The Wing had a large missile like object stuck to it, antenna clung to the body of the device. This had to be the hacking module.

The Pen's avatar stood next to it, idly kicking it. Alright friendo, we've got a defense drone orbiting us, it said pointing to the orbiting machine floating around the shield. So we're gonna work with it to smash every missile and hacking device, that the plan?

The Wing took a dive out of the way of a beam attack.

The Flagship however, was quite surprised to see the Dawnblade outside in the void.

"Fascinating," it noted.

"Tiedrich. Bring Your Vessel This Way. I Will Require Your Assistance."

Circhester Stadium Lobby

Me: Anyways...

Flashback, Christmas 2019

Voiceover Evelyn: Whatever his crime was, we weren't going to allow them to take control of his workshop. That would simply not do...

Voiceover Me: So the group gathered for the mission was split into three teams.

Voiceover Evelyn: The first team would approach the workshop from the underground tunnels.

Voiceover Me: The second team was the ambush team. They would hide in the hills not far from Santa's Workshop, and once the signal is given, they would make our approach. I was on that team.

Voiceover Evelyn: The third team was the boat team. We would attack the boats that the time cops would use for transportation to their raid on Father Christmas' Workshop. I was on that team.

Spikemuth Path, VS The Mahou Shoujo Brigade

-The two X-Slash attacks meet in the middle and cancel each other out.-

Pink Team Yell Mahou Shoujo: <Now, Bisharp! Use Swords Dance!>

Red Team Yell Mahou Shoujo: Shiftry, cover for Mel's Bisharp with Air Cutter!

-The triple Magical Leaf drive the Yellow and Green Magical Girls' Pokémon backwards, with the Yellow Magical Girl's Crawdaunt sustaining more damage.-

Yellow Team Yell Mahou Shoujo: Crawdaunt!

Green Team Yell Mahou Shoujo: Don't worry, Em! We'll get through this!

Mahou Shoujo Emma: Thanks, Ger!

Mahou Shoujo Geri: Any time! Now, let's get 'em, Cacturne! Use Pin Missile!

Mahou Shoujo Emma: Crawdaunt, use Night Slash!

Blue Team Yell Mahou Shoujo: I got your backs! Skuntank, use Flamethrower!

Blue and Emma: Hellfire Cut!

-Mel's Bisharp proceeds to dance in a manner almost hypnotic or ritualistic, before glowing with a powerful aura.-

Mel's Bisharp used Swords Dance! Mel's Bisharp's Attack Raised Sharply!

-The Red Magical Girl's Shiftry waves his fans around, releasing sharp cutters made from air and firing them at Piku-chan and Oshawittle, driving them back.-

Me: Oshawittle, use Ice Beam! Piku-chan, use Thunderbolt!

-Oshawittle fires a blast of subzero energy at the Red Magical Girl's Shiftry. Piku-chan surrounds himself in electrical energy and fires a bolt of lightning at Mel's Bisharp.-

Me: Raru, use Shadow Sneak!

Evelyn: Mirai, use Life Dew! Kako, use Disarming Voice!

-Geri's Cacturne fires a stream of sharp needles from his hands at Raru, Kako and Mirai, who brace themselves for the attack. Brushing himself off, Raru surrounds himself in a shadowy aura before punching the ground. Kako and Mirai brush the needles off of themselves. The female twins gathers moisture from the air into a rainbow-colored dewdrop with healing properties that she scatters on herself, her brother and Raru. Emma's Crawdaunt surrounds his claw in darkness and the Blue Magical Girl's Skuntank blasts the claw with a breath of fire, enshrouding the claw in pitch black fire. The Rogue Pokémon, evidently trying not to yelp out in pain of being set on fire, charges forward and slashes at Mirai, but not before Kako stands between her and the fell slash.-

Mirai: <Brother!>

Kako: <Don't worry about me, sister! I didn't want to see you get hurt!>

Raru: <You are a truly good brother, Kako!>

Kako: <Thanks, Raru! Now... let's see if I can't change their tune...>

-Kako takes a deep breath and lets out a melodic cry, releasing rainbow-colored heart-shaped sound waves, which knocks Crawdaunt, Cacturne and Skuntank even farther backwards.-

Kako: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH~~~♪

Hammerlocke Stadium, Pitch

Raihan: Very well, then... Let this be your final Gym Challenge.

-Raihan then snaps his fingers, summoning the three Gym Trainers.-

Sebastian: You call us, Raihan?

Raihan: Yes.

-Raihan then gestures to Kim, Ian and Evelyn.-

Raihan: These three trainers shall be your opponents.

Camilla: Just leave it to us, Raihan!

Raihan: Remember, since there are three of them, and also three of you, you will need to work together and test their combined strength. If Challengers 556 and 912 can defeat you when you’re working together, then they shall have the honor of battling me.

Aria: We won't let you down!

Raihan: Ian. Evelyn. Kim. I wish you nothing but the best of luck... Now... GYM TRAINERS! ATTACK!

Sebastian: I hope you're ready...

Camilla: We've been practicing our signature weather styles for a long time!

Aria: That's right! This gym is more than just a Dragon-type Gym...

All Three: IT'S A WEATHER GYM!

-Sebastian sends out his Pokémon: A Pelipper, a Sliggoo and a Castform.-

Sebastian: I am Sebastian, of Rain!

-Camilla sends out her Pokémon: A Ninetales, a Turtonator and a Castform.-

Camilla: I am Camilla, of Sunlight!

-Aria sends out her Pokémon: An Abomasnow, a Hakamo-o and a Castform.-

Aria: And I am Aria, of Hail!

Wyndon Stadium, VS Hoops

Evelyn: Gotcha! Axon, use DynamicPunch!

-Axon charges headlong at Sud and clenches his fist, which glows a radiant orange as he throws a punch at Sud. Oshawittle, however, remains still.-

Oshawittle: <I-I apologize, Sud... but should I fight thee, I fear I may dishonor thee...>

Galar, All Hallow's Sky over Slumbering Weald

-Agnes' Murkrow continues to circle high over the figure donning the lab coat, letting out a jovial caw before flying off.-

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

Stormchaser, Tagg's Room - Today

-Hears knocking at the door-

?

-Opens the door to-

Chiyo: -Waves- Hey, hope I wasn't interrupting anything.

-Shakes head-

Not really, what's going on?

Chiyo: -Sitting down on a chair- I've been thinking a lot since the whole thing with Ynos last month, and I figure it's finally time I introduced you to some of my old Batchmates since we'll be dealing with the School more directly.

-Focused-

Okay, so who are we visiting first?

Chiyo: -Standing up with a slight grin- I figured we could start with Abe first, fitting considering what happened back in November.

Edited by rmctagg09 on Dec 13th 2021 at 8:26:24 AM

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

Halloween, Outside of the Spooky House, Slumbering Weald

(Kim glances up at the Murkrow as it flies away.)

Kim: (to herself, through her tears) "Where is it going...?"

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Ballonlea, Evelyn's House

-Agnes' Murkrow flies in through the window to alert his trainer.-

Agnes' Murkrow: <My lady! I have found Kimberly Bond!>

Agnes: Very good, Murkrow.

Agnes' Murkrow: <I found her in the Slumbering Weald!>

Agnes: Excellent!

Evelyn: If I may, mom... I'll get us there.

-Evelyn takes out her broomstick and preps it for flight.-

Evelyn: It can support more than two people, Ian and I can attest.

Me: I imbued it with a bit of my psychic power as a costume piece, but I gave it to Evelyn as a gift.

Agnes: Aww... You're so sweet...

-Agnes then whispers something in Ian's ear^* I can tell you're going to be a great boyfriend to Evelyn..., causing Ian to blush.-

Evelyn: Let's go.

Agnes and I: Right.

Agnes: Murkrow, return.

-Agnes calls her Murkrow back to his Poké Ball.-

-Ian, Evelyn and Agnes get onto the broom and fly out the window, on the way to Slumbering Weald.-

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

The Slumbering Weald— Outside of the Spooky House, Halloween

(Kim glances up towards the sky, shaking her head and glancing down at the floor, her tears growing— and then she hears a voice.)

Congratulations, Kimberly Bond.

(Kim's eyes shoot open as she realizes that Jigsaw has literally implanted himself into her mind.)

Kim: (shaking her head) "No... no... h-how did you...?!"

Now you know how your friends really feel about you.

Kim: (panicking) "...I... I do..."

(She no longer is able to think clearly anymore. All she hears is Jigsaw, in her mind, berating her.)

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Dec 13th 2021 at 10:19:22 AM

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Castelia City

-To Chiyo as we go up an elevator-

You know, when you said you guys were all in hiding, I was expecting something all the way out in the middle of nowhere, and not some company headquarters.

Chiyo: Well, not for Abe.

Does he know we're coming?

Chiyo: He knows I'm coming, but I didn't say what for. I'm sure he can guess though.

-The elevator stops and opens in front of a heavy door guarded by a Machamp-

Machamp: -Notices us- <Chiyo, it's been a while.>

-To me-

<Who are you? Her new paramour?>

-Nearly chokes-

...There's nothing like... that going on here.

Chiyo: He's fine Atlas, is Abe in?

Atlas: <Always is, wouldn't know the first thing about stopping.>

-We are then led into what appears to be some sort of server room-

???: -From behind a console- Chiyo, that you?

-A rather bookish looking Black man appearing to be roughly in his late 20s comes into view, rolling in on a wheelchair. His purple eyes stare at the two prominently-

It's been a while since you've come here in person.

Chiyo: -Going over to hug the person in question- I know Abe, it's been forever, but you know we can't be together physically for too long.

-Slightly more bitterly-

The Templars start sniffing around then.

??? Abe: -Looking at me in particular- You've brought a J-Teamer with you? I know who he is obviously, but still.

Chiyo: -Breaking the embrace- Right, I should probably introduce you two properly. Abe, this is Tagg of the J-Team, basically the closest thing they have to a leader. Also the guy who's part of the reason I'm still here

-To me-

Tagg, this is Abe, formerly Osmium, #76 of the 2001 School Batch as my direct predecessor, also one of my closest friends.

Abe: -Holding out a hand as we handshake- Charmed.

-To Abe-

I hope we can work well together.

Whatever put him in that wheelchair probably happened sometime after they escaped, I suspect the School would most likely liquidate a Schoolkid created without use of their limbs immediately.

Abe: -To Chiyo- So what brings you here with this J-Team guy?

Chiyo: -To Abe- I'd tell you to grab a chair because it's a bit of a story, but you're already in one, so we'll get two for ourselves instead.

Abe: Guess I'll go order us some pizza then.

Edited by rmctagg09 on Oct 22nd 2022 at 5:40:03 AM

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

Wyndon Stadium

Sud is distracted and can't respond to the Dynamic Punch in time. It lifts her off her feet and throws her back several metres, where she rolls as she hits the ground. She lies there for a minute before climbing to her feet, accompanied by the crowd's cheering.

Sud: <I... won't... go down... what's that?>

She sees a small winged thing flying next to her head. And there's another one. And another one. She spins around trying to grab them, but they keep flying just out of her reach. Sud is confused.

Hoops: Damn it. Sud, return for now.

They return Sud to her pokéball and select another.

Hoops: Api, it's your turn!

They throw Api's pokéball, and he bursts out, towering over the others. He raises his claws above his head and scrapes them against each other to test their sharpness, creating a horrid screeching sound.

Api: <Finally, a release. I can't wait to damage these three.>

Hoops: Use Toxic Spikes!

Api raises his claws in the air and fires a glob of venom into the sky. It bursts into a rain of purple liquid that sinks deep into the ground and envenomates the field.

Api: <Just take a step, little ones. I want to see the agony of the poison coursing through you.>

Spa Time, past

PC, mentally. Out loud so that everyone with a nervous system can hear: ~Something's HELLA SUS—that way!~

Dave: PC, use your inside inside voice. Arceus, for a moment there I thought my tinnitus got worse.

PC: ~Will do~

Dave: Well, gentlemen, if it's who I think it is, lead the way.

Jon, via phone: Bonbons? We've got plenty.

Dave: Save it for after we deal with whatever baloney's going on here.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Dec 14th 2021 at 9:50:15 PM

Galar, All Hallow's Sky

-Evelyn, Agnes and Ian fly to the Slumbering Weald where Agnes' Murkrow had seen Kim.-

Agnes: To be absolutely honest, I have always wanted to fly one of these.

Me: -telepathically to Evelyn- ~Like mother, like daughter, eh?~

-Evelyn laughs at what Ian said to her.-

Agnes: Anyways, that should be her.

-Agnes points down to a speck of white against the darkness.-

Me: Got it. Evelyn, prepare for landing.

Evelyn: Right. Mom, you might wanna brace yourself for this next part.

Agnes: What makes you say that?

-Evelyn brings the broom in for a landing...-

Slumbering Weald, All Hallow's Eve

-...and you know how Ian and Evelyn's broom landings usually are. The broom crashes and everyone is thrown off of it. Agnes does a somersault in midair and lands on her feet. Ian and Evelyn aren't so lucky. Ian and Evelyn hold up cards with the number "10" on them as Agnes takes a bow.-

Agnes: I see what you mean by that. Still, are you two okay?

-Ian and Evelyn pick each other up off the floor with their psychic powers and dust themselves off.-

Me: Don't worry about it, Mrs. Promeneau. This happens just about all the time.

Evelyn: Yeah. While we're usually good at flying the broom, landing it still leaves something to be desired...

Wyndon Stadium, VS Hoops

-Axon uses his psychic powers to hover off the ground and avoid the agonizing poison. Oshawittle stands his ground, drawing his razor shell, ready to do battle once more.-

Oshawittle: <Aha! Api, a most worthy opponent! Our battle will be legendary!>

Axon: <Be careful, Oshawittle! The floor is littered with Toxic Spikes! Here, I'll help you up!>

Oshawittle: <Thank you, Axon!>

-Oshawittle jumps into the air, allowing Axon to catch him with his telekinesis and lift the chivalrous Sea Otter Pokémon into the air.-

Me: Now, Oshawittle! Use Ice Beam!

Evelyn: Axon, use Calm Mind!

-Axon crosses his legs as he levitates, clearing his mind of fear and doubt, boosting his mental strength and fortitude.-

Axon used Calm Mind! Axon's Special Attack and Special Defense rose!
-Oshawittle then fires a blue beam of subzero energy at Api.-

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

Outside of Slumbering Weald

(Kim promptly hears the crash— and her eyes go wide.)

Kim: (muttering to herself) "No... nononononono..."

They're heeee-eeere.

Kim: (panicking harder) "P-please— p-please don't—"

(And then she sees Ian and Evelyn. Immediately, she scrambles, running out of the way in a panicked, sobbing fit.)

Kim: (in tears) "GAH—!" (she shakes her head) "W-what are you doing here...?! W-why are you here...?! Stay away from me...! S-Stay away...!"

(She looks away from Ian and Evelyn, sobs streaming down her cheeks.)

Wyndon

(Kim notices the Toxic Spikes on the floor.)

Kim: "Oh dear... Peechee! Look out!”

(Peechee sees the spikes and jumps backwards.)

Peechee: <...YOU MESSED YOU COULD POISON ME?!>

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Dec 15th 2021 at 1:14:56 PM

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Outside the Slumbering Weald

-Ian and Evelyn notice Kim skittering away from them and tilt their heads confused.-

Me: Kim? Are you okay?

Evelyn: We came because we got a text from you saying you're quitting the J-Team... Is something wrong?

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

Outside the Slumbering Weald

(Kim shakes her head, tears in her eyes and looks away.)

Kim: (panicking) "D-don't look at me... d-don't talk to me... y-you hate me... t-they all hate me... I..."

(She can't say anything else, just sobs.)

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Outside Slumbering Weald

Me: Kim... We don't hate you...

Evelyn: Please... we just wanna talk...

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

Outside of Slumbering Weald

Don't believe them... We know the truth...

Kim: (says nothing, just screams and sobs)

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Dec 14th 2021 at 6:09:12 AM

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Outside the Slumbering Weald

-Evelyn hears the voice and begins to clutch her head, as though she were in pain. This causes Ian to turn and face her with great concern. Agnes steps forward out of worry.-

Agnes and I: Evelyn, is something the matter?

Evelyn: -telepathically- ~Wh-Who are you? What have you done with our friend?~

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

The Slumbering Weald

CW: mental torture

The purple text is NOT Molybdenum. The purple text is Jigsaw using Evelyn's voice to torture Kim.

(Kim doesn't hear. The only voices in her head now are the voices of everyone. Ian. Kendall. Kamui. 9-Volt. Braker. Evelyn.)

Why are you even here, Kimberly?

Honestly, we should have seen this coming.

What a shame.

We thought you could be better than this.

But you're not.

You never were.

The only things you'll be remembered for...

are the things YOU DID TO US!!

(And then seconds later, every mistake Kim has ever made starts to play in her head. The speech. Her snapping at Ian. Her incessance towards Kendall. Evelyn won't be able to see it— the only one who can is Kim, who lets out a scream.)

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Slumbering Weald

-Hearing the voices in Kim's mind and reacting to the hatred, Evelyn screams.-

Agnes and I: EVELYN!

Evelyn: S-So much... resentment... So much hatred... those voices...

Me: Voices?

Evelyn: -telepathically to ???- ~I'll ask again! Who are you and what have you done to our friend?!~

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

Outside of the Slumbering Weald

I am Jigsaw.

And I'm not here for you.

She needs to know the truth.

About how TERRIBLE of a person she's been.

To EVERYONE.

(Meanwhile, as all of Kim's past mistakes play back in her mind, Kim starts to cry harder.)

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Dec 14th 2021 at 6:38:59 AM

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Slumbering Weald

-Evelyn staggers a bit as the collective voices echo through her mind.-

Evelyn: -telepathically- ~You lie... Kim is not a terrible person! She's a great friend! She has grown so much since I met her, and she improves every day!~

-Evelyn tries not to cry out in the same pain that Kim is feeling. Ian and Agnes stand ready to assist her.-

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

Outside of the Slumbering Weald

(Jigsaw promptly shifts all commentary to Kim.)

Really?

Have you... not seen the number of mistakes you continue to make every day?

You say that you're trying to get better...

But really... you're just the same selfish, entitled, attention-seeker that you were since the moment you first met us.

You don't belong here.

Kim: (to herself, in tears) "I don't... belong here..."

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Outside of the Slumbering Weald

Evelyn: -telepathically to Kim- ~Yes! You do! You do belong here! I've known you for almost two years now, and I have never once thought of you as entitled or selfish! You are excitable, fun to be around, and most importantly, loved. And that's something Jigsaw can never take away!~

-Then, Evelyn turns her telepathic attention towards Jigsaw.-

Evelyn: -telepathically- ~As for you... I don't know what you did to my friend... to our friend... but I WON'T FORGIVE YOU!~

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

Slumbering Weald

(Kim shakes her head.)

Kim: (panicking) "Kendall... Kamui... 9-Volt... t-they hate me... I know it..."

Well. You're going to have to live with this knowledge then.

(And then- Jigsaw's voice vanishes from Evelyn's mind.)

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Sinnoh Region, Jubilife City, Tech-Expo Line:

"It's only the annual Pokemon Tech-Expo, known as 'The Techspo' by poke-tech enthusiasts everywhere. Mark and I are going to see some of the new gadgets and technologies that'll be coming out next year before the rest of the public," Travis explains as him and Mark continue following the line, "Can't get in without a ticket, and I'm betting they're expensive if they're not already sold out. I won tickets for Mark and I from a raffle."

After a couple minutes of walking, the outline of the Poketch Company HQ would be visible in the distance, appearing to outshine the rest of the city and draped in banners not only of its own company's designs, but logos promoting the likes of Silph Co, The Devon Corporation, and various others.

"I'm guessing this is the place, looks way bigger than the advertisements let on," Mark commented, still ambivalent and not entirely sure what to make of the event.

Living The Fever Dream

Slumbering Weald

-Evelyn regains her footing as Jigsaw's voice leaves her mind.-

Evelyn: Come back here!

Me: Evelyn, what happened?

Evelyn: Somehow, someone named Jigsaw was able to get into Kim's mind... Made her believe that everyone hates her, including us.

Me: That's why she reacted the way she did when we arrived?

Evelyn: Pretty much.

-Evelyn waves her hand over Kim, surrounding her in psychic energy.-

Evelyn: We have to get her to the 'Chaser if we can have a chance of helping her.

Agnes: Someone that dangerous wouldn't stop with just your friend...

Me: If they target you next, Evelyn, I promise I will protect you.

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