A Marvel nerd who likes to just live his life.
Hearthrome City, Amity Square
It's getting close to nighttime right about now, and the trio have spent most of their day going over a whole lot of Ninjutsu training with the Eevee. Apparently, everyone kept losing their balance and falling into the water, which the made the Eevee rather skeptical of her new students. That is, everyone except Stephen, who's literally just been floating upside down the whole time, making him a newfound expert in balancing techniques, something which Saul finds most infuriating.
Saul: <OH COME ON! How come he's so persistent? We've been doing this since the afternoon!>
Stephen just smirked at him.
Stephen: <That's one of the advantages of being dead, my friend. It takes away most of the pain from your life. I can still get hurt and all, but not as hard when I was alive though.>
Then Saul went up to Stephen's face, with a stern glare as his claws began to sharpen.
Saul: <Well, maybe I oughta teach you something, you see-through simpleton!>
Tony gets in the way of the two and tries to ease down the conflict.
Tony: Now hold up second, let's all take a breather okay? I think we're all a little stressed out now from today.
The Eevee, who had been watching this ruckus the whole time, has her paws in her face and groans loudly.
Eevee: <Arceus, are you guys done?! I'm getting sick of you guys bickering! It's like two Luxrays fighting over their last meal!>
She appeared to calm down though after a minute or so.
Eevee: <...But yeah, your trainer is right. We all need to meditate or something now. My mind's getting a headache after all of->
And that's when everyone heard it. Across the hill, they heard the screams and shouts of a Pokemon who appeared to be in horrendous pain, followed by a bunch of laughter.
<OUCH! GAH! AW CRUD! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP! THEY'RE HERE! YOU GOTTA-AAAAAAAAAAAGH!>
The Eevee hears it and she instantly freezes in shock. Saul looks terrified at what's happening. Stephen appears to be completely silent.
But Tony? Tony just stands there. His skin going pale as he stares across the hill, barely moving a muscle. He knew who was there, and they wouldn't be happy to see him.
The Eevee starts to look at her Ninja mask.
Eevee: <No...did they get him...because of me? This is all my fault, I should've been around him more...so then he could've finally stood up for himself.>
Looking back at everyone, she puts the mask on.
Eevee: <What are you all waiting for?! LET'S GO! SOMEONE'S IN DANGER!>
And she runs off to go save whoever was in trouble.
Saul's face then turns to one of pure determination, and he runs off too.
Tony and Stephen then looked at each other, both knowing what lied ahead of them. They both gave stern glances, and ran up the hill side by side.
Everyone immediately wished they hadn't come.
What they saw was a Chimchar, the same Chimchar who was the Eevee's former student, Being Bubble beamed by a bunch of Piplup, all while under the command of several skull-bandana wearing freaks. They looked exactly like Team Skull grunts. And they all seemed to relish in the Chimchar's ongoing agony.
Skull Grunt 1: Heheheh! Look at the little monkey squirm!
Skull Grunt 2: Yeah! He looks like he's gonna piss himself! What a weenie!
Chimchar: <ACK! OOF! UGH! MAKE IT STOOOOP! PLEASE! I BEG OF YOU!>
That's when the Eevee yelled at everyone.
Eevee: <WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING TO MY FRIEND?!>
The grunts all stared at the Eevee, backed by by Saul, Stephen, and Tony all glaring at them.
Skull Grunt 1: Uhh, can you not see we're in the middle of something here?
Tony just whispers back in a icy cold tone.
Tony: You. All of you stop this. Right now.
One of the grunts comes up straight to Tony's face.
Skull Grunt 1: And why should I?
Tony: Because I said so, you dingus. I thought all of you split up anyways.
All of the grunts just laughed at him, while Tony's eyes continued to stare into their souls.
Skull Grunt 1: I'm sorry, are you freaking kidding me? The gang might've died, but we still have grudges we gotta get off of our back. You being one of them! I got my buddies all the way over here, just to bring you out to make you pay!
Saul just looked confused for a second.
Saul: <Wait, you have a grudge with Tony?>
Tony: ...
The grunt then looked at Saul.
Skull Grunt 1: Oh, he didn't tell you? About that one incident years ago? Well, I guess that makes him more of a coward after all.
Then he rolls up his sleeve.
Skull Grunt 1: Say hello to that Popplio for me...
Then he socks Tony right in the noggin so hard he plummets toward a tree.
Stephen & Saul: <TONY!!!!>
The Eevee then rushed at the Grunts, Tackling anyone that got in her way.
Eevee: <THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR HURTING THE INNOCENT YOU JERKS!>
Stephen and Saul both tried to run up to Tony, but then a blockade of Piplup began to swarm around Tony, and started to Bubble Beam him nonstop, with a Team Skull grunt leading them all.
Stephen tries to Confuse Ray a bunch of them, while Saul Metal Claws another group, but it's all no use.
The shouts of Tony are still heard over the nonstop Bubble Beams, with the grunt yelling at his Pokemon to keep attacking.
Skull Grunt 2: Keep hurting him! Keep hurting him! Harder! Harder! HARDER!
Stephen: <NOOOOOO!>
Saul: <STOP IT PLEASE!>
And that was all Tony heard, before his vision went completely black.
Fun isn't something one considers when I watch or read stuff with people with costumes and capes, but that does bring a smile to my face.
Galar, Wild Area
-Dune lies down in his tent, feeling the nostalgia washing over him. He drifts off to sleep as his latest team member is splayed out on his chest, snoring.-
-Meanwhile, Big Dom is on watch outside. He's literally just standing there, daring any wild Pokemon to approach.-
-They, wisely, do not.-
The Wanderer
Stormchaser, past
-To Ludmilla-
Guess I'll find out when we go there then.
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
The GM House, Galvani-Morton Customs workshop annex
-Deziree is sitting at a desk, praying that some merciful god will grant her a swift death (or at least guilt-, and alcohol-, free unconsciousness.-
Laurie: So I was talking to Jennifaaah the other day and she said, "Hay gurl, you remember that weird dirty kid from high school?" and I said, "Oh yas, gurl, the one with the mega embarrassing parents?" and she said "Yas, gurl, well he tied the knot, and his hookup's lookin' for an assistant", and I said, "Oh hell yas, gurl, I can, like, totally assist with things!"
Bronda: Oh I have so many ideas for this place. First off, we need to clean everything. Then, we set aside four weeks for inspections and accreditation with a list of companies and organizations that will unlock potential business paths to increase revenue growth - we also need to get rid of the current staff to improve profit margins, and...
Moniqua: Hm? Yeah. Sorry, I'm moderating, like, fifteen Chaos servers right now, and they're just blowing up my phone right now.
Tristi: You smell nice.
Deziree: Is this what all hiring processes are like?
Twitch: Wasn't with ours.
Vinegar: You know, I think just listening to some of these people has raised my own self-esteem.
-The final person walks in.-
Young Lady: Hello, ma'am. I take it the position is still open?
-Deziree doesn't even look up from her collapsed-on-desk position.-
Deziree: Like a gaping chest wound.
-The sound of a card being placed on the desk reaches her ears, eliciting a reaction. Nobody today had their own card.-
-Standing before Deziree was a woman in a professional, short-sleeved blouse, a knee-height skirt, and a properly tied bun of black hair. Also, some very sharp glasses.-
Young Lady: Well, I happen to have experience with both assistant positions and gaping chest wounds, if you'd like to see my resume.
-Deziree blinks in sheer disbelief before picking up the card and reading it.-
-Deziree looks up from the card.-
Deziree: Who in their right mind fired you?
Miss Fowling: That... is an excellent question, ma'am. So, resume?
Deziree: Absolutely, please.
Vinegar: Oh, I like her.
Not A Lawyer
Galar, Wild Area - Dappled Grove, past
Alice: ...Whether or not I would like it is besides the point. What matters is that I'm more than capable of doing so. But if all you seek is amusement, then it hardly seems worth the effort when a pair of oversized shoes and a hat with bells on it would achieve the same effect.
-She doesn't bother glancing away this time.-
Alice: ...If that is your takeaway from this little encounter, then I am glad we did not in fact come to blows this time. When that moment comes, I hope it is more than merely sound and fury... though I'm sure I need not remind you that it is a knight's duty to stand between villainy and those in peril. This way, Duchess.
-With Abilene's arm in her own, she continues onwards through the grove, resolutely making an effort to neither notice or enjoy Abilene's murmurings, or the sharp scent of her perfume.-
-How successful she is is left as an exercise for the reader.-
Unova Courthouse - Day 1
-...-
Alice: Oh dear gods, we're doomed.
-She pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs at Jared.-
Alice: Look, I may not have the qualifications required to represent our client myself, but I can still assist you from the bench. Simply ask me if you need any advice, or wish to inspect the Court Record. (Hrm, that emphasis sounded a little strange.) Look for contradictions in witness statements, and either present the evidence that exposes them, or press for more details. Hopefully, you know the basics already, and that reminder was redundant, but... well, you can never be too sure.
-Alongside Jared, she follows the bailiff into the courtroom and to the defence's bench. Moments later, on the other side of the courtroom, Shun, JD and Leonard all enter. Mutterings from the gallery accompany Leonard's entrance, but he ignores them and focuses his eyes on his opposite number.-
Leonard: What's this? I thought I was here to prosecute a murder, not crimes against good taste.
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.
Priest of the Temple of Syrinx
Pastoria City Gym
After a few moments, Owen and Stipax entered the Gym and glanced around. As per the usual with the revamped Gyms, there was a massive audience of thousands, along with cameras and speakers. Unlike the other Gyms he'd been in, however, there was a massive pool that served as the field— which was fitting, given that this was a Water-type Gym. On the other side of that pool was none other than the Gym Leader himself, Crasher Wake.
"...Hello there," said Owen simply. "I'm... I'm here to challenge you."
Seconds later, Crasher Wake laughed.
"Of course you are!" he said simply. "Welcome! Not that many people get to challenge me! Owen Edmundson, was it? Maylene told me all about you! Suffice it to say, you're pretty strong based on what I've heard."
He then took notice of Stipax.
"Oh, sweet!" he said. "This your little buddy here?"
"Yep," said Owen. "This is Stipax. I'm saving him until the last battle, though."
"Huh," said Wake. "Well! I'm looking forward to see what he can do! In the meantime, though..." He pulled out a PokeBall. "What say you we do this?"
Owen nodded, taking out a PokeBall of his own. "Right!"
BATTLE BEGIN
"Alright, then!" said Crasher Wake. "Let's do this! Seeing as you're so strong, I figured I might as well lead in with my ace just to give you a challenge! Go, Floatzel!"
The ball opened, and soon afterwards Crasher Wake's Floatzel emerged from his PokeBall. Owen nodded, then glanced down at the PokeBall he was holding. He had a feeling he'd made the right decision, and immediately he could see right away that Floatzel had a Life Orb.
Well.
This was going to be fun.
"Alright, then! Let's do this!" he said. "Crina, let's go!"
The ball opened up, and in a burst of light, Crina emerged, giggling as she glanced up at Crasher Wake's Floatzel.
<Oh, hello there!> she said. <You seem pretty fun!>
<Thanks for that,> said Floatzel. <But you do realize you're pathetically slow, right?>
<Huh?!>
Crasher Wake's Floatzel smirked— and then let loose immediately with his first move. Without even missing a beat, he began to dance around like crazy. Soon afterwards, rainclouds started to form above him, and it began to rain.
Crina just laughed.
<Oh, thank goodness!> she said. <You pranked me! I thought you were going to attack me! I like it~! Let's see how well you can handle this!>
And soon afterwards, she let loose with her favorite move, sending out vines towards Floatzel that wrapped around him, and glowed green. Floatzel cried out in pain as some of his HP got drained.
Floatzel glared up at Crina— then cried out in pain again as the Life Orb he was holding glowed purple.
However, he smirked mere seconds later.
<Heh. Nice move,> he said. <But you underestimated me.>
And then moments later, he ran forward before Crina could even make a move— and soon afterwards, his fist glowed bright red as he pulled it back. Seconds later, he punched Crina, causing her to be thrown back against the wall for big damage.
"Crina!" cried Owen. "Aw, crap, he's got Brick Break..."
<...wait, does he have Swift Swim, too?!> cried Stipax.
"I think he does," said Owen. "That would explain why he set up the rain and why he seemed even faster now than before."
<Hey, Galvy! Let me just set something straight for you!> called the Floatzel. <Everyone's got Swift Swim 'cept the Quagsire and the Gyarados!>
<Oh! Okay!> said Stipax.
"Huh?" asked Owen. "What'd he say?"
Before Stipax could tell him, however, the dust settled on the other side, revealing Crina there, still standing. She grinned.
<Thanks for the opportunity~!> she said.
Seconds later, she proceeded to jump on top of Floatzel, her tentacles glowing green, as she then drained Floatzel of his HP for big damage.
Floatzel doubled over, glaring over at Crina, who was glowing green as she felt most of her energy come back to her.
Seconds later, the vines surrounding Floatzel glowed green as the Leech Seed activated.
Crina promptly glowed green again as even more of her energy was returned.
<Thank you~!> she responded.
Floatzel groaned.
<I'm gonna... get you... for tha- GAAAAAAH!>
And then his Life Orb activated, and he glowed purple as his energy was drained from him. Soon afterwards, the Floatzel, tired from all the energy-draining, collapsed onto the floor.
<Dang it... stupid Life Orb...> he muttered.
"Alright~!" cried Owen. "Great work, Crina!"
He ran up to Crina and promptly hugged her, with Crina hugging him back.
<Awww, thanks!> she responded.
OWEN EDMUNDSON HAS DEFEATED CRASHER WAKE'S FLOATZEL
CRASHER WAKE HAS 5 POKEMON LEFT
Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Stormchaser, Workshop
Daydre: "Yeahh.... I can see why Abilene'd feel bad. But it's not like she did it herself, so..."
Daydre shrugs.
Daydre: -pulled in, a little flushed- "Well, I wouldn't be opposed..."
Stormchaser, Present
Aislinn is sitting on a window ledge, staring out through a window the Stormchaser was kind enough to connect her to.
Aislinn: "Hm..."
CW: slightly graphic description
That day. It's been a couple years now, so the memory is fading a little. Aislinn's not sure if that's a good or a bad thing. But the important points are still vivid.
She remembers coming back home after the argument. Something had felt... off, after she'd run to the place she always did when she needed to think. Instead of stewing, she turned around and went back to the house. It was there that she saw her mother.
Ultimately, the pedantic part of her said, it was impossible for a man armed with a staff and his bare fists to make the kind of bullet hole through the head that had killed her mother. Improbable, at least. Maybe he'd carried a gun that day. Maybe he was deceiving everyone. But no, that part of her continues. Neither would he have been holding her in his arms like that, if he'd been the one who killed her.
Not unless he was a truly sick kind of person.
Aislinn didn't consider herself a perfect judge of character but she at least did not get that feeling from Ynos. She knows that, and yet... Something inside her roars with indignity when faced with him. Better to just avoid him, and save both of them some trouble.
The Wanderer
Stormchaser
Chiyo: -Walking up to Aislinn- Hey.
-Leaning next to the window-
I know that look, I don't need my powers to be able to tell. Thinking about a certain someone with eyes like mine, I gather?
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Stormchaser
Aislinn: "Ah."
She turns her head to face Chiyo, face in a pensive frown.
Aislinn: "In a sense, I suppose."
Aislinn: "It ends with him, anyway. Just thinking about the circumstances in which I saw first saw him. They weren't very happy but you probably could've guessed that too. ... Not actually the first either, come to think of it. The first time Morata's little flunky visited us it was to ask for the mask 'politely'."
She looks back out the window.
Aislinn: "Forgive me if what he's doing now leaves a sour taste in my mouth."
off the shits
The Wanderer
Stormchaser
Chiyo: -To Aislinn- I don't expect you to like Ynos, or even spend time with him past what's absolutely necessary.
-Crossing her arms as she makes direct eye contact with Aislinn, her purple eyes highly apparent-
But I feel that it's important that you understand what really happened that night, and also about us, as Schoolchildren.
Edited by rmctagg09 on Jan 5th 2023 at 10:00:49 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Stormchaser
Aislinn: "Oh, I have no intention of purposefully interacting with him from now on. It's better for both of us."
Aislinn: "If this is about my act of aggression, I'm not going to repeat it. I just needed to get it out of my system. I saw enough that night. He may not have been the one to do it, but he still helped."
She meets Chiyo's gaze, her own dull greyish-purple eyes narrowed slightly.
Aislinn: "I'm sure he has his own tragic story. I'm smart enough to know comparing tragedies is foolish. But don't ask me to forgive him."
off the shits
Elsewhere In The Stormchaser
Ludmilla: Okay, uh, Stormchaser. I'll admit I don't know the full details of, um. You. But, er...
-She opens a door into another empty galley.-
Ludmilla: Why aren't you letting me see any of the other Schoolkids that are on here?
-Stepping through the empty galley, she opens another door into a Halloween haunted house.-
Ludmilla: Oh.
-A fake plastic skeleton drops down as a stock, high-pitched laugh plays from a cheap speaker.-
Ludmilla: Okay, yeah I get it. Look, I know I'm scary, but I'd like to at least talk to some of my family!
-The "Addams Family" theme stinger plays.-
Ludmilla: Yeah, well, fuck you, too!
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
The Stormchaser, Near Ludmilla
A plastic grave decoration near Ludmilla starts shaking.
off the shits
Stormchaser
-Ludmilla turns to look at the plastic grave, clearing looking very unamused.-
Ludmilla: Maybe I should ask Mom to make her own airship.
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Stormchaser
The shaking stops.
...
And then the next second the grave is flying off towards the ceiling, as the floor around it opens up into another door. A man falls through it, clearly having been trying to ram it open with his shoulder- and then he runs out of momentum, starts falling down when gravity shifts, and only barely manages to avoid sliding back through the doorframe by grabbing onto the edge.
Ynos: "... Ah. Hello."
Normally his eye color would be hard to make out because of his glasses, but given Ludmilla is higher up than him it's very clear his eyes are purple.
off the shits
Stormchaser
-Ludmilla just kind of stands there, staring, her own glasses blocking her eyes.-
Ludmilla: ... Oh. Hi.
-She holds up a hand and creates a slight gravitational singularity to pull Ynos back up.-
Ludmilla: I don't think we've met.
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Stormchaser
Ynos, already in the process of pulling himself up, is helped along by Ludmilla and eventually comes to stand on the floor in front of her.
Ynos: "I arrived here only recently, so no I don't believe we have."
...
Ynos: "So... you're psychic."
He says that carefully, like he's expecting her to immediately try to kill him. He also stands up slightly straighter, like he didn't just perform a Looney Tunes bit in front of her.
off the shits
The Wanderer
Stormchaser
Chiyo: -To Aislinn- I'm not, but you're going to need the whole story, or least as whole as I can tell it.
-Continuing-
Ynos and I weren't born like you and your cousin were, we were made with raw materials, genetic templates, and an impossible machine. Schoolchildren don't get names, we're known by a number matched to a chemical element.
-Hand glows briefly with rainbow Aura-
I was #77 of the New Century decanted in 2001, Iridium, while Ynos was #76, Osmium, though he never said which Batch he was from when we talked.
We're seen as just tools for their eugenicist ideals of making the ultimate Auric, We're tested until we break either physically or mentally, and "liquidation" hangs over our heads for the slightest failure. Pitting us against one another, so we think less about escaping. Forcing us to eat that paste that I'm pretty sure does something to our bodies. And a lot of the time, they build us wrong, so even if we survive all of that, we might just die anyway. That was the world me, Ynos, and countless others came into.
They've been doing this for a long time, for centuries at minimum, in every region, using the very levers of society as their weapon. If they knew about your family's mask, they'd probably try to take it for themselves, and they'd make Morata Macraul look downright cuddly in comparison.
Both Ynos and I escaped that hell separately, but it cost us both the lives of our friends to do so. Seems I was luckier than him, however.
-Looking towards the ceiling-
It may be better to be free, but it's no cakewalk either. We have no legal identity, limited knowledge of the outside world, and the Templars as well as the Alumni, those of us who manage to "graduate", hunt us "truants" near-relentlessly, and they're willing to kill anyone who gets in the way or simply associates with us. I've had to kill people so many times over the decades, and so has Ynos.
-Looking briefly haunted-
Including an old friend, who I had to hold as she died in my arms.
Because of our situation, if you show us even a bit of kindness, we'll attach like a Remoraid to a Mantine's fins. I'm not above it, that's how Tagg and I know each other, if it weren't for him I'm not sure I'd even still be here. Nicky and Kendra as well.
I believe that's how Morata ensnared him into becoming her servant, he told me he felt indebted to her for taking him in, even though she barely treats him any better than the School does, because he feels he only has worth as a weapon, not as a person.
Morata sees Ynos as only a tool, if a well made one, and that's what led into the night when your mother died.
Edited by rmctagg09 on Jan 6th 2023 at 7:24:56 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Stormchaser
-Ludmilla lowers her sunglasses, revealing her own purple eyes.-
Ludmilla: You could say that. I'm Ludmilla. My siblings called me Wolfram.
Meet The New Boss
THE COURT
Jared: "Oooooh. Thanks for the instructions Alice. We got this."
-They are led into the courtroom and Jared sits down next to Alice. Once he does he throws his arms up in the air.-
Meat Palace
Lead Monkey: <I am. Much older than a twenty something. But no matter. So long and thanks for all the meat.>
-He goes to skeedadle with the others-
Lavender Tower, Past
Olivia: <Okay!>
-And she flies off-
Contact Me!
A Marvel nerd who likes to just live his life.
???
There's been nothing but silence for the past couple of hours. Tony couldn't see anything but the black void of whatever he was in. All he could remember was being Bubble Beamed over and over, but by what exactly? The pain all throughout his body made it harder to properly think.
He tried calling out for help, for someone, anyone to hear him. No one answered. It seemed like he was going to be stuck here forever. Without another chance at seeing Stephen, Saul, or his family again. They all appeared to be gone, leaving him completely alone, with nothing but himself to rot away until the end of time.
Then, his whole head started to hurt even more. It all seemed to be coming back to him. Mostly things that already happened, like his encounter with a couple of Team Skull grunts and him bonding with his mons in Amity Square.
But there was one other thing he was remembering too. Something he didn't want to remember. His biggest mistake, his worst mistake. The thing that almost cost him his own life, all because he just wanted to help...
Hau'oil City, Tony's House (2015)
CW: Some scenes of blood, language, and drowning.
Tony had been having a hard time falling asleep. For some reason, he couldn't stop staring at the celling, and listening to the ongoing sound of the waves crashing onto the shore. He couldn't really figure out what was keeping him awake so late at night. His entire family was already snoring away, so why couldn't he just drift off to dreamland already?
Maybe a cool glass of water could help him get some shuteye, he did feel a bit thirsty after all. So he put on his Marowak pajamas, and quietly tip-toed down the stairs, trying to make sure he didn't accidentally wake up his mom and dad, and especially the person behind the door just outside of the stairs. He didn't really go in there often anyways, so waking that person up would be a BIG mistake. Eventually he makes it to the kitchen, where he goes to the fridge to grab a water bottle, instantly slurping down the icy, cold water down his little throat. In that moment, he felt a lot better than he was before.
All of a sudden though, he heard it. It sounded like a shriek or cry from somewhere around the beach. It continued on and on, becoming even more distressed every second. There it lingered, ringing in his ear until it became like a disease in his brain, clouding his thoughts with nothing but fear and confusion.
He couldn't take it anymore, he needed to find out what was going on, even if it was as bad as it sounded like. He went back to the front door before putting on his blue Crocs, and slowly opening the door, sprinting his way across the sand to the source of the sound.
Tony ran to a bunch of big rocks, where the sound appeared to be here. The crying was even louder than before, with a hint of prolonged misery on whoever it belonged to. He snuck up behind a huge rock, before seeing the most horrible thing someone as young as him could've seen.
It was a Popplio, bleeding from the top of its head, surrounded by a gang of Team Skull grunts, with the one in front of the Popplio holding a baseball bat. The Popplio looked like it was in utter agony, still attempting to stand up even after its brutal beating.
Team Skull Grunt: Don't look at me with pity, you scoundrel! I thought I saw something in you, from the day we first met. I thought you'd be strong, something better than what you already were. But you just keep on losing for Arceus' sake! It's freaking embarrassing! Why can't you just win a fight for once, instead of acting like a weenie?!
The Popplio, with a apologetic look on its face, tries to say something, but is utterly interrupted by the grunt whacking its face once more.
Team Skull Grunt: SHUT UP! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANY MORE OF YOUR FUCKING EXCUSES! THAT'S IT! EVERYONE KICK THE SHIT OUT OF HIM!
And that's when everyone started to do just that, with Tony being forced to watch in absolute horror. Pokemon weren't meant to be treated like this!, he thought. They're not like something to be beaten and thrown away! Seeing the poor thing be mocked and becoming a literal punching bag became too much for him, and he realized he had to do something. He wasn't just gonna stand there while someone was suffering without anyone to help them. Building up all the courage he had, he ran out into the open where everyone could see him and shouted.
Tony: STOOOOOP!
The grunts all stopped and turned around to see what looked like a 9-year old brown-skinned kid, in some Marowak pajamas, glaring at them with pure rage. The grunt with the baseball bat just looked at him, before walking up to him.
Team Skull Grunt: I'm sorry...who the hell are you supposed to be? Ain't it past your bed-time, kid?
Tony just got up close to him, his face still seething with rage.
Tony: It doesn't matter who I am to you. It only matters what I do to your putrid face! Eat this, you psycho!
And then Tony goes for a punch in the grunt's eyes, which is promptly blocked by a hand, before swinging the bat in the back of his head, while his blood leaks onto the sand, leaving behind a trail of red.
Team Skull Grunt: I don't think you could kick my ass if you tried. You're just like my old Popplio. You act tough on the outside, yet you're easy to break on the inside. Let's see if your little egghead gets to crack open.
The grunts all immediately leave the Popplio before coming to Tony and beating him senseless, while he screamed in pain. Despite all his pleas for help, no one seemed to be coming for him.
Then they all picked him up and started to drag him toward the water. The Popplio, now waking up from being beaten for a while, looked to see the others dragging Tony into the sea. With absolute panic, it tries to rush over to him in time. The grunts all laugh at Tony, while he's still bleeding from his head, as they finally get near the edge of the water, while the Popplio now prepared to enter the sea in order to save him.
Team Skull Grunt: Alright guys, I think the kid here wants to take a dive! What do you say we give him one? Ready? One, two, three!
And then they all threw Tony into the deep blue sea, hearing him scream as he hits the water like it's a cement wall.
Down, down, down he went, sinking into the abyss of the ocean. He tried to breathe, but water kept filling up his lungs. With his vision going darker, he saw what looked like a blue seal blowing a bubble over him, before his mind eventually gave up on him.
And that's when he heard three familiar voices.
<Oh Arceus...is he gonna be okay? This is all my fault, I never should've brought him out in the first place...>
<If he ends up dead because of you guys, I am so going to lose it on all of you!>
<Wait, I think his eyes are starting to open up! You might wanna stand back a bit!>
Hearthrome City, Amity Square
Tony got up screaming in a cold sweat, he was nearby a tree with three mons looking directly at him. A Misdreavus, a Sneasel, and an Eevee. They all looked very happy to see him. Stephen and Saul instantly ran up to Tony and gave him a hug, while the Eevee smirked a bit behind them.
Stephen: <Oh thank the stars! Thank Arceus you're alright! We thought you were a goner back there!>
Saul: <You were out for four whole hours dude! I was beginning to think you weren't gonna wake up!>
Eevee: <I'm just glad you're okay, you really stood up to those grunts back there. we really got to send them packing thanks to you! I mean, not because you blacked out, but our rage did allow us to whoop their butts.>
But Tony wasn't listening to anything at this point. All was thinking about now was the past, and how it was leaking into the present. He still hugged them both, but this time he actually held on tight, with tears starting to pour from his eyes. The Eevee decides to join in too, because after all they've been just now, all they really wanted was to be together again.
Edited by ThanosBoi on Jan 6th 2023 at 11:40:55 AM
Fun isn't something one considers when I watch or read stuff with people with costumes and capes, but that does bring a smile to my face.
Priest of the Temple of Syrinx
Pastoria City Gym- vs. Crasher Wake
Crasher Wake stood there for a few moments, before chuckling a bit as he returned his Floatzel.
"Well!" he said eventually. "That Cradily of yours took my ace out just like that! Would've thought for sure that Brick Break would have done them in, but even that didn't faze 'em! Nice going there!"
Owen nodded, returning Crina back to her own PokeBall.
"Yeah, Crina helped me a lot when I was challenging the Kanto League," said Owen. "She's... pretty brutal in battle, as far as I can tell."
"Certainly showed my Floatzel," said Crasher Wake. "Thankfully, this next mon of mine should be much harder to take down!"
He pulled out another PokeBall.
"Go! Kingdra!" he cried.
The ball opened, and within seconds, a Kingdra emerged from it. Owen, recognizing it instantly as a Dragon-type, knew immediately who he had to send out. Not only had she just evolved in the last Gym battle, but she was also an Ice-type— which Owen knew would be the only thing he could really use against Kingdra.
"Alright, then!" cried Owen. "Here's my next Pokemon! Show them what you can do now, Saura!"
The ball opened, and within seconds Saura— now a massive Aurorus— emerged from her PokeBall. She glanced down at the Kingdra.
<YOU!> cried Kingdra. <How dare you send out an Ice-type against me! I shall show you all the true power of draconic might!>
<Well, I see you have a Chesto Berry,> said Saura.
Kingdra blushed.
<You— you didn't need to know that!> he muttered indignantly.
Saura smiled.
<Well, then,> said the Kingdra. <I suppose I might as well start this battle off.>
And with that said, he shot out a massive burst of water directly at Saura.
Which Saura promptly dodged.
Kingdra's eyes widened in shock.
<W-what?!> he cried.
Saura smirked.
<You're not going to learn, are you?> she asked. <That move's only 80% accurate; I could dodge it easily.>
Kingdra grimaced.
Owen paused for a few moments— and then something suddenly hit him.
"Wait a minute... Kingdra's part Water-type!" he realized. "Ice is neutral because Water resists it!"
He turned to face Saura.
"Saura!" he asked. "You have any Dragon or Fairy-type moves on you?"
<One,> said Saura. <But you'd have to make me pretty angry to get me to use it, and I'm afraid that's almost impossible.>
Owen blinked. "Huh?"
<She's got Outrage,> said Stipax.
"Oh," said Owen. "That's a pretty powerful move, though, so I'll save it for later. For now, though..."
And then an idea came to him.
"Saura!" he cried. "Use Body Slam!"
Saura nodded, then ran forward and slammed her body into Kingdra's, knocking him back against the wall.
By the time Saura got off of Kingdra, he was crackling with electricity surrounding him.
However, it didn't faze him at all. Instead, he just smirked.
<HA!> he cried. <You really thought paralysis could stop ME?!>
And that was when Owen noticed the Chesto Berry.
"...oh crap, he's got something to wake him up from sleep," he muttered. "And he's paralyzed... that means..."
Stipax nodded.
And as if to prove Owen's realization, Kingdra promptly fell asleep. After a few moments, the electricity faded.
And then seconds later, he ate the Chesto Berry, waking him up instantly.
Saura's eyes widened a bit.
<Oh...?>
<HAHAHAHAHA~!> cried the Kingdra. <There's no way you can get me that easily! Take this! And let's make sure it hits this time!>
With that said, he let loose with another Hydro Pump— and this time, Saura was caught off-guard as the move did, in fact, hit.
<Gah!>
"Saura!" cried Owen.
Saura was promptly smacked into the wall, before the dust ultimately settled. When it faded, Saura was still standing, albiet damaged a lot from the supereffective Hydro Pump attack.
Owen breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness you're alright," he said.
He then glanced over at Saura with determination.
"...but I think I know what move we should use next, don't you?"
Saura nodded.
Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅
The Judge looked over at Jared and quirked an eyebrow, this was who the defense had? Well if they felt confident in him... He looked over as the Prosecution stepped in, flanked by two detectives.
Judge Joseph Jackson's eyes widened as he saw the face of the prosecution. "Leonard Cain! I didn't expect to see you here, there were well... er... reports."
JD looked a bit confused, but chose not to question it too much. He stepped off to join the Bailiffs, he wasn't the lead detective on this case, that went to Shun. It was a good career opportunity at least...
"Well, if everyone is here. We can begin, the details of the events elude me but as I understand the charges today are for first degree murder. If the Prosecution would begin their opening statement," Judge Jackson began.
Priest of the Temple of Syrinx
Pastoria City Gym- vs. Crasher Wake
"Now, Saura!" cried Owen. "Use your Rest!"
Saura nodded— and soon afterwards, fell asleep. She glowed pink, and within seconds her HP was restored.
Kingdra laughed.
<HAHAHAHAAA-!> he cried. <So... you have Rest too, don't you? Well, you don't have a Chesto Berry, so I suppose I might as well defeat you right here and now!>
And with that said, he released out a massive Hydro Pump once again at Saura- striking her into the wall.
"Oh no!" cried Owen. "Saura!"
Eventually, the dust settled, and Saura was still sleeping— and still alive.
She just continued sleeping there for a moment— and then...
Kingdra just stood there.
<What's going on?> he asked. <Why are you...?!>
Saura giggled, and then:
<Why... you underestimate me.>
Seconds later, she opened her mouth and yet out a massive yawn...
...which was then followed by her entire body glowing a bright red and flaring up with a red aura. With her eyes still closed, Saura got up and ran forward, as fast as she possibly could, straight towards Kingdra.
Owen watched in complete shock.
"Stipax... is this..." he muttered.
<Yep,> said Stipax.
The Kingdra's eyes suddenly widened in horror as he realized what was coming for him— and sure enough, mere seconds later, he found himself slammed straight into the wall.
After a few moments, the red aura surrounding Saura faded, and she stepped away from the wall as the dust faded. Once it was gone, Crasher Wake's Kingdra was lying on his side with swirls in his eyes.
<Damn you...> he muttered.
Saura smirked, and after a few moments, Owen's shock left him and made way for excitement. He ran over to Saura and hugged her while she was still asleep.
"Saura, that was amazing!" he cried. "You definitely showed him!"
Saura said nothing, merely smiling back at her Trainer.
Ultra Megapolis- Debussy and Grohl (July 2022)
CW: offscreen abuse
Debussy was still keeping as far as he could behind Grohl, desperately trying to get the happy-go-lucky Ampharos to take his eyes off of him. Grohl, meanwhile, was far more focused on trying to find any Poipole or Naganadel— and also on talking to Debussy as much as possible.
<Isn't this great, Debussy?> he cried. <Come on~! Let's go and find some Poipole!>
Debussy only stepped forward a bit.
<I... I don't know...> muttered Debussy.
Grohl tilted his head and walked up to him.
<Awww, come on~!> he said. <It'll be fun!>
Debussy's eyes darted around.
<Well... er... oui, it may be fun... but please, I don't want to hurt you—>
<Neither do I,> said Grohl, approaching him. <Besides, what's the worst that could happen?>
And with that said, he went over to Debussy and slapped him playfully on the back.
Debussy, in response, screamed.
In genuine agony.
Grohl immediately pulled away, realizing something was clearly wrong, while Debussy immediately started to back away, frantically apologizing.
<D-Debussy?!> Grohl stuttered out. <A-are you— are you okay—>
<NOOOOOOOOONNNNN-!> he shrieked out. <Nononononononononononon— get away from me— I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm so sorry— please don't— please don't—>
Frantically, he began to run off. Grohl, shocked, began to follow him from behind.
<Debussy!> cried Grohl. <Hang on! Come back...! I... I'm sorry I hit you so hard! I didn't mean to do it... I didn't know it frightened you that much...>
He got closer to the panicked Cacnea.
<Look, it's OK~!> said Grohl, trying to stay cheerful. <W-we can still try and patch things up; maybe try and do some of that research Kim told us abo—>
And then he saw Debussy's back and let out a shocked gasp of horror.
For right there, on Debussy's back, were a barrage of marks and scars.
Instantly, Debussy started to cry.
Grohl stared in horror for a few moments, his own eyes filling up with tears, before summoning up the energy within the red gem on his forehead. Instantly, the gem glowed, freezing the image in Grohl's mind as a hologram. He then knelt down to Debussy's level.
<D-Debussy...> he said. <T-this is awful... what— what happened...?>
He tried to place his arm on Debussy's shoulder to comfort him— only for Debussy to scream and back away, sobbing.
<J-je suis desole... je suis desole...!> he cried, choking up. <I... I don't need to tell you— what happened— you already know— now they all know— I've been a bad Pokemon— I've been a bad Pokemon...!>
Sobbing, he ran off, leaving Grohl standing there in absolute horror.
THE HASSLEMON INTERWEBS (Owen, March 2022, immediately following the Noize Destroyz concert)
AFTER THE PTSD EXPLANATION...
CW: mentions of death and suicide
RB: [S[o...] [y[e[a[h,] [t[h[a[t['s] [p[r[e[t[t[y] [m[u[c[h] [i[t.]
OR: ^...^
HA: O=(...)=O
AA: Ɛ==3 ...Okay
AA: Ɛ==3 LƐ==t==m==3 gƐ==t==this==straight==3
BB: 8Ɑ ILL DO U ONE 8ET-R— LET ME GET THIS STR-8! SO TER-X'S PAR-N-TS 8IT THE 8IG ONE AFTER A TYRANTRUM 8 'EM AL-I-V, THEN TWO AERODACT-L TOLD HIM HE WAS WEAK AND THUNDER 8 OLTED HIM TO DEATH?!
JP: =D(Yep,) (that's) (pretty) (mUCh) (it.)
HA: O=(and and because of this PTSD thing teryx thought that tyrie and rhamphor were going to kill us, so he attacked them?)=O
RB: [Y[e[p.]
PP: o—- is that what a king doΣs? [WMW] bΣcausΣ if it is i don't think i want to bΣ onΣ anymorΣ... [WMW]
VV: ^I... I can't b€:li€:v€: a m€:mb€:r of my own sp€:ci€:s would do and say thos€: horribl€: things! T-T€:ryx shouldn't b€: living in f€:ar of us constantly! I... I don't want to s€:€: him lik€: that...^
SM: Ɑ I ann horr?f?ed. D
EL: ~Oh, don't wor^2y. So were we.~
DB: It wazzz truly an awful t(=)ing to (=)ear
DO: I dOooOn't think any OooOf us want tOooO see him like that! WHAT ARE WE GOooOING TOooO DOooO?!
VV: ^W€: n€:€:d to find a way to h€:lp him!^
RB: [U[n[f[o[r[t[u[n[a[t[e[l[y,] [t[h[e[r[e] [i[s[n'[t] [s[o[m[e] [w[a[y] [t[h[i[s] [c[a[n] [a[l[l] [j[u[s[t] [b[e] [c[u[r[e[d.] [T[h[e] [o[n[l[y] [t[h[i[n[g] [w[e] [c[a[n] [r[e[a[l[l[y] [d[o] [a[t] [t[h[e] [m[o[m[e[n[t] [i[s] [s[u[p[p[o[r[t] [h[i[m] [i[n] [w[h[a[t[e[v[e[r] [w[a[y] [w[e] [c[a[n.]
PP: o—- i fΣΣl rΣally bad now... [WMW] i... i don't want to bΣ hΣrΣ anymorΣ... [WMW] not if tΣryx is going to gΣt scarΣd and havΣ thΣsΣ "backflashΣs" ΣvΣry timΣ hΣ sΣΣs us... [WMW]
PP: o—- r-rhamphor? [WMW]
VV: ^Y€:ah, Tyri€:?^
PP: o—- s-should wΣ... should wΣ not... bΣ hΣrΣ anymorΣ...? [WMW]
VV: ^W-what?! No! A-ar€: you crazy? W€: n€:€:d to support T€:ryx! How€:v€:r w€: can!^
PP: o—- b-but hΣ gΣts so scarΣd whΣnΣvΣr hΣ sΣΣs us... [WMW]
OR: ^/f^ yov are svggest/ng that yov and Rhamphor contemplate su/c/de, / am very mvch aga/nst /t. /f yov are svggest/ng release, that may very well be a vposs/b/l/ty.v
PP: o—- what's...? [WMW]
RB: [I[t'[s] [b[e[t[t[e[r] [i[f] [y[o[u] [d[o[n'[t] [k[n[o[w.] [L[o[o[k,] [a[l[l] [w[e] [k[n[o[w] [i[s,] [s[o[m[e[o[n[e] [n[e[e[d[s] [t[o] [t[e[l[l] [O[w[e[n.]
DO: Where is he nOooOw?
JP: =D(He's) (headed) (to) (the) (Pastoria) (Gym.)
EL: ~In that case, I propose we do the Gym Bat^2le first, and tel^2 Owen about this afterwards. He ne^2ds some way to understand his Pokemon bet^2er. From there, we get Teryx back onto the team. Al^2 in favor?~
JP: =D(I!)
DO: I~!
RB: [I.]
DB: I
FT: I!.asdf
OR: ^/.^
HA: O=(i...?)=O
BB: 8Ɑ I!
AA: Ɛ==3 I
SM: Ɑ ?. D
VV: ^...I!^
PP: o—- i... what? [WMW]
EL: ~...alright, I'l^2 take that as a yes, then. Pastoria awaits us.~
Everyone left the chat.
A FEW DAYS LATER...
Pastoria City (March 2022)
A few days after the end of the concert, Owen- and Stipax, who had been let out of his PokeBall and who wasn't saying a word about the Hasslemon conversation to Owen- finally made it to Pastoria City, all of them eager and willing to take on the Gym. Owen still hadn't yet strapped in any of his Pokemon with items, but decided to save that for Hearthome, the Gym that- he had heard from many- was the hardest in Sinnoh by a long shot. A Water-type Gym would be relatively easy, especially with him using two of his hardest hitters in Crina and Stipax, along with several mons that knew Electric-type moves, such as Rhamphor and Gwana.
With that said, Owen turned to face Stipax.
"Alright, Stipax," he said. "The time is now. Ready to go and take on Crasher Wake?"
<Yep!> Stipax responded.
Owen nodded. "Alright, then."
And with that said, he entered the doors of the Pastoria Gym.
Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅