ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Spikemuth

-Looking at some signs-

Hendrix can you find something else to play, we can't just listen to Spikemuth's theme forever.

Hendrix: -Just continues strumming his chest-

Brooks sat at her desk and turned the camera on. It had been a bit, her schedule related to this had slipped but it was time to correct that. Truthnfiction was still as active as ever. All the weird shit in the past few years, even weirder was the fact that she could understand Zeta and Turing now.

<Getting ready?> Zeta asked.

Brooks sighed and nodded, "If I had known that the scarf that Silas had would cause this... well..."

Turing shrugged, <Just live with it for now.>

Brooks nodded again, "Alright. Let's get this done."

Brooks smirked a bit as the streamclient booted up and the chat filled up. "Hey everyone, let's clear up some stuff, how is everyone?"

The client responded pretty well, seems everyone was looking forward to answering some questions.

"Okay so, I've got some insider information about the J-Team. What do we wanna discuss first?"

A chatbox and a donation popped up, asking what Silas was like.

Brooks frowned, "Really... you want to know about Cognitomask even though he hasn't posted in a long time? Guys just because one of us went J-Team..."

The chat exploded with questions.

"Okay okay fine!" Brooks responded annoyed, "If you wanna know more about him."

She rolled her eyes as Turing chuckled a bit.

The first question asked if he was an auric, "Nope. Just likes Lucarios, no actual aura powers. Hacks has just... been by his side."

Second question was if he was a cold person, "He's monotone not unemotional. He's a good friend."

Next was asking if he could snap any of them in half if he determined it logical, Brooks blinked, "Okay how do I even answer that one? You're better off asking if Alice would do that."

Motostoke Stadium

(At that moment, Kim enters, now dressed in her Gym uniform. Over top of said uniform is her trademark lab coat.)

Kim: "Alright. Shall we?"

(Geddy and Peechee turn to face their Trainer, and upon seeing her in her uniform, they react accordingly.)

Geddy: <Whoa... you look amazing...!>

Peechee: <Simply zammechat! ^note  wonderful >

Kim: (smiles) "Thank you both." (She glances out into the distance.) "Now... all we have to do is wait for Hoops to get here and then the fun can truly begin."

Stormchaser, Room 196

"You never really had that much stuff, did you?" Colton looked at Amy, before looking around her effectively barren room that bared some amount of resemblance to a prison cell. "I don't know what kind of environment you had in your Great Ball, but if it resembled what I dread it resembled, I don't think you're ready to leave."

"...I don't think so either." Amy sat down on the bed beside her trainer, letting her fox ears and tails breathe free. "I guess I just wanted this to be a way to be more readily, physically available for Pent. Ever since Surtr it's been tempting to want to keep him out of danger, but at the same time I can't bail on you, either. I know that under normal circumstances you're both able to take good enough care of yourself but what are "normal" circumstances? For you, it seems to be attempting to throw yourself onto whatever misadventure sounds most fun. For Pent, I worry that he can only feel relaxation after burning himself out entirely. It's hard to be there for both of you, why did I think that being there for neither of you would be the best choice?..."

Her trainer looked down at the floor before gripping his Fire-type's hand, leading her down the hall to her room. "I think I know what's eating at you. As good an idea as independence sounds - independence from me, first and foremost - the problem is you're not really capable of that. Not a slight against you, but as a Pokemon raised in captivity from birth, the need to fend for yourself and all that has never been something you learned. I don't mind caring for you - hey, look at me." He looked into Amy's eyes. "Amy Hikari, Kamui Rever, whatever form you prefer, I support you all the way. It's hard to let people go, but you're going to live for a while. I'm not saying you should learn now, I'm just saying I understand how hard it is. You have every right to make your own decisions, including the ability to go back on them. It's a lot to take in, being on your own. But if you're not ready you can always come back."

"...Thank you."

"Wait, this didn't stem from that; it stemmed from you wanting to be a more independent trainer or something."

"Ah, you can handle a team 30-odd strong. Besides, I'm shouldering some of the responsibility and some of the rest of the Original Six can do the same. Have you seen Helmsman and Sylveon? Julius and Rei?"

"Julius and Rei? That's a new one on me."

"Hey, someone's gotta look at them while you're not. We can't just stay in them balls forever; we know you know how quick stir-craziness develops."

"Speaking of." And with that, he led them both away from the halls and outside the ship for some actual fresh air.

Spikemuth

-A small Alolan Rattata scampers towards Tagg, a tattered piece of carboard in its mouth-

Spikemuth

-Looks down at the Alolan Rattata-

What do you have there?

Hitodama: <Alolan Rattata? It doesn't look like a trained mon, but then cities always do have lots of stray mons from elsewhere.>

Spikemuth

-The Rattata holds out the tatters cardboard for Tagg to grab. On one side, there is a map of Spikemuth that highlights a specific spot. On the other side, it reads the following:-

-Once Tagg takes the pass, it scampers off-

Spikemuth

-Looking at the pass-

A mon-only bar? Kinda makes me think of that one Kecleon store in Wintown in Fiore.

-Shrugs-

I guess we can check it out since someone obviously wants to speak with us.

32222222222222222

Moose the bartender hums to herself, polishing the countertop idly before an Alolan Rattata bolts down the stairs, hops onto the bar countertop and salutes her.

Alolan_Rattata♂_(lv18): <The pass has been delivered Muhu->

Moose gives an incredulous look to the Rattata.

Alolan_Rattata♂_(lv18): <...Moose, ma'am!>

She sighs.

Moose: <Cheers. I s'pose you still want the "Munna's Dream" and a bag of chips for the payment?>

Alolan_Rattata♂_(lv18): <Pls >

Moose: <Aight. One Munna's Dream on the house.>

-Moose grabs the bottle of Hpnosiz and pours it into a shaker filled with ice. After a good shake to chill, she pours the drink into a martini glass before rinsing the shaker and starting on the next step - pouring the Kinky Pink licquer◊, vodka, lemon lime soda and some fresh ice into the shaker and stirring it. Once sufficiently stirred, she layers the pink concoction over the blue Hpnosiz - the end result looking like the gradient of a Mursharna-

-With a bag of chips, she slides the drink to the Rattata with his snack and the ratmon salutes her once again-

Alolan_Rattata♂_(lv18): <Much obliged, doll~!>

-He begins chugging down his drink, while Moose just sighs.-

Moose: Hope Ruthie won't be left waitin' for long. 'Sides it seems like the band is almost ready so there's that whole thing... Hopefully they can introduce themselves all right but the lighting does need to be properly prepped...

Spikemuth

-Shows up in front of the bar in sight of the Pangoro bouncer-

Edited by rmctagg09 on Dec 14th 2020 at 1:40:58 PM

Turffield, Month and a Half u_u

-Logan and Hiro flinch at the same time, glancing around for something unfortunate happening right now, at this exact moment-

Ceal: -...sluuuurp-

-...and they relax-

Logan: -exhale- Well, that was a terrifying statement to walk in on.

-oh yeah, Logan's here now-

Hiro: -raising his ladle- Logically, that shouldn't've made anything happen that wasn't already about to.

Hiro: -...stir- ...still, by any other metric. -discomforted grimace- .n .

Thespi: -floating by- <Hey come on, it's the credits scene!> :D

Thespi: <Relax! Live a little!> ^_^

Hiro: -small smile- Isn't there something you normally do when all's said and done?

Addie: -dry- <You mean at Mission C—?>

Logan: -huff- Give me a minute, I just got out of doing crustacean surgery…

Addie: -pat- <Take your time.>

Tripod: -as Logan catches their breath, chasing the scent-memory of arthropod innards with the hearty odor of delectable curry-

-...-

-Tripod winks an eye at Rikuo- -it's customary among the Rangers that any major success is punctuated by an individualized stance, blending individuality with a group-wide tradition in triumph- -stage-oriented as they are, Thespi's cadre has much the same-

Addie: <Everyone ready? One, two—>

-with their mastery of ambiance well in "hand", they kick off the celebration with a tasteful burst of confetti—swooning against one another, their smiles shining in a Flash of the Den's focused light-

-mysterious Hiro contents himself with wiping the sweat from his brow—admittedly timed perfectly in sync with his companions-

[[(-Curry herself nearly somersaults in her exuberance, here-)]] =:D

-and in the midst of sleepy, sated Meowth, Logan strikes a pose in the spotlight like a rock star, guitar in hand with pick raised toward the cavern ceiling high above-

Edited by Asterisk395 on Dec 14th 2020 at 1:56:11 PM

Outside 32222222222222222

The Pangoro bouncer snorts and leers at Tagg. He seems to be ready to chuck Tagg to the side before he notices the cardboard in Tagg's hand.

Pangoro: -Snort- <Is that a pass?>

Inside 32222222222222222

After Moose finishes with her next round, she moves away from her beloved bar and till to the staff corridor and opens up the lighting panel. Switching off the strobelights and dimming the rest of the lights, which causes the patrons to quiet down as they turn their attention to the stage in anticipation.

Once the crowd is sufficiently quiet enough, Moose turns on the stage spotlights, illuminating the band on stage.

In the center back, a Rillaboom. In the middle right and left, a pair of Toxtricity (The Amped one wearing a Focus Sash as an eyepatch with a spiked choker and the Low Key one with a pair of Choice Specs and wearing a yellow floral print boho blouse). In the front stage left, a Inteleon behind a keyboard. And center stage, an Obstagoon, micstand grasped in his right paw and currently has his eyes closed. One thing is of note, and immediately apparent with this Pokemon band:

Namely that they're all shiny. Every single one. Not a single one lacks a shade of glitter in the spotlight.

The silence goes on for a short while longer, until the Amped Toxtricity begins a rather short-but-awesome wakeup shred, and in the middle of it the Obstagoon swings the micstand around and fistpumps the air with his unoccupied right paw

Pink: <SPIKEMUTH ARE YOU READY TO ROCK??>

-The crowd goes wild. The Inteleon chuckles slightly before leaning into her own mic and adding on to her colleague's opening line-

Karma: <This is ' The Pink Experience. Live and coming to you~>

The two Toxtricities, Rillaboom and Inteleon do a short, warmup riff together - and the crowd gets even louder

Outside 32222222222222222

The commotion can probably be heard outside by The Gang

Edited by PippingFool on Dec 15th 2020 at 6:21:30 AM

Outside 32222222222222222

-To the Pangoro-

Yeah.

Doppler: -Hearing the inside- <Sounds like a band's playing, do you think it's the Maximizers?>

Yew: <Doesn't sound like them I think.>

Outside 32222222222222222

The Pangoro takes the pass from Tagg and squints at it, before looking back up at Tagg.

Pangoro: <...As I understand it - if you are indeed the bloke Moose said was comin' earlier t'night - that you possess something that would make your appearance a little less... jarring to the rest of the customers. Am I right in thinkin' that?>

Inside 32222222222222222

The Obstagoon smirks pleased with the reaction of the crowd.

Pink: <THAT'S WHAT I LIKE TO HEAR, YEAH!>

The rest of the band stretch and get prepped as they wait for the crowd to calm down a bit before Pink takes center stage again.

Pink: <Now, it's been a hot minute since we've been in Spikemuth. Pepper, Janis, Misha, Karma and I have been busy touring non-stop! Even doing our first tour of [The US] and opening in Nimbasa, Unova! We've been rockin' with fans all all around the word!>

<But!!! We've never forgotten our roots!! Spikemuth born, and Spikemuth bred! And now we're back to rock you right into the night!>

The crowd cheers again. Karma the Inteleon giggles and adds on to the lead singers' statement

Karma: <Even though we mainly rock, tonight's theme is gonna be "pop" oriented. But don't fret, starchildren. Our first song tonight is gonna be a rockin twist on an old pop classic~>

There are noises of interest and curiosity from the crowd at the synth players' words. Moose, meanwhile, has gone back to polishing the glasses. Switching from watching the stage and looking down at the countertop, anticipating what's to come.

Edited by PippingFool on Dec 15th 2020 at 6:51:39 AM

Outside 32222222222222222

-Pulling out my Armband-

You'd be correct on that.

Outside 32222222222222222

Pangoro: -Grunt- <I would put that on before you go in, then.>

He hands the pass back to Tagg

Pangoro: <I'd suggest keepin' that on ya. I have a feeling Moose will know who ya are, but it never hurts to be sure in these matters.>

Edited by PippingFool on Dec 16th 2020 at 7:25:22 AM

Outside 32222222222222222

-To the Pangoro as I put on the Armband and transform to my Swampert form-

Will do.>

Outside 32222222222222222

The Pangoro nods and steps aside.

Pangoro: <Enjoy your time.>

Inside 32222222222222222

Karma: <Now, without any further ado->

Pink: <Let The Pink Experience ROCK YOU!!>

Karma breaks out a familiar synth line, but this time - it's back by drums a power guitar and a power bass.

...And then the lead guitarist - Pepper - breaks into a full shred, causing the crowd to go wild.

And then the vocals kick in:

Pink: <You must understand
Though the touch of your hand
Makes my pulse react>

Pink basically dances around on stage, creating a captivating energy to the performance that makes the crowd go nuts.

Pink: <That it's only the thrill
Of a boy meeting girl
Opposites attract>

He throws himself towards the guitarist.

Pink: <It's phy-si-cal>

At the synthline, the pair sway back and fourth. Before he throws himself towards the bassit.

Pink: <ONLY LOGICAAAAAAAAAL>

And repeats the same movement before swaggering back to center stage.

Pink: <You must try to ignore that IT MEANS MORE THAN THAT!>

Band: <WOAH-AH-OOH>

Pink starts stomping his feet and clapping his hands in time with the drum.

Band: <WHAT'S LOVE
GOT TO DO
GOT TO DO WITH IT?>
<WHAT'S LOVE-

Pink: -BUT A SECOND-HAND E-MO-TION?>

Band: <WHAT'S LOVE
GOT TO DO
GOT TO DO WITH IT?>

Pink: <WHO NEEDS A HEART WHEN->

Band: <-A HEART CAN BE BROOOKEN>

The crowd goes absolutely nuts when the guitar kicks back in. It's certainly A Time to be heading down into a bar.

Edited by PippingFool on Dec 16th 2020 at 7:31:37 AM

Inside 32222222222222222

-Looking around as we move towards the stalls-

<Last time I was in a place like this was in another universe, hopefully this time'll be different and there won't be any chases or bar fights.>

Yew: -Looks around with a look of mischief on her face-

<...No stealing, Yew.>

Yew: <Spoilsport.>

Edited by rmctagg09 on Dec 15th 2020 at 3:34:43 PM

Inside 32222222222222222

Moose notices Tagg & Co's movements and makes eye contact with them, cocking her head as if to indicate to the group to come over towards her.

Pink: <It may seem to you
that I'm acting confused
When you're close to me...>

Edited by PippingFool on Dec 16th 2020 at 7:42:19 AM

Inside 32222222222222222

-Walking over to Moose-

<You the one who invited us here?>

Magtail: -To similar murmurs- <Could use some grub right now, you got anything besides overripe Berry juice? Tagg here'll pay.>

<Gee thanks.>

Inside 32222222222222222

Moose conveniently ignores Magtail and addresses Tagg directly for the moment.

Moose: <Not exactly, Ruth summoned you. She was in town, heard you were in town, and requested a meetin' at my joint. Me an' Ruthie go back years. Years and years. So I obliged.>

- She opens up the bar counter door and indicates Tagg that he can come inside -

Moose: <She wants 'ta see you. And only you. I'll take you to 'er>

Moose looks at Tagg's entourage with an expression that indicates not to follow him.

Pink: <If I tend to look dazed
I've read it someplace
I've got cause to be...>

Edited by PippingFool on Dec 15th 2020 at 8:05:43 PM

Inside 32222222222222222

Ruth?

-To Moose-

<Okay.>

-Follows-

Hitodama: <Darn it, what are we supposed to do in the meantime? Besides make sure this isn't potentially a trap?>

Doppler: -Shrugs-

Brimstone Casino Floor

-Like any good secretary, Sofia pretends not to hear the employee gossip, instead focusing on Smith.-

Sofia: I see. I can respect that sort of attitude, even if I myself prefer to be more involved. And I do apologise for Mr. Demmadome's... idiosyncrasies. You learn to parse the accent. The rest, however...

-She flashes Priscilla a smirk.-

Sofia: Oh, I have every faith in your skills, ma'am. I'm merely tempering it with caution.

Inside 32222222222222222

Pink: <There's a name for it There is a phrase that fits But whatever the reason, you do it for me

The Scrafty gives a sort of an annoyed expression to the rest of the entourage as she overhears Hitodama's words.

Moose: <There's a band playing, maybe you can enjoy their performance while ya' wait. Plus I won't be sittin' around for the conversation so yous can just wait till I get back and I'll fix ya up pretty, okay?>

Moose once again gestures to Tagg to follow her, and she leads him into the backrooms.

32222222222222222, Backrooms

Moose leads Tagg down corridor filled with private rooms - illuminated of fluorescent lights of all manner of colours. Yellow, Blue, Green, Orange, Violet, Red... Quite the menagerie.

Moose: <We got these backrooms 'ere for all kinds of private functions. Parties... Karaoke...>

She stops outside the room illuminated with Magenta and pushes open the door, indicating Tagg to follow her inside.

Moose: <...And private meetin's, of course.>

She walks into the room, and gestures to the figure inside.

Moose: <Hey Ruthie. I got the guy you wanted ta' talk to, hope I didn't keep ya' waiting too long>

The figure inside is a rather elderly looking Medicham, idly stirring a cup of tea. Adorned with a tattered veil on her head, faded markings on her face.

And weary eyes that look like black holes in the sky.

Kahina: <No. You didn't keep me waiting long at all, Muhumusa. Your charity and kindness is never something I would ever berate you for.>

Moose: <...Aight, I'll leave you two alone now ta' talk whatever ya want wit' each other. You... You just take care of yourself... okay Ruthie?>

Kahina: <I'll try.>

Moose: <That's good.>

Muhumusa gives the Medicham a short embrace before turning around and heading out, patting Tagg on the shoulder before she leaves the room and leaves the two Pokemon to talk.

Kahina: <...Its been a few years, hasn't it monsieur Tagg...?>

32222222222222222, Bar Area

Back at the bar, The Pink Experience continue on with their crowd pleasing performance

Band: <WOAH-AH-OOH>

Band: <WHAT'S LOVE
GOT TO DO
GOT TO DO WITH IT?>
<WHAT'S LOVE-

Pink: -BUT A SECOND-HAND E-MO-TION?>

Band: <WHAT'S LOVE
GOT TO DO
GOT TO DO WITH IT?>

Pink: <WHO NEEDS A HEART WHEN->

Band: <-A HEART CAN BE BROKEN>

The Amped Toxtricity takes center stage and begins belting out a rather impressive solo with deft strumming of her scales. It's at the point where Muhumusa arrives back to be the bartender.

Moose: <So did you lot have some fun without him or are you gonna be bored out of your minds while you wait for him.>

She looks up at Magtail

Moose: <Oh we got more than fermented berry juice. Of the alcoholic and non alcoholic varieties and varying levels of toxicity. We also have an assortment of bar snacks. Beer nuts, pretzels, crisps, pork crackling... You name it. Anything you're looking for in particular, luv? You interested in a pint of gasoline and maybe a side of crackers?>

Edited by PippingFool on Dec 16th 2020 at 12:31:32 AM