Fwomph
Subwhere
He can't be doing this willingly. Especially in the name of some genetics firm.
-A moment to breathe-
I think we only have one recourse here. Here's hoping I'm not the only one who keeps their gear on hand...
Textspace
From: Little Songbird
Subject: Activate.
Jackal and Fox have been taken. Encountered Jackal in a hostile state bearing Sakura Genetics gear, but he was teleported out before I could ascertain the cause. Grab whatever gear you didn't have on the Defiant Wing (the ship's missing and even I can't access it) and head to the waypoint. Yes I'm pulling rank on this.
[included is a Google Maps link to a spot about a block away from the nearest Sakura Genetics facility the Maps would mark as such]
We're getting him back.
The Wanderer
Mezagoza J-Con, past
Iridium: -Hearing Lian say her name- Lian...
-She says the word as if it's foreign, which for her, it sort of is-
A name... She has a name.
-As Stewart and Beck leave-
J-Team? Aren't they the School's enemy, like when I first met... her? But they're supposed to be strong, so maybe...
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Some Rando
Aurabolts Rendezvous Point
It doesn't even take 30 seconds before Lamb appears at the described destination, hot wind emanating from where she is teleported to, already in full armor with her right hand wreathed in flame.
She looks down at her hand for a moment before clenching her fist and smothering the flame, a few surviving wisps lingering before turning dimmer.
Hamlet, Past
Kamui could only sigh, though there was a hint of amusement to the noise.
<Is that bad?> Lilac asked curiously. <If you have the ability to protect someone or something, use it. It's better that you do something that nothing,> he reasoned, his trainer half-listening in that moment.
Levincia, Past
Recognizing the new threat, and that the old threat was basically incapacitated, Kamui's tails arced, the wisps of a Fire Spin moving to trap it as Kendall's gaze turned to the new threat intelligent enough to speak.
Observing its charge, the Weremon flicked up his muzzle with a dismissive look, a Stone Edge rising up to either block off or rise up from beneath the new adversary.
Edited by AbsentCoder on Nov 21st 2023 at 6:09:37 AM
[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]
No voice to cry suffering
Paldea, West Province, Area Two
Megan: Any luck?
-Abilene presses something that could almost be a stethoscope to Megan's back-
Abilene: Breathe in...
Alola, Hano Beach, less than a month ago
Megan: ...it's too hot.
Human!Pippy: ...oh?
-their coterie is lounging about, waiting...occasionally Pyukumuku-chucking-
-Pippy's Scarfed and standing behind Megan—in a wheelchair, for now—counting down the seconds before needing to firm up the sand beneath its wheels again-
-Megan herself is pale and slightly weary-looking, her hands wrapped in bandages, and her hair going gray in a few strands-
-Thespi's facedown on the sand, looking distinctly drippy in a miserable-looking Hail Forme-
-Snow Forme? Megan really hasn't been keeping up with League nomenclature-
Megan: I'm starting to think something might be wrong.
Thespi: -muffled groan-
Megan: It's just...
Megan: It's just too hot.
Human!Pippy: ...hm.
-Pollen flutters in, shaking pink pixie dust off her wings-
Pollen: <'m back. Hold the applause, because your hands are very injured, and...yeah.>
Human!Pippy: Any luck?
Pollen: -dour- <Court of Life. No.>
-she wiggles her palps-
Pollen: <ooOOOooh! Mortality? How quaint! All such things go, dear, and this is a pretty bangin' way to go. Have a super uncursed mint for the road?>
Megan: -flat- I would really rather not amputate my hands.
Pollen: -sigh- <All's the better, because I also do not have enough leverage to get you double Ever-style ivory grip.>
Thespi: <You really gotta play the fae game more, Polly. Too curt for Court.>
Pollen: -snippy- <Why don't you call it in then, o Hopeful One?>
Thespi: <Like this?! I'm obviously mid-narrative. The other bards'll eat me alive.>
Megan: Come on! The J-Team's got a million magi-sciencey miracle fricks, we can't totally suck at healing with Every gone.
Human!Pippy: -gently- Today's supposed to be about finding more help, though.
Megan: -sigh- Yeah.
Human!Pippy: Switch.
-in a single smooth motion, he swaps the Scarf he's wearing over to Fraidy-
-like Pippy, she's thoroughly butch, rather dapper, and strangely anxious-
Human!Fraidy: I-I still don't think I have the temperament for this.
Megan: That's fair.
-Pippy transmutes the sand again into nice, solid sandstone, inspecting the power thrumming beneath Megan's bandages for any faltering or misplay-
Human!Fraidy: S...sorry.
-Megan raises an eyebrow-
Megan: No need to apologize.
Pippy: <We all have our roles!>
-he puffs up-
Pippy: <As it stands now, I'm the best line of defense this team has. As much as I'd like to, I can't multitask this.>
-he's said as much four times already today-
Megan: ...
Pippy: <...>
-he doesn't seem any more comfortable with the fifth-
-unbidden, both their gazes go to where Vee's sitting and staring out at sea, tail slowly lashing-
-every so often, she vacuums a single Wishiwashi into her mouth, draining it to dust-
Megan: ...mmh.
-Megan looks away, her mouth twisting-
-...and is pulled from her thoughts by a tug on her pants leg-
No mind to think. No will to break.
Person, or Idea?
Mitchell: "Hey, I'm in my twenties, sirs! And I'm not that much of a lightwe-"
Beck's mentioning of 'the J-Team's dirigible' stops Mitchell's rant halfway through.
Mitchell: Crud! The Stormchaser is here? What sort of crisis is going to happen here?
Esmeralda returns and delivers her report to Mitchell.
Esmeralda: <There's a phone stall 500 meters southeast of here. Follow me.>
Oliver: <Wonderful! Let's go get it, Professor!>
Mitchell is glad for the excuse to depart.
Mitchell: "Well, erm, see you all when we next see you. Sally, we should talk after class sometime soon. Lian, if we meet again, just say the word if you need anything."
With that, Mitchell and his Pokemon slowly disappear into the J-Con's foot traffic.
Silas stumbled backwards as the swarm closed in, how could he fight them off? This is your mind, use it. Channel what you want.
He raised his hands, and from them blasted out a beam of blue energy. He looked to them, the swarm paused, and he grinned. "Okay... was always a fan of that old anime..." We call it the kamehameha for a reason.
He clenched his hands into fists, and uppercutted one of the shadows, it vaporized in an instant. It felt good, real good. "Get out of my head."
The shadows started to swarm again, but Silas had a manic grin and started to get to work. He punched a hole through one before blasting the others, his body was enveloped in a white aura, he was ready.
Strings's eyes lit up, he looked over to the pod housing the captive... seems the Jailer had its work cut out for him. He needed to observe this.
He connected to the program, and found a very strong angry mind wanting to fight back. The Jailer was not as smart as he was, Strings knew this could be adjusted. He increased the gain and made a few on the fly improvements, no way the individual could get over this.
Silas punched through another Shadow, and it didn't vaporize. Oh good, they adjusted.
It gripped onto his arm and shifted around him, throwing him. Silas stumbled back onto his feet, only to feel another shadow wrap its arms around him. He felt another grip onto his head and neck, choking him.
The other shadows Started to arrive, he could feel himself choking out. This isn't how this ends.
He looked up to the sky, the eyes staring down at him. We're not out of this yet.
Silas could feel himself dying... whatever had this hold on him... Our Contract isn't done.
His eyes started to slowly close. I am thou... thou art I.
His family flashed before them.
A blue flame ignited across him, burning other shadows away. Two long blue blades emerged from the flames, cutting more shadows. The flames burst, standing before the horde was a figure, black and red metal skin, a black and gold left hand. Wearing a collared coat, eyes burning with rage.
He began to cut through the assembled army. This was his brain, he wanted it back... and he was coming for you... Jailer.
The shadows vanished, and the city around him crumbled, Silas fell into a pit.
Edited by EchoingSilence on Nov 21st 2023 at 5:16:48 AM
Levincia
No sooner than the dark Midknight turned toward him and his group, Tommy tensed up and prepared to bolt. In a split second, he yelled "port" to the team behind him and "starboard" to the two in front. The Pokémon complied. While his team leapt out of the way, Tommy for the most part simply made one big step and then leaned back. This, hopefully, created a path big enough for the charging supervillain to pass through.
"Wake the fuck up, Black Knight, we have a brain to reclaim."
Silas awoke with a start, he looked up and saw something very unusual... Knight... his persona... standing over him.
"Not that weird bucko, this is your brain after all," Knight said extending a hand outwards. Silas reached out and gripped on, seeing that he had returned to normal... somewhat.
"Wanna cool it with the inner monologue there, and actually talk to me?" Knight said pulling Silas up.
Silas blinked and responded. "Sorry, just... wow this is weird."
"Talking to yourself? It's called thinking... plus I am a bit unusual. Personas and Stands aren't supposed to talk, normally anyways."
"Yeah, that."
"Well good thing you have me... of course I am just a representation of your inner desire to change and improve, the burning fire and determination you hold for life."
Silas looked about the area, it looked to be a burning Asimov launch site. Whatever held him here was using his own brain, and the environments he was familiar with. He clenched a fist, bad enough it had tried to delete him, but now it was gonna use his own brain against him?
"Yeah that's the Jailer. Bastard ain't even self aware, just a program meant to keep us under control," Knight commented.
Silas began walking, there had to be a way out of here... "Oh there is!"
Silas and Knight paused and turned their heads, standing before them was an older looking individual, in a grey suit with silver hair and red eyes. The two blinked as they stared at him.
Mr. Strings watched as the Jailer's program was strained, it had to start making fast adjustments, it couldn't keep up. Strings took over and initiated a reset, a crash. Now this was interesting, this being stood as a testament to the strength of Steel.
He smiled, Gabriel would never know... he'd spin some yarn about adjustments, he needed further proof. Fair play had never interested him before, but this? This he had to see play out. Make it a challenge, if this one won... then he knew his ideals were right.
Steel over Psychic... let it play out.
"You may call me Mr. Strings," the silver man said.
Silas stood on guard, Strings sighed. "Relax, I am not here to delete you... not directly anyways."
"What do you want then?" Silas asked.
Strings smiled. "To prove a theory, I was... contracted to assist in the harness system that currently controls your body. The Jailer, you may hate me. It is entirely understandable."
Silas and Knight grimaced at that. "You can get out, it is very true, however the Jailer won't go down easily... it's constructed various levels to contain you, these you must fight through. Succeed, and your brain is yours once more. I do not agree with the individual containing you, he was convenient but I have no further use for him now."
"I can't trust a word you say," Silas commented.
"No... you can't... but let it be known I'll be watching. Have fun~!"
Strings vanished, Silas and Knight looked to each other. Knight smiled and vanished himself, and Silas took a deep inhale. "Persona."
His body ignited, and the familiar feeling of the Metal Skin returned, he had work to do.
The Wanderer
West Province Area One
-Iridium and team are currently traveling through the mountains-
Iridium: The Segin Squad base can't be that far away.
Ammit: <I think we might be lost.>
Iridium: Drat.
Del Lurra: <Well, it's like they say, getting lost is just part of a bigger adventure.>
Oedi: -Slightly annoyed- <That's what you always say.>
-And then, rounding the bend, a rather agitated looking Flittle appears-
Flittle♀️: -Looking around- <Where are those thieving lizards who stole my Berries?>
-Noticing Iridium and co-
<Have you guys seen a bunch of Salandit around here? I just want to talk to them.>
Ammit: -Is taken slightly aback from the amount of rage emanating from such a tiny mon-
Iridium: ...If we help you get your Berries back, can you help us?
Flittle♀️: <Sure, whatever you want human.>
Iridium: Then, let's go help her guys!
Ammit: -Skeptical- <Okay...>
Mesagoza
Chiyo: -Serious, from across the table- Tagg.
-To Chiyo-
Yeah?
Chiyo: I guess this has been... a long time coming.
-Cottoning on to what this is about-
Hmm...
Chiyo: I asked your mons about Orre at Darner's birthday, or rather, they told me, and Doc alluded to it somewhat back in the summer, but none of them really went into detail about it.
I imagine they wouldn't.
Chiyo: -Staring into my eyes directly, purple meeting dark brown- I want to hear about what happened from you, instead of some secondhand retelling I could get out of Maggie or something.
...
Chiyo: -Concerned- Tagg?
-A couple quiet seconds past before I speak again-
...Tomorrow. It's better to do this tomorrow, it'll be the 10th anniversary after all.
Chiyo: -Nods- Well, alright then Tagg.
Edited by rmctagg09 on Nov 22nd 2023 at 12:14:30 PM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
The Wanderer
CW suicide mention
Somewhere in Orre
-Overlooking the valley below-
It's been 10 years since I made perhaps one of the worst decisions of my entire life.
Chiyo: -Also looking- Doc mentioned a guy he said was to you what No Heart is to me.
Yes, Tokarev. I encountered him almost 20 years ago in the Under, where he tried to silence me because I stumbled across him murdering dissidents against Cipher, back when they basically ruled Orre and it was a far more violent region. I joined the KIDS Grid, now ONBS, and vowed revenge against him and Cipher ever since.
Chiyo: I see. And then he came back into your life.
It was after my summer spent in Ransei, Tokarev was dispatched to recover a Cipher scientist and had his guys hold the place hostage. He got away before we could stop him, but we wound up going to Orre as a group because Cipher's agents had attacked all of us, and worse.
Ever, who you've met? Placed under the control of a tiara and under the leadership of Muninn, back when he was still a Latios instead of a ghost. Crewe and Regina, who you haven't? Snagged and Shadowed. Lyuri, blackmailed into fighting us thanks to a traitor within the PEFE. That's not even everyone who got fucked up, but I'd rather focus on the portions relevant to this story.
Cipher ended up re-excavating the Under, and during the raid, I ended up in the same spot where Tokarev and I met all those years ago, and he set Ever and Crewe on me for essentially his own amusement. I ended up having a break in order to survive and... hurt them. Severely.
Chiyo: Like me and Boron... Not completely, but I can see the parallels.
My apprentice chained, my friend Shadowed, everything else that was happening at the time, and I just... snapped. Decided that I needed to make Cipher pay... in blood. Justice and honor were secondary concerns, I wanted revenge. So I showed up in front of a convoy of Cipher operatives coming to collect the bounty, and between the Adamant Orb and my mons, we left no survivors.
Chiyo: -Taking a couple minutes before speaking- Tagg, if you're expecting me to judge you, I've probably killed far more people than you have, for a far longer period of time, and those who for the most part had far less choices.
-To Chiyo-
Sure, we've both killed people who've intended to kill us first, but even if they hadn't, to this day I'm unsure I would've let them live. Chiyo, I was so wrapped up in those desires that I was attracting Shuppet to the safehouse we were using, waterboarded Peons, killed one during the Under raid with my dagger even before the culmination of my desire for vengeance, possibly others, I wasn't particularly concerned with whether they lived or died.
-Continuing-
So after the near-instant slaughter, I can at least say they didn't suffer long, we piled the bodies and I filmed myself threatening the rest of Cipher with the same fate before uploading it to [LiveLeak] and cremating the corpses on the spot. My disguise was enough to fool most people, but the rest of the J-Team? Cipher? They knew it was me, and I was confronted the moment I got back to Phenac. I already had my doubts it was the right choice even then, but the others, they made me double down. It took my fellow Founders Tangent and Tracer to get me to see sense, and even then I more focused myself on killing Tokarev in particular.
We raided Citadark, DS came with me, I spared Verax because I had bigger fish to fry and he was no longer my enemy, and we confronted Tokarev. Tokarev nearly managed to kill me, but when he threatened to kill everyone I cared about once he was done with me, I got my second wind and took his hand, leg, and eye. But just when I was about to finish him off, DS was hanging by a fine line, and I had to make a decision.
Kill Tokarev, not just because of what he did to me and us, but because I knew that letting him live would lead to more suffering for Pokemon and humans alike. Or save DS, who stuck by me when I wasn't in my right mind.
Chiyo: You considered letting her die, didn't you?
-Ashamed-
For a split second, before I saw sense, but yes. Sure I could've just stabbed him through the heart, but I know I would've made extra sure Tokarev wouldn't be coming back for Round 2, long enough that DS would have most certainly died, since my mons were occupied fighting his. So I saved her, and somehow, he managed to keep consciousness long enough to get to a pod and escape.
Chiyo: -Seriosusly- What would you have done if you'd killed Tokarev that day and DS died Tagg?
Kill myself, most likely, there was a lava pit right there.
Chiyo: -Neutrally- And in the end?
From a moral perspective, it was terrible, making us approach Cipher's levels of brutality. Practically, they weren't even afraid, Cipher cares little for its own men and I was concerned enough about opsec to leave out that I used a Legendary Artifact as assistance doing the deed, which I'd imagine would've caused a real scare. On all levels a failure of both morals and tactics. And those were just the immediate consequences of my mistake, for both myself and others.
Chiyo: I'd imagine, stuff like that doesn't go unanswered.
I left the J-Team for a bit, because I was pretty sure we'd rip ourselves apart over what to do regarding what I did, but I came back far too early, and it made things worse. There was those who forgave me due to their own actions or hatred of Cipher, and those who were less forgiving, the friendships I strained or outright lost. Echo, who you met the other day? She was there, that time in Phenac, and my actions were the catalyst that led her to create the Illusion Project. My other greatest enemy, Constantin, I imagine that had I not done what I did, for as dangerous as he is, he would've just been a random racist in Shalour to avoid.
But he joined Illusion to get a crack at me because he wanted to steal my girlfriend, and that gave him followers, so when we beat Illusion and Echo resigned, he created Neo-Flare from its ashes. And like you said, my attack didn't go unanswered. One of the Peons I killed, they had a lover, and they joined forces with this guy, Abel, to kidnap and murder Lucius and Alice, because I was too elusive and powerful a target, so they had to settle with their murders as revenge by proxy. On video, I guess because that's what I did, but mine wasn't a snuff film like theirs. I'm sure that Lucius choosing to no longer be part of the J-Team because of me also made him an easier target, he wouldn't have succeeded if we were all there.
Chiyo: And that's why you said the thing with Boron wasn't the first time you've done something like this.
Correct, though Boron didn't require the deaths of anyone else for that to happen. I was pretty vengeful about that too, I wanted Grohl to know I was responsible for his death, even by proxy.
Chiyo: What else happened?
I can't prove it, but I can't help but wonder if Scarlette somehow learned about what happened, and that played a role in her defecting to Team Iron for a while.
When we spent the rest of the year in Johto, but before I learned about Lucius' death, the law caught up to me. They weren't that interested in charging me because it'd be a media circus, and with what Cipher did in Orre the first two times, I suspect it'd be hard finding a jury that wouldn't end up acquitting me, or I go to jail and my mons end up springing me out against my will, or die trying.
Something I was prepared to do, if it meant the others would be safe, since depending on the nature of the case, they might start looking a bit more closely on what everyone else was doing during Orre, I wasn't the only person who was killing, or doing otherwise illegal activities. A trial would've broken us, that I truly believe.
So I took their deal. They don't charge me, or the others, but I do have to do "community services" for them every so often. Nothing recently, but it can be at any time.
Chiyo: -Staring intently- Do the others know?
No, and I'd rather you didn't tell them. It's too much trouble, and I gave them enough trouble to begin with, people literally died because of me, and putting them in girlfriend-created Obscura bodies doesn't change that. But I've been thinking about this extra, because of our kid.
Chiyo: You think Tokarev will come after her? Or Constantin? Or any number of your enemies to match mine?
Constantin is one of the worst people I've ever met, but he won't harm children, even Black children. She's safe from him, for now. Tokarev, I'm sure he would if he knew of her and wanted to get at me. If he tries... I'll make sure it's the last thing he ever does.
Chiyo: We'll make sure of that. No one's hurting her while we're still breathing.
-Looking away from Chiyo-
So now you know.
Chiyo: Like I said earlier, it doesn't change anything between us, we've all got skeletons in our closets, some literal. Both our hands are bloodstained, not necessarily with that of innocents, but stained nonetheless.
-Arms crossed-
Also, I know you're not the same person you were back then, I can tell.
-Bitterly-
Tell that to the dead Chiyo, even if most of them were invariably terrible people, Cipher isn't exactly known for saints even by the standards of criminal syndicates. What's the saying, an evil man feels his death just the same as a good one?
Chiyo: -Softly- Would you do something like this again?
-Serious-
No, never. The costs were too great, in all senses.
Chiyo: -Grabbing my hand- Then I can't speak for others, but that's good enough for me Tagg.
-Turning around-
So let's leave this place. Can't change the past, but we can make sure stuff like this doesn't happen again, and you have.
-To Chiyo-
Okay.
-We leave-
Edited by rmctagg09 on Nov 25th 2023 at 6:06:28 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Curious Mind
Abandoned Hotel
Atrin keeps following, Ecto and Fleurir by his side.
Atrin: We'll get through this. We can do it.
Atrin looks at the zombies cautiously.
Atrin: They seem to be leading us...Do zombies work like a hive mind? If something's controlling them, will stopping it make them disappear?
Person, or Idea?
The schoolyard, and almost all the people and objects within it, disappeared from Mitchell's senses. Here, in a vast domain resembling a star-filled night sky, there was only him, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly. The three Pokemon were motionless, almost as if they were still frames in a video.
Just have to remember, Mitchell thought, breathing deeply. It'll only take a second out there. Here, you've got until the end of this show to decide. Look for a sign, subtle or obvious, of who you want to pick first. This will start any moment now.
And suddenly, it began. With the soft tones of a piano, of all things.
So this is what my heart chose, huh? Mitchell thought, recognising the song. Well, better sing it with conviction and hope for the best.
And so, as the music swelled in the phantasmal sky, Mitchell focussed on the three Pokemon with him, and he sang.
I close my eyes, and I can see,
The world that's waiting up for me,
That I call my own.
The Pokemon started moving. They approached Mitchell, with moods both curious and cautious.
Through the dark, through the door,
Through where no one's been before,
But it feels like home.
The Pokemon now sat in front of Mitchell. He, guided by the unconscious moods of his heart, sits down and meets the trio's eye level, somehow finding a seat in the endless sky.
They can say, they can say it all sounds crazy,
They can say, they can say I've lost my mind.
All around them, the phantasmal space started to transform. It became almost roomier, for lack of a better term.
I don't care, I don't care, so call me crazy,
We can live in a world that we design.
Mitchell slumped backwards, landing face-up on the bed that suddenly formed beneath him. The Pokemon snuggle up to him, gaining comfort from his body and leaving their detritus on his Academy uniform. Unperturbed, Mitchell continued to sing.
'Cause every night I lie in bed,
The brightest colours fill my head,
A million dreams are keeping me awake.
Mitchell pointed at the constellation-filled sky through the window above his head, as if trying to stir the stars themselves with his left pointer finger. His right arm was draped over the peaceful Pokemon with him.
I think of what the world could be,
A vision of the one I see,
A million dreams is all it's gonna take,
And suddenly, Mitchell stood up. The three Pokemon were in his arms, and the room he was in was fully realised. It was the spitting image of his childhood room, back in Castelia City.
Oh a million dreams for the world we're gonna make,
The three Pokemon climbed out of Mitchell's arm and sat on top of him, with Sprigatito on his head, Fuecoco on his left shoulder, and Quaxly on his right shoulder. Mitchell might have struggled with this weight in the real world, but they were light as feathers in this imaginary realm.
Still enthralled by the song, Mitchell approached and opened the door, as he continued to sing.
There's a house we can build,
Every room inside is filled,
With things from far away,
Mitchell and the Pokemon moved through rooms, staircases, and hallways drawn from his memory, a hodgepodge of what he had experienced throughout his life. Unovan, Sinnohese, and Paldean architecture all blended together.
The special things I compile,
Each one there to make you smile,
On a rainy day,
Now the maze Mitchell travelled through held portraits and souvenirs, showing the various people he had encountered. His family, the friends and acquaintances he had met, and of course, the Pokemon that served as his bosom companions all featured in them.
They can say, they can say it all sounds crazy,
They can say, they can say we've lost our minds,
Finally, in a recreation of Naranja Y Uva Academy's entrance hall, Mitchell and the Pokemon see the grand doors leading outside. These doors glowed with a prismatic energy.
I don't care, I don't care if they call us crazy,
Runaway to a world that we design,
Without any hesitation, Mitchell charged at the doors and swung them wide. As he did so, his human body shattered into Tera Crystal, leaving the Pokemon to scramble and leap off the crumbling remains and safely land.
Out of that mass of Crystal, Mitchell leapt out. He was no longer in his human shape, but in the form of a Meowth once more. Without missing a beat, he continued to sing.
<Every night I lie in bed,>
<The brightest colours fill my head,>
<A million dreams are keeping me awake.>
Once more, the night sky rose above Mitchell and the trio of Pokemon with him. Now, though, the ground below was molded into the shape of Mesagoza as a whole, with figures from Mitchell's past and present dancing or performing with musical instruments in time to the song dominating the realm.
<I think of what the world could be,>
<A vision of the one I see,>
<A million dreams is all it's gonna take,>
Within the organized chaos, a moment of stillness suddenly came about. Once more, Mitchell was facing Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly, much like he was in the real world. He stretched out a paw to the trio, an offer of companionship and adventure.
<Oh a million dreams for the world we're gonna make.>
It was here that the answer to Mitchell's question, of which of the three Pokemon he would first ask to join him, was decisively answered. Sprigatito placed her paw in Mitchell's, and she began to sing.
<However big, however small,>
<Let me be part of it all,>
<Share your dreams with me,>
Fuecoco and Quaxly slowly back away, mingling into the crowds of performers all around them, as a spotlight from a hexagonal crystal appearing in the sky shined down upon Sprigatito.
<You may be right, you may be wrong,>
<But say that you'll bring me along,>
<To the world you see.>
And then, the spotlight swelled, bringing Mitchell into it's light as well. That was all the cue needed to turn the solo into a duet.
<To the world I close my eyes to see,
<I close my eyes to see.>
The ever-swelling musical ensemble filling the air suddenly stopped, causing everyone but Mitchell and Sprigatito to freeze in place. Mitchell knew then that his moment in this illusory realm was close to completion, so he gave his all to finish what was left.
<Every night I lie in bed,>
<The brightest colours fill my head>
<A million dreams are keeping me awake.> <A million dreams, a million dreams.>
And then, everything around Mitchell and Sprigatito sprang to life once again, crafting an indescribable spectacle against a backround that had become a mirrored ball formed of hexagonal Tera Crystals.
<I think of what the world could be,>
<A vision of the one I see,>
<A million dreams is all it's gonna take.>
<A million dreams for the world we're gonna make.>
As swiftly as it came, the scene faded away. Once more, only Mitchell, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly remained in an endless, star-filled night sky. One last line in the duet had to be sung to end this dream.
<For the world we're gonna make.>
So it was done. Mitchell waved farewell to the three Pokemon as he prepared to open his real eyes, his decision set in his mind.
Mitchell opened his eyes. He approached the three Pokemon Director Clavell had shown him and leaned over to look at them closely.
"Sprigatito," Mitchell said. "Would you let me choose you?"
Sprigatito looks a bit stunned for a second, then meows in delight and hops into Mitchell's arms.
"Whoa there, settle down!" Mitchell protested. "That's a yes, I take it?"
"It would seem so, Master Rhodes," Director Clavell said, wryly smiling as Sprigatito started licking Mitchell's cheek. "As for Fuecoco and Quaxly, they will be-"
He paused to glance at where the two Pokemon had been, only to find them gone. Glancing up, he saw that Fuecoco had wandered over to Nurse Miriam, whereas Quaxly was eagerly imitating Ms. Dendra's exercise moves.
"-in the faculty's care," Director Clavell concluded. Turning back to Mitchell, he said "Congratulations on receiving your new partner and your Tera Orb. Please take care of both of them.
"I will, Director," Mitchell said. He took a moment to gaze wistfully into his Tera Orb in between Sprigatito's fussing.
Mitchell feels pulsing from where his Tera Orb is inside his costume. He is feeling ever more certain that a showdown is coming from where the faint light is ahead.
"These zombies," Mitchell says, responding to Atrin's question, "look like they're puppets of a single intellect. It wouldn't be wise to assume they'll just fall down if their controller is defeated, though."
Edmond and Gavroche follow the others, with Edmond covering Gavroche's nose with one hand and keeping the other free to repel any sudden moves from the undead horde.
No voice to cry suffering
Paldea, West Province, Area Two
Megan: Any improvement?
Abilene: Well, strength rehabilitation has gone quite well. Your hands...have not deteriorated.
Regarding your other problem...
-...-
Abilene: No.
Alola, Hano Beach, less than a month ago
Megan: Are they...trying to eat my foot?
-down at the base of her wheelchair is a Pyukumuku, not only having dragged themself up the beach but also suckered quite firmly to her jeans by its prehensile gut-
Human!Fraidy: I-I've got it—
Pollen: <Wait.>
-Fraidy pauses-
Pollen: -antennae twitching- <...I've seen this one today. I chucked it in the ocean before I left.>
Megan: c'mere.
-gingerly, Fraidy picks up the Pyukumuku and holds them up to Megan's face-
-...Megan eyes their wriggling with a degree of placid consternation-
-her magically(?)-induced preternatural Pokémon-interpreting skill either doesn't apply to Pyukumuku...or this one doesn't have much to say-
Megan: ...what's up, little guy?
-Megan grimaces, somewhat slimed-
-a trickle of ice-white Aura seeps from her pores, before settling again beneath her skin-
Megan: ...appreciate the thought, little fella. But this might be a bit above your pay grade.
-in response, she's balm-slimed again-
Pollen: <Well, that's not a challenge at all.>
-Pollen gets regular slimed-
Pollen: <Ew.>
Megan: What's the Pokédex say?
-Pollen levitates it up to eye level-
-...and lifts it in front of Thespi, who has non-compound eyes, to whisper it to her-
Pollen: <...zero combat capability, not much to speak of as a defender, honestly pretty sparse support...and honestly, this one in particular—>
-the Pyukukuku slimes the Pokédex. and Pollen again-
Pollen: -buzzing herself off, pointedly- <You won't be sweeping Gyms with her, that's for sure.>
-Megan finds herself musing-
-everything recently tells her to summarily discard this one, so why...?-
-she looks up at Pippy, expecting her thoughts mirrored in him-
-...and they are, but it's plain he's pointedly not thinking about-
-...how Vee's listening intently, fins pricked and quivering-
Pippy: <I like her.>
Megan: Yeah.
-she ponders the Pyukumuku with a slightly weary eye-
Megan: What is it about Alola that makes Pokémon so desperate to leave?
Pollen: <Have you considered that you're the problem.>
-Megan gestures for Fraidy to set her in her lap and start wheeling her off-
Megan: Well, come along, then.
No mind to think. No will to break.
"The zombies back at Eddisberg, just all of a sudden cut out after another explosion at Lycanrow castle. Radar tracked an airship rapidly leaving the area, but we couldn't track it any further," Kevin commented. "Who knows how these operate."
The voice began to giggle, it sounded again like a little girl, instead of the gnarled hag it sounded like when "speaking".
Kevin hated that, he hated every moment of that.
<Okay so I know you can't understand me Kevin, but I'm just gonna hypothesize here... maybe we've got details wrong?>
<Enh, if we did, why did these things attack us?> Wick asked.
<Maybe we're intruding.>
Silas ran through the twisted environment, Asimov Island had been contorted into a maze. The Jailer, the program holding him, it would regret playing with his memories like this. He swept under a rocket engine as it fired, hazards and traps... of course it was this way.
He could feel power coursing through his veins... It was like he was a pokemon again, but still human. Was this the power of those burst hearts? No wonder they were a rare item.
He entered a hangar, inside was the Defiant Wing, his ship, was this the exit? He looked around and saw nothing. He stepped forward cautiously only to narrowly avoid an attack of fire.
"Stay back."
Silas turned his head to see... himself... a contorted version of himself, it was his Mando Armor.
He blinked, did he just see boss subtitles? No matter. "You're me, you're a part of me. You're the part of me that helped me reconcile the identities I had been building."
"And I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold."
Silas tilted his head. "Really? You're going to say that? Come on, we're the same person, we can-"
Mando drew his darksaber and started swinging, Silas stumbled back and summoned an aura blade. Block, parry, dodge, he was on the back foot. Mando was faster than expected, it swung and struck him with a palm strike.
"Cold it is."
Silas didn't have time to react, before he felt the beam go through his chest.
Mr. Strings let out a sigh, a shame... the original personality couldn't keep up with his Jailer program. That was its purpose after all, he smiled a bit. At least this meant he'd have more time to figure out-
Mr. Strings balked, the mental activity shot through the roof and the original personality rose again. What held him here? Why didn't he vanish, why wasn't the delete function working?
Silas stood up and coughed a bit, it hurt, but a determined and angry glare in his eyes said it all. He wasn't going to die right here, he had come too far... and Knight was right. His contract wasn't done.
He let out a howl as the metal skin returned and he rushed in, grabbing a jagged piece of metal it'd act as his sword for now... he'd get his identities back.
Mr. Strings was smiling, "ear" to "ear", a big smile had crossed his face. He wanted to see more, he had to study this individual, he wanted to know what secrets lay in his brain. He'd watch with rapt attention, this was going to be good.
Edited by EchoingSilence on Nov 25th 2023 at 12:21:58 PM
Curious Mind
Abandoned Hotel
Atrin backs up a few steps at the sound of the voice. Ecto moves forward and growls a bit at the voice.
Atrin: And who exactly are you?
Person, or Idea?
An ugly sensation crawls down Mitchell's spine as he hears the voice within his mind. The dissonance between the ancient rasp of the words and the youthful giggle disturbs him.
"Why do they listen?", Mitchell asks the voice. "What do they tell you?"
Edmond, being considerably less patient, openly challenges the voice. <Show yourself!>, he demands. <Stop hiding behind your dolls!>
<Maybe don't provoke the spooky voice, Ed?>, Gavroche says.
The Wanderer
A Random Cave, past
Salandit #1: -Looking over a pile of Berries- <Looks like a nice haul.>
Salandit #2: <Yeah so-
Flittle: -Immediately bursts into the cave, Iridium and mons not too far behind her- <I'm gonna make you guys regret ever being hatched, you hear me?>
Salandit #1: <You want these Berries back? You gotta beat all of us first!>
-The other Salandit start taking up battle positions-
Ammit: -Unimpressed- <This seems a little silly, do we really have to fight them?>
Iridium: -Taking up a battle stance- Alright guys, let's get those Berries back!
Del Lurra: -Entering fighting position- <Alright then~>
Ammit: <If you insist...>
Flittle: -Immediately blasts the closest Salandit to her with a Psybeam-
Edited by rmctagg09 on Nov 26th 2023 at 8:40:16 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
No voice to cry suffering
Paldea, Hotel Room? - a month ago
-a particular Macraul swans in like a wrathful queen, flanked by albino Roserade and time-share Parasect-
Megan: Hi, Abilene.
Abilene: Hi, idiot. Stop dying, idiot.
Megan: Love you too.
-Abilene shudders-
Abilene: -stalking to a table- Had you not considered I had projects of my own with delicate timetables? Commissions? Personal things? Not to mention my birthday gift to your beautiful other girlfriend—
Megan: Let me kiss you.
-Megan hears something crumple-
Abilene: stop it stop it stop it let me think i need to be angry enough to think—
-she lets out something between a sob and a howl, and when it escapes, the mask of Madame Macraul's settled in place of pride-
Abilene: -exhale- ...moron.
Penicilium: <Puncture wounds: clean but deep. Crushing wounds: clean to set. Symptoms akin to Aura depletion, without associated urges. Temperature 90°F. First-degree hypothermia across most of the dermis, second-degree hypothermia in exposed joints and near extremeties, third-degree hypothermia from fingertips to wrists—>
Abilene: -slam- Who did this to you?
Megan: My fault. Overstretched. Picked a fight, put—danger—
Megan: -gasp, choking- The Frozen Emperor.
'''Penicilium: <—ripple-pattern bruising consistent with high-grade telekinesis.>
Abilene: ...don't talk.
-she arranges the rest of her supplies in silence-
Abilene: Well. Anything to get out of the way before we put you under and fix you?
-she pauses, Megan's foot having twitched out to nudge her-
Megan: -barely audible- Vee is inside me.
Abilene: -disconcerted- ...what have I told you about replacing your bloodstream with vampire?
Megan: It's cool and sexy?
Abilene: "Why and how do you keep doing this?"
Megan: -shifting- It's comforting.
-it's not comforting now-
-Vee's presence sits between her ribs like an open wound-
(-why isn't she eating?-)
Penicilium: <Puncture wounds salvageable. Bones simple to set. Tincture of Aspear and Lum recommended for dermis. Recommended full excision, before necrosis sets in—>
Rosa: <Stop.>
-Megan shivers-
-she can't feel her hands-
Rosa: -pointing- <See the flow of—no, perhaps you can't. Blood flow is cut off. Her power keeps the flesh alive, but only just. Separation will be...slow. And painful.>
Vee: -like a hollow thing, echoing- Don't. You. Dare.
Rosa: <Case in point.>
Penicillium: <This one recommends amputation, for continual energy draw—>
-Megan visibly, nearly shakes her head before catching herself-
-they take note-
Megan: -whimpers- Save her.
Vee: -snarl- I'll. Go. First. Don't follow me.
Megan: -wheeze- It's—not you. It's me.-
Rosa: -throwing up his petals- <No one is going anywhere. Drink, dumbass.>
-he lowers a thorn-rapier, dripping with life force, to...Megan's closed lips-
Rosa: -exasperated- <You grew those pointy teeth for a reason, yes?>
Megan: Nt. Mne.
Penicilium: -mild- <Recovery would be hastened by a steady IF drip.>
Vee!Megan: Mine.
-she sinks Megan's fangs into Rosa's appendage, to his slightly discomfited approval-
Rosa: -strained- <IF?>
Penicilium: <Intrafangular.>
Rosa: <Nice.>
-Abilene cradles two more Pokéballs in hand, carefully chosen-
Abilene: Xerneas' boughs. Enough talk—let's begin.
Paldea, West Province, Area Two - later, maybe now
-Megan blinks the memory out of her eyes, called back by Abilene's voice-
Abilene: If nothing else, your path in life has left you not only ready but fully able to continually stave off gangrene by the skin of your teeth.
Megan: I know, my team is very cool. But...?
Abilene: The...aberrant Aura...remains in your system.
No mind to think. No will to break.
Kevin paused. "Subject?"
Kevin poked one of the zombies, it flinched and let out a "SAM" but did nothing else.
<Maybe don't poke the undead?> Dallas suggested.
Kevin shook his head, a lot of this was going over him.
Silas stepped into the hanger once more, 4th try... he'd not lose to this doppleganger of his again. This was his brain, his mind... and that was his face.
He gripped the makeshift sword, Mando turned to look to him, igniting the darksaber again. The two locked eyes, Silas wasn't certain what else to do, but a part of him crept up his spine, and he let out a feral howl, the jaw on his metal helmet unhinging to match, as he launched forward.
Mando blocked it in an instant, swords clashing, Silas had planned for that. Drawing out his left hand, long white blades extended from the fingers as he used Metal Claw, digging into the armored webbing between the beskar plates.
Mando stumbled back, only to receive a focus palm to the chest, launching it into a wall. Mando got up. "I can bring you in cold..."
"That's all you've got to say," Silas said, twirling his sword about. "You're me, why not hit me harder? Go after my need to wear a mask no matter what identity I make? How about the fact that I keep making new faces and only keep them for contextual needs? Nothing?"
Mando drew his blaster, Silas dashed over with Extreme speed and got around behind him. "You're nothing, just something wearing one of my faces."
Mando spun around with the saber, Silas darted back just in time. Patterns, this entire thing was following patterns, made sense. It was a computer program, all it could do was follow patterns, programs and codes. Silas had spent the past 3 deaths getting familiar with it's techniques. No skill, no control, he wasn't much of a swordfighter himself but he knew more than that.
Silas tossed an aura storm, that caught Mando off guard, it tumbled backwards. Silas exhaled, this was a mental space, why did tossing an aura storm like that wear him out?
Still, no time to wait. Keep moving, Silas charged in close, taking the metal sword, he got close and swung, right in the webbing between the breastplate and helmet, right through the neck.
Mando collapsed over, the armor flopping, it was empty. Silas exhaled and sat down on a crate. he looked at the jagged metal piece he had been holding... it had changed, now it was just... a sword. He looked it over, it gave him some ideas, he'd need to talk with Arthur.
"Damn it... am I collecting swords now?"
Mr. Strings was impressed, not only had the original personality refused to die, it had beaten the first lock on hold. "Well... just 4 more to go... Silas."
He heard the door open and looked over, Gabriel marching over looking a little cross. "Strings, what are you doing?"
"Monitoring for glitches in our program," Strings answered. "Something wrong?"
"An audit... we have a damned audit being sent our way, I don't know when but it'll happen. Apparently the reports I file aren't good enough and they want to see the resources I get elsewhere," Gabriel said, frustrated. "How is Zero doing?"
"Still under control, the Jailer and the Harness is working."
"And your progress on his implants?"
"Little else, it isn't as easy as a scan."
Gabriel's frown grew. "So we still can't prep him for a proper surgery."
"Even then, we don't know how that'll affect his Blank status, the thing that makes him valuable."
"The moment you think you know, ready him. For now he'll be on standby to look pretty for whenever our Auditors arrive."
Gabriel left, Mr. Strings smiled. "Of course Gabriel, of course."
Curious Mind
Abandoned Hotel
Atrin looks confused, but he speaks up.
Atrin: Who exactly was it that made you? And why?
Ecto stands in front of Atrin, growling, ready to defend if needed.
Edited by etran12 on Nov 27th 2023 at 12:47:43 PM
Person, or Idea?
"And yet," Mitchell says, "it's just you and your 'puppets' down here. Where'd your handler go, Sammy?"
Gavroche gets in front of Mitchell. <You're lucky,> he says to Edmond. <that this "Samantha" voice ignored you.>
<Either she doesn't know Monese,> Edmond replies, positioning himself to cover Mitchell's back, <or she's pretending not to know.>
A Well-Appointed Saffron City Penthouse
Gale receives a video call.
It's from Priscilla. She appears to be in some sort of home office/bedroom space that's certainly seen better days. While it had all the earmarks of a well-decorated modern penthouse, it appears to have been left to itself for way too long, with napkins strewn about and a lot of litter on the floor.
Priscilla herself seems to be less than optimal. She's still in her pajamas (not even wearing her glasses yet) and held a cold compress on her head. Next to her was a cup of hot cocoa and a bowl of tantanmen. She did do one thing to get herself presentable (or functional, as the case may be); she had previously washed her face, as evidenced by the lack of crusts in her eyes and the steaming hot bowl of water in the wash basin behind her.
A message appears above. It's Murphy.
"Sorry we took so long to respond; it took that long for the meds to kick in." Murph
Priscilla sends a greeting. Meanwhile she took her glasses and wiped them.
Priscilla: Pardon the mess; I've been down with a really bad case of the flu earlier this week and it's been a time. Had to take the week off work, and honestly it's been boring.
Murphy: Normally as her primary caretaker it's my duty to not let her do any work to facilitate her recovery but we just ran out of things to watch on every streaming service we own and the only things left are either superhero films or work coms.
Priscilla: What do you mean, "left?" We finished the Office and streamed Durant-Man just last night?
Murphy: Okay, so we're out of things to do and we can't fly in there ourselves—I mean, I probably can on a drone but then who'd keep her in here to make sure she stays indoors and recovers?
Priscilla: We got the message and this seems like a perfect time to practice my booth skills. You know, might as well be the Oracle and save Crobatman from the comfort of the penthouse Murphy is keeping me in. Speaking of; Murph, do you think you can hack into the Sakura Genetics security system? I need eyes on that place.
Murphy: It's gonna take a bit but I should be able to do that.
Priscilla: Good boy. And it's a good thing I keep most of my stuff well distributed. I can't even remember what I placed in my quarters at the wing.
Murphy: Neither can I, but it feels like something important.
Priscilla: All the more reason why we should find it as soon as we can.
The Wing
Inside Priscilla's quarters, in a drawer, was a little scrapbook she made about a few years back.
Cortondo Gym Battlefield
The battle against Katy continues. Her final Pokemon, Teddiursa, is out, and its got a trick up its sleeve.
Stormwind: Ha! Me, facing a Pokemon that isn't even Bug type? This'll be easy.
Katy: Don't think it's over yet, both of you!
Katy pulled out what looked to be a mysterious black orb, charged it up, and threw it above Teddiursa's head. Not before long did Teddiursa seem to have a crystal lining its body, but it also had crystal antennas above its head.
Stormwind: You put antennas above your head? As if that will change anything!
Although the move did decent damage to Teddiursa, it caught Stormwind in its hands and winded up its arm.
The attack froze Stormwind, leaving him vulnerable to Teddiursa's next move.
Now one Pokemon down, Poppy sent out the one she thought could do the job.
Poppy: Now, let's do this!
Despite doing good damage, Teddiursa refused to go down.
The move tripped up Sunrise and trapped her feet, but she managed to do something.
The move gave both Poppy and Sunrise some hope, but they were quickly dashed by Teddiursa reaching into its fur and revealing it had been holding a Lum Berry the entire match, which it then ate.
Katy: Now then, Teddiursa, time to begin our infamous combo!
Poppy: That move... it gets stronger the more times in succession its used! Well, I've got one final Pokemon...
Poppy had boxed Shroomy, Crusher and Nessa for this battle for a fair fight against Katy, and if she hadn't, Nessa would be out of her Pokeball and attempting to fight Teddiursa for Donut. Regardless, Donut and Teddiursa stared each other down for the final leg of the match.
Fwomph
Levincia City
-A flood of trapping moves, flame and rock trying to slow the charge-
-In the end, the scythe cuts through all things-
-That isn't to say that the death-charge is successful: while the blades on MidKnight's arms cut through all the moves, any targets have moved out of the way. She stops, turning on a heel to find a new target. The eyes of the twisted helmet land on Kamui-
That will tip the scale.
-It bares the blades and prepares to run again-
Civic Area, Nearby a Sakura Genetics Clinic
-The Nightingale is suited up, her armor cycling through pre-fight checks as the lenses of the helmet glow red. Comms link, while the central hub on the ship isn't accessible between the Nightingale suit and Priscilla's computer this three-person (technically four) network is running fine-
One in person, one mission control. I'll take what I can get...
-She starts pacing, psyching her up for the mission-
This is short notice, but Jackal and Fox are in imminent danger. I have no certainty that they're here at this facility, I have no certainty that anyone involved except Jackal is still alive, all I've got is that Sakura Genetics is involved. We are going to get in there, scour the facility to see if he's there and if not we need to hack into every piece of data that can lead us to them. I'll hit any resistance close, Lamb takes ranged point. Murphy, I've got Skeleton Key on hand to give you an assist with the computers. Is that all we need for a briefing? Are we ready to roll?
It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.
Well shit, The Pen said. One of your friends tried to kill you. What made him change his mind?
The pen tapped at its "chin" for a bit. Something is going on, no access to his fancy space ship, his entire team is missing, and now he tries to kill you.