Motostoke Stadium

Me: -thinks to self- Most impressive. I can't wait to see how Kim's Gym Battle goes...

-I head off to the stands to reunite with Evelyn, Hoops and Anna.-

Orochi Plaza, Top Floor

-Mr Vile was having a halfway decent day-

-He was in town, he had his faithful hound by his side (Midday Lycanroc, nice) and of course the flow of capital has never been quite so flowing. While he wasn't really one to be observant of the religious side of the holidays, the rushing lull of business did give him some time to unwind and also that bulk bag of candy canes someone left in the main break room was such a kind gesture that— yeah of course it was him that did it-

-So naturally in a good mood Mr Vile decides to do something that should theoretically be classed as a good deed for the day. Microphone on-

Mr Vile Over Building PA: Attention Faust Capital staff!

-Some have said his voice was a little petulant and annoyingly high-pitched for his stature. Other, more respectful people noted that it was something of a lower-class Galaran accent that implied a rise to power rather than being 'old money'-

Building PA: I'm in a good mood and it's Chrissy Eve Eve so if you lot want to clock off early you can go for it. But ah, I'm going to need some of the managers up here in the Adam Room for a team meeting.

-He shut the microphone off and took a step back from his desk to look out the window over the festive-lit streets below. It was going to be a long night... But enough brooding, he had guests, like Ricky boy! Stepping back to his desk he plucked up a keycard and headed to the elevator to go down to meet his friend for the day-

Orochi Plaza, Bottom Floor

-The elevator in the center of the building descended quickly, one of the perks of being in charge meant an express service was almost always available. Before long with a clarent little 'ding' the doors opened and Mr Vile stepped out with his personal companion Pokemon on his heels. Taking a few steps forwards Vile stopped and leant a little on the cane he had planted directly in front of him-

Mr Vile: Ricky! Wonderful to seeya, wanna take this up to my office or the Adam Room? Just won't do to discuss business out here in the foyer, aye?

Lilycove City Shoreline

Travis is in the middle of trying to shape up his sand castle that was recently demoted to tower and notices what's going on. "I thought you wanted me to build my own castle? I don't know, but I like this supercastle idea better," He says, finally catching on well enough with what the pokemon intended. He spends the next several minutes trying to build up the tower, occasionally adding small sea shells and sticks nearby for decorative details. In time it will (hopefully) be a respectable sand castle...at least until the waves eventually take it out when the high tide rolls in.

Orochi Plaza

Ricketts: Vile, my good friend. A pleasure.

Hanson Ricketts said this in the driest manner possible. The CEO of Gruber had a demeanor that befit a stuffy headmaster of a posh public school. Nonetheless, he lacked the overt classism of his peers. Vile, despite his background, earned his place in high society.

It helps that new money allies make amassing wealth much more effective.

Ricketts: Yes. Private matters deserve a much more appropriate venue. The Adam Room!

He releases an indeedee and hands him a thumb drive.

Ricketts: Severus, you know what to do.

Severus nodded and proceeded to go to his designated destination.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Dec 17th 2020 at 11:28:57 PM

Michael grimaces a bit and stretches a false grin across his face, before adjusting his suit and walking back up to his office. He closed the blinds and activated the noise dampeners, it wasn't quite Room 101, but it was good enough to keep eavesdroppers out.

He pulled on his mask and sighed, tossing a illusionary fireball in his hands, "Delta... Sphinx."

On the TV came the visages of both, Scratch didn't mind the big 3, but he had goals to one day surpass them.

"I understand you want news on the... event... correct? Was I not wrong that it was to be held later in the week?"

Delta nodded, "You are correct. But a little misinformation serves to draw you away from your magic shows more effectively. And we need to discuss the status of our product."

Scratch sighed, "You keep it here with me because Orre is a backwater nowhere that people rarely visit. I can hold secret auctions more effectively, and so on and so forth. It is secure."

"Be that as it may, I'll be swinging by later this week to collect some of it. A big gig is coming up and the three of us may need it for negotiations," Delta explained, "Sphinx, what specific products did we need again?"

"A list of 'product' that the Guild is storing, some of it involving previously reported Delta attacks. And possible entrances for our assault team to take, I'll be sending the list to your phone and pda soon enough, it will be encoded. The Captain will find this useful," Bishop responded.

The two guards entered the room and looked about, odd rifles in their hands, rather futuristic with a sulfur and brimstone style to them. They marched about the Server room and inspected everything slowly... before turning and slowly walking out.

"You hear the boss has some book of tricks?"

"Like literal or metaphorical here."

"Nah man, like actual book. Supposedly a second volume of something that teaches you magic..."

"Buddy, where's the first edition then?"

And like that, they left, the situation was close. But the quick thinking of Midna and Hailey had prevented their detection.

Route 10

Maya walks in the cold, snowy route. Rory the Eevee is running behind her, while Snowy the Snom is sitting on her shoulder.

Rory yelled, <Hey! Wait for me!>. Snowy quickly reassured Rory. <Don't worry, Rory. Maya won't forget about you!>

Maya slowed down for a bit, followed by Rory catching up.

<Gotcha!> Rory shouted while hopping nearby. Maya simply giggled at Rory's antics. "Aww, silly Rory!" She said. "I heard Wyndon is nearby. Let's go there, shall we?" Both Rory and Snowy nodded. And with that, they head off to the city.

Brimstone Casino

-Rhea let her happy little facade crack a little as she watched Micheal stride off before turning her attention back to the card game-

Sorry if I'm a little rusty! Been a while since I've done Hold'em and that was always with daddy...

-She does [the analogue of that cross-shape thing, youknow that 'touch four points on the upper torso' thing religious folk do when referring to the dead? Yeah the analogue of that but presumably for the Arceun faith so incorporating some of that iconography], a move that serves to retrieve a black feather from a pocket of her jacket that she palms in the hand holding the cards; a little trinket, a good luck charm you may say-

Orochi Plaza, Elevator

-A faint smile creeps onto Mr Vile's face as he steps into the elevator and the car gets moving-

Mr Vile: Nervous? It's alright to be, tends to happen when folks meet with me. Hope ya don't mind that I'm bringing some managers to the meet, thought it'd be best to give them a taste of proper dealin'.

-He gives the Lycanroc dutifully at his side a scritch behind the ears-

Mr Vile: Barb seems to think you're alright and I'm inclined to agree; Gruber was a pretty good investment on our part. We planted some seed, might be time to reap some crop...

-He checks his watch, though the glint off the glass obscures what the inscrutable face tells-

Mr Vile: Tut tut, might be late for the meeting...

~Ding~

-And with that, the elevator car doors open into the corridor just outside the Committee Room on the 11th floor-

Orochi Plaza, Bottom Floor

-With most of the Faust Capital staff starting to file out for the day to enjoy an early start to their Christmas Eve and Christmas Day bank holidays, the building staff begin the process of gearing up for janitorial duties and the swap of security staff from day shift to night shift. No one really looks at each other's faces, everyone leaving is simply too tired to care-

-The foyer, for a moment, is deathly silent as eleven floors above the doors of an 18th century dining room swing open with the faintest creak-

Those of you bringing NP Cs to this plot, feel free to put them where they aught to be.

"Man, hope we don't get another situation like last year," Kevin commented looking up at the place.

Gabi sighed, "Daaaad, ya know ya are goin ta summin it if ya say stuff like dat.'

Kevin laughed a little, "Hey, what is life without a little bit of excitement. But seriously we're here to relax a little."

Gabi sighed and rolled her eyes, "Whatever ya say."

Orochi Plaza — Floor 11

Ricketts: I assure you, we've made arrangements to guarantee that the seeds you've sown will bear fruit a thousandfold. The governor and his allies are not happy with the arrangement, but there's little they can do at this point. I wouldn't mind a little company from this company. It's tantamount that our guests are well looked after.

Brimstone — Board Room

Sphinx: I've taken the liberty of writing them down. Prepare yourself, it's going to be long. I've been itching to get most of this stuff out of storage for just an occasion as this.

Sphinx wears his spectacles and begins reading.

Sphinx: We have found several private buyers for key assets in storage. They will not be available for public bidding; rest assured you will be compensated thrice as much as was the original agreement due to the immense value of the stored items.

Scratch should hear a ding in his phone, indicating that a large crapton of money was sent his way.

What would it be used for? The Big Three keep their secrets well.

Sphinx: Of course, the rest will remain under lock and key at your safe harbor, pending the auction. Included in your advance is my fee for another shipment. I have excess inventory that might find a market in your next event. Such a pity; we made so much of them for Mr. Orihara. Feel free to test a few cases of those out; first case is always free, second and third come with exclusive Hunter's Guild discounts.

He clears his throat.

Sphinx: J, Delta, and I have other plans later this year. It is a touch unorthodox, but we have secured the Council's agreement for this next endeavor on the condition that the peculiar peons working with our elite are appropriately compensated.

The Utility Rooms of Orochi Plaza

Far from the eclectic glamour of the offices is the actually industrial part of the building, the utility rooms where the people responsible for the building's upkeep are located.

Orochi's building manager has hired new cleaning staff. They seem to be murmuring a lot... and are carrying an awful amount of large laundry baskets.

A tall, statuesque [Egyptian] woman is among the many scurrying staff members. She is followed around by a dwebble. Some of the much smaller workmen were talking amongst themselves.

Workman 1: How low have we gone where we must rely on someone like her as our backup.

Workman A: I dunno, she's she's kinda easy on the eyes. Rrrawww.

Tall Woman: Boys, girls, and enbies, we've a long night ahead of us.

Orochi Plaza outside

Outside, the landmark known as Orochi Plaza is offering free walk-in tours of the iconic building and its fabulous holiday season decorations. These were always the toast of the town, and ever since Macro Cosmos shuttered, they've certainly got this year's Best Decorated Skyscraper award in the bag, to the consternation of their next door neighbor, the McClane Building.

Visitors are welcome to take the tour.

Edited by MasterJayAM on May 17th 2021 at 5:58:16 PM

Motostoke Stadium

"Wow," Anna says, clapping. "You have some impressive friends, Hoops."

"You're acting weird. I barely know you," Hoops says. "Oh wow, that was quick."

"Sorry," Anna says. "It's just, I've been thinking about meeting you for a while and there's so much I want to say."

Sud jumps in between them. <What the hell, lady? You some kind of stalker?>

Anna shakes her head. "No, not a stalker. Just their mother."

Wyndon Train Station

The train pulls into the station and Hoops climbs off, with Kec and Kit each riding on one shoulder. They all stretch in basically the same way.

"I hate long train rides," Hoops complains.

<I think they're alright. You can get up and walk around, and they bring you snacks> Kit says.

<Come on, we'll be late> Kec warns. <We told the others we'd meet them for the Orochi Tower tour at three, and it's two thirty. We need to go!>

"Fine!" Hoops groans. "I don't know why you made me agree to come here anyway. What's so special about some building."

<Because you need to do things with your friends> Kec says, climbing onto Hoops' head and leaning over their eyes. <Especially around the holidays. And maybe we'll even meet some new people.>

Kit giggles. <Kec, you're such a parent.>

Kec sighs. <Yeah, sure, I know. Can we just get going?>

Motostoke Stadium, Stands

Evelyn: Wait... Anna-sama... You're... You're Hoops' mother?

-Ian reunites with Hoops, Anna and Evelyn.-

Me: Hey, everyone, what did I miss?

Motostoke Stadium

Hoops laughs. "No, she's just kidding. Because Mum's dead. She died when I was only a kid. That's what Dad always said, so it has to be true. I mean, otherwise what kind of mother would just leave and not even let their child know that they existed for most of their childhood. And anyway, Dad never lied. That was the one thing he never did."

As they talk their tone changes from amused to questioning to a slightly panicked tone. "So, her being my mother is just a dumb idea, right? Right?"

In answer, Anna pulls out a photo that shows her, a man that looks like a older version of Hoops, and a young child with purple and blue hair.

"Sud, catch me," Hoops says, and topples over.

Motostoke Stadium

-Ian hums a small part of a tune from a movie where a similar reveal was made.-

Evelyn: I guess Hoops searched their feelings, and knew it to be true... Still, are you okay, Hoops?

Wyndon

-Ian and Evelyn get off a train at Wyndon Station. It's currently 2:41.-

Evelyn: Alright, Ian. We gotta meet with the others for the Orochi Tower tour at 3. This means we have no time to lose.

Me: Are you sure, Evelyn? What if the Orochi Group turns out to be as bad as the Mobius Society or Seimei, if not worse?

Evelyn: You can't be too sure about these things, Ian.

Me: I'm not!

-Ian sighs and holds onto Evelyn's hand.-

Me: Okay. What have we to lose by taking this tour? Let's go.

-Ian and Evelyn run to where they would have to meet the others for the tour.-

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Dec 18th 2020 at 1:06:07 PM

Spikemuth

Channah: -sits on a bench, watching Owen trying to teach the rest of the team how to sing harmonies- ._. -gets a text- ?

Orochi Tower, Floor 11 antechamber

-a man in a faintly festive suit snaps a photo on his phone and texts it-

Orochi Plaza

Kamon: -wandering around in wait-

Mattimeo: <It's too cold out...>

Kamon: Isn't it nice out, Matti? This was a great idea I had! I live here but tourists know the city better than I do. Well, today we begin to remedy that!

Orochi Tower, Floor 11 Antechamber

It will come to Garrett's shock and surprise that a lot of people are wearing the exact same festive outfit. Specifically, the caterers for the management and investor gathering.

A rather harried manager approaches him.

Manager Stephen: Hey, you— where's your name tag? Ugh. Never mind. Spare me the excuses. Wash your hands and get to work. Mr. Vile and his investor friend are over there by the corner. Make sure their needs are met. Got it? God, it's the most stressful time of the year, I tell you. Where's a Festivus pole when you need one?

Brimstone Server Room

A minute or so after the guards left, Kamui left her Great Ball and re-adopted her Hailey form.

"... the boss got my trainer's book." She considered as she retrieved her ball and placed it in her pocket. "If nothing else we know what tricks he has." She began to leave the room, pausing for a moment. "Would it be smarter to get Midna's help in leaving?" As she asked this she looked for security cameras.

Motostoke Stadium

Sud caught Hoops as they collapsed, so they didn't hurt themselves falling. After a second they regain consciousness and look around to see that Anna has disappeared. "I'm fine, I think," they mutter. "I think I'll just watch the battle, you know? Take my mind off it."

Wyndon

<There's the tower> Kit says, pointing.

Hoops changes direction from how they were running through the city and nearly slams into a lamppost. They arrive at the base of the tower and look around to discover that they can't see any of their friends.

"Are we here first?" they ask, genuinely baffled.

Motostoke Gym Battle

(Kim hears none of the conversation from behind her. She instead just steps forward onto the pitch, and sees Kabu waiting for her.)

Kim: (smirks) "Kabu."

Kabu: "Ah, Kimberly Bond. You must be the one Nessa told me about. I've heard your skills in battle are... rather intriguing. Nevertheless..." (He takes out his PokeBall.) "I am prepared to battle you."

Kim: "Of course. Just note that I have heard how difficult you can be, so just note one thing." (She takes out her own PokeBall.) "I will hold nothing back."

Kabu: "Well said. Shall we?"

Kim: "We shall."

MOTOSTOKE GYM BATTLE- START

(From behind Kim and Kabu, the Litwick from earlier enters the stadium, closely watching the battle taking place in front of him. Kabu, meanwhile, throws his first PokeBall out.)

Kabu: "Go! Arcanine!"

(The ball opens, and a huge Arcanine is standing there, staring down Kim. The latter is unfazed, however.)

Kim: "Perfect." (She throws the ball.) "Red alert, Geddy!"

(In a flash of light, Geddy appears and stares up at the giant Arcanine. Seconds later, however, he is interrupted from making the first move by another Pokemon of Kim's suddenly emerging out of his PokeBall: Freddie. The poor Sobble whimpers in fear the second he sees Geddy up against the Arcanine.)

Freddie: <O-oh dear... n-not an Arcanine... h-he looks scary...>

Kim: "Freddie? What are you doing here?"

Freddie: (with tears coming to his eyes) <O-oh, nothing... I just wanted to cheer on Geddy... E-Elton thought it would be a good idea... and I did too... s-so, um... I hope you do well, Geddy...>

Geddy: (smiles) <Thank you.> (With that said, he turns to the Arcanine.) <Alright, shall we?>

Arcanine: <Gladly.>

On The Train to Orochi Plaza (Post Motostoke Party)

(It is now December. Kimberly Bond is sitting on the train to Orochi Plaza. Next to her are Gilmour, Gallag, and Freddie, who by this point has evolved into a Drizzile— with gripper claws similar to those he had as a Sobble. Gallag and Gilmour turn to face Freddie in delight, but Freddie doesn't even bother; he's far too concerned with his gripper claws.)

Freddie: <Oh... I don't understand. How can the rest of the team still like me...> (Tears start coming to his eyes.) <...when I look like this?!>

(He holds up his gripper claws.)

Gallag: <Dude, relax. We told you before. No one'll hate you just 'cause you have grips.>

Freddie: <No one except... the general public! T-they hate everyone who looks different! I'm a Drizzile and I still have gripper claws! This is awful! Simply awful...!>

(He bursts into tears. Kim hears him, and goes over to him and pets his back.)

Kim: "It's fine, Freddie. Nobody hates you. I doubt anyone will even notice."

Freddie: (blubbering) <HOW COULD THEY NOT NOTICE...?!>

(Eventually, the train stops in front of the Orochi Tower, and Kim, Gallag, Gilmour, and Freddie exit— though the latter is still absolutely terrified and hides behind Kim's leg.)

Freddie: <...eep!>

Orochi Tower

Hoops sees Kim and her pokemon approaching and waves them over.

"Good trip?" they ask. "Hey, looking good Freddie."

Edited by theoncominghoop on Dec 18th 2020 at 10:54:28 AM

-Mezzo shakes her head-

Mezzo: Spaced out there a minute. What's going on?

-she notices a Rattata on the floor, feebly moving her limbs-

Freya: <I can still... fight...>

Mezzo: Yeah, no, you're done.

-she then looks over at Hendrix-

Mezzo: Oh, you have one of those, huh? They're popular around here. Hey Bellatrix, show this punk who's boss.

-Mezzo sent out Bellatrix!-

Mezzo: Crunch him up.

Bellatrix: <Like, okay.>

-Bellatrix leaps forward, aiming a bite for Hendrix's neck-

Orochi Plaza, 11th Floor

Mr Vile: Okay I gotta admit, technically it's less a meeting and more a little shindig. Just some of the other company bosses from the building and management staff. Don't worry, outside of the lifts the Committee Room is the most private part of the whole building, we can discuss business just fine in there.

Orochi Plaza, Bottom Floor

-As people start to come in for this little tour of the decoration, a sharply-dressed woman steps out from behind the lobby counter-

Swordlike Woman: Ah, visitors. You are all here for the tour, yes?

Motostoke Stadium, Stands

Me: Piku-chan. You know what to do.

Piku-chan: <Leave it to me!>

-Piku-chan jumps off of Ian's shoulder and spins around, putting on a two-tone green kimono and begins to wave two fans around as he cheers on Kim during the Gym Battle.-

Wyndon, On the Way to Orochi Square, 2:45

-Evelyn takes out the Magical Broom and hops on while she's running.-

Evelyn: Hop on, Ian!

-Ian, trying to keep up with Evelyn, jumps onto the broom and hangs on tight.-

Evelyn: Now, we'll meet 'em there in half the time! Let's go!

Me: -happily- Yeah! Let's go!

-Evelyn flies the broom to where she, Ian, Hoops, Kim and who knows how many others will meet for the tour of Orochi Tower.-

Orochi Square, 2:52

Evelyn: There it is, Ian. Orochi Square...

Me: Named for the eight-headed dragon of myth... If that doesn't scream "bad omens", then I don't know what does...

Evelyn: And look!

-Evelyn points down at Hoops.-

Evelyn: There's Hoops!

Me: They're here early.

Evelyn: Well? What are we waiting for? Let's go down and say hi?

-Evelyn tries to gently land her broom, and succeeds, but the broom handle's tip gets caught on a piece of the pathway and throws the witch girl and her friend off of it.-

Evelyn: -startled by the sudden catapulting- I still need to work on landing that thing...

Me: -dizzied by the impact with the ground- It's okay... You'll get it next time...

Stormchaser - Last Week

Benedetta: "And why should I let you go for me?"

-Luca rubs his eyes and stares into the Holocaster.-

Luca: "The dona has a right-hand man for a reason. I'm your representative. You're a busy woman."

-Benedetta laughs and flicks a dart at a dartboard in her office.-

Benedetta: "Fine. You're going as the CEO of the Angelan divison of Blaziken Teeth."

-Luca pauses.-

Luca: "We own that!?"

Orochi Tower - 11th Floor

-A young black man, blue hair slicked back, stands in the corner with his hands in his jacket pockets.-

-He mumbles something to himself and starts looking for refreshments.-

Orochi Tower - Lobby

Marie: "This is a bit different from our usual dates."

-Marie's dressed in a gray winter dress with a white fur lining and some sensible shoes.-

-Her partner, wearing jeans, sneakers, a purple shirt, and a denim jacket, grabs her own arm protectively. Marie frowns.-

Marie: "You're more attached to that Legatus than I thought."

-Misaki clenches her teeth.-

Misaki: "I'm fine. Just feel a little naked, is all."

-She rummages in her pocket until she finds a beat-up, first gen Styler. She grabs it tight and takes a deep breath.-

Marie: "Hi! Yeah, we are here for the tour!"

Motostoke Stadium

One of Hoops' pokeballs opens to reveal a Chatot that lands next to Piku-chan.

<Hi!> he says brightly. <I'm Tot. Wow, that kimono is incredible. Do you have a spare one, I'd love to help cheer as well.>

The other pokeball opens and lets Kit out next to them. <I want to cheer too! Kim is nice!>

Orochi Square, 2:53

Hoops looks at Evelyn's prone form from her botching her landing. "You know, I don't know whether to talk about the fact that you can fly on a broom or the fact that you apparently can't ride it properly."

Kec nudges them. <Be nice, remember.>

"Uh, I mean," Hoops forces a smile. "That was great Evs. Glad you could make it, and arrive in such a great fashion!"

They look at the tour information they got earlier. "So, I wonder if there's going to be more people than just the four of us on this tour. It says here they can get up to ten, so it would be weird that way, I guess. I guess we just wait."

Orochi Square, 2:53

Evelyn: It's more that I can't land it properly. I can ride my broom pretty well, actually.

-Ian gets up and brushes the dust off of himself.-

Me: It's a similar problem that I have.

Piku-chan: <Then there was that one time you and Evelyn crashed it deliberately...>