ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

The Byakko of Hijoh

And so the two ran.

Far, far away so no one from their village could find them again.

And it worked.

No one from their village ever found them again.

The Byakko paces in their new home. The Guard had been coming home later recently, to avoid the patrols of those who would do The Byakko harm.

This was the least of their problems.

Her worry intensifies, until...

For they lived in an unkind age.

"That was.. close." The Guard bursts into the room, out of breath.

The Byakko falls into her arms with a hug, which is lovingly reciprocated.

They were happy for a time, though.

Quietly, they lived. Years passed like this. They thought they would grow old together, out in the mountains.

This, of course, was not to be.

The Guard hurriedly pushes The Byakko into the hidden compartment in their home. They'd known this day was coming, but it still felt too soon. Far too soon.

"Dear, where will you-" The Byakko protests.

"I'm fine. I'll handle it. Just worry about yourself, okay?" The Guard smiles, and shuts the door.

It starts peacefully enough.

But once the subject of The Byakko is broached...

Things escalate.

The Guard, as is her wont, tries to protect their home. Protect herself. But, even the best of guards cannot help themself against a mob.

The Byakko cradled her partner's Bronzor. Quietly, until she knew the trespassers were gone.

Slowly, she crept from her hiding place.

She found the body of her beloved.

And she wept.

The Byakko holds The Guard in her arms. There hadn't even been time to say goodbye.

She vowed on that day. She vowed to hone her hatred into a blade, to rip the dreams of those who wronged her from them with a vengeance.

And to never, ever, live quietly ever again.

Slowly, she enacted her plan. The dreams of those who'd wronged her were devoured, fueling her power.

''Unease quickly spread through the friends and loved ones of the perpetrators. People woke up exhausted, far more than they had been when they'd gone to bed. Slowly, their will to live, their very being... was sapped."

"Is it a curse?" They all wondered.

"A plague?"

Arguably, it was something worse.

...

Months later, the scene at the hideout of those who'd killed The Guard... It could only be described as a bloodbath.

Some say they saw a woman leave the scene. Some say they saw a demon. Still some others claim it was a Ninetales, given human form.

Stormchaser, Library

Mukon: "...And it pretty much ends there. There's a couple theories as to what happened next, but nothing conclusive."

Kusunoki: <...>

Mukon: "Oh, is she real? Ehhh... Maybe this story was based on a real person, but I doubt it's 100% factual. Like, I'm assuming some of it was embellished. And this story couldn't have survived intact since that long ago, right?"

Kusunoki: <...>

Mukon: "'Died in a plague', 'fell off a cliff but the body was never found', 'lived out her days under an assumed name'... Yeah, again, nothing conclusive."

Kusunoki: <...>

Mukon: " 'Some theorize a plague of deaths across the region were attributable to her, but she was never caught.' Dark."

Kusunoki: <...>

Mukon: "What? Nahhhh, she can't still be out there. She's gotta be dead by now, right?"

Mukon: "Hm... Then again, I suppose stranger things have happened. To me especially."

She shrugs.

Mukon: "Where'd you find this anyway? What section?"

Kusunoki: <...>

Mukon: "Whaddayamean you 'don't remember'???"

Stormchaser, Food Place

-Neodymium munches her burgel-

Didit: ~Right. Yeah. Good. 'Cause I spent my whole time knowing her figuring I might have to kill her. I just found out otherwise. If you make me regret that bit of hope, I'm going to burn down this weird little dirigible.~

Stormchaser, Food Place

-Addie blinks-

-and blinks-

Addie: <Mesprit's rancid eyeteeth.>

(-Logan gives her a glance; she waves them off with an empathic pulse-)

(-they return to gazing at their hands, wondering at what burgel their will hath wrought-)

(-...and conjures another thing of fries from some storm or other, munching idly-)

Addie: At the, uh. Not the blimp-burning, I'd hope you would. But...

Addie: They make you do that, too? Ms. Repression gave me the impression they had...people for that.

Stormchaser, Food Place

Neodymium: Man. This is way better than that minute rice.

Didit: ~Ha. Humans don't know how to do anything, not even these ones. If you want something done right, you send a Pokemon.~

~I got her previous iteration, Praseodymium. Looked a lot like her, but with green hair. A little more intense, and she tried to make a break for it. So they made Neodymium a little more docile.~

~They've probably already rolled out Dysprosium.~

Battle Academy,    Smoke War Battlefield   

Orlando: You think the wars I fought were between "Good" and "Evil"?

-The floor shifts. Gone is the library. In it's place, a nightmare.-

-In the distance, soldiers charge each other, as if technology had progressed to the modern day but tactics were frozen past Agincourt.-

-The smell of acrid smoke fills the air.-

Orlando: Where I'm from, "morality" was as meaningless a word as one could find.

-He drags Durandal behind him, smoke creeping from the gash it leaves on the red soil.-

Orlando: I fought in this war... and it marked me. I carry its scars to this day.

-Durandal's glimmering blade levels at Zurvan, then Cassidy.-

Orlando: So come on. Lets see if your flames can burn smoke.

-Cassidy says nothing. This battlefield, this presence... this place, these people, they've more experience with the Metaverse than the School ever had... fought battles, shed blood, and overcome trials that make even they, one of the three greatest creations of the School, a mere mid-level threat by compari-

-Cassidy's wavering determination is grappled in chains of fire and ice.-

Zurvan: I am the god of eternity. It is upon my will that destined victory is delivered.

-Cassidy's jaws clench and unclench, their voice being dragged out of them.-

Cassidy the Perfected?: A-nd... it is... by h-his will... th... that you... shall fall!

-Orlando lets his sword fall slightly.-

Orlando: Ah... just like E.G.O. corrosion. Don't worry. I'll make this quick.

-Zurvan lunges. One, two, three thrusts with his glaive.-

-One, two, three strikes with Durandal, both blades refusing to give ground to the other.-

-A sudden ascension into the sky, mirror images of Zurvan's body preparing to charge.-

-One is dodged, the other brought low by a clawed gauntlet strike.-

-Ice springing from the ground where the phantom's body lands.-

-Quick backstepping away from the new hazard, almost straight into another soaring phantom.-

-A cleaving glaive swing, backed by searing flame - fast footwork needed to get behind him around the ice.-

-And then, at last, an opening.-

-Orlando spares a glance at Cassidy.-

-Their eyes only show fear.-

-He turns his attention back to his exposed opponent, who could barely track him through the smoke.-

Orlando: Furioso.

-And every page, ever technique, every furious moment of combat the Library had ever archived, was unleashed all at once.-

The Antiquarian's office.

Dr. Cassander: Impressive, I'd admit, and I don't say this lightly. You perhaps have heard of my pop psychology work, and we have used similar controls using my methods in the past. But I wouldn't consider going off my own program if I knew it was enough, and in these—desperate times, dare I say—my organization needs to think outside the box. Which is where you come in.

Cassander points to a set of books on his desk, one of them is the now-controversial pop psychology bestsellers "Know Your Place: A Guide for Family Harmony" and "The Subtle Art of Cleaning The F-ck Up You Slovenly Lechonk".

The "finizen" looks intently at the two in mid-conversation. He watches intently, eager to assess the newcomer. While he still had his doubts (the man reeked of confidence scammer energies the moment he entered), the video, which he could only glance at and listen from a distance due to the aquarium's glass, was quite convincing. The expression on the Antiquarian's face was also quite promising. It takes a lot to impress Dr. Cassander Circhester.

Watson: ~You seeing this, Fernando?~

Fernando: ~Somewhat. Wish I could see more but if you couldn't recall, I'm in an aquarium.~

Watson: ~Crick can send you a replay if you want.~

Dr. Cassander: I'm curious. Your data says this works with all manner of unruly humans and pokémon, right? How immediate would you say, your results are? You've shown me how it works for urban students. I believe the wards in our care are considerably more unruly. Finish your lunch. Your second assessment will begin once you've fully rested.

He looks to Watson and Fernando.

Dr. Cassander: Ready my chopper, Watson. We and our guests are going on a little trip. Crick, move all my work files to my device. I intend to finish my work then and there. Fernando, return.

Watson: Yes sir.

The Pokémon wordlessly does as they are told.

Dr. Cassander: You needn't worry about anything, Mr. Tenor, your personal effects will be taken care of by Watson and the rest of the staff.

A Paddock, Dr. Cassander's private estate

From a platform, Dr. Cassander and his entourage watch a mess of 20 hyper-aggressive white and gray cervids, more spectacular in appearance than the common Stantler with an amazing rack of horns. They've been taking on one another in seemingly ceaseless battle royale—it's a miracle they've yet to seriously injure one another. Notably, many of them are female.

The group arrived with noise-cancelling earphones.

Dr. Cassander: These lovely creatures, Mr. Tenor, are Wyrdeer. A cut above the Stantler they resemble and evolved from. Stantlers from modern Sinnoh have seldom evolved. So few of them are left today that so many less knowledgeable people have assumed them extinct. Environmental changes have made it impossible for many of them to learn the move that trigger this evolution. They're demonstrating it right now on each other.

The fighting gets more intense. The Wyrdeer employ agile-style psyshield bashes on each other.

Dr. Cassander: Aggression, however, makes my attempts to breed them prove difficult. To prevent fights from escalating, we sedate them and keep them in separate quarters; their enclosure also has sensors that disrupt their attempts at harming one another. All of which is hardly ideal to get them in the breeding mood. And with them entering the rut, the pent-up sex drives have made their antagonism for one another so much worse.

Watson shuddered at the sight of them. Dr. Cassander flips a switch, indicating that the disruptors have been turned off and the fighting will only escalate.

Dr. Cassander: Watson knows all too well how difficult they can be to contain to be sedated. This feels like a suitable live demonstration of your skills; a powerful Pokémon in an emotionally charged state of aggression comes close to the kind of disorder The School faces in a crisis. Herein lies your test: get them under control before I'm forced to sedate them.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Mar 29th 2023 at 6:05:10 PM

"Don't mind if I do," Mr. Tenor says, as he finally tucks into his sandwich. Having finally noticed the books Dr. Cassander pointed out, he now understands how much work he had cut out for him in making a convincing case. It was a minor miracle that the doctor offered the small praise that he did, so soon in their meeting.

Still, he thinks, whatever the doc's got prepped, the worst that'll happen is I get kicked out of here, no harm no foul. Right?

Unfortunately for Mr. Tenor, he was wrong. It would be one thing if he was merely risking injury against psychically-empowered cervids in heat, but these were a species so rare that most thought they were extinct. He is sure now that he won't be able to just walk away should he fail this test.

Right, then, he thinks to himself, it's been a good run, so you might as well go down in style.

"Very well," Mr Tenor says to Dr. Cassander and his entourage. "Let's give this the old college try." With that, he slows down his breathing and steps into the paddock. As he does so, he turns up the volume on his phone to the maximum and presses "Play" on the track he selected for this occasion, before stowing the phone partway into his right rear pants pocket.

As the gentle melody floats through the air, Mr. Tenor feels a fearful sweat covering his body. He compensates for this by removing his shirt necktie and tying them around his waist, leaving him bare-chested. Any jokes about his having nothing up his sleeves would have to wait until after his life was not on the line.

Slow and steady now, chap, he thinks to himself. Pretend they're like Mudsdale for a tick.

Mr. Tenor extends his right hand forward, aims his gaze at the legs of the Wyrdeer herd, and slowly approaches them, each step in time with each third beat in the nocturne.

Floraroma Meadow

Mog: "...I should go. Thanks for the help."

-She heads off-

-The Rowlet follows-

School MY LEGhouse

Justice: "...Of course! Tsukuyomi, Ice Beam that Comfey!"

Tsukuyomi: <Switching targets? Very well.>"

—Justice continues trying to avoid the angry Kingambit while Tsukuyoomi indeed fires an Ice Beam at the Comfey-

Crown City

Jade: Er,, hi Mr. Detective Man.

Risky: "Just take us where we need to go."

Autumn Mountain

Bobby:' <OK! I'll stick close to you Gale!>

-He rolls over next to her and looks out-

<So much tall grass...>

Olivia:' <Don't get lost Bobby!>

-to the others-

<Vellumentals are very powerful origami Pokemon! And Ollie.. He's my brother. He... something's wrong with him and I need to help.>

Sunyshore

-Flamel is here picking up supplies-

-He may or may not come across any naughty Templars-

Outside The SATWHUL

Mog: "...Paldea? What's thatT?"

'Jared: "Oh! It's this one region, way to the west of here... It's got this big crater and lots of sandwiches!"

Jackie: "And why, exactly, are we going there?"

Locke: "...Reasons."

Owen: "...Reasons."

Merlin: "Reasons!"

-there is a pause-

Horatio: "...Well vague, distinctly suspicious reasons are as good as any."

Coil: "I'd be interested in seeing that crater."

Iris: "I wanna try the sandwiches!"

-there are murmurs of agreement-

Owen: "We're in the clear!"

Merlin: "Excellent!

Locke: "... I can't belive that worked.".

-Seigbert, Storm, and HG Cross, in the back of the crowd, take notes-

Yvonne: "As amusing as this is, we should supervise Merlin.."

Persephone: " ...Definitely."

Mithos:" "WOOOO PALDEA!"

Voyd: "WOOOO PALDEA!"

The Stormchaser, A Few Weeks Ago

Tony admires Tommy's little story about how he got into dumpster diving, but you could tell by the grossed out look on his face that he still was a bit skeptical about it.

Tony: Look, I know this would give us some evidence to bust the gene pirates and all, but I'll admit this still sounds really disgusting to me. But I'm okay with it...as long as it gets us the things we need...

Then Tony sighed.

Tony: The things I do for my job...

The moment Nick mentions the captive on the ship though, Tony and Autumn proceed to drop their jaws to the floor. Naturally, Autumn is the first to react to this news, and she wasn't very happy about it at first. She'd look at Nick with a Fascinating Eyebrow with a stern glare in her eyes.

Autumn: <I'm sorry...you're telling us you have a captive on board here with links to these gene thieves->

Tony: Actually, the correct term is "Gene Pirates"-

Autumn: <WHATEVER!>

He nervously backed away a bit, not wanting to create any more tension.

Autumn: <Anyway, like I was saying, you had this captive in here the whole time?! Did you not think it was a good idea to mention that first?! Huh? DID YOU?!>

With Autumn done with her little rant, Tony now thought it was a good idea to say his thoughts on this.

Tony: Even though she was a little feisty about all this, I gotta agree with her here, if you guys had anyone here in the first place that could lead us in the right direction, captive or otherwise, why the heck didn't you tell us? Whoever's on board could have crucial information for finding these guys and we can't just miss on an opportunity like that!

Stormchaser

Aislinn and Daydre are milling about, waiting for the ritual to start.

Aislinn looks tense, and keeps shooting Daydre looks. Daydre either doesn't notice or is ignoring this.

Floaroma Town, past

Chiyo: -Waves as Mog leaves- I guess we should go ourselves, huh Dactyl?

Dactyl: <Hopefully we won't run into any more of those rifts.>

Autumn Mountain, past

Ann: -Sticks close-

Stormchaser, today

-Is doing the some of the last bits of setup, to those capable of using Aura Sense, my Aura would have the signs of recent interrealm travel-

Okay, just one last step.

-To Daydre as I place the mask in the center-

Stand in the area designated by the Dark Gem.

Stormchaser, Present

Daydre does as commanded.

Aislinn has her brow furrowed, and steps a bit closer to Tagg.

Aislinn: -slightly hushed- "Remind me, how is this supposed to go?"

Stormchaser

-To Aislinn, pointing out the Gems in cardinal directions-

The Fighting Gem, Body and Life Energy. Psychic, Mind. Ghost, Soul. Dark, Shadow. The pieces that according to the ancients make a being. Once I put my Aura in, the sigil on the ground will activate, and Yan Yu's spirit will come out of the mask. Luckily, bound enough so that it won't try to slaughter us immediately.

I once used this ritual to extract an Ariados from the Burst Heart it had been trapped in before Chiyo killed their previous Templar owner, Hortensia the Spider.

Stormchaser

Aislinn: "I see.. Well, I think I understand it broadly, but I'll leave the specifics to you. I'm ready if you are."

Aislinn: -calling over to Daydre- "What about you?"

Daydre just gives her a cheerful thumbs-up.

Stormchaser

-To Aislinn-

Then let's begin.

-Stands where the Fighting Gem is and focuses my Aura, as it's taken from both Daydre and the other Gems, before the mask glows and something starts coming out of it-

Okay, that'd be Yan Yu I'd imagine, give her a few moments to form.

Stormchaser

True to Tagg's word, it does take a couple minutes before the figure that's presumably Yan-Yu forms into anything coherent.

The room gets just that bit colder as she coalesces into the vague shape of a Hisuian Zoroark.

The light cast on Daydre's face makes her smile especially sinister, but it's fine, it's probably fine.

Stormchaser

-Looking between Daydre and the Hisuian Zoroark silhouette-

Let's hope the contingencies work...

Yan Yu I'd presume?

-What appears to be a large group of people in bodysuits are currently making their way down the mountain pass closest to the Stormchaser-

Stormchaser

Yan-Yu: <.........>

The figure slowly regards Tagg... And nods.

More than angry, right now she looks... tired.

Poké Park, Lake

Hoops enters the lake via one of the water channels and spends a few minutes swimming in circles before surfacing.

<I'll be honest, the novelty wore off quicker than I expected> they say, to no-one in particular. They spot something on the other side of the lake. <But then again...>

They dive back beneath the water and swim to the thing they saw - a huge waterfall, easily a hundred metres tall, that enters the lake from the large mountain that is next to it.

<What was that old legend about the Magikarp?> Hoops asks. <Well, let's give it a go.> They push themself into the waterfall, and are immediately pushed out by the force of the water.

<Okay, so it's harder than it looks. I'll try again.> Once again they dive into the waterfall, putting in far more effort this time. They manage to make it several feet before falling.

<Right> they say, surfacing and looking upwards. <I guess this is going to be more of a project then.>

Approximately Five Thousand Years Ago

CW: Slavery

"Here, Ronin." His brother hands a water skin to him, which seems to be about half full judging by the weight. Ronin gives him a nod of thanks and wets his mouth, then pours a little into the mouth of his Rhyhorn.

"You should drink too, Lectos," he says, giving the skin back. "You have worked as hard as the rest of us."

"I have," Lectos says. "I would say harder, since you spent so long retrieving those stones earlier."

The smile leaves Ronin's face, and he stares into the campfire. "He was inches from me, brother," he says.

"Who?"

The flames dance across Ronin's face. "Eran. The man who calls himself our lord. He gave me water, as some lesson to his child. But had he been alone, he would not have offered me mercy. I could feel the knife waiting to be used. One movement, and I would have avenged father. But I saw the eyes of the child, and I hesitated."

"You remembered," Lectos says.

"I did," Ronin agrees. "I remembered the fear of seeing father die to Eran's blade while we stood there. Our father, a king himself, slain. I thought he might recognise me, you know. For a moment, he looked into my eyes, my eyes which are the same as father's and I thought he would know who I was. See me as some phantasm. But all he saw was the slave that he made of us. He likely doesn't remember killing father."

Lectos nods. "You mean to go through with it, then?"

"I do," Ronin says. "Tomorrow, you and I and the rest will go to his palace, and we will take our justice."

"And what," Lectos says quietly, "will you do if the child is there again?"

Ronin holds his dagger in front of him. The light of the flames make it seem like he is holding a piece of the fire itself in his hand. "This time I will not hesitate."

Present Day, Ruined Kingdom

This was once a mighty palace Cof thinks as he makes his way through the ruins. He knows, of course. He was there. Nowadays it's just a structure in the desert that tourists take pictures of while they talk about their lives that they left behind for the week. None of them really know the things that happened in these walls. And if they do, they don't care. After thousands of years, it's easy to separate oneself from such things.

The stairs aren't intact anymore. None of the upstairs is, but Cof floats up them as though they were. In the same way that people have ghosts, buildings do too. Their memory stays forever, and so he enters that realm of memory to move down passages that no longer exist.

And finally he comes to it. The door to the room where it happened.

<So, you came here> a voice behind him says. Cof turns to see Morrigan standing behind him. She doesn't look like she means to attack, at least for now.

<So, it really is you> he says. <I suppose no-one else would have been able to penetrate my Z-move.>

<Only someone with a link to your soul> Morrigan confirms. <I've waited a long time to see you again. Ronin.>

Stormchaser

-To Yan-Yu-

Do you know why you're here?

Chiyo: -Finding a broken arrowhead on the ground- Is this what you've been doing this whole time, Louise?

Louise: -Staring at Chiyo-

Chiyo: -Looking at the scuffed up looking ex-Templar- Louise, I think it's time you should stop, I can tell you haven't been taking the best care of yourself.

Boltund: <She's right you know.>

Louise: -Angrily- You can't tell me what to do, you're not my mom! We're not like Dr. Tagg, we don't even have moms!

Chiyo: -Eyebrow raise as she takes a step forward-

Louise: I was made to kill, fighting's all I know how to do, so let me do the one thing that makes me useful to you both! If I can't help you two, how does that make it up to all the people I hurt, that I killed?

Chiyo: Louise...

-Tenderly but firmly-

We're not the School, we don't keep people around by how "useful" they are. You... running yourself ragged like this isn't helping anyone, especially yourself. And you're not just a weapon to be pointed at one's enemies, you're far more than that.

Louise: I'm not sure about that.

-But before either can say more, both pick up on an increased amount of noise in the area-

Chiyo: -Twitches- Templars, it has to be.

Louise: -Peering ahead- A whole bunch of them traveling down the pass below us, headed towards the Stormchaser, but why?

Chiyo: The School's been short of some victories, I'd imagine they'd like to try making some.

-Sighs-

I suppose it's time. Louise?

Louise: Yes Chiyo?

Chiyo: Hold them off, I need to go gather some friends, but it'll take some time.

Louise: -Nods-

Chiyo: -Smiling as she creates a rift- Good, I'm counting on you.

-Turns around just before leaving-

But don't think our conversation's quite over, young lady. Don't overexert yourself, we'll handle them before they even get that close to the Stormchaser.

-And she disappears-

Edited by rmctagg09 on Mar 28th 2023 at 6:21:09 AM

Stormchaser

Yan-Yu: <Ihave___ vagueawareness___oftheoutsideworld. Fromthelasttimesomeone___managedtospeaktome...___ I'massumingthisisabout___the curse...>

Her outline sputters like a flame in the wind for a second.

Yan-Yu: <Iwillsay...___Icannotcontrol___thecurse.Noonecan.___Thispowerisnot___withoutcost.>

Battle Academy

-The girl's form flickers between truth and disguise, her blade caught in metal both from the brass chains (different to those that bound the place in the lock) winding around her limbs but also the internal mechanisms of the owl at the tip. The two, girl and owl, are locked in this moment of contact, unable to complete the lethal blow-

The Girl: Dad!? Dad come on there is literally one moral choice in this situation!

The Owl: <Requesting amplification from hub...>

... Are you reporting to your superiors? I have a message for Osiris.

The Owl: <Say it. Final words.>

The Girl: This is really not the time!

Cool. If you really want to kill me, liar queen, come here and do it yourself.

-The resulting beam of energy cleanly cleaves through the mechanisms, tearing too-advanced clockwork to shreds (along with the end of the weapon). In the aftermath, there is silence beyond the clattering of chains falling to the ground followed by the soft thump of the girl collapsing backwards but in the way where it's clear she intended to do so just out of exhaustion-

... There. It's done.

The Girl: Mkay. I'm gonna need to find somewhere clean to tear these brass eyes out.

Glimwood Cabin

... I am mildly concerned by the fact that apparently my soul has so much room for activities but regardless.

-Gale composes a text to the group chat-

Autumn Mountain

Alright, stick with me Bob. We'll get across to the temple easily.

-Gale nods and just carefully hoists the orb as she wanders into the grass-

Pokepark

-The Murkrow remains perched as the group starts splitting up, facial expression inscrutable-

Gale's Mystery Bird: <Ah. We are just... Splitting up then rather than hanging out. Mmmm. Mmmmmmm... Okay. I will meet at lunch.>

-The bird waits until the party has all departed down their separate parts of the crossroads before emitting a faint sigh and taking off to just idly circle the park from the air-

-While back in a car in the parking lot its controller sets an alarm and tries to suppress any feelings that this was a little bit of a wash-

Sunyshore City

-Honestly today was a bit of a vacation day for Gale. Oh sure there were some vague pretenses made towards visiting local markets to scout out ingredients and meal ideas for the streaming stuff but right now she was just out and about enjoying the sun and also the quasi-solarpunk aesthetic of a town where their bridges are made out of weirdly sturdy photovoltaic cells-

Said Controller would soon be faced to face with the inky black visage of The Pen. Staring at them with a bit of disappointment.

There were jungle gyms you could have used, or you could have gone to the Dojo... maybe gone to the lake and seen what the fish would get up to. Why didn't you?

It leaned back and projected a little image of the Murkrow. Kid, I get it's kind of hard, but really you came all the way out here, so what if they split up, it was a possibility considering how different their pokeforms are. Hey maybe they woulda liked to have you there, even as moral support for some of the activities.

It seemed to shift into an older gentleman in a tweed jacket. So tell me, what's really on your mind?

Stormchaser

-To Yan-Yu-

I think we've gotten quite familiar with the costs over the past couple years, and not just its effects when worn. What do you desire?

-As the Templars approach, one hears a shot, they find their direct way blocked by a sudden rockslide-

North of the Battle Zone

Zee: -Chopping wood when she notices a rift starting to form- Hmm?

Chiyo: -Appears out of it- Zee, I need your help. Templars, lots of them.

Zee: -Eyebrow raise- You can't handle it yourself? Or with Tagg?

Chiyo: I've got a bad feeling about this one. And Tagg's... currently indisposed.

Zee: You think they might've finally figured out what we've been doing?

Chiyo: -Nods- Or someone has.

Zee: -Severe- Then we can't let them get what they want.

-She heads back inside her cabin before coming out with a greatsword almost as long as she is tall, still in its sheath-

Got this from a Templar.

Chiyo: -Jokingly- Saving that for a special night?

Zee: -Strapping it to her back- Yeah, this one. You think Chloe will be hard to find?

Chiyo: Oh no, I'm sure I know exactly where Chloe is right now.

Edited by rmctagg09 on May 5th 2023 at 4:54:24 AM

Stormchaser

Yan-Yu: <What___Idesire?>

She seems genuinely taken aback by this.

Yan-Yu: <...>

Daydre leans forward a bit. Rather than sinister, she looks... actually invested in what Yan-Yu has to say.

It takes a moment for Yan-Yu to come up with an answer, though.

Yan-Yu: <What Iwant___... Cannotbesoeasilyobtained.>

Yan-Yu: <What___I___reallywant___ismypartnerback.Butsheis___long,longgone.>

Yan-Yu: <Wehavebeen___separatedbydeath,onceagain.>

Daydre's brow furrows. Aislinn has kept half an eye on her this whole time— the connection allows some level of understanding between Aislinn and Yan-Yu, but it's not complete, so Aislinn is directing some of the unspent focus to Daydre.