ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

Ruins of Life, September 13

Olivia: Armaldo, use X-Scissor!

Armaldo: -Slashes at Pisaster-

Chiyo: Dodge it and use Surf!

Pisaster: -Does what can be best described as a forward fall to avoid Armaldo's X-Scissor before summoning a wave and sending it at them-

Armaldo: -Gets slammed by the wave and lands hard on the ground-

Olivia: Swords Dance into X-Scissor!

Armaldo: -Rhythmically crosses his arms before slashing at Pisaster again-

Pisaster: -Takes major damage-

Chiyo: Surf again!

Pisaster: -Does so-

Armaldo: -Manages to hold on and X-Scissor Pisaster again, before getting fainted by a subsequent Surf-

Chloe: -Is watching amongst the crowd- Come on Chiyo...

Nicky: -From behind- Hey Chloe, nice to see you again.

Kendra: We came to see Chiyo's grand trial.

Chloe: Not surprising you two would be here.

Pisaster: -Center gem blinking-

Chiyo: Okay, what's next?

Olivia: -Recalling Armaldo- Not bad Chiyo, but don't think this battle is over by any means.

-Sends out a Cradily-

Cradily: -Uses Giga Drain-

Pisaster: -Faints-

Edited by rmctagg09 on Sep 17th 2023 at 5:45:21 AM

Silas sat down at the house, content. He was happy to relax at last, he looked over to Roxy, who smiled and waved. It seemed even she was ready to finally relax, away from the adventure and chaos, of all the trouble. W

Yeah, this was nice. A

No more trouble, no more pain, no more insanity. He looked to his left hand, the engineering marvel designed by Diane. Maybe he'd call her to get her blueprints, wouldn't hurt to make a less... weaponized version. K

Roxy stepped over. "Everything alright?" E

"Yeah, it's all good. Never considered... retirement before," Silas responded. U

Roxy smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a kiss. "Yeah but... after nearly dying and you actually dying. I think it was about time to hang it up." P

Silas nodded, it was time to retire, he was done with all the constant adventures.

Artazon Outskirts - South Province, Area Three

-Megan watches this human man fucking parkour through an avalanche with his floating evil swords-

-she clenches her fist around her weapon-

-and finally lets go of the storm, feeling her Pokémon gather what they will and stuff it right into her-

It's fine. I can take him. I have this handled.

-she knows she's good, for a Trainer-

Megan: Too bad! The conversation finally got interesting for me.

-talking works, like she knew it would-

Megan: -firmly- And I won't stutter doing it.

Megan: Now that I know you know, I know you can't know. I can actually say! And that means...

-what's the phrase? "I can tell you, but I'd have to kill you"...-

-her lungs fill with an unnaturally steady breath-

Come on, let me remember...

Megan: -giggles- You're not doing this with School approval, are you?

-she's laughing-

Megan: No sponsor! No clearance! You're just—its washed-up quarterback! Graduated golden boy—

-where Aislinn goes high, she goes low-

Megan: —yearning for the good old days, when, when people actually asked for your autograph. Cause a scandal, take over a town...does beating up—kids—make you feel tough, Whitt?

-shouldn't have reminded him-

-but just one opening...-

Megan: -swipe- The one who beat me makes Champions. You just break stuff!

-what do they care about...?-

Megan: You're outdated.

-obviously-

Megan: -smile- They're going to come after you for this.

-get mad...distractingly mad...-

Megan: If they care when we kill you. Evenly matched with normies.

-come on!-

Megan: How does it feel to be as useless as the rest of us.

-she intersperses her remarks with Obscura-infused trident thrusts, or flying stones from odd angles-

-ice near her melts to water, coaxed by the heat meant to keep her safe-

-it boosts her steps, springboarding her with a decade of Water's mastery-

-and just one hit will see her Vaporeon try to boil his blood from inside him-

-and if running near empty is good for anything, she thinks, it's camouflaging her in extrasensory-

-someone else's malice running through her veins—so freeing! To think, and say, what she would never normally say...-

-if she can match him in cruelty, and match him in technique, and match him in capacity, he's one step closer to Championship-

-she hasn't felt so powerful in months-

Snowpoint, Outskirts

Eric: -shrug- <It's a word.>

-nevertheless, he holds out a claw-y fistbump-

Eric: <I could try to give you a physical while I'm here? Honestly, I wouldn't want to get between you and the doctor you already have. I don't have much experience with...>

-he fishes for the specific definition on his mind-

Eric: ~Therianthropes.~

(-before giving up and just giving it to her-)

-Logan spins their Styler in their palm-

Logan: I do like that these key off hearts, not minds. It gets all the important stuff across really quickly, from the foundation up...

-they're tangibly restraining more delight-

Addie: -cheeky- <I dunno...I can think of a lot of busybuddy moments for a were-Slugma. You'r make a cute hot water bottle. Logan, tell her.>

Logan: -picking Addie up- You'd make a cute slug water bottle.

Addie: -squeaks-

Logan: -warmly- Y'all're goals.

???

Hans: And you're sure that's what they said? "Metathran"?

Coyote: I am certain, Hans.

Hans: Okay, okay, calm down. But... are you certain that what you're looking for was around the fall of the Empire?

Coyote: That's when the School first started doing its shit, so as of right now that's my best lead.

Hans: Okay, well, that's a problem. After a lot of the Legendaries lost their names - you know, those weird cult interpretations that humans had back then - and the whole thing shattered, a lot of stories were forgotten, and the ones that weren't were asleep until interest in the "old ways" came back into vogue. The old timers don't like talking about the Fall.

Coyote: Okay, so what do I do? If so many of the old fables from around then were lost or don't want to talk, who would know?

Hans: I mean... okay, so, word's been getting around that an old troublemaker is back. They say he's got a connection to one of those Immortals - you know, like the old Ghost Lord. If you could get him to lead you to his Immortal, I have it on good authority that they would have been around when that term was bandied about.

Coyote: You haven't actually given me his name. That's a bad sign.

Hans: Look, when you're from my neck of the woods, names are already powerful, and the "man" this one is attached to is worse news than most.

Coyote: Get to the point, Hans.

Hans: His proper title is Master Mirror. His going name these days is Gaunter O'Dimm.

Coyote: ... Why am I not surprised?

Hans: Told ya he was bad news.

Artazon Outskirts - South Province, Area Three

If it was just Aislinn and Gaycrus, with their masterful moves, Whitt knows that he could win. If it was only Megan and her team and their overwhelming power and control of the water, he knows that he could win. But together?

He defends wildly, using Horus to knock away the close range attacks from Aislinn, and trying to freeze as much of the water that comes at him as he can. One solid hit from either opponent will either be the end, or its harbinger. There is too much. He can't do enough. He isn't enough for this.

The worst part is Megan's words. They shouldn't bother him. He knows all of these things. He was the one who recognised how little the school cares, and left them. He knew that he was made to be an instrument of destruction. But, could he not become more than that? Could he not become a ruler?

How could he deserve to rule anything. He was a failure - every mission he had gone on for the school had ended in failure. As Megan said, he is just as useless as every other creation of the school that he has seen thrown away over the years.

And yet.

And yet.

And yet.

Malice burns within him. It is made of the desires of the School who created him. It is made of the desire that Khione mixed with his when they bonded, the hook on his soul that drives him to want to spread the cold. It is the anger of Morrigan, who saw the murder of the only one she loved and cast upon him like a shadow her desire for all to be hurt. It is the drive of Horus, who always wished to be used to perform the deeds of a tyrant king.

All his life, these conflicting desires have lived within him, stoking a great malice. He has never before cared, truly, to mix himself into that malice. He has his own goals, his own desires, but these have not informed his hatred for the world.

Now, for the first time, he adds some of himself. His frustration at his failures. His desire to be feared. And most of all, the desire for people not to laugh at him.

And, in the second of reprieve he gets between attacks, he grabs a syringe of Ferocaine and stabs himself in the leg with it. He pushes down on the plunger.

Aislinn and Megan's attacks are suddenly halted by a wall of ice that shatters the instant it has protected Whitt, pelting them with large pieces of ice and the stone that it held within it. Behind that wall, Whitt stands with his eyes glowing a violently bright purple. He appears not to be breathing, but this is no obstacle as he spreads his hands.

"You are right, Megan," he says. "I am, in the end, only meant for breaking things. And I will start with the two of you."

Artazon, Outside the Hotel

Xaster stands by the front door of the hotel, where Hoops lies inside. Ahead of him, marching slowly down the street, he sees two clones, and more than a dozen large and powerful looking ice types.

He has beaten the Sinnoh League, but that was in a structured battle. As Hoops told him many times, battles with league rules and real battles are different. There is correlation between them in how strength carries over, but in a real battle it is not the be all and end all.

Even worse, Xaster fears what is coming. It isn't only the cold that makes him shake, but the memory of his last encounter with Whitt that put him in the hospital. These clones aren't Whitt, but they have displayed signs of having his power. And those pokémon are giving off so much cold that he can almost feel his breath crystallising.

But still, he can't run. Hoops is inside, and for now he is the defense.

"Come out, Riri, Lulu, Chuchu, Chichi, Ele, and Mag!" he said. All of his pokémon lined up in front of him, with the two new additions of an Electabuzz and Magmar filling out the ranks to cover the type weaknesses of Bubu and Toto. Even still, this would be a hard battle. Even for a trainer like Hoops, controlling six pokémon at once wouldn't be easy. And he is not Hoops.

Nevertheless. The battle begins.

Outside of Artazon

<So?> Led demands.

Morrigan shakes her head, disappointed. <You aren't as patient as I thought you would be.>

<You must feel it> Led insists. <The way the air changed. Things are getting worse!>

<And better for me> Morrigan replies. <Now, tell me again why I should agree to your deal when I have all the cards? For your pain, yes, but I could have so much more helping Whitt.>

<Then...> Led hesitates. <Is there anything that I could give you?>

Morrigan considers. <I do have one idea. Tell me, how much do you want to save your master?> She steps forwards and begins to circle Led. <To save them... to save others... what would you sacrifice.>

<I already told you> Led says. <You can take me.>

<Oh> Morrigan grins. <I think not. A sacrifice freely given is one thing, but an unwilling sacrifice brings with it the pain of betrayal. The eternal agony of betrayal. That would be a good bargaining chip.>

<But what...> Led gives up on her question when she looks down. Morrigan has moved so that Sal's unconscious body in now on the ground between them. She was the one who knocked him out, to protect him. But it made him vulnerable to her own choice.

<No> she whispers.

Morrigan sighs. <Then Cof does not return, your master does not recover, and Whitt wins. It is, of course, up to you now.>

Led stares at the pokémon she loves and wonders if she could do this terrible thing.

Edited by theoncominghoop on Sep 19th 2023 at 6:42:54 PM

Silas hummed a tune to himself as he began to fix the engine on his motorcycle. He remembered getting his hands on this thing, and the fun it was to stick it to Jack King. He held a hand out and Hacks handed him another wrench. "Thank you." This

~No problem,~ Hacks said. ~Shame we're done adventuring.~ Is

Silas shrugged, he didn't see it as a big deal. "I mean... it was fun sure, but I'm missing a hand, I've probably got a few issues and Roxy is... well... uhm..." Wrong.

"You can say it, a genetic freak and proud of it!" Roxy said stepping out with a smile on her face. "On the other hand, flexible and super strong now! Like... what's the name of that one game character?" You

Silas and Hacks shot her a look. Need

"The one with the power suit, the one you styled mine after," Roxy answered. To

"Oh, Samus, from Metroid." Just

"That's it!" Roxy replied. "You got the Prime Collection right?" Wake

"Yeah, it's on the game system in the living room," Silas said. Up

~Those are fun games, looking forward to Prime 4,~ Hacks said with a smile. Silas.

"We all are, I think after everything it'll be nice to leave adventuring to video games," Silas said. This

There was a knock at the edge of the garage and Silas looked over, it was one of the neighborhood kids. Is

"Heard there was a J-Teamer living here!" the kid said. A

Silas raised his metal hand and pointed at himself. "Me?" False

"Yeah, you! I challenge you to a match! My Ice Types can't be beat!" Reality

Silas rolled his eyes and looked to Hacks who rolled his neck. ~Sure I'm down for making a kid cry. What's your name kid?~ Holding

"Wyatt!" The kid responded. "And I'm gonna rule Kalos one day!" You.

Edited by EchoingSilence on Sep 18th 2023 at 4:32:57 AM

Ruins of Life, September 13

Chiyo: Go Beremices!

Beremices: -Appears and immediately Tidies Up-

Olivia: Cradily, use Giga Drain again!

Cradily: -Drains Beremices-

Chiyo: Use Super Fang!

Beremices: -The four Maushold immediately bite into Cradily from the sides-

Cradily: -Attempts to shake them off-

Olivia: Use Ancient Power!

Cradily: -Summons golden, shell encrusted rocks from the earth and sends them at Beremices-

Beremices: -Go flying, but land in a stack, A and B below C & D-

Chiyo: Super Fang again!

Beremices: -Drop down before dashing at Cradily-

Cradily: -Uses Ancient Power again-

Beremices: -Slide under the rocks before biting at Cradily-

Cradily: -Moves their head to dodge before going for the Giga Drain-

Chiyo: Dodge and use Low Kick!

Beremices: -Weave before all four kick at Cradily's base-

Cradily: -Falls over, fainted-

South Paldea Area 1

-Kai pokes a pair of cartoonish binoculars out of a bush, looking out toward the road.-

Kai: Hmmm... nothing so far.

-They lower the binoculars and raise up out of the bush, at around shoulder level at their full height.-

Kai: It would really be nice to have Holly or Azarath around, to get a wider view. Or flying on Spectrum.

-They groan, stumbling out of the bush gracelessly.-

Kai: It would be nice to not be in plain view, too, so I could use you, Chi-Yu. Alli and I only got to try the Kanto Safari Zone once before they remodeled it into Pal Park. And the Johto one just didn't hit the same. I'm not bitter.

Chi-Yu:    (What are you going on about?)   

Kai: Don't worry about it, I just missed out on a good chunk of my childhood.

-A leaf still in Kai's hair spontaneously catches fire, and she squeaks and haphazardly brushes and pats it out.-

Kai: Gah! What was that for!?

Chi-Yu:    (Your nonsense gets rather tiresome.)   

Kai: Your mental voice is way too squeaky to be talking like a tired old man.

-Another leaf lights up, and they smack out the flame again.-

Kai: Mmmh.

-They glance around, down both ways along the road, and they squint as they see a shape kicking up a dust cloud in its wake.-

Kai: Oh, please tell me that's one.

-The silhouette draws closer, eventually becoming clear that it's a bipedal one riding a quadrupedal one. Kai slumps, momentarily disappointed, before realizing that the bipedal one doesn't necessarily have human proportions, and this particular one is far too green to be a Trainer.-

Kai: ...Wait!

-The moment they're certain that the quadruped (really, facultative biped) is their actual target, they jump out in front of them.

-The Cyclizar panics and attempts to skid to a halt, sending her Floragato passenger flying forward and flailing in a fruitless attempt to evade the ambulance-chasing lunatic that just tried to collide with them.-

-Cue the comical cat sounds.-

Pastoria City

Atrin and Desmond enter the Center. However, even if the smell wafts around the building, they can't find where the smell is coming from. Sighing in defeat, Desmond walks up to the counter, where Nurse Joy happily takes his Pokémon.

Desmond: Man... Oh well, maybe next time.

he slumps on a chair as Nurse Joy does her job. He begins looking through the Great Marsh's list of Pokemon on his phone.

Desmond: Hmm, I'm thinking of getting either a Shroomish or a Carnivine. Those look like good weap- I mean Pokemon.

he shakes his head rapidly.

Desmond: Sorry, I got used to Morgan being used like a weapon. I wonder if Billy can be used as a gun...

he muses.

Pastoria City

Atrin: Do you expect you'll get into a lot of shoot-outs or something? Still, Shroomish and Carnivine would both be good options.

From behind Atrin, Mimir looks in thought. Ecto sniffs him before licking him.

Ecto: <Friend Mimir! You look like you could use playtime!>

Mimir just looks at Ecto, a bit confused.

Atrin looks over.

Atrin: Are you okay, Mimir?

Mimir just nods, before linking minds with Atrin.

After a few moments, Atrin sees three Solosis in a lab in his head.

Atrin: Thinking about your siblings?

Mimir nods again, this time a bit sadly.

Atrin: Hey, I'm sure the Doc's taking good care of them. And once we've got our names in the Sinnoh Hall of Fame, maybe we can stop back in Nimbasa and say hi to them.

Mimir smiles a bit at that.

Pastoria City

Morgan stretches herself, humming contentedly after a nice rest as she hovers next to Desmond.

Morgan: <Welp, now that we're all done here, let's go explore the Great Marsh! I can't wait to fight the Pokemon there!>

Desmond: Heck yeah! Here we go-

Gilligan Cut, Outside the Great Marsh

Desmond: Ah, Arceus.

he grumbles as he talks to the receptionist. "I'm very sorry." he was saying. "You must leave your Pokémon here. We are careful to keep the ecosystem going, but we will let you explore and catch."

Morgan: <AGAIN?! Seriously, we can't do anything anymore!>

Morgan complains, while Desmond pats her. He lets Billy out of his ball, and he is similarly put off.

Billy: <Darn, I was hopin' to blast someone. We still have the gym, though.>

Billy sighs.

Desmond: Fine. Let's go. Let's pay, Atrin.

he grumbles as he slaps some Pokedollars in front of the receptionist, who takes their payment and hands them thirty Safari Balls. "The Balls will track your location, so we will stop you if you go too deep when it beeps." he warns.

His face suddenly turns worried. "By the way... We recently had some customers, and they haven't come back yet. Could you check on them?"

Desmond: Of course. Where are they?

he asks, eyes slightly widened in interest, and the receptionist points into the tunnel leading to the cable car. "Over there, they kept going east."

Desmond: Alright, we'll check it out.

Desmond nods, and the receptionist nods, letting them in. They walked into the tunnel, arriving at a small building that looked like a tiny airport waiting room. Upstairs was where the cable car was waiting. The two entered the car, and it rumbled, taking them deep into the fog of the marsh...

Great Marsh

As Atrin rides the car, he thinks to himself.

Atrin: I wonder about those customers that haven't come out? Maybe they're in trouble. Or maybe they're not too happy with limited time here. Either way, let's be ready.

Meanwhile at the Great Marsh Entrance

Ecto gives the receptionist the biggest puppy eyes he can.

Ecto: <It is playtime, but my trainer isn't here. I am sad.>

The receptionist looks at the Houndstone's eyes, and pets him a bit.

Ecto: <Oh yes! That is the happy spot!>

As Ecto gets petted like a good boy, Mimir looks concerned.

Ruins of Life, September 13

Nicky: -Watching- What has Chiyo been feeding those mice?

Chloe: -Jokingly- Several servings of whoop-ass cheese apparently.

Olivia: -Recalling Cradily- I can certainly see the power that got you past Akala's trials. Now go Probopass!

Probopass: -Appears-

Olivia: Iron Defense into Body Press!

Probopass: -Glows before trying to crush Beremices under her weight-

Beremices: -Barely manages to dodge-

Chiyo: Low Kick!

Beremices: -Swipe Probopass from below as she lands hard, before splitting to dodge her follow-up strike-

Chiyo: Super Fang!

Beremices: -Bite into Probopass from the side-

Probopass: <Argh!>

Olivia: Use Lock On!

Probopass: -Focuses-

Beremices: -Are looking visibly tired at this point-

Chiyo: -Clutching her necklace in anticipation- We've gotta faint them before they let off their next attack!

-To Beremices-

You know what to do!

Beremices: -Goes for a Low Kick just as Probopass drops down with a Body Press, kicking up a lot of dust-

Edited by rmctagg09 on Sep 19th 2023 at 4:02:54 AM

The Great Marsh

The fog lowers...

Atrin and Desmond, even if they squinted, could barely see anything. Fog moved through the trees, obscuring their view, and from time to time, they would sink to their waist into the marsh. The cries of Pokemon would sometimes echo through the Marsh, but rather than providing relief at not being alone, it would instill a sense in dread in almost anyone.

Desmond: We should get in and get out. I don't like this place...

he whispers, slightly flinching at a Wooper stepping on a stick before splashing into the water.

Desmond: No wonder they were lost. I can barely see my hand in front of my face.

Unbeknownst to them, through the trees gleams interested eyes. A low whistle-like sound begins echoing through the Marsh as the Pokemon began its spell...

Edited by Jules-Firenze on Sep 19th 2023 at 7:53:32 PM

Ruins of Life, September 13

Chiyo: Come on...

-When the dust clears, but Beremices and Probopass lie fainted-

Olivia: -Recalling Probopass- Those mice of yours might be small, but they sure do have a lot of heart.

-Getting out one last Ultra Ball-

Now for my last Pokémon, Lycanroc!

-She sends out a Midnight Lycanroc-

Chiyo: -Throwing a Moon Ball- Ceres, your turn!

Ceres: -Appears-

Olivia: Lycanroc, use Iron Head!

Lycanroc: -Head takes on a metallic sheen as he rushes at Ceres-

Chiyo: Ceres, use Protect!

Ceres: -Creates a barrier to block the Iron Head-

'''Chiyo: Now use Moonblast!

Ceres: -Fires a beam of white light at Lycanroc-

Lycanroc: -Is blasted back-

Olivia: Use Iron Head again!

Lycanroc: -Bounces back before headbutting Ceres-

Ceres: -Gets hit in the gut- <Oof!>

Chiyo: Ceres, use Grass Knot!

Ceres: -Is still reeling-

Olivia: Again!

Lycanroc: -Jumps back before headbutting Ceres once more-

Ceres: -Is sent flat on her back-

Chiyo: Ceres!

Lycanroc: -Attempts another Iron Head-

Chiyo: Grass Knot!

Ceres: -Manages to roll to the side to dodge and point a finger towards some of the grass lining the arena nearest to Lycanroc-

Lycanroc: -Trips hard on the ground-

Olivia: Alright Lycanroc, let's show them our true power!

-She proceeds to do the Z-move dance, ending with her and Lycanroc flexing in sync-

Lycanroc: -Jumps up and forms a massive amount of rock around himself before he crashes down upon Ceres-

Edited by rmctagg09 on Sep 19th 2023 at 6:37:44 AM

South Paldea Area 1

-Kai and the Floragato extract themselves from the dust cloud. Kai, of course, has a ton of new scratches all over their face and clothes, and is now on fire again. The Floragato is perfectly fine, but cranky.-

Floragato: <For the love of— why are humans so insane— >

Kai: You!

Floragato: <Mrrp?>

-The Floragato immediately turns toward Kai, only to realize that they're pointing at the Cyclizar in front of them.-

Cyclizar: <...¿disculpe?>

Kai: I challenge you!!

Cyclizar: <????????>

-Kai pulls out a Dusk Ball-

Kai: I am!! Making my intent clear!! To catch you!! As my Paldea Starter!! This is my challenge!!

-The Cyclizar stares, before glancing over at the Floragato.-

Cyclizar: <Is this person for real, Prez?>

-The Floragato looks at Kai, then the Dusk Ball in their hand, then the bright midday sun-

"Prez": <...Y'know? This will be hilarious. Humor them.>

Cyclizar: <What?>

Kai: ...If it helps, I could try to catch both of you as a package deal?

Cyclizar: <Okay, that's better, I guess, I'll humor that— >

"Prez": <Leave me out of this.>

Cyclizar: <What—>

"Prez": <Too late! You accepted the challenge!>

Kai: -suddenly looking awkward- You know you don't have to I can just find another Cyclizar somewhere around here—

"Prez": <She accepted the challenge, human!>

Cyclizar: <Humans can't understand us, we've got time to turn and bail— >

Kai: Actually I do understand you

-The Floragato yelps and leaps back like Kai was a snake-shaped cucumber in the corner of her vision.-

"Prez": <Spree just take the challenge so we can get on with things!!!>

Spree the Cyclizar: <Aaaaaaa give me a moment>

-Spree walks a few steps away, inhales, exhales, and calms her nerves.-

-And then turns to face Kai again, now with renewed bravado.-

Spree: <Haha. Okay, then, human. I'll humor you. You want a battle? I'll give you a battle.>

Kai: ...uhhh I just said I was going to catch you as a starter.

Spree: <..........>

Kai: I have other Pokemon but they're not available at the moment. So I was just gonna. Issue the challenge and then throw a ball and see if it sticks.

Spree: <You've gotta be kidding me.>

A chill ran up their spine. Hey buddy, we got something.

Out of the shadows stepped a figure, a black leather biker outfit adorned, and an odd green motorcycle helmet fixed to their head, they had gloved hands and gripped hard onto what looked to be a sword.

Who did you piss off? Assassins after your ass now?

The Hamlet, The Weald

The fungus shrinks away from the flames, but it's too damp in this forest for much to catch alight. It's enough to clear the path at least, to make passage to where Kamui ought to be.

Civic Area

-Pentigan tenses, one hand already in the hand fishing for a sword hilt to draw-

Maybe whoever sent my Demon Hunter daughter after me is going for a second round...

-What finds his grasp is an old thing, wood coated in a sheen of enchantment; a weapon not built for hands so much as it is built for the harsh corners and low resolutions-

Hey, buddy, can I at least know where the call's coming from before you try and take me out?

-He draws from his bag a wooden signpost, oak wood coated in a shimmering translucent purple energy. On one side is inscribed the text "Knockback II"-

Or are we jumping straight into it and I'll be learning who sent you via whatever you've got on you once you're knocked unconscious?

The figure said nothing, instead bright red text flashed across the visor of the assailant.

It charged forward, darting with incredible speed, blade pointed right at Pentigan's heart.

Ruins of Life, September 13

-The dust clears... and a scratched up Ceres is still able to battle as her Protect dissipates and she blasts Lycanroc off her with a Moonblast-

Chiyo: Ceres, you okay?

Ceres: -Nods-

Chiyo: Then let's finish this. Calm Mind!

Ceres: -Centers herself and focuses-

Olivia: Lycanroc, use Agility!

Lycanroc: -Starts stretching-

Chiyo: Moonblast!

Ceres: -Fires her beam-

Lycanroc: -Dodges before trying to go for an Iron Head-

Chiyo: Now to end this.

-Does the Z-move dance, ending with motions resembling a blooming flower-

Ceres: -Copies Chiyo's movements before directing green energy down on Lycanroc, which then combusts into a flower-shaped explosion-

The Great Marsh

As Atrin looks around, with the visibility as low as it is, his face shows visible concern. He tries to think out loud to Mimir, and says out loud what he's thinking.

Atrin: Mimir, can you hear me? Mimir!

Atrin looks more and more worried.

Great Marsh Entrance

Receptionist:: Yes, you're such a good boy! Who's a good boy!?

As Ecto continues to get pet, Mimir hears a voice. Very faint, but it's there.

Atrin's voice: ))-ir, can you-?((

Mimir looks up, and looks nervous. He looks for an opening to get on one of the moving cable cars. However, an opening in the form of a distracted receptionist has been presenting itself the whole time.

Mimir tries to quietly sneak on by while Ecto is still getting pets.

Ecto: <Oh, human! You are making me happy with the- oh, that is a nice spot, I like that spot!>

Mimir succesfully sneaks into one of the moving cable cars.

Ruins of Life, September 13

Lycanroc: -Is fainted once the dust clears-

Olivia: -Recalling Lycanroc- Diamonds only sparkle after coal is pushed to its absolute limit, and so you've completed your grand trial.

Crowd: -Cheers-

Olivia: -Pulling out a Rockium-Z- This Rocknum-Z serves as proof of your victory.

Chiyo: -Holding it up to more cheers from the crowd- Thank you Kahuna Olivia.

-Looks up for a second, only to briefly lock eyes with Tapu Lele above, the god having been watching the battle the whole time, before they disappear-

Olivia: -Seeing the same- Safe to say Tapu Lele found our battle pleasing. Normally they wouldn't want this many people near the Ruins, but this was a special occasion and offering.

-To the crowd-

As this grand trial shows, no matter the tragedies we face now and in the future, Konikoni and Akala will come together and rebuild even stronger than ever. And now that the formalities of this grand trial are over, it's time for the feast.

-And so the festivities proper begin-

Edited by rmctagg09 on Sep 20th 2023 at 5:00:54 AM

Civic Area

-It doesn't hit the heart, but the hasty dodge to the side does mean that the blade slices through the skin of Pent's sign-bearing arm as he swings around to try and riposte with the wooden board-

The latter it is, then!

Nonlethals, asap. If that's a mind-control helmet we can't risk anything more powerful.

The Attacker was struck, and tumbled, before landing on their feet.

What makes you think Mind Control? The Pen asked. Could just be a weirdo who wants to keep details hidden, text has no identifying voice or tone.

The Pen looked to the readers looking at this post. Though it's amazing what you can do with it, and prior knowledge of how voices are supposed to sound.

The Attacker darted forward, aiming for the handle of the sign, hoping to cut it off.

Silas picked up a pokeball. "Let's not break you out just yet Hacks," he said calmly.

Hacks nodded with a grin, and watched as out of the ball appeared Khan.

Wyatt was left staring at a Silvaly, who looked over. <Battle?>

"Battle," Silas answered.

"Well, that's nothing!" Wyatt responded, tossing a pokeball. Out appeared a blue looking Runerigus. "I've got my own specials."

Silas's eye twitched, but it passed, a fight was a fight.

Weald, Shroom Path, Past

She shakes her head in annoyance at the mushrooms’ refusal to catch fire, almost considering activating her Drought to dry them up further so as to make them better tinder before she remembers the rest of the forest around them.

"Should be there soon," she notes, turning to look back.

Stormchaser, Deck

Someone leans forward onto the railing, his gaze turned up towards the moon as he shakes his head, a kettle full of the scent of tea in his hand that he takes a drink from, sighing afterwards. He pulls his coat around himself a little tighter, not responding to the sound of someone approaching him, save for offering the kettle to them as well.

He waved his hand dismissively, knowing that their taste in drinks were incompatible.

"I take it you were losing sleep over all of this, as well?" He asked as the other one adjusted his glasses to reduce the glare from above.

"It's nothing new, Kendall did Kalos without me!" He seethed as he gripped the handrail.

"We deserved it, didn't we? He's forgiven us, as well," he added before taking another drink.

"Yeah, but... rrgh! Sparkles had a Mega-Mon and Kendall fought her himself! It should have been-"

"It should have been whoever he felt was best suited for the fight," he was interrupted. "You know as well as I do that you would have not been able to perform half as well as Kendall did, not without a move like Iron Head or Crunch."

He was soon forced to cover his eyes from an annoyed glare.

"Smart Strike," he countered as his partner lowered his arm.

"Is weaker than Iron Head."

The light faded from his glasses as the moon rose just a bit more. He mulled over his words for a moment before pulling his glasses off and pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Dammit, you're right. But, then," he paused. "Why didn't-"

"Why not Magnavox? Ask Kamui, but you know as well as I do the reason."

With just a few seconds' silence as warning, he pulled the kettle from Julius and downed the last of its contents.

Kalos Pokemon League

She hummed in contemplation as she stepped out of the Center, recalling the matches she had seen Kendall fight and how little help they were against Drasna and Diantha for her. Satisfied with her attempt, however, she threw up a Pokeball basically at random, the flash bright and loud.

Edited by AbsentCoder on Sep 20th 2023 at 1:54:29 AM