Wyndon Stands

Kim: "Ah. That explains it."

Elton: <Ian battled the Kanto Gym Leaders?!>

Kim: "Apparently."

The Wild Area, BOB

Kim: "Nope. You're a pacifist. You battle with wits."

Hammerlocke Banquet

Orbeetle: <Yeah. You'd think they'd start to, honestly.>

Centiskorch: <Indeed.>

Shiny Joltik: (giggles) <That was funny~!>

Paul: <It sure was.>

(Kim promptly looks on in delight, before eventually she feels something tug on her shirt. Confused, she turns- and sees Elton standing there.)

Kim: "Elton? What are you...?"

Elton: <You should catch 'em!>

Kim: (a bit surprised) "Catch them?"

Elton: <Of course! They seem like pretty nice Pokémon~!>

(Kim looks over at the three other Bug mons for a few moments- then over at Elton. She pauses for a few seconds in contemplation- then nods. Delighted, Elton lights up.)

Elton: <YES!>

(Kim nods, then goes over to the three bugs.)

Kim: "Excuse me?"

(The Orbeetle, Centiskorch, and Shiny Joltik look up at Kim.)

Orbeetle: <Yes? What the bloody hell do you want? Did you come here to admire me?>

Centiskorch: (to the Orbeetle) <Please stop.> (then, to Kim) <Yes?>

Shiny Joltik: <'Ello there!>

Kim: (smiles) "Hello there, cute Shiny Joltik." (then, to the bugs) "I'd like to catch all three of you."

(And as soon as she says that, a cavalcade of different reactions emerge. The Orbeetle blinks in stunned disbelief, the Centiskorch raises an eyebrow, and the Shiny Joltik's eyes light up in delight.)

Orbeetle: <A-are you pulling my leg?!>

Centiskorch: <Really...?>

Shiny Joltik: <Y-you're going to catch me?! I-I'm gonna 'ave a Trainer?!>

Kim: "Indeed."

Shiny Joltik: <YES-!> (he jumps up into the air in delight)

Kim: "Well, you seem rather excited."

Shiny Joltik: <I am! I ne'er fough' I'd get a Trainer!>

Orbeetle: <Really, why's that?>

Shiny Joltik: <I fink I'll explain la'er.>

Orbeetle: <Ah.> (then, to Kim) <Alright, then! Catch me, go on!>

Kim: "Very well, then." (she turns to face Ian and Evelyn) "Ian? Evelyn? I'm going to catch the bugs."

Circhester

Kim: "Indeed."

Braker: (smirking) "I certainly am."

Wild Area, Distant Pool

All of Daydre's team take the Waves with varying degrees of efficacy. Of note, Azure faints outright and Friendo doesn't seem particularly bothered. The Punisher keeps his Protect up, but it's looking more and more fragile by the moment. Rain starts to slip through here and there.

Daydre is about to tell troublesome and Hellebore to repeat what they did when the battlefield on Tagg, Megan, and Kai's side explodes. Her concentration is broken for a second.

"Megan?"

And in that second, a Snorlax erupts from the ice and divebombs- KO'ing troublesome. Beneath the Snorlax with him, Hellebore hangs on by a thread. A slow-moving and inaccurate pulse of cold expands beneath it, fired point blank by a somewhat incensed ice fox.

For good measure, Friendo starts laying sticky, encumbering silk around the raid dens.

And...

Oh, right.

The twinkle is light from above the cloud layer reflecting off a set of horns! Empoleon horns, in fact. Belonging to a very confused Empoleon falling from the sky at something approaching terminal velocity. An Empoleon rotating round and round like a feathered bullet, a protective coating of water surrounding him like a shroud. An Empoleon headed straight for Vee, incidentally.

Galar Beach, Past

"Yeah, she's.. good at hiding that. Perks of growing up around a bunch of Hattena-line mons, I guess."

The look on her face goes a bit beyond simple concern for a second, so.. probably the latter.

Lee House, Closed Door

Hm, weird. Maybe it is some kind of video? Looks pretty real though...

Daydre then realizes she's been looking for quite a bit and moves aside for Hazel.

"Whoops, sorry about that."

Silas looked over the blueprints, then down to the pile of parts, "Attunement good?" he asked.

Hacks nodded, ~We're doing fine, you've got this down... somehow.~

Snakeye hefted up parts for the sword, <So... how exactly does his powers work?>

Silas was about to respond, and realized he didn't actually know. He had written it down but he had forgotten it, all he knew it involved rules and illusions, well this was embarrassing, "Bishop call Mercury please."

"We really need to get him another name Captain."

There was a ringing and then, "Hello?"

"Hey, Mercury. Doctor Grant here," Silas said holding up a mechanical hand, glad the ship could act as a bluetooth speaker, "Got some questions about your powers."

"Wait you're a doctor?" Mercury asked.

"Doctorate in Engineering, I work with Team Asimov, my job kind of requires the doctorate, long story, not the point," he said setting the hand down, "You said your powers work off rules. How does that work?"

"Illusions and Constructs are designed to fool senses, I've found mine can in effect work like real things so long as they follow some rules. For instance I can make a flame that is hot, but if I make it behave more and more like a real flame, then the stronger it gets. However that can also make it vulnerable to the weaknesses of real flames," Mercury answered.

Silas nodded, "So it's one thing to make a jet of fire, it's another thing to make it super hot to burn anything like actual flame."

"Right, I can impart heat but I can't impart burning," Mercury continued, "Projectiles I can form but unfortunately I can't just say I fired them, because then they only go as far as my ability to throw."

Silas smirked a bit, that gave him room to work, "Uh-huh... so you're essentially a writer trying to remain consistent to avoid breaking the immersion. The illusions only last so long as you can convince others they are real."

"Yep," Mercury confirmed, "Technically this makes me a failed experiment, but enh, screw those guys anyways."

Silas looked to the blueprints he had for other arms, "I can work with that, do note this will make things a little more expensive but I may be able to widen the variety of things you can do with your powers."

"Hey I got the money, I can pay for it no problem," Mercury answered.

"Thank you for your time, I'll let you know when I'm done," Silas said, before giving a clap to hang up the call, "Thank you Bishop."

"Of course Captain."

Snakeye and Hacks stared at the Medium tools in progress, ~We're building him prosthetics that can act as medium tools aren't we?~

Silas grinned.

Galar Beach, past

So "friends" in the non-platonic way then.

-To Jacqueline-

Not the first time I've met someone virtually raised by given mons.

Nacrene City, today

-At a fruit store-

Rakshasa: <Wait, so why are we at this "Mr. Watmel" place anyway?>

Fruit's cheap and it's open 24/7, so I can just show up here no matter the time zone.

Wild Area, Distant Pool - Storm Breaking

Megan: -facepalm, grinning- ...oh of course!

-she reaches out a hand, and a shot glass forms in it—barely half a second, and it's full of rainwater-

-...made of it-

-she chugs it down, then the "glass" itself-

-now-

-first, and arguably most urgently: Scramble's Dreepy meet no resistance, lodging within Molybdenum's racing heart without issue-

-Vee, focused wholly on tearing out that heart with her teeth and eating it in the marketplace, is startled to find herself careening headlong into a skillet on supernatural flame-

Vee: -frying- ?!?!

   Hiro: Wha-?! E   ver—!

-he flails his instrument of destruction, but—ever seen a high-pressure and low-pressure front colliding?-

-yeah, she's stuck on there but good-

Molybdenum: -listening, watching:- ...

-second (and arguably most urgently):-

Human!Lapis: ...bwah?

-Megan but with buck teeth registers the actual state of the person she's 'distracting'-

Human!Lapis: Bwah!!

-she starts digging one-handed for...a Max Potion? Will a Max Potion help in this scenario??-

Human!Lapis: -wiggling fingers inside the gauntlet trap- bwbwbwbw...

-...given the Contract, it's equally likely that it's something to comfortably knock them out with, but-

-any and all efforts are interrupted by angry colorbug-

-Megan's armor is smashed to pieces, scattering shards every which way—melting into little puddles of liquid metal where they land-

-being human at the time, this is decidedly not a pleasant experience for Lapis—there's an uncomfortable crack as she's sent flying-

-but the armor breaking whisks off the Scarf, and the being that faceplants into unconsciousness on a nearby pillar is a Whismur, so-

-it's...probably fine...?-

(-look at the other end—Megan barely seems to register that Kai's injured at all-)

Megan: -beam- Glad you're enjoying it...! I designed it just—for—you.

(-"you" plural, perhaps—Tagg should catch up without issue-) -third-

Molybdenum: ...

-forget telepathy, one can see the thoughts racing through her head, helmeted and soaked as it is beneath the pouring rain-

-can she leverage this instant of distraction, she ponders, gazing at her most tireless enemy—the raging creature with cracks between the scales, she can see given a moment to breathe-

-what else does this girl have in her pockets she wonders, even as the opposing party dismantles their contents, just as they say-

-perfected—potent—expendable— something echoes—-

- —bodies and bodies across generations for even the smallest margin of victory, the barest smidgen of progress-

-...the rain halts-

Pippy: -soaring, stabilized- <Here we are.>

-Ever and Arc would know, having trained with Megan—the telltale bead of a Hydro Cannon overwriting fluid momentum all through the room-

Pippy: -through a gauzy curtain of motionless droplets- <Haven't taught you all our tricks yet, son!>

-all across the battlefield, now—all up the sky-

-the sky split by one last Stun Shock—he grins his birdy grin to see it intercepted by a further Soul Drain-

Pippy: -proud, that way Empoleon are- <Years too early to inherit the family farm.>

-the power chord rakes the heavens—ready for it, it's absorbed wholesale into the storm's body, carving chunks free—lightning crackling all up and down the thunderhead-

(-moderately uncomfortable perhaps for any airborne Empoleon-)

Molybdenum: -to Hitodama, weakly- Only that?

-it's difficult, profoundly difficult—to establish a link that doesn't reveal something of both ends-

Molybdenum: Where I come from, my body'd already be cool.

-more difficult still, from the mind, to deny readings done from the soul-

~...this...is not the conquest I planned.~

-live to fight another day, rather than die and be soulbound—if some unassuming rando could produce this, what wonders could emerge from a veteran adventurer with a mind like an especially witty filing cabinet? a fine analytical soul?-

-let's help-

Molybdenum: -waving her arms: 'stop'- Stand down! Enough!

-fifth, and arguably most urgently-

Pollen: -poke, with a Pollen Puff- <C'mon, Thespi, you gotta be okay…>

-there is no terminal velocity!-

V-Max!Vee: -with interest- <<Oh??>>

-Thespi's Tailwind, calibrated just so, did...a lot of things, but for simplicity's sake let's say it set the "inertia" property near null-

-the Vee that remained on this side of the portal and ascended in rain—she's put on a show of becoming the tempest: the tremendous eye in the sky peering down at the battle, the voice booming from the storm, the claws and fangs descending to take their toll from her foes—the friends of her kin-

-said storm is drawn inexorably toward the most powerful Water signature she's seen in ages-

V-Max!Vee: <<......wh>>

-and finds itself unable, not unwilling, to draw away-

<<Let GO OF ME.>>

-there's a myth that sinking ships create sinkholes that drag swimmers down, to join them in a watery grave-

-in truth, most ships sink too slowly—designed too hydrodynamically, displacing too little—to produce an effect of this kind-

-accelerating without end, EMPEROR tears from skybound concealment a creature like a titanic cyclopean Octillery, her spindly tentacles threading the vortex from one end to the other-

-they cling to the remaining five Rain-beams like trellises, fighting a pull beyond gravity-

- —the beams that flicker and waver, their emitters covered in web— -

-...and just as she's ripped free, the storm's eye is drawn to another locus of power-

V-Max!Vee: <<!>>

-her son, incandescent in glory, drawing the storm about his shoulders as brightly—as quietly and inevitably—as the moon at perigee-

V-Max!Vee: <<I'm...I—!!>>

-she marshals her strength even as the barest scraps of her drain from the fringes of the storm by IMPERIAL decree, too-large form withering beyond the influx of the Power Spots-

-and she sees-

V-Max!Vee: -whole and entire- <<...I'm so fucking proud.>>

-cataclysm-

Pippy: -staring up, and up- <...oh.>

Megan: -awed- Oh!

-Arc's beam cores her-

-piercing the storm's pupil, setting the iris alight from within, outright disintegrating vitreous from cornea to retina—rending limbs to pieces all through the cloud-

-EMPEROR's pull unmatched—Vee's lifetime of experience coming undone rather than be unmade stonewalled by one more versed in sheer unstoppable force-

(Molybdenum: -to Ever- Yeah, enough. Let's get out of here.)

-she becomes a subject unmoving-

Megan: ...a—!

-between them they blaze a brilliant track from the lowest-lying mist through the thunderhead's anvil-

- —anchor and engine, forged in twain—-

-...and moonlight shines through a column of cloudless sky-

(-caught in a memory that should have stayed banished under Contract, Pippy levels the Hydro Cannon at his own son, half-unseeing-)

-and Diplo, stealth true to form, arrows from the ether-

Pippy: -pained- <—!>

-the Cannon bursts, the rain falls, the key to the Nexus explodes from his chest and dissolves, lost—-

Megan: You—wait!

-an Empoleon and second Vaporeon coalesced strike the earth, unmoving-

Megan: -racing forward- !!

-posture loosed from Contractual perfection, it's the most emotion she's shown all day—

Megan: (-ba-bump-)

-she scans their bodies for injury with her good arm and the grace of experience, her wits only half returned-

Megan: (-ba-bump-)

-...and then she looks at Kai-

Megan: (-ba-bu...-)

-she looks at Kai, with the least emotion she's shown in her life-

Megan: ...

Edited by Asterisk395 on Jun 10th 2021 at 2:09:28 PM

Wyndon Stadium, Ian VS Daisuke

Me: Oshawittle, use Swords Dance!

Daisuke: Blasty, use Flash Cannon!

-Oshawittle takes his scalchop off of his tummy, draws his sword and begins to dance hypnotically, showing off his swordplay as though asking the gods of the blade for strength. Blasty aims his shoulder cannons at Oshawittle and fires a steely beam of light at Oshawittle, who parries the beam with a swift movement. With Oshawittle's dance complete, he feels stronger.-

Me: Now, Oshawittle, use Razor Shell!

Daisuke: Blasty, use Iron Defense!

-Oshawittle raises his blade and charges at Blasty, who shimmers with a metallic light as his shell hardens. Oshawittle slashes at the fortified shell, his attacks weakened by the Iron Defense.-

Lee House, Living Room

-Ian and Evelyn, with a strong sense of wonder, look around the room. They see the books on the table and the ad for the Pokæmart on the TV. Their confusion becomes immediately noticeable.-

Evelyn and I: Pokæmart?

Me: I mean, I've heard of Pokémarts, but Pokæmart?

Evelyn: I wish I knew...

-Piku-chan then points out the bookshelf that was moved out of the way to the two trainers.-

Me: What's that? The bookshelf moved?

Evelyn: A secret passageway?

Piku-chan: <Seems that way.>

Hatty: <I'm sure Evelyn's thinking that it might lead to a magical forest library with every fairy tale ever written lining the shelves, with dappled sunlight glinting from the trees.>

Me: That sounds like the kind of place I would look for as well.

-Ian clears his throat before stepping to the side.-

Me: Ladies first.

Evelyn: -giggling- Oh, Ian. How chivalrous of you.

-Evelyn and Hatty walk towards the passageway, with Ian and Piku-chan following close behind. All of them have stars in their eyes at the possibility of them finding the magical library down that mysterious passageway.

Palace of the Maiden's Heart

-Banshee continues to cry, attempting to reduce the defenses of the Reapers and Hetfield.-

Circhester

Yuki: <HAJIME!>^* BEGIN!

Hammerlocke Banquet (Past)

Evelyn: Go right ahead, Kim.

Me: No one's gonna stop you.

Wild Area — Oh Hey The Weather's Nice Again

-As Lapis's contact with Kai is forcefully broken, Kai loses her balance and topples to the ground.-

-As the battle finally winds down, however, she makes a somewhat ill-advised effort to pick herself up and stand— no, she's falling— okay kneel upright.-

Kai: ....ow

-Luckily for her, she can't see the state she's in.-

-Unluckily, Megan absolutely can see.-

-As Kai's vision somewhat clarifies, she brings a hand up to her wounds — primarily, a long gash around her right shoulder, barely missing the neck, and then a spray of axe shrapnel that did hit the side of her neck and face.-

-She pulls her hand away, and stares at the blood on it.-

Kai: ...Thaaat's... not good. Red isn't my color...

-She wipes her hand on her pant leg, which really doesn't help.-

Kai: ...Wanna call it a draw, Meg?

-They grin, and attempt to suppress a couple painful coughs. A few gusty, minty-green wisps of Aura sputter out.-

-Spectrum, meanwhile, is just glaring daggers at Molybdenum, watching for her to do anything arguably harmful to anyone.-

Wild Area, past

-Upon the rain stopping, the armor dissipates along with it-

Damn, almost wondered if I'd have to bust out the Orb...

She's free of Molybdenum's binding, from what I can tell.

-To Megan-

We need to have that arm properly set.

Doc: -Starts doing the Life Dew thing-

Hitodama: -To Molybdenum- <This is the part where we say we're taking you into custody, I don't think your masters care much for failure.>

Victini: -Turning visible, floating next to Molybdenum- <I'd do what she says if I were you.>

-To Molybdenum, calmly-

...It's pretty    merciful    I'd think, you tried to kill us and enthralled my apprentice, my grand-apprentice, and her mons and forced us to    fight    them, on top of planning to sell three of our number back into School slavery or worse, your options are about as limited as a Wishiwashi bait ball being assailed by Wailord. I have far stronger mons than the ones you've met if you'd like to    continue.   

Edited by rmctagg09 on Jun 10th 2021 at 11:43:57 AM

Polity, Team Meeting

Cap, I think I kinda know what's happening here and it's super dangerous?

-The Nightingale tilts her head to the side-

I'm honestly kind of surprised that the obscure lore is true, even if just for this universe. But I can explain.

Lee House, Subwhere Observatory

-Just as Colton is about to get too comfortable, a laptop gently bracketed to one of the seats lets off a soft chime and chants out in a synthesized voice:-

Sarah Lee has gone to the Forest. Sarah Lee has gone to the Forest. Sarah Lee has gone to the Forest. The Forest. The Forest. Sarah Lee has gone to the Forest.

Lee House, The Forest

-The triangular wall of light is permeable, and stepping through it feels like stepping through a gust of air. Briefly, there is a rushing in your ears and a blinding brightness before your eyes adjust to the new location you are now in:-

-You are standing in a constructed sky. Beneath your feet is a platform of flat alabaster rock jutting out from the side of a massive inverted spire of that same white rock and some kind of bronze metal that the triangular wall of light is built into. Looking out, as far as you can see is an endless expanse of sky with a heavy cloud layer at the bottom and looking up... A distant, but seemingly artificial ceiling. Scattered far out across this sunny and empty expanse are more inverted spires of rock and metal hanging from the ceiling. After a moment a new platform manifests at the edge of the one you arrived on in a flash of white lines; tufts of grass and even a few thin vines cling to the edges of the alabaster rectangular prisms this platform is made of-

-Far off, you can see another group traversing more of those platforms that appear before them and vanish after they leave them-

Wild Area,

Daydre takes a few steps forward, looking between those present and not totally sure where to put her focus first. She doesn't make it very far- as the adrenaline fades the nerve pain from earlier catches up with her.

"Megan-"

For a moment too long her gaze settles on Molybdenum. Daydre stares at her with a cold and intense anger in her eyes. An expression more fitting for her future self. But eventually her concentration breaks back to Megan.

Somewhere off to the side EMPEROR lands. The water surrounding him cushions his fall somewhat, but there's still a very loud thud as he returns to earth. He's pretty sturdy, the fall still looks like it took something out of him. He looks around like he wants to ask what's going on, but refrains for now.

Galar Beach, Past

"Well, not like she was raised mostly by mons or anything, she- er, actually that's more personal stuff I probably shouldn't go into. Gotta stick to the story she's putting out on screen you know?" She laughs, but there's little humor in it.

Wild Area, Distant Pool

Ever: (derogatory) Rabbids. What even is a Rabbid? Is it a pun? On what? It's a fucking Whismur.

Arc: <...Sorry, mom!>

Oracle: (wince) <Sorry, other Arcmom. And sis.>

-Arc and Ever narrow in on Pippy-

That will sting.

Arc: <Uh, dad?>

Oracle: <Ever, what do we—>

Ever: Remain alive.

-and then the last few things go through, and the mons drop-

Arc: <Oh. Well.>

Oracle: <...Just as planned.>

Arc: <I don't believe you!>

Oracle: (defensively, arms crossed) <Well, it was!>

-Ever exhales slightly. Scans everyone slowly, checking for injuries-

Ever: Alright. We're all okay. Nobody's dying...

-they sound like they're trying to reassure themself, or possibly lie to people to make them feel better-

-they pace past the others towards Molybdenum, expression neutral-

Ever: (to Hiro) You'll thank me later.

-they pause, about midway between Tagg and Molybdenum-

-tiny Memito smile-

-just for Molybdenum-

You didn't bring a backup teleporter? Bold choice.

You'll want to grab my hand. The one occupying physical space, to be clear.

Alice's Office, May 11

Brie: Oh, wait, you can heal? Dang. That's...pretty neat.

-she glances at the aforementioned hand magic-

Brie: ...Yeah. Wow.

Edited by memyselfandI2 on Jun 10th 2021 at 10:58:03 AM

Lee House - Ground Control to Major Kendall

He reflexively swung a fist at the source of the noise, only to overcorrect and fall against the glass. "Rude!" He barked before pausing, picking himself up off the surface. "Wait, as in…? Is that bad?"

Lee House - Forest

"Oh dear," Katsuragi shook his head, staggering a bit as he was forced to look up at the ground. "What is… oh Giratina what is this and why."

"Vertigo," Kamui summarized. "C'mon."

Experimentally she threw a stone on the platform to test its stability. If it were stable enough she'd step on.

Edited by AbsentCoder on Jun 10th 2021 at 11:02:19 AM

Pyrite Town, Faction Offices - May 11

-Alice smiles at Kai.-

Alice: I suppose you're right. Minstrel ensures I stay in practice via the more mundane means. He and I have come to share something of a symbiotic relationship. As for nomenclature... well, I would suggest that the anniversary of my birth is occasion enough, but perhaps "sustained" would be a better term?

-She turns to Brie.-

Alice: I can indeed. In fact, I can go so far as to deconstitute myself and reassemble my body's particulars in any suitable area of darkness, a process you would likely refer to as "shadowporting". Want me to demonstrate?

Pyrite Town, Faction Offices - June 2

-Alice tilts her head at Silas with a smirk.-

Alice: I was under the impression that I was part of your "clan" already. What else are the Aurabolts, after all? Unless, of course, our entire friendship has been based solely on physical lust and you only want me for my body.

Edited by Herbert40k on Jun 11th 2021 at 6:19:33 PM

Silas grinned, "Well of course the Bolts are my clan. I just wanted to hear you say it."

He let out a laugh, "And I saw you staring Miss O'Sullivan, physical lust seems to be part of our relationship."

Silas laughed a bit and let out a sigh before just smiling at Alice, "The Bolts are all part of my clan, there is no doubt about that. And if they ask, they may get their own curass, This is the way. So, how about it? Want a suit of Mando armor?"

Lee house, locked door

Hazel: Thanks.

Hazel looks through the keyhole and watches the cycle of scenes.

Hazel: I wonder if there's a way we can get in?

Pyrite Town, Faction Offices - June 2

-Alice chuckles in return - it's infectious, apparently, as are these relationship things.-

Alice: Guilty as charged. As I said, confidence looks good on you, Mister Grant. I am quite grateful to be considered a part of your clan, and will quite happily accept this offer.

-She grins.-

Alice: You might have to take my measurements, though. Wouldn't want to run the risk of it not fitting properly.

"Oh Miss O'Sullivan, of course I'll need to take your measurements," Silas said slyly, "I need to make sure there were any changes since the last time we got them. You and I shall be working very closely to make sure your suit and armor fits you quite well."

Delta and Sphinx got a job from the Guild to collect a rogue Hunter. They also received a priority mission to collect medical data from a Hospital in Saffron, said missions coincide.

Now let us return to that... several months later...

Jack King stepped into the hotel and checked in at the front desk, he had an executive suite booked for a business meeting. He sighed and took the keycard, his faithful charizard Rodan right by his side carrying some suitcases, the two looked old and tired, as if the joys of their youth were gone forever.

The two entered into the hotel room, locked the door, and Jack ran his hands through his hair as his grin returned, "Alright. We're here."

Rodan's evil grin returned, <Time to let the others out?>

Jack looked to Rodan and pondered what he had said, "Really missing translation... yeah probably time for the others to get out. I need to call Sphinx and let him know we're here, if we're lucky this suite also has a Room 101 attached."

Pyrite Town, Faction Offices - June 2

-Alice grins and steps forward to drape her arms around Silas's hips.-

Alice: Understandable. Thankfully, as aforementioned, we have the privacy to do so. And I think my office will be able to serve as a suitable fitting room...

-Let's fade to black at this point, shall we?-

Faction Offices, May 11

Kai: Oh, thank goodness, "sustained" is so much better. Let's go with that.

-Upon mention of Alice's other techniques, Kai's eyes widen, a grin on her face.-

Kai: Shadowporting? You've really been holding out on me. You wouldn't happen to be able to take passengers at your skill level, would you?

Delta's Suite

Ma'at: The suite is ready, sir. Sphinx sends his regards and hopes that recent preparations are to your liking. You will also be happy to know that thanks to our sizable contributions to our partners, the authorities will not bother us this day.

She presents Delta with the data he needs, plus specifications on the [Imperial Hotel]'s Room 101.

Ma'at: We've kept our only remaining adversaries at bay. We've leaked word of not one but two big operation—merely one of several routine shipments—on the opposite sides of Saffron and Kanto. Taipan would not even have time to get our location, let alone get here to confront us. And even then, my statistics show a high probability of victory during a confrontation. Forcing superheroes to do double or triple shifts beforehand often yields positive outcomes in an unlikely confrontation. And we have the hard data to back it up. Those Spider-Man comics were not kidding. I did not expect sending Scratch to be the recipient for all those atomic wedgies would have such a positive impact on our recent performance.

Castelia City smuggling operation, days ago

Malacostra and her goons come face to face with Arachna-Guy and Aranos. They seem... quite exhausted.

Malacostra: Awww, poor widdle bug getting all winded?

Arachna-Guy: You're like my third Hunter's Guild raid today and there's a lot going on in my mind right now. I am not in the mood to play games today.

Malacostra: Well, too bad, because we're playing one anyway.

Beat.

Malacostra: Well, aren't you gonna say something?

Arachna-Guy: No, you.

Malacostra: Man, even your banter game is off. I must be having a good day at work.

Arachna-Guy: I hate you.

She fires up her weapons and begins attacking, while her grunts hurriedly load up their vans. Everything was going exactly as planned.

Meanwhile, in the PEFE office

Murphy: Why so glum? The higher ups coming in with more expenses on our annual budget?

Priscilla: Like you wouldn't believe. What's next, repairs and a security upgrade for the 'Chaser?!

Beat.

Murphy, discreetly: Uh, Sterling, we might need to call you back.

Beck, on the other line: Oh, come on!

Murphy: Well, the good news is that we found not one but two different large Hunter's smuggling raids. They're on opposite sides of the city.

Priscilla: Fukken Sphinx.

Murphy: Which one do we pick and which one do we leave for the SWAT Team?

Edited by MasterJayAM on Jun 11th 2021 at 6:56:42 PM

Wyndon Stadium— Stands

(Elton and Kim look on in awe at the fight in front of them.)

Elton: <Whoa...!>

Kim: "Ah. Status-based moves. If Ozzy was out right now he'd call that a wonderful strategy."

Lee House, Living Room

(Upon looking around the room, the first thing Braker notices is the secret passageway in front of him. He blinks.)

Braker: "Well, this is intriguing."

Walter: <A secret passageway? I never assumed we would find one of these in the house.>

Cuddles: <Ooh~! Maybe there'll be new friends for us to catch~!>

Braker: "Maybe."

Walter: <Do you think we should investigate, Braker?>

Braker: "Indeed. Come on. Let's go. Ian and Evelyn are already there."

Walter: <Yes, and I think I saw the Ninetales enter, too.>

Braker: "Hm."

Walter: <Along with a Runerigus.>

Braker: "...now that is interesting."

(The three of them enter the passageway and soon find themselves in...)

Lee House, The Forest

Braker: (blinks) "Well. This is unexpected."

Cuddles: (looking around) <Are Ian and Evelyn here...?>

Walter: <I am not sure. But this looks rather... uncomfortable, to say the least.>

Hammerlocke Banquet

Kim: "Very well, then." (She turns to the three bugs.) "Well, I have Paul already, so..." (She points to the Orbeetle.) "You're John."

Orbeetle: <Lennon was a rather snarky fellow.>

Kim: (then, pointing to the Centiskorch) "You're George."

Centiskorch: <Naturally.>

Kim: (smiling, pointing to the Shiny Joltik) "And, of course, that makes you..."

Shiny Joltik: (happily) <Ringo~!>

Kim: (grinning) "Indeed." (She throws the PokeBalls.) "Red alert!"

(The three PokeBalls hit their soon-to-be occupants on the head, and the newly-christened John, George, and Ringo are sucked into the balls. All three then fall to the ground and shake three times, before their centers all glow gold, signifying capture. The rest of Kim's Pokemon all cheer, and Paul looks up at his Trainer.)

Paul: <Well, would you look at that! Now we've got all of the Beatles!>

Kim: "Indeed we do."

Circhester- Battle

Kim: "Alright, then! Here's one I haven't used in a long time!" (She throws the ball.) "Red alert, Sinatra!"

(The ball opens, and Sinatra appears.)

Sinatra: <HAH! Finally! 'Bout time ya used me again! I can't wait to show off my moves!>

(Braker smirks.)

Braker: "A Furret, I see. Well, then." (He takes out a PokeBall.) "I know the perfect opponent." (He throws it.) "Romea, you're on the air!"

(The ball lands on the ground and opens, and Romea appears, glaring over at her opponent with a devilish smirk.)

Romea: <Alright! I'M GONNA CRUSH YOU, FURRET!>

Sinatra: <We'll see about that!>

Romea: <Well said! BRING IT ON!>

Kim: "Alright, Sinatra! You're first up! Hit her with a Quick Attack!"

Sinatra: <Will do!> (then, to Romea) <Bet you can't catch me!>

(He darts around as fast as possible, running towards Romea, before hitting her directly in the chest.)

(Romea is thrown back a bit, but manages to stand up, and glares over at her opponent.)

Romea: <Heh! You're good! Let's see how you'll react to this!>

(Her claws glow a bright white, and she runs towards Sinatra, before slashing him with them.)

Lumiose Museum

(Braker, Walter, and Cuddles enter the museum and look around.)

Cuddles: <Ooh~! This place is fancy!>

Walter: <It certainly looks that way.>

Braker: "Yes. Unfortunately, however, I do not see any sight of a rogue Greninja..."

Walter: <Well, I would assume that a rogue Greninja would naturally want to remain hidden at all costs.>

Braker: "Someone must have seen it, though. It was in the news."

Walter: <That is true.>

(And then the three of them hear noise coming from the basement of the museum. Realizing it, all three of them look at each other, before running off to the basement.)

Lumiose Museum- Basement

(Upon entering the basement, Braker and Walter look around.)

Braker: "It should be in here..."

Walter: <This is rather unusual.>

Cuddles: (jumps off of Braker's shoulder and starts looking around) <Hello~? Rogue Greninja? Are you here? We heard about you...~>

(And then he hears a noise:)

???: <Psst!>

(Startled, Cuddles jumps a bit.)

Cuddles: <Gah! W-what was that?!>

Braker: "I think it was the Greninja."

Walter: <I do, too. Let's go investigate.>

(Braker nods, and he, Walter, and Cuddles steadily approach the source of the sound— the floorboards. Cuddles goes up to the floorboards that the Greninja is hiding under and knocks on it with his pedipalp.)

Cuddles: <Hello~? Are you in there...?>

(And then seconds later, a torrent of water erupts from the floorboards, and the Greninja, wearing a scarlet domino mask and cape, emerges. He lands on the floor, and glares up at Braker, Walter, and Cuddles menacingly.)

Rogue Greninja: (angrily) <Who dares pass this area...?!>

(Braker snorts, laughing a bit, before immediately going back to retaining his composure. The Greninja, however, hears him, and rushes over to him, getting in his face.)

Rogue Greninja: <Yeeessss... you are secretly members of Team Flare, are you?!>

Walter: <I assure you, we are not Team Flare members.>

Rogue Greninja: <Then why was the human laughing?>

Braker: "O-oh, yes... pardon me. I did not mean to laugh, it's just that—" (he chuckles) "Y-you... you sound like Gollum."

(The Greninja's eyes widen in disbelief.)

Greninja: <...>

Walter: <Braker, he's a Greninja. Of course he sounds like Gollum.>

Braker: "Yes, but I never thought that he would sound like that even when translated from Monese..."

Cuddles: <Hello, froggie~! I'm Cuddles! Would you like a hug? Or a cookie?>

Greninja: <Hug...? No time for hugs! Where are Flare?!>

Cuddles: <Flare?>

Walter: <Of course... you must be hiding those 200 Galarians from Team Flare members.>

Greninja: <Yeessssss...! They were in the Plaza... where are they now?! They are certain to attack Lumiose at any moment...>

Braker: "The Plaza? As in the Orochi Plaza?"

Greninja: <How do you know about the Plaza?>

Braker: "Simple. I'm Leonard Braker. I'm training to be a news anchor; I read the news practically every day. I know about the Orochi Plaza, and I'm afraid you're months too late. Team Flare has already left. They were defeated by members of the illustrious 'J-Team', I believe."

Greninja: <J-Team...? You know the J-Team?!>

Braker: "Indeed. I've known a few members."

(The Greninja blushes with slight embarrassment, then bows.)

Greninja: <Do accept my apologies, human. I assumed you were Flare.>

Braker: "Ah, I have no hard feelings. We read your story in the news and were intrigued."

Greninja: <Ah, yes. I am in the news repeatedly... I am on a constant lookout for criminals and am trying to save people from Team Flare and other evil teams.> (then, in a whisper) <Of course, it is a secret...>

Walter: <You need not worry. Your secret is safe with us. I'm Walter, by the way.>

Greninja: <Ah. Delighted. I am afraid I do not have a name, other than "the rogue Greninja".>

Cuddles: <Well, then... wanna come join us?>

Greninja: <Join you? I would be honored to associate myself with the J-Team, but what am I to do with these 200 Galarians?>

Walter: <Return them to Galar, of course.>

Greninja: <Yeeeeessssss... I shall return them. One moment.>

(He promptly jumps back through the floorboards— and then, as fast as possible, lunges out with all 200 Galarians on his back. Seconds later, he runs back up and out of the museum, then into the bushes. Braker, Walter, and Cuddles wait for a few moments— and then seconds later the Greninja returns.)

Greninja: <There.>

Cuddles: (amazed) <Woah...! How did you do that?!>

Greninja: <I'm a Greninja. I'm relatively fast.>

Walter: <Relatively? That was incredible.>

Greninja: <Well. I'm flattered. Anyways, if you may, you may feel free to catch me.>

Braker: (taking out a PokeBall) "I do." (beat) "Do you like the Lord of the Rings?"

Greninja: <Preciousssss...>

Braker: "That's a yes, then. How do you feel about the name Serkis?"

Greninja: <Yessssss... I likes it...>

Braker: "Very well, then."

(He throws the ball, and the newly-named Serkis goes inside.)

ONE CAPTURE LATER...

(With Serkis now newly-caught, Braker, Walter, and Cuddles exit the museum.)

Cuddles: <That was fun~!>

Braker: "I wish that Jules and Romea could have seen it."

Walter: <Indeed. Though I have a feeling they'll like him.>

(Braker promptly takes out his Pokedex to see the info on his new friend:)

SPECIES: GRENINJA

NAME: SERKIS

GENDER: MALE

NATURE: HASTY

ABILITY: TORRENT

MOVESET: DARK PULSE, ICE PUNCH, POWER-UP PUNCH, WATER SHURIKEN, SHADOW SNEAK

HASSLEMON HANDLE NAME DECIDED

motionCaptured (MC)

(Braker smirks and pockets his Pokedex.)

Braker: "Fitting."

Walter: <I must say, he has a very diverse moveset.>

Braker: "Indeed. I wonder how he got his webbed hands on those T Ms..."

MEANWHILE IN THE HASSLEMON INTERWEBS

motionCaptured has entered the chat

MC: gReeTings

MC: my name is seRkis

MC: is anyOne heRe

zangooseLover and raucousMongoose entered the chat

ZL: Romea, look! A new friend!

RM: YEAH—YEAH, JULES... I'LL—BELIEVE—IT—WHEN—I—— WELL. WHAT—DO—YOU—KNOW. HEY—THErE. mY—NAmE'S—rOmEA. THE—SILLY—SEVIPEr—IS—JULES.

MC: i see

MC: and This sevipeR... appaRenTLy Likes zangOOse

MC: ThaT is inTRiguing

ZL: Yep! I love Zzangoosse! :P

MC: i see

RM: HEY—WAIT—A—SECOND... ArEN'T—YOU—THAT—rOGUE—GrENINJA—BrAKEr—WAS—TALKING—ABOUT?!

MC: i am indeed

MC: bRakeR caughT me

RM: DANG—IT! I—SHOULD—HAVE—BEEN—LET—OUT—TO—SEE—IT!

ZL: Awww... it'ss okay, Romea!

MC: it is indeed

MC: i cannOT waiT unTiL we meeT in peRsOn

ZL: Where are they going, anyway...? :P

MEANWHILE OUTSIDE IN LUMIOSE...

(Walter promptly turns to face Braker.)

Walter: <So, Braker... where do you think we should go next?>

Braker: "To the grasses of Kalos, of course. This is an experience for all of us, and now that I have a new Pokemon... I feel obligated to use him."

Cuddles: <YAY! New friends~!>

Braker: "Yes, indeed."

(And with that said, they head off to the grasses of Kalos.)

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Jun 12th 2021 at 1:08:45 PM

Wild Area, Distant Pool - Aftermath(?)

Lapis: -quiet, sad "bwah"-

(-oh yeah—Hellebore just KO'd the Snorlax instantly through Thick Fat-)

Vee -basically unconscious- <It's...cool. 's all cool—'sworth it.> ,3

(-there's a Snorlaxsicle stolidly refusing to melt in the lukewarm damp-)

-...now, Kai's certainly familiar with the sensation—and the appearance—of picking a situation apart with pitch-perfect clarity-

Megan: -still staring at her- ...

-it's not just for tactics! it's an anxiety thing!-

-...possibly-

-Daydre starts forward—Doc scatters Life Dew—Tagg offers to heal her—Megan takes a startled, involuntary step back-

-the short-cropped nails of her right hand dig into the upper arm of her left-

Molybdenum: -tight, to Ever- The last three Pokémon I sent out were knocked out instantly, my powers are Disabled, if I breathe wrong I will be eviscerated— -speaking of-

Molybdenum: -waving a hand in front of her (masked, featureless) face, to Tagg- [-...I'll repeat what you said before. It doesn't work so well on someone who can do the same.

(-which means the mortal terror she radiates at the moment is mostly mundane!-)

Molybdenum: -somehow stronger Empoleon from the great blue yonder (standing awkwardly to the side)- ...what the fuck.

Molybdenum: -registering colorbug divinity- What the fuck?!

Molybdenum: -that's fucking Victini- What are you people?!

Megan: -quiet- They're the J-Team.

Molybdenum: You're all insane!

-pacing- Whatever—you want me dead? Get in line. Guy with the light's been in queue longer, kill him for the spot, I don't care.

Megan: -to Kai query, slow blink- ......can't.

Molybdenum: -as Ever approaches- I have better things to do than contemplate how fucked-up you all are.

Megan: -blink, again- Can't ccall a draw. No...clause for it?

Molybdenum: -baffled- Why do you all have experience with this…?

-dismissing them all- Whatever. Time to take my consolation prize and g

Megan: You can't.

Molybdenum: -pause- …?

-have you considered the factors influencing a microbiome?-

Megan: -dreamily- You can't! Contract hasn't lapsed.

Molybdenum: -you can't prove she's eyeing everyone warily behind that mask- What? No. You're free to go—

-a bit of rubble shifts—a little thing emerges-

Pollen: -shaking off waterlogged wings, her dazed head- <Wh...at?>

Vee: <?!>

Megan: -cupping her hands- Pollen, sweet Pollen, what did we promise?

-are you familiar with the death of a star?-

Pollen: -fluttering up- <Uh...everything? It's kinda long…>

Megan: -gentle- Summarize.

Molybdenum: -staring at Squiggles- The Contractor defaults. Full forfeit, you win, encounter over—

Megan: -pupils the size of poppy seeds- You didn't leave that clause.

Pollen: -unhesitant- <We fight until we've done everything.>

-eukaryotic hosts frequently (always?) coexist with a community of microorganisms, in symbiotic ecological relation-

-stars are processes sustained under incredible pressure—the force resisting that pressure sparked by and responding to that strain-

-subtypes of evolutionary stones are as many and varied as the stones themselves; one subtype, bacteria preserved in stasis, is postulated to function by introducing a new strain to that microbiome, sparking drastic change in a Pokémon prepared for it-

-as the source of that force runs dry—stars evolve, and age, and die-

-this has little direct implication for humanity individually-

Megan: -breathe- Everything.

(-Molybdenum—the Disable lapsed? the Magic Room ended—-)

(-she reaches for the backdoors she constructed, and finds them flooded, barred—burnt away-)

(-she puts her mental feelers out, desperate—and finds open water where once there was stormwall resistance-)

Vee: -piecing together thoughts reverse-engineered, too slow- <...Meg.>

-distracted-

(-and her mental fingers close around a lever and a place to stand-)

(-not hers-)

Molybdenum: -a pale facsimile of "controlled"- Consider this logic before you do something you can't take back.

Megan: -too-bright- We're a bit beyond that!

(-something    nicks    her-)

Megan: -walking forward- It's clever! We can't twist words you didn't write in the first place—

Molybdenum: -stepping back- You swore to obey—

Megan: -arms wide, smiling- And we live to serve! My knowledge? Yours! My Pokémon? At your service!

Megan: My relationships? My ideals? My self? Battle's not done 'til they're all burned!

(-Megan's not looking so good-)

Megan: -grin, singsong- Aren't you pleased?

Molybdenum: -still staring at her friends- I'm done.

Megan: No.

-as far as Hiro's aware, how individual human physiology adapts to Pokémon cohabitation is a niche field without much investment in study-

-Megan, now, looks like the core sustaining fusion has been cut out from within her; only two options remain-

-certainly no one's documented how one little girl from Pastoria might change—negligibly, if at all—from accidentally swallowing a cupful or so of Vaporeon once a week for ten years—as she has, purposefully, thirty seconds ago-

-cataclysmic eruption, scouring the galaxy clean-

-nor the introduction of fresh symbiote to an energy-rich environment prepared to receive it-

-or event horizon-

-things fall apart, the center cannot hold-

-...she coughs-

Megan: You have something I need.

-Aura's leaking from her now—untyped Aura, red-flecked between her lips behind her hand, turning her arteries luminous—Vee startles awake-

-the Crest of Kyogre spinaraking up the back of her right hand, her forearm—streamers of red coil from it, sublimating in the clear night air-

(-wherever it's kept, Tagg's Blue Orb beats-)

Megan: -muffled- ...give it back.

(-Pollen glances in that direction-)

Vee: -shiver- <What?>

Megan: -shaking, breaking (at Kai, at everyone)- When I didn't feel anything about this give it back give it back! Give it BACK!!

-she screams-

-she's maybe not...processing, much at the moment-

Molybdenum: Done.

-suddenly, Megan's calm and composed-

Megan: -crying, relieved—re-centered on her path- I can fix this, I can. I can heal everyone. I can win everything!

-she clutches at her stomach, pained-

Megan: -chain-reacting- Vee, I need...I need you.

Vee: -already there- <I'm here, you don't need—>

Vee: -grim- <...on it.>

-one standing snarling between her and Molybdenum—one startles the other by biting down, where the strained circulatory meets the Auric channels flooding their banks-

-and vanishing into her bloodstream-

Vee: -cold- <...what are you doing.>

Vee: -less...lost- <<We had a plan.>>

Vee: -heated- <If I don't know it, you can't have had it for more than five fucking minutes!>

Vee?Megan: -mutter- Peace. Joy. How...? Need your knowledge, your power...

-the power...organizes, marginally-

V?Megan: I need...last, I need...

-venting in every direction rather than spinning like a sawblade-

-Vee boggles—Pollen shares a glance with the eye peeking from Megan's neck-

-Molybdenum's's seized—her power fights Pollen's pull—a splash, and her dropped hilt-medium's in Megan's hand-

Molybdenum: -grabbing at Ever- What?!

Vegan:(?) -lunge, shriek- I NEED YOUR BLOOD!!

-and a blade of...fire?-

-swings in a wide arc at Molybdenum—at anyone standing too near to her-

-Megan's burning up-

Wild Area, far past

Doc: -To me- <I don't think the new guys can take another fight, they're not used to this like we are.>

-Looking at Megan, becoming more and more luminous in the Force Aura and the Blue Orb responds in turn-

You're right, fight's not over quite yet it seems, time to get out the big guns. Xatu!

Xatu: -Teleports away, bringing in Hydreigon, Cobalt, and, slightly surprisingly, Lucani-

Victini!

Victini: -Glows as everyone else also starts glowing-

Technically I don't think we need this... but we do need to end this fight as quickly as possible.

I have an idea of how we can keep Megan from tearing herself apart, but we're gonna need to subdue her first. She may be running on fumes, but that doesn't make her not dangerous.

-To Kai and Daydre-

You may need to help regulate, if you understand my meaning.

-To Molybdenum-

Hope she doesn't tear herself apart, because I can't promise your safety for what might happen next.

Galar Beach, past

-To Jacqueline-

She kinda went over her family situation with me when we met.

Didn't seem like she was lying, if not exactly being open on details going by her Aura.

Edited by rmctagg09 on Jun 11th 2021 at 1:32:34 PM

Wild Area, Distant Pool

Ever: Hm.

-...-

Ever: Megan, I think you're missing the point here. This battle is over, by any regulation—

-...-

Ever: (voice neutral) Megan, you don't have any more tricks to pull. You're going to hurt someone, more likely yourself than one of us at this juncture.

-...-

Ever: Alright. Sorry. Arc, Oracle, keep her from taking back too much control. If I come back to find anyone more dead than I left them, I'll be a bit frustrated.

Arc: <Oh, are you going somewhere?>

Oracle: <Hold on—>

-reality delocalizes around Ever and Molybdenum, the blade passing through the space they occupied-

-as they fall down the rabbit hole, quite possibly towards a point in space with which Molybdenum has bad associations-

Arc: <Mom!>

Oracle: <Is this just what normally happens here?!>

-both of them hold out their arms, attempting to arrest any new water entering the field-

Alice's Office, May 11

Brie: ...That would be extremely cool, if you're okay with it.

Edited by memyselfandI2 on Jun 11th 2021 at 10:29:07 AM

Pyrite Town, Faction Offices - May 11

-Alice grins at Brie.-

Alice: Very well. I would tell you to watch and learn, but unfortunately, that's somewhat antithetical to the whole process.

-The lights flicker, and then die for a moment - during which time a cold breeze seems to pass through the room. When they return to life, Alice's voice is emanating from somewhere behind Brie.-

Alice: Satisfied?

Lissa: Legends, that never stops being creepy.

Alice: Oh, hush.

-She turns to Kai.-

Alice: Alas, no. It happens to be a quirk of my own unique physiology, meaning that as far as I know I am the only person I can affect - outside of a hypothetical individual with a similar bodily composition, such as, for the sake of example, Lucius. Its range is also fairly limited, and thus far I have been unable to exceed a distance of roughly ten metres. I imagine my range would be significantly more impaired on top of that were I to take a passenger.

Edited by Herbert40k on Jun 12th 2021 at 12:10:58 PM