Person, or Idea?
After several minutes concentrating on the message he had sent, Mitchell is shaken out of his trance by an alert on his Poketch. He had completely forgotten about a seminar that he was supposed to attend five minutes from now.
"Shoot," Mitchell says. "That settles it. We better get going before we're-"
It's only now that he looks up, and sees Vasilissa galloping off to the east, with Edmond and Oliver on her back and Christine flying behind. He leaps to his feet and tries to pursue, only to be stopped by a telepathic missive.
~We'll be back,~, Christine sends to Mitchell. ~We promise.~
"You better," Mitchell says, cursing his own obliviousness. "Shoot. Let's get this seminar over with."
With that, Mitchell hurries back inside the Academy, with Gavroche, Rebecca, Auguste, and Esmeralda in pursuit.
As the four Pokemon approach Artazon, they all see the unmistakable signs of abnormal weather.
<Giratina's fangs!>, Oliver exclaims. <What strange snowstorm is that?>
Christine shivers, and not just from the rapidly dropping temperatures. <I sense something horrid from that storm,> she explains. <It's malice incarnate!>
<That doesn't sound nice,> Edmond remarks. <Sensei wouldn't like this, at all.>
Vasilissa has an idea. <Stand back, everyone!>, she says to the others. <I'mma give us something to beat the cold!>
Edmond and Oliver dismount and back away, while Cristine floats further up to see if she can see landmarks through the storm. Alas, nothing distinct can be seen by her.
Satisfied that the others are far enough away, Vasilissa calls out her plan. <I'll clear a path with my Flame Wheel. You guys should be safe in the heat pocket behind me, maybe. On the count of 3, I'll take off, and you follow me. Ready?>
<As ready as ever, Vas,> Edmond replies.
<Okay!> Vasilissa says, before bracing herself for her sprint. <One, Two, THREE!>
Fire explodes all around Vasilissa as she performs a Flame Wheel, tearing through the snowstorm in front of her. Just behind her, carrying Christine and Oliver in his arms, Edmond charges with a superhuman sprint. They soon fade into an orange glow inside the storm, before vanishing to outside eyes.
Mr. Tenor is sleeping in the plain chair the School provided, slumped over his spartan desk. Well, he was, but a sound and a touch have groggily woken him up.
The sound: a ringing from the landline telephone installed in his office.
The touch: a rubbing on his cheek from Mezzo's metallic fur.
"Arright, arright, I'm up!", Mr. Tenor says, mostly to himself, as he slaps his hands on his cheeks to fully awaken himself. Then, he snatches the phone and puts it to his head. "Hello and good day, Mr. Tenor here. How can I help?", he says into the receiver.
Artazon Outskirts - South Province, Area Three
Whitt feels the drain on his aura from Vee. It's an unpleasant feeling, but not one that he's entirely unused to.
"Oh, so you want my aura, huh?" he asks. "Well in that case, take as much as you like. I just hope that you can stomach it!" He slams his hand into the ground and channels as much of his rancid, disgusting cold aura into the fleshy terrain as he can.
"I recognise her words on your voice," he says, speaking of Molybdenum. "It's not just that she controlled you - she still does. And even now, when it's been years, you still find yourself facing what the School has wrought and being powerless. How does it feel. How much does it HURT!?"
Like opening a dam, he releases a huge wave of cold that freezes the ground and steals the breath from everyone around. The rocks begin to crack as the water that had seeped into them from Megan's teams attacks is frozen all at once, expanding and forcing the cliff face apart.
Artazon Plaza
Now that Aislinn is gone, Xaster is approached by Brassius. "What do you need?" the gym leader asks.
Xaster's mind races. He's in control of this situation, which is now where he wanted to be.
"I guess, pick a place you can defend. Like your gym," he suggests. "Get as many people there as you can."
"And you?" Brassius asks.
Xaster looks down the road, towards the hotel where Hoops is still sleeping. "I have someone I need to protect."
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Artazon Outskirts - Approaching
The mountain path leading up to the battle is rocky enough, but the conditions caused by the combatants makes it even more hazardous.
Water and ice sluice down the path, and try as she might, Gaycrus is having trouble dodging all of it.
Aislinn: "... Gaycrus, can you try something?"
Artazon Outskirts - South Province, Area Three
The wave of cold takes Aislinn and Gaycrus' breath away- in an uncomfortably literal way. The frozen ground doesn't seem to hamper them, though.
... Mostly because they're not on the ground.
Gaycrus is charging through the sky across the flats of Psycho Cut blades, creating hoofholds just as it looks like she's about to strike empty air.
In the back of her mind, Aislinn notes the presence of Megan.
Aislinn: That's my cousin's girlfriend, isn't it?... I'll have to talk to her later.
...There's more important things going on right now, though.
Forcing herself to take a breath even as the cold bites at her lungs, Aislinn launches off of Gaycrus' back and towards Whitt. She brings her sheathed sword down on him with as much force as gravity will allow.
Snowpoint, Outskirts
Dima headtilts in a decidedly animalistic manner.
Dima: "Oh, yes and... yes? You're a pokemon?"
.. It seems Eira neglected to tell her about Eric.
Dima looks a bit mareepish, but nods in assent.
Dima: ".. Yeah, I may have... Done a few things in Pokemon form. And continue to be doing things."
Eira: "I can't really object, since they're things I wish I could do but cannot due to social convention. I just worry about her safety when she does them."
Eira: "It was a bit of a shock when she told me, though. 'Yeah that Zoroark you capture for Assists sometimes is me' is not something you hear every day."
off the shits
Artazon Outskirts - South Province, Area Three
Aislinn finds her sword stroke blocked by two crossed blades - Horus's two crossed blades. Of course, he wouldn't be so inattentive as to allow his master to be caught by an attack like this.
Whitt turns and looks at Aislinn, purple eyes seeming to glow with anger. "Did someone tell you that you could interrupt?"
Mr. Tenor's Office
The one on the other line is, of course, Watson.
Watson: Hey, Mr. Tenor. Watson here. Just chiming in to tell you that you've got another assignment from Drs. Valdés and Circhester concerning the batch of Schoolchildren you were assigned to. The three of them currently here are already at our audiovisual room, while details of your assignment should be on your e-mail. There's been an incident and the doctors feel that watching it unfold should be, like, a "learning experience" for the kids.
On Tenor's e-mail notices is this message:
To: Tenor
From: Dr. Cassander Circhester
CC: Dr. Rafael Valdés de Polavieja
Mr. Tenor
There has recently been an ongoing disturbance in the city of Artazon concerning a renegade former member of our staff. He appears to have decided that open action against the city, which is home to several of our sister institutions. We do not believe he will succeed in this endeavor but also believe he still has something to impart to our company before we are forced to take action once he's apprehended.
Our former associate, Whitt by name, was apparently slated for retrenchment, though for some reason we did not receive the notice until just now, when the order to do so was apparently carried out. He was formerly one of those under my direct employ, in roughly the same capacity that Watson fills today; however, his field performance has been unsatisfactory both during and after his time under me, and in retrospect such actions may have been necessary.
We believe that watching the event unfold with a guiding hand would be beneficial to the students assigned to you. Watching his failure would impart a lesson of foresight, humility, and a realistic assessment of what their abilities can logistically accomplish.
We wish you well in this endeavour
Respectfully yours, Dr. Circhester.
Edited by MasterJayAM on Sep 27th 2023 at 4:08:47 PM
Roxy sat down, still smiling over the look on Gabriel's face as she did. She placed her hands behind her head and relaxed.
Silas followed shortly behind her, human once more. He looked over her, the way she moved in the fight, the strength, the flexibility. Something was definitely different, even the gold flecks in her hair seemed to obey rules similar to the white stripes in his hair.
"How are you feeling?" Silas asked.
"Great, that fight went great, coward had to run but whatever."
"Barely broke a sweat huh?"
Roxy nodded, before catching his meaning. "Hm... think something is up?"
"The fact that you have brown and gold hair and you seem to be a little more muscular than previously seen is on my mind yes," Silas responded.
Hacks leaned over the couch. ~Yeah, your aura is different, the grooves still match but there's something different.~
"Well I did just go through something pretty horrific... kinda like how Silas up and died," Roxy countered.
"Still, we're gonna want to figure out what's different, the way you moved was unreal," Silas said.
Roxy shrugged, she had no reason to disagree.
No voice to cry suffering
Artazon Outskirts - South Province, Area Three
Vee: <Oh, buddy—>
-this is one of the most vile people Vee's ever tasted-
Vee: <...!>
-he's like if brainfreeze were an essential oil that hated you-
-and try though she might, she can't keep it down-
-she abandons the parts of herself trying to gnaw through Beira and Ullr, leaving Whitt's intolerable Whittness to freeze with them—fleeing back to her partners-
-the cold overtakes her before she can climb more than a foot-
-Whitt's comments shake Megan-
-he can see it in the shaking of her shoulders—the tension running through her—-
-the manic grin on her face, exposing her too-sharp incisors-
Megan: -joyous- It feels wonderful!
-the ground crumbles beneath her—the pillar her starter dragged from the earth shatters into a thicket of ice spikes, torn apart from within-
-the state change robs them of what control they retained-
-but control is overrated-
Megan: -clutching on for dear life, watching the shattering approach- Lithic...
-something in Pippy goes stony and cold-
Megan: End.
-he twitches once, and preternatural skill with the blade overtakes him-
-he scythes their high refuge into a dozen stony spears, propelled apart by Whitt's icy expansion-
-aiming...where? it's a target-rich environment, them against the world, with the students fleeing and Whitt and his team beneath them-
Megan: Oh, huh. Aislinn's here.
-they're plummeting-
Megan: She'll be fine.
-Megan and Pippy fall down the icy spire, crunching outcroppings all the way to the ground-
-this time, a lump of inert Vaporeon snow catches them-
Megan: -to Whitt, teeth chattering- Wonderful. Which is—gh—more than can be said—for this. You poor baby.
-she sways in her cushion of Vee, shoving upright-
-spraying a Full Restore over Pippy- When's—the last time you satisfied anyone?
Pippy: -having taken the brunt, whimpers- <You, you tell him.>
-Megan sneers-
-...coated in frosted-over blood, shaking violently, every resource she so dearly relies on frozen into uselessness-
(-there's that budding fear Whitt so craves-)
-but she dumps a vial of antifreeze-
-groggy Vaporeon, scraping its tongue, flows up and over her to form a second skin—a fresh spine—and a trident in her hands, sizzling with heat-
Megan: Projecting?!
Snowpoint, Outskirts
-Eric winks, passably-
-and sort of...dispels his human face...to show the Latias underneath-
Eric: <I won't tell if you won't.>
Addie: -rolling her eyes- <He wouldn't say anyway, he's not on the run from the mob.>
Eric: <...>
Addie: <You're. You're not on the run from the mob.>
Eric: <The quip's—supposed to indicate in-grouping.>
Addie: <Solidarity's more effective if it's not conditional!>
Eric: <Humans.> -_-
-he's wearing a sort of saddle bag like what rescue Stoutland wear, emblazoned with the Pokémon Center symbol, except shaped like if you wanted a very fast jet to wear it looking for Timmy in the well-
Logan: I can't really complain either, given who I run with. ^_^
-they give Eira a wry, commiserating sort of smile-
Logan: -to Dima- Just take care of yourself, okay? If not for your own sake, then for someone who really cares about you.
-and the last thing, of all things, is what overwhelms their sense of propriety-
Logan: -squee- That's so cute.
Addie: -tiny- <You're a Ranger? Why?? To put rings around other women?>
Logan: You do have that sort of synced-up vibe to you! Working together in the field, showing up so conveniently, like you know when you're needed—
Eric: ~Logan.~
Logan: Vow identity shenanigans, Eric! It's practically sitcom tier.
-sitcom is not the genre they want to reference-
No mind to think. No will to break.
Priest of the Temple of Syrinx
Route 111- Hoenn (Axis; August 2021)
After a few minutes, Axis, Tekkan, Letina, and Axollo had made it onto Route 111, where Tekkan and Letina were about to have their battle against each other to see which one of them would be the third Pokemon that Axis would use against Flannery. As soon as they got outside, Axis sent out Puxiki, Neziey, and Viscor— almost immediately Puxiki noticed Axollo in Marshtomp form and happily ran up to him to give him a hug.
<OMEDETOUUUUUU~!> he squealed. <I know you already told us the news, so I already know that you evolved, but now that I'm seeing you in person for the first time... you are just so cuuuuteee~!>
Axollo giggled, caught somewhat off-guard by Puxiki's hug, but still hugged his friend back.
<Awwww, thanks~!> he said. <I don't really have time to celebrate, though— Letina's going to be participating in a battle!>
Puxiki pulled away.
<A battle?> he asked. <For what?>
<Tekkan and I are going to battle to see which of the two of us will be the third mon that Axis will use against Flannery,> said Letina.
<Ohhh...> said Puxiki.
<Flannery?> Neziey asked. <We're already on our way to Lavaridge?>
She turned to face Axis.
<Axis, you've already visited three Gyms in a matter of a week,> said Neziey. <Are you sure you don't want to at least take a rest? Find out more about your newest Pokemon? Or the rest of us, for that matter?>
"I'm sure this battle will provide me with that information," said Axis. "I mean, from the battle I had against you I learned just how well Letina and Axollo are able to work together and trust each other."
<Well, yes,> Neziey admitted, <but I meant more in terms of their interests and what-not. Don't you want to at least spend some time with them?>
"I already went and explored around Mauville with them," said Axis. "That should be fair enough for now."
While Axis and Neziey were talking to each other, Letina and Tekkan went to their sides of the battlefield. Puxiki and Axollo, meanwhile, began talking amongst each other.
<They're already planning on using Neziey and I in the Flannery gym battle,> said Axollo.
<I am interested in participating in the Flannery battle, but I still don't know if I'm too strong to fight her Pokemon,> said Neziey.
<You are neutral to Fire-type moves, so you will have a less easy time with her mons than you otherwise would,> Letina pointed out from the battlefield.
<Fair,> said Neziey.
Viscor didn't say anything; mainly out of fear that he’d say something out of turn.
Puxiki, meanwhile, turned to face Axis.
<Hey, Axis?> he asked. <Can I heal everyone up once they’re done?>
Axis smiled.
“That’s very thoughtful of you,” they said. “I appreciate the gesture, but I don’t think you know any healing moves.”
<Oh yeah… right…> Puxiki said, disappointed.
He paused.
<Wait, what about Neziey?> he asked. <She has to know something!>
<I do, in fact,> she said. <Life Dew.>
<Yippee~!> cried Puxiki.
“Alright, then,” said Axis. “Neziey’s in charge of healing. Puxiki, Axollo, Viscor… you three can just watch the battle for yourselves.”
<Go, Letina~!> cried Puxiki. <Go, Tekkan~!>
<Puxiki, you cannot cheer for both of us,> said Letina simply.
<Alright, Viscor~! Here’s how battling works~!> said Axollo.
<I… I already know how battling works…> muttered Viscor.
Axis turned to face their two mons, who were now eagerly raring for battle by this point.
“Alright, Tekkan,” they said. “Are you ready?”
<Whenever you are!> said Tekkan.
“Letina?”
“I have been ready since this battle was initially announced,” said Letina.
Axis grinned.
“Alright, then!” they cried out, raising their arm into the air. “Begin the strife!”
[S]- STRIFE!!
<Well now!> said Tekkan cheerfully. <Looks like I might as well go first!>
He promptly flew forward at an immensely high speed, striking Letina with a sudden burst of wind that knocked her backwards.
<Letina!> cried Viscor.
<He started out with Air Slash immediately…> muttered Neziey.
<Yeah, but this is Letina we’re talking about~!> said Axollo. <If I know one thing about her… it’s that she likes Silly Cobra. But if I know another thing!... it’s that she can be a bit of a killjoy. But if I know another another thing… it’s that she’s not gonna give up until this battle is over!>
And sure enough, as the dust faded, Letina got back up on her feet, glaring over at Tekkan.
<Hm. Not bad,> she said. <But can you survive this?>
And she promptly ran forward, cloaking herself in flame and hitting Tekkan directly.
Tekkan was similarly thrown backwards, but managed to stay airborne.
<You bet I can!> he said.
Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅
Person, or Idea?
Mr. Tenor reads the e-mail while listening to Watson.
Mr. Tenor: Thank you for the head-up, Watson. I'll be right over to the A/V room shortly. See you there.
He then quickly freshens himself up and brings Mezzo and Empy with him to the audiovisual room. As he travels there, he ponders the exact terms Dr. Circhester used in his e-mail, and quietly worries for both his wellbeing and that of Neon.
Mr. Tenor slips into the room, as quietly as he can manage, after peeking in to make sure his three charges are in there. Once he reaches the far corner on the opposite wall, he claps his hands once to get the others' attention.
Mr. Tenor: Good day, folks, and pardons for the sudden meeting. Can't exactly ignore special assignments from the higher-ups, as we all know.
Empy: *sigh* <Here he goes again.>
Mezzo: <Aw, don't be like that, Empy.>
Mr. Tenor: Anyway, let's have a look at this live footage of a, *ahem*, associate of ours doing an incident in Artazon. Right, where's that remote gone?
The Wanderer
Heahea City, later that night
Chiyo: -Looking outside at the Moon- It was a night like this when we first met, wasn't it Ceres?
Ceres: <Yeah...>
Chiyo: -Holding out a Moon Stone- It's a big decision, I didn't want to just force it on you, same with Pisaster.
Ceres: -Looking at the Moon Stone- <I want to be stronger.>
-Shakes head-
<No, if I'm gonna help with the island challenge, and especially the School, I don't just want, I need to be stronger. It can't just be you and Dactyl alone, you need us. All of us.>
Chiyo: You're growing up quickly my little Ceres, which might be what Pokémon do, but don't be in that much of a rush.
Ceres: -Nods- <I'm ready.>
-She touches the Moon Stone and starts to glow. When it subsides, a Clefable is left in Ceres' place-
Chiyo: -Jokingly as she hugs her newly evolved mon- I guess I can't call you little Ceres anymore.
Konikoni City, September 12th
-Chiyo and Chloe arrive in town, but...-
Chloe: -Looking around- Shit, it really did a number on this place.
-While the majority of buildings in the immediate area around them are still standing, the effects of the fire of the previous month can still be seen. While neither psychic is a full empath, they both pick up on a general feeling that can be best described as despondence-
Chiyo: -Looking at the remains of a house burnt to its foundations, having not yet been cleared for rebuilding- It's not as bad as it could've been, from what I heard, but it's not great. Not at all.
You know, I actually considered not coming here. We'd already delayed doing this when we first heard about the fire...
Chloe: Well, let's go find the kahuna, I'm sure they're expecting you Chiyo.
Edited by rmctagg09 on Sep 14th 2023 at 3:47:59 PM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Artazon Outskirts - South Province, Area Three
Whitt is actually thrown back by Pippy's big attack, as the ground beneath his feet crumbles. He falls headfirst for an instant, seeming knocked out by the force. Then his eyes snap open, and he jumps off a nearby piece of rock. With the help of Horus, he manages to make his way safely to the ground, landing a few feet form Megan at the bottom of the cliff. Stone and ice rains around him, all of it missing.
"You're becoming less and less fun to talk to," Whitt says. "And frankly I'm getting bored." He raises Horus's blades. "So how about we just start trying to kill each other until you die." He charges.
Flying Colors
Naranja y Uva Academy Library
-Kai is jotting down stuff in a corner
Kai: Let's see, Daydre has a Cyclizar, Normal/Dragon, the obvious counter would be a Mimikyu but in general Ghosts and Fairies have a good shot against them... There's a lot of Cyclizar around, I could get one myself, it would be nice to have some easy transportation while I'm around here.
-A voice hisses in Kai's mind.-
Chi-Yu: ~Why are you bothering with gathering new underlings? You have powerful ones at your disposal already.~
Kai: They're not underlings. And they're just... not what I need now. If I want to beat my fellow J-Teamers, I need to prove that I can work from scratch and strategize my way up to their level. Brute force isn't going to cut it. Plus, it's a new region, and I'd like to familiarize myself with the region's local species.
Chi-Yu: ~Find my kin, then.~
Kai: I don't even know where to start looking, Chi-Yu. I'm taking this one step at a time. I need to.
???: You don't look like a student here.
Kai: Huhwha?
-Kai jolts out of their focus and looks up at the person addressing them. One of the teachers — what was it again...-
Kai: Oh, uh, you're instructor Raifort, right? Am I getting that right?
-Raifort chuckles, and takes a seat.-
Raifort: That's me. And you? Some aspiring student, or just sneaking into the library for the sake of knowledge without enrolling?
Kai: Oh, hahah, neither. I'm Kai. Amarin. Hoenn Frontier Brain. Instructor Dendra had an opening for a TA, and I took it up.
Raifort: Oh, yes, she did mention something about that. I'm surprised you don't have fans crowding around you, then.
Kai: ...Ah-heh. That's kind of why I'm staying on campus right now. Library quiet rules.
Raifort: Smart choice.
-She glances down at the magatama hanging from Kai's neck.-
Raifort: ...Quite a nice necklace you've got there, Kai.
-Kai instinctively tenses-
Kai: It's— ahem, er, thank you, I just got it recently.
Raifort: And yet it looks like it's seen quite some wear. May I see it?
Kai: You can't touch it— but, uh, I can hold it up for you to see, I guess.
Raifort: Oh, don't you worry.
-Kai takes off the necklace and clutches it in front of Raifort, who adjusts her glasses to take a closer look.-
Raifort: Old artifacts like these have always been an interest of mine. This one... hmm...
-She pulls away, and Kai retracts their hand a bit too quickly.-
Raifort: I know you're here as a Battle Studies TA, but I don't suppose you know anything about Paldea's history, do you?
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Artazon Outskirts - South Province, Area Three
Aislinn: -flatly- "I don't need your permission."
The crumbling cliff knocks her off balance and back into freefall, but Gaycrus is still idling nearby and she manages to land (roughly) on the Rapidash's back.
Aislinn: -wincing- Ugh, that's going to bruise tomorrow.
Gaycrus leaps nimbly from rock to rock, blade to blade, until she reaches the ground where everyone else is.
Her eyes narrow as Whitt charges.
Aislinn: "... Well. Two can play at that game."
Aislinn gives Gaycrus a nod. Gaycrus lowers her head and, pointing her horn towards Whitt, rushes headlong.
Snowpoint, Outskirts
Dima blinks some more.
Dima: "... Your secret's safe with me??"
Dima: "There's probably more than a few people out there who would want access to a Latias, but I would be a hypocrite if I ratted you out to them. ...Is hypocrite the right word?"
She shrugs.
Dima: "I try to stay safe. And healthy. Though it's weird since my baseline for 'healthy' is different than it used to be..."
Eira: "I will say, I felt some interesting things when I used the Styler on you. It was never like, 'revealed your identity instantly' type stuff or I would've figured out way earlier, but I always wondered 'hey why does this random Zoroark like me in particular so much'-"
Dima flushes bright red.
Dima: "Wh- I- I wasn't thinking that constantly!"
Eira: "No, but I got the general sense from your other feelings??"
Dima pouts, but doesn't look actually upset.
Dima: "... It did feel like a sitcom sometimes. There were so many times you almost caught me. I'm really lucky I turned into something that could produce illusions, and not like, a Slugma."
off the shits
???
-The Principal paces before her two remaining members of her proudest creation.-
The Principal: Delphi...
-The girl, her new, gilded armor with a scale emblazoned on it, levitates in the air, cross-legged.-
The Principal: Magnus...
-The towering man, his torso thick as a tree trunk, stands at attention.-
The Principal: With the experiments the two of you have undergone, we have finally taken the greatest step towards our organization's ultimate goal.
-She adjusts her tie.-
The Principal: Our ultimate goal, as set out by the founding fathers... now finally in sight.
-She turns on her heels, looking at the both of them.-
The Principal: It is thanks to your efforts that we are here, and in recognition, I believe now is the time to grant you the greatest title our organization has.
-She throws out her arms, palms upward.-
The Principal: The leader of the founders gave this title to his first creations, to those greatest warriors and leaders that could be made with our methods! And so, now you, too, shall bear this title!
-Delphi and Magnus both smile.-
The Principal: Delphi and Magnus, for helping us reach the final stage, you shall be the first to bear the title of... Metathran!
-The word causes an instinctual surge of pride in the two Templars.-
Coyote: Where have I heard that word before...?
Flying Colors
Naranja y Uva Academy
Raifort: There's this story, from around the time of the Kalosian War, about the fall of Paldea's own king of the time. He was a notoriously greedy king, putting his own wealth and lavish lifestyle above all else, including of course, the lives of his people.
In his hunger for rare treasures, he was especially interested in those brought in from other cultures, particularly if it came with an especially attention-grabbing legend. Among them were four sets of treasures, sold to him by a merchant from the east. A set of 92 wooden writing tablets bound into a scroll, bearing text the king could not understand and made no effort to. Two halves of a sword — supposedly, wielded by a great and fearsome warrior of myth, before being lost and broken in his retirement. A ritual vessel — who's to say whether it had been previously been filled with life dew or with blood. And finally, a set of four jade magatama, just like yours right there.
-Kai wraps the chain around their palm for safety.-
Raifort: Of course, we live in a world where emotions alone can reshape reality. And these treasures weren't simply gifts, oh no. It's not entirely certain what the original purposes of the beads or the ritual vessel were, and in truth, the sword could have come from any old battle. But the one treasure of this set that can be explained with certainty, is the set of tablets — translated, each one listed a specific grievance against the king, a 92-bullet record of its creator's vicious, seething grudge. And so, the grudge took the life from the lands around it and became one of a set of four Pokemon, joined by its fellow vengeful treasures.
-The bead heats up in Kai's hand.-
Raifort: The sword reminds me of another myth, now that I talk about it. The Veilstone Swordsman, ruthless slayer of Pokemon, before becoming a pariah and abandoning the weapon in his guilt.
Kai: "With tooth and claw, we will exact a toll."
-Raifort gives an amused smile.-
Raifort: So you are familiar with that one, wonderful. Then you understand, these four Pokemon, living manifestations of anger and vengeance, exacted their toll on the kingdom. By the very next day, the palace was in ruin.
Kai: ...Quite the twist on the traditional guardian story, huh? Divine viva la revolution is a new one.
-Raifort laughs.-
Raifort: Oh, no, Kai. Paldea has no guardians.
The Wanderer
Olivia's House, September 12
Chiyo: Interesting jewelry store they have here.
-Looking around-
I like the fossils.
Chloe: Where's Olivia?
Olivia: -Noticing the two in question- You must be Chiyo and Chloe, Mallow told me to expect you after you helped her with the preparations for the feast.
Chiyo: Oh, that was nothing.
Olivia: You've completed all of Akala's trials, which would leave me to administer your grand trial, but I've been rather busy with other concerns lately, as I'm sure you could imagine.
Chiyo: Yeah...
Olivia: -To Chiyo- You're the first challenger to come since before the fire happened, and the people of Konikoni have been in need of a spot of hope. So your grand trial will be somewhat... different from how we usually do things.
Chloe: -Eyebrow raise- Different?
Olivia: You'll both see tomorrow, it'll take some time to prepare. Meet me at the Ruins of Life past Memorial Hill, and there the grand trial will begin.
Edited by rmctagg09 on Sep 15th 2023 at 3:32:23 PM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Flying Colors
Naranja y Uva Academy
Kai: Could you have said that any more ominously?
Raifort: Hah, sorry, couldn't help myself. But more seriously, these four Pokemon weren't revered like the legendary Pokemon of other regions. They weren't created for a sense of triumph and justice, they were created to exact revenge on a tyrant. And when it was torn to the ground overnight, they didn't simply disappear, or immediately decide to serve the greater good, oh no.
-At this point, Kai pockets the necklace.-
Raifort: They say the treasures — not the Pokemon, the artifacts — were found in the wreckage, barely worse for wear. So they continued circulating, passing from greedy hand to greedy hand, bringing harm wherever they—
Kai: They remind me of Shadow Pokemon.
-Raifort blinks at the sudden interruption.-
Raifort: ...Pardon?
Kai: ...You haven't by chance heard of Cipher, or anything that went on in the Orre region, have you?
Raifort: Yes, I'm familiar.
Kai: Pokemon who only know anger, hate, suffering, only know how to lash out. But they could be purified. Healed from their trauma, or at least brought back to a point where they could have the agency to recover themselves.
-Raifort tilts her head curiously, considering this.-
Raifort: Do you, Kai Amarin, think you're the type of person who can do that?
Kai: ...I mean, ah, hypothetically. Not— not that I'm going to seek them out or something.
-They ignore the burning feeling in their pocket.-
Raifort: Ah. My apologies, for a moment, it seemed like I'd hit a nerve.
Kai: ...It kind of did, but because I was in Orre ten years ago. Fighting Cipher.
Raifort: Ah.
Kai: I didn't mean to interrupt, it seemed like something you were interested in.
Raifort: ...Hmm.
-After a moment of thought, Raifort stands up, looking on the shelves for a book.-
Raifort: Let's see, where is it... ah, here we go.
-They pull it off the shelf, and pass it to Kai.-
Raifort: This is a nice beginning point, if you ever want to know more about the Treasures of Ruin. All I really have left to say is, nobody's entirely certain what happened to them. Some say they're still circulating, between collectors and museums and such. Others say they're sealed away in secret shrines across Paldea, only able to be opened by pure-hearted Trainers. I'm inclined to believe the latter's more likely, but I have a feeling there's more to it than just good intentions, otherwise they'd have been plucked out of hiding by the first bright-eyed, lizard-riding Treasure Hunt student that accidentally sniffs out the door.
-Kai mutters something about a heart of gold under their breath as they flip through the pages, which Raifort doesn't seem to react to..-
Kai: I'll definitely check this out. Thank you, ma'am.
Raifort: No problem. I'll be looking forward to hearing about your work with Dendra's students.
-Kai nods.-
Kai: ...Ah, one last unrelated question, while you're here?
Raifort: Oh?
Kai: ...You wouldn't happen to know where to find wild Cyclizar, would you?
-Raifort cracks up.-
Raifort: They're everywhere. Just stay close to the roads for long enough and you'll find them racing, right out in the open. I'm surprised you didn't find any on the way here, honestly.
-Kai gives an embarrassed look.-
Kai: ...I, uh, was looking in the tall grass.
Raifort: Pff.
Edited by BittersweetNSour on Sep 15th 2023 at 10:14:12 AM
Priest of the Temple of Syrinx
→ Axis: Continue strife.
Letina smirked. <Hm. Rather impressive for a Bug-type Pokemon.>
<Thank you!> Tekkan responded cheerfully, doing a few darts around the stadium.
Seconds later, both he and Letina started glowing in a pink light as their Abilities activated at the same time.
Viscor stared at them in confusion.
<I… don’t understand,> he said. <D-did they get hurt even more somehow? Why are they glowing pink…?>
<Awww, you don’t have to worry about them!> said Axollo cheerfully. <It’s just their Speed Boost Abilities!>
<T-they have the same Ability?> asked Viscor. <What’s yours…?>
<Torrent,> said Axollo.
<Yours?> asked Viscor, turning to face Puxiki.
<Cute Charm,> said Puxiki.
<Yours?> asked Viscor, turning to Neziey.
<Water Absorb,> said Neziey. <What about your Ability?>
Viscor paused for a few moments.
<Oh… um… it’s Sap Sipper,> he said.
<Shame there’s no Grass-type Gym in Hoenn,> said Axollo.
<So… none of us have the same abilities, then,> said Viscor. <Except for those two.>
<Nope,> said Neziey. <But even with the Abilities giving both of them a Speed Boost, I have a feeling Tekkan is still faster.>
The group turned their attention back to the battle in front of them, and it soon became very apparent that Neziey was indeed correct in her assumption. Almost immediately, Tekkan headed straight for the ground, digging into it while Letina looked over at him and raised an eyebrow.
Or at least, where an eyebrow would be if she had any.
<...He’s using Dig, now is he?> asked Letina.
She smirked.
<Well, then,> she said. <Thank goodness I have this Egg move.>
Seconds later, she glowed pink again, then disappeared and reappeared again on the battlefield, in front of the hole that Tekkan had dug. It was so quick that it happened in the span of a split second, and neither Axis nor anyone else had barely an idea that it happened.
<Hm,> noted Neziey. <She knows that Dig is a two-turn attack, so she’s trying to get her Speed up to match Tekkan. Either that, or she’s stalling out the turns by using status moves in order to know exactly when to attack.>
<There’s no way I’d use a strategy like that!> noted Axollo. <I’d have probably just improvised a move or dug underneath right along with him!>
<Now, now, don’t give Letina any ideas,> Neziey lightly chided.
<But giving Letina ideas is what I do all of the time~!> Axollo protested, immediately sticking out his tongue and going fish-eyed.
Neziey giggled a bit.
Letina, meanwhile, just stood there.
Waiting.
She was still able to hear Tekkan’s buzzing and frantic digging from inside.
She closed her eyes. Axis, Puxiki, Axollo, Neziey, and Viscor all looked over at her in shock.
“What’s she doing…?” asked Axis.
Thankfully, their question was answered a few moments later, when Letina’s eyes opened–
And they were a bright blue.
Seconds later–
<Heeeeere I come!>
Tekkan immediately burst out of the ground, headed straight towards Letina– only for Letina to dodge the attack in a burst of blue energy.
<WHAT?!> cried Axollo.
<My word…> Neziey muttered in shock.
Viscor stood there in disbelief, while Axis’ eyes widened.
“Was that… was that Detect?!” they cried out.
Letina, in response, turned directly to face her Trainer and nodded.
The Wanderer
Ruins of Life, September 13th
Chloe: -As the two make their way from Memorial Hill- So what do you think Olivia meant by your grand trial being different?
Chiyo: Well, maybe she wan-
-Olivia is indeed currently standing in front of the entrance to the Ruins proper, but she's surprisingly not the only person. A crowd has formed on either side of the ruin grounds, with women in full traditional hula regalia dancing at the front. The aura (not Aura) is that of a celebratory, but solemn affair-
Chiyo: This is... a lot more serious than I thought it'd be.
Chloe: -Eyes slightly widened- I'll say.
There's no hiding our presence from the School here, it's too big to be missed even if they were all sworn to secrecy, feels like almost the whole city has come to watch this.
Chiyo: Then we'll let the public be our weapon Chloe, the School wouldn't dare try attacking us again with this many people around, plus the Trial Captains, the kahuna, and possibly even Tapu Lele since we're doing this in front of her home.
Chloe: I guess I should get out of the way then. Good luck out there Chiyo.
-She moves into the crowd-
Chiyo: -Walks into the makeshift arena proper- You weren't kidding about this being different were you Olivia?
Did those who I come from do similar stuff to this?
-As the crowd quiets down enough that you could probably hear a pin drop-
This is feeling pretty heavy.
People we didn't know were watching for Hala's trial, sure, but Iki Town's a sleepy little village compared to Konikoni, even in its current state.
Olivia: Welcome to the Ruins of Life, Chiyo. Normally this would be a more private affair, but due to our current circumstances, I decided to make things a little more public.
Chiyo: -Nods- I understand.
Olivia: No matter the tragedy, whether in the past, present, or future, we will continue to rise despite what we've lost. Our feast was already planned before your arrival. But if Akala is to gain hope in face of disaster, what better way is there to help with that than combining it with this grand trial, the first I've held since the fire.
-Getting serious as she prepares an Ultra Ball-
Now, I hope you're prepared to face the toughest battle you've yet on Akala. Chiyo, a wayward daughter of Alola that has returned home, versus Kahuna Olivia of Akala.
Chiyo: No matter who wins or loses, Akala's counting on this. They've suffered a lot, but maybe this will help alleviate that at least a little, this ritual.
-Takes a deep breath with her eyes closed, centering herself, before exhaling and opening her eyes, the purple shining-
Yes. Let's do this.
Olivia: Let the grand trial begin!
-She sends out an Armaldo-
Chiyo: Go Pisaster!
Pisaster: -Appears-
Edited by rmctagg09 on Sep 15th 2023 at 6:27:55 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Druid Dude
To Pastoria City!
Desmond yawns and stretches. It felt like days have passed in the span of minutes. But he and Atrin, luckily for the dazed Desmond, managed to reach Pastoria without issue. The first thing they noticed was the humidity. It felt like moisture clung to every inch of their bodies. Morgan groans in annoyance as she flicks away water droplets forming on her blade. The town was tiny compared to Veilstone, most of the land as can be seen by the duo occupied by trees, and the few houses they could see are wooden and pretty rustic-looking.
Desmond: It says here the Great Marsh should be open about now. Wanna check into the Center first?
Desmond jabs his thumb towards the Pokemon Center, one of the two buildings to look modern and metallic, the other being the gym. The entrance to the Great Marsh was manned by a receptionist who was whistling to himself.
You piss off the Venom T-Rex. Roll initiative.
Curious Mind
Pastoria City
Atrin: I agree. Let's check out the Center and heal up before anything. I still can't believe those Wingulls with Pirate Hats let us pass! Glad we made it here safely.
Mimir frowns at the memory of that.
Druid Dude
Desmond, Pastoria City
Desmond blinks, vaguely recalling that.
Desmond: Yeah, that was weird... Wonder what they're doing now?
he chuckles as they begin walking towards the Center. Desmond & Morgan perk up, however, at a great smell emanating from somewhere in the Center's direction. The two turn to each other.
Desmond & Morgan: Food. Let's check in and check it out.
they nod seriously and clasp hands (or Desmond's hand against Morgan's) and walk inside the center.
You piss off the Venom T-Rex. Roll initiative.
Bishop popped his head out. "Captain, I may have something!"
Silas was in the middle of assembling himself a sandwich, he let out a sigh. "Yes, Bishop?" he asked continuing to idly chop up the lettuce and tomato.
"Sakura Genetics, another ping on their files, I may have something!"
Silas quirked a brow and let Bishop continue, knowing it was better to just let it be. "Yes?"
"I found another site, and even funnier, I found radar imaging of a Pod Fighter leaving it!"
Now that... that caught Silas's attention. He put the sandwich together and looked over. "Pod Fighter?"
"Yes sir! We may have a Templar location, we should investigate!"
Silas took a bite out of his sandwich and nodded. "Right, let the family know, we'll be moving out soon."
Gabriel... oh how Silas looked forward to causing him misery.
Curious Mind
Pastoria City
Atrin: I won't say no to food. I could definitely treat myself.
Suddenly, Ecto lets himself out of his Pokeball!
Ecto: <Did someone say treat?! That's a funny coincidence! I also like treats!>
Ecto happily pants, as Atrin laughs and sighs.
Atrin: We'll get the whole team something good, Ecto.
Artazon Outskirts - South Province, Area Three
Megan: -through gritted teeth- That should've slowed you down—
Bigger plays. Biggest plays.
-Megan inhales, commands at the ready-
-Whitt's question commands her full attention, just for how wrong it is-
Z-Rain!Thespi: -to the students- Go go go g—ah—
-lacking broader-scope direction, Thespi meets Ullr's Ice Beam with a Scald...finding herself rapidly losing the beam-o-war, the Z-light in the storm fading with Megan's concentration-
Megan: Wh—like the stuff they put in steel??
Thespi [FRZ]: -...-
-she's iced-over again, falling in a flurry of snow-
Megan: Are you super metal poisoned??? Is that it????
-how else would she answer, really?-
-even exhausted, it's child's play for a Ribombee in Tailwind to outrun a Cetitan-
Student Benjamin: -stumbling- Ah!
-but Pollen, desperate, hurls every shield she has as caltrops in Beira's way-
Pollen: <Gh—!>
-it doesn't even slow him down-
Pippy: -racing Khione's blast, braces himself-
-everything Pollen's senior has needs prep time-
Pollen: <...>
-she takes the Shadow Ball in Pippy's stead, hurled over a ledge and out of sight-
Pippy: -whirling, ahead of Beira- <Oh—>
-they needed those combo pieces, Pippy thinks-
-he thunders for Megan, racing across the slopes-
Pippy: <Megan!! We need you!>
-running on instinct, she swings on his back—he spares the trickle of strength needed to use a real Hidden Move, pulling a small mountain from the earth-
-he's nearly falling up it, so desperate to clear Beira's height—almost more than to block his path-
Megan: Stop talking nonsense and fight me alr—
Pippy: <MEGAN!>
-Megan catches her breath, and gives up on this truth-
Megan: Frick it.
-she slides her arm along Pippy's wing, razor-sharp with stress, and hurls one blood-soaked feather to earth-
Megan: -shouting- I Need You!
Vee [FNT]: <...?>
-the red ripples outwards...in two thin arcs, in the wet, moving to encircle Whitt and his team-
-between them, teeth and tongues erupt from the rubble, snaring anything solid enough to protest-
Vee, Vampiric Vaporeon: -roaring- <<Get AWAY FROM THEM.>>
Megan: -laughing, finally- Vee!
-lightheaded, she refocuses her Z-Ring—her power, pumped skyward, streams to earth-
Megan: -arms spread- Dinner, with love!
-the Rain seems to fall all at once, slamming down into the fleshy terrain-
-it's like the Area itself become an undertow to Drain them dry-
Snowpoint, Outskirts
-Dima might feel a pulse of...not quite, or entirely, fear...thrill? From Logan, as she dips into the 'vengeful spirit' side of her essence-
-but only that, and only then-
Logan: Huh.
-...-
Logan: I've...completely lost calibration on appropriate reactions to unusual things. ^_^;
-they sort of shrug-
Logan: Well...hope that's reassuring as an indication of future behavior?
Addie: -piping up- <You can understand me then, right?>
-Eric visibly ponders something-
Eric: <And me?>
(-Logan smiles at them, and he returns a sort of irritated stare-)
-Logan turns back, with growing concern-
Logan: Even if your life weren't in danger, I'd keep it quiet, but...it is?
-they fall back behind a vaguely absent smile, which Eira would recognize as their thoughtful face-
-the amiable way they regard the pair of them might convey—well, the regard with which they hold Eira, and by proxy anyone this strongly associated with her-
-they turn over, and turn aside from, thoughts of tf robbery...avian mafia ties...involuntarily eating someone's Pokémon-
Logan: -musing- ...if I looked up "Hisuian Zoroark Snowpoint" right now, would I find a lot of foxy vigilantism?
-the little widening of their grin isn't particularly disapproving-
No mind to think. No will to break.