[WAR Season II RP] Arcane Pokéworld [RP Thread]

[bronislav84]

Sign Up and Discuss Here! (http://www.pokemoncrossroads.com/forum/showthread.php?6566-WAR-Season-II-RP-Arcane-Pokéworld-SU-DT)

ARCANE POKÉWORLD STORY

It all started 80 million years ago, far beyond recorded time and even before prehistoric Pokémon like Aerodactyl, Kabutops, and many of their kind roamed the world. The world was inhabited by dinosaurs and animals that could have evolved into the Pokémon of the modern era. The only traces of humanity that existed in these long, almost forgotten days were protohumans.

The Sun this world depended on, Arcstar, suddenly changed it's cycle and was on the critical brink of becoming a supernova. If left to run it's destructive course, it would have decimated the entire solar system and would have nothing but burnt shadows in it's wake. The cataclysmic signs were detected by the Xeth, a highly advanced race of aliens that had the power and the means to manipulate the laws of physics, logic itself, and even dictate the course of existence. The Xeth, while not truly gods, had the power and techniques that could be considered godlike. Upon examining the unstable and potentially devastating course the Arcstar was heading toward, they used their powers and techniques to stabilize it and in turn, prevented what could have been a tragic disaster if left unchecked. As a result of their benevolent efforts, fate ran a different course and the Arcstar was forever changed, now illuminating the world with a bright white and lightly violet-colored illumination.

This is where the story begins. This is what is known as The Dawn of the Arcane Sun.

As a result of the Xeth's efforts, the Arcstar was able to continue it's cycle without risk of apocalyptic devastation. Life and prosperity continued for 15 million more years and in time, new evolution had set it's course, eventually becoming the Pokémon we recognize of the modern era. These creatures known as Pokémon, armed with the power, skills, and techniques to harness the elements and supernatural forces thanks to the Arcane Arcstar, were able to claim dominance, resulting in the end of the dinosaurs that could not command the same forces they could. These Pokémon were the first practitioners of what would eventually be called Magic.

Following in the footsteps of their flourishing Pokémon brethren and companions, the early protohumans were the next to evolve, learning how to harness magical forces and energies from the Arcstar be means of concentration and willpower. Soon, like Pokémon, they began to inherit the basic and fundamental skills of the Xeth thanks to the transformed Arcstar.

But what was supposed to become human never came to pass. Instead, the early protohumans were evolved by the Arcane Sun as well, becoming distinct races but all being collectively called humans due to having the same ancient ancestor. In time, as the ages and eras marched on, humans learned Magic from their Pokémon companions as well as through their own dedicated research into harnessing the power and energies of the Arcstar in new and creative ways.

This is the story of how Magic had risen through the Arcstar and soon enough, became the central influence on civilization, culture, norms, research, and technological development. The creation of tools, weapons, and structures had undergone a completely different breed of industrial revolution, relying on the fundamentals of supernatural magic as opposed to the utilization of scientific principles despite how these same principles like gravity, conductivity, and the like are still present. As the ages of civilization marched on, technology was built around the magic these humans knew best, and magical technology, called Magitek for short, resulted in the creation of enchanted mechanical tools, equipment, and devices that perform the same functions of technology today, but are powered by the forces of magic as opposed to using the principles of science.

NIGHT OF BLOODFALL AND THE NEW TEAM TRAINER CONTINGENCY

The High Magi Council. The Celestial Circle. And the Order of the Crimson Flame.

All 62 world leader members assigned to keep the peace were assassinated in a single night along with their assigned chain in command. It escalated into a vicious and heartless attack that would be forever scarred into the history books as the Night of Bloodfall. It was unknown who launched and coordinated the attack, but the investigation concluded all leader members were violently stripped of their magical abilities before they were executed. None of the assassins were caught or identified, but the limited witness testimony and evidence concluded it had been a band of Mechari assailants responsible for the assault. The attackers were labeled as the "Repressors" for their strange ability to strip magic out of their targets.

When the news of the Repressor attack hit the media through the Maginet and the Mirror broadcasts, immediately the hysteria resulted in Mechari being branded as traitors, flawed devices, and "rebellious machines without souls." Citizens began to question the meaning of their existence, while others attempted to defend the machine race by arguing not every Mechari was a Repressor out for anarchy nor did they support the Night of Bloodfall, although there were plenty of sympathizers for the Repressors and felt it was a "much-needed cleansing long overdue." However, the shaken and unstable political theater were only making the situation critical and law enforcement that much more difficult. With rioting and looting on the rise because of these events, what was once a perfect world paradise was rapidly collapsing.

The only lead in terms of determining who should be established as the new order was found in the Celestial Circle's Decree documents, establishing that if the Circle should fall, the faction known as Team Trainer would be the next in line to assimilate authority. Meanwhile, the High Magi Council and the Order of the Crimson Flame had nothing left after their assigned chains of commands had all been eliminated in the Bloodfall assault.

With no other official documents and successors to go by, Team Trainer was established as the new emergency world order. However, despite Team Trainer's righteous and good intentions, not everyone saw the mission from their point of view. Many felt their individual identity and culture were threatened, and not everyone recognized the authenticity of the Celestial Circle Decree. Even in the mist of the already costly Bloodfall riots, others were far too skeptical and portrayed the Decree as a conspiracy theory forgery that hit the airways and tabloids hard. Meanwhile, others believed Trainer was not capable of stopping the "Repressors" from striking again, wherever and whoever they are...

The world has become a darker place. The question of who should lead the world of magic is in shambles, and the hunt for the Repressors is a trail rapidly going cold. The Mechari are fighting bigotry and racism from all directions, while rebellion factions rise up against the authority of the questionably established Team Trainer order.

It is unknown whether the world can return to the state of peace and paradise it had once enjoyed. What is known is that the flames of war have been lit, and many will be taken in its demand for sacrifice...

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ARCANE WORLD AND THE STANDARD ONE

Flight Spells - Individuals have access to flying spells, which was an early discovery. As such, buildings and structures have access balconies that grant access at any level. Devices like parachutes and hang-gliders were obsolete before they even existed. Work, life, and even sports have been changed due to this ability to fly freely.
Flying Cars and Vehicles - Used for faster travel, as well to assist with the shipping of heavy goods and as mass transit.
Pokémon Carrying Crystals (PPCs) - Instead of Pokéballs, these crystals are used instead, offering a stronger, more comfortable, and more rejuvenating container for companion Pokémon.
Healing Spells - Used in place of healing medicines.
Travel - As a means of getting from one place to another, a portal network exists, replacing train lines and metro stations with a portal network. Walking into a portal of one town in another region will allow you to emerge to a town in another region in no time at all. There is still travel time, as the passenger will be in a stasis while in the Travelscape. They will be allowed to think, see, and hear, but not physically move. The only allowed use of portals is strictly limited to these "Portal Metros." Any other unauthorized use of portal spells or teaching of portal spells is regarded as highly illegal due to the ability to use them for trespassing.
Pokémarts - These retail outlets have been changed to sell Pokémon healing spells, as well as the Pokémon Carrying Crystals needed to contain them. A spell only needs to be brought once, much like a book that only needs to be brought once but can be read multiple times. Most Pokémarts make the majority of their revenue from PCCs, although the spells are always available for new rookie trainers that are only just starting their journey.
Magic Shops - Magic that isn't Pokémon-related is sold here. Magic has been around since ancient times, so new research and development into new spells is rare (but still possible). These vendors will sell mainly the books and resources needed for practical spells, as well as self-defense, trades, crafts, and many other purposes that are needed in everyday life.

Science Gadgets we Expect:

The Maginet - The magical rendition of the Internet. No need for wi-fi hotspots or worrying about data plans with this. You can access it anywhere and everywhere.
Smartphones - Have been implemented as Mirrors, also connected to the Maginet. These perform the same functions we are familiar with it terms of phones, and they're significantly cheaper to mass produce. Everyone has one, unless they lost it the way one does with car keys or their wallet.
Televisions - Televisions are a derivative of Mirrors and can be altered in size to suit the owner's preference and accommodate the room. In that same light, Mirrors also take on the form of video players and gaming consoles for entertainment, given they have they have been enchanted with the desired game or movie spell.

RACES

All races are considered humans as a collective whole, but these are the sub-categories (think in terms of Hispanics, Caucasians, Asians, and so on). The magic they specialize in is similar to those of Pokémon attacks and moves, although each race can still cast spells in all other fields.

Mechari - Mechari are sentient Megitek machine humanoids, and were originally created by the other races as servants many years ago and continue to be created today. In addition, new Mechari are created by a partial magical donation of the personality and appearance to the one they wish to create. Being enchanted machines themselves, Mechari understand Enchanting magic the best out of all the other races, and make outstanding craftsmen. Mechari can take on a male or female appearance, but do not reproduce sexually. Mechari specialize in magic related to Steel, Normal, and Ghost type sources.

Granok - The Granok are sentient, golem-like people formed out of living rock. Strong, sturdy, and adamant, Granok can take excessive physical punishment in combat, and are exceptional at utilizing spells focused on earthen manipulation and plant manipulation. As a result, the Granok are the best at Grass, Rock, and Bug spells.

Neko - Neko are feline humanoids that are fast, nimble, acrobatic, and agile. They have prehensile tails and are typically considered attractive by most other races. Most Neko work in the entertainment industry, but there are still plenty of exceptions. Female Neko are typically taller and have upper body strength while males are shorter and have better lower body strength. Neko are basically humans with ears on their heads instead and tails. They have extendable 3 inch claws on their hands and feet similar to cats. Some but not all (At about half the population) have a Were form activated at high levels of stress or adrenaline. A thin fur coat covers their body. Neko specialize in Fighting, Dark, and Psychic magic.

Chua - The Chua are the shortest of the races, taking on the form of rodent humanoids based on such creatures similar to rats, rabbits, mice, and guinea pigs. Often eccentric and unpredictable, the Chua are skilled with Ice, Ground, and Fire magic. Because of this, they have natural resistance to heat and fire, and can handle working in stifling conditions far better than the other races. Moreover, they are the least affected by extreme weather, able to transverse scorching deserts and frozen tundra areas more comfortably than anyone else. Chua have a transformation similar to Neko, with the same activation conditions.

Angel - Angels are the most recognizable as the humans from the normal Pokémon world, taking on an appearance that looks exactly like humans except for a pair of feather wings they have on their backs. Angels are the only race that can fly without use of a flying spell, and have strong proficiencies in Electric, Flying, and Dragon magic.

Merfolk - Mermaids and mermen, collectively called Merfolk, appear as half-human, half-fish humanoids while submerged in water and have incredible swimming ability. Meanwhile, they have perfected most of their tools, technology, and equipment to work perfectly underwater. If need be, they can emerge from the water and after arriving on the surface, their fish tails will become human legs for a temporary amount of time. They can stay like this and walk on the ground for about three days before they start to become dehydrated and dizzy and need to return to the water. While on land they're identified by the gills on their necks if one were to look closely. Merfolk specialize in Water, Fairy, and Poison magic.

COMBAT

Unlike Harry Potter, wands aren't present. Fighting with magic can be done in the form of enchanted melee strikes (like a fire or thunder punch) or as projectiles like a fireball or ice beam. Fighting without magic, such as using a melee weapon like a pipe or a sword, is possible, but will be seen as quite primitive (on the level of bringing a knife to a gun fight).
If you cannot speak, you cannot cast (hence, taking a hostage by duct-taping their mouths is an effective way to suppress their magic, much like blindfolding a sharpshooter temporarily nullifies most of their skills). Spells that cause the opposing caster to be muted are possible, but only last for a temporary amount of time and have very high rates of failure when attempted to be used in rapid succession.
Though your character can have a library of spells to work with, the general idea is they can only use one spell for every post. Spells are limited by two things: fair play and imagination. The second one means as long as it's not god-modding, it can be used. As before, everything has strengths and weaknesses that can be exploited. Bigger is not necessarily better, as we all know.
Spells take on many different forms, such as elemental bullets being fired from the fingers in a gun-like fashion, actually conjuring a gun-like device and shooting elemental bullets from it, and healing spells that are typically the material of fantasy RPGs. Also, the typical performance enhancer spells (buffs) are possible also.
Just about every Pokémon attack is a spell. Some are exclusive to Pokémon however, and have no use to humans.
Conjuring large spells or effects is possible, but takes time. Summoning creatures, devices, and the like are also possible, but have a limited duration of existence and must return back to where they were summoned from eventually.

RULES

Please follow the Pokémon Crossroads Community Rules (http://www.pokemoncrossroads.com/forum/showthread.php?152-Pokemon-Crossroads-Community-Rules) and the Pokémon Crossroads Role Playing Rules (http://www.pokemoncrossroads.com/forum/showthread.php?175-Roleplay-Stage). Following these rules would include:
No godmoding.
No bunnying other characters.
No instant teleportation. Travel across great distances requires at least one post of travel.
When the GM feels the rules have been broken, he will immediately invalidate the post in question and ask the poster to change it.
If, following prior warning, or if done flagrantly, rule-breaking will be punished with a strike. Three strikes equals an immediate ban from the Role Play.
If the incident is particularly heinous, we reserve the right to ban you from the RP without prior warning or strikes.
There is a 48 hour cooldown on posts, meaning you can only post once every two days. Please keep track of your own timer. This is to ensure most people can keep up with the RP and don't get left behind.
Please start each of your posts off with the following header for everyone's convenience:
Character Name
Team
City, Region
Affected RPers:

THE 1.5 ATTACK RULE

This rule was created to make attacking and defending actions more fair and more realistic, meaning your character can only do so much in a single post to address defending themselves against attacks and making reprisal attacks of their own.

These actions do not have to be done in this order.

ACTION 1: A CHANCE TO DEFEND/TAKE DAMAGE

When your character is being attacked, you get the chance to do one of the following:

Take damage/allow your character to be hit
Dodge the attack (use this sparingly and don't dodge everything)
Parry, deflect, block, and so on and so forth (again, sparingly)

Again, your character should take damage every now and then, especially after repeated attack attempts. This does not necessarily mean they have to die, but they should take a few burns, bruises, and wounds keep it more realistic.

Also, you get this action each time your character is attacked. So if three people are attacking your character at once, you get the chance to respond to each of them, but bear in mind, if your character is being attacked that many times, at least one of them should do some kind of damage. Dodging/blocking all three without a scratch is unlikely. The more your character is ganged up on, the more they should be taking damage.

ACTION 2: A CHANCE TO ATTACK/RESPOND

You can attack another character or named NPC however you'd like (unnamed NPCs don't count toward these allowances, albeit you shouldn't wipe out excessive amounts of these kinds of NPCs in a single post). Once you've decided on your target and how you want to attack them, that's your attack.

Do not say your attack hits or declare it to be successful if the target is in the hands of another RPer who never authorized you to land a successful attack on them. That's still for them to decide. Otherwise, it's bunnying and nobody likes that.

Your response could also be in the form of running away from the battle or taking defensive cover without returning fire. Someone who attempts to run away without attacking in response would be more successful and clear more distance than someone who tries to both run away and return fire at the same time.

ACTION 3. ONE MINOR OFFENSIVE/MINOR ACTION

Besides your attack, you can do some other combat/support action that does not attempt to directly damage a living target, such as healing your character, prepare a weapon, use a device/equipment, and so on, provided it can be done relatively quickly.

If you choose, you could sacrifice your entire attack action to perform several support actions by breaking away from the fight and using that post to use or set up weapons/equipment, heal, and other non-combat actions in a single post.

OR

You can perform a minor combat action, such as a fast and weak attack against another target, which would be along the lines of throwing/shooting a weapon that would realistically take less than three seconds, or use a quick melee attack against a target that's very close to you. In order to do this, your character should not be traveling to have to perform it, and should not be able to travel anywhere after said attack is made. In other words, you can't make your quick attack and then run away. Not to mention this attack is quick and you don't have time to take careful aim.
---------------------

So with all these in mind, you could do the following for example:

Dodge an incoming fireball - Your DEFEND action
Throw a boulder at a target - Your ATTACK action
Throw a quick explosive charge on a building to collapse it - Your MINOR SUPPORT action (detonating it would have to wait until next turn).

Another example:

Getting struck by an incoming electric attack - Your DEFEND action
Throwing a suppressing net on an enemy - Your MINOR SUPPORT action
Attacking the same netted enemy with a thrown explosive - Your ATTACK action

Another:

Blocking a grenade by taking cover - Your DEFEND action
Attacking Target A with a rocket launcher - Your ATTACK action
Attacking Target B's rifle in an attempt to disable the weapon - Your MINOR SUPPORT action

And finally:

Dissipate a fireball attack by using a wind attack on it - Your DEFEND action
Summoning creatures as support allies - Your MINOR SUPPORT action (this does not include ordering them to attack, which would count as an attack action. Here they would only be on standby to be used next post)
Hot-wiring a nearby vehicle - Another SUPPORT action taking the place of the ATTACK action
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Let's get it on! Saraibre Ryu Winter Sticky please?

It's been almost a week since the Night of Bloodfall, and it's still fresh in everyone's mind. Riots are still happening in the streets of some cities and towns. Local law enforcement is on high alert. In some places Mechari are still being oppressed as having links to the Repressors. Everyone is just trying to get their bearings since the announcement of Team Trainer being put in charge, and there's civil unrest everywhere. It will calm down soon, but for now it hasn't and the effects are still being felt.

[VeloJello]

Aria Jegudiel
Phoenix Battalion
Castelia City, Unova (High Magi Council Hall -> Castelia skies)
Affected RPers: None

[OOC: FIRST POST *plays a sick guitar riff* Also, two things. First, I am truly sorry for this text wall. Second, please imagine Bezalel as having the same voice as Garrus of Mass Effect, if you've played Mass Effect. Otherwise, I suppose you can imagine his voice however you want.]

“... just trying to think of what’s best for you, sweetheart. I mean, the High Magi and Magi were the heart and soul of your little Council. And now that they’re gone, maybe it’s time for you to give up that ghost and come home. Maybe it’s better that it’s gone, so that we can move on and make a world more dependent on the strength of our minds and our hands, and less dependent on the strength of a force we cannot properly control or understand...”

Aria took a few deep breaths in an endeavor not to scream at her mother. Finally, she snarled, “If you’re going to just sit there and insult my life’s work, Mother, then we have nothing more to say to each other. Goodbye.” She then hung up, not bothering to give her mother a chance to say anything more. With a furious sigh, Aria turned the little Mirror off and slid it into her pocket. That had been the first time either of her parents had called since the holidays, and back then it was simply so that her father make a passive-aggressive dig at her for not coming home. Unbelievable that it took the specter of Aria's death to get her mother even remotely concerned. What a colossal waste of time.

Having had her daily recommended dose of parental disapproval, she turned back toward the main hall of the High Magi Council. In the highly-industrialized Castelia City, the brick building and its many runes looked rather dated. However, to Aria, it was home.

The great oaken door creaked open under Aria’s touch. The assembly hall was every bit as beautiful inside as it was outside. The floor was an apparently artless mosaic of white tiles, but no one would be able to tell that without ridiculous scrutiny. All of the hall’s many windows were composed of stained glass, and as a result of this - and a few enchantments on the windows to bend the light rays in just the right way - each tile was painted in bright colors by the light glowing in, day or night. The result was a swirl of ever changing colors, like walking through a kaleidoscope.

Most of the Council campus had been left open to the public, in no small part because the Unovan government had better things to do than to make sure that the place was fully locked down and guarded. The major exceptions to this rule were the magical laboratories - which were genuinely hazardous if left open - and the Council library. That library contained what was in all likelihood the greatest concentration of knowledge in the world, and as it had officially belonged to the High Magi, the Unovan government had immediately sealed the library and tried to claim it. Aria had fought them with tooth, nail, and all the political knowhow she had, but in the end, she hadn’t been able to hold onto the books on her own.

Fortunately, the library was no longer an issue. Unfortunately, the circumstances that had led to the fixing of the library problem were a bit… demanding.

Three other Acolytes sat at one of the long tables of the dining hall. Pauline and Gisra Hathorne, a stocky, stoic Chua and a slender, shy Neko respectively, sat next to each other, fingers laced together in a casual but affectionate gesture. Although Aria had known neither of them before the Bloodfall, she had become fairly acquainted with them in the last four days. Put simply, Pauline was magically strong, and Gisra was smart. However, managing them was a bit of a challenge. Both of them were older and higher in seniority than Aria, meaning that if it Aria pushed too hard, the Hathornes had the right, according to Council law, to overturn her authority. Not that Aria was desperate for power. She just wanted to stop the Repressors and rebuild the academic center of the world, but someone had to spearhead that effort and she was the only one willing to do it, and she had to lead the other Acolytes - not that there were many to lead - and when it came down to it, Aria didn’t dislike the thought of becoming a leader… Ho-Oh’s blessed feathers, it was complicated.

The last Acolyte, Bezalel Denarius, posed an entirely separate set of problems. He was a Mechari, which meant that he stood a disproportionately high chance of being beaten to death in the streets. Aria and Bezalel were actually friends before the Bloodfall - their similar ages and Bezalel’s easygoing sense of humor had made it easy for them to interact. He was one of the smartest students in the entire Council, with an excellent grasp over enchantment and magical theory. Despite his intellect and friendliness, however, Bezalel’s very presence would probably act as a deterrent to other Acolytes considering joining the rebuilding effort. Aria wasn’t about to cast him out for it, but it was incredibly frustrating. They were having enough trouble attracting other Acolytes back to the Hall as it was.

“Observation: You look upset. Query: How are you feeling?” Bezalel asked, his voice slipping into a monotone. The Mechari turned toward Aria with a deadpan expression, looking for all the world like a dull, witless robot.

Aria sat down next to him as heavily as a creature built to fly could sit. Bezalel reached below the table and retrieved her staff from where she had left it, then passed it to her. "Bez, please. I thought I told you to stop doing that."

Bezalel broke out into a grin, silvery metal "skin" shimmering beneath his copper faceplate. "And then I asked you to lighten up, little sister," Bez replied. Even when he wasn't trying to sound robotic, his voice had a slight flange to it. "Don't worry, I'm not acting like that in public. I'm a model citizen. It's boring, but it's better than inciting a riot."

"This place is accessible to the public, Bezalel," Pauline grunted, unamused. "Anyone can walk in whenever they like, and it would not do for them to hear you speaking carelessly."

Bezalel produced a noise similar to a sigh, despite the fact that he had no lungs to sigh with. "Alright, alright, I'll stop. Seriously, though, are you alright, Aria?"

“Fine,” Aria replied, her tone curt. “Look, I’m afraid it’s time for me to leave. We all know the plan.”

With that, she pulled a keycard out of her satchel and set it on the table. “As we discussed, I’ll leave this with the three of you. I’ve been assured that even if every other part of the Council campus gets locked down, this card will still get you access to our library. Should it become disabled at any time, call me. Otherwise, I’ll be checking in with you once weekly through Pauline.”

There was a series of loud clicks as Bezalel tapped his fingers on the table. “I just want to go on record and say that I don’t think this is a good idea,” he said. “If you leave right now, it says that our leadership is weak and won’t stand by us.”

Aria gestured to the card. “Don’t forget why I’m doing this,” she said. “And besides, the Magi were often known to go on errands of their own when it was necessary.”

“Are you calling yourself a Magus, Aria?” asked Gisra quietly. There was no accusation in her tone, but she sounded a little surprised.

For a long moment, Aria didn’t answer. Finally, she said, “I’m calling myself whatever I need to be in order to get the Council operational again. Nothing more, nothing less.” She rose from the bench and stepped away from Bezalel so that she could give her wings a good long stretch. “I wish all of you the best of luck with your jobs. Remember, research is important, but keep spreading the word about us. If all goes well, I’ll talk to you in a week - but if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

The other three Acolytes said their goodbyes, and Aria strode out of the hall and into the sunlight. She then reached into her bag and picked out one of her Pokemon Carrying Crystals. The small, vaguely spherical gem was deep blue, dyed with shimmering streaks of orange. With a small surge of magic, Aria released a large Dragonite from the Crystal. Orville immediately leaned down to nuzzle Aria’s hand, which was her cue to open a telepathic channel to her Pokemon. Orville said nothing, but he could sense that it was time to fly with Aria, and he was clearly excited. “We’re bound for our first meeting with our employer,” Aria said. “It’s technically something I could walk to, but we don’t run the risk of walking into the middle of a riot in the air. I can give us a bit of a wind boost so we can fly higher and avoid the traffic. Sound good?”

<Sounds good,> Orville confirmed, grinning a goofy Dragonite grin.

“Excellent,” Aria said. “Stay close to me. We want to make sure we’re not running headlong into some sort of trap, so I want you by my side.” She then lifted her staff and focused. Power stirred within her, ready to access with just a muttered word. “Whirlwind,” Aria intoned, and immediately she felt the air around her synchronize with her thoughts. The grass quivered as the winds shifted, changing from a barely palpable breeze to a strong, steady air current that led up like an elevator. Orville took to the sky and Aria followed him up, but as Aria rose in the sky, she couldn't help but feel trepidation stirring in her gut over the upcoming meeting.

[Neo Emolga]

Axel Silverfield
Phoenix Battalion
Castelia City, Unova
Affected RPers: None

Standing on a rooftop, looking past the noonday arcane sun, the leader of the Phoenix Battalion gazed upon the city below. Things had changed rapidly during the past few days, but to Axel, as long as there was still a world that had its heart beating, there was still something alive that could be made whole again, if not better than before. And those were the kinds of things worth fighting for.

To Axel, it was all about picking up the pieces and starting over. Deep inside, the loss of his brother burned, but the force within him kept it suppressed. He knew Desh was gone, but he knew his own brother would not want to see him dragged down. There were some that died inside before they truly faced death, and to Axel, that was no way to ever live.

In his heart, he knew the Night of Bloodfall would have to be undone, but it wouldn't be done in a day. It might take years, and there were always naysayers that would believe things could never be brought back to normal. But he was determined to try and find a way, looking past the Mechari riots, the political upheaval, and the escalating chaos. As long as blood was still in his veins and air was still in his lungs, there was always a chance, and there was always the possibility he could do something about it.

As he ran his hand and his fingers lightly through his long, silver-colored hair, he tried to clear his head and gather his thoughts. As the hidden leader of Second Chance, he had merged much of the rescue group into his new faction called the Phoenix Battalion, determined to be a source of hope and renewal in a desperate time. As he started with them, he took it further, trying to spread the word of the faction and the dream as far as he could take it. He also wanted to resurrect the High Magi Council and start it up once again. To him, the Repressors had to realize their mission was in fact a failure, and the massacre they had instigated would never be a permanent solution to whatever anarchy they were trying to instill.

And then there was Team Trainer. Axel simply didn't trust Team Trainer, nor did he acknowledge the Decree of the Celestial Circle, which the High Magi Council had limited connection with and likely never even knew about the Decree itself. He had his own way of doing things, and that was through action. And sometimes, when there was a call to action, rules had to be bent, sometimes broken. Laws and ordinances would only slow things down, and that would cost lives. It was not the way Axel wanted to live either. He wanted to be wild and free, and not let some other bureaucrat tell him to settle down and do things their way.

"Up here for a breath of fresh air?" Roland the beige-furred wombat-like Chua asked the silver-haired angel. "Well hey, sure is a nice view."

"You bet," Axel smiled, nodding at the Chua dressed in a brown leather jacket and blue jeans. "Say, Roland, what's your take on these Team Trainer peeps? This may sound crazy, but I didn't know a thing about these guys before Bloodfall."

"Trainer, huh?" Roland nodded in his acknowledgement, looking off to the side shortly after. "Well, you've got some who think the Decree is a forgery, others like me who think the Celestial Circle never intended for Trainer to own the entire world, and then some really crazy conspiracy theorists who believe Trainer might have been behind Bloodfall."

That opened Axel's eyes a bit, thinking it was a bit shocking there were some people out there that actually believed that, but then again, it wouldn't be the most far-fetched thing he ever heard. They would certainly have motive, but there didn't seem to be a trace of evil within Team Trainer's agenda. However, much about the situation and the direction it was going in was a complete mystery.

"Well, whatever their story is, I don't like to think of us as agents of Team Trainer," Axel told Roland, turning to face him. "The whole law-abiding, model citizen and formality stuff just isn't my thing. You've got to go with your guts, your instincts, and your morals. Laws and regulations just don't understand that."

"Oh, I hear ya," Roland nodded. "Thing is, how do you plan on facing Team Trainer, the so-called heirs of the world now? Trying to establish the High Magi Council is going to be seen as a separatist movement, if not flat-out treason. Team Trainer might not like the idea of someone going up against their idea of uniting the world under one banner."

"They're going to need to get used to it," Axel told him firmly, but with a confident smirk.

"One way or another..."

[XaiakuX]

Lance Harper
Team Awesome
Goldenrod Cemetery to Harper Industries HQ
Affected RPers: Saraibre Ryu / Possibly Lightning Dash and Daixtey
http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu222/SirX-kun/Graphics/Breaker.png

"... This sucks."

I was the last man standing at the single headstone freshly placed over the burial of my parents. The service was both beautiful, and agonizing. The problem wasn't with the work, effort, or the attendance. The problem was with myself. I mean, my parents were recently murdered by sycophantic rioters, and my life had been forever changed because of it. The Night of Blood Fall started it all. A group of Mechari were held responsible, so the entire race was blamed. My parents disagreed with that. They believed that all Mechari couldn't be responsible for the acts of a few. I followed their belief because it seemed right. I still do, but look where it got them. I don't think anybody could blame me for drawing a blank whenever someone asked me how I was feeling. I'm 27 years old. I feel I've grown past the point of crying like a child. Yet I still felt the need as much as I had every right to do so.

Instead, I lowered my head, took a long breath, exhaled heavily, and gingerly sulked back to my Flight Capable Lamborghini Veneno (http://funmozar.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Red-Lamborghini-Veneno-Wallpaper-02.jpg). I was probably too depressed to drive, but this was one of the very few splurges that I actually went on. I'm not fond of spending money carelessly, but I couldn't pass up buying her. Then to top it off, I got her painted a Candy Apple Red, to match my Scizor. Scizor, the gift Pokémon my parents got me for my 16th birthday. Was he my first Pokémon? No, that was a Machop to help me with my physical training. He's a Machamp, now. But my Scizor is just glorious to look at. Just the same, he's a pretty tough cookie. So I painted my car to look just like him.

I started the car, and just rested, enjoying the rush of hearing the engine roar. This car was her own kind of monster, and it was wonderful. It almost made me smile. I flipped a few switches on the dashboard to put her into street mode, that way she wouldn't fly off the road and tear up the cemetery. After that, I was on my way. I drove through the streets of Goldenrod City. Riots still plagued the streets. Each one that I saw was nothing more to me than a painful reminder of what happened. I took a longer drive than normal to attempt to clear my head. I felt that I had to before returning to work.

I immediately started thinking about my recent business decision with the Angel, Remiel Barnabas. He told me he had created some device that would allow a person to walk about in their own subconscious. This was, at first, a laughable proposition. Then he showed me examples. He ran tests on some fellow called Davven Spelloyal, and I witnessed his work first hand. It was mind blowing. I immediately placed my investment into the project, and promised to help in any way that I could. I also thought about how very quiet this car ride was, the only sound being made was the roar of the engine and the tires rolling across the pavement.

As I pulled up to a large skyscraper surrounded by greenery and what could be identified as a park around the whole building, the sign at the entrance read "Harper Industries" and the slogan beneath it said "For the betterment and happiness of all!" ... 'Yeah, I bet.' Happiness is a lost idea, lately. Kudos to this Team Trainer for trying to make everything better. But, that's mission impossible if you ask me. I guess that's just me being pessimistic. But like I said, totally understandable, right? I pulled my car into my private parking garage, where all of my cars were parked behind bullet proof glass, but open to the public for viewing. Although I only had three cars, my dad was fond of older muscle cars, and it's because of him that I have such a passion for them.

I parked the Veneno in her glass pedestal, and made my way into the main building. As soon as I was in my new office, which doubled as an equivalent to a five star suite in the Kalos Region's Luimose City, I brought up my Mirror. The screen and device were the same colors as my car. I opened up my contact list, and decided to send out a mass message to relevant parties.

"Ahem.."

I paused briefly to gather my bearings. I knew it would be difficult to address people given my current state. But this was no time to be anything other than a leader, and more importantly, an employer. Because there was so much to get done, and constantly felt like there wasn't enough time to do it. I wished that, in this moment, I wasn't feeling so pessimistic. I made every attempt to cover up my emotions before speaking up.

"I'm aware that you all might think of this as a bad time for me to make any calls in regards to the project, but we need to meet so we can discuss it. The location will be in the usual private cottage in Kanto. Time, I feel, doesn't seem to be on our side. So be there within two days. I'll be there, waiting."

After the message sent, I sat at my desk and began to work on paperwork. I need to make certain that I could be caught up for missing two days of work. As soon as everything was in order for the company, I made my way to the roof. The first thing I noticed was that the sun was already setting. A sight which was beautiful to see, if you could get past the random clouds of smoke caused by looters burning buildings. There to greet me was the pilot of the company helicopter. My parents liked it old school. Good news was that it ran on synthesized Electrode energy. It was energy that replenished itself. A lot of companies worked with Harper Industries to obtain and use this product. It's pretty much what initially put Harper Industries on the map YEARS before I was even born.

I boarded the Helicopter and we took off towards the Kanto Region. I decided to take the Heli instead of the Veneno so that I could take in the scenery from 10,000 feet. Despite the carnage running through the streets, A lot of the world still looked quite breathtaking. So it was going to be nice to enjoy while the sun was still in the sky. However, I knew it was going to be an overnight flight. So I decided to get some shut eye on the way there.

... Hopefully my sleep would be relatively peaceful.

http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu222/SirX-kun/Graphics/Breaker.png

"Sir, I don't know how to tell you this, but I know you're not going to be happy."

I was awakened by a radio call from my pilot. As I lifted my head from my laying position, I looked out the window. We were preparing to land on the landing pad outside of my cottage. Normally this would be a wondrous sight. Because to land, we'd have to face the South, and you could usually see both Pewter City and Cerulean City before they disappeared behind Mt. Moon. Then a number of miles of plains and forestry before disappearing behind the tallest trees in the Kanto Region. Usually the cottage was cut off from the world. A perfect place to escape.

... However, this wasn't the scenario.

Instead, from the sky, I just saw a pillar of black smoke. As we went down, I looked down towards the cottage, and witnessed more horror. The getaway home was billowing flames from every window and doorway. I had already broken into a sweat from the heat being emitted from these flames. This wasn't the work of some oil and a burning rag. This was from a Pokémon. Not any Pokémon's fire, either. No, this was from a Charizard. I was taught that a Charizard's flames could melt solid rocks and boulders. It was a terrifying thought, and now I had witnessed it's work first hand.

I was willing to bet that it was the work of a Chua who happened to find out about my family's cottage. Chua's were always particularly talented with manipulating fire. This same Chua was probably one of those types who 'saw through the Harpers' 'Good Guy' ruse.' Which was, and still isn't any sort of ruse. Some people just couldn't accept that there were genuinely nice people in this world. Very few things make me sick, and hate is one of those things. I can't begin to understand hate. It has never made any sense to me.

The helicopter landed, and I stood with my hands placed on the back of my head. I watched my family home burn to the ground. Burn with the needless hate of some angry 'take that' troll of an individual. I couldn't bring myself to understand things from their perspective. All I could think about was how this world, at every turn, seemed to be pulling the rug out from under my feet, and laughed at me as I rolled over in pain. With all this, I couldn't bring myself to express these emotions properly.

All I could manage to say was, "Well, damn."

[Daixtey]

Daixtey
Davven Spelloyal
Team Awesome
Harper Industries HQ


Davven tried gripping his head it all felt too weird, he tried to look around where he is it still seemed like that big building of .. Harper industries? Yes that was their name. He never was in this building before, and it seemed all too strange to him. The entire process of being in those tests made Davven a bit unsure of what it would be like but it didn't even feel that bad as he took a few more steps trying to see what he could make of all of this. The building had too many levels to even grasp how big this all is, as Davven actually walked down a hallway it seemed weird he didn't see any other yet. Before he got into the machine, he saw a lot of guys who seemed to work here or not.

Looking out of the glassed sides of the hallway, down to the streets of Goldenrod, seeing some of the chaos in the distance he already witnessed before. It never looked this bad in the city, since the time he arrived there it always was quite the nice big city. But since that one night it always came to conflicts in the streets, Davven could always avoid of being in the middle of one but he knew a lot had to change till the normality could return that he was used to. It was when he heard about Harper industries and their project, it actually seemed like a solution to him to help make the situation stable again.

He didn't know though, all of this seemed to be strange for him, and him being a voluntary tester for it, was not the best decision probably too but he was fine with it. Davven was torn out of his thoughts though; as he saw some helicopter he found it strange to see one next to the building on an extra heliport for it. Also did he see not so many around, as he thought they got replaced by the advances of the technology. Seeing that strange sight, Davven got attracted to it and looked over the Helicopter walking out the Building towards it.

Davven didn't know if he should try to fly in the dream or not, maybe it should be good data source for the test. As he approached the helicopter and slowly got into it, he suddenly felt a rush of tiredness, and it actually made Davven lose interest in flying. Making his way around the helicopter's inside he could see in the back was a lot of boxes and various other stuff it carried it was the cargo probably. Davven never was before in any helicopter but at least could know how they are built.

Thinking about it, it probably didn't even belonged to the Harper industries as he never saw something like that, but the rush of sleepiness got over him as he layed down in a comfortable spot in the boxes these tests seemed to tire him out. Moving his coat out of the way and eventually laying down, a bit hidden in between those boxes as he tried to think when again they wanted to get him out of the machine or if they already did, but then he would know right. He didn't care much as he closed his eyes and the next thing was him falling asleep.

There was a bump, and then another bump, and suddenly a weird smell as Davven opens his eyes slowly again. It seemed weird where he was and everything hurted at first, why the hell did he sleep .. there was he even? Looked like some cargo area, the boxes everywhere and looking around trying to stand up he tried to figure out where that smell came from. It smelled like something was burning, that smell was very known for Davven in recent times in Goldenrod but where was he now as he stumbled still a bit but suddenly saw the burning building.

Making his way out of the helicopter as it slowly came back to him that he walked into it before, and saw somebody else "Hey! What is going on here?" As the heat of the fire that the burning building was emitting made it hard not to drop some sweat being this close to it. He tried to see if the guy he said his question to the only other person he could see now hoping he heard him as he got closer, and seeing the building he quickly tried to reach back to his bag, pulling out the crystal he had with his Feraligatr ready to call him out with his next action.

[Ace Trainer Liam]

Erik Aegean
Team Trainer
Ambrette Town, Kalos -> cliffside on route 8
Affected RPers: None

Erik's face was illuminated by the dazzling blue light that shone from the water. A small Seaking was gliding by through the water; unaware of the outside world, simply minding itself, swimming peacefully... Erik put his hand up as if to touch the Seaking, but instead his hand touched glass. He stood there on the other side of the case, barefoot. He brought his hand back to his side and stretched his toes; he truly loved having legs.

A soft and deep rumble took Erik out of his trance and he turned. Carthage, his large Pyroar was standing next to him, greeting Erik's azure eyes with dark solemn ones. Carthage's eyes seemed to say so much and ask many questions, but simultaneously they said nothing and were aloof. Their eyes locked momentarily until Carthage broke it by fixating his gaze over Erik and growing attentive.

“There you are,” said a soft, yet sharp voice. “I've been looking for you.” Erik turned to see his sister, Lana, tall and prominent standing down the hall of the aquarium. She had a beautiful white gown that ended with red, purple, and blue frills. Her dark red hair was pinned back with gold and emerald pins. With her head raised slightly, enough to look down her long and sharp nose, she asked,

“Why are you here? Don't you get enough sea life under the waters?”

“I was showing Carthage what it's like underwater.” Erik responded. He turned back toward his majestic lion Pokemon and brushed his head with his hand. “He'll never be able to experience it, never know what my room looks like, or the city, at least, not in real life. So I took him here with me to show him life underwater.” He smiled as Carthage cocked his head while Erik scratched behind his ear. Lana walked toward Erik; her bare feet slapping the lamented floor lightly in her grace.

“You know, you have to come back to the city for business.” Her voice became hushed, setting a sensitive, but serious tone that chilled over Erik's body. “It's not safe up here in the land cities, it's much more violent. At least underwater there aren't any Mechari, so little to no riots.”

“I know...” Erik said, avoiding eye contact with his sister; instead his sight drifted in the wafting waters of the aquarium. Lana waited a moment, then said abruptly, yet softly to not startle Erik,

“I heard you joined Team Trainer.”

“I have.” Erik responded factually, now turning to look up at her.

“Usually the head of the family does that, which is why none of us have done so yet.”

“Lana, we have no idea who's suppose to be head of the family. It's not suppose to be a girl and no one knows which twin was born first. And it's not okay, for some reason, to have two heads of the house, and-”

“This is why you need to come back to the city and discuss it with the rest of us, Erik!” Lana interrupted. Her voice carried and echoed in the empty hallway of the aquarium. The water Pokemon around them swam incandescently; in their own worlds beyond the glass they glided freely. Lana took a deep breath and said,

“I know it was hard when mom and dad died, deciding who was head of the house was something we could put off for a while, but now? Since the Night of Bloodfall? And since uncle Krakenus and aunt Lorelei went into hiding? We have more on our shoulders now than ever and we need to discuss who will be head of the house. The family is at our place. I'll see you there, Erik.” Her tone was light, but commanding, closing off any furthur discussion. She turned and walked out of the aquarium as Erik watched her part.

He looked down a the floor in thought while still scratching Carthage's ear, but Carthage was not longer reacting to it like before. The lion Pokemon looked at Erik; watching him and waiting for him to make a decision. Erik felt like Carthage knew what he was going to do and was just being patient. After a while he looked up into those solemn eyes and said,

“Okay Carthage... let's go to the cliffside.” Erik walked over to Carthage's side and leapt up to straddle him. With Erik holding on, Carthage took off down the hall and out through the large doors to Ambrette Town.

The town was mainly deserted, even though it was midday. Cars were overturned, piles of debris were smoldering, and in the distance Erik could hear some people's voices, although inaudible.

“Come on, let's go.” Erik whispered to Carthage as they strolled down the stairs. Carthage gathered his surroundings and headed off along the wooded side of the route to make it to the cliffs that were in between Ambrette Town and Cyllage City. Erik held on, resting low on Carthage's back; his mane nestled Erik's head as he drifted into his thoughts.

[Death's Spook]

Michael Phloros
Phoenix Battalion
Castelia City Skies
ARPers: Velocity

<So Michael, why are we meeting an angel renowned for her flying magic abilities above the clouds entirely? Wouldn't that give her a decisive advantage?>

Lenore was ever worried about me. Not because I had displayed myself to be incapable-not at all-but because such was her nature.

To be fair, I was not completely free of unease, myself. Lenore marked the first time that my facade was revealed at a time not my own choosing to a person I preferred to have remained in the dark. I was hoping to gain control of the situation by employing her and thereby giving her something she’ll want while simultaneously getting to keep a closer eye on her.

But Lenore didn’t really have a head for the sort of business I do. She wasn’t stupid-quite the opposite-but her temperament didn’t match the kind needed to do what I do.

So, through telepathy, I assuaged her, <I am hoping to put her at ease for this meeting, Lenore. Controlling her through direct intimidation is the sort of thing that will get me killed. She will not be cowed; however, I’m certain she can bought. If I play my cards right, she will be one of the more important pieces on the board by the end of this.>

Lenore looked a bit uneasy, probably at the thought of treating people like pieces on a chessboard. I could not really blame her: it would have made my stomach turn, before I had to be involved in the sorts of things that I was.

We were quite the group. Under my magical concealment, Lenore levitated both herself and me at a steady pace, until we rose above the clouds. However, while she was levitating two people, I was concealing three.

Tifón circled us as we rose, trying to think, <So if we’re trying to bribe her into joining, why am I here? The last time she saw me, I literally made someone explode. Lenore is understandable, since she was less vicious and helped fight alongside Aria, but I did what I did in cold blood.> Tifón didn’t particularly like that, but we had all gotten used to doing less than savory things over the years.

I sighed, <Call it paranoia, but I prefer to have an undercurrent of “and this is what will happen if you refuse.” Not enough to be something she can explicitly be offended about, but just enough to remind her that I don’t particularly care to be crossed. Call it security.>

Tifón thought for a second, <Some might consider it disturbing that you have the same relationship with intimidating others as four year olds do with their blankets.>

I rolled my eyes, but conceded the point. There wasn’t any particular amount of time for arguing anyway. We had arrived at our destination.

I dropped the veil from around us directly in Aria’s sight, where she could clearly see we were not trying to ambush her. I raised my hands and put them behind my head in an effort to appear to be non threatening. Lenore had done something similar, and Tifón did something analogous by landing on my head.

Out loud, I spoke in kinder tones, ”Hello Aria. Is everything set for your tenure with me?”

Linda the Porygon-Z (Gabriel Phloros)
Phoenix Battalion
Castelia City, Unova
ARPers: Neo Emolga

I floated into the camp of the Phoenix Battalion as though I had no reason to be afraid. Michael instinctively understood the lesson I was using, and accidentally taught it to me: the best way to appear above suspicion was to act like there was no reason anyone could think you suspicious in the first place.

Like almost all the lessons I had learned from all three of the Phloroses, this one worked without a hitch. Everyone assumed that I was just some other person’s Pokemon, beneath notice and therefore beneath suspicion, which vastly expedited the mission I was on.

It certainly didn’t hurt that my target was pretty much impossible to miss. A giant to anyone who didn’t hang around a Granok most of the time, with large white wings and a charisma about him, Axel Silverfield was impossible to miss. As I followed him up the hill, I happened upon a conversation between him and a Chua.

I didn’t have a mouth, but I had learned a small trick to communicate out loud and in English. By using my limited psychic power, I was able to manipulate the air to make sound, thus making a voice I could “speak” with.

So as Axel Silverfield said the words “One way or another...” out loud, I floated up and “said”, "And truly this is an excellent note upon which to continue our conversation. Hello, Axel Silverfield. I am known as Linda. My friend has a proposal for the Phoenix Battalion as a whole, and you in particular. I believe you will find it quite compatible with your current agenda.”

[TheoreticalSelkie]

Galen Phloros
Phoenix Battalion
Castelia City Hospital, Unova
Affected RPers: Death's Spook (?)

The screech of the gurney echoed through the hall as another injured victim entered the system. A nurse, immaculately dressed, clicked her way through the halls of the city hospital as she pushed the gurney through several sets of double doors. Following close behind was a Blissey. The Pokemon was stablizing the patient, making sure she didn't bleed out before she hit the operating table. As the gurney shot through the hospital hallways, the masses of patients and doctors quickly cleared out of the way, sending the call to get out of the way further down the hall. Through the final set of swinging doors, the gurney pulled up short, glinting in the bright light of the overhead lights. A slight hum joined the background drone of medical machines surrounding the gurney. With a loud creak, the gurney started rising with the aid of a spell as the nurse and Blissey hurriedly prepared equipment for the operation.

"Status?" A doctor, clipboard in hand, towered over the gurney. The patient's eyes widened as she realized that it was a Mechari, one of those like the Repressors that brought about the Bloodfall. The Mechari glanced down and spoke a few quick words, recognizable as a sleeping spell. "And anesthesia."

The patient attempted to say something, but her words caught in her throat. Her limbs fell like scattered stones. Her body felt heavy and numb at the same time, a not so unpleasant feeling. Her vision blurred until it was filled with bright lights from overhead. As she started drifting off, she could hear the nurse making a report to the Mechari.

"Fractured ribs, shattered knee, ruptured lungs, and several deep cuts. The EMTs stabilized her but many of her injuries are too severe to solve with a quick healing spell."

"I apologize, ma'am, we'll fix you up good as new." The Mechari monotonously assured the patient before turning to the nurse. "We start with her ribs and lungs-"

And then her world went black.


When the patient woke up, the Mechari doctor was quietly writing by her bedside. Behind the doctor, the large windows were clear, showing a few skyscrapers in the distance. The sun reflected off the building windows as people bustled below. In the hospital room, Galen put down her pen upon realizing that her patient was awake.

"How do you feel?" Galen asked, closing the file she was working on.

With a loud grunt, the patient attempted to sit up, but felt bandages holding her down. Everything about her ached, but nothing felt out of place. "I'm fine, Mechari. Why do you have to be the one to treat me anyways?"

Ignoring the pointed remark, Galen continued: "You were injured in a large car accident. We treated you for several fractured bones and other wounds. I recommend that you take a rest for the days following your discharge. If you need more assistance, please contact the nurses." The chair screeched as it was pushed back. "I must go check on my other patients."

Leaving the hospital room behind, Galen scanned her list. The majority were from the accident earlier in the day. An almost-tragic one, if it wasn't for the prompt medical aid offered moments after the first fire licked up from the cars. The EMTs were alert today, mainly due to a smaller riot that broke out earlier in the day. The city had been on edge, partially due to the Mechari following the Bloodfall, and partially due to the rioting that occurred as Team Trainer took on the mantle of leadership. Galen had avoided many of the riots by virtue of her job. So rarely, if ever, did Galen come home in broad daylight. And so she avoided many of the mobs. And the ones that she did encounter, she simply ignored and continued walking, protected by the white doctor's coat she wore. Many people were unwilling to harm a doctor, even if he was a Mechari.

At the very least, the hospital staff were glad to have the help of every doctor available, Galen included. Especially on a day like this. But just as she was about to open the door, a pink, round paw tugged on her arm. She looked down to see Hippocrates, her Blissey. Her eyes were downcast with concern. A message?

Her question was answered by another doctor, one of the Merfolk, who turned the corner into the hallway they were in. As he approached, he waved, briefly adjusting his askew glasses. His fins flapped with exertion as he took a quick breather. "Galen! Good to know I've caught you, you should take a rest. Considering you just did several major operations in a row, we're all worried for you. Take a break!"

"I have to see this patient-"

"No, I simply insist, Dr. Phloros! I can take care of your rotation for you, please get some rest. The board members are also concerned for your health." He attempted to push Galen back from the door. Considering that she was around 9 feet tall and as heavy as one would expect, Galen didn't budge an inch.

"If you insist, Dr. Thompson. I will be in my office then." Galen calculated that his worries would be alleviated if she simply took a rest for the night. While she didn't feel the need for sleep, it would seem that she had been causing stress among the doctors working in the hospital. Weighing her options, she stepped away from the door and passed over the list of patients into Dr. Thompson's hands. "Thank you. Good night."

Galen bowed slightly to the doctor as she turned to head towards her office, Hippocrates in tow.

[Saraibre Ryu]

Remiel Barnabas
Team Awesome
Goldenrod City Apartments, en route to Kanto
ARPer's: N/A Directly

Nonsense, absolute nonsense. The level of nonsense was equal to the amount of pacing the Angel was doing on the floor of his apartment as he frustratedly thought about the utmost of inconvenience in timing. Papers littered his desk at home, a place where his home was as much of his substitute office. Remiel owned the entire building, including the apartments below him and the labs and doctors offices on the first and second floor. In those walls was panic and more nonsense thanks to what the Repressors were doing. That was not what he was worried about though, as was exemplified through Zier being there, watching his friend pace while ruffling his speckled feathers. The Neko was a bit taller than Remiel, and had fine wine coloured fur, almost matching of his Liepard friend that often trailed behind him. Zier even had pale rosettes to match. He say in a chair next to the table, trying to look at the mess his friend was leaving all over his living space, almost trailing immediately after him to avoid any further messes.

"Four machines. Four!" Remiel thought loudly to Zier. "They are unaccounted for, and due to the mass panic and looting, and spare housing I've had to do, it is highly likely they were stolen!"

It wasn't just that on Remiel's mind. The testing was having some unwanted side effects, such as mild and temporary Dyschronometria and having difficulty telling reality from the dream state. Remiel predicted the latter, but not the former. He knew he had to get it right, he needed to remove those side effects, never mind he was still worried about possible addictive properties with the entertainment contract he had to fulfill with Harper Industries. Ever since those reports, he had been working nonstop, having Aeda and Zier force him to take a few days off. It didn't help with the influx of patients and the looting that he had even more work to do, and he felt obligated to get done. Remiel knew Zier was watching him the entire time, waiting to say something.

Zier cleared his throat, knowing he had heard this theory many times before. He opened his mouth to speak, a french accent coming out between clean, white teeth. "I have seen it on the-"

"Now Mr, Harper wants a meeting in Kanto. I have more patients than ever suffering from paranoia and panic attacks. I can't simply leave now!"

"Remmy my friend, you can."

Remiel stopped in his pacing, and glared at Zier. "Spare me the technicalities Zier, I'm not at work now only because you and Aeda requested it."

Zier sighed, and stood up, swishing his tail back and forth as if to dust off where he was sitting behind him. "Aeda and I are more than capable of taking care of the panic; the worst enemy of the mind remember? I feel as if you are becoming a victim of flustered frustration. As for where the other four Aparatus' have gone... je ne sais pas. However, je sais, you need to go speak with Mr. Harper. No one can even use the Aisling, it is not online in full function, and you have the network key."

Zier put a hand on Remiel's shoulder, and gave a reassuring smile. Remiel knew that smile, that was the smile of someone who knew how to work a person. He glared at the Neko for using it on him, knowing he had used it on many men, and especially women when they had gone out. Zier was nothing short of a gentleman as he was, however Zier was more adventurous.

"Besides, the world is coming together, these Repressors... no, even if they claim that they can take our magic away... what's to stop the Aparatus from healing that? Mind over matter, the placebo effect... no? Helping the people long term is not in you-"

"Fine, fine, no more of her persuasive wording from your sharp tongue." Remiel took his hand off of his shoulder. "I'll go, but I'll have no mistreatment to Aeda due to associations with those Mechari who chose to break the peace."

"Monsieur, nothing short of proper consequence." Zier reassured with a pat on the back. "Lifting Skies Therapies will be in the best hands."

Remiel looked for his glasses, and pocketed them in his jacket. Flying from Goldenrod to that particular place in Kanto would only take him a few hours, as he was a rather fast aerial artist of his own accord. He was often teased for having Fearow wings back in elementary school, and he did his best to live up to such usefulness, despite the backwards insults he was given in his childhood. Remiel needed only a few things, those being his Pokemon, and that being his backpack. Zier leaned on the kitchen counter, handing things the Angel was looking for as he passed by, muttering his mental list out loud. Zier almost knew his house better than Remiel did. First was the handout of the missing Beta Aisling Aparatus' that were meant for group testing on a network, and on a manufactured scale. Next was Remiel's bag with the Alpha Aisling Aparatus, which was the Angel's pride and joy, as it was the template and Remiel's personal tinker toy to get it to work just fine.

"Where is my bag..." Remiel asked, growing more and more impatient. "Where is it WHERE-"

Zier threw the bag at him with such force, it almost winded the Angel. He gripped onto the straps before it hit the floor, knowing he probably deserved that. Remiel sighed, breathing deeply before he decided he was calm. "Where would I be without you Zier?"

"Working yourself to death my friend! Hunched over and ruining your posture. Not befitting a gentleman." He answered. "Things will be fine. After all this, I shall take you to Lumiose, and a nice cafe, we will relax, take a week's vacation and see the sights. Lovely view on the tower during the evenings this time of year eh?"

Remiel put a scarf over his neck as the two of them headed to the roof. Zier continued explaining vacation plans once again to the doctor, and Remiel just nodded along. He would feel the vacation would be more deserved after this crisis was over and the Aisling Aparatus was on good terms with the rest of the world. Just as Remiel was finished getting prepared, the Neko handed Remiel his cane, receiving a bit of a humbled glance in exchange.

"I may have gotten a bit over excited. Anyway, I will leave the establishment in your capable hands, and Aeda's." Remiel told Zier with a calm, confident voice. "I shall return within two days at most."

"Always the Mirror's to keep in contact mon amie. Off with you now!"

Remiel uncovered the gossamer from his wings, and opened them wide. A few quick steps and a jump off the edge of the roof, and the doctor was airborne. A compass on his left wrist and a quick readjusting of the backpack on his chest to ensure security, and he began to ascend into the sky. All the whole, Zier waved at him until he was out of sight, shaking his head at his work associate. Remiel's concerns with the investor, and the meeting itself were not much of his concern, however he had a feeling in his gut that there were going to be complications in the future.

[VeloJello]

Aria Jegudiel
Phoenix Battalion
Castelia City, Unova (Castelia skies)
Affected RPers: Death’s Spook

Every single beat of Aria’s wings was laced with tension, and Orville - beautiful sympathetic Pokemon that he was - could tell. He pulled up beside her, matching her pace, and shot her a look of concern. Although he made no effort to talk to her directly, he seemed to be trying to send feelings of confidence and peace over their still-open telepathic link. She smiled to herself at the show of affection and took a deep breath.

You are where you need to be,[i] she reminded herself firmly, but her mind couldn’t help but wander back to her first meeting with her new employer - the musical star Michael Phloros.

For most people, the name “Michael Phloros” conjured up images of bright lights, stages, screeching fangirls, and tastefully obnoxious pop music.

For Aria, the name conjured up images of blood and gore that had left her retching in her quarters at the Magi Hall half the night after she had met Phloros had met two days ago.

Her distraction, and morbid fascination with the memories of the sudden violence, was why she very nearly missed the Neko, Vivillon, and Gardevoir that seemed to materialize in front of her until it was too late.

With a [i]snap, her wings opened, providing an effective brake that stopped her from running headlong into Phloros and his Pokemon. However, the brake also took away all of Aria’s lift, which was why she barked out a magic-infused order - “Winds, converge!” - before she even began to slow. Beneath her feet, the winds swirled upward, carrying with them bits of cloud. While the wind didn’t form a solid platform - even the strongest magician couldn’t force the air to become a flat, even surface - it held her up in the center of a sort of localized tornado. Orville buzzed over to her and landed on the rim of the wind platform. Unlike her, however, he kept his wings slightly spread and his tail raised, making it clear that he was ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice.

Nausea roiled in Aria’s gut and it had nothing to do with the fact that she was standing on moving air. Ordinarily, the sight of a Neko levitating in the air with a Vivillon on his head and a Gardevoir beside him might’ve been amusing, especially when that Neko was a pop star who dressed for the stage. However, that Vivillon… One look at those pixel eyes and she was reminded of the Charizard whose guts the Vivillon had literally detonated. Before that evening, she had only seen violence in practice bouts, and had only seen internal organs in healing and anatomy classes. Because of her worry, she ensured that she was keeping a strong posture and a level expression - she’d found over the years that projecting confidence was the best way to feel it.

“Hello, Aria,” Michael Phloros said calmly, his hands - paws? Aria had never been sure what, exactly the Neko and Chua prefered their extremities to be called - behind his head in a peaceful gesture. “Is everything set for your tenure with me?”

His tone was friendly. Despite herself, Aria actually liked his voice. When she had agreed to travel with him, she had decided to listen to some of his music to figure out what sort of autotune-riddled drivel she was going to have to put up with for the next several months, and possibly more than that. She had been pleasantly surprised - Michael did have, as far as she could tell, a genuinely beautiful singing voice, and his voice was ear-pleasing even when he wasn’t singing.

Appearances could be deceiving. Aria hoped that in this case, they weren’t, and that Michael’s behavior during the attack that they’d been through had been born purely of necessity. But she was far from sure. The incongruencies between his usual, wild-but-ditzy public behavior and his ruthless competency at the site of the ambush were too large to ignore, and whenever Aria analyzed the schism, she found yet another reason to get nervous about it.

But it had given Aria some useful insights: one thing was for sure, Phloros did the things he did for a reason; everything seemed to be about image and presentation, until the situation came down to life-and-death. It took Aria a few seconds to figure out why Tifón the killer butterfly had been brought along, but she was pretty sure that she knew the answer: Michael wanted to present power and make sure that Aria knew exactly what she was dealing with. She thought the reminder pointless and annoying, as she wasn’t going to turn on him unless he went back on their deal or turned out to be some form of rampaging psychopath. But she felt no need to play that game herself. So when she answered Phloros, she smiled politely and kept a loose, easy grip on her staff. If she needed to remind him that she could electrocute someone to death with a muttered word, then he wouldn’t have hired her to be his bodyguard.

“Of course, of course,” she said; she had been sure to pack all of her essentials - toothbrush and other toiletries, Mirror, and some reading material - into her satchel before leaving. She tried to at least sound friendly, as she was in for a miserable time if she couldn’t build something of a rapport with her new boss. “As discussed, I’ve left the library keycard with my Acolytes; all of us are most grateful for it.” She couldn’t help feeling a surge of pride when she said “my Acolytes”. “And I have my Pokemon already with me, of course.”

There was a brief pause as Aria tried to think of what to say next. She was still a little flustered, as she had been prepared to meet Phloros on the ground and his abrupt arrival had caught her off guard. “So,” she said brightly, flicking her wings in readiness to take off again, “shall we go?”

[Neo Emolga]

Axel Silverfield
Phoenix Battalion
Castelia City, Unova
Affected RPers: Death's Spook

"And truly this is an excellent note upon which to continue our conversation," A voice suddenly spoke to his mind.

Axel wasn't usually quick to scare, but he would have been lying if he said he was expecting someone to suddenly speak to him directly to his mind right at that particular moment. When he had turned around all of a sudden, he and the curious Chua had turned to face the Porygon-Z, floating seemingly effortlessly in the air only a short distance behind them.

"Hello, Axel Silverfield," The Porygon-Z spoke to him. "I am known as Linda. My friend has a proposal for the Phoenix Battalion as a whole, and you in particular. I believe you will find it quite compatible with your current agenda.”

"Does your... friend dude have a name?" Axel asked, curious as to who wanted to speak to him. "I guess that can wait until I actually meet the guy anyway. Say, where is he at the moment?"

"Probably busy," Roland shrugged. "Either that, or he's calling in more than just you."

Axel knew it was going to take a lot of people and manpower to rebuild and reform the High Magi Council. With all that had happened, it was hard to trust anyone in this new age of doubt, but to Axel, he always gave a chance for others to speak up before he decided if they might be friend or foe. And even so, Axel was still relatively off the radar and at the moment, his newly formed Phoenix Battalion was still vastly unknown to anyone who might want him out of the way. Team Trainer certainly wouldn't be after him. He was pretty convinced Team Trainer was still in the state of mind that felt they owned the world now and everyone would line up to serve at a second's call.

"I'm listenin'," Axel nodded with a confident smirk to Linda. "Where's your friend now? I'll follow you if know where he is."

Axel wasn't entirely sure how Linda managed to find him, but it seemed like someone had taken interest in his objectives. At a time like this, he had to be open to proposals. Teamwork was, after all, necessary to build and lead a team.

[Chakramaster]

Dominic Havery
Team Trainer
Snowbelle City, Kalos
Affected RPers: None

Dom, standing on a hilltop somewhere in Snowbelle watching the snowfall or whatever may be left for it as the sun is still rising with a nice, but somewhat ominous redish purple color to the sky. Maybe it's just a slow morning. Either way it's just one of the ways Dom is using to clear his mind. Things like this, whether it be snow, rain, or just quiet areas to just "think" have seemed to help lately.

"Sigh", Dom thinks out loud while looking out into the distance. "Enjoy the little things, they say. Not everyone is the same though. Some tend to pass right over these without a second thought. With everything that's happened lately I'm just glad I found a way to escape from everything else and just focus on other things for now."

While Dominic is standing he tries thinking about what should be the most important focus right now. He knows more people are being effected and more changes are soon to come, but goals need to be set and more soon than anything. Staying in place for too long could mean the difference between making more allies or making more enemies. He doesn't really care how people see him, but he'd quickly take making allies over making an enemy. This is just one of those quiet places for now as to focus on where to go and what needs to be done outside of his own goals.

(I know more people probably are confused, or questioning things, but for now I need to focus on getting back home, but that would involve getting through "that" town. Things may still be pretty hectic over there. So I would need to stay low, maybe even try to blend in just to get around. Flying is out of the question, it'd be too noticeable, even above the clouds....assuming there are clouds as I pass over. Flying around would take too long at this point. So for now I'll try and make my way through so I can start to do some more research on things happening now. For sure I could even use some time to train and relax before things start getting busy around here. I know with all that's happened lately, from the Night of Bloodfall and Team Trainer being put in charge, the riots and everything else happening because of it all have only just begun. It may die down soon, but it may not stay calm for long. Better to be prepared for anything and everything I can while there's time).

Dominic may like places like this town, but even places as calm as this, still only place this voice in him in the back of his mind. It lingers on pressing him to try and push things further in the city and to cause things to get worse, but Dom's resistance right now against this is pretty high after just focusing on main goals in the quiet city of Snowbelle. Dom just hopes it stays this way because places like this are slowly fading away.

-------------------------------------------------

In Dom's mind"Dominic Havery, heh, still resisting, nevertheless, I will push you until I get what it is that I want. I time Havery, in time. Until then, your dreams will still be haunted by nightmares of your past, maybe even of what's to come, by your own hands once I take control of you"

-------------------------------------------------

Back with Dom himself *The sun almost fully arose by now.*(Well, I guess it's time to get moving. Can't waste anymore time here. Time to start making my way back to my home. I'll need to get some more research in about these "Repressors" and "Mechari" other than what I already know. The more I know the better. The world will somehow show us the way, right? There's always a set balance the world must be in, otherwise things don't get better, at least from what I've always thought. Hopefully I can at least last long enough to make some difference in all this change).

[XaiakuX]

Lance Harper
Team Awesome
Burning Cottage North of Mt. Moon in the Kanto Region
Affected RPers: Daixtey
http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu222/SirX-kun/Graphics/Breaker.png

"Hey, what's going on?!"

Without hesitation I gripped the narrow metal box at my hip, and ripped it from my belt. Combining my Fighting Magic with the Magitek, the box formed into a Bow, and in an instant, I spun around with an arrow aimed point blank at Davven's nose. The arrow in question made from a combination of the renewable energy invented by Harper Industries, and his own magical energies for that extra lethal kick. I tend to be a passive fellow in any given situation. However, I was in no mood for anymore surprises.

Of course, the moment I realized it was Davven, I eased back on my assault, and the bow returned to its former box-like state. I was partial towards this Angel because I recognized his face. This young man was the recent patient from Ramiel's studies with the Apparatus. My confusion lied in not knowing how he managed to get onto my helicopter, when we had sent him on his way after the trials. The only thing I could do at this point was ask him, hopefully getting answers I sought.

"Davven? This is my-... was my family cottage in the Kanto Region. Apparently a ruffian who didn't like my family decided it would be a perfect idea to add insult to injury by burning it to the ground," I spoke calmly. However clear hints of disdain, disappointment, frustration, and sorrow could be detected with every word I spoke. "I'm sorry you had to see it this way."

"Yeah, well good riddance! Come to think of it, I'll make sure you burn right along with it, you worthless phoney!"

A voice from behind me both disrupted and disturbed my train of thought. Bearing in mind the tone of the voice, I could safely assume that my first instinct about the destruction of my home was indeed fact. But before I could even turn and reply, I started to sense and feel the heat of an oncoming fireball. Continuing to trust in my instincts, I lunged forward towards Davven. In the same fashion that a linebacker would tackle an opposing player, I scooped up Davven, and pushed ourselves over the edge of the landing pad. As our bodies hit the ground from a 4 foot drop, and his body landing on mine after a midair shift to protect my passenger, the fireball flew overhead and impacted some trees nearby.

"Davven, I'll talk to you about things later! If you have a Water or Ground Type Pokémon, I'm going to need you to start putting out the fires that this Charizard starts. I'm counting on you!" I exclaimed as I clambered to my feet, keeping myself knelt down to avoid fireballs. I was in a state of panic and distress, but I wasn't about to let it show with this new enemy. As I attempted to assess the situation, I was interrupted by a decent sized dragon-shaped shadow looming over me. ".. Shi-."

"Burn, Harper scum!" the Chua shouted as the Charizard reared back for another volatile burning attack. In a rare instance, Pokémon may force themselves from their crystals in order to protect their masters. This was one of those instances. As I panicked to come up with an idea quickly enough, the heat that I was feeling over my back was suddenly vanquished. I looked up to see Charizard, eyes in the back of its head, with a large pale green right fist in its mouth. Another right hand clutching its neck. Two right hands could only mean one Pokémon. Machamp had forced itself free in order to help me.

Words weren't needed at this stage. A mastery over the Fighting Type gave me a connection to my own Fighting Type Pokémon that helped us to battle beyond words. Machamp reached one of his monstrous left arms up, and ripped the Chua from his dragon, then threw him clear to the other side of the landing pad. A motion which saw me chasing after it like a Mightyena hunting a Zigzagoon. My fight with the Chua would be short. Not to say any given Chua wouldn't stand a chance against me, but this one. He was garbage, a worthless lowlife who focused on relying on his Pokémon more than his own abilities, or his bond with those Pokémon.

The scuffle was short, and harsh words were exchanged. The argument ended with my foot on his small torso, and the bow and arrow from earlier aimed between his eyes. His final words were, 'The world is a better place with your worthless parents in the grave!' Words that were met with, 'Tell them, yourself,' before I loosed the energy arrow and watched it penetrate his skull. Every ounce of my pain and frustration was in that arrow, and it poured out with ever millimeter of a hole that burned into his head.

I stood, as Machamp still battled Charizard. I could feel Machamp's frustration building with Charizard keeping airborne and just out of reach. Though I drew a blank on every psychological and emotional level, my body was still able to act on its own accord. I arched my bow, readying another arrow. I focused on the area around the Charizard. I didn't have to kill it. I didn't want to. Killing a Pokémon was worse than anything, but I could at least distract it or wound it to allow Machamp the satisfaction of getting his hands on it. I then loosed the arrow, and as I'd hoped I clipped the beast on its right wing. Down it went, much to the delight of my hulking four-armed companion.

Gripping the dragon-like creature with all four mighty hands, he began to spin around and around. When he reached a solid velocity, he lunged the Charizard as far as he could, which was significantly farther than the Chua. My tired eyes couldn't see very well, but it appeared as though Charizard and been flung clear past Mt. Moon. With that, the fight was over. Machamp sat down in the grass, tired from the battle. He looked up at me, exhausted, suit tattered, skin scuffed up, bleeding a bit, and covered in soot and the blood of the Chua. I sat down next to my Pokémon, and watched my cabin's flames slowly die out.

"... Well, damn."


"... Again."

[Grassy_Aggron]

Pohe Vahoc
Phoenix Battalion
Bleu Plaza, Lumiose City, Kalos
Affected RPers: None

Furious clacking on a keyboard seemed to echo in the dimly lit room, creating a repetitive noise that soon enough could put anyone to sleep if one listened too long. Golden eyes peered with keen intelligence at the computer before her, lines of coding running through the screen while an annoyed frown framed her face. The task at hand appeared to be difficult, at the very least, for a half eaten sandwich lay beside her, seemingly untouched for an hour or three. Her fingers, lacking as they might be, glided effortlessly on the smooth plastic keyboard, striking keys on their own accord, while every so often a thumb smacked the space bar to cause an abrupt break in the current line. It was a miracle the machine hadn’t broken from overuse already.

“So? Can you work with it? I don’t want to not get paid because you can’t break the coding.” A voice spoke from a Mirror sitting beside the figure. “I expect the goods, and soon. I need that device.” Pohe rolled her eyes at his impatience, something that he could not see due to the phone being voice only.

“Pah, you got me the Porygon. I already fixed your machine – simple really. You got it wet, shorted out the magic conduit. Did you drop it in the toilet? Do I need to waterproof it, or can I trust you to not do that again?” The sarcasm was laden in her voice, dripping heavily.

The voice was taken aback, but recovered, a hint of anger buried within their tone. “I dropped it in my drink, and no, I don’t need it waterproofed. That’d cost me extra, anyway, and it was hard enough getting one Porygon.”

She shrugged, even though he couldn’t see it. “Should pro’lly lay off the drink, then.”

“I could easily send you a grenade, if you wanted.”

“Have fun finding someone else to fix your machines after you have too much.” A small smirk crossed her face at his indignant stuttering, but before he could get too mad, she placed a tiny rectangular device into a small whirling portal, where it disappeared and then closed. “Mmmkay, there you go. Avoid taking it into bathrooms too.” He uttered a begrudging “fine” before the link cut off, to which Pohe was highly amused. This wasn’t the first time his clumsiness had broken one of his machines, and she already knew it wouldn’t be the last.

<He sounded mad,> a prompt stated on another computer beside her. A rounded duck-shaped spaceship, colors a fabulous pink and blue, was watching her with white eyes. <Are you sure he won’t retaliate? He really could send a bomb through…>

Pohe shrugged. “Then I send it back. Besides,” to this she raised a finger, “he needs me. I’m the only one who still fixes his junk for the same price. Everyone else started jacking their prices up because he was such a frequent customer. I’m tempted to do the same at this rate.” She sighed, running her hand through her fiery hair and staring at the coding. “So close…”

<To copying the code?>

A nod. “Yes, but this encryption on it… Whoever created this really didn’t want it copied. It’s so complex, the coding as well as the protection. Nothing I can’t figure out, I’m sure, but still difficult.” She turned to look at the Porygon2. “That being said, I can’t imagine how much more difficult your own coding must be.”

Java rotated his “wings”. <Complicated. Very complicated. As long as my coding is intact, the key identifiers, it can’t be copied.> The Normal-Type watched as the gears turned in his owner’s mind, the noise as they worked audible in his head. <…Did I say something wrong?>

She shushed him, staring hard at the code for several minutes before slapping a hand down. “That’s it! The key identifiers… I just need to get rid of them!” The Angel began scrolling through lines, excitement encouraging her on while her companion watched silently. When she found what she was looking for, she began to manipulate the code, highlighting the area while her finger hovered over the “delete” key.

At this point, Java spoke up. <W-wait! If you do that, you’ll hurt it!> She turned her head, raising an eyebrow. <If you take out the key identifiers, you take out what makes it a Porygon. What allowed it to come to life with the aid of magic. You’d be killing it.>

She frowned. “Java, this is just a Porygon. You were one yourself. You weren’t programmed to feel pain or even have a sense of being alive; you just followed the motions. When I evolved you, then you got a personality, a sense of being. All this Porygon is, is coding brought to life, but without true sentience. Honestly, I don’t even know if you could consider it as being alive.”

The Porygon2 was distressed, emerging from the machine as if a portrait sprang from its canvas. <But it is alive! Would you have done the same to me?> He was rotating his wings quickly, watching her with a nervous disposition.

“…I think you know the answer to that,” she stated, looking for a small crystal with which to recall the poor Pokémon.

<No, I don’t! That’s why I’m asking!>

“Well, think on it then. You know me by now.” Before he could retort, the small, clear round crystal she now grasped in her hand glowed, sucking him inside in a flash of light. His image appeared to imprint on the inside of the crystal, and she hastily tucked the PCC back into her tool belt. Returning to the computer, she proceeded to begin the deletion all over again before a voice called out from atop the stairs.

“POHE! IT HAPPENED AGAIN!”

Oh for the love of Arceus, why couldn’t they leave that damn car alone?

[Neo Emolga]

OOC: I apologize in advance if this inconveniencies anyone (especially Spook), but... the ball needs to keep rolling.

Axel Silverfield
Phoenix Battalion
Castelia City, Unova
Affected RPers: Death's Spook, whoever else is in Castelia.

Axel was about to follow Linda, trying to discern who was this "friend" the Porygon-Z was referring to. Roland the Chua seemed just as curious, not sure what this would entail, but knew it was at least a proposition worth looking into.

And that was when there was a massive explosion in the distance, rocking the downtown area. The city was lit up in a flash for a brief moment before a blast of fire consumed half a city block, causing Axel and Roland to suddenly look at where the destruction was to see what had happened.

"D-damn it!" Roland shouted, shielding his eyes from the light.

Both of them were taken back, but as soon as Axel noticed where the explosion had occurred and the exact building that had been caught in the blast, he realized something. It didn't take him very long to make the connection at all.

"That was the Greymane building!" Axel shouted to Roland as he pointed at the destruction. "Someone's trying to stop the High Magi Council before it gets a chance to resurrect!"

"We've got to get down there!" Roland shouted. "The Repressors might be behind this and we might be able to catch them this time!"

Axel had no choice but to abandon Linda, who Axel knew she would probably understand given the circumstances. However, as Axel quickly grabbed Roland, spread his wings, and swiftly flew as fast as he could toward the destruction, he could already hear signs of panic, alarm, and chaos the closer and closer he flew toward the destroyed buildings. He knew the Greymane Building was one among several in the city that was set aside for trying to reorganize the High Magi Council, and the fact someone targeted it meant it couldn't have just been a coincidence.

As they got closer, they could see the fires, and their strange, blue color of the flames implied some kind of magical explosive has been detonated to cause the destruction. It was a different kind of attack than before, but Axel wasn't about to rule out that it wasn't the Repressors. However, he was just hoping to find one of them and make them talk. He knew it wasn't going to be easy, as it was going to require catching one of them alive... one of the highly-skilled assassins that not even some of the most powerful and influential leaders in magic could stop.

It was still too early for emergency personnel to be on the scene, but Axel knew they would be there in time. However, as much as Axel wanted to help the civilians that might be in trouble, finding and stopping whoever was responsible for this attack was a priority. For all he knew, this could have just been the first of many magical bombs set to detonate throughout the city. If there were more, he needed to find whoever set this one off in hopes of stopping the others, or else the number of casualties would be even higher.

As he flew closer, both Axel and Roland were on the lookout, trying to find something that looked out of the ordinary, such as someone pushing through crowds or acting unusual. However, considering the chaos, it was hard to make that distinction as there was general panic in all directions as emergency workers were already on the scene, trying to douse the spells with whatever water magic and water Pokémon they had on them.

"Damn it, whoever did this could be anywhere!" Roland shouted, frustrated that the search would probably turn up nothing. "They might have even used a Metro Portal by now!"

Axel was really hoping that didn't happen, but it was true. In case of emergency, the portals were kept open for evacuation purposes. Locking them down to stop one assailant could have resulted in the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands. However, if the assailant knew that the portals would remain open, they could have used it as well and be long gone.

Among the shouts, screams, and commotion, Axel tried to use whatever detection spell he could to try and weed out any possible assailant among the crowds of panicking people. It was then that one thing came to mind:

Lie detection.

In the midst of a panic, people would be confused, bewildered, and would be trying to escape. Some would be frightened, others might be ready for a possible confrontation, and some would be trying to improvise protection or escape. But only the assailant would understand the situation, and only they might tell a lie to cover their escape or leverage help from unknowing emergency workers that would only allow them to escape further.

Very often, lie detection was a very risky and unpredictable spell, as in normal circumstances, exaggerations, tall tales, and even some kinds of pranks were considered lies and would trigger the detection magic. However, in a time of commotion and panic, those elements were rapidly weeded out and suddenly fight or flight response kicked in. Using the spell required concentration, as Axel was made aware and could hear lies that were within the nearby immediate area. For him, he got the magical version of static at the moment. But there was one that really stood out from all the others.

<I need help! What's the fastest way...>

And then it faded out as it was no longer a lie. But to Axel, someone lying about needing help was a serious red flag for a possible assailant trying to act like a panicked civilian to any kind of emergency worker or city employee that would know the layout of the city and possible evacuation routes. And the fact the liar was likely asking for the quickest escape route out of the city only further confirmed his suspicions. To Axel, it was definitely a lead worth pursuing.

Axel was able to detect the lie was coming from one of the nearby city Portal Metro entrances. Immediately, he flew toward the entrance, which was already swarming with rushing and shoving civilians. However, Axel needed to hurry, as every passing second likely meant the assailant was moving further from where they lied, and Axel wouldn't be able to detect them again unless they told another lie.

Axel tried his best to fly over the mad rush of people in the Portal subway trying to take the fastest way out of the city, and he knew he was getting closer. However, he wasn't sure what to expect once he got to the lie location. He didn't know what to look for besides trying to find something out of the ordinary that stood out from all the others. Among a crowd like this, it would still be difficult to visually separate an assailant from the rest of the frenzied civilians.

He was going to need to think hard and fast... and hope he still had his luck.

[Saraibre Ryu]

Boring travel post is boring.

Remiel Barnabas
Team Awesome
En Route to Mt. Moon, Harper Cottage remains
ARPer's: XaiakuX indirectly

Flying this high and fast as an Angel had it's required skill. You had to fly fast enough to keep your legs well elevated, but not too fast that your clothes started to feel like they were being peeled of by the force of the wind. Remiel also had to be aware of where everything was at all times, as once in the air, everything became a weighted three hundred and sixty degree zones with traffic going anywhere. Other people would often go for long sky drives in their vehicles as well, as once Remiel was clipped by a few teenagers who had just gotten their first vehicle. Reckless abandon on one's part could make the other party more vigilant.

Remiel, despite working in his offices almost constantly, always made sure to stay in top physical form, especially when he was flying or it came to flight. He also had a fantastic set of direction, and even got a bit competitive with his Braviary, Bayard. In fact the pair of them often tag teamed long flight like this, with Remiel needing a rest only an hour or so ago. Luckily the massive bird was used to being opened up in mid air out of habit, so Remiel didn't need to worry.

As the landscape below him vanished from Johto to Kanto, Remiel could feel the air getting just a bit cooler. Underneath the view of his foot was the stony Pewter City, a place Remiel frequented on school trips back in elementary school. Learning about the past was one of his hobbies when he was younger, and he often wondered how they managed to keep their admission prices the same after all these years. The land changed from a leveled plateau to a more rugged mountain, with a rest stop pitted just at the typical entrance of Mt. Moon. Remiel knew he was almost at his destination, and started to descend slowly. The Harper cottage should have been close by.

It was only a few more minutes of flying in his intended route that the angel started to notice an odd grey cloud in the distance. As he grew closer to the ground, he realized that was not a cloud, but smoke. Smoke in the place he was going to meet, and it was no typical campfire smoke either. Growing worried, and cautious, he circled around a few times before finding a suitable landing spot. There were a few ways for an angel to land. One being you stopped yourself and hovered slowly, making sure you didn't injure your ankles, or you glided in and made sure your feet could keep up with your speed, and braked that way. Remiel had chosen the former, apt to make sure nothing got between his feathers. Cleaning wings was a meticulous and precise business that took too long in his eyes. Hence why he had ordered specially made gossamer covers for his own.

Remiel took a few short steps towards his destination. He wasn't much of a fighter, but that's what he had his Pokemon for, as well as his cane. Carefully making his way up a rather rugged rock, Remiel needed to figure out what had happened, and if he was the early bird or the night owl upon his arrival.

[LKWayvern]

Laura Ignavi
Virbank City to Unova Skies
Affected RPers: None

Throughout the chaos that Virbank City had become, a lone figure ran as fast as she possibly could through the chaos. Behind her followed a red armored insect, air throbbing as his humming wings propelled him forwards.
The girl guarded by her Scizor fumbled with a set of sphere shaped crystalline objects, mumbling to herself as she dodged through the seething crowds. The Night of Bloodfall had hit the city she called home rather hard, and the place was in a constant state of turmoil and riots because of it.
Yelling in triumph, she finally found the correct Carrying Crystal. Light erupted from it, before coalescing into the shape of a massive white bird with an elegant neck and massive wings.
The girl scrambled onto the Swanna as fast as she could.
"Lift off, Maris!" she yelled over the crowd's roar, similar to that of a forest fire.
The Swanna flapped her large wings, and propelled herself and her trainer off the ground, while the girl once again searched frantically through her Carrying Crystals. She returned her Scizor to it's designated container.
As Maris circled higher and higher up into the sky, the Swanna started dipping her wings as she banked towards the young neko's appartment.
"No!" the girl yelled over the winds. "We're not going back to the appartment, Maris!"
The Swanna showed no surprise. "Then where are we headed, Laura dear?" she asked.
"We're going away from Virbank City, the riots aren't getting better!" Laura replied. "We need to leave!"
Maris nodded. "Do you have any place in mind?"
"Yeah! Undella Town!" Laura yelled back. "That guy, I forgot his name. Aunt Jean's friend. He got us into the Prism League? Maybe he can give us a break from this?"
Maris didn't reply. Instead the Swanna focused on flying.
As trainer and Pokemon soared through the skies of Unova, both feeling the boisterous breezes in their fur and feathers alike, and the endless azure skies and everchanging clouds sprawling out before them, their troubles from their lives ever since that fateful, bloody night seemed to slip away. All that mattered now was the joy that bubbled up through their bodies as they soared.
Day faded to dusk and tiny pinpricks of light in the vast void of space slowly began to blink into existance. The violet flames of the arcstar slipped beneath the curve of the horizon, and the glowing silvery orb of the moon slowly floated into view.
Maris slowly descended down to the surface of Unova again. "Where are we?" Laura asked.
"Somewhere around Lostlorn Forest," Maris replied.
Laura sent out two other Pokemon, a small green one with vividly colored roses for hands, and a girly rabbitlike Pokemon with brown fur and long, silky ears.
"Hey Raider, Kai," Laura said. "We're... going on a trip. And resting here for the night. Raider, can you get some berries? And can you start a fire with your Fire Punch, Kai?"
Both Pokemon nodded, and set about their work. Once done, Laura let out the rest of her Pokemon and began to settle down, before the trainer and her party started discussing what might be happening back in Virbank, or what their new life might be like.

[Morzone]

Shawn Mazox
Member of the Prism League
His home, Celestic town
No direct affected RP'ers

"Let me get this straight"

Shawn paced his living room, a letter open on his coffee table and his assistant Vern standing before him.

"The Prism league has decided that the best course of action after the Bloodfall is to calm the riots raging through practically every city in every region. I have to admit, I agree with them on that part, but their plan of action is complete nonsense," Shawn reaches down, picks up the letter, and reads: "The Prism league elders have decided that the regions and cities with the least amount of rioting should be calmed first before moving on to large and more dangerous cities."

Shawn looked up and glared at Vern, as if this was his idea. Vern squirmed, poor man had never been good with dealing with angry or even annoyed people.

"That's- That's just what the plan is sir, I think that, um, if you helped out the small towns first, you could, um, get more supporters to follow your cause." Vern squeaked.

"I suppose that makes sense, the elders probably want support so they can worm their way into the main government and equalize themselves with team trainer." Shawn sighed and put the letter down again. "according to the letter, the elders want me to travel to several small towns in unova, Kanto, and Hoen. I will go, because they probably could use some medical help, but still... meh."

He turned and started walking toward his bedroom, pausing for a moment to tell Vern to get his flying gear. Vern left quickly, clearly glad to be away from the awkward situation. Now alone, Shawn began pulling out and sorting what he thought he would need. He quickly packed his travel medical kit, which contained his book of healing spell, though he knew it by heart, multiple full heals and hyper potions, his own herb mixes, as well as a small first aid kit. After packing clothes, his portable mirror, and a few personal trinkets, he noticed that his PCC's weren't in his room where he had left them.

This was odd, as the only time he didn't keep them in his room was when he had them on him, or when he had lent them to Vern, the only person he trusted enough to protect them. Vern probably has themHe thought, though he couldn't remember giving them to him. Putting down what he was holding, he went outside to see if he could catch Vern. What he saw made his blood freeze.

A large gang of tall, hooded people stood in Celestic town's middle clearing. Each one of them standing in front of their own Talonflame. All except one, who sat high upon the back of a large and rough looking Charzard. But this wasn't what made Shawn's blood freeze, though it certainly helped. No, what made him freeze were the three objects in the Charzard rider's hands: All three of Shawn's PCCs.

Who are these people? Why do they have my pokemon? I have to get them back! but I can't, I don't have the power to fight them. What am I going to do? For flip sake Shawn, move! MOVE! These thoughts ran quickly through Shawn's mind, but just as he steeled himself to do something, the charzard rider spoke.

"Thank you, elder of Celestic town, for giving me these gifts. Though admittedly, your town would be a little hotter if you hadn't" The rest of the group gave a few laughs at this, "Do tell Doctor Mazox that if he needs to use them, all he needs to do is call on us. That is, IF he can find us!"

With this last shout, all the riders mounted their birds and rose into the air as one. Hoever, just as they began to fly beyond the buildings, A large flash came from the Charzard, and A single pokemon jumped down to the nearest roof, a PCC clutch in its mouth.

"Ruby!" Shawn shouted, running toward his Luxray. The Charzard rider, who Shawn had decided must be the leader, did not share Shawn's enthusiasm for Ruby's release.

"All men, Fire single shots! Aim at will!" And then the town was ablaze. The riders turned and flew off, partially hidden by the smoke from the burning houses.

The fires were not a problem though, as Celestic town was home to many water pokemon, merfolk, and Chuas to control the fires. As Shawn helped heal some of the people who had been burned, he thought about what he had just witnessed. Clearly they group had come for his pokemon, but he didn'y know why. The town elder had given them his pokemon in hopes of protecting the village, something that deeply hurt Shawn, but something he also understood. Now however, he had two new problems: He had to rescue his pokemon, and he had o find safe passage to the villages he was suposed to travel too according to the Prism League. As he didn't know where the riders had flown off too, he would focus on the safe travel plan first.

Some time later, Ruby was safetly back in her PCC, and packed in Shawn travel bag. He had decided he would fly low through the trails to avoid the skies and possibly the rider group. Then he would take a Boat from SunnyShore city to Unova, where he would then fly to the town.

He quickly said his goodbyes and flew off, not wanting to waste any time. As He flew along the route however, an odd thought occured to him: The riders had spoken with high, rodent like voices I've known to come from Chuas, but every one of the riders were nearly 7 feet tall, and Chuas are not tall creatures.

[Eri]

Cipher Nine / Lehman
Route 111 Desert, Hoenn. On route to Harper Industries
Affected RPers: None


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTNuBaS2--4

A storm that deceives the eyes, that punishes those unworthy and unprepared. Unwavering and unsettling, a sand storm unrivaled, Hoenn's own Route 111 Desert. By day the sun scorches the desert which would melt even the unprepared trapinch that makes home in these parts burrowed underground. By night temperatures drop cold enough for ice types to make nest.

Walking. Traveling. Hunting. A figure pierces its way through the storm. To their advantage nightfall served them best. The moonlight served sufficient enough to illuminate the sand wasteland but also dark enough to utilize stealth. Draped in a black robe that wore off sand making contact to the skin. A hood that hid the face from those near and far. Although even these were not enough to traverse these parts. Not without a particular item.

Cipher: "It cant be helped can it?...he got away before we could approach him...it also works better this
way. One can't gain the interest of someone of his stature without offering something of
interest."

Lehman: "HAHA...your wrong once again. He better have something good to offer us in exchange for
our help. If it wasn't for his parents that kid would be a snot nosed punk incapable of helping
himself. A leech..."

Cipher: " Were doing this my way Lehman. You were far to rash in procuring these Go-Goggles".

Cipher and Lehman had left Goldenrod cemetery to pursue on a mission. The infiltration of a lab hidden within Route 111 desert.

Lehman: "We should almost be there, dont compromise the plan. We each got a part to serve!"

It wasn't long before a lab was found camouflaged into the mountain. Finding the lab would be extremely hard if not provided the route/coordinates. Lehman had interrogated a Rocket Scientist that used to be part of the Reversi Project. Cipher was able to track him down soon after they destroyed the lab.

Standing about 3 Kilometers or 1.86 Miles from the lab the two decided to begin the operation. Lehman begun by releasing Gengar.

Lehman: " Ok Gengar, Its time. Begin the Haunt"

At that moment Gengars grin grew even more sadistic as he then vanished. It only took 5 mins before windows had been shattered and screams were heard. Even from the distance that Lehman and Cipher had stood from the lab did they know that the operation had been going smoothly. It was then that a sound beneath them gained there alert.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn_s8VJATNg

A Granok Rocket guard lost his stealth as an uppercut from the beneath the sand had struck them. Lehman in time was able to guard but sending them upwards.

Lehman: " **** that was a close one."

Cipher: "Watch out, there's another guard!!!!!!!"

A Neko Rocket guard stood from a distance launching sand pellets from a distance with its psychic ability. Being suspended in the air it was impossible for them to dodge. Or so the guards had assumed. Lehman had removed there robe cloak and used there single wing to dodge the projectile attack.

Granok Rocket guard: He's an angel aim for his wing!

The Granok had shouted as he burrowed his way underground. Lehman then dodged another projectile attack and was forced to land.

Cipher: "Lehman I got this."

Cipher punched into the sand creating a distraction. The guards couldn't see him. A flash seeped its way threw the sand surrounding him. Cipher then charged his way towards the Neko Rocket Guard. The very second he took notice of the Granok about to ambush him he leaped into the air straight wards. The granok, eager, further pursued him into the air. It was then that he grabbed onto him and unleashed a furious kick that resembled a dragon tale. Lehman's doing. The Granok thrashed his way into the sand.

Cipher much aware of the Neko surprise attack had then released his Synthetic wing, which forced its way from within his back, and had then shielded himself. The Neko surprised it's attack had no effect on the wing and stood defenseless. Cipher then waved the proper hand signs conjuring lightening within his palm. With a majestic push from his wings he quickly rushed his way towards the Neko. Cipher then yelled

Cipher: "Starmie use Surf!"

A storm of water then rushed towards the Neko forcing it to jump upwards. Although the surf wasn't meant for the Neko but for the Garnok which very much so did survive Lehman's kick and lied in wait for an opening. The Neko then grasped the situation and where the source of light had come from. It was much to late as Cipher had pierced his lightening powered jab threw its body.

The fight had ceased but not for Lehman. The Garnok lied unconscious. He sat him up and looked at him.

Lehman: "Gengar use Dream Eater!"

The Garnok Screamed loudly before passing.

Lehman: "Good we should have the information needed to handle the other guards and infiltrating. Plus with that scream every guard in the area should have heard it. How about we cause a ruckus and let the wild pokemon handle them? haha"

Cipher: " Good idea. Lets sneak our way in."

Cipher and Lehman within the stronghold like lab glanced upon what they were looking for. A confirmation on there theory. A clue to the famous bloodfall assassination, the repressor ability. Cipher then decided to make the lab his new headquarters for his new research.

Cipher: " Tomorrow we make our way to Harpers HQ. We might as well find some scientists and recruits for our new base. Today marks the day of our new cause, our new group, Specter."

The two stood on top of the facility admiring their accomplishments and the screams of guards in misery.

[Daixtey]

Daixtey
Davven Spelloyal
Burning Cottage in the Kanto region

Davven tried to get with one arm up, and recover from the tackle and fall he just experienced. Nobody could like such a fall, but this was no time to just lay there and do nothing. However he at least knows where this helicopter brought him and his confusion slowly started to clear up, and the situation turned out to be even more serious than he initially thought. With the smell of the burning cottage in his nose and the sounds of fighting erupting up ahead Davven went back and kicked himself on his feet again. First thing Davven did was going to clear the task he was given and planned on, beginning to grab behind him and pull the Shiny Blue crystal out. He ran near the cottage hoping that the enemy was distracted good enough.

Reaching it the crystal shined brighter for a good second before the Feraligatr appeared stomping his 2 feet down "Alright, I need your help with this, just try to not destroy the cottage while shooting your water blasts, please" The Feraligatr nodded once before making a little grunt that sounded like it was disappointed to not use his full potential for now. But regardless of that, it didn't take long and the first beams of water hit the outside fires, while Davven looks around to find any body of water maybe he can help too with his magic. The cottage began cracking loudly when the first water started to hit them and Davven was really not sure if this was actually still able to be saved.

A loud noise startled him a little, turning around to see the fighting between the guy who hired him, Lance Harper was his name, right. He hired him back then, after Davven went out trying to find any help to restore the peace, and his cooperation seemed to work that way. But he was getting lost in his thoughts, right now his major objective was from preventing the cottage to crush down as the Feraligatr tried its best to stop the fires from spreading more. Seeing that, Davven grabbed behind him more as he had his crystals stored on the back, eventually coming back in hand with a brownish shining crystal. Released from the crystal, Davven had to cover his eyes at first as the Flygon took flight right next to him "Hey, Feraligatr needs your help and me too, save that cottage"

With that the Flygon was off too, scooping up ground and making even more to drop from the fires while flying over the cottage. Davven was still not sure how he could help but tried directing his Pokémon good enough "Feraligatr, try to avoid shooting Flygon down" It nodded once and the water beams were shooting a bit lower. So the Flygon dealt with the fires in the higher part of the cottage, eventually they got it under control as no more fires were caused without immediately being extinquished. Davven tried to see how his employer was doing hoping he could still at least help him but the only thing left that he witnessed was a Charizard being lunged away making him a bit shiver at the pure force of that Marchamp.

Davven was still careful walking up, turning around he saw his Flygon and Feraligatr putting out the last fires by either sand or water use. "It looks like me and my Pokémon could save the cottage from being completley destroyed, but it only stands barely" Davven said a tone of sadness that he couldn't save the cottage better as this was his given task was in his voice. "But I hope this was well done, if I may ask too" He looks at the Marchamp and the way the Charizard was lunged "Is there anything I need to know about the attacker?" Davven tried to hold a respectful attitude to his employer, as he didn't had much a chance of seeing how he is. While Davven is saying that, he is returning the Feraligatr and Flygon to their respective crystals. Looking back at the smoking, burned but still standing cottage.

[purple umbreon]

Lucy Tonitrui
Team Awesome
Her family mansion near Cerulean City
Affected RPers: Saraibre Ryu, Daixtey, XaiakuX indirectly


Lucy looked at the door. “Mother…?” She knocked on it. The sound echoed through the empty corridor. “Mother, are you awake?” Nobody was answering. She could hear faint sobbing coming from the other side. Did her mother hear her? She didn’t know. Ever since they heard her father died, her mother locked herself up in her room and hasn’t come out ever since. That has been about a week now. Lucy didn’t want to tell her but she was really worried. The riots got pretty bad and it seemed most likely her family would get targeted too. She had to put an end to this. Nobody wants a world filled with anger and hate. If she could bring peace, she would do it and the best way to do it was to find out who killed the world leaders and why. After that things would probably calm down and they could work to create a peaceful world. That is what her father would have wanted. Lucy put her hand on her necklace. The last gift she got from her father.

She took a deep breath and knocked on the door again. “Mother? I am going to go away for a while. I am going to find out what happened to father and stop all this fighting. I promise I will come back.” This time her mother reacted and opened the door and she looked surprised and surprisingly a bit scared at Lucy. She looked more like a zombie then a living person. Her hair was a mess and her black wings where neglected any form of care. “Gwendolyn, are you really going to leave?” She sounded weak. It seemed as if she didn’t eat for a while. Lucy looked at her mother. Her determination faltered for a bit. “Yes mother, I will.” Lucy sounded calm. Her mother looked at her. “Can’t you stay here, please?” Her mother seemed really sad and lonely. “I’m sorry mother. I have to do this. The world has to know the truth. The Mechari are suffering because of this. You don’t believe they are all bad because of this too, don’t you?” Her mother got a guilty look on her face and looked down. Lucy seemed shocked. “MOTHER!!! You can’t be serious.” Her mother looked at Lucy with a cold expression. “It were Mechari who killed your father. They aren’t even humans. How can they not be evil?” Lucy was truly shocked and angry by these words. “Urgh, I CAN’T believe you. I’m leaving. How can someone like you even be my mother?” Lucy turned around and walked away. She could hear her mother yelling at her. She didn’t even think about looking back. Why did she even worry about her?

Lucy went outside. She didn’t plan on coming back to the mansion anytime soon. A Mechari looked up and seemed to be busy with the laundry. “Miss Gwendolyn, are you leaving?” Lucy looked up. She recognized her immediately. This Mechari was her personal maid after all. “Yes Marie, I will try to discover what happened that night, for my father and for your sake too.” Marie seemed deeply moved by these words. “Thank you miss. I am really grateful to have served you. Please take care.” Lucy smiled at the maid. At least she has always been nice to her. “I will, thank you.” Lucy waved at the maid as she walked away.

It was a pretty nice day today. The riots seemed to have calmed down a bit from what she could see. Lucy decided she would fly across Mt. Moon. She was hoping someone she knew could help her in Pewter city. She was reaching the foot of the mountain when suddenly a charizard came flying past her. Lucy looked confused and surprised at it as it fell down through the trees into the ground. Lucy hesitated and slowly descended and landed next to it. The charizard seemed badly injured. It looked at her and it seemed a bit distressed with her being there. Lucy carefully rubbed the neck. “I won’t hurt you. I promise. I just want to help you.” The charizard made a small noise and seemed to have calmed down a bit. Lucy concentrated and tried to heal the charizard with her magic. She managed to do it and the charizard seemed really grateful to her. “Well, I hope you feel better now. I have to go now though.” Lucy stood up and wanted to leave but the charizard was acting strange, as if it wanted her to follow him as it flew up. Lucy was confused and curious at its behaviour and flew after it. It seemed to be headed in the direction of Mt. Moon. She could see smoke rising in the distance. Did something happen there? She would find out soon enough. The charizard seemed to be heading that way.

[Morzone]

Shawn Mazox
The Prism league
Sunnyshore City(Sinnoh), boat from Sunnyshore to Castellia.(Unova)
Affected RP'ers: indirect Axel Silverfield, anyone watching the news.

Boats were not Shawn's favorite means of travel. Not because he didn't like the ocean or that he was seasick, but because they were somehow never on time. Sometimes they showed up early, sometimes late, And, unfortunately, his particular boat chose this day to be very late.

This left him with a good amount of time on his hands. So he let Ruby out to stretch her legs, and he went walking through the streets of the beautiful city. As he walked, the tensions caused by the night of Bloodfall showed themselves, though to some people it might have been less obvious. Shawn could tell, however, that trust was at a low point. The streets, which had been bustling with many joyous people during his travels, were now empty, save for himself and one or two shoppers who seemed scared just to be out in the daylight.

What really caught his attention however, were the large tents that been hurriedly created on the edge of town. On closer inspection, he saw that a large number of Mechari families were clustered around the front of the tents, cleaning clothes and cooking food.

"It seems the people here have singled out the Mechari as the cause of all the recent problems," Shawn murmured to himself, "I have heard that this has been happening in a lot of places, actually. I wonder if it's true or not, I personally doubt that the mechari were the only ones behind those assassinations."

At this point however, a large horn sounded from the other side of the city. His boat had arrived. Finally. Sending a mental message to Ruby, who was probably out by the beach searching for something only she knew about, he hurried back to the dock. Ruby joined him quickly, and together they walked up into the ship.

"Sir, Pokemon must be kept inside their crystals when on the boat." Said a young sailor, stopping them just past the door. His bravado did not last long however, as Ruby turned her Mean Look ability on him. "G- go right ahead, sir.." he mumbled.

Looking around for where to go next, he quickly spotted a sign pointing toward a sitting area. The room was not too large, but it was packed full with large and comfortable looking seats. Shawn a seat near a large Mirrorvision, and ruby curled up beside him for a good long nap. Not feeling tired himself, Shawn instead turned on the news, hoping to learn something about the rioting he was supposed to help prevent in Unova. Unfortunately, when he turned it on all he got was a pokemart commercial, not something he felt like watching. He was just about to turn it off again when the news did come on, in the form of an emergency broadcast.

"This is an emergency broadcast relating to the rioting occurring in Castelia city, Unova. Earlier today, an unknown force has attacked the Greymane building, one of the main facilities of the High Magi Council. As everyone well knows, the High magi council was destroyed in the night of bloodfall. Clearly, this is an attempt by someone to stop the council from returning to its previous state. This video was taken only minutes ago from the 7th floor of neighboring building," the announcer reported.

In horror, Shawn and the other passengers who were listening watched as the news cut to scene of panic and chaos, surrounding the wreckage of the large, majestic Greymane building. Large colorful flames, clearly from a magical source, ran uncontrolled through its floors. For a moment, the video showed the chaos of the ground level: people running in every direction, shouts of threats toward whoever the causer was, and a comparatively small number of emergency workers trying to calm the crowds. Just as the video began to move back toward the flames in the building, Shawn noticed something odd: An angel, flying over the crowds holding a Chua. Normally Shawn would have though this was simply someone saving their friend, if not for the fact that while every one else was fleeing the building in a panic, this duo was flying straight toward it, aiming to get inside.

As he pondered who they could be, for they did not have the bright clothes of emergency workers on, the video moved toward the the roofs of other buildings, where emergency workers were attempting to shoot water at the higher floors. Again, he noticed something odd in the background, two things actually. The first was a small, purple and blue Pokemon flying in the distance. A porygon, or possible one of its evolutions, the distance made it impossible to be sure. The second, and to Shawn the most important, was a lone hooded figure standing on a building and watching the chaos. Beside him stood a large Charzard.

Mysterious duos, a random porygon or its evolution, and the hooded charzard rider. Shawn didn't know if he was the same one that he'd seen in Celestic town or not, but he doubted that they weren't related. The other thing he doubted was that the hooded figure had caused the fire at Greymane building. The fire riders, which is what Shawn had decided to call the group, had not used any magic, but instead had their Pokemon create the fire. The fire at the building was clearly magical.

Turning the Mirrorvision off, as the Emergency report had finished, Shawn had learned two very important facts: that the fire riders were not the only organized group rising out of all the rioting, and that someone related to the fire riders was stationed in Unova. As for the Porygon evolution and the odd duo, he would keep that information in the back of his head for later. For now, he settled down against Ruby's wonderfully soft and warm fur to take a nap. It was going to be a long boat ride.

[Grassy_Aggron]

(P.S. The new "character" in this post doesn't yet have a name. Feel free to send me suggestions guys :P Dunno how often it will be featured but XD 'Tis something fun.)

Pohe Vahoc
Phoenix Battalion
Bleu Plaza, Lumiose City, Kalos
Affected RPers: Still none :P

“So,” the Angel stated, holding a headlight in one hand while examining the damaged wires that barely held it in place, “how did the ‘hide and hope they won’t see me’ tactic work?” The machine she was beside dwarfed her in her crouched position, body shaped – as eloquently as possible – like a square with a rectangle attached to it. The truck’s chassis was well kept, gleaming midnight black with electric blue highlights in the shape of swirls lining its side. The company name was blended on them, boldly gold and eager to advertise. In place of wheels, like most flying vehicles, were pivoting vents through which the magic was propelled – and being a truck for heavy lifting, the back vents were doubled up to provide additional power, even if it made the automobile look fat.

The other headlight flashed in apparent annoyance. “Do you even need to mock me? You are handling my optical equipment – I am sure that is more than apparent to tell you the results, Ms. Vahoc.”

“Mocking is part of my job. Sassing Karl is the other.” Lifting the cable, she shook her head, grabbing a pair of scissors and snipping the damaged component off. Stripping it, she delicately wrapped another wire in its place, pulling out a specialized wire clamp. Having been enchanted by Karl Beem himself, it would meld the wires and their casings together with ease, but like every other time before her she hesitated to use it. Instead, she placed a hand on the cables, wishing them to repair with the very same spell.

Absolutely nothing happened – not even the twinge that using magic was supposed to bring. She frowned and used the tool until she heard the vehicle speak up once more. “Ms. Vahoc,” it stated quietly, remaining camera focused on her (the camera in question being part of the headlight, in a small section above the light source so as to avoid being blinded), “is everything all right? You seem distressed.”

Twisting the headlight on a bit more forcefully than needed, eliciting a miniscule honk from the truck, she huffed. “More annoyed than distressed.” Quiet pervaded the area while she reattached the piece, before she deigned to break it. “Dunno why I thought my magic would suddenly work. Hasn’t worked my entire life, won’t work now.”

“...That must be frustrating, especially when you see even an enchanted vehicle such as myself using magic freely.” She moved to examine the vent on the front left side, which had apparently gotten potatoes shoved up inside which rendered it unable to operate and at risk of suffering a magical backlash. That is the process in which the energy builds up with no escape, eventually surging back to where it originated as that area becomes less magically pressured. People thought it’s funny until the entire vehicle’s operating system explodes, sending it plummeting to the ground from significant heights. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

Scooping out some of the mess, Pohe snorted. “Remind me again why Karl enchanted you to talk and think, again?” She almost felt the truck shudder from the question.

“Because Master Beem is an atrocious driver. It was much safer to let me think and fly for him, ‘lest he get us and others killed by his inability to appreciate the word ‘stop’ on signs.” It paused for a moment before continuing as another thought crossed its mind. “Also, a yellow light does not mean ‘speed up’. Please, for the love of Arceus, slow down!”

“…What are you, a public safety announcer?” Pohe slid on her back, pulling the vent forward and reaching in with a cloth. After some cleaning and checking, she instructed the automobile to fire up its engine. Thankfully, the repair had done its job, as it hovered rather effortlessly above the ground, violet energy radiating softly from each exit. “Good. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to something.” Turning, she went back inside, from which a voice issued from the kitchen.

“Did you fix it?”

“Yeah, it’s fixed.” Opening the door, she began to descend, going back to her computer. Rechecking where everything was, she finally was able to hit the “delete” command, erasing lines of indentifying code. Highlighting what remained, she tentatively hit the copy command, smiling when Silph Co’s prompt that prevented her from doing so did not appear. She now had two copies, but without hesitation set the machine to copy several more, as she was bound to screw things up.

With that currently in progress, she turned back to the table behind her where three machines sat in a row, the first two machines having glass spheres atop them while the last had two pairs of wires in a “v” position. The first device was also connected to another sphere, held in place and filled with buzzing electrical magic. The purpose of the machine was to first siphon out any elemental impurities in the magic, to avoid possible contamination. The second machine was to separate the magic from the element, and the third was to produce the element in its raw, untainted form. She had no problems with the first part, but it was the second part that was difficult. Finding something to attract magic so strongly, as well as something that attracted electricity in much the same way, was proving to be a nearly impossible task.

What materials can do that? She didn’t want to use magic – she couldn’t, really, for that would pollute the sample all over again. She had to find a naturally occurring material to fulfill that purpose, and that was proving difficult. I think it’s time to contact Chihuahua. He may know something, or at least have a lead. It wasn’t like she had much choice, and her project depended on getting a resolution. So close… So close!

[Morzone]

(OOC: look, I tried to make the traveling post interesting okay? it's still boring, but at least I tried. Also grassy your magic truck should be called Harley, just because.)

Shawn Mazox
The Prism league
Boat off the western edge of Castellia, Unova skies, Undella town
Affected: indirect Laura Ignavi, anyone in castelia who might look at the sky

The Sun was just past its highest point when the loud and rather obnoxious captain's voice came over the loud speaker: "Attention all passengers, the S.S. Milotic has arrived at Castellia city. However, due to the recent attacks in Castellia city, docking and disembarking will be postponed until further notice. Thank you for your cooperation." The speakers shut off, and rumble of grumbling came from the passengers.

This suited Shawn just fine however, as he had decided the safest route would be to avoid populated areas and fly directly to his temporary home. Luckily, the Prism League Elders had decided not to place him inside the city he was positioned to assist, but in a town nearby. He pulled out his letter again just to be absolutely sure of his destination.

"You are first assigned to calm the rioting that is taking place within the Unova city of Lacunosa. With your best wishes at heart, the Elder counsel has decided not to place you residency within the rioting city, but instead in the small town nearby by, Undella town," Shawn murmured to himself and to Ruby, who stood next to him expectantly. "Well I might as well get to the skies, the flight won't be long if I stay above the clouds and head straight there."

Putting the letter away, Shawn quickly jogged to the outer deck, where he could get a clear view of the partially cloudy sky above him. Extending his wings to their fullest extent, he admired their beauty for a moment before take off. The glimmering silver feathers he had inherited from his mother rustled softly in the slight sea breeze, spreading life through every inch of perfect plumage. Then in flash, he swept his great wings downward, launching high above the polished wooden deck of the boat. Turning to fly northeast toward his destination, he pulled out Ruby's PCC and recalled her. She was not fast enough to travel under him on foot.

As he put the PCC back into his bag, he glanced at the empty slots next to the crystal: one for Seth's and one for Crystal. Sadness pervaded Shawn at the sight, he missed his two Pokemon greatly, and as he flew, he thought about what he would have done differently so far if they hadn't been stolen. Seth, that jumpy, crazy Absol would have been sent off ahead of him as soon as he had neared land. A message secure in a small pouch, he would use Extreme speed to arrive much faster than Shawn could have dream of doing himself. Shawn wished he could've been able to land in Undella town and be greeted by a loud and joyful bark and a tackle by his energetic partner.

Crystal, his wonderful and caring Audino, would have sung a melody to the chimes of her heal bell. Not only helping Shawn to sleep on the over crowded boat, but to protect his dreams and calm his nerves. Shawn had a feeling he would miss those gloriously soothing sounds very much over the next few days, maybe even weeks.

These thoughts and similar ones filled Shawn's mind as he flew high above the clouds, completely on his own. The only time he was distracted from memories of his missing partners was as he flew over Lostlorn forest, where by looking through a hole in the clouds he saw what looked like a single person with a few Pokemon, setting up a campsite. He was unable to be sure, but he guessed the person was probably female. This did not intrigue him very much however, and his thoughts quickly returned to his Pokemon.


The Sun was setting when Shawn touched down in Undella town. Most of the people were still out and about, watching the sunset on the beach. Shawn decided against joining them, he was dead tired after flying all afternoon and most of the evening. He looked quickly for the house where he would be staying.

"There's an old member of the Prism league here, real big on recruiting new people. I think his house was... that one," Shawn told a freshly released Ruby, pointing at a medium sized house near the Villa.

When Shawn walked up to the house, he found the old man asleep on his porch. Deciding not to wake him up, he wrote a quick note on some paper and left it next to him. Shawn then let himself into the home, finding one of the two unoccupied rooms and dumping his things in it. He then laid down on the gloriously soft bed, and slept. His traveling was finished, but the real work started tomorrow.

[TheoreticalSelkie]

((OOC: post's a bit messy, will clean up tomorrow.))

Galen Phloros
Phoenix Battalion
Castelia City Hospital, Unova >>> Greymane Building, Castelia City, Unova
Affected RPers: Death's Spook, anyone else near the fire

There was a soft click as Galen unlocked the door to her office. Compared with the other doctors' offices in the hospital, her office was medium-sized and sparsely furnished. She was rarely ever in here, except when forced to rest by the committee of doctors that had formed out of concern for the health of all the doctors in the hospital. After all, many of them were overworked from all the new patients streaming in from day to day. For Galen, it was a bit of a laughable matter as she was built to have little need for sleep.

In the office, there were few artificial lights. Most of the room was lit up by sunlight streaming in through the window during the day. On a different side of the office was a passably wooden desk, covered in burn marks and manila folders. A soft, black office chair accompanied the desk, where a Lopunny slept, curled up in sweet dreams. Galen strode over, stroking the Lopunny's head fluff before turning to the rest of the desk. She reached out and picked up the Mirror lying on one corner, dialing Gabriel's number as she put it up to her head.

Before Gabriel could answer, the light in the office shifted from white to blue as a large, magical blaze consumed a section of the city. Instantly, Galen went to the window, observing as civilians started running away from the center of the disaster. Blue fire... most likely a magical explosive. That's where one of the city hubs is. How many were injured? Through the window, she could barely see the blackened frame of the burning building in the fire. The smoke hung low over the city -- an ominous omen. Just outside her office, the stampeding of feet raced past her doors. Panic? She wouldn't know until she stepped out.

"Sorry, Mr. Phloros, but this seems to be serious." Galen apologized to the Mirror. In the chaos, every EMT in the hospital would be racing towards the scene. Having just been certified as one, Galen was obligated to answer the call. Her desk screeched as she pulled open a drawer, taking out the worn doctor's coat, several sizes too large. She pulled on the worn coat and hung the other one on the back of the chair, taking care to slip her bike keys into a pocket. And of course, her PPCs, which went into the other pocket. Grabbing the messenger bag, Galen glanced back at the roaring blaze and then stepped out into the hallway.

Down a few flights of stairs and out the back door was Galen's route to her bike, parked in the front of the large parking lot near the hospital. On the way she encountered several panicked nurses. Understandably, the attackers could move on to the hospital, injuring and killing many more people that had been caught up in the civil conflict. Even from a distance, any onlookers could see that the fire was an unnatural phenomenon. It wasn't much of a stretch to assume that the fire could even spread to the other districts of the city. Contemplating the cause of the fire, Galen started up the bike. Sirens built up to a deafening roar as the ambulances raced towards the scene. Galen darted into a side alley, taking the longer way around to avoid the backed-up streets and fleeing citizens.

When she arrived, the blaze was barely held in check by firefighters and their water Pokemon. Was it the magical nature of the fire resisting their efforts? Leaving the bike by a dumpster, Galen jogged over to the ambulances.

"How many wounded?"

"Not sure, there's still people stuck inside the Greymane! No one can get in there to rescue them!"

"Understood."

"Hey, wait, you can't just go in there, even if you're..." The harassed technician shouted after Galen's back. His words fell on deaf ears as she parted the crowds easily with her larger size.

Dead or alive, she would bring back someone.

[Saraibre Ryu]

Remiel Barnabas
Team Awesome
Mt. Moon
ARPer's: XaiakuX Daixtey purple umbreon

Remiel landed with a cautious thud. He pulled the scarf from his face and pocketed his goggles. He was a fair ways away, about a hundred feet or so from the plume of smoke. With cane in hand as well as calling his Milotic, Cress out, he motioned for her to be quiet, and she nodded. The Milotic moved over in between the trees, floating just a few inches off the ground. She put out some smoldering fauna as the Angel went and continued forward. The smell of smoke was thick, and would no doubt be carried through his jacket. He made sure not to step on any twigs, avoiding any confrontation as much as possible, though he had no idea he was about to make one himself.

Upon looking at the remains of the cottage he was meant to have a meeting in, Remiel saw two things at first: fire, and then bodies. Becoming shocked at first, it only grew into confusion when he saw the company helicopter from Harper Industries, and that all of the bodies were not alive. There was a lifeless Chua on the ground with a well-aimed head wound of sorts, no doubt from a projectile. Growing in emotions ranging from anger, shock, paranoia and frustration, he whistled for Cress and pointed at more of the fires, to which she immediately began to put out.

“Harper, what in the name of the Arcstar is going on!? I thought I was called for a meeting, not the aftermath of a war zone!” Remiel spat at him, stabbing his cane into the ground to emphasise his words. “You have a brief moment to explain yourself!”

Remiel was already wary of Harper Industries, but he was wary of anyone. This was an absolute maddening of the mind, as he had much more to do and to be called out to this? This was not what he expected and while that may not have been what Lance had expected either. Upon letting his vision widen a bit, he recognized one of the Apparatus testers was also there, and was curious as to why he was here as well. Was the original meeting to talk about possible side effects? He wasn’t sure, but with some Beta Aparatus’ missing and now the scene in front of him, Remiel wanted answers, and he wanted them quickly.


Elsewhere... in Goldenrod


Back in the offices, people were quickly becoming crowded as Zier was appointing people to rooms. Some of the looting had left some very injured, and the hospital was growing thin in space. Remiel’s offices, while not a true hospital of the physical kind, had taken in a lot of the minor injured, who were sitting in the office, or placed in rooms on the beds while they were patched up. Amongst them were the paranoid, scared and unquiet, to which Zier had a fine enough time keeping a hold of.

That was until a Mechari walked into the room.

Zier had heard a familiar patient, Earl, start shouting and pointing at the two that entered, prompting a turn of heads and unwarranted glares of suspicion and hate. Zier quickly put Earl in a room and approached the two.

“Hello, bonjour, how may I help you?” He greeted peasantly and with a short bow.

“My sister and I were redirected here from the hospital.” One of them said, who had their arm around his sister’s shoulder, covering a gash. “It looks like it needs a firm healing spell, but I’m not good at those… also she’s been feeling unwell and not sleeping due to nightmares since…”

The male Mechari looked around, seeing people turn their heads away when he looked at them. Zier patted his shoulder, glaring back at the other patients. He couldn’t entirely blame them though, fear was thick in the air. “Do not worry, we’ll have you sit in one of our spare examination rooms, and I’ll have someone get to that right away.”

The male Mechari nodded thank you as the Neko lead the pair of them into said room, having the sister sit on the paper covered bed. With a crinkling to show she was adjusted, Zier left the room quickly, explaining he would get a free nurse. He left the door ajar just enough for the female to peer into the office across the hall, which was Zier’s office. On the table was a computer Mirror, and part of an Aisling Aparatus.

The sister pointed it out to the brother. Neither of them said anything further about it when the nurse came in.

[XaiakuX]

Lance Harper
Team Awesome
Harper Family Cottage
Affected RPers: Daixtey, Saraibre Ryu, purple umbreon

The flames dithered and I didn't know what to be more impressed by. That this guy I barely knew agreed to help me and successfully save the wooden structure of the cottage. I guess a near death experience tends to bond people who don't know each other. I made my way over to Davven, and placed my hand on his shoulder. "Good work, kid. I appreciate your help," I said to him, patting his shoulder once and walking towards the gardening shed. The shed was secured by genetic imprint, so I had to place my hand on the door for it to recognize me. There wasn't a lot of larceny around this area, but bandits were here and there, so it was good to keep things safe and secure. Could I just buy another piece of equipment? Sure I could, but I don't want to.

So I placed my hand on the door and it opened. Behind it there were several tools needed for gardening. Sure we had automated systems, but I didn't need it. I had two good hands and a shovel. Also, this particular scenario called for a bit of digging. I grabbed 3 shovels, handed two to Machamp, and looked to Davven once more. "If you would be so kind, sir. Could you and your Pokémon go find some large rocks? There's a wheel barrow here in the shed, and a stream just around the other side of property. This fool may have been a heretic pyromaniac, undeserving of a proper burial. But I can't just leave dead bodies strewn through my garden."

Just as I said that, my cat-like senses detected a familiar presence. "Remiel," I said, standing up, and dusting off poorly. It would be completely impossible to cover up this murder scene. However, it wouldn't be impossible to tell him the truth of what happened and have him believe it. Considering I had about four eye witnesses who saw it all. I dropped my thought of digging and approached my colleague before he could see the carnage, having completely forgotten that my hair was disheveled, my suit was torn and scuffed up, and I was covered head to toe in Chua blood and dirt. I stood to greet him, shovel over shoulder. "Bout time you showed up. I could have used you yesterday ago."

“Harper, what in the name of the Arcstar is going on!? I thought I was called for a meeting, not the aftermath of a war zone! You have a brief moment to explain yourself!”

I opened my mouth to comply, but I thought otherwise. I closed my mouth and put the shovel down. "Now Remiel, We've known each other for, like.. a couple weeks now? I'm pretty sure you know that I wouldn't just up and kill a guy without good reason," I spoke as if to make light of my recent actions, "See, this was one of those heretics that thought my family was behind the Night of Bloodfall. Decided to make it personal and come after me. Granted, I didn't want to fight him, but he didn't really give me much option."

I sighed and sat down in the grass, the effects and emotions beginning to set in, now that I've had to recollect on recent events. "I think his original intention was just to burn down the cabin. But he probably heard and saw the chopper coming in. Decided it was worth investigating. All I can honestly recall from the start was a harsh statement and then a whole lot of fire sent towards Davven and myself. I got Davven out of harm's way, and fought the Chua while Machamp fought his Charizard. Which you may or may not have seen go flying over Mt. Moon."

I lied back in the grass and just contemplated the whole scenario, my mind wandered as my mouth kept moving, "His last words were, 'The world is a better place with your worthless parents in the grave,'" I spoke with a mock tone in my voice, "I could answer with was, 'tell them yourself.'"

I chuckled at myself, and rested the back of my hand on my forehead to block out the sunlight. "How lame is that? Tell them yourself. I'm about to kill you, and that's all I've got to say. I'm such a loser."

[purple umbreon]

Lucy Tonitrui
Team Awesome
Her family mansion near Cerulean City
Affected RPers: Saraibre Ryu, Daixtey, XaiakuX

Lucy kept following the Charizard. They were getting closer to the pillar of smoke. The smell of burned wood lingered in the air. The smoke wasn't so thick anymore. Maybe someone put out the fire. She really had no clue what was going on and she wasn't so sure she wanted to know.

The Charizard roared and dove into the smoke. Lucy hesitated for a bit and flew after it. The smoke was burning her throat and was making her eyes tear up. She was a bit scared that the forest would still be on fire but what she saw was not what she would have expected to see. When she got closer the scene shocked her. There were dead bodies around and there was a half burned down cottage. There were also some people around and one seemed to want to bury the bodies.

Before she realized what was going on, the Charizard landed on the ground next to what seemed to be a dead Chua and roared again. For some reason it seemed happy. Then it noticed the Machamp and it suddenly let out a Flamethrower in the air and it seemed to want to fight it. Lucy was confused by what was going on. She was also curious to who those other people are but she didn't know if she should go closer or not. Could she trust them? Did they maybe cause all this? She didn't know. She just stayed in the air for a bit, waiting to see what would happen.

[Daixtey]

Daixtey
Davven Spelloyal
Team Awesome
Burned down coattage in Kanto, behind Mt. Moon
Affected Rpers: purple umbreon XaiakuX Saraibre Ryu

Davven was looking at the shovel, he could think what he wanted from him. Looking back at the bodies, it was a really unpleasing sight and he nodded while taking the shovel. Davven called back his Flygon in the meantime, but pointed his Feraligatr to follow him and pointed at the bodies "Carry those carefully, please". Feraligatr walked over to the dead Chua and the Helicopter, putting the bodies on his shoulders and arms. Davven tried making no disgusting look but it was kind of hard, but it also was for the best to put the bodies away.

As they collected the bodies, Davven threw the shovel over his shoulder and saw out of the corner of his eye another Angel coming close. Davven didn't look much as he already knew how the person looked that invented the appartatus that he was employed to experiment with. Focusing on the task he was given he began walking to the location that Harper gave him luckily he said it could be close by. Ramming the shovel into the ground, and trying to dig some big chunks out to make this quick. Thinking about it, he let his Feraligatr dig out with his claws a hole too next to it. It was going quick until he heard a crashing noise and he thought seeing something.

It made Davven a bit curious hearing the roar of a Charizard again, he didn't know what was going on. He had to hold his Feraligatr back which was already hard enough "No, we still have to finish this". His hole was already deep enough, and he carefully put one of the bodies in and started to close it up. Patting the ground to make it seem normal again, he did it with the other body too. Nodding once at the Feraligatr looking over the makeshift holes that he closed up "You did good" the Feraligatr nodded back and Davven returned it.

As soon as he could he made his way back to the place of the cottage. The sight scared him at first, it looked like the Charizard returned but then somebody else was with it. Not knowing who it was he moved closer to Harper "What is going on?" Davven tried to ask quickly. He didn't like how everythign was happening so quick now as he was looking up and down the new person and the Charizard with it. The other person was still here too, looks like more and more problems are happening and he was trying to see what his employer would say somehting to this.

[Grassy_Aggron]

(I shall keep the name Harley in mind, Morzone. Imma see if anyone else suggests too, to be fair :P )

Pohe Vahoc
Phoenix Battalion
Bleu Plaza, Lumiose City, Kalos
Affected RPers: Still none, because build up takes time.

Pohe grinned, clapping her hands together as she stared at the two small pieces of ore in front of her. Sure, it had cost her a fair amount, but it was a necessary price for science. Whipping out a screwdriver, she pried open the second machine, fastening the rocks into place. The one that attracted magic was placed near the conduit that led to the sphere, while for electricity it was placed on the main conduit which would lead to the third machine. Her excitement was tangible as she switched it on, listening to the whir as it activated. Magic spilled down the first machine and very little was pulled from it – she had a good sample, after all – and in the second, she clapped her hands as what appeared to be raw, white energy spilled into the sphere. That alone was a triumph, as every time before it was tainted yellow from its electrical element.

The third machine’s two antennae lit up as electricity sparked between them, and she pulled out another tool which could detect the presence of magic. These weren’t all that rare due to how common it was, but it was rare in how sensitive it was to the stuff. This device had been an, ehm, gift, from her contact Sneasel, after repairing her heist kit’s malfunctioning rope pulley, which she used to rappel down and up buildings. Magic was easy to detect with the right tools – sheer talent and skill, however, were not.

Pushing it close to the electricity, the screen lit up as it measured the amount of magic left in it. Pohe could feel a bit of sweat on her forehead, nervous, as the screen continued to display that it was calculating. After what seemed to be hours, but was instead a mere few seconds, it let out a beep. Simultaneously, Pohe let out a curse. There was still some magic left in the sample, very little but enough to let her know something wasn’t working. She had a feeling that the magic she had pulled out was also still a bit polluted with electricity, which indicated to her that attraction simply wasn’t enough. The ores weren’t pulling strongly enough, and as a result there wasn’t a complete separation of the two. Shutting the machine off, she pulled out her phone and dialed her contact.

A squeaky voice answered. “So, Outcast, how did it go? Did it work?”

Her lips twitched a bit into a frown. “No, it didn’t.” She was disappointed, but on the other hand, the low amount detected suggested she was close. “I need something more… Attraction isn’t enough, so I need to look at repulsion as well. So, naturally, I need ore that can repulse magic and likewise for electricity.”

The other line was silent for a moment. “I can swing you the ore for electricity right away, that one isn’t that hard. The one for magic, though, is going to cost you a lot more, and I need a little time to get it. Governments, research companies, they all have a monopoly on the stuff because in large quantities it can be potent. I’ll contact you as soon as possible, though.”

She frowned, but knew there was no other option. “All right. Send them both over at the same time – I’d prefer to pay for both than first one, and then the other. Unless you need something fixed?”

“Nah, everything is still working fine; it’s probably because you fixed them before,” he laughed. “I’ll sign off and get to work on that for my favorite customer. Good luck, Outcast, and keep going. You’re almost there!” Before she could retort, the call ended, and she sighed. Somehow, she couldn’t get irritated at his encouragement, and that frustrated her. Turning to the computer, she could see that her copies had been successful, and she made her way over to start messing with the code. She had, prior to this, long since drafted up a code for her prototypes, but now that she could actively work on implementing it, she was doubtful to how well it would work. Theories often worked well, but in experimenting they fell flat at least half the time.

Sitting down on the computer, she renamed the code to "FireCat" and proceeded to start reworking it. If there was one thing she was even better at doing than all of her scientific, engineering "nonsense" (as some people put it), it was budgeting her time wisely. Maybe, the Angel thought with amusement, I should apply to be a lead construction engineer somewhere. Lots of money, after all, and not dealing with legal complications. Usually. She frowned. Although that'd mean I'd have to deal with a lot more people... Eck. Never mind. I'll stick to doing what I know best.

After a bit of this, she flipped on the radio, stopping when she heard of the attack on the Greymane Building, which was used for the High Magi Council in Unova. There were reports of death, more damaged buildings caused from both the initial explosion and resulting fire, and suspicion all around. Listening for a moment, she flipped it off before calling up the stairs. "KARL!"

She heard a thunk as he dropped something, a curse, and then the door of the basement opened up. "No need to shout so loud! I dropped a hammer on my foot, birdbrain." She rolled her eyes. "What is it?"

"Get the truck in the garage," came her simple response.

Some silence. "But you know it doesn't like it in there - too cramped and dark."

"Greymane Building in Unova was attacked and exploded. Blame is probably going to fall more heavily on the Mechari, again. Last time they pulled its headlight out and shoved a potato up a vent. They might do worse this time." There was no response, likely because of the news sinking in. "Now would be a good time, by the way, unless you're fine waiting for your vehicle to get redesigned by angsty teenagers and moronic adults."

"...I...I, yeah, I'll go and convince it..." More silence. "...You don't think...?"

She shrugged, even though he couldn't see it from up the stairs. "People do dumb things. If there is one constant between all the races, between all living things, it's that we're going to screw crap up and then blame someone else for it. That's just how it goes. So what if there are some Mechari involved? I can guarantee that every other race is involved too."

"Thanks, Pohe."

"Yeah, yeah, now move your shiny metal tin can before I kick it out there myself!"

[Death's Spook]

(Gah. Crap post is a piece of crap. Sorry for the ridiculous wait.)

Michael Phloros
Phoenix Battalion
Castelia City Skies
ARPers: Velocity

I nodded at Aria's last query, but I was thinking more about the situation at large as we flew.

The emotions on Aria’s face were probably more illuminating than she would ever want to know. It was likely that most people wouldn’t realize the stories that these emotions told, but I had a lot of practice with cold reading, and could put the pieces together.

Aria was tense, worried. She was far too levelheaded to actually panic, but she was thrown off by the discrepancies in my public appearances and my actual behavior behind closed doors. In an ideal world, full disclosure would have helped with that. In this world…

I took a deep breath, "I know that you're a bit wary of working with me. I know the feeling more than you realize. I don't hate you enough to tell you all the details of what I do, but I promise I'm doing the best I can to work for good guys, even if..." I'm not one of them, I thought, trailing off before I could finish the sentence out loud. I didn't have regrets, exactly, about the sorts of things I did, but the facts were that they were not the acts of a good person.

Meh. I'd walk the road to hell if it made others' lives better.

I let the conversation pause for a few seconds as we landed in an area sheltered from the public, with Madeline waiting for us. I was just getting glad that things were going my way for once, when suddenly the explosions started.

“God FU-!" <Language!>

I didn’t have time to directly make an appeal for what I wanted to do with Aria. Mind to mind contact was a topic I’d intended to broach with her, but more delicately than I was being forced to do now. I didn’t force my way into her mind (an act that’s tantamount to declaring war on someone), but I lightly pressed my mind on hers, waiting for her to let me in.

It took her a couple seconds, but she let me in. Quickly, I started telepathing, <Aria. That explosion came from the same direction as the Graymane building. This is your first assignment, one I think you’d do anyway: go. Act, help. And,> I reached for my Key Stone, concealed so no one could see it. In front of us, a sudden cocoon enveloped Madeline, concealing her form for a second. When she emerged, her ears were far less frilly, her fur far more compact and practical; she was clearly in a shape to fight. <Take Madeline with you. She won’t be recognizable Mega Evolved, and while you’re incredible artillery, she’s excellent in CQC. I’m going to look for the people who did this, and question them.>

I didn’t give her much of a chance to respond. The first person I questioned in front of her literally exploded, and I didn’t need hesitation right now. So even though we weren’t too far from the Graymane Building, I cast illusions around Lenore and I as the Gardevoir teleported us to the location.

The scene was utter chaos. A part of me revolted at the panic, the terror, the way it struck me at deep and visceral level, that I shouldn’t be here. Lenore looked vaguely queasy as Tifón tried to look resolute and didn’t wholly succeed. It was an entirely normal reaction.

So because I’m screwed up in the head, my brain made me look around and try to identify potentially suspicious individuals. My head reasoned that this was a terrifying event, and anyone not displaying appropriate terrified body language was most probably involved. This was all logical and cohesive and even as I found someone who fit the criteria, I wanted to be angry my inability to turn off my planning and manipulation abilities. I mean, such an inability was vital to maintaining my operations, an important lynchpin in guiding the world to be a better place, but…

Let’s just say I still hate my brain sometimes.

It didn’t take me long to identify a Granok who looked out of place to me. She was running, yes, but it looked like she was acting scared than actually being scared. Most people wouldn’t have noticed the difference, but I’m fairly positive I’ve established I’m not most people. I grabbed a handkerchief and brushed past her inconspicuously with it. As soon as it seemed like she wasn’t paying attention to me anymore, I made to follow her.

As the Granok got to a more concealed place, she dropped the act. Her demeanor was wary, but it was still more confident than it should have been, given that she proposed to be someone who just nearly got exploded almost completely out of the blue. She was almost certainly involved.

I returned Lenore and Tifón to their crystals. They were wonderful, really, but not the right people for this job.

I discreetly summoned Aurora and Charon. The Weavile stalked the ground as the Gengar ghosted nearby. All three of us blended in with the surrounding forest, stalking our prey.

Linda the Porygon-Z (Gabriel Phloros)
Phoenix Battalion
Castelia City, Unova
ARPers: Neo Emolga


I was about to lead Mr. Silverfield down the path to meet Gabriel when the freaking place reverberated with an explosion. The light would have been blinding to anyone without my superior programming. In fact, as it was, I was forced to contract the covers over my lenses to pinpoints to prevent permanent damage to my optical circuitry.

I made no motion to stop Axel as he and his companion rushed towards the Graymann building. It would have been utterly futile to try to do so, and at any rate he had neither motive nor ability to disappear thoroughly enough that Michael couldn’t find him later.

Besides, I had more urgent matters, given that I was being suddenly hoisted up into the air by an enormous dragonfly flying at near Mach speeds.

“Kachina. Subtle as always.”

“Linda, this really isn’t the time. Gabriel just got a call from Galen. Everything has gone completely into the crapper and we’re all regrouping at the Graymann building. Be prepared to fight.”

Kachina’s voice was perfectly calm, but his entire body screamed tension. I decided that a smart remark would be unwise, and began to prepare my energies to fight.

[Morzone]

Shawn Mazox
The Prism League
Undella town and Lacunosa City.
None (again sheesh)

Shawn woke up late the next day, the sun rising fast over the mountains behind the small peaceful village. Getting up, he dressed and went into the kitchen. That's when the first sign that something was odd occurred. The old man who owned the house jumped as he came in.

"You got here quickly, I thought you were going to arrive tomorrow, I didn't even know you were here!" he exclaimed as Shawn pulled a bowl of cereal toward himself.

"Didn't you read the note I left next to you?

"What note?"

" I wrote a note saying I was here and had gone in to sleep, I left it next to where you were sleeping on the porch."

"Sleeping on the porch? I wasn't doing that! I was inside all day yesterday!"

Shawn shrugged, assuming the old man had simply forgotten and missed the note. He turned on the old man's mirrorvision as he ate, wondering what was going on in Unova after the attack on Greymane building. A pokemart commercial came on as he turned to the news channel. Then the news came on in an emergency broadcast.

"This is an emergency broadcast relating to the rioting occurring in Castelia city, Unova. Earlier today, an unknown force has attacked the Greymane building, one of the main facilities of..."

"WHAT!" Shawn shouted, spraying his breakfast across the table as he jumped to his feet.

The old man spoke at the same time: "No! It can't be! Those horrible mechari I tell you, I bet they did it-"

"NO! This happened yesterday! The attack! this broadcast! It all happened yesterday morning!" Shawn looked at his watch, it was the same time he had seen the emergency report on the boat the day before. Something was wrong, it was like time was repeating itself, or he had gone back in time. Shawn left the table and the very confused looking old man and ran outside. Ruby was out there, looking uncomfortable and sniffing the ground, something she did when she was confused or anxious.

"You Have Been Sent Back In Time Shawn Mazox. Father Told Me That This Was The Only Way You Might Have A Chance Of Saving Your Pokemon. Go To Lacunosa. The Path Will Show Itself To You."

Normally, hearing a random Pokemon's voice speak inside his head would have made Shawn panic, run and hide, but something about the voice steadied him. He could hear the vast amounts of ancient knowledge behind the words, the pure power of the being sending them to him. He had no time to waste. If the only way he could've saved Seth and Crystal was to be sent back in time a day, then clearly things were much more serious than he had thought. He couldn't waste another day traveling like he had on that boat.

Shawn Ran back inside, grabbed his gear and sprinted back to Ruby. Quickly putting her in her PCC, he took off toward the mountain. Lacunosa City was just on the other side of it and he needed to get there ASAP. At his high speed, it only took about ten minutes to get over the mountain and start nearing the city. Even before he landed he could tell the rioting had begun. A steady stream of panicked people came from the portal metro, most likely running from the Greymane building attack. And a large fight had broken out in the main square.On one side looked to be the citizens of the town, all races present and very angry. On the other side was a large host of Angels, all wearing the symbol of Team Trainer.

"I need to stop the fight before to many people get hurt, then I can figure out what to do next." Shawn thought to himself, landing on a roof next to the fighting. Releasing Ruby, he gave her a single command: "Thunder wave." Ruby jumped down and shot into the center of the battle, already sparks of lighting leaping from her fur as she ran. The power of her Thunderwave was immense, and everyone in the square froze immediately, paralyzed in place. Shawn jumped down and followed Ruby to the center of the square, where he shouted to the crowds:

"I am going to un-paralyze one person from each side, you will tell me Peacefully what is going on and why!" He walked over to the team trainer group and unfroze a tall angel with a thin beard, then moved to the other side and unfroze a short plump granok with an angry face. "Now talk, one at a time or you'll be electrocuted."

"We are throwing these traitors out of our city! Their leaders attacked the greymane building so they could stay in world power. We won't let this foreign group take over our land!" The granok said, glaring at the angel.

"We were helping stressed people though the portal metro when these people attacked us. We defended ourselves. We will not rest until these anarchists are controlled." the angel retorted.

"How about this," Shawn said, before the granok could say anything, "If I prove that team trainer was not behind the attack, then will you both agree to stop fighting?" They thought about it then both nodded. "Alright then, you both can explain it to the others then. If I come back to find you fighting, your going to get a lot more than a thunderwave, let me tell you now."

Without waiting for a reply, Shawn turned and ran quickly through the crowds coming out of the metro portal. Ruby quickly caught up and in no time they were standing next a portal set for a portal metro near the Greymane building. "The voice had been right," He thought, " Lacunosa town had shown me where to go next. And with that thought he and His partner stepped through the portal toward the chaos filled metropolis.

[Morzone]

(OOC: OK, sorry for the double post. I'm assuming the posting has slowed down because everyone is either busy with more important things or that they're focusing on other categories. Since I have no life I guess I'll just keep posting every 2 days. Yay no life!)

Shawn Mazox
The Prism League
Greymane building in Castellia city, Unova.
Affected RP'ers: theoreticalSelkie, The phoenix battalion

Shawn was feeling very impatient. Even with the near instant traveling abilities of the portal metros, he had to wait in limbo as he traveled. Luckily, as his destination was not too far from the Lacunosa station, the time in limbo wouldn't be too long. Shawn took the time to mentally review everything he knew about what was going on at the greymane building.

"The building exploded earlier this morning with a large magical explosive. The only suspicious person I know of from the video was that one hooded figure with the Charizard, but it seems unlikely that he caused the attack. The portal metros will be flooded with panicked people. There are a number of emergency workers trying to both help the people get to safety and to put out the fire." he recited in his head. He also remembered the odd duo of the angel and chua he had seen in the video, as well as the porygon evolution. "I'm not sure about the porygon, but the angel and chua were definitely up to something, though it could be good or bad," He decided.

A shift in the light told Shawn that his time in limbo was nearing its end, and that he soon would be out in the panic filled metro station. He felt a twinge of anxiety at this, he had no plan for what he would do once he arrived. Ruby stood beside him, tense and ready for a fight. He hoped it wouldn't come to a fight. Then a Flash and a sudden onslaught of noise: he had arrived.

From what he could tell as he pushed his way out of the metro station, not too much had changed. The things that had changed had changed for the worse however. The magical fire had now spread to several neighboring buildings, and several fights had broken out on the edges of the chaos. Shawn saw several groups attacking fleeing mechari out of fear and anger. He made sure to have Ruby paralyze any that he came near. No one really stood out from the crowd however, and shawn couldn't find the angel and Chua anywhere.

One person did catch his attention though: a large, VERY large Mechari pushing her way through the crowds toward the building. Shae wore a weather worn coat with a red cross on it: the symbol of Castellia hospital. As he watched, she reached the front of the building, which was blocked by a large amount of broken concrete and ruble.

The mechari doctor began to move the ruble away from the entrance, trying to get through. Moving the ruble didn't seem too hard for her, but it would take too much time to create an entrance large enough for her to fit through. When you were trying to save trapped people, time was everything.

Running forward toward the doctor, he shouted a command to Ruby: "Ruby! Use Thunderbolt on the ruble by the entrance, we need to make an entrance to get into the building." Ruby immediately picked up speed, running straight at the entrance of the building. As she got closer, her fur began to crackle and spark, and then an enormous blast of lightning shot from from her figure. The resulting impact and explosion left a large, jagged hole through the ruble.

"Anyone still in the building is going to be in a place they can't leave. Look for places that are isolated by the destruction or by fire. Pokemon can get though the ruble and fire better than we can, use them to get them out and to safety," he told her when he ad caught up. "We have to be quick, the building isn't going to be able to stand much longer if the fire isn't put out."

Normally Shawn would've stayed with the mechari doctor and helped to find trapped people, but his need to move quickly overrode that particular normalcy. Allowing Ruby to go first, he scrambled through the entrance and looked around. He quickly found where he would find clues: the large crater where the bomb had been set off. If any remnants of the explosive or if the perpetrator had left any other objects, they would be near there.

"Ruby, search around the edges; if anything odd shows up, come get me." As Ruby ran for the edges of the crater, he ran for the very middle: maybe gravity would be his friend today. Shawn searched for a minute or two without success before he heard a soft noise from below him. It was a group of Chuas who had been trapped in a basement room.

"Ruby! come over here! We need to get these people out of here!." Ruby appeared at his side instantly, sniffing the ground for the source of the voices. "Dig quickly, try not to let too much fall down on top of them," He told her, then started digging through the ruble alongside her. Once the hole had become large enough, he pulled a coil of rope out of his pack and had the Chuas climb up and out of the hole.

"Thank you! Thank you so much! We were trapped by the falling ruble! I was even hit by one of the falling metal pieces of wall. It had an odd decoration on it though.. I've gotta get out of here!" Said the last Chua as she climbed out of the room. She and the other two Chuas ran toward the exit and soon joined the throng outside.

"That's odd.. the walls here are all made of stone, not of metal. Better check this 'Piece of wall' out," Shawn murmured to himself. Using the same rope, he lowered himself into the dark hole. The room appeared to be some kind of meeting room, a broken table and a mirrorvision lying in the middle of the floor. Next to the mirrorvision however was a piece of silver-black metal. Shawn went and picked it up, examining it. It wasn't very large, about the size of his palm, but on the convex side of the curved shard was a small insignia. It appeared to be a combination of an insignia Shawn knew well and one he had never seen before.

On the Metal was an open hand holding a glowing, yellow sun. Inside the sun was single, orange, Phoenix.

[Neo Emolga]

Axel Silverfield
Phoenix Battalion
Castelia City, Unova
Affected RPers: N/A

As it was all happening, Axel was running out of time, and with panic in every direction, he was not finding the assailant even though he was certain he had found the exact spot where he had told the lie. However, if he couldn't find the lying assailant, there was another possible route he could take...

Find the one he lied to.

"You gotta tell me what's going on, pal!" Roland told Axel, trying to squirm out of the angel's grasp. "What are you looking for?"

And yet Axel remained silent. There was so much going on at once. However, after looking in the immediate area, he found a granok wearing the navy blue and black shoulder-padded uniform of a metro security guard. He was the closest one to the site where the assailant had told the lie, and if he couldn't find the assailant on his own, he had to rely on the granok's memory, as he was likely the first one the assailant would have approached for directions. It was the only chance he had left.

"You there!" Axel shouted to him to get his attention.

The heavy-built granok with his ashen, stone face, was trying to keep the civilians calm by giving guidance and directions, turned to see Axel, wondering what was going on now.

"Tell me," Axel quickly spoke to the security guard, "did a mechari just ask you for the fastest way out of the city? It had to have happened only a minute and a thirty-nine seconds ago. We think he was one of the assailants who set the bomb."

The granok was taken back at precision of the mentioned time, but with so much going on around him, it was easy to direct and forget, especially with every civilian needing help and moving in wayward directions. Even know, he was beginning to panic.

Axel bit his lip, and decided he needed another way to do this. His objectives were riding on this one last trick, and if it didn't work, the assailant was as good as gone. Holding up his hand, Axel casted a Recall spell to peer into the granok's memories, and thankfully, with the event being so recent, he wouldn't even have to search that far back. As Axel's hand glowed a strange mixture of blue and white, suddenly he could see things from the granok's point of view, and hear the things that were told to him only seconds ago.

Everything was a blur as Axel searched back in time, and the situation was still panic, disorientation, and disarray in the metro for the past minute and a half as every now and then, someone would approach him, asking for help or a situation. But then when he got to the exact point the lie was told, everything revealed itself.

A mechari with a broad, gray and red chassis and a metallic, viper-shaped face had confronted him. Once Axel had seen that face, it was burned into his mind. And then, the mechari's words were unmistakable in a demanding, forceful tone of voice.

"I need help!" the mechari demanded. "What's the fastest way out of the city!? Are there any lines still open!?"

"Terminal 17 goes to straight to Slateport, it's to the left," the granok told him as he quickly turned back toward directing the other civilians.

Terminal 17. Slateport.

He now had the terminal the attacker was heading toward and the destination. He now knew what the assailant even looked like as well. With everything he needed to find him, track him down, and arrest him, all he needed was to hurry.

Quickly responding, Axel rushed into metallic-walled Terminal 17, trying to push his way through the crowd heading down the stone stairs before it was too late. If the assailant made it to Slateport, the situation for processing a criminal suspect would become much more of a complication on foreign grounds out of the jurisdiction of the High Magi Council. The last thing he wanted to have to do was coordinate and communicate operations and objectives with a foreign law enforcement. It was the kind of thing that would waste time while the Oppressors were plotting another attack.

Using the face of the assailant, he tried to use a Recognition spell to figure out where the assailant was by using his face as the reference point of the spell. As Axel pushed on with his eyes glowing a pale grey as a result of the spell, the spell gave him the message.

He was within fifty feet of the metro portal... and closing.

And then, as if he had some bit of luck, there had been a clearing, allowing Axel to take flight and soar over most of the panicked crowd on the ground, trying to get their bearings. It was then that Axel had seen the back of the head of the assailant himself, within less than a dozen feet of the portal.

And that was when something struck Axel in the back of the head, and he was out like a light.


* * *

"I think he's waking up."

Axel felt his cheek pressed against something cold, firm, and metallic. When he looked up, he realized he was in a small room with the walls being cinderblocks. His aching head had been placed on a metal table, and when he finally took in his surroundings, he realized he had his hands locked behind the rusting, metallic chair he was sitting on by means of a thick, metallic shackle. It all seemed very plain to him, but it alluded to something completely different.

Across the other side of the table was another mechari, only this one was different. Her chassis was slender and made of light gray and lavender colors while her metallic chrome face was shaped like two lightning bolts meeting together halfway. Her eyes glowed a hellish red as she looked into his own.

"Tell us what you know about Project Double Five," she demanded in a cold, harsh tone.

"What...?" Axel asked, never hearing of that before. "I don't know what you're talking about."

It was then that another mechari standing behind him, a much larger one, had used his dark, gray metallic hand and slammed Axel's face down on the metal table, causing a massive surge of hot, biting pain to suddenly flare up in Axel's face. Axel gagged and growled as a result of the sudden shock and alarm, but there wasn't much he could do about it. She obviously wasn't the only mechari in the room, and even though he couldn't see the one that had slammed his head down on the table, Axel could tell he was quite strong.

"I'll ask you again," the female mechari told him. "Double Five. Who's your contact?"

"Go to hell," Axel spat at her.

Once again, Axel's face was slammed down hard on the table, and his whole face felt like it was in fire for a few seconds. And then, everything just ached. It was crystal clear he was getting nowhere with this.

"We can keep doing this until the big guy just snaps the whole damn thing off," she told him. "Tell. me. what. you. know."

"Esser..." Axel muttered with hesitation. "James... Esser. He was the one who briefed us on Double Five."

"Us?" she asked, wanting to know more about the other contacts. "Who else was involved?"

"Only two others," Axel continued. "Stan Rellis, codename Urchin and Nathan Holmes, codename Red Sunday."

The more it went on, the angrier the female mechari seemed to become. This was something she hadn't expected to hear, and now it was making her angry.

"Where the hell are they now?" she demanded.

"Urchin was instructed to assimilate an IT specialist within X-Fenix," Axel replied. "He was to monitor the central Maginet core to flag down any mentions or terminology links to Double Five and use the Step Ahead algorithm to forecast where the contact would be based on location of the contact and what resources they had based on the location. If they had a local network address, he would track it and give us the intel."

"What about Red Sunday?" she scowled, getting angrier.

"Shadow ops," Axel told her. "He was working on something called Second Wind, but I was never informed about it by Esser or who Red Sunday's handler would be during the operation. They had us working in different swimlanes with limited contact access."

The female mechari looked down, tried to collect her thoughts, and then just shook her head.

"Get him out of here and stuff him in a jail cell," she demanded. "I've got to figure out how to clean up Exodus's god-forsaken mess. Don't kill him just yet, we might need him for later."

As the large, heavy-built mechari unbound Axel and kept a firm grip on the angel, Axel wasn't sure how he was going to get out of this dark place, whatever it was, but there was one comfort he had.

Everything he had said for the past ten minutes during the interrogation had been a complete, utter lie.

[Grassy_Aggron]

Pohe Vahoc
Phoenix Battalion
Bleu Plaza, Lumiose City, Kalos
Affected RPers: Morzone, a bit? You're investigating so... (And sorry for the long post >.>)

Having been able to get the code to run and deeming the alpha stage to be safe enough to test, Pohe got up and walked over to where three clothes were draped over objects that were up to chest height, with the third being slightly bigger. Pulling off the tarps of the two smaller ones, feline shapes were revealed beneath, chassis black against the grey of the floor. A stiff, segmented mane flowed back from its head, panels running down the center to gather light. Currently, the robotic Pyroar did not have any power source, and while their intended one was still being developed, she could make do with what she had. Grabbing a crystal, she released an oval shaped steel ship, which hovered effortlessly beside her. Three eyes focused on her as it rotated its magnets, carefully observing the situation.

“Faraday, I need you to use a weak Thundershock. Don’t overload them, all right?” She waved a finger. “I need to see if this will work or not to begin with, so that’ll be a bit hard to do if you blow them up.” Giving a slight tilt to indicate acknowledgement, she stepped back as sparks began to fly off the Magnezone. They launched at the two machines, impacting and penetrating into the main circuitry through whatever cracks it could find. After a few seconds, the eyes of the machines glowed orange as they gained enough power to turn on, but that was all they could do without any programming. They were merely empty, powered puppets without an objective.

Pulling out two discs – they were still rather common, considering they were used to evolve the Porygon family on a regular basis – she slid them underneath the mane, in the back of the head. Both of them took it without an issue before their lights dimmed as they loaded and restarted. Within moments it was complete, and Pohe stepped back, crossing her arms behind her. Clearing her throat, she was pleased when both machines turned their heads to watch her.

“Do you know who I am?” she asked. Having based their program off of Porygon, they were capable of adapting and thinking, although they were constrained to the same limits of the original program for safety’s sake.

The first one spoke, voice automated and mechanical. {Pohe Vahoc.}

Then the second chimed in. {Creator of this unit’s program, FireCat.}

She nodded, a genuine smile gracing her lips. Faraday looked slightly concerned about it, considering her normal personality. “Good, good. Check your coding – any possible issues?” She took out a piece of paper, nodding as they ran various tests and scenarios. Quite a few bugs cropped up that she wrote down the locations for them, pleased that they were functioning at all. When they finished, the machines reported they were low on power. Frowning, she told them to shut down while she repaired the flaws in the programming, throwing a tarp back on after that was accomplished.

<…What use are they if they can’t power themselves?> Faraday asked, watching Pohe furiously get back to work on the coding. <That seems like a poor design choice.>

“It is a poor design choice, which I don’t make. Simply put, they weren’t designed to be this useless.” Without looking, she gestured back at the machine. “Almost got the power source figured out, just waiting on the right materials to finish it. In the meantime, getting this done.”

Faraday observed her a bit longer when her phone suddenly went off. Cursing at being interrupted, Pohe answered. “What, Chihuahua? You said it’d be a while and I’m very busy!”

An obviously altered voice laughed on the other end. “My, what a cute pet name.” She didn’t know how to retort. Something about this seemed entirely off, and that was even considering she often worked with those on the black market. “I am not offended. Rather, I am placing an order.” Her small portal activated, and she watched nervously as a purple disc came through. It was not what came through that unnerved her, no, but rather the fact the portal had worked without her giving permission on her end. They had effectively hacked her device remotely.

Picking the disc up, she observed its smooth surface, narrowing her eyes. “Paying before you even get an acceptance from me? You’re rather cocky for someone who is hiding their own voice.”

“It seems to have gotten your attention, has it not?” She couldn’t argue that point. “I want you to build more of your timers. They are difficult to alter, incredibly accurate, and resilient to everyday stress. Rather perfect for my needs, and they don’t require magic to run, making them undetectable under normal circumstances.”

“…What are you, making counterfeit watches? Because I thought the point of ‘counterfeit’ was making a cheaper, worse product, not one that’s better.”

The voice laughed, and it truly unnerved her, striking her down to the core. It was unnatural with the alterations, but beneath that laid a snake. It was sinister but cunning, whispering hidden intent that even she wasn’t willing to take part in. “Your attitude is delicious. Do we have a deal?”

She took a deep breath, and shaking her head – even though he couldn’t possibly see it – she answered carefully. “No. I’m sorry but this payment seems rather dubious, and I’ve dealt with a lot of odd people. I’m rather busy with my own projects and other repairs at the moment, so it’d take me a while to get to it anyway. You’re better off finding someone else.”

“Ah, but you see, you’ve already built one for me prior. Or rather, one of my companions. Your work was so exemplary I desired to get you to build more as well. There is no one else. As for that payment,” he stated simply and with only the smallest hint of slyness, “try giving it to your Porygon 2. It will be most delighted.”

Pohe glanced at Faraday, who was staring back with equally wide eyes. “Ah, yes. Sometimes I forget I’ve mentioned my Pokemon to others,” she lied as she tapped a finger on the desk. “I’m sorry, though. I’m flattered you want me to make you more, but I can’t. I’m too busy.”

“Ah, so you will deny my request then?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm. Let me see if I can convince you otherwise.” The portal lit up once more, and from it, a small box came through. Opening it carefully, her eyes widened as she stared at the precious ores she needed. It was exactly what she required for her experiment! But only Chihuhua knew she needed it, no one else. Could he have guessed it? No. No one was that lucky.

“How did you know I needed this?” Pohe was trying her hardest to keep her unease hidden.

The voice laughed. “Let’s just say a little rat told me, yes? Or rather, a Chihuahua?”

Her amber eyes widened. “…What did you do to him?”

“He required a bit of convincing, my dear. He won’t be talking to you anytime soon.” The voice dropped lower and became quieter, as if he was leaning closer to the phone. “Now, do we have a deal? Just a few timers… Say, ten?”

Pohe was shaking with rage, her voice quivering, but she glared at the phone anyway. “I said no, and considering what you did to him, I’m really not keen on working with someone like you. I live life on the edge and all that, I guess, but I’m not that stupid!”

It laughed, and kept laughing for a minute or two. “How adorable that you think you have a choice, Outcast. Or should I say, Pohe Vahoc? You live in the basement of ‘Beemin’ Good Parts’, do you not?” She stared, flabbergasted. “I know all about you. If you want to stay safe, to keep those you care about safe, then I suggest you build those timers.”

She was afraid to ask, but she had no choice. “And if I don’t?”

The voice went silent, which was far more unnerving than its constant laughter. “You heard about what happened to the Greymane Building, right?” She nodded, giving a quiet acknowledgement. “That was your timer on that bomb. So I shall reiterate that if you wish to keep yourself and everyone else you love safe, you will build those timers for me. Do we have a deal?”

She clenched her hands into fists, staring bitterly at the machine. She was biting back tears, frustrated at her inability to do anything and horrified at her involvement in all of those deaths. How was she to know it was going to be used for a bomb? “…F-fine. I’ll make them.”

“Wonderful! I shall be in touch. Good luck, my dear!” It clicked off, leaving her in silence save for the low hum of Faraday’s levitation and the cacophony of her own thoughts.

What have I done?

[Neo Emolga]

Axel Silverfield
Phoenix Battalion
Castelia Sewers, Unova
Affected RPers: N/A

As Axel had discovered, a makeshift prison had been made out of the underground Castelia City sewers. He wasn't even aware the Repressors were so close by, but they were doing the best they could to remain hidden but at least be close enough to the mission site. Axel didn't care much for the smells, the dampness, the darkness, and the fact there wasn't a whole lot of things to do to pass the time in his cell, but it could have been a whole lot worse.

Axel could only guess how long the Repressors had been operating in secret. However, to him, what shocked him even more than that was why they even kept him alive. The Repressors had assassinated the High Magi Council, the Celestial Circles, and the Order of the Crimson Flame without a second thought. Why would they take him as a prisoner? He was almost sure they knew they were trying to resurrect the Magi Council.

He could only conclude it was one of two things. Either they were realizing they couldn't put a true, definite end to the Council without taking another approach, or the situation with Team Trainer led them to believe there really was no way of eliminating every authoritative entity that came into power.

What he did guess at first was that the Repressors were trying to aim toward a future without magic and authority. He found it strange they would try to destroy the very thing that created them, and knew that in order to completely pull it off, they would need to undo themselves. But it wasn't until he thought about it in reverse did he get a better picture into things.

The Repressors were trying to do exactly the opposite of what he originally thought. They were trying to be the only ones with magic. And that was why they were trying to snuff out the magical prowess out of everyone else.

In the meantime, Axel wasn't sure how long his lie in the interrogation room would go on until they discovered it was a made-up hoax. He knew they were going to kill him once he was of no use to them anymore, so this would at least buy him time. While the Repressors were on a wild goose chase for Esser, Rellis, and Holmes, it could be years before they finally managed to realize these three operatives never actually existed.

What bothered him was... what was Double Five really about? And who was Exodus? From what he gathered, it seemed like the Repressors thought they killed enough people to pave the way to regain control, but the truth was they hadn't. With the resurrection of the High Magi Council underway, he knew they were going to need to go in deeper. Still, while he was here, he figured he could use a few minor, easy to conceal spells to get a better idea of what he was dealing with.

He decided to lie on his metallic bunk bed to pretend he was sleeping, but instead, he used it to conceal the faint, white light created by his use of an Eavesdropping spell, trying to probe about in the sewers for any conversations going at the time.

"Xerken, when do you think the next strike will be?"

"Soon. Castelia City will suspect another bomb, so we need to strike with something else. Poisoning the city's water supply."

"It would kill most of the city's population. Save for the Mechari, of course. Good, who needs the rest of those useless fleshbag races anyway?"

"We don't need all of them dead. Living specimens still have some use to them. Their leaders will be killed while the rest of them will be used for either research or entertainment. All those besides Mechari are lost causes. We have been made to be immune to fear, emotion, and distraction, thus making us the superior beings. We do not bleed, feel pain, or hesitate like they do. Thus, the future is our time, now."

Axel was glad that as he was hearing this, he knew not all Mechari behaved this way. However, trying to separate which ones were Repressor supporters and which ones were normal civilians was not going to be an easy task. Already, trying to read their minds was more difficult, as they didn't have brains in the traditional sense, and instead had CPUs.

For now, however, he needed to find a way out. He wasn't so much concerned for himself as he was more focused on trying to prevent the contamination of the city's water supply..

[Neo Emolga]

Axel Silverfield
The Phoenix Battalion
Castelia City Sewers, Castelia City, Unova
Affected RPers: N/A

Axel knew there was only one of two outcomes of the situation. Either the Repressors would be led down a long, winding, and potentially never-ending goose-chase when it came to finding the completely fabricated associates he had been working with, or they'd quickly learn it was all a lie and they'd probably kill him for it.

He also knew he didn't want to stick around to take that kind of risk anyway. Besides, if they were still on the goose-chase, his lack of presence would buy him more time as they were hunting down three mystery men that simply didn't exist.

As soon as the opportunity presented itself, he decided to use a spell. Fighting the Repressors when there was only him was suicide. As much as Axel wanted to go nuts and take down a whole army, he knew the Repressors had killed off not one, not two, but three highly powerful mage organizations.

He could think of at least fifty other Pokémon that would be far more fun to transform into, but he knew down in the sewers, anything besides a Rattata, a Grimer, or a Muk would be suspiciously out of place, and he really didn't feel like becoming a sentient puddle of sludge. So, he decided to go for turning himself into the very common purple and cream-bellied rat Pokémon that the Repressors wouldn't give a single care about. He knew it sure wouldn't buy him any cool points to just become a rat and run away, but fighting the Repressors would need to wait until he had a better idea of what kind of situation he was dealing with.

While the Repressors weren't looking, he quickly casted the spell on himself, surrounding himself with a faint, purple light. Within only a few seconds, Axel went from being a silver-haired angel to shrinking down, down, down in size while his body was coated with purple and cream-colored fur, a curled tail sprung from his behind, two mouse-like ears appeared on his head, and his hands were replaced with tiny paws with sharp claws. And just like that, there was no telling him apart from any other Rattata.

In his smaller rat-like form, he was able to easily squeeze his way between the bars, which the Repressors hadn't enchanted with any kind of protection. It was only further adding up toward his original theory. The Repressors were using magic one last time before trying to do away with it completely. Right now, the only thing on his mind was escape. The Polymorph spell was very effective and extremely hard to detect, but it didn't last forever.

As he scurried around in his new rat Pokémon form, he took mental note of his surroundings. As he had expected, the Mechari Repressors suspected nothing and didn't even bat an eye at him. Axel even saw two other Rattata simply scurrying around, making it easier for him to blend in and seem like a natural one. He used the overhead pipes, ledges along the walls, and holes in the walls to make his way around. He couldn't believe the kinds of places a Rattata could sneak into. Even if the Repressors knew what he had transformed into, they would still be having a brutal time trying to catch him.

While he surveyed and scouted the sewer area that the Repressors were using, he knew without a doubt, the Repressors were using this as an outpost bunker, likely to try and take down the efforts that were being made to resurrect the High Magic Council. Right now, Axel was the only one who was aware of the location, so escaping to start preparing a strike on the outpost was essential.

"The convict has escaped!"

As soon as Axel heard one of the Mechari shout, he knew they were going to have search teams out all over the place. And as he has suspected, there were Mechari rushing toward where his prison cell only to discover he was completely gone.

"We should have killed him when we had the chance!"

"What the hell were we keeping him alive for anyway!?"

"Shut up, we needed him to confess about the new High Magi Council! It's your damn fault, you should have kept watch on him!"

"I thought if he used a spell, we would have heard it!"

Ah, but that was if he used a spell to blow up the barred door. Right now, there was no evidence as to what method he used to escape.

As they argued amongst themselves about could have's and should have's, Axel kept moving about to get a better idea of the base's layout. In essence, he was lost and didn't know exactly how to get to the surface, but the transformation was at least keeping him alive and he was making significant headway when it came to scouting out the bunker. Meanwhile, acting like a natural Rattata wasn't too difficult either. As long as he didn't show human-like knowledge by using tools or fixtures in the presence of the Mechari, he was in the clear.

"Spread out!" One of the others shouted. "He couldn't have gotten far!"

He then jumped off a ledge along the wall and used two overhead pipes to get a better layout of the bunker, taking mental notes about where things were located, such as resting quarters, where the Repressors kept their computers, the interrogation room, and holding cells, which at the moment, were all empty. The more he could map out, the easier it would be for a strike team to bust in and eliminate the Repressor operations here.

After about fifteen minutes of investigating, Axel knew it was time to go. The spell wasn't going to last forever, and when it expired, he would be in trouble. At this point, he simply decided to clear as much distance away from the bunker location and head toward anything that looked like storm drain or a manhole that led to the surface. Once he transformed back and emerged back onto the surface, he would check to see what Castelia Street he was on and would use that to track down where the bunker was. He knew in less than 3 hours, they'd have a strike team ready and fully briefed on how to shut down the Repressor operations, secure intel, and expose the truth about the faction. It could be the first big break in terms of finding out all they needed to know about this terrorist organization and how best to get a payback on what they did.

For now, Axel could snicker. The Repressors had gotten too greedy by wanting all traces of the High Magi Council eliminated by trying to use him as the key to take them down, and now he was going to make them pay dearly for it.

[Grassy_Aggron]

(My shortest post to date! And I can squeeze in one more before the deadline. HOOPLAH.)

Pohe Vahoc
Phoenix Battalion
Bleu Plaza, Lumiose City, Kalos ---> ??? (Haven't quite started yet)
Affected RPers: None

Pohe tapped a nervous finger as she stared at her machine. She had been trying to take her mind off of the timers, six of which lay fully built while another was partially assembled. The issue wasn’t building them – she had plenty of materials – but just how to best thwart them going off. Sabotaging her own work was something she simply couldn’t bring herself to do, but finding a means to communicate that they were going to be attached to a bomb seemed the best way to go. Judging from the wreckage of the last one, however, the timers didn’t count for very long, which thwarted any attempt at it sounding an alarm. Someone could hear it, but there wouldn’t be enough time to get anyone out of the building or disarm it. Another way had to be found.

So while she mulled it over in the back of her mind, she now focused intently on her device, going through the familiar motions of allowing the filtration of the electrical magic before producing the electricity. Pushing her machine closer to the current, she waited anxiously to see if the addition of the ores would make a difference. It paused for quite some time before finally coming up with a clean reading. In fact, the Angel nearly dropped the device in surprise – she hadn’t anticipated completing her idea so…quickly.

Without hesitating, she walked toward her robotic companions, popping open their chassis and inserting in more of the ores. Electricity – derived from the sun – would be used to power them, while the magic would be stored for use in the machines themselves. They’d be just like the Pyroar they were designed after, except instead of food they’d derive their energy from light and wouldn’t have any waste. They would be the perfect companion, without all of the quarks, or morals, or personality of a normal one. They wouldn’t judge her as so many had before.

This needs to be tested… Returning Faraday, she instead let out Java, who stared at her with a forlorn look. “Java, I need your help moving these up to the truck. Use a Psychic, will ya?” He stared at her impassively, eyes flicking over the room, resting briefly on the timers before going back to the machines.

<…I see. So they work.>

Pohe crossed her arms, nodding. “Oh, yes they do! I’m very pleased! I still need to find more bugs, but they’re doing very well!” She couldn’t help but beam about it, extremely happy with her accomplishment so far. “One day the world will see what they are capable of, and what they can do. The perfect companion, eh?”

Java was listless, tail drooping. <Perfect companion? Aren’t we perfect enough…?>

She shrugged. “I like you, but sometimes you can complain too much, or judge silently. Doesn’t make you any less of a companion, but you certainly aren’t perfect by any means.”

The Porygon 2 waited a moment, before tilting his head toward the timers. <What are you making those for?>

“Just a request, nothing else. They loved how well my last one worked.” She noticed Java’s eyes wander toward the Dubious Disk. “Eeeeeh, don’t touch it. I’m suspicious of what it’ll do to you, and I don’t want to risk anything happening.” She gestured back at the machines. “Now, will you?”

Without a word, Java’s eyes glowed blue, the energy wrapping around the three machines – all now cloaked – and lifting them up. Pohe ushered them up the stairs carefully, glancing over at a very confused Karl. Telling the one-eyed Mechari that she was going out to test something, she lifted the garage door up and prompted the Porygon 2 to place them on the back of the truck. The engine rumbled as it felt weight, headlights flickering on as it apparently awoke.

“…I…Is it over? Can I get out of this Arceus-forsaken place?” It glanced at her, almost pleadingly.

Java gave a so-so gesture. “It’s not over Harley; in fact it’s kinda getting worse. I need to head out to an open area though, so…” Hopping into the driver’s seat, Java took up position next to her. Engine roaring to max capacity, the truck lifted off the ground a bit, inching forward until it cleared the roof and was able to join the air. It deftly maneuvered into traffic, which flowed as a steady line over the buildings, heading toward the main portal metro.

“Hmm, I see. Well then, as long as I can get out for a bit. I haven’t been able to stretch my vents in ages!”

She rolled her eyes. “Just drive, will you? I’m anxious to get this test started.” And I don’t want to be gone too long. Something might happen to Karl. Pohe glanced at Java, opening her mouth to say something before turning away. It was obvious her partner didn’t want to speak at the moment, staring out the window with dim eyes. As if I didn’t have enough problems already… I have a depressed computer program. Wonderful.

[Neo Emolga]

Axel Silverfield
The Phoenix Battalion
Castelia City, Unova
Affected RPers: N/A

It was all down to him now. After finally climbing out of the sewers and back into Castelia City, Axel knew this needed to be taken care of now. It was already bad the Greymane Building attack had gone through, but the Repressors made a crucial error and they needed to address it as soon as they could.

"They've gone underground," Axel told Charles Hill through his Maginet pocket mirror. Charles Hill was one of the coordinators for the new Magi Council. "It's definitely a Repressor outpost."

On the other line, Charles was a meek and hopeful man in his late thirties, balding, with a black goatee, but was committed to doing the best job possible. The recent attack on the Greymane Building had all of Castelia City shaken up, and he knew it was a matter of time. Either the new High Magi Council would respond, or they would be leaving themselves open for another possible strike.

"What makes you so sure?" Charles asked, wondering how he came to that. "I mean, it's not to question your judgment, but we've absolutely got to make sure we know it's a high value target before we spend resources to attack. Already most of them have been deployed to deal with the Greymane disaster."

"Castelia City Sewers," Axel told him. "Between the 6th Avenue Junction and Market Street, just across from Seron Park. I just spent the last half hour as a Rattata trying to escape from that place. I had my face slammed twice during an interrogation, and managed to buy time by giving them fake leads."

To Charles, it was very possible. He just needed to confirm one last thing before he did.

"Did you get a name?" Charles asked. "Anything at all?"

"Exodus," Axel replied. "That's all I know."

"Well, it matches what one of our covert ops uncovered during an interception on one of the metro lines," Charles told him. "Given the time constraint, we needed to force the Mechari to confess, and fast. He mentioned Exodus as well. Right after... we sawed his legs off."

It made sense to Axel. Destroying the outpost now might force Exodus to come forward. They would throwing more fire into the shadow war that Exodus started with the Repressor attacks, but sometimes it took a fire to clean everything out.

"I want Fury Division on this one," Axel told Charles with a sense of urgency. "They already know I've escaped, and these guys can mobilize very quickly. When they realize I've been gone for far too long, they may not risk hanging around for us to come to them. You saw what happened with the Greymane Building attack. They almost succeeded with that one perfectly."

"Well... alright," Charles replied with some hesitation. "You know Fury Division is usually only reserved for very high profile cases, right? If you don't have the justification now, I sure hope we can get it when everything's said and done."

"Oh trust me, you will," Axel said with a confident smirk.


* * *

It was only fifteen minutes later when the Fury Strike Force One had assembled at the target site. Knowing what they were possibly up against and what the Repressors were capable of, they showed no restraint and even had the justification for excessive force considering the nature of the Greymane attack and Bloodfall.

"Fury 4, in position," the assault mage spoke into his Maginet communicator. "Southbound exit routes blocked off."

"Fury 2, eastbound lockdown confirmed."

"Fury 6, confirming northern tunnel access has been shut."

On and on it went until all possible escape routes from the sewer outpost had been locked down and anyone trying to escape would be easily intercepted with some of the most highly trained mages the Council had command over. With the response time and tactical approach a critical element in this assault, Fury Strike Force One was absolutely determined to either kill or capture every Oppressor operative within the area. If they were still at the target site, it was going to be a very, very bad day for them.

Axel took charge of the forward assault, knowing he didn't have the time to layout the plans and trying to do a full briefing might result in the Repressors escaping before they could intercept them. Time was of the essence and even though the attack had been rushed in terms of planning, he knew these guys worked less on intricate plans, more on resourceful improvising. With both Chase the Excadrill and Blitz the Raichu by his side, he would be ready for anything the Repressors might try to unleash. Meanwhile, the remaining four members of his part of the attack team had their Pokémon out as well.

The attack approach was given the nickname of "Flooding," surrounding the enemy position from all sides, closing in on all directions to maximize the potential for flanking. The Repressors would have no idea which way to turn, and any kind of aggressive retaliation would give full diplomatic immunity to whatever needed to be done to shut down the terrorist operation.

"Contact!" One of the operatives reported. "Northgate, we have a patrol!"

From the other side of the communicator, Axel could hear the sounds of conflict. Thrashing, growls of aggression, and even what sounded like an explosion suddenly crashed out. While Axel and the rest of his team moved in, ready to face the same kind of attack.

Every time they turned a corner, they were ready for a fight. Axel knew they were getting extremely close to the bunker site as he retraced his steps. And then, suddenly, the sounds of conflict coming from Fury 6 suddenly went quiet.

"Fury 6, what's your status, over?" Axel asked quietly, speaking into his mirror Maginet communicator as he kept careful watch for any additional Repressor patrols.

"Contact down," Fury 6 replied. "They never saw us coming. No injuries to report, but we believe a distress signal may have been sent out before the last Repressor operative went down."

"We need reinforcements down here then," Axel advised him. "Everything could be riding on this and I don't like risking anything considering what these things are capable of."

"We'll send an additional three squads en route to your location now," William, the tactical advisor, reported to him. "Reinforce the Floodline."

Normally, it would seem like ridiculous overkill to send reinforcements with no casualties or even injuries, but he knew these were the robotic monsters responsible for Bloodfall and the Greymane terrorist attack. If it required them to be merciless and ruthless, he wasn't going to hesitate to hit them back for everything. It wasn't just revenge or justice. It was personal.

"Enemy spotted!" Fury 2 shouted.

And then, all at once, attack teams across the board were coming into contact with the Repressors. Axel quickly rushed in and saw two Repressor guards, suddenly alerted by their presence. He attempted to attack Axel and the rest of his team with a Nova Firebolt spell, but Axel quickly responded by forming a Valiant Barrier shield around them, forming a translucent white and cyan-colored barrier to form just in time before the Nova Firebolt spell slammed into it. If Axel hadn't stopped it, they all would have been sent to the burn unit.

"Blitz, Thunderbolt now!" Axel commanded.

The hasty, orange-furred Raichu charged into the fray, running furiously before leaping into the air and jumping off the concrete wall. Focusing his energy, he then unleashed a furious Thunderbolt attack at the two Repressors.

"Rai-chuuu!!!!" The Raichu shouted, slamming both of the Repressors with as much electrical fury as possible.

Despite being powered by magic, the intense and violent electrical disruption to both the Repressor guards was more than enough to obliterate their central processing cores and their neural transmitters. The second Repressor had attempted to raise his robotic arm to attack the Raichu in respond, but before he could, the artificial brain he had been configured with had been overloaded and then detonated in the Mechari's head. As they "died," their glowing eyes went dark just before their hulking, robotic bodies crashed violently to the ground, sending metallic clanging sounds echoing throughout the sewer hallways.

It was a sound Axel was more than happy to finally start hearing.

[Morzone]

OOC: Yeah I know It's already Saturday, I didn't get back from camp until today, might as well stick a post in anyway. Also: YAY! the truck got named Harley!

Shawn Mazox
Prism League
Castellia city, Unova.
Affected RP'ers: Grassy_Aggron

Shawn stared at the emblem in his hand, he felt sick. Then he shook his head. He was being ridiculous, there could be many easy explanations other than that it was part of the bomb. There couldn't be no metal what so ever in this building, maybe it was some building company or manufacturer run by the phoenix battalion. It could've been some other experiment that was being run, the basement areas of the greymane buildings had been science testing labs, that was well known. For all he knew it belonged to one of the people who had been working in the building.

Then his thinking was interrupted by the sound of several explosions. Jumping up in shock, he looked around toward where he had heard the noise, Ruby growling toward the same direction. Being at the bottom of the crater was not the best place to see what was going on outside however, so he quickly scrambled out of the room and ran toward the exit. When he got through the hole he had made earlier, the source of the explosions became clear.

The scene outside had changed: the panicked filled crowd had by now mostly dissipated, the fleeing people having taken the portal metro or else going through the streets to other parts of the city. What had replaced the chaos was, if anything, worse. Now a large, a very large, mob of people had come together and was attacking everything in sight. Several buildings neighboring the area had been blown to bits, some by magic and others by pokemon. As they continued their destruction, the sound of chanting broke through the confusion:

"End the mechari! End the mechari! End the mechari! End the mechari!"

The sight of such a large mass of people causing such destruction and rioting appalled Shawn, so he quickly called Ruby to his side.

"Ruby, use discharge. Stay near the edge of the rioters, we don't want to be surrounded." Ruby moved quickly toward the mass of people, her fur beginning to spark and flash once again. Her discharge, a spectacular explosion of electrical might, carved a satisfyingly large chunk out of the crowd. Then things went wrong. The rioting crowd, which was still very large even after Ruby's attack, turned their attention on him.

"Repressor!" several of them shouted, before launching a volley of attacks at him. Shawn quickly cast a large shield spell, though he knew that even with his skill in force field casting, the shield would not last long under the barrage.

"Ruby! Follow me!" he shouted, turning and running toward the alley ways on the far side of the area. When he had taken shelter down a small in-between, he looked back at the mob. His shield had held up reasonably well while he had been running. He could see several glowing cracks in the magical wall, but it was holding up. Then a bright flash and a roar came from the other side of the shield, and Shawn glimpsed a tall hooded figure and a shiny, black charizard in the crowd. Just as he saw them, the charizard had opened its mouth and let loose a massive hyper beam, and this time his shield did not hold up.

His magic shield having splintered into nothingness, the hyper beam shot toward the building where Shawn hid behind. A massive explosion consumed the building, sending debris everywhere. Once again, Shawn cast a shield spell over himself and Ruby, barely avoiding several large chunks of building coming toward them. The explosion did do him some good however, as it seemed to make the mob think he had been crushed or blown up, or simply unreachable. As he was casting the spell, he heard the small piece of metal he had found in the greymane building drop to the ground. Ruby went over and nudged it with her nose, then jumped back, growling at the small shard.

Finding this odd, Shawn stooped and examined the metal, though he found nothing different with it. Deciding to duplicate it just in case he dropped it again in a more crucial place, one where he might lose it, he held out his hands: one holding the object one empty. He quickly murmured the copy spell, which was a simple one as it was only a piece of metal.

Nothing happened. Glaring at the shard, Shawn redid his spell. Again: nothing. Why wasn't the magic working? His magic had worked a minute ago when he had cast his shield spells. This time he tried something different: he used a levitate spell. The metal shard just sat there in his hand, unmoving. Shawn then tried the same spell on a bit of ruble, this time it floated up to his eye level before he let it drop to the ground.

"This metal must be magic resistant, it repels and dissipates any magic used on it. hmm..." He murmured to Ruby, who was currently watching the rioters through the building, her eyes glowing brightly. Shawn found it too much of a coincidence that it was resistant to magic and that it had been found in the blast crater. Metals such as these were extremely rare, but if enough was found it could make a devastating bomb. If one condensed enough explosive magic inside of a metal container that would stop it from escaping...

He shook his head, he had to find out more about this metal; where it could be found and who usually bought it. During his travels he had once heard of a scientist named Pohe Vahoc who was very knowledgeable in magic and anti-magic materials, though he had never met the person. Normally he wouldn't even think of asking a scientist who was in the phoenix battalion, due to the emblem, but as castellia city citizens now thought him a repressor, most normal procedures were off.

"Let's go find another metro station Ruby, we need to get to Kalos." He said.

[Grassy_Aggron]

Pohe Vahoc
Phoenix Battalion
Bleu Plaza, Lumiose City, Kalos ---> Kiloude City, Kalos
Affected RPers: None

The world around them shimmered in pastel colors, the bustling metro of Lumiose City gradually blurring out to be replaced by unidentifiable shapes. During this time, movement was halted save for the slow beat of the heart or the rumble of an engine, and it was cool – a side effect of the portal magic. During this travelling, Pohe had plenty of time to think, and think she did. She had to find a way to make it so the timers halted the bomb, or otherwise didn’t work the way they intended it to do. Sabotaging her own work was out of the question – she simply had too much pride at stake. So what could she do?

Well, one idea was to put in a fault. When the bomb was activated and hit a certain time – in this case, she’d likely make it ten seconds left – the timer would reset to an indefinite time. Eventually, the battery of the timer would give out, effectively rendering the bomb without an ignition switch. After all, cutting communication was not the same as reaching zero, so different triggers would be involved. The only issue with this plan was that undoubtedly, someone would notice that the bomb hadn’t gone off, and judging from how crazy they were, they’d likely go in and set it off themselves. There was also a strong possibility no one would discover the bomb either.

So she crossed that idea off, for the most part, and thought about possibly creating some sort of beacon. This beacon would be magical in nature, and would specifically be designed to catch the attention of police – as well as making it urgently clear that it was a bomb – in the hopes that someone would come and disarm it. Again, however, she ran into the problem that the police likely wouldn’t get there in time, or perhaps even take it seriously. Yet another idea was thrown out the window.

So delaying wasn’t really effective, and calling the police had the same dilemma, with some viability left. She would still alert the police, yes, but she had to deal with the fact that, like it or not, that bomb had to go off by her own hands, rather than the Repressors. At least with her, there was a chance at saving people… and if the bomb went off, then there would be nothing left to reignite. So she had the bomb go off, but she needed to get rid of the explosion.

…Had she been able to move, she would have smacked herself. The answer came to her in the swirling bubble around them – portals! If she built in a portal inside the device, she could theoretically siphon the energy of the explosion elsewhere. She’d have to do it a few seconds before the explosion itself, to offer time for the portal to establish itself, as they were somewhat fragile. This was high energy, and an unstable portal would result in disastrous consequences. As to where to send the energy, ideally, if she knew where the Repressors were, she could send it there – but because she didn’t, she’d have to settle for one located in a safe area. Issue was, she had to set up the portal there too, and since she’d really like to have it open into the ocean, which would contain the explosion in the best and least harmful way possible, she’d have to go and set one up there. A portal that size, however, would draw attention by authorities, but if they couldn’t trace it back… Ugh, what a mess.

She was drawn out of her thoughts as a dull, piercing wail broke the silence. Harley’s horn drew her attention to the shimmering veil, the colors dulling rather than growing sharper and more defined. Thin, hairline cracks had formed around them, a sharp contrast to the magic as they were stationary amid the moving figures. Pohe’s breath caught in her throat as she recognized the beginnings of a portal failure, and she began to pray it would hold until they reached Kiloude City. The colors around them, however, continued to darken as the cracks grew wider. Moments passed as what seemed like years, and for a second she felt they were going to make it.

Then the cracks opened wide.

The sound that erupted around them was akin to glass shattering as well as an explosion, their hearing impaired as they struggled to regain their senses. She felt wind whistling by her face, and as she opened her eyes, she couldn’t help but give a started screech. They were tumbling high above a forest, Harley’s vents having been affected by the sudden change and were sputtering in an effort to reactivate. The enchantment was weakened by the backlash. It’s not just the vents!

“HARLEY!” she shouted over the wind, “GET YOUR TAILGATE BACK INTO THE AIR!” A few seconds passed as she grabbed the wheel and throttled the engine, the vents flaring as enough energetic fuel finally reached them. It was enough to make it so they didn’t outright die when they hit the ground, but they connected with the earth with enough force to set off alarms within the vehicle. One of the vents blew out, while another suddenly went into overdrive, propelling them down the mossy hill they had landed on and toward the trees.

Again, she screamed the truck’s name, and it seemed it finally realized the predicament they were in. Horn shrieking as it tried to maneuver its remaining vents, they were helpless as they careened through the brush. Turning her head to tell Java to use Psychic, she blinked in shock when she realized he was no longer beside her. From all the chaos that had happened, the Porygon 2 had either been ejected or fled in its confused state, and there was no time to call out anyone else. Pohe yanked the wheel in an effort to divert them from a head on crash with a rather impressive pine, and while that succeeded, Harley’s side smacked into it instead with an audible crunch.

Having been thrown off balance, the truck tried to rectify its orientation which only led to the rear vents misfiring, as they had been damaged in the hit. With only one or two vents working properly, they were thrown into a vicious spin as they tried to slow down. This wasn’t a bad thing, at the very least, as they were now stationary aside from the circling motion. If Harley simply cycled down, which judging from the decreasing engine roars it was, they could land where they now spun.

As they slowed down enough for her to get her stomach out of her throat, she glanced at the sun that was peeking through the trees. We must be somewhere halfway to Kiloude City. The portal failed… so we must have gotten lost en route. She realized, however, something odd about the sun. It appeared to be burning brightly, and moving quickly. Six ember wings beat the air as white and blue fur were lit orange by the fire that swirled around the Volcarona, and Pohe’s choice words were cut off by an impossibly loud bang as the Pokémon collided with Harley. Heat scorched the vehicle’s metal, melting at the initial impact and sending it backwards. Pohe’s face was eagerly greeted by the airbag, which had somehow not gone off through the entire ordeal.

While Harley muttered somewhat incoherently, it spun around with its vents, smashing the end its bed into the moth’s head and toppling it over where its face got blasted by the vent. Screeching in anger, electricity gathered around it, and Pohe held on tightly to the steering wheel as it suddenly blasted upward. Harley was thrown cabin-first into a nearby tree, the popping of a lightbulb heard as it became best friends with bark and the engine’s roar becoming a knocking, inconsistent mess. Upside down as they were, Pohe struggled to unclip the seatbelt, landing on her back with a loud ouch. She felt a warmth running down her face, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out she was beaten up pretty badly. Harley, she imagined, was in worse shape, and Java’s condition was unknown. There was no telling how well her experiments had surv…

My experiments! Fear and urgency washed through her anew, and ignoring the Volcarona and her own body’s complaints, she scrambled out of the broken window to glance. She could see the cloth was still intact, and it appeared that, for the most part, they hadn’t been touched – Harley’s efforts to conserve them had done well, and they were still securely strapped to the damaged bed.

Trying to pull herself out, the truck gave out a feeble honk. “PoHe…t…t…He…VoLCaRoNA…” She halted, glancing at the moth whose body appeared to have taken considerable damage. Most of it, she noted, had not been from Harley’s brief retribution, but as after effects of the Flare Blitz and Wild Charge. This Volcarona had hit them hard, but the attacks it had used preyed upon its weaker physical stature. It was as if it wanted to do as much damage as possible, yet didn’t want to kill them.

A figure emerged from the tree line, wearing a mask that seemed to resemble a Honchkrow, and an equally dark garb to match. “Hello, my dear.” Her heart sank as she recognized his voice as the one who had contacted her about the timers. “Did you honestly expect us to let our greatest asset simply go off on adventures without a chaperone? My, you are so smart, but oh so ignorant…” He walked over, leaning down and tapping the injury on her head, causing her to wince. “Now, we have a deal to finish, but the terms have been changed.” Without even seeing it, she knew his eyes had wandered to her secret project. “…And it appears you have brought us a gift. That will not save you, but we appreciate it all the same. We are not wholly ungrateful.” He grabbed her head and brought out a cloth, wrapping it tightly around her mouth. It had a sweet scent to it, and she felt her mind growing hazy.

The last thing she saw was the Volcarona levitating her machines out of the truck, and then a maelstrom of fire erupting from its jaws onto the disabled vehicle.

The last thing she heard was Harley’s mechanical, distorted scream rend the air and then promptly dissipate into crackling silence.

The last thing she thought?

Oh my Arceus, Harley really was alive. I’m so sorry, Harley. I’m so sorry! I thought... I really thought... What a mistake I made... What a mistake... I'm so sorry!

(It's a travel post...and not a travel post. More or less, the travel was interrupted - they didn't get to their destination. Now, the destination itself wasn't that far to begin with - same region, even - and so I figured that if I had wanted to, I could have done a post and a half for the travel and a bit of arrival/doing things. But since they only got about halfway to their destination, it cut the amount of "travel time" down much more significantly, so I figured it was all right. Didn't mean to break any rules, I just felt that there wasn't enough justification to dedicate an entire post to a travel post that only made it halfway :P I also wanted explosions. ...And thus I wrote a novel. This is a pretty meaty post in itself, so I didn't really cheese the travel anyway XD)

[Morzone]

OoC: Can't talk about trying to keep the RP going then not post, so here goes!

Shawn Mazox
the prism league
Castellia streets
ARP'ers: none

Things went wrong very quickly. Then they got worse. The streets were overrun with rioters, the mob of people in from of the greymane building had spread out very quickly, gaining numbers even quicker. Trying to make to too the portal metro was like fighting his way through an endless mass of zombies. They were all to busy causing random and general destruction to chase him properly, and they only ever said one of two things: 'end the Mechari' or: 'Repressor! Get him!' Shawn personally found it a bit odd that the fact that he was supposedly a repressor had traveled so fast and people could recognize so easily, but as he was too busy trying not to get killed by magical and Pokemon attacks he didn't give much thought to this.

"We're nearly there Ruby! The metro station should be just around this corner. Thunder!" Shawn shouted to his pokemon, adding this last command as a large togekiss along with its rider came charging at them from out of a side street. The thunder attack easily K.O.'d the flying type, and the trainer was thrown far into the rioting crowd and out of sight. Smashing a few people out of his way with a moving force field spell, Shawn turned the corner to find the metro station of a few yards ahead of him. That wasn't the only thing that was a few yards ahead of him however.

"Oh for Christ's sake! Seriously?" Shawn said angrily, staring at the tall hooded figure in front of him; he didn't have a charizard with him, but that didn't make him any less recognizable from that afternoon back in Celestic town.

"Seriously serious" he said seriously, "You've been running around far too easily Dr. Mazox, even after my group identified you as a repressor behind these attacks. My boss told me from the start that you would become a loose cannon from the moment we uh, borrowed your pokemon, but I personally didn't belive that one doctor from nowhere town could do anything."

Shawn glared ever more fiercely at the person before him, "So you've stolen my pokemon and used me as a scapegoat, yet you're still surprised I tried to do something against you?"

"Oh I'm not surprised at all, but really, you must learn when not to bite off more than you can chew."

At this, Ruby charged forward at the figure, and before either Shawn or his adversary could react, she bit down hard on his shoulder with thunder fang. Electricity shot up and down the hooded figure's body, causing him to growl and step back a few paces, though he caught himself before he fell down the metro stairs. Then with amazing speed, the figure whipped his arm around and smashed his hand into the side of Ruby's head. A dull sound of metal hitting flesh echoed across the area as it happened.

"Ruby!" Shawn shouted, running to the spot where Ruby had been thrown by the attack.

"Pesky beast, If my boss didn't want you captured instead of killed, I would happily teach the both of you a very painful lesson. As it is, my orders were very clear: capture the doctor and his pokemon alive."

As he spoke this time however, his voice buzzed as if it was a radio trying to speak through a haze of static. Shawn also noticed that even with all the movement of the thunder fang and the counter attack punch, the figures robe had perfectly covered his body without letting even a small amount light though.

'It seems my voice box is slightly overcharge," he said, still in that static filled voice, "Even if my programming gives my the ability to have millions of voices, it still can't take even this small shock from a dog's teeth. Oh well. Come Maximus! take our prisoner to the uh, meeting point."

With that Shawn found himself suddenly lifted into the air as a large red charizard appeared behind him and grabbed him in his talons. Shawn kicked and flailed as much as he could, but it was no use, the charizard had too strong of a hold on him. Just as he was being lifted away from the metro station and from the still hooded figure, a bolt of electricity shot from the ground, piercing the great right wing of the dragon. Ruby had gotten back on her feet once again!

Naturaully, as the Charizard had lost the use of one of its wings, it made a desperate attempt to stay in the air, and this meant it had to lose any heavy loads t might be carrying. Shawn was that lucky load to be dropped, and he fell straight onto the stairs leading down to the metro. With his arms to weak from the Charizard's tight grip, Shawn couldn't find the strength to cast a shield spell to stop him from hitting the uneven stairs below. The resulting smash into the hard stone steps sent agonizing waves of pain through his body as he half rolled, half bounced down the rest of the stairs. By the time he stopped tumbling, he could feel the blood poring from battered body as his head felt like it would split in two.

Feeling as if he might pass out any second, Shawn took the effort to look up the stairs he had just fallen down, only too see Ruby come flying down as well. When she too landed next to him, he saw that she had been hit many times by something very strong.

"Forget the orders, you two are dead for this!" The hooded figure towered above them, still at the top of the stairs. His hands, which were no longer hidden by his cloak, were balled in fists, and were dripping with Ruby's blood. At this point Shawn's head fell back to the ground, exhausted by holding it up for so long. As his gaze fell back to his own level, he noticed to that he and Ruby had landed near one of the metro portals. A smile forced its way onto his bloody face.

"You'll have to try a little harder if you want to capture me." Shawn said to the hooded figure running down the stairs toward them, though his voice was so weak that he doubted the it was actually heard. Pulling himself together for one last push, Shawn grabbed Ruby and threw himself and his pokemon through the portal. The scream of anger coming from the hooded figure buzzed with static as Ruby put the finishing touches on the escape: slightly shocking the portal so that it closed behind them.

"I wonder where this will take us." Shawn wondered before giving in to his pain and passing out.

[Morzone]

Shawn Mazox
The prism league
portal stasis --> forest in Kalos
ARP'ers: grassy_aggron

Shawn came too some time later, though not much had changed since he had passed out. Both he and Ruby were still traveling through the portal, so he hadn't arrived at where ever it was going. He could also feel Ruby's body still held tight to his, though with out being able to move he couldn't tell for sure if she had come around as well. After what Shawn guessed to have been several hours or so, his injuries were fealing better. His head wasn't hurting nearly as much, though it still throbbed painfully every now and then. The rest of his body still ached and burned, though he felt that if he had been able to move that he would've had enough strength to walk at least. Clearly the physical petrification of portal travel had given his injuries the rest that they dearly needed, though of course it would be some days before it was truly healed.

As Shawn watched the swirl of color and motion, he thought about everything the mechari, which is what he guessed to be under the hood and cloak, had said. Assuming that he was the leader, or at least one of the leaders, of the fire riders, it meant that the group worked for someone else. Most likely the repressors, but in the new world chaos you never knew what could pop up. They were also unnaturally interested in him and his Pokemon.

"What would they want me for? It's not like I would have gone out to hunt them down on my own, if they hadn't stolen my Pokemon I would probably be just another doctor trying to calm the riots. Maybe they didn't want me involved with whatever I would've been involved with if I had gone normally, but then why did they just steal my Pokemon instead of kill me? It's not like they don't like to kill people. No, it must be my pokemon, something about them appealed to their cause, oh if only I knew what it was!"

These thoughts swirled inside Shawn's head for some time, before they were interrupted with an abrupt observation: there were sudden cracks appearing in the portal stream! Unable to react, he watched in horror as the cracks slowly grew longer and wider, before the whole thing shattered all together. His head and body roaring in complaint as all his senses were forcibly turned back on, he found himself soaring mere inches from the ground. If it were not for the high speed at which he was going, he would've hit the ground and most likely died from the impact. Instead, he flew through the air and then down into an icy cold river, which was another lucky break.

The river, which was deep, but not too wide, was icy cold and it made his injuries scream in pain. Unable to get his bearings in the frozen water and on the verge of fainting from his injuries, Shawn struggled to swim back to the surface. He kicked, he pulled with his hands, he flailed in every direction, but to no avail. Then his hand found a mane of wet fur, it was Ruby! Pulling himself to her, he could feel himself rising and suddenly his lungs filled with fresh air, Ruby had again saved his life just in time.

This dive into the water and the haul of bringing Shawn to shore was, however, too much for the luxray, who was still grievously injured from the previous fight. As soon as they were both safely out of the water, Ruby collapsed to the ground, no longer conscious.

"N-no! Ruby!" Shawn struggled to his limp pokemon and held his head to her chest. A very faint beat could be felt. "Oh thank god, you're still alive. I'm so sorry for putting you through this Ruby. I'm s-so s-sorry."

He reached down to pull out his PCC, there was no way Ruby could go anywhere like this. It wasn't there, neither was his medical bag. looking around, he saw the PCC floating slowly downstream. The bag had clearly sunk below the water and out of Shawn's reach, but the PCC had escaped the bag in the confusion and had floated to the surface. As he crawled along the bank to reach the crystal, Shawn heard a loud metallic screech as well as the roaring of flames in the distance. Looking in the direction of the noise in shock and fear, he saw a column of smoke rising over a small forest in the distance. He had a feeling that he wasn't the only one to be ejected from a portal. Once he had returned Ruby to the PCC, he decided to explore the pillar of smoke. So he stood up and began his slow walk toward the black pillar in the distance.