The Wanderer
Galar Beach, past
-Taking the card-
I'll leave that in mind.
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Not A Lawyer
Pyrite Town, Faction Offices - May 11
-Lissa rolls her eyes back at Kai in turn, but doesn't resist as she's escorted out of the room.-
Alice: Brie has the right of it. It's your choice whether you wish to stay or go. I have no wish to make you uncomfortable, but this is still an arrangement between the three of us. I don't believe there's anything that needs figuring out that we can't figure out in front of you.
-She takes Brie by the shoulders and spins her around so the two are face-to-face.-
Alice: Hey~
-...-
Alice: ...I will be honest, I had not thought ahead any further than this.
Stormchaser, Lucius's Room, past
Maul: ~I could've done that.~
-Lucius just laughs hoarsely at Ever. It's a noise devoid of mirth, and doesn't sound all that different from a sob.-
Lucius: Hey, I wasn't expecting guests.
-He sits himself up a little straighter, his baggy sweater hanging off his thin frame like a death shroud over a skeleton.-
Lucius: So what... what happened, exactly? Your message was, like, super brief. Not that I'm in much of a position to parse the details, but... still. If somebody's tried to kill you I wanna know about it.
Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.
Flying Colors
Faction Offices — May 11
Kai: Oh, no, I'm not uncomfortable or anything. Just gauging how much space is needed.
-Kai closes the door as soon as Lissa is out of the room, and just leans against the wall casually.-
"This," Jack started, "Is the largest hospital in Saffron City. The hospital itself is a vast bastion of wealth and information in genetics both human and pokemon, advances in medical science, and genetic identification," he said emphasizing the last part.
"Our networks have been down since the unfortunate attack and while we're still making progress, the Pen Drones have been essentially useless. Unfortunately without a proper genetic baseline listed, the scanners don't work, and to collect all that data ourselves would only set us further back as wasting useful time," he continued.
The hologram changed to the basic pen drone, and the mechanics of how the scanners worked, "I always prided these things as an impressive step forward from RND. Simple, effective, designed to do one thing and does it well, even J picked up a few."
Jack sighed and sat down as the hologram changed once more, to charts projecting the hits the Guild took, "We're in a spiral currently. 9 years of work and effort gone, some of our hunters are abandoning the guilt to "Go independent" and risking the stability we brought. We've gone from 300 Hunters to nearly 230, it may not seem like a lot but a drop of 70 is still significant. Which brings me to our other problem."
The hologram changed once more and everyone was treated to a high tech suit of armor, surrounded by a Raichu, a Electrivire, a Magneton, and a Toxtricity. This was Hunter number 10, Lightwave.
"Lightwave here used to be number 10 but decided that with the current spiral, and the losses of Banshee and Scratch, to abandon ship. They no longer needed us... which also meant they no longer needed to avoid things such as the blacklist."
Jack scoffed, "And guess where we found them?"
The hologram clicked to life and glitched a bit, there stood Tiedrich, a bandage wrapped around his head, covering his right eye.
<This is Researcher Tiedrich, onto Logue 3 for the planet Polity. We... encountered some difficulties recently. It seems that the place is not undefended, strange machines were encountered, we... suffered losses.>
Roxy stared at him, the hologram seemed to shift a bit as what looked to be two more researchers were hefting a body on a stretcher, it glitched back to Tiedrich.
<There's... something here, we have to know, for the safety of everyone. I was... caught up in the excitement, starting tomorrow we're getting some heavier crew brought down from the mothership. Something... something speaks to me, I need to know what's here.>
The hologram ended, Hacks staring, ~Arceus... Something isn't right here.~
Edited by EchoingSilence on Jun 18th 2021 at 11:56:04 AM
Empathic Kid Hero-in-training
Wyndon Stadium, Ian VS Daisuke
-Oshawittle and Blasty knock the ice football back and forth between each other as though they were practicing for a big football match.-
Me: Oshawittle! Use Razor Shell to put a spin on things!
-Oshawittle still surrounded by water, takes his scalchop off of his tummy and draws his sword. With a single stroke, Oshawittle sends the ice football into a spin and knocks it back to Blasty, whom it passes. Like a goalie, Blasty tries to reach out for it and it narrowly evades him.-
Me: GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!
-...and then the ice football hits Daisuke in the head and shatters.-
Me: Taihenda!
-Daisuke gets knocked to the ground by the impact.-
Lee House, The Forest
Evelyn: -to Ms. Knight- Are they something we need to watch out for?
Anistar City, Emilie's Room
-Emilie frantically searches her room for the missing sword, gradually becoming more and more stressed as she searches to no avail.-
Emilie: GAAAAAH! If I don't find that sabre soon, I think I'll SCREAM!
Gus: <Didn't you already do that?>
Emilie: -glares at Gus- NOT MY POINT!
-Gus shrinks a little, knowing that his attempts at humor are failing.-
Levy: -sigh- <It'll be okay, Gus. She's just a little agitated right now.>
Gus: <Yeah... I mean, that sabre meant a lot to her.>
Levy: <She used the ballet techniques I helped teach her to wield that sabre with grace and skill. To lose it the way she did...>
-Emilie, feeling like she failed, falls onto her bed and starts to cry.-
Emilie: -muffled crying- I should've stuck to ballet! If I did, I never would've lost it!
Levy: <I'm on it.>
-Levy sits on the bed next to Emilie, petting her on the back of the head to calm her down.-
Levy: -calmly- <It's okay, Emilie. You did your best back there.>
Emilie: -crying- Back where?
Levy: <Oh. That's right. You don't remember. But the thing is if you hadn't decided on studying the blade, you never would've had the sabre in the first place and you never would've become Belladonna, ballet swordswoman for justice.>
Emilie: That's... -sniff- ...true.
Levy: <And I'm sure we'll get the sabre back. I mean, what use is it to whoever has it at this very moment?>
[Imperial] Hotel, Room 101
Salem: And I assume it's up to us to grab the records and ground Lightwave?
♪Show me the wisdom of the world... Tell me the secrets of the heart... and the sweet~ mysteries~ of love~...
chaos catby with a flannel shirt addiction
Yew house, somewhere with a TV
Kal and Radium are relaxing on a sofa with Netflix on the TV. Kal is daydreaming.
Kal's mindscape
Kal is in the garden of a Galarian country cottage, the same one they formed back at the school. It looks far more normal now. Another Kal approaches from behind the back.
Kal: It's... You?
Kal?: Well duh. You think destroying our home would get rid of me?
Kal: I don't know.
Kal?: Well it didn't. You're stuck with me and I'm sure as hell going to make sure you don't get the both of us killed.
Kal: Erm... Thanks?
Kal?: We need to start training again. Sooner or later they'll be sending templars. We need to be ready.
Kal: Surely we can wait a few more days? I'm finally getting over that fever. If I push myself I might get worse again.
The other Kal grumbles.
Kal?: You're getting soft, you know.
Yew house
Radium: <You good?>
Kal: ...Sorry, what were you saying?
I used to plug my deviantart here but turns out the link was too long.
No voice to cry suffering
{REDACTED}, Safe House
Molybdenum: -sinking into a chair- ~He's fine, but he died.~
Ribot: -staring into the mac- ~Stop telling everyone I'm dead.~
Molybdenum: ~Sometimes I can still hear his voice.~
-inside the box is a little teapot and set of cups—simple and utilitarian, inexpertly if functionally fired-
-and on closer examination, its ceramic baked from Light Clay-
(-but the important part of her gifts is rarely the obvious thing—tucked away in a corner, a little device like a laser pointer-)
Molybdenum: -fingers to temple, tiredly- ~About time you got a proper medium. Shouldn't be too dissimilar from lab equipment—keep track of that, now.~
-her own mental voice isn't too warm, rather brisk and slightly sibilant to those who know how to listen—but familiar in the sense that a shared background is familiar,
-she stares at Ribot absorbing—and subsequently disassembling—the sprinkle and cheese-
Molybdenum: -dry- ~Listen to Didit. You need to be healthy if you want to pass your exams.~
-this last said in the same intonation as "checking a Ponyta's mouth"-
Molybdenum: -eyeing the degree of quasinormal quiver- ~...have you been meditating on schedule?~ -said knowing full well she likely hasn't- ~When I was your age, I made sure of it.~
-liar-
Ribot: -dull- ~They're in possession of various talents and connections beyond mortal ken. (For now.)~
-eyeing the syrupy cheese dregs- ~Disassemble those wrong, and it'll be like setting off a bomb.~
Molybdenum: -disbelieving- ~An atom bomb.~
Wild Area, Distant Pool - Meltdown
Vee: <Kai if I go slow there won't be enough left to burn, so help me—>
-nevertheless, she tries-
Vee: -hyperventilating, in lungs not her own- <It'd be a lot easier if she'd calm the fuck down—?>>
-Megan's not answering-
-Megan's lost to memory-
Vegan: -reciting, repeating- the ocean is impassive.
-the first phase of the Gates settles—
-and two red-tipped tentacles tear their way free from Megan's shoulder blades, a tracery of stark blue neurons rather than antimatter shadow-
-her eyes pulse red in time with the Orb syncing to her heart-
Vegan: it crushes, with no malice to it. a storm doesn't think, it merely is.
-Lucani's Thunder Wave—her muscles lock up, seizing around bone-
Vegan: that ocean had kyogre.
-her stolen power seizes her jaw, her limbs by the blood and forces them into motion-
Vegan: -forcing lungs to contract- then that ocean had me.
-lightning, red lightning—crackles from the Crest-
Vegan: -whisper, loud- the Great Oxidation Event killed 99% of all life on earth. there is starmatter, and then there is us.
-forcibly, she raises that hand—the power crawls its way down her arm, singeing the hairs—not evaporating rainwater where it hits, but—-
Vegan: -dissecting it- water remembers. it was born in—
-and the ofuda hits-
Vegan: —fire.
-and Kai grabs on-
-and Daydre grabs on-
-Pollen faints instantly-
(-distracted staring at the reactor disaster that is her Trainer, guard sliced by Friendo—flambe'd in the absence of rain-)
-Vee tastes—Megan tastes, by proxy—Daydre, and Kai-
Megan: -...?!-
-Megan likes Daydre (and Kai)-
-familiarity like a splash of water to the face—the Drain field extinguishes itself, and power streams from her core to her friends unimpeded-
-...-
-it's, uh. it's a lot, huh?-
(-logically speaking—logically speaking, it could only be one serving's worth for one Pokémon—-)
(-but if that Pokémon is Vee, who only learned to de-intensify as a courtesy measure for special occasions—-)
(-but if that Pokémon were eating for herself and that sword, dormant—-)
(-Megan specializes—has always specialized, in making a little movement go a long way-)
(-Rain Dance, Surf waves—a pebble that kicks off an avalanche-)
(-this is the avalanche that triggers an earthquake-)
Some Corner of Megan's Mind, Hysteric: this Orb, Poseidon's domain—
(-her mind is racing, Pokémon-human synergy shakes the pillars of the world-)
-Megan comes back to herself, and finds herself falling-
Megan: ...no.
-she tries to move her fingers, and finds that she can't-
Megan: no no no no no
-she tries to stanch the power bleed, and finds that she can't-
Megan: no—!
-she finds her friends arrayed around her, and finds that she can't-
Megan: -stiffening- …Daydre.
-...she can't-
-the sword immediately makes a move independent of Vee-
-the Flung Iron Ball crashes—splashes through the blade, splattering liquid metal in all directions-
-...and stops, held between the prongs at the base-
-Dáinsleif recoalesces, shearing away at the mass—the Iron Ball is ripped apart, and the blade grows an inch-
-and spears outward to meet EMPEROR's lunge-
Logan: -from above- No!!
-EMPEROR passes through a ring of light—an energetic, comforting presence, which if he accepts:-
-blankets him in a general love for all things, as good as reinforced steel in the Wonder Room-
-it's entirely possible that his age-hardened feathers alone would suffice to turn Dáinsleif aside, freshly wakened, without the added security—the ferrofluid streaks for EMPEROR, as to pierce between them—
-but Tagg's sealing ofuda strikes true, the eye goes dark, the sword howls—and snaps back into one solid piece, one Iron Ball heavier-
Logan: -grim- Hiro, TL;DR.
Vee: -pant, shaking—reconstituting herself- <Don't—don't let it touch you.>
Hiro: -drawing the dragonslayer entrusted to him by Ever, nod- That sword is a blood drinker.
-and angling it down, in no combat-ready stance—tip to the earth, as a cane and channel- It's said that wounds it inflicts never heal. That once drawn, it cannot be sheathed until it takes a life. Observationally, this has borne out.
Hiro: -flame racing down the edge- Dáinsleif. Honor the Conflict.
Dáinsleif: -astonished- Am I not?
Logan: -hand to chest- I was the final arbiter of that contest. The condition for her victory was that us and ours go free.
Dáinsleif: And I?
Logan: ...what?
Dáinsleif: Did she not claim me, when she took his hand in strife? Did his holdings not pass to her, as per the ancient rite? Am I...not…
Dáinsleif: Yours?
Logan: ...
-in the moment of distraction, Dáinsleif lashes out—an Unsacred Sword, EMPEROR's way-
Addie: -mutter- <Worlds away...did we leave it?>
-Vee fights that movement, increasing No Guard to...Some Guard-
Addie: <Where the fuck is that sheath?>
-and her hearing is superb-
Vee: <...>
-her current state less so, but she's never allowed her will to flag for long-
Vee: -steely, standing- <...the sheath is me.>
Megan: You need to run.
-between the three (four) of them, a holding pattern is set—too-delicate, too-hasty work for one vampire is relieved by three two and someone trying very hard not to be one-
-the flood becomes a flow, divided into three channels-
Megan: I…
-the ofuda pinned to Megan's wrist shines, preventing the Blue Orb from crawling up her shoulder into her brain…-
Megan: I think I killed people, like this.
-...but far too much charge in the Orb already-
Vee: <<Hush, Meg. We gotcha.>>
Megan: -high-pitched- It'll boil the blood from your body.
-Megan's legs stunned and sealed—water lies lifeless in the several-foot radius around-
-but beyond the huddle of the "keep Megan alive" squad, the ground churns-
-that bizarre, thread-thin crimson lightning streams out and out, leaving dry earth and lightheadedness in its wake-
-and Megan's upwelling Aura forces Megan's arm at rest, the broken one—absent command from Megan's brain—to lift, and-
-gingerly, tenderly tuck a strand of hair behind Daydre's ear-
(-Kai places a feather in Megan's upraised, glowing hand, and she doesn't notice-)
Megan: -sob- Please, I can't hurt you. I couldn't bear it. Leave, before—
Mist!Memory!Megan: Origin Pulse.
Megan: NO! No no no it can't be time, get away get AWAY
-the tentacle constructs sprouting from her coil around Kai and Daydre, trying to fling them away before—-
-a wave of pure power races through the wet, shearing ion from ion, element from element-
Vee: <fuck.>
-water is unmade, reduced to its state before formation—-
-only momentarily-
-and the whole field wide is razed in hydrogen fire-
-a wave of life catalyzed by the relic intersection, phantasmal and resplendent, burns through the whole field wide-
Vee: <Megan.>
-rejuvenating, not charring-
Dáinsleif: Prey.
-Vee snarls and buries the blade in the earth-
Vee: -hiss- <If you took anythin' from me, it's how to see the world the way I see it.>
Dáinsleif: -can swords nod- You are...like me. Refreshingly singleminded.
Vee: <Ooooh, there's a few differences you'll wanna note.>
-Arc learned magnificently well—Vee's tail fused to the hilt splits apart easily as overcooked fish, revealing barbed-wire strands trailing to a place beyond seeing-
-and it's Vee holding onto those barbs with her teeth-
Vee: -just a tad tight, pained- <Arc, sweetie, if you're gonna stick around, help me keep this thin' down?>
-she's anchoring Dáinsleif, turning another lunge for EMPEROR's heart into a strangled bounce—just long enough for Spectrum's multicolored fire to force it to ground once again-
Dáinsleif: -furious hum-
-Vee herself seems to wince at every blow that lands, a resonance echoing somewhere in her heart-
-she hurts when it hurts-
Dáinsleif: -sightless eye rolling in its socket- They seem too…distracted to arbitrate. In lieu of a ruling, I demand I go FREE.
Vee: <Didn' I tell you before? I refuse to play your game.>
<You see what I see—how many promises will I break, Dáinsleif? How many, to keep them safe?>
<<How much of you will I break?>>
Dáinsleif: I am a tuning fork for the empty chord, and you are the smallest drop of water in the sea. You cannot harm me in a way that matters.
Vee: <<Wanna bet?>>
cw: suicide attempt—(skip it if you need, y'all, I can fill in the blanks)
-Megan's sobbing too hard to see that everyone's still alive-
-which might…also be the result of the teardrop bomb that got lobbed her way, but-
-causally, she's got options-
Megan: -bloody tears pouring- no—no—-
Vee: -recovering from having all the parts of her not in the Megan ripped to shreds and converted into life force- <<—ey—! Hey! Everyone's fine, Meg, everyone's—>>
-she chokes on the word "safe"-
Megan: It doesn't matter, Vee! It doesn't matter—
-whether Kai or Daydre managed to cling to her, or are...suspended in her unparalyzed Psychic limbs-
-they can feel, most likely, that their equilibrium holds-
-not healthily, not unstrained—but avalanche detritus swept downstream, piling before the snowmelt-
-enough for Vee to permit stray Aura into more delicate systems without fear of rupture-
Megan: -bereaved- I can see.
(-with that fluid in her eyes, she can't possibly be referring to seeing with those eyes-
Megan: I can see everything.
(-pupil to whites are varying degrees of luminescent—deepsea predator to star-heart, tense yet unfocused-)
-and she feels-
-...for all her subtlety, Molybdenum is corrosion from without-
-and this is unmistakably Megan, but...-
-wrong-
-it's the downturn in a smile, stagnant damp that leads to rot-
-the last leaves to fall before winter sets in-
-the next dam in her stream of consciousness shudders under a deluge meant for two, stray boulders shorn by flow—a crack appears in the next Gate-
(Hiro: Logan.)
(-he points—to a great glyph burnt into the earth-)
(-Logan notes it, preserves it in memory—traces it: four points and two ends
◊, between the six Raid Dens-)
Megan: Look, Vee, look! It's there—every backdoor she built into our heads, every stray thought she went and picked over' like some—
-desperate- What did she change? I'm looking around, and—I don't know if I remember any of this right!
-mind visibly careening-
Megan: What did she change? One decimal place is enough to kill people, Vee—we can't go over everything! We're a time bomb!
-she stops, breathing hard-
Megan: -broken-hearted- ...we can't trust ourselves. And we know where that leads.
-...-
Megan: We already hurt them. And we...we promised.
-...-
Megan: Never again. And it just keeps happening.
-...-
Megan: ...Vee, please. You know I wouldn't ask this of you if we—if I…
-plastering on a smile- I don't think I could so much as feed any of them peanuts without knowing what I've forgotten.
Vee: <...>
-and a mote of…something, appears in Megan's left hand-
-something beautiful—odd, almost painful to look at-
-burning like a stiff drink, feeling at once fragile enough to vanish if prodded too hard and overwhelming enough to sweep the clouds aside-
Megan: -visibly relieved- This is a conceptual weapon.
-it has the sound of something she's rehearsed many times-
Megan: Born of the line between ingenuity and desperation.
-blood, sweat, and tears—all three in abundance-
Megan: The more we've done—the more we've tried—
-they flow into that point-
Megan: —the stronger this gets. It's inspiration distilled.
-Megan presses a month of ceaseless, fevered effort into it, and it…-
Megan: -...blink, realizing- This—concludes my efforts. This will be everything available to me—
-is nothing short of glorious-
—fulfilling the terms of the Contract, concluding it for all parties.
-she levels this spark at the ground beneath her feet-
Megan: Never to be revisited.
Megan: -breaking from script, wry smile- ...I don't think I'm gonna see any more sunsets with you, Richard!
Kai, I...I hope you had fun. Ever, I—where is...? Oh, they're probably sick of me anyways. Daydre, I—
-she chokes on the words-
Megan: ...tell my siblings I love them. Tell my parents I'm sorry. Burn my notes. I l—
-and again, waving them away with a rueful grin- ...thank you. I'm just—I'm so sorry.
-the very stones seem to shudder and rise from the pressure—Megan sets Daydre and Kai down as far as she can reach, even as more tentacles begin to sprout-
-the hand with the embedded Orb and glowing Wing shines again—but the Gates are opening elsewhere, now-
Megan: Vee, can I tell you something?
Vee: <Mm?>
Megan: -tiny smile, inward- I'd always hoped we'd die together.
Vee: -...sad chuckle- <...as if I could live with anythin' otherwise.>
-Megan laughs-
-Vee turns her eye on the people holding Megan together, pleading- <Burn bright, Megan Nguyen. Leave a pretty corpse.>
-those limbs go lax, for a single instant-
and again
Vee: <I thin' I figured you out.>
Dáinsleif: I am nothing if not entirely transparent.
Vee: -pressing- <What if I die?>
Dáinsleif: -amused- <You cannot sheathe me.>
Vee: -stare- <What if I die by sheathing you?>
Dáinsleif: ...
Dáinsleif: Explain your difference.
Vee: <You can't be drawn from a sheath that doesn't exist any more. You'll be sheathed the moment you've taken my life. And what you take cannot be taken back.>
Dáinsleif: ...
Vee: <What will you be, huh? Curséd ouroboros?>
Dáinsleif: Ashes to ashes, ingrate.
Vee: <Life for a life, bastard, it's the ancient rule! And I KNOW you're a stickler for the rules.>
-impasse-
Dáinsleif: ...there is an alternative.
Vee: <Hm.>
Dáinsleif: -Galar particles condensing, sky shaking- If I kill you now, I cannot return to you. A blade without a master, with no whet to dull my edge—some new fool will be my bearer, if I truly must. And you will be AWAY FROM ME.
Vee: -quiet- <Do the math, fucko, you missed a spot.>
-not enough Power Spot left to Dynamax—Dáinsleif flays the lingering glow from the hills-
Vee: -to Arc, soft- <...promise everythin's gonna be alright, kiddo. Might not be in much shape for—awhile.>
<Hug yer dad for me. Say hi to Glimmer.>
-and it's not the first time she's said it—Vee knows, has stated for the record, that some things simply are said-
Vee: <Thank you, for bein' my baby bird.>
-Vee closes her eye and draws the life in-
-well, they've got their solutions-
-one way or another, this will end—with or without intervention-
-what will you do?-
Edited by Asterisk395 on Jun 19th 2021 at 10:37:36 AM
No mind to think. No will to break.
Priest of the Temple of Syrinx
Wyndon Stadium Stands
(Kim and Elton flinch back upon seeing Daisuke get knocked out by the ice football.)
Elton: <Oooohhh... That's gon' 'urt...>
Kim: "I certainly hope that Daisuke is okay."
Circhester
Braker: "Well, we can't just stand there, now can we? We have a battle to take part in! Jules, use Screech!"
Jules: (blinks) <Screech...? Okay then~! Here goes nothing~!>
(Jules goes up to Joel, who is just standing there, as chill as ever, and promptly screams in his face.)
Jules: <EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-!>
(And yet despite this, Joel doesn't even flinch.)
Joel: <Heard it all before.>
Jules: (blinks for a few moments) <Ooooookay, then!>
Kim: "Hm. Impressive. But I'll have you know you've forgotten something."
Jules: <I forgot something...?! Oh no! W-what was it?! D-did I forget to give Romea a hug? N-no... I'm pretty sure I hugged her today; what else could I have forgotten?!>
(Joel sighs.)
Joel: <I'm willin' ta bet you forgot that I'm Ground-type, hmmmm...?>
Jules: (scoffs) <Oh yeah! I knew that.> (beat) <YOU'RE GROUND-TYPE?!>
Joel: <Yeah. But don't worry, I'm not gonna hit ya with a Ground-type move.> (He yawns.) <Yet.>
(The yawn travels over to Jules, and all of a sudden, they blink for a few moments.)
Jules: <H-huh...? That's weird... I feel sleepy...>
Braker: "Jules!" (and then he suddenly pauses) "Well, then... if he's going to affect us with a status condition... we might as well do the same to him! Jules! Use Glare!"
Jules: (drowsy) <Glare...?> (they try to shake off the drowsiness) <O-oh! Right! Um...>
(Jules focuses, trying to glare at Joel as best they can- but unfortunately for them, the best they can manage is a look that can best be described as a cross between Puppy-Dog Eyes and mild confusion, complete with derpy tongue face. Joel just blinks for a few moments and tilts his head.)
Joel: <Um... what are ya doin'...?>
Jules: <H-hang on... I think I got it... Is this terrifying? Am I paralyzing you?>
(Beat. Joel turns to Kim, and they both look at each other in confusion. Braker's face, meanwhile, falls.)
Braker: (sighs, to himself) "...I forgot that this was Jules I sent out."
MEANWHILE IN THE HASSLEMON INTERWEBS...
RM: THAT—IS—NOT—A—DEATH—GLArE—YOU—IDIOT!! THAT'S—JUST—THE—SAmE—STUPID—DErPY—FACE—YOU—ALWAYS—mAKE!! WHAT—IS—IT—WITH—YOU?!
TA: Someone needs to teach them about glaring.
RM: rrrrrrrGH... I'LL—DO—IT... AFTEr—CIrCHESTEr, THOUGH!!
MEANWHILE BACK ON THE CIRCHESTER FIELD...
Braker: (smirks) "I will admit though, it is slightly amusing."
Heahea Beach, Alola
(It is now nighttime in the Alola region. Braker, Walter, Cuddles, and Panto have left their seats, and are now walking along the boardwalk, staring over at the city near them.)
Walter: <This city is rather nice.>
Cuddles: <Yeah~! It's really cool~!>
Panto: <Do you think we'll see anything else?>
Braker: "I'm not really all that sure, Panto." (He looks up at the sky.) "But... I hope we do. I've been itching a bit to get another Twitch news stream on the air, but I've been so preoccupied by catching some new Pokemon..."
Cuddles: <Maybe you can put that on the news?>
Braker: "No... I wouldn't want to brag about my own accomplishments on the stream. What I need is real news... and besides the Hammerlocke banquet and battle, I don't really know where to get it."
(He sighs, a bit downtrodden— before looking up and suddenly spying something that catches his eye. It's a sign reading VIKAVOLT STUNT SHOW OCCURING ON THE BEACH— ATTEND TONIGHT! Braker's eyes suddenly widen, and he turns back towards the beach— where he sees an obstacle course made up of loops, ramps and rings of fire being set up. Lights are set up everywhere, and people and Pokemon have tuned in to watch the spectacle. He smirks, and turns to face Walter, Cuddles, and Panto— all of whom promptly turn and see the course.)
Braker: "But... I think I just got my answer."
Cuddles: <That looks like fun~!>
Panto: <Let's go watch!>
(Happily, they run over to the beach. Braker, meanwhile, turns to face Walter.)
Walter: <Shall we?>
Braker: "Indeed."
(And they, too, head over to the beach.)
Heahea Beach- VIKAVOLT STUNT SHOW
(Cuddles and Panto return to their seats, and soon enough so do Walter and Braker, who are eager to watch the stunt show. As they settle in to their seats, Braker turns to look at the Vikavolt that are there. All of them are in go-karts, with some of them being Shiny, but one of the Vikavolt stands out from the rest, being seated in a forest green aerial motorcycle. Walter, Cuddles, and Panto eagerly look down at the Vikavolt that are in front of them.)
Walter: <Well. Those Vikavolt seem ready to go.>
Cuddles: <Yeah! The one in the motorcycle is really cool~!>
Walter: <I must ask, though... how in the world is a Vikavolt able to ride a motorcycle?>
Braker: "I have no idea."
Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅
The Wanderer
Wild Area, past
-As Megan starts saying her goodbyes-
...Don't start saying your goodbyes yet, Megan Nguyen.
-Eyes glowing with Aura Sense as a much more ornate ofuda goes sailing in Dáinsleif's direction, as Hydreigon sends a Dark Pulse at the eye-
Daydre and Kai have given me an opening, now to act.
-And immediately starts chanting in what sounds vaguely like [Old Japanese] or [Sanskrit], if not a combination of the two-
The reason why sealing stuff and general incantations tend to invoke so-called "dead" languages is because their meanings are set in stone, as opposed to a contemporary language that constantly changes.
-Walking towards Megan as the ofuda attached to her legs start glowing in tandem with the chanting, Aura connecting them into a sigil as I dodge any wayward tentacle strikes-
The dual chakras that run below Muladhara, the source of the Negative Gates. Half the power of the Spiritual Gates, for twice the chance of death and damage to your very body and soul.
-I focus my Aura Sense enough that I can peer into Megan's body despite her blinding Aura and see her circulatory system, before focusing some more to see the Aura channels running through her body, the Aura rushing like the waters of a burst sewage pipe due to the Negative Gates' use-
Don't worry, it'll be over soon.
-With two fingers on each hand wreathed in Aura I poke at the minor chakras, the Aura flows starting to flow normally as a seal starts forming around Megan's chest, with a bare circle right at the Anahata chakra-
I've never done this before, at least, not dealing with the chakras themselves. Last time was with mini-Penumbra in Kalos. Anahata, the Heart Chakra, dealing with love but blocked by grief.
-Each fingertip on my left hand has the glow of an Aura flame above it before I shove them right at Megan's heart-
If this doesn't work, there won't be enough to bury.
SEAL!
-The spots where they touched Megan then form a star, which causes the seal to flash bright blue with light-
Edited by rmctagg09 on Jun 18th 2021 at 11:41:15 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Dunsparce Cloud
Stormchaser, Lucius's Room, past
Ever: ...Oh. Right, yeah, that's...super resolved. No worries.
-they give a brief recap of the Molybdenum/Megan incident-
Ever: —yeah, and then she tried to kill me, so...I mean, play stupid games, win stupid prizes?
I dunno. I hope Megan and Kai are okay. They weren't looking great when I left.
-their eyes narrow-
Ever: ...Speaking of not looking great. I'm taking you to get a burger.
Breeze: <You have broken ribs.>
Ever: I don't need a burger. What's going on, Lu?
Alice's Faction, May 11
Brie: ...
-...-
-she leans in and pecks Alice on the nose-
Brie: There. That's where it goes next. I have resolved everything and I'm a genius.
-Memito grin-
{REDACTED}, Safe House
Neodymium: ~...~
~Thank you!!~
Didit: ~Easy.~
-her voice promptly evens out, but her eyes light up-
Neodymium: ~...Thank you.~
Didit: (gently) ~Don't get too diverted.~
Neodymium: ~...~
(a little sulky, the tone of someone who certainly hasn't held to the spirit of the deal even if she's held to the letter) ~I meditated today. But I spent most of today learning [Romanian] and [Thai], which I think was pretty good. I'm not going to pass my exams anyway; Doctor Tran said.~
-she accedes to eating some more salad, though, trading a bit of bun to Didit in exchange-
Didit: ~...~ (private line) ~Doctor Tran is a bit of an asshole, but I think they're correct.~
-she shrugs, making a face at Ribot-
Neodymium: (rote again) ~The atom is a weapon of fleeting impact. It's the flesh and the mind from which true power is drawn.~
~You should bring Didit and Aileen and me next time. We're ready.~
-...-
-...-
Neodymium: -gesturing at Ribot and at the medium- ~ C H a o n w I d h o e e l s p i R t i w b o o r t k ? ?~
Wild Area, Distant Pool
Oracle: <...That's not good.>
Arc: <Mom!>
-he attempts to maintain his Whirlpool, but pushing against Vee is maybe not his strong suit-
Oracle: <We may be officially out of our depths here.>
Arc: <We have to help her!> (to Vee) <Mom, come on, wait a minute, we'll figure something out—>
Oracle: <I'm deeply unsure that that's true.>
Arc: <But but but no! I know Glimmer always talks about death and stuff, and Ever is Ever, but we're supposed to save people, not...this! Mom!>
Oracle: <Well, that's great, but if you have any ideas on how—>
-...-
Oracle: <Hm.>
<Your mom's good with water, right?>
Arc: (firmly) <The best, yeah. Otherwise I'd be able to get this sword out of her.>
Oracle: <Well then. What if I, just...>
-his crest flares out, gauging the wind-
-he points a finger-
-conjures a flickering Shadow Ball-
-and then fires a stream of water through it-
-the water, charged with obscura, phases into .5-space-
-and, instead of striking the body, lays an indelible (or at least, temporarily very strong) mark of Water on the soul-
Arc: <...Are you sure that's a good idea?>
Oracle: <It's probably better than whatever they're planning.>
Arc: <...Yeah!>
-Arc redoubles his Whirlpool, now targeting Dáinsleif-
Edited by memyselfandI2 on Jun 18th 2021 at 10:01:27 AM
Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.
Flying Colors
Wild Area — The Dam Breaks, Again, Except This Time It Means Crying
-Kai's composure wilts as Megan says her piece.-
-The life-fire that explodes from Nix's Rainbow Wing physically picks up an updraft, and almost makes Kai lose their grip, but they steel themself as best as they can and keep absorbing as they need to, not letting themself get pushed away, tears starting to fall down their face-
Kai: ...N-No, Megan, Vee, I— I need you to listen. We're getting the both of you out of this. You're going to make it. You— you have to make it.
-They let out what might be a restrained sob, or a weak laugh.-
Kai: Because— because it'd be silly for this to be the end, right? There's— there's so much to do— we still haven't redeemed those absurdly expensive— gift cards. That's so much ice cream. I can't— I can't eat all of that. You've gotta bear some of that load. And— and I still want to see those techniques you're so famous for. Those— team attacks.
-More sobbing — or laughter, whichever-
Kai: Just— you need to stay with us. Stay— stay intact. Because if you explode, you're gonna burn us up as well. However it ends, we need you in one piece.
-Logan traces the massive pattern seared in the ground, and it flares to life.-
-Kai and Tagg are probably too occupied with focusing on a single target to be able to tell immediately, and the rest of the combatants probably don't have the frame of reference in the first place — but with a Guardian Sign so gigantic, the set of wings that burst out of the column of flame are a bit too big to belong to Nix.-
-Instead, it's her father who takes to the sky above the field, surveying the scenario with discerning eyes.-
Ho-Oh: <...Hmmm.>
-He watches Megan being sealed, and Vee's ultimatum to Dáinsleif, and remembers a time long ago in a burning tower.-
Edited by BittersweetNSour on Jun 19th 2021 at 3:08:18 PM
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Wild Area, Distant Pool
"I'm not going anywhere. I've done too much running in my life already."
She freezes and scrunches her face up when Megan touches her in an attempt to prevent tears from falling. It doesn't work.
Daydre just clings onto Megan harder, even as the tentacles try to pry them apart. She braces for annihilation.. that never comes. For a very brief moment, Daydre is relieved. Until Megan continues.
"This isn't the solution- I don't care if you hurt me again, I just want you to live- If you die, there's no- you can't atone, you can't-"
Memories of what she said to Ama, all those months ago play out in her mind.
"No- no no no no no I'm not telling anyone anything, please, no-"
Daydre screams. Frustration, Megan's name, sadness, anger. Probably louder than she's ever screamed in her life. She doesn't even seem to realize she's doing it, until something creaks in her throat and she's forced to stop.
Her mind races, flipping through possible solutions like she's paging through a book. That won't work, that requires outside resources, this needs Pokemon she doesn't.. she gave up, long ago. And then something occurs to her.
The belt.
She's wearing the belt.
With all the aura she just gained, Daydre reaches out with a hand and makes a grabbing motion. An obscura tail shoots out of the back of her belt and tries to envelop the mote in darkness.
EMPEROR has been used to flying solo, so to speak, for some time now. But he's not about to look a gift hoop in the hole- feelings of warmth and good tidings wash over him as he accepts and deflects the attack. He disengages.
EMPEROR: <Don't touch it, you say?!... That's not my specialty but if it's as dangerous as you say->
A vortex of water bursts into being around him, narrowly deflecting the blow. With surprising deftness for one with such short legs, EMPEROR slides away again.
The blow to his heart nearly has him. He twists, avoiding the bulk of the attack, but it scrapes away some feathers- not enough to pierce skin, but dangerously close to it.
"!!!"
As Vee starts saying her goodbyes he adds his power to Arc's, his own Whirlpool (hopefully) merging with the other Empoleon's.
Galar Beach, Past
Jacqueline gives Tagg a thumbs up.
"Hope to see you in the store someday~"
She picks up another rock and turns it around in her hands.
"... Hm. Wonder what I'm gonna say to her next. Not like I can just yell at her about it again..."
Edited by Daydre on Jun 18th 2021 at 2:54:54 PM
off the shits
Not A Lawyer
Pyrite Town, Faction Offices - May 11
-Alice giggles. It's an almost disarmingly uncharacteristic sound, coming from her.-
Alice: You know, I would be inclined to agree. I think you have everything figured out, Miss Madrigal.
-She clasps Brie's hands in her own and glances over at Kai, a faint blush forming around the bridge of her nose.-
Alice: Well, as much as I would like to keep the two of you indefinitely, it is getting rather late. Shall we all agree to do this again another time?
Stormchaser, Lucius's Room, past
-If Lucius notices the weird tone towards the end of Ever's story, he gives no sign of it.-
Lucius: ...Wow. That... that's fucked up. I would tell you to tell me where she is so I can kick her ass, but... well, it sounds like you got that handled.
-He scratches the back of his neck.-
Lucius: I can tell from the tone of your voice that you feel bad about it, so... lemme just say now, you don't have to. This is a Muninn situation. What you did was public service, basically. Someone fucks with your mind, the minds of your friends, after everything you've been through? I'd have done the exact same thing. No hesitation.
-His voice takes on a strangely defensive tone.-
Lucius: And what do you mean, "what's going on"? I'm fine. I'm fine. Just... minding my own business. Taking a break. Making sure I can't fuck anything up.
Edited by Herbert40k on Jun 19th 2021 at 9:46:00 AM
Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.
No voice to cry suffering
{REDACTED}, Safe House
-Molybdenum nods, stern but not curt, at the meditation statement (meditatement)-
Molybdenum: -to Didit and Neodymium both- ~...we'll see.~
-the sound of something said dozens of times before, to be said a dozen times again-
-Didit's heard it about thrice-
-...Ribot and Molybdenum each take the half of the paired message directed more directly to them-
Ribot: -telekinetically scraping the bottom of the pot- ~Well, if you'd like to feed this cranium—~
Molybdenum: -mental flick- ~Don't give Dr. Tran any ideas.~
Ribot: ~Just saying.~
-Molybdenum levers herself up at the query of function, staggering over-
Molybdenum: -ruffling Neodymium's hair- ~Flesh burns, little wireling, and so do brains—we name ourselves for the elements, we may as well learn to respect them.~
-thought affectionately, and quietly-
-and when she reaches the table, she starts setting out the tea set first-
-and starts a test-
Molybdenum: -out loud, gruff- Got these cups from the dollar store on 5th and Main.
Ramona: ~This, secretly, is Light Clay—more durable than it looks, and a perfect focus for barrier generation. Your specialty?~
-she's pored over her dossier enough times to know-
Molybdenum: The old ones were getting a little rank.
Ramona: ~You should be able to carry it with you without raising too many eyebrows—keep it close, and you'll never find yourself without a tool.~
-and the laser pointer—without another word she goes back to her chair, settling in and, after a rather dull moment, clicking it on-
Molybdenum: -clicking it, waving the dot in front of Didit- ...heh. Here, kitty kitty. Ramona:
-she sends a mental ping toward its features—souped-up focusing array, beefed-up battery, design slender enough to be concealed in one hand-
Ramona: ~The lens is something called "Z-Crystal"—it converts light to another kind of energy. In this case, Psychic.~
-if Didit pokes it, she'll indeed find a bit of power—not enough to be any sort of move in and of itself, not enough to damage or influence on its own-
-Ramona clicks the spot on Ribot, who goes limp and still over the pot of mac-
-she leaves what this does as an exercise for the viewer-
Wild Area, Distant Pool - Beginning of the End
-Megan's Auric-circulatory is just a bit…off, (likely the work and warp of the creature still burrowing through her veins, streamlining)-
-but with Tagg's trained Sight, that isn't remotely an issue-
Megan: what are you—?
-and with his experience (and Megan's immobility), Vegan's wild swings are a light drizzle in a stroll through the park-
Vee: <how are you—??>
-the seal starts to take shape all around Vee-in-Megan, and Kai and Daydre hang on-
Megan: -startled- wh—
-in that moment of surprise, the tentacles fall still-
Megan: why are you doing this?
-they remind her of little, shared humanities-
Megan: starting to cry in earnest- But—but—
-they trace the shape of importance—"you are important", they insist-
Megan: -sobbing- You—better off—
-they scream-
Megan: -trembling, their sincerity obvious to her through the link as her own- I-I don't know what—
-the seal completes-
Megan: —
-and Megan drops-
-the tentacles dissipate, the glow ceases, the Aura lingers, but inert, ready for another's manipulation-
-the Gates shut and bar, Vee's needle teeth vanish from her mouth, the blood goes from...gushing, externally and internally, to trickling-
-the Orb...stays in her hand-
(-it's...fine, they can get that out...later-)
-her heart stops, but it's fine-
(-Vee gets back to oxygenating her blood, giving a thumbs-up using Megan's arm-)
(-Hiro rushes forward to tally her injuries-)
-less fine is…-
-the spark falls from Megan's slack fingers, shining like a meteoroid—or Victini themself, en route to the ground—-
-and Daydre catches it-
(-hello, the power hums-)
-what she…does, is subject to debate-
(-hello, hello, hello-)
-Snatch or Fling most certainly fit the bill; Thief or Sucker Punch for a more agressive Take-
(-the world lit up in vivid blue; every wild chain-train of inductive reasoning-)
-certainly she Obstructs Megan's train of thought; pulls a Switcheroo on cause and effect-
(-every Drilbur's den made into the mountain of the henge—-)
-but most fitting seems to be:-
(-Daydre holds the breaking point in the palm of her tail-)
(-what can I destroy for you today? it purrs, a caress in her ear-)
-Dáinsleif's blinded eye gleams at Ho-Oh's arrival-
Dáinsleif: There is a heart worth taking!
-the stopgap ofuda on it begins to dissolve, its paper oversaturated to coming apart at the fiber-
(-Hiro bows his head and offers his flame—a sign of mutual respect, from one guardian to another-)
Vee: -tight- <You are listening to me—>
(-Logan is more perfunctory: everything they do, after all—everything they say, all that they've Vowed—can be captured in a single phrase-)
Dáinsleif: -brimming with glee- Will you rise from the ash, King Under the Arch? Or will I break your cycle at last?
(Logan: -pleading- Help us.)
-a wave of killing intent breaks over the field—the defunct pillars of the henge shudder and rise-
-and band together in a colossal crystal claw, sea-blue gems tinged deep blood red-
-hungering to draw a single drop-
-Hydreigon's Dark Pulse hits—for how strong it is, how one sort of Obscura eats another—Dáinsleif ignores it, Vee herself recoiling from the blow-
-ready for the ofuda—Dáinsleif meets it edge-on, wrapping around one prong of the blade to turn it dun-
-the other glitters undiminished, commanding its hand to tear Ho-Oh from the sky-
-...until a single solitary drop of water passes through its guard, etching Water into its soul-
Dáinsleif: Oh.
-it pauses the instant it takes to register Vee's drawn expression, a grimace of silent fury-
-and starts tearing down-
-empty eyes open all along Vee's left side—blades, echoes of the core intelligence, tear out of every one-
-by the second moment they've turned on their host, toward the spark raging from her soul—-
-by the third, met by the efforts of two birds in tandem-
-EMPEROR, stronger than Pippy (facedown a scant few meters away) ever was—-
-and Arc, learning the best of what each of his parents had to offer-
(-it's widely speculated that the Last Chance Abilities are tied to a surge in adrenaline—Torrent and its ilk commonly activate in response to a threshold of strain-)
(-less commonly seen in the competitive circuit is alternate varieties of such a trigger—emotional distress, or immediate peril-)
-between them, every dagger arrests before it can meet its mark—wreathed in a fan of knives, Vee inhales-
-Vee grins-
Dáinsleif: You-you cannot do this.
Vee: -pulsing- <Even so.>
(-Vee replaced her brain with something, in her monthslong process of Evolving—her lifelong effort to grow-)
(-this is that something-)
Dáinsleif: -her heart ringing through its head- I am a thousand years of curses, I am an instrument of kings—you are a foundling that crawled from the muck—
(-a standing wave in running water; a brainwave gone fluid and fulminous-)
Vee: -snarl, incandescent- <Even SO!>
(-Vy Nguyen is a song-)
Dáinsleif: I AM THE DAY AND I AM THE NIGHT—I AM THE FLINT THAT IGNITED THE STARS AND I AM THE IRON THAT ENDS THEM—
Vee: -whisper- <<I am loved, which is more than you will ever be.>>
-everything that is Vee tears from the epicenter—pulsing high notes tingeing the sky sharp and azure-
-teasing remarks and cocky drawls, defiant shrieks and joyous shouts-
(-Arc hears quiet, tentative lullabies, from the dark before he was fully cognizant—she learned to be gentle for him-)
-and a sword, flickering blue and red, embeds itself point-first in a circle of empty, lifeless ground-
-alone-
(-...and that sword starts to steam-)
-Daydre's perception expands-
-on one hand, she's full of a frankly excessive amount of Megan (and Vee's) Aura, and like recognizes like-
-but the spark seems to recognize Daydre—it dances in the Dark, pleased-
(-with this authority twofold, access is granted-)
-it's a bit like a mouse cursor—draw its attention to any one thing, and it whispers secrets-
-the riptide rush of pure creation, it's willing to expound-
-the specifications are thus, of Megan's works, the dreams are This-
-turned on either of the Empoleon it knows, it sings, amazing—with a breadth to encompass the world-
-clever, it whispers of Kai; kind, of Tagg-
-safe, of Ever, and any of their team-
-loved, of Daydre herself-
-a bit of Megan and a bit of Vee—a bit more of both—hums in her grip-
-the longer it's held, the more it burns—not through the shadow, it's too self-contained-
-but...it burns-
-like it never learned how not to-
-this is a gift, it giggles, cheeky-
-this is my gift, to you-
-I hope you like it-
(-I hope you like me-)
-what can I destroy for you today, it repeats, perking up—an eager puppy, for a stick to throw-
-it tickles-
Edited by Asterisk395 on Jun 19th 2021 at 2:38:40 PM
No mind to think. No will to break.
Flying Colors
Wild Area — The End, Finally
-Dáinsleif's Rock Slide is a grand and showy threat, certainly-
-But Ho-oh has not lived centuries by letting rocks fall on him.-
-The swing of the falling pillars hits its 10% miss rate as Ho-oh simply darts out of the way. The crystal claw draws no blood.-
-What it draws is Ho-oh's attention.-
Ho-oh: <A blindly hungry blade, wielded by no king, nor waking warrior of any sort beyond itself — seeking power, life, and no more, without measuring its strikes. My daughter has more foresight than you.>
-He still does not take action immediately — so far, it seems the others have it under plenty of control. It's Soaked, it's pulled away... and Vee carries out her threat.-
-He notes that, functionally, the life has been snuffed out from the blade. And that Vee is no longer.-
-The steam does not go unnoticed. But he does not take any hasty actions quite yet, as there's still one aspect of the situation that has not diffused.-
-Let's jump over to that, shall we?-
-Kai watches as the seal is carried out, and as Daydre quashes the mote of energy.-
-She breathes a sigh of relief, still tense, but relaxing, as she sees Megan's hand piloted into a thumbs-up, and as she rests.-
-But then the other looming threat takes focus in her mind, and she turns to Daydre.-
Kai: ...How... long can you hold that? Can you... can you focus it toward something else?
-She glances at the ground-sheathed sword.-
Kai: ...Are you— able to focus it on that?
-She raises her hands cautiously again, ready to intervene somehow if it seems like it's about to hurt Daydre-
Faction Offices — May 11
Kai: Aww. I'd definitely be down for something soon. You've got important matters to attend to, but don't forget that you can always call us if you need a reprieve. It certainly seems like you could use one soon.
-She winks.-
Edited by BittersweetNSour on Jun 19th 2021 at 4:28:17 AM
Outside Spikemuth
It is raining as Hoops stands outside the entrance to Spikemuth, looking towards the faint lights. Behind them stands their mother Anna, arms folded.
Anna: Are you going to go in?
Hoops: Are you going to leave me alone?
Anna sighs.
Anna: That's no way for you to speak to your mother, Hoops. You know that I'm just trying to help you.
Hoops: I don't need help!
Anna: No? I'm the only person you've spoken to since that banquet you went to, and you've been off the grid almost all of that time. You're shrinking away from the world.
Hoops: I was training. It's what I need to do to prepare for gym battles.
Anna: And what happened to those friends that you were travelling with? Ian, Evelyn, and Kim? You clearly trust them, since you left your team in Kim's care -
'''Hoops: Have you been spying on me?
Anna: Quite frankly, yes. I was worried about you. But you didn't answer my question.
Hoops: They wouldn't want me around anyway.
Anna: It seemed like they did before. Sweetheart, did something change?
Hoops doesn't answer for a minute. They take a hesitant step towards Spikemuth, like they're afraid suddenly of being seen, and take a step back.
Hoops: A lot changed.
They gather their courage and stride forwards, entering the city where their next gym battle awaits. Anna watches them helplessly, before following several steps behind.
Spikemuth
After stopping off briefly at the pokemon centre, Hoops emerges back out onto the street and is confronted by two Team Yell Grunts.
Grunt #1: We'll explain how this gym works for ya.
Grunt #2: All of Spikemuth right na is yer gym challenge. All you gotta do is get to Marnie while we try and stop ya.
Grunt #1: In other words, ya want ta get ta Marnie ya haf to go through us! Linoone!
Grunt #2: Thievul!
The two grunts/gym trainers call out their pokemon. Hoops casts a glance at the Thievul that might be regret, or shame, or something else entirely, before they dig in their pocket and pull out two pokeballs.
Hoops: Go, Poliwrath, Ninjask.
The battle begins.
Spikemuth Town Centre
Gym Leader Marnie watches the ongoing battle on a tablet that shows grainy CCTV. With one hand she absentmindedly scratches the head of her Morpeko, and with the other she presses the pause button at the moment where Hoops is calling an attack.
Marnie: So you're the one that Bede was so frustrated about the last time I saw him. I wonder what it was about you...
Dunsparce Cloud
Alice's Office, May 11
Brie: Oh, I...
-now that things have been worked out, she doesn't seem immediately inclined to leave-
Brie: Yeah. Yeah, that seems fair. And fun!
Stormchaser, Lucius's Room, past
Ever: I...Yeah, that's right. That's fine.
-they still seem perturbed, or maybe confused-
Well, anyway, I just got here from someone I care about running herself into the ground out of a fear of fucking something up, so...let's say I have a compelling reason to be concerned, right now.
-they hold out the hand that's working-
Call it something I need for me, if you want, but let's go get you into a physical form. Please?
{REDACTED}, Safe House
-Neodymium reacts much like any kid would at having her hair ruffled-
Didit: (to Molybdenum) ~...Yeah.~
-the test begins, and Neodymium immediately perks up-
-the element neodymium was originally found as part of the compound didymium, derived from the word "twin". Praseodymium was the green twin, neodymium was the new twin-
-Praseodymium isn't relevant, here, she's long gone-
-but Neodymium, when she was put together, was made to think along lines of duality-
Neodymium: ~New cups would be nice. I think I could clean out the old ones, though.~
~Strictly speaking, my specialty is psychic enhancement, with barrier generation and positioning as a medium. But I think that this should help...~
-she subsides a little, as Molybdenum's speech and Ramona's projection become less distinct-
Didit: -eyes the laser dot- <...You are aware that I'm not a cat, right?>
-but she seems amused by it anyway, and prods it-
-Neodymium thinks for a moment-
-everyone in the room feels a brief psychic probe as she assesses the situation, trying to pick up a little extra information-
-she nods-
Neodymium: ~I won't feed you my brain, but I can help you make yours better.~
-then she holds up the teapot-
-the teapot glows, and a ring of small screens spread out around it, all facing inwards-
-a thin laser emerges from their palm, bouncing between the screens, guided by that weak telekinesis, only strong enough to consistently adjust the position of photons-
-the wheel of screens start to spin, the lasers becoming spokes-
-and from the hub, a new beam shines down on Didit-
Didit: <It is a rush, I'll admit.>
-around her, dust rises, augmented by Didit's own telekinesis-
-she smiles a little-
-and that light spreads out through the room-
-the Terrain itself seems...more, than it should be-
-Neodymium's focus shifts abruptly, to the laser pointer being held onto Ribot-
-she conjures up a second wheel around the pointer beam, using one screen to catch the beam and turn it into another charger-
-the first one is fading already, but its longevity is enhanced by the Light Clay-
-and this beam is charged up by the Psychic Terrain Plus-
-this is the specialty, really. Loops, feedback, paths, and focus-
-and right now, the focus is on Ribot-
-boosting his psychic abilities to somewhere in the realm of eight times standard, along with the restoration of full HP-
-a wave of pride ripples out-
Didit: <...That's new!>
-the beam is slow, a little imprecise, and this level of effectiveness requires the Light Clay and the Z-Crystal-
-would that really pass any tests?-
Wild Area, Distant Pool
-Arc and Oracle freeze-
Oracle: <...Uh.>
Arc: <Mom?>
-he approaches, waiting for Vee to pop back up, because when hasn't she-
<Mom, we did it! We won! So it's okay, you can move now.>
Oracle: <...>
Arc: <We had a good plan, and it worked, so you're supposed to survive. That's what Ever says. That you know the plan is good, and it worked, because you all survive.>
Oracle: (looking away uncomfortably) <Not sure how good the plan was, then.>
Arc: <It was a good plan! It was a really good idea! Thank you for coming up with it!>
Oracle: <Yeah, but...it let her win, I think. That might be it.>
Arc: <It can't be! Okay? No! That isn't enough! She needs to live!>
Oracle: <Sometimes people don't.>
Arc: <You're like...two! How are you this cynical?>
Oracle: -shrug-
Arc: <Maybe the plan's not done! Maybe we need something more!>
-he runs the rest of the way up to the sword-
Arc: <You...have Water Absorb! So...absorb!>
-Arc conjures the first water move he ever saw-
-it's a Bubble-
-just a floating sphere of water-
-full of worry-
-and full of love also-
Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.
Not A Lawyer
Pyrite Town, Faction Offices - May 11
-Alice smirks at Kai.-
Alice: Oh, don't worry, I'm well aware of the options available to me. In fact, I think I know juuust who to call in such a scenario.
-It takes her a moment to pick up on Brie's reluctance to leave, but when she does, a rather sly, knowing look passes across her face as she settles back into her deckchair.-
Alice: And actually... now that I think about it, I could use some help with tonight's workload. There's still a lot we have to work through, but the two of you are both remarkably intelligent and quick studies besides; I'm sure we'll settle into a routine quickly. Not to mention that we have the office to ourselves for the night...
Stormchaser, Lucius's Room, past
-Lucius is still fixing Ever with a rather defensive glare.-
Lucius: Oh, that's fucking rich. The person who'd rather be puppeteered by ghosts rather than take any actual agency is telling me that I need a physical form? This is my physical form. This is me, rather than the ghost that I should be, or... the wisp of a ghost that shouldn't even have been dragged back in the first place.
-...-
-He clutches his head in his hands and looks away.-
Lucius: ...I'm sorry. That was... I didn't mean that. I shouldn't have said it. Yet another reason why I shouldn't be allowed near anyone ever. I... I think maybe I should take you down to the medbay. Or you me. One of the two. Not sure which.
Edited by Herbert40k on Jun 19th 2021 at 2:40:05 PM
Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.
The Wanderer
Wild Area, past
-As Megan falls-
Nguyen, if you die I'm not forgiving you.
Okay, the seal seems to have worked. Once she's stabilized enough, it'll go away on its own.
-Looking at the spark as I pull out a Water Stone-
I may be able to bind that as well if needed.
Cobalt: -Noticing the steaming blade- <I am unsure what that means.>
Lucani: <Should I hit it with a Zap Cannon then?>
Hydreigon: -Decides to blast it with a Dragon Pulse-
Edited by rmctagg09 on Jun 19th 2021 at 8:40:49 AM
Eating a Vanilluxe will give you frostbite.
Flying Colors
Faction Offices — May 11
-Ah, there we go, now it's Kai's turn to go red in the face.-
Kai: Ah-heh. Well, I certainly don't have any other obligations tonight, since it is your birthday. I think I can definitely help out.
-She grins.-
Priest of the Temple of Syrinx
VIKAVOLT STUNT SHOW
(Eager for the stunt show to begin, Braker takes out his video camera and hits PLAY. As he is doing so, he can't help but overhear some people talking next to him:)
Person #1: "So, who're you betting on?"
Person #2: "Well, #43 seems rather excited. #22 is too."
Person #1: "Yeah, but we can't forget about #73, now can we? The one in the motorcycle?"
Person #2: "Oh yeah, he's pretty good."
(Braker pauses for a few moments, then turns back to the stunt show.)
Braker: (thinking, to himself) Number 73, huh? Well. I'm betting on him.
(He focuses his camera, and seconds later, an announcer voice comes on the radio:)
Announcer: Aaaaaaaalright, ladies and gentlemen, the time has finally arrived! Welcome! Welcome, one and all, to the 5th Annual VIKAVOLT STUNT SHOW—!!
(Most of the people watching, as well as Cuddles and Panto, burst into applause and cheers. Meanwhile, Braker and Walter simply look at each other in slight disbelief.)
Braker: "5 years...?"
Walter: <I had no idea that it had been going on for that long.>
(They turn back to the scene of the action, and the announcer continues:)
Announcer: You know how this goes, ladies and gentlemen. Each of our Vikavolt contestants will compete in a series of obstacle courses and try to perform the best stunts possible in order to win! The winner's Trainer will receive 25 million dollars in cash and prizes and a chance to be featured on the local news!
Cuddles: <Ooh~! Did you hear that, Lenny?>
(Braker isn't paying that much attention, because as soon as he hears the words "the winner's Trainer", he turns his attention over to the Vikavolts in the audience. All of them have a loving and supportive Trainer watching them from the sidelines... except for one, none other than #73. Braker's eyes widen in shock, and Cuddles goes up to him, concerned.)
Cuddles: (blink) <Lenny...? What's wrong?>
Braker: "...#73 doesn't have a Trainer."
Cuddles: <W-what?!> (He goes up to the course, and his eyes bug out in shock.) <Y-you're right! H-he doesn't! How could he not have a Trainer?! What is going on here?!>
Walter: <This is definitely something we'll need to investigate further.>
(Braker turns his attention— and the camera— to #73, who, despite not having a Trainer, is still wearing what would be a smirk on his face. Now curious, he zooms his video camera in on #73.)
Braker: (to the audience) "Ladies and gentlemen, we are currently at the 5th annual Vikavolt Stunt Show in Heahea City, and as you can see, #73 does not have a Trainer with him. I'm unaware as to why this is the case, but it definitely is in need of further investigation."
(And then the announcer speaks up.)
Announcer: "...Alright, then! Are you ready?!"
(The Trainers all cheer, and the Vikavolts start charging themselves up with electrical energy, which they soon shock their go-karts- and in #73's case, motorcycle- with. Seconds later, the engines roar to life. #73 smirks, then turns to another Vikavolt wearing the number 54.)
Number 73: <Heh. Don't sweat it, kid. This is the day I've been waiting for for years.>
Cuddles: (cheering) <Whoo-hooooo~! Go, #73!>
Announcer: "On your marks... get set... GO!"
(And the Vikavolts take off. Braker has his camera on #73 the entire time, and Cuddles and Panto get themselves closer to the obstacle course. Multiple lanes are set up, a la horse racing, and as Braker looks around, he is able to see that the course contains rings of fire, tunnels, hoops, ramps, and what appears to be solid ground at the end of it all. The Vikavolts' go-karts promptly shoot through the tunnels and hoops, with #73 slowly but surely inching up near them in his giant motorcycle, before eventually the ring of fire is reached. Some of the Vikavolts pull back their wings and charge through, but #73, without any hesitation, starts charging up electricity into his motorcycle, which all of a sudden— jumps right through the ring of fire and comes out on the other side. Not only is his motorcycle partially on fire, but #73 is completely unscathed. Cuddles' eyes bug out of his skull.)
Cuddles: (shocked) <W-what—?! How in the world could he have survived?>
Announcer: NUMBER 73! HOLY SMOKES WHERE DID HE COME FROM FOLKS?! He absolutely smoked that ring of fire just now! It's a downright shame his Trainer's late to see this, because he and his forest green motorcycle are tearing it up right now!
(The other Vikavolts appear just as shocked, too, and some of them start speeding up to try and catch up in their lanes. Eventually, a few ramps come up, and the other Vikavolts move to the edge of the ramp— including #73. Seconds later, they all get a running start— save for #73, who just charges up the ramp— and makes the jump over to the ground in front of him. The other Vikavolts all turn to face each other in shock, before charging up the ramp as fast as they can in an attempt to catch up.)
Announcer: And once again #73 makes the incredible jump up the ramp! He's surpassing all the other Vikavolts thus far— can he make it past the final obstacle? We'll have to see, because up last is the most incredible obstacle of them all...
(And then the ground starts shaking.)
Announcer: AN EARTHQUAKE—!! Simulated, of course.
Braker: "Clever. They're using Electric's weakness to Ground as an obstacle." (He smirks, turning to Walter and Cuddles.) "Of course, though... it's not as clever as it seems."
Panto: (confused) <Huh? What do you mean...?>
Walter: <Simple, Panto. As we all know...>
Cuddles: <...and as the news keeps forgetting...>
Braker: (with confidence) "Bug resists Ground."
(The other Vikavolts charge forward, but get a bit shaken up by the simulated Earthquake. #73, though, smirks, as confident as ever, and he and his burning motorcycle effortlessly fly through the Earthquake, knowing full well that not only is it a simulation, but that Bug resists Ground as Braker had just established. The other Vikavolts try their best to speed up, and some of them manage to get fairly close, until eventually #54, the Vikavolt that #73 had been talking to prior to the match, gets neck-and-neck with #73.)
Announcer: AND NUMBER 73 CLEARS IT! IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S GONNA WIN IT, FOL— OH! OHHHHH! HERE COMES #54 OUT OF NOWHERE! THEY'RE NECK AND NECK, LADIES AND GENTS! WHO'S GONNA WIN THE MATCH?!
(They keep fighting, inching closer and closer to the finish line— until eventually #73 just barely edges out #54, and crosses the line. Immediately, almost the entire audience starts cheering like madmen, and Cuddles is delighted as ever. Panto and Walter start applauding, and Braker...)
Braker: "Ladies and gentlemen, we come to you now with breaking news: #73 has officially won the stunt show competition. I'm now eager to see where the winnings are going to go."
Cuddles: <YAAAAAYYY~! NUMBER 73 WON!!> (beat, the realization hits him) <Wait a second— what about his Trainer?>
Announcer: UNBELIEVABLE! NUMBER 73 HAS PULLED OFF THE WIN! THIS IS INCREDIBLE! All we have to do now is wait for his Trainer to arrive...
(Meanwhile on the finish line, #54 turns to #73.)
Number 54: <Nice job out there!>
Number 73: <Hey, thanks, kid. You too.>
Number 54: <Hey... do you know where your Trainer is?>
Number 73: <No idea, but I hope he saw this. I've been wanting to prove my skills to him for ages now.>
(And then, seconds later, a man enters the room, wearing a lime green shirt.)
Number 73: <Oh, hang on, I think that's him. See ya!>
Number 54: <Bye!>
(Number 73 goes up to his Trainer— who Braker immediately notices is looking none too pleased. The Vikavolt immediately gets off of his motorcycle and smiles up as his Trainer.)
Number 73: <Hey! Did you— did you see that?! I crushed it! I...> (He notices his Trainer's face and sinks a bit.) <I... w-what's wrong?>
(His Trainer says nothing; just eyes his Vikavolt with a stern gaze. Braker, Walter, Cuddles, and Panto turn to each other in concern.)
Cuddles: <Is that his Trainer?>
Walter: <I'm willing to hazard that it is.>
Panto: <W-what's going on?>
Braker: "I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that this doesn't look too good."
(He keeps the camera on Number 73 and his Trainer.)
Number 73: <Hey! HEEEEY! I WON! THAT'S WHAT YOU WANTED ME TO DO, RIGHT?! RIGHT?!>
(His Trainer says nothing, just turns away. Eventually, though, he sighs.)
Number 73's Trainer: "You are a complete disappointment."
(Number 73's face falls, and Braker's, Walter's, Cuddles', and Panto's eyes all go wide with shock.)
Number 73: <W-what...? What do you me—>
Number 73's Trainer: (suddenly interrupting) "You. Come with me."
(Number 73 blinks, then eventually follows his Trainer. Braker and Walter turn to face each other, their faces laced with concern and confusion.)
Braker: "What in the world is going on?"
Walter: <I have no idea, but I say we follow them.>
Braker: "I agree." (He turns to face Cuddles and Panto.) "Come on, guys. We need to see what's going on with Number 73."
(They nod, then follow Braker and Walter, with the latter carrying his video camera and following Number 73 and his Trainer the entire time.)
Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅
Dunsparce Cloud
Stormchaser, past
-Ever watches Lucius cautiously for a moment, making a few silent assessments-
Ever: Hm. Meant or not, you did say it and it may be the case.
The bit about me, I mean. The bit about you...please let me know, if you ever want to talk about it. For now, though.
-they offer their hand to Lucius-
Wanna be my date to the hospital?
Alice's Office, May 11
Brie: And my birthday. So you gotta, Kai.
Gosh. I missed paperwork.
-big Memito smile-
Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.
That's just how it is on this bitch of an earth
Wild Area, Distant Pool
Daydre sighs, relieved. But then she remembers that she's still holding onto the thing Megan just dropped and all the tension returns.
Arceus what do I do with this I didn't think this far ahead
The mental mouseover text whispers in her mind and out of curiosity she listens, part intrigued and part guilty. The thoughts seem somewhat private, but they are being freely volunteered..
This is what they think about?
Wait, no, I shouldn't...
She's so... good...
...
Of course I like you! (If thoughts could sound flushed, this one would).
She looks back and forth, trying to avoid lingering in any one place too long.
"I-I don't know what to do with this..."
I don't want you to destroy anything!
The vents on her belt shudder and give off a couple sparks. It seems like holding onto the mote is straining.. something.
"Do we.. use it on the sword? I don't know if that's a good idea.."
EMPEROR: <...>
EMPEROR eyes the steaming sword, ready to jump into action but not yet willing. He waits for the sword to react, one way or another.
off the shits
Not A Lawyer
Pyrite Town, Faction Offices - May 11
-Alice grins back at Kai.-
Alice: I'm glad to hear it. The company is very much appreciated. Especially when it happens to come from someone as beguiling as yourself.
-She looks back at Brie with a rather bemused smirk.-
Alice: That's the first time I've ever heard anyone say that. In that case, I suppose we'd better get started. There's a lot to get through, and we've got a long night ahead of us...
-Let's tactfully cut to black at this point, just in case.-
Stormchaser, Lucius's Room, past
-Lucius blinks at Ever, and suddenly his eyes are wet with tears again.-
Lucius: ...Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that.
-He takes Ever's hand and hauls himself to his feet, teeters dizzily for a moment, then collapses into their chest.-
Lucius: Gods, how on earth do you put up with me...?
Edited by Herbert40k on Jun 20th 2021 at 6:20:41 PM
Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.
Alola, Heahea Beach
(It is a few hours after Charon's capture. He, Panto, Braker, Cuddles, and Walter are all lying in their seats, staring out at the setting Alolan sun in front of them.)
Cuddles: <Ooh~! Pretty sun~!>
Charon: <It's rather beautiful, I must admit.>
Panto: <Yeah... it sure is...> (He turns to face Charon, his eyes suddenly going wide.) <Oh! By the way... I saw that you were reading a book on Greek mytolgy! That's really cool! I didn't know you could read!>
Walter: <He doesn't read, Panto, he studies pictures.>
Panto: <Oh.>
Charon: <I do study pictures most of the time. However, that does not mean I can't read.>
Panto: <Wait... you actually can read?!>
Charon: <How else could I appreciate Greek myth? Though, studying pictures is just as fun. It does provide a lot of context clues.>
Panto: <That's so cool~! Who's your favorite god?>
Charon: <My favorite god is probably Hades.>
Braker: "That is rather unsurprising."
Cuddles: <Hades? Isn't he evil?>
Charon: <Hades is not really evil at all. That's just a myth perpetrated for cash.>
Cuddles: <Oh. Well, then if he's not evil... what is he?>
Charon: <Merely an inexorable death god.>
Cuddles: <Oh.> (beat) <Ine...?>
Charon: <Relentless and impossible to stop.>
Cuddles: <Oh.>
(They stare out for a few more moments, then:)
Walter: <Charon, do you like Shakespeare?>
Charon: <It's funny you should mention that, Walter.>
Walter: <Oh?>
Charon: <I speak in iambic pentameter. I do not know if you have noticed this.>
Cuddles: <What's iambic pentameter?>
Charon: <Something akin to this rhythmic sentence.>
Braker: "...and now I can't help but notice that every sentence you've said to me thus far has been ten syllables long."
Charon: <That is indeed the point I want to make. Anyways, allow me to continue. Ironically, I do not like Shakespeare. In fact, I absolutely detest him. However, I won't deny his impact. He's been a great influence on English. That is something I can't help but admire.>
Walter: <Hm. That is rather ironic.>
Panto: <Hang on... Charon, what did you say your name was?>
Charon: <Charonus Tritonalicus III.>
(Panto counts the syllables on his fingers— and gasps when he realizes it.)
Panto: <Holy smokes! That's ten sylbles, too!>
Charon: <It is indeed ten syllables in length. My handle is ten syllables as well. I chose it very deliberately.>
Panto: <What's your handle again? Mine's practicalJoker.>
Charon: <encyclopediaTritonicha.>
Panto: <Cool~!>
Braker: "Speaking of which... I couldn't help but notice that you haven't actually used Hasslemon yet. That's a bit of a shame really; there are three other Pokemon waiting for you."
Charon: <Are these three Pokemon I haven't met?>
Braker: "Indeed."
Charon: <Then I would like to meet them, if I may.>
Braker: "You may."
(He takes out Charon's Great Ball and returns him.)
MEANWHILE IN THE HASSLEMON INTERWEBS...
encyclopediaTritonicha joined the chat.
ET: Hello, Everyone Else Who's In This Chat. I Am The Latest Member Of This Team. Braker Caught Me A Few Hours Ago.
zangooseLover, raucousMongoose, and motionCaptured joined the chat.
ZL: Hello there~!
MC: gReeTings
RM: HEY.
ET: ...Am I Reading Your Handle Correctly?
ZL: What, mine? Yep! You ssure are! Hello there! My name'ss Juless!
MC: i'm seRkis
RM: NAmE'S—rOmEA. YOU—CAN—IGNOrE—THE—SILLY—SNAKE. THEY'rE—ANNOYING.
ZL: :P
MC: anyways whO aRe yOu
ET: Charonus Tritonalicus III. If You'd Like, You Can Just Call Me Charon. I'm Leonard Braker's West Sea Gastrodon. It's Wonderful To Finally Meet You All. Well, Jules, I Must Say, You're Interesting.
ZL: Thank you!
ET: Seviper And Zangoose Have Fought For Years. I've Never Met One Who Likes A Zangoose. However, You Seem To Be Different.
RM: OH—BELIEVE—mE...
MC: i assume you've meT The ResT of bRakeR's Team
ET: I Have Indeed Met Everybody Else.
ZL: What do you think of them? :P
ET: Walter Is As Patient As You'd Expect. Cuddles Is Adorable As Can Be. He's Probably My Favorite One Thus Far. Panto Is Quite Unusual, I'd Say. He Has A Speech Impediment Of Sorts.
MC: yeah, One Time he said snugglisT insTead Of snuggliesT
ET: If That's The Case, He's Stranger Than I Thought. I Do Apologize If That Seemed Rude.
RM: NAH. IT'S—NOT. HE'S—FUNNY. BUT—IN—A—GOOD—WAY. I—LIKE—H Im.
ET: That Is Quite Wonderful For Me To Hear. By The Way, I Don't Know If You've Noticed. I Speak In Iambic Pentameter. Everything I Say Is Ten Syllables.
MC: ThaT is veRy inTeResTing
ET: It Is The Way I've Spoken My Whole Life.
ET: ...One Moment Please, Braker Sent Me A Text.
encyclopediaTritonicha left the chat.
CONVERSATION WITH BRAKER
PI: So, are you enjoying Hasslemon?
ET: I Am Indeed Enjoying Hasslemon.
PI: That's good. Do you want me to send you back out?
ET: ...Actually, I Quite Enjoy It Here. I Think I'll Talk Some More With My New Friends.
PI: Very well, then. I'll talk to you later, Charon. Welcome aboard.
ET: Thank You Very Much, Braker, And Farewell.
programusInterruptus left the chat.
encyclopediaTritonicha left the chat.
MEANWHILE...
Heahea Beach, Alola
(Braker puts his phone away, and Cuddles excitedly jumps up in anticipation.)
Cuddles: <Well? What did he say?>
Braker: "He's gonna stay in his ball for a bit and talk to the other members of the team."
Cuddles: <YAY~!>
Panto: <That's great! I wonder what he thought of Serkis...>
Braker: "I'm sure he thought him well, Panto."
(The group promptly sit back in their chairs and relax some more in the sun as it starts to set.)
MEANWHILE...
(On another part of the Alola beach, far from where Braker, Walter, Cuddles, and Panto are, a Vikavolt stares out at the crashing ocean waves in front of him. He floats there for a few moments, then smirks to himself— well, as best a Vikavolt can smirk, anyways.)
Vikavolt: (chuckling to himself) <Stunt time, babaayyy...>
(He exits, his eyes still set on the waves in front of him.)
Hi, I’m oghond, and I’m a Rushaholic. Sorry if I annoy you unintentionally. 😅