Cargo Container

Rogue: I've got a growing list of questions I'm saving for after we're safe. I'll add that to it.

-They make their way to the TM cache, taking it... and nearly jumping out of their skin as a sound effect echoes in their ears. It takes every ounce of strained concentration not to retort louder than an under-the-breath hiss.-

Rogue: Myra! Not the time!

Circhester, past

-To Star-

Remember, it's a balance, not too much, not too little or else you just have a glowstick.

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

Hammerlocke

-Lena is flung at the giant mon.-

Lena: <Thanks!>

-Lena uses the momentum to get close enough to Stein.-

Lena: <Enjoy everyone's thoughts you malformed fossil! Yaaaaaaaaaaaa!>

Lena used skill swap!

I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.

"There may be something to that... can we pin the blame on anyone yet?" Silas asked.

Roxy sighed, "No..."

"Alright, I say we move forward, pointing fingers at this juncture is going to leave us jumpy. Ba'al and Upton, see if you can get into the vents and find anything," Silas noted.

Roxy nodded, "We'll keep going around, we're gonna try and fix navigation next. Bishop may not be able to talk to us right now but we can at least get the ship moving again!"

Defiant Wing

Upton: You got it, skipper! Anything to save Uncle Witcherguy.

Upton wears the scarf and transforms into a ditto (with a scarf). Meanwhile, Ba'al transforms into Charles Calvin again. Like, an actual stick figure in three dimensional space.

Ba'al: It's a good thing I'm not that big, and the vents aren't all that tight in this vessel. Anyone willing to give me a boost?

Byleth blinked, and awkwardly gave Ba'al a boost up to one of the air vents circulating the O2 in the ship.

Defiant Wing, boost.

Ba'al, as Charles Calvin: Da-da-dada-dada-da-da-da-da-DAAAAAAAAAAAA!

And up he goes. As he crawled, he made a characteristic clunking sound indicative of a metal arm. There really was no hiding that.

Ba'al: Crawling through the vents...

Glimwood Tangle

(The Morgrem and the Galarian Rapidash suddenly notice Hatty and turn to face each other with malevolent grins.)

Morgrem: <Oh, hey. I know you. You're the Lost One, aren't ya?>

(Grohl tilts his head in confusion.)

Grohl: <The... Lost One?

Elton: (turning to Hatty) <'Ol' up, you— YOU KNOW THEM?!>

Ozzy: <Well. This is a startling new development.>

Jagger:    <Yeah, and what's with all this "Lost One" stuff?>   

???, Chromatic Path

(Kim looks ahead as all of the spirits come towards her— and then she gets an idea.)

Kim: "Hold on... Ian, why do we have to fight these demons on our own? We can just use our Pokemon, can't we?"

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Circhester Alley

Star:-wryly- I mean a glowstick wouldn't be too' bad, right? ....Hahaha....

-She looks at the stick again and focuses, this time trying to stop right before it stops cracking-

Star: -Grins- Ok, there we go. I think.

Edited by stargirl93 on Mar 20th 2021 at 9:33:33 AM

Defiant Wing, Life Support

Alright, no-one got thrown out the airlock yet. Phew.

-Gale let off a faint grumble as she double-checked her work on the filters-

Okay cap, I'm gonna find another thing to fix. Wanna walk with me or are you fine having no alibi for a bit?

SS Mariah

-The Nightingale nods and quickly vwoops the pallet of video games into her hammerspace bag-

Alright, now for the tricky part. Getting out of here...

-She takes a moment near the door to just be quiet and listen carefully-

I think we're clear...

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

SS Mariah

-Rogue snaps back into reality, and nods to the Nightingale-

Rogue: I dunno, we could take a moment and get cozy here. Nobody's watching.

-They smirk, stepping toward the door and putting a hand on it, careful to pause and Aura Sense outside to make absolutely sure there's nobody standing still just behind the door.-

Glimwood Tangle

Hatty: <It's a Long Story, but I think there's time before the battle to tell it...>

-Hatty looks down at the floor of the tangle and closes her eyes.-

Hatty: <About 10 years ago, there was a Hatenna who lived in this very forest...>

Glimwood Tangle, August 20th, 2011

-A coven of Hatenna and Hattrem, led by a Hatterene glide, hop and waddle majestically through the tangle, quietly singing what might sound like a spell.-

Hatty: (voice-over) <The Hatenna was happy living amongst her coven... However, she got separated...>

-One of the Hatenna ends up getting separated from her coven and starts looking around for them.-

Young Hatenna: -nervous- <H-Hello? Where'd you all go? M-Mommy? Hattrem? Where are you?>

-The young Hatenna begins to search for her coven.-

Hatty: (voice-over) <That little Hatenna spent hours trying to find the coven she was separated from... She didn't stop looking for them... And just when she thought she found them...>

-The young Hatenna finds a Galarian Ponyta trotting through the tangle and waddles up to him to ask for help.-

Young Hatenna: -nervously- <E-Excuse me... Mr. Ponyta...? I-I got separated from my coven and now I can't find them... Could you please help me find my coven?>

Galarian Ponyta: -scoffs- <You want ME to help YOU find your coven? You've got to be joking!>

Young Hatenna: -on the verge of crying- <I-I-I'm not joking! I'm serious... I got separated from my coven and I'm very lonely... Please... Help me find them... They're going to worry about me!>

Galarian Ponyta: -smirks- <Oh, so you're lonely, eh? Well, you don't have to worry about that...>

-The young Hatenna's eyes start to shimmer as a smile forms on her face. Her heart pounds as thoughts of being reunited with her coven flood her mind.-

Galarian Ponyta: <Impidimp... Playtime...>

-As though obeying the Galarian Ponyta's command, an Impidimp jumps out and attacks the young Hatenna with bites and slashes. The young Hatenna, now frightened, attempts to avoid being hit by the attacks. The young Hatenna runs away from the conflict, but the Impidimp manages to keep up.-

Hatty: (voice-over) <That Impidimp chased the poor Hatenna throughout the Tangle, until he couldn't keep up with her anymore...>

Impidimp: -puts both hands behind his head and walks away- <Now she's gonna go crying home to Mommy... Oh wait, she doesn't know where they are! Hahahaha!>

-The young Hatenna keeps fleeing through the Tangle until she trips on a tree root and falls face-first on the floor.-

Hatty: (voice-over) <The young Hatenna was lost, tired, and injured... and she feared that she may never find her coven... She was so distraught that she could only do one thing at that point...>

-The little Hatenna burst into tears, crying.-

Young Hatenna: -crying- <MOMMY! WHERE ARE YOU? I'M SCARED!>

Hatty: (voice-over) <The little Hatenna cried for a good while that afternoon... When suddenly, a little girl showed up.>

Little Girl: So that's where that sound came from... It's a Hatenna!

-The little girl runs over to the crying Hatenna.-

Little Girl: There there, Hatenna... Please don't cry...

-The little girl then notices the Hatenna's injuries.-

Little Girl: You're hurt... I should get you help, fast!

-The little girl gently picks the injured Hatenna up and carries the Hatenna out of the Tangle and into Ballonlea.-

Ballonlea, That Day

-The little girl bursts through the door to her house, still holding the Hatenna over her head.-

Little Girl: -worried for the Hatenna- MOM! I found an injured Pokémon in the tangle!

Mom: -worried- INJURED POKÉMON?! WHAT KIND, EVELYN?!

Eight-Year-Old Evelyn: A Hatenna! She looked like she was separated from her coven and beaten up!

Agnes Willoughby/Promeneau: Oh no! Get it here, quick! I have a Hyper Potion and some bandages! Do you remember how you should tend to her injuries?

Eight-Year-Old Evelyn: Make sure her wounds are cleaned and covered and make sure she's well-nourished.

Agnes (Evelyn's Mom): Right!

-The young Evelyn brings the Hatenna to her mother, who sprays her wounds with a Hyper Potion and bandages them. Evelyn gives the Hatenna some berries she picked. The Hatenna looks at Evelyn and Agnes, smiles faintly at them, and nibbles away at them.-

Hatty: (voice-over) <The little girl's kindness was not forgotten by the Hatenna, for in the following weeks, as the Hatenna made a full recovery, she helped the girl discover her hidden potential, and eventually, the girl and Hatenna became the best of friends...>

Ballonlea, Weeks Later (September 23rd, 2011)

-The little girl comes home from school holding a Poké Ball she bought at the Poké Mart with that week's allowance.-

Young Evelyn: I'm home, Hatenna!

Hatenna: -joyfully- <You're back! Yay!>

-The little Hatenna's eyes widened and began to shimmer while a smile formed on her face as she noticed the Poké Ball in Evelyn's hand.-

Young Hatenna: <Is that... A Poké Ball? You want me to be your Pokémon?>

Evelyn: Of course! That is... if you want to come with me on a journey when it's time...

-The young Hatenna jumps up and down, squeaking jovially.-

Young Hatenna: <Of course I do! Of course I do!>

-The young Evelyn Sapphira Promeneau kneels down and shows the little Hatenna the Poké Ball. The little Hatenna runs up to it and playfully bats at the button with her hat/hair/antenna, causing the Poké Ball to open and call the Calm Pokémon into it. The Ball closes, then shakes a couple of times in Evelyn's little hands before clicking shut.-

Young Evelyn: Yay! I made a new friend!

-The young Evelyn hugs the Poké Ball close to her heart as the flashback ends...-

Glimwood Tangle

Hatty: <...and that Hatenna was me...>

-Hatty opens her eyes again.-

Hatty: <Some part of me still worries that my coven is still worried about me, but it's okay now... I'm surrounded by a great circle of friends... AND I WON'T LET YOU HURT THEM!>

Mementos, Chromatic Path, A Spot of Trouble

Me: Kim... We can't send our Pokémon against them...

-Ian points to the Black Knight's sword, which already looks pretty sharp.-

Me: If these demon things can produce weapons like that Black Knight's sword, our Pokémon would most certainly get hurt. And since there are so many of them...

-Ian gulps nervously-

Me: ...and so few of us...

-Ian struggles to maintain his composure and not break down into a nervous mess, as the Shadows start to close in on him and Kimberly Bond...-

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Mar 20th 2021 at 11:42:48 AM

♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...

"I'll go with you, never know when another power outage is going to hit," Silas commented, "We'll be safer that way."

He continued forward, "We need to stop by the computer core, put it through a proper reset to get last known navigational data. We're still trapped in a cloud of ionized energy."

He rolled his right shoulder a bit as he stepped forward.

---

Roxy and Snakeye entered navigation, Roxy had at least some experience in here, she remembered the training for this stuff for piloting from the bridge.

The room was also specially coated in screens and projectors, to project being in space itself... Silas did not do anything by half measures.

Snakeye popped open the central console, Roxy and him started pulling out fried computer boards.

---

Byleth sighed and rubbed his head, this was beyond his league really. Back home he didn't have to deal with all this high tech shenanigans... at least not yet judging by his story.

He was barely out of the way when the lights went out again.

When they came back, the banging of the vents had stopped, and there was a purple ooze coming from it.

---

Roxy stared in shock as where Snakeye once stood there was more purple ooze.

Silas and Gale just entered, Silas looking about, "Roxy are you alright?" He asked.

Roxy was speechless, staring at where Snakeye was...

Then came Byleth's voice over the intercom, <I think we can rule out Ba'al... they didn't get very far...>

Edited by EchoingSilence on Mar 20th 2021 at 10:40:38 AM

SS Mariah

Alas, the fact that this cargo container is cold and hard and that we really should be going before they set to sea must mean we should be away as quickly as possible.

-The Nightingale smiles (even though the face mask component of her outfit obscures it) and carefully slips out of the container-

You got a way off or should we just call it good enough and I'll shadowport the both of us off?

Defiant Wing

-Gale was on her way to the port side of the ship when the lights went out. She bristled with anticipation as the lights were out, ready to fight any assailants that tried to take her-

Hm. Very quick. Seems likely, only doubles so far. See anything?

Right, so. Unless the impostor is a superhero-level speedster, I don't think it could have been Silas because the two of us were together during the blackout.

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

SS Mariah

Rogue: Ah, alas. Anyway, I'm certain I could find my own way off, but why complicate matters?

-They close the container door, and click the padlock shut again. No sign of any interference.-

Rogue: Besides, I am curious what that shadowporting is like. I can't say I was... lucid, the last time I experienced anything like it.

-They shiver for a moment, almost imperceptibly.-

Glimwood Tangle

(Grohl and Strummer look over at the Morgrem and Galarian Rapidash with disgust and anger.)

Grohl: (incensed) <You... you did what?!>

Strummer: <ALRIGHT! THAT DOES IT FOR YA BLOKES! 'OW'S ABOUT THIS?!>

(And with that said, Strummer jumps into the air and starts rubbing his cheek against the Morgrem, shocking him with electricity. The Morgrem's eyes go wide, and seconds later, he doubles over, paralyzed.)

Morgrem: (pained) <Urgh... you're gonna pay for that!>

Strummer: (laughs) <TAKE THAT, YOU IDIOT—!>

Morgrem: (growls) <You asked for this!> (He turns to face the Galarian Rapidash.) <Rapidash? Seize that lost child.>

Galarian Rapidash: <Gladly.>

(And with that said, he charges his horn straight at Hatty.)

Mementos, Chromatic Path, A Dangerous Situation

(Kim looks away as the Shadows approach, trying desperately hard to not break down as well. She looks around for a few moments, getting more and more terrified and desperate.)

Kim: (slowly starting to lose her composure) "I believe... I believe you are right... but what else are we to do? I can't die right now... Evelyn and Piku-chan would be worried about me... and so would everyone on Rever's team, most likely..."

(She sits down, getting more scared by the minute.)

Kim: (to herself) Well... if I am indeed to die... I suppose... I had a fairly good life...

(All of a sudden, Kim looks down and pauses, somewhat unsure of herself and surrounded by Shadows. She thinks back on everything that she was told by 9-Volt, Hoops, and a few of her own Pokemon… and then finally she sighs.)

Kim: “Ian… I need to tell you something.”

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Glimwood Tangle

Hatty: <Thanks to my travels with Evelyn and all her friends, I have become far stronger than you would ever anticipate.>

-Hatty's braids glow with a dark aura of violence and she spins rapidly to counter the Galarian Rapidash's horn attack.-

Mementos, Chromatic Path, A Dangerous Situation

Me: -nervously- H-Huh? Wh-what do you wanna tell me?

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Mar 21st 2021 at 4:13:29 AM

♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...

Glimwood Tangle

(The Galarian Rapidash stumbles back a bit due to the power of Brutal Swing, but manages to shake it off. The Morgrem looks over at Hatty with slight shock.)

Morgrem: <Oi... she's right good, ain't she?>

Rapidash: <Too good. You suppose we run away?>

Morgrem: <Oh, no.> (He turns to face Strummer and Grohl.) <We're just getting started.>

(Freddie looks away.)

Freddie: <Oh dear... t-this is really bad...>

Morgrem: <Take this!>

(A pulsating orb of dark energy forms in-between his hands, and seconds later a beam of darkness spews forth from the orb— directly at Strummer.)

(Without another word, Strummer dodges, and the Dark Pulse goes right by him. He turns to face Grohl.)

Strummer: <Oi! Grohl! Take down the Rapidash, why don't ya?!>

(Grohl nods, then turns to face the Galarian Rapidash, who scoffs.)

Galarian Rapidash: <You? A mere Mareep? What could you possibly do to me? I'm fully-evolved, unlike you.>

Grohl: (determined) <This.>

(He opens his mouth and releases yellow rings of electricity directly at the Galarian Rapidash— who seconds later also begins crackling with paralysis.)

Elton: (delighted) <YEAH! You go, Grohl-!>

(The Galarian Rapidash's eyes grow wide.)

Galarian Rapidash: <NO—! Not me, too—!>

(Grohl blushes slightly.)

Mementos, Chromatic Path, A Dangerous Situation

(Kim looks down, trying desperately hard to hide the tears that are forming in her eyes. Eventually, however, she speaks.)

Kim: "I... I envy you. And Evelyn, and Rever... especially Rever... scratch that even. I envy everybody in the J-Team. E-ever since the day I joined I had been expecting something... bigger... something like what you experienced. Something akin to... a threat to the multiverse. Fighting a threat to the multiverse, even. I— I wanted an opportunity to finally feel like I was special after years of having this mundane life. But..."

(She begins to cry, and the tears eventually fall down her face.)

Kim: "But I still don't! I mean, look at yourselves! Look at Colton, even! He has darkness powers, you have psychic powers, he's a mind of Crystal, he's caught an Ultra Beast and can understand them, all of you can speak fluent Japanese... and I have none of that! I don't have powers! I-I'm not immune to hypnosis! I've never even encountered an Ultra Beast, I can't speak a word of fluent Japanese... and I've never fought a threat to the multiverse! The most "exciting" thing I've done with the J-Team thus far is participate in a Battle of the Bands and fight a bunch of silly threats in the Slumbering Weald...!"

(She completely breaks down.)

Kim: (in tears) "I-I'm not special... I've never been... K-Kamui was right about me..." (and then, in a small voice) "...I'm... not... J-Team material..."

(She sinks to the floor, in utter despair.)

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Glimwood Tangle

Hatty: <Brilliant move, Grohl! Shall we take down these bullies together?>

Mementos, Chromatic Path, A Dangerous situation...

Me: Have you felt that way ALL ALONG? Was that how I'VE been making you feel ALL ALONG?! I just wish you'd have told me sooner... I would've done something to help you... I'm sure Evelyn would've done all she could to help you as well... I'm sorry...

-Ian begins to stress out as Kim is stressing out.-

Me: I have something to confess, too... Ever since I found out about the J-Team, I've wanted to be a part of it... To be a part of their adventures... Ever since I finally found them at Mt. Moon two years ago, I've done so much that I could be proud of... The Raid on Macraul Manor, meeting Meloetta in White Forest, the battle at J-Con, battling the Mobius Society, taking down a multiverse-level threat in The Fanatic, fighting crazy time cops from the future who kidnapped Santa Claus and Saving Christmas, meeting you and Hoops and Evelyn, the Battle of the Bands... hell, even falling in love with Evelyn... I can say I'm proud of that. But honestly, all the adventures I had with the J-Team left me wondering about who I want to be as a person...

-The Shadows close in on Ian and Kim, more than ready to pounce and snuff out the flames that are their lives.-

-Ian then starts to cry as he fears the worst...-

Me: And now... I don't think I'll ever know...

♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...

Albright Residence, North Mandarin Island, The Present

Ritchie slams the phone used by his father. The rest of the family was in shock, while Reynard did not appreciate it one bit.

Ritchie: Dad, this has got to stop.

Reynard: Affanculo, Ritchie. What was that for?

Rachel: Richard! Why would you stop your own father from using the landline? This isn't like you at all.

Ritchie: It's my house, my phone line, and they run by my rules.

Rachel: This is our house and I get a say on which rules are enforced. You don't treat your father that way, Richard. What kind of example are you leaving for the kids? You know, I'm starting to see why Gavin's always upset.

Ritchie: Rachel, we'll discuss this later.

Reynard: Richard, that's not how your mother and I taught you to treat a lady, especially your wife. Now, I'll let this slide for now. You are a grown man

Rachel: Now if only he'd act like one.

Galen: Zing! But seriously, let's de-escalate.

Ritchie: Shouldn't you stay out of this?

Galen: Like, two years ago. First, dad, apologize to Mom and Grandpa.

Ritchie: Dear, I'm sorry for raising my voice, and dad, I'm sorry I had to interrupt. But this is something important that I need to discuss with you.

Reynard: Can't it wait until after I make my plane ticket reservation?

Ritchie: No. We have to have the talk now. I don't want you running off halfway round the world without so much as telling us.

Galen: Shouldn't we call Uncle Norbert for this?

Ritchie: We'll discuss the matter with him later. And since you're here, Galen, stick around. You kind of need to hear this, too.

Galen: Ambot. ^note Whatever.

Reynard: Boh. ^note I don't know.

The Old Nacrene City Gym, The Lillifuture

Junior and Dave walk around the private corridors of the library and museum. The place was largely deserted and staffed only by a token team of archivists and antiquarians, of which Junior's brother Stanford was one of them. Stanford had taken his lunch break and, as per his habit, went down to the hoagie shop across the street.

Dave: I really don't get why the people idolize the J-Team so much. It's like, dude, they dissolved years ago. Honestly, I don't even get why they're considered heroes in the first place.

Junior: You know, for a time traveler, you're not very good at history.

Dave: Et tu, Tom? Explain further.

Junior: Well, for starters, people looked up to the old J-Team for a reason.

Dave: You've been listening in to Team Signal apologia again, haven't you?

Junior: Surprised you know what that word is.

Dave: Bugger off, Egghead. I know how to use [State-Approved Google Analogue].

Junior: They defeated reality-warping glitches in their heyday. Some of their key members were responsible for laying the groundwork of the Pokédex as we know it today. Hey, Jon, back me up here.

Rotom Jonathan: Yeah, Tom's right. Nearly all of my database has entries that were first verified by the J-Teamers who worked with PEFE.

Dave: If they're so great, whatever happened to them? Team Signal likes painting them as a group of selfless adventurer heroes who do awesome things like fight crime and stop glitches. But they were nothing more than a disunited clique who only hung out because of a bandwagon effect. Brother, what's my name? Taurosshit, is what it is.

Albright Residence, North Mandarin Island, The Present

Reynard: Richard, I know you're worried about me. But don't you think banning me from a new friend group is pushing it?

Galen: Yeah, dad. What's wrong with hanging out with the J-Team? They're cool. I'd have thought you'd think of them as a positive influence with their world-saving.

Ritchie: They're mostly teenagers, Galen. You don't send minors to a major war.

Galen: The Chosen One was 11.

Ritchie: That's not the point here. Point is, they're having a winning streak now. But that luck's not gonna last. Since at least the 70s, there's always been one of them. A charismatic, almost magnetic group of trainers who make a name for themselves as heroes after one too many high-profile Good [Samaritan] moves. Even before the J-Team started making waves, there was the K-Team from the 1980s. Hoo boy, were they ever popular. They're like, Ninja Squirtles level popular. They had a fanzine, a Usenet Alt, a fan comic, the works.

Galen: Never heard of them.

Reynard: Funny you should mention them. Because I remember a certain college kid and his gyarados who kept returning home with bruises after each time the K-Team had an altercation with Team Fallout.

Ritchie: Dad, that's exactly my point. Oh, sure, it sounds fun at first. But teams like this, we don't have much staying power. I avoided the worst of it, but you're a 88-year old man. Someday, something might happen and they can't pull you to safety.

Reynard: Exactly, Ritchie. I'm in my eighties. I'm not gonna be here forever, and I'm not even sure if I want to go back as a ghost like Primo did. If it means stopping some creep from harming people, like how others did many years before, I would in a heartbeat. You of all people know this.

Ritchie: You tried to stop me multiple times.

Reynard: This is different. You had your life ahead of you. I've lived my life, and I have no problem giving it up so you can keep living yours.

Beat. Ritchie sighed in resignation. The look on his face though made it clear that he was touched by the sentiment.

Reynard: Point is, it doesn't matter. I was wrong. Why'd you all stop in the first place?

Ritchie: I don't even remember how the others ended up breaking apart. I just decided one day that I wanted to spend more time with myself and my girlfriend, not getting into danger, and wind down.

Galen: Oh, you gave up being cool so you and mom could have Gavin. You two got ripped off.

Ritchie: Could you not complain about your brother right now?

He stops to breathe and shows them a picture of himself with a bunch of K-Teamers.

Ritchie: It all happened without us noticing, really. One day, we were kicking Team Fallout ass, saving the day from random threats. We thought we were unstoppable. And then we stopped. Whatever it was, once the K-Team stopped hanging out, everything we did faded into obscurity. Heck, the only way you'd ever find my name in a forum is on a trivia box about your brother. And we weren't even the only ones.

The Old Nacrene City Gym, The Lillifuture

Dave: For all their chipper gung ho goody-two-shoes nonsense, the J-Team just didn't have what it takes to stand. They weren't a real organization. Dr. Tagg and his friends brought them together through sheer charisma, but once he was murdered, nobody had the same—what's this, gravitas—to hold the group together. One day, they took on a baddie they couldn't handle, and once they were decapitated, they scattered. And here we are left picking up the pieces of their failure.

Junior: I wouldn't call this an improvement.

Dave: Come on, Tom. If it weren't for the Authority, we'd be like any other war-torn hellhole left behind by Neo Flare and that madman Lucius Cain. This is moving forward. I don't care what we gave up. We should never have had to rely on a bunch of directionless idealists who thought that being the in-crowd made them the [Avengers]. The J-Team wasn't even the first time this happened!

A Hoagie Shop, Nacrene City, The Lillifuture

As Stanford ate, he stared at a phone. Apparently, he was having a conversation with someone over instant messaging, and he seems to be responding. Instead of manually typing the numbers, however, he relied on subtle eye movements to type words into a sensor. It fed data into an encrypted conversation.

Edited by MasterJayAM on Mar 24th 2022 at 2:01:10 AM

Glimwood Tangle

(Grohl nods.)

Grohl: <Yeah! Let's do it!>

Strummer: <You bet! We could use some 'elp 'ere!>

(The Morgrem and Galarian Rapidash notice this and start laughing.)

Morgrem: <Oi... the Lost One wants to help, now does she?>

Galarian Rapidash: <Seems like it!>

Morgrem: <Should we take away those chances?>

Galarian Rapidash: <We should.>

Grohl: <What?! N-no! You can't do that!>

Strummer: <Yeah! Else you'll 'ave to face our wrath again!>

Jagger:    <You tell 'em, Strums!>   

(Strummer nods, turning to Jagger and flashing him a thumbs-up as best as he can. Kim, meanwhile, takes out her notebook and opens up to a blank page. Geddy notices.)

Geddy: <Kim? What are you doing?>

Kim: "Writing Grohl's personality profile, of course. I believe I have enough information on him to know what to write."

Geddy: <That's great, but... shouldn't you be focusing on the battle?>

Kim: "I'm fairly certain they have it under control."

(She turns back to her notebook, takes out a pen, and begins to write:)

NEW POKEMON CAUGHT: GROHL THE MAREEP. IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO GET A FULL GRASP ON HIS PERSONALITY AT FIRST, BUT I THINK I FINALLY HAVE IT. NAMELY— HE IS BASICALLY JUST 9-VOLT IF 9-VOLT WAS A MAREEP. HE'S JUST AS FUN-LOVING, JUST AS EASILY DISTRACTED, JUST AS EXCITEABLE... AND YET HE'S NOT NEARLY AS NAIVE. SURE, HE DID THINK THAT THE MORGREM AND GALARIAN RAPIDASH HE AND STRUMMER ARE CURRENTLY FIGHTING WERE FRIENDS AT FIRST— BUT THEN HE FOUND OUT ABOUT THEIR TRUE INTENTIONS AND DIDN'T EVEN HESITATE TO FIGHT THEM DOWN FOR THE SAKE OF FRIENDSHIP.

(Meanwhile, as Kim is writing, the Galarian Rapidash laughs.)

Galarian Rapidash: <Why would you be willing to have her fight with you? Why would you even bother associating with her, even?>

Grohl: <Simple. Because she's our friend.>

Strummer: <That's right, she is! Kim's known 'Atty for months now!>

Galarian Rapidash: <And what do you know about friendship?>

Grohl: (now fueled with determination) <More than you ever will!>

Strummer: <Let's show these followers of the ES-TA-BLISH-MENT what they're made of—!>

(And then seconds later, they both start to glow— Strummer in a familiar blue light, and Grohl in a more transparent golden light. Meanwhile, Kim continues to write.)

INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, GROHL ALSO HAS A FAMILY. I'VE MET THEM, AND I MUST ADMIT THAT THEY ARE VERY NICE POKEMON. HIS FATHER IS NAMED COBAIN, HIS MOTHER IS COURTNEY, AND HIS BROTHER IS NAMED HAWKINS. I ASSUME THAT SAID FAMILY TAUGHT GROHL HOW TO BATTLE, AND HAVE BATTLED WITH HIM MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY WERE ALSO THE ONES THAT NAMED GROHL, WHICH I FIND RATHER INTERESTING...

(Her writing is suddenly interrupted, however, by Elton and Jagger running up to Kim in excitement.)

Elton: (delighted) <Kim—! You 'ave ta see this—!>

Kim: (looking down at her Pokemon) "What is it? Did they defeat the Morgrem and the Galarian Rapidash?"

Jagger: (extremely hyped)    <Even better! Look!>   

(Kim looks up from her notebook— and when she sees Strummer and Grohl about to evolve, her eyes go wide.)

Kim: "No way...!"

Dio: <AWWWWW YEAH—! THEY'RE EVOLVING-! THIS IS SO GREAT—!>

Mementos, Chromatic Path, A Dangerous Situation

(Kim looks down, nearly about to cry— and then all of a sudden is interrupted by a mysterious voice that seems to permeate through her brain.)

???: So... you finally dare to admit it.

(Kim's eyes immediately shoot wide open.)

Kim: "W-what was that?"

???: Your envy... your desire to be special...your desire to be like all the other members of the J-Team... you finally dare to admit it all. Well, I must ask you one question, Kimberly Bond, and it should sound familiar to you. If you take pride in a job that doesn't even exist... how is the J-Team any different?

(Kim pauses in stunned reflection for a few moments, recognizing 9-Volt's question.)

???: Yes... that sweet electric spider was right about a few things, wasn't he? Why are you envying other members of the J-Team for their accomplishments... when you've already done so much? Think back, Kim...

(And all of a sudden, she leans over, and a powerful surge begins to course through her brain. All of the flashbacks start coming back to her: the Pokemon she has met, the people she has become friends with, the experiences she has had as a member of the J-Team. In an instant, she grabs her head, and her eyes suddenly glow yellow as the flashbacks intensify.)

???: You've caught 19 Pokemon— a feat that not many Trainers can attest to. You fought Team Flare at Orochi Plaza. You received a Mega Stone and played the Bond or Break voice distortion game. And won. But most importantly... you've forged bonds with dozens of Trainers, most of all Ian and Evelyn.

(And the realization hits her.)

???: Why should you care what being a J-Team member entails? Why should you care about other people's accomplishments?

Kim: (stunned, to the mysterious voice) "I... I already have so many."

???: Indeed you do.

Kim: "Why should I care that I can't speak fluent Japanese? I could just learn it myself."

???: Indeed you could.

Kim: "Why should I care that I haven't fought a threat to the universe? Just the fact that I was able to join the J-Team, who I've been interested in since childhood... that should be enough."

???: Indeed it should.

Kim: "Why should I care that I don't have darkness powers, or psychic powers, or any kind of powers at all?! I already have a power— and it's stronger than any of them combined!"

???: And that power is...?

Kim: (now fueled with determination) "The power of FRIENDSHIP!"

???: Indeed you do!

(And seconds later, Kim's glasses flash a bright yellow. In an instant, they are replaced by 3D glasses. And then the voice speaks once again.)

???: I AM THOU... THOU ART I...

(Kim's eyes widen in sudden recognition.)

Kim: (thinking, to herself) Where have I heard this before...?!

???: Allow me to finally break your confines, and all of your struggles, and allow yourself to find out who you truly are! So... you say you're a lingual consultant? Well, then allow me... MAY I PRESENT... THE CONSULTANT HERSELF! KIMBERLY BOND—!

Kim: (thinking to herself, recognizing it) T-this... this is...

(Almost instinctively, she grabs one of the arms of her 3D glasses.)

Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅

Glimwood Tangle

Kec: <Do you think we should help with the battle?>

Hoops takes a long drink of berry juice from a straw. It slurps loudly.

Hoops: Nah. They got this.

Glimwood Tangle

Hatty: <Grohl and Strummer... they're evolving?!>

Mementos, Chromatic Path, A Dangerous situation...

???: So that's it? You're just going to GIVE UP?!

-In hearing the mysterious voice, Ian's heart skips a beat...-

???: You can't just give up now... Not after everything you've lived through... Everything you've experienced...

-Ian begins to flash back to everything he’s experienced...-

First, a scene of Ian and Ever at the newsstand, talking

???: Was starting your quest to find the J-Team...

Second, a scene of the Necrozma Battle

???: Fighting alongside them like brothers...

Third, a scene of Ian's meeting with Meloetta

???: ...discovering your hidden potential...

Then, a scene of a battle against the Mobius Society followed by a scene of Ian singing "Change" to a Cheri-possessed Merlin, then followed by a scene of the battle against The Fanatic...

???: ...saving the world...

Next, a scene of Ian assisting Goober and Hazel in untying Santa Claus

???: ...saving Christmas...

Then, a scene of Ian and Evelyn dancing together on Valentine's Day…

???: falling in love...

Lastly, a scene of Ian, Evelyn and Kim rockin' out together at the Café Sonata

???: ...and enjoying yourself...

The scene cuts back to Ian, who is suddenly holding his head, as though he were in pain, his eyes changed from their normal hazel color to a radiant gold. Kim turns to face him.

???: ALL A MISTAKE?!

Me: N-No... It was NOT all a mistake... I'm proud of everything I have done!

???: Good! Now, focus not on the person you want to be in the future... For all that matters here is that you are who you are now and that you live for all those you care about!

-Ian stomps his right foot against the ground as he looks to the sky with his glimmering golden eyes.-

Me: I am Ian Pollyanna Salberg!

-A flash of each scene echoes through Ian's head as he comes to grips with who he is.-

Me: J-Teamer!
Rock star!
Hero in love!
Savior of the Multiverse!
FRIEND!
???: Now... Let us form our contract!!!

-Ian begins to smile brighter than he has ever smiled before.-

Ian and ???: I AM THOU! THOU ART I!

???: EXCELLENT! Now... let the bonds thou hast forged sever the bindings of fear and doubt... Allow thyself to fly high on the wings of rebellion! Let thy heart be that which spreads love and happiness throughout this world, though bleak and unbearable it may be... Now... Spread thy wings and take flight, O JOYBRINGER!

-A pink heart-shaped domino mask manifests on Ian's face as he looks back, his eyes still glowing gold.-

Edited by AnimeboyIanpower on Mar 21st 2021 at 9:48:18 AM

♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...

Circhester, past

Would be nice if people would just call or text me to say hello and not just because they need me for something though. I like Star, but still...

-As Star successfully manages to infuse her Aura into the stick-

Good job. Of course the difference between just a flashlight and a successful Aura infuse is this.

-Throwing a pebble at a wall, which bounces off-

And this.

-Focuses Aura into it before throwing the same pebble, which leaves a small but noticeable crater in the wall-

Okay, let's see if we can get you to form a Construct using that stick as a medium. Similar concept, but you have to visualize what you're creating in your mind, and the Aura will form around it to match.

Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.

Circhester Alley

-Star intently watches the demonstration, listening to the instructions. Meanwhile, though...-

Star's Mindscape

-Six copies of Star in different colored outfits are watching what's going on on a hologram displayed within a crystalline structure-

Red-outfitted Star: Oh my gosh, that's awesome. *_*

Blue-outfitted Star: I guess it's awesome. Just don't embarrass us, Red.

Green-outfitted Star: Ha! We're going to master this, I can feel it.

Gold-outfitted Star: -silently taking notes on what's going on on a tablet-

Violet-outfitted Star: -Watching the Aura-infused pebble dent the wall- We're totally going to blow a hole in the wall with this, aren't we? =_=

Gray-outfitted Star: -fiddling with a necklace she's wearing- Mmm...

Blue: -looks over at the Star in gray- What's with you all of a sudden? it's not like this is particularly sad or anything.

Gray: It's not us, it's... is he...Are we sure he's ok with this? I don't think he's ok with this.

-Gold and Violet look at Gray, then at each other-

Violet: Honestly, I'm still surprised he agreed to it...

Gold: -scratches head- ...I mean...

Circhester Alley

-Star rests the stick in one hand-

Star: Before we continue, um...Are you sure you're up for this? I know it's been a while and I kinda just popped out of the woodwork for a favor. So if you've got something else to do or you'd honestly rather not, what we've done so far is more than enough.

-thinking- (Besides, I'm kinda a non-entity in the whole J-team thing, so I bet it's like helping a stranger.)

Edited by stargirl93 on Mar 21st 2021 at 1:05:43 PM