Stormchaser Training Room

-Kai nods-

Kai: I couldn't agree more. Honestly, I see that as even more incentive for a person to teach it instead of a disc, so that he knows who else knows.

-They hit send on a pretyped message on their phone, and turn toward the training room entrance. After a few moments, Mason shows up, starts to walk in, and freezes as he registers what he's walking into, eyes widening with recognition.-

Mason: Oh, shit.

-He takes a few, slower steps in, trailing a hand through the fog and watching it shift around him.-

Mason: ...When you asked for my help for training, I kinda thought you were fucking with me. But now I see what you meant.

Kai: Heh, maybe on any other day it might've been a prank. But not today.

-They give a sort of demonstrative flourish-

Kai: After all, you just crossed into the Twilight Zone.

-Mason rolls his eyes.-

Mason: How long have you been workshopping that one?

Kai: Been in my head since 2012, buddy.

Textspace, Now

-Kai blinks in surprise as Kahlia's texts show up-

Textspace

Textspace

Textspace

Forest of Focus

-Sure enough, Kahlia is in fact waiting here, clad in her usual delinquent-esque attire.-

Wyndon Alleys

Ynos and Marco are speed walking their way through the Wyndon back-alleys. Marco appears to have gotten too tired to run at full tilt. Somehow Ynos still has his groceries.

Marco: "Can you at least tell me what you meant by 'one of those types'??"

Ynos: "Ah. hm."

He makes a 'how much can I reveal without revealing everything' face.

Ynos: "He's probably a Psychic."

Marco: "No, really?"

Ynos: "And he can use ranged attacks."

Marco: "I can see that, yes."

Ynos: -muttering-' "Probably ranged in the time sense too, since he's likely not near us and likely cannot see us. Future Sight? Unless he can turn invisible or something and plans to tail us until we have our guard down... But, anyway. I've fought people like the former before. "

Marco: "... And I'm assuming you beat them? How did you do that?"

Ynos: "I let them beat me up and think I was dead, then I surprised them by popping up and hitting them over the head. You would be surprised how inflated your ego can get when your attacks hit through causality."

Marco: "That seems inefficient."

Ynos: -shrugging- "It worked."

"Though, it may not now since you're here. He could go for you first. And you probably die when you're killed."

Marco: "I.. yes? Do you not?"

Ynos: "No. Sadly."

Marco: "What was that?"

Ynos: "It's nothing."

"... Wait."

Utter silence.

Then Ynos tackles Marco to the ground as a wooden crate near the spot they were both in is shredded to pieces by shards of psychic energy. He unfortunately loses the groceries in the process.

Stabber: "I found you..."

Forest of Focus

-And thus, Kai shows up-

-Hey, it's been a while since we've talked about her aesthetic, let's see what's changed, shall we?-

-For one, her hair is its natural brunette again, rather than red. She's cut it to just a bit less than shoulder length, too.-

-Pale lavender tank top, black button-down shirt open over it. Her Rainbow Wing is clipped onto her shirt pocket, rather than used as a hair dec.-

-Black skirt. It's got pockets. Hammerspace pockets, specifically.-

-Her scars from recent events have fully healed, but have left pale marks along her neck and the side of her face.-

-She smiles as she approaches Kahlia-

Kai: Hey there, Kal.

Forest of Focus

-Kahlia turns to face Kai, breaking out into a grin as she takes in their new look.-

Kahlia: Oh wow, somebody's looking good. Wish I'd seen you try the lavender goth aesthetic earlier, it's a good look on you. Hell, now I'm feeling a little self-conscious about not getting dressed up myself. Then again, you did get to see me in a swimsuit last time, so maybe I've treated you enough.

-She chuckles and shoves her hands in her pockets.-

Kahlia: So, how's tricks? You're not still in the doghouse after that little incident, are you?

Forest of Focus

-Kai chuckles.-

Kai: Hey, lavender goth is a classic for me. I try to keep a bit of variety, but this is just so reliable.

-She offers a grin of her own.-

Kai: Anyway, don't worry, everything worked out fine. I'm still planning on kicking Mason's ass eventually for bringing Rogue around like that, but in the long run it actually did an excellent job of covering me. Now they've seen me and them on the same beach, after all.

-subtle headtilt-

Kai: And you? Made any new friends yet, or just reestablishing rivalries?

Forest of Focus

-Kahlia's grin shrinks slightly, taking on a somewhat melancholy look.-

Kahlia: Heh, nah. You and Amel are pretty much the only people I see nowadays. Maybe I need to put the costume back on and pick a fight with your girlfriend, might meet some new people that way. Worst-case scenario, I get my ass beat by a hot girl in skintight spandex, so... win-win, basically.

-She shrugs.-

Kahlia: Speaking of which, lemme know when you get around to kicking Mason's ass, I'm always up for a friendly beatdown. Unless he's in on the whole superhero thing too. Is he in on the whole superhero thing, actually? He kinda seems like the type. Dark, handsome, brooding, mysterious, tragic backstory, ass that'd look great in leather... man, why do all the cute ones have to be gay?

-She sighs.-

Wyndon Alleys

Ynos and Marco take off running again, alley trash occasionally exploding into shrapnel around them as the Templar (let's just call him what he is) follows after them. Ynos pulling Marco one way or the other every so often to try and make them harder targets to hit. It.. sort of works- the both of them get scratched up, but none of the blows are immediately life-threatening.

They turn corners at random, trying to shake off their pursuer, but eventually come to a dead end. Marco is about to grab Ynos and pull him in a different direction when the Templar comes up behind them.

Stabber: "You can't run anymore!"

Marco: "Look, stab guy, what the fuck is your-"

Stabber Trace the Shatterer: -breathing heavily- "Stab guy? I am Trace the Shatterer and you'll refer to me as such you inferior beings!"

He steps forward, and both Ynos and Marco step back.

Marco: "Who came up with your name, a twelve year old? And how was I supposed to know what it was before you blurted it out?"

Trace growls.

Trace: "Mock me if you like, but you're cornered."

He sends out three mons- a Hypno, a Gothitelle, and a Meowstic(F)- that further block the way out.

Ynos: "We'll just have to defeat you, then?"

Trace: "Defeat me? Like that's going to happen. I recognize you from some old files they had me read. Some failure of an Osmium whose only power was his inability to die. All I need to do is secure you. Even you probably couldn't survive liquidation."

Ynos: "... Did those files mention how many of you I've lived through?"

Trace frowns.

Trace: "... That doesn't matter. The School is always improving, and you're twelve years out of date."

Marco looks between them, wide eyed.

Trace's eyes flash for a moment, and he grins.

Trace: "... I've already foreseen my victory."

Edited by Daydre on Aug 8th 2021 at 1:37:53 PM

Forest of Focus

-Kai shrugs as well.-

Kai: I mean, if he is a superhero secretly, I wouldn't know about it. But it really wouldn't surprise me. I mean, the School made him one of the greatest illusionists I can think of, and he's definitely got a thing for masks. Why wouldn't he be a superhero secretly? Or a supervillain.

-They smirk-

Kai: You're talking him up so much, how do I know you're not actually him in disguise?

Forest of Focus

-Kahlia's grin widens again.-

Kahlia: You got me. I've been Mason this whole time, I've just adopted this illusory persona of a daring, talented, and - objectively speaking - drop-dead sexy supervillain in order to impress you and win you over, because I am an illusionist with impeccable taste. If only I could make this illusion real, for I find myself hopelessly smitten with the vision I have conjured.

-She lets out a chuckle.-

Kahlia: Seriously, though, if he isn't already a supervillain I've gotta talk him into it. Dude would be perfect for it. He's got the aesthetic, the powers, the taste for drama... no offence to Amel, but I reckon if he'd been with us back in the day we never would've been caught.

Forest of Focus

-Kai snickers-

Kai: I'm starting to think I should be careful who I encourage. The world doesn't stand a chance.

-She puts her hands in her skirt pockets, smiling brightly-

Kai: So, any sights in the forest you want to show me? Or are we just here to get lost in the woods?

Stormchaser, Training Room

Ever: They are fucking with you. They are just also serious. Are you this Mason I've heard so much about?

Stormchaser, elsewhere

-most of the Y-Squad is sleeping off the events of yesterday-

-Avery is holding onto Facade in her sleep— Mallory and Apple-A-Day's teams don't run so cuddly, and while Amanita has fallen asleep with Sulfur in her lap the average person is not so up for cuddling a Poison-type-

-Percy, meanwhile, is awake-

-the door to the room opens, and she grabs Totentanz's ball-

-but it's just Brie, carrying a heavy-looking pack-

Brie: It's really early still. Don't you sleep?

Percy: No.

Brie: ...You know, that does explain a lot.

Percy: Doesn't it?

-she points at the bag-

Anything stolen yet?

Brie: Nah. Well, uh, maybe money, I don't know, but everything in there looks pretty intact. And I didn't see anyone who matched your description of Adelinde.

Percy: That doesn't say much. You're sure she didn't follow you back here?

Brie: I'd really love to see her try.

Percy: Hm.

-Brie flops down next to her. Percy scoots away-

Brie: You know you're safe here, right? There's like, literal legendary magic protecting us.

Percy: ...Forgive me if I don't take your word for it.

Brie: No, I...get that. If someone cut me in half I think I'd be pretty scared of them.

Percy: I'm not scared of Adelinde. I have a perfectly rational fear of her the way one might have a rational fear of a rampaging Tyranitar.

Brie: ...If you ever want to talk about it—

Percy: I do not.

Forest of Focus

Kahlia: Sure doesn't. Never did, honestly. The School had to lock me in a box for half my life since they knew I'd be too powerful if they let me run free, but now it's over for those assholes.

-She chuckles again, then gives a shrug.-

Kahlia: But yeah, getting lost was pretty much the plan. Didn't really have time to scout the place out before you got here. Who knows, though? Maybe we'll stumble across a nice, secluded little alcove, the kind of place that's just perfect for sharing a romantic moment, and just lean against one another as we watch the sun go down together...

-She gives a toothy grin.-

Forest of Focus

-Kai laughs-

Kai: Gosh, you're such a sap. You're a supervillain, what will they think if they find out you're just a hopeless romantic? They'll think you're going soft.

-She grins-

Kai: But we're not getting anywhere by just standing here.

-They hold out their hand.-

Rebel Island

Noble Elementual: ...Uh? Oh yeah! That's great! That's reassuring! Definitely what I was thinking about!

Catty: <Puzzling...>

Oran OS: ...Hm.

Edited by Umbramatic on Aug 8th 2021 at 2:01:12 PM

Wyndon Alleys

Trace: "... Oh. But first."

Shards materialize and shoot for Marco.

Marco is caught unaware and prepares for the worst when Ynos shoves him aside and eats the blow. Dozens of tiny little ephemeral shards bite into his flesh .For the first time today Ynos flinches.

Ynos: ".. You were after me first. So you'll have to go through me first."

Trace: "Oh? Well if you insist."

.. And Ynos throws himself at Trace, wounds already sealing. Trace summons a plethora of small shards that whiz around Ynos and slice at any visible openings they can find. Ynos doesn't seem to be one for guarding and just weaves around trying to avoid shards where he can. He dodges a surprising amount of damage this way, but a handful of shards still slice into him.

Marco seems like he wants to interfere, but given the anime bullshit Trace and Ynos are already up to he figures he'd be out of his league. Instead, he sends out Luc, Arianne, and Amelia (now a midnight Lycanroc).

Marco: "Okay okay uhhh... I only know about half of what's going on but we're fighting-" -points at the opposing mons- "-those guys. So uh. Have at it?"

Luc: <.. Mmf.>

Arianne: <Have at it? That's it?>

Marco: "You know I'm not a battler, we just need to get these guys out of the way so we can go!"

Arianne: <Yeah yeah, just joshing you->

-And she launches at the Meowstic with fangs cloaked in obscura.

The Meowstic yowls as Arianne latches onto her. She fires Psychics at random, trying to blast Arianne off, but in her panic isn't having much luck.

Luc and Amelia go after the Gothitelle and the Hypno respectively- Luc with Accelerock and Amelia with Bite.

The Gothitelle is bowled over right away, but in the tumble manages to mind zap Luc into unconsciousness.

The Hypno, looking annoyed, rips his arm from Amelia with a grunt and violently slaps Luc awake.

On the plus side, Luc does in fact wake up. On the minus he looks very out of it and struggles to stand. On the plus side again this distracts the Hypno long enough for Amelia to Bite him again!

Ynos is having trouble gaining ground. For every step forward he takes more fragments of psychic will fill the space. He's still healing but his cuts are closing.. somewhat slower. The streams of aura leaking out of him are starting to thin.

Trace: -grinning- "You're looking tired. "

Ynos: "..."

Trace: "So you do have a weakness-"

In the second it takes him to gloat, Ynos makes a mad rush forward and punches him square in the gut. Trace gasps and backpedals.

Trace: "You-"

Ynos: "... You should've just shut up and kept attacking."

Pressing his advantage, Ynos takes a step forward and aims another blow at Trace's chin. Trace tries to backpedal but Ynos is too quick and clips him. Ynos continues to press, gaining more ground on Trace as the latter fails to dodge his punches.

Trace: -wiping blood from his nose- "This isn't what I- no, I can still salvage this!"

The shards still in focus coalesce around Ynos and bear down on him, but he grits his teeth and takes it to deliver a punch-

-That never lands. A separate burst of psychic power blows Ynos back 10 feet into the opposing alley wall and he collapses.

The Meowstic finally gets her bearings and Psychics Arianne into a wall hard enough to cause a crater. Arianne drops to the ground with some rubble and a couple bricks.

Arianne: <OOF- That one... smarted.>

She's still conscious, but doesn't seem keen on moving for a while.

The Meowstic's partners haven't had such a change in fortune, though- the Gothitelle has been knocked out and the Hypno looks to be on his last legs.

To be fair to them, though, Luc and Amelia don't look so great either. They're holding up well given they're not career battlers, but it's not like they can hold up forever.

Amelia: -glancing at Arianne- ".. Guess it's two on two."

Luc: "Mm."

... And they both jump at the Meowstic. Amelia Bites the Meowstic, but she blasts Amelia away with a point-blank Magical Leaf. This leaves her open to a second Bite from Luc, though. Luc sinks his teeth into her and throws her down the alley, knocking her out.

The Hypno sees Amelia land hard and decides to use that opportunity. His head glows with power and he runs at her prone form.

In the background Arianne shakily gets to her feet.

Arianne: "- Oh no you don't!"

She grabs a brick with her teeth and hurls it at the Hypno. The Hypno, rushing head-first, doesn't see it until it's too late and the brick knocks into his skull with an almost comical thunk.

The three look relieved as the Hypno goes down, but that doesn't last for long.

Forest of Focus

-Kahlia grins back.-

Kahlia: What do you think the mask is for? It's all part of living a dual life. Sly, sadistic supervillain Whiptail shows no signs of such sentiments. You just happen to be one of the lucky few who gets to see just how suave and charming I can be. Case in point~

-She takes Kai's hand and goes skipping into the forest.-

November 1, 2020, OU

Lita currently had Tesse up by the collar of her shirt and was shaking her.

Lita: "What do you mean you lost the signal?"

Tesse: "I'll explain just please put me down and stop shaking me T__T."

With a huff Lita let her go and Tesse crumpled to the ground on her knees. Lita sat on the ground across from her.

Lita: "Talk, before I stab you with something."

Tesse: "...that a threat or a promise?"

Lita raised her hand as if to smack her.

Tesse: "Alright alright I'll behave! Ok, so, this isn't exactly rocket science, it's much more complicated. The trail has gone cold. Looking for where he went now would be like throwing a dart into a dirty pool and trying to hit the pin of a thumbtack in the bottom of a completely different dirty pool on the other side of the world."

Lita: "So that's it? We're done and it's all over?"

Lita got up quickly, holding herself and pouting. Her eyes were welling up with tears. Mika pawed at her leg, trying to comfort her.

Tesse: "I'm sorry..."

Lita: "No no, it's ok. You did your best." She sniffled and wiped one of her eyes. "I'll just...stop messing around and focus back on my job with the Signaljammers I guess. I've already lost him once. What's losing him one more time really going to do to me?"

Tesse: "Lita..."

She squatted and picked up Mika, giving her a tight hug.

Lita: "I mean theoretically you could drop me off in some other universe and I could find the version of my dad that lives there, rescue that one from depression and then lose that one all over again. No big deal. I'll just go find another version of dad after that and…" Tesse: "Lita this isn't healthy."

Lita wheeled back around to face Tesse, eyes red with tears. She squeezed Mika a little too tightly, making the mouse mon squeak.

Mika: <Eeep! Too tight! D:>

Lita: "I know this isn't healthy. But I could do it in theory, right? What's life mean anyways when no matter what you do another version of you in some other reality does the opposite of what you did? Or maybe you don't even exist in that reality!"

Tesse: "Lita please, you're suffering from a Multiple World-induced existential crisis. It's a nasty cocktail when combined with grief."

Lita: "Is that a real thing or are you just making up shit again?"

Tesse looked down, ashamedly. "It's...a theory."

Lita scoffed and rolled her eyes, turning and stomping away.

Tesse: "Hey, where are you going?"

Lita: "Away. Just away. I'm done!"

Tesse looked back at all of her expensive equipment then turned back to Lita. She groaned in frustration, racking her brain to think of a possible solution.

Think, dammit. OK. Alternate dimensions. People coming from alternate dimensions. This guy had access to interdimensional tech. How refined was it? Those who are only beginning to understand the science behind it often need a 'leg up' when conducting their preliminary studies. Points in space-time that are 'thinner'. Allow for interdimensional travel. Fallers. No control over where they end up. However...

Tesse: "Lita waaaait!"

Lita stopped and turned.

Tesse: "I know how to figure out where Des wound up!

To Be Continued...

Rebel Island, Nowish

Something that could best be described as a "slash in the fabric of reality" appeared on the island. A lady in cybernetic armour stepped out followed by a short teenager in an oversized purple hoodie and black sweatpants. Her hood was up and she had a bang of brown hair covering one side of her face. She was lugging a military-style pack on her back.

The mask on the cyborg lady split and moved to the sides of her head, revealing her to be Lita, not that anyone would likely recognize her. The "slash" behind them closed up.

Lita: "So, this is the little 'project' the Bolts have been working on."

She looked down and smiled at the teen beside her. The teen looked down at the ground nervously.

Lita: "Hey..."

She knelt down in front of her.

"You'll be in good hands here. Some of dad's former friends run this place. You'll learn how to control your powers. Plus you got Doug to keep you company."

The teen took out an Ultra Ball and looked at it pensively.

???: "...Whatever."

Lita pinched her brow.

Rebels island

Jess noticed the new people arriving. She particularly notices the new arrival's similar fashion sense to theirs. They teleport over to them.

Jess: Erm- hi. I, erm, like your hoodie.

CW for violence, death

Wyndon Alleys

Ynos is dead still on the ground. Aura streaks out of him occasionally so he's probably not actually dead, but he doesn't seem to be in a state where he can move.

Trace breathes a sigh of relief and recomposes himself. Brushing his hair out of his face, he steps over Ynos and advances on Marco.

Marco spares a side glance at Ynos' collapsed and bloodied form. He can't help but feel a pang of sadness as he backsteps away from Trace.

Marco: Oh come on I just met the guy I can't be getting attached-

"Ynos-!"

Shards of psychic intent press up against Marco's body. Trace grabs him by the shirt.

Marco's team look ready to pounce, but with the imminent threat to their trainer they don't.

Trace: "You shouldn't worry so much about your little friend there when I can kill you where you stand."

Marco: "..."

Behind Trace Ynos stirs.

Trace: "Well, I guess you can. I'm killing you either way. Can't have you telling anyone about this, can I?."

Marco: -noticing Ynos- He's still...? Maybe If I buy time...

"Y-you're really just going to kill me? What if someone finds-"

Trace: "They won't find anything. The higher ups will make sure of that."

Marco: "But what if they do?"

Ynos rolls over, hands feeling around the garbage Trace exploded earlier.

Trace: "We're much too thorough for that."

Marco: "It kinda sounds like you let that guy slip through the cracks."

Trace: -twitching- "Well, we're cleaning him up now aren't we?"

Marco: "Yeah but the fact that you left him for.. 12 years did you say? Kinda says something about your organization."

Trace: "Don't question our methods, we've survived as an organization this long so we're clearly doing something right!"

Marco: "Something can just stop working after a while even if it looked like it was working before."

Trace: "Just shut up and stop distracting me! And what do you keep looking a-"

Before he can complete his sentence Ynos rises from the floor and smashes his head in with a wood plank.

The Templar collapses into a heap.

Ynos smashes him again for good measure.

And again.

And again.

Marco, released from Trace's grip, looks slightly ill. He takes a step back, eyeing Ynos.

Marco: "S- wait. Stop, dammit, stop!"

Ynos stops. His expression is devoid of emotion. No anger, no sadness, not even any kind of joy. Just.. nothing. He looks at Trace's body, and then at Marco.

Marco: "Is he-"

Marco feels a heavy sense of dread in his chest. The answer to that question is immediate, though Marco finds he can't look directly at it without bile rising in his throat.

Ynos: "Yes."

Marco: "But- what- you didn't have to kill him!"

Ynos: "He would not have hesitated to kill us. And... he would have sent others after you, had he survived. As it is, they are already after me."

"..."

"It would be better if you forgot what you saw here."

"Now go. I will deal with the rest."

Marco looks at Ynos' face until the tide of dread and fear inside him is about to bubble over. The longer he looks, the more he notices very brief snatches of emotion playing across Ynos' face, but he doesn't know the other man well enough to discern what they are. Slowly, like he's trying to avoid startling an angry wild mon, he returns his team.

And then Marco runs.

Rebel Island

Lita and the unknown her looked a little startled as Jesse just blipped in.

Lita: "Oh wow. Aren't you talented."

???: -gave Jesse's outfit a once over, then gave her own outfit a once over- "...Ok."

Lita: "Helvetica...^_^;;;"

Ballonlea Stadium, last year

-Happily cheering-

Stormchaser Training Room, nebulous time

-Watching-

I don't think we need to worry about people going out there, there were extenuating circumstances in the form of racism and a messed up artifact, the technique itself has no corrupting effect on the mind.

Crown Tundra, today

Edited by rmctagg09 on Aug 8th 2021 at 4:33:18 AM

Rebel island

Jess: Oh, thanks.

Robin teleports over. They look at Jess and ???.

Robin: <Huh. Which one of you is my trainer?>

Jess facepalms. Robin looks far too pleased with themself.