The Oblivion Wing, Leader Meeting

Ooh, undercover work. I like, might have to prep some formalwear.

-She doesn't seem too fussed when the idea of talking to Gio pops up-

Oh sure, can I handle that? I've been getting big publicity for R-Records under the sponsorship deal so I can talk business. Ol' social kecleon skills, letting me be all businessy around him.

-Gale gives a wink, tongue click and solitary finger gun. And then something Bishop says causes Gale to face fault for a moment-

Yep. Cap and Alice have their personal favored enemies. Mhm. Right, so, Gio talk brackets tm?

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Ranger's Lair, yesterday

-To Logan, deciding to sidestep that question-

I see. Hmm, I wonder if it changed my web of intrigue, I haven't had a chance to check it yet since we did the ritual.

-Looking towards the threads stretching towards Mason-

You know, the School obviously has Psychics, and the Phantom Class was an experiment into using both types of Obscuric, but we've yet to encounter any School operatives that are classical Aurics. But why? Do they think us inferior to their Psychics perhaps?

Edited by rmctagg09 on Jul 10th 2021 at 4:20:19 AM

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

Stormchaser, Ranger's Lair

Quibilah: <You have a web of intrigue? I should tell Orlando, they'll be interested to know, I'm sure.>

-she examines a few more lines on the web-

<...This really is fascinating. I should make one of these for the Legion sometime.>

-she nudges a few Dunsparce into line-

Wild Area

Brie: Ouch. An armband?

-she frowns-

This person looks...extremely odd. Maybe best not to comment?

What'd it look like?

Atlantis: <Are you sure you lost it at ground level? If it fell off in flight it could have gotten much further.>

Wedgehurst

Mallory: Nope, you're right, it's still bugging me.

Avery: I said I was sorry!

Mallory: I'm not mad at you! I could have been the one to battle that weird girl with the hat.

Avery: Girl? She was like, sixty easy.

Mallory: ...She really wasn't. I think she might've been younger than you.

Avery: I'm not that young.

Mallory: You're...what, twenty-two?

Avery: Twenty-three, and how old are you?

Mallory: Obviously I do not know.

Avery: ...Right.

Mallory: Anyway, I'm not blaming you or anything. I'm just annoyed I couldn't get answers from her. What bizarre, horrible thing could I have done to her?

Avery: Offhand I can think of a lot of things. If she's really younger than I am, her life doesn't seem like it was a pleasant one.

Mallory: Yeah, but I don't think I'd do those things.

Avery: Well, we already know you wiped your mind, the mind of your team, and forgot my birthday.

Mallory: ...

Wedgehurst Station

-Percy taps her foot-

Percy: If I were a protagonist of an RPG, the train would be here by now.

Totentanz: <Solipsism isn't a good look on you.>

Percy: It's not a good look on anyone!

Galarian Slowpoke that has gotten loose in the Station: <The moment I get around to blinking, it's all over for you.>

Percy: Especially not that ironically placed Slowpoke.

Slowpoke: <You don't know my backstory. I could have a good reason for being here.>

Percy: Bet you don't.

Slowpoke: <My old nemesis is here. We were supposed to meet and finally settle our scores once and for all. But she hasn't shown. Pure cowardice, I suppose.>

Percy: This nemesis, is she also a Slowpoke?

Slowpoke: <I don't see how it's relevant, but she's a Ninjask.>

Percy: Right, got it.

Totentanz: <I know you like to lash out when stressed, but I really can't recommend taunting strange Slowpoke.>

Slowpoke: <It's okay. I can feel a blink coming on soon.>

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Wild area

Florence: Hmm... Well, it's red... And an armband. Don't worry 'bout it. I was just wondering if you'd seen it. It's pretty important to me.

Loki: <Sorry to barge in but I think I saw it fall down somewhere over there.>

Loki gestures to a nearby group of trees. There is an armband hanging off one of the top branches of one of them.

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

Hammerlocke, Alley

The Yamask goes down rather easily, but this alerts the others near it to the Liepard's presence. Three of them pelt the Liepard with Shadow Balls, while a fourth blows a wisp of ghostly fire at them.

29/35

Aislinn: (small smile) "I could probably use a little, thank you."

If she's concerned, she doesn't look it.

Blair seems to have taken up a defensive position beside Aislinn, only batting at Yamask that get too close. Faa fires into the crowd seemingly at random- he doesn't look the most prepared to be a frontline combatant, but at least one of his attacks meets its mark. Harry Sucker Punches another Yamask into one of the alley walls, but the horde around him hammers into his exposed back as he does.

For a fraction of a second, Aislinn's smile falters.

27/35

Sunny and Roy might notice themselves slowly attracting a trail of Yamask. They stay out of sight at first, but as the two near the battle they seem to grow agitated. One of them can't seem to hold it in anymore and fires a Hex at the now-transformed Sunny.

off the shits

Hammerlocke Alley

Having seemingly anticipated - or at least felt - the Yamask on her tail, Sunny held up a paw, a Light Screen forming and diluting the assault.

A bit of trepidation in his swing, Roy swung his blade at the Yamask that attacked Sunny backhanded, fire on the blade so as to not be an ineffective Slash. With a flourish of sorts, a wall of flame formed behind him, hopefully either warding off or burning the remaining Yamask.

"Good going, Sunny!" Roy cheered. "Dazzling Gleam!"

She nodded, playing along and, with the briefest hint of sparkles building on her staff, she fired them into the crowd, harmless if slightly annoying sparkles to all but the Ghost-type swarm.

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Hammerlocke Alley

Shadow the Liepard winced and was burned. In response, C took out a book of poetry and began reciting from it.

"I wander thro’ each charter’d street, Near where the charter’d Thames does flow. And mark in every face I meet Marks of weakness, marks of woe."

Shadow unleashed a Dark Pulse at the Yamask.

The Murkrow on his shoulder spoke up.

Griffon: "If I were the Yamask I'd just give up rather than endure any more of your poetry."

C: "Silence, bird."

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

Wild Area

Brie: Oh, uh. Okay.

-she peers in the direction Loki indicated-

Atlantis: <Oh, I see it!>

-...-

Brie: Okay, so—

Atlantis: <I do not have grasping hands.>

Brie: That is true.

-she sends out Halcyon, who flies over to retrieve the bracelet-

Brie: (to Florence) Are you sure you're alright? That didn't look like a fun landing.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Wild area

Florence: Don't worry, I do this all the time. Anyway, once I get my band back I can head to a pokemon center if it's something serious. Fortunately there was enough of a gust for me to fall pretty slowly.

Loki: <Well, slow compared to some other times.>

Florence takes the armband back.

Florence: (To Halcyon) <Thanks!>

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

The crew made it onto the ship, "Bishop, take off, now," Silas commanded.

The vessel hummed and lifted out of the snow, the loud clicking still audible through the dead air of the planet, the red glow becoming 3 distinct eyes.

Out of the snow the ship took, boosters kickfiring into motion, the pull of G-forces as the vessel left the frozen wastes. Out of the drift came one last roar as out came a large metallic creature, it looked like a metal centiscorch, 3 red optics glaring at the ship.

"Bishop the hell is that?!" Roxy cried out.

"Sensor readings proclaim it to be an automaton, perhaps something constructed by our Alakagross AI that left it behind to guard its body," Bishop explained.

~How long has that thing been down here? The hell is going on?!~

Silas glared behind his helmet, and pulled it off, "Doesn't matter, I want us out of this system and jumping to the next beacon."

Daniel looked at everyone, then to Jackal holding him still, "Who do I work for? I work for myself."

Knight's fist closed in, "Wrong answer Danny boy!"

"No seriously! I'm self employed! I own a photography business!"

"How we met," Shadow!Isabelle said, frowning at Daniel, "We started dating and opened a business together. However he's a jackass, he kept... kept undermining me."

"You didn't know what you were doing!" Daniel pointed out, "You stupid idiot, you need somebody to tell you how to make a proper shot!"

Jackal's grip around his collar tightened, "So... you're only after your client because you dislike the loss of control? Well that makes this simpler. You're just another abuser."

Daniel frowned, "How did you guys find me anyways? They said I wouldn't be found."

That was something, "They? Who's they?"

Daniel scoffed, "The Guys who gave me this power, they told me they'd pay me a lot of money to use it, see what I could do!"

Jackal grinned a bit, "Oh?"

The Chrome plated guards passed, Delta's voice came over the radio, "Lightwave is probably working to protect the assets here, we did have intel saying they'd be here."

Delta opened the door and made a slow approach in, "Keep light, we'll meet you near the research center. Avoid guard patrols where you can, Lightwave has outfitted their guards with a lot of advanced weaponry and suits. Always about flash and substance with them."

He motioned for Salem to follow close behind, "But they'll probably be at our meeting point, research center archives will have the data you'll be required to extract. So be prepared, Lightwave likes to save their fanciest gear for themselves."

"I shall remain with the Commander and collect information for a debrief," Bishop said.

Silas sighed and nodded, he motioned for Gale to follow him.

Silas stepped up, "Well... here we go."

Gio put his book down and lifted his sunglasses up, "Oh! Jackal, baby! Happy Birthday, Gaaaaaale! Great to see both of you, enjoying the party?"

"Yeah, Bishop tells me your contractors just got an estimate... how long will it take to fix my ship?"

Gio tilted his head, "Gonna be a bit, might not have it til august at least."

Silas's frown grew, Gio shrugged, "Hate to tell ya, the overhaul may be more extensive than first imagined. Lotsa damage."

Silas sighed, "Alright alright... okay so... Gale care to field this one?"

Edited by EchoingSilence on Jul 11th 2021 at 9:48:59 AM

Isle of Armor, July 4

-Mason watches Silas get dragged off.-

Mason: ...Yeah. Okay that works. Uh.

-Rogue chuckles at Kahlia.-

Rogue: If only. Easy mistake, I am irresistible, but there's no lost love here.

-Their mask almost grins at Shaun.-

Rogue: Sorry, but you've still got fifty more weeks to go. You'll just have to keep guessing until then.

-They wink.-

---

-The hug is definitely something Kai needed, and she just sorta sinks into it, beaming brightly.-

Kai: Yep! One aura manifested from the hearts of many. But I don't want to get greedy about it, especially if other aura vamps start drawing from it too, so I'm trying to find ways I can to make sure those hopes and dreams stay renewable, you know? Help make things better for everyone.

-They sweatdrop as Megan mentions showing off techniques-

Kai: Ah-heh, yeah, maybe wait a while. I'm... honestly, mostly just in awe still, but definitely understandable to want to wait until wounds aren't quite as fresh.

-They've still got that grin, though.-

Kai: But I'll never turn down an opportunity to see what you've got cooked up, when you're ready.

Isle of Armor - Past

-Shaun winks back at Rogue.-

Shaun: "Damn. Well, I'm sure I can find some presents to unwrap between now and then."

-The very unsubtle looks he gives Mason and Jessica imply he's flirting with Mason and utterly failing at it.-

-Well, it's hard to be good at flirting if you're comparing yourself to Kahlia and Rogue.-

---

PEFE HQ

-Shaun shrugs his shoulders, testing the weight of the metal on his back.-

Shaun: "Not too heavy..."

Isbrand: "That's the culmination of four years of work. Don't. Break. It."

Shaun: "When have I ever been so careless?"

Isbrand: "I compressed the fuel from the old models as much as possible. The metal's a special alloy I concocted, as space-age as I could get without asking your boss for beskar."

Shaun: "Not my boss."

Isbrand: -ignoring him- "The hydraulics shouldn't need too much maintenance, I reinforced the forearms and knuckles, and you can channel your Obscura through it, functionally giving you access to Shadow Punch in addition to the pseudo-elemental punches."

-Shaun sticks his arms out to trigger the exoskeletal arms, metal extending from the pack on his back and encasing his arms, various wires and tubes running down them. The dark gray metal is almost solid on the wrists, and the fingers envelop Shaun's like gloves.-

Isbrand: "Did I mention it gives you upper-body strength equivalent to an Empoleon or Gallade? Or me, obviously."

-Shaun snorts.-

Shaun: "Named them yet?"

Isbrand: "Working name was 'Quick Knuckles'."

Shaun: "That's stupid. I'm calling these 'Gloom Dusters'."

Isbrand: "That's stupider."

Shaun: "Didn't you name your longsword Augury?"

Penny: <Also, Cereza named her katana Shadowcleaver.>

-Isbrand pouts.-

---

-Beowulf opens one eye as he senses Shaun come into the training room.-

Beowulf: <Time to go?>

Shaun: "Not yet. Wanna spar first."

-Beowulf stands up and stretches.-

Beowulf: <I want to ask->

Shaun: "She's too young to take on something like this. And I'm leaving her with her parents so they can actually bond.>

Beowulf: <Without Tsunami->

Shaun: "We're strong even without those two, that's enough. Now come on."

-The Gloom Dusters extend and envelop Shaun's arms.-

Shaun: "Don't keep me waiting."

"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"

Studio Palace

-To Daniel-

And who are these "guys"? Is that how you were able to reach this place too?

Edited by rmctagg09 on Jul 11th 2021 at 1:01:32 PM

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

Studio Palace

Rn'L and Ahemait looked at each other in fascination and nodded, turning their gazes towards Daniel, hostility dripping from every word.

"And where and how did you find them?" He demanded, a bit more collected in his pressing.

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Defiant Wing, Post-Polity

-The Nightingale staggers from the shadows and disengages helmet-

Alright, we all made it back? Cool, are we gonna unpack that or is it pretty self-evident what's going on now?

Vali Hospital, Guildmates

Kitbash: So what I'm hearing is that in a pinch I can unleash a Rotom and ruin their whole thing. Got it.

-Kitbash clicks his tongue into the mic and engages an attempt to be as sneaky as he can in getting to the designated meet-up point-

Lee House, The Pokæmart

-On first impressions, the Pokæmart is normal. First impressions, however, can oft be deceiving. Everything is as it should be for a Pokemart in those regions where they have not been absorbed into the local Pokemon Center: Shelves of product, a series of fridges along the back wall and a bored-looking teller behind the desk, though this teller seems to be wearing a little A Normal Mouse logo badge. Behind that desk as well is rows upon rows of Employee Of The Month portraits each showing the same man from the portrait in the foyer and the adverts playing ad-nauseum on the television in the lounge room. The teller glances up as you enter-

A Normal Mouse Staffer: Welcome to the Po-kae... Mar. The store containing the store for you. Please be advised that the management reserves the right to reject any sales containing dangerous items. Otherwise, enjoy your shopping experience courtesy of the Po-kae... Mar!

-They say, with absolutely no enthusiasm. Then they remember something and try and ahem attention back to themselves-

A Normal Mouse Staffer: The Pokaemart is currently having a special on Meat-Milk so be sure to check out that fridge before you leave.

-Still with an utter lack of any kind of enthusiasm. With the current shoppers/art appreciators suitably hinted, the teller goes back to reading a paperback copy of an obscure [Spanish] novella. Gale kind of just blinks and shrugs-

Well... Hm. I guess we'll just... Browse a bit?

Studio Palace

-Rakash shrugs-

We made an educated guess that you could be pestering your victim's Shadow, so we went straight to her. We might not have been able to track you, but people are quite predictable at heart...

Isle of Armor

-Gale put on her best fake smile as she stepped up to Gio-

Hey Gio, me and Cap have a line on some content generation for the show but the O-Wing's a little too banged-up to travel. You got maybe a spare VTOL or something laying around we can borrow for some on-site test filming out in [Italy]?

-Gale lifts her sunglasses to give a quick wink before dropping them down again-

Edited by Pentigan on Jul 12th 2021 at 10:39:29 PM

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Silas nodded and gave Gale a thumbs up, it was good cover for Opsec.

Gio grinned, "Oh? Well then follow me. Jesse, grab my work tablet please!"

Gio stood up and lead the two a little farther off to avoid being picked up, Jesse stepped over and handed him a thick tablet. Gio grinned as he looked between the two, "So you need a little something something because the ship is down. Understandable, what's the job?"

"Largely water based, we're gonna be in [Venice] for the time being," Silas responded.

Jesse nodded, "Ah then we may have something, it's largely already refurbed and can be outfitted far faster than your ship."

Gio picked up the tablet and turned it around, showing Silas and Gale what looked to be a submarine of sorts... further inspection for Silas however revealed it was an experimental [Soviet] stealth sub.

"Wait... is that, are you telling me you actually got your hands on a Hurricane Class Stealth Ship?" Silas asked, staring intently.

"Happy Birthday Silas, yeah. I wanted to get you the Supercarrier but... only two were ever made and the only one I could find is a bunch of scrap metal."

Silas's eyes were wide, he looked to Gale, "I say we take it. A submersible would be useful."

Isle of Armor

-Gale's eyes lit up as she spotted the submarine-

I mean, I've already got a submarine... It's not exactly the stealthiest and it only fits about for people tops but...

-Her tone is mostly sarcastic but then turns more sincere-

That would look lovely parked up at Rebels Island... I think we should go for it, yeah.

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

"The thing has a moonpool, we could easily store your sub on there," Gio commented.

"We'll take it," Silas said, "How soon can you have it ready to accommodate us?"

"Less than a day," Gio responded, "The thing was meant to crew 160 people, but seeing as you aren't anywhere near that much, it means there will be a lot more space for easy living. Automation will also work for it as well."

"Sounds like you've had it for awhile," Silas commented.

"I have, I was gonna refurb it into a personal cruiser but honestly, your idea is way more fun," Gio said with that devious grin he got whenever he saw a good opportunity.

"Okay the Bolts and the Rebels have a Submarine now," Silas said, struggling a bit not to actually laugh at the comment.

Skies over Galar - With Radon

-Ferrum rolls his eyes at Radon as they fly, muttering something that can't be heard over the roaring of the wind - but judging from the movement of his lips, it seems to include the word "kids", "liquidation", and "soon enough".-

Isle of Armor - July 4

-Kahlia gives Shaun and Rogue an exaggerated look of mock disappointment.-

Kahlia: Awww. Shame. Guess I'll just have to fall back on that oh-so-active imagination of mine. I suppose I should be grateful that you're not stealing Rogue away from me, but hey, there's certain activities that only get more entertaining when more people are involved~

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

Isle of Armor

One hundred and— Okay. We have a submarine now. We're going to do some covert actions in [Venice] with a full on submarine. I guess all we'd be missing is some kind of land tank and we'd have the trifecta... But yes, this is going to be good.

-Gale seems to be holding herself far less than Silas-

Should I start thinking of names for it?

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Silas had a malicious grin, "No need. Already have one," He said.

Gio quirked a brow, "Let's hear it?"

"The Hades. This is the Hades, we use it to traverse and run the underworld," Silas responded.

Edited by EchoingSilence on Jul 12th 2021 at 7:19:49 AM

Oblivion Wing, Isle of Armour Beach Party, July 4th

Despite being a center of maintenance activity, the Wing still provided the best private location available to discuss things at the moment. Priscilla had hoped to settle Petersen's little trouble there so as not to ruin everyone else's fun. Tommy arrived on schedule, having put on his hoodie again. Somehow, he was still dripping.

He didn't seem too fazed by the Wing. It appears he's been here before.

Priscilla: Bannaghtyn, Mr. Petersen. That's Armourese, by the way. A little local flavor for you there. I hope you've been enjoying the party. Mr. Grant hoped that this'd help ease your troubles a bit. I certainly hope I didn't interrupt anything.

Tommy: Yeah. Water's kind of flat now, so I guess that's enough surfing for today. I didn't even know you could even surf in this part of the world.

Priscilla: Good that you got yourself cooled off.

Tommy was still awkwardly dripping.

Tommy: I'm sorry. I could come back later and—

Priscilla: Don't worry about it. This is a non-slip floor.

Tommy: Well, if you say so.

Priscilla: I understand that you're on edge about your aunt's encounter with the Schoolchild, especially since your auric niece apparently reported that she might've been in danger.

Tommy: Our little Emilia doesn't lie. She knows that they were up to something and that they were after someone. I'm not gonna let this threat to my family and to another civilian slide.

Priscilla: And yeah, I've read your article on this person they seem to be looking for. You feel kind of responsible for both incidents. I wouldn't blame you, to be honest. Hardly anyone has heard of the School and their activities. And Castelians do love their superheroes.

Tommy: ...yeah.

Priscilla didn't really need to say anything more. Silas never specified why this fella was invited, but she pretty much could tell what his deal was at this point. She isn't buying the soft nerd boy routine he pulled off two years ago. The guy carries himself with a familiar sense of resolve. It's a kind of energy she's more than familiar with.

She also couldn't help but take a few passing glances at that eight pack earlier.

Priscilla: But I'm telling you this now. They are as dangerous as you believe they are. Tell me, though. How'd you and Jon figure out that this was something related to the School?

Tommy: Well, it's a long story.

Aunt April's House, Castelia City

The Petersen family was ill at ease. Aunt April was seated down with Miley in her good chair. Jeff was on the phone while Sara stared anxiously at a screen that Tommy tried to configure. They were planning a video chat with Shutter's grandfather in Galar. Naturally, Shutter was also there, invited because he seemed to know exactly what was going on.

Tommy: Are you sure about this?

Shutter: Yeah, the details check out. It's like those isolated reports of psychic children with purple eyes that seem to crop up every now and then, only this one is quite concrete.

Sara: Her powers are still developing, so I have no reason to doubt that she sensed something.

Miley: I could feel it! Whatever they wanted with the angel lady wasn't nice at all!

Sara: I'm glad you're both safe, mom, but why didn't you call us sooner?

Miley: He was a bad man and he had a bad friend just hiding somewhere. I hope Vulpecula beats them up.

April: He seemed like a nice enough young man, and I initially thought that he was just looking for a lost companion. I didn't notice how Miley was upset, so I merely tried to de-escalate the situation. If there's something I feel responsible for, it's putting that young woman in potential danger.

Sara: Don't beat yourself up, mom. I'm just glad it worked. But you two would have gotten hurt! As if the truck incident wasn't enough.

Jeff hung up.

Jeff: Jenny promises to investigate these reports. She has enough details to at least know what to look for. And Arceus, mio, why did this have to happen on my sabbatical for law school.

Sara: At least we can count on Jenny and the team to scour for them. Think we can get Interpol involved?

Jeff: Too much of a longshot. Best we can do is call up Crown Tundra Yard when we have enough evidence to build a case.

Shutter: An unconventionally powerful human psychic dropping out of nowhere to do a good deed is not unusual in Castelia. But the purple eyed one makes me think of that one case Harvey's been chasing these past few years.

Tommy: You mean that case? The so-called cloning factory? The one Hank is unreasonably adamant that Arachna-Guy had been "supplying" with DNA from robberies he thwarted?

Jeff: We've heard that possible case. Though that's been cold for years.

Shutter: Believe me, even I had my doubts that this was some vast conspiracy. Harvey makes a convincing point but there's just too many missing pieces and even he admits there were just too many holes to take action.

Jeff: Welp, if even Harvey gave up, that trail has gone very cold.

Shutter: Until perhaps now. See, Gramps is with the J-Team.

Sara: Your 88-year-old grandfather is with the J-Team?

Shutter: Yeah. That was pretty weird. My father did not take it well, since he remembers full well how gramps used to give him an earful for doing K-Team related things back in the day. Honestly, when the J-Team became a thing, my folks were pretty relieved that despite their shitty parenting neither Galen nor I ended up joining them.

Tommy: So you're saying that this one event could light up the trail of this red hot again?

Grandpa Reynard's face appeared on the screen. The video chat began in earnest

Reynard: Hey folks! Gavin told me everything. That definitely sounds like something related to the School.

Sara: Mr. Albright. A pleasure to see you. What's this about a School?

Reynard: They're not a real school. They call themselves that. Cloners who make purple eyed kids with powers from grave robbing and straight up gene piracy. My new friend Professor Yew told me all about it. He used to work for them until he found out exactly what they were doing.

Tommy: Hank is gonna flip when he finds out.

Shutter: Gramps, you just set this cold case on fire.

616 Clavis Plaza, Castelia City

Tommy enters Hank Harvey's office.

Hank: So, Petersen. You wanted to see me. Well, here's your chance. Make it quick; I've a new assignment for you.

Tommy: Yeah, I'm gonna have to cut you there, Hank.

Hank: That's a rather authoritative vocal tone you're taking, Petersen. A rather bold choice given that you're talking to the guy who signs your paychecks.

Tommy: Oh, I know. After what I'm about to say, you'd have a lot more on your plate than asking for more putatively incriminating photos of men in tights.

One really awkward beat.

Hank: Did you really have to say it like that? In that voice?

Tommy: Cut me some slack. I'm in the zone and doing it all extempo. What I'm saying is, I know about the School. We have a lot to talk about.

Hank: Close the door.

Oblivion Wing, July 4

Tommy: One awkward plane ride later and we're here. You know, I was just here a few months ago following the J-Team on an assignment. I even have a selfie with Dr. Tagg. Anyway, Hank didn't take it too well that I got invited into this event, but he seems to be doing alright. I still wonder how you managed to get him to agree with your NDA.

Priscilla: The School's on a heavy need-to-know basis even among PEFE operatives. It was only because they posed an active threat to the J-Team that we allowed them to be well informed to the extent that they do. There's nothing we can do on your part since you pretty much pieced it together before we did. All we did was give you a place to run to.

Tommy: Don't worry. We really didn't expect a press kit with this one. Hank has been following these people since the 1990s. All he really needed was the extra information to glue it all together.

Priscilla: That was a lot of extra data, I might add. Quite helpful. With an enemy as pervasive as the School, we'll need all the info we can get.

Tommy: I can take care of myself and maybe Hank, but there's only so much I can do for people like Aurelia. She saved my family; the least I could do to help her is get a few more people on her side.

Priscilla: I must reiterate that our job here at PEFE is to rescue these children. We can provide a refuge for this Aurelia if we find her and maybe call on the J-Team for added protection. I cannot guarantee that we'll be able to neutralize a threat coming from a Schoolchild unless they actively antagonize a J-Teamer or anyone under their protection.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Jul 18th 2021 at 5:47:53 PM

Wild Area

Brie: ...Uh, you're welcome.

-she blinks a little at the hybrid form-

Halcyon: <Ah. Everything makes sense suddenly.>

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Circhester Stadium, Stands

Me: Whoa! So that's a Galarian Darmanitan in Zen Mode.

Evelyn: Indeed it is.

Me: Looks like they kept the Fire typing of their kin.

Evelyn: From what I heard, Darmanitan from the Unova Region have psychic powers in Zen Mode.

Me: And you'd be right.

-Evelyn then remembers the battle against Surtr, the giant Darmanitan who took control of Gale Knight and tried to make her a human sacrifice. She also remembered the encounter with Diantha, Steven, Leon and Red, who had all been made into his thralls in the same vein as Gale. With that knowledge, she begins to worry, as there is a chance that if she and Ian were to beat the gyms in Circhester,    Spikemuth    and Hammerlocke... No... Not "if". Through their combined skill as trainers and the power of their love, there is no "if", there is only "when". Evelyn worries that WHEN she and Ian beat the gyms in Circhester,    Spikemuth    and Hammerlocke, when they get to the League, they will have to face Leon for the championship... and he will remember every moment of being enthralled by Surtr... Evelyn looks down at her feet and puts her hands to her head, shivering in trepidation at the thought of Leon looking at Evelyn and glaring with a burning antipathy as he says "I remember you..."-

Me: -looks over at Evelyn- E-Evelyn? Daijōbudesuka?^* Are you okay?

Evelyn: W-What? Me? I'm...

Me: Worried about how Leon will take to meeting you at the League, aren't you?

Evelyn: H-How did you know?

Me: Evelyn, I don't know what happened back in Hammerlocke that time, or how you knew Ms. Knight was a Magical Girl, but whatever it is, it can't be that bad. Whatever happened, you can tell me...

Evelyn: Oh... Th-thank you, Ian...

-Evelyn calms herself down and then talks to Ian.-

Half a Mile away from Hammerlocke

-Ian and Evelyn follow Hoops to the area where the battle will take place. Evelyn gets into position. She then takes a small stick out of her bag and holds it to her mouth.-

Me: -thinks to self- What's she going to do with that?

-Evelyn calms her mind and focuses around the stick, creating a microphone around it.-

Me: -thinks to self- Oh, that's what...

-Evelyn then begins to sing a catchy pop song about a strong desire for friendship.-

Evelyn: ♫Looking in your eyes~♪
♪How I hoped that you would see my heart~♪
♫That our lives would meet~♫
♫Never have to part~♫

♪Feelings here inside~♫
♪How I wished the world would go away~♪
♫All would disappear~♪
♫But you and I would stay~♫
♫And I'd be forever in your eyes~♪

♫Standing in the dark~♪
♪Wanting only to be next to you~♪
♫Shine your light on me~♫
♫Nothing else will do~♫

♪Deep inside my heart~♫
♪I believe that you and I could be~♪
♫Friends forevermore~♪
♫through eternity~♫
♫And you'd see me forever in your eyes~♪

♫The two of us together~♪
♪I see it in my dream~♪
♫Nothing can tear us apart~♫

♪Through any kind of weather~♫
♪It's always you and me~♪
♫Together we can stand the test of time~♪

-Evelyn sheds a tear as she sings this to Hoops, the sunlight shining down on them like a spotlight. It's clear she doesn't want Hoops to give up on the dream that they and their Pokémon share, but she also doesn't want to hold back.-

Lee House, Kitchen (Pokæmart)

Evelyn: Don't touch anything.

Me: Don't buy anything.

Evelyn and I: Gotcha.

Me: Just a question, though... What happens if we do touch and/or buy anything?

Wild Area (Aurelia)

Aurelia: Bye. I hope we meet again.

Studio Palace of the Maiden's Heart

Joybringer: -thinks to himself- This is getting interesting.

Joybringer: So you know about the power of Persona... that leads to my next question... How much did the people who gave you this power say they'd pay you? And why are you acting so callously towards Ms. Isabelle here?

♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...

Oblivion Wing - July 4

-As they're having their conversation upon the Wing, Priscilla and Tommy may find themselves being stumbled upon by a besuited, redheaded woman with one arm in a sling and the other clutching a tablet she's focusing on intently. Upon noticing the pair, she blinks - then blinks again, her focus seemingly having been drawn to something else. It takes her several seconds to compose a sentence.-

Alice: ...Oh! My apologies, I was simply wandering to help keep my thoughts in motion and didn't realise there was anybody else still aboard. I don't believe I've had the privilege of being introduced to your friend, Priscilla.

Edited by Herbert40k on Jul 12th 2021 at 7:51:53 PM

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.