Wyndon - New Year's Eve

-Let's flash back a few days, shall we?-

-Wyndon is, as one might expect, a fairly popular New Year's destination, what with the fireworks and broad selection of places at which to get smashed. The latter attraction seems to be what's drawn two young women to one of the city's pubs - one a tall Alolan girl drinking a White [Russian], the other much shorter, mousier and more inebriated after a couple of fruit ciders.-

Kahlia: ...and geez, did you ever think we'd be spending the New Year in Galar? Winter already sucks as-is, what with the cold and the rain, but you know what'd make it even better? Parking the ship in the world capital of cold and rain!

Amelia: I'unno. I k-kinda like it here. Beats being stuck at the b-base.

Kahlia: Hey, at least PEFE HQ's on a tropical island. Not that we ever saw any of it, but it beats this wet and miserable island any day.

-She takes a sip of her drink.-

Kahlia: Still, guess it is nice not to be constantly lying low anymore. Livius is still out there, sure, but after last time I reckon he'll think twice before fucking with us again. And your dad hasn't tried anything, has he?

Amelia: N-no, he hasn't. Honestly, I... I think he m-might not care that I'm gone.

Kahlia: After everything you told me about him, I'm not surprised. Honestly, fuck that guy. One less problem to worry about. You're free now, and so am I. It's you and me versus the world, just like always.

-She grins, and Amelia sheepishly smiles back. Kahlia notices the redness rising in her friend's cheeks and laughs.-

Kahlia: Hang on, are you drunk already? After like one super-weak cider?

Amelia: Two! S'been two. 'Sides, you... you're taller, and I d-don't really drink all that much. It's mostly just when I'm with y-you.

Kahlia: That desperate to impress me, huh?

-Amelia goes even redder, and starts to stutter, but before she can manage anything coherent Kahlia continues.-

Kahlia: Anyway, hopefully we won't be stuck here for too long. I'd need to ask some more about the details, but it sounds like there's finally some decent leads on the School, and I can't wait to get another shot at those bastards. That, though... that's a personal thing. I'm done dragging other people into my battles.

Amelia: I... you wouldn't be d-dragging me. I'd follow you anywhere.

Kahlia: Heh. You're too nice for your own good, Amel. Most people woulda given up on me by now.

-Cheers go up around the bar as the sound of clock chimes and fireworks begins drifting in from inside. Kahlia smiles and raises her glass.-

Kahlia: Welp, here's to me, you, and another year of merry mischief together. Can't think of anyone else I'd rather spend it with.

Amelia: Kahlia.

Kahlia: What's the phrase? Nolite te bastardes carborundorum or something like that? Whatever, it's a good enough resolution for-

Amelia: Kaaaahlia.

Kahlia: Yeah, what's-?

-Amelia lets her balance give way and she falls forward, lips pressing against Kahlia's.-

???

-There is a certain type of mind which always comes back to a single thought. It can busy itself all it wants, either within the realms of imagination, with work that demands intense focus, or with cruder physical distractions, but that single thought is like a black hole at the heart of it all.-

-That thought is: I am no damn good.-

I am no damn good.

Lucius: Shut up.

-He rolls over beneath the tower of blankets which has laid undisturbed for weeks, looking out over a junkyard of bottles, wrappers, and waste left undisposed. The remains of his Mettaton cosplay lie crumpled in a trunk on the ground, buried beneath a heap of unwashed laundry. With his eyes well-accustomed to the gloom, he blinks when a phone notification creates a sudden flash of light.-

They hate you.

You can't help them.

You made their lives miserable.

All you do is hurt them.

You can't even stop them from getting hurt.

The only thing you can do to help is kill-

Lucius: I said shut up.

-He fumbles, his prothestic arm knocking a bottle onto the floor with a cacophanous clattering. He mumbles a curse and eventually manages to grab the phone, blearily blinking at Halis's message.-

Lucius: Oh good. They're okay.

No thanks to you.

-He drops it and rolls over again, shutting his eyes as though hoping it might block out that single, ceaseless thought.-

I am no damn good.

Stormchaser, Halis's Room

-It's been a while since Halis's text, and yet no reply. Some might find the Stormchaser a comforting place to be alone with one's thoughts, but the nature of the ship means that it is never truly silent - nor, indeed, is anyone aboard ever truly alone. Indeed, in the confines of a cabin it's easy to get the impression of being trapped within the bowels of an enormous organism, as its engine gurgles underfoot like a churning stomach and the hissing of air through the vents sounds almost like breathing... almost like voices.-

???: ...have you f-f-forgotten...?

Edited by Herbert40k on Oct 28th 2022 at 1:05:47 PM

After a while has passed, Halis checks their PDA to the resounding support of...

Halis: "..."

...Nobody. Not a single reply, not even a word, until those noises start emenating forth from somewhere. They sigh and shrug, figuring that even just talking to a hallucination at this point would probably serve them better than any more silence, any further solitude.

Halis: "Forgotten? Might be, but... it could also be that I never knew at all. I can't tell, and that's even more frustrating. Every little thing I look into ends up at a dead end, and every friendship I gained inevitably faltered and faded as I retreated inwards."

They look around a bit, trying to look at where the noise came from, but can't seem to pin a source to it.

Stormchaser, Halis's Room

-Once again, there's that hissing chuckle as the shadows seem to shift and coalesce, and now the shape they form is all but undeniable - that of a cloaked figure, features impossible to make out save for a glimpse of something human and yet not quite human beneath the hood.-

??? Metus: My, you've grown b-b-bolder, haven't you? Perhaps it is your ssssanity you should q-q-question rather than your memory, now that you find yourself t-t-talking with ssshapes on the walls.

-The figure steps forward. It would be comforting to imagine that its visage is merely a mask, were it not for that growing grin.-

Metus: Sssstill... I can answer your q-q-questions better than they. Those who have f-f-forgotten. If you wissssh to offer sssanctuary to the d-d-demons in your mind, then who am I to refuse?

Wyndon - New Year's Day

-Amelia remains pressed against Kahlia for a few awkward seconds before pulling out of the kiss, flushed almost entirely red.-

Amelia: ...S-sorry. I hope that wasn't crossing any boundaries or anything, but that's how people always do it in the m-movies, and I just thought-

Kahlia: Hey, hey, it's alright! You didn't do anything wrong, I just... I need a moment to think about things. Fuck, this explains a lot.

Amelia: But you can f-feel it, right? You... you're the only person who gives a d-damn about me, the only real f-friend I've ever had. I c-can't imagine my life without you. It's you and me against the world, like you s-said. And you m-meant it, didn't you?

Kahlia: Of course I did! I... it's...

-She pauses, then sucks in a deep breath through her teeth.-

Kahlia: ...You're great, Amel, and I do love you. I love you more than anything, because you're my best friend, and I want nothing but the best for you. But... the thing is, I'm in love with someone else. Someone who I know will never love me back, and it's entirely my own fault, but... I love her regardless. I'm a sucker for every scrap of affection she'll give me. So I... I don't think I can be the person you wish I could be. Because even if I try to be, my heart will be elsewhere, and you don't want that. You deserve better than that. Better than me.

-Silence reigns supreme for several torturously long seconds. Eventually, Kahlia continues, glancing away to avoid having to read Amelia's expression.-

Kahlia: I'm really sorry. You understand what I'm trying to say, right?

Amelia: Yeah, I... I g-get it. You're right.

-...-

Kahlia: We... you know that we're still friends, right? Best friends. And nothing is ever going to change that.

Amelia: ...Right. F-friends.

-She's silent for another long moment, before standing up.-

Amelia: I... I need to g-go use the bathroom.

-She hurriedly turns and scurries away, not quite quickly enough to hide the tears streaking down her face. Kahlia opens her mouth to try to say something, but by the time she does Amelia has already vanished into the crowd.-

Kahlia: ...Well, fuck.

Stormchaser, Halis's Room

-A draft passes through the vents, creating a hissing, stacco-sounding laughter from the grate.-

???: You'll r-r-remember. In time. But there is more you need to know f-f-first.

-The lights flicker briefly, casting shadows against the wall and granting the nightstand an eerie resemblance to a humanoid silhouette - one with something skull-like and malformed where the head should be.-

???: For inssstance... do you r-r-remember me?

Edited by Herbert40k on Sep 2nd 2023 at 2:22:46 PM

Silas and Roxy looked at Owen. Roxy was the first to speak. "Yeah, go right ahead. Something on your mind?"

As soon as their eyes lock onto the outline, it's all too clear who it is, the memory of one of their escapades with Lucius coming to the forefront.

Halis: "...Metus? Curious that you're able to show up here, I'd have thought the Stormchaser's... uh, 'sentience' or whatever it is they did to it while I was off looking into the book's secrets would have stopped you from showing up, but I guess you're my guest as well, so that's likely why."

They make no obvious attempt to aggress against the silhouette, continuing to sit where they are.

Halis: "For the record, you don't have to hide from me like this. I won't attack you unless you attack me, since that's how I'd treat any guest of mine, unexpected or otherwise."

Morata's Mansion, Upstairs

The exit beckons.

Ynos: "Six years."

"I was too weak to escape on my own... At first, anyway."

Morata's Mansion, Kitchen

As if on cue, Gage pops out of the floor in a burst of obscura.

Morata's Mansion, Atrium

Josette: "..."

Josette gives Odin a bit of a disdainful look.

Josette: "... So it has come to this. Pershore?"

Odin's shadow comes to life and attacks!

Morata's Mansion, Basement

Daydre's... not totally aware of her surroundings right now. It's fair to say her body's on particularly aggressive autopilot. If she focuses, she can break through the filter to see...

Herself. Trying to kill Megan.

Her body raises its hand back, rearing up to deliver the killing blow—

And she stops.

There's a split second of hesitation— just enough time for Pollen's Moonblast to connect and send her skidding across the floor.

Daydre lies still. Slowly, like a puppet being pulled up by its strings, she gets back to her feet. Something is definitely bleeding but she seems unbothered.

Her head snaps towards Pollen, a new target found. Her silhouette flickers for a second, but it passes and she's charging again.

The Charge Beam zaps a few of the Yamask into unconsciousness, and a telepathic thank you is relayed.

Aislinn and the Yamask seem to be at a stalemate for now. Individual Yamask are weaker than she, but there's also only so many her mons can deal with at a time.

Aislinn: (sighing) "Knew I should've worked on crowd control since last time..."

Nevertheless, she returns to the fray.

Wyndon — New Year's Day

-A lot of people can be found in a crowd, especially on a day like New Year's. On one hand, it's very easy to get lost. On the other? There's always the chance of seeing someone you don't expect.-

-Or, in this case, two someones.-

Diane: Wait— Amelia??

Skye: Hey, wait, Amelia, what's— what's going on?

Wyndon - New Year's Day

-Amelia, all but blinded by the tears in her eyes, doesn't notice Diane or Skye until she runs headfirst into one of them.-

Amelia: Ack, s-sorry! Sorry, I- wait, S-Skye? What are yo- I d-didn't- I-

-She chokes out another sob before continuing to careen towards the edge of the crowd.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Oct 28th 2022 at 1:06:36 PM

Wyndon — New Year's Day

Skye: Aaa wait!

-The couple hurries after Amelia, doing their best not to lose track of her.-

Diane: Hey, let's just, get out of this crowd and talk, okay? Whatever happened, we'll be here for you.

The Historic Quarter of Jubilife City

A vintage car is parked there, resembling a 1906 Renault with blinds on the window. Its occupant, standing nearby, is almost predictably a woman in her mid 20s who wears outfits from the 1880s or 1890s

She stands there with a lucario and a klingklang.

Theodora: They really went over and above restoring this place to how it used to look. If it weren't for the skyscrapers, it'd almost feel as if we went back to Old Jubilife for real. You know, it's funny. Back then, this was Jubilife. And it was unique because it was new.

Ewan: ~Indeed, ma'am.~

Theodora: The people here have no idea how much they've lost since then. Stuff that never made it to a museum. Vibrant cultures that were forcibly erased. Invaluable artifacts now stores in the treasure rooms of looters. Wonder if these 21st Century types will ever find at least some of that again.

Ewan: ~One mustn't lose hope that they will, ma'am. I can feel a change in the air.~

Theodora: I certainly hope so. I'd live a thousand lifetimes to see even a tiny smidge of the old Hisui back. Even if we must bring it back ourselves.

Ewan: ~Alas. There's only so much we can do. Bringing the herb back using your father's invention was pushing it.~

Theodora: And the one specimen we did keep looks wonderful in the kitchen nook. All that flavour and none of the malodourous nonsense that one gets with asafoetida.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Jan 9th 2022 at 3:56:36 AM

Wyndon - New Year's Day

-Thankfully, Amelia isn't going far, and Diane and Skye are able to follow her into a nearby park before she slumps onto a bench, no longer sobbing outright but still sniffling, shoulders heaving up and down.-

Amelia: I... it's o-okay. You two s-shouldn't worry about me. I... I was s-stupid, that's all.

There was a sudden burst of static as a translucent gold rectangle appeared in the air. Out of it rushed a figure in a odd leather coat with a single bold V in orange colouring. Following him was a Baltoy, a Gengar, and a Shiny Lucario.

"We all safe?!" He asked, panicking.

~We're good kid! Close it!~ The Lucario answered.

The Gold rectangle seemed to close, the figure sighed and wiped his brow.

Old Jubilife

Ewan: ~Ma'am, I feel a disturbance. Get yourself into the car and Ada and I will take care of these—~

They take a few seconds to process.

Ewan: ~Wait, no. It's not your boyfriend's coworkers, ma'am. We're safe.~

Theodora: Don't call David that. That was... odd to say the least. I've known fallers are common here in the 21st Century so these people are accustomed but it takes a special kind of boldness for a time traveler to do so out in the open.

Ewan: ~They don't have a vehicle with them so we can rule out anything to do with the professor and his charge.~

Theodora: Plus, visibly, their time travel mechanism seems shunter-based. But I've never seen a shunter work like that.

Ewan: ~Suppose he saw us, ma'am?~

Theodora: I don't suppose so. Think you can get a read on him without alerting his Lucario?

Ewan: ~Can't make any promises, but I can promise to try.~

He does so.

Vaughn took a few deep breaths, the air here was clean. It was safe to breath here, good... so many timelines had polluted air, that the clean air around him was to say refreshing would be an understatement.

Colt's ear twitched. ~Hey kid we're being watched.~

Vaughn stopped, and looked about. "Where?"

Colt pointed in the direction of Ewan. ~There.~

Vaughn nodded, like he had practiced. "Whoever you are! Come out now, I'm not afraid to use force!"

Hope the lie works.

Wyndon — NYD

-Diane sits down next to Amelia-

Diane: You're our friend, and we just saw you running out of a crowd and crying. We're gonna be worried, Amel.

Skye: We can give you a moment if you need it. Maybe I could get you some water? To help clear your head.

Wyndon - New Year's Day

-Amelia glances downwards, letting out a faint half-sob, half-chuckle.-

Amelia: ..."Amel". H-heh. K-Kahlia called me that first. I didn't get why she couldn't just call me "Mel" or something, but... I l-liked it. It made me feel like I was s-special, for once.

-She looks up at Skye, blinking tears out of her eyes.-

Amelia: Water... water would be n-nice, yeah. Or just s-something to drink.

Edited by Herbert40k on Oct 28th 2022 at 1:18:14 PM

Wyndon — NYD

Skye: Yeah, I'll get you something. Just hang out over here, okay?

-She hurries to a nearby convenience store, while Diane stays by Amelia's side.-

Diane: ...This is about her, I'm guessing? You've got... that sort of look.

Wyndon - New Year's Day

-Amelia nods, sniffling.-

Amelia: ...Y-yeah. Guess everybody s-saw it but her, huh?

-She gives another mournful half-chuckle.-

Amelia: It's f-funny. I never thought I was g-gay, but ever since I m-met her... there's nobody else I would rather be with than her. She's the only person who ever made me feel like I r-really mattered. But... she's in love with s-somebody else.

-She shakes her head.-

Amelia: I... I s-should've known better. Nobody wants a nobody like Amelia Smith. Why would she want me if I don't even want to b-be me?

Edited by Herbert40k on Oct 28th 2022 at 1:18:28 PM

Wyndon — NYD

Diane: ...Oh. Oh. That's... oh. Is that what Aeroraptor is about, then?

Hearthome City, Yumeko's Shrine

-After a few hours, Yumeko's Shrine is completely free of dust.-

Yuki: <Thank you, my friends.>

Me: You're most welcome, Yuki-sama.

Evelyn: So, what should we do now? If you were able to come back as a Pokémon, would it be possible for you to change into a human?

Me: Actually, it is possible.

Evelyn: Eh?!

Me: I know a place where you can get clothes that can change you into a Pokémon. It's called "Ersatz Alliance", and it's where I got this scarf.

-Ian takes his Magical Scarf out of his backpack and shows it to Evelyn.-

Evelyn: Ah!

Me: Maybe there's something that can change a Pokémon into a human. Would that be okay, Yumeko-sama?

Yuki: <I definitely wouldn't mind...>

Me: Great, then let's go!

Wild Area

-Ian walks by, happy as happy can be. He's just singing to himself.-

Me: ♪I believe in make believe, fairy tales and lucky charms, and♫
♫I believe in promises, spoken as you cross your heart, oh~♪

-Ian's singing slows down just as he notices Kim and Braker.-

Me: ♪I believe in skies for... ever... blue?♫

-He stops and listens in on what Kim is talking to Braker about, very silently so Kim doesn't know he's there.-

Spikemuth, VS Marnie

Me: Now, Piku-chan, use Iron Tail!

Marnie: Morpeko, use Bite!

Evelyn: Hatty, use Dazzling Gleam!

Marnie: Grimmsnarl, chain Bulk Up into Darkest Lariat!

-Piku-chan surrounds his tail with a metallic sheen and swings it at Morpeko, who bites down on it. Marnie's Grimmsnarl strikes a few poses and strengthens his physical prowess before surrounding himself in a dark aura of violence before spinning at Hatty, who surrounds herself in a brilliant rainbow light and charges at Marnie's Grimmsnarl.-

Hammerlocke Stadium, Pitch

Me: Piku-chan, Oshawittle, Raru! Use Delta Force!

Evelyn: Kako, Mirai! Use Psychic! Hatty, use Mystical Fire!

-Kako and Mirai cause their eyes to glow: Kako's eyes glowing blue and Mirai's eyes glowing pink, as the two of them release a wave of psychic energy at Turtonator, and use it to lift it into the air. Hatty unleashes a red, orange, blue and purple blast of fire at the Abomasnow. Piku-chan, Oshawittle and Raru surround The Gym Trainers' Pokémon in a triangular formation, Piku-chan sparkling with electrical energy, Oshawittle bursting with the energy of his Ice Beam and Raru surging with the Psychic energy of his Psychic. The three Pokémon form a Circle of Friendship and start to float in midair as Piku-chan links his Electric energy through Oshawittle, Oshawittle links his Ice energy through Raru and Raru links his Psychic energy through Piku-chan, forming a triangular link as they unleash the pent-up energy in a vertical beam aiming at the opponent's Pokémon. The Beam glows in a bright gold, blue and pink color before dispersing and the three Pokémon float gently to the ground.-

Wyndon Stadium, VS Hoops

-Suddenly, the Hex hits both Oshawittle and Axon, dealing extra damage to Axon in particular.-

Evelyn: Axon!

Axon: <I'll be fine...>

Turffield Stadium Lobby

Emilie: Oh! It's a pleasure to meet you! My name is Emilie. I'm from Anistar City.

Textspace

Phantom Thief Textspace

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Jan 8th 2022 at 5:15:09 AM

Wyndon - New Year's Day

-Amelia nods falteringly.-

Amelia: ...Y-yeah. Yeah, kinda.

-She remains silent for a few moments, mulling over her words.-

Amelia: Aeroraptor... he feels like everything I'm n-not. He's cool, he's c-confident, he's... well, he's h-him. I started off being Aeroraptor to impress K-Kahlia, but... now I think I like b-being Aeroraptor more than I like b-being me.

Edited by Herbert40k on Oct 28th 2022 at 1:09:50 PM

Wyndon Stadium, past

Cof: <Tut tut tut. Looks like you all have a lot to learn about these multi battles. Lesson one.>

He takes several of Dio's Poison Jabs, then the lid of his body slams shut on one of the claws. He then wraps many of his arms around Dio, holding him in place.

Cof: <Never use ranged attacks on an opponent when one of your allies is in melee.>

He swings Dio around, into the path of the Shadow Ball and Ice Beam.

School Hunting Trip

She narrows her eyes.

Vana: I think I was very clear about the ownership of these snacks. But, I'm not an unreasonable person, so what are you willing to give me in exchange for the snacks?

By now she has eaten enough that if she wasn't grown in a test tube and growing up at an abnormal rate, she would be at risk of health concerns.

Present Day, Outside of Stormchaser

Hoops stands looking at the large yellow ship. In retrospect, it should have been a lot easier to find, but perhaps their nerves were stopping them from looking as hard as they could have.

Hoops: Okay, here we go. Big day. Finally joining. Officially, I guess.

They start to walk towards the door, then turn around.

Hoops: But perhaps I shouldn't come alone. Maybe I should get someone I know who's a member first, they probably don't just take walk ups.

They stop themself from leaving and turn around gain.

Hoops: But then again, Ian said I'm basically a member already. And according to him they're kind of accepting anyway, so maybe I should go for it.

Just before knocking, they pull their hand away.

Hoops: Still though, maybe it's rude to just show up out of the blue. Maybe I should have brought some kind of offering.

A few feet away, Kec and Ray watch them walk back and forth and argue with themself.

Ray: <Will they be okay?>

Kec: <Oh yeah. You just have to let this play out.>

Ray: <You know, I feel that I never got a chance to apologise for sort of replacing you. On behalf of all of us...>

Kec: <Don't. Really. It hurt, but it wasn't your fault. I'm glad all of you got to meet them.>

Ray: <As am I. The young Mistrum is an impressive person indeed.>

Kec: <They really - where are they going?>

Hoops is running off towards the nearby town, shouting something about a gift. The two pokemon sit patiently waiting, until they return about five minutes later with a simply enormous gift basket filled with chocolates, cheeses, meats, and wines.

Kec: <Really?>

Hoops: I thought it would be polite. Ahem.

Finally, they knock on the door to the Stormchaser.

Wyndon — NYD

Diane: Ah... You did seem like you were really loving getting a chance to be Aeroraptor, when we fought.

-She offers a smile, as Skye returns with a couple bottles of water.-

Skye: Here you go. What did I miss?

-Diane pauses, then gives Amelia a look like 'should you recap or should I'-

Wyndon - New Year's Day

-Amelia nods at Diane, giving a faint smile as she takes a bottle of water from Skye.-

Amelia: Heh, y-yeah. Thanks for t-that, by the way. Um, indulging us. I know it was K-Kahlia's idea, but... if it gives me the c-chance to put the helmet back on and do the v-voice, I'm h-happy.

-She glances between Diane and Skye before her eyes eventually settle on the former.-

Amelia: Um... m-maybe you should fill her in. I d-dunno if I'm explaining all that well, and I'm not even sure what's g-going on in my own head, so... it might help to hear someone else s-say it.

Edited by Herbert40k on Oct 28th 2022 at 1:10:28 PM

School Hunting Trip

-Platinum rifled through her pockets.-

Platinum: I shall give you anything you ask, Vanadium. As long as it is within reason.

Stow-on-Side

Evelyn: How do you two know each other?

Me: It's a long story, but remember when you and Hoops had your battle?

Evelyn: I do.

Me: Well, during that battle, I heard a cry for help echoing through my mind, and I had to run off to the rescue. Florence heard the same cry for help and when we arrived at the scene, we found that the source of the cry was a girl named "Aurelia". She was being threatened by a Templar named Ferrum and his apparent lackey, Radon.

Evelyn: Ferrum? You don't mean...

Me: Yes, Evelyn. The very same metallokinetic Templar.

Wyndon

-A girl with brown hair with a pink Thunderbolt streak down the middle and hazel-brown eyes, wearing a white dress with a floral pattern and sneakers wanders throughout the streets, taking in the sights. At her side is a Kirlia with a camera around her neck. The two of them pass by the Battle Café and are open to interaction.-