Secret base

Kris: That's Pat, who should be asleep right now, and Burghley. Potassium!

The girl and her Golduck turn around in surprise.

Pat: Oh, you're back! I was just about to go to bed, really!

Kris sighs. Pat finally notices Teryx.

Pat: Wait, who's the Archeops?

Secret Base

<Potassium...?> Teryx tilted his head.

He decided to shake it off.

<Greetings,> he said. <My name is Teryx. My Trainer recently released me.>

He paused.

<By any chance... is Kris your... parental unit?>

Secret base

Pat thinks for a bit.

Pat: I suppose they're the closest thing I have to one. Dunno what parents are normally like but they act like what I've heard one is like. Sorry about your trainer, though. Will you be staying here for long?

Kris: I guess I am, sort of. They were the only other survivor of my mistake. Well, Soul's still here, but...

Soul's illusion wears off, revealing a white, wispy Zorua.

Pat: Yeah, don't listen to Soul. All he does is go on about how we should be dead or something.

Snowpoint, Noctowl Nest

Saffy and co. would see Tony and the informant Sneasel sitting on a big rock in front of the tree.

Tony: Oh hey Saffy! You wouldn't believe what happened here! I caught the Sneasel who called me to help out!

The Sneasel in question looks at Saffy with a goofy smile.

Saul: <Yep, it's true. You guys can call me Saul by the way now though.>

Tony: But anyways, how did infiltrating the temple go? Did anything go wrong at all? I'm not saying that something could've gone wrong, that's just me being cautious here.

Edited by ThanosBoi on Nov 19th 2022 at 6:02:14 AM

Secret Base

<I see,> said Teryx. <Well, it is getting fairly late; you should probably retire to beee-GAAAAAH!>

He stopped short once he noticed Soul.

<W-what… what kind of Zorua is that…?> asked Teryx.

Secret base

Soul: <I think the technical classification is a Hisuian Zorua. We were more common some centuries ago when Sinnoh was known as Hisui, but a few of us still pop up occasionally.>

Soul glares at Pat.

Kris: Teryx is right, though. You should head to bed.

Pat grumbles, but turns the TV off.

Pat: Fine...

She pushes herself up off the sofa and starts hobbling over to her room.

Snowpoint, Noctowl Nest

Saffy: Let's just say those Sneasel will get a bit of a surprise the next time they try and use their berry stash.

She laughs evilly.

Saffy: Anyway, how are things going on your end?

Secret Base

Teryx nodded.

<Farewell, and good night,> he said. <Speaking of which, I believe I should also probably go to bed... a-assuming, of course, that I don’t get nightmares. I probably will. I can never sleep at night.>

Beat.

<Though… why did you refer to her as “Potassium”?> asked Teryx. <Is that her full name?>

Secret base

Kris: It's... A long story. That was her name from the place we came from. They have a trend of naming their... creations after elements.

Soul mutters something angry under his breath. Kris yawns and looks at their watch.

Kris: Wow, that's the time already? I've got my next shift in six hours. We should probably sleep too. If it helps, I also have a lot of nightmares.

Secret Base

<Indeed,> said Teryx. <I daresay mine are more... persistent, however. Do not be alarmed if I start screaming and crying in the middle of the night.>

Secret base

Pat: If that's the case, can I have some earplugs?

Burghley goes and grabs a pair from a cupboard.

Soul: <Please try not to make too much more noise than Kris does sometimes. There was one time when I was still alive and->

Kris conjures up a barrier around Soul, cutting out the sound.

Kris: Sorry about him. I guess that's one good thing I've learned how to do since getting out. I'd volunteer to do one for you, but I can't keep it up while I'm asleep yet and all these shifts don't give me much time to train.

Faction Offices

-The Kai in Kalter's grip holds up their hands, grinning as they try (though not particularly hard) to look innocent.-

Kai(?): My, what a most marvellous mimicry of my mien! Though your wig warrants work.

-Alice, meanwhile, blinks at the sight of Kai, Kai, and... Kai.-

Alice: ..."Kalter"? What exactly is going on here? Am I to take it that you two are somehow familiar with each other?

-The fact that Original Recipe Kai doesn't appear overly perturbed seems to relax her somewhat, though she keeps her grip on the item in her jacket.-

Alice: Whatever the case, I'm going to have to ask that you release my pet imposter if we're to keep this conversation civil.

The Hamlet, The Basement Corridor

Even as the light shone on the metal birds lining the shelves, none of them reacted. They all sat there, dead and inert, steel skulls glinting the light back.

A faint pulse of red light comes from the bottom of the well.

Castelia City

-It seems Pent chose to use his own shadow-walking rather than utilize the portal Kendall left behind. But regardless, travel is still travel-

Nuvema Town

-Pent clicked his tongue as he stepped back out of the shadows to rejoin the group-

Man, it would really be useful to have a means of infallible disguise and some kind of psionicly-effective identification papers.

-A long pause-

Not saying I have such a means of impersonating a detective, just... Putting the idea out there. You know how it is, intrusive thoughts of hijinks that would come back to bite us hard later.

Faction Offices

-Kalter stares at Kai(?) for a moment, before pushing them away.-

Kalter: Change out of that. There's already too much of me to go around. It's weird, and we've already dealt with too many imposters.

Kai: Tell me about it. So, uh, Alice! Meet Kalter. Kai Alter. The version of me that leads J-Dan. They're friendly, don't worry!

-Indeed, the tension in the room fades a bit as Kalter's attention turns to Alice, and they smile.-

Kalter: Right, ah, hey, Alice. Nice to meet the local version of you. Would've liked to meet under less intensity, but—

-Kalter stops what she was saying, suddenly reminded of why she came here in the first place, and the tension sets back in as Kalter gets back on track-

Kalter: Right. Cyrus. They broke out of prison and haven't been sent back yet.

Kai: We've got a lot on our plate! The School's a bigger priority.

Kalter: It's an unfinished job! It's been unfinished for half a year!

Kai: They're not hurting anyone!

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Nov 20th 2022 at 9:05:08 AM

Faction Offices

-Kai(?) pouts exaggeratedly at Kalter, a disconcerting thing to see coming from your own face.-

Kai(?): Fine, fine. I figured you'd feel flattered, but alas, it appears art is not always appreciated by the alternates it apes.

-Nevertheless, they go to do as Kalter requested. Alice, however, doesn't look the least bit reassured.-

Alice: J-Dan? You'll forgive me when I say that isn't an encouraging name. And what is this about Cyrus? I would hope to be one of the first to know if he found some means to claw his way out of his prison. Are you referring to the version of him from your universe?

Faction Offices

Kalter: Not that Cyrus. If it was him, I'd hunt him down myself. But he's still locked away in the Distortion World, so he's not a problem.

Kai: Right, uh, April Fools was a weird time. A bunch of alternate me-s got thrown here. Two of them were named Cyrus Javed. One was a fairly competent showoff and the other was basically useless, fake-Rogue used them as a scapegogoat.

Kalter: Except now the useless one broke out of prison and has kept being a criminal since.

Kai: Must we be discussing this right in front of my girlfriends? I was having a wonderful day being the only one of me here.

The GM House

-Deziree groans as she rests her forehead on the toilet seat.-

Deziree: Fuuuuuuuck, is this what being sick feels like? This fuckin' suuuuuuucks...

-Dune arrives with a closed cap bottle of ginger ale.-

Dune: One bottle of "the fizzy shit".

Deziree: I love you, you smarmy asshole.

-Deziree starts drinking it with trepidation.-

Dune: Maybe what they say is true - if it's possible to get sick, you're gonna get sick from being around kids.

-Sniff sniff sniff sniff.-

-Dune looks over into the bedroom, where his massive Stoutland is sniffing up and down the bed.-

Dune: Cun? Something up?

-Cun Annwn continues sniffing vigorously, following some invisible trail around the room in a meandering pattern before wandering towards the bathroom and sniffing Deziree.-

Cun Annwn: <... Oh.>

-His canine eyes open wide.-

Cun Annwn: <Oh!>

Dune: Cun, you're making some very concerning sounds over there.

Cun Annwn: <Oh, uh, well... congratulations?>

Faction Offices

-Alice raises an eyebrow.-

Alice: ...A collection of Kais? Interesting.

-She lets herself ponder the image for a moment before shaking her head.-

Alice: I can think of a variety of questions regarding the situation, but for now I shall simply content myself with the knowledge that Cyrus's exile continues across universes.

-She fixes Kalter with a look that suggests they've yet to endear themself to her.-

Alice: As for Javed, unless they happen to need assistance returning to their home plane, I fail to see how they're our problem. I am more concerned with the identity of the Rogue impostor themself, as well as the aforesaid School. Did you come here with the idea of hiring me as some sort of bounty hunter? Because if you intend to make me pick sides between Kais, I know which one I prefer at present.

"Well if it's handwritten... well even that can be falsified these days... that is if you're remembering that correctly..." Jack muttered.

"My case wasn't public until after the trial was over," he pointed out. "Captain Hudson assured me a smooth transition and little need to involve my company in. My Niece is now in charge, Emma's a good kid, she'll carry on all the things I was doing right there."

He smiled a bit. "This won't be public, your name as Lamb won't be revealed, not until after the trial is done."

He tapped his foot again, his fingers flexing, thoughts running through his head. "Hope you got a good lawyer and investigative team on hand."

Silas took a deep inhale, stood up straight and marched onto the scene. A few of the officers seemed to recognize him, as soon he was talking with them directly.

~A few years ago we did some noir style murder mystery solving,~ Hacks explained to Pent and Kendall. ~Silas has a few contacts.~

"Oriol, Hurst," Silas said to two on site officers.

"Whoa, Grant! Didn't expect to see you here!" Andy responded.

Terrence looked confused. "Is this another mystery case?"

"Just waiting on my attorney, we're related in a way to the suspect on the case," Silas responded.

"Smort," Andy said. "So, need any info or anything while you and your pals wait?"

Unova Holding Cells

She released a breath she didn't know she was holding. "I have to believe you, given what I saw. Thank you," she nodded, finding herself making a noise that didn't sound unlike a contented purr.

She sat down on her bunk, attempting to get cozy on it.

"I'm anticipating someone competent. Though, because I didn't do it, I'll win handily," she chuckled.

Nuvema Crime Scene

"Nice," Kendall acknowledged Hacks' remark, look out over the scene, at least, what he could see without crossing any boundaries.

Jubilife

The Lycanroc bounds away, Stone Edge forming around Machamp Major from beneath the floor, stone spires forming to keep him from standing back up without aid.

Edited by AbsentCoder on Nov 20th 2022 at 12:06:14 PM

Cafe, hace mucho tiempo

Channah: Do I have a choice? (sighs and gets up)

Kalos

Ludovic Macraul is entertaining a friend at home.

Man: And what are all these beautiful sky blue eggs lining the collection?

Ludovic: (beams) Those are a special find! I discovered them in the Johto region. Quite the adventure we had in obtaining them, a very long and tedious period. Those aren't even all, they came from a horrible situation with exploitative breeding practices. It's incredibly lucky that there wasn't so much as an imperfection in any of them. I suppose it's a shame they can't hatch now, but I think the beauty of their perfect unmarred shells outweighs the downsides, don't you agree?

Man: Ah, mais oui!

Channah's Mindscape, now or more recently idk | CW:vore????

Ten and Fangirl are holed up in some ancient ruins in the mountains. Fangirl perches on a broken frieze depicting an Ampharos playing chase with a Larvitar.

Ten: C'mon, stop messing around! We need to go! We've stayed too long here!

Fangirl: (swings her legs) Oh don't worry. Tagg will save us. I told you before, nii-san, we don't need to do anything but wait~

Ten: (teeth clenched) Just, please... If we sit here, She'll find us... (lip wobbles)

Bodee: <Boss Girl, I say we just cut our losses and run! Forget this chode!>

Fangirl: It's alright. (overcome with a dreamy look) He always fixes everything. You'll see. He's so good at fixing everyone's mistakes...

Ten: WELL HE'S NOT HERE! I don't think he can get in anymore, anyway...

Fangirl: (sits up) Really? Why not?

Ten: Uh. I, uh, mighta messed with the locks when Hale left. I'm... I'm sorry. I just, I didn't really like how he changed everything, and I still don't really trust him 'cause I didn't talk to him that much, I can change it back -

Fangirl: Huh. How did I not notice that. Oh that's right, I'm a fucking idiot. Plus he hasn't been around much. Welp, think that means I can move things along a little faster.

Ten: ?

Fangirl: Buh-bye. (unhinges her jaw and instantly bites Ten's head off and swallows it, then devours the rest of the body)

Bodee: O_O

Fangirl's head rotates on its neck. Blood drips down long fangs and unseeing black pits have replaced her eyes. Bodee screeches and runs for it, but just as she reaches the exit, a glowing purple tendril seizes her tail and drags her back into the growing dark.

Truth:    Cutting your losses already? Monstrous behavior. I will teach you loyalty.   

Celestic Town, Louis' flying car

Louis: Well... oof.

He inspects the rock Halis shows him.

Louis: Rock collecting. That seems... pretty mundane, but not in a bad way. Everyone in my family collects something or another, and it's always the kind that's weird or expensive and very hard to acquire. And I say this as a guy who collects computer viruses.

Herbie: If you think we're weird, he also collects [Funko Pops].

Otis: Can't get any weirder than that.

Louis: I'm not so sure about this, but I think it's got a lot to do with the thrill of acquiring something that's naturally difficult to find. I try keeping it ethical with the malware porys, but I can't say the same with the rest of my family.

Beat.

Austin: It must be rough, not knowing where you actually came from.

Louis: You have our sympathies. I certainly hope I can live up to your trust, Halis. Hey, we're almost here.

Austin: About time. I'm parched.

Louis: Yeah, I get that Beck said you needed a lot of sugar after doing that psychic thing but this is getting ridiculous. Anyway, Halis, what would you be having?

The GM House

With the destruction of the feather, the shadowy fog that claimed Mitchell's mind and body vanishes. He is himself once more, for better or worse.

He is disturbed, however, to find himself lying belly-first on the lobby's floor, looking into the terrifying face of his Machop, Edmond. The stone spires surrounding him also disturb his senses. His face turns a pale white.

"Ed?", Mitchell asks. "What just happened? What did I do? And who stuck me in here?"

Edmond's face softens into a look of concern and relief. <Oh, Sensei,>, he says, placing his right palm on a stone spire near Mitchell's head. <I wish I knew, but it was not you who did this.>

"Come again?", Mitchell asks, causing Edmond to realize that his Trainer still lacked knowledge of Monese. The Machop slaps his forehead in embarrassment.

As for Auguste, he is taken off guard by the sudden disappearance of Machamp Minor and the rapid restoration of the lobby to it's prior condition, all seemingly triggered by the destruction of the frozen feather. <What sorcery is this?>, he says to no one in particular.

Outside the TV studio, ripples of energy radiate outwards, restoring those injured by Machamps Major and Minor in some fashion back to their prior state. As one might expect, a commotion ensued from this transformation.

"Everyone, settle down!", says a voice amplified by a megaphone. "The Jubilife Police Department has everything under control!"

The police captain, who said those words through his megaphone, now has his attention drawn away from the studio. Maybe now might be a good time to make an expeditious retreat, if those inside are so inclined.

Underground Base

<Unfortunately, I make no promises,> said Teryx. <My former companions can attest that my nightmares were powerful and all-consuming. That being said, I can certainly try.>

He glanced around.

<P-pardon me, but does there by any chance happen to be a guest room in here?>

MEANWHILE...

Route 206- Sinnoh

The Jura5 looked out in shock at the tunnel in front of them. Chasmo in particular looked on in utter disbelief, while Stipax, ever curious, took out a magnifying glass and began examining the tunnel.

<…I sure hope that whoever dug this tunnel didn't end up swimmin' in… …let's just leave it at "sewers.">

<But then everything would be hard and metallic, silly~!> said Crina.

<That's… not what he meant,> said Nautilu.

<Guys! Look!>

The Jura5 turned to face Stipax, who was jumping around.

<Oh…?> asked Saura. <What is it?>

<I found footprints!> cried Stipax.

He handed the magnifying glass over to Nautilu, who looked through it before blinking in shock.

<T-these… these are Archeops footprints,> Nautilu muttered.

<T-Teryx dug this tunnel?!> cried Crina.

<Must've,> Chasmo noted. <I didn't even know he could ''use'’ Dig.>

<Well, then, I suppose we just follow the trail,> said Saura.

<Yep,> said Stipax. <Wherever it ends… is probably where Teryx is.>

Secret base

Kris: Unfortunately there's just this room, along with mine and Pat's. We've got plenty of spare cushions and blankets so we could set something up for you out here, or I can sleep on the couch and you can use my room.