Wyndon

-The girl, absolutely confused by what is happening, turns around and sees... nothing. But she can't help but feel like something is wrong...-

Girl: -thinking to herself- Time cop business? Hmm... I think Mom and Dad told me a story like this once before... It's probably nothing, but then again, I did come here of all times. Unfortunately, that Beheeyem might be reading my thoughts at this very moment and I'd be none the wiser, so I might not have time to duck behind a dumpster and change... still and all, I can't just do nothing...

Girl: Invisibility cloak? Aura jammer? Is that tech from your time? Sorry if I'm being so inquisitive, mister. I'm a reporter for my school's newspaper. My name's Lala, and the Kirlia is my friend and cameramon, Little Polly Ponpon.

Little Polly Ponpon: <It's a pleasure to meet you. May I take your picture, please?>

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Jan 8th 2022 at 11:24:36 AM

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

Turffield Stadium Entrance Room

(Ananpi immediately starts jumping down from his Trainer's shoulder and begins nuzzling up against Emilie. From behind Ingrid, the Drifloon giggles.)

Rustboro City Gym

—> Continue strife.

(Roxanne, meanwhile, is undeterred.)

Roxanne: "Naturally. I'd expect a Ninjask to be able to learn Dig. But that doesn't mean he's going to stop me! Nosepass, use Harden!"

Nosepass: <HARDENING.>

(The Nosepass starts to glow with a silvery light.)

(From underground, Tekkan starts glowing in a pinkish light as his Speed Boost activates.)

(And then seconds later...)

Tekkan: (bursting from the ground) <Your offer is almost up!>

(And then seconds later, Nosepass is thrown up against the wall. A cloud of dust goes up, and Tekkan flies back down.)

Axis: "Awesome! You got him!"

Tekkan: <Ahhh, I said "almost.">

Axis: "Huh?"

(Soon afterwards, the cloud of dust fades— and Nosepass is still standing.)

Nosepass: <I HAVE SURVIVED.>

Axis: "...Of course! It has Sturdy!" (they realize it) "But then... that means..."

Roxanne: "Exactly! We still have a chance! Nosepass, use Rock Tomb!"

Nosepass: <ROCK TIME.>

(Seconds later, Nosepass points his nose to the sky— and multiple rocks appear in the sky and start falling down onto Tekkan.)

Axis: "Tekkan! Look out!"

Tekkan: <Already ahead of you!>

(Seconds later, the Ninjask immediately dodges all the falling rocks— and the Nosepass gains a look of shock. Somehow.)

Axis: "Alright! Nice work, Tekkan! Now... finish him off!"

Tekkan: <Aaaand now your offer is up!>

(And with that, he flies forwards, and slashes at Nosepass once.)

(And yet that "non-effectiveness" proves to be just enough. For a few moments, Nosepass stumbles around a bit... and then falls over, gaining swirly eyes in the process.)

Nosepass: (weakly) <I HAVE FALLEN.>

(The audience loses their minds. Tekkan, meanwhile, grins happily, and flies over to an equally ecstatic Axis, who promptly hugs him.)

Axis: "Alright! You did it, Tekkan! That was great!" (They let go.) "I'm sorry I underestimated you."

Tekkan: <No worries, my friend!>

AXIS HUNTER HAS DEFEATED ROXANNE'S NOSEPASS

ROXANNE HAS NO POKEMON LEFT

WINNER: AXIS HUNTER

—> End strife.

MEANWHILE IN THE HASSLEMON INTERWEBS...

aquaeousGearwheel (AG) entered the chat.

AG: ψψ yippee¡ tekk@n ψon¡ ψψ

CA: @> Alright~! I had a feeling he'd be able to do it~! <3

CC: i_must_admit_i_am_impressed_period

CC: tekkan_has_more_strategy_than_i_would_have_expected_from_him_period

AG: ψψ noψ ψe c@n he@d to deψford toψn ψψ

CC: indeed_period

CC: however_elipses

AG: ψψ huh¿ ψh@t's ψrong letin@¿ ψψ

CC: i_have_an_idea_first_period

CC: i_fear_i_am_not_strong_enough_to_take_on_brawley_yet_period

CA: @> Oh? You'd like to get some more training in? <3

CC: indeed_period

CC: specifically_i_would_like_for_axollo_and_i_to_get_some_training_in_period

AG: ψψ i like th@t ide@ ψψ

AG: ψψ hoψ should ψe do it though¿ ψψ

CC: simple_period

CC: we_battle_neziey_early_period

AG: ψψ oooohhhhh ψψ

CA: @> I L-O-V-E that idea! That'll allow us to make a new F-R-I-E-N-D more easily! <3

CC: the_only_question_is_elipses

CC: what_will_axis_think_of_it_qustmrk

Hammerlocke Stadium

(Joel immediately hears Piku-chan— and then sees what the Turtonator is about to do. He smirks.)

Joel: <Yyyyeah... no thanks.>

(And then mere moments later, he pulls up a Protect barrier, shielding himself from the attack. Kim looks on in disbelief.)

Kim: "No way..."

(Joel shoots her a wink.)

JOEL THE QUAGSIRE

NEW MOVE LEARNED: PROTECT

(Meanwhile, Freddie and Dalt turn their attention to the massive Kommo-o in front of them.)

Freddie: <Oh dear... w-what are we to do...? W-we haven't defeated this Kommo-o at all yet...>

Dalt: <Ooooh~! I have a plan!>

Freddie: <W-what in the world could possibly be your plan...?>

Dalt: <I will tell you!>

(He promptly goes up to Freddie and whispers the plan in his ear. Freddie nods for a bit, his eyes growing even wider than they already are, and then...)

Freddie: <...h-huh. Actually... that is a good plan.>

Dalt: (excitedly) <Alright, then! Let's do it!>

(Freddie nods, and Dalt stands in front of him. Soon afterwards, Freddie holds up his gripper— and then shoots ice out of it. With zero hesitation, Dalt runs right into the Ice Beam attack, covering him in ice armor, and all the while releasing sparks from his body as he runs up to the Kommo-o while Freddie's Ice Beam move is still going. Soon afterwards, the Ice Beam hits, and Dalt, covered in even more ice, bites the Kommo-o on the arm.)

Wyndon Stadium

(Kim, albeit reluctantly, puts Dio's PokeBall back in her pocket, and soon afterwards, looks down to find the floor covered in ice.)

Kim: "Hm. Well, I don't think Elton would work here..." (then, taking out a PokeBall) "But I do know someone who would! Red alert, Geddy!"

(She throws the PokeBall, and in a flash, Geddy the Primarina emerges.)

Geddy: <Oh! A Cofagrigus? Hello there.>

THE HASSLEMON INTERWEBS

IA: ...lemme guess, ya lost again?

HG: Yep.

ML: I'd assume s[]... b-but s[]mething seems different fr[]m last time.

IA: yeah, i don't think i've ever seen him this upset 8efore. and i saw what happened the last time he lost against ian.

ML: What happened, Di[]?

HG: ...I tried. I tried so hard, believe me. I-I learned Poison Jab; I used as many moves as I could; I knocked out their Thievul... but I still couldn't take out their Cofagrigus. A-and I thought he was friendly! H-he seemed nice... b-but then he took away my Poison Heal ability...

IA: ah, that's just cofagrigus. nothin' ta get upset over, really.

HG: ...and then he grabbed my claw, pulled me right into the crossfire of my friends' attacks... and told me I knew nothing about how to battle.

ML: H[]ld []n, he did what?!

HG: ...I should have known. I had my trust betrayed, and my worst fears confirmed. Again.

IA: well, ya still managed to defeat that thievul of theirs, didn't ya?

HG: ...

ML: Di[]... I'm sure he didn't mean it...

HG: ...

The Wild Area

(Meanwhile, Braker is still talking to Kim.)

Braker: "Oh... oh dear. I... didn't realize that this was getting to you that badly."

Kim: "Well... it is. I wasn't there when the Final Shell happened. I had no idea about this. I couldn't imagine him doing something like that." (beat) "Well, except maybe in a Pokemon Gym Battle, but that's the only time."

Braker: "I know. You seemed pretty furious when you found out what happened at the meeting."

Kim: "I was, but... thinking back on it I probably could have handled it differently."

Braker: "Well... maybe you could tell Ian what you just told me? Minus the whole 'lost faith' thing?"

Kim: "Maybe..."

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Jan 8th 2022 at 12:21:56 PM

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

Halis: "We both know you're more than just smoke and mirrors, vague shapes and faint distortions... more than just a 'demon' that sometimes haunts people. That, and I've seen some fairly crazy things by this point, including bits and pieces of myself."

They stand up, having picked up their book alongside it.

Halis: "So, not to mince words, but if that's the case, that you know what I'm looking for, just who am I? I looked in public records a bit, but I couldn't find anything that said anything about me that wasn't starting from a couple years ago, and even my own father didn't know what I was talking about, refusing to directly answer my questions, which is ridiculous."

Skyane's Bedroom, The Next Night

-Skye is staring at the ceiling, wide awake, cheeks rosy from several drinks in a short timeframe. Diane is snuggled up with her.-

Skye: Is that what that was???

Diane: Babe.

Skye: Is that what my deal with Luke and Lake was??? Gender envy???

Diane: Bby pls.

Skye: But that doesn't make sense, I'm still Skye! I don't want to not be Skye. But I also want to be them??

Diane: My gosh you're a disaster.

Skye: But like??? I'm still. Wooloowoo. But???

Diane: Skye. Sweetheart. I love you with every bit of my being. But it is sleeeeeep time.

Skye: Okay, okay, I'll figure this out in. The morning.

Diane: Mmmm. Love youuuu.

-Skye snuggles up with Diane. For a solid moment, all is quiet.-

Skye: ........but I don't want to be them, but I don't not want to be. I wanna be both. Can I be both???

Diane: Mmmmmmyou can be asleep now. Lov.

Skye: Aaaaaa.

-...-

Diane: Also, called it.

Skye: Aaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Jan 8th 2022 at 12:49:16 PM

Stormchaser, Halis's Room

-The grin beneath the hood grows even wider, pulling back layers of leather and flesh.-

Metus: Ssssuch c-c-confidence coming from one who cannot even trust their own mind. Do you wish to prove your c-c-claim? Then I ssshall give you the means. Come, show me that I am flesssh and blood. C-c-cut me and let me bleed. Prove that you are masssster of this domain.

-Around one of their arms, the shadows seem to grow longer as they reach out to place a hand on Halis's bedside table - and then withdraw, leaving a blade of obsidian black behind.-

Metus: But if you wisssh to treat me as a g-g-guest... perhaps I shall earn my keep with a ssstory? You have forgotten sssso much, after all, and I could be the one to h-h-help you remember. The fair folk may only have made themssselves known mere years ago, but they have held court for f-f-far longer than man, and we can feel their presssence through the tales left behind for us. For ssssurely you know of changelings? A child ssssnatched from their crib, and that which is left in its p-p-place... it may not even realise itsss nature. All it knows is that as time goessss on... the more it feels it does not belong.

Edited by Herbert40k on Oct 28th 2022 at 1:16:19 PM

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.

Morata's Mansion, Basement

-as it happens, that moment of hesitation goes entirely unnoticed-

Vee: <!!!>

-well, by Megan-

-she's a bit preoccupied…-

-uh, bleeding?-

Suiko: -at Pollen- Stop it!!!

Pollen: <She—she's killing you!>

Suiko: No, she's not.

Pollen: <What—>

-the tails yank free as Daydre's smacked across the room-

-Vee's knocked free as well, and she scrambles back to Megan-

Vee: -cursing under her…breath?-

-she clamps down on the blood flow—nothing leaves or enters without her say-so-

Suiko: Heal her.

Pollen: -glancing nervously at Megan's extremely murderous gf- <Uh—>

Suiko: Now—

-Daydre rampages close enough that their argument-slash-indecision finally breaks-

Pollen: <Not cooperating!!!!!>

(-which is already...so many feet closer than is probably wise-)

Suiko: -likewise struggling to her feet- I'll handle it.

-swatting flies is hard-

Pollen: <can-can I just take the mask off>

-swatting flies is...easier, when they're a foot tall and you've got five and a half times as many limbs as you usually do-

Pollen used Double Team!

-but Pollen flits between Daydre's wild swings and stabs, then performs her best impression of "bug on a windshield"...on Daydre's face-

-...Daydre's bleeding too, huh?-

Suiko: …

Suiko: ...Vee. Aura.

Vee: -shivers-

-the loose blood in the room—Megan and Daydre's alone, most likely—collects to a point between Suiko's hands-

-in a flash, it sublimates from fluid to raw energy—Vee's jaws around Suiko's grasping hand clamp down-

Suiko: -hand alight- Living Maelstrom.

-clouds erupt from the point Suiko holds-

-its pulse rebounds off the edges of the room—clouds rise there, too, trickling down the walls, dripping from the ceiling, pooling on the floor-

Vee: -exhales, breathing it out-

-and all of it—every last drop—is sharp, shining scarlet-

Vee used Rain Dance!

-the basement floods with a tang like iron-

---

-Tripod notes how slippery the fluid is for everyone not on the heist team-

-Daydre in particular the precipitation fights—the usual set of —kineses Megan has to offer strive to dampen every move she makes-

-still-

Tripod: -purrs entirely unreassuringly at Optics, floating away from them-

-that's way too much force going out-

-they windshield-wiper the red from their eyes, hover slowly nearer to Aislinn, and-

Tripod used Magnet Bomb!

-they start trying to rip some Yamasks' faces off-

Wyndon Stadium, Ever vs. Megan

Ever: Hm. Definitely hoped that'd work out better...ah well.

Arc, Defog.

-said before even sending out a Pokemon, but as the light resolves into an Empoleon shape, it's already emitting a cloud of fog-

Arc: <Oh! Fraidy! Hi!>

-that seems to sap the adrenaline out of the air in its wake, leaving it heavy and still, more mundane somehow-

-in the face of such terrible ordinariness, the sword in Fraidy's shaking hands crumbles to nothing...followed by the swords all across Arc's side of the field-

-the Fraidy-statues seem a bit lonelier without the gray contrasting their shine-

Fraidy: <H-hi, Arc.> -grin-

-glancing down at the little puddle of oxidizing metal- <Y-your dad sends his regards.>

Megan: -murmur- Dispel. Nice.

Last legs...no way she's got another sneakstrike in her.

-indeed, the little waves lapping at Fraidy's feet in defiance of the Defog wind could be abortive little attempts at flash-stepping the fuck away-

He's a stronger hydrokinetic than her, he's tougher, he's faster while Fraidy's so messed up—

-Megan puts her fingers to Vee's mouth and Vee whistles for her-

Fraidy: !

No way Ever won't see this coming, but c'est la vie!

Fraidy's aura is flari—!

Ever: Aqua Jet.

-Arc steps forward, maybe a foot or two-

Megan: We had a meeting about this! >:D

-and the rain parts in a shadow of that movement, a bubble of water that expands towards Fraidy like the cowcatcher on a train-

-rip to Miltank, but Fraidy's lankier-

-rather than something suitably dramatic and foolish like fight Arc's riptide advance, Fraidy shoves every last remnant of her Aqua Ring into a cushion between her and the shockwave-

Fraidy: <OW>

-and goes flying-

-and falling-

Megan: -giggle- One thing about you reading me is that I can also read me to read you, who is much harder to read! Like a translation guide!

-and lands flat on her back, much closer to Megan-

-and does not get up-

Fraidy: -...twitch-

Megan: uh -Objection.point- you can't pull the same trick on us a ninth time, Ever!

Ever: …

Boop.

Arc: -Earthquake-

-seismic waves travel at roughly four kilometers per second-

-assuming a half-field size of roughly 50 meters, that leaves Fraidy about twelve milliseconds before the attack hits-

Fraidy: !

-Megan hasn't reached the "y" in her "oh yikes"-

-Fraidy is much faster than a human, which giving her time to register the scope and scale of the forces before her, analyze through the deep wells of her experience the options available—and panic!-

Fraidy: -fingers spasm- !!

-and when Fraidy panics, she discards registries and dispenses with analytics to grab whatever comes to hand to hurl at the subject of her fear-

Fraidy used Metronome!

-what comes to hand is that globule of Megan's blood-

rolling…

-through the lifeforce-extracting apparatus of her Aqua Ring-

Fraidy: -wild-eyed, fingergun- !!!

Metronome became Psycho Boost!

-the sky turns red; the rain becomes needles; the droplet explodes into a wild, barely-aimed mass-energy conversion-

-and then she faints instantly-

Megan: -as Fraidy flies over her head- —h yikes.

• ◓ • ◓◓◓ | • • ◓◓◓◓

Ever: …

Arc: <...Ow. @_@>

It's not very effective, but c'mon, that still stings.

Arc: :>

No mind to think. No will to break.

They look at the blade, shaking their head at the notion of attacking.

Halis: "Why would I hurt you? You haven't hurt me at all..."

Their eyes widen in shock at the notion, however, that they would be a changeling of some sort.

Halis: "W-wait, what? Eh? T-then wait, wait, doesn't that mean I'm not... well, me? Or, rather, who I say I am?"

Gale's Mind

-The figure with the shovel leaves it stuck in the ground and waves a hand of bleached bone at the new arrival-

Skeletal Aspect: Me? A keeper of graves or a damned fool. Don't know which.

-It reacts something or nothing and quickly glances at a gravestone printed with merely an image of a face, though one blurred as though by a clouded lens-

Skeletal Aspect: What brings you to the Tower?

Kim's Mind

Angela: Aha! There we go, we gotta bust these personal demons to make your mind all healthy again!

-She giggles and continues her rushing about style of combat-

Angela: You're my second person who I've helped confront their demons! Hold your reviews till after you're alright, mkay?

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Stormchaser — Training Room

-The sandstorm kicks up, and Mako and Mason both disappear. Rainbow Energy swirls around Spectrum, and Kai's Aura flares. On the opposite end, Vierr raises his Key Stone, and in a flash of light, Elysia Mega Evolves.-

Vierr: Don't forget, Smoke And Mirrors, I've still got Aura Sense.

Mason: And an awful lot to focus on, Connect Four.

Kai: And I hope you don't mind, but I love being the center of attention!

-She rushes forward, intending to zip right past Elysia and Bubblegum to reach Vierr, but staggers as suddenly her coat arm is glowing with embers.-

Kai: Gah!

Elysia: -winks- <Careful not to burn yourself out too quickly, Kai.>

Elysia used Will-O-Wisp! Kai was burned!

-Kai keeps staggering forward, faltering with the Force Palm she was about to hit Vierr with, and Vierr blocks the rest of the blow with his Reflect shield.-

Vierr: Fighting the School, you shouldn't expect a straight human-to-human, mon-to-mon duel. The threshold of the Vow isn't sacred to everyone.

Elysia: <We're not gonna hurt ya too much, but don't forget that, 'kay?>

Kai: -wincing- Duly noted.

Spectrum: <That was still super rude, though!> >:c

Elysia: <I am rude!> ^_^

-Spectrum buzzes a grumpy buzz, and slashes at Elysia with her claws.-

Spectrum used Dragon Claw!

Bubblegum: <Oh! Don't leave me out!>

Mako: <Sure.>

-Bubblegum squeaks as she gets a Dragon Claw to the back, but before she can turn around and retaliate, Mako has already slipped back into the dust.-

Bubblegum: <Grrr get back here so I can bop you!>

-She lashes out into the sand with Revenge, but it doesn't meet its mark.-

Mason: Not enough Aura Sense to go around, eh?

Bubblegum: <Shoosh!>

Vaughn stared at Theodora, then looked to Albert, Colt, and Hawking. Albert shrugged.

~She doesn't seem to be lying,~ Colt noted.

Vaughn stepped carefully, following Theordora.

Silas awoke, he had been slept in. He stretched, his tail shook a bit as he did. Right, he had slept in pokeform last night; the itch had returned. He looked about the room and saw that everyone else had left.

Silas slumped a bit and pondered what to do next, breakfast or shower? He was feeling pretty hungry this morning. He shrugged and pulled the scarf off, decide in the next little bit.

No change happened, he looked at his paws, and let out a sigh. <Roxy forgot to release the hold. Well easy enough to fix, I'll just go ask her. Breakfast first.>

He walked out of his bedroom and towards the lounge, he could smell bacon and eggs cooking. Silas wagged his tail a little, Snakeye was cooking.

Snakeye flipped the eggs and handed the plate off to Roxy. <Here ya are miss, yer breakfast.>

"Thank you Snakeye," Roxy responded with a smile. "So it's all about hand eye coordination."

<Yep, ya got it easier thanks to those thumbs,> Snakeye responded.

~The list of mons here who can cook is rather short,~ Hacks noted.

Oliver rolled his eyes. <You ain't getting me to learn.>

Tae sighed. <Typical.>

<Morning,> Came the voice of Silas as he stepped in. Everyone stopped what they were doing and just stared at him, nobody had really caught it last night since the itch had only come in so late in the dark.

Silas looked about at everyone. <What? Oh hey Roxy, kinda stuck like this. Care to let me out?>

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh..." Roxy began.

Bishop floated down. "Captain... you may want to look in a mirror."

Silas blinked. Blackquil walked over with a mirror and let him look. Silas saw his reflection, and gaped at what he saw. It seems the white fringes hadn't just hit his human form, there were streaks of white across his fur, patterned as well. The tuft around his ears had also been tinged white, the tip of his tail seemed to almost form a v shape in white fur.

<Okay what the hell?> He said. <The hell did that sword do?>

Stormchaser — Training Room

-Kai grits her teeth, and her hand flares with sizzling Aura. Vierr grins, and as Kai tries to reach around the shield to strike him with it, he swats her hand away with the Ghost sword construct.-

Kai: Gah!

Vierr: Hands to yourself, Kai.

Kai: That's not a thing!

Vierr: As long as I keep blocking you, it is!

-Kai frowns, and with her hand still glowing, she grabs the Spectral sword, wincing at the edge.-

Kai: Fine then, you don't get to use this!

Vierr: -smiles- Okay.

-His constructs crackle and explode, and Kai yelps as she backs away.-

Vierr: I don't get to use those anymore.

Kai: (under her breath) Renegade's nethers, you're insufferable.

Spectrum: <Listen, no more trainer attacks!>

-The glowing flames around Spectrum increase, and he smacks Elysia away from Vierr and Kai with his tail.-

Spectrum used Dragon Tail!

-However, Elysia grabs onto his tail in the process, digging in with Shadow Claws.-

Spectrum: <Yeeow!>

Elysia: <Oof, hehe, sure thing! It's you and me now!>

Mako: <And me.>

-If Elysia's eyes weren't gemstones, they'd widen as she's rammed into the ground by a Garchomp seemingly out of nowhere.-

Elysia: <Aah!>

Spectrum: <Ha-hah! Good teamwork!>

Bubblegum: <Wait— ha-hah yourself! My turn!>

-As Mako is getting up, he's kicked in the face by a flying pink Scrafty.-

Bubblegum: <Boot to the head!>

Mako: <GAH! Really, the face!?>

Bubblegum: -triumphant nod- <You've got a target right on your snoot. It's very kickable.>

Elysia: -snickers- <She's not wrong!>

-Vierr chuckles.-

Vierr: Mason, aren't you going to do anything? We're having all the fun without you.

Mason's Voice: Nah. Not much I can do.

Vierr: Boring. Here, catch!

-A softball-sized sphere of Aura gathers in his hand, and he turns around and throws it into the sand. There's an impact, an exclamation of pain, and suddenly the sandstorm is a lot thinner.-

Mason: Gah, really, again?!

Vierr: Still waiting for you to try something new!

-Mason grumbles, but just fades back into the sandstorm, thickened by illusions.-

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Jan 9th 2022 at 1:40:16 PM

Stormchaser, outside

-the door is answered by a young woman in heavy clothing and an oversized hat. She's leaning on a cane-

Percy: Hi. Is that for me?

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Stormchaser, Outside

Hoops thrusts the hamper forwards.

Hoops: HellomynameisHoopsandIwouldliketojointhejteamIknowsomepeoplehereandIbroughtthishamperforyouasanofferingbecauseIwasn'tsureifIneededtopleaseletmejoin.

(Editor's note: The above can best be understood as "Hello, my name is Hoops and I would like to join the J-Team. I know some of its members quite well, and I have brought this hamper for you as a token of my goodwill, and because I wasn't sure if some token were expected. Please allow me to join.")

Edited by theoncominghoop on Jan 9th 2022 at 9:34:03 AM

Stormchaser, Outside

Percy: -blink-

-blink-

You know, I'm not entirely sure myself. I don't think there's exactly what you'd call a formal joining process— I just got dragged here out of a fight. So I think you showing up is probably enough or the ship would...do something to you.

Show me your eyes, though?

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Stormchaser, exterior

Hoops: My eyes? Sure.

They widen their eyes and allow Percy to look into them properly. While they don't contain the purple of the school, it would now become obvious that certain parts of their appearance, such as the dark eyes and pale, lifeless skin, would likely become apparent. And probably the bandages as well.

Hoops: Wait, does the J-Team have segregation? Because I'm not really about that.

Stormchaser, Outside

-Percy peers at Hoops-

-under inspection, it's clear that her visible eye is a vivid purple-

Percy: Uh, no, I don't think so? Seemed pretty egalitarian to me, anyway.

...What happened to you?

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Stormchaser, outside

Hoops shrugs.

Hoops: Oh, that. I got attacked by some guys from a place called the School. I don't know if you've heard of them, but they're this evil group that creates kids in a lab and then uses them to fulfil their goals. Anyway, I got on their bad side and they almost killed me. Now I'm half-undead.

Stormchaser, outside

Percy: ...I'm familiar with the School, yes.

...Congrats on surviving them. Welcome to the Stormchaser, and uh...

-she adjusts her hat, to show the other side of her face, where bone is held in place by cords of blue lightning and shadow-

Welcome to the club? It gets better.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Stomchaser, outside

Hoops: Thank you. I didn't really know how much I needed to hear that. But also, I barely survived the School, it was only luck that I didn't just die right there.

They fidget awkwardly.

Hoops: So, um. You said welcome but you're kind of blocking the doorway, and I don't know if that's intentional and if I'm supposed to say more or not. I'm bad at people-ing. Sorry.

Stormchaser, outside

Percy: Oh! Yeah. Sorry. I'll just take that off your hands...

-with some visible effort, she picks up the gift basket, handing it off to an Alolan Raichu-

Merry: ~I love how you bring me out to carry heavy things I can't safely eat.~

Percy: There's some meat in there.

-she limps away down the hall, Merry floating after-

Survival is always luck. Anyone who says otherwise is lying to themself. You made it out, be proud of that.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Stormchaser, outside

Hoops follows them into the Stormchaser.

Hoops: Thanks for saying that. Still, if I see those guys again, I want to do more than barely survive. Even if I've gotten stronger since then, I don't think it's enough...

They realise they're still in the middle of a conversation, and that monologuing is typically seen as bad socially.

Hoops: But, uh, you said you're familiar with the School. if you don't mind me asking, were they the ones who...

They point awkwardly to her face, then realise that might be kind of rude.

Hoops: Sorry.

Ray and Kec cringe, then get up and follow their trainer inside.

Edited by theoncominghoop on Jan 9th 2022 at 10:19:08 AM

Stormchaser

Percy: Yeah. One of their in-house assassins, Adelinde the Scythe. I'm one of their failures and they don't take too kindly to the fact that I continue to exist all the same.

-she nibbles on a chocolate from the basket-

If you don't mind my asking, who got you?

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Stormchaser

Hoops: I didn't really get names, and it felt a bit awkward to ask when they were trying to kill me. One of them had a Metagross and could control metal, I guess. The other one had a Noivern and made this wall of wind to help me escape.

Kec: <And what about...>

Hoops: And there was no one else there. Absolutely no-one affiliated with the school, besides those two.

Modern Wyndon

A rotom on a device floats in.

Jonathan the Rotom: Sorry. But he gets red eye. See what I mean.

Dave: Very funny, Jon.

The Beheeyem: ~Uh, Dave. I don't want to burst your bubble, but could we leave her alone? She's way more formidable than meets the eye. I can barely get a good read on her but she can put up a good fight if you cross her. We'll just have to flush Goober out some other way.~

Dave: I'm sorry, ma'am, but you're interfering with time cop business. I will give you one more chance to vacate the premises or I will be forced to take action.

Invisible dude: Uh huh. Davey here really doesn't get how time travel and alternate universes work,

Theodora's Car

Welp, the rickety old timey car turns out to be bigger on the inside. What are the odds. The lucario presents him with what appears to be a menu of the things currently in stock.

Ewan: ~Complements of Miss Theodora Williams, Esq.~

Theodora: Do pardon the mess, gents. I wasn't expecting company. Do make yourself at home, Mr. Vaughn, and let my lucario know your drink order. Now, what's this about the IDPD and the Authority that's gotten you unsettled?

Edited by MasterJayAM on Jul 3rd 2023 at 8:04:11 PM

Rustboro City Gym

(Roxanne grins as the audience behind her cheers and she returns her Nosepass. Axis, meanwhile, returns Tekkan as Roxanne approaches them.)

Roxanne: "Well... you did it. Somehow. It seems I still have a lot to learn even now, after countless battles and countless wins and losses. As proof of your victory here tonight, I'd like to confer upon you this..."

(She promptly reaches into her pocket and pulls out a badge resembling a rectangle, albiet with two of its corners more emphasized than the others. She gives it to Axis, who stares down at it in awe.)

Roxanne: "The Stone Badge."

Axis: "Whoa..." (they put it away) "Thanks, Roxanne!"

Roxanne: "You're welcome. Oh, and take this, too."

(She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a brown disk— which Axis recognizes immediately.)

Axis: "Rock Tomb...?" (they think for a few moments) "Huh. Axollo and Letina could benefit from this." (they put it away) "Thank you so much, Roxanne."

Roxanne: "My pleasure. I'm assuming you're headed to Dewford Town next?"

Axis: "Yep."

Roxanne: "Brawley uses Fighting types. You should be careful if you have any Normal types on your team."

Axis: "Well, the one Normal-type I have is a Fairy-type, too."

Roxanne: "Oh? You have a Wigglytuff, I'm assuming?"

Axis: "Yep."

Roxanne: "Well, based on what I saw today from you, you should be fine."

Axis: "Alright, then."

(And with that, Axis exits from the Rustboro Gym.)

THE HASSLEMON INTERWEBS

apaceCourier (AC) joined the chat.

AC: Aaalright! How wa$ that?

AG: ψψ holy moly tekk@n that ψ@s cr@zy ψψ

AG: ψψ i didn't knoψ you ψere th@t good ψψ

CC: indeed_period

CC: plus_your_use_of_dig_to_take_down_the_nosepass_was_commendable_period

CA: @> I didn't even know Ninjask could use Dig! <3

AC: Ah, don't thank me. Thank Axi$ (TM)! They're incrediblebeyondbelief!

AG: ψψ oh by the ψ@y ψe h@d this re@lly cool idea ψψ

AC: Really now! What i$ it?

CC: we_decided_to_battle_neziey_and_capture_her_early_period

AC: Well, thi$ i$ $ertainly an intere$ting development, folk$! Why'd ya do that?

CC: simple_period

CC: axollo_and_i_would_like_to_get_stronger_before_dewford_period

CA: @> Wait a second, though... what about what Neziey said about her being too strong to take on Brawley? <3

AC: Well, I have a very ea$y $olution to that, Puxiki (TM)— we don't u$e her!

CA: @> Ohhh... Huh. <3

CC: i_cannot_believe_that_never_crossed_my_mind_period

AG: ψψ ψe're silly ψψ

CC: i_am_not_silly_axollo_comma_and_you_know_it_period

CA: @> I think we should still ask Axis about it, though. <3

AC: No worrie$! You can leave that to me!

apaceCourier (AC) left the chat.

Outside of Rustboro City

(Meanwhile, Axis exits the Rustboro City Gym and walks up to Neziey, who is still waiting near the sea to take them off to Dewford Town.)

Neziey: <Well? How did it go?>

Axis: "It went great! Axollo and Tekkan were amazing!"

Neziey: <I'm assuming you beat Roxanne?>

(Axis reaches into their pocket and pulls out their badge.)

Neziey: <That is simply wonderful! Congratulations!>

Axis: "Awww... thanks."

(And then, seconds later, a flash— and Tekkan emerges from his PokeBall suddenly.)

Tekkan: <Axis! I have a message!>

(Axis and Neziey turn to face him.)

Axis: "Tekkan? What are you doing out?"

Neziey: <A message? What is it?>

Tekkan: <Axollo and Letina would like to battle and capture you before Axis takes on Brawley.>

(Axis reacts in slight shock.)

Axis: "T-they do? A-are you sure?"

(Tekkan nods.)

Tekkan: <They say they want to increase their strength before taking on Brawley.>

Neziey: <Hm...>

Axis: "Neziey? What do you think about this...?"

(Neziey pauses for a few moments.)

Neziey: <It would be beneficial to them. Plus catching me earlier would give you an easier route straight to Mauville.>

(Eventually, she smiles.)

Neziey: <Very well, then. I'll allow it.>

Axis: "Alright, then."

Tekkan: <It's settled, then! I'll alert the rest of the team.>

(He promptly returns to his PokeBall, while Neziey looks up at her soon-to-be Trainer.)

Neziey: <Well, Axis? Are you ready to head to Dewford?>

Axis: "I sure am!"

Neziey: <Alright, then. I'll gladly take you there.>

(With that, Axis hops on Neziey's back, and the Shiny Lapras begins to head over to Dewford.)

THE HASSLEMON INTERWEBS

apaceCourier (AC) joined the chat.

CA: @> Well? What did she say? <3

AC: Good new$! $hellallowit!

CA: @> Yatta~! <3

AG: ψψ y@@@y¡ letin@ this is great ψe're going to h@ve @ neψ friend soon ψψ

CC: very_well_then_period

CC: once_we_get_to_dewford_elipses_it_happens_period

Gale's Mind

Simple. I'm here to see Gale's mistakes to determine just how bad they are.

(beat, he inches closer to the grave)

Ohhh... she killed people? Who did she kill, I wonder...?

The Stormchaser- Halloween

(Kim's eyes shoot open as she hears Angela's voice come through.)

Kim: (through tears) "O-okay..."

Kim's Mind

Excellent! We've got one down! Braker is next!

(Seconds later, a Water Pulse shoots out and hits Jigsaw!Braker, causing him to glitch even more.)

Alright, hit him!

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