Route 7, Weird Unovan Zone

Hiro: -nod, similarly lightly- Trainer.

-Hiro seems accustomed to this level of emotiveness—he offers a smile to Misery and leaves it at that-

-Parfait starts gathering the various dishes and utensils-

Hiro: -blink, re: swords- I've been known to appreciate them.

-the brightness—and the saturation—of the campfire ticks up a couple notches,

Hiro: -leaning forward- What've you got?

Motostoke, High (Stress) Society

-Abilene, unfortunately, remains privately impressed at the display of hauteur in the face of what could be absurd odds-

-it's a weakness of hers she won't admit to in most company, after all-

-externally, of course, she intends to condescend with the worst of them-

Castanea: <!?!!>

Abilene: Mmm...no.

-a snap of the fingers, and every surface Olympias could possibly contact erupts into a bed of meter-long thorns-

Abilene: ...ah, you favor Animalia in cladistics, then? Can't relate; Plantae holds too much of my fair-weather heart. Castanea, advance.

-at her command, he begins unrooting—to take one shuddering step forward-

-despite the near catastrophe, Abilene remains as outwardly unruffled as an oak in a stiff breeze-

Someplace

Ceal: -cackling- <T-t-ten years!!>

<Y-you've done it, you absolute m-madmon.>

-they raise their Held Item to the distant clouds, appreciatively-

Ceal: -cheerily- <Cheers.>

Tripod:

Edited by Asterisk395 on Feb 10th 2021 at 11:48:55 AM

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Galar Route 7

-Ever blinks at the fire-

Ever: Well, let's see.

-they reach into their pack, pulling out a sword with a long, thin blade. It looks like someone scaled up a misericorde a bit, making it a bit sturdier and tougher, and the stylization of the weapon is designed to evoke a Steelix-

-it's also glowing a gentle cherry-red, though it doesn't appear to be giving off actual heat-

Misery: <...>

-she cautiously backs away from the weapon. Scramble likewise looks uncomfortable around it, the Dreepy Swarm all zipping to hide behind Chips-

Ever: This sword, as legends say, was a tool of enforcing the Vow. The blade is laid out long and thin to pierce the scales of dragons, and each kill slowly tempers and empowers them, guiding them towards their ultimate true form and purpose...

I've been using them to open cans, but they don't seem to be enjoying themself. So I thought maybe they could use a less warlike fire for a while.

-Ever gives a meaningful glance at the campfire-

You game?

Brimstone Casino, Lower Levels

-Terra Preta nods at Coyote, and some measure of enthusiasm seems to return to her voice when she responds.-

Terra Preta: Understood. Rest assured, by the time we break through, you'll struggle to believe there was ever any security here at all.

-She steps back into the smoke and is gone.-

Textspace

-Kai's typing notification is in fact punctuated by another typing notification, but that too quickly disappears. It's only a few hours after Brie's message that any replies manifest, seemingly with no gaps between them.-

Brimstone Casino

Valkryie: "You got it!"

-She charges into the halls, followed by the 'thud' of her hammer hitting...something.-

Wraith: "Security, huh? Too bad she isn't a Rotom. I can break stuff just fine, though."

-He sets off in search of anything important.-

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-Oh yeah, there was another text to respond to as well, let's fix that.-

Lycan pulls Wraith along, "Come on we gotta get the trucks!"

Coyote grinned behind his mask as everyone rushed off, "All coming together."

He turned to Lamb, "Got an entire playlist set up for this day. Knight has them all queued up for us."

The drill was making progress, it nearly broke down until Depserado kicked it, and it started back up.

Coyote checked his ammo supply, then his supply of potions, "If we're lucky. Rakdos and the Slayer will keep Scratch busy."

Scratch sighed as he commanded the Demon, it condescendingly put a hand under its chin in a bored expression,    "I do not fear the Slayer. For he is just a cosplayer, nothing he can do can-"   

There was a VRWOOSH noise, and the Illusion was missing one of its arms, the Slayer gripping onto a glowing red energy blade.

Scratch stared in confusion, he could feel it, "What? How did he do that?"

It didn't matter, he conjured a pit of fire to consume the Slayer and his mons, as for Rakdos, the Demon constructor roared before spitting a jet of flame from its mouth. It'd hurt like hell but it wasn't real fire, like most illusions.

So long as neither got into the office, he was safe.

Route 7, Sword Zone

Hiro: -blinks-

-blinks-

-blinks-

-and his eyes seem to heat up, burning from brown to white to bright, blazing blue-

-Parfait leans over and takes a couple cautious sniffs of it, color curling off the blade in her direction-

Parfait: -with an odd equanimity- <Tempered in blood!>

Hiro: -huff- Where have we seen that before?

-leaning closer, examining the sword- A "mercy", made for knights. The land of Life and Death—

-and then look up at Ever, piercing-

Hiro: -searching- It's a good question, if a sword can grow into something else. Blades as tools and symbols as well as— -exhale-

-he smiles, and for all the heat and none of the humor—there's a strange, hard-fought optimism in that stare- I'm down to play. Maybe they'll like chess.

Parfait: -sidelong- <Maybe other than a war game!>

Chips: -stare- <.........>

Hiro: -unblinking- What would you like in exchange?

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Galar Route 7

-Ever tilts their head a little, not breaking eye contact or blinking-

Ever: Ehehe. You misunderstand— you offered me your fire and food, and this is my gift in exchange.

-they hold it out, not hilt-first but with the hilt balanced on one hand and the tip of the blade balanced on a knee-

If we can't grow beyond what we were supposed to be, we'd be sorry excuses for flame, don't you think?

Textspace

-The typing notification appears and disappears for the better part of a minute before the next messages come through.-

Textspace

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Feb 11th 2021 at 9:15:18 AM

Casino

-Wraith gets pulled back.-

Wraith: "Gonna be honest, I was confused."

Wraith: "Are all of you so bossy?"

-Who she's referring to as "Wraith" is unclear...but she's probably taking about Lycan, Valkryie, and Lamb.-

-You know.-

Route 7, Sword(?) Zone

Hiro: That is    True   .

-he accepts the blade with open arms, cradling it gently-

Hiro: -toward it- All things strive. Hammer away until your plowshares become instruments—

-looking up, and smiling- So if anyone wants to wage war, they'll have to kill the music. We're chemical reactions in a shell of skin…

-holding out a hand- A gift for a gift. Company for company. It was good to meet you.

-his gaze winks back to its standard hue and saturation, and he brightens-

Stow-on-Side Stadium, Pitch

-Ian and Evelyn stagger out onto the pitch to meet the Gym Leaders...-

Bea: It looks like our challengers have finally arrived.

-Only for Ian to fall flat on his face and Evelyn to trip over her own feet.-

Allister: Think we should give them a few minutes to regain their footing?

Bea: Yeah, I'm game.

Stow-on-Side Stadium, Pitch, Once the Stadium Stops Spinning

-Ian and Evelyn pick themselves up off the ground and ready themselves.-

Evelyn: Sorry about our clumsiness... We just got off the teacup rides.

Me: Man, those things were fun!

Bea: Well, our puzzle was a test of navigation and stamina.

Allister: And you two definitely had both... I mean, how fast were you making those teacups spin?

-Ian and Evelyn look at each other and start laughing, knowing that, using their PK, they probably made the teacups spin so fast that you could play records on them...-

Bea: Nevertheless, welcome to Stow-on-Side. I'm Bea...

Allister: ...and I'm Allister...

Bea: And together, we are Stow-on-Side's Gym Leaders!

Allister: Since you challenged us both, the Gym Battle will be a Tag Battle...

Bea: And since you are both pretty powerful, we won't hold back either. Get your Pokémon ready, Allister?

Allister: Of course...

-Bea strikes a few martial arts poses before moving into position for the battle.-

Bea: Then LET'S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!

Me: -hums to myself- To defeat... the [Huns]...

-Evelyn gently elbows Ian in the arm as though to playfully say "Now, cut that out!" before she and Ian move into their positions for the battle.-

Referee: The Gym Battle between Bea and Allister, the Gym Leaders and Challenger 556, Ian and Evelyn will now begin! The match will be a Tag Battle and is decided when all the Pokémon of one side can no longer continue! Furthermore, only the Challengers may substitute if needed!

-Bea and Allister each take a Poké Ball off their belts and prepare for battle.-

Bea: Sirfetch'd! Go get 'em!

Allister: Runerigus... ARISE!!

-Bea and Allister throw their Poké Balls into the air and from out of them come a Sirfetch'd, brandishing its leek sword, and a Runerigus, who awakens and prepares itself for battle.-

Me: Sirfetch'd?

Evelyn: This should be challenging...

-Ian and Evelyn check their Pokédexes.-

Ian's Pokédex: Sirfetch'd, The Wild Duck Pokémon and the evolved form of Galarian Farfetch'd. A Fighting type. After deflecting attacks with its hard leaf shield, it strikes back with its sharp leek stalk. The leek stalk is both weapon and food. Only Farfetch'd that have survived many battles can attain this evolution. When this Pokémon's leek withers, it will retire from combat.

Evelyn's Pokédex: Runerigus, The Grudge Pokémon and the evolved form of Galarian Yamask. A Ground and Ghost type. A powerful curse was woven into an ancient painting. After absorbing the spirit of a Yamask, the painting began to move. Never touch its shadowlike body, or you'll be shown the horrific memories behind the picture carved into it.

Me: This should be interesting...

Evelyn: Time to show off what we're capable of, Ian.

Me: Ritchie! I choose you!

Evelyn: Sandra, come on out!

-Ian and Evelyn throw their Poké Balls into the air, and out from them come Ritchie, Ian's Piplup, and Sandra, Evelyn's Fennekin.-

Ritchie: <Whoa! Cool! Is this a Gym Battle?>

Sandra: -mystified by the battlefield- <Looks like it. And I see we already have our first opponents.>

Referee: Without further ado...

Stow-on-Side Stadium— The Stands

(Kim glances up at the jumbotron in front of her, but she's too saddened to look at the screen for much longer. Instead, she turns away from the screen and starts sobbing again. One of her PokeBalls suddenly shakes and opens— but it's not Geddy. It's Ozzy.)

Ozzy: (looking around) <Ah, it seems as though Ian and Evelyn are starting their battle. This should be rather interes->

(He suddenly pauses, hearing Kim crying. Seconds later, he glances up at her in disbelief.)

Ozzy: <Kimberly?! W-whatever is the matter?! A-are you alright?!>

(Kim shakes her head, sobbing.)

Ozzy: <D-did something happen?!>

(Kim doesn't respond. All she does is hold out her phone. Ozzy glances over at the messages.)

Ozzy: <volcanicAlkaline...?>

(He pauses for a few moments, before holding up one of his talons and typing:)

Textspace

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Feb 11th 2021 at 4:22:23 AM

Brimstone Casino

"Got some good taste."

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So S- The Stands

(He turns to face Kim.)

Ozzy: <Kimberly? Are you okay? What's going on?>

Kim: (sobbing) "R-read the messages..."

(Ozzy does so, scrolling through the messages— and when he realizes what is going on his eyes widen in disbelief.)

Ozzy: <...oh dear... oh my... this is rather troubling... I was... unaware that you felt this way...>

(Kim nods.)

Kim: (sobbing) "Indeed..."

(He types in:)

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Galar Route 7

Ever: It was good to meet you too. I wish you luck with the League Challenge. Maybe we'll meet in the finals.

-they stand up, brushing snow off themself where it's collected, and scooping up Misery-

Misery: <That's a little rude.>

Ever: You have very short legs.

Misery: <...Yeah.>

-she crawls to Ever's shoulder, using her braids as limbs. The Dreepy Swarm flies over to Ever, hovering around their head like a spectral halo-

Ever: Take care.

-they disappear into the snow-

Textspace

-There's a brief pause before several more messages come through in quick succession.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Feb 11th 2021 at 2:50:06 PM

Stow-on-Side Stadium, VS Bea and Allister

Me: Ritchie! Use Bubble Beam on Runerigus!

Evelyn: Sandra, use Ember on Sirfetch'd!

-Ritchie unleashes a stream of bubbles from his beak at Runerigus, driving the slab-bound spirit backwards. At the same time, Sandra spits out a barrage of fiery sparks at the knightly duck.-

Allister: Runerigus, use Shadow Claw!

Bea: Sirfetch'd, use Revenge!

-Allister's Runerigus let out a gastly shriek as Ritchie's Bubble Beam struck it, then let out another as its spectral claws grow and surround themselves in an otherworldly aura before lurching towards the unwary Piplup and slashing at him, while Bea's Sirfetch'd tanks Sandra's fiery attack and lashes out with a jab of its lance with twice the power.-

Textspace

idk some pokemon center room kai rented out

-Kai stares at her phone for a moment, a blush and a big dumb grin on her face.-

Kai: aaaaaaaa.

-She flops backward into their bed.-

Kai: aaaaaaaa,,,

-They're quiet for a moment.-

-Two moments.-

-Three moments.-

-The anxiety sets in.-

Kai: Aaaaa what if this goes badly??? Maybe I should have stuck with two separate things like before, it might just get uncomfortable and awkward and ruin everything and it's all gonna fall apart—

-She yelps as a snowball lands squarely on her face.-

Tsukiko: <Get yourself together, you absolute noodle.>

Kai: Noodle?????

Tsukiko: <You heard me.>

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Feb 11th 2021 at 7:51:54 AM

S1-B4 Space Shop Station

-Gale is momentarily confused by the wink before giving chase-

Slow down, I just want to talk.

-The faintest crackle on the voice, just to unsettle-

Casino Raid

-Rakdos just laughed, putting up a barrier to divert the flames and cast a shadow-

   Well, you know what they say, Scratch! The Devil is always—   

-And then, the barrier crumbles and Rakdos is gone... Shadowporting to one place also cast in shadow by the flames...-

   Over your shoulder...   

Route 7, Friend Zone

Hiro: -nod- Maybe we will.

-Hiro watches them go, before turning to tend to his fire, sword lain to rest against his pack-

-and he waits, gazing into the coals-

-...before breaking into an uncontrolled cackle, shaking his head-

Hiro: -wheezing- What even was that?!

Parfait: -flopping back- <The eternal question!> ^_^

Chips: <...so...confused…>

-and so they tend to their truths for the rest of the night-

Wild Area

Brie: ...Well, I don't want to speak ill of people, but...

Hammerlocke

Ever: That was weird.

Misery: <You're weird. It helps.>

Ever: It truly does. Think Pef's already here? I wanted to ask her something.

Misery: <What sort of something?>

Hammerlocke, rooftop

Merle: <Uh, illegal stuff, you know.>

Jab: <Wait, I thought you were a detective.>

Merle: <Uh, I'm complicated.>

Jab: <...Right. And what do I have to do with this?>

Merle: <I'm kind of trying to prove I'm not rivals with this Corvisquire and you're the kind of person I can get involved who's detached enough not to make fun of me and also a bird and also can definitely handle a Corvisquire.>

Jab: <Where'd you get the idea I won't make fun of you?>

Merle: <Call me an optimist.>

Jab: <I'll call you all sorts of things. Can I eat her?>

Merle: <Dude. This is a bird thing, not a cat thing.>

Jab: <...Do Staraptor not eat other birds?>

Hammerlocke, street

Splice the Dracovish: <That's a very uncomfortable question.>

Lacuna the Dracozolt: <Well, I think it's important to consider. Are we better off for existing or not?>

Splice: <I mean...I don't think it really matters, does it? It's not like we have a choice.>

Lacuna: (patiently) <That doesn't make it less worth considering.>

Splice: <I sort of like existing.>

Lacuna: <But it's strange to acknowledge that we're the product of reckless experimentation. Our existence encourages the creation of more permutations on our design, who may not have our advantages.>

Splice: <What advantages? I can't breathe out of water without a Pokeball, and you look like someone forgot to draw your head.>

Lacuna: <True. We have our own problems. But we're something new, are we not? Something with a chance to develop into a novel evolutionary niche. And there are advantages to being us. Dragon scales are no mean feat.>

Splice: <I have a feeling you're interested more in arguing than in finding an endpoint here.>

Lacuna: <Arguing is how knowledge is built. Where's Apple gone?>

Splice: <Do you mean—>

Lacuna: <I believe they've expressed a desire for their codename to be used while they remain in costume.>

Splice: <Right...I should point out that's dumb.>

Lacuna: <It's an interesting commentary on identity, to be certain. Do you have information on their whereabouts?>

Splice: <Supposedly, there's a scientist here they're looking for.>

Lacuna: <Ah-->

Edited by memyselfandI2 on Feb 11th 2021 at 11:00:20 AM

Darned Rich People

Gaspard: I do find it entertaining that Xenartha yielded both a fire-type and a grass-type. Our opponent here would've actually been at an advantage if he had a heatmor. Yes, the taxon you so loathe would've been your ticket to victory.

Terrence: Uh huh. 'Our'? I don't see you battling. Leave it to the Macraul family to leave their dirty work to henchpeople.

Gaspard: I'd be insulted but the Macraul family know how to leave our tasks to the competent.

Olympias spotted the spines and redirected herself before making contact. Her momentum being what it is, she only managed to narrowly avoid brushing with Castanea. From her new perch—an awning in a nearby cafe—she fires icicle spears at her opponent.

Terrence: She knows how to play rough.

Gaspard: I remain unimpressed.

Terrence: Did your parents surgically remove your ability to have emotions?

Gaspard: I suggested it. They refused to my chagrin.

Stow-on-Side Stadium, VS Bea and Allister

Me: Ritchie, are you okay?

Ritchie: <I'm fine!>

Sandra: <You don't need to worry about me, Evelyn. I'm okay.>

Evelyn: Great! Now, use Ember again!

Me: Ritchie! Use Peck on Sirfetch'd!

Evelyn: Great thinking! Sirfetch'd is weak against Flying type moves!

-Sandra nods before firing another barrage of fiery sparks at the opponents, whereas Ritchie charges headlong at Bea's Sirfetch'd.-

Allister: I can't let you do that, Ian... Runerigus... Move to intercept Peck!

-Allister's Runerigus slithers in front of Bea's Sirfetch'd and takes Pippi's Peck attack!-

Allister: Contact has been made!

-An otherworldly aura surrounds Ritchie and Allister's Runerigus as a strange force switches their powers around, but their powers weren't the only things switched...-

Ritchie: <Whoa... what a rush...>

Allister's Runerigus: <That didn't feel too good... Hey! My voice?>

-Ritchie and Runerigus look at each other and start screaming.-

Ritchie: <AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!>

Allister's Runerigus: <AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!>

Me: Ritchie, what happened to your voice?!

Allister: I think I can hazard a guess...

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Feb 12th 2021 at 4:24:37 AM