Hammerlocke Banquet, far past

-To Gale-

A bit further afield than that.

-Much quieter-

The sort involving the use of a certain Unovan tree.

Stormchaser, past

-To Ever-

Hmm.

Diplo's Dreepy: <Yay, violence!>

Pugh: -Raising her tentacle fists- <Violence!>

Isle of Armor

That Aura... it feels like a-

-Suddenly Castanea-

...Yes.

Edited by rmctagg09 on May 20th 2021 at 2:41:55 PM

Prector III, Sector 3

-Gale had spent a lot of the travel time prepping; both food for what she hoped was hungry refugees and herself for the dreaded possibility of a trap. Of course, eventually the ship made land and Gale's vague fear subsided as she headed out with a box of rations to catch up to the rest of the group talking to a... Lucario. Wearing armor. With that visor...-

...

-Gale carefully set the box down-

Captain, is this what I think it is..?

Hammerlocke Banquet, Dragons

-The dragon twins sigh and roll their eyes in synchronicity-

Takcorian: Yeah go on, if you're gonna chew us out for literally being dragons then go for it.

Luperian: We've heard it all before.

-They each kind of feign in different directions as they put on their best 'hero' impressions-

Luperian: "Foul beast, die like your accursed sire!"

Takcorian: "Return to the Void from whence you came, fiend!"

Luperian: It's so... Tiring.

Hammerlocke Banquet, Gale

... Okay now I'm even more intrigued because I think I've been a little out of the loop...

Oblivion Wing, In Another World

Shutter: Wait, like the Jackal from the TV show? Like, don't get me wrong. I know he's based on a real vigilante from the actual Aurabolts who hides in the shadows a lot.

Upton: Those Aurabolts? They killed us? I mean, the version of us that was in—

Shutter: Oh, the desiccated mummies in the PEFE dump in Orre that you say were your corpses back home?

The rotomphone floated upward. He seems rather pensive, or as pensive as a rotom could be.

Phineas: That would certainly explain a lot about how they've generally kept their distance from us. It must've taken awhile to learn that we were nothing like them.

Upton: I'm... sorry. Gimme a moment to process this.

Shutter: Take your time, bro. I can't imagine how much this revelation must feel for the both of you.

Phineas: Oh, I'm taking well. I analysed everything I could back when we were in the scrapyard. The me in your home timeline and I were uncomfortably similar yet very much divergent. For one, he actually let that hack Elizabeth Tonio get the better of him.

Shutter: Didn't she murder you?

Phineas: She killed me, of course, but the fact that she did it thoroughly meant I could turn the tables on her. Judging from the amount of entropy in my corpse when I saw it, your version of me was stuck in a long coma before he perished.

Shutter: How'd you know that?

Phineas: I've worked with coroners before and my alternate self's mummy was frighteningly well preserved. Apparently we did the same thing in this universe and situated our facility so close to a natron deposit.

Shutter: Still, shouldn't you be freaked out?

Phineas: I've been made aware of my alternate self's sins by one of the members of the organization that took control of my old work site. They merely confirmed my decisions. Even without her details, I knew something was amiss when I noticed that my companion's corpse didn't have a central nervous system. I was a horrible man before, and a much worse man in your reality. The Jackal and his companions meted out punishment well deserved.

Shutter: Is it bad if I say I relate to that?

Phineas: Oh, yes, the reports of the awkward cyborg who tries to arrest fallers who happened to be your son in a different timeline.

Shutter: I understand the worry that deep down, there's a part of you who's like him. Jon and Tommy told me about him and it makes me worry that I'd be a worse father than my dad. The Phineas in our timeline, you kind of fear that'd somewhere, deep down, he's still around... in you. It's a scary thought.

Phineas: Yes, that is accurate. A horrible reminder of what I was.

Shutter: And what of Upton?

Phineas: Remember what I told you about how I developed the Adonis project? We were working on a way to build a better pokémon. Grafting technology onto living specimens was only our first step. We had plans on creating something we claimed was better. Simply grow the tissue around a robotic frame. This would combine machine and nature for a better, more improved being. One more subservient to humans since we can replace the central nervous system with robotics. We called it the FutureSeries.

Shutter: Sounds like something out of [Ghost in the Shell].

Phineas: We had... big plans for that project. We managed to acquire Zapdos DNA samples. That's when everything diverged. See, since the folly in Kanto, we thought legendary DNA was unstable.

Shutter: Yeah, the "suspend it in human cells" deal.

Phineas: We called it the Adonis project. A cloned legendary was the goal, though we only went as far as creating one cellular chimaera. Since the Missing No incident, we've had no frame of reference on how to clone and modify a legendary without a cellular suspension from a "superior species". But back in your timeline, they did it with Mewtwo. One would presume that my counterpart thought it less troublesome to graft the cloned tissues without a matrix on a FutureSeries frame.

Upton: The outcome was the same. They created a being with a power of a legendary in the shape of a human. Adonis came from the word for "Lord" in [Canaanite]. They wanted to make a god in their image, but failed both times. I'm the failure who lived.

Phineas: My counterpart's Adonis was never going to be an independent being. He shaped it like an anthropomorphic god, but all he accomplished was a meat puppet. The Jackal and his allies may have ended the biological processes of your alternate self, but it was the alternate me who killed you.

Upton: What are you getting at, exactly?

Phineas: It may have been you, in a sense, but it couldn't have ever become anything like who you are now.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Jul 4th 2021 at 6:03:09 PM

<It wasn' an easy decision, but the you here, well he was a stubborn bastard,> Snakeye admitted.

<I joined later so I only heard about it, apparently Grant-Dono still worries about whether or not he made the right call,> Blackquill added.

<His distance is mostly just him trying to process how to best talk to you, he's worried about saying the wrong thing,> Snakeye finished.

<I... I think it is Gale,> Stylus admitted, <That's why I wanted to go here.>

More Lucarios stepped out, all wearing various styles of armor, with similar helms and a very familiar visor shape... and from there came other mons, some were Machamps, Gengars, A Blastoise stood out... every single one was wearing armor with a similar helm.

Ribbon stared, <Babe... the hell?>

<You may call me the armorer, and I see you have not only brought fuel, but food as well. Good, we accept your offering, I will have my shipwrights fix up and upgrade your vessel,> the lead said.

Stylus nodded, still in shock.

The armor motioned for the party to follow her as she lead them out to the encampment, <You there. The captain of the vessel, no need to hide yourself.>

<Hide?> Stylus asked.

<The shape you wear is only partially yours, I can see the shadow of your true self. Come, do not worry, we are not here to judge.>

Stylus and Ribbon looked at each other, did she see that through aura sight?

Silas removed his scarf and resumed human shape, "Y-You can see that?"

<I see many things, and I do not care much for allies to hide themselves in falsehoods. This is the way.>

Hammerlocke Banquet, Dreamers and wait...

Me: Wait...

Evelyn: ...what?

Evelyn and I: You're dragons?!

Hatty: <That explains their names...>

Piku-chan: <Guess my Thunderbolt wouldn't have fazed them too badly...>

-Ian and Evelyn go all starry-eyed and their excitement intensifies.-

Me: TWINCOOL!

Evelyn: Holy Hecate, that's so cool!

Over the [Atlantic] Ocean

Gabrielle: "So Galar was, how you say-"

Elizabeth: "A bust."

Gabrielle: "Oui. I suppose we may have better luck in Unova. The Entree Forest is a place of power, much like the Glimwood Tangle. I wonder...is it repaired yet?"

Luca: "Repaired?"

Gabrielle: "You'll recall my former employers. Remember? Cracks in the sky, the Final Shell, this ship, kaiju in Kalos, and so on."

Elizabeth: "I hope it's repaired. From what I've heard it's like...like an electrical ground, right?"

-Gabrielle nods and turns towards the cockpit.-

Gabrielle: "Rest, Zelel. I will fly for now."

Zelel: <Understood.>

-Elizabeth grimaces as she adjusts her position, her stomach flaring up with pain.-

Luca: "You-"

Elizabeth: "Fine. Just gonna meditate."

Luca: "Alright."

Hammerlocke Banquet, past

-To Gale-

From back when the skies turned red.

Isle of Armor

Castanea: <Hm.>

Fairly Obviously Abilene: Castanea? What—

Castanea: <Someone.>

-a Beat-

-emerging from the brush: Truth [wrong PC] to shame or blame mankind:-

Abilene: -nearly identically- ...hm.

-clad today in Blackglasses, well-worn sneakers, green plaid flannel, and overalls the color of moss-

-...retaining her very distinctive mint-green^* not quite right, but I can't quite seem to find the right shade hair-

Abilene: -drawing hauteur around herself like a cloak- ...possess any particularly fresh Max Shrooms in your favor, stranger? I am capable of compensating handsomely.

-her earrings are green and leaf-shaped-

Castanea: -looms threateningly-

(Abilene: -waves exasperatedly-)

Castanea: -...looms sullenly-

That's Not A Natu: -bork-

Isle of Armor, yesterday

Limna: -Notices the very distinct aesthetic and starts heating up-

-Taps Limna once and shakes head-

No, I don't think she's here for us.

-To Abilene, tentatively holding a Max Shroom-

Macraul?

Rakshasa: -Confused- <What's a Macraul?>

Hitodama: <Family of collectors, we've had our run-ins with them a couple years back.>

Doppler: <Are they going to be problem?>

Hitodama: <Only if they're dumb enough to pick a fight.>

Edited by rmctagg09 on May 21st 2021 at 2:29:11 PM

Isle of Armor, yesterday

-Abilene gets a really weird look on her face-

-before she sighs, fishing a Balm Mushroom from one of the overall's pockets-

Abilene: Not only someone familiar enough with my name to recognize it on sight -here she takes a curl of hair between her fingers- but firm enough in his dealings there not to be cowed by it. Delightful.

-...then she actually smiles for the barest, briefest instant, wry-

Abilene: -neutral face- Say what you will about me, but I'm no fool. Take this, and do what you will with it.

-with gargantuan fingers, Castanea conducts the mushroom-swap with all the self-importance of someone hosting a black-market exchange-

-Lanatus looks right at Limna, and Abilene tilts her head-

Abilene: ...from the, ah, unique appearance of your firefowl there, I assume the particular individual you've had dealings with is great-uncle Paul?

-Castanea lets out a low whistle at that-

(-not...Grasswhistle, as it is banned in Galar regional limits not available to Chesnaught, no matter how beef-substitute-y-)

Wyndon Stadium

Elton: <He does? Why is that? Oshawittle isn't part Fighting-type!>

Ballonlea Stadium Entrance Room

Kim: "I saw. Congratulations to both of them."

The Wild Area Bond or Break

Kim: "Jagger— you're the most mischievous one of the entire group."

Potential Palace

(And then the Consultant and Triton actually hear the enemy and glance at each other in shock.)

The Consultant: "As I thought. There is an enemy here." (She turns to face the source of the voice.) "Surrender."

Triton: Or else... you shall feel our wrath.

Isle of Armor, yesterday

-To Abilene-

One of them, after he stole Limna from me for a while, one of the others was going to make a friend of mine a taxidermy piece. I ended up getting even with both of them.

Limna: <I still think Tagg should've let me boil him...>

Wyndon Stadium, Stands

Hatty: <I don't mean a type disadvantage, Elton...>

Wyndon Stadium, Ian VS Daisuke

-Oshawittle stares down Matilda.-

Hatty: -from the stands- <Oshawittle sees himself as a knight, brave and true. Because of this, he abides by a code of chivalry.>

-Oshawittle reflects on the day he first met Dot, then looks at Matilda again and begins to falter slightly.-

Hatty: -from the stands- <Such a code entails courtesy towards the ladies. As such, Oshawittle cannot let a lady he protects come to harm, nor can he bring himself to harm a lady. Even though his love is for Dot, it's abundantly clear that Oshawittle cannot bring himself to harm Matilda, and that is where his disadvantage lies.>

Oshawittle: <I... I'm sorry, Ian, but I cannot...>

Me: Huh? Of course...

Oshawittle: <I cannot bring myself to harm her. Though my love doth belong to another, I shall extend my courtesy to all ladies.>

-Oshawittle bows to Matilda with great respect.-

Oshawittle: -to Matilda- <Please forgive me, m'lady, but I cannot bring myself to do battle with you...>

Matilda: -quietly- <I understand quite well, young knight... Thou hast a code of chivalry to uphold, so I shan't fight you in turn.>

Me: I understand, Oshawittle. Honestly, had I known that Matilda'd be Daisuke's next Pokémon, I wouldn't have sent you into battle. Return for now, Osahwittle.

-Ian calls the knightly Oshawittle back to his Poké Ball.-

Wild Area, Bond or Break

Jagger:    <You got me! It was my talk of mischief, wasn't it? No matter, the point is, I have many ideas for pranks rattlin' 'round in my head! Now, to ask ya something, what prank did I pull on you and your friends when we first met?>   

Ballonlea Stadium Lobby

Me: So I guess you know what's gotta happen now...

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on May 21st 2021 at 8:31:46 AM

Wyndon Stadium— Stands

Kim: "Oh, that's right... I should have known..."

Elton: <It's okay, Kim! That's not something you 'ave to worry about!> (then, to himself) <Wonder who Ian's gonna send out next, though...>

The Wild Area— Bond or Break

Kim: "You stole my phone and then sent Ian and Evelyn a video that Rickrolled them. And you were very annoyed when they didn't react to it the way you thought they would."

Ballonlea Stadium

Kim: "Daisuke's battle in Wyndon. That I know. But now..." (She takes out two PokeBalls.) "There's one other thing I have to do."

(She throws them, and in a flash appear the newly-evolved Ozzy and Grohl. Upon seeing Ian and Evelyn, Ozzy simply nods, and Grohl runs up to hug Ian and Evelyn.)

Grohl: <Ian! Evelyn~! Did you see us?>

Isle of Armor

Abilene: What? Oh, Nat. -waves hand- He had that coming, yes. My most gracious pardons for subjecting me to his impassioned rants on the matter afterward.

Castanea: -sniff- <Cousin Nathaniel. One doesn't typically separate a Macraul from their hoard so painlessly, no matter how…tacky, its contents.>

-he flicks his fingers-

Abilene: Kudos on your repeated triumphs. Kindly refrain from testing your mettle against mine.

Castanea: -folds arms- <Please refrain from boiling any member of the ignoble house of Macraul. I would hate to crush you.>

Abilene: Not that it wouldn't be justified.

Castanea: -eyeroll- <Most esteemed collector mine, I entreat thee: cease encouraging the continued thwarting and ruin of your only relatives.>

Abilene: -shrug- If he hasn't caught Grandmother's eye yet, he is either wise or ultimately inconsequential. It'll be good for them. Like an Epsom salt bath.

Prector III

Okay, I guess we're doing this.

-Gale twitches a little-

Just saying? I know you're talking about Cap but on my end I hope you'll appreciate that my helmet stays on. I hope you'll also appreciate this hot sauce, it's fresh.

Hammerlocke Banquet, Dragons

-The twins look... Actually a little confused-

Takcorian: You... You only just..?

Luperian: Huh, okay. I honestly thought we were almost too obvious.

Hammerlocke Banquet, Gale

Oh. Maybe I'll tag along, been meaning to check in on the local variant...

Hammerlocke Banquet

(Cuddles then pauses— and realizes something.)

Cuddles: <Oh no~! I almost forgot!>

(He promptly jumps off of Braker's shoulder and goes over to the dragons, waving at them.)

Cuddles: <Hello~! My name is Cuddles~! I'm Leonard Braker's Galvantula; do you want a hug?>

Hammerlocke Banquet, past

-To Gale-

Planned on seeing a certain city in particular, I think it's time now.

Isle of Armor, yesterday

-Shrugs-

I figured it was a fair trade, I got my friend back, he got to keep his life.

-Immediately starts taking a bite of Seaking-

Stormchaser Training Bay

Well that was... lucky, huh? Daydre frowns. I.. don't feel like she was like this in the matches of hers I've seen. Then again... different situations, different behaviour. It's probably nothing.

Sylvie disengages and avoids the worst of it, but still ends up borne back (and shocked, mildly) by the current.

.. Maybe shouldn't try that again, what else can I... Oh. Hm. Could try that...

Daydre relays a quick couple words over thought and Sylvie turns towards Fray. An entrancing beam flies through the air towards her, bringing with it thoughts of sleep.

Studio Palace

Whatever Daze was going to say has been said by the others already, so she just tries to look menacing instead.

Isle of Armor

Abilene: A remarkable attitude to take!

Castanea: -eyeroll, again- <One that he can live with, I'm sure.>

-and with that, her quips are expended-

-and there's a tiny audience to Tagg, eating that Seaking, here in the Isle of Armor-

Abilene: ...

-Abilene kind of just stands there—if she had one whit less poise, it would almost come across as awkward-

Lanatus: -chorp-

-...she takes a few steps back, leaning her cane against a nearby tree-

-retrieves a granola bar from somewhere, and takes a delicate bite-

-and another-

-...-

Abilene: -at length- ...really, it isn't often that someone gets away without swearing vengeance on my whole family line. Bit of a surprise, really.

-Castanea eyes her and takes a seat—just close enough to interpose if anyone gets any ideas-

(-after a moment, he reaches to the side, into the rustling grass; pulls out a Skorupi, twists it in half, and starts chewing-)

(-ignore him-)

Edited by Asterisk395 on May 21st 2021 at 12:56:55 PM

Isle of Armor, past

-To Abilene-

I didn't catch your name, it'd be a little weird if I just called you "Macraul".

Ballonlea Stadium, Pitch

Hatterene tries to pull away, but Luxray is holding on tight and electricity continues to flow into her.

Bede: Break away, Hatterene!

Hoops: Don't let her go, Luxray!

In the end, Luxray is stronger, and Hatterene is overwhelmed by the powerful electric attack. She falls backwards as Luxray finally lets her go, unconscious.

Referee: Hatterene is unable to battle! Therefore the winner is Challenger Hoops and Luxray.

Luxray turns around and walks towards his trainer.

Luxray: <I hope that my performance was satisfactory, Young Mixter.>

Hoops: It was. Get some rest, you earned it.

They return Luxray to his pokeball and look up at Bede, who is approaching with a face like a wet weekend.

Hoops: So, I suppose you were wrong.

Bede: Perhaps. I wonder if you really showed off your own strength when you just exchanged your team for a better one. I just saw you win with power that belongs to someone else.

Hoops: Well, what do you know about it.

Bede: You'd be surprised. I still think you're weak, but league rules say my own feelings don't matter. So here.

He holds out the Fairy Badge. Hoops takes it with a small nod and adds it to their collection.

Bede: If you're going to listen to any advice, listen to this. Make sure that the strength you're using is your own.

Hoops wordlessly turns and walks out of the stadium.

Edited by theoncominghoop on May 22nd 2021 at 3:00:19 PM

Isle of Armor

-she gives a neutral sort of gesture like "eh, this is a course of action I frequently take to distance myself from anyone who tries to get close to me"-

Abilene: Abilene. And you are...?

Galar Mountains

Alyesha grinned slightly, giving another thumbs up before looking over to Emer - more specifically, she looked at her back, noticing the apparent lack of a backpack or other equipment.

Alyesha: "Awesome~ An well... my tent is big enough for two, so, that won't be a problem~"

She said, pointing to the backpack she wore before explaining.

Alyesha: "I'm fairly certain we'll be able to make it in two days~ Three if we're taking our time~ so, as long as you've got no problems with the cold, we're all set~"

Krasnaya meanwhile grinned under her helmet, scurrying over to Alyesha and climbing up her until she came to rest on her trainer's shoulder.

Krasnaya: <But don't get any weird ideas like challenging her for a fight half the way up, because then you'll have to deal with me~!>

She said, puffing her chest out slightly in an effort to look more imposing (but in the end probably looking moe cute than anything else).

Isle of Armor, past

-To Abilene-

Tagg.