Stormchaser

-To Daydre and Aislinn-

My thought is that I think I can modify the ritual I used to draw out an Ariados in a Burst Heart in order to bring out Yan Yu.

Somewhere in Western Sinnoh

Chiyo: ...And that's why we need your help.

Perrserker: -An EX-Mon whose markings resemble stripes- <...Well if the bird and lizard are involved... I'll consider it.>

Stormchaser

Aislinn: "Burst Heart...?"

Daydre:-shrugging- "It's some thing that lets you turn into a Pokemon hybrid. Dunno much else about it."

Aislinn: "Hm. And how would we go about getting one to try this with?"

Sunnyshore Gym

Automatic doors are great, Xaster thinks as they open in front of him. He hasn't really noticed it until now, but a lot of gyms in Sinnoh use rather heavy manual doors, and it's nice to not have to push them open this time around.

The inside of the gym is spacious, with a large and rather plain battlefield. Two men stand in the centre, having some kind of conversation. One is a young man with yellow hair and a blue jacket, and Xaster recognises him from his research the night before as Volkner, the gym leader of Sunnyshore City. The other is a man of about the same age, who has a rather impressive red afro. This, Xaster realises, is Flint of the Elite Four. Someone who he is certain that he does not wish to battle against.

"Hi," he says. The two men look up at him.

Flint smiles. "Well, Volkner, looks like you've got a challenger to take care of."

Volkner sighs. "Doesn't look like all that much, but I'd be happy to take him on. How many badges do you have, uh..."

"Xaster," he says. "And, I have six. Please come at me with your full strength."

Volkner raises an eyebrow. "Full strength? You know I'm one of the strongest gym leaders in Sinnoh, right?"

Xaster nods. "I know. But there's someone who I need to prove myself to, and I won't be able to do that unless I give myself strong challenges to overcome!"

Flint and Volkner share a knowing look. "Suit yourself," Volkner says. "Flint, would you mind refereeing? Thomas has the day off, something about Christmas shopping."

"Sure," Flint says. He turns to Xaster and winks. "I look forward to seeing what you're about to bring."

Xaster and Volkner take their positions opposite one another. "The battle between Challenger Xaster and Gym Leader Volkner will now begin. Each trainer can use three pokémon, and both may switch freely. Now, begin!"

Both combatants throw out their pokéballs at the same time. Volkner's opens to release a powerful looking Electivire, while Xaster sends out BuBu.

"A Roselia," Volkner mutters. "You know kid, if you come at me with unevolved pokémon, if could be a problem for you."

Xaster ignores him. "Use Leech Seed!"

BuBu spreads her arms, flinging large seeds in the direction of Electivire. They land on and around it, rooting it to the ground. Its energy begins to be slowly drained.

"Now, use Poison Powder!" Xaster continues. BuBu moves on command, and sprinkles a dusting of purple powder over Electivire. It shakes and begins to cough from the poison.

"Yes!" Xaster exclaims.

Meanwhile, Volkner hasn't even moved. He shakes his head and folds his arms. "Kid, I can see how you got the badges you have. You clearly know your pokémon well, and you move together as a perfect unit. However..." he glares at Xaster. "If you want to challenge me at my best, bring your A game!"

He holds out his hand. "Electivire, use Giga Impact!"

Electivire takes a step forwards, tearing vines out of the ground as it does so. It rushes towards BuBu as energy surrounds it, and slams into her. She is slammed into the wall behind Xaster, falling unconscious to the ground.

"Roselia is unable to battle!" Flint declares. "Electivire wins!" On the scoreboard behind him, BuBu's picture goes dark.

Xaster stares forwards in shock. That was so quick. He remembers his first gym battle against Roark, and how easily he lost then.

"I..." he says. "I quit."

Volkner raises his eyebrows. "You sure? After just one move."

Xaster nods sadly. "I'm not at the place where I want to be yet. I thought I could challenge you at your best, but that was a stupid thought. I..." he recalls BuBu and stares at her ball for a few seconds. "I need to do some work. Get stronger. But I will definitely be back."

Volkner shrugs. "Suit yourself. But if you come and challenge me again, please be prepared to give me a bit more of a challenge."

As Xaster walks out, the screen showing BuBu's loss seems to scream at him that he's a failure.

Lush Jungle, Akala

"Duck!" Hoops yells. Sno dives to the ground, and the blade of the Totem Lurantis passes just over her head.

<That was a close ones, boss!> she yells.

"Uh-huh!" Hoops mutters. They focus on cutting the onions on the small wooden table in front of them. It's bad enough having to battle this Totem Lurantis, but the trial captain Mallow apparently also expects them to cook a three course meal while the battle is going on.

"Keep her busy!" they yell. "Tot, where are my berries? We need to get this dessert in the oven quickly or it won't be ready in time!"

<Here!> Tot flies in, holding a branch of Oran and Sitrus berries. <Just a heads up, there's now a Drampa in the forest who's kind of pissed off at us.>

"We'll deal with that later," Hoops snaps. "For now, help Cof on prep work!" Tot nods and flies to where Cof is holding many chef's utensils as he frantically prepares a variety of ingredients for Hoops to us.

At this point, Hoops' phone rings. They think of ignoring it, but as they look down they see Xaster's name on the screen. They sigh and tap it.

"Is this a bad time?" Xaster asks, as his face appears on the screen.

Sno is hit by Lurantis's attack and slammed into a nearby tree, and one of the pans that Led is handling catches fire. Hoops is about to say that it is, but they notice a redness around Xaster's eyes.

"No, not at all," they say. "I can multitask. What's wrong, Zazzles?"

Xaster smiles weakly at the pet name. "I went to challenge Volkner," he explains. "I wanted to battle him at his strongest, but when that happened I realised just how much stronger he was than me. I guess I just thought with how much I'd improved that I was stronger than I actually am."

"Mhm," Hoops says. "Hold that thought." They duck to one side as Trumbeak that has begun working with Lurantis flies towards them. The pokémon flies past and into the fist of Sud.

"No!" Hoops protests. "Sud, don't even think about garnish yet, we're not even done with cooking!" They step back in front of the phone.

"You sure everything is fine?" Xaster asks.

Hoops nods. "Yeah. Anyway, it's normal to feel discouraged after a loss, but you really have gotten stronger. Not just anyone gets six badges you know."

"Well how do I get stronger?" asks Xaster.

Hoops smiles. "Honestly? There's no trick that works for everyone. But as a guy who used to be obsessed with getting stronger, remember that it's not the most important thing in the world."

"But -"

"That said," Hoops continues. "Oh, hang on. Sno, try to keep some distance! And Tot, dice them a bit smaller please. Anyway, I'm trying to say that if you obsess over getting stronger, you won't make it. You just have to find what works for you. But first, have some fun. When was the last time you took part in a contest?"

Xaster is silent for a moment, during which time Hoops finally gets their roast in the over. "I think it's been months. Honestly I think I got distracted."

"Maybe give it a try," Hoops suggests.

Xaster smiles. "Yeah. Hey, talk later and you can tell me all about whatever you're up to."

Something shatters. Hoops doesn't bare to look. "Yeah, sounds good."

"Bye."

"Love you."

The call ends, and Hoops goes back to only juggling two things, which now feels considerably easier having experienced three.

<Hoops?> Sud asks.

"Yeah?" Hoops replies.

<Was that the first time you ever told Xaster you loved him?>

Hoops freezes. "Oh, shi-"

Faction Offices

-Kai gives Alice an incredulous, but nonetheless amused look-

Kai: The evil version of me is the high road? Guess I better start making some morally questionable decisions.

-They grin.-

Kai: But nevermind that. Right now, we need you out of the office. This is not optional.

School Safehouse #???

-When Nitrogen said she wasn't sure who else to recruit? That was a lie.-

-Well, sort of. Her deal with Whitt is one matter. But Nitrogen has many enemies, for many different reasons. So she can't keep all her allies on the same target.-

-She strides through the safehouse halls, rolling the raw Key Stone between her fingers, reinforcing a single thought in her mind without straying, as she seeks out her next potential ally.-

After a while of following the Lodegem, it leads Halis... right back into their own room.

Halis: "Wait, seriously? You're joking, right? This can't be where it goes."

Strobe: <See, told you it was a waste of time. We already knew where your room was, so just—>

Halis spins around with it for a bit, noticing it's actually pointing to a corner of the room... a corner with that thing from Metus in it. Something that, at this point, they've tried to trash multiple times, only for it to end up in that same spot every time.

That Sword. An ugly, malformed bit of metal crudely shaped like a weapon, as if made by the absolute antithesis to what Halis is. To be more generous, it's like someone tried to make a Honedge without actually knowing what it looked like, or how to properly work metal to begin with.

Halis: "Ughhhhh... FINE!"

They've been trying to ignore it the whole time, but it seems like someone or something does not want them doing so. They walk over to it, staring it down.

Halis: "Hey, Metus, if you're really not gonna leave me alone, then—"

They stop in their tracks, noticing a set of three sockets, two on the hilt and one on the pommel.

Halis: "..."

They wave the Lodegem around the blade, and it seems to center itself on the pommel specifically. They look around, and back at Strobe for a moment.

Strobe: <Another weapon, huh? Lemme guess, you're gonna equip it, it's gonna curse you, you'll fight someone and immediately lose all of your energy again midfight, causing you to lose it... again. Have I mentioned this idea is GARBAGE!?>

Strobe's glitchy, loud and clearly uneasy objection to interacting with this object is overridden by Halis's own curiousity, slotting it where it's centered in. Clink.

Halis: "Wh—"

The pommel seems to grab onto the gem, its colors distorting and fading... replaced by what appears to be a flaming eye inside the gem, staring at Halis.

Halis: "...Well, you're creepy already. As I'd have thought from anything associated with that interloper."

Halis stands back up, taking the comparatively-large (not to mention surprisingly not cold at all) blade in their right hand, and trying to lift it in vain... for a moment, anyway, until they feel a slight jolt of some dark energy up their arm and it becomes light as a feather. They give it a couple slow swings, pointing it outwards before somehow sheathing it on their back.

Halis: "Huh, a lot lighter than I expected. Wonder what this one's name is? Every bad blade has a name, be it sentient or otherwise."

Strobe: <No, no, NO. Halis, you are going to put down this thing NOW. It's bad news, I can already tell, and you can too.>

The Eye is staring at Strobe with blatant malice and discontent.

Halis: "It's either this, or it sits there for the rest of time bothering me. Besides, maybe it can keep leading me somewhere if I just..."

They try to think of where to head next, and it shows them... the door. Yes, the same one that's been in sightline the whole time.

Halis: "...You better have some other cool function I don't know about or I'm hurling you into a frozen mountain cave like the one with that other stupid sword I found before."

Strobe: <For the record, I object to being anywhere near that new... whatever you feel like calling it. For the love of all that is digital, don't call it a—>

Halis: "Yes, they're a friend too, even if I don't know the first thing about them! Just look at the eye, that's sentience you're looking at."

Strobe: <You have a very skewed definition of friend, must say.>

Halis: "Anyway, for some reason I feel like they're a—"

They stop right before saying a name, but one pops up in their mind anyway, and they shrug.

Halis: "Morgul? Huh, ok, if that's what you want, that's what you get."

With all that being said, they leave their room, new friend in tow while Strobe continues to try to suppress their dissenting thoughts on the matter.

Battle Academy

Dune: Well, I know a few Aurics that could help... Champloo, what's your diagnosis?

Champloo: <Aaaaaaah I dunno. Normally I'm pretty good at judging flavor at a glance, but I don't even know all this dish's ingredients let alone her aroma!>

Retek: Uhhhh... what.

Dune: It means his Aura Sense isn't good enough to tell.

Retek: Oh, okay, because that sounded like... you know what, never mind.

Dune: Well, I know someone, but they tend to be pretty busy... I'll shoot them a line to see if we can't get a diagnosis from an expert.

Textspace

Stormchaser, past

More or less, the crystal contains a Pokémon, the Burst Heart I used was originally in the possession of this creepy Templar Chiyo killed who was also an Aura Vampire.

-To Aislinn-

The conduit wouldn't be one of those though, it would be the mask itself, the ritual will draw out Yan Yu so that we can speak with her.

I wouldn't even know where to find an empty Burst Heart crystal to seal her in anyway, not to mention it would just be passing the issue around...

Textspace

Edited by rmctagg09 on Dec 3rd 2022 at 11:35:34 AM

Outside the café, past

Channah: Hey, I'm not picky. Merix, Roar.

Merix: <Woaw!>

Channah: Okay forget that, never do that again.

Merix instead goes around trying to Bite anyone who gets too close.

Outside the Café, past

-Merix manages to bite one Templar in the leg, who ends up running into a tree and knocking themselves out while trying to shake the Luxio off-

Chiyo: -Her geodesic barrier exploding and sending several of the remaining Templars sprawling on the ground, unmoving-

Jake the Radiant: -Moves ahead and starts trading blows with Chiyo, alongside two other Templars- Should've stayed with the School truant, now you're just going to die!

Chiyo: -Ducking under Jake's glaive construct as she sends a star construct to vaporize one of the other two Templars, parrying his follow-up glaive strikes with a shield construct- You all sound like a broken record, more than 20 years and you can't get different material.

Jake: -Ducks as Dactyl slams into the head of the Templar behind him- It's just the truth, one you simply can't understand, inferior that you are.

Chiyo: -Alters the barrier so that it wraps around the glaive, as she ducks low and punches Jake in the face- The "truth's" that you and the rest of the Templars are just deluded.

Jake: -Getting up after being knocked to the ground, a black eye forming- Templars are superior to Schoolkids, Schoolkids are superior to non-School Aurics, Aurics are superior to the rest of humanity, what's delusional about that? Only thing they're good for is enthralling, and sometimes, fucking.

-As a light breeze comes in and the Templar behind him looks unable to breathe before falling over, the wind forming into a humanoid figure that moves towards Jake with clear killing intent as he and Chiyo have a Construct lock-

Man, I'm gonna love being known as the Templar who finally managed to bag you, Iridi-Urk!

Chloe: -From behind Jake, the knife she's holding piercing his back as she stares at the Templar with hate in her eyes- The only bagging you'll be getting is your body bag, fucker.

-Plunging it deeper-

You, and your Templar mates.

-And pulls it out as Jake falls dead and the area goes silent save for a sudden light rain-

That's what you get for trying to kill my friend.

Edited by rmctagg09 on Dec 4th 2022 at 3:01:16 PM

Faction Offices

Alice: To clarify, I was attempting to make light of when we last split up. Back then I believed I was taking the moral high road, only to find myself wallowing in emotional turmoil thereafter. Rest assured that I have no interest in your doppelganger, and I don't believe the version of me that accompanies her is sufficiently introspective to have experienced a similar dilemma.

-She lets herself grin back at Kai.-

Alice: That said, if you do want to start wearing tight black leather and giving speeches about world domination, I will be happy to indulge you - at least for as long as it takes to prove that I would make for the better supervillain. So, where exactly are you planning to take me?

Faction Offices

-A thoughtful expression crosses Kai's face-

Kai: World domination? Now there's a thought. Maybe I should give it a try sometime. I do look hot in tight leather.

-Her grin widens-

Kai: Anyway, we can go wherever the wind takes us~ The only qualifier is the idiomatic wind, and therefore outside. No more fluorescent lights for the day. Doctor's orders.

Faction Offices

Alice: The evidence supports your claim. You won't hear any complaints on my end.

-She wraps a hand around Kai's waist.-

Alice: Our destination is wherever the wind takes us, then?

Snowpoint, Noctowl Nest

Just as Gilby was about to Teleport everyone out of there, Tony realized he left his suitcase in the snow. So he jumped out to grab it in a quick dash...

Stormchaser

...as the force of him clutching his heavy suitcase caused him to do a faceplant on the ground.

Tony: Ugh....I need to start staying still during a teleportation.

Saul: <Yeah. Tell me about it.>

Tony would start to slowly get back up on his feet and then start to look at the whole ship around him.

Tony: Say, this place seems kinda nice. In fact, this could work for a new office of mine maybe.

Stephen: <Isn't the ship supposed to be alive, I'm pretty sure you'd wanna ask someone about this first.>

Tony: Oh yeah, right.

Then he turned to Saffy.

Tony: First off I just wanna say thanks to all your help for stopping that Sneasel gang back there, that was really impressive of you. I'm sure your sister would be proud.

He'd start to fidget with this hands a bit, rocking back and forth while doing so.

Tony: And another thing, I also admire your cool ship here, and I don't really want to leave so soon, plus I'm already starting to like it here!

And with that, Tony then looked at Saffy with a goofy smile and asked:

Tony: Soooooo....you don't think your ship minds if I stay here, do you?

Edited by ThanosBoi on Dec 4th 2022 at 9:59:14 AM

School Safehouse #???

-said potential ally (oh, how she loves potential allyship) is taking the long way back to her own assigned hideaway, her latest resource-embezzling venture yielding dividends in the Proteins and Calcium necessary to keep a venture such as this afloat-

(-nutrient paste waits for no man or mon, no matter how smelly—or numerous—the sports stores from whence free samples are sourced-)

-so Nitrogen may come across someone roughly as unusually long-lived as she, the Ultra Balls on her waist her own recent concession to the world of Pokémon-

Molybdenum: ~Hey, Speed Racer. What's got you in such a tizzy?~

-by contrast, her mental impression looks positively unbothered—guard relaxed, not a thought out of place-

Faction Offices

Kai: Indeed. We'll find out when we get there.

-big shining Kai smile-

School Safehouse #???

-Nitrogen turns around at the sound of Mo's (telepathic) voice. A smile finds its way on her face — not friendly, but not her common predatory grin either.-

Nitrogen: There you are. You're very hard to get ahold of when you want to be.

-She pockets the Key Stone, keeping her hand casually in said pocket-

Nitrogen: I've got a favor I want to ask you. One survivor to another.

School Safehouse #???

-Molybdenum proffers the same cool, somewhat bland smile she makes most of the time, without telepathic enhancement-

Molybdenum: ~I'm in high demand.~

-she hefts the handle of her dinner-laden trolley-

Molybdenum: -rolling her eyes- ~You ran, I won, Nitrogen. Don't get it twisted.~

-there's no particular heat to the comment-

Molybdenum: ~But two Hydrogens and an Oxygen under a bridge, right? What do ya need?~

School Safehouse #???

-Nitrogen's smile slips just a bit.-

Nitrogen: And yet I'm still here. Constantly proving to be more of an asset than a liability. But sure, molecules under the bridge.

-other hand in other pocket — all the better to be casual with-

Nitrogen: My current objective is dealing with one particular radiant bastard. You ran into Amarin, right? Did I hear about that correctly?

The GM House

-Deziree taps her finger on her desk as she looks at the data on her screen.-

Deziree: Okay, so...

-She spins in her chair. She realizes it was way too fast when a wave of vertigo hits her. She quickly recomposes herself.-

Deziree: Ugh. Anyway, so! We the energy coming off of him...

-She points at Ludmilla's Kartana.-

Deziree: Is not the same energy from this sample one of my contemporaries put out for anonymous testing. Which is... weird. And interesting.

Ludmilla: So it's not an Ultra Beast energy signature. There are tons of other weird energy signatures that we've observed.

Deziree: Yes, but! We've never had one that is so counter to known, physically observable phenomenon! It has no basis in any known psychic, auric, or obscuric phenomena! It's... weird! But not his weird!

Jack the Kartana: ?

Ludmilla: So... what does that mean?

Deziree: It means I really want to find out where this new sample came from, but my respect for double-blind studies is too great to break the veil! Aaaaaaaargh!

Ludmilla: Oh. Well, if I notice any "super weird" phenomena, I'll let you know.

Deziree: Thank you, dear... ugh, I need to lay down again, I'm lightheaded again...

Ludmilla: You know, winding yourself up over and over while also trying not to stress out for the baby are really making things worse for yourself...

Deziree: I knoooooooooow...

Ludmilla: I'll have Champloo make some more of that tea that Hanib made for you.

Deziree: Thaaaaank yoooooooou.

Battle Academy

Stormchaser

Saffy: Oh, it's nothing. That was a ton of fun.

Jasper: <Yeah, it's nice to get out and battle every once in a while.>

Saffy: I think it would probably be fine for you to stay here. Well, so long as you don't start trying to arrest some of us or something like that.

Saffy laughs.

Topaz: <Let us know if you need some help in the future!>

Stormchaser

Tony's face instantly lighted up at the fact that he could stay.

Tony: Really? That's awesome! I can't wait to help you and the J-Team here and there!

The comment about trying to arrest some of them threw him off however.

Tony: What? No! Why the heck would I do something like that? It seems highly irrational for someone like me. After all, I take my duties as a detective very seriously.

He then walked with his suitcase up to the nearest room, and opened a door, with Stephen and Saul following him behind.

Tony: And Don't worry, I'll be sure to keep in touch with you all in case I need you again. After all, you got my business card. Everything you need to know is in there. Maybe we could even try to have a battle sometime too! Anyways, if you need my help again, just remember: "Better call Tony!"

And with that, he chuckled to himself and went inside his new room, and went to sleep for the night.

Edited by ThanosBoi on Dec 4th 2022 at 6:34:28 AM

Veilstone City Pokemon Center- The Wheel Watch Party (March 2022)

Vaughn and Colt look at each other, before following Owen and Odin. Unsure of what Cynthia's grandmother had in mind... or what would happen to them now that Helena was off their backs for now.

"Thanks for the help," Vaughn said. "It's kind of nice to be away from the worries of the Authority for once."

Roxy let out a deep sigh, staring at Silas as he sat at the edge of a wooden pier. His eyes were closed, legs crossed, breathing slow, a piece of incense burning beside him. She didn’t really have anyone to blame, she insisted on coming along with him, a day out at a hotsprings sounded nice.

<Regretting this?> Tae asked.

“A little. I was hoping for a romantic afternoon,” Roxy admitted.

<...Did you ask him to do so?>

Roxy blinked, she had not. “I should fix that.”

Tae nodded, Roxy let out a scoff and walked over. She tapped Silas on the shoulder, he opened an eye and looked over.

“Babe, want to maybe have a picnic or something?”

Silas gave it some thought and smiled. “Sure, when I’m done, I can make us something.”

“That’s all I ask.”

“Was hoping for a date?” He asked.

Roxy let out a laugh. “Maybe.”

“Oh… sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

“And I didn’t communicate that I wanted that,” Roxy said. “We need to do that more.”

Silas leaned in and gave her a kiss, Roxy smiled. “You're almost done?”

“Just a few more minutes, I promise.”

Roxy nodded and stepped off to the side, Tae sitting there waiting. <So, you worked it out?>

“Yes, like mature responsible individuals,” Roxy responded.

<You’re gonna let him finish his meditation?>

“He’s not hurting anyone, it’s important to him. Don’t see why it should stop,” Roxy said.

Tae quirked a brow at her. <You’re an odd one you know that?>

“Well to be fair, I’ve been constructing my identity from scratch, I’ve got a scant few influences on how to act,” Roxy said with a smile. “Though I do say they’re very positive influences, I can carry myself pretty well now.”

Tae shrugged and just stared at Silas. <What is he hoping to get out of it?>

There was a chuckle and Tae looked over to see Snakeye resting against a tree. <Something funny cactus cowboy?>

<There isn’t a major point to the meditation, beyond just clearing your thoughts. Hoss there just needs some time to clear his head, that’s what he’s getting outta it,> Snakeye answered.

Tae was about to comment, when everyone heard a splash, they looked over and saw Silas had collapsed into the water. In an instant Roxy and Tae panicked, and Tae went running over to the water basin and leapt in.

Silas looked about the location, confused. “The hell is this place?”

Last he remembered he was meditating, and then… here he was. He looked about the area, it was pitch black, no light whatsoever… he began to walk.

His footsteps echoed, nothing in the environment around him, Silas was alone. He scratched his head, this was… a different feeling for him. He always had someone by him, someone to talk to, to argue with.

He paused, standing before him, lit up in bright blue auric flame was… what looked to be him. Same general shape, it seemed to match his movements. He reached forward, it reached back… the two touched.

And then in an instant it grabbed him, it wrapped its hands around his throat. Others started to appear, Silas choked, the flaming versions started to fill his vision, the blue fading from them as they slowly became a bright white colour.

He felt overwhelmed, he felt like he was drowning, Silas could feel his vision fading. He felt wrong, this was wrong, what was this?

Silas could do nothing, as his vision went blank.

He awoke, coughing, sputtering. His chest ached, Silas felt wet. He looked over and saw Tae standing over him.

<Oh thank Arceus that worked!> Tae commented.

“What happened?”

“You collapsed,” Roxy said. “Fell right into the springs, Tae dug you out and performed CPR.”

<Yer lucky he’s certified and didn’t need to do mouth to mouth, Hoss,> Snakeye commented.

Silas sat up, he felt weird, not… bad… just different. He rolled his left shoulder and looked over everyone. “Ow… okay, maybe I should be smarter about meditation at hot springs.”

“Ya think?” Roxy said, her tone was angry, but relieved.

“Sorry, I promise, I won’t make it as easy to drown me next time,” Silas said with a half smile.

Roxy sighed. “How do you feel?”

“Odd… not from nearly drowning, lungs burn and ribs ache but that’s normal. I feel like… well like something just became clearer or something.”

Roxy tilted her head.

“Senses are… intense, colours seem brighter, smells more pungent, sounds louder.”

“Maybe you should get Hacks out,” She suggested. “He’s got a reading of the grooves of your aura, he should be able to see a difference.”

Silas nodded, before picking up an old worn pokeball, and giving it a toss as out plopped Hacks. Who slowly opened his eyes and stretched, a deep yawn coming from his mouth. ~Hey, I was taking a nap. What’s up?~

“I feel off, Roxy wants us to get a reading,” Silas explained.

~If you’re feeling odd, isn't that a thing to consult with doctors?~ Hacks asked. ~I was having a nice dream, it involved a chocolate fountain and gold medals for being awesome.~

“Hacks, please,” Roxy said.

Hacks let out a sigh and rolled his eyes. ~Okay okay… Silas, relax.~

He raised a paw, closed his eyes, and his lekku started to float, a faint blue glow coming off him as he channeled his aura. He pressed his paw against Silas, only to instantly back off in a scramble, eyes wide.

Silas blinked. “Uhm, is everything okay?”

~Silas? Are you dead?~

“What? No! I’m still very clearly here!” Silas protested, annoyed at the insinuation. “I can still feel my pulse for one!”

~Silas… I couldn’t detect you, you’re not there…~ Hacks said. ~You’re completely and utterly blank!~

Silas and Roxy stared at Hacks, Roxy opened her mouth, only for Silas to suddenly shout. “WHAT?!”

Edited by EchoingSilence on Dec 4th 2022 at 9:33:29 AM

Nuevma

Jared: "Oh are we investigating a murder? Where do we start?"

Legendary Hotel

Yvan: "Yes, this place has top-notch security systems, so that only people approved by the Legendary Council can get in. You humans got a temporary waiver."

Voyd: "Nifty!"

Celstic

Cynthia's Grandma: "Almighty Dialga always fixes the flow of time in the end. You need not worry."

-The gang enters her house and takes their seats-

Cynthia's Grandma: "Now... Owen, was it? You were looking for your girlfriend."

Owen: Um... Yes. Opposite problem of that Vaughn guy there."

Odin: "I think she's aware."

Snowpoint

Thetis: "That's... good... I guess..."

Fou: <...We should probably give her a break.>

The two head off, leaving Daydre to figure out her end of this situation for herself-

Meat Palace

Lead Monkey: <As a mad scientist you are an insult to mad scientists! Your meat mockeries end now!>"

Lavender Tower

-Colored pencils is briefly stunned by the Thunderbolt, his tail undulating like a spring-

-It is then just as Gale predicted a Magic Circle appears-

Jackie: <Someone get on that!>