Stormchaser, near Neon

Prof. Yew: Well, now I'm curious. Would you mind sharing it with us, young man?

Stormchaser, Elsewhere

-Neon blinks-

Neon: Uh, well, I was trying to look into the sorts of things the School would, you know, try to gewt the jump on them, and I was looking into famous Aurics, Psychics, and Obscurics -

-Kofun pops out of their ball-

Kofun: <Have you found anything?>

Neon: I was getting to that!

-back to Professor Yew-

- and I found one guy in particular - Have you heard of a Kuroi Kiri?

[Venice]'s Heart - July 7th

Not Megan: -twirl- I look pretty good in your colors, don't I? 😄

-she strikes a pose—the effect spoiled somewhat by her reciprocal flush, or perhaps completed-

-and at their expression of concern grows more serious, clasping their hand and bringing it to her chest-

Not Megan: -solemn- Can you feel my heart burning? Can you feel the struggle within? The power in my boobs is beyond anything your soul can make. I cannot expend myself in a way that matters.

-...snicker, sleeve re-furling into plain leather- But yeah, I'm pretty much done. As best as I can tell, there's, like...Infinity diodes, or something—whoever made this didn't want control anywhere outside this room. I bet it could be rewired to do that, which is both horrifying and fascinating to think about...

-...she seems to shake herself, smiling ruefully-

Edited by Asterisk395 on Aug 18th 2021 at 12:27:00 PM

Stormchaser, Neon side

The professor nods at the idea of trying to learn more about the School.

Prof. Yew: If you want to learn as much about the School as it was forty years ago, I can be of help, but I doubt that they've kept things the same all those years. This does seem like a good place to start.

He pauses for a bit, and thinks hard. He really should've taken those two semesters back in '72 seriously.

Prof. Yew: The language sounds familiar. You must forgive me if my [Japanese] is a bit rusty, but I might've figured it out. It sounds as though it could mean "black fog."

Cerebro: ~Sounds very sinister, but that could just be how it reads in Galarian.~

Walking down the halls was Beck.

Beck: Did you say "Black Fog," professor?

Prof. Yew: Why yes, that what the word Neon here found translates to, more or less. Does this sound familiar to you, Mr. Beckett?

Beck: In what context?

Prof. Yew: Pray tell, what is the significance of this specific name?

Stormchaser, elsewhere

-Neon holds up the phone screen, upon which reads:

Kofun: <...Last edit by HexManiac4Lyfe?>

Neon: -shrug- Hey, they cited their sources.

Edited by Umbramatic on Aug 18th 2021 at 12:15:13 PM

Stormchaser, Neon's side

Prof. Yew: Hmmmph. They say there is always a germ of truth in these legends. Though it does seem rather unlikely that—

Cerebro: ~Uh, Professor?~

He turns around and sees a mortified Beck, trying to

Prof. Yew: Mr. Beckett? Mr. Beckett?!

Beck: I need to sit down.

Prof. Yew: You've done so much for us already. Bryan, assist him.

Bryan complies.

Cerebro: ~The name, sir.~

Prof. Yew: Yes, Cerebro, I see it now. Now, I don't mean to probe, Mr. Beckett. If there's anything you're comfortable telling us, let us know. But take your time.

Bryan hands Beck a convenient folding chair. The distressed security personnel sat down, hyperventilating and muttering to himself.

Beck: It can't be, can it? Wouldn't put it past those bastards. They've been doing that nonsense for centuries now.

Prof. Yew: Give him time to process it. Now, what else have you known about this Black Fog, Neon?

Edited by MasterJayAM on Aug 19th 2021 at 1:20:48 AM

Stormchaser, Elsewhere

Neon: -blink- Uhhhh mostly just that he was sealed in a granite tablet that was later mysteriously stolen, which is how he was speculated to have reached Kalos.

Kofun: <Do... Do you know this Haunter?>

Hammerlocke Gym Battle

Recalling his unconscious Gigalith and finishing his short sponsor speech (remember you can get 30% off Lure Balls if you use the coupon code SANDSTORM at certain retailers) he send out his next pokemon, Sandaconda.

Referee: And now if the trainers are ready to continue, battle resume!

No-one moves for a second, expecting the comments about the referee's marriage, but this time at least he has remained silent.

Hoops: Sal, use Dragon Pulse on Sandaconda! Kit, use Hone Claws!

Raihan: Use Earth Power, Sandaconda, and Flygon use Thunderpunch on Salandit!

As Kit hangs back and begins to sharpen his claws, Sal releases a burst of draconic energy that streaks through the sandstorm towards the snake like pokemon. Sandaconda coils and slaps the ground with its tail, sending a plume of earth and lava into the air to block the attack. Flygon then swoops out of the sky and hits Sal with two electrified fists, sending him flying. He struggles to his feet.

Referee: I mean, it's just, you think everything is going fine, you know, and then suddenly she's saying that she wants to have some time apart. I mean, I spent a lot of time at work, and maybe I could have been there for her emotionally, but she could have talked to me? And now she's taken the kids and I'm living in a cheap flat on the edge of town.

Hoops: Hey, uh, I realise this is a difficult time for you and everything, but could you maybe save this for later? I mean, we're in the middle of a battle right now.

Raihan: Yeah, I agree with Hoops. But Jake, if you want to talk about this later you know I'm here to listen, okay mate?

Referee: Yeah, I know, it's just hard.

Everyone turns their attention back to the battle.

Hoops: It'll be hard to get through their defences, especially now they know our strategy with the sandstorm. And Sal and Kit can't take many more hits, especially with the sandstorm wearing them down. Unless...

Hoops: Sal! Kit! How ready are you to do something completely stupid?

Sal: <Ready as ever, boss!>

Kit: <Let's do it!>

Hoops: Okay, Kit, I need you to use Quick Attack! Keep them busy! Sal, don't stop using Nasty Plot!

Kit gets a boost of speed and runs at Sandaconda.

Raihan: Whatever you're trying won't work! Use Fire Fang, and Flygon use Steel Wing! Bring Nickit down!

The two pokemon try and attack Kit whenever he gets close, but his speed and accuracy allow him to continually dodge their attacks, even though the sandstorm continues to scour his skin.

Sal: <I'm ready!>

Hoops: Great! Kit, come and stand at the edge of the field. Sal, release as much fire as you can in one big Flamethrower!

Raihan: Hang on, you aren't...

Hoops: Heck yeah! We're using your storm against you again.

Sal's fire comes out in a huge burst that at first threatens to be swallowed by the sandstorm. But the flame grows larger and refuses to die, and the entire stadium fills with a tornado of flames.

When it fades, Flygon is unconscious on the ground. Sandaconda is still up, a shimmering wall surrounding it. Sal and Kit are also standing, though both look in a bad way. And the sandstorm is gone.

Hoops: Protect?

Raihan: At the last second. But without it we would have been screwed. Good job.

Hoops: Thanks.

Sal cries out from the exhaustion and collapses. Hoops and the referee run to check on him, and find that he has passed out.

Referee: Salandit and Flyon are both unable to battle!

The trainers return their pokemon to their balls.

Wild Area, Giant's Cap

Vana nods.

Vana: So, after they finish their gym battle I'll go out and lure them here, and then we can do the killing thing.

She hesitates, like she's not sure if she should say the next part.

Vana: I'm still not fully convinced that they need to die, but I'll keep walking on this path. But... what's the plan that you guys have? How are you actually going to do the killing part?

Hasslemon

EL: Hello +here, Raru!

SK: You're interested, I would assume.

BC: #{wait... 0 do 0 you 0 want 0 to 0 help 0 ozzy 0 or 0 are 0 you 0 interested 0 in 0 maybe 0 getting 0 a 0 quirk 0 too}

MP: (Maybe both?)<

SB: i think it's the former ;; i don't think raru would be interested in a quirk ;;;

ML: And yet s[]meh[]w I can see him being the first t[] get []ne...

CV: HellO, Raru! Yt's me, Dalt! HOw are iOu tOdai?

Stormchaser, near Neon

Beck points at the picture in the article. It was a file photo from an earlier time, before the artifact was said to have "disappeared."

Beck: Oh, I know exactly where that thing is. I never knew what it was called at the time, but I know I've seen something like that. I recall the elder members of the Macraul family move and catalogue several strange artefacts to a climate controlled vault underneath their home in Rue Macraul. I should know. I was there. I designed the security system. It's so good, even I can't crack it.

Bryan: ~I've certainly never felt that level of pride and shame simultaneously before.~

Prof. Yew: That does seem in character for them. I've heard their patriarch Paul was a "patron" of the arts. Could he have acquired it?

Beck: Not the word I would use.

Prof. Yew: There's a child in front of us, Sterling. You alright with if I call you Sterling?

Beck: Call me Beck, Professor. And I don't even know who it belonged to. Could be him? Could be his brother or any of his cousins. Could be his parents, for all I know. I didn't design their catalogue; just their electronic security system. There were things that they never outsourced to people outside their family.

Prof. Yew: Archaeologists, historians, and antiquarians have held private collectors like him in great contempt, and with good reason. And if they've acquired artefacts of power, I can only fear the worst.

Circhester Stadium, Gym Challenge Puzzle Room (Sandy Whiteout Zone)

-Ian and Evelyn look at each other and nod. They know this will be dangerous. Pitfalls, blizzards and sandstorms? Definitely a major challenge. But knowing them, they've faced odds not unlike this. They hold each other's hands as they step into the storm, and prepare to do what they've been doing...-

-Ian and Evelyn dance across the icy floor, their movements keeping themselves warm in the face of the blizzard. Evelyn throws Ian into the air, who then does a flip and is caught by Evelyn. Evelyn then spins around with Ian in her arms, carrying him like a princess as she does.-

Vali Hospital Zone

Salem: Croaku, wake the hell up and kick this guy's ass! NOW!

-Salem fires a shot from his Petrifier at Lightwave. Croaku, hearing his trainer's voice (that time), snaps him out of his trance and he proceeds to hit Lightwave with a mop.-

Ocean Skater Zone

-Sophie glides across the ocean at an insanely high speed like a silver streak, as a bridge of ice forms under her feet. She picks up the pace with the hope that she's not too late to stop Vana and find her allies.-

Sophie: Come on... Just a little faster...

-Sophie continues her ocean skating

Witch's Sky Zone

-Ian and Evelyn fly high over the Galar Region, searching for where Hoops might be in the hopes of being able to protect Hoops from what Evelyn saw in her vision.-

Me: Hey, Evelyn.

Evelyn: Yes, Ian?

Me: I think Hoops might be somewhere in Hammerlocke.

Evelyn: Hammerlocke?

Me: I mean, yeah. Hoops is still on their Gym Challenge. If they've already beaten the Gym in Spikemuth, where is one to go from there than Hammerlocke?

Evelyn: Ian?

Me: Yes, Evelyn?

Evelyn: You are so right. Now. Let's go to Hamerlocke!

-Evelyn flies her broom on down to Hammerlocke, with Ian in tow.-

Hasslemon

Stormchaser, Elsewhere

Kofun: <So you're saying the Black Fog is in the possession of The Macrauls? That's... Unfortunate.>

Neon: Who are the Macrauls again?

Edited by Umbramatic on Aug 18th 2021 at 5:14:43 AM

Hasslemon

NN: "1n th3 m4rk3t?" 1s h3 r3ff1ng to 4 m1n1m4rt?

UR: YEAH, what DOES that MEAN?

UF: I believe it Means that he either does not Want to have a typing quirk at the MoMent or that he has not thought of one yet.

NN: Oh.

UR: OH.

SK: Thank you, Raru. Any help at all would be greatly encouraged.

IA: yeah, ozzy's 8een l∞kin' for a typing quirk ever since we told him '8out ours.

FM: Ya don't happen ta have any !deas, do you? 'CAUSE OZZY NEEDS ONE!

   DT: zz Hey, RarU! Hope yoU're doing well! Also, yeah, ya got any ideas for Ozzzzy? 'CUzz I sUre as heck don't! zz   

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Aug 18th 2021 at 3:44:09 PM

Circhester Stadium, Dancing Through the Danger

-Ian and Evelyn continue to dance, this time, crossing the stone floor. Evelyn leading and using her extrasensory spatial awareness to guide Ian so they don't get sand in their eyes. Ian smiles at Evelyn as they dance and they continue to dance through the danger, finally reaching the other side of the puzzle room.-

Evelyn and I: Tada~♪

-All the pit traps on the floor reveal themselves as the final part of Ian and Evelyn's Gym puzzle is complete.-

Announcer: THEY'VE DONE IT! Ian and Evelyn have danced through the danger and cleared the puzzle without falling once!

-Ian, Piku-chan and Evelyn high five each other on a job well done.-

Hatty: <That was amazing footwork, Evelyn. Ian. I think we're more than ready for the next challenge.>

Evelyn: As do I, Hatty. Now, let's go.

Circhester Stadium Pitch

-Ian and Evelyn step out onto the pitch, as ready for their Gym Battle as they will ever be...-

Hasslemon

[Venice], Harbour - July 7

-From behind the captain and his mistress emerges another figure - a woman in a labcoat almost as pale as her. Her short, sensibly-cut hair is a stark greyish-white despite her apparent youth, and her face is marked with a long, vicious-looking scar running across one eye, which is covered with an eyepatch. When she speaks, her voice has a faint trace of a [German] accent to it.-

Rosalinde Stein: I have to say, Captain, I hope the quality of the merchandise provided holds up to what we have been promised. The results from my last batch of subjects were... disappointing.

Stormchaser Medbay

-Alice gives Apple-A-Day a nod and a faint chuckle.-

Alice: You know what? I'll take that as a compliment.

-She looks back at Kai with a grin.-

Alice: Ah, what a terrible and tragic fate. Perhaps this might act as a means of encouragement not to wholeheartedly embrace danger from here on out. Alas, I doubt it, but I can provide encouragement of my own to get well soon.

-She steps over to Kai's bedside, bending over to place a quick kiss on their lips.-

-This all happens as Kahlia looks on, and - oh! Look at that! You can actually pinpoint the second when her heart rips in half!-

-Well, nothing quite so dramatic. But she does turn over onto her side, eyes fixed intently on the wall.-

Wild Area, Giant's Cap

-Ferrum gives Vana a curious look.-

Ferrum: What, you really think it's that complicated? In my experience a foot-long length of rebar through someone's chest tends to do the job pretty quick. Pass it off as an industrial accident or a fall or whatever, these things happen all the time.

-He looks between Nitrogen and Vana with a grin that almost seems to be daring them for a response.-

Ferrum: Unless one of you ladies thinks you have a better idea?

Edited by Herbert40k on Aug 18th 2021 at 10:35:42 AM

Entralink, today

-Is waiting by the Entree-

Cam: <This is a weird tree, like some weird twisty vine.>

Tyl: <It's got funny notes.>

Yew: <They said stuff from other universes just drops here randomly sometimes, maybe we'll get something good.>

Wyndon, also today

CW death, implied gore

Chiyo: -Is walking with Dactyl when she suddenly stops in place- They're here.

-Two Templars appear before them-

Martin the Martial: -Flanked by a Machamp- Iridium, you may have avoided capture for this long, but that ends today.

I don't really run into Templars or enemy Schoolchildren that often, but when I do...

Chiyo: -Eyes narrowing as Dactyl starts rotating slightly faster- My name is Chiyo.

Francis the Weaver: -Flanked by a Leavanny- You can come quietly, or in a bag, our handlers said they'd prefer you alive, but as long as there's enough of you left for a template it doesn't really matter which.

Chiyo: -Sharply- I'm never going back to those slavedrivers, and the Principal and the rest of them can go fuck themselves.

-Glowing rainbow-

I'd prefer things not to get bloody, and even Templars like you are just tools to them in the end, but if you try taking us back, I can't be held responsible for what happens next.

Francis: -Laughing as what appears to be Aura threads appear around him- You're just a prototype, and an outdated one at that, we're the next step in human evolution! What are you trying to warn us for?

Chiyo: This is why I'm glad I got to read better books once I got out...

-To the Templars-

This is your last warning, if you try to capture me, I'll show you exactly why the School hasn't been able to catch or kill me in 20 years, and it'll probably be the last thing you learn.

Francis: Okay Leavanny, time to cut 'em u-Eyes start bulging as his vision starts blurring- W-What did you doi to me?

Chiyo: While you were talking, I made a barrier in your carotid, which is blocking the flow of blood to your brain. You're probably going to die, I'm sorry.

Francis: -Immediately drops into unconsciousness, and doesn't move-

Chiyo: -To Martin, purple eyes boring into them- If you don't want to join him, I'd suggest retreating.

Martin: How dare a truant like you kill one of us-Barely summons a barrier to block as Dactyl careens into the Machamp, sending it flying into a brick wall, before flying towards him-

I don't like killing, even if it's my more loathsome "siblings", but their gall to be offended when they're here to kidnap or murder me is really something else. Of course since it takes a bit of focus to do I can't really pull off making barriers in people's bodies in a straight fight.

Chiyo: -Bounces Dactyl off her own barrier-

Dactyl: -Careens off it and slams into Martin with even greater force-

Martin: -Lands on his back, likely having broken his ribs as he clutches his right side- Damn it, we need backup!

-And some paramilitary forces and their mons show up and start firing at them-

Dactyl: <How is no one noticing them shooting at us!? Normally they prefer to attack when we're isolated to avoid stuff like this.>

Chiyo: -Forming a number of barriers to soak up the gunfire and mon attacks, as the two hide under a circular more opaque barrier- They must have a very strong SEP Field up.

I was meant to die, but it seems the gods smiled upon me, and 20 years has given me a lot of time to figure out my powers. Not only are they evil, they're also wasteful.

-Sends out the outer barriers at the opposing forces, crushing them against the walls, before Auric Charging barrier-first through some of the rest-

Luxray: -Leaps at Chiyo as she tries getting her bearing-

Chiyo: -Is knocked to the ground and forms a barrier with her hands as it tries getting at her throat- Man, get off!

-Feet glow with Aura before she kicks into her barrier, sending it and the Luxray into the air-

Dactyl: -Hits it with a Stone Edge in midair, as it drops unceremoniously to the ground-

Chiyo: -Getting up and forming three large barriers as they try moving to a more populated area- Good shot Dactyl.

Dactyl: <Well you helped set it up.>

Soldier: -Rifle pointed at them- Got yo-Smashed by a barrier-

Chiyo: They don't seem to have much of a mind of their own, almost like basically flesh robots.

-Forms a circular barrier between her fingers which she throws like a frisbee at some soldiers in the alleyway. As it bounces the edges slices through the guns and if it happens to hit a neck or the head, well, that's an ex-soldier-

Chiyo: -Stepping over a body- Arceus...

Leavanny: -Stands in their way, before seeing the carnage and thinking better of it- <...You know what, they don't pay us enough for stuff like this.>

-Flees, but the soldiers don't seem as keen on doing the same, as one starts loading a missle launcher-

Dactyl: <We need to get out of here!>

I have to thank Nicky and Kendra for helping me figure this out, that barriers and boundaries go a lot deeper than a lot of people think. Need to get them something for their next anniversary.

Chiyo: -Using her Sight to pick out a rift as she deflects the fired missile back to its sender, as people start noticing there's some sort of commotion going on- Bingo.

Martin: -Limping after her- You can't escape the School forever, Iridium!

Chiyo: -Turning back briefly- It's Chiyo, and perhaps one day that'll be the case, but I'm definitely escaping you.

-And uses her powers to bring out the rift, she and Dactyl jumping through it as it closes-

Edited by rmctagg09 on Aug 24th 2021 at 4:00:12 AM

Entralink

Owen: -idly hums the Beach Boys' "Do It Again"-

Hale: -grumpy- <Iwouldfeelmoresecureinevadingthistemporospatialarborealtroublemakerentirely.>

Channah: I'm down for whatever as long as we don't get tossed into some silly video game universe or vice versa. Like, Cooking Papa.

Entralink

-To Channah-

Well, its use is pretty simple, we focus on the universe we want to go and it'll send us there. Luckily I'm here so there's not really any chance of us getting shunted elsewhere. So I'm gonna need to focus on that Cyrus universe's vibes.

-Starts focusing-

If you're concerned, you can just hold on to me.

Edited by rmctagg09 on Aug 18th 2021 at 8:41:00 AM

Entralink

Channah: Oh I'm not. I have total faith in you, but in case we actually do go somewhere else I still wouldn't worry much. But I'll hold on anyway. :)

The School-Bursary Office

Copycat squatted onto the floor, sitting almost cat-like. They took one of his paws and mimed grooming themself.

"Not one for gossip huh? How droll. Anyways I'm bored. Beating up kids gets old so quickly. I was hoping for some entertainment. Since there's no hunts for me I guess you'll have to do."

They dug their claws into the carpet and stretch out their back, purring as they did.

Entralink

-Is held on-

Alright, here we go.

-The Entree glows before the group is enveloped in light-

Somewhere in Wyndon

-Chiyo and Dactyl get unceremoniously hurled into an alleyway as the barrier portal closes-

Dactyl: -Getting up first- <They'll send someone new after us.>

Chiyo: -Also getting up- Yeah, but we're used to running.

-Sighs-

Kinda annoying though, I liked Wyndon. Guess we should head back to the flat, start packing, and try to lay low until they decide I'm too much trouble than I'm worth again and we can come back.

Stormchaser, Neon's corner

Beck: Oh, they're bad. Terrible. Professor, what do you know about them so far? Outsider's opinion.

Prof. Yew: I've heard a lot about the Macraul family. They're a family of collectors known for their questionable approach to acquiring their assets. Of course, I've only heard rumours, but they're pretty thoroughly disliked by the academic communities I'm in, even more than they hate private antiquities collectors in general. The one who gets the most hate was their patriarch Paul.

Beck: I wouldn't be lying to you if I told you that Lord Macraul was hardly the worst of them. The lot of them, from the moment they pop into the world, seem all too eager to be as cutthroat and ruthless as any other Macraul. If a Macraul grew up to be some sort of aloof posh snob, that's being very lucky, indeed. Most of the rumours about them using shady methods are vastly understating how underhanded and twisted their methods of acquisition are.

He paused and cleared his throat.

Beck: A lot of Lord Macraul's items were stolen from other collections. He has an entire phone book's worth of mercenaries and professional thieves on call just to take them. Doesn't matter if it belongs to some imperialist trophy room or in a national museum where it ought to belong to, if Paulie wants his cracker, he's getting it. The viscount, his brother, isn't any better. Man's an egotistical slave driver who is his big brother's big enabler. And don't get me started on their elder relatives. Something's not right about them.

Prof. Yew: You're barely scratching the surface.

Beck: Read me like a book, innit, professor?

Prof. Yew: It's kind of obvious. You don't need to be psychic. I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Mr. Beckett.

Beck: Here's hoping for the day Doc Richard finally puts that pompous froakie and his clan in their place.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Oct 16th 2022 at 6:22:16 AM

Stormchaser Medbay

-Kai smiles brightly as Alice leans in to kiss her-

Kai: Ah-heh. Consider me adequately incentivized. I'll be up and walking again soon, and then look out, world.

-She smiles, and closes her eyes-

Kai: But rest now.

Wild Area — Giant's Cap

Nitrogen: Well, here's the thing. Are we simply removing a complicating factor, never to be seen again? Or is the goal of this to send a message, some sort of threat?

-She crosses her arms-

Nitrogen: I suffocate people. Ferrum has a big hunk of bone-powderizing metal on a stick. Grieve here can separate entire limbs from bodies. But this is largely your show, so you decide what your plan is.

Stormchaser, Elsewhere

Neon: ....Oh. Yeah that sounds. Bad.

Kofun: <And if they have Black Fog with them... Very concerning.>

[Venice], Elsewhere

They giggle, their concern breaking.

"Yeah, I-"

...And then they steadily go redder the longer their hand spends on Megan's boob.

"I uh"

(Cough)

"Yeah, it probably wouldn't be good.. What would you need that much power for anyway? Besides making this thing work, anyway."

They withdraw their hand.

".. Where did we have to go next, again?"