Yoshida's Coffee

And I've got your back, which is why I'm helping you with this. Give me a couple days to put some stuff together then I'll text ya to meet up to discuss the plan.

Deep Glimwood, Months Ago

-the laughter takes awhile to die down after Ever leaves-

-it eventually peters off into awkward, awkward silence-

Megan: -wiping a tear- ...I should...probably apologize to Ever, huh.

(-the kind waiting for people who kind of, sort of resolve an emotional issue, after the credits roll-)

Pollen: <Oh. Uh, yeah.>

(-lying in bed, staring at the ceiling-)

-Megan starts digging her phone out from one of her many pockets-

Pollen: <same.>

-she turns it on, flips to the messenger...-

Megan: ...

-...hovers awhile-

-and closes it-

Megan: ...y'know what, they're...probably tired of hearing from me, by now. ^_^;;

Pollen: <Huh? Oh, probably.>

Megan: Mhm.

-she gives the semi-satisfied sigh of lungs that had a real workout—heart wrung dry like a sponge—and falls back onto a soft patch of moss-

-after a moment, Pollen flutters down, lying next to her-

Pollen: <...>

Megan: ...

-...-

Megan: ...we've got a lot of work to do, huh?

Pollen: -looking away- <Mmm.>

(-they get nothing else done that day-)

(-or the next-)

-after several hours of staring into space, Megan...walks, the several steps between her and Pollen-

Megan: -timidly- What...would you like changed?

Pollen: <uh>

Pollen: <nothing>

-Megan stares at her-

Pollen: <Uh, no, I mean—>

Pollen: <What we've got is—good! I feel—>

Pollen: <better, yes.>

Megan: O

Megan: ...kay! ^_^

Pollen:

Pollen: ^_^

Pollen: -mumble- <...some not-mushroom nectar. might be nice.>

Megan: -...turning- ...hey, Abilene?

(-or the next-)

-Pippy asks a local 'mon if there's a rock he can carve into a statue or something-

Pollen: <And I mean, it's not like there's anything to fight way out here, and that's like most of my problem I guess?? So as, long, as you remember—>

Megan: -blink- Sure there are.

Pollen: <Huh?>

-Megan waves a hand over toward...there's a rustling in the tall grass-

-from which Vee staggers, tearing mycelium out of her arteries-

Vee: <Stop—puttin' out feelers!!>

-she's wrestling with a Shiinotic, tumbling end over end through the shrubbery-

Shiinotix: -thrashing- <You are hurting my feelings!>

Vee: -thrashing- <Tha's...kinda the p—??>

Vee: -limp- <—...ooooooog.>

-the last vestiges of Vee's musculature vanish, and she flops bonelessly to the ground-

Shiinotic: <Ha! Victory, you contemptible lout!>

Shiinotic: -sly- <You gave it a good show! Do your Trainer proud...came close to tasting my meat!>

-wiggle- <Now hold still while I feast on your—>

-Vee rips out the Shiinotic's soul-

Shiinotic: <Waugh!!> Vee: -hacks up a hairball, but spore-

Shiinotic(?): <Ohhh, that does it! >

Shiinotic(?): -jabbing a stub in her face- <The fear within me is beyond any you could inspire! I am decay, and I...I'm not sure how water rots, exactly! But I look forward to finding...>

-...a stub, they say-

Shiinotic Phantump: -looking down at their body- <...out. ...aw, bollocks.>

Vee: -burble- <Sorry, pal. Them's the breaks.>

-she inchworms up to take a bite...hesitates-

Vee: -flop- <...I mean, I could. Try to put you back...?>

Phantump: -shrug- <...ehhh, you got me good. As they say 'round these parts, fair's fairy.>

-Vee nods, and gums up a big, fizzy mushroom mouthful without breaking eye contact-

Phantump: -nodnod-

Megan: -nodnod-

Pollen: <. . .>

Phantump: <...heavens, I must consider what this means for me, though. Hadn't given much thought to after the fact...>

Vee: -mastication-

Phantump: -anxiously- <...hmmm, what manner of shade shall I be? A specter? A poltergeist, a wisp like those fairy lights haunting this glade?>

Megan: -extends a conciliatory back-patting hand-

Phantump: <...a renevant?>

Megan: uh.

Vee: -chew...crunch-

Phantump: <Yes...YES! Vengeance will be my purpose! Today, my fortunes, tomorrow you...and then, the WORLD!>

Vee: -Aura-slurping sounds-

Phantump: -cackling- <I am beyond the fear, now! I have passed through the veil I straddled, exposing my face to the howling void! The chill strikes through me...it blinks! The power! The sheer power...!!>

<I've never felt more ALIVE!!> >:D

Pollen: <...wanna fight?>

Phantump: <Would I???> :D

-she kicks their ass-

(-Megan helps-)

Megan: ...oh!

Pollen: -shaking off wood shavings- <...huh?>

Megan: -failing to snap emphatically- Why didn't we use Cloak against Muninn?

Pollen: -watching Pippy awkwardly try to balance his seventh statue between a rock and a hard place- <...I mean. We couldn't, really...could we?>

Megan: ...Oh! -sitting up- I know you were Taunted, but I think it might've worked anyway! Being smack-a-puppet mad might've made it work even better...?

Megan: -tapping her skull- I do know some brain tricks for getting stuff done, hehe.

Pollen: <No, I mean—!>

-she clenches her feelers around a stray twig; Megan looks on, concerned-

Pollen: -twitchy, apologetic- <Don't you remember how I...>

<...stabbed you with it?>

-Megan's look of confusion lasts for all of two more seconds, before tightening in shock, around a retch-

Megan: I mean it's fine but I'd rather not think about choking on the smell of my own burning flesh

Pollen: <Uh>

Megan: Maybe just show me

Did she really not remember...?

Megan: Take my mind off it

-without further ado or aplomb,-

-Megan takes deep breaths with her lungs that are still there-

-and stares into Pollen absorbing more after that, faster, until all that's visible is an indistinct hole in the air-

Megan: ...

-Megan gazes into the...-

Megan: -deep breaths-

-...-

Megan: ...okay, no.

-the hole seems to slump-

- ...yet hesitates to release the Move-

-Megan's gaze on her is...intent-

-almost sharp, in a way locked and stowed in her day-to-day, behind cloudy glass-

Megan: It's...a little obvious, it turns out, around anywhere brighter than kind-of-night...

-she pokes behind the shadow, to the mushroom behind it—which illuminates, casting the displacement into stark relief-

-as well as the Morgrem, rearing with his wicked grin to ambush-

Megan: -clap- Hey, you know why I like calling this one Cloak? :D<

Morgrem: -mid-snarl- <Uh. No, why?>

Megan: -wagging a finger- It's 'cause after the cloak—

Morgrem: <Wait I don't care, angst some more I'm hungry—>

-a lance of light blasts him two shrubberies away-

Megan: -arm over her eyes- —comes the Dagger! ||D

-the shadows retract from the flash, the clearing—and Pollen—returning to ordinary visibility levels-

Pollen: -wheeze-

Megan: -oops- ...do you hold your breath while you're doing that?

Pollen: -rattling- <Uh, kinda? As much as I can, anyway—>

Megan: Why? :o

Pollen: <Because...>

Pollen: <I'm trying to hold something in? Kinda?>

Megan: -leaning closer- But it's not like you're inhaling the light...are you? Is it like an instinctive physiological response, is it...necessary?

Pollen: <Iiii dunno...? The feeling kinda depends...>

Megan: -leaning in, sparkling lightly- Can you show me?

-if chitin could blush-

Pollen: <...got your camera?>

Megan: -blink blink blink- That is...

Megan: A lot of kinds of light.

Pollen: -examining how it shifts, around the curve of her feeler- <Light's kinda important, where I'm from, heh...>

Megan: -a mile a minute- It's really amazing. Ribombee aren't known for particular bioluminescence, but the variety you're capable of with just a little training...! The skill you show...!!

-her gaze has flipped inward again, but it's flicking back and forth-

-Pollen recognizes this, strangely enough, as inspiration-

-usually directed toward two individuals in particular-

Megan: -tapping her fingers together- I've. Got some ideas.

(-strictly speaking, they're still not doing much-)

Pollen: -staring- <Well. Lay 'em on me.>

Megan: -awkward grin- For them, I've...got some questions.

-Pollen groans-

(-still strange, still hesitant, still distant-)

-...and catches herself, on the cusp of impatience-

-Megan's holding out her hand, tentatively-

(-still the same people they were at the start-)

-Pollen takes it-

(-more or less-)

Pollen: -settling in- <...what've you got for me?>

Megan: -exhale- Well...

(-the weeks thusly pass them by-)

Now

Arcade Base - The Nebulous Past

-Having no doubt made her excuses and escorted the floor team out of the casino off-screen, "Sofia" has now rejoined everyone back at base, her hair still dark but now loose and curly as opposed to the neat bun it was in earlier.-

Alice: May I just say, I appreciate the refresher. The last few days have left me greatly exhausted and I regret that I was unable to glean more intel. Nevertheless, I can continue to coordinate the Floor Team if that is what is necessary. It would be interesting to see Sofia's more openly criminal personage, after all...

PEFE HQ - Who can say when, really?

-That's right, Aeroraptor can't speak Monese, can he? As such, he doesn't actually answer Diane's question, he instead spends a minute staring at her in dumbfounded disbelief.-

Aeroraptor:    Wait, I-I... did I win? Really? Oh man, frick yes! This is gre-   

-He stops himself and clears his throat.-

Aeroraptor:    I mean, uh... of course I won! The triumph of evil over good is inevitable! MUHAHAHAHAHAHA- *coughs* ...Okay, need to work on that bit.   

Turboraptor: <Ha-ha! Score one for Turboraptor and the art of swooping in dramatically when pretty much all the fighting was done already!>

-Aeroraptor turns away from Diane and puts a finger to his helmet, as if calling someone. A very specific someone, in fact.-

Aeroraptor:    Whiptail, are you there? I've crushed one of the do-gooders you said would be trying to stop us!   

Whiptail: You did? Awesome! I knew you could do it~ Alas, I'm kinda in the middle of something here, so head to the access point we talked about earlier. I'll meet you there!

Aeroraptor:    Can do!   

-He glances back at Diane.-

Aeroraptor:    In my infinite generosity, I have decided to spare you for the time being. Just be sure to tell all who ask that you met your defeat at the hands of AERORAPTOR, LORD OF THE SKIES, and the terrifying force of his villainy! Now, away!   

-He takes off flying down the corridor atop Turboraptor.-

-Meanwhile, on her end, Whiptail lowers her hand from the side of her mask and turns back to Skye.-

Whiptail: Sorry about that! Had to take a call of my own. But by all means, call away~ Our little drama wouldn't be complete without the cavalry riding in at the eleventh hour, after all. I just have to take care of one little thing first, so... Tzimisce, if you would?

Tzimisce: <Frozen. In time. The city burned.>

-Still being lashed by the Sand Tomb, she blasts another Flamethrower at Skye whilst her trainer darts over to the bank of consoles in the corner and hits a button that sets the module in motion once again.-

Orochi Plaza

(Kim turns to face Ozzy.)

Kim: "Ozzy, dodge the Toxicroak and use Hone Claws again."

(Ozzy nods, and then flies to another area of the Plaza, where he scratches his claws on the wall again, which increases his attack stat.)

Orochi Plaza

The toxicroak feels the crunch and, seeing what befell to her comrades, decided to cut her losses. She hobbles away alongside the others.

Grunt 2: Come back here you ungrateful—

Beat.

Grunt 2: Bah, no matter. You freaks aren't getting far.

He calls on his ally and his pokémon and gestures to them to climb up to the next few floors. Once the noctowl recovers, she lets her trainer hop on. He summons back his two reptiles and does an insulting "I'm watching you" gesture at Maya before leaving.

They are doing this rather clumsily, so it can be easy for a few petulant trainers to get a few hits in before the make a break for it.

Orochi Plaza, 11th Floor

Ember Leader, from the screen: What do you mean a bunch of ankle biters in a tour got the better of you?! Geez, this is even worse than the last time this happened. Malacostra, deal with them.

The screen cuts to an [Eric Andre]-esque "We'll Be Right Back" splash screen.

Ember Grunt: You heard the boss.

Malacostra: Oh, fine. I suppose a bunch of waiters and cowardly capitalists are all you can handle. But if you insist on overkill, let it be done.

She turns to her captive rather flirtatiously.

Malacostra: Well, it looks like we're going for a walk now. We're gonna have a lot of fun today, waiter boy.

Orochi Networks

Ma'at and Sokar have searched thoroughly for exploits in the security system. It appears that to access the files and override the security system, they must take out the security poryons running the show.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Jan 18th 2021 at 5:55:12 PM

Orochi Plaza, The Underwriting Room

Swordlike Woman: Well if it isn't leaving anyone behind, I suppose simply flying up the core of the building is a very elegant solution.

-The tour guide gracefully takes a seat on the broom and begins fussing with the edges of her frame as though this indoor rain has actually had any kind of impact on her immaculate appearance-

Orochi Plaza, Systems

-The security on a digital front is labyrinthine, a winding string of code spun like silk and iron. But the maze walls have been burnt through, the dismantled sprites of Intrusion Countermeasures littered along the shortcut blaze the intruders carved in their siege. And at the heart, the three Porygons that run the building's security-

-They each take on the logo of one of the three heads involved in this system as their battlesprite within the digital world: A chimeral z-clash of a Manticore, an Anansi arachnid weaving data streams, one of Faust's minions with an axe-

Sec-Pory Faust: |Belligerence noted|

Sec-Pory Manticore: =Increasing Hierarchy to level 3=

Sec-Pory Anansi: *Activating Dark-level Intrusion Countermeasures*

-The three Porygon prepare for a fight-

Orochi Plaza, The Underwriting Room

Building PA: Attention all employees, Manticore Adaptive Security Hierarchy has been elevated to level three. Deploying additional nonlethal combat units.

Swordlike Woman: Oh that may be an issue. I mean, I have an IFF broadcaster but it's not like any of you do...

-The central elevator dings and disgorges a quadruped robot with a design clearly trying to emulate a Luxray. Lanky bipedal units also enter the room, the tips of their arms crackling with electric arcs-

Swordlike Woman: We should probably take off quickly, hopefully evade the heavier bots.

Gale's Cabin, 1/1/21

-Midnight had just passed, off in the distance she could hear the faint pop of fireworks likely fired off above one of the Gym stadiums. Gale Knight was back in her contemplative mood, but right now it was concern for someone other than herself-

-She took another sip of stew and made sure her Vulpix was comfortable next to the fire before looking over the plans. Sure she was willing to fulfill her promise to go over a heist idea with 'Rogue', but she was hoping that would merely be a mental distraction for the true goal...-

Phantom Thieves Textspace

Jackal clicked his tongue and Knight flew in close to Deus Ex Machina.

"You know, this is going to be a lot of fun. Ora!"

Knight clenched his fists, and unleashed a flurry of blows.

Jackal almost seemed to smirk, and then said, "Good grief."

"ORAORAORAORAORAORA!!!"

Orochi Tower, Let's Fly

Me: The lady over there is our tour guide.

-Evelyn blushes faintly as the swordlike woman accepts her offer.-

Raru, Evelyn and I: -think to selves- ~Why is she so cute?~

-Ian, Evelyn and Raru quickly snap themselves out of it and prepare to take flight.-

Raru: <So, what's the plan?>

Me: Okay, the plan is simple...

-I then close my eyes and project the plan telepathically.-

Me: -telepathically to Raru- ~I need you to hold on tight and use your Confusion to lift me into the air...~

Raru: -telepathically to Ian- ~That sounds simple enough...~

Me: -telepathically to Raru- ~It gets better... You'll need to hide under my jacket so the Embers don't see you...~

Raru: -telepathically to Ian- ~So as they don't attack me...~

Me: -telepathically to Raru- ~...and to them, it looks like I'M flying.~

Raru: -telepathically to Ian- ~Sounds fun! Up, up and away!~

Me: -telepathically to Raru- ~Okay, Raru! You know what to do.~

Raru: -quietly- <Right.>

-Raru's eyes glow a bright blue and he surrounds himself and Ian in a psychic glow and lifts them into the air.-

Me: Ready to go, Evelyn?

Evelyn: Ready!

-Evelyn looks over at the swordlike woman.-

Evelyn: Are you ready, ma'am?

Ziltoid celebrated a new year as he always did, pouring a flask of Toxicroack Empire bourbon into a cup of coffee. It was hard to get the stuff imported, last he checked the Empire had broken trade relations with the commune… add in the issue with getting anyone from the Commune out to Sol at this point.

Still he had a decent year, no major incidents to get involved in. Plenty of time with his thoughts, communicating with old friends, all was good. Still, some excitement would be liked… and that one human still owed him a favor. Ziltoid never forgot the favors people owed him, ever.

He drank contentedly, and then his main screen started to ring, someone was calling him?

~Moshi Moshi?~ he asked jokingly.

~Ziltoid!~ Came the answer, as on the screen appeared another beheeyem that looked just like him… save for the curly mustache.

~Ziltoid! So good to see you again you bastard!~

~Not as good to see you! How are you Ziltoid?~

It was another Ziltoid, a one from another universe, a parallel world. It wouldn’t have been surprising for anyone who knew Ziltoid and his ego, the only ones who could truly understand him were other Ziltoids. With all the artifacts the commune had him watch over, it wasn’t hard to contact alternate Ziltoids… they had the same ideas after all.

~Heard from Mirror Universe Ziltoid?~

~No, that sociopath scares me.~

Ziltoid nodded sagely and took another sip from his mug, MU!Ziltoid was… well a lot to handle.

~Actually this isn’t a social call, I have a problem and I need your help.~

Ziltoid sighed and looked at PW!Ziltoid, what could he possibly need?

~I’ve told you about how things work here, not like yours, we have a galactic federation and all. Well… we’re in trouble.~

Ziltoid quirked a brow and gestured for PW!Ziltoid to continue.

~The galaxy is in the midst of a civil war, there is a Rebellion growing-~

~Oh a rebellion! Plucky underdog-~

~NO! Not plucky underdogs fighting against an evil empire, this is a rebellion is a "rebellion" at psychic types not being in charge if everything! They are quite simply a group out to crush everything!~

~oh…~

~They are a psychic supremacist group bent on conquering the Galaxy and crushing the Federation. But we have a solution, the Rebel Flagship, it is the secret to their Battlenet, destroy that and the fleet will crumble. The Federation will be able to pick itself up again and clear things out, but I can’t do it myself. I’d deliver this information,~ PW!Ziltoid explained levitating a black box.

~But all Ziltoids are banned from the galaxy at large or isolated in Sol for various reasons.~

~Yes, can you help?~

~Why not ask your J-Team?~

~whut?~

~Your J-Team. Your universe has one, most universes with a Ziltoid typically have a J-Team as well. Heck Silas should be able to fly up to help you.~

~Silas? What will that Lucario do?~

Ziltoid stared at his Parallel World counterpart… true there were differences but all studies of the Parallel World had stated it was very much like his universe, this would need some correcting. Questions needed answers… and his mug of coffee would need a stronger dose of the bourbon.

Ziltoid groaned, ~So you have no Team Asimov… no space agency, no Persephone station… your J-Team is… fundamentally normal?~

~I don’t think Pentigan is quite rightly… normal… nor Umbra considering the bit about immortality… but yes, they are far more mundane than what you told me.~

Ziltoid rubbed the bridge between his eyes, this was a headache, ~Okay… what do you need me to do? I can’t come over there, I’m Ziltoid and I’d get arrested!~

~I know Ziltoid, I just need someone who can take this black box and information, deliver it to the Federation, and save us.~

Ziltoid rubbed his chin in thought, then he remembered… a little someone owed him a favor.

~Ziltoid, I have an idea.~

~What is it, Ziltoid?~

Ziltoid grinned…

Silas sat in the lounge area, Roxy curled up next to him… both staring at the Beheyeem before them.

“Okay I thought we agreed you’re not allowed to teleport onto my ship.”

~And I thought we agreed that you’d have more coffee selections, seems we’re both disappointed.~

Silas groaned, Hacks was giving him a look, ~What did I say? Sure that gravity rig will be awesome to use for a Darth Vader costume but you’ll just owe him something later!~

“Listen, is this about the dvd copy of the wedding?” Roxy asked.

~No I’m good there. This is something else.~

Silas rubbed his face a bit and Roxy sat up, “Okay… what do you need?”

~I’ll make this palpable for you. Another me needs help, do you want to go on a space adventure?~

Roxy swore if Silas had been wearing the emerald scarf he would’ve had a tail wagging madly right now, it made her smile to imagine it. She even stifled a giggle as Silas was sitting upright and staring intently, the gaze in his eyes belying excitement. Some thought Silas showed no emotion, Roxy knew better that he did, you just had to pay close attention.

“Okay… continue…” Silas said.

Ziltoid smirked, ~Okay to sum it up in short. I need to send you to a parallel world, the Ziltoid of that universe needs you to deliver the black box of a federation ship to Sector 5. You’ll be kitted out for a galactic adventure.~

“Okay,” Silas said, “Sounds good.”

~There’s a catch…~ Hacks noted.

~INDEED! I do need to tell you now that it won’t be easy, the Rebellion will be on your tail and after you as soon as they detect your ship, you’ll need to keep moving as best you can and may even need to fight some hard battles.~

Silas frowned even harder at that, “So… space combat? Peoplemons may die because they got into a fight with us?”

~Not just space! You may encounter space stations, planets, and various events where you’ll need to lead a team! So you might want to make sure anyone you bring along has a trinket like your scarf.~

Silas quirked a brow, “Ok? Why? We’re seeing aliens aren’t we?”

Ziltoid laughed, ~In a way yes, but it seems out of the entirety of the galaxy. Humans don’t exist! Spacemons exist, but humans don't. You seem exclusively tied to Earth and the Sol System… at least in the Parallel World. REGARDLESS! You don’t wanna freak the locals out too much.~

Roxy grinned, “Sounds like fun.”

Hacks was now smirking as well, ~Oh seems you’d need to be a Lucario for a large part of the venture. How quaint.~

“Shut it,” Silas responded, “Okay. You need us to deliver some black box and help the Federation. I think we can do that. We’ll need time to prepare at least.”

~EXCELLENT! Assemble yourselves a crew and let me know, Ziltoid and I will work on assembling a way to get you to cross over, from there he will upgrade your vessel for your journey!~

Silas sighed as Ziltoid teleported out and looked to Roxy, “Adventure huh?”

“It’s why I joined in the first place, and this sounds like it should be fun.”

Silas grumbled a bit, still focused on the whole ship combat thing, Roxy kissed him, “Hey, if it happens it happens, just how life goes and we do need to protect ourselves.”

Edited by EchoingSilence on Dec 31st 2020 at 12:32:02 PM

Yoshida's Coffee

-Kai smiles-

Kai: Thank you, Gale. I really appreciate it.

-She gets up-

Kai: So, um... stay safe, okay?

PEFE HQ

-Diane groans, managing to shift her wing just enough to switch back to human form. The form change causes a bit more displaced debris to fall in toward her.-

Diane: Ow. Ow. Ow. Didn't think that through. Ow. Uh, keep practicing the evil laugh! It's getting there! Ow.

-She takes a moment to breathe as the dust settles, then starts pushing the debris away so she can get up.-

-Skye blinks, and is nearly knocked off balance by the Flamethrower and the suddenly-moving-again module. She fumbles for her phone for a few moments, before miraculously catching it again.-

Skye: Aaaaaa fuck shit aaa okay phew

-She clears her throat and regains her composure.-

Skye: Ahem! So be it!

-She hits "send" on a prepared text.-

Skye: ............They'll be here soon!

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Dec 31st 2020 at 5:04:13 AM

Yoshida's Coffee

You too. Can't go heisting if you end up injured before the day, eh?

-Gale lets out a lilting chuckle-

Textspace

Metropolis Of Vanity

-The Close Combat barely does anything, but the Stone Edge and such dpo noticeably more-

   Deus Ex Machina:'' So you've figured out my strategy... Bah! My hivemind makes me omnipotent!   

Royal: Shit! His network lets him change his secondary ability! Everyone be on your guard!

-Deus Ex Machina slices at everyone with an X-Scissor-

Edited by Umbramatic on Dec 31st 2020 at 4:15:56 AM

Orochi Plaza

(Kim takes immediate notice of the Team Flare grunts running off to a higher floor and turns to face Ozzy.)

Kim: "Splendid. Ozzy, follow them— and keep using Hone Claws on the way while you're at it."

Ozzy: <Gladly, Kimberly!>

(He flies off, and all the while, he scratches his claws on posts, further raising his Attack stat.)

Motostoke Gym Battle

(Kim smiles and returns Peechee, while Kabu likewise returns his Arcanine before glancing up at Kim with a satisfied grin.)

Kabu: "I must say... Nessa was quite right about you, it seems. You are far stronger than you initially appear."

Kim: (nods) "Thank you, Kabu. Now... which Pokemon are you going to use next?"

(Kabu responds by confidently taking out another PokeBall.)

Kabu: "I'm glad you asked!" (He tosses it out onto the field.) "Ninetales, go!"

(The ball suddenly opens, and a Ninetales appears in front of Kim— who instantly smirks.)

Kim: (thinking, to herself) Ah. One of Hikari's fellow species. (She glances down at her PokeBalls.) Now who to pick for this battle? I know she's got Hypnosis under her belt...

MEANWHILE IN THE HASSLEMON INTERWEBS

MP: Is that... is that what I think it is?

SK: It appears to be. Vulpes novem— common name "Ninetales."

SB: oh no ;; oh dear ;;

EL: Ah, what's there to worry about, Freddie? It's just a Ninetales!

SB: y-yes... but i know that this one has... h-hypnosis ;;;;

EL: HYPNOSIS?! A-are you serious?! Well, I'm sure it won't put you to sleep, now, will it?

SB: i-i'm not so sure about that ;; ninetales are very powerful pokemon that are known to confuse and hypnotize their opponents ;; it could surely put any pokemon that kim picks at a disadvantage and i don't want to see that happen ;;;;

SK: Well, what about Peechee?

MP: He was just used. I don't know if Kim will be so willing to use him again.

SK: That is... a rather fair assessment.

Motostoke Stadium Gym Battle

(Meanwhile, after a bit, Kim smirks and reaches for a PokeBall.)

HASSLEMON INTERWEBS

EL: Oh! Wouldja look at that! She's pickin' someone!

MP: Who is it?

SK: It appears to be Joel. A wise decision, I must say: Joel's dual typing makes Fire-type moves barely work against Ninetales.

SB: y-yes... but i'm still afraid... what if joel gets burned? or confused? or put to sleep? he won't be able to attack if he gets put to sleep, and he could hurt himself if he gets confused, and he'll lose hp if he gets burned and... ;;;;; i can't stand to think about it... ;;;;;

MP: Freddie, I'm sure that Joel's going to be fine.

SB: i-i'm not...! ;;;;;

SB: ...

SB: o-oh never mind i'm going out ;;

MP: Freddie, wait!

EL: No, no, let's see where this is going. I like the sight of this!

SK: Go on, Freddie, battle valiantly!

MP: ...I hope you win.

SB: i hope so too ;;;;

Motostoke Stadium Gym Battle

(Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Kim starts to throw Joel's PokeBall forward...)

Kim: "Red aler-"

(...only to be suddenly interrupted by another one of her PokeBalls opening up on its own. When the light fades, Freddie is standing there, sobbing and hiding his still-present grippers from the Ninetales' view.)

Freddie: (in tears, turning to face Kim) <No, no, no! Y... you don't have to send out Joel. I-I'll do it.>

(Kim blinks in slight surprise.)

Kim: "Freddie? You... you want to battle the Ninetales?"

Freddie: (through tears) <Y-yes... Joel could get b-burned... or put to sleep, or confused, and I don't want to see a-any of that happen to him... s-so I want to protect him... and all of the rest of my friends...>

Kim: "But... all of those things could happen to you, too."

Freddie: (still crying) <I don't care... I've never really been in an official battle before... and I want to make you proud and prove that I... t-that I can be a good battler... s-so... so if anyone's getting burned o-or confused or put to sleep... i-it's me...! I... I can't let anybody hurt my friends...!>

(Kim- and Kabu's Ninetales- look over at Freddie in disbelief. Eventually, however, Kim nods, smiling over at Freddie.)

Kim: "Alright, Freddie. Show that Ninetales what you've got."

(Freddie nods, still crying, before wiping off his tears with a gripper and standing up to face the giant Ninetales ahead of him.)

Freddie: (muttering) <I... I just want to let y-you know... t-that I am really, really sorry... for everything I am about to do to you... p-please don't take my soul...>

(He hides his grippers behind his back nervously. The Ninetales chuckles, then smiles.)

Ninetales: <Don't worry. I won't. In fact... I'm much looking forward to this.>

Freddie: (blinks) <Y-you... you are...?>

(The Ninetales nods. Freddie pauses for a few moments, then nods back. All the while, however, he is thinking to himself:)

Freddie: (thinking) <H-how could any Pokemon enjoy... h-hurting other P-Pokemon... a-and causing them pain...?!>

Textspace, New Year's Eve (post-Christmasplot)

Motostoke Stadium, Stands

-I probably don't have to tell you that Ian is still recording Kim's Gym Battle.-

Me: Wait... is that...?

Evelyn: Freddie?!

Hatty: <Wow... talk about unexpected...>

Piku-chan: <This should be interesting... What do you think, Tot?>

Textspace

Textspace, New Year's Eve

Textspace, New Year's Eve

Textspace, NYE

Textspace, NYE

Textspace, NYE

SOMETIME LATER

Striaton City, New Year's Eve

(Kim is in her house, sitting in front of the television. Every single one of her Pokemon, from Paul to Boseman, are with her, and all of them are eagerly awaiting Ian and Evelyn's arrival.)

Motostoke Stadium, Stands

Tot watches the battle. <I guess this is Freddie's focus episode...> he muses, before realising he said that out loud. <I mean... I'm glad Freddie seems confident enough to battle.>

Hoops is only half watching the battle, but they frown at Freddie's entry. "Kim just lets her pokemon decide who battles?"

Striaton City, New Year's Eve

-Evelyn flies her broom through the skies of Striaton City (with Ian hanging on), proud of herself for making such great time.-

Evelyn: Well... Here we are.

Me: Now all we need to do is land the broom and find Kim.

Evelyn: At least one of those tasks is easy...

-Ian and Evelyn circle over the city square on their broom, looking for Kim and a place to land without crashing...-

Motostoke Stadium, Stands

Evelyn: We'll just see how this turns out, right Hatty?

Hatty: <Right... and hopefully Ninetales doesn't hypnotize Freddie...>

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Jan 28th 2021 at 1:18:10 PM

Striaton City, NYE

(Kim suddenly looks out the window and notices Ian and Evelyn arriving.)

Kim: "Ah, right on schedule." (She turns to face Ozzy.) "Ozzy? Could you go and get them so that Evelyn doesn't end up crash landing on her broom this time?"

Ozzy: <It would be my pleasure, Kimberly.>

(With that said, he flies outside of the house and meets Ian and Evelyn in the air.)

Ozzy: <Ian! Evelyn! Greetings, my compatriots! Kimberly and her Pokemon are waiting for you!>

Striaton City, NYE

Evelyn: Oh, that's great. Just tell us where to land, please...

Striaton City, NYE

Ozzy: <Oh, I can do even better than that.> (He flies off in the direction of Kim's house.) <Follow me, if you please.>

Striaton City

-Evelyn follows Ozzy on her broom as Ian holds on for dear life.-