Natural History Museum, Wyndon, Night

Me: Duly noted.

Evelyn: Shall we go in?

Me: Ladies first.

-Evelyn giggles as Ian opens and holds the door for her as she goes in.-

Natural History Museum

The main hall of the museum was empty, save for a few security personnel, janitors shining floors, and the two exhibits. Right before them was the skeleton of an aurorus, and above them the skeleton of a wailord.

They are greeted by a seemingly familiar, fabulous blond lady with a tall prominent beehive in a shining beautiful black gown. She knew how to rock the beehive. This was Rachael Bronson, founder and CEO of Maiden Enterprises, the famous Galarian entrepreneur known for her unique and oddly diversified approach to business.

Rachael: You must be my fiancé's guests. You're all looking daring and fabulous, I see. Dame Rachael Bronson. Transportation and Consumer Goods maven. Charmed.

Not long after, Scott arrives. He's wearing a tux and a kilt with the distinctive pattern of Clan McSweeney.

Rachael: Likewise, my husband-to-be, Scott McSweeney. But I reckon that you've already been acquainted.

Scott: Oh, there you are. Welcome to the Natural History Museum. The Gala is held at the Chairman Rose exhibition hall, where the visiting exhibit is held. Honestly, I was wondering when they'd rename that.

Rachael: You invited young people, dahling. So happy to see the great minds of tomorrow taking an interest in the sciences.

Scott: But of course, dear. Would you kindly follow me.

Natural History Museum, rooftop

Malacostra watches the activity of the gala from one of the skylights. She is also currently talking to Salem via a communications device.

Malacostra: Now, most of the fossils we're after are distributed across two different rooms. They're doing that rotation thing so that they can study some fossils and show of the others, all so they can increase visitor attendance by rotating what's on display. If you ask me, they should charge admission. It's the perfect visitor scam. But I digress.

Deep within the museum, wherever Salem is, a little dwebble with a tracking device scurries along.

Malacostra: Let me know when you and Khephry are in position. Sokar will unlock some of the doors for you, but you'll need to do your magic to swipe the specimens. Oh and if you see anything else valuable, feel free to swipe it. I hear they keep valuable gemstones in the geology department.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Aug 17th 2021 at 10:59:37 PM

Natural History Museum

Hoops looks around.

Hoops: Sorry, I'm not really so knowledgeable on science, personally. What's this party for again? Ian said something about Unova, but I was only half paying attention.

They pause for a second, as though expecting to be told off, but there is no-one to say anything.

Hoops: So, um, yeah, maybe you could give me the rundown. If it's not too much trouble.

Wyndon Natural History Museum

Evelyn: It's a pleasure to meet you, miss. I am Evelyn, and these are my friends, Ian and Hoops.

-Ian does a curtsy before laughing to himself.-

Me: It's nice to meet you, ma'am. This is my buddy, Piku-chan.

Piku-chan: <Nice to meet you.>

Deep within the Museum

-Salem, wearing his disguise from the heist in [Dubai], slowly moves into position.-

Salem: -over his communicator- Roger that, Lady Malacostra.

-At that moment, his visor reacts to something.-

Salem: Lady Malacostra... I'm picking up a strong psychic energy reading within the vicinity.

Stow-on-Side Stadium, Stands

Me: That's no Yamask I've ever seen...

-Ian checks his Pokédex.-

Pokédex: Yamask, The Spirit Pokémon. A Ghost type. Yamask has different forms and evolutions depending on where they are found.

Common Yamask, The Spirit Pokémon. A Ghost type. These Pokémon arose from the spirits of people interred in graves in past ages. Each retains memories of its former life. Each of them carries a mask that used to be its face when it was human. Sometimes they look at it and cry. This form of Yamask evolves into Cofagrigus.

Galarian Yamask, The Spirit Pokémon. A Ground and Ghost type. A clay slab with cursed engravings took possession of a Yamask. The slab is said to be absorbing the Yamask's dark power. This form of Yamask evolves into Runerigus.

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Mar 2nd 2021 at 1:55:02 PM

Faction Offices, Orre

-Guessing would be terribly presumptuous, but whatever mystery person arrives outside the Faction's base of operations, they will find a white-haired young woman waiting outside for them.-

Lissa: Heya, nerd. Been a while since we've seen you around here. Boss is waiting upstairs. Don't tell her I said this, but I think she could do with the distraction.

-She leads Kai this mystery person upstairs to find Alice, sat behind her desk. It's hard to notice, but for a moment she seems almost weary - the circles under eyes slightly darker than usual, and her mouth pursed. Then she notices she has guests, and all this disappears beneath a genuine smile.-

Alice: Ah, hello there, Kai. It is good to see you again so soon after our last excursion. Do make yourself comfortable. Can I get you anything?

Stow-on-Side Stadium— Gym Battle

(Kim promptly points ahead, ready to start the battle.)

Kim: "Alright, Gilmour, let's begin this thing! Hit it with a Confuse Ray!"

Gilmour: <As you wish...>

(Gilmour's branches suddenly glow a bright gold, and multiple gold orbs promptly shoot out of them directly at the Galarian Yamask. The Yamask attempts to dodge, but gets hit, and within seconds his eyes become spirals as he looks around in confusion.)

Galarian Yamask: (muttering to himself) <Hehehehehe...? I'm seeing stars... what did you do to meeeeee...>

Kim: "Great work, Gilmour."

Allister: "N-no... I won't let you w-win that easily... Yamask... use Disable..."

(The Galarian Yamask turns, still dizzy.)

Galarian Yamask: <W-what...? Oh yes... Disable... here I go...?>

(With that said, he starts to focus, and soon manages to lift up Gilmour, surrounding him in a bright blue light. Kim smirks, realizing that since the Galarian Yamask is already confused the disabling won't even matter.)

Galarian Yamask: (still dizzy-sounding, but happy) <Hehehehehe...! I did it...!>

Gilmour: <Alas... you have... However...>

Galarian Yamask: (confused) <H-huh...?>

Gilmour: <It matters not... for you are still confused... and now... I shall end you...>

Galarian Yamask: (still confused) <O-oh really...? We— we'll see about that...>

Kim: (smirks) "Won't we." (She points ahead.) "Gilmour, use Hex!"

Allister: "Yamask... counter with Brutal Swing..."

Gilmour: <As you wish... but I fear my demise... is surely emminent...>

(Within seconds, Gilmour's branches glow purple, and the energy from them coalesces into a red and purple eye. The red and purple eye suddenly shoots out purple ghostly energy directly at Galarian Yamask, who starts to spin around— before being thrown back by the attack for double damage.)

Allister: "N-no...! Yamask...!"

(The Galarian Yamask is thrown into the wall, and when the dust soon fades, he finds himself barely able to get back up— but does so anyway. While he is still confused, he looks over at Gilmour menacingly.)

Galarian Yamask: <Heh... heheheheheheh... y-you... you thought... this was over, huh...? Well... we're just getting started...!>

(And with that said, both of his arms suddenly glow in a dark energy. Seconds later, the Galarian Yamask spins around and hits Gilmour with one of his arms, knocking the Galarian Corsola back instantly.)

Gloaming Glade

June: <It seemed like a crazy idea at first, but I guess it was the right thing to do after all.>

-Star nods-

Star: An Aura Nexus. OK. And I guess those marks are a sign of your guardianship?

-she tilts her head a bit, eyebrows furrowed.-

Star: ...Of use how, exactly?

Edited by stargirl93 on Mar 2nd 2021 at 5:22:47 AM

Faction Offices

-Kai knows Alice well enough to immediately recognize the state she's in.-

Kai: Not sure about you getting me anything, but I did come prepared with something for you.

-She sets a paper cup of hot cocoa down on the desk, before sitting down and taking a sip from her own cup, smiling.-

Kai: It's nice to see you again, too.

Stow-on-Side Stadium, Stands

Me: That must've really hurt...

Hatty: <Of course. After all, Dark type moves are Super-effective against Ghost types...>

Kako: <I hope Kim can think of something quick...>

Faction Offices, Orre

-Alice blinks, momentarily taken aback, but then her smile only widens.-

Alice: Oh, thank you. You honestly didn't have to, but I appreciate the gesture.

Lissa: Well, if you lovebirds don't need anything else, I'll leave you to it. Just make sure to hang a sock on the door or something if you're gonna be a while, yeah?

-Alice rolls her eyes as Lissa departs, leaving her and Kai alone in the room.-

Alice: So. Am I to I take it that Rogue is emerging from their pseudo-retirement once again?

Stow-on-Side— Gym Battle

(Concerned, Kim runs up to Gilmour as he is knocked back into a wall, and a cloud of dust goes up mere seconds later.)

Kim: "Gilmour! A-are you alright?!"

(The dust fades, and Gilmour is there, lying on the floor. Eventually, however, he manages to push himself back up— and then all of a sudden freezes in place.)

Kim: "G-Gilmour...?"

(Gilmour's whole body starts shaking.)

Gilmour: <It's happening... it's happening... my ultimate demise... as I have foreseen it...!>

Kim: (stunned) "W-what...?!"

(Gilmour's eyes suddenly begin to glow a bright pink, and his voice becomes more and more echoey. Eventually, the pink light spreads to his branches and to the rest of his body.)

Gilmour: (his voice echoing) <FAREWELL WORLD I HOPE I HAD A LONG AND PROSPEROUS LIFE WHILST I WAS ON THIS PLANET BUT ALAS WE ALL MUST DIE SOMEDA-->

(And then all of a sudden there is an explosion of pink light, and Gilmour's head comes clean off of his body and falls to the floor. Kim looks on in shock as Gilmour's now-lifeless head disintegrates into dust, [Infinity War]-style. By this point, only the lower half of what was once Gilmour is left standing. Allister and Galarian Yamask, unaware as to what is really going on, stand in shock and look at each other.)

Allister: "D-did he... just... die?!"

Galarian Yamask: <I believe he did... hehehehehehehe... that must mean I win, right?>

(And then Kim suddenly holds up a finger.)

Kim: (to Allister and Yamask) "Wait for it."

(She looks on— and then all of a sudden it happens. A white orb of light suddenly emerges, rising up out of the lower half of Gilmour's body. The orb of light flashes for a few moments, and then all of a sudden a ghostly, translucent aura emerges from the lower half of Gilmour's body. The aura eventually surrounds the ghostly orb and begins branching out, literally, as branches start growing from it and parts of it open up so as to have the aura resemble a screaming face, with the orb sitting inside of the "mouth." Eventually, however, there is a flash of pink on the orb, and Gilmour's face appears on it— still screaming.)

Cursola!Gilmour: <--THANK YOU KIM THANK YOU IAN THANK YOU EVELYN THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO MADE MY LIFE WORTHWHI-->

Kim: (suddenly interrupting) "Gilmour?"

(Gilmour hears her and suddenly turns.)

Gilmour: (confused) <Kim...? A-am I... alive...?!>

Kim: (smiling) "Not just alive. You evolved."

(Gilmour's eyes widen in disbelief.)

Gilmour: (shocked) <I... evolved...?!>

(Stunned, Gilmour looks down at himself in utter disbelief— and then it hits him.)

Gilmour: (stunned) <I have evolved...! What a glorious world... I live in... indeed...!>

Stow-on-Side Stadium, Stands

Piku-chan: <So those visions... those were of him evolving?>

Me: Cursola, the Coral Pokémon and the evolved form of Galarian Corsola.

Evelyn: We figured it out during our own battle with Allister.

Hatty: <Jagger... did you see that? Gilmour evolved!>

Evelyn: Quite a surprise, isn't it, Hoops?

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Mar 2nd 2021 at 6:12:46 AM

Faction Offices

-Kai rolls her eyes at Lissa, though she can't quite hide her smirk.-

-The smirk fades, however, as Alice brings up the topic Kai came in for.-

Kai: ...Possibly. Maybe. I don't know.

-She sighs, mulling over her words for a moment.-

Kai: Not for something Aurabolts-sanctioned. Or League-sanctioned, for that matter. I'm... considering taking on a mission, with an associate I'd like to keep confidential for their sake. The goal is to recover some old Pokefutures assets that have gone unaccounted-for for a while. Unfortunately, the targets are... from a surface standpoint at least, on-the-level. So it could put my identity in serious jepoardy if something goes wrong.

-She takes a sip of her drink.-

Kai: I dunno. I'm struggling with second thoughts. I was the one who wanted to do something with the Rogue persona, and not even with any sort of goal in mind; my associate was the one who had the resources to come up with a target and a plan. But... I'm not sure anymore. I guess I just want to make sure I'm not doing something completely stupid.

Stow-on-Side Stadium, Stands

Tot: <Oh, so it was like tarot cards. The prediction of death can also refer to a type of rebirth>

Hoops: Why do you know that?

Tot: <It's a form of performance, of course I know about it.>

Kec: <So weirdly Tot was right about it being a type of performance art. It's just Gilmour didn't know that was what it was.>

Led: Oh now why would you say that? He shall be talking my ear off about it for days!>

Stow-on-Stadium, Stands

Evelyn: That's... actually a rather accurate representation of it.

-Evelyn searches her bag for her deck of tarot cards and she finds it. She takes the deck out of its box and holds it in the air with her telekinetic abilities as she draws a single card from it. The card, numbered XIII, features a Duskull with a scythe floating past a Geodude and a Jigglypuff.-

Evelyn: The Arcana of Death... representative of change and transformation... It definitely fits for Gilmour...

Faction Offices, Orre

-Alice's smile also fades, to be replaced by something more pensive.-

Alice: Hmm... I see. Well, first off, the fact that you came to inform me of this and ask for my advice going forward is very much appreciated. I can't promise that it'll be entirely above reproach, mind, but I do wish to do what I can to help. Consider it a repayment of trust.

-She leans back in her chair, swirling her drink and not quite making eye contact.-

Alice: I don't know if you've been following the Aurabolts' activities, but our most recent operation... it was, in fact, remarkably similar to the situation you are outlining. A target that was ostensibly legitimate, with the goal of retrieving assets that were most certainly not. We posed as criminal elements in order to try and deflect suspicion, but had our ruse been discovered, our identities could very well have been in jeopardy. As it stands, those we met were all to eager to take us at our word.

-She's quiet for a moment, as if trying to find the right words.-

Alice: ...I won't lie to you. I have my reservations with how the operation turned out. But it was successful, ultimately, and that outweighs any regrets I may have. So I guess my question is, what do you want to do with Rogue? Is this idea of your associate's truly the path you wish to take them down?

Stow-on-Side— Gym Battle

(Allister stares over at Gilmour in disbelief, stunned by what he has just witnessed.)

Allister: "I-incredible... he evolved..."

Galarian Yamask: (still confused) <B-but we're not going to... let him win... are we?>

Allister: "No... we're not... Yamask... use Brutal Swing..."

Galarian Yamask: <What— oh, yes, of course.>

(With that said, the Yamask's arms once again turn black with darkness energy, and he spins around repeatedly. However, instead of hitting Gilmour, he ends up hitting himself instead.)

(Almost immediately, Kim seizes the opportunity and points ahead.)

Kim: "Alright, then. Let's finish him off. Gilmour, use Hex!"

Gilmour: <As you wish...>

(Once again, his branches glow a bright purple, before the energy from them coalesces into a giant red and purple eye. The Galarian Yamask sees it, but is still too dazed to fully realize what is happening— and then the eye shoots ghostly energy directly his way.)

Galarian Yamask: (as he is thrown back into a wall) <NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO—!>

(Within seconds, a cloud of dust goes up, and when it fades, the Galarian Yamask is lying on his side with swirls in his eyes.)

Galarian Yamask: (on the floor) <Curse you...>

(Gilmour looks on, stunned by what he has done.)

Gilmour: (stunned) <I-incredible... perhaps my life... is longer than I thought after all...>

KIMBERLY BOND HAS DEFEATED ALLISTER'S GALARIAN YAMASK

ALLISTER HAS THREE POKEMON LEFT

Faction Offices

Kai: ...Mmm. I suppose I'm... glad I passed on that mission.

-She takes another drink.-

Kai: Honestly I just... I don't know what I want to do with the Rogue mantle. I've tried to hang it up and keep it out of sight, but something about it is just... nagging at the back of my mind, reminding me that it's still there. So I... I think I want to use this as a test run, I guess. Figure out what I'm feeling while in the moment, and how it feels afterward. I want to know how to properly give it closure. If I can.

Gloaming Glade

Niniane: -To Star- <Well, much like one of those Trainers, you have powers on the Spectrum all your own. The future may be in constant flux, civilizations both human and Pokémon alike have risen and fallen, but it's always good to have some more allies.>

Galarian Rapidash-EX: <Here, it's much easier to awaken your latent abilities than it would be elsewhere. Now, I'm sure you're feeling something about this place right now. Reach for it.>

Edited by rmctagg09 on Mar 3rd 2021 at 3:27:51 PM

Faction Offices, Orre

-Alice thinks for a moment, her expression unreadable.-

Alice: ...If you're sure. It's your decision, after all. I... I was not always respectful of that in the past, but I want to change that going forwards. That and my own moral judgement has not always been flawless, so I can hardly judge you. You know yourself best, and I want you to be comfortable in your identity, whatever that ends up being.

-She manages a faint smile.-

Alice: Though I must say that I have found myself growing rather fond of Rogue. If nothing else, there's always the League Challenge to go back to. That and I can picture them making some interesting cameos at the Battle Frontier.

Faction Offices

-Kai chuckles, although it's hard to tell the amount of humor behind it.-

Kai: I think I want to keep Rogue away from the Frontier for... as long as I can. Honestly, I've been thinking of remodeling my little corner of the island. Something about the Battle Base doesn't feel right these days.

-Despite herself, a more genuine smirk manages to cross her face.-

Kai: That said, I do think I could give the Pike Queen a run for her money as the most dramatic goth in the region. I've been a vampire for how long now, and never really had a chance to lean into the aesthetic?

Faction Offices, Orre

-Alice chuckles slightly.-

Alice: Understandable on both counts. After all, if you want to rebrand your image, then I can personally attest that going full goth is an excellent way to go about it. Perhaps you could see about getting the whole place done up like some ancient Kalosian castle. If nothing else it would demonstrate your commitment.

-She leans in closer, and her expression becomes more serious.-

Alice: Though seeing as we are on the subject, I do have to ask... have you been keeping yourself properly sustained? You seem fine at present, but I realise that these things may not always be readily apparent, and I want to make sure that you're not neglecting your own needs.

Stow-on-Side Stadium, Stands

Me: Alright, Kim!

Piku-chan: -now wearing his two-tone green kimono- <Go go Gilmour! You got this!>

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Mar 2nd 2021 at 9:24:10 AM

Faction Offices

-Kai falters just enough for Alice to immediately know the answer to her own question.-

Kai: ...I mean, I'm doing better. Promise. It's just— it's hard, to keep up, and— and you've caught me at a low point today, is all. I could, uh, use with a— a refuel.

-The blush on her face almost manages to hide the mild pallor she spent the rest of the conversation with.-

Kai: ...But, uh! I wouldn't want to make you any more tired than you already are. Have you been getting enough rest?

Natural History Museum, Wyndon

Scott: Hoops, is it? Well, the gala opening is for an exhibit of rare and exceptionally old fossils that's on loan from the Unovan Museum of Natural History in Opelucid City. Some of the oldest pokémon specimens could be found there, many from species we couldn't identify. Any earlier and we couldn't tell if they were pokémon at all.

Rachael: These were so old that for the longest time, we didn't think anything could be cloned from them. Of course, two specimens eventually yielded some DNA. The first one was a dome fossil that yielded several larval kabuto. The second one is a lileep that's just the most precious thing. One of the kabuto and the lileep are also part of the exhibit.

They walk into the exhibit, which featured several white, well-appointed tables with beautiful arrangements. In between were shelves full of fossils, and at the center were two fossils and an aquarium, which held a lileep and a kabuto.

Scott: Since the lileep was cloned last year, it's been quite exciting to see what other surprises the Sturgess Shales will yield.

Rachael: Maiden Diagnostics and Kwan Industries Tech made a sizeable contribution to the museum years ago. With Devon's new technologies, we might be able to extract more complete genomes from other fossils. And maybe perhaps correct the aberrant mistakes committed by mad so-called scientists mucking about in Route 6.

Scott: Now, you've about exhausted what we know about the fossils thus far. We'll introduce you to a few scientists and educators if you want to learn more. The professor and his daughter are out chatting with the guests, but we can probably find you someone to explain everything.

Watching the aquarium was a pair of people, a man and a woman both in their early to mid 20s, accompanied by a gallade, a kabuto, and a funny-looking alolan meowth. The young man had a yellow splotch on his brown hair, which turned out to be a joltik, likely feasting off the accumulated static electricity in the scalp. Their kabuto appears to be trying to talk to the one in the tank.

Evelyn and Ian may recognize the two.

Scott: There's two of them now.

Hoops, meanwhile, may sense a largeish coffin-shaped presence floating about just outside their field of vision.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Aug 17th 2021 at 11:01:10 PM