Yoshida's Coffee

-Gale gives a low chuckle-

The issue is figuring out anything Pent wouldn't do that doesn't also make me as Gale recoil away...

Orochi Plaza, The Underwriting Room

-The tour guide just kinda mockingly repeats 'is she a hologram?' under her breath as she takes stock of the group-

Swordlike Woman: Well, you all seem rather adept at what some may call 'troubleshooting'. Do you do this professionally?

Motostoke Stadium, Stands

-As recording continues, Ian, Evelyn, Piku-chan and Hatty cheer for Kim.-

Me: YEAH! THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE!!

Evelyn: YOU GOT THIS, KIM!

-Piku-chan waves his fans around cheerfully.-

Piku-chan: <KEEP IT UP AND THAT BADGE IS YOURS!!>

Hatty: <You can do this, Kim! I believe in you!>

Yoshida's Cafe

Kai: Heh. I guess that's the trick, huh? It's easier for me, Rogue's the one who's supposed to be the antihero. Even if they've lost their edge.

-She's quiet for a moment, swirling her drink around idly. For a moment, the bags under her eyes are noticeable, behind the layers of concealer and foundation she used to hide them.-

Kai: ...Hypothetically. If Rogue did do something, would you help them? Something ultimately harmless, maybe even staged. But maybe they need to play the heel a bit more. Something real, not just dramatic boasting... I dunno. I'm not sure what to do with that side of myself. But I need to do something.

Yoshida's Cafe

I see... Generalized 'crime stuff', then?

-Gale slowly downs the rest of her coffee-

You don't have the same sort of safety net as I do, it wouldn't be good for a Frontier Brain to be seen playing the heel for real...

Yoshida's Coffee

Kai: I didn't the first time, either. No matter what, it's not gonna be... safe. I know that.

-She sighs, and takes a drink.-

Kai: Maybe not. I dunno. Maybe I'll ask Kahlia.

Yoshida's Cafe

-Gale's first reaction is to start asking 'whomst' but she stops herself. If this is a different crime-themed person, they might be more reckless-

No no, I can handle it. I've got a few ideas in the ol' binder I can sling for ya. It's just gonna take some planning and I'd need your input on some things so it's gonna take a little bit of time.

-She does a little thumbs-up-

Don't worry I'm here for ya.

Yoshida's Coffee

-Kai gives a small sigh of relief-

Kai: That's... good to hear. Thank you. I'm— I honestly was just spitballing, I needed to get something out before I just went off and did something dumb on my own.

Silas nodded, the plan was complete, he turned to everyone.

"Okay, listen up, we're good to go, this is the day of the heist so let's review what will happen."

Roxy grinned, "Making sure we're up to speed?"

"Doesn't hurt," Silas admitted.

Hacks stepped forward, ~The Floor Team will be running a distraction, and causing their own mayhem once the assault team approaches the loading bays in the trucks.~

Roxy continued, "From there the Assault Team busts in, causes mayhem, and loads everything they can onto the trucks."

Silas looked over everyone assembled, "From there, some of you may join us down below as we clear the area. Don't try to get overconfident however, we're running in and out, avoiding what we can of direct confrontation."

He swept the gathered party one last time, "Any major questions?"

Yoshida's Cafe

Probably best you came to me then. You're a real damn good friend to me, yaknow that? And I'm letting you in on this cause I want to help. And also because honestly sharing some of the plans I get up to sounds like fun.

Arcade Base

   Finally, a chance to let loose...   

Shush, we're planning.

-Yeah, Rhea's here. She slaps her shoulder slightly and gives a cheeky smile to the rest of the party-

I think the only question I have is what kind of exit plan we've got for the topside gang.

Yoshida's Coffee

-Kai chuckles.-

Kai: You certainly make it sound fun. And when you all in the Aurabolts are off playing pretend without me, I'm gonna inevitably need to spice up my own cloaked escapades somehow, right?

-Something about the tone of their voice might remind Gale of the deeper tone they usually let their voice sink to whenever they're leaning into the Rogue persona, rather than how they typically sound on a regular basis.-

-But, after a second, their expression softens and they lean back, rubbing their neck awkwardly.-

Kai: But, ah, sorry, I didn't mean to make this all about me and my problems. You should have a moment to not worry about Bolt or J-Team things, yeah?

32222222222222222, past

Yew: -As Pepper leaves- <Well that was *hic* interesting.>

Cam: -To me- <So what was all that about?>

<I'll explain later, but first we need to get out of this bar, we're likely being watched, even now.>

Yew: -Rolls over on her back, having fallen asleep-

Arceusdammit... Doppler, float her for me Until we're far enough from the bar for me to take this Armband off and recall her.

Doppler: -Telekinetically lifts Yew up as the group clears out of the bar-

Spikemuth, now

Hitodama: -Annoyed- <Tagg, it's been several days since the bar and the Spikemuth Gym. When are you going to tell Cam?>

Soon.

Hitodama: <It's been soon Tagg, we know Shaka almost always knows where we are and what we do, and the longer you wait, the sooner he's likely to try using it against you and Muddy in some sick game! If you don't tell him about who his dad is soon enough, I'll just tell him myself. These new guys and the Alola team, they're like younger siblings to me, and you haven't even introduced them to the others yet because you were afraid they might figure out for themselves and ask him before you and Muddy were ready to spill. Especially Fenrir, we all know he's pretty tactless and he'd be one of the quickest to pick it up because of his Aura powers. I bet Xatu's known this whole time, but he's basically like a Gallade in terms of loyalty to you so he wouldn't spill unless it was for a vision or something.>

-Angrily-

It's not fair, he shouldn't have to deal with that now, I was originally planning to wait until after we'd beaten the League, but that little conversation has really moved up our timetable.

Hitodama: <But you will tell him?>

Yes.

-Calling over the mon in question-

Cam: <...So you've known who my dad is the whole time. Is that why you took me on?>

I knew from the moment I sensed your Aura for the first time back in January, I would've done so even if you weren't related to Muddy at all, but that definitely clinched it.

Cam: <Do I... have any other siblings?>

-Armed crossed as I take a seat on a bench-

By Muddy? Just one, he's a Swampert and not an Inteleon like you though. He and I... we figured we'd tell you after the League because we wanted you to be your own mon rather than have his particular legacy on your shoulders, but recent events with Neo-Flare seemingly being on the rise again forced our hand.

-Sighs-

I'm sorry.

Cam: <What's Dad... like?>

Hitodama: <Well, you know Tagg, and Muddy's a lot like Tagg, so personality-wise you already know what he's like. And he's really strong too, even for a Swampert, but then I guess we're all much stronger than you'd expect for our species. I suppose it's like Tagg's talent or something.>

Cam: <...I wonder if Mum knew who Dad was this whole time. If so, was there a reason why she never told me?>

Yew: -Aside, half-jokingly- <Hiding it for that long, I didn't think you could be so devious Tagg.>

When you're surrounded by other Aurics, and with all the classified stuff I know, you have to get good at it at some level. Making sure my surface level thoughts don't betray what's underneath, having that ugly telepathic nullifier around, it's a trip.

Hope the seals I've placed around here manage to screw up Shaka's Sight at least a little bit if he's watching, which he probably is. Those favors I did for the Delgados when I was a kid are really paying off now.

Cam: <When we were at the bar, those Toxtricity we met, they're... that Shaka guy's kids I'd imagine. You said he was dangerous.>

-Nods-

He is, very much so.

Hitodama: <Him and Muddy are roughly on par with each other strength wise if we don't include those esoteric powers of his, he's as morally depraved as his Trainer despite his almost complete detachment, but more importantly, he has none of his vices that we've managed to take advantage of before. You know, in another universe, you don't exist because he killed your father five years ago.>

Akiko: -Speaking up- <You saw what he was willing to do to his own daughter, Cam, and now that you know these things, know that you and the others will have to deal with folks like him for as long as you actively travel with Tagg. The older mons think it probably has something to do with being the mons of a legendary's Chosen that the most evil folks are attracted to us like some sort of curse.>

Cam: <Yeah, I get it.>

Corvus: <This wasn't exactly what I imagined when I decided to go under the Vow, and all everyone else besides Hitodama could do was just watch when we fought Surtr. At least we can do more now, I guess.>

-To my mons-

As I said, you're free to do as you will, I don't blame you if you don't want to deal with this. Just hang out in the HQ for the foreseeable future, or I'll get you back to where I caught you.

Yew: <What's the point in leaving? Going back to watching the wheat grow in Wedgehurst and Postwick doesn't interest me, I've seen too much of the region outside it now. Also, I'm sure Shaka and that Constantin guy won't leave us alone even if we did leave, we're too attached to you.>

-Shrugs-

Well there is that, even the HQ isn't as safe.

Cam: <No matter what happens, I want to see this through to the end, so I'll forgive you and Dad for keeping this all a secret. Ours isn't the easy path, but I'm fine with that.>

Magtail: -Flares up- <We'll help you and that Muddy mon, and your other girlfriend, and a bunch of other folks get those guys!>

Anthracite: <Yeah! Screw those fascists, I'll give them enough coal for next Christmas that they'll power Galar for a millennium!>

I appreciate your enthusiasm Though I don't think there's enough coal in the world even if you included the world's population of Rolycoly as a group to properly match Constantin, but you all need to get stronger, and the League's the quickest way of doing that save throwing you into constant life or death struggles, and with a far lesser chance of maiming or death.

-Deep breath-

So let's get to training.

Edited by rmctagg09 on Mar 6th 2021 at 4:54:41 AM

Yoshida's Coffee

J-Team's on pause, just casually flitting about Galar and I'm... Anxious about it. Because I know some of our gang is just gonna be out there making new friends and eventually the peace is gonna break and those new friends are gonna find out it's not all sunny in the Stormchaser... But whatever, it's given me plenty of downtime to enjoy what I love.

-Gale does let off a bit of a sigh-

And if it does kick up again? That might be what puts the Gale mask away, can't justify the internet's favorite culinary bird girl putting herself at risk like that yaknow? Like I get it, Aurabolt, but... Fuck I dunno, hurts more to have your parasocial friend go vanishing because she unceremoniously got geeked saving the world. Better if I just reveal~the~ruse~and~formally~retire~the~persona when things get real again...

-She's silent for a few moments, eyes scrunched shut-

No, no I shouldn't think like that.

Yoshida's Coffee

-Kai is quiet for a moment. Then a soft smile crosses their face.-

Kai: It's a funny thing, this whole J-Team business, huh? We used to be a bunch of teenagers putting ourselves in danger across time and space, saving our world and exploring others. And now that we've all grown up and found a mostly peaceful point in our life, we're all a little afraid of what comes next, huh? And yet, when something does happen, we're drawn to it. Half of us became superheroes, and we keep throwing ourselves into the fray. And we've gotten hurt. We've gotten really hurt.

-She adjusts her scarf a bit to cover some scars that haven't faded.-

Kai: But... even when we're pushed to the brink of death, we have an interesting way of making our way back, don't we? Brie flatlined. Alice and Lucius were put on film as an example. Straw bled out in Relic Forest. And yet they're walking around, as good as ever, because we make a pretty dang convincing case every time for why it's not our friends' time to go yet. And so the sun still rises for them, as long as it needs to. So... as long as you don't want a tragic ending for Gale, I don't think she's going to need one, because I know a lot of people won't want that either.

Orochi Plaza

Me: -answering the swordlike woman's question- Well... I guess you could say that. Yeah!

Evelyn: But there are J-Teamers with far more experience at it than some of us here, that's a fact.

Metropolis Of Vanity

-The Fire attacks... Don't actually do much.-

   Deus Ex Machina: <How predictable do you think I am?!>   

-He goes for a sweeping Air Slash-

Flamel: He has two abilities at once? I've only seen one Pokemon do that...

Royal:' Guys, one of those abilities is Protean! We need top keep track of his attacks!

Medeus-Loptyr:    I can do that on my own thank you...   

-He lobs a Stone Edge at Deus Ex Machina-

Metropolis of Vanity

Ahemait follows up with his own Stone Edge, Rage and Love looking rather disinterested as the sediment from the feather scatters and falls atop the mechanical monstrosity once again.

"Flying." The thief announces to the party.

Orochi Tower

-Misaki scratches her head.-

Misaki: "I'm off-duty, but a Ranger's job is never finished."

-Marie climbs out from underneath Atlas, shaking her head.-

Marie: "No one's picking up."

Ranger Team Neuron HQ

-An absolutely plastered Olive dances across the room with Brenda.-

Jin: "You two sure are enjoying yourselves."

Orochi Tower, Tour

Kit is unable to react in time and is hit by Toxicroak's Power Up Punch. The impact is enough to send him flying across the room and hitting the wall hard.

"Kit!" Hoops yells. "Led, get over there and protect him. Kec, use Shadow Claw and engage Toxicroak."

Led flies across the room and hovers over Kit's prone form. He begins to charge a Bug Buzz for anyone who comes too close. Kec turns dark purple as long shadowy claws extend from his hands. He slashes wildly at Toxicroak.

Hoops notices the flying pokemon and hears the Grunt's commands. "Tot, follow them up," they command. "Use Echoed Voice, third note!"

Tot sees the Talonflame and Charizard ascending and flies up to stop them. He releases a third Echoed Voice attack, this one as powerful as the first two together in their direction.

Edited by theoncominghoop on Dec 28th 2020 at 7:30:02 PM

Yoshida's Coffee

I guess. It's just that... Call me overdramatic but it damn well feels like Death itself is lingering over my shoulder. Don't know why I feel that way, don't know whether it's about my death or someone else's I just have this twitch in the back of my brainpan and I don't know how to interpret it.

-Gale flinches and tries to take a deep breath in to steady herself-

But okay. I'm gonna help you do your Rogue thing, I'm gonna keep being me, I'm going to try and just... Keep things chill.

Metropolis of Vanity

Oh, right, frick, Protean! Uh... Which type does that replace; primary or secondary?

-Rakash swaps back to Navigator mode-

Anthem: Well, it doesn't change our tactic. Eris, keep beating on that beast!

Orochi Plaza, The Underwriting Room

Swordlike Woman: Surprising. I do feel somewhat concerned that these gang members are in the building given that— ... They've probably taken all the hanchous on the eleventh floor hostage haven't they? O-oh dear we're going to have to do some dashing heroics and get up to them aren't we? And with the elevators out...

-Mezzo raises an eyebrow-

Mezzo: You named it Corvus? That doesn't even look like a Murkrow.

Butterscotch: <What, not even gonna say—> -knocked out instantly-

-Mezzo sighs and sends out Sunny-

Mezzo: Whatever.

Sunny: <Hi!>

Mezzo: Do your thing.

-Sunny nods, then stores up power and dives at Corvus-

Orochi Tower

Me: I think we can manage, miss. Ritchie, Oshawittle, return for now.

Evelyn: We can find our own way up, ma'am... Kako, Mirai, return if you please.

-Ian and Evelyn call their respective Pokémon back to their Poké Balls. Evelyn then takes her broom and hops on.-

Evelyn: Wouldja like to come with us, ma'am?

-Ian pulls another Poké Ball off of his belt.-

Me: Hang on tight, Piku-chan.

Piku-chan: <Will do.>

Me: Raru. Come on out.

-Ian presses the button on the Poké Ball, which opens in a flash of light and out comes Raru.-

Raru: <Hey, Ian... Whaddya need?>

-Raru notices the swordlike woman and hides in Ian's jacket, blushing faintly.-

Raru: -semi-nervously- <Wh-Who's she?>

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Dec 30th 2020 at 1:42:35 PM

Orochi Tower

Misaki: "...fifth floor, huh?"

-She attempts to launch her Capture Disc to the sixth floor, aiming to secure it to a pillar or post and use the manifestation of her Aura as a rope.-

Arcade Base - Few Days Ago

-Jessica shakes her head.-

Jessica: "Be strong and hit stuff, got it."

-Shaun folds up a white, teal, and purple cloak and sets it in a duffle bag, next to an elaborate sword hilt.-

Shaun: "We're ready."

-He flexes his right hand, the air around it unnatually cold. He pulls a red coat over his dark blue clothes, covering up the white armor underneath.-

-Jessica starts locking her armor on.-

Shaun: "Just give the command, Fido."

Yoshida's Coffee

-A concerned look crosses Kai's face.-

Kai: ...If you need someone to keep an eye out, in case something does come up, I'll be there. Just give me a call, okay? Take it easy, and I'll try to do the same, but please don't hesitate to let me know if something's going on. I've got your back, okay?

Remember the PEFE HQ shenanigans going on?

-Diane looks up, sees the ceiling being torn up, and attempts to flap out of the way of the debris, but some lands right on her good wing and knocks her out of the air, leaving her prone for the rest of the debris to come down on her.-

-Normally, this would be a mild inconvenience at best, but she's getting pretty worn out from the fight dragging on. And more importantly, the repeated electric shocks have her prosthetic on the fritz.-

Diane: <Rrk... that's going to be such a pain to repair.>

Diane: <Uh, you don't mind if this is covered under "former Pokefutures assets or other threats originating from the headquarters' depths" when I deal with the damage report, do you? Wait fuck you don't actually understand Monese probably>

-Skye is burned, yanked, and smacked, which seems to daze her somewhat.-

Skye: <Ow, fuck. Hah, is that so? I bet you won't be so keen when we call in... reinforcements.>

-She flaps away, blowing some wall-debris Spikes in the path, before switching to human form and pulling out her phone, which briefly plays a slightly belated scare-chord sound.-

Spikemuth, past

-To Mezzo-

There's more than one species of corvid mon you know.

Corvus: -Takes some damage from the Payback before going for another Body Press-

Spikemuth, today

-Is hanging around outside-

Training, training, and more training, that's what we do. Now shoot those targets!

Cam: -Destroys about three moving targets being puppeteered by Doppler's telekinesis-

-The general area looks a bit blackened-

Orochi Tower

Snowy got hit with the Confusion. While it doesn't do too much, it still did some decent damage. Luckily, they didn't get the status condition a move called Confusion would cause.

"Crap, I gotta think of something," Maya whispered to herself. "Alright, let's try this. Snowy, blast Powder Snow on the Noctowl!"

Snowy blasted a gust of powdery snow into the Noctowl's direction. Will it succeed?

Edited by TheGeekArtist08 on Dec 30th 2020 at 7:05:45 PM