Eclipse the Moon
32222222222222222, past
Kahina circles her thumbs.
Kahina: <For me it's... when do people... stop deserving kindness? Where is the line when a person should not be show kindness anymore? And be met only with confrontation? Where is the point where someone doesn't deserve to be pulled back into kindness? When does kindness turn to cruelty, and cruelty to kindness. How true is it that the absence of kindness is what allows a corruption to cruelty. Those sorts of things
I think about these things, and I don't like the answers. Because they're... vague and complex and don't have such easy answers. It weighs down on my aged soul. You understand why>
Janis: <Hendrix! Like, Jimi, right? I'm Janis, as in - Joplin~>
She chuckles and takes another swig.
Janis: <That'd make us, what, 2/33 of a Woodstock festival right there? Hah!>
Pepper notices Cam noticing her and her sisters' spurs, but says nothing and drinks her Electric Screwdriver.
I'm having to learn to pay the price
Empathic Kid Hero-in-training
Orochi Plaza, Lobby
-Ian and Evelyn follow the swordlike woman through the plaza.-
Me: I have a question, miss...
♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...
11th Floor Presentation
The lights refuse to turn on. Outside, there appears to be a mess of sounds: the rustling of cloth and paper, the meaty, visceral sounds of people getting conked on the head, the releasing of pokémon from their balls, and, more frighteningly, the cocking of guns.
The presentation changed to a rather familiar Kalosian logo.
"The Embers stay alight. They scatter in the wind and ignite a new Flare where they land."
A figure then emerged on the screen. He was covered in a mask and was clearly seated in a
Figure: We are the Embers, the once scattered remains of the movement began by Lysandre in Kalos. Since his death, groups much like our own continue his work, hoping to rid [European] civilisation of the horrid blasphemies that came from the accursed century. This hideous building, for instance. Seriously, I hate any modernist box as much as the next Proper Human Being, but you degenerate globalists really took the cake when you slimy motherfuckers agreed that this was a look worth replicating.
He clears this throat.
Figure: But I digress. As we speak, our operatives have taken control of this building. No one can go in or out. So if you want to leave with your lives and precious fortunes intact for the remainder of your lives, you will acquiesce to our demands. This building, your feeble economic system, and frankly, this world, with its torn skies and abominations, is imperfect. We shall wipe away these impurities and make it as beautiful as me.
The dramatic lighting in the live feed malfunctions, revealing a bearded, balding plain-looking middle-aged White man in a janitor's outfit. In what was clearly a supply closet.
Faust Finance Manager: Well, if that's what you want you can leave everything as it was.
Beat. Also, beatings.
Ember Leader: Anybody else wants to say anything? We Embers believe in freedom of speech, so just shut your little lib mouths and let us do all the talking.
Ricketts: I will not be bullied by a Fascist cad.
Voynich: Neither will I. As if you didn't learn your lessons from the last time. And the time before that.
Ember Leader: Well, aren't we being "valiant". If you're so tough, you can deal with our associate over there.
The lights turn on, revealing not only a cadre of Ember grunts and their Pokémon but also a tall woman in glistening kingler-themed power armour, surrounded by large, angry crustaceans.
Ember Leader: My globalist lib friends, meet my associate, Malacostra.
Voynich: Anyone got any butter?
Malacostra: Funny that you'd be the one to bring that up, Pokefutures. Pfft. And they call me a criminal.
Voynich: Ix nay on the okefuturespay.
With her claw arms, Malacostra grabs the nearest person she can find… which is Garrett. Stephen and his Mr. Ryme attempt to rescue him, but are blocked by a Clawitzer and a Kingler.
Malacostra: You know, you're pretty cute for a waiter. You pull off that look better than the others. Do as I say; I don't wanna have to ruin that fine figure you cut in that suit.
Ember Leader: You folks better not move. This room is an authentic 18th Century antique room. From a time when Galar was truly a beacon of civilisation, with colonies and slaves. It's irreplaceable and the only thing in this building worth saving.
Down below, other operatives began to work, arming themselves and preparing flags for unfurling.
The tour group, meanwhile, can detect nothing of the sort from where they stand. There are sights to see in the massive multistorey lobbey, after all, such as the giant Santa sculpture on a sleigh being pulled by... an eight-headed ekans, or the massive scrap metal Christmas tree, or the well-lit dancing fountains and water features of the building.
Edited by MasterJayAM on Dec 23rd 2020 at 9:31:40 PM
Orochi Tower, Tour
Hoops raises their hand. "Hey, tour guide, I have a question too. Does this place have a gift shop? And if the answer is yes, does it have Top Trumps cards?"
<We've only just gotten here, you can't be bored already> Kec hisses.
Hoops sighs. "It's just a building. I have seen buildings before. If something exciting happens, I swear I will buy the whole team a massive curry."
Edited by theoncominghoop on Dec 22nd 2020 at 6:19:08 PM
You're shivering. Are you afraid?
-Butterscotch is hit!-
Butterscotch: <Now that one actually hurt.>
Mezzo: Finish him off with another Extrasensory.
-Butterscotch nods, and then fires a psychic wave-
Pianis: Okay, I don't get it. Why do you want me to play this again?
Mezzo: It's ice, you'll like it.
Pianis: I know nothing about Empire Souls. Everything you've told me has been progressively more confusing.
Mezzo: You'll be fine.
-the screen fades in, showing Sora and friends fighting Soulless in the snow-
-after a few minutes, a particular princess runs across a bay, freezing the water with each step-
Pianis: Oh.. oh!
Mezzo: See, told you you'd like this.
Pianis: This is that movie! I love this movie!
Mezzo: Exactly.
Do not fear power... fear those who wield it.
pain peko
Orochi - 11th Floor
-Luca swears under his breath in [Italian].-
Luca: "Oh dear Bennie..."
-He goes for his back - no sword. His hip - no gun. All he has is three Poké Balls in his jacket pocket.-
-He'll have to play them close to his chest.-
Luca: "Why is it always a middle-aged white man? I'd hate to live in a world full of people that look like him."
Orochi Lobby
Misaki: "Do all corporations have decorations as ugly as these?"
-Marie kicks her.-
Misaki: "Ow! It's not my fault they can't be bothered to go get a real tree."
-Marie sighs.-
"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"
Empathic Kid Hero-in-training
Orochi Tower, Tour
-In the moment Ian raises his hand, something felt... off... For some unexplained reason, Ian began to feel cold. His hand wavered, his body shook. He knew something was wrong...-
Evelyn: -calmly- Ian? Is everything okay?
Me: I-I don't know...
Evelyn: -telepathically to Ian- ~Please, Ian... Tell me what's wrong... You can tell me...~
Me: -nervously- I don't know why, but I feel as though I... sensed something...
Evelyn and Hatty: -telepathically to Ian- ~Sensed something? Sensed what?~
Me: K-Kim... H-Hoops... I don't know why, but I think I may have sensed an aura of evil somewhere in this very tower...
Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Jan 28th 2021 at 1:00:00 PM
♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...
Orochi Tower, Tour
Hoops looks around dismissively. "Uh, yeah, there's definitely some evil in here. I mean, look at that. 'No loitering by the drinking fountain.' The way this company is treating its employees is downright terrible."
<Oh Arceus, look at the upholstery on these sofas> Kec says. <It's like they were trying to pick the design that was the biggest eyesore.>
Fwomph
Orochi Plaza, Tour
-The tour guide visibly bristles at the word 'evil' but tries to regain her composure-
Swordlike Woman: Yes, your question?
Orochi Plaza, 11th Floor
Mr Vile: Well this is a crapsache and a half right here. Can someone get me some more wine? Gonna need it to deal with these histrionic bastards.
It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.
Orochi Plaza, Floor Eleven Hostage Situation
Evil Leader Bald Man: You've all had too much to drink I'm afraid. You're not going anywhere.
An ominous trio comprising an amped toxtricity, conkledurr, and an obstagoon corner Mr. Vile, followed by another trio of Ember grunts with cocked guns.
Evil Leader Bald Man: Now, would you excuse me, I have my demands that I need to broadcast across Wyndon in my address. Hail Flare.
Grunts: Hail Flare.
He picks up a pair of grandma glasses and takes out a list.
chaos catby with a flannel shirt addiction
32222222222222222
-Copper realizes someone is waving at her and turns to face them.-
Copper: <Oh, hi!>
I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.
Delta moved silently, following the path Dracula had picked up. Negotiator in hand as they approached the source of the scent. “Sure it is here?”
Dracula nodded as they approached the area. Delta dusting away some branches and leaves to reveal a metal door, he sighed, “Really… Rodan… Mazinger, if you could please?”
Rodan spat fire upon the door, heating it to intensity, before Mazinger threw a focus punch. The force broke the door, and started the Grunt inside, who panicked upon seeing Delta march in. He ran for the emergency alarm, only to be caught by Psychic cast by Zatara, who lifted the grunt to the ceiling.
Delta tilted his head at the Grunt, who struggled against the grasp. What thoughts of cruelty lay behind the glowing slits of Delta’s mask… the Grunt shuddered and eventually passed out.
Delta spun Negotiator in hand as he marched in, “Now… let’s go get her home.”
Jackal stared at the door as his pDroid clicked silently, right before the door opened and he slipped inside. Hayon right by his side as they carefully snuck into the shadows, the Jackal was more known as a combat monstrosity, but he could be stealthy. The guard patrols didn’t even notice him as he passed by.
~So, Tonio was sighted here? Why not call in Gaia, Tonio is her nemesis.~
“Just because a report says one thing doesn’t make it true, plus we’re not here for Tonio, we’re here for intel only. This site is researching those Codex Ruins, it seems they haven’t completely abandoned that mad scheme.”
Hayon frowned behind his mask, ~Do they ever learn?~
“I think that’s why Tonio was reported to be here, directing them away from that insanity. That she’s considered level headed and reasonable among these wackos… well.”
Hayon said no more, it was disturbing to think about enough.
The two crept silently through the base, avoiding patrols and rendering themselves invisible, Obelisk working overtime on cracking security.
“Captain I appreciate your confidence in me, but I will state outright. Murph is better at Pokefutures security encryptions, I do best in Guild Networks.”
“You’re what we have Obelisk, do what you can and avoid headaches.”
The base was almost labyrinthian, grunts marching everywhere. No sign of any Futureseries though, which was good.
Obelisk crept through the cyberspace networks, before stopping, “Captain… we have a situation…”
“What?”
“Report of activity on sublevel 2. Seems someone else is here, we best move to handle this before we lose contact.”
Jackal nodded and kicked open a vent, and crawled in, seems these ones were more heavy duty for the base itself. Probably in case they needed to seal the base off and go under their own oxygen supply. Whatever the case, he’d get to the bottom of this.
Base Security was desperately trying to funnel the invader away, how had he gotten in? How had he found them?! At least they could direct him away for now, oh Dr. Tonio would not be happy if the intruder got in!
Newman frowned as Tonio’s many limbs worked rapidly around the lab, collecting the blood and tissue samples and the processing results.
“Tonio, why are we doing it this way, back at my labs we always got to cutting, you learn so much from internals.”
“And where was your lab? Down the drain in funds, lacking in vital research, and cut out by Vonyich.”
Newman froze up at the name, staring at her with the casual dismissal she said the name, “Are you not afraid of him?”
“No. More likely, he is afraid of me,” Tonio said, picking up a blood sample with one of her tentacled prosthetics. She grinned, it was unsettling the way it stretched from ear to ear, “I’ve always been able to show him the utmost disrespect and never once has he corrected me. He knows exactly what I bring and I have called him out for numerous bad decisions before.”
Newman glared at her, “How… how can you do this?”
“Simple. I bring results,” Tonio explained.
The piplup, Sadie, barely understood what was being said, she was after all only 9 years old and that meant her knowledge of how the business world worked or how corporate interests interacted with unethical scientific research was pretty much empty. She just knew she was in a scary place, with scary people, and scary instruments… though she was fairly certain this was not a dentist’s office.
Tonio grinned as the results came up, “Oh… that’s interesting.”
Newman quirked a brow, “And?”
“And you wanted to dissect this poor girl.”
Delta kicked another grunt into a window, he was making slow progress and so far no one had been able to stop him… hadn’t even brought out their big guns yet.
“Amateurs…” he muttered.
There was a hiss, Rodan and Gidorah turned to it, Delta snapping to attention.
Entering through the doorway was a familiar black and blue armor set, complete with an even more familiar bone white mask. Jackal looked up and saw Delta, in an instance his laser rifle was drawn and aimed… Delta was certain that Jackal had a bead on him.
Hayon and Mercer followed in, and stopped staring at the other mons.
Delta gripped Negotiator tight… and then it loosened as he started to laugh, “Oh fuck me… Jackal.”
“Delta…”
Delta dropped Negotiator and just smirked behind his helmet, “Don’t tell me… cleaning up a Pokefutures base?”
“What’s it to you?”
“I’ve been hired to find something other than a pokemon. A lost girl last seen around here,” he explained cooly, “Though this should be familiar territory to you. She’s currently not human.”
Jackal blinked, “Come again?”
“The ruins outside are probably made by the people behind the codex, it seems they had a room for… I dunno turning people into pokemon, altering fate, the power of the sun, making gods… I don’t fucking care. And quite frankly neither do you.”
Jackal motioned for the others to follow his lead, he lowered the rifle, “Okay. Continue.”
“We have mutually compatible goals here, and I think with your help we can get her back to normal as well.”
Jackal had to admit… it made some sense and it saved him time and energy, “Continue.”
“We help each other, a truce, you can trust me to hold my word,” Delta said, extending a hand.
~Don’t do it…~
Jackal sighed and gripped Delta’s hand and shook it, “When we’re done here. We resume our standard policies. You will face Justice one day.”
Delta laughed, “We’ll see.”
The 6 looked at each other, and then turned to the door, Hayon’s ear twitched, ~Footsteps… lots of them, and heavy ones as well… some sound like claws, pokemon.~
“Aura sight then.”
Hayon closed his eyes, his lekku floated and his goggles had a faint glow, “Yeah, there’s an army out there alright.”
Jackal and Delta looked at each other, before turning to their respective mons, “Alright then… Gidorah, open the doors please,” Delta calmly said.
Gidorah blasted the doors off their hinges with a focused dragon pulse, the teams leaping into the fray, the Guards barely having time before the Hunter and the Hero entered the fray.
Dunsparce Cloud
32222222222222222
-Dreamedge looks up as Moose approaches-
Dreamedge: <Uh...I dunno. Do you have anything for Steel-types? I find myself in sudden need of a stiff drink and in a sudden dearth of vulnerability to common toxins.>
-she waves a wing at Tripod, swaying awkwardly because magnets and birds and steel-
Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.
No voice to cry suffering
Tripod: -beeps a greeting, before turning to Dreamedge (awkwardly, because steel and magnets and birds) and gesturing at...whichever part of the menu they grabbed that (screen)shot glass from-
-can an entirely immobile, nearly feature-free metal face express acquaintancely concern-
Thespi: -blink, turn- <Oh, hello!> :D
Ceal: -sipping out of a wine bubble...daintily- <Wh-what brings you to th-this establishment?>
No mind to think. No will to break.
Eclipse the Moon
3 Sixteen 2s
Moose grabs a guide and flips through it.
Moose: <There's this one. Cures what ails ya'>
The drink she's pointing to has got the charming name of "Sex in the Steel Factory", and contains Pecha Schnapps, Blue Curacao, Coconut Vodka, lemon-lime soda and Steel Polish & Cleaner. Served with a charming little umbrella.
Moose: <Pretty popular with you steelfellas, even with that name.>
She then notices Tripod & Co.
Moose: <Oh? And whaddaya want, luvs?>
Edited by PippingFool on Dec 23rd 2020 at 3:00:10 AM
I'm having to learn to pay the price
The Wanderer
32222222222222222, far past
Backrooms
-Nods-
<That is one I struggle with, but in the end I'm not sure it's about deserving. Do people deserve to be redeemed? Well, ultimately that's between them and the being they hurt, but as for turning back from the path of wickedness, the only true cutoff is the one the being in question makes.>
-Deep in thought-
<But if they're still hurting people, the kindest thing to do is to stop them from doing so.>
Bar Area
Hendrix: -To Janis- <That's what he said anyway, was the first Black guitarist he could think of.>
Spikemuth, past
Hendrix: -Faints-
Go Corvus!
Corvus: -Appears-
Body Press!
Corvus: -Flies at Butterscotch at high speed-
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Eclipse the Moon
3 Sixteen 2s, Past
Kahina looks down and chuckles to herself
Kahina: <...How unfortunate you are to be so wise so young...>
She pushes herself off the couch seat and stretches, the sounds of bones creaking as she does so before she falls into a more naturally comfortable slouched position.
Kahina: <Maybe one of these days I'll show you the old Rubeloff place, a old summer home on the Isle of Armor where I spent many days of my youth. It'll bring back memories for me... and potentially give you a sense déjà vu if you remember the tour of the old Perilloux place...>
Janis: <Makes sense. Indeed, indeed. First one that comes to my mind is Chuck Berry, weirdly enough. Though that's probably because of mum, she's an old fuddy-duddy like that. Anything past the 50s is hot gar-bagé in her eyes. It was me dad that introduced sis and I to the hardcore 60s stuff like Jimi, Joplin, The Doors and all that~ Lotta stuff beyond too, that's why I chose the name I did~>
Pepper subtly flinches, but Janis seems jaunty as ever as she finishes off her brew and gathers up the three lone drinks.
Janis: <Anyway, I gotta get the goods to the guys. You comin' Pep or you're gonna chill here for a lil while longer?>
Pepper: <I'll stay. I'm sure you, Pink, Karma and Misha can party on without me.>
Janis shrugs.
Janis: <Suit yourself, Pep.>
She scurries off with the drinks and makes merry for herself. Pepper, meanwhile, chugs down the rest of her drink in one shot, exhaling after the last drop was gone.
Pepper: <Another one, if ya' please Moose.>
The Scrafty gives the Toxtricity a sympathetic nod and begins making a new Electric Screwdriver.
Moose: <Anythin' for you, babe.>
I'm having to learn to pay the price
chaos catby with a flannel shirt addiction
32222222222222222
Copper:' <Oh, my trainer's busy at the gym so my buddy decided to take me here.>
Robin: <We should invite the others here sometime. Hmm, I wonder what to order?>
I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.
Meet The New Boss
Metropolis Of Vanity
-The Aura Storm makes Monstrosity!Owen flinch, but everything else just kind of... Bounces off. He turns to Kaguya in particular-
???: <You simply can't possibly grasp my IDEAL!>
-He goes for a Crunch on her-
-meanwhile the scan returns the following:-
Name: Deus Ex Machina
Type: Steel/Grass
Ability: As One (Filter/Protean)
Edited by Umbramatic on Dec 23rd 2020 at 3:10:58 AM
Contact Me!
Fwomph
Metropolis of Vanity
-Rakash rolls his eyes at the identity of this boss monster-
I'm not sure why I thought you'd have less of an ego but okay. Four-times weak to fire though so, Orpheus! Flame On!
-He swaps to his Sub-Persona and decides to actually get involved in the fight properly this time by flinging Hidden Power: Fire out there at the enemy-
It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.
Orochi Plaza, Ground Floor Lobby
The time for questions will not come, however, as soon a bunch of black-clad janitors and their pokémon—a luxray, pyroar, lickitung, arbok, sandaconda, boltund, toxicitry, toxicroak, scrafty, wooloo, dracozolt, and manectric, came marching down the lobby. A few of them carry a flag with the emblem of Team Flare on them. The armed grunts quickly split the party, separating Ian, Evelyn, and their teams from the rest of the tour group.
Perching above from the gallery floors of the upper lobby were a charizard, talonflame, and noctowl.
All of them stare at the group with glares of evil intent.
Ember Grunt Leader: Alright, nobody move and do anything funny. This hideous building and its resources are now under control of the Embers. Do as we say, and we'll let you live.
Orochi Plaza, 11th Floor Dining Area
From the projection, the Ember Leader continues to read his demands, which has been live and broadcasted since he began. No doubt the news feeds across Galar have taken notice.
Ember Leader: And as part of our demands, we need control of all assets owned by the Orochi Corporation and its subsidiaries, including key intellectual property, the uncompensated termination of all its employees of colour; the dismantling of the 11th Floor Adam Room from Orochi Plaza, to be placed in a Baroque building of our choice, to be surrendered to us by the Galarian government; the execution of last Pokefutures CEO Albert Voynich via a pool of ravenous carvanha, to be broadcast in public...
Ricketts: That can be arranged.
Voynich: Ouch. Hurtful.
Ember Leader: ... The public broadcast of the [Brady Bunch Reunion] every Christmas day on the CGBC. The legal recognition of a re-ignited Team Flare as a political party for both the Galarian and Kalosian Parliaments...
Hunter's Guild Communiques, days ago
Sphinx: My sources have indicated that a faction of Pokefutures renegades have kidnapped a young girl, allegedly on the grounds of lycanthropy. Now, retrieving lycanthropes is standard business as ruled by the council, but the nature of their captors does not sit well with us. I trust, Delta, that I leave this information in capable hands. My own resources are at your disposal, though they are limited at this time. The holidays can be so draining.
He clears his throat.
Sphinx: Mind you, our other engagement will come to fruition soon. While discussing business with Flare remnants is usually seen as questionable, the results of my daughter's mission will no doubt clarify the leadership's position on the matter. Ineffectual as the Embers may be since their, ahem, lopsided disagreement with the other Flare remnant of note, they are of use for us in the interim.
Edited by MasterJayAM on Jan 12th 2021 at 6:33:57 PM
Some Rando
Metropolis of Vanity
"Because this isn't going to be annoying."
With a simple unenthusiastic point from Rage and Love Ahemait’s feather lit up with a Fire Fang, the Lycanroc throwing it in one direction while he lunged at the Silvally.
[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]
Not A Lawyer
Brimstone Casino Floor
-Sofia nods, muttering a reply to Bishop
into her earpiece.-
Sofia: Understood. No need to place ourselves at unnecessary risk by lingering longer than we have to. I've made that mistake before. I'll give the word.
-She heads back to the poker table where the rest of the group are situated, rapidly tapping on her PDA as she does.-
Sofia: I hate to interrupt your revelry, but a situation has arisen at the hotel. Something about the contents of our luggage and how it might cause, ahem, issues for certain members of the local constabulary. We ought to hurry back as soon as possible, in order to ensure that all our possessions are still in place and to resolve any... misunderstandings with the hotel staff.
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.
pain peko
Orochi - 11th Floor
Huh. Suprised they didn't just throw out a slur.
Orochi - Lobby
-Much like the mafioso 11 floors above (10? 12? English floors are different), Misaki goes for her X-Blaster...which is back in Almia, being upgraded.-
-Alongside her Legatus.-
-She sighs, brushing aside the hair over her ear - and manually turning on her glasses.-
-Marie squeezes Misaki's hand tightly.-
Misaki: "Embers...? Ah, Flare. Wonderful."
-She gives a deadpan stare at a grunt glaring at her.-
Misaki: "Could've just made dinner or gone to a nice park but no, we go on a local tour and run into racist fascists. I really ought to analyze our dates more, dear, in case we run into threats like this next time."
-Misaki stares at the words in her glasses as the rudimentary program begins to run.-
Edited by SwiftSeraph on Dec 23rd 2020 at 5:30:14 AM
"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"
3 Sixteen 2s, past
Backrooms
-To Kahina-
<There's nothing to do a lot of the time but think, but the nature of kindness, yeah? Is it something you are, or something you do? What does it mean to be kind? Which I guess kinda turns to the question of what is cruelty?>
Bar Area
Cam: -Noticing the spurs- <Guess their dad's something else... like whoever my dad probably is, Inteleon don't normally have eyes this color, Mum certainly didn't.>
Akiko: -Getting a whiff of the Roadkill Rocker- <I think I'm gonna be sick.>
Hendrix: -To Janis- <Hendrix is what my Trainer calls me, only name I've ever had.>
Edited by rmctagg09 on Dec 22nd 2020 at 5:58:06 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.