Battle Academy
Dune: Alright, then. I think we're covered on that front.
Therephit: Dune, I want to show them.
Dune: Alright, Tiph.
-He turns to Tagg and Chiyo.-
Dune: I mentioned it before, but there's a particular side project that I've had personal interest in since I met Angela and the crew. Would you be willing to humor us while Therephit here demonstrates?
The Wanderer
Battle Academy
-To Dune-
Sure.
-To Therephit-
Okay, let's see it.
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Battle Academy
-Therephit stands up, steps away from the table a ways, and stands there for a moment before turning back to the table.-
Therephit: ...
-Then she releases all of her emotions. All at once.-
-Hatred for those who exploit. Love for her lost brother.-
-Despair for those lost. Justice for those who yet remain.-
-Greed of those who steal life. Happiness for the chance to make recompense.-
-Wrath overwhelming. Courage overflowing.-
-And at its center...-
-Aura and Obscura swell and burst as Therephit's outfit shifts. A blade appears in her hands - fashioned from stained glass. Her presence becomes unmistakable - she's now, effectively, wearing a Persona.-
-She swings her blade back and forth. Trailing her blade are hearts, spades, diamonds, and clubs. The handle, made of black lead, binds them together.-
Tipheret: I am Tipheret. The Expectation of the Meaning of Existence. And this is my E.G.O. My Expression of Geometrical Organ, and my proof of existence.
-She stabs her sword into the floor. The floor gives way as Angela winces.-
Dune: You see it too, right? She's wearing a Persona. In physical space. And if she can do it, that raises the possibility that we can figure out how to, as well.
Edited by DuneTheWanderer on Jan 23rd 2023 at 11:14:40 AM
The Wanderer
Battle Academy
Chiyo: -Looking on- Wow...
I wonder what it would be like to have a Persona...
-To Dune-
You know, I did it once when we saw Uxie, but Acuity Cavern isn't exactly a normal place.
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
No voice to cry suffering
Sinnoh, Pastoria City - Not Gym Yet
Megan: I can do this. I can do this. I can why did I go home first frick dang schist aaa
Pippy: <Hey, easy. Breathe. In...>
-Megan breathes in...stills...-
-...-
-...-
Pippy: <...and exhale.>
-...-
Pippy: <...maybe activate some stuff, make you feel better?>
Megan: -hiss- I do wanna turn homecoming into [Carrie] goes to prom!!
Vee: -licking herself, studiously ignoring them- <This, children, is marsh.>
Thespi: -zipping around- <Marsh? Marsh??> :D
Pollen: <...not if it gets me to favorite today.>
Vee: <Jus' get over here.>
Pippy: -dismayed- <It won't be that bad! We spent half our life in here!>
Megan: You're shaking as much as I am!
Pippy: <That's—nostalgia!!>
Megan: I'm so nostalgic it feels like I'm gonna puke!! Ugh, it's like being a Prinplup all over again...
Pippy: <You were never a Prinplup.>
Megan: -hiss- Metaphorically!
-they gesticulate at each other, conveying the depths with which they'll lovingly strangle one another, and feel a little better-
Pippy: <Look: we have to go back...at some point.>
Megan: -whine- Like this?
-Pippy thinks she looks great-
-her diving suit under convertible jorts-jeans and the fluffy down jacket she squeed for when Daydre designed it with the rest of her ensemble-
(-blue-and-black feels right, the way braiding his feather in her hair or talking 'til two in the morning or humming the tune he knows her by to her feels right-)
-but he gets what she means-
Pippy: -soft- <Yeah, like that. We get...weird, when we stay away for too long. Not just "are somewhere else," but "stay away". And we've been away...really long.>
-Megan snorts-
Pippy: -shifting- <...I'm scared,>
-Megan makes a soft, sad little sound-
Pippy: <It could go...so bad.>
-her partner isn't much better-
Pippy: -taking the hand with his Sign- <But...I kind of want this. For them to see how far you've come, with me. How I have, with you. Even if it's a lie.>
<Don't you?>
Megan: -biting her lip- ...
Pippy: -studying her- <...>
-...he puts his claws on her shoulders-
Pippy: <Okay—I don't say this—lightly. But I swear, if you start snapping necks or spitting lightning or being rude to people, I will stab you. No backing down, no hesitation.>
-...-
Megan: Promise? 🥺
No mind to think. No will to break.
Battle Academy
Dune: Now, see, that makes me think - what properties of the Faculty and a place like Acuity Cave might be able to be replicated? I doubt we'd be able to summon a full Persona like my Asura, but could we replicate what the Faculty can do? Effectively wear, or merge, with our Personas?
Desech: Just for context, not all of us can do what Tiphereth just did. I'd say of us, only her, Kuthmal, and Arubeg have undergone the trial to do so.
-Angela turns to Tiphereth.-
Angela: Before you harm my infrastructure, I have begun the "Devourer of Gods" simulation and mustered your team. Mary and Maki also say that you should give them heads-up next time.
-Tiphereth nods and bolts out of the room.-
Arubeg: The DoG is a great way to blow off steam, especially since the Storm Weaver's armor lets you really stomp on them.
Gabriel marched along, starring at the numerous vats. "Are they functional?" He asked.
A menial nodded. "Yes sir, we should have full production within a few short days."
Gabriel said nothing and continued, this base of his would be better... more secure. Paldea was a hot spot of activity, there was something fundamentally wrong about this area. Scientific curiosities like that made him interested, he'd study it and weaponize it as needed.
"Anything from the scouts?"
"We've found word of old research bases in Paldea, but nothing so far sir. However our scouts in other regions report good news!"
Gabriel stopped, good news was rarely ever good. "Tell me... what did you find?"
"Research papers! Chemical formulas dating back to the 60s if not earlier, some form of chemical compound called N-6."
Gabriel smiled.
Person, or Idea?
In less hectic circumstances, the whole Rhodes family have scattered throughout the [Celtic] exhibit hall, taking in the sights in the order of their choosing. At present, though, that would have to wait. Their very lives are on the line.
This time, Aveline takes the initiative. "Why, hello to you, too, Petersen-Sanchezes" she says. "I'm Aveline Rhodes, and these," she adds, gesturing to her husband and two sons, "are my husband, Christopher, and our boys, Heighton and Lowry."
"Pleasure to meet you all," Christopher says. In reply to Gaspard's apologies, he says "Hey, no problemo. These sorts of-"
Before he can finish, though, Gaspard has already begun talking with Tommy. Swallowing down his concern that Gaspard might think of him as one of those kinds of tourist, Christopher takes his wife's hand to steady his nerves
As the conversation among the Petersen-Sanchezes and Gaspard continues, Lowry notices a word that he never expected to hear here. "Amokatization?", he repeats to himself. "Like on that CG cartoon, what was it called?"
"Miraculous Ladyba", Heighton reflexively answered, just before covering his mouth in surprise. "Uh, my roommate was a fan, back in college," he nervously deflects.
Lowry sagely nods, humouring Heighton's face-saving exercise. "Thanks, but what does it have to do with-"
Here, Gaspard has sat down in shock, confronted with the possibility that his own brother was the brainwashed villain outside the hotel. It is here that a quiet horror dawns upon the whole family.
"Yes, yes," Christopher nervously chuckles, addressing his family "you heard Mr. Petersen, everyone. Let's head down to those bunkers and pray for a happy ending for all this."
"And for Mitchell's safety," Aveline reminds her husband.
"That, too," Christopher admits. "He better push his luck out there."
Mitchell is in several moods at once: relieved that Red Delicious had not taken offence to being compared to the tree wizard, confused at what he had taken offence to, and terrified as an energy blast flew directly at him. Fortunately, Mitchell's body reacted instinctively to sidestep the blast, leaving him with an instant tan instead of in the ground.
"Super work, Gav!", Mitchell calls out, as he charges towards Red Delicious and his Appletun, pulls out a spicy Poffin out of his pocket, and throws it in an arc aimed in the general direction of the armored villain.
Gavroche understands the hidden meaning behind Mitchell's cheer, which he demonstrates by leaping at the Appletun and attempting to chomp the giant with a Super Fang.
As the human and Rattata make their semi-coordinated attacks, not fit for proper Trainer battles, but instead meant to defeat their opponents with minimal casualties, thoughts streak through their minds.
Please hit, Poffin!, Mitchell pleads. Even half a second's distraction is enough! That Aurabolt needs this opening!
<Focus, focus, focus!>, Gavroche commands to himself, his body thrumming with barely controlled energy, his fur flickering between purple and tan coloration. <Until Boss is safe, until this Appletun's turned over, focus and WIN!>
Mitchell's unconscious thoughts dimly register the sounds of the arrival of three others to the site of this battle, but they have yet to cross the threshold into his conscious mind.
The Wanderer
Battle Academy
-To Dune-
That would probably involve figuring out how to do an artificial version of how the Glimwood Tangle is partially fused with the Faewilds, or the Entree Forest with the Dream World, possibly altering our Selves to go with it like what's happened to them.
Chiyo: "Devourer of Gods"?
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Battle Academy
Dune: Oh, that's an interesting take on it. My thought process was finding an energy source to catalyze the process - the Faculty don't need them because they're partially made of CU Stuff, but what if we could find a potentially reusable, and portable, source of energy that's close enough to their "Light" to make the process work? I mean, we've got documentation of old artifacts kinda doing stuff like that. Heck, it'd be like using a Key Stone, but for people.
-Arubeg grins at Chiyo.-
Arubeg: A freakshow that we ran into on the way here. It and it's... well, Hanib calls them "disciples" attacked us, and after we beat them we recorded their combat records. Thanks to the simulation tech that Orre has, we were able to make a pretty good replication of it to test combat techniques. So far, Tiphereth and I are tied on best time. Kuthmal is coming up, though.
Kuthmal: It's kinda hard to beat something with fire when its resistant to fire, but I'm trying!
Arubeg: From how wound up Tiph was just now, though, I think she might finally overtake me...
Hakulani Observatory, Alola
A group of scientists gather around an image of a comet, determining slowly that the chances of it suddenly wiping out all life on the planet are extremely low. Just as one is about to suggest a lunch break, there is a loud crashing sound and Hoops and Ray are thrown into the room through a wall.
"Fuck," Hoops mutters, getting to their feet. Their bandages come free and point towards the other people in the room, not hostile for now.
The totem Vikavolt follows them through the hole in the wall. A scientist screams.
"This is what happens when you leave crumbs out!" Hoops yells at one. Ray lunges forwards to attack the Vikavolt but is knocked away. A machine explodes from the electricity flying everywhere. Hoops swears again and uses their bandages to pull a young woman out of the way.
"Thank you," she says. "What's wrong with your arm?"
Hoops grimaces. "It's always about the arm. No-one ever asks me about how I'm doing, it's just why am I undead?"
"You're undead?" she asks, backing away.
"Only half," Hoops assures her, before Vikavolt slams into them and lifts them off their feet. Holding them in its mandibles, it scrapes them across the wall and creates a deep groove in the bricks. Ray jumps on its back and manages to make it let go, with Hoops falling to the ground.
"Good," they mutter. Vikavolt charges towards them again. "Not good."
The scientists watch as Hoops is once again thrown through the wall, with the Vikavolt following swiftly afterwards. "What the fuck was that?" one asks.
Edited by theoncominghoop on Jan 24th 2023 at 11:57:04 AM
The Wanderer
Battle Academy, past
-To Dune-
We'd probably need something like that to do it.
-A near imperceptible shiver-
Hopefully without any Ultimate Weapon firing.
Chiyo: -To Arubeg- Ah, I think Tagg mentioned the PEFE has something similar.
Fight Area, today
Chiyo: -Looking around by some shipping crates- The rumors said a black-shelled Blastoise had been spotted here in the Battle Zone, but where is it exactly?
-She then feels something pull her pants leg-
Huh?
-And looks down to see a white-furred rodent Pokémon-
Hey little guy, I don't think I've seen you before. The little pants are cute though...
???: -Showing some prominent teeth- <Hungry!>
Chiyo: -Bending down, holding an Oran Berry out- You want one of these?
???: -Takes the Berry and waves it as an identical looking Pokémon, save for a fur pattern resembling a short runs over, they split the Berry perfectly in half, and start eating-
Dactyl: <I have no idea what these mons are. I don't think they're native to Sinnoh.>
Chiyo: Let me call Tagg, maybe he'll know.
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Battle Academy
Dune: Funny you should mention that, apparently the big "beam of light into the sky" thing that the Weapon did looked a lot like the Seed of Light disseminating...
-He looks at the Key Stone in his gauntlet.-
Dune: ... Huh. I wonder...
Arubeg: Nice. The sim training sure takes the stress out of fights. Well, not the stress of the fight, more of the stress of the consequences... you get what I mean. Plus, as head of training, it wouldn't do for me to have no Pokemon of my own, right? So I've been having the first couple of members of my team running sims every day.
Kuthmal: One of them is very cute~
Arubeg: BB is a lot like his namesake... cute at first, incredibly vicious once he smells blood.
The Wanderer
Battle Academy
-To Dune-
I guess we'll see how it goes.
Chiyo: -Smirking- Well people say that about me too, minus the blood part.
Textspace
From: IridescentChiyo
Hey Tagg do you know what these mons are, I found them near some shipping crates at the Fight Area.
...Tandemaus. They're rodent Pokémon native to Paldea that live in pairs and do everything together, to the point that you could argue they're just one mon with two bodies.
They live in pairs and do everything together? Where have I heard that one before... 🤔
NickyAndKendra.jpg
I suppose they're a good analogy. Kind of like a Falinks, but as a mated pair rather than an army squad.
Well you know what they say about comrades in arms Tagg. 😉😏
...
...
...
I'm going to have to inform the local shipping authorities, Tandemaus breed a lot and where there's one pair there's others not too far behind. I'd imagine someone was taking a nap in Porto Marinada or Levincia that day.
Well I think I'll be keeping these two around at least, they're riding on my head as I'm texting you.
Not gonna stop you.
Edited by rmctagg09 on Jan 24th 2023 at 10:08:47 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
The GM House
-Deziree stumbles, catching herself on Ajax's back spikes.-
Ajax: <Woah. You okay there?>
Deziree: My ligaments have loosened. Huh. Also, I'm getting dizzy really easily.
Code Talker: <Your maternal hormones are provoking a great deal of blood production. You will need to increase your fluid intake to match. This has the side effect of lowering the strain on your ligaments so they do not cramp.>
Deziree: Thank you. That is enlightening.
-The Slowking smiles.-
Code Talker: <Also, increased blood production then leads to an increase in energy, a reduction in cramps... and a marked increase of appetite... and libido.>
-Deziree says nothing.-
Ajax: ... <Oh.>
Code Talker: <Relaxin also can lead to heartburn as it relaxes not only your ligaments, but the lower esophageal sphincter. I will inform Champloo to make smaller meals should that come to pass.>
Deziree: Human pregnancy suuuuuuucks.
The Wanderer
Route 230
Chiyo: -Riding a Bibarel as the Tandemaus ride atop her- You know, I kinda feel bad asking Tagg if I could borrow his Super Rod so I could catch something that could get me across the water, only to forget I could've just used my Pokétch.
-Looking ahead as their way is being led by the red glow of a Staryu's central gem-
Of course, maybe it worked out fine after all.
Edited by rmctagg09 on Jan 25th 2023 at 11:22:41 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Battle Academy
-Bullets rip through the stonework and statues in the indoor courtyard. Dune stays ahead by the barest of margins, driven on by adrenaline and trained instincts.-
Adam Smasher: You can't run forever, Morton! And you sure as hell can't dent this hide of mine, either! You lost before you even came here!
-The hulking weapons platform of a man drops the anti-air-emplacement-misclassified-as-a-rifle and charges, clotheslining a pillar as Dune ducks and kicks, pushing himself away much farther than he did Smasher.-
Dune: C'mon, your trash talk is getting stale. If you want to see a real fight, I want you to rile me up!
Adam Smasher: All the anger in the world won't help you, Morton!
-Another leap, this time with a downward two-handed smash. Dune sidesteps and slams his hand under Smasher's armpit to hit a joint. He withdraws it with barely enough time to not lose his fingers to Smasher slamming his arm back down with the force of a hydraulic press.-
Dune: What, did becoming Hanako's boytoy really rip those fangs of yours out?
Adam Smasher: I'M GONNA RIP YOUR BALLS OFF AND CHOKE YOU WITH THEM!
Dune: Woops, went a little too personal with that one.
-A wild swing followed by a stomping kick, easy to get distance on. Smasher may be a titan, but he was still human-shaped, with all the drawbacks that entailed.-
-And then he popped a rocket tube from his forearm.-
Dune: Oh that's ne-
!!ERROR! TT2 SYSTEM REWIND COMMENCING! SIMULATION TERMINATED!!
-Dune collapses onto the white tiled floor of the sim room.-
Dune: Dammit! I did it again!
-Arubeg walks in.-
Arubeg: Perhaps that's not the best way to be going about this, smashing your head against a known factor like that.
Dune: What do you mean?
Arubeg: I'm saying you should figure out how you're gonna make this work instead of just trying over and over. You're doing what we did. Doing it over and over without changing anything in the setup is just gonna get you hitting that same man-shaped titanium wall over and over.
Dune: Yeeeeeah. Okay. I'll trade notes with some of the others and see if we have any ideas worth going for.
Arubeg: Look, I know Deziree's been trying to think of something. Maybe bring her along, if she's up to it?
Dune: ... Yeah. Okay.
The Wanderer
Route 230, yesterday
Chiyo: -Getting off the Bibarel upon reaching the island- Alright, thanks for getting us here Pisaster.
Staryu Pisaster: <A pleasure.>
Chiyo: -Looking at the large, black-shelled Blastoise with EX-Pokémon markings with its back to her- Are you Huyen Vu?
Huyen Vu: -Turning around- <Who's asking?>
Edited by rmctagg09 on Jan 26th 2023 at 2:05:32 PM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
No voice to cry suffering
Hey, Champ In The Making! - Pastoria Gym
-it's the same-
-stepping through the doors and startling at the lack of chlorine-scent...-
-the high, vaulted ceilings, the churning of the pumps, the stadium lighting permeating everything-
-Vee strutting in by her side, tail swishing like she owns the place (like any respectable cat)-
-if it weren't for Pollen's buzzing behind her, she'd think she never left-
Megan: -murmur, toeing the floor- ...didn't even change the tile.
Gym Guide: 'Ey! Megane!
Megan: -mutter, pushing her glasses up her nose- Boy, even that nickname. Hi, Jim.
Gym Guide Jim Guido: Thought you forgot about us!
Megan: Surprised you didn't forget about me! :o
Pollen: <Is...is that really his name.>
Thespi: <I don't see the issue.> :?
Pippy: <I think it's a family thing. Like the Joys?>
Jim Guido: You kidding? How many years have I greeted you at this door? Since you were this high?
Megan: -panicking- uh...
Jim Guido: -waving a hand- Doesn't matter, doesn't matter. Finally finishing that Gym Challenge, huh?
Megan: ...surprised you remember that.
Jim Guido: -shaking his head- Never underestimate a good mnemonic.
Megan: -giggle- Yeah, I thought it was time. And, here first, 'cause—no place like home, right?
Jim Guido: -fistbump- Pastorian to your bones, eh?
Megan: Oh, I could not remove it and maintain my core personality! ^_^
Jim Guido: Haha, oddly specific! But speaking of remembering:
-he turns; she realizes what he's up to too late-
Jim Guido: Hey everyone—
Megan: wait please no
Jim Guido: little Wingull's come back to roost!
-the handful of Gym Trainers scattered across the puzzle room peek up from their idle positions-
Megan: a a a g h
-some unfamiliar faces; some faces that should be familiar but for the life of her she can't remember the name of-
Megan: i hate you
Jim Guido: -chuckles-
No mind to think. No will to break.
Meet The New Boss
Sunyshore Cafe
Maurice: "...I guess we do have stuff in common, huh."
-he chuckles-
"You know for School Public Enemy Number 1 you're really... Nice."
Bubba Gump: <...Hoo boy.>
School Safehouse
-Justice cautiously moves toward the whimpering, Pokeball at the ready-
J-Chat
The Wanderer
Sunnyshore Café, past
Chiyo: You're not too bad for a Templar yourself, Maurice.
-She winks-
But you didn't quite answer my last question.
J-Chat
From: Ann
Oh, where?
Orre Safehouse
-Everyone else had booked it.-
-W, meanwhile, had decided that getting a chance to see Tanya and the new girl "sort the pecking order" was too good a chance to miss.-
-The two looked across from each other.-
-Tanya, her wild blonde hair and burning yellow eyes in a snarl.-
-Angelica, vapid like the dead air of a sealed tomb.-
Tanya: You don't seem to get it. In Orre, I'm in charge. Yellow Eyes have jurisdiction, and the Yellow Eyes are me.
Angelica: Oh no, I fully understand. I just don't believe you.
-Her bluntness had been seen as ditzy stupidity before. Now, however, it was far more insulting.-
Tanya: Is that a challenge?
Angelica: Is that a challenge?
-W could barely contain her laughter. Was this ditz in the dress really that dense, or was she being entirely philosophical? Maybe a bit of both?-
Tanya: You countermand an order of mine, I'll fillet you myself.
Angelica: I doubt that. You have help.
Tanya: That "help" is my own sense of self.
-Angelica tilted her head in confusion.-
Angelica: Oh? Is it?
Tanya: You really don't know anything about Yellow Eyes, do you? You come in here spouting shit like that, Doc J is getting you back in a soggy cardboard box.
Angelica: Please do not threaten me with a good time, ma'am~
-W could not believe this. Is this bitch for real? Is this bitch even real? Is there an illusionist here doing this? Had they fallen back into the Metaverse without realizing it?-
Tanya: And don't you dare go after my prey.
Angelica: Prey is for anyone who finds it~
Tanya: The only reason she still lives is because the boss says not to touch.
-Tanya was talking through gritted teeth now. W wasn't sure if it's because Tanya is legitimately unsure of her chances, or if she sees the ability to beat out a proper debate to be more important than just killing the new girl.-
Angelica: Oh. Shame. And Cassidy had called dibs on the Mountain... I suppose I'll have to find a different base.
-She does a little bow, turns on her heels, and then... is this bitch skipping out the door?-
-W slinks away before Tanya trashed the safehouse again.-
Hakulani Observatory, Alola, the other day
Sophocles waits outside the observatory. The trainer that he sent inside for a trial is taking a long time - he wonders if they're okay.
The question is quickly answered as the door is thrown open. Hoops and Ray, both looking severely beaten up, walk out of the observatory, dragging the giant Vikavolt between them. Hoops throws it at the feet of Sophocles.
"Here's your problem," they say. "There are some walls in there that need fixing. It wasn't our fault. Z-Crystal please."
Sophocles wordlessly hands over the electric type Z-Crystal. As Hoops and Ray walk away, he looks down at the Vikavolt. "The totem pokémon is a Togedemaru," he mutters. "Where did this even come from?"
Glaseado Mountain, Paldea
Whitt breathes in and out three times. This island is cold - real cold, not the kind created by machines.
He has no reason to be in Paldea at the moment, but the School hasn't told him to be anywhere else, and so he is sightseeing. Perhaps he can find something useful in Paldea - he has heard stories about a beast of ice that lives somewhere within this region.
Regardless, if he is meant to find it then he will. For now he sits on a rock and stares out at the landscape, trying to imagine what it would feel like to rule over it. He would need to put in a lot more ice, but maybe he could leave some parts warm if Nitrogen wanted.
His fingers itch as he thinks of Nitrogen. She asked for his help in killing an enemy of hers, and said that he would see her when the time came. He cannot wait, and for the first time it's not just the thrill of the kill that entices him. Nitrogen is like an attraction for him, something that he feels he has to be near.
There is a sound next to him, and Whitt turns to see a roundish white pokémon with white skin and a large mouth. It nuzzles him.
"Go away," he says. "If you're looking for food, I don't have any."
<I don't want food> the pokémon tells him. <I want to know why you're cold. Humans aren't usually like that.>
"Well, I'm not a human," Whitt tells the pokémon. "I'm an artificial being created in order to advance the goals of a clandestine organisation that doesn't care whether I live or die and may very well be the thing that kills me. They want world domination, and I want to rule over all natural beings that are lesser than I am, but I think they don't run themselves well so I'm beginning an uprising that will carry on their goals after their inevitable defeat by a group of good guys that they unnecessarily provoked."
<Cool> says the pokémon. <Well, I'm a Cetoddle. Nice to meet you. Do you want a hug?>
"Not really," Whitt says. "Do you?"
<No> Cetoddle agrees. <You just seemed like you could use one. I'm not really much of a hugger.>
"No?"
<No. I mean if someone asks permission first I might give them a hug, but that really depends on how much I know them and if I like them.>
"Right."
<So anyway, I like the sound of this world domination thing you've got going on.>
"Really?"
<Well no, not really. Sounds like a lot of work actually, but I'm going to place my bets here. See, if you do conquer the world and force everyone to be your slaves, I feel like you'd be nicer to pokémon that worked with you.>
"Well, you wouldn't be wrong."
<Right. And sure, if we lose I might die, but honestly I'm feeling kind of confident about this one.>
Whitt looks at Cetoddle. "You're an odd pokémon. Why would I even want you on my team?"
<Simple> Cetoddle says. <Once I evolve, I'll be huge, okay? And I figure, you could like set up some seating arrangements up there and I can walk around, and I can be like a mobile throne for you.>
Whitt strokes his chin. "That is a very powerful image. Would let me look regal while I look down on all those beneath me." He pulls out a pokéball. "How do you like the name... Beira?"
<Oh, like the Queen of Winter> Cetoddle says. <I do like that. Hit me with the ball, ice boy.>
Whitt taps her with the ball. She turns into red light and the ball opens to accept her, before closing and clicking to signify the catch.
Whitt goes back to looking over the landscape. "A mobile throne, huh?"
Hearthome City
Fantina meets Xaster in the middle of town, as they agreed. She smiles at him. He seems to have grown a little since she last saw him - not in height, that would be silly, but something seems more mature.
"You 'ave been training," she says.
Xaster nods. "For the last month. You're my last gym battle and I want it to be worth it."
She nods. "Well zen, we 'ad better get started."
They begin walking towards the gym. "So, I never actually apologised," Xaster says. "For that time I turned into a monster and tried to attack you."
"Ah, it is water under ze bridge, mon ami," Fantina says. "Zough it was a rather weird day, I admit."
They reach the gym. Fantina steps inside, and the lights flicker on to reveal the gym battlefield. The stands are full of people, who all cheer at her entrance.
"Oh, merci beaucoup!" she tells them all. Turning to Xaster, she says "You also want to be a coordinator, yes? So, in zis battle, you will make sure zat you please the crowd as well as trying to win. Oui?"
Xaster closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "Oui, madam."
They take their places at opposite ends of the field. One of Fantina's assistants steps forwards into the referee position. "At the request of the gym leader, this will be a six on six battle. The battle will be over when all of a trainer's pokémon are unable to battle. However..." she points upwards at a screen that shows the audience appeal meters usually used in contests. "While battling, competitors will also be battling under contest rules. If the audience appeal meter reaches zero for any pokémon, then it is considered unable to battle. Do you accept these conditions?"
"I do," Xaster says.
"In that case," the referee raises hand. "Battle begin!"
Fantina raises a pokéball. "Drifblim, I choose you first," she says, and throws the ball forwards. It spins several times in the air, then bursts open with a pinkish spray that reveals her Drifblim.
"Go, LuLu!" Xaster throws his own pokéball. It opens to release LuLu, who now stands tall as a Lucario.
"Ah," Fantina says. "So you really 'ave gotten stronger."
Xaster nods. "And I'll show you how much."
Hey, these ribbons are related to what happened to Arvis' kid, right?
From: Kaisei
Sunnyshore Café, past
Chiyo: -To Maurice- Everything you might've heard about him, it's most likely true. In a place like the School, how messed up do you have to be that they're literally calling you "Heartless"?
-A bit more serious-
Well, I guess in a way we have that in common, my "creator"'s also the closest thing I have to a father that isn't my constituent templates.
-Laughs, and it's a sincere laugh-
I guess we both have daddy issues in a way, huh Maurice?
-Twirling her hair again-
But wouldn't you like to not be part of someone's mold? The School was all I knew, but I've seen the world beyond it.
Battle Academy
-To Dune-
So you've had dealings with La Primera too, huh? She gave me a offer I'm still mulling over.
-Changing subjects-
You've got Orre, the PEFE can handle the other regions, but I'm probably going to need to speak with Senator Armitage of Angela to see if he can agitate on our behalf to get said law set up.
Chiyo: -Eyebrow raise- You know them?
-To Chiyo-
We go way back, they helped the other Founders and I in the aftermath of the Pokefutures takedown back in '08, so I know he's on the level. Problem's making sure the School doesn't give him a mental shutdown like Crowley before the time's right On top of how much about you guys is safe to publicly divulge, when the School's either little more than a memory or too weak to directly interfere.
Edited by rmctagg09 on Jan 23rd 2023 at 11:21:26 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.