Erzatz Alliance

Girl: "Man, I remember my first time trying to figure out how to pokemon. Took me forever just to figure out how to get out of my bedroom..."

-She leans back in an office chair-

-When did that get there?-

"But yeah, life gets boring when you stop experimenting"

Halis notices the suddenly-appearing office chair, but doesn't mind it much.

Halis: <I remember seeing Lucius in his Duskull form. He seemed to just sort of... float through things, literally. Is that a common Ghost-type thing? I feel like it is. I wouldn't know, though.>

They realize something.

Halis: <I wonder how he's doing at the moment, anyway... I hope my sudden disappearance hasn't distressed him at all.>

Foxverse

Star circles around in her fighter, looking for an opening.

Ersatz Alliance

Milagros looked over at Ian.

Milagros: I left my bike in Route 6, remember? Back to the conversation, we should be getting to Vermilion City soon.

He paused.

Milagros: Also, Cady left a minute ago.

Edited by Routeferret on Feb 18th 2019 at 9:53:34 AM

PEFE HQ, Labs

-Ace watches the Piplup - no, his daughter - toddle around. Seems biology works slightly differently in the Foxverse because she has a red Staraptor-esque swoop in her head feathers and their's an occasional black feather on her body.-

Ace: <Did we ever settle on a name?>

Tsunami: <Uh...Monsoon. Right? That's Tempest's mom, and it fits anyways.>

Ace: "Monsoon?"

Monsoon: <Coo?>

-She waddles over to Ace, falling only once.-

Monsoon: <Papa!>

-She hugs Ace's talon. He laughs.-

Ace: <She reminds me of you when you were younger.>

Tsunami: <...she's strong. I can tell.>

Ersatz Alliance

Me: Oh. I completely forgot about that... Gomen'nasai...^note Translation: I'm sorry...

I think we should get out of here before this place messes with our heads even more... What do you think, Milagros?

Ersatz Alliance

Milagros: Yeah, I'm getting a headache. Let's go!

He captured his mons again before looking in one of the coat hangers. He came back out from it soaking wet a few seconds after.

Edited by Routeferret on Feb 18th 2019 at 2:06:47 PM

Ersatz Alliance

-Ian looks nonplussedly at Milagros with a face similar to Frisk's.

Me: Lemme guess... middle of the ocean?

Ersatz Alliance

Milagros: Nope. I ended up in a swimming pool.

Edited by Routeferret on Feb 18th 2019 at 2:10:36 PM

Ersatz Alliance

Me: Oh.

-I call back all my Pokemon except Piku-chan and head for another clothing rack-

-I slide back out of the clothing rack as an ice cube-

-Piku-chan just sits back and laughs-

Ersatz Alliance

Milagros let Blitz and Baby Cat free so they could destroy the ice and free Ian.

He ran over to the next rack and dug his face in.

Milagros: It's this one!

Ersatz Alliance

Me: Lemme just be the first to say that Froslass are not friendly when you sneak up on them... Brrr...

Hmm?

Hey, Milagros! You found the exit?

Ersatz Alliance

Milagros looked back at Ian.

Milagros: I think so-AHH!

Baby Cat rushed into him and he tumbled in. A loud thud could be heard from the rack.

Ersatz Alliance

Piku-chan: <Baby Cat, are you oka-AAH!>

-Piku-chan runs over and trips, causing him to roll into me, bowling me over-

-Both Piku-chan and I fall into the clothing rack-

Piku-chan and I: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Route 6, Near Vermilion

Piku-chan and I: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!

-I Face Plant as I fall out of the tree I climbed when I first entered Ersatz Alliance-

-Piku-chan lands feet first on my head-

Me: Ouch.

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Feb 18th 2019 at 9:39:36 AM

Kanto Route 6

It seemed Milagros wasn't there. It turned out he had landed on a particularly sturdy tree branch. On his privates. He referred to this as a "kiwi shot".

Edited by Routeferret on Feb 18th 2019 at 8:27:24 PM

Kanto Route 6

Me: -in an [Irish] accent, almost like Jacksepticeye- Ooh! that's gonna leave a mark... Are ya okay, Milagros?

Kanto Route 6

Milagros: No... I'm just gonna gently get down no-

The mons Milagros released jumped down, causing him to slip and land on the ground chin first.

Kanto Route 6

Me: -still speaking with the [Irish] accent- Aye! Given a choice between those two hits, I'd say the first one hurt more... Y'okay, buddy?

Kanto Route 6

Milagros let out a small noise which sounded like a cross between a Pancham screeching and a groan of pain before getting up and releasing Dot. His motorbike was still there, but it was dented in a few places, it had graffiti spelling out "STILL CHILL" spray painted on it, and one of the throttles was missing. He just stared blankly at it.

Milagros: Okay, first thing I'm going to do when we get to Vermilion City is look for a bike repair store.

Edited by Routeferret on Feb 18th 2019 at 3:27:16 PM

Pyrite Town, Faction Offices

-Following the raid on Banshee's facility, Gaia - or Alice O'Sullivan as she is typically known - is sat in the interview room of her Phenac base with her Interpol contact, a greying man in a trenchcoat with a fedora sat on the table next to him.-

Inspector O'Sullivan: ...For the last time, Alice, I'll say what I said earlier. Banshee - aka Miranda, last name unknown - is in custody, the Pokefutures tech we found has been dismantled, and we are using the data gathered from their servers to assist with identifying individuals associated with the Poachers' Guild. That's all I can tell you.

Alice: So despite us being the ones who recovered those servers, you're forbidding us from accessing them?

Inspector O'Sullivan: They're evidence in an ongoing investigation. We can't allow any civilian access. I'm sorry.

Alice: Is that all you have to say on the matter? Some boilerplate excuse dismissing me as a "civilian"?

-The Inspector's worn features crease into a frown.-

Inspector O'Sullivan: What else do you want me to say, Alice? That you put yourself in unnecessary danger facing a foe with unknown resources and capabilities? That I have no way of verifying any of the people you were working with, except that I definitely recognise one of them from an ongoing investigation? If this case goes to trial, we're going to have to use evidence gathered from the raid as justification for the raid, and that's going to punch a larger hole in our case than any gaps in our evidence.

Alice: ...You never hesitated to act on the intelligence I provided.

Inspector O'Sullivan: What else was I supposed to do? Just ignore your call? Try to arrest my niece and all her dressed-up friends at her criminal trespass costume party? You forced my hand, Alice, and in doing so you won yourself a battle by costing us the war.

Alice: What are you implying?

Inspector O'Sullivan: You said that you and your associates were tipped off by another Poacher. Did you never think that this might've just been his ploy to get rid of a rival? Sure, we've got one of the bastards and all her files, but I'll bet my bollocks that the whole Poachers' Guild will be going to ground after your little stunt, and that'll flush anything our undercover ops have gathered down the drain.

-He sighs, but then speaks up once more before Alice can start talking.-

Inspector O'Sullivan: Look, if there's one thing I should've told you, it's that you don't get any real gratification in this job. You might get a thrill from helping to put any given bastard away, but this is a wide river we're wading into, and sometimes you gotta let small fry slip through the net to catch the big fish. That's a fact you just have to live with. I knew I couldn't stop you from getting into this life, but I hoped I could at least teach you how to do it right.

-Alice glares at her uncle for a long moment.-

Alice: ...Even if that were the case, you were never in any hurry to give me any lessons.

Inspector O'Sullivan: No, I wasn't. I made a promise to keep you safe.

Alice: Then you failed. If nothing else, I think I deserve to know something about the man who asked that of you.

-Inspector O'Sullivan is quiet for several long seconds, before letting out a long sigh.-

Inspector O'Sullivan: ...I think we're done here.

-He takes his hat and stands up.-

Inspector O'Sullivan: Just remember, Alice, I'll do whatever I can for you, but there's not a whole lot I can do for Gaia and her associates.

-He turns and walks out. Alice remains sat where she is for several moments, before pulling out her phone and making a call.-

Alice: Lissa, are you there?

Lissa: Got nowhere else to be, boss.

Alice: Is our data tap in the Interpol servers still operable?

-There's silence on the line for a moment.-

Lissa: Uh... yeah, but I'm pretty sure you told us that we should never have to use it.

Alice: I did. And now I'm telling you to use it.

-She hesitates for a moment before her expression hardens.-

Alice: It looks like we may have to go rogue.

CW for coercive/abusive behaviour.

Lumiose City, Kahlia's Apartment

-Normally, the apartment of Kahlia Mahelona - also known as Whiptail, costumed jewel thief and infamous supervillain - is an exercise in extravagant minimalism. Anyone who stepped inside would be struck by the wide open space, the faithfully-recreated art deco aesthetic, and the sheer comfort provided by the deceptively simple couches and sofas.-

-At least, that is what a guest would see most days. Today, they would be greeted by a stack of empty wine bottles and a girl with long dark hair sleeping on a stained sofa, who starts awake the minute she hears a knock on the door and a voice drifting in behind it.-

???: Hello?

-The girl remains motionless until the voice speaks again.-

???: Hell-oooooo~? I know someone's in there, I can see the light under the crack of the door.

Kahlia: I... whatever you're selling, I'm not interested.

???: Oh, don't worry, I'm not selling anything. You could say I'm more of a charity, in that I'm currently soliciting contributions.

Kahlia: Fuck off.

-There's a faint sigh from behind the door.-

???: ...Kay, my dear, you know that if I wanted to kick your door down, I could. I assure you that I'm only here to talk.

-Kahlia freezes, and after a moment, nods.-

Kahlia: ...Alright.

-She unlocks the half-a-dozen latches on the door and pulls it open. A handsome, dark-haired man in a well-fitted suit steps inside, looking up and down the room before his gaze focuses on Kahlia.-

Livius: My, my, this place is quite a mess. What happened to the Kahlia who kept her home as immaculate as possible, so that she could show off all her ill-gotten gains to her easily-impressed houseguests?

Kahlia: I... that's not what I...

Livius: Ah, don't you worry! I'm just being facetious. I know the thrill of the theft is enough for you.

-He smiles, and steps closer to Kahlia.-

Livius: Which is why I think knowing the danger inherent in not bringing me the Emerald of the Endless Skies in a timely manner would be sufficient motivation, wouldn't you?

Kahlia: You slimy fuck, you don't need another priceless treasure, you've got-

Livius: Oh no, it's not about that. You made a promise to bring it to me, Kay. And when someone makes me a promise, I expect them to keep it. Do you understand?

-For a moment, Kahlia seems ready to angrily retort, but seems to decide against it at the last moment and simply bows her head.-

Kahlia: ...Yeah.

Livius: Not good enough. Tell me you understand.

Kahlia: I understand, okay?

Livius: Not "I understand, okay". I understand...?

-Kahlia sighs.-

Kahlia: ...I understand, sir.

-Livius smiles.-

Livius: Good girl. I knew you'd get it. There's a reason I like you, after all. Well, two reasons. A pretty face and a brain behind it. It's like looking in a mirror, almost.

-He pats her on the cheek.-

Livius: End of the month. End of the month or I kill you, and one of your little cosplayer friends ends up as collateral. That's a promise.

Kahlia: I-

Livius: Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta. Don't say anything. You had time for talking, Kay, and you spent it. Now's the time for doing.

-He leans in and places a kiss on her shuddering lips, before grinning.-

Livius: Well, I won't keep you. Either I get that gem, or you and Mel get to share the same shallow grave. Buh-bye now~

-He turns and strides out. Kahlia stares at the doorway for a few moments, before pulling her knees up to her chest and starting to sob.-

End CW here.

Saffron City

-Somewhere on the outskirts of town, a short, dark-haired young man whose right arm seems strangely luminescent is engaged in conversation with an Oddish.-

Lucius: ...So, at the end of the day, I'm no expert on soul ownership, but I'm pretty sure the contract you entered into was non-binding.

Oddish: <Oh, thank you, kindly stranger! My family has finally been freed from three generations of sinister entrapment!>

Lucius: No problem. Hey, dunno if you're looking to travel, but I'm on my way to a League challenge and could do with-

Oddish: <Cheery bye!>

-The Oddish hops off.-

Lucius: ...Well, that was anticlimactic.

Falchion: <I'd have thought you'd want to keep track of your old team members before recruiting new ones.>

Lucius: What do you mean? You're right here, Kirk is in his ball, and Halis is...

-He blinks.-

Lucius: ...Oh shit.

Edited by Herbert40k on Feb 18th 2019 at 5:51:05 PM

Kanto Route 6

Me: Taihenda!^note  Translation: What a mess! Who could've done such a thing?!

Piku-chan: <You don't think it could've been Team Rocket, do you?>

Me: It might be, Piku-chan, well with all the trouble they've caused... But until we get Milagros' bike repaired and the graffiti washed off, we won't know for certain...

-I get an idea-

Me: What if the graffiti wasn't caused by Team Rocket, but by a more street thug-esque organization?

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Feb 18th 2019 at 10:57:21 AM

Kanto Route 6

Milagros: Probably that second option.

Edited by Routeferret on Feb 18th 2019 at 3:58:58 PM

Kanto Route 6

Me: Makes sense... but what street-thuglike organizations do we know of?

Kanto Route 6

Milagros: From my visits to Vermilion City, usually to fix my friend's appliances, I've heard of some gangs.

There's Team Rocket, obviously. The Nameless, a gang specialised in graffiti, and The Idealists, who apparently make life better by ruining it for other people. There's also "Power Line", a graffiti artist who used to work for the repair store in Vermilion.

Edited by Routeferret on Feb 18th 2019 at 4:05:50 PM

Jackal and Fox met up, the party rather large and Banshee currently slung over Fox's shoulder, "So. Mech unit?"

Fox sighed, "Yep... tell me did Delta use anything like that when you fought him?"

"No he just used his psychic type to direct our moves so he always had the upper hand, after splitting me from my team, and then told me I was lucky he wasn't serious because he could've just had me frozen and then slit my throat."

Fox went quiet, "Arceus dude..."

"Yeah you can see why Delta is a big issue."

The two sighed, "Bishop get the elevator."

"Of course Capta-"

"Hahahahahaha, great work."

Jackal froze and looked about, he saw a single terminal, on, the picture was fuzzy but on the other end was Delta in full helmet, but judging by the digital plating on the helmet mimicking his face underneath, he was pleased. Jackal let out a growl of sort and then said, "Bishop. Track the signal!"

"Already on it Captain, though it's heavily encrypted and even with backup pories it may take 7-8 minutes."

"Good thing I only need 5," Delta responded, "Good work everyone, caught the big bad poacher and took out a Pokefutures base. Aren't they tough to get rid of? I wonder where they keep getting the funds."

Jackal grunted and stared right at Delta, "So, what is this? Coming to taunt us?"

"No no, I'm here to say I'm very pleased with your effort. Learned quite a bit, until you split up, had to follow the other party for the Mech fight, that was fun."

Jackal squinted, "We got into the security systems and took over the systems, we were invisible, how the hell did you watch us?"

The helmet portrayed a :) and Delta said, "I had a mole with some camera drones follow you, he hung back and sent the robots to follow for your little job, different network, no invisibility."

Fox and Jackal stopped, both in shock, they had never even considered that, "How did you keep them from being detected by us? We have auric mons."

"Jammers aren't hard to get nowadays, and I just had them keep their distance and use the drones. Hell your friend Rogue had a jammer on them. Do you really think with my access to functional techs would preclude that? Really, I thought you would have learned from Angela how far I can think ahead, Stylus."

Jackal went pale, not really noticeable due to his heavily covered getup, "What?"

Delta really started laughing, "That drone you popped earlier? One of mine, I had my guy toss it over and get a scan. Surprise surprise it picked up Pokemon DNA, a Lucario specifically. And what did I see in Angela? A Lucario with a metal arm with a cobalt blue star on it, most don't think about it because so much happens nowadays so they don't notice the unusual, but I do."

Jackal could only glare, Delta's helmet displayed a smirk, "Oh don't give me that look, don't think of trying to find my guy either, he got ported out long ago."

Fox spoke up, "Why did you give us this job?"

Delta leaned back, "It's not really that hard to understand, there are a few factors. One is that I dislike Pokefutures, I don't want any hunter worth their salt working with them. We hunt for collectors and the like, not for mad scientists likely to backstab us. It may surprise you but I'm not a immoral man. I'm good at this job and do it. I got my own mons I care for."

Jackal spoke up, "What are the other factors?"

"Another is the fact that I wanted a rival gone, especially because of Factor One. My rivals should have strong dedication to what we're all about, why do you think I respect J? She'd never do something this crazy, Pokefutures is trouble. Final one is that I like you Stylus, and I wanted to give you a victory. Think about it, you got to lead a team, stage a black op and take down a big bad poacher and be the hero, while I got rid of a rival. Everyone wins."

Jackal leaned forward, "Don't call me that... I will tear your empire down some day."

Delta laughed hard, "I look forward to it. Ciao~!"

The call cut, Jackal looked at Bishop, "Any luck?"

"Negative Captain, still too many encryptions, and with the signal gone we can't trace."

Jackal sighed, "Okay everyone, back to the ship."

Jackal, Silas stepped into the lounge and sat down in front of the big screen, his mask was off and he was running his metal fist through his hair, "Okay everyone. Debrief... despite that ending, I can say we did well."

Roxy nodded, "Very much so. By the way we're moving again."

"I noticed, Bishop keep us off of any radar signature as best you can."

"Affirmative Captain."

Silas turned to the team, "I have to say, despite everything, I couldn't have done it so well without all of you. So I have a idea, but before I do, let me tell you this."

He stood up and looked over everyone, "You don't have to stay, you can leave now while you still can, the fight against the Guild and these remnants isn't going to be easy, we're going to have to keep quiet as best we can. I can provide technology, tools, and more for you, I can even get us a base set up for us for future raids. I'll be getting my beloved ship another upgrade to better accommodate our larger party, but if you stay-" he looked at his metal hand and flexed it a bit, "Losses may occur."

He took a deep breath, "If you wish to stay, consider yourself a part of the Aurabolts now."