by EchoingSilence on May 26th 2020 at 6:33:48 AM

Dubai, Hunter Base

Domino was in the basement, practicing with his bow.

Cotton was snoozing nearby.

He loosed and arrow and managed to split a thick wooden target in half after having sunk several dozen arrows into it.

"I swear if I don't see some action soon I'm gonna run out of targets. I'll have to repurpose some of the furniture upstairs for target practice."

Abilene: Is that so?

-murmur- I'm familiar with members of the J-Team. I try not to associate with them as a whole.

Does this particular individual have a name?

Byleth: Below that building.

-they point in its direction-

-shelves rattle-

-pots on sills, silverware on tables—latches on windows and rooftop Wingull, everything in the vicinity shudders under a bone-deep thrum like ripples spiking out across the surface of a lake—-

Waiter: -interrupting- Okay!

-everything subsides-

-they vanish into the Captain's Table, leaving the door open behind them-

Pippy: <...that was sloppy.>

Vee: <Eh.>

Fraidy: -peers at little droplets of water settling between the cobbles-

-distantly, a wave crashes—faint dripping issues from the eaves-

Vee: -eyes her proudly- .3

-circling- <Anyhoo, 'm sure you get the gist.>

<Couldn' pull off a full Pledge myself. Yer pretty close t' gettin' it.>

Fraidy: <R-really?>

Vee: -proudly- <Mhm! There's jus' one thing ya gotta know b'fore you can manifest it fully. One teensy little secret.>

<Ready t' hear it?> .3

Fraidy: -. . .-

-Fraidy nods, determinedly-

Waiter: -returning, raw Wishiwashi in hand- Hey, here. Tough bargainer...

-they toss it to Vee, who snaps it up—then make a little shooing motion-

Go on, get outta town.

-Vee does the one-eyed wink at them, and starts sashaying down the boardwalk-

-everyone more or less follows along-

Fraidy: <...>

-Vee chews slowly, savoring the moment-

-Fraidy sort of drifts in her wake, staying on Vee's good side, sight-wise-

-and when her anticipation whiffs on the verge of actual impatience, Vee swallows the morsel and leans in close and whispers, by her shoulder-

Vee: <All water is born from fire.>

Edited by Asterisk395 on May 26th 2020 at 7:51:19 AM

A van somewhere on one of Unova's Actual Canonical Vehicle Roads

-Somewhere in the crowded confines of the back of this pile of currently-in-motion junk called a 'base', the hunter known as Kitbash blearily removes themself from what is tentatively called a 'sleeping creche' but more resembles a cocoon because one of his numerous terminals is beeping away incessently-

Kitbash: D-L, wazzup?

-A rotating triangle manifests on an LCD screen harvested from a virtual pet-

Download: New mission mate. Coming down from on high too, Delta no less.

-There's a small crash as Kitbash slips a little in surprise and goes tumbling into a pile of helmets-

Kitbash: A top three!? Holy crap man sure sign me up.

Download: He wants you in [Dubai].

-There's a moment of silence, Kitbash extracting themselves from the helmet pile-

Kitbash: I'm sorry [Dubai]? Bright lights, crystal and sand and one autocrat family's massive ego-stroking personal project [Dubai]? Across several oceans [Dubai]?

Download: Yes. Shall I plot a route for Hardwire?

Kitbash: ... Across an ocean?!

Download: To an airport.

Kitbash: Yep, go. Do that. I'll be packing the go-bag. Do we have enough for parking?

Download: I'll sort it. Don't forget sunscreen and clothing.

-Kitbash gives another thumbs-up as they fall back into the helmets due to the van swerving to take an off-ramp-

Hunter's Guild Lair 1.0, [Dubai]

Domino's communication device comes on. It's Ma'at.

Ma'at: Sphinx has sent for you. A vehicle carrying a suit tailored to your proportions will be waiting. When you enter our rendezvous point in this building.

An image of the [Burj Al-Arab] is shown before Domino.

Ma'at: You must mention that you are the guest of one Mr. King. Wait further instructions in the designated room. Delta shall be in command of the mission from there. Sphinx has also provided weaponry, should you choose to field test. Our meeting point is but a base; our actual target building is even taller.

An image of one of Earth's tallest buildings is shown.

Ma'at: So do watch your step.

Turffield, Standing Stone of Water

On her way, Alyesha felt somemon bump into her leg, cuasing her to stop and look down to see who or whatjust bumped into her leg, a slight smile forming on her face when she noticed Puri

Alyesha: "Oh, hello there little one"

Besides her, Matvey cocked his head slightly

Matvey: <Hi~>

As Will then responds, Alyesha looked over, giving a thumbs up

Alyesha: "Yep, don't worry, I just was surprised"

Forte: Hey Piano, someone in chat asked me the other day and now I'm curious.

Mezzo: What?

Forte: Why do have such a thing about not wanting your mind read?

Mezzo: Because my thoughts are mine and they are private and I don't want people peeking in. If I can't keep the inside of my own head safe from onlookers, then what hope is there?

Shadow: <You don't need to panic. I've seen it all before.>

-Mezzo glares at Shadow-

Shadow: <Including that.>

-and then places Sunny on her head-

Sunny: -sigh-

Mezzo: Out of my head, now.

Sunny: <Be nice to Shadow.>

Shadow: <What he said.>

Forte: Yeah, he does that. It doesn't bother me, except when I try to play chess against him.

Shadow: <If I weren't able to look into others' minds, I wouldn't know near as much as I do.>

Mezzo: That doesn't mean you can just go in whenever you want! My head is off limits!

Hunter Network

Hau'Oli City, Shopping District

Salem: I got a mission... from Delta himself.

Marion: <Delta gave you a mission?! It's gotta be important!>

Salem: -smirks- 'Cuz it is, little buddy... Delta needs to meet me in [Dubai] and I need a disguise...

Marion: <So the mission is NOT "come as you are"?>

Salem: Not in the slightest, Marion... So I assume it means we'll be going shopping, then...

-Salem opens up his wallet-

Salem: It's not much... but it's enough for a simple disguise...

-Salem mutters under his breath, "Why do I get the feeling that this whole "Clothing Gag" thing is going to affect me as well?"

-Salem and Marion step into the clothing store to purchase a disguise...

Hau'Oli City, Shopping District (A few minutes later...)

-...and when they leave, Salem is not wearing his trademark black trenchcoat and boots. Instead, he wears more casual clothing that makes him bear a striking resemblance to Ian... however, he still wears his solferino visor and wears the Petrifier gauntlet still.-

Marion: <Nice threads.>

Salem: Thanks, Marion. Now, let's get us some tickets to [Dubai]. Our mission awaits...

-Salem and Marion head down to the airport to buy a ticket to [Dubai].-

Stormchaser

Mama rolled over in her sleep, wrapping the blanket tightly around her. Clara kneeled down to give her a pat on the head.

<When-will-arrival-to-Kanto-be-possible-insofar-as-traversal. I-very-much-enjoy-the-area-of-your-world-that-you-refer-to-as-Kanto. Is-very-good-perfect.>

Turffield Stadium Stands, Watching Ian & Evelyn vs Milo

Suzie: Are Gossifleur that common around here or does he just really like them?

Fuka leaves the Pokemon to cheer on their own for a while and considers the question.

Fuka: A bit of both, I bet. Gossifleur evolves into Eldegloss, too, so that means he's got about at least four, assuming neither of them are the one Will fought.

They see Pika-chan perform his extra-powerful Iron Tail

Fuka: That's neat. Is that... (Fuka tries to think) centennial force?

Suzie: Centrifugal, and probably. That'd be my own guess,a nyway.

Turffield, Standing Stone of Water

Will walks over and picks up Puri, holding her in his arms.

Puri looks between Matvey and Sami and back again.

Puri: <Oh great, another one like her...>

Will: Sorry, about that. Puri wasn't watching where she was going.

Will bumps Puri slightly to prompt her.

Puri: <I'm sor->

Sami: <Yes, it's important to apologize for your mistake.>

Puri frowns.

Puri: (thinking) <Well now I don't want to...> (Out Loud) <Sorry.>

Turffeild

Sylvestra: They call him... Archer. What kind of name is Archer anyway?

Stormchaser

Coil: What weird clothing place?

Iris: This is getting stranger by the second.

Hammerlocke

Ilya: In the basement of that big castle? Makes sense.

Heracles: -snarls-

Ilya: Bro says the other guy's got a point though. Robin says you guys barely got out unscathed and we can't go it in there alone either. We need to work together. And... Maybe get backup.

Pokemon Den

-Quickly, Neon Dynamaxes a ball and tosses it at the Hattena-

Neon: ...Holy fuck.

Turffield, Standing Stone of Water

Matvey cocked his head curiously again

Matvey: <Like who?>

Alyesha meanwhile had to hold back a slight chuckle at Sami's interjection

Alyesha: "Apology accepted, but as said, don't worry about it, no harm done after all"

With that, Alyesha looked over to Will

Alyesha: "Say, I don't think I've met you before, can I ask who you are?"

Edited by Sergey_Smirnov on May 26th 2020 at 8:12:36 PM

Abilene: -texting, earpiece in- I've named myself for meadows. If the man's not actually an archer, I'll be disappointed.

Hasslemon

Abilene: -putting her phone away- I'll set my agents on it. What is it you need from him?

Lanatus: -mew-

Byleth: Yes. I haven't seen that blue-haired family anywhere since we returned. . _.

Fraidy: <um…>

Fraidy: <what…?> @~@

Vee: -singsong- <Water from fire. Hydrogens an' oxygens, all dancin' in twain. Two t' one, at an orderly hundred-an'-five degrees.>

Fraidy: <but...that's just chemistry.> ._.

Vee: <Chemistry! What isn't chemistry, is what I want t' know.>

Fraidy: <uh>

-Vee pauses in her speech, beaming intently for Fraidy's input-

-none comes, and so she starts again-

-feather-soft- <Hydrogen's the dust of the stars. Palkia exhaled, an' galaxies spun outta the eddies.>

-sparkle- <We're birthed from stardust, an' if we play our cards right, t' the flame we'll return.>

Fraidy: <...>

<the other pledge secrets…?> ;-;

Vee: -waving a paw- <Oh, I don' know either of those. Don' really know this one, really, jus' copied from someone who does get it.>

-she waggles a proud claw at Pippy, who fluffs up under her gaze-

Pollen: <Seems intuitive to me.>

Pippy: -chuckle, to Vee- <Well, I don't know if I'd put it quite like that.>

-Vee play-shushes him—it's her turn to teach, Uxie dang it, and by gosh if she won't put this in the most esoteric, elementally dramatized way imaginable-

Fraidy: -eventually- <you...copied mine.>

Vee: -gasp- .DDD

-cheeky, nudge- <Well spotted, l'il fear.>

Fraidy: <aaaaaaa>

Vee: -backing to more comfortable distance, shrug- <You get it too, I thin'. You jus' gotta learn it.>

-laugh- <'course, 's difficult t' believe. None of us likes thinkin' that our children could turn against us. As much as we'd like t' turn others.>

Fraidy: <uhhh>

Vee: <Still, it works the way it's gotta. You need to leave thin's to become the thin's they're gonna be, if you ever wanna love 'em at all.> .3

<'s a cycle. You gotta give yourself fully to it. Promise.>

Fraidy: <I-I-I promise??>

Vee: -laugh- <Not t' me!>

-expansively- <Whenever you use this move, keep the cycle in your mind! Pledge to the generative loop it represents!>

-twirling in place- <The circulation of the world!!>

-she nearly unravels, spinning so-

-Fraidy gets a little dizzy, watching- @~@

-slowing- <...an', the next time you see a fire…>

Vee: <F e e d.> ε°

Fraidy: :o

Vee: ,3

Pippy: -skidding into view- <Not!! Literally, just to clarify. Haha.>

<Don't eat fire.> •v•;;

Vee: -whisper- <Work wonders with the material it gives you.>

-and so they stand in front of the [Royal Court Theatre], from which patrons emerge-

-Pippy gulps, and reaches into hammerspace-

Edited by Asterisk395 on May 26th 2020 at 2:21:07 PM

stormchaser

Evo: I think it was called... The Erstatz alliance?

Eva: Pretty sure it was Ersatz.

-Merah nods.-

Eva: I think there's an entrance in one of the closets here, but it's hard to tell.

Jack King smoothed back his hair as he stepped into the building. Business trips were always a mess, the jet lag left him groggy and barely functional, and even then it was clear from the look on his face, he missed the old days when he was a adventurer. Running King Industries was a full time job, and judging by the old Charizard walking right beside him, time had taken its toll on the two.

The secretary confirmed his ID and sent him up to one of the executive suites, into the elevator they went, and then they stepped into the hotel suite. Jack tossed out a little device and let it beep for a few seconds, once it clicked green, his demeanor instantly changed.

Jack stretched as a wide grin spread across his face as he looked out at the executive tower eclipsing the sun, "Rodin my friend, are you ready for excitement?"

Rodin just laughed and huffed, despite their older looks, the two were still in good condition. Jack observed the tower, he'd need a blueprint of the environment, history be damned, he needed to know what he'd be fighting in there.

He pulled out a phone with a black crown printed on the back, and sent a secure message.

"This is a terrible idea!"

Madeline Kern sat at her desk, on a video call with one of her... associates, she smirked as the woman on the other end had an entire list of reasons, Dr. Elizabeth Tonio, brilliant but trouble. Maddie liked trouble.

"Tonio, dear, calm down. It's all good, we spent a lot of money on that codex."

Tonio threw up her many hands in frustration, "That box you have is trouble, how did you even find it? Last I heard it got dumped in the ocean!"

"Recovered from one of our black sites, yes in the ocean, look what is the big deal? It was thanks to this that you and Braun revolutionized research into cybernetics and even got us the Future series."

Tonio adjusted her emerald specs, "Braun was a idiot, building a legendary mech with cloned tissue? The legendaries can't be controlled and never have been controlled, ever notice that every attempt to mess with those beasts ends in failure and in some cases even death?"

Maddie rolled her eyes, "What are you worried about "toiling in god's domain" or something?"

Tonio's frown became very apparent, she leaned close, and Maddie could see black polymer mechanical limbs extending from Tonio's back, figures she'd do something like that.

"I am a scientist, morality and belief have nothing to do with this, it's simple scientific method that outcome A is outcome A. Every time someone changes the Experiment, the result with this is Outcome A."

Maddie sighed, it was just like her to bring up her one true love, scientific progress.

"I brought down that factory because Braun would've gotten us all killed, or worse. Do you want my advice?"

Maddie shrugged, "What is it Toni?"

"Bury that thing and forget about it, never look back, we have plenty of good DNA sources in cryo storage, we don't need some ancient thing that will only bring us pain and misery."

Maddie laughed, "Darling you worry too much, we know what we're doing. Plus your little friends in their costumes won't dare attack here, the name is meant to incite them, they have nothing they can throw at us without damaging themselves in some way."

Tonio grumbled, "When that tower comes crashing down around you, when you're lying in a pool of your own tears when something goes wrong, know this. I won't be there to help you."

The call cut, and Maddie sighed, adjusting her fancy coat, it was made with only the freshest and finest of ingredients. Tonio was just bitter, she always was, and now she was embracing what many of the Grunts calling her, it's a shame she also had Sam and Paul, those two were fun.

Maddie stood up and straightened her hair a bit, it was to be a long day, with a lot of paperwork to sign.

Edited by EchoingSilence on May 27th 2020 at 8:13:23 AM

[Dubai] - [The Lesser Of Two Burjes]

-Medical mask, sunglasses and a hair-concealing backwards cap. Kitbash walked in like a hypochondriac dudebro typing away on their (what could generously be called a) phone to talk with his Pory-

Kitbash: {x-pens-s p8! reel beds! h& 2 git own rentl cr bt stl!}

Download: {Egh, your grammar and spelling are atrocious}

Kitbash: {nt every1 tips @ sped o thot. Shrthnd}

Download: {Well don't get too used to the luxury. We're here on business.}

Kitbash: {bt consdr: we do mssn, git fud @ wrld cty, by nu gdjts}

Download: {I have been meaning to pick up a few localization packs...}

-Kitbash continues wandering around, taking in the sights and looking for the meet-up point while still idly textchatting-

[Dubai]

-Salem, dressed almost strikingly like Ian, casually walks around [Dubai] looking for the place he needs to be.-

Marion: <I've never been to [Dubai] before... This is quite intriguing...>

Salem: Sure is, Marion...

-Salem grabs at his shorts and thinks to himself, "I just hope I don't meet the kid who dresses like this WHILE dressed like this..."-

Marion: <If anything, our mission is sure to be interesting. There's the place. Race ya there!>

Salem: Oh, IT'S ON!

-Salem and Marion race to the [Burj-Al-Arab] for their mission, Salem noting how much easier it is to run in his disguise than it is in his trenchcoat.-

Turffield, Standing Stone of Water

Will: I'm Will. I'm here for the Gym Challenge. (holds up his Jigglypuff) This is Puri, one of the Pokemon on my team. (gestures to the Garchomp) That's Sami, my... um...

Puri: <Babysitter.>

Will: Babysitt-No! (Will blushes, Puri looks smug) I mean she's one of my dad's Pokemon.

Sami nuzzles Will affectionately.

Sami: <I'm watching the little guy while his mommy and big sister watch a few more Gym matches after his wrapped up.>

Will's face becomes redder.

Puri (whispering to Will): <Now do you get why she annoys me. >

[Burj al-Arab]

A calm female voice came online in Mr. King's suite.

Voice: Mr. King. We've been expecting you.

It was that of a PorygonZ.

Ma'at: The data you seek can be found in a USB stored in your quarters' nightstand. In it is a digital map of the Corporate Suites occupied by Forward Fronts and the security detail for the [Burj Khalifa]. It is still incomplete, mind you. Pokefutures technology is always much more difficult to break into for Porygon lines. Nonetheless, it should be a good framework to start with.

Turffield Stadium, VS Milo

Me: Alright, Piku-chan! I think we've built up enough momentum... Get ready!

Piku-chan: <I was hatched ready!>

Me: Alright, Piku-chan! USE TWINSTEEL TAIL STRIKE!!!

Piku-chan: <YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-!!!>

-Piku-chan spins faster and faster, then lunges towards the Gossifleur on the left.-

Gossifleur: <Oh, No... Not Again!>

-Piku-chan bashes the Gossifleur with his metallic tail, then the momentum of the first strike carries into a second hit, sending the Gossifleur crashing back into the ground.-

-When the dust settles, the first Gossifleur lies unconscious, with its eyes spiraled.-

Gossifleur: <This... always... happens...>

Referee: -surprisedly- Gossifleur is unable to battle!

-Milo calls the fainted Gossifleur back to its ball.-

Milo: I take it you've been practicing that move...

Me: Indeed I have.

Milo: Modeled off of-

Me: -Melmetal's Double Iron Bash? Yep.

Milo: Well... You're quite the experienced trainer.

Me: Thanks, but don't count Evelyn out just yet.

Evelyn: Hatty, use Brutal Swing!

-A dark aura of violence surrounds Hatty's braids as she spins around, smacking the second Gossifleur with her braids.-

-The Gossifleur gets driven backwards by the attack and knocked unconscious.-

Referee: Gossifleur is unable to battle!

-Milo calls the second Gossifleur back to its Ball.-

Milo: I must say, you coordinate your battles very well!

Evelyn: Thank you.

Milo: Now, let's see how you fare here!

Tsareena! Ludicolo! Come on out!

-Milo throws two Poké Balls into the air, and out come a Tsareena and a Ludicolo.-

Evelyn: Hatty, return for now.

-Hatty nods and jumps back onto Evelyn's head.-

Me: You have an idea?

Evelyn: Indeed I do. First, call Piku-chan back...

Me: Got it. Piku-chan! Return for now...

-Piku-chan looks back at Ian, nods, then jumps back onto Ian's shoulder.-

-Ian and Evelyn check their Pokédexes.-

Ian and Evelyn's Pokédex: Tsareena, the Fruit Pokémon, and the final evolution of Bounsweet. A Grass type. Its long, striking legs aren't just for show but to be used to kick with skill. In victory, it shows off by kicking the defeated, laughing boisterously. Tsareena sometimes appears as a mascot in advertisements for beauty salons.

Ludicolo, the Carefree Pokémon, and the final evolution of Lotad. A Water and Grass type. Ludicolo begins dancing as soon as it hears cheerful, festive music. This Pokémon is said to appear when it hears the singing of children on hiking outings.

Evelyn: -telepathically to Ian- ~I'll cover for Ludicolo, you can take on Tsareena.~

Me: -telepathically to Evelyn- ~It's a deal.~

Milo: -confused- Hey, why'd it get so quiet all of a sudden?

Evelyn: Mirai!

Me: Hanuman!

Ian and Evelyn: Come on down!

-Ian and Evelyn throw their Poké Balls into the air, and out come a Kirlia and a Chimchar.-

Turffield Stadium Gym Battle, Pre-AFD

Kim: "Ah, there's Haruma-" (she pauses) "Wait, he's Ian's Pokemon now? Interesting..."

Stow-On-Side

Ooooh, Gale-as-in-wind-as-in-Flying. Okay that makes sense. Yeah the cooking is... I think it's helping? It's nice to have a project that isn't gym ambling though it feels a little weird there isn't a designated Trainer Side Activity in Galar like the Contests and Pokeathalon and such.

-Gale shrugs-

Speaking of, I should definitely treat a someone to a proper dinner date sometime.

-She winks and laughs softly-

S-O-S

"Wonk," Ammy returned less than subtly, winking back at Pent with an exaggerated nod.

<Get a room,> Kokonoe spat.

"That's the idea," Colton joked.

Hammerlocke

"Yeah, I was considering getting my own beau to join in," Roy said. "Beats sitting around doing nothing."

Stormchaser, Room 713

<Boooo->

click!

<-ooooooooor- cough cough!>

click!