No voice to cry suffering
Hades Submarine, July 8th
Suiko: -to Gaiatingale- Oh, good! Good.
-she exhales, disappointed-
Suiko: -slaps herself-
Pippy: -getting up- <What—?>
Suiko: -shaking her head- Didn't sleep well. Head in the game.
-she exhales, definitively-
Suiko: I've got a few other bits of gear—Ranger-style rebreathers for if you're caught without your helmet, Absorb Bulbs that.
-she pulls what looks like a little organic sponge from one of many pockets, tossing it onto the table—Pippy gives her another look but hits it with a Water Pulse, making it swell to the size of a beach ball-
Suiko: -giving it a knock—it's rock-hard- Well, they can make barricades, plug leaks—clog whole hallways if you give 'em enough water.
-he hits it again, and it grows beyond sports-related metaphors-
Suiko: …
Pippy: <...>
Suiko: I can make it smaller.
Pippy: <(Can we—)>
Suiko: I know how to make it smaller.
Suiko: -moving on- —and these.
-she pulls out about a dozen Dive Balls-
Suiko: These are full of don't touch those!!
-Pippy freezes, mid-reaching-to-open-one-as-demonstration-
Suiko: They don't have Pokémon in them. They've got an item. That item is—ocean.
Pippy: -slowly- <...roughly ten thousand liters.>
Suiko: To start with, yeah.
-...-
Pippy: <Why—>
Suiko: The base is a lot bigger than I thought?
-she takes a calming breath; Pippy doesn't bother, pulling three Dive Balls to orbit above his claws, hovering-
Suiko: You can control the rate of release the way you control most Pokémon release. It should be pretty intuitive, I'm a bit too used to it to be sure. If you smash them—I've never tried smashing them. You can close them if you just open them.
-she clasps her hands together-
Suiko: Please please please don't point them at yourselves when you do. Maybe don't point it at anyone else, they're…possibly somewhat pressurized.
-she scuffs the toe of her boot on the ground-
Suiko: …so yeah, that's it.
Morata's Mansion, Masks - November 1st
Kappa: ...
Vee: <...>
-the Pokédex dings, supplying the full list of Pokémon known to be able to learn Rage Powder-
Kappa: Butterfree and Volcarona are actually also on this list.
Vee: -sighs- <Right.>
-she tosses the Jumpluff mask Odin's way, snatching the Volcarona-patterned one-
Vee: -mutter- <"Born in fire".>
[???], School Facility
Dr. Reznitsky: Ah, Ramona. Come in.
Ramona: Dr. Reznitsky. I—
Dr. Reznitsky: -longsuffering- Must you use the vocoder in polite company?
-the armored psychic super soldier hesitates, -she removes her helmet-
Dr. Reznitsky: Much nicer. Now, your report?
Ramona: The dojo's canvass proceeds at pace. The catalog of advanced Auric and super-Auric techniques -she taps her head- approaches completion.
Dr. Reznitsky: Excellent.
Ramona: ...
Dr. Reznitsky: If I may read your mind—"But Doctor,"
-he's taken the helmet from her hand; her voice emerges intoned as his own-
Dr. Reznitsky: "—these techniques will never be available to a Schoolchild. Magnus himself may move trucks, but mountains will break his bones. Even his sturdy, stalwart bones.
Ramona: I wasn't thinking that at all.
Dr. Reznitsky: How disappointing.
-she stands at attention, watching him set her helmet on a side table-
Dr. Reznitsky: ...when I requisitioned your services, I'd heard you were a thinking sort. Speak.
Ramona: ...I am here to aid your thoughts' emergence. I can process without vocalization, organize without input, collate as you've seen. But if I may—
-Ramona tells him what he wants to hear-
Dr. Reznitsky: Clever girl.
-he chuckles, pleased-
Dr. Reznitsky: My colleagues seek to perfect humanity. They take and they take, until—oh, look at you!
-pacing around her, examining- Practically a Beheeyem in and of yourself. Do you need Ribot to perform the tasks I require of you?
-Ramona's smile is relaxed and genuine-
Dr. Reznitsky: -pushing up his glasses- ...as I was saying.
Dr. Reznitsky: They seek to leave necessity behind.
-he draws out the last syllable, gazing into the screen-
Dr. Reznitsky: ...no more creatures. No more dependencies. Only human ingenuity yoked to power.
-he tickles his Linoone beneath the chin-
Dr. Reznitsky: -smile- They forget the bond between humans and Pokémon is the foundation of our world.
Wyndon Stadium, Abilene vs. Megan
Abilene: -murmur- ...there you are.
Megan: ...here I am. ^_^
-Abilene remembers Suiko-
-remembers menace in a side alley-
-and Abilene sends out Castanea-
Castanea: <Not running away, this time?>
'''V-MAX!Pippy: <...where to?>
-threads of light and dark stretch up from Megan's limbs into the clouds, and down from the violet-red clouds to the ends of Pippy's giant form-
-Eternatus is shaped like a giant hand...? Eternatus isn't here, but the memory-
Castanea: <I've lain giants low before, you know.> V-MAX!Pippy: <I know. I was there.>
-a much louder voice overlays his own at a normal volume—-
-it's Vee. he's thoroughly encompassed by a pale imitation of Veematter-
Castanea: -stubbing out a leafy cigar- <I know who we are, despite our efforts. Or perhaps because of them.>
Castanea: -cocking both fists- <You won't be a challenge for me.>
V-MAX!Pippy: <I know.>
-he makes a movement, and the titanic water body mirrors it—and Megan mirrors it-
-Abilene snaps her fingers, and Castanea punches shells as big as he toward Pippy-
-the halo streams down, Aqua Ring bands as wide as rivers sweeping the shots away—who knows where-
Castanea: -smirks-
-a tremendous Aura gathers in Castanea's fist, and he launches himself forward through the midst of the Guard-
-it strikes cleanly—it would be easier to miss the broad side of a barn-
-and just as cleanly, the Aura dissipates in the watery shell, leaving Pippy untouched-
V-MAX!Pippy: -waves, smirking-
Castanea: -gaping, stuck- <You damn—dirty—cheater!!>
Pippy / Vee: -leaning in, smiling- <You're the ones who brought guns to a fistfight. You can't complain if I pack a knife.>
Castanea: -trying—failing—to tug himself free- <A Yvetal-forsaken vampire is not a knife???>
V-MAX!Pippy: -shrug- <She's sharp, cute, and fucking you up. I can't complain.>
-critics of the prevalence of Dynamax in Galar's League battles call the technique a blunt instrument, narrowing luck and skill to blunt, blunt instruments-
-they're right-
-one flick, and Castanea's hurtling up toward the clouds-
Castanea: <Hrrk—!>
-they swell as he makes impact, darkening to blot out the sun-
-...Pippy's halo's moving again-
V-MAX!Pippy: <Here we go.>
-it drags every shell fired at him out of hammerspace-
-it launches them all at the dark spark of Castanea, drowning in the sky-
-on and on and on-
-he fired dozens-
-they seem to vanish without making contact, the explosions in the sky wholly Water-based—-
-implosions, bringing the clouds together-
Castanea: -shouts something, distant-
-and Pippy draws the whole of the storm out of the sky to strike him down-
-...that's not the right verb-
Edited by Asterisk395 on Dec 30th 2021 at 6:07:24 AM
No mind to think. No will to break.
Dunsparce Cloud
School Safehouse-???
Neodymium: ~This is great! We totally just kicked a Templar's ass! We're so good at this! Beryllium's going to be seeing green for mon—~
-Spectrum-
-...-
Neodymium: ~Oh, yeah, we're dead for sure.~
Morata Manor—Mask Room
Avery: Uh, maybe the Volcarona? I'm not a Fire-type expert but they're kind of like Butterfree, aren't they? Who are well-known for Rage Powder.
Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.
Flying Colors
School Safehouse — ???
-A moment of reprieve.-
Myra: <Kai, get ready to rush out ASAP. As soon as we get to the top— >
Kai: Keep the doors closed. Just for a moment. I need... a moment.
Myra: <...I don't think it's a good idea, considering where we are, but okay.>
-The elevator stops, and the doors stay shut.-
Spectrum: <Where are we, anyway? What happened?>
Kai: I don't... know. Somewhere affiliated with the School. They teleported here, and we just followed. Without Holly or Avada.
-They dig out their phone, staring at it for a moment.-
Kai: No service in this elevator. Maybe no service outside at all.
Cass: <...I'm no Auric, but you've burnt up a lot of energy on this. You're still burning up.>
Kai: I know! I'm— I'm trying to mask us. Whatever we find outside those doors, I don't want it to be able to get a good grip on us, sixth-sense-wise. It might be futile, but... it might save us.
Myra: <Just so you know, you're a beacon of light and rainbows. Any chance of stealth is gone, and the more we talk in here, the more time they have to prepare.>
Kai: ...Let's try... a new plan, then.
-As the elevator opens up, the hostile tension in the air finds itself dissolving with intent to deescalate, and Kai steps out cautiously.-
Priest of the Temple of Syrinx
Jubilife City Expo
(Owen hears him.)
Owen: "Oh, sure!" (He turns to face Stipax.) "Come on, Stipax; let's go."
(Stipax nods, and the two of them head off. Once they've catched up to Mark and Travis, though— they're interrupted by a Beedrill.)
Stipax: <Oh! Hello there, Beedrill~!>
Spikemuth Gym Stands
Kim: "This is it..."
Caboose: <The final two Pokemon!>
Braker: "Yep."
Peechee: <I cannot wait to viddy how they WIN THIS—!!>
Hammerlocke Gym
Kim: "Nine Pokemon at once? Well." (She smirks.) "This is going to be a bit of a challenge. But, with how far I’ve come..." (She takes out three PokeBalls.) "I'm sure I'll be able to handle it."
(And with that said, she throws the PokeBalls into the air.)
Turffield Gym
(Ingrid smiles.)
Ingrid: "Alright! Excellent work, Frida! Now... use Disarming Voice!"
(Frida nods, and lets out another operatic note- but this time, it is accompanied by a beam of pink soundwaves, hearts, and music notes. It, naturally, hits the sleeping Cherrim.)
(The Cherrim is knocked back a bit, but continues sleeping.)
(Frida and Ingrid glance at each other.)
Ananpi: <Oh! She's still asleep! Wonder what Frida's going to do next, chuu~...>
Stormchaser, Kim's Room (Halloween)
(Paul nods.)
Paul: <Of course.>
Christmas Day, Kim's Room
(Kim stares out the window for a few moments, still thinking about Jigsaw, 9-Volt, and Denali— and then seems to come to a decision. She takes out her cell phone and begins to send a message out...)
Textspace
The Eccentric Electric
Sinnoh Region, Jubilife City, Techspo Interior:
As Mark and Travis approach the Orochi Group's display, a sense of fascination and confusion is shared amongst them with neither trainer being familiar with the organization nor their history.
"I don't know who these guys are, but they make Silph Co look like a bunch of pushovers. Either Silph skimped out on their display and relied on brand recognition alone, or this Orochi Group is a big fucking deal," Mark said, slowing down considerably with Chopper almost bumping into him as he took in the atmosphere.
"I wonder if they're some kind of conglomerate or government contractor. I don't even think my school has access to this kind of hardware, but it looks pretty far out!" Travis noted with a greater sense of wonder. He tries taking a look at the metal harness before the feature attraction boots up, redirecting the attention of both trainers and the pokemon accompanying them.
Mark watches the screens attentively with his arms crossed, waiting for the video to end before wondering aloud, "Is this some sort of video game based on a show I missed out on?"
"I don't think so, unless it's a revolution in the gaming industry this looks too advanced for entertainment..." Travis replied before the video ended and the holographic pokemon figures are assembled before the group and the video package preemptively answers their questions.
Chopper and Tricky meanwhile were at a loss of what to think of the holographic pokemon, having no idea what the wireframed pokemon were supposed to be and initially confusing the completely rendered pokemon for real ones before noticing them use moves that they couldn't have possibly learned.
Chopper would grunt in surprise, < Wait, did that Electrobuzz just use Rock Tomb?! No way! I thought I've seen everything when I saw a Machamp use Fire Blast!>
<There's no way this is real. A sharpedo can't use Sludge Bomb! What is all this?!> Tricky barked in disbelief.
"If they had this kind of tech when I tried going to Trainer's School, I probably would have actually tried instead of failing out and teaching myself," Mark stated before noticing Travis had already gone searching for and found the booth attendant to start asking questions. Before anyone could really say anything beyond superficial introductions, Mark caught the growing sight and sound of a Beedrill being chased by a young trainer.
"What in the goddamn?!—" Mark tried to exclaim before finding himself at a loss for words at the situation. Several other attendees provided a variety of reactions, to freaking out at the site of a loose bug pokemon like Beedrill flying around so quickly indoors, to people snapping pictures on their rotom phones, to others not giving a care in the world and continuing to go about their business.
< Uh hey? How are we friends if we've never met before? > Chopper asked, tensing up instinctively as he started gauging the Beedrill. The Machoke knew that even though bug types didn't affect him much, he'd be at a disadvantage if he had to fight this flying pokemon and would try to remain civil for this fact albeit defensive until he knew the beedrill's motives.
< Stipax, do you know this Beedrill? > Tricky asked the Galvantula after instinctively standing on her hind-legs and beginning to charge herself up.
Living The Fever Dream
Fwomph
Galar Mountains
You consult the general mood of Palka for a moment before giving a little nod.
"Go ahead, just be respectful okay?"
Hamlet, Luiza's House Panic
Okay. Let's step back into montage for this moment. Leonardo's copies rampage as he takes possession of the amulet and flees deeper into the old wooden house. The flames called forth in defense lick at the air and reach for the fabric decor. Amid the panic of things going disastrously wrong, how does Kamui handle it? Actually, let's ask some questions:
What happens to the fire, does it spread? Who does Kamui try and save, who cannot be saved? What remains when she manages to escape the house in whatever state of damage it sustains?
What does she say when she spots a tall figure dressed in black and a bird-like mask standing just past the gate, watching silently.
Stormchaser, Kim's Room, Halloween
Good. Text me if anything changes. Angela? Keep safe and remember, she needs help.
Angela: <Got it!>
-The Banette attempts a possession as Gale Knight steps back into the shadows, a hand clutched tight around a small metal token. She hopes with any luck, the Subwhere will lead her where she needs to be...-
-Where do the shadows shudder?-
Techspo, Early December
-The booth attendant looks at the unnamed person inquiring about sales as they reach for a pamphlet-
QBL/Anansi Booth Attendant: Commercial or civilian buyer? We're not supposed to sell the display models but I was given a box of little pre-programmed ones to sell to civilian buyers. If you're a commercial buyer I can get you contact details so we can draft up a quote.
Hamlet, Christmas
Oh, thank you. I wanted to avoid wearing black tonight, it's a bad habit of mine.
It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.
Priest of the Temple of Syrinx
Jubilife Expo
Owen: "Yeah, Stipax; do you know him?"
Stipax: <Nope! I just want to find out more about him.> (then, to the Beedrill) <My name's Stipax! What's yours? Are you going to hurt any of my friends?>
The Slumbering Weald
(Gale will end up in the Slumbering Weald— in front of a massive spooky house.)
Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Dec 29th 2021 at 8:19:37 AM
Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅
Some Rando
Hamlet, Leonardo
The fire in question is staying small, still building up power, barely even singing the fox's sleeves, let alone the fabric curtains.
Even as she stumbles as the amulet is swiped away from her the flame dissipates, smothered between her palm and the floor as she fall to it, looking up at the fleeing Leonardo with remorse and pausing at the sight of the newcomer.
She tilts her head at them, the world seeming to fade away for a moment as she attempts to process the mistakes she's made in the past few moments, and the masked stranger before her.
One of Leo's duplicates breaks her line of sight long enough for her to remember that they are in peril, all three of them. In a psychic grip she grabs Luiza and the other one to pull them out the door with her, slamming the door and holding it closed, sending heat through the handle so that the army doesn’t dare open it.
[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]
The Wanderer
Morata's Mansion, Upstairs, November 1st
Shamhat: -To Ynos, gently but firmly- You're more than just a weapon Ynos, we're all more than just what people like the School or Morata would have us be. If you were to leave her, I and the other escapees I know could show you that.
-Chiyo does indeed notice said names-
Are they people you've lost? I've been running from them for more than 20 years, I'd know all about that.
-Has been listening this whole time-
Just a weapon? Considering everything else we're seen around here, I was wondering if there was some sort of kept man deal going on here. Then again, I suppose Ynos is a kept man in the most literal sense of the term. I'm half wondering if she's got a sex dungeon down there and is gonna show up in bondage gear or something like that.
Fun Times With Kai, December 11th
-As the elevator opens its doors, an arrow flies right through, landing so close to Kai's head that if it weren't a millimeter off, it would've gone right through their forehead. They may also hear a presence in their mind as a Templar wearing a fully-concealing helmet wielding a bow from some distance away stares at them. Despite the fact that their eyes aren't visible, they seem to be boring right through Kai and her party-
Next time, I won't miss.
Edited by rmctagg09 on Dec 29th 2021 at 9:40:25 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Flying Colors
School Safehouse — ???
-Kai freezes in place as soon as they process the arrow narrowly missing them.-
Kai: ...Hello to you too!
Myra: <And that was what I was warning you about!>
-Kai puts their hands up in the air as they step the rest of the way out of the elevator, rainbow aura rising off of them like steam.-
Kai: (Listen, listen— can we talk? Today's gone way off course and I want to get out of your hair as soon as possible. Please?)
Edited by BittersweetNSour on Dec 29th 2021 at 9:56:27 AM
Not A Lawyer
Hammerlocke Banquet Hall, Halloween Party - A long time ago, at a party far, far away
-Lucius chuckles rather hollowly at Kai's remark.-
Lucius: Hey, don't worry about it. It's a nice change from having to deal with mine. 'Least you actually wanna take action against these kinda people rather than just let them walk all over you, unlike Ev- some people.
-He groans and takes another shot.-
Lucius: Urgh, I am gonna regret waking up in the morning. Not that I don't regret waking up most mornings, but next morning more than most. Still, it's been good to catch up. We fuck-ups gotta stick together, right? 'Specially when we've been watching each other fuck up since forever.
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.
Empathic Kid Hero-in-training
Spikemuth, VS Marnie
Me: Alright, Oshawittle! You did great!
Evelyn: You were outright astounding, Kako.
Evelyn and I: You two deserve a nice long rest.
-Ian and Evelyn call Oshawittle and Kako back to their respective Poké Balls.-
Me: Ready, Piku-chan?
Piku-chan: <Ready when you are, buddy!>
Evelyn: Hatty, ready?
Hatty: <Just say the word!>
Evelyn and I: I CHOOSE YOU!
-Piku-chan and Hatty jump off of Ian's shoulder and Evelyn's head into battle.-
Hearthome City, Shrine
-Ian and Evelyn take a look around at the inside of the shrine, looking like something out of an episode of Sailor Moon, but dustier than normal.-
Yuki: <This is my shrine...>
-Yuki chuckles almost sadly.-
Yuki: <It's a shame I let it get this dusty...>
Evelyn: But what reason do you have for bringing us here?
Me: Yeah... Does this place have something to do with your past?
Yuki: <As a matter of fact, it does... Evelyn, may I please borrow your crystal ball?>
Evelyn: O-Of course, Yuki-sama...
-Evelyn takes the crystal ball she was given as a birthday gift by Ian out of her bag and hands it to the Snow Land Pokémon.-
Yuki: <Arigatogozaimasu.>Translation
Evelyn: If you need help using it, I can be of assistance...
Yuki: <Actually, that would be welcomed. Ian-kun, Evelyn-sama...>
-Ian and Evelyn nod as they step up to the crystal ball. The two of them and Yuki place their hands on it, channeling their auric power through it.-
Yuki: <Please... Show my friends the past...>
-The spiritual and psionic energy resonates with the crystal ball, and a shared vision jumps into Ian and Evelyn's minds.-
Hammerlocke Stadium, Pitch
-Ian and Evelyn throw a combined total of four Poké Balls. A brilliant light bursts from the seven thrown Poké Balls and it shines down on the arena. When the light dies down, the Pokémon appear: Oshawittle, Raru, Kako and Mirai, Dalt, Joel, and Freddie. Then Piku-chan and Hatty jump into the fray.-
Ian: Piku-chan... You want to battle, too?
Evelyn: Hatty? You want to battle?
Piku-chan: <Of course. This is the final Galar Gym, after all!>
Hatty: <Might as well make it a special occasion.>
Evelyn and I: Alright then. I choose you!
Stormchaser, Kim's Room (Halloween)
Agnes: Now, Murkrow!
Agnes' Murkrow: <Right, my lady!>
-Agnes' Murkrow then hops onto Kim's forehead and perches there.-
Stow-on-Side (Between Halloween and Hammerlocke)
-Ian and Evelyn stroll through the market of Stow-on-Side, chatting.-
Me: ...So then I said, "That Hypno sure knew how to make an en-trance!"
-Evelyn laughs at the joke Ian told.-
Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Jan 1st 2022 at 9:13:56 AM
♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...
Flying Colors
Hammerlocke Halloween Hall
Kai: ...Heh. Yeah. We've gotta balance each other's fuckups. Otherwise, what are we gonna do, tell ourselves off for being wrecks? Doesn't have the same effect.
The Wanderer
School Safehouse, December 11th
Boltund: -Shows up, growling- <This human, they have a scent like the Ponyta and Swablu.>
Templar: -Nods just as Kai's mind ping reaches them, and more arrows start near-missing Kai. It's clear they're being led in one direction-
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Flying Colors
School Safehouse
-Kai hesitates, tilting their head, before slowly and carefully following Louise's arrows' lead.-
Kai: (Thank you. I'm Kai. The Radiant— actually okay no it's just Kai. I don't want to be here any more than you do, and I absolutely shouldn't be. I had something stolen from me, though, and had to retrieve it, because I fear the consequences of failure more than the dangers of my actions.)
-They look the Templar as hard in the eyes as possible, despite the helmet-
Kai: (I trust you're familiar with the sentiment?)
Edited by BittersweetNSour on Dec 29th 2021 at 12:36:51 PM
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Morata's Mansion, Mask Room
Unlike the Jumpluff mask, something does happen when this one is taken off the wall. Or well, less something happens and more there's something behind it. A medallion with a relief of a Dusclops cut into it.
Kappa might note it's about the right size and shape to fit into one of the indentations on the base of that statue.
Witch: "I wouldn't put it past that woman to have trap doors, just based on her reputation-"
As it happens, Witch is standing in the center of the room in somewhat close proximity to Yoko.
In the split second before she completes her sentence a hole in the carpet opens up underneath her and Yoko and swallows them both up.
Before anyone can attempt to follow, the hole closes again.
Morata's Mansion, Upstairs
Ynos flinches and puts a hand over the journal.
Ynos: "Don't... Don't talk about them."
"The only thing I'm good for is hurting people. The School made sure of that."
He breathes in and closes his eyes.
Ynos: "I fail to be a human, so I shall succeed in being a weapon."
(Opening his eyes again) "... I... Do not want to think of what Morata would ask me to do if she came upon you here. So I'm going to have to ask you to leave on your own."
He removes his hand from his pocket and flicks his staff open.
Reminiscence Ruins
"Oh, yeah. This turned out way more fruitful than I was expecting."
She turns to leave, but just as she gets to the entrance she turns around.
"... Oh and thanks for saving me from the Memory Stalkers!"
Submarine, July 8th
??? makes a face and debates on whether they want to take a Dive Ball. On the one hand, odds of mixing it up with the one that EMPEROR (or MONARCH? Which do they call him now that they're not on a mission but still mission adjacent?) is in. On the other, contingency plan(?).
They give Suiko a reassuring pat on the shoulder (if she seems amenable to it).
off the shits
The Wanderer
Morata's Mansion, Upstairs - November 1st
-Sensing Ynos' intent-
Do you want me to come help? Wouldn't be my first Aura duel.
Shamhat: Thanks but no, I want to see if I can salvage this, even though it's not looking good. You need to see if there's anything worth finding here. Also, the maid's still around and you've got one of the best chances of winning a 1v1 against her if she comes back up here, even if you can't bring your absolutely strongest Pokémon to bear.
-To Ynos, eyeing the staff but remaining calm-
No mons?
-Continuing-
My Gallium sacrificed himself so we could all escape, I still don't fully understand the how, but I'm here talking to you because of his sacrifice. My Boron, she was too afraid to escape, became an Alumni, and I killed her with my own two hands when she was sent after me. If something similar happened with you, I know all about what that's like.
-She sounds particularly haunted by the latter before continuing-
I don't like hurting people, never have despite having done so much of it that the School stopped chasing me for a while because I kept beating everyone sent after me. And I don't think you do either, no matter how much you're trying to play the role of Morata's servant, killing your misgivings. Like I said, you're not a weapon, you're a person, we both are. The School created us, but it's us who decide who we are, not them, or anyone else.
To those who've given us safety, we'd be willing to do almost anything for them. That's what I said to Tagg, and here I am facing the dark side of that tendency.
But I have to warn you Ynos.
-More serious as despite the height disparity and Chiyo still sitting down, she is totally unafraid, her eyes betraying that she's done this many times-
I understand you don't want to do this, and neither do I, but I can't leave, not yet.
-Body slightly glowing with a rainbow halo-
I'd much prefer we talk, but if we fight, it probably won't be me lying on the ground.
Edited by rmctagg09 on Dec 29th 2021 at 2:10:12 PM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
No voice to cry suffering
Morata's Mansion, Oops - November 1st
Kappa: -taking the medallion- ...huh, that looks like...!
Kappa:
Vee:
Veetoo: -shriek- <Palkia's unseeing eyes!!>
<The whole reason I'm here is—!>
-she stops-
-Kappa is doing very calm breathing-
Kappa: ...
-by which she means her breathing is not at all calm and neither is her expression nor her fists-
Kappa: I'm calm.
I'm in control.
-reaching out- This is fixable. We can fix this. We just need.
-Vee flows up and over Kappa, forming into an exoskeleton-
Suiko: -grabbing Avery by the arm- Come with me.
-she forms a flat disc of water, stepping through into the unfortunately-dubbed subspace; the—less of a hole and more of a ripple—stays open long enough for Odin to make it through, if he so chooses-
-she makes to step further, into—one of the bits of water she's assuming is still present in the atrium from earlier, but her legs lock up-
Suiko: -snarls-
Vee: -to Avery, urgent- <Can you make Pokémon look like other Pokémon?>
-her tendrils start taking Pokéballs off of Kappa-Megan-Suiko's belt, but Megan herself begins pulsing with otherworldly heat-
Vee: -faster- <Or some distractin' feature—you don't gotta and you don't gotta come with us but we don't exactly have many spare teammates an' I really don't wanna get outta here just t' be arrested or have Abilene called out as a hit on us but I will—>
-she starts filling up with Aura-
Vee: -shudder- <An' I thin' stealth's a little fucked!>
-the bubble starts shrinking, as it usually does-
-one way or another, Suiko's attempting to step out into the atrium—Veetoo growls, forcing a second exit point...somewhere random, and wet-
-should anyone decide to try and take it-
Wyndon Stadium, Abilene vs. Megan
-one beat-
-two-
-the crowd cheers-
Megan: ...! :D
-and Castanea bursts from the rubble, seething-
Castanea: -spitting- <Oh, truly now.>
Abilene: Castanea—
Castanea: <No, I've already gotten up. To the bitter end, yes?>
-Meganscape-
Battler!Megan: -giggle- Oh, this is perfect. Here we are again, on our last legs. Fighting a Grass Trainer, on her own—and it's the moment of surprise. The moment of truth.
-eyes bright- Now, while she's not expecting it—while we're stuck on old patterns, while she's confident in her power—
Kill her.
-Megan opens her mouth-
-Vee strangles the impulse, beating it back-
-for the second time in this fight, Pippy finds himself bereft as the sound of confidence departs him-
-Pippy makes to move—the sort of flippy dodge he's been making this whole battle, consistently-
-Castanea's fist slams right into his ribs, sending him end over end right into the turf-
-here we are again-
Pippy: -coughs-
Edited by Asterisk395 on Dec 30th 2021 at 6:26:43 AM
No mind to think. No will to break.
Fwomph
Hamlet, Luiza's House Aftermath
Kamui emerges after the chaos. The bandit copies of Leonardo are still rampaging in that house, but the house itself will stand for today. You've hauled Luiza and Elena out with you. Elena shouts in concern for her father who is still in there somewhere but both she and Luiza fall silent when they notice the figure in black.
Luiza: The leader of the Council...
Enigmatic Figure: ... Looks like things can change.
Hold on, isn't that Gale's voice? And yet, as soon as the statement ends the figure who might be Gale walks off down the crest of the hill and seems to vanish.
Luiza: I don't know why the Council's taken interest in you, traveler, but I think we can hold our own here and get Leo under control.
Slumbering Weald, Halloween
-Gale Knight emerges from the shadows, taking a moment to take in the sight of the building-
Hm. Less industrial than his usual haunts, but certainly seasonal.
-She draws the Horseman's Blade and moves to open the front door-
It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.
No voice to cry suffering
Wyndon Stadium, Abilene vs. Megan
Pippy: -on his back- <...okay.>
<Okay.>
-not trusting his muscles to move—he vanishes for the briefest instant, pure fear, as Castanea slams his fists down, cratering earth-
-his Aqua Ring heals him—dun, now, but still active-
-he reappears—skips back, Castanea barreling after him-
Pippy: -skating along, not quite up to moving his legs- <Alright.>
-he closes his eyes-
-and the field erupts, the whole rainstorm saturating it reawakening-
Castanea: <!!!!!>
-it sweeps him off his feet—he roots, and it slams him down, facedown-
-he shoves himself upright against the storm's weight—he's got a lot of muscle—-
-Pippy slams onto his back, hooking his limbs in a watery wrestler's hold-
-once more, Pippy's reduced to the very verge of consciousness-
Pippy: <...ugh.>
-he drags a scrap of a Substitute between them, Castanea's spikes passing through it and around him-
-half a dozen Cut blades rain from above, burying themself in the earth millimeters from Castanea's flesh—glowing, lightsaber-bright-
-Castanea takes a blade between his teeth and shatters it-
Pippy: <...right, yeah.>
Castanea: -spits-
Pippy: -cough- <...before, uh, before you kill me—I'll ask you this?.>
Castanea: -growls, flexing-
Pippy: <I'll ask you this.>
Pippy: -hastily- <What do you think happened to the shells you launched?>
Castanea: <...>
-he feels the telltale draw of a singularity just an inch off his sternum-
Castanea: <...this contains—>
Pippy: <All of them, yeah.>
-he coughs-
Pippy: -laughing, high-pitched- <Fun fact!>
Pippy: <This is taking a lot of power.>
-Castanea swings an arm back—!-
Pippy: -quickly- <And if I faint, I will lose the power to maintain it.>
-he stops-
Pippy: -voice rough- <...and if I lose that power. They all go off, right there.>
Castanea: <...you.>
Pippy: -plowing on- <But Pippy, you think. You're a big, beautiful gal—but this is impossible! Even for you.>
<Especially for you, hah! We left the world-breakers in the other universe, no mortal here has the power to forge a well this deep.>
-the singularity bobs beneath them, nevertheless-
Pippy: -leaning in, twisting his arm a bit further- <Did you know Dynamax Particles are timespace anomalies. The storm was saturated with it. This field is now saturated with it.>
-the dark fountain dances around Castanea's face, blurring his vision-
Pippy: <When the storm fades, I will lose the power to maintain it.>
Pippy: <But even so—> -he licks his beak, the rasp of metal on metal- <Even so, with a perfect medium and a skyful of power, you couldn't possibly. And you're right. And you're right, normally.>
<Adrenaline is a wonderful thing.>
-Castanea becomes aware of the press of power on his back—dwarfed by his Overgrow, true, but Pippy's Torrent has strained to its limits from the moment the Vitamax Forme fell-
Pippy: <When my Torrent aura fades, I will lose the power to maintain it.>
-it flickers-
Castanea: <...why? Why are you doing this?>
Pippy: <You're a warrior.>
-Castanea turns this non sequitur over for a moment, before deciding-
Castanea: <You're insane.>
Pippy: <Yes. And I—>
Pippy: -giggling, high-pitched- <I am a woodcarver.>
-Castanea boggles-
Pippy: <I make things, you break things. You respect that from her. You don't respect me, or like me, and that's fine.>
-hushed- <I saw that look in your eyes.>
<You were going to hurt us so we'd never be a threat again, and she'd be none the wiser.>
-Castanea's glaring at him-
Pippy: -cough- <If you think it'll save her—>
-thinking- <...save, slightly aid, moderately please...>
Pippy: <...you will crush them beneath your heel. You'll hurt me, and kill them, and that's intolerable.>
Castanea: <...>
-the point beneath them both trembles, destabilized-
-Castanea trembles-
Pippy: -leaning down- <On my oath, I am not a violent man, but I will cut you into such beautiful pieces if you even think to sacrifice us again. Here, now—>
Pippy: -strained, cracking—on the verge of breaking- <Yield.>
No mind to think. No will to break.
Dunsparce Cloud
Morata Manor, Mask Room/Subspace
Avery: Uh—
Well, she can't, but I can, sure.
I think you'd look cute as...Vanilluxe!
Avery: Wait, I'm pretty sure the maid's still there—
-slorp, apparently-
Wyndon League Stands
Ever: ...I should go look up the definition of "sport" in the dictionary. This is reminding me uncomfortably of the Gold Conference.
PEFE!Every: The what?
Ever: You didn't hear about it? Multiple convicted criminals showed up and attempted to do crimes in what was pretty much broad daylight. It was a bit surreal.
PEFE!Every: I think Dr. Tagg mentioned it once...
Ever: It might have been run by the gods.
PEFE!Every: Huh.
Ever: Right?
Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.
Henry Kwan's Condo, the following day
Henry is busy today. Having woken up from one of the craziest dreams he's had in a while, he has since fixed up his bed and changed his clothes. Right now, he's on the phone while cooking breakfast.
Henry: Usually, I have my personal assistant take care of these duties for me, but since it's Christmas morning, I approved of her request to take the week off. I can take my own suit to the dry cleaners.
Jake: You have way too many suits.
Henry: Says the fashion victim who forgot the 90s ended.
Jake: Oh, ha ha. I certainly hope you learned something from last night's little excursion.
Henry: Well, if you think I can stop the operation of the BerryCoin data mining rigs, you'd be wrong. I'm part of the legal team of Best Berry Enterprises, not the guys behind their cryptocurrency mines. There's only so much I can do, Jake.
Huxley, via the house: Sir, I found one dry cleaner open on Boxing Day near here. Shall I make an appointment?
Henry: Make it so, Huxley. After that, try to search for that video card I told you about earlier and reserve it. I've an address in mind. And Orwell.
The rotom on his phone activates.
Orwell, via the phone: What is it, sir?
Henry: Is the crypto forum doing that pump-and-dump thing anytime soon?
Orwell: They're poised to do one shortly before the new year to capitalize on the rising prices. Shall I sell your stock before they inevitably lower the value?
Henry: Good. Do so. And tell HQ that I do not recommend pushing through with planned our crypto expansion. And if they ask, show them the forum. Call up Tom from accounting to run the numbers further, then tell him to actually follow through with that promise he made to his wife of only working half the day.
Orwell: Gotcha.
Henry: Once that's done, see if you can get Murphy to liquidate the NFT I got Priscilla. I also need to get the home address of a Pierre Halliburton.
Jake: Who are they?
Orwell: Murphy is Priscilla's recolored porygon she got from her office and is dating Jonathan's porygon2 Walter. Pierre is Jonathan's father.
Jake: Thanks, Orwell, was it?
Orwell: You're welcome, Mr. Hoffman.
Jake: Please, call me Jake.
Henry: Anyway, I did confirm from reading Jon's Imperapic that he's still looking for that video card for his dad.
Jake: And what are you getting for Priscilla.
Henry: I don't know what she wants but I do know that she definitely didn't appreciate the environmental bleeding heart stuff about the NFT, so I'll be talking with the [Lenape] council and make a pledge to cover the costs of reforesting their lands.
Jake: Well, I certainly hope that's more than just performative.
Henry: Trust me. A few days ago, I wouldn't even dream of doing half the things I'm sorting oout now. I'm meeting those home invaders halfway. Nobody does a complete 360 on their life choices all at once.
Jake: Tell that to the guy on the way to [Emmaus] 2000-ish years ago.
Henry: Oh, fine. Few people do a complete 360 on their life choices all at once. Oh, and Jake.
Jake: What?
Henry: I know this is pretty sappy to hear, but I'm honestly glad you're back.
Jake: Coming from the guy who missed my closed-casket funeral, that means a lot.
Henry: I'd keep this between us for now, though. We'll ease Priscilla into it.
A cemetery, Unova
Priscilla, accompanied by a jigglypuff, a persian, and a dragonite arrives on a gravestone. She leaves behind a few flowers, an incense stick, and a framed photo of her and a surfer boy with a dratini. She answers her phone. It was Jonathan.
Priscilla: So, no. I didn't send that to Pierre.
Jonathan: Well, someone sent that video card to him, and it was in your name. Anyway, my dad sends his thanks, eh, though he couldn't contact you to send the message himself. If someone wants to give you credit for that, I'd say take it.
Priscilla: Not a problem. I was kind of at a loss at what to get him.
Jonathan, gulps: So, where are you right now.
Priscilla: You wouldn't believe this, but I'm at the cemetery.
Jonathan: Ohhhhh. I remember now. I'm sorry. Did I call at a bad time?
Priscilla: No, not really. It's kind of comforting to have someone to talk to right now.
Edited by MasterJayAM on Jan 5th 2022 at 12:46:15 AM
The Wanderer
School Safehouse, December 11th
Templar: We can talk here.
Boltund: -Comes back- <Louise, we don't have long before they wonder what's going on!>
Templar Louise: -Taking off her helmet- ...Yeah you're not a Templar, not regimented enough. And I think there's only one person I've met who'd fit that title. But okay "Kai", you wouldn't be wrong.
Edited by rmctagg09 on Dec 30th 2021 at 6:30:59 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Flying Colors
School Safehouse — ???
-Kai glances at the Boltund-
Kai: If this takes too long, I figure I'll die of Aura Exertion anyway. Burning the candle at both ends, and all.
-They take a slow breath, and the shimmering beacon of rainbows surrounding them die down into a faint heat haze.-
Kai: ...I will admit, I'm surprised that this even worked. That you were so easily willing to hear me out, even with the empathic resonance. The kids tried to kill me on sight, or at least render me helpless — I'm an intruder, after all.
-Keen, piercing stare.-
Kai: Didn't even aim to draw blood with your warning shots. Why is that?
Edited by BittersweetNSour on Dec 30th 2021 at 7:09:27 AM
Techspo
-The woman grins at the holographic display-
???: Now THIS I can use. How much?
Grant Manor
-Owen waves a little at Gale-
Owen: Nice coat.
Morata's Mansion
Odin: <Oh.> -sulks- <There goes that plan. We'll have to find the basement the hard way... Are you SURE there are no trap doors here or anywhere else?>
Reminiscence Ruins
Regidraco: <Hmm? Oh yeah! My parent lives there! They said it was called Hisui but changed to Sinnoh over time! I forget what the story was there...>
-shakes their head, which means shaking their entire orb body-
<But you should get back to the weird fairy! He needs to know this! Admittedly.>
???
-Locke lands with a THUD-
-Amidst a large pile of toys-
Locke: "Wha-"
???: "Hey! I just sorted those!"
-Locke looks down to see a young teenage boy with pink hair glaring up at him-
"And who are you?"
???: "I'm Mithos, the Ghost of J-Team Present, and I'm here to show you what you're missing out on! We couldn't get Prime for this even though we put her through the same wringer ten years ago."
-He shifts to Mew form and promptly levitates Locke off his toy pile and towards a mirror showing...-
Locke: Is that... My old friends? What are they doing around that chart?"
Mithos: <A bunch of their buddies just disappeared without a trace all at once! They're trying to find out why and get them all back! Including you!>
Locke: "...Me? Why me?"
Mithos: <They care about you, duh!>
Locke: "...What? No? Impossible."
-Something rumbles-
Mithos: <...Oh no. She's coming.>
Locke: "Wh-"
-there is a bust of red light and once again Locke is sent screaming into the void-
Edited by Umbramatic on Dec 29th 2021 at 4:27:17 AM
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