Wild Area, Distant Pool

Arc: <...>

-the Torrent fades, and he runs over to go be with his parents-

Oracle: <...I should probably go make sure Fraidy's okay.>

-he jets away to go handle that-

Kaizone, then

-it takes a bit, but Brie arrives, with a few bandages on her face and a wrist in a brace-

Brie: Hey!

Meeting, now

-Ever twitches very slightly with each mention of trying to redeem the schoolkids-

Ever: Skeptical. Molybdenum's dead. So it's a moot point anyway.

-their prosthetic fairy fingers tap a tattoo on the the metal arm of their chair, pink sparks floating up. They don't seem to notice-

-they catch sight of Kai, smile sheepishly (it doesn't reach their eyes in the slightest), casually note Megan's arrival-

Amanita: God. I need to keep better track of things. Hang on, that evil wizard or a different one?

Brie: I...hm.

-she raises her hand-

Amanita: I think you can just talk.

Brie: Is there a dossier of known members? That would be a useful thing to have. We may be on the back foot, but we can at least do what we can to know who not to trust.

And, uh, we could maybe pass around some resources on psychic defense? I know a couple...

Wild Area, Past

The last wisps of Daydre's tail construct fade away, their purpose complete. She very slowly slumps, taking in what exactly she just did.

That... worked? That worked..

It's finally a good time to feel relieved, so Daydre lets the relief flood through her. This has the side effect of causing her to just collapse onto the ground, all of the tension leaving her body in an instant.

EMPEROR looks left. Looks right. Then trots over to Daydre and sits down. Too tired to self deprecate or try to shoo him away, Daydre just lies there and properly enjoys his presence for the first time in several years.

Stormchaser Meeting

"..." Daydre sits there, absorbing all this. 'Damn, that's fucked up' isn't exactly an appropriate response so she stays quiet.

As soon as Megan walks in she perks up, but something seems to occur to her and she shrinks back again.

Stormchaser

-Star listens to the meeting, and doesn't really have any input right now-

-Also she's fighting back some very old feelings of "holy shit I am out of my depth here"-

-Suddenly, Logan and Megan appear. Star gives Logan a wave...and then tilts her head at the latter. She rummages in her pockets, and pulls out the Trainer Card Logan gave her of their friend.-

-She looks between the card and Megan a few times before an image of (a probably much younger) Megan doing part time work at Glassman Delivery Services crosses her mind. Her eyes widen in surprise-

Star: -thinking- (Wait, she's J-team?! Small world...)

-Then she realizes that Tagg just said someone named Megan got enthralled a month ago, and that was probably why she looked like she was trying to hide despite being pretty tall-

-Star turns around, trying to not attract more attention to Megan than she probably already did-

Star: -mumbling- What a way to run into one another again...

Edited by stargirl93 on Jun 23rd 2021 at 1:10:27 PM

Stormchaser, Meeting Room

-Despite having chewed out Ever for the same thing earlier this month, Lucius seems quite content to allow himself to be puppeted. In fact, Ever's voice may be emanating from his mouth at times, creating a somewhat eerie effect.-

-Meanwhile, Lissa is quite animatedly taking notes - until she notices Isbrand and Lita's presence, at which point the notes trail off into distracted scribblings. Alice, seemingly oblivious to her assistant's loss of focus, raises a hand.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Jun 26th 2021 at 12:18:35 PM

Spikemuth Gym Battle

Ref: Alright, when you're both ready the battle can continue.

Hoops: Bisharp, use Swords Dance!

Marnie: Use Play Rough!

Swords swirl around Bisharp as she raises her attack power. Grimmsnarl uses the opportunity to lunge for her and deal several powerful blows that knock Bisharp back several feet.

Marnie: Use Play Rough again! Don't let it recover.

Hoops: Fight it off with Metal Claw!

Bisharp barely has time to bring up the claws on her arms before Grimmsnarl is upon her again with an onslaught of blows. Bisharp does her best to block them, but some slip past her guard and start to deal damage.

Marnie: And I'm sure you know the other effect of Play Rough.

The effect becomes apparent, as little by little Bisharp feels her attack power drained away in the face of the onslaught. Hoops only grins. The tide of the fight begins to shift, as Bisharp's blows become stronger than Grimmsnarl's.

Marnie: What's going on.

Hoops: Don't you know? Bisharp's Defiant ability means that the more you try and weaken it, the stronger it becomes. Now, knock it away and use Iron Head!

Bisharp parries a blow and pushes Grimmsnarl's attack upwards. He staggers backwards, taken off balance. Bisharp lunges forwards, swinging her head towards Grimmsnarl's exposed chest.

Marnie: Use Bulk Up!

At the last second Grimmsnarl flexes, and his chest muscles serve as a sort of shield against Bisharp. It takes the attack, and though it does damage he remains standing.

Hoops: How could it be so fast?

Anna: Grimmsnarl must have the Prankster ability.

Marnie: You're not the only one who knows the best way to make use of your pokemon's abilities. Now, use Play Rough!

Grimmsnarl grabs Bisharp and slams her roughly into the ground, creating a small cloud of dust. When it clears, Bisharp has been knocked unconscious.

Ref: Bisharp is unconscious, babs. You got two left.

Hoops recalls Bisharp, their face stormy.

Hoops: It wasn't enough. All that strength still wasn't enough. Why am I still not strong enough?

"Don't think we got much choice," Silas commented looking over the thing, "The answers are in there."

Roxy sighed, "Why can't things ever just be simple? Why can't Tiedrich just be crazy and delusional?"

Arthur walked over, "Let's find out from himself. Another record here."

With a click, on came the projected image of the Alakazam himself... but different. He wore tattered clothes, a cloak of some sort adorning his shoulders, his expression was serious and there was a bionic optic where his right eye once was. When he spoke, his voice was different, deeper and scratchier, there was something wrong.

<We stand at the site of one of the great mistakes of our galaxy, a world, in ruins. Secrets long thought lost, another victim of some tragic war, no more. For too long have we let things run without our intervention. We are psychic types, we can alter the movement of objects, predict outcomes! We are the very ideal of what our society shall be, and no longer can we stand by and let these lessers run themselves, especially not with the unfortunate Scyther War still a fresh memory! WE SHALL TAKE THE GALAXY!>

Silas tilted his head, "Something seems off there."

Hacks nodded, ~His voice doesn't sound right... where did the eye come from, what we saw was a researcher, now he's a leader?~

"We also have some backers ready to buy the data we collect from the Hotel. So get prepped you two, we have a lot of work to do tonight," Jack told them.

Delta stood in the rain, a neon sign illuminated behind him as he looked ahead, staring at the Vali Hospital. Rodan by his side as always, Delta rolled his neck a bit, "Alright. Big thing tonight."

Silas smiled a bit upon Megan entering and gave her a brief wave, he turned back to everyone else.

"Escalating at this juncture may not be the wisest move," Silas noted to Alice, "At the very least we are fighting blind. I'm not one for not doing research first, so we may need to adjust our tactics a bit for this."

Roxy held up a phone, "We should collaborate more, get any and all information shared among us so nobody's left in the dark."

Silas nodded, "Bishop?"

Out popped the blue Porygon, "Of course Captain, I can get us a group chat set up and we can begin to coalesce all our information into one area. I relish the opportunity to work with the PEFEgons on this."

Polity - Ship Approach

Mkay, so our guy here went full Saren. Great. Peachy.

-Gale twitches in place-

Well, while I weave a shroud of protective obscura around my brainzone does someone want to take the first steps into that ship?

Saffron City, Night

-Somewhere in the city, Kitbash is waiting for the signal to jump. Right now he was hunched over a parked motorcycle in a rainjacket and helmet, letting the rain just pour off his back as he rested up before the raid began. The motorcycle wasn't his of course but with his Rotom's pokeball in one hand it may as well be-

Kitbash: Just say jump. I know how high...

Lee House, Subwhere

-The presence lets off a faint bemused laugh-

Nocturnal: She is... Devoted. A once-fox, she gives tribute readily. The feathers close in around her.

Lee House, The Forest

-Gale looks... Conflicted-

Yeah, maybe it's just... Illusions. Yep. Hasn't been any complaints so far and this thing's been running for a year already...

Galar Mountains

You nod slightly and give your best 'very little to say' shrug and engage the fist-bump with your fellow mountaineer.

"I haven't been home in a long while... Been too busy travelling."

Stormchaser Meeting

-Pent gives a nod in recognition of the response. There was a twinge there, a personal pain that caused him to give a brief glance at Kamui-

If the School is as old as you say, it will be hard to root them out completely. Schematics can be copied, new cells can spin up with business connections. This is going to be a long campaign...

Stormchaser , J-Meeting

(-and that is all-)

-Megan's expression is drawn and tense as she scans the room, looking for gazes to avoid-

-but then her eyes meet Daydre's, and that expression...-

-softens-

Megan: -unconsciously- oh

-so very, very much-

-it's like watching the moon rise-

(-she visibly waffles on heading over and running the fück away, before she's addressed and the point is rendered moot-)

Logan: Star! You're looking well. Got reacquainted with J-Team life? -they grin-

-by...someone Logan knows? they're waving—Logan knows everyone by her reckoning, this is not an unexpected thing-

-...someone who knows her??-

-she briefly internally flails through the "Uxie I'm so bad with faces" panic dance, before-

-...huh-

Megan: ...!

-she does recognize this person-

Megan: ...you're telling me.

Logan: -surprised blink, smile-

Megan: -awkward grin- Pastoria girls. We get the job done.

-she, awkwardly, holds her fist out for a fistbump-

-at Mason, Hiro gives an aggrieved little shrug, like "what did you expect me to do"-

-and an open little gesture, as if to suggest "fight forest fire with a controlled burn?"-

(-Logan catches his eye walking in, angling their head to indicate the podium-)

-and...at this latest round of remarks, decides to add his share to the pot-

Hiro: -shrug, stepping forward- I didn't expect so many rehashes on the same periodic table after the last so consistently apparently explodes in their face, but here we are.

-thumb @ Mason- Hiro Alíthea. One of the wizards whose bloodline they stuck in a test tube before a couple of years realizing that was a bad idea. I'd like to state for the record that they're not above abduction, torture, and murder on top of grave robbery if there's knowledge they don't think they can get from a corpse. Yes, this is deeply personal.

-he flicks a finger, and the face on Mason's projection burns away to reveal the Psychic Gem beneath; the effect is odd-

Hiro: To be more specific, I am the current Hero of Truth, which mostly means I'm a guy running around poking the shadows with a stick to see what bites down.

-crossing his arms- This is...on the grand scale of things, less than effective alone. I can sneak around and perform individual exposés all I want, but it's symptoms to the source. Too high up, too many...but until now, there hasn't been much alternative to alone.

Hiro: -tapping his head- I can ward myself, but nothing else that doesn't take particularly well to flame. So, uh, if any of you likes being set on fire...

-a magic-paper airplane hits him in the side of the head and bursts promptly ablaze, dictating:-

Record!Megan: I'd consider it!

Hiro: -fingergun- Noted, shut up. (-Megan winces-)

-to Brie- Those pamphlets would be lovely, thanks.

-he pauses-

Hiro: -to Yew- I am...glad, that more victims of their methods are finding respite elsewhere. That's very good to hear.

-most would likely avoid the gaze of those they'd mistakenly flameblasted as a result of this; Hiro looks directly into Mason's eyes with burning burning sincerity-

-having a normal one-

Hiro: -shrug- I've been loitering here for about a month. Better to keep an eye on things, and safer than random Pokécenters now that some of you are on high alert.

-he nods to those he's met, and also Alice, firmly setting aside why there's three peoplemon who seem to be...made, of Obscura, scattered throughout the room, by his senses-

-Megan slumps down in her seat, with the universal expression of someone who said something a whole lot louder than they expected-

Logan: -pat pat-

Edited by Asterisk395 on Jun 24th 2021 at 10:14:22 AM

Stormchaser, Meeting

Lita gave a side glance to Lissa, but didn't say anything. Casually she drew one of her swords and started sharpening it.

"...My Boss has a score to settle with the School. Sadly he's out of the loop as well when it comes to them in this universe anyways. I've got my own orders to follow, but consider me an ally for now."

Stormchaser

-Shaun mutters under his breath, something about "magic bloodline boyfriends".-

Kaiiseii: -dull, summer-green ears flat- "Of course they have pyrokinetic Templars.

-Shaun nods at Pent's words.-

Shaun: "Right. If we cut the head off this Steelix, we'll just end up with another Pokefutures."

-When Hiro looks at Mason, Shaun responds by giving Hiro a Hard(tm) look.-

Isbrand: -as Hiro says his piece- "Really? I thought people who made disposable test tube babies would be moral paragons."

-She pauses her typing to glance at the former Schoolkids in the room.-

Isbrand: -sincerely- "I did mean that the School considers you disposable. Not us."

-And she goes back to typing.-

Jessica: "I do have some friends who can probably help with this. In their own ways."

-I think we all know which two groups of friends she's referring to.-

Isbrand: -to Silas- "Might want to see about encrypting our group chats, actually. Tighter op-sec is always good."

A Voice From Isbrand's Wrist: "I would be more than happy to work with mister Bishop on that."

Elizabeth: -to Brie- "I can help with training."

Silas smirked a bit, "Oh my Opsec is very secure."

Bishop did a slight twirl, "I have numerous experience in underground networks, I can spot holes in communications lines very effectively, the groupchat itself will be very secure. Though I do appreciate extra assistance," he added.

Upon comments of training, "Training would be good," Roxy added, "We've got a veritable workshop so we can also provide protective elements such as armor."

Silas nodded, "And a few people here already have my handiwork on hand for that, not to mention medium tools."

Bishop pulled up a display of a few of the Medium tools Silas had made, including auric swords, Shaun's Obscuric Bow, Daydre's Belt.

"I'm not gonna let anyone get caught unprepared."

The area was too rough for the Wing to land in… it wasn't too much of a problem with the new hoverbike. Silas stretched a bit as he adjusted his armor and looked to Hacks, sitting in the sidecar, turning the AC up, adjusting a little cape he had gotten.

“Sure you don’t want to come along?” Silas asked.

Roxy waved him off, “Nah, Orre isn’t my speed, too hot. Plus you said no superheroes so Fox suit is out. I’ll stick back here in case you need help, plus we can monitor you better with the Wing’s systems, right Bishop?”

“Affirmative Commander,” Bishop responded.

Silas nodded and checked his belt for his team, he gave Roxy a quick kiss and put on his helmet. Climbed onto the Hoverbike and pulled out his pDroid, the tracker active, Hacks pulled on a set of goggles, the engine roared to life and the Hoverbike took off.

Deep into the desert he rode, dust clouds kicked up behind him, pDroid sat in the handlebar set, directing him further.

~What do you think we’ll find out here?~ Hacks asked.

“DNA Sample,” Silas answered, “From what I’ve heard of these wahoos is that they’re eugenicists with a bent for psychics. We’re to collect a sample and destroy the base… simple enough.”

~You say that, but we’re J-Team, Aurabolt, and so much more. Nothing is ever simple for us.~

“I am the storm that is approaching,” Silas muttered.

Hacks leaned back, ~Ain’t that the truth.~

The bike continued on, further and further, past the border to the badlands, ~Why couldn’t we have just landed the ship out here?~

“Badlands are tough to navigate as is, the ship would end up in awkward positions, we want smaller vehicles for this, apparently ATVs aren’t super uncommon out here.”

Hacks grumbled as he picked up the pDroid and turned on the map, ~And people live out here?~

“Communities yes, there’s an appeal, trying to make your way with your mons in a place not often tread. Add in histories of people living out here, secret bases, and so on. There’s a reason the badlands are not uninhabited, just difficult.”

Hacks sighed, ~I’ll keep us navigating… we may need to make some stops, some of these areas seem pretty rough.~

The two came upon a small settlement, a simple town of sorts, it seemed old. A lot of the style said it was an old town… Silas and Hacks looked at each other as he parked. The tracker was still beeping, but it wasn’t easy to follow, they’d need directions, Hacks hopped out of the sidecar and stretched, ~We also need some lunch.~

Silas sighed and grumbled, “Wasn’t planning on stopping, I stick out like a sore thumb out here.”

A man walked by, wearing the most unusual combination of clothing, the colours and materials were mismatched and nobody batted an eye…

~Seems being out in the Badlands means you have a higher tolerance for an unusual look.~

Silas grumbled more and stepped into an old diner.

Vivian sighed, fights like this were surprisingly common out here… and of all places it had to be her Diner. A disagreement, over some cash, and now people were turning violent, pokemon fights were one thing (So long as they were outside her diner) but this? Just people being stupid. Joey owed Duke some money, Joey insisted he didn’t, the two were about to get into a scrap...

The doors opened, the fighting stopped, everyone looked over as a man in armor stepped in, cape flapping in the wind. He looked about, Joey and Duke stopped, stared at each other… then to the man.

He stepped up to the counter and sat down, “I’ll have a menu please,” he said in a deep monotone, filtered by the helmet, a lucario sat on the seat next to him. Vivian stared at the two, but shrugged and handed them a menu.

Joey and Duke walked up, their previous grudge shoved aside for the odd newcomer, who calmly looked over the menu. The two stared at him, the man looked up, “Yes can I help you?”

Silas looked between the two men, they stared at him, “What’s your deal?” Joey asked.

“I’m just passing through, my friend here and I need to grab something to eat.”

Duke clapped a hand onto Silas’s shoulder, “Well my friend and I here, we don’t like you!”

Silas sighed, “That is my problem, how?”

“Well you can sort out a problem of ours! Joey here owes me some money, he claims he doesn’t. Guy like ya, you gotta have a lot of money!”

Vivian sighed, “You two pull this routine every week. Leave the poor fella alone!”

Silas held up a hand, “Don’t worry about it. I’ve been through worse.”

~It’s true, we have,~ Hacks added.

“Oh yeah? Well with a fancy outfit like that, ya can help us out. Give me what Joey owes me, and we’ll let you walk out!” Duke threatened.

Silas inhaled deeply and sighed, “I’d rather not. Listen, if this is a weekly thing, maybe you two should check your finances.”

~Seriously, just leave us be. We just want a quick bite and then we’re gone.~

Silas looked to Hacks, who knew what was coming next, they both let out a loud sigh. Silas chose to just ignore them, this was nothing really, he wanted to play it fair. Duke frowned and drew a knife, scratching it against the armor, “Pay up!”

In a quick instant, Silas gripped Duke and slammed his head into the table, turning to Joey and slamming into him with a headbutt. Hacks sitting back and watching the show with a smile.

Joey stumbled and tripped over a stool, Silas turned to Duke who was running. Without a word Silas flicked his left wrist, and a wire wrapped around Duke’s legs, he fell, and started to scream and shout in fear as he felt himself getting dragged back. He rolled over and a boot stamped down on his chest, Duke looked up and saw the T-Visor helmet staring down at him.

“You were warned,” Silas said calmly, “Take your friend and leave me alone.”

Duke was untied, he grabbed Joey and the two rushed out. Silas sighed and sat back down, Vivian walked over, “Well then, first time I ever saw that happen. Usually they just annoy someone into either giving up or leaving.”

“I’m not in the business of quitting,” Silas admitted, he took his helmet off and looked at the menu once more, “I’ll just have the burger please.”

~Yeah I’ll take the ribeye,~ Hacks added.

Vivian smiled, “Sure thing. Though you’re paying extra for the damage caused.”

Silas smirked as best he could, “Fair enough.”

He had to admit, the burger was pretty good, small diners like this typically had pretty good food choices. Hacks was happily eating away at the steak he ordered, Vivian set down a glass of water, “Gotta stay hydrated.”

“Thanks, but the outfit is regulated, even in high temperatures, I stay cool.”

Vivan shook her head, “So what brings you out here stranger?”

“I’m on a job. Farther out in the badlands I need to pick up something. Have you heard of anything out there?” Silas asked.

“There are a few old bases from Cipher and Snagem out there. Lots of things out here in the badlands, but hey it’s home and it is nice and quiet,” Vivian said.

“Quiet for a short time, but activity always finds its way out here,” Silas noted.

~Trouble goes where it goes, always go looking for trouble, that way you always know where you are,~ Hacks quoted finishing his steak.

Vivian laughed, “Smart fella ain’t he?”

~He tries,~ Hacks responded with a smile.

Silas ignored the response, “Any directions to the fastest route to those old bases?”

“There are some old canyons, yer bike should be able to get through alright if you don’t go too fast,” Vivian said.

Silas nodded, before setting down his pDroid and opening the map, “Any notable places I should be aware of?” he asked.

Vivian looked at the holographic display, “Fancy stuff there.”

~He’s a space nerd. Built this thing himself.~

Vivian picked out some places, “Old ghost towns, small settlements, and this here. That’s Ferrus-Factory, a real old metalworking place. Supposedly it was once a company town, small place all things considered.”

Silas checked the town’s location, and then the tracker, “Seems that’s where I’m going. Anything else?”

Vivian nodded and pointed out one, “This one, Bismuth Town, has been abandoned for years. Rumors state smugglers and criminals end up there. Need to hide, hide there.”

Silas pulled it up and looked it over, it was a bit more modern in design, “Huh… musta been a recent project.”

“Actually it’s old, was a “City of Tomorrow” project, just died out cause nobody had the time or money to invest into it,” Vivian explained.

Silas nodded and set down some money, “Thank you for your time.”

The Hoverbike was speeding out again, Snakeye was sitting in the sidecar, much to Hacks’s annoyance.

~Why are you sitting here?~

<Wanted out, plus Desert environments are where we Cacturne thrive.>

“Also remember, we visited Orre years ago and that’s where we grabbed him.”

<That too, I at least have some familiarity.>

Hacks grumbled a bit, ~Still don’t get why I have to share.~

Silas sighed, reached over and plucked him out and set him on the front, “You’re lucky you’re a Lucario, and they aren’t very big.”

They crossed through Eclo Canyon and exited out the other side. A gut feeling in Silas’s stomach told him the spot would be Ferrus Factory, while his brain corroborated the details that logically a place of industry would be the most logical place to hide something. If there was anything out there, it’d be held there.

The Hover bike raced out to the Factory, little did the travelling party know what they’d find inside.

Wyndon Stadium, Ian VS Daisuke

Daisuke: Now, use Psychic!

-Orbito points at Oshawittle and the greenish-blue glow of his eyes intensifies as a psychic wave is released, trapping Oshawittle. Orbito then raises his hand and makes a throwing motion, lifting Oshawittle into the air and then throwing him on the ground.-

Me: Oshawittle! Can you still fight?

-Oshawittle gets back on his feet.-

Oshawittle: <Of course. I'd have to stay determined if I am to protect my lady, Dot.>

Me: Excellent! Now, use Splashing Shell Blade!

Daisuke: Use Reflect!

-Oshawittle rushes at Orbito, who summons a shield of light to protect himself. Oshawittle unleashes a flurry of Hydro Cannon empowered slashes at Orbito, who defends against them using the Reflect shield.-

Me: That's the ticket, Oshawittle! Keep pushing Orbito back!

Daisuke: Not on my watch! Orbito! Use your hypnosis! Stop him in his tracks!

-As Oshawittle presses forward stubbornly, the spots on Orbito's shell glow with that same greenish-blue light with white concentric circles pulsing towards the center of each spot. Orbito then focuses the spot on the front of his shell on Oshawittle. The pulsing light reflects in Oshawittle's eyes for a moment and when he blinks again, his colors invert for a split second. His eyes widen and his irises shrink in fear as he looks up where Orbito is supposed to be and sees...-

Oshawittle: <D-Dot? My queen... Be that really thou?>

-Oshawittle drops his scalchop in fear as he steps back. The water around the blade dispels as the blade is retracted.-

Wyndon Stadium Stands

Evelyn: Taihenda!!

Circhester, Kim/Braker Battle

Yuki: <Strummer is unable to battle! Walter wins!>

Lee House, Forest

Evelyn: Oh. Hi, Cuddles!

-Evelyn bends down to give Cuddles a hug.-

Evelyn: I assume that if you're here, then Mr. Braker's here too.

Me: Matte...^* Wait... Amy-san? Is that you?

Hasslemon

Stormchaser, J-Team Meeting

Me: -raises my hand- I have a question about the School...

Stormchaser Meeting

A number of different thoughts race across Kamui's mind, each one eliciting something of a response from her. At Silas's and Roxy's proposition of gathering info, she reaches into her pocket for something, only to shake her head. With the brief glance from Pent she nods to him, reaching for her sleeve across her body and pulling it up slightly.

Colt's eyes settled on Silas's weapon cache. A number of fantasies crossed his mind, Night Slash Claws subconsciously forming.

Lee House Void

"A devoted follower of you? I guess that explains some amount of her powers. Probably not the ones we share, though, since..." He trailed off, unsure how to demonstrate his illusions in the black void. Not that he had much of a foothold anyway. "But, uh... 'feathers'? 'Closing in'? Is there a price she's been paying? I've seen shadowy figures use bodies before, and it doesn't end too well..."

Lee House Forest

"Well, yes," she dismissed with a glance at Ian.

"But, honestly why should we worry about something that - seemingly - won't happen? We can afford to relax and indulge in things," she reasoned, turning to look at Gale.

Wyndon Stands

Kim: "O-oh dear. This doesn't look too good."

Elton: <W-what's 'appening...?>

Circhester

(Kim smiles, taking out Strummer's PokeBall and returning him.)

Kim: "Great work, Strummer. You did a great job."

(She puts his PokeBall away, smirking over at Braker.)

Kim: "Well done, Braker. You've brought me down to my last. But just be warned." (She takes out a PokeBall.) "Given recent events, you're in for a fight."

Braker: "You're on."

Kim: "Very well, then." (She throws it.) "Red alert, Grohl!"

(There is a flash of light, and Grohl the Ampharos appears.)

Grohl: <Hello there! You must be Leonard Braker and Walter!>

Walter: <We are indeed. It is very nice to meet you.>

Grohl: <Nice to meet you too!> (beat, he realizes it and turns to Kim) <Wait... Kim... a-are you...>

(Kim nods- and pulls up her sleeve to reveal a Key Ring on her wrist and a Key Stone inside of the Key Ring, before reaching into her bag and pulling out an Ampharosite. Braker and Walter's eyes widen, and tears start coming to Grohl's eyes as Kim hands him the Ampharosite.)

Kim: "It's time."

(Grohl takes the stone and blinks in shock, before his face gains a look of determination as he turns to Kim. He nods.)

Grohl: <Let's do this!>

Braker: "Is that... a Mega Stone?!"

Walter: <I believe it is. I should prepare myself.>

(Kim smiles, before holding up her Key Ring. She steadies her breathing and closes her eyes, remembering when she first met Grohl and his family, and the whole time, a certain song begins playing in her head:)

(Seconds later, she opens her eyes and places two fingers on the Key Stone, smirking towards Braker as the Key Stone starts glowing in orange energy. Grohl holds up his Ampharosite and it starts glowing in blue energy, and seconds later, they combine. In the background, "The Pretender" by Foo Fighters begins to play as an Insert Song, starting from the instrumentation after the two lines above. Seconds later, Grohl begins to glow in an orange light, and Braker and Walter look on in disbelief.)

Walter: <No way...>

Braker: "This is incredible..."

Lee House, The Forest

Cuddles: <Hello!>

(Cuddles snuggles up against Evelyn, and seconds later:)

Braker: "You would be correct."

(Braker and Walter enter.)

Braker: "It's wonderful to see you, Evelyn." (beat) "Who's the Runerigus?"

Hasslemon

ET: I See You Have Been Educated Well.

PJ: IaN? ArE YoU OkAy?

Stormchaser, Meeting

Braker: (turns to face Silas) "A group chat, you say...? That sounds like a great idea. I'll be sure to contribute as much information as I possibly can."

Kim: "As will I."

Wyndon Stadium Stands

Evelyn: It's Oshawittle! He's been put at a disadvantage!

Wyndon Stadium, Ian VS Daisuke

-Oshawittle quivers in fear as he looks up at the figure of who is supposedly Dot, the love of his life as she glares disappointedly at him.-

Evelyn: -from the stands- Remember when Hatty mentioned Oshawittle's disadvantage against Matilda? Well, dear old dad has found a way to capitalize on that advantage using Orbito's Hypnosis to create an image of the one thing Oshawittle would never bring himself to fight...

Hatty: -from the stands- <The Pokémon he loves the most...>

Wyndon Stadium Stands

Evelyn: That's what's happening here...

Wyndon Stadium, Ian VS Daisuke

Oshawittle: -terrified- <M-My queen... I doth apologize... But lo... I have been thinking about thee every night...>

"Dot:" <Save it, O knight! I grow tired of thine excuses! Thou hast failed to live up to thine Declaration of Protection , so now, thou must be punished!>

Oshawittle: -terrified- <M-My queen... Surely thou dost not mean it...>

Daisuke: Use Solar Beam...

-"Dot"^* Actually, Orbito raises her^* his hand to the sky and begins to gather sunlight at the tips of their claws. Oshawittle cowers in fear, worrying about his love. Dot^* Orbito then points menacingly at Oshawittle and fires a beam of solar energy at him, smashing him into a wall.-

Me: -looks behind- OSHAWITTLE!

Circhester

Evelyn: Kim's using the power of Mega Evolution for the very first time...

Me: Grohl's become a Mega Ampharos! Twincool...

Piku-chan: <Eh, I could take 'im.>

Lee House, Forest

-At that moment, Yuki jumps out of her Poké Ball.-

Me: Y-Yuki...?

Yuki: <Allow me, Ian-sama.> -to Cuddles- <His name is Katsuragi Suzaku, and he used to work for The Ghost Lord of Mitama. He swore eternal loyalty to the Ghost Lord and would even challenge Giratina to a game to uphold his oath. There was this whole fight at a museum in April, the room was filled with a hypnotic pink light, it was crazy, let me tell you.>

Hasslemon

Stormchaser, J-Team Meeting

Me: If there's one like Molybdenum out there, do you think there could be more?

Wyndon Stadium, Stands

(Kim and Elton gasp in shock upon seeing Oshawittle get thrown backwards.)

Kim: "Oshawittle!"

Elton: <NO...!>

Circhester

(As everybody watches in awe, Grohl's body begins to undergo some changes. The tips of his feet turn black, and white flowing hair sprouts from the top of his head and extends all the way down to the end of his neck. The red gem that is in the center of Grohl's head fully emerges and rests itself at the front of Grohl's new hair. Meanwhile, tons of white fluff emerges from the base of Grohl's tail and completely covers it, giving Grohl's tail a fluffy, cloud-like appearance. Multiple red gems similar to the one on Grohl's head emerge from the tail to decorate it. Finally, Grohl's ears widen just a bit, before suddenly pinching inward to become segmented. The tip of each ear promptly curls downward. Grohl promptly lets out a determined scream as the light snaps off of him, and a Mega Evolution symbol appears. Walter and Braker look on in shock.)

Walter: <Unbelievable...>

Braker: "That was simply incredible..."

(Grohl promptly looks down at himself, and upon realizing that he has Mega Evolved he happily goes to glomp Kim.)

Grohl: (delighted) <IT WORKED! Thank you so much!>

Kim: "You're welcome, Grohl." (She smirks.) "Now go out there and give Walter a match to remember."

Grohl: <Right!>

(Grohl turns to face Walter with a look of determination on his face.)

Lee House, Forest

(Cuddles turns to face Yuki.)

Cuddles: <Whoa...! He worked for the Ghost Lord?! That's really cool!>

Braker: "That is... interesting. A shame I wasn't there to see it."

Cuddles: <Wait... what's Mitama?>

Hasslemon

PJ: Oh. OkAy.

MC: whO is "RR"

Stormchaser Meeting, past

-Annoyed, sharply-

It's already encrypted, people are just not using it, so please guys, actually use the tools you are given.

-Trojan appears on the screens as if to accentuate my point-

I'll take the help, sure, but it hasn't been entirely having a Lansat session and spilling [Pepsi Analogue] over the keyboard. Anyway...

-To Ever, voice returning to neutral tone-

Somehow I doubt that. I might need to take a look at your noggin after we're done here.

Hitodama: <If she was dead her soul'd be mine then.>

-To Mason-

While I've noted the Aura for a while, probably more a close relative technically, there wasn't really enough of Annoksi left to make a template after both times...

I'm sure, but the fact that people have managed to get away proves it's not impossible.

-As Bren shows up on the projector-

I have to say though, what is with Templars and these incredibly sanctimonious titles, is it just because they actually get names instead of a chemical element or something?

-To Ian-

They make them out of batches, of course there's probably more.

-At the Pokefutures comment-

A bunch of remnants that bubble up, sure, but nothing like the original beast, that's gone forever. The other Founders and I, Senator Armitage and the rest, we made very sure of that.

Anyway, anything else before we move on to point number two?

"Bishop?" Silas asked.

"Connected Captain. I'll be depositing the files we recovered from Angela, as well as the Zugolsky interview shortly," Bishop answered.

Silas turned to Tagg, "I'm good then. Please continue Doctor."

Kaizone - Past

-As Brie enters, she'll see Kai sitting upright-

-Still pretty much the same condition as the previous day, physically, but not as dazed and out of it.-

-Their face brightens, then falls into brief worry, then immediately into "wow i'm the last person who should be fretting right now" as they see Brie's bandages.-

Kai: ...Heh. You're keeping busy too, looks like.

-They offer a gentle, tired smile-

J-Meeting - Now

-Kai catches sight of Ever catching sight of them, and return a similarly sheepish smile, tilting their head in slight confusion at Ever's claim of Molybdenum being dead.-

-And of Megan, and a... very layered, complicated expression falls on their face. Relief? Regret? Happiness? Sadness? Worry? Awe? It's all mixed in together in there.-

-But they're not the focal point. Mason's the one Hiro's shooting glares at, and therefore Mason's the one who speaks.-

Mason: I can at least offer a few names of the Phantom Class members I'm familiar with. I escaped alongside the Phantom Class's Platinum, currently known as Alonya Polnoch. Primarily Ghost-aligned, primarily physical combat techniques, construct claws and shadow travel and whatnot. She got me out, physically, when I faked my death. She's got issues, but she knows a few J-Teamers and I'd prefer if she not be treated as an enemy unless she's actively trying to kill one of us.

-Scarlette has a hard, difficult-to-discern look on her face, but it goes unaddressed as Mason continues.-

Mason: Before me, Arsenic disappeared, one of the early ones. He always talked about escaping— talked about falling to ash and being reborn a Phoenix, in this super creepy masochistic way, before he was reported liquidated for misconduct by— guess who— Bren the Scorcher. He was known for using Obscura to stitch his own injuries back together — a trick I learned from him — so when Ludmilla mentioned a creepy bird guy when I met her, that's who I'm guessing she was talking about. It... didn't sound like he was one of the "good ones", but forgive me for being hopeful.

-For a moment, he seems to wrack his brain-

Mason: Mercury might have made it out. He was another illusionist — more limited in scope than myself, but with more physical utility as functional constructs. I'd like to hope he's decent these days. I could keep going down the whole periodic table, but anyone could have made it out, and any of those could have been hunted down already.

-As Tagg mentions the Templars' names, Mason twitches a bit.-

Mason: They're... yeah, it's sanctimonious. A way of making us know we were lesser, imperfect, wrong until we prove ourselves right. And so few of us ever proved ourselves right. Even the ones who graduate, who get to choose a name for themselves, never get referred to with a Templar epithet even if they try to give themselves one.

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Jul 10th 2021 at 11:43:24 AM

Phenac City?

-The heat beats down on the city. The air distorts as Shadows, their heads scorched like used match heads, toil to simply walk down the street.-

-Hiding in the shade of one of the few places not drowning in light sits a young woman, dressed in a snappy business suit, her eyes hiding behind a pair of pitch black sunglasses. As she takes a bite of an apple, she eyes her approaching companion with yellow eyes over the brim of said glasses.-

Tabitha: How the fuck are you walking around here in black, you stupid motherfucker.

-Her companion, her precise age down to the nanosecond, gives dismissive sneer.-

Frederick: Because I don't care if it's hot in this snowglobe of a mental projection. Just stop thinking about the heat and it'll stop.

Tabitha: You been out in the real city during the day?! It's a hundred something-fuckin' degrees out there!

Frederick: Oh, please. "Real" by what measure? The "real" world is filled with affectations and false pleasantries. It's all fake.

Tabitha: Oi, don't you start that philosfuckical shit again! I ain't in the mood!

Frederick: Yes, of course you aren't. Either way, our presence here will no longer need to be continuous. We have much more autonomy now.

Tabitha: So the bitch said yes?

Frederick: After I dropped the hint that her competitor was shopping around for methods to breach her border from underground, we have been given leave to come and go as we please on the condition that he not do so.

Tabitha: But the bastard ain't even mentioned nothing of the sort!

Frederick: *Sigh* Yes, Tabitha, and so long as we continue to make sure he doesn't, we have free reign of two entire Palaces to do as we please.

Tabitha: Ooooooooh.

Frederick: Yes, "oh". Now, I have to go report to Tanya. See to it that some rabble is roused to keep this Cold War from getting too cold.

Tabitha: Fuck, don't mention "cold" around me, I'd kill for that ice cream shit they had the other day...

Stormchaser, Pastorian Corner

Star: -to Logan, scratching her face a bit- Hehe. Took me a bit to decide if I'd come, but if there was ever a time to get caught up, well...

-And then, about just as awkwardly, she returns Megan's fistbump. But she's grinning.-

Star: Heck yeah!

-She takes a quick glance over at Silas, and ponders what an auric weapon for her would even look like-

-...First she'd have to figure out how to do anything more than vaguely aura sense and make an accidental plunger though-

-Her attention then returns to the meeting, especially after Mason explains the Templars. At this point, all Star says is:-

Star: Sheesh, it's like even their own enforcers are nothing but tools to them... -stating the obvious but yeah-

-And then, to Tagg-

Star: It sounds like we're good. The next part is about something that happened a few years back, right?

Edited by stargirl93 on Jun 24th 2021 at 9:34:15 AM

Stormchaser Meeting

(Kim and Braker both flinch a bit upon hearing Tagg's sharp tone, realizing that both of them have mainly been using Hasslemon to communicate instead of the regular J-Chat.)

Kim: (meekly) "Sorry..."

Braker: "W-we mainly use Hasslemon to communicate, but we'll switch to the regular J-Chat and just leave Hasslemon to our Pokemon."

Kim: "I-indeed. I'm interested in hearing point number 2."

Braker: "As am I."

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Jun 15th 2022 at 8:50:31 AM

Kaizone

Brie: Aheh...uh, yeah. Don't worry about it. Supervillain stuff.

-she squeaks-

But uh...what's new with you? In an exclusively bad way I mean. But also a good way if anything good is new!

Meeting

Ever: -twitch-

I assure you I'm very thorough. Would you like a play-by-play?

Amanita: I think nobody's asking for that.

Ever: (voice slightly raised) Then maybe we can all agree that trusting me when I say things is worthwhile.

Amanita: Alright, you sound legitimately unhinged, go find something else to do with yourself, I'll catch you up.

Ever: ...

Amanita: Shoo. Mom friend time.

Ever: You're not my mom friend.

-but they're not there anymore, their speech only an echo from Lucius's mouth-

Amanita: ...Right, so, uh, yeah, next topic I guess. (to Tagg) Hey we should hang out more right?

Stormchaser

Isbrand: -matching Tagg's tone, her eyes flashing red- "I couldn't remember if you'd encrypted it by this point in time. And I wasn't going to doxx everyone to prove a point."

-She stops herself, takes a breath.-

Isbrand: "Hungry. Gotta eat later."

-Shaun does give Mason a reassuring look but hesitates on reachung out and taking his hand.-

-So he doesn't.-

Shaun: "I'm ready to move to your...other point."

-Various murmurs of assention.-

-Shaun's expression and tone seem to suggest he very much wants to discuss point number two.-

Stormchaser, J-Meeting

-satisfied that the full, undistorted meaning of his apology glares made it through, Hiro cuts them off with a "call me" gesture at Mason-

Hiro: -at Isbrand, blink- Well, yes, but I'm referring more to the practicalities. I never expected morals from them.

-he points another apology glare Megan's way, before-

Hiro: -to the room at large, continuing- The Schoolperson who tried to infiltrate and scuttle the Stormchaser is—was?—the one I'd been chasing most recently: Molybdenum, from an older Class...fairly old for a Schoolchild, as far as they get.

-he contemplates this-

Hiro: -eventually- Her specialty was in the field of memory and mind manipulation, implanting triggers and altering perception to suit her ends. Seconding Tagg, Ever, sheesh. She augmented her abilities using a Contract from—"Embla"?—to produce an effect that spreads to those her chosen thrall finds a victory over.

-holding up his Pokédex-

Hiro: A friend of mine has been investigating defunct Macro Cosmos assets for ties to this "Pokefutures"; she's most recently uncovered an incongruous number of job requests for high-level Pokémon on the Auric Spectrum, leading to—empty spaces where lab reports should be. In some cases, people without memory of caring for those Pokémon at all.

-wince- Before my friend was...injured, likely in an attempt to keep her off the trail. Not serious, but she's pissed.

Hiro: -finally- Molybdenum's attack didn't show anything like what that might produce; there may be more to come.

Hiro: -to Tagg- I've said everything I intend to. Happy hunting.

-he sidles back over to in-front-of-the-vent, giving it a whistle-

(-taking careful note of the Knowledge that passes, and the Names to learn-)

Logan: -beam, to Star- Glad to have you. Always good to have another level head and friendly face in this place.

-Megan more or less hides from Kai stare...as a side effect of hiding from everyone stare, but more specifically from everyone she severely injured stare-

(-she spares her specifically a little wave, though-)

(-Vee soaks up from the back of Megan's hoodie and gives them a |.3c expression-)

(-Megan herself considers the sole human-held Medium she devised, then—wonders where it got off to—before cutting off that line of thought as she has practically every creative endeavor for the past month-)

Megan: -small voice, in Star's general direction- They absolutely are. She talked a lot about it.

-she does not stop trying and failing to make herself smaller, huh-

-and-

Megan: -at Ever- She's what?!

-oops-

-and they're gone, and she considers following their example-

(-she considers following a lot of their examples-)

Logan: -wire-dry- Please. I'm very interested in point number two.