"Don't worry about," Silas said with a smooth reassuring tone, "You're busy. This is a raid I can probably run myself, it isn't looking to be too long from what I have got in mind so far."

He smirked a bit at logistics, "Well, you, Roxy and I can discuss it later in private. For now, prepare yourself, we're making a promotion."

He pulled out his phone and sent out a text.

Hulbury Stadium Gym Battle

(Kim enters the stadium and steps out onto the pitch, with thousands of people cheering her on from the stands. Within seconds, she finds herself face-to-face with Nessa, the Gym Leader of Hulbury. Having seen Ian and Evelyn's battle and knowing full well what to expect, she smirks.)

Kim: "Well, well, well. Nessa. I must say, that was a very well-fought battle between you, Ian and Evelyn."

(Nessa smiles.)

Nessa: "It was. Those two are more powerful than I could have anticipated."

Kim: "Indeed they are."

(Then, in practiced unison:)

Kim, Nessa: "But enough with the chit-chat; let's get this battle going."

(They both smirk, and take out their PokeBalls.)

Kim, Nessa: "You're on."

BATTLE START

KIMBERLY BOND vs NESSA

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Aug 10th 2020 at 8:40:14 AM

Oblivion Wing, Workshop

-Alice grins.-

Alice: Very well. I'll be back later, then, and I look forward to that particular discussion. For now, though, I suppose I should remain here and help oversee the transition of power.

Hulbury Stadium, Stands

-Recording continues...-

Me: Go for it, Kim!

Evelyn: You can do it!

Savai Borderland

Okay Desmond? If you're trying this okay but the first sign of it not working and those things turning hostile I'll send in my mons okay?

-A short distance away the three shadows land and begin approaching with clear intent. These are not actually giant pokemon, they're pretty much the ordinary size for their species. However given that species is Incineroar, that's still a fairly imposing stature (a stature slightly more akin to a quadrupedal feline Pokemon rather than the upright stance they normally take back home). Especially because as shown by the flying overhead, these Incineroar have wings-

Jam Session

Luperian: Yes, good. Tak you first or me?

Takcorian: I suppose I'll take the burden of going first~

-The purplenamed twin steps forwards, their casualwear flickering for a moment before turning into their more 'usual' flowing robe and wizard-hat-specifically-adapted-to-work-with-their-horns-

Takcorian: Through me flows three energies; the ebb and flow of nature's Life...

-They take a few steps and a graceful turn, leaving a notable trail of wild grass and small flowers in their wake-

Takcorian: The Arcane, both in the elements and to read the stars and their portents—

-Another turn, the hem of their robe cloaked in fire, burning away the fuel created already. Their hands are cloaked in ice and all around them is a sparkling of celestial might-

Takcorian: —and the Void, to see the secrets kept between those stars...

-The ice and fire vanish, leaving only the stars and a crawling sensation that something watches from beyond them... Before the display vanishes and the casual atmosphere returns-

Luperian: And my turn now. Much simpler; I can be your angel, your devil or just filled with hella lot of necropotence.

-They demonstrate pretty quickly; emitting a radiating light around themselves that transitions to verdant green flames and then finally a chill mist cloaks the field and for a moment there's something phantasmal about the twin's form-

Luperian: Also we're like, literal classic dragons so there's that.

Takcorian: Yes but we're not using that form because I don't want this world messing with them.

Metropolis of Vanity

-Rakash nods and lets out that held breath he's had for the past few minutes-

Okay we're safe for now. Anyone need some healing?

J-Team Textspace

Oblivion Wing

-The shadows in Gale's quarters shudder-

Silas is leading Alice down to Gale's cabin, "Always manifests in there, she requests I keep the lights off for that reason. Makes keeping it clean a bit hard but enh," Silas explains.

He opens the door and smirks, "Hello Gale, Alice and I got some good news for you."

Savai Borderland

"Oh that's hurtful Gale. Have you any faith in me?"

He joked and flashed a cocky grin as he crouched a little and put out a hand towards the largest winged Incineroar.

"I've raised one of these before anyways."

"Hey there. How ya doing?" He spoke to the Incineroar.

Stow-on-Side, sometime in the past, but not that far

"Good to be back," Ammy sighed, her team in her pocket. She sighed in contentment with her team, fresh off of a good training session amongst themselves.

"Yeah, I think you have every right to be pretty confident. Now go forth and get the rust off."

Ammy nodded.

Later, In the Gym Challenge.

"You okay there?"

"Yeah... just -ulp! - give me a bit. Ugh... Lilac, you want this one?"

S-o-S Arena

Bea and Ammy stepped onto the field, taking their positions.

"Saw you collapse earlier. I, uh... I can wait a few minutes."

"No, I'm... I think I'm fine. I'm not the one fighting, anyway."

"Okay, if you insist."

Concern on both of their faces, one walked and the other staggered to their proper places before throwing out their firsts.

Sparks lit up around the Boltund before he dashed to the Fighting-type, grazing him but putting so much static on him his hair stood on end.

Didn't stop him from getting to work, angrier than he had been hit.

Akatsuki slid back, fur sparking before he threw himself maw-first at the Fighting-type, the ferocity making him react.

Akatsuki smirked, malice taking root as he clamped down.

Bea winced as she was forced to return her fighting-type.

Meanwhile, in the lobby...

"Oh, Gail! Nice to see you here!" Colton waved to her as he continued watching from the couch.

"Not so nice to be here. I, uh... got thrashed."

"Really?"

"If I didn't know better I'd say he cheats. But I can't be certain."

Jam Session

"Huh, neat. I mean, I'm just limited to darkness powers," Colton started before he sidestepped to his left, leaving behind a double that turned into ice. "But there's a lot I can do with them," his voice said to the dragon duo's left.

"Dark lacks sunlight, and so lacks heat," the icy duplicate said before bursting into flames. "But black absorbs heat, and so is fire." The fire dissipated, the ground charred before the black coalesced into a Lycanroc wearing the Unovan's jacket.

In a white flash the Lycanroc turned into Colton. "I too am not limited to humanity, blessed with voluntary lycanthropy and the ability to manipulate the very earth under my feet." To prove the point he shifted back, stones appearing behind him like wings before they crumbled with his lupine form, mostly vanishing save for a single boulder as big as his head.

"That and I can just-" he tossed it up and pointed at it, a dark thread firing from his finger and suspending the stone in midair for a brief moment before it fell into cleanly-cut splinters and shattered on the linoleum, fading away as the rest of the stones did.

"... You sure you don't have performance energy?" Sylveon asked.

"Not the kind we're looking for."

Oblivion Wing

-In the shadowy corridors, were one to try and focus on Alice, they would find that it's... hard to focus on Alice. A vague, purplish haze seems to surround her and make it difficult to discern her exact shape or features.-

Alice: Oh, I understand. My own abilities are similar, in that they function far more effectively in darkness, but I am not keen to make use of them unless necessity demands it.

-Nevertheless, her freckled face is brought into view when Silas opens Gale's door, and she gives a small, personable smile.-

Alice: Greetings. Once again, I do hope we're not interrupting anything.

Edited by Herbert40k on Aug 10th 2020 at 2:25:08 PM

Hulbury Stadium Gym Battle (Post-Ikoria)

(Nessa throws her first PokeBall into the air in a matter of mere seconds.)

Nessa: "Golisopod, you're on!"

(The PokeBall opens, and the Golisopod emerges from it. Kim looks down at her ball and smirks.)

Kim: "I expected you would bring him out. Fortunately, however... I came prepared. This choice might surprise you." (She throws the ball.) "Red alert, Kaylan!"

(The PokeBall opens, and as soon as Kaylan emerges, he and the Golisopod look directly at each other. When they realize who they're up against, they react accordingly.)

Kaylan: (shocked) <Y-you're sending me up against the Golisopod?!>

Kim: "Yes. I am."

Kaylan: <B-but why?! H-he's part Bug-type! He could attack me at any moment!>

Kim: "Oh, don't worry, Kaylan. I've got something planned."

(The Golisopod laughs menacingly.)

Golisopod: <You do, eh?>

(Kaylan turns towards him, ready to fight.)

Golisopod: <You're mistaken. Seriously, you're just a puny little Turtwig, I could grind you into dust in the span of a single second! And I almost certainly will do so!>

Kim: (smirks) "We'll see about that."

Nessa: "Oh, we're not going down that easily! Golisopod... use First Impression!"

(The Golisopod starts to dash in front of Kaylan, so fast that he almost seems to disappear for a moment. His claw then suddenly starts to glow, and he prepares to strike...)

Kim: "Kaylan, use Protect!"

(...and then all of a sudden Kaylan steels his courage and summons a blue barrier, blocking the Golisopod's claw from striking him.)

(The Golisopod, taken off-guard by this defense, blanches in shock.)

Golisopod: <WHAT?! NO! THAT WAS MY ONE BUG-TYPE MOVE, AND IT ONLY WORKS THE FIRST TIME—!>

Kaylan: <Alright! Great move, Kim!>

(Nessa's eyes grow wide.)

Nessa: "Well, that was certainly unexpected."

Kim: (smirking) "Oh, Nessa... when it comes to me, I'm pretty much always unexpected."

Nessa: "Powerful words." (She looks ahead with determination.) "But we're not done just yet! Golisopod, use Swords Dance!"

Golisopod: <WRYYYYYYYYYYYY—!>

(In a matter of seconds, the Golisopod is surrounded by a circle of holographic swords. He performs a ritualistic dance inside the circle, before being surrounded by a red aura. Meanwhile, Kim and Kaylan grin at each other, as though thinking the exact same thing.)

Golisopod: (taunting Kaylan) <HAH! How's THAT feel, eh?!>

Kim: "Nice move. But we expected that, too." (She points ahead.) "Kaylan, use Leech Seed!"

Kaylan: <Alright!>

(He aims his twig at the Golisopod, and a seed shoots from it. The seed lands in front of the Golisopod, before sprouting vines that wrap around the Golisopod. Said vines glow green, draining him of his energy.)

Golisopod: <YOU... PESKY... TURTWIG—!>

Savai Borderline

(Upon seeing the Incineroar with wings, Kim realizes that Paul won't be the best option, and immediately returns him before sending out another PokeBall.)

Kim: "Well, Paul won't work here, so... red alert, Geddy!"

(She throws the ball in the air, and within seconds Geddy emerges. He looks around, recognizing the area as Ikoria, and then notices what is in front of him.)

Geddy: <I-is that an Incineroar?!>

Kim: "Yes."

Geddy: <With wings?!>

Kim: "Yes."

Geddy: <Cool!>

Oblivion Wing

Oh I was just pondering whether it was too early to start going to Circhester.

-Gale nods and just casually walks over to turn on the room lights before backing off and taking a seat-

I can only presume the previously-mentioned third leadership role has been decided.

Jam Session

Takcorian: Oh right the whole Obscura/Aura quadchotomy. It's an interesting system, don't think I've ever seen anything like it.

Luperian: We don't fit into your categorizations, for anything really. It's a cool thing about us.

Savai Borderlands

-The three Pataiga Incineroar approach, still looking pretty angry-

Incineroar Left: <Humans...>

Incineroar Right: <Away from city...>

-The one in the center, who is also kinda at the back, hesitates-

Circhester A

-Mog immediately grabs a box and starts ferally chowing dowwn-

Farfetch'd: <Hey! save some for me!>

Circhrester 1

Person: I want to be a famous Ice type trainer! Like Melony! But I'm not sure how top actually, like, get the attention. It's not like the J-Team or someone has stopped by here.

Arctozolt: -gulps- <Th=The J-Team?!>

Savai Borderland

"Shhh it's ok. We mean no harm. We're just passing through. We are not from around here."

"Where we come from we could be considered Bonders."

Silas smirks and nods, "Quite right. Alice and I came across some factors that we feel need changing, I've got our benefactor ready to provide a base and resources, but Alice and I aren't... the best choices overall for what's about to come."

Hacks walked over, ~Doing the thing?~

"Where have you been?"

~In the lounge crushing Byleth in Smash. Why?~

Silas sighed, "Anyways, Gale. Alice and I are promoting you to Leader Number 3 of the Aurabolts, this will come with new responsibilities, which we wish to inform you of before you accept."

Hulbury Gym, Maze Zone

-Lanatus floats high into the air, looking down on the pathways-

Trainer: Welcome to Hulbury Stadium! Ready to bask in the beauty of Water-type moves?

Abilene: -sniping her Pokemon as it emerges- No, I imagine I've had enough of that for one lifetime.

-Beat-

Trainer: -loudly- ...h-huh? Tympole and I were the ones that got soaked?

Abilene: Sure.

-she heads over and presses the button-

-Megan clambers up the girder, which is really not rated for climbing-

Julia: -shouting over the waterfalls- ...in the beauty of Water-type moves?

Megan: -shouting back- Normally, my answer would be "yes, always", but I'm not really feeling it right now!

Julia: ...then why are you ack—

-when a bundle of gift cards gets thrown at her head-

Megan: -waving- Have a good day!

-and she drops back down, flipping backward into a dive-

Julia: …

-unwrapping them- ...hey, I'm not complaining.

-Abilene points fingers in the directions of various pipefalls, muttering under her breath-

Trainer: Pressing a button stops the water...but you've got to think about the order, too.

Abilene: Believe me, it's occupying most of my attention.

Trainer: -inhale-

Abilene: -snipe- All of my attention.

-snipe-

-...-

Heather: I...wasn't sure about the right thing to do in that battle.

Abilene: -walking past- Oh, there wasn't one.

-push-

Heather: -flatly- ...stops the water.

Megan: -somewhere below, cheerful?- Why would I want to do that?

Heather: -holding a ball- Because...it's going to battle you?

Megan: -goggle'd- Nope! Can't see you.

Heather: Uh.

Megan: No eye contact! Doesn't count!

-chucks gift card bundle-

Heather: -fumbles Pokeball, catch-

Megan: Later!

-splash-

Trainer: You made it this far...and you don't want to battle me.

Abilene: Correct.

-...-

Trainer: -loudly- With that strength, it's no wonder you beat me and my Pokémon!

Abilene: -slowly flipping through the rough equivalent of $16.83- Pleasure doing business with you.

Trainer: -waving a hand- Yeah, yeah, save me a Potion.

Abilene: Mmm.

-she steps down, hits the third-to-last button…-

(Abilene: ...

Scuba!Wooloo: -glares-

Abilene: -sidelong- ...I'm doing the puzzle this time. Back off.

-far below the realm of feet, waterlogged wool sinks beneath the waves—refusing to allow distance, lack of sight, or the paltry, presupposed effect of "oxygen deprivation" to dull the force of its gaze-)

-then the second-to-last button, then the last-

Abilene: -chuckle- Didn't even get wet.

-Lanatus bounces back to her shoulder, smug-

Lynn: -sighs, drops her Remoraid in the pool-

Megan: -on the other side- You dropped this!

Remoraid: @x@

Lynn: ...how??

Megan: I'm very good at swimming.

-a limp fish is tossed at Lynn's head, to which is tied a bundle of gift cards-

-Megan, in her full-body wetsuit (over which she's wearing her uniform, soaking wet), clambers up the girders onto the challenge floor proper-

Lynn: …

Megan: -pulling water out of her hair, wink- One Water-type Gym Trainer to another, best to avoid the hassle, huh?

Lynn: ...I guess, yeah.

-and without any further exchanges of currency, Megan walks up—past the button, through the waterfall at the end of the path-

Megan: -surfaces at the other end, gasp-laughing for breath-

-the air seems to buzz around her, comfortingly—and she walks through the doors at the other end, still dripping-

Glimwood Tangle

-Megan's eyes snap open-

Megan: Eevee! :D

Logan: augh

Pippy: <It seemed like a good idea at the tiiime> •v•;

Pollen: -to Just- <I know, right?>

Sorbus: <...wait, where did you come from?>

Pollen: <I've been here the whole time.>

Sorbus: <So it was YOU gnawing on my fruit!>

Pollen: -flit- <wh—AUG>

-and the boughs swallow her up-

-...there's someone very, very close to Mix-

Abilene: hello.

-remember all that sparkle she doesn't have-

(-and there's a rustling in the brush like all the world's rivers deciding that no, mammals are the way to go, actually, along with this direction-)

Logan: -to Misery- Fair warning. Kinda intense. -_-

Edited by Asterisk395 on Aug 14th 2020 at 12:48:36 PM

Oblivion Wing

-Alice nods at Gale.-

Alice: Indeed. And as Silas alluded to, the role comes with some... unique responsibilities. It is your prerogative as to whether you choose to accept, of course, but I believe Silas can do a better job of explaining things than I.

Oblivion Wing

Well I am instantly intrigued by your vague wording and would like to know more, yes.

Jam Session

"Yeah, that tracks. I mean, for us, otherworldly folks - good, evil, chaotic, lawful and literally everywhere in between - are probably more ubiquitous than the air we breathe. And even then, we've gone to space," Julius considered.

"I'd ask what rules and systems you operate by, but I don't know if it'd matter. I mean, what would I do with that knowledge?" Sylveon asked.

S-o-S Gym

When the newcomer landed Akatsuki was ready to get to work, save for their sudden disappearance accompanied by the pain.

Nodding her head, Kamui drew a Premier Ball and threw it forward, the ensuing sparkles causing murmurs among the crowd.

Feeling out his whereabouts, a beam of what Ammy could only describe as "power" flew towards the Dark-type.

Annoyed at such a weak Pokemon in front of him, he threw the Dragon-type back to his trainer.

"Oh okay," Kamui said simply, throwing another Pokeball out.

The Absol smirked and raked the Fighting-type with malice crossing her face.

Not one to be outdone, Pangoro threw out his own Dark-type attack for all the good it would do.

Absol recognized the agility presented and one-upped him again.

Silas smirked a bit, shook his head and sighed, "It has come to our attention thanks to Priscilla that there are a lot of young superheroes on the rise, add in my guilt over having to reject Neon, we came to the conclusion that we should do something about this.

We have decided to institute a mentorship program and form a team of young Superheroes, generally under the ages of 18 to receive training from the Bolts themselves, we have the resources and experience, and while we're more a Black Ops team it'd still be useful.

Thus, Gale, we would like to place you in direct charge of these kids, as Alice and I feel you have the empathy and skills needed to direct them, you won't be teaching alone and Alice and I will still provide assistance where necessary."

~Wooooow. Young Justice in here?~ Hacks added.

"You'd follow Alice and I in a lot of the more direct planning and logistics grabbing for all future raids following this, should you accept, the role of Leadership comes with the burden of responsibility. Do you accept?" Silas concluded, holding his hand out.

Oblivion Wing

-For a moment, Gale is silent as she stares at the outstretched hand-

You... You want to bring childr- teenagers in on this. I hope I've made it clear how that made me feel about the J-Team but... You've given me responsibility here and a chance to make sure they're ready. So, I accept this role.

-She smiles softly and shakes the offered hand-

Oof, sorry got a little intense..? Do we already have the team or is it just a 'when we find some super kids due to a mission we'll set things up' kinda deal?

Silas smiles as best he can, "I don't want to get them into this dangerous life, but many of them are already here. We want to make sure they're ready for what they'll face, I hope that none of them get into the weird shit we do."

~Better safe than sorry then,~ Hacks added.

"Intense is good, and that bit about the J-Team is why you were a natural choice," Silas explained, "Who better to entrust with this serious of a job than the person who hated to see it happen? We can make a difference, even a small one, this way."

~Answer the question.~

Silas sighed, "Okay we don't have a team set up yet, this will be a recruit in the field to keep out of further danger kind of deal. Once we have the land and base set up, I'll hit the hero networks and let people know, we can really prevent a lot of harm this way."

Oblivion Wing

-Alice allows herself a brief smirk at Gale's initial remark, before her expression shifts into something more formal.-

Alice: We're superheroes. Every job offer has to sound vague and somewhat ominous. That said, whilst Silas accurately summarised the general goals of this project, it ought to be noted that accepting this role also means that you accept responsibility for all those we chose to mentor. Each inductee will most likely be directly paired with one or more of our more veteran members, but at the end of the day, the buck would stop with you. I hope you understand what you've been entrusted with.

-Her tone and voice become more neutral after hearing Silas.-

Alice: We do presently have one or two candidates. Those who have already embroiled themselves in dangerous or life-threatening scenarios in order to defend others, and whom we recognise as having abilities we can cultivate using our own experience in this field. Beyond that, though? No, we have no plans for "recruiting".

Edited by Herbert40k on Aug 10th 2020 at 3:10:55 PM

Hulbury Stadium, Stands

-Recording continues...-

Me: -telepathically to Evelyn- ~Impressive move, using Protect against First Impression...~

Evelyn: -telepathically to Ian- ~Yeah... defending against what could've been a Super Effective hit...~

-Ian and Evelyn cheer Kim and Kaylan on.-

Oblivion Wing

Moreso a sanctuary than an academy. Good call. I'm looking forward to it, though... Hopefully I still get to go on the big fun missions with you all still.

-She pops a smirk-

Speaking of, anything coming up soon?

Oblivion Wing

-Alice nods at Gale.-

Alice: There is indeed. Nothing I am able to play an active role in, however, so I shall leave it to Jackal to brief you. In the meantime, congratulations on your newfound promotion. I hope you rise to the responsibilities associated with it. Silas, let me know when the day's business is concluded. There are still further matters we need to discuss, after all.

-She gives a faint smirk before turning and walking back down the hall, her outline becoming increasingly hard to trace as she goes.-