CW: VIOLENCE, GORE, HORROR

Kevin poked his head out of the sewers, he didn’t rightly recall how he got here… but the memories in his head told him enough. He was an operative for a shady company called Umbrella and he was tasked with getting the hell out of this city.

He was wading through a sewer, but Kevin did not care about that part, as far as he recalled, yesterday was March 31s- oh that explained it. April Fools had hit, there were reports on this, that occasionally due to the anomalous nature of their world and the skybreak events that reality occasionally was hit with an… “error” that caused stuff like this to happen.

If he had to play a stone cold professional soldier and escape, so be it.

“This is Nighthawk, calling Alpha Team. Come in Alpha Team.”

Kevin smiled behind his gas mask, “Nighthawk, this is HUNK from Alpha Team.”

“Maaaan, I thought you were all wiped out, I thought for su-”

“I’m at point K12, I need info on my extraction,” Kevin responded, beginning his sprint, he had an entire facility and Police department to get through. No time to waste, only to run, and to gun.

“Guess there’s no keeping down the Grim Reaper!” Nighthawk said with Glee.

“My extraction point,” Kevin responded sliding down an angle and landing, he had a veritable army to get through, and he’d be damned if he wasted any more time.

“Relax Mr. Reaper, I’m headed to the front gate of the RPD, pick you up there!”

“Roger,” Kevin responded, darting past several zombies crawling out of the muck of the sewer. He was laser focused, the outfit and the LE 5 in hand reminded him of his training days, and a few operations he had done.

He climbed into a back room and headed up past a door, popping the head of a walker that tried to get close… This reminded him of his time in Lycanrow, and the undead that plagued the village of Eddisberg. The files on the reasons why were still classified, but they’d be disclosed eventually.

He ignored the cable car station and climbed up a ladder, passing the rotting zombie Houndooms he lept down another path. Kevin was also reminded of his training at the various facilities for the SRD, his position hadn’t come easy and he had worked his ass off to get it. He was proud to say that he was the best of the best, even as he was getting into his 40s, the advances in medicine were just keeping him spry and better than ever.

Across a bridge, shoving a zombie off into the treatment pool below. He pushed past several zombies and into another sewer section.

Large monsters were ahead, a flashbang solved that problem. The suit was very well built, reminded him of the HAZARD unit outfits the SRD had for operations into dangerous chemical zones, the helmet’s optics were also pretty fancy… he needed something like this.

Horde ahead, swap to shotgun, up the stairs and back on concrete, duck into the storage room to avoid being nabbed and head up the Elevator. Kevin also judged the weight of the outfit, he had received training from the Galarian SKS, the training gear they made you wear, weighed more than twice this… even with all the ammunition, the grenades, and the 4 guns he still wasn’t breaking a sweat.

Through a dark room, a regular pineapple grenade made short work of the horde in there, and through a metal catwalk in a pipeworks of sorts up to a parking garage. Kevin was laser focused, the fact that there was a freak with no skin and an elongated tongue didn’t bother him, he had seen enough here.

Through an underground section and into the station itself, Kevin pressed forward, narrowly avoiding a large guy in a trenchcoat and hat, “Nice hat!” he shouted somewhat mockingly.

Into the main hall, doors were barred off, Nighthawk called in, “What the hell Hunk? You’re late for extraction!”

“Doors are blocked off, have to find an alternative route.”

Nighthawk scoffed a little, Kevin pressed forward and into a side door. Solo missions like this were sadly too common for him… and what he wouldn’t give to have his team on hand. Not only the human ones, but especially his pokemon, Dallas here would have made short work of a lot of these monsters.

Up the doors, through the change room, past another Tyrant and into a library, why did the Police Station have a library? He didn’t know.

Across the upper section, into the other side, to another set of stairs past another horde.

Kevin could only ponder how this outbreak happened, he didn’t remember everything, just enough to get out of here. He swung out into the open rain, his exit point only a little ways to go. He got down and heard, “Hunk, where are you! The brass at the top just ordered a complete-”

“Go! Get out of here!” Kevin responded.

“I’m not just going to leave you-”

“This is war, survival is your responsibility,” Kevin ordered.

Nighthawk was silent and then, “God… damn it!”

If Kevin had to fight his way out of an entire city, he would, he had been to some dangerous locations and had to face off against many things. He always got out… he always did.

He entered the courtyard at last and ran past the numerous monsters and zombies, dropping grenades to keep them from catching up. He approached the gate and kicked it open, deep breaths, he was running on adrenaline.

A light shone down, Kevin looked over and saw a helicopter approaching, “Why did you come back?” he asked.

“I wanted to meet the Grim Reaper,” came Nighthawk’s response.

Stormchaser

Kat: Okay.

-Kat takes her Poryphone out.-

phonespace

Cady: Yes?

Kat: Apparently the fact that it's April Fools might be the cause of our current predicament.

Cady: How certain are you?

Kat: I'm not sure yet, but if it is the case we'll be back home tomorrow morning.

Cady: So we'll just wait it out until then?

Kat: You know me too well. We should keep our heads low though, seems this world has some pretty powerful people and April Fools has made them even moreso.

Cady: Of course I'll be careful. Say, how about we be tourists?

Kat: Well, I guess we technically are any way. It's just most tourists aren't from another universe.

Cady: Sounds like a plan. You got any ideas of somewhere we could visit?

Kat: Not yet, I'll have to ask around.

stormchaser

-Kat hangs up.-

Kat: Say, do you know any places to visit around here?

Glimwood tangle

Ivy & Oliver: Aaaaaagh!

Ivy: What was it saying?

Oliver: I think they were greeting us? Come on, you know I can only do a tiny bit of telepathy!

Ivy: Okay... Marcus, translate please!

-Ivy sends out an Orbeetle.-

Stormchaser

"It depends a bit on what you like. You like combat? Watching or fighting?" They bit their tongue and help up their hands. "No, I just met you. Can't... unless you want to."

Silas awoke with a gasp, so did Roxy, they looked about and saw the team. Hacks nearly hyperventilated, ~Is it over?~

“It’s… it’s over,” Silas said, relaxing, “We’re free.”

Roxy started to laugh, putting her face in her hands, “Was that even real? Was it a dream?”

Bishop floated down, “If so I dreamt I fought through hell and faced off against an Archangel. I made him swear.”

Silas was about to say something, when he saw it… in the corner he saw a large crate. He stepped over to it carefully and found a note on it.

Silas opened the crate, and reached in, pulling out the CM 86 pistol, he stared at it, then to Roxy.

Everything that had happened… was real.

~God damnit, this means that Muggy nearly did kill us in hell!~ Hacks noted.

<I said sorry, but you know the rules of the game!> Muggy responded.

Stormchaser

Kat: Unless I want to what? It seems whatever we do we're stuck here until tomorrow so I guess we should make the most of it.

Stormchaser

"Unless you wanna fight. We're always itching to get down n' dirty. Plus, we got some new skills to explore." They cracked their knuckles, fire and dark coming from their hands in equal measure.

Glimwood Tangle

EMPEROR: <OH! Right! Most humans cannot understand me! HAHA! I had almost forgotten.>

When Marcus comes out EMPEROR waves at them. The mismatch makes it look significantly more off-putting.

<Hello there!>

Stormchaser

-Kat steps back.-

Kat: Sorry, but I'm pretty sure you'd wipe the floor with me. If my colleague was here she'd probably accept, but I'm just a squishy tech wizard.

Glimwood tangle

-Marcus waves at EMPEROR.-

Marcus: ~He said "Hello there".~

Oliver: Oh! General Kenobi!

Ivy: What?

Stormchaser

"Yeah, probably." Their ears splayed, only to perk again at a notification. "Hm, you could learn about this place while you're here, maybe." He held out his palm, and a circle of flame big enough to walk through appeared on the wall, a pool of darkness outlined by it. "Step in and let's visit a museum."

The Galarian Museum, the Back Door

Two conspicuous black vans park at the utility entrance of the Galarian Museum. Out of one of them came Malacostra, clad in her crab armor, and a cadre of Hunter's Guild hench people

Henchman: Ma'am, not to be rude or anything, but aren't we being a bit too obvious.

Malacostra: You worry too much. Have a little faith in our secret weapon.

She pulls out Salem's Lantern from a special container and dangles it in front of the hench crew. Surreptitiously, she sets it to low, and only a faint pink glow emanated from the device.

Henchman: Why yes, ma'am. That is something we can definitely trust with our lives.

Malacostra: With this, we are far more powerful than even a group of superheroes combined. And Arceus you all know what happens when you encounter just one. Nothing can stop us.

A group of hench people get what appear to be war flashbacks. At least two of them mutter about being scared of being wedgied by Arachna-Guy again. She dangles it again; she's not the kind of villain who'd let issues like this remain unaddressed.

Malacostra: Salem, gentlemen, ladies, enbies. Prepare yourselves. We're about to go on a little antique shopping spree. And our target is the Ghost Lord's personal treasures.

She lifts up the lantern and flips a switch.

Malacostra: Let the Mayhem Begin.

A magenta beam blasts into the museum...

The Galarian Museum, Interior

...where it promptly hits a flickering Yamask.

Elsewhere in the corridors, the staff begin hearing inane ramblings in monese. Not long after, these said maintenance crewmembers were all fleeing for their lives as they are chased by a rather large, glitchy, angry magenta Runerigus.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Nov 23rd 2021 at 7:09:32 PM

Stormchaser

Kat: Sounds interesting, sure.

-Kat steps into the portal.-

Outside the Galarian museum

-Cady is investigating what's on at the museum.-

Edited by QuantumMelody29 on Apr 1st 2021 at 10:49:04 AM

SPOILER: Temporarily borrowing JG's character for this interaction with his permission.

Salem's Imagine Spot (Past)

-In the style of a [Studio Trigger] anime, Arachna-Guy and Ian the Pikipek swoop in to do battle with the Pokémon Hunters.-

Anime Arachna-Guy: Hold it right there, criminal scum!

Anime Ian the Pikipek: Your reign of terror ends now!

Anime Salem: FUAHAHAHA! How kind of you to drop in, but You Are Too Late! Our plan is already in motion! Ha HA!!

-With a wave of his hand, the amplifier fires up, unleashing the dark forces of the PSI-Stone on the museum.-

Anime Ian the Pikipek: Arachna-Guy! Don't hold back!

Anime Arachna-Guy: I won't!

Anime Salem and Malacostra: Seize Them!!

-Anime Marion unleashes a psychic wave on Ian the Pikipek, pinning him to the ground before he can make a move. Anime Dorito strikes Arachna-Guy with a First Impression to the gut, bringing him to his knees.-

Anime Salem: Now do you see how hopeless your situation is, heroes? On this night, Chaos is Order and Fear becomes Law... Tonight, The Bad Guys Win! And you...

will...

BOW!!!

-Anime Salem snaps his fingers and the amplifier unleashes a dark blast at Ian the Pikipek and Arachna-Guy, their eyes glaze over and their eyelids fall to a half-open state.-

Anime Arachna-Guy and Anime Ian the Pikipek: -in a trance- Hail the Hunter's Guild.

-Anime Evelyn runs over to Anime Ian the Pikipek and tries to shake him out of his trance.-

Anime Evelyn: Ian-sama... Please Wake Up... I know you're in there... Ian-sama?

Anime Salem: I'm sorry about your boyfriend, miss Evelyn... I really am, so why don't you JOIN THEM?

Anime Evelyn: I will never join you! You hear me! Even if Ian and Arachna-Guy bow to you, I never will! As long as good triumphs over evil, I will stand and fight until the very end!

Anime Salem: Then it'll be a very short fight...

-Anime Salem snaps his fingers, and his new thralls hold Evelyn down by her arms.-

Anime Evelyn: Ah?! Ian-sama, Arachna-Guy, snap out of it! I beg of you!

Anime Salem: It's no use, Ms. Evelyn...

-With a wave of his hand, the Amplifier fires a dark beam of energy at Anime Evelyn, hypnotizing her in the same manner that Anime Ian the Pikipek and Anime Arachna-Guy fell.-

Anime Salem: Can you hear me, Ms. Evelyn?

Anime Evelyn: -in a trance- Yes, Master... I hear and obey...

Anime Salem: Good... Now, no one can stop us!

-Anime Salem, Anime Malacostra and their thralls clean the museum out of all the Ghost Lord's treasures. Chaos reigns uninhibited as the hellfire breath of Anime Salem's Houndooms consumes the museum. Like a one-winged angel of death and destruction, Anime Salem glares behind him as a sea of flames rages on before him.-

Anime Salem: Today, Galar. Tomorrow... THE WORLD!

Galarian Museum

Salem: It's working! It is functioning properly!

Glimwood Tangle

Evelyn: Sorry about that, Hoops...

-Evelyn extends her hand to help Hoops up.-

Saffron City

-Summoning Azumi-no-isora out of my smartphone while fighting some Pixies-

This is just plain weird!

-Switches over to Doc, but as Galen-

Galen!Doc: <You're telling me!>

Wyndon Museum

A flickering circle of flame may or may not alert Cady. Kat may or may not notice Cady a short distance away. This may or may not interrupt her investigation.

"What's all this then?"

Outside the Galarian museum

-Cady is about to call someone when she notices the portal and heads over to Kat.-

Cady: Hello. How did you know to come here? I hadn't even called yet.

Glimwood Tangle

-oblivious bird smile-

<Who's General Kenobi?>

Entree Forest

Daydre: "So who-"

Ama: "That was me from when I was in my mid twenties. You remember what I told you about the ... superhero thing. I heard her yelling about a Ditto so she was probably me at 26? If there's anyone I hate more than myself in my 20s, it's myself in my mid-20s. Eugh.-"

Daydre: "Wait, you were watching for that long? Why didn't you do anything sooner?? Excuse me what was that"

Ama: "Element of surprise. She almost certainly has more stamina than me."

Daydre: "I guess that makes sense. Even if I don't like it. What was up with the Ditto thing though?"

Ama: "At some point in my 'career' I fought a Ditto who could turn into very accurate copies of people. He held me and several other peoples' identities for ransom so you may see why she was a little annoying about catching him."

Daydre: "So what happened to-"

Ama: "I drained him like a juicebox."

Daydre: "O h."

Ama: "You asked."

Daydre: "...Why are you answering my questions so easily, anyway?"

Ama: "I've been doing things all day, I'm tired, and it's even more tiring to argue with you about not answering questions."

Daydre: "... Okay so if I want straight answers, I just need to wait for you to be tired?"

Ama glares at her.

Daydre: "I'm kidding! Though I would like to know what the fuck you meant by that quest compass thing."

Ama sighs.

Ama: "You know that thing in games where you get an arrow or some other indicator pointing you towards your goal? It's like that, but.. A notion. An instinct. Internal compass? I don't know. ...Powered by Obscura. I looked it up and it probably has something to do with the way mons like Vulpix and Zorua use Pursuit for hunting. That's how she chased you all the way here and how I kept finding you. Are you satisfied now? Will you stop texting me about it?"

Daydre: "Okay, so how do you use i-"

Ama is already walking away.

Glimwood tangle

-Marcus translates. Oliver sighs.-

Oliver: It was a [Star Wars prequels] reference...

Ivy: I've never watched [the Star Wars prequels], how can you expect a pokemon to have watched them?

The Galarian Museum, Invasion time

Malacostra and her team of grunts pour into the building, taking down security with relative ease thanks to the mind-control stone in the lantern. They noticed that something seems to be rampaging across the museum.

This was perfect. Not only were they stopping the guards without a fight, they also gained a few accomplices and fall guys who were way easier to arrest. Heck, if Salem's little drama was any suggestion, they can recruit the very heroes who made their activities inconvenient.

Malacostra: Oh hoh ho. Looks like mind control's not the only thing it's been doing. But whatever it is, we better take control of it. I can't abide these artifacts being ruined. It'll lower their black market resale value. I mean, can you believe how hard it is to get Paul Macraul to buy anything he explicitly asked to steal for him?

Henchman: Ma'am, this is rather worrying.

Malacostra: Come on, what could possibly be that bad?

"You there!" Said a stern voice that sounded like an angry authoritative parent.

It was an elderly man in a tweed suit and a fidgeting 20-something male museum guide.

Guide: Sir, I really think we should call security.

Dr. Clavis: Unless they've taken control of security. Listen, Malacostra is it? I will not be bullied by an arch-criminal. Do what you want with me, if you dare. Spare the lad, but don't think I'll stand down. Jim Clavis faced danger head on!

Guide: But Dr. Clavis, please. You've so much to live for. Your new book?

Henchman: Yeah, you're clearly outmatched here, mate.

Dr. Clavis: Bah, Arachna-Guy's in Wyndon, the Bird Kid is, too, and the J-Team are right around the corner. Heck, a rubbish-bin reject like yourself can't possibly stand against even Apple-A-Day.

Guide: Y'know, I'd be more confident if we had that Apple-A-Day signal installed like we requested.

Malacostra: How do you think we got the guards on our side? You can't possibly stop us. We have power that you can't possibly comprehend.

Dr. Clavis: Oh, I'm not worried at all. Wait, what is that purplish glow?

Malacostra: You like it? It's what I call "Your doom."

Malacostra moves to flash the device at Dr. Clavis, and for a moment it worked on both the good doctor and his valet.

But then she noticed something emerging from the shadows. Something that wasn't supposed to do that. It began pulling the lantern away from Malacostra's Grasp.

Malacostra: Salem, do something!

And suddenly, Dr. Clavis started speaking in a metallic, reverberating voice.

Dr. Clavis (?): A bandit in armor is no true warrior. You will never be a match for the Elite of Spectra. Go on. Make my day.

Guide: But Dr. Clavis?

Dr. Clavis (?): Silence, servant! You will know your place and speak only when spoken to. This disrespect is unworthy of those who serve the Ghost Lord!

The museum guide fell silent.

The Galarian Museum, A few minutes later

Inside, Cady would meet an elderly man dressed in samurai panoply. Beside him was a thievul and three aides, who appeared to be wearing hakama. Two of the aides appeared to be wielding mops as makeshift spears, while the other one wore Nerd Glasses. The armored old gentleman looks at the intruder. His eyes (and those of his thievul and his retinue) glowed a sickly magenta.

Behind them, of course, was a giant, sinister-looking Runerigus. In the ghost's clutches was a lantern that glowed bright pink.

Elderly Man: Intruders! What brings you to the treasure room of the Ghost Lord?!

Edited by MasterJayAM on Apr 17th 2021 at 6:37:40 PM

Glimwood Tangle

<Ah, [Star Wars]! I have heard about these movies but never actually watched them.>

Galarian Museum

"Grand cosmic coincidence," the third person summarized. "We wanted to come here, so we did. And you were here. But why were you about to call them?" Their ear flicked in curiosity.

Edited by AbsentCoder on Apr 1st 2021 at 3:14:22 AM

Galarian Museum, Trouble Strikes...

Salem: Alright!

-Salem takes a Poké Ball off of his belt.-

Salem: Marion... Appear!

-Salem throws the Poké Ball into the air and opens. But Marion is not the only one to appear from out of their ball. The second Pokémon is Croaku, a Toxicroak with an impulsive streak.-

Marion: <You called for me, Salem?>

Croaku: <CROA-HA-HA-HEE!!>

-Salem facepalms.-

Salem: Croaku, I didn't call for you!

Croaku: <But ya look like you could use some serious muscle! In that case, leave it to me!>

-Croaku rushes in and tries his best to menace Dr. Clavis.-

Croaku: <Awright, poindexter! You either step aside and let the missus work, or someone's gonna be a little scratched up by the time we're done...>

Salem: Marion! Use Psychic on whatever stole the lantern!

-Marion's eyes glowed an eerie blue as she attempts to unleash a psychic energy blast at the lantern thief.-

The Galaran Museum

... Mmmmmyeah this feels about right for today.

-Yeah there's a person here who is probably mostly identifiable as Gale, though with shorter hair and a very well-made business formal suit (that only slightly smells of printer toner) and also just a big white sword hovering behind her-

I was invited by you. Or, at the very least, some previous iteration thereupon. I believe my 'cousin'—

-She says, doing some massive air quotes-

—recommended me to you for matters of Ranseian history?

The Galarian Museum, breaking in

The "thing" flickers into view. The entity was a large, monstrous, glitchy Runerigus. The runes in its body, of course, weren't [Nordic] runes as they would be if this creature were of Galar, but characters that, upon close inspection, were actually [Kanji] characters.

Malacostra's efforts to hold the lantern were in vain. The runerigus pulls it from her grasp completely (somehow) and opens it. The flash of bright magenta light flashed at Malacostra, Salem, the Hunter grunts, and their pokémon. It compelled them to obey.

Marion would find that her own efforts to counteract the beast's powers were in vain. The thing's powers, whatever they were, were too strong. And it continued to grow in power.

Soon, the runerigus finally held the lantern in his hands. He turned to Dr. Clavis and his assistant. He appears to be speaking through Dr. Clavis.

Dr. Clavis (?): My honor will not be insulted by the beasts of bandits! Servant!

Guide: Yes, Katsuragi-sama!

Dr. Clavis: Fetch me my sword.

The Guide opens a case and hands Dr. Clavis a nodachi still in its scabbard. He pulls it out and points it menacingly at the hunters.

Dr. Clavis as Katsuragi: Let me make it easy for you to understand. Serve the forces of Spectra. Serve the Ghost Lord. Hail Mitama!

The Galarian Museum, Ghost Lord Exhibit

Surrounding Cady, Gale, and Colton/Kamui were, in fact, a lot of ancient Ranseian treasures. Most of which were tastefully arranged, though some of the exhibit cases—those for weapons, armor, and polearms, were broken. Fine sand seemed to coat the floors. The armored man looked at them with contempt, yet softened the look on his eyes upon seeing Gale. It's as if he could recognize her.

Elderly Man: History? What history? Bandits have no love of history. Or of the glories they represent.

He raises his hand, and a bunch of grunts now wearing all sorts of mismatched historical armor they fleeced off the rest of the museum approach the group.

Guide: Katsuragi-sama, it's her!

Katsuragi: You, my lady, needn't introduce yourself. Servant! Fetch tea for the Princess of Spectra. Ashigaru, defend her from these impudent interlopers!

He turns to one of the traditional portraits of the Ghost Lord and bows before it in reverence. Five of the grunts from earlier move forward.

Katsuragi: Don't worry, My Ghost Lord! I know you can't be here to personally protect your heir but your faithful right hand is ever on call. Barbarians, you shall soon taste the lash of Katsuragi Suzaku.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Apr 3rd 2021 at 1:27:10 AM

Galarian Museum

Two conflicting goals at once, in a detonation of pitch and pyre, Colton and Kamui broke apart, no longer one individual.

"Well, that was fun." They nodded, their final statement in unison before they fixed their jackets, both holding a formless sphere of their respective elements, ready to go on the offensive.

"Careful not to kill. I would have expected you to do so first. Well, at least don't damage the museum goods. That much I can't promise. Well make an effort!"

Galaran Museum

W-whoa hey, hold up.

-Gale's mind was ticking pretty quickly today. The ostensible leader of these deathly-serious-LARPers just recognized her lineage. She could very much lean into this-

These people who have arrived with me are no petty bandits, they are... I suppose they consist of my retinue, albeit a rag-tag group of one. It is... Unfortunate how diminished my sire's estate has become, especially after it had been looted following the rebellion.