Desmond: So you're on a history trip? Honestly, can't blame you. This world is wild, to say the least, and it seems to get bigger every day!

Desmond spreads his arms. It's obvious he loves traveling and battling equally.

Desmond: Journeys are ever-present, and you'll always find something new.

Desmond: ...Is there a gym there?

Celestic Town

Atrin: I don't think so. Unless the guides lied to me, and there's a secret underground gym.

Atrin looks like he's thinking about it a moment before shaking his head.

Atrin: Nah. No gyms here. Hey, I gotta get some rest. And heal up my team.

Desmond: Yeah, me too. Come on, let's head inside.

Once they head inside and have their Pokemon healed by Nurse Joy, Morgan jumps back out of the ball, eagerly awaiting the outside.

Morgan: <Hey there kiddo! I didn't see what happened. Did we win?>

she asks, and Desmond shakes his head.

Desmond: We were tied. Good first battle though.

Morgan: <I agree. Always nice to meet new people and battle them.>

Morgan's eye glimmers with happiness. That gives Desmond an idea.

Desmond: Hey Atrin! Wanna exchange numbers? That way we can battle *coughs* I mean talk whenever. I think Morgan here would love to hear about your trips.

Celestic Town

Atrin: Sounds good to me. Always good to know people.

Atrin pulls out his phone and tells Desmond his number.

The Rotom Phone beeps happily as it registers Atrin's number as the third, next to No#1 and No#2.

Desmond: Annnnd done! Thanks man, I appreciate it. Now, I probably need to register for the Gym Challenge, and you probably have places to be. So thank you, again, for the battle! 'Twas a great first day!

he smiles, and offers his hand to Atrin.

Celestic Town

Atrin shakes his hand, smiling.

Atrin: That place to be is wherever I can catch some sleep. Been a good long day for me. You take care, yeah? And it was a great battle.

Stormchaser Kitchen

Boron: -To Maggie- Well, thanks for that.

-Hearing Scouter-

Oh boy, the food's ready.

-It appears to be some sort of soup-

I hadn't eaten anything in almost 20 years and every taste is basically brand new to me, so I've started getting into cooking.

Louise: -Eyebrow raise- More like crimes against humanity.

Boron: It beats the nutrient paste they used to make us eat, since it lacks a chemical leash, that's for sure.

Louise: Well, we got MREs instead.

-She takes a bite anyway-

Boron: I kinda wonder how Chiyo and Tagg are going to break the news to everyone about that Freshman Iridium, especially because she's well, made from both of them. That was on top of No Heart telling her where she actually comes from too.

Louise: I bet her doing the island challenge was at least in part her way of trying to get her mind off of everything.

Edited by rmctagg09 on May 25th 2023 at 3:49:09 PM

Morgan and Desmond walk with him inside the Pokemon Center again, waving Atrin goodbye as he goes for a bed to crash in. Desmond smiles at Nurse Joy and her Chansey, and.

Desmond: Hello again, ma'am! I would like to register for the Gym Challenge!

Nurse Joy smiles back at the trainer, and gestures to a nearby machine with a slot in the stand.

Nurse Joy: Certainly! Please place your Rotom Phone in the slot!

Desmond nods and does so, and his information and photo flashes on the screen, as well as his only Pokemon, Morgan, as it registers him. At this, he sighs.

Desmond: We really need some new Pokemon. You're a bit of a glass cannon.

Morgan rears back in mock shock.

Morgan: <Yeah, but I'm your best one!>

she smugly says. Desmond smiles, and shakes his head.

Desmond: I'm not replacing you, don't worry. You're my best bud, after all.

Morgan is left slightly speechless, before slapping him on the back with her appendage in a sisterly manner.

Morgan: Love ya too. Now let's take on the gyms together!

she laughs, and Desmond grins back as he pulls out his Rotom Phone, registering him as the newest challenger.

Nurse Joy: Now that you're all set, the nearest gym should be in Veilstone City! Just follow along Route 210, going east on Route 215, and you should reach it! You could also head west to Eternal City, but it requires you to pass through Mt. Coronet. *smiles*

After all that, would you like to rest yourself after that battle?

Desmond nods in appreciation, and Nurse Joy gives him the keys to an empty bedroom for weary trainers.

He lays down in bed and texts Atrin.

Celestic Town

As Atrin is winding down, he notices the text. He sends a response.

Edited by etran12 on May 12th 2023 at 9:31:16 AM

Edited by Jules-Firenze on May 13th 2023 at 12:34:16 AM

Maggie: "Oh yeah, I mean, I dunno if I would mind nutrient paste as an occasional thing if the taste was just Bland rather than offputting but we've got taste buds for a reason."

"And... right, yeah, that's gonna be a conversation and a half. Usually a kid's a happy thing, less so when it popped out of the baby extruder like that."

"Though... Island Challenge, eh? I admit I wasn't aware she was doing that. Will have to ask her how that's going later."

Scouter: <Definitely an interesting League system! Could talk about it more when not about to try this food!>

Scouter takes a bite on his end, he's an omnivore so he'll probably be able to at least Digest everything fine, regardless of how it tastes.

Maggie is a bit more hesitant, takes a spoonful as well.

Edited by CorvusAtrox on May 13th 2023 at 7:38:18 AM

Castelia City, Hill

Alyesha watched Vasilissa and Semyon entrap each-other in their respective whirlpool/fire-tornado before both Vasilissa and Esmeralda got ordered to increase their agility. Thikning quickly, Alyesha sreamed loud enough for Semyon to hear within his raging firestorm

Alyesha: "You've already made the hurricane, now add the deluge it deserves! And Sonya! Help Semyon by adding the thunderstorm to sink Vasilissa for good!"

Semyon, still spinning within the centre of the fiery tornado raised one eye, though just as Esmeralda and Vasilissa trusted his trainer enough to do as he was asked to

Semyon: <Haha, Cap, can't remember the last time I was asked to cause a storm instead of evading it, yer truly something else~!>

He shouted as his spinning and twisting began to change ever so slightly, alomst seeming to form patterns, the result becoming obvious only all too soon as dark clouds began to form in the sky, soon beginning to release their contents, the trickle soon enough increasing to a veritable rain-storm.

Sonya giggled and, after waiting for the clouds to form above the battlefield, shot up towards and then vanished inside them. Only moments after, the already darkened clouds got even darker as lightning began to arc around them, one of them shooting straight for Vasilissa. It was not strong enough to actually damage her - yet, it was still strong enough to paralyze her should it hit.

Semyon used Rain Dance, Sonya used Thunder Wave

<Tut tut,> Oliver says, looking at the rapidly developing storm clouds up above. <It looks like rain.>

Mitchell sees the clouds overhead, then glances down at Semyon. All too late, he realizes that he's been had. He regrets not finding a way to teach any of his team Sunny Day before this fight.

The wicked Thunder Wave unleashed from above strikes true on Vasilissa. Her body now seizing at random intervals, she is buffeted even more by the Whirlpool around her, drawing ever closer to unconsciousness.

<VAS!> Esmeralda cries out, before turning vengeful eyes skyward at Sonya.

<Esme, wait!> Vasilissa calls out, sensing what Esmeralda was planning. <I'm f-fine, see? It's just a little sh-h-hock! Nothing a nap won't fix!>

Esmeralda relents, turning her sight down to the twin vortexes below.

<Sensei, let me in!> Edmond begs Mitchell. <Vas needs help before->

Before he can say more, Edmond is silenced by pats on his head from Mitchell's left hand. This is Mitchell's way of telling him "Sorry, but you have a more important job right now." It is here that Edmond realizes what is about to happen, so he runs off to collect the satchel Oliver brought earlier.

"Vasilissa! Esmeralda!" Mitchell orders. "Once more, focus your strikes on Semyon! Another Flame Charge and Aerial Ace, if you please!"

With this order, Vasilissa and Esmeralda make their assault, with Vasilissa charging Semyon from the front, while Esmeralda uses the same uncanny strike she used on Sonya to attack Semyon from behind.

Castelia City, Hill

In the same way that Mitchell was sensing it, Alyesha as well was aware that this would be the deciding point of the battle, their moment of truth.

Should she play it safe and let Semyon use Protect? Or should she take the fight over to Mitchell? She also did not fail to notice Esmeralda's reaction, to further attack Vasilissa might either be lead to a huge advantage or disadvantage - a risk for certain.

In the end, Alyesha sighed and closed her eyes for just a moment before taking a deep breath and clenching her hand to a fist.

Alyesha: "It's now or never! She's weakened enough! SEMYON - GIVE HER A FULL BROADSIDE! BRINE!"

With that, she turned over to Sonya, dramatically extending her hand to point to Semyon

Alyesha: "And you, what happens with Semyon is in your hands! One of the three is going to hit him, it's on you to hit her first! Use Quick Attack!!"

Amidst the firestorm, Semyon now finally stopped spinning, laughing with the confidence of someone who very well knew it was do or die.

Semyon: <Haha - aye, aye, cap! Vas! 'Tis a bad decision to cross me T!>

He shouted before he slammed himself into the ground to steady himself, all but ignoring Esmeralda as he took aim at Vasilissa, 100% trusting in both Alyesha and Sonya.

While Vasilissa charged him, he made a few last corrections to his aim, said aim being helped by her now straight up charging him while also being slowed by her paralysis. When he was confident he knew where she would be outside his firy hell, the wheel making up his back and "head" began to spin, faster and faster with each passing moment before, from its mid, a narrow band of water shot out with all the force he could muster, for a few moments connecting Semyon and the point where he presumed Vasilissa was.

All the while, Sonya's eyes narrowed slightly, knowing just as much as Semyon how important a part she would now need to play.

Sonya: <Trust me! I am more than just curious! I can keep my friends safe!>

The small Dreepy shouted with a conviction that only could arise not from confidence in one-self but from the deep and burning desire to protect a true comrade. Eyes narrowed, she watched Esmeralda once more seemingly attacking from three sides at once - but she was not. Only one of these could be her, and she had to trust her instinct of who it was. In a split second decision, Sonya, shot up, building up more and more speed, now seeming more like a missile intercepting another missile.

Sonya: <LEAVE MY FRIEND ALONE!!!>

She shouted right as she, with full force, crashed into who she presumed was the actual Esmeralda before she had the chance to hit Semyon.

Provided she actually hit the right one, the sheer force of the impact and the way she had intercepted her meant that Sonya would take just as much damage as Esmeralda would (since in the same way Sonya had hit Esmeralda, Esmeralda had hit Sonya) - which would at least be less than what Semyon would have taken due to his type weakness.

Should she have missed and instead hit one of the fake ones, Esmeralda's attack in combination with Vasilissa (knocked out or not) crashing into Semyon would be too much for him, causing the old Pokémon to crash to the ground knocked out.

The clash of Vasilissa's Flame Charge and Semyon's Brine creates an instantaneous cloud of steam, obscuring all four combatants from sight for about a second. After that second passes, a figure is launched north, knocked backwards by the force of the collision. As Mitchell suspects and fears, it is Vasilissa, knocked out from the salty water in her wounds.

Swiftly, Mitchell grabs Vasilissa's Pokeball, handed to him by Edmond, and aims it skyward. The airborne Ponyta dissolves into red light and vanishes within her Pokeball, framed against a fortuitous flash of lightning in the sky.

Rebecca raises a paw. In an authoritative voice, she says <Vasilissa the Ponyta is unable to battle! Mitchell has three Pokemon remaining!>

Oliver then calls out. <Choose your next Pokemon, Mr. Rhodes,> he says, <or do you wish to forfeit?>

Mitchell is way ahead of Oliver. "Now, Edmond," he rumbles, pointing at the steam cloud in the square. "Avenge your fallen ally!"

<Hai, Sensei!> Edmond says, bounding into the square with arms raised in a karate stance.

At that very moment, Esmeralda bursts out of the cloud, coughing and hacking from the steam and the surprise attack from above. <Blasted phantasmal drake!> she curses.

<This ain't good, Boss,> Gavroche warns. <Either Semyon or Sonya needs to go down fast, or we ain't recovering!>

Seemingly ignoring Gavroche's warning, Mitchell issues his orders. "Esmeralda," he says. "Evasive manoeuvres. Show them your Double Team expertise. Edmond, as soon as you see Sonya, cut her down with your Dual Chop."

Retreating towards the north edge of the square, Esmeralda starts accelerating in a different manner from her prior use of Agility, seemingly dividing into several overlapping Staravia. Edmond, meanwhile, watches for a shadow within the steam cloud, then leaps at the first one he sees. <Twin Dragon Fang!> he bellows, bringing down his arms, held straight as swords and coated with otherworldly dragonflame, right on top of the shadow.

Stormchaser, Kat's room

Kat is once again chilling with her laptop under a pile of catmons.

Kat: Why is Galar's song always so basic...

The door opens apparently by itself.

Never mind, it's just Micro carrying his USB.

Micro: ~Are you Kat?~

Kat: Yeah?

Micro: ~I need you to decrypt some files on this USB stick.~

Kat: Yeah, I can do that. Can it wait a bit though? I'm watching [Eurovision].

Micro: ~I'd rather have it sooner rather than later, but I can wait a few days.~

Kat: Wait a second, Galar's song just started. I can get on it now.

Micro levitates the stick over to Kat, who picks it up.

Micro: ~Thanks.~

Canalave City, theater, paster than past

Despite everything, the new J-Team movie premiere has a fair turnout, mostly diehard hatewatchers- er, fans.

In the lobby, Kamon and other actors are greeting fans before the movie. Rockstar is in full Service Mon mode, watching his trainer like a Hawlucha and intervening if people get too close. Said trainer wears a hard bright smile that only occasionally turns vacant. He misses a handshake and laughs it off.

Rockstar: (muttering) <Ye couldn't huv had a breath mint eftir all thit alko?>

Security Dude: (creeps up) Mr. Waterhouse, someone outside's asking for you.

Kamon: Eh? Someone... Oh! Look Rocky, they came after all!! Be right there.

Kamon and Rockstar head down some halls and out a side door as indicated, the latter grumbling all the while. The sun is bright when they step outside, so Kamon shields his eyes. He catches sight of a short figure.

Kamon: HEY, it's you!! Fine time for you to show, doll! You know, I've been -

Channah turns around, dull-eyed. Her hair is shiny in the sun, but from grease, not its usual gloss.

Kamon: Uh. Nice Samara cosplay. (laughs)

Channah: (in a scratchy voice) What. Did I tell you. About what's mine.

Kamon: ...We - You and I - discussed property rights? When was this?

Channah: You spoke to him again. Invaded his home.

Kamon sways in place. Rockstar hisses something at him.

Kamon: ...What? Tagg? What about him? OH, I did see him recently! He was MEGA kind, like always. Such a sweetheart. In fact, I invited him here, but he said he couldn't make it. But maybe now that you're here, he'll come along! Is Tagg around, do you know? I'd love to see -

Channah: STOP. Talking about him. (advances)

Kamon: ...Oookay. Oh, wow, there goes my personal space!

Rockstar: <Ah away tae fuck.> (tries to push Channah away)

Channah: Leave this place.

Rockstar: <Right, nivir mind!> (fucks off)

Kamon: Hey, how'd you -

Channah: (leans in) You don't understand. You will not fuck with my things and get away with it. Not like everyone else has. All my life. All of you filthy, overreaching, INADEQUATE thieves. (voice breaking) TAKING. EVERYTHING.

Kamon: (backs up) Oi now, there's nothing inadequate about me. That was a good delivery, though. Er. Vehement.

Channah: It took me a long time. But I know now, how the rot set in. Eons ago. None of them deserve it. Do you know where I found God?

The tips of Channah's fingers, her shoulders, hair, are starting to catch alight with flame. Kamon's eyes dart around, looking for Rockstar.

Channah: The truth is, He found me. Because I CONTAIN HIM in myself, in the perfect dream cathedral of my mind. Heh. It was a mutual discovery. God was always here. All I had to do was forget. She helped me violence the weakness inside. And now, we will -

Exit Kamon, pursued by a madwoman.

He runs into the building, mostly avoiding smacking into things. Back here, in the bowels of the theater, it's dark and filled with heavy equipment. Her voice is following him, bouncing around the walls, still hoarse from disuse. By now, the movie has started, sounding muffled.

Channah: FOR YOUR SINS YOU ARE GOING TO DIE.

Kamon: (gasping) I'mtoodrunkforthis!

An unnatural amount of sweat is pouring off him; in fact, it looks more like rainwater. He hurries into an unused theater room and debates hiding under one of the chairs, making indecisive noises.

The far wall bursts open and an Avalugg enters, Kool-Aid Man-style. Gelidus roars, shaking the building. His head breaks through the roof. He aims an icicle blast at Kamon, who dodges.

Kamon sends out Cheesethief. The Centiskorch is about 1/700 the size of Gelidus. He whips out a Fire Lash several times larger than himself that wraps around Gelidus' front legs, hobbling him. He screams and buckles, giving Kamon time to dash further up the rows of seats.

Channah: (screams) Gelidus, Stomping Tantrum!!

Gelidus roars again and rears up onto his hind legs, breaking the lashes. He ponderously rocks back down and slams all his weight on Cheesethief. When his foot comes back up, Cheese is flatter than Origami!Gudrunn. Several of Channah's lesser mons come out to attack.

Kamon: ...Iesu Grist. (fumbles a pokeball) Matti, help me!

Kamon's dynamax band or dynaband or whatever starts glowing; the ball grows massive. He staggers under the weight, then flings it behind him. Out comes Mattimeo, nearly out of sight at the top of his towering tail, which also blasts through the roof.

Mattimeo: (despairingly while aiming) <Oh dear... I can't possibly do this. I've never Dynamaxed before. I'll surely fail Kamon and then he will release me and I'll die of exposure on the streets, alone and unwanted.> (shoots water bullets at the attackers in rapid succession, taking out each one with pinpoint accuracy)

Channah: .........

Kamon: (fumbling with dashing off a text on his phone) Are you DONE?!

For a moment, the trainers face each other in tense silence. Except for the screaming elsewhere in the theater.

Canalave Theater, far past

-Blip-

-Looking between Channah, Kamon, and the currently ruined theater as my mons file out-

What the fuck is going on here? Channah, where have you been, I've been looking for you since 2022. Why did you abandon Dolabella, that's not like you.

Things have been weird ever since you and Chiyo came to Veilstone together, I chose not to say anything despite my misgivings and how weird you both were acting, but now I see you trying to smush Kamon like a bug with Gelidus and abandoning your mons, so now I will demand that you tell me what's going on.

Stormchaser Kitchen, past

-The taste is, well, it's certainly... unique. Not a bad sort of unique, but whether it's the sort of unique Maggie and Scouter like is a whole other story-

Boron: Yeah, I certainly don't envy their situation.

Louise: She looks just like them from what I remember, it's a little uncanny.

Edited by rmctagg09 on May 13th 2023 at 9:40:13 AM

Canalave movie theater, past

Channah turns a slow stare at Tagg. Compared to Kamon's desperate look, hers is nearly bewildered. She almost looks ready to cringe away from him once their eyes meet. Then her expression hardens.

Channah: ...You demand. You think you have that right.

Dolabella: (pops out from behind Tagg, quivering) <Uh, yes he does! You know why, because you gave me anxiety! I know because I went on WebMD and diagnosed myself. You owe me, you bitch!>

Kamon discreetly tries to sneak away while Dolabella speaks, but Big Savings sees him and ropes him in a Binding grip.

Kamon: Grk.

Channah: (still staring at Tagg) You haven't been looking. Don't lie. All you do is swan around with your latest side piece of the week. That's all you've ever done. I'm not blind anymore. And.

Telepathically, she shows him something: Iridium's face.

Channah: What. Is. This?

Canalave Theater, past

-Of course this would be the first time I've actually seen what they look like, having only had the Truancy Gang and Louise's word for it-

They do look like me.

You think I'm cheating on you with Chiyo, is that it? That's not our relationship, let me make that very clear. You think that even if it was I would've made a move without making sure you and Sol were okay with it?

The School stole my DNA almost a decade ago and smushed it together with Chiyo's to create that Schoolchild, my daughter that I didn't know about.

You think this has been easy? The School was already my enemy to begin with, but now they've made it personal.

Edited by rmctagg09 on May 13th 2023 at 11:00:58 AM

Canalave movie theater, past

CW: graphic violence?

She flinches at the word 'daughter'.

Channah: ...So you accept it. That thing, which you should    forsake    the very idea of. But that's okay. It will be fine.    Because I will hunt it down, and find it, and RIP ITS LIMBS OFF, and BURN THE REST for daring to exist.    It can't, it can't exist. (breathes in and out, face screwing up) It hurts too much, please...

Kamon: (confused strangled sounds)

Channah: (regaining control of herself) I'm listening. Yeah. ... No, stop, I'm listening... This is the problem, okay. You make everyone's problems your problem. You are the village bicycle, do you hear me? You can't help it, Tagg. That's who you are. But I am God now, and I can make everything right. You don't have to worry.

Kamon: Kind - of. Past - that.

Channah:    SHUT. UP.   

She gestures once, sharply, at Kamon. In time with her gesture, Big Savings rams a spiky poison tentacle into his shoulder.

Kamon: Hhhhh. You know - what?

Channah: I said -

Kamon: I've been around - this block - before. You're going - to lose him. Forever. After this. Might as - well - say - goodbye - right -

Channah shudders, moving jerkily in unnatural stops and starts. Black Obscuric tendrils seep out of her body and into the floor as she snarls and shakes. Kamon tries to edge away even in his restraints, and a tendril shoots out and nabs him in time with the sudden rise of her arm.

Another voice flutes alongside hers - higher and yet more resonant, like a young man's.

Channah: We will keep a place for you in here. Until then, sleep.

The tendril shoots into Kamon's mouth, gagging him on inky Obscura that spills out down his chin. Simultaneously, dark jaws of Bitter Malice rise up from the floor around him and come together in a hard snap, sinking through the abdomen and middle back. Kamon lets out a muffled shriek and is released entirely.

Channah transforms. The Fletchinder moves just as robotically, anchored to the ground by tendrils. Still, it makes to fly off and de-materializes in a swirl of Obscura, taking everything of hers with it with a maddened, distorted screech.

Kamon is lying on the ground, moving very little. His internal organs are tentatively starting to explore the outside world. Aren't they adorable?

Maggie: "Yeah... I... hope they figure out how to properly tell people about this awkward situation. Frankly, though, I figure people will be pretty understa-"

Maggie has a Reaction of trying to hold back disgust.

Maggie: "Boron, I mean this in the nicest way I can but What did you Put in this?"

Scouter: <Good decision! Seconds, please!>

Maggie looks at the Watchog who seems to have enjoyed the surprise at least.

Maggie: "Well at least with someone enjoying it I can commiserate with you on this, Louise."

Celestic Town

Atrin stands in the lobby of the center, looking around. Mimir stands behind him, staring up. Atrin takes out his phone, and looks at a map.

Atrin: Not that difficult a journey to get to Veilstone.

Canalave Theatre, far past

-First part-

Whose child then, the School's? Fuck no. She didn't ask to be created, to be indoctrinated by those eugenicists that'll throw her away once she's outlived her usefulness. How could you even say such things?

Doc: <Tagg, something's wrong with Channah!>

Yeah, I can tell!

Doc: <I mean, I think there's something else's influence here!>

-Kamon grabbed-

That voice... That fucked up dead twin of hers? I thought I bound his Palossand soul to that piece of rock.

-Cue Kamon getting fucked up-

Kamon!

-As Channah starts turning into a bird monster and Doc starts blasting Heal Pulses to stabilize him-

I'm going to have to bind her aren't I?

Channah, you're better than this, I know you are! Don't let Ira and Truth influence you like this!

-Only for her to fly off-

Fuck...

-As Roc flies out to search for her-

Stormchaser Kitchen, past

Boron: -To Maggie- A bunch of stuff, cheese, hardboiled Chansey egg, stuff like that.

-To Scouter-

Glad you like it!

Louise: For one of your... concoctions, this is actually on the okay side.

Edited by rmctagg09 on May 25th 2023 at 3:48:40 PM

Desmond yawns, a crick in his neck causing him to crack it as he got up. He stretches, and gets out of his sleepwear. Morgan is snoozing at the foot of the bed in her scabbard, so Desmond picks her up and attaches her to his belt.

Desmond: Good morning, Morgan.

he whispers. Morgan just mumbles something in her sleep, so he simply walks out of the room, gives the keys to Nurse Joy with a smile, and yawns again, before seeing Atrin.

Desmond: Oh hey, there!

he chirps, slinging his backpack on his shoulder.

Desmond: Ya ready to leave?

Edited by Jules-Firenze on May 14th 2023 at 12:34:35 AM