ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Secluded Beach

Kai: Yeah, same, it was a good refresher.

-They stare in thought at the bead for a moment, before hooking it back around their neck.-

Kai: I'll have to look more into what their deal is. They wanted to find their kin here in Paldea, apparently. I didn't see anything resembling it when I looked through PEFE Paldea's records, though, and it's not exactly the first region you'd think of when you look for the home of a sentient magatama.

-They shrug-

Secluded Beach

Daydre: "... Yeah, huh. Now that I think about it I probably would more associate this with Kanjoh et al. Maybe some rich guy imported the rest? That sounds like a rich person thing to do."

She shrugs.

Daydre: "If they're all object Pokemon like Chi-Yu, maybe they're in museums. That'd be funny. Museum overrun with flaming fishmon..."

... Slightly uncharacteristic giggling there. It's probably fine.

Daydre: "... I mean, no, bad, that'd be chaos. Though I haven't heard about anything like that happening so either they're all dormant or they're being hidden somewhere. Or some other third thing."

Secluded Beach

-Kai doesn't see any reason that giggling would be uncharacteristic! Mostly just-

Kai: You have a cute laugh. But yeah, rich guy makes sense. It is a very high quality piece of jade.

-They smile.-

Kai: Maybe they'll cheer up after knowing I'm not letting go of them just because I lost.

Gabriel's Fortress

The more Gabriel explains, the more Whitt's mind becomes awash with possibilities. He imagines people screaming, a land covered in ice, his enemies falling to the ground as lumps of frozen flesh.

He smiles. "So Gabriel. How many of these clones do you have for me?"

Secluded Beach

Daydre: "Aw, thank you! c:"

Daydre: "... But yeah, wishing you luck with any searching you do. If there's anything I can help with, just let me know."

Secluded Beach

Kai: Heh, same to you, just lemme know if there's anything I can lend a hand for.

-They tilt their head-

Kai: You said you've got your own recent experiences with sentient artifacts?

Secluded Beach

Daydre: "Well..."

She seems to waffle between two options in her head.

Daydre: "I bought some swords off of Pokebay, y'know? The listing said they were cursed, so I was like 'haha this'll be funny, let's see what happens if I buy them'. Turns out they were nascent Doublade! Not quite full Doublade, but still... have some of the powers of one, I guess? So I agreed to help them with a grudge of theirs, and in exchange they'll help me if I need to fight."

Daydre: "Yeah yeah I know, making a deal with a ghost is a bad idea but their requests were pretty simple!"

Silas nodded thankfully to Code Talker and stepped in, Roxy lay on the surgical bed, breathing softly. He walked over slowly and set his hand next to hers, Roxy opened her eyes somewhat and smiled. "Hey..."

"Hey," Silas responded.

Roxy gripped his hand, Silas blinked a little as he felt how tight her grip was. He looked her over, she seemed... different in a way, he wasn't sure what had happened but he swore he could see faint gold traces in her hair. "How are you feeling?"

"Numb... but in a good way. Doomsday gave me some good stuff and it feels like I'm drifting on clouds, instead of pins and needles. The doctors the J-Team knows... if you were to ever make a deep space mission I'd want these guys on board."

Silas smiled a bit. "I don't think we could afford them, even for all the beskar on board."

"Shame," Roxy said. "Whatever they did, the methods they used... it worked."

Silas didn't want to ask, he was feeling better knowing she was okay. "You're gonna come out of this, stronger than ever."

"Oh I know I am," Roxy said. "When I can leave, I'm gonna find that bald asshole who decided to toss a bioweapon at me and strangle him."

"Feelings of revenge can wait," Silas said. "We're probably gonna have you wait overnight first."

Roxy nodded, closing her eyes with a smile. "Smart... heal up first, and then find him."

Silas sat with her, before a soft snoring came in, his heart ached knowing he wouldn't be hearing that tonight. He looked to Doomsday and Satele and mouthed a silent thank you, before stepping back outside to Ludmilla and Code Talker.

He took a deep inhale, gave a slight slap to his face and looked at the both of them. "If you ever have need of anything I have, let me know and I'll gladly provide. I have a ship, I have weapons, I have beskar. I won't be able to sleep right without offering my services as thanks for everything."

Gabriel's Fortress

Whitt falls to his knees as he tries desperately to breathe, but it just doesn't work. He listens to Gabriel speak as black spots appear at the edge of his vision, then sucks in all the air he can as the function of his lungs return.

He slowly gets to his feet. "First you choke me, then you tell me I should be wearing a collar." He smiles at Gabriel. "Didn't know you were so kinky, Gabe."

He looks over at the clone. "I was hoping for something more in the area of a thousand, but I suppose ten will do for now. That's still plenty of destructive power. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm hungry and I'm going to raid your fridge."

He pushes past Gabriel and makes his way to the door. On the way out he stops, pauses, and looks back at Gabriel. "Oh, and one more thing Gabe? I will hurt you for this someday, when you're not useful to me anymore. Don't sleep too heavily, okay?" He gives Gabriel a smile that wouldn't look out of place if he had just said he was going to buy Gabriel an ice cream, and then he's gone.

Several days have passed since Mitchell and his team arrived at the academy. As they await the official start of the annual Treasure Hunt and their proper enrolment into the Academy, they pass the days studying and training further. Some of the students and faculty there may have had various thoughts, words, or acts regarding several of the Pokemon, and their Trainer, not being native to Paldea, but none of them paid it any undue mind.

On this day, though, Mitchell was in a more pensive mood. While his Pokemon were busy with their various interests, he took a chance to leave some thoughts on his trusty Poketch.

Mitchell idly thumbs over the Save button, then shuts off the Poketch and lies down on his dorm room's bed. He'd have to get back to studies in a bit, but right now, his eyes feel strangely heavy. It doesn't take long for him to fall asleep.

South Paldea Sea

-A Wattrel attempts to dive at some Arrokuda before a gust of wind sends them hurtling towards the shore-

Cabo Poco

-Looking out towards the sea-

You know, on a clear day you can actually see [Morocco] from here, folks went there for their honeymoon but this is the closest I've ever been.

-It's then that we spot a certain Wattrel hurtling above in the air-

Crud, we gotta save her.

-Mounts Ginny and starts galloping north-

Edited by rmctagg09 on Aug 28th 2023 at 10:00:53 AM

The Kidney Room

Code Talker: <There is no need. I swore an oath before Cresselia, Uxie, Azelf, Mesprit, and all of the other gods and goddesses. I will ask nothing of those who came to me in good faith.>

-Ludmilla rubs the back of her head.-

Ludmilla: Well... how the heck am I supposed to follow that up? In any event, let's at least make sure nobody ever has to deal with that again.

-Code Talker hands the damp sponge to Doomsday, who cleans it in a nearby sink.-

Code Talker: <Aside from my patient's continued health, right now, all I need is a less tiring version of that procedure. Having to pluck out toxin molecules like a multitude of Pin Missile needles at a microscopic scale is not efficient, even if I could multitask with them after some practice.>

Silas thought about what Code Talker said, and then recalled something. He picked up the folders and opened them up, digging through before smiling a bit.

"My partner in there was onto something, she's no genetic expert but she had been doing a little research, she called it Project Paldea, sort of in reference to the old Project Holon idea from the late 80s for long term space habitation," he said.

He showed Code Talker the folder, detailing the notes of using genetic therapies developed from Ditto research for repairing long term damage from living in space. "When I brought up the issues Holon had due to the need to make very permanent changes, she started looking into ways to repair instead of counteract damage. Think she might be onto something? If this idea can counteract cosmic radiation, microgravity atrophy and so on..."

The Kidney Room

-Code Talker flips through the files.-

Code Talker: <Interesting... self-repair enzymes that lay dormant until they detect damage...>

-The gem on his Shellder hat lights up for a moment.-

Code Talker: <I could make this work. After I've had a good rest, first.>

Ludmilla: Hey, nice. That'd probably also help the School Syndrome treatment you've been working on.

Code Talker: <My thoughts exactly.>

Silas's dark underlines seemed even darker, he weakly croaked out. "Yeah rest sounds good. I'm not gonna go too far so I can pick her up as soon as she's cleared to go."

He stretched a bit and looked to Ludmilla. "I think I've got some spare files I've collected on a few Templar sites I've hit, as well as some recordings of those paper soldiers in action just in case. I can also put you in contact with that Phantom Class if need be, and keep your chin high. Those bastards haven't got you yet, and every day you live just further spits in defiance of what they've done, you're gonna make em pay hard."

With that, he walked out slowly, looking for a place to sleep.

North of Los Platos

-Following managing to get the Wattrel from the air-

Wattrel: -Recounting- <Well, I was hunting, then I got blown over here, and then I got blown away when I was hunting again some more.>

-Looking up-

<I think I'd like to rest my wings for now...>

-Thinking-

<Actually, human who speaks with mons, are you going in the direction of Levincia?>

-To Wattrel-

Eventually, but not any time soon.

Wattrel: <That's where my flock is, and I want to be stronger by the next time I see them.>

-Sizing up my team-

<You all look strong, so if I stick around you guys, it'll be bound to happen.>

Hitodama: <Yeah well, hang around us long enough, and you'll face all the strong opponents you want.>

-Dead serious-

<I guarantee it. You sure that's what you want?>

Wattrel: <Fine with me!>

-Getting out a Poké Ball-

Alright then, welcome to the team, Pelly.

Edited by rmctagg09 on Aug 28th 2023 at 12:11:03 PM

Gabe shook his head as Whitt walked off with idle threats. Even among Templars who worked better together, there was always an aspect of distrust and wanting to kill each other. Still, Gabriel was unconcerned, he had more than enough contingencies for Whitt and the killphrase was just one of the most direct ones.

A menial came over and spoke up. "Sir, there is a call waiting for you. It's from the board of directors."

Gabriel sighed and began walking. "Dig out one of my 3 piece suits, the green one. If the board wants me, then it must be about projects for the fiscal year."

Gabriel was unconcerned because he had plans within plans, he was ready for anything... even the collapse of the School itself. He had made projections long ago and while he saw them as unlikely only a fool would take even a 90% as a total victory. "Get in contact with one of our benefactors, we may need to have Whitt meet some of the people we work with."

"Yes sir, a invitation shall be extended, to whom though sir?"

Gabriel smiled. "He seemed interested in the Repeater Project, bring in Strings if you could."

Artazon

Kec's Iron Tail attack smashes through Sudowoodo's defense, and through the thin layer of crystal that covers it. Sudowoodo is thrown to the ground, unconscious. Brassius smiles.

"The way you fight together... it is like an art," he says. Kec and Hoops high five. "I am bound to give you this Grass Badge."

Hoops holds it up to the light. "That makes three from Paldea."

<Shame I won't be able to win the rest with you> Kec says.

"It's fine. I'm just glad to have you while you're here."

Thanking Brassius, they leave the gym and start wondering back across town to the movie set. The lunch break will be over soon and Kec needs to get back to work. Hoops grabs them some tortilla from a nearby vendor, and they eat them as they walk.

"So what's this movie about anyway?" Hoops asks.

Kec shrugs. <It's a love story. Two young women meet in a post-war time period and grow closer while their pokémon help them to confront the traumas of their pasts, which are represented in the form of a giant enraged >

Hoops nods sagely. "Ah. Gay. Nice."

<Exactly. Since the pokémon are so involved in the plot they wanted me to come along and supervise how their interactions play into the rules for the new union stuff.>

The set comes into view. A section of the town has been transformed, now resembling a wartorn city with ruined buildings and streets full of rubble. Hoops especially notices a fountain appears to have been shorn in half, with the Sunflora it depicted missing half of its face.

<Brassius made that> Kec notes, seeing Hoops staring at it. <He said it was a truly unique artistic piece. Actually he was apparently involved in a lot of the art design for the film.>

Finally they reach the set. Kec approaches a Scolipede, who plays the antagonist of the movie. Prosthetics and make-up have been used to make it appear more monstrous, which doesn't stop it from looking slightly monstrous as it naps.

<How are you doing, Princess?> Kec asks.

Princess stretches slightly. <Well enough. Though I wanted to ask, do I really have to dissolve at the end of the film? I don't really think I can do that on command, and it sounds like it would hurt.>

<No, Princess> Kec assures her. <They'll do that afterwards.>

<Afterwards?> Princess asks. <But I'll be gone by then.>

<I mean they'll do it in the edit with computers> Kec explains patiently. <I'll explain more when we get to that scene, but the director will just ask you to pose in a certain way. Okay?>

<Okay> Princess agrees. <But I still don't really understand it.>

While this conversation is happening, Xaster appears next to Hoops. "I got so many autographs!" he squeals.

Hoops glances at him. "So that's where you were?"

"Oh yeah! I got the leads, a couple of the side characters, and look!" He points to a paw print in his notebook. "I even got Estefan to sign it!"

"Estefan?"

Kec points at an Grafaiai who is sitting in a makeup chair waiting for the shoot to start. "He's like, one of the most prolific pokémon actors in Paldea!" Xaster explains. "You see a Grafaiai in a movie and it's probably him. He's like the best!"

<That's right> Kec says, returning to the group. <And he's not part of my union. But depending on how well I do with Princess and Berry on this movie, he's willing to consider helping me start a Paldean chapter.>

"Director on set!" someone yells.

Xaster looks at where the assistant is pointing and makes a high pitched squealing noise.

"What?" Hoops asks.

"That's the director!" Xaster squeals. "Guillermo del Tauros!"

"Who?" Hoops asks.

Kec and Xaster both round on him. "<What do you mean, who?>"

"Director of Skiddo's Maze!"

<The Giratina's Tailspike!>

"The Shape of Water Types!"

<Shuppettio!>

Hoops frowns at the last one. "Wasn't that the live action movie that you both told me was bad and not worth my time?"

"<No!>"

An aid calls for quiet on set as shooting resumes, and they both decide to yell at Hoops about this later.

Secluded Beach

Kai: Ohhh. I mean, as long as you weren't locked into it and don't regret it, there's nothing wrong with making a deal like that, right? Plus, it can't be that bad if they were sold online instead of, like, locked away in a sealed shrine for eternity.

-They shrug-

Silas waited quietly, it had been a few days since Roxy had been brought in. He had been trying to keep busy in that time, working with Bishop to track Gabriel, so that when they returned to Paldea...

He pushed those thoughts aside, Roxy had called dibs and he was willing to let her have the first go. He looked up as the door opened, and out she stepped, stretching a bit.

"Arceus, am I stiff!" She said, Silas had a smile on his face. Roxy looked over and had a big smile herself. "Heeeey! How long you been waiting for me?" she asked.

"Few days now," Silas replied, thankful she was out.

Roxy shook her head. "Hey, I'm fine, better than fine even! Honestly I feel great, Code Talker is a great doctor and I feel stronger than ever."

It was at this point that Silas was noticing she did seem... different in a way. She was still her no doubt, but her curly brown hair had flecks of gold, he noticed that her biceps were a little larger, she even seemed to have gained another inch in height. Was mutative effects part of N6 survivors? Or was it tied to the treatments.

Even her eyes seemed to have faint tinges of purple in them... He'd bring it up later, only to feel her pull him into a big hug, and lift him off the ground.

"So! Ready to start finding that asshole? I've got a promise to keep!" Roxy said.

Problems for later, Silas smirked and nodded. "I've already got Bishop started."

"Good."

Going to Valor Lakefront

Desmond and Morgan did their best to entertain the little pupper by playing with Ecto. The little one's energy gave everyone a lift in spirits after Veilstone. No one would remember it, hopefully.

After passing through Route 214, Desmond and Atrin are greeted by a massive hotel. The style blends old and modern for a beautiful building. Several, smaller buildings line the plateau of a similar style, and the air is filled with the scent of flowers. All in all, it really did seem like Hotel Grand Lake was a super rich place to stay.

They couldn't admire the view very much, however, as a scream broke the air, and a fat, pompous-looking man stormed past the two, soaked all over. "What a disgrace! Your reviews will be abysmal!" he huffs.

Morgan: <Geez, who shoved the stick up his ass?>

A hotel staff member rushes out of the hotel. "Sir, wait! Please don't... go." he heaves a sigh. He turns to Desmond and Atrin, and he immediately straightens himself and tries to bow. However, it's clear his heart isn't in it. "Welcome... to Hotel Grand Lake... Ah who cares, we're shutting down soon." he sighs sadly. "Trainers, would you help us?* he pleads.

Valor Lakefront

Atrin: Help? With what exactly? And who was that guy who was running out?

Ecto: <He is running. That means he must want to play chase!>

Ecto runs after the man happily, and a few moments later, he returns with a sad face.

Ecto: <He did not want to play.>

Hotel Grand Lake

Desmond pats Ecto apologetically.

"Well, we've been having a problem recently." the hotel staff admits. He sighs and pulls out a phone. He taps a few buttons and shows the pair a video. It showed a compilation of angry rich guys passing by the fountains and pools of water and suddenly being knocked off their feet by what looked like a bullet made of water, once the video was slowed down tremendously.

"It's starting to trend..." The staff wails. "If this goes on, our reputation will be ruined!"

Desmond: Don't worry, we'll help ya, right Atrin? Anyone know what kind of Pokemon it is?

The staff calms down a little. "T-the Seven Star Restaurant battlers tried their hand against it, but all they could glean was that it was small and very, very fast. Of course, from its method of attack, it's a water-type, obviously."

Morgan's eye glimmers in interest, and she pulls Desmond a little.

Morgan: <Desmond, this guy sounds perfect for our team! I'm weak to fire, this 'mon is water!>

she whispers frantically. Desmond smiles and nods. Morgan takes another look at the footage.

Morgan: <That's pretty damn fast. Even with me and Desmond blocking it, that speed is a problem. We can't get close.>

Desmond: Hmmm... Atrin, what do you think?

Edited by Jules-Firenze on Aug 30th 2023 at 8:35:16 PM

Hotel Grand Lake

Atrin looks for a few moments, contemplating.

Atrin: Hmm, a fast water type. If we can find it, there's an easy way to slow it down if I can get close enough for Mimir to use Trick Room.

Mimir nods.

Atrin: Plus, I want to see where this goes. I'm in.

Nitrogen's Mindscape

Alexa the Archivist: Oh, ease up, Phantom. You know I don't do lethal work.

Nitrogen: Bite me.

Alexa the Archivist: I assure you, Snapdragon could, but I'd be rather disappointed to see you two kill each other.

-The mental construct of Alexa the Archivist tsks, making a note on a clipboard about Nitrogen's temper – no improvement, grounds for liquidation on its own. She's written that note so many times over the years, it's mostly lost its meaning.-

-She strolls through the halls – castle halls, for what it's worth.-

-She inspects a tapestry.-

Alexa the Archivist: Conspiring with graduates now, are you? Dangerous business, Nitrogen.

Nitrogen: What, golden girl? Sycophant Supreme? If you'll actually look, it was a play to make my duty to the School more efficient.

-Thorny vines burst out of the mortar and tear the tapestry off its hooks. The whole castle gets blurry for a moment, and then clarifies again. The tapestry hangs on one remaining hook, mostly intact but no longer in place.-

Alexa the Archivist: -notetaking- Standard... fare... insolence. Of course I'm looking. That's my job.

-She presses some stone bricks in a particular order, and the wall behind the tapestry opens up, revealing a theatre stage, set up to replicate a memory.-

Molybdenum: -spoken aloud- "And Mewtwo's helix, maybe don't repay the favor I'm so kindly offering by saying out loud, here something that will make me kill you!"

-She physically slaps away her costar's hand, which clutches a packet containing red liquid. The liquid drips from Nitrogen's hand.-

Molybdenum: "If you want to see eye-to-eye with me, get on my level."

-Nitrogen scowls, giving an exaggerated stage sigh.-

Nitrogen: "I said it was dangerous. If I had your power, I'd do it myself, but I'm a hunter, and the perfect version of myself pertains to that. Filter out the muck, and I will prove I am on your level."

-Nitrogen locks eyes with Molybdenum. A challenge. You can't run from a Pokemon wielder's challenge.-

Molybdenum: "...gods, how have you lived this long?"

-Molybdenum sighs. She takes Nitrogen's clenched hand and relaxes it, lacing her own hand through it. The fake blood drips between them.-

Molybdenum: "Once I know about sedition, once anyone can know that I know, I can't afford a memory of anything but my best. You know that."

Nitrogen: "That's why I came to you. I've lived this long because I root out the weak, as a hunter and as the parasite the School sees me as. I tested Whitt's loyalty, and he's chosen to conspire."

-She smirks.-

Nitrogen: "He took the bait. Anyone who takes the bait is better off dead before they put the School at risk. Wouldn't you agree?"

-Molybdenum looks at Nitrogen for a moment, before giving a short laugh.-

Molybdenum: "It was just a joke, ha-ha. If you want to respond to a little light chain-yanking with a coffin calling, that's on you. But I do happen to agree."

-snort-

Molybdenum: "I'd say you're playing with fire, but I certainly don't see Bren anywhere. No Antimony. No Alíthea. You're playing with me, and no one's ever faulted me for doing my job."

-Nitrogen, too, laughs.-

Nitrogen: "Oh, Molybdenum. Playing with fire is where I thrive. I do command dragons, after all – fire is a whole thing with us."

-When their gaze meets again, it's not as harsh.-

Nitrogen: "I don't need Antimony or Alíthea or even Bren to play with fire. All I need is someone to keep the burn controlled."

Molybdenum: "Hahah, careful. That's close to admitting a fault. You can't seem like you're afraid of anything."

-Their clasped hands shift, going from intimate hand-holding to a handshake.-

Molybdenum: "You want efficiency? I'll give you efficiency. But tit for tat, Nitro-cat. I'll come up with something. You want to prove yourself to me, I've got a trial in mind."

-Behind a screen, short mini-scenes play out between different actors. A Carbon. A Rubidium. A Phosphorus. Their faces are clear, but their costumes are ambiguous, and everything they do is in pantomime and charades. Nitrogen herself is only one actor, so she of course doesn't appear in any of these scenes.-

Nitrogen: "Whatever the trial is, I'm willing to take the challenge."

-The lights fade, only leaving a spotlight on their handshake, before going dark completely.-

-Alexa the Archivist does not applaud. Instead, she flips through a copy of the script, checking the scenes before and after the one she just watched.-

Alexa the Archivist: How quaint. I suppose that does line up with your duty, though, so I'll let it pass.

-She writes a note about attachments – lost and gained.-

Alexa the Archivist: Anyway, the Whitt debacle.

-She leaves the hidden stage, and the vines pull the unceremoniously torn tapestry back into place.-

Nitrogen: Yeah, no, the bastard doesn't understand the concept of a "cautionary tale". It's no secret I hate you fuckers. But you wanna know what is my big secret?

Alexa the Archivist: You have none, but I'll humor you for the sake of rhetoric. Enlighten me.

Nitrogen: I'm a selfish bitch. That means I care about my own life. I couldn't give a shit about building something better, that's not what it's ever been about. I like living, and that means I do my job, like everyone else in this Distortion-damned secret society.

Alexa the Archivist: There are quite a few individuals in this, quote– -writing down- Distortion-damned secret society, who would collapse your trachea for that alone.

Nitrogen: Sucks to be them. Are you there yet?

Alexa the Archivist: I was kindly waiting for you to stop monologuing.

-Another stage. Another performance.-

-The scene opens with Nitrogen and Whitt landing, shortly after their failure to eliminate Brie. The Noivern playing the role of Grieve gives an annoyed chitter.-

Nitrogen: …That was a trainwreck.

Whitt: I thought you said we'd be able to take one measly J-Teamer. Well, look at us now. A full pair of failures.

-Nitrogen laughs.-

Nitrogen: "Hahah. No. No, you've got it wrong."

-She paces past Whitt.-

Nitrogen: "I warned you not to underestimate them. That you could call it an easy job after the job was done. But you decided you could take your sweet time. You decided, rather than a swift kill while they were helpless, you needed to compensate for something. You decided she needed to see your big, gigantic ego before she died."

-She snorts.-

Nitrogen: "The Frozen Emperor? Really?"

Whitt: "It doesn't fucking matter whose fault it was. Because you know what? The School will not care. This isn't the first time either one of us have failed at this point. You think they'll want to listen to us squabble about why the other one is the worst and it was definitely all their fault, believe me sir!"

Alexa the Archivist: To his credit, I don't especially want to suffer through this.

Nitrogen: And yet here you are, doing it anyway, because we do our jobs.

Whitt: "And you know what, Nitrogen? You're right. I have an ego, but at least I give enough of a shit about myself to actually pick out my own name rather than carrying around the one they threw at me when they printed me out."

Nitrogen: "I give enough of a shit about myself to survive. And I intend to keep doing that, Whitt. Whatever it takes. I refuse to be expendable."

-The spotlight shines on Whitt as he takes center stage, facing the audience. Facing Alexa the Archivist.-

Whitt: "You want to survive. We all want to survive. But that's base. That's like them. The regular people, not like us. Nitrogen, we're better than them. We were made to be better, and we are. We shouldn't intend to merely survive."

-The orchestra swells dramatically.-

Whitt: "The School created us, but they don't know what they created. They made beings who should rule! Why shouldn't we rule? We are the opposite of expendable!"

-He dramatically whips around toward Nitrogen, extending a hand. Another spotlight shines on Nitrogen.-

Whitt: "So fuck the School. We can do our own thing. Take the other School creations who feel as we do. Build something better, something that will stand above them.''

-Nitrogen gives an annoyed scoff.-

Nitrogen: "You think you have a chance to make it out there? You'd be on the run constantly! I've tried it before, years ago! You're really going to take that risk, for something 'better'!?"

-Whitt pleads desperately. Someone give this man an Oscar.-

Whitt: We could do it! We're some of the best! There are others too, others who would follow us, and I know there's something better out there!

-Nitrogen regards him coldly.-

Nitrogen: When they pick through my brain, I'll be sure to remember you said that.

-And the fight begins, which Alexa the Archivist decides to flip past in the script to the end. The actors make it accordingly brief.

Alexa the Archivist: Join me or leave, I don't care anymore, dah-dah-dah, no room for mercy, wasn't trying to be good or anything– hah, loyalty, sure. Okay, there we go, there's the suffocation. Took you long enough.

Nitrogen: Trust me, I wish I hadn't waited to find out he caught feelings either. I threw up in my mouth a bit just thinking about that again.

Alexa the Archivist: How tragic. Well, the evidence is there, you did kill him for sedition, so I suppose you can't be liquidated for that. However, you did fail your mission, and you manipulated a Templar into traitorous action.

Nitrogen: Yeah, yeah.

School Safehouse

-Nitrogen writhes in agony, restrained by a Carnivine, as it ingrains vines around her spinal cord.-

Alexa the Archivist: As such, you'll be under stricter watch. I will be aware of any further dissent you attempt to stir, and our dear Snapdragon will punish you accordingly. Regardless of where you are. I hope that is clear.

-Nitrogen's response is incoherent.-

Alexa the Archivist: Excellent. I will deliver my report posthaste. Please, behave.

Snapdragon: <I'll be seeing you, morsel~>

-Snapdragon mops up the spilled blood with his vines, and follows Alexa the Archivist as she leaves Nitrogen to get used to her new surgery.-

Edited by BittersweetNSour on Aug 30th 2023 at 9:01:34 AM