ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

Tom and Linda's

Nightfall brings no news to the man who's been searching for his good friend for many a year. He knows he's sent his kids into what might just be a lost cause, yet Tom recognizes that this may not be lost yet. He has a plan.

He has assembled a task force of mons, Richard is one, and although he himself cannot be there to oversee operations he knows that:

A. Richard will do enough to keep the group together

B. His sons won't screw anything up.

Ah....damnit. Is this even going to work, Lin? We're sending our kids into something so incredibly dangerous-

I know what you mean, Tom, but we gotta let them go eventually. They're not five years old anymore. They're both almost 18.

I mean you're right but...fuck...we don't know how mentally together Frank is. All we know is he went into Hoard, the incident there happened, and he's not been the same since.

Well...Rich has been my best friend in the Guild since my medic days, I'm sure he'll keep the kids safe.

He damn well better. All I can say. For as much as I like the guy he's unproven in actual fights, it's no wonder he finds those kids when they're not in the he middle of something. He can't handle combat, his parents never trained him to think that way.

One could hope Richard and this force do their job.

Edited by Team42Larson on May 23rd 2020 at 5:53:25 AM

The Bedsheets, Lucifuge's Office

*With a nod to my teammates, I look back at Lucifuge.*

PJ: "And I'm with them, so I think that settles it."

Lucifuge:    "Excellent. Now, before you go, I have one last thing I'd like to add. Samael!"   

*The Yamask snaps to attention.*

Samael: "Yes, Master Lucifuge?"

Lucifuge:    "I'd like for you to accompany our associates on their errand, just to make sure they're on-task."   

*I can feel my blood begin to chill as he says this. Can't say I'm surprised he's gonna be keeping tabs on us, but dammit, I was hoping we could get away with... not having him keep tabs on us, I guess?*

Samael: "O-oh." *After a moment's shock, his eyes light up.* "You would truly ask this of me, Master Lucifuge?"

Lucifuge:    "Sure, I don't see why not. I think you've proven yourself ready for something like this."   

*Samael nods vigorously, with the biggest smile plastered on his face.*

Samael: "I will not let you down, sir!"

Lucifuge:    "Alright, Sammy."    *Lucifuge turns his attention back to us.*    "Well then, if that's all we have to discuss for the time being, you can leave my office now."   

(Do we really need this guy to come with us? I mean, what does Lucifuge think we're going to do wrong? He knows that we haven't had a whole ton of issues with following directions in the past, right?)

(I don't feel like arguing about it though because by this point I'm ready to be out of this creepy place.) Well, alright then. I guess we'll start heading over there... (I say, turning to leave, looking back to see if anyone else follows me.)

Oh joy. The Yamask is going to be breathing down their necks now.

"... Welp, guess it's time to go, then" said Royal, choosing to not comment on Samael's sudden assignment to them.

The Raboot followed Goobert's lead.

Lucifuge's Office

(That nagging thought keeps prodding at me throughout the explanation. If he has a hand on so many slices of the pie, then surely he would have one before it fell into the ground. Namely, Hoard and Serris. Acknowledging the others, I spoke out.) Go on without me. I'll catch up.

(Now, the big question.) Do you know anything about Serris? Heard about him through Hoard's boss, Ripley.

Bedsheets

(I wince a bit when I hear Grigori bring up Serris again. What on earth is he up to now? I'm mildly tempted to stay back and hear about what's going on, but I know Grigori can just tell us later, especially since I REALLY want to be out of here now.)

(Delilah comes out behind us.) So...where are we going from here? Can we even make it to Glastone tonight?

(That's a good question. It's probably going to be nearly dark outside now at least.) Wherever we end up staying, I hope it isn't here. (After saying this, I realize that I might offend the folks who live here now by saying that and quickly turn to the Yamask.) Um, no offense...

Still an outsider; Scarlett hasn't felt qualified to talk for a while. Especially when the confragigus begins to speak. He mentions a name she's heard somewhere else before, but she must have glossed over the explanation somehow. Gathering her wits, she asks the question that has been bugging her for a bit:

"...So what's VA."

I slide back into this! ...After about three months, but still. Hopefully college won't murder me as much anymore.

Yet another (meanwhile post)

A one Dr. Theo is wrapping up work for the day when one more case file comes across his desk. This doctor is, of course, the one Angelo had referenced to Marlon earlier on in the evening. The Absol doctor reads what he's got and takes it in.

A Gallade....oh. Wow. And he walked on that leg for days after? Must be one hell of a hard headed guy. Hmm...this individual...who recommended him to me?

One of the Blissey nurses examines the file and places it back before the doctor.

I think Mr. Guilford did, sir.

Ah, Angelo! Been meaning to catch up with the guy. Looks like we've got one hell of a case on our hands, huh?

Yes, Theo, we sure do. But look here...his file says he already had a surgery done on the leg. You have any idea what we're gonna be looking at when he comes in?

Using the knowledge he's gained over the years of being an orthopedist, he muses as best he can. His specific target of scrutiny is the notes left from the Foxfell doctor regarding what happened that evening.

If he had a surgery done on his leg, then I'm almost certain he'll have a cast on it. Perhaps a crutch. But something in this thing bothers me—what kind of doctor immediately rushes someone into surgery? Seems like the doctor who did this did it on the base assumption of seeing, as far as I'm concerned, a very minor or even non-existent infection. I know his father...we worked together in the same hospital for years...his kid is still rather new to the business. I think he rushed into the operation based on mere assertions.

So....he performed a surgery for nothing?

Not nothing, nurse, but he did perform one on a leg that...while definitely significantly damaged, was perhaps in much better shape than perhaps the doctor could've suspected.

He wasn't following protocol?

He did, but, as I'll reiterate again, he didn't do it completely. Alright, I think the two of us should get outta here for the night—looks like we've got ourselves a busy day tomorrow. Not only do we have this guy coming in but we've also got a few others, even some more Hoard survivors.

Sure have had a lot of those survivors come here lately, sir.

Indeed...the more people I can help, the better. Hope they can rebuild their lives here...I don't exactly trust that Serperior and his ideas, but our town council should be able to do what's needed. Let's go.

They leave.

Bedsheets

(I try to answer Scarlett as best as I can.) Well...it's this weird...disease, I guess, that makes Pokémon act really angry and violent, and it's really hurt a lot of towns around here. Caused some towns to just completely disappear, even. As you could probably get from our conversation in there, we've seen outbreaks of it happen firsthand.

(I audibly sigh.)

The Bedsheets, Lucifuge's Office

"Uhh, here, maybe there's..." [After spending a bit giving Samael a weird look—I can't say I feel easy about having one of Lucifuge's goons coming along, the guy gives me real bad vibes—I pull out the map once more, there's enough ample light to be able to read the thing. If Glastone's up near the top of the island, then we'd need something in between it and us—]

"...hey, Goob, I think I got something." [I show the map off to the others: it's another spot where the guild was trying to check for Lucifuge, along the coast and up the road from the Carnival. It's not labeled, but the note on the spot mentions soldiers...] "It's close, but I think we could chance it..."

The Bedsheets, Lucifuge's Office

*Lucifuge makes a slight yet visible frown when Grigori mentions Serris' name.*

Lucifuge:    "Ah. Yes, that guy. Listen, my time is valuable, and I can't afford to spend it dragging out this meeting, but we could have a long talk about him when you get back from Glastone. Now, good day to you all."   

*As we all exit Lucifuge's chamber, the doors slam closed behind us. I look up at Samael as he floats around the front of our group, face still lit up with a smile of tempered giddiness. At least he's not particularly sinister, I suppose...*

Samael: "None taken!" *He chimes to Goobert, regarding the Bedsheets' current inhospitability.* "I don't think any mortal would wanna live in a fixer-upper like this before it's been, well, fixed up."

*I scamper over to Eliot as he pulls out the map, although Samael seems just as curious about tonight's lodgings as I am, hovering over to El and looking over the point he's calling attention to.*

PJ: "What are we chancing? Can I take a look?"

*Samael's quiet, only letting out a quiet "hmm..." while I await Eliot's response.*

Bedsheets

(I look over where Eliot is pointing on the map from the Guild.) Wait, soldiers? They don't mean Pawniarmy soldiers, do they? Should we actually go there if that's the case?

(Delilah chimes in.) Well, there's always the chance that they won't be there anymore. It could have been weeks ago that they were there depending on when the guild looked there for Lucifuge.

Lucifuge's Office

I hear you. We'll get it settled. (Guess that'll wait for another time. I didn't mind the little guy tagging along, likely to keep a watch on us. What I did mind was mentions of the Pawniarmy. The last thing we need is them getting in the way. I brought up a different point.)

It could also be soldiers from a different place or group. Only way to find out is to get there, troublesome as it may be.

The Bedsheets, Interior

[I bend down to give PJ a peak.] "It doesn't really say," [I say to Goobert on the matter of the Pawniarmy. Wait, would the Guild call them the Pawniarmy, too? That kinda feels like a...well, an us-ism, doesn't it?]

[...you know, I think it's a little early for me to be expecting an answer to that. Anyway.] "...hmm. It says 'soldiers, gt outpost'." [I look up at the others.] "You think that's Glastone? Hey, maybe we can get a lowdown on what's been going on."

Bedsheets

Good point. (Delilah says, nodding.) Knowing what we're specifically dealing with will probably help, so I think it might be worth a shot.

(I give it some thought. I guess it would make sense for them to be from Glastone, but I do still find myself hoping it is indeed folks with the town we're going to and not the Pawniarmy...or really just anybody but the Pawniarmy, really.) Yeah, I reckon so.

Guilford house

Marsha returns home after her conversation with Madeline at Malcolm's. Her opinion on the girl ostensibly has changed after understanding partly both how her struggle of being a Hoard survivor and her first days on the job here not going nearly as smoothly as expected, to which the two agreed to meet up as soon as possible the next morning so that Marsha can gie Madeline pointers (of some kind...) with regards to lifeguarding.

Marsha opens the door of her parents' home, with nobody agreed round in the living room.

Hmm...mom 'n pop musta already went ta sleep...I bet Marly did, too.

She looks over toward the guest room where we'd be staying for the time we're here and proceeds over to it, carefully opening the door to find me on one side of the bed, asleep.

Man, he must've been REALLY exhausted...can't say I blame 'im...

Despite this she (gently, mind you) decides to try and shake me awake.

Marly? Are ya awake?

Huh?

Why am I getting woken up again? Is it morning already?

...

Blue hands. It's just Marsha. She's back from being out.

Shit. Marsha? How'd it go?

I ask with a yawn as she sits down by the foot of the bed as I carefully sit myself up.

Well, I di'n't find Max but I met dat Madeline chick again. She uh...how do I say it...she's been through alot, Marly.

...And that would be? Is she another one of the mons who ended up being refugees from Hoard?

She sighs.

Yeahs...her husband died 'n it was just her 'n her kid for a while until Hoard collapsed, then aftah that they had ta leave. Malcolm took 'em in and they're livin' in the space above his deli.

Holy shit. The girl who seemed so rude to us when we found her coming to take (what we still assumed) was Marsha's lifeguard chair actually went through a ton of shit I couldn't have known about otherwise. I look back at Marsha.

So because of the vacancy left from you, they let her have the job?

Yeahs, but it wasn't like she WANTED ta be a lifeguard..she wanted ta be a dojo instructor.

Dojo instructor? That's interesting, considering how I'd eventually want to be a dojo owner.

Has she told you how her first days on the job have gone?

Well, it's safe ta say dat it hasn't gone well for her so far. I told her it was more because they were more used ta dat Floatzel, his fiance, and his kid brothers than they were her.

I think for a moment before responding.

So then what did you two talk about?

Well, dat we'd meet up at her chair tomorrow mornin' so I could give her some help an' pointers about the job. Kinda makes sense anyway, since you'll be busy.

Yeah...I'm not sure what the doctor will exactly say about my leg. I'm just hoping it's good news and that we can get back to the others as soon as possible. Speaking of...I can't shake the feeling that this financier the're involved with is a whole lot sketchier than he might seem. I mean, the man seems to be like...I don't know, he seems to have a much more broader motive than what I could only suppose he lets on.

I kinda get what yas mean, Marly, but still, I just want yas to be safe 'n healthy. Dat was why you took a break from the group, remember?

Yeah, I know...but it's still something I can't exactly shake. It's part of the whole "hero" thing I still struggle to shake.

After this, Marsha climbs into bed proper and lays beside me as she sighs once more.

Well, Marly, yer still a hero in my book, but I just don't want ta keep seeing yas rush headlong inta things like what we had ta deal with dat psycho Gorebyss chick. I was worried for yas when ya had dat procedure done, ya know.

She's right. I guess for as much as I've tried to make myself be the hero of the group I also summarily recognize that Marsha is the girl I want to spend my life with once we settle down for good. Incidents like the Manor certainly cannot happen again.

Marsha, I promise I'll keep myself healthy and out of the kinds of dangerous situations that landed me in that hospital. I have you as my motivation, after all.

Marsha chuckles and yawns.

Heh heh...yeahs, I kinda wanna learn ta fight bettah myself anyway, just because I know yas aren't gonna be as sharp in da fights we might end up in once we get back out dair.

You do? I'm sure we can figure out something, and soon. But for now, let's get back to sleep. Got a busy morning ahead tomorrow after all.

Yeahs. Night, Marly.

Night.

She briefly leans back up to give me a kiss (to which she responds in kind) before we both promptly fall asleep.

Night, for real this time.

The talk of soldiers and an army piques Roland's interest. If it means what he thinks it could, then this group unfortunately wouldn't uphold the Princess's wishes.
Oh, well. That's kinda why he's here anyway.

Bedsheets

A familiar Alolapix is hidden in the bushes. Apparently she'd gotten prodigiously lost for the last few months in-game hours. She thought she'd smelled the group come in here, but nope no sign of them and also this place looks like, uber suspicious.

What is this. Where the hell am I. I feel like I've been here before? What the fuck what the fuck-

Edited by Daydre on Jun 12th 2020 at 3:56:35 PM

The Bedsheets, Heading Outside

"Alrighty...looks like we'll be walking for a bit, but not like, uhh, all through the night." [As I walk out through what seems like a rather obvious spot to enter the wreckage of the place, I hear rustling in the bushes.]

"...h-hello?" [My first instinct is to smell for familiar scents, but as a cold breeze rocks my currently exothermic body something fierce, I realize that's not gonna work.]

Royal also picked up on the bushes rustling, his ears raising just a tad.

"... Who's there?" was all he could muster.

Roland, not bothering to take any chances, immediately readies his club and faces the bush.

Bedsheets

(Well, that's good to know at least. That we won't be walking for very long, anyway. It's been a really long day between everything we've done today like the boat ride, meeting up with this Lucifuge guy, and fighting that Thievul.)

(But I can barely gather my thoughts after this before something rustles in the bush, and before I can even say anything, Roland rushes over to it.)

Who is it? (Delilah asks Roland as he runs up.)

Bedsheets, Outside

Dana pokes her head out of the bushes.

"Oh hey you guys were in theeeee... " Dana notices Roland's approach.

"Sir can you please not try to smack me"

Gears turn in Roland's head as he registers who this familiar mon was. "... Oh. Sorry. Thought you were trying to jump us or something." He apologizes and puts his club away.

"Oh, another part of your merry band? Alright."