Sunyshore City

Savannah: Oh! Um... hi?

Sunyshore

-The figure gets to their feet. It becomes clearer they are wearing a dark outfit with an elaborate dark coat and a mask resembling Corvinight wings-

-They immediately start patting themself down-

???: "The flash drive.... I lost it in the impact, where is it?"

=Savannah may then notice something shiny nearby-

Sunyshore City

-She tries her best to hide the object away while this mysterious stranger is looking elsewhere.-

Savannah: The...? No, wait, wh-who are you?!

Sunyshore

-The mysterious figure snaps their head in Savannah's direction-

???: "I am the Great Thief Karasutengu. That is all you need to know. Where is it?"

Sunyshore City

Savannah: How should I know?!

-She takes a breath.-

S-sorry... You just crashed into me out of n-nowhere... And your intensity is, well, um... like... hmm...

-She trails off, with a brief glance in the direction the sirens had gone.-

Was that you? Whatever that is?

Stormchaser Medbay, Some Time in the Past Week

Ama wakes up in a hospital bed, wrapped in bandages. All things considered she got off pretty lightly, between the vampire vitality and the free healthcare. No broken bones, no loss of major limbs. Sure she was in pain from the burns but like, it could be worse.

...

Future!Hellbore is asleep on the end of the bed, as are Kaden and Akira. Strontium

   Future!Rikuo:    <Dunno who the kid is, but she was worried sick when I brought you here. So were the others.>

Ama: "... Thanks, Rikuo."

   Future!Rikuo:    <No need to thank me.>

   Future!Rikuo:    <Actually, do thank me. You have no idea how much I had to bust my ass to get here. I brought some stragglers too, by the way, you have a lot to explain- vanishing for four years and only sending one message back in all that time.>

Ama: -sighing- "Well, there's a surplus of space here so I suppose no one's going to complain..."

She looks up at the ceiling.

Ama: "Sorry, if it felt like I'd abandoned you... I always intended to come back."

   Future!Rikuo:    <Yeah yeah, I know I know.>

He rubs the back of his head.

   Future!Rikuo:    <I figured you wanted to come back. It was an emergency and all, blah blah blah. I was worried at first but then it became kind of normal. Then you sent word back after all these years and... Well, everyone panicked and wanted to come. I couldn't stop them.>

Shrugs, looks somewhere between apologetic and un.

Ama: "You guys are too good for me."

   Future!Rikuo:    <I'm tempted to say "yeah we are" but I don't want to feed into your weird self deprecation. We all came together for a reason and I'm going to leave it at that.>

Ama sighs and closes her eyes.

Stormchaser, Ambiguous Present

Ama looks at herself in the mirror. Some of the burns hadn't gone away, and at this point probably weren't going to. That was fine. Expected even.

The problem was that the fire had burned some of her hair, and she was pretty pissed about that. It had taken years to grow it out and now she probably had to cut it.

Ama: Come to think of it I haven't given it a full cut since.. Rowan.

She frowns at that. Something like the end of an era... This was the least of her reasons to be mad at that Templar, but it was still something.

Ama: I.. guess it's time to move on.

She raises a pair of scissors.

Snowpoint City

Daydre: "Yep."

Daydre: "Are we going now or is that enough questing for one day?"

Lavender Town, far past

Ann: -Jumps as she nearly gets impaled- Fu-

Advance Team, past

Zee: -Upon getting the warning- Well, I guess I'll be heading home with the cargo now, I don't feel like having to make my way all the way back if I take the Stormchaser.

-She then makes a motion with her hand that causes Damien to be lifted up, still wrapped in the vines. He may also start to feel completely weightless in a way that makes him unable to gauge any exact directions-

Come on Sickle.

Sickle: -Smiling in a way that bares her many pointy teeth- <Right! We're all gonna have lots of fun together.>

Zee: -To Maggie- I assume you and everyone else will head to the Stormchaser instead?

Newmoon Island

-Noting the last portion of Diamond's statement-

Oh?

Zee: Back in the day, when they'd make us spar, like Diamond said Chiyo would just run into a corner, curl up, and hide behind a barrier half the time.

Chloe: She'd win mainly because our fellow Batchmates would just tire themselves out trying to break the barriers.

Abe: Oh yeah, like that one time with Yttrium...

Chloe: -Looking ahead- Point is, if the powers that be were trying to figure out who among us would be one of the bigger powerhouses, they would've most likely looked over Chiyo.

Chiyo: -To Diamond- Sure. I should warn you though.

-Barriers rotating-

It's been a very long time since I've had a friendly Aura duel, I don't want to hurt you too badly by accident, even with your ability.

Edited by rmctagg09 on Oct 12th 2022 at 5:16:40 AM

Slliuq: -singing quietly- <Yas em raeh t'now uoy yawa klaw uoy nehw...>

Damien feels himself get lifted in a weightless way.

Damien: "Ooop!"

"...Well I suppose I'll be getting used to this feeling. This is extremely disorienting. Is this messing with my inner ear or something?"

Maggie: "Yeah, we are. Good luck dealing with the new oven."

Damien huffs.

Chum: <Good luck breaking him in. Don't let that Houndoom off the hook either.>

Maggie: -to Alex and Owen- "Alright, let's get going, you jokers."

Edited by CorvusAtrox on Oct 10th 2022 at 7:59:56 AM

Advance Team, Past

Owen: "That poor man."

Alex: Hey there's only one joker here and that's him."

Owen: "Will you STOP?"

Alex: "No."

Snowpoint City

Fou: <Yeah we should pack it u->

Merlin: "Let us go now!"

-Heads for the coast-

-Fou sighs and follows-

Sunyshore, Near Savannah

Karasutengu: "...Yes. You don't want to get involved. Now hand it over. I saw you pick it up."

Sunyshore City

Savannah: Is that a threat?

Mitchell, sitting on one of the somewhat comfortable chairs in the lobby, casts his gaze into empty space, his mind troubled by dark thoughts. Not only has he not progressed past his third Badge in his Sinnoh Gym Challenge, but he has seen many extraordinary and tragic events, powerless to affect them. It is only now, as he rests from the most recent events that affected him, that the weight of his experiences bears down on him.

This is too much, Mitchell thinks to himself. A weakling like me shouldn't be traveling to the past, or fighting scary robots, or even associating with the J-Team and all their superpowers. Even my own Pokemon could flatten me easily, and they do better at fighting when I'm not giving them my stupid commands. He loudly sighs. If only I had strength enough to protect myself, and not cower behind my Pokemon like a-

His thoughts are interrupted by a beeping sound coming from the Poketch on his left wrist. Checking it, he sees that the alarm that he set for when he got lost in thought had gone off.

"Perfect timing," Mitchell mutters to himself, as he shuts his eyes and stretches both his arms to the sky.

Sunnyshore City, Crime Scene

It appeared that the group of cops was a tough crowd to please, as Stephen just looks at Tony with disapproval. Tony just stands there awkwardly.

Tony and Stephen decide they should just focus on the case at hand and find out what's going on.

They approach the Grumpig to discuss the matter.

Tony: Yeahhhh...sorry about that. I guess I was a little too dramatic there.

He'd chuckle a little.

Tony: Anyways, Yep we're the guys you're looking for! I'm Tony, and this Misdreavus is my associate, Stephen.

Stephen: <Pleasure to meet you sir.>

Tony: So what kind of thief are we looking at here? One of those guys in costumes again?

Lavender Tower

-A message is received from Gale. Maybe a little oddly the notification beep goes off just before the elevator is impaled-

Floaroma Town

Hey Amarin.

-Pent looks a bit awkward-

... I almost want to call the talk off because I don't want to ruin that mood you're rocking... B-but there is something important that's come up.

Floaroma Town

-Kai's perky demeanor dampens a bit, and they give Pent a concerned look.-

Kai: ...I don't like being last-named, you never do that. What's going on? The, uh, flowers can wait, they're just— I wanted to get something for Alice and Brie on a whim, but this seems like an important thing.

Newmoon Island

Diamond: Hahah, yeah. I was never able to get past them at the time, but at the same time, they never really got to see your best self. Whereas they only ever saw my best self.

-He picks up a staff with an octahedral piece of Luminite at the end, twirling it a bit.-

Diamond: I look forward to getting to see what you've made yourself into, though, Ir— ah, pardon, Chiyo. Seeing that best self.

-With his free hand, he brushes his hair out of his hidden eye — a reddish tint atop the violet, in contrast to his bluer eye — and then, unbeknownst to anyone except the combatants and Echo, time ^r_r^e_e^f_f^r_r^a_a^c_c^t_t^s_s^-_-

Newmoon Island — Red Version

-As time settles into place, Diamond grins, and rushes forward, swinging the staff with a psychic shockwave emanating from it.-

Newmoon Island — Blue Version

-As time settles into place, Diamond taps the ground a few times with the end of the staff, as if waiting for Chiyo to make the first move.-

School Raid, Advance Team - Past

Zee: -To Damien- Sort of.

-To Maggie and Chum-

Thanks, and we won't. Alright Sickle, we're out.

Sickle: <See ya!>

-And the two head out with Damien and his Houndoom in tow-

Newmoon Island

Chiyo: -As time refracts- What in the world...?

Red Version

-Chiyo blocks the shockwave with a geodesic barrier, as the force is rebounded on Diamond twofold-

Blue Version

-Chiyo starts by sending a barrier at high speed at Diamond-

Edited by rmctagg09 on Oct 10th 2022 at 10:49:33 AM

Battle Academy, During The Period Of Time Which A Politician Was Not Visiting

-The elevator rises smooth as the Eclo Wastes begin to stretch out beyond and below. Eclo Canyon and Phenac City can begin to be seen as the Galvani-Glass^tm dims slightly to keep sun glare down.-

-Soon, the elevator begins to slow.-

PA: Floor: Courtyard! Hello, and welcome to Battle Academy!

-The reverse doors open up to reveal a massive indoor courtyard, with planters with ferns and trees dotting the room and various Pokémon and faculty coming and going.-

-This place is Big.-

Veilstone City Gym:

Not long after Chasmo was sent into battle, Travis would eventually return to his seat beside Mark with the former holding a box of nachos and cheese that was also holding a large root beer. The tremors from Chasmo's Earthquake could be felt even where Travis and company were sitting, causing him to almost drop his snacks as he struggled to sit back down.

“So did I miss anything good? Who's this?” Travis would ask before taking a sip of his root beer. “Not much. Owen lost his first pokemon with Nautilu getting his ass handed to him, but this new pokemon of his looks like he's about to get even,” Mark answered before noticing the Infernape had been defeated after the dust settled.

“I think I remember this guy. Cosmo? Chaz?” Travis said struggling to remember Chasmo's name as the next combatant was summoned. “Pretty sure it was Chasmo, might have seen him back at the Techspo, it's hard to say. Definitely not some pushover and—-are you fucking kidding me? Thunder Punch? Doesn't matter that he's steel, the rock cancels that weakness out!” Mark replied, pronouncing Chasmo's name as “Chaz Mo” before noticing the Choice Band being used and the enemy Medicham deciding to use Thunder Punch.

“I remember an old saying about never correcting your opponent when they're making a mistake...don't know who said that though,” Travis would chime in after chomping on some nachos. The cheese had that distinct cheap, uninspired and vaguely metallic flavor that was an acquired taste for some like Travis, and it helped that the chips weren't stale. Suddenly the ground would move violently in response to Chasmo's Fissure attack, causing Travis to almost fall over only to be caught by Tricky and nudged back upright.

“I can't believe that actually hit, holy fuck!” Mark would then say before muttering under his breath, “So much for psychic types being smarter than other types...” Travis would prop his feet up and cross his legs while reclining, remarking, “At least I made it back on time, and the food's actually not half bad for a change. Kinda odd they offer theater food in a fighting gym, but money's money I guess.”

Battle Academy, General Administration

-Angela looks at the mangled robot on the cart in front of her.-

Angela: ...

Deziree: What do you think?

-Angela sighs.-

Angela: You're correct. There is something approximating consciousness in here. You are also correct in your summation that the degradation is intense, and might not be fully repairable.

Deziree: But there has to be a way, right? Somewhere to put the concept of "them" while I make a new body?

Angela: I... could book her. That would put her in effective stasis for as long as we need, but I can offer no guarantee that we would then be able to transfer to your new body for her.

Deziree: It's that or we hope and pray that Kaminko's cheapass chassis doesn't short and destroy the heuristic processor.

-Angela nods, looking at the Robo Trainer with a forlorn look.-

Angela: ... You know, after not seeing another of my kind for so long because of the City's AI Ethics Amendment, having a young AI in such poor condition in front of me is... distressing.

Deziree: I get what you mean... Alright. Do it. Maybe her book will show us some schematics.

Silas finished placing the dark gem into the hilt. Slowly he closed the material, reciting ancient words from another world, another culture as he sealed the device. He stood up slowly, pulling on his helmet, the weight of the hilt in hand.

"Come on... work."

He flicked the switch, and in an instant the blade ignited. Before everyone was an angular shape of contained plasma, pitch black with an almost white outline around it. Silas smiled, he could feel the weight of the blade, the resistance from the magnetic containment.

"I am, the Man'dalor."

"Thank you," Anderson said to Retek. "I have it from here."

Anderson stepped carefully up to the director, all he needed to ask for was a tour of the facilities, staffing specifically. He had reports to fill and he needed to see how this place worked.

Gabriel stumbled a bit, the look on his face contorted into rage. He climbed into his pod fighter, and fired the blaster cannons, blowing a hole open. The machine roared to life and with the loud screech of engines it flew out.

"Not to self, improve Dark Trooper Armor," Gabe muttered, trying to put the incident behind him.

It was difficult... his puppet had refused to follow his orders, outright started to puppet themselves back.

"Hoops... was it? Oh... you'll be sorted out in short order."

The Dark Troopers slumped, without Gabriel nearby to direct them they were useless... but still ticking... though it had slowed.

Edited by EchoingSilence on Oct 11th 2022 at 11:25:17 AM

Battle Academy, Visit

-At first glance, the Director appears to be a fairly standard, if slightly taller than normal, woman. However, two things become immediately obvious. Firstly, Angela's paleness is far more noticeable up close. "Deathly pallor" would be the term that comes to mind. Second, she carries herself with an almost palpable amount of self-confidence, as if she had fought the very demons of her past in hand-to-hand combat and come out on top.-

Angela: Senator Andersen. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Angela, the director and faculty head of this academy. From what I understand, you would like to take a tour of our facilities?

-A glint of gold can be seen in a nearby doorway, but any glances towards it would only reveal the black edge of a coat disappearing behind the corner.-

PEFE Bunker

Kendall nodded with satisfaction that his strategy had worked.

"Good to know for future Man'dalor," he considered.

Textspace

Stormchaser - Kendall, Ce and Bi

Something sparked behind Bismuth's glasses.

"Kendall, there's another Mind of Crystal among the Schoolchildren who defected," she explained.

"It's Chiyo, in fact," Cesium added. "The one who gave the speech."

"Wh-" ^note What do you want me to do with that information?

The Twins turned back to their focus on Megan and Molybdenum, refusing to answer Kendall.

Hamlet

Cursing herself for being forced to fall into this trap, Kamui pursued the figure and turned the corner.

"Pent, I know you only want me to call you that! Now where's Gale?!" She demanded.

Edited by AbsentCoder on Oct 11th 2022 at 10:01:30 AM

The Stormchaser Arena- vs. Kendall

The Aura Sphere was promptly lit on fire by the Flamethrower attack. Realizing that Lucario could easily take more damage if he had the attack thrown back at him, Thanatos launched forward, turning around and hitting the Aura Sphere back at Lucario with his tail.

Of course, it being Aura Sphere, doing so damaged Thanatos in the process, because Aura Sphere always hits. He promptly whimpered and grabbed on to his tail.

The Stormchaser Arena- Stands

<...Well,> said Walter eventually. <That was a strategy I wasn't expecting.>

<I can only hope this doesn't awaken DC...> said Cuddles.

<Will it awaken Marvel, though?> asked Caboose.

<Again,> said Walter, <wrong DC.>

Edited by OPALGARNET16 on Oct 11th 2022 at 1:31:05 PM

Stormchaser lounge

Jess leads their mum into the lounge. Florence is sitting on a sofa. They haven't left since the raid and probably don't plan to.

Jess: Here's the lounge, we've got the tv-

Jess's mum: Wait! Is that a human/Whimsicott hybrid?!

Jess's mum runs uncomfortably close to Florence, who yelps in surprise.

Jess's mum: Fascinating! Can you use moves? Do you photosynthesize? Do you speak English or Monese? Are you a human or a Pokémon? Were you born like this or what? Can I have some of your DNA??

Florence: Erm... Yes, yes, <both>, something in between I guess, science experiment and what the heck I don't know you please put down the cotton swab.

Violet cringes sympathetically. Jess continues to sport their "please end me" face.

Sinnoh Safe House

-PEFE!Every squints at Bela a bit, evidently a bit bothered by the clumsy poking through her mind. She shuts a few doors in Bela's face, opens a couple others-

PEFE!Every: Oh. That's maybe why Molybdenum didn't say anything, if you don't need the help.

Neodymium: ~She totally does, though.~

PEFE!Every: I guess I'm technically a thrall. But that's more for Molybdenum's comfort than anything else. She couldn't keep me here if I didn't want to be— but she offered me some interesting projects.

-she blushes slightly-

The Secret Tunnels

Avery: Oh, I'm Avery. I'm, like, barely a J-teamer really, but I help out with this kind of thing.

...Congrats on your corporeal form, but I will admit it makes this harder. Let me just call someone, we'll have a flier waiting for us hopefully.

Sinnoh Safe House

-Bela stops, yet the anger radiating from her keeps pulsing through PEFE!Every's mind. It's the anger of teenage entitlement - she's not used to having doors slammed in her face, or being told there'll be consequences if she tries to force them open.-

-So she stops. It's an act of defiance, in her mind. But she's willing to keep going if she feels pushed to do so, and damn the consequences. She has the unquestioning, unconscious belief in one's own invulnerability that comes with youth.-

Bela: ~Keep your thoughts to yourself, Neo. You're the only one that needs help here.~

-Again, she steps forward, bringing her within arm's length of PEFE!Every. The knife hovering in front of PEFE!Every's throat edges forward too - slowly, carefully, less than an inch in total, but still just enough to break skin.-

Bela: ~Then she's weaker than I thought. If the Alumnus can't compel you to stay here, then that's grounds for me to report both you and her. You're a security risk that she created. In fact, I ought to terminate you, here and now.~