Flying Colors
The Void
-Nitrogen looks down at Whitt's hand, and smiles as she takes his hand.-
Nitrogen: Oh, Whitt.
-it's a cruel smile-
Nitrogen: When they pick through my brain, I'll be sure to remember you said that.
-The wind picks up, and she digs her nails into Whitt's hand, hard enough to draw blood. With just a bit under her nails, she lets go, and pushes him away. Grieve takes the cue to take wing, readying himself for a fight.-
Phenac City, Hospital
-Dune teleports onto the helipad with a wuh-thoomp. Selene dizzily falls over, not used to such long distance teleporting anymore.-
Dune: Thanks, Selene.
Selene: <Ye, don menshun it> @~@
-Flashing his badge, he's let inside, and a nurse shows him to the "decompression chamber", aka the break room where surgeons and assistants crash land after several-hour surgeries.-
-Dune looks around before seeing Deziree, sitting on a couch with her head leaned back and hair a tangled mess after being under that cap for so long. He walks up and hands her a decaf.-
Dune: Hey there, beautiful. Come here often?
-Dezi takes the cup, her hand slightly shaking from hypoglycemia.-
Deziree: Dune I am so fucking tired right now.
Dune: Coming down from a days-long adrenaline binge will do that. How'd it go?
-The surgeon waves from across the room.-
Dr. Gregor: She's stable. We're watching for autoimmune responses to the prosthetics, but right now it looks like her body'll let them take.
Deziree: You have no fucking idea how scared I was that she'd be allergic to the polymer we made the artificial veins out of.
-Dune expects to hear a remark from Code Talker or Mobius. He looks around.-
Dune: Where's the Dynamic Duo?
Deziree: Code Talker is taking care of the follow-up and Mobius is doing debugging. I knew Slowking were more active than Slowbro but... damn.
Dune: Figures. Mesquite with her?
Deziree: You know it. Family rights.
Dune: Right. So what's the plan now?
Deziree: Mobius might be a good tech but I made the prosthetics. I gotta stick around in case something happens. Liability and all that.
Dune: Fair.
Deziree: How's Phosphora?
Dune: Ludmilla's handling her right now.
Deziree: Oh thank god. That girl is a lifesaver.
Dune: I'll be sure to bring your laptop over later.
Deziree: Thank you, dear.
-She takes a sip before slumping her head back again.-
Deziree: Uuuuugh. I don't wanna go back to decaf.
Dune: I know, dear.
Druid Dude
Veilstone Gym
Desmond was left panting, hands on his knees in front of the Veilstone Gym, a massive dojo. Maylene does some stretching exercises outside of the gym, before turning to the tired trainer.
Maylene: Alright, Desmond. As you might've thought, my gym is based on Fighting types. We're gonna push you to your absolute limit!
Desmond: Great...
he panted, as Atrin walked up behind them with an easy gait.
Maylene: Now before I start the Gym Challenge, I must ask. How many Badges do you have?
Morgan: <Two.>
Desmond: Two?!
Maylene: With only one Pokemon? Impressive! You must be strong indeed! Ready for the Gym Challenge?
Desmond: I- Yeah.
he mutters.
Maylene: Who will go first?
she asks, looking at Atrin and Desmond.
You piss off the Venom T-Rex. Roll initiative.
Curious Mind
Veilstone Gym
Atrin: Desmond looks like he could use a rest before he goes, so I'll go up first. Ready when you are.
Atrin's already holding a Pokeball, his eyes darting to everything, as if looking for any advantage he could get.
Druid Dude
Maylene: Great! Now...
she enters a fighting stance.
Maylene: How many badges do you have, and second, do you know how to fight? Not with Pokemon.
she illustrates this with some kicks and punches.
You piss off the Venom T-Rex. Roll initiative.
Curious Mind
Veilstone Gym
Atrin: Three. And I wouldn't call myself much of a fighter without my Pokémon. But I'd say with them, we can overcome any obstacle, like the one right in front of me.
Atrin gives a determined face.
Druid Dude
Inside Veilstone Gym
The gym looked like a traditional dojo from the outside, but the inside looked more like a modern gym. Punching bags, boxing rings, tires, and other equipment lay around, with several rooms off to the side for storage, locker rooms, showers, etc. Several men in karate gear were whaling on their own punching bags when Maylene entered, and they lined up, bowing.
The Karate Quads: Master! Welcome back!
Maylene bows back, and turns to Atrin and Desmond.
Maylene: Alright, Atrin. Your Gym Challenge begins now! It has four phases. Each phase, one of them will hold a pose, and you have to hold it as well. While battling them. Don't worry, before fighting me, you will be treated. Got it?
When Atrin agrees, the first guy gets into a Tree Pose
, sending out a Lurantis.
Curious Mind
Veilstone Gym
Atrin blinks.
Atrin: Hold a...well, any challenge is worth the try, I say.
Atrin does so, throwing a Pokeball before attempting to keep a Tree Pose without falling over. Mimir comes out of the ball.
Atrin: Mimir! Let's open this up with a Psyshock!
Mimir's eyes glow, and psychic energy is fired at the Lurantis!
Druid Dude
Atrin's Gym Challenge, Part 1
The Lurantis is sent backward by the Psyshock, shaking its head rapidly.
'''Maylene: Oh yeah. I almost forgot. You can knock the other trainer out of the pose using your Pokemon.
The Lurantis then dashes, not towards Mimir, but Atrin.
"Low Sweep!" yells the dude, and the Lurantis drops to its knees(?) and kicks towards Atrin.
You piss off the Venom T-Rex. Roll initiative.
Druid Dude
Edited by Jules-Firenze on Aug 14th 2023 at 11:08:53 PM
You piss off the Venom T-Rex. Roll initiative.
Curious Mind
Veilstone Gym
Atrin: Mimir! Keep me up with Psychic!
Mimir does so, and Atrin sighs in relief.
Atrin: Now, another Psychic for Lurantis!
Mimir's eyes glow again, and fires off Psychic at Lurantis!
Druid Dude
Lurantis squeals as it is yanked backward, straight into its trainer, knocking them both flat.
"Alright, next!" The next karate guy does an Upward Dog, his Serperior sliding up his back and jumping, its tail glowing with a "Rock Smash!"
Curious Mind
Veilstone Gym
Atrin: Alright, then! Mimir, get back! Hekili, let's go!
Mimir stands behind Atrin, no longer the active Pokemon. Atrin's Vikavolt, Hekili, is sent out.
Atrin: Hekili, use X-Scissor!
Hekili's pincers glow as he attacks Serperior!
Druid Dude
The Serperior's Rock Smash and Hekili's X-Sxissor clash and cause a small explosion, sending both back. The Serperior whips up its tail at its trainer's "Leaf Storm!", beginning to stir up a storm.
You piss off the Venom T-Rex. Roll initiative.
Phenac City, Hospital
Rebecca: Uuuuuugh...
-Dr. Mesquite looks up and sees her granddaughter's eyes opening.-
Dr. Mesquite: Hehe, welcome back, dear.
-Rebecca coughs a couple of times. Mobius looks at the display - diaphramatic tension looks good.-
Rebecca: Hey, Gramgram. I'm betting... I got the metal put in me, huh?
Dr. Mesquite: Yes. Your cousin-in-law's own design.
-She gives a weak laugh.-
Rebecca: I have the best family.
-She gives out a big sigh, carrying a small dose of nascent aches and pains and a massive dose of irony.-
Rebecca: Damn, I miss Pilar. Idiot.
Dr. Mesquite: I know, dear. Me, too.
-There's a quiet moment in the patient room before Rebecca turns her head away from her grandmother in awkwardness, only to come face-to-X with a massive Metagross.-
Rebecca: Woah!
Dr. Mobius: <Hello there!>
-He waves a claw in greeting before turning back to his displays.-
Rebecca: The hell...?
Dr. Mesquite: That's Mobius. He's one of your cousin-in-law's Pokemon.
Rebecca: A full sized Metagross? Freaking really?
-Dr. Mesquite shrugs.-
Dr. Mesquite: Apparently they bonded over science.
Rebecca: Huh.
-Rebecca then drops her head back on her pillow. She scratches the back of her leg with her foot out of awkwardness.-
Rebecca: ... Hey wait a second!
-She throws off her bedsheet. Dr. Mesquite puts a hand on her shoulder to calm her.-
Dr. Mesquite: Yes, your suite of prosthetics is exciting, but you just came out of the ICU dear, please don't stress yourself.
-Rebecca holds up her hands to her face. They look... so similar. She can feel with them, to an extent. Not as much as her old ones did, but after the spinal damage, any feeling is better than none. Her legs are much the same - and everything below her ribcage, apparently, as that's where the skin seems to meet the metal. Now, that part is really sore.-
Rebecca: Woah... she did all of this?
Dr. Mesquite: It's all prototype stuff, except the arms. Apparently, that's fourth or fifth iteration. Get a good night's sleep, and I'll tell you what we had to swap out tomorrow.
Rebecca: Oh god, Gramgram, please don't treat me like a kid in front of the orderlies...
Dr. Mobius: <"Orderlies"? The nerve...>
Code Talker: <Hehehe... perhaps after tomorrow, she'll appreciate our efforts a bit more.>
Dr. Mesquite: Alright, dear. I'll let you rest, then.
Rebecca: What about these two?
-She sticks a thumb at the two Pokemon.-
Dr. Mesquite: They're psychic, they can talk without you ever knowing a word's been exchanged.
Rebecca: Oh really?
-She side-eyes the two of them. Mobius gives her a side-eye back before he pushes a button with his claw and cuts power to Rebecca's back, causing her to fall back into bed, her arms flopping to her side.-
Rebecca: Hey!
Dr. Mesquite: Mobius.
-The Metagross rolls his eyes before hitting the button again, returning power to the cybernetics.-
Rebecca: Alright, point taken! Jeez.
-She flexes her hand before pulling the sheets back over herself again.-
Dr. Mesquite: Good night, dear.
-She gives Mobius an "I'm watching you" sign before going out the door.-
Curious Mind
Veilstone Gym
Atrin: Let's take it down with a good old Thunderbolt!
Electricity forms between Hekili's pincers, and is fired at Serperior!
The Wanderer
Naranja y Uva Dorms
Ammit: -To Quack Parade- <Guess we've all got our secrets.>
Resort Area, July 5
Receptionist: -To me as we're walking- Normally we don't see professional Trainers that often here Mr. Tagg, it tends to be people looking for a pet or companion, so what brings you here today?
I'm just trying to figure some things out mainly.
Receptionist: Well, there's some Pokémon looking for a new home that might interest you.
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Druid Dude
Atrin's Gym Challenge Part 3
Upon being electrocuted, Serperior begins thrashing around, causing the storm to subside and its tail to flick towards its trainer like a whip, sending him flying.
The third man sends out a Skarmory, going into a Compass Pose. The Skarmory starts charging a beam from its mouth as its trainer yells "Sky Attack!"
Edited by Jules-Firenze on Aug 15th 2023 at 6:26:15 PM
You piss off the Venom T-Rex. Roll initiative.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Whitt takes a deep breath. In. Out.
Whitt: Why does no-one...
Horus's blades go into his hands. He grips them tightly, and a thin coating of frost settles on the sword, making a crackling sound as it does so.
Whitt: ...stop and think about the big picture?
His purple eyes flash with anger as he raises his swords.
Whitt: Nitrogen, this is your last chance. Join me or leave, I don't care anymore, but fight me and I will kill you.
No voice to cry suffering
Pastoria Gym, past
Megan: Flying okay?
Pollen: ~Give it a minute.~
-to her Sight, the invisible currents tracking her down shine clear as day; she sights down one, piercing it with a Bubblebeam, tearing it apart from within-
Pollen: Seems fine. Ceal down?
-Megan involuntarily recalls the last several minutes; Pollen rips another Whirlpool apart-
Pollen: ~Eugh.~
-given a moment's respite, she drags herself forward-
-she grasps another sinking shard of the Aqua Ring, and her wings light up with rippling pool-light-
Pollen: ~Flippers recovered.~
Megan: Sweet—now over there—
-it's less "flying" and more "riding", perched on the inside of her swiftly-surging bubble, but she revels in freedom of movement all the same-
-she swerves between a pair of strikes, grasping:-
Pollen: ~Lance recovered.~
-she feels her Trainer silently celebrate-
-this Ring curls around her needle, compressing life into it-
-good at least for one shot-
Crasher Wake: Dragon Dance!
Pollen: ~We let them finish?~
Megan: Not a chance.
-Pollen spears from water to air, moonlight beading along her needle—-
- —that sniping snout turns on her before she has time to twitch-
Kingdra: <There you are.>
Megan & Crasher Wake: GO!
-Pollen's searing light sinks into a cloud of opacity, diffusing harmlessly-
Pollen: <$][|7—>
Kingdra: -in front of her- <Hi.>
-the Kingdra's Liquidation bodies her back in the pool, and Pollen flounders in it-
Megan: Oh. Nope.
-Pollen flutters, dejected-
Megan: Baton Pass.
-she holds up her Pokéball; Pollen sheds her Ring, pulled away in its direction-
Pollen: -mutter- <Hasta la vista, motherf—>
Pollen: ?!
-the Whirlpool flexes like cable, catapulting her back in the battlefield-
Kingdra: <The word you're looking for is 'sayonara'.>
-which she notices...is bounded on four sides, between floats like posts-
Crasher Wake: -grinning, hands clasped- The tide's grip...is inescapable!
-Megan's jaw drops-
That's why it's so familiar.
-the verbiage, the posturing—the high opening aggression-
-that technique, devised specifically to drag someone already on the ropes-
-he's using the heel lines-
A facile method of gaining engagement and encouraging spirit, by taking on the guise of a villain. Isn't it bullshit to try and take the high road with us? Making us into some underdog to be rooted for, when I was doing it first!
-Megan squeezes her eyes shut-
Megan: Like, come on! I'm scary and evil!
-Pollen mutters imprecations-
Pollen: ~This is a wash.~
-Megan grits her teeth-
I'll think of something.
Pollen: ~No.~
-Megan blinks—she nearly misses Pollen firing a Bubblebeam through a Whirlpool gunning for her wings, stirring it to froth-
Pollen: ~The Fakedive was cool, but I'm still a bad pick. Set up on me.~
Megan: No, I'm—listening, this time. You always want to fight it out.
Pollen: ~'ppreciate the thought.~
-Pollen shoves the conveniently-accessible half-plans off Megan's mental desk-
Pollen: -hiss- ~Want to win more.~
Kingdra: <You use it like this:>
Pollen: -turning to face them- ~My call: Skill Swap or Sticky Web. Pick one.~
Megan: ...
Sticky Web.
-Pollen manifests a spool of thread—no, one of Megan's many miscellaneous vials-
Kingdra: <Sayonara.>
-she charges it, jams her needle through the cork, and—-
- —lets it loose, tinting the rain with buggy iridescence-
-...and the storm bowls her over, and that is that-
Curious Mind
Veilstone Gym
Atrin: Hekili, sticking with you! Use Thunderbolt!
Hekili again charges up electricity between it's pincers and fires it at the Skarmory!
Druid Dude
Atrin's Gym Challenge
The Skarmory's Sky Attack explodes in its mouth, knocking it out instantly. The final one, before getting into a Bow Pose sends out a Passimian. With its trainer's yell of "Seismic Toss!" The Passimian dashes towards Mimir, clasping hands around it, ready to yeet.
Curious Mind
Veilstone Gym
Atrin assumes the pose!
Atrin: Looks like you're in, Mimir! Hit it with a psychic!
Mimir's eyes glow, and he fires off psychic energy at the Passimian.
Druid Dude
The Passimian is forced into the same pose, and rolled into its trainer. Desmond and Morgan mimic the sound of bowling pins being knocked down as the last obstacle before facing Maylene is removed. Maylene herself chuckles, tossing some Ethers and Potions to Atrin.
Maylene: Heh, you really stormed through them. But I'm going to be a bit more of a challenge.
She backflips into a boxing ring, taking her place at the corner farthest from Atrin, waiting for him, bouncing on her toes.
Edited by Jules-Firenze on Aug 15th 2023 at 10:55:08 PM
You piss off the Venom T-Rex. Roll initiative.
In The Rough
Whitt closes the last of the gap between him and Nitrogen. He stretches out his hand for her to take.
Whitt: I would. We could do it, we're some of the best. And there are others too, others who would follow us. And I know there's something better out there.