2024-05-03: Grand Theft Goddess
- Log: Grand Theft Goddess
- Cast: Anne Aomori, Damian Tamaoka, Magilou, Rena Lanford, White Knight Leo, Meng Wu, Citan Uzuki, Dirk Swordsman, Timu Guado
- Where: Meribia - Merchant's Row
- Date: May 03, 2024
- Summary: Team Rocket strikes at Meribia on Lunar, attempting to steal the most sacred of treasures: a Goddess Statue. This does not go unnoticed.
=========================<* Meribia - Merchant's Row *>========================= Meribia was once both the largest city and port on the continent from which it draws its name; both honours have since been ceded to the Holy City of Pentagulia. It is nevertheless a major commercial centre for the entire Meribus continent, and all manner of goods are found here. Merchant's Row is the name given to the merchant district of Meribia, which runs from the landside entrance through to the centre of the city. Everything from weapons and armour to more mundane household goods can be found here, and the atmosphere is highly competitive, with barkers screaming from both sides of the Row. The largest shop in the city belong to the legendary Ramus family, an ancient line of merchants that has been operating since the time of the Dragonmasters. While Blue Master Lunn speaks formally for the city, Ramus is an influential figure. BGM: Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete - Crowded Street Corner - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3jru8_hq_s
DC: You switch forms to Rocket Damian! DC: Damian Tamaoka switches forms to Rocket Damian! DC: You switch forms to Rocket Damian! DC: Damian Tamaoka switches forms to Rocket Damian! DC: Magilou switches forms to Lil Miss Witch Who Smiles Around You But Stabs You In The Back When You Are Not Looking! DC: White Knight Leo switches forms to White Knight Leo! DC: Meng Wu switches forms to Earth Witch!
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
It is a beautiful day in Meribia, and this is Team Rocket.
It is a large city for Lunar, which makes it not very large by the standards of Energy Nede, but it is bustling. It's a commercial center, with all sorts of goods, and it's a lovely city, a perfect example of Lunarian architecture. There are people all around, dressed in their Lunarian styles, and it the afternoon stretches on normally for everyone.
Except...
BEEP BEEP BEEP
A large truck with a wide, flat trailer starts backing into the main thoroughfare of the city through the gate. The soldiers at the gate stare for a moment before starting to close it and--
Thump. They fall from the sleeping gas that's spreading at their posts, and the woman who set said gas strides out onto the top of the wall. "Please don't be alarmed," she says.
She is dressed in red and silver, a heavy-high collared silver top over a tight-fitting red shirt. The large 'R' on the top declares her allegiance. She also has a short silver skirt and black thigh-high boots... and, of course, a full hood and mask that obscures her hair and identity.
"This is a heist. We're here for the statue. Since your Goddess is manifest in the world now, you won't be needing it. Right? Of course."
She calls down to the grunts in the truck, "Activate the Symbological shield." As they do, the truck suddenly shines and an orb of prismatic light appears around it. "Just in case anyone gets any funny ideas," the woman says.
She hops down from the roof, somersaulting on the way down until she lands neatly in front of the statue. She holds up four strange circular devices, which she holds out to an operative she calls for, "Come. You can put these under the statue's base."
She then spreads her arms, taking a bow for the stunned crowd.
"I am the Masked Blossom of Team Rocket, and I will be robbing you today. Try to sit back and enjoy the show!"
That's when a giant, four-armed crane emerges from the gate, done up in the style of a huge Machamp torso. Its big smile is sculpted-on; it shines in the light. This is... probably fine.
Also, a half-dozen Grunts file out from the gate to take on the guards already on their way out. Their Zubats and Rattatas should do the trick!
<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.
It is a beautiful day, and Damian would love to see more of Meribia... but this is a work trip, and he's working.
For Team Rocket.
He's dressed in plain robes of a local style, milling back and forth through the square where the Goddess Statue is located. He's (mostly) feigning an interest in the local architecture and the local wares on sale, while keeping an eye out for anything unexpected that needs to be reported back. Up above, a purple feline creature (Purri, a Purrloin) hops nimbly from rooftop to rooftop, giving Damian another set of eyes to keep a watch out for trouble.
Trouble that would interfere with their plans, that is. For everyone else, they are the trouble.
The beeping of the truck cuts through the local soundscape, and both Damian and Purri take quick notice. It is an altogether familiar sound for them, but utterly alien by Lunar's standards.
Trainer and Pokemon share a look. Damian shrugs out of his robe, leaving it behind, while Purri does a nimble drop down to the ground, then a shorter hop back up onto Damian's shoulder.
When Masked Blossom announces herself to the crowd Damian quickly rushes out to join her. Compared to her--and even compared to the other grunts--he is short, barely over five feet tall. He looks young, too, even if you try to take into account an elf's slower aging rate (though he is not an elf, of course, despite what the pointed ears he and the other grunts have might suggest to a Lunar audience. Of course, by that token, there are so many 'elves' present... what kind of an omen might this portend?)
(It's an ill one. Definitely ill.)
And, of course, without the robe... A black, long-sleeved shirt with a red R on it declares his allegiance clearly enough. Black trousers, black gloves and boots, and a gray belt with several red-and-white orbs attached. His purple hair is drawn back into the barest of ponytails, with a black baker cap helping hold it in place.
He looks up to Blossom with pale silver eyes, framed by black glasses, and nods as she hands him the devices. There is maybe a barest hint of hesitation when he reaches out for them, but then he sets his jaw and the hold he has on the discs is firm.
"Yes, ma'am." Polite, formal.
Unspoken is the promise, 'I won't let you down.'
Purri drops down from Damian's shoulder and stands upright. Damian hands her two of the devices, and then tucks the other two under his arm. With his free hand, he reaches to his belt and tosses out two of the pokeballs. In a flash of light, two creatures appear: one a small cocooned creature with several silk spikes holding her just off the ground, who announces herself with a cry of "Silcoon!"; the other is a sandy-colored creature with small legs, a shell over her body, and a large head with a massive pair of jaws almost as large as her body is, who announces "Trapinch!"
"Silci, Chira, k-keep an eye out f-for anyone approaching us."
<Pose Tracker> Magilou has posed.
It is a beautiful day in Meribia, and you are a horrible Magilou.
"I can't believe we fleeced the entire bar!" Magilou crows to the Normin Bienfu, as she, he, and Tuxedo Mask -- that is, a little green kitten who some might know by now as a Sprigatito instead of a tamed monster -- trot down the street.
"We had better save, Miss Magilou," Bienfu points out. "Our luck might not go that well next time..."
"Of course it will, silly! That's the power of cheating!" Magilou spreads her arms, as a rainbow sparkles between them. "Stiiiill... it's been a while since we saved last. Let's do it!"
UNFORTUNATELY --
AT THE GODDESS STATUE --
"Wow! They're just stealing it!" Bienfu gasps, eyes wide under his top hat.
"Hang on, you can do that?" Magilou says, double-taking. "Just take a Goddess Statue for yourself? Bienfu! We've been living in ignorance for millennia! Do you know what we have to do?!"
"S--stop them?" Bienfu ventures.
"STEAL THAT STATUE!" Magilou yells, pointing to it.
"Biennnn..."
"Bienfu, go hijack that truc-- you coward!!" Magilou yells, as he leaps inside Magilou's heart, instead. But --
"Spri!" Sprigatito meows, wagging his tail.
"Oh, yeah! Tuxedo Mask! You're a good little cat, aren't you?" "Spri!" "Go hijack that getaway truck!" "Spriii!"
Lo, does Sprigatito leap into the passenger-side window of the Machamp Truck...
... just as the shields go up. "Sprigatito!" Tuxedo Mask meows, as his ruff glows, and --
-- well, he's still a low-level kitten, so he probably won't really hurt anyone, but that getaway truck is suddenly going to have a lot of distractions while the fight's going on.
Meanwhile, outside, Magilou strolls up, spreading her arms. "Masked Blossom, eh?" She asks, with a sly grin. (She does not bother the kid with her.) "You stand before the peerless sorceress, Mazhigigika Miludin do Din Nolurun Dou! I've decided your heist is a great time... so I'm stealing it!"
OH NO! CRIME ON CRIME!
DC: Anne Aomori switches forms to Masked Blossom Aomori! DC: You switch forms to Rocket Damian! DC: Damian Tamaoka switches forms to Rocket Damian!
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
One of the nice parts about Meribus is that dogs are in fact allowed, which means noone so much as bats an eye at Shorty, despite his three tails. What they are batting an eye at is Rena carrying several large bags of market fresh goods with print on them such as.
I <3 Pewter City
I'm Not Gonna
Raichu
A Love Song
"We've still got a few hours before Lady Brightwing is going to swing back and pick us up. Wanna sit down somewhere?" She asks Shorty, all smiles right now, as Shorty borks happily, "Ash! Ash!"
And that's when Rena hears it.
BEEP BEEP BEEP
Mouth slightly agape, she watches that flatbed trailer back up from the gate to the center of the center, spraying sleeping gas at its soldiers.
"You really think any kind of justification works for this? This world doesn't have Nede's technological advancements. They need this to communicate across distances."
The Shield comes up however, and Rena sighs, and puts up one finger, and moves around the corner into a shop. "Mind holding these for me?" As she hands over fiften silver for her trouble, "Thanks."
She then kneels down, "Now Shorty, I want you to stay here for this one." Rena says, all smiles, "Guard the shop. If anyone comes in with an R on their chest? Tackle them."
"Ash!" Shorty barks his affirmative.
Rena rounds the corner again in short order, putting on one knuckle, then another, slowly.
"Now then- who's..." A momentary pause, as Magilou declares her intent to steal from the criminals, "Really Magilou? Really?" Before she then peers at Damian, surprised, perhaps remembering Jessie and James - and...
"Hey are you really okay with doing this? You sound like you're terrified. You can always walk away you know."
That certainly is a young Nedian woman putting on some knuckle weapons, like she's quite ready to use them on him and pound his face in.
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
It is a beautiful day in Meribia, and Leo is about to have a horrible time.
Team Rocket made quite the entrance. The sight of falling guards and approaching heavy machinery sent some passers-by fleeing in fear, lest they be robbed, or worse. The commotion spreads. Perhaps it's only inevitable that--
"HALT!"
--Someone of rank within the Guard gets involved.
A man in a spotless white uniform stands at the side of the Goddess Plaza, finger pointed accusingly at Anne and Damian. His red cape flutters in the breeze. On either side of him, more Guards--local militia, really--stand with spears and cudgels and swords in hand. "Nedians... From Team Rocket?!" White Knight Leo's voice sharpens in indignation as he recognizes those familiar uniforms. His gaze flicks between the Statue, then the crane, then the Statue, then Anne. His eyes go wide for a moment before a snarl splits his face. "Stealing sacred artifacts? Have you no shame, Rockets?!" Leo glances back at the guards, then motions them forwards. "Arrest them! I'll deal with these two personally." The Guards rush forward to rumble with their Rocket counterparts. Leo stalks towards Anne and Damian, even as the soft 'pop' of a Pokeball opening heralds an arrival. A Dunsparce materializes at his feet, and points a wing at the truck.
"Dun! Dunsparce!"
"Yes," Leo says, "that has to be their getaway vehicle. We cannot allow it."
"...Sparce," says Dunsparce--who is ON TO YOU, MAGILOU--as he points his drill-tail directly at the wicked sorceress.
"You're... stealing the heist?" says Leo, a beat later.
<Pose Tracker> Meng Wu has posed.
Wu is doing what Wu does. Exploring new turf, staking things out, gathering information. Getting more involved. She's got a bandage across her nose and she looks a little battered, but the source isn't immediately noticeable.
She's a tourist. Kind of. That's what she's really here for. She's got a few random souvenirs in her heavy coat's pockets and a bag in hand as she idly browses.
The sound of a truck actually confuses her and she spins in place, coat billowing out behind her dramatically for the simple statement of "What is that?" You don't expect a truck here, or she didn't. So it's clearly a monster.
Then it clicks. This is a show being put on by some troop.
Then her brain actually catches up and she adjusts her sunglasses. Pulls a cloth mask from her pocket to wrap around her nose and mouth (Even tucking it into her blouse) and she calls out, "You shoud know better than to try to run a job on someone else's turf!" Pointing an indicting finger. She has no idea whose turf this is, but it's what she knows and might have worked back home and- Well. This isn't back home.
That is a strange crane. And a strange thought for her mind to latch onto. And she's deadpan the whole time. It's an attempted bluff though.
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
It has been some time since Citan has had cause to be in Meribia. But the movements of one world do not stop simply because events occupy others: echoes of the events the year prior still linger.
And then there is the matter of the rift that has formed here, as well. Travel from Energy Nede to Meribia had proven surprisingly simple as a result, but this is the sort of silver lining that scarce makes up for the darkness of the cloud it accompanies.
Something is about to happen. Citan is sure of it--
...He just didn't expect the 'something' to be quite as sudden as that, or, in fact, that.
"Well," Citan remarks, gazing at the incongruous vehicle as it begins to roll on up to the statue. "...This rather complicates matters." He glances between the fallen guards, to the Rockets, and then to the younger Rocket and the hooded woman who appear to be running the show.
Light flashes briefly about the truck. "A Symbological shield, is it...? But then, it could not be anything else," he remarks to himself, readjusting his glasses.
Which is the moment when Magilou strides on up and declares that she's stealing the heist.
Citan, for his part, contemplates his options. To get involved is...
But on the other hand, should this succeed, it would impact...
Shaking his head, he walks on over -- walks, not runs. If the space around him grows that much brighter, it's surely a trick of the light.
"I am afraid I cannot let you do that, ma'am," he says to Masked Blossom.
He has the feeling that she is older than he is from the way she speaks.
GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked Citan Uzuki with Kouga! GS: Citan Uzuki has gained 2 Combo! GS: Citan Uzuki's stances have changed from Counter to Counter and Stoic! GS: Citan Uzuki gains 21 THP from his Cautious! GS: Citan Uzuki has completed his action. GS: Citan Uzuki accepts Citan Uzuki's Kouga for 0 hit points! GS: Cover and Riposte applied to Citan Uzuki!
<Pose Tracker> Dirk Swordsman has posed.
SOMEWHERE FAR AWAY, laying in her reasonably warm and very soft bed in the desert hamlet of Houndstooth, Margaret sits bolt upright in bed as if sensing something. The vision passes into twilight immediately, but she nonetheless walks out to give the moon a dubious look.
"Something about it..."
"... it feels like something just happened," Margaret says, eyebrow twitching.
HERE RIGHT NOW, OR AT LEAST A LOT LESS FAR AWAY
DIRK SWORDSMAN knows only one way to develop his techniques, to learn new things. That is to learn more of the world. To walk the earth, which is now expanded to dizzying capacity. Within him, a grim and leaden impulse to defend the home he knows, wrapped in a net of pain, struggles with a certain wonder at the fact that he's on another world.
Farfetch'd and Cufant are out and with him. Farfetch'd has taken a position on top of Cufant, who continues to be 'just glad to be here,' while being large enough that Dirk hasn't gotten much static. A young man with a sword on his hip and some pet animals isn't exactly that weird here. He has, for the most part, just taken in the sights of Meribia.
And then...
A TRUCK
Dirk stares at the truck for several seconds. So does Farfetch'd. Dirk and Farfetch'd (who are at about eye level) look at each other. Cufant turns her head to get in on the looking, requiring some readjustment. Their attention turns back to see...
"Team Rocket," Dirk says with a sort of disgust leavened by something like relish. "I guess we shoulda' known we weren't gonna be the only ones coming over here. Can you even steal those things at all, or are they like the Cube things on Filgaia?" Dirk's last question is aimed towards someone who might have ALSO been tourisming it up with him.
As he says this, he rests a hand on his blade's hilt. The other hand goes down to his belt. With the pop of two buttons, Oshawott (who lands on her feet, scalchop at the ready) and Quilladin (who falls directly onto his ass, but recoups quickly) land.
"Oshawott!" declares Oshawott, with portent. Her eyes narrow.
The warriors stalk forwards. Dirk isn't close enough to really address Damian, but he can at least see Rena. Maybe he's gonna get talked down. If not...
IF NOT...
("CUUUFAAAA!!" trumpets Cufant along the way, trunk raised high.)
<Pose Tracker> Timu Guado has posed.
The people of Spira have a complicated history with those from then-called 'mainland' Lunar, but there doesn't need to be an exhaustive recap of this.
Timu Guado is along the Merchant's Row of the bustling city, taking in the colors, sounds, and scents trying to stand fully upright and attempt to take it for what it is. She's a Drifter, it's her lot to journey, and she's never alone (and in fact did come with Dirk). The Nanza desert landscape has its own challenges to cross, but with her Pokemon protecting her and having gotten some experience in the Filgaian Gunsmoke Desert, it's not too taxing a journey to get there.
Presently, she's at one of the stalls hawking jewelry.
"Exotic wares from beyond the shores, of a mythical land thought only of legend!" Says an older woman, showing the Guado teenager off these wares.
The older woman is not wrong - it is Spiran-made jewelry from around the Luca region, a triple-loop silver-hued necklace with an in-set orange-red gemstone. There was a rare resident Guado jewelry maker who used to ply his trade, in those parts - one of the few whom incorporated techniques from around the region rather than strictly stick to the Guado traditions. He passed on some time after the Guard's occupation of Luca. He was a friend of Timu's family in better times, though calling anything involving Yevon's reign and Sin's rampages 'better' is a strange use of the word.
"I... that really is from there," the teenaged Guado crosses her hands over her chest, while her little friend - a Fuecoco, who is being kept in check by being too short to just help himself to all the food stalls in reach - is captivated by the shine enough that this hurdle is forgotten for sake of novelty. Can she afford it? Rille deeply impressed to her how careful one has to be with money from Drifting, after all - work and pay aren't guaranteed in these times.
This amount of introspection comes to an imminent, abrupt end when chaos starts to unfold. That BEEP BEEP BEEP turns heads. An introduction by someone called the 'Masked Blossom' of 'Team Rocket,' and it's those latter words that sees Timu take her Pokeball to call back Fuecoco and take off running with the famous land speed Guado legs manage as Dirk repeats the name of Team Rocket, which is to say, 'very fast.'
She skids to a halt, coming down to a three-point stance when she can make out just who one of the people involved is...
"...Damian?!" Timu's voice climbs to a yell that can't decide if it's frightened, angry, or sad, as she sees Purri, a Silcoon, and a Trapinch leap down to greet everyone. Where Dirk is more measured, and Rena might be getting a little more persuasive...
"You're with Team Rocket?" She asks the question, and then... one of her Pokeballs rattles on her belt. She takes it in hand, and just bursting right out of there...
"HOOLIGRRRREEEEE!!" The large, greenish brute of a Pokemon snarls and gnashes his teeth, slamming the ground with his fists a few times, because he has some very pointed, powerful feelings about being betrayed. Timu's call to let Fuecoco back out is silenced by her Hooligre friend's sheer volume.
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
They sure are... most of the trouble. More on that later. First: The Masked Blossom acknowledges Damian with a crisp nod, looking into his eyes for a moment.
Then, she's back to the heist! As Damian and the Grunts bring out their Pokemon...
More trouble shows up. Specifically, an adorable Sprigatito maks his way into the truck.
The truck rocks on its wheels. "H-hey!" there's a shout from inside, and there is much rustling. "Catch that Pokemon!"
"I'm trying--he--OW!"
"STOP COMPLAINING!"
Magilou strolls up, and the Masked Blossom lifts an eyebrow at her. "Stealing our steal, eh?"
She smiles, though it's only obvious in her eyes since her mouth and nose are covered. "Very well, sorceress. You can have our statue... if you can catch it!"
She lunges for her, and with a spin she's suddenly wielding twin sai, one of which grows viny tendrils of life energy as Anne slashes the otherwise-blunt blade across Magilou on her way to the others.
Then she comes to a stop near Rena and suggests, "Maybe they should've made it less valuable if they wanted to rely on it for telecommunications. We have a buyer lined up who's going to love it!"
A beat, and she looks to Damian. "Well?" she asks. "Want to run away from her?"
She gives a big, dramatic bow to Leo. "No shame at all," she agrees, "When it comes to making money! You'll have to catch us to arrest us!"
The truck is shielded, but it has a Sprigatito in it. The Rocket Grunts, meanwhile, dispatch their Zubats and Rattatas (mostly) to fight the Guard!! Hope the Guard can deal with confusion and sharp teeth!
Then she looks to Wu, who calls out just like a criminal, and makes a show with her hands of going 'Hmmm', hands gathered at her cheek and elbows apart. It's a birdlike posture. "Another thief! How unlucky! Tell you what, thief: If you help us out, I'll give you a share and a half of the loot! Sound fair? We can talk over territory later."
Citan, though... Citan is very interesting to see here. Anne had thought there was more to him than met her eye...
"You are welcome to try to stop me, young sir," she says to Citan, making a cranelike stance. "It wouldn't be any fun otherwise."
She whirls into action at that, pulling throwing stars from her side to hurl the ki-enhanced projectiles for Citan in a testing move, and then handspringing to the side to swing into a hard kick for Leo's center mass, one-two with each foot. As she springs away from him, whirling on her feet, she then disappears in a puff of smoke.
In another puff of smoke she appears between Rena and Damian. "I think you'll be too busy for him, yes?" She slams/ her head forward--it turns out there's a metal plate at her forehead, which she uses to try to bash and disorient Rena outright.
"Do be careful. She's a powerful Symbologist," the Masked Blossom points out to her allies.
The truck continues to rattle and rumble. It's probably fine.
But the Masked Blossom eyes Dirk and Timu approaching. ?Timu clearly has some history with him, and both of them have strong-looking Pokemon... "Here's your chance to prove yourself," she says to Damian.
GS: Anne Aomori has attacked Magilou with Gardenia Blade! GS: Anne Aomori has gained 3 Combo! GS: Anne Aomori's stances have changed to Stoic! GS: Anne Aomori spends 1 Combo on Inspire! GS: Anne Aomori has attacked Meng Wu with Bribe! GS: Anne Aomori has attacked Citan Uzuki with Camellia Slash! GS: Anne Aomori has gained 1 Combo! GS: Anne Aomori spends 1 Combo on Interrupt! GS: Anne Aomori has attacked White Knight Leo with Double Kick! GS: Anne Aomori has gained 1 Combo! GS: Anne Aomori spends 2 Combo on Headshot! GS: Anne Aomori has attacked Rena Lanford with Headbutt! GS: Anne Aomori gains 30 THP from her Cautious! GS: Anne Aomori has completed her action. GS: White Knight Leo fails to guard Anne Aomori's Double Kick for 59 hit points! GS: Interrupt applied to White Knight Leo! GS: FP up! Power Burst! GS: White Knight Leo has lost 2 Combo from Interrupt! GS: COUNTER! Rena Lanford counterattacks Anne Aomori with :D I'm a Symbologist But - Counter Headbutt :D! GS: CRITICAL! Rena Lanford critically fails to charge Anne Aomori's Headbutt for 151 hit points! GS: Quick and Shield applied to Anne Aomori! GS: CRITICAL! Anne Aomori critically fails to charge Rena Lanford's :D I'm a Symbologist But - Counter Headbutt :D for 187 hit points! GS: COUNTER! Citan Uzuki counterattacks Anne Aomori with Mufuu! GS: Citan Uzuki critically fails to charge Anne Aomori's Camellia Slash for 164 hit points! GS: Disrupt blocked! GS: Shield applied to Anne Aomori! GS: CRITICAL! Magilou mostly guards Anne Aomori's Gardenia Blade for 76 hit points! GS: Drowsy applied to Magilou! GS: Quick applied to Anne Aomori! GS: Anne Aomori marginally guards Citan Uzuki's Mufuu for 100 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Anne Aomori gains 1 additional Combo!
<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.
Damian looks into Blossom's eyes, and he is determined. For her, of all people, he's willing to do his best. He has to, after all the time she's spent helping him out.
Damian blinks as Magilou strides up, twigging on--is that a Seraph? Why is the feeling of a Seraphim coming from a person? He stares at her for a moment more, until something else demands his attention.
"Purr!" says Purri, pointing at the truck. The Sprigatito goes in
"Huh? W-wait--" And the shields go up. Damian blinks.
They've got a whole bunch of pokemon. They can handle that. ... Right?
Magilou wants to steal their crime. Damian blinks and glances up to Blossom. In a quiet voice he asks, "Is th-that allowed?"
He blinks, as Rena addresses him. There is a part of him that's still not comfortable with this, but... Blossom is here for backup. He's got his pokemon. He's fighting for something, finally.
He looks up to Blossom and shakes his head. "N-no, ma'am." Then he looks to Rena. His voice is firm, even if his stammer might betray him in the moment. "I'm n-not running."
Leo summons the guards to fight the other grunts, and Dunsparce is ordered to take care of the truck. And someone accuses them of being on someone else's turf. Chira looks back to Damian. "Piiinch?"
Damian shakes his head. "S-stick to the plan."
And then he spots Dirk, and his demeanor stiffens. Dirk certainly wasn't happy with him--nor were his pokemon--but they haven't had a chance to talk since... well, since. He's quiet for a moment as he tries to think of something to say, but... what can he say?
Seeing Timu, though, cracks his resolve, just for a moment. This is not the way he wantedher to find out--but then again, is there a good way for this to come out? He's silent, for long moment, looking down, until he looks up again. "Yes," he says, simply. "I am. S-sorry you had to f-find out this way."
He does flinch, when Hooligre jumps out, but he glances up to Blossom again and sets his jaw, looking back. Chira and Silci spring forward, champing to get into battle despite the much larger opponents before them.
The Machamp crane makes its own beeping noise as it navigates closer, rolling up to the statue and getting into place. Blossom says it's his chance to prove himself, and he nods.
"P-Purri, h-here." Damian hands Purri the rest of the devices to handle, and then turns back to the fight. He tosses out another pokeball, and a teddy bear pops out.
"Rishi, P-Play Rough with H-Hooligre. S-Silci, String Shot."
Rishi shouts, "Whelp!" and sizes up her opponent. "Wiiiiiissssshhhh." She springs forward suddenly, arms and legs lashing out and flailing with strikes and claw marks at Timu's Hooligre. "Er!"
"Silcoon!" Silci inhales deeeply, and then suddenly starts letting out great sprays of silk at all of Dirk's entourage, trying to get them ensnared.
GS: Damian Tamaoka has attacked Timu Guado with Play Rough! GS: Damian Tamaoka has gained 1 Combo! GS: Damian Tamaoka has attacked Dirk Swordsman with String Shot! GS: Damian Tamaoka has gained 1 Combo! GS: Damian Tamaoka has completed his action. GS: CRITICAL! Timu Guado mostly guards Damian Tamaoka's Play Rough for 63 hit points! GS: Weaken applied to Timu Guado!
<Pose Tracker> Meng Wu has posed.
Wu actually looks offended, "I'm no thief. I'm an entrepaneur." Which.. is a blatant lie. At least she didn't insist she was a sky pirate.
She looks around at the people surrounding her. She's not going to pretend she's not tempted. It's a statue, she doesn't really have a thing for worship anymore unsurprisingly. She holds her hand up though. "And I think.. I don't like how you're operating here." She finally says. She was sorely tempted. It's just an object, they're replaceable. Then again, why steal it then? Maybe there's more here.
And the kids would be upset she's sure.
"I'll make you a counter offer. You tell me what you needed the statue for-" she gestures up at it, giving it a wry look, "And I see if we can't just sell you what you need instead." And she'll even keep it above board!
She nods towards her grunts, "And I'll throw in boot camp for your rookies even at a.. nominal fee."
She's pretty sure they won't take that offer.
She does take the time she's talking to light a cigarette though. Puffing on it as she works out a plan of action.
She gestures forward, gathering ether to cast her spell. Nothing particularly offensive, but something to slow things down maybe. To buy the others some time too if all else.
She's trying to improve things actively after all.
The earth magic weighs down heavily though. And carries a nice little surprise to go with it. A ring just visible around the speaker!
GS: Meng Wu marginally guards Anne Aomori's Bribe for 0 hit points! GS: Quick applied to Anne Aomori! GS: Meng Wu gains Combo from Inspire! GS: Meng Wu has attacked Anne Aomori with Magnetic Earth! GS: Meng Wu has gained 1 Combo! GS: Meng Wu has completed her action. GS: CRITICAL! Anne Aomori mostly evades Meng Wu's Magnetic Earth for 0 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Anne Aomori gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Dispel! Quick and Shield removed! GS: Disrupt and Jam applied to Anne Aomori! GS: Shield applied to Meng Wu! GS: FP up! Arcane Font!
<Pose Tracker> Magilou has posed.
"Spri! Spri! Spri!" There's a green light, from within that Symbological barrier, because obviously Magilou has taught her Pokemon that it's okay to attack humans.
Tuxedo Mask is also, just, really small. And really quite slippery. He's a naughty kitten, and have you ever tried to catch a naughty kitten?
(Unfortunately, he is still just a kitten...)
But don't worry, Margaret. Magilou's gonna bring Houndstooth back its very own Goddess Statue, just you wait. This is a foolproof crime! No one can even blame her, because Team Rocket is the one who stole it! She just stole it back from Team Rocket!
Trust her. Bienfu's a lawyer. And also a Seraphim, hiding out inside Magilou. That's not confusing or anything!
"When it comes to crime," Magilou advises Damian, wagging a finger, "anything is allowed. You can transgress any boundary or binary you like! That's why it's called crime. Hey, you!" She points at Meng Wu, who looks the shadiest out of everyone. (Citan exempted. He's just a normal country doctor.) "Back me up here!"
And Magilou, it seems, a lot of friends. Damian may have the sense of another spirit inside the paper doll which Magilou magically elongates into a shield to guard herself against Anne's deceptive blade. They're not Seraphim, of course, but the minor spirits who inhabit those dolls have their own feelings.
She also -- despite being an elven person, by all appearances -- has a green Seraphic glyph appear about her feet, as she grasps one of those paper dolls between her fingers, and asks Anne: "Is it hot, or is it just me?" A moment later, she reveals it's not just a question, as she completes the Arte: "Crown Fire!"
And a swirling, flaming tornado of Wind and Fire combine together, threatening to engulf the Masked Blossom if she isn't very quick.
(She may well be very quick. She's a ninja, after all.)
GS: Dirk Swordsman fails to evade Damian Tamaoka's String Shot for 0 hit points! GS: Entangle and Slow applied to Dirk Swordsman! GS: FP up! Power Burst! GS: Magilou has attacked Anne Aomori with Crown Fire! GS: Magilou has gained 2 Combo! GS: Magilou's stances have changed from Counter to Avenger and Counter! GS: Magilou gains 5 FP from her Daredevil! GS: Magilou has completed her action. GS: CRITICAL! Gamble: Lowest! Anne Aomori critically fails to guard Magilou's Crown Fire for 70 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Anne Aomori gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Mighty applied to Magilou! GS: FP up! Arcane Font!
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
Leo braces as the ground shakes. His head whips towards Hooligre, and his eyes widen. What is--no. That's one of Timu's Pokemon...? Dunsparce flits forwards on tiny wings, addressing him. "Dun... Dunsparce Dunsparce! Sparce!" He hears and understands the anger, and it is well-warranted. But this fight must stay between Pokemon...!
Part of it, anyway.
"Then I accept your challenge," says Leo. His sword clears its scabbard with a ringing, bell-like tone. Blossom's kick slams into his raised guard; he grips his blade by the midpoint as well as the hilt, and keeps from either cutting himself or falling on his ass. The force slams the flat of the weapon against his chest, and sends him skidding back across the cobbles. Leo sucks in a breath. "Common looters!" he snaps. At least Wu seems to be... not actively after the statue? "Take this! DEMON FANG!" Leo whirls and sweeps his blade through the air. There's a CRACK of displaced atmosphere, and then a slicing wind of vacuum and energy races towards Anne!
GS: White Knight Leo has attacked Anne Aomori with Demon Fang! GS: White Knight Leo has gained 2 Combo! GS: Interrupt expired! GS: White Knight Leo has completed his action.
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
"Oh sure blame the victim!"
Masked Blossom however does ask the kid if he wants to run from her, and for a time Rena asks like she's pleading, but then he says he's not, and she sighs, "... Okay then. I don't know why you're doing this but - sometimes people have to learn a lesson like this the hard way.
Then - abruptly she sees Anne coming in for the headbutt- and her guard is down.
Rather than try a desperate defense though, she winds her head back, and strikes at the last possible second, slamming her head into the point of contact
"Is that right?"
Rena asks her, moments after the contact, obviously dazed, but there is catharsis in this. After all, she's been told by many people that her way of being a Symbologist is wrong.
Rena stumbles back, staggered despite her effort as she says huskily. "...I thought you didn't know what I was." There's a spot of blood on her forehead, soaking her bangs, but she doesn't seem to mind.
It's perhaps the strangeness of this Nedian girl, that she's so used to violent combat using her own body. Yet here on Lunar, that's positively normal?
There's a sudden rush forward, as Rena tries to simply grasp Masked Blossom by a hand, and twist it backwards, before slamming her fist weapon up into one of her shoulders, like she's hoping to dislocate it while she's got a hand on her.
"You are - A BAD INFLUENCE!" Before she then shouts to Magilou, "And so are you! NOT HELPING!"
GS: Rena Lanford has attacked Anne Aomori with Healers Adjust - Your Spine!! GS: Rena Lanford has completed her action. GS: CRITICAL! Anne Aomori critically fails to evade Rena Lanford's Healers Adjust - Your Spine! for 104 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Anne Aomori gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Cripple and Disrupt applied to Anne Aomori! GS: Interrupt! Attack weakened! GS: Anne Aomori mostly evades White Knight Leo's Demon Fang for 44 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Dirk Swordsman has posed.
STRING SHOT!
It flies forwards. Quilladin had been about to surge in front and that means he takes a lot of the incoming proteinacious silk, which bogs him down with a wail of "Quiiii!!!" in annoyance and distress! Oshawott immediately lunges forwards, getting her scalchop up to try and free her senior.
Which means she gets stuck too. "Wott!!" she squeaks.
"Ah dangit," Dirk says, as he draws his sword - "Another unworthy object my blade must cut." As he moves to free the Pokemon, he shouts towards Damian, "Don't gimme that face! You took a truck to a whole other planet and you're stealin' a statue!" but he is clearly distracted.
You know who isn't distracted?
"CUFANT!" That's right. The elephant turns her attention towards Damian and stomps one foot on the ground before breaking into a galloping charge in the direction of his Silcoon. Rumble, rumble, rumble, and then Cufant throws herself down headfirst, tucking in her legs and --
Rolling?
That's right. Two hundred pounds of tumbling copper elephant, faintly decorated by the feathers that emerged from Farfetch'd's plumeage as he abandoned ride once he realized Cufant was fixing to Rollout, are aiming at Silcoon. Farfetch'd lands with some portion of dignity remaining.
He points his leek at Damian.
His eyes narrow.
His little head shakes back and forth.
NO BIRD-CY.
GS: Dirk Swordsman has attacked Damian Tamaoka with Cufant - Rollout! GS: Dirk Swordsman has completed his action.
<Pose Tracker> Timu Guado has posed.
Damian's stammering apology feels like it cuts deeper than any sort of mocking, evil smile the likes of Seymour could have mustered... had Timu and her sister been of the capability and strength to actually stand up to that monster face-to-face. Fuecoco dutifully leans forward with his tiny arms clenched inward, ready for command as Damian sends Rishi forth to deal with Hooligre.
It's unquestionably super-effective, Hooligre snarling as Rishi seems to go to town on him... short of the Hooligre thrusting an arm forward to keep the worst of the dusted-up violence at bay. He should be on the back foot, cowed, and flattened underneath Whelpwisher's might.
He stays upright, scratched up and bruised and snarling.
"G-Good work," Timu stammers herself, taken aback by Hooligre's self-determination and taking in a breath. It's hard to say anyone of Spira would want to come to the defense of the people of Meribus and Glenwood in a time of need like this. But... none of this is okay, she tells herself. "None of this is okay," she says aloud, finding her courage as a more at-peace-with-situation Dirk orders his Cufant forward. It's her turn to reinforce him. "Fuecoco!"
"Fueeee!!" Fuecoco nods, looking upright as Hooligre lurches and looms off to the side.
"Go and use Incinerate on the Silcoon!" She gestures.
"Co!" Fuecoco nods, and complies.
This is a perfectly reasonable and strategic command on Timu's part, as Fuecoco dutifully marches forward and starts to open his maw to inflict a stream of flame upon Damian's beloved Silcoon.
"HOOLI!!" Hooligre just /thrusts/ himself in front of that, snarls, and starts swinging his arms wildly against the Fairy/Fighting Whelpwisher without a care that the small teddy bear Pokemon - born of the unfulfilled childhood dreams of others - is outright one of the worst match-ups for any Dark-type to run into.
"Hooligre...!" Timu gasps.
There is a reason why the Hooligre species has only recently started to become more common as trained Pokemon - a gesture in fact initiated by Team Rocket itself, by the modern Pokedex entries for them. This one, powered by emotions that their kind does not really keep under control, is an ample demonstration.
"Fuecoco!!" Fuecoco flails and tumbles on his back, his turn having been usurped.
GS: Timu Guado has attacked Damian Tamaoka with Double Resisted Dark-type Attack Powered By Love... Anger... And Being A Hooligre Who Does Not Know Better! GS: Timu Guado has completed her action.
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
"Hm, I see," Citan muses, when Masked Blossom 'invites' him and the others to stop her, then makes her intent ever more clear by hurling a series of throwing stars in his direction.
He does not attempt to sidestep them. Instead, as they hurtle past him, drawing streaks of red, he cleaves his hand through the air before him as if it were the blade of a knife.
The pressure gradient carries, crossing the distance from the point he occupies to where Anne stands.
He hadn't quite seen the Sprigatito's advance into the cab of the truck but Citan is, as he closes, aware that something is making things difficult for its operators.
It doesn't take a clever man to figure what it might generally be, if not what it is specifically. After all, if there is anything capable of making 'good trouble', well--
In passing, he glances Magilou's way. It is a particularly neutral sort of glance, as if they were strangers in the night instead of--
Well, whatever they count as towards each other. Possibly a particularly teeth-clenched sort of alliance, as it were.
"I am curious," he says, addressing Masked Blossom. "What is it that you intend with it? Is Energy Nede so desperate for statuary?"
He closes on her, attempting to drive a quick series of blows to destabilize her equilibrium -- or perhaps to knock her off-balance altogether.
A short distance away, on a doorstep, there stand a trio of Pokemon.
"Mi," says Ise, his expression as inscrutable as ever. Muroto, the Espurr, says nothing. He only stares into the distance as if seeing the shape of something that isn't, actually, there at all.
"Weedle!" insists Shirane to the two of them. Her stinger glints menacingly in the light.
GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked Anne Aomori with Ukigumo! GS: Citan Uzuki gains 23 THP from his Cautious! GS: Citan Uzuki gains 5 FP from Gleam! GS: Citan Uzuki has completed his action. GS: Anne Aomori marginally evades Citan Uzuki's Ukigumo for 84 hit points! GS: Damian Tamaoka has activated Force Action: Guard! GS: You have activated the Force Action Guard! GS: Gamble: Moderate! Damian Tamaoka mostly guards Dirk Swordsman's Cufant - Rollout for 78 hit points! GS: Hyper applied to Dirk Swordsman! GS: FP up! Power Burst! GS: Damian Tamaoka critically fails to charge Timu Guado's Double Resisted Dark-type Attack Powered By Love... Anger... And Being A Hooligre Who Does Not Know Better for 63 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Damian Tamaoka gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Charge!! You gain 35 FP! (That's 20 more than usual!) GS: FP up! Power Burst! GS: Healthy! For entering Condition Green, Damian Tamaoka receives 100 temporary hit points. GS: Damian Tamaoka enters CONDITION GREEN!!
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
Citan's counterattack is a fascinating work of martial arts. Annee is impressed.
But, "Is there a difference?" the Masked Blossom asks Wu of entrepeneurs and thieves. Capitalism, ho!
"I don't!" Blossom answers Rena pleasantly. "Except that you can use powerful Symbology! And--"
BONK. The Masked Blossom wobbles on her feet. "Wow," she says. "You really do go in hard!"
She is a bad influence! A bad influence with a dislocated shoulder at this point. "Ghk--"
But Wu's offer of course is something she considers. "But why buy, when we can steal?"
The crane's drivers have managed to back up the vehicle, but that's about all they've managed to do so far, thanks to Sprigatito. "It's a rare Pokemon!" comes a muffled noise from within. "Take it!"
Rumble rumble. Rattle rattle.
But Magilou opines on crime, and the mysterious ninja nods along. "It's true," she says. "Remember, the 'strength' to do what you will!"
At this point Meng Wu slows her down with a spell, and Masked Blossom goes, "Tsk, tsk. We'll have to conclude our business later than, Madam Entrepeneur." She feels... heavier, as a result. It's going to be extra effort to get around. It does mean that she can't get out of the way of the Crown Fire in time--not fully, anyway. So she's engulfed in flames!!!
The log that remains where she was a moment ago burns quite merrily. Masked Blossom appears near the statue in a puff of smoke. "Hot!" she announces, and pops her shoulder back into place with an unseen grimace. "I think the sorceress is a delight," Blossom tells Rena. "It's a pity she won't join us instead! We do have health benefits, you know--does your current evil plan get you dental?"
Leo's powerful attack overturns a cart and shatters some stone, but Anne mostly gets out of the way. "Demon Fang, is it? I'll have you know we aren't common at all. We have uniforms and everything."
It was a powerful attack, though; she doesn't make it obvious, but she keeps an eye on Leo.
Citan's question is reasonable. "We've got a collector who's fascinated by Lunar. A bit of art on their estate will really brighten up the place! For a lot of FOL."
But that quick series of blows is met by an equally quick series of counterattacks, Citan and Anne practically engaged in a dance to all appearances. Until one of his strikes does get past her defense, and gets her in the side. "Hmmm."
"My turn."
Once again Blossom whirls into action, slamming a fist back for Citan coated in caustic ki. From there she whirls back to Leo, her sai lengthening into twin shortswords of spectral energy, and she aggresses on him with a series of thrusts.
She takes a backstep and flips through the air towards Rena and hurls another few darts of life energy tinged green, right for Rena's personage. She isn't closing to melee with her this time.
Wu this time gets, "Ice Needles!" as Blossom casts her spell to hurl icicles at her!
Finally, she whirls on Magilou, "So hot that I think you need to cool down--Deep Freeze!"
The air around Magilou abrubtly grows very cold as a huge chunk of ice erupts from Blossom's hands straight for center mass!
"Careful of that Pokemon," she instructs Damian. "It's not obeying its Trainer. You know how dangerous that can be."
She turns to watch Farfetch'd. "...That one, too."
Then she's back to her own fight.
The Grunts continue to do their best against the Guard! There are so many Zubats happening right now.
GS: Anne Aomori used Force Action: Mystic on herself! GS: Cripple removed! GS: Blitz added to Anne Aomori! GS: Anne Aomori has activated Force Action: Boost! GS: Anne Aomori has activated Force Action: Fury Shot! GS: Blitz! Anne Aomori has attacked Citan Uzuki with Poinsettia Jab! GS: Blitz! Anne Aomori has attacked White Knight Leo with Zinnia Saber! GS: Anne Aomori has gained 2 Combo! GS: Blitz! Anne Aomori has attacked Rena Lanford with Gardenia Blade! GS: Anne Aomori has gained 3 Combo! GS: Anne Aomori's stances have changed from Stoic to Stoic! GS: Blitz! Anne Aomori has attacked Meng Wu with Ice Needles! GS: Anne Aomori has gained 2 Combo! GS: Blitz! Anne Aomori has attacked Magilou with Deep Freeze! GS: Anne Aomori has gained 2 Combo! GS: Anne Aomori's stances have changed from Stoic to Stoic! GS: Anne Aomori gains 22 THP from her Cautious! GS: Anne Aomori gains 5 FP from Gleam! GS: Anne Aomori has completed her action. GS: COUNTER! White Knight Leo counterattacks Anne Aomori with Crescent Sweep! GS: White Knight Leo fails to charge Anne Aomori's Zinnia Saber for 150 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! White Knight Leo gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Misery adds Delay! GS: Delay and Disease applied to White Knight Leo! GS: FP up! Power Burst and Reaction bonus! GS: White Knight Leo enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Anne Aomori critically fails to guard White Knight Leo's Crescent Sweep for 209 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Anne Aomori gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Anne Aomori enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Magilou fails to evade Anne Aomori's Deep Freeze for 260 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Magilou gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Misery adds Poison! GS: Poison applied to Magilou! GS: FP up! Arcane Font! GS: Meng Wu mostly guards Anne Aomori's Ice Needles for 70 hit points! GS: Misery adds Disrupt! GS: Cripple and Disrupt applied to Meng Wu! GS: Citan Uzuki marginally guards Anne Aomori's Poinsettia Jab for 108 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Citan Uzuki gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Infect! Debuff durations extended!! GS: Misery adds Shieldbreak! GS: Shieldbreak applied to Citan Uzuki! GS: Shield applied to Anne Aomori! GS: Healthy! For entering Condition Green, Citan Uzuki receives 100 temporary hit points. GS: Citan Uzuki enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Rena Lanford mostly guards Anne Aomori's Gardenia Blade for 63 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Rena Lanford gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Misery adds Hex! GS: Drowsy and Hex applied to Rena Lanford!
<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.
Damian blinks as Magilou addresses his question instead. "I--" he looks a bit taken aback as Magilou brings up, of all things, transgressing binaries. In a small voice he asks, "... w-why are you p-putting it like that...?"
But Masked Blossom has an aditional note on that. Strength... "R-right!" He focuses his attention firmly back on his own fight.
Even if the feeling of all of those spirits Magilou is apparently carrying around with her keeps making him glance her way throughout the fight.
Damian is relieved that Anne took the initiative to take on Rena, because he is definitely not going to be handle a fist fight. ... (Not yet, anyway.) But as to why... "W-we're ch-changing the stagnation of Energy N-Nede."
And also apparently making some money, like Blossom said, but they can do two things at once!
If only Rena knew just how much of an influence Blossom has been on him...
Silci's String Shot ensnares almost all of Dirk's pokemon--with one rather notable exception. Still, ensnaring most of them is pretty good. "G-good job!"
They took a truck to a whole other world. "Th-that--" How would the others retort to that? "... th-that just sh-shows how far we'll g-go, t-to accomplish our goals!"
But that aforementioned exception comes careening for Silci, in what must be one of the most difficult size match-ups possible for a bug type, even before accounting for typings. "H-Harden! Y-you can do it!"
Silci's cocoon shines with a brilliant light as she activates the skill right before Cufant slams into her. The clash of metal elephant versus tiny bug would be almost comical if the consequences weren't so potentially dire. "Siiiiiiiiil-" With a final burst she tosses off the attack. "Cooon!" As the glow dies down it's plain to see that the surface of her cocoon is scruffed up where she took the attack headon, but she's mostly intact.
And then she starts to glow again.
BGM: Evolution (Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD_tD9te3u8
The light intensifies until she is all-consumed by it, the back of the cocoon splitting as something emerges from it. Beautiful, rainbow-colored wings unfurl as she lifts up into the air, twirling about as the last of the glow fades from her body.
"Beautifly!"
Silci has evolved into BEAUTIFLY!
BGM: Congratulations! Your Pokemon has Evolved! (Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GXWhUahpf4
"W-wow... you d-did it!" Damian's joy at seeing his pokemon is genuine, in the moment, though he quickly goes back to focusing on the battle.
Rishi's amazing extending limbs don't seem to help her in this specific instance, as Hooligre seems to be able to hold her at bay. Rishi hops back, pouting as her attack didn't seem to have the desired effect.
Timu says things arent okay, and Damian nods. "Th-they're not. Th-there are things h-happening on Nede I c-can't ignore."
Fuecoco is preempted from Timu's command, as he lunges after Rishi. Perhaps distracted by Timu's command to Fuecoco, or lost in a momentary thought, whatever the reason she reacts too late to Hooligre's sudden emotion-fueled onslaught, and is flung backwards from the front line of battle.
"R-Rishi!" Damian scoops her up and starts applying a potion to her. "S-stay still."
But Blossom has some advice, two pokemon on the field he needs to be wary of. Damian nods. "Yes, ma'am."
"Silci! Gust on Hooligre! Ch-Chira! Bullfoxr on Cufant!"
"Fly!" Silci soars up in front of Hooligre and starts beating her wings furiously, kicking up a tremendous gale force wind.
Meanwhile, Chira stamps her little feet, and shouts, "Tra!" She charges headlong at Cufat, intending to just ram her big ol' head right into her opponent.
GS: Damian Tamaoka has attacked Timu Guado with Gust! GS: Damian Tamaoka has gained 3 Combo! GS: Damian Tamaoka spends 1 Combo on Interrupt! GS: Damian Tamaoka has attacked Dirk Swordsman with Bulldoze! GS: Damian Tamaoka has gained 1 Combo! GS: Damian Tamaoka has completed his action.
<Pose Tracker> Meng Wu has posed.
Wu shakes her head and holds both of her gloved hands up, "Buying your help means you're less likely to draw-" she gestures around to the assembled adventurers, "Unwanted attention and all of the downsides that come from stepping out into the sunlight."
She's paying attention more than most would think though. And as Anne (Particularly thanks to being slowed down) goes to throw the needles, she does actually manage to generate a pillar of stone to erupt from the ground in front of her. Mostly. They were a bit faster than she'd have prefered all things considered. The first knocks her cigarette from her mouth and she reaches out to try and catch it. It's a bad habit. Particularly with another needle striking her arm and leg now that they're exposed. "That was my last one!" She actually has some emotion in her voice there. It still doesn't show on her face. There is a vaguely forelorn look at the ruined bad habit though.
She pulls the needles free and contemplates just throwing them back out of spite. They're not quite knives, but..
"It's on now!" She's upset. Leaning around the pillar as it starts to crumble, she goes for a different option though. Ignoring the idea of returning the favor, so to speak. She wings a pair of quick shots towards Anne. The pistols all, but appearing from beneath the coat suddenly as she advances!
There is a wry comment Citan's way as she passes, "Maybe they need a prayer." She tries not to focus on the cute fuzzy things that are cute and fuzzy. It's the middle of a fight. And it's unbecoming. (She doesn't usually care about the latter).
Of note, she's trying to keep an eye on the kids fighting the grunt. Might be why she's pressing the attack. She's just not saying it there.
That most of the people assembled are... she dashes that away. She's not old. No. No no.
Wu is.. very careful on any follow up shots with Rena brawling though. She's.. going to have to do the same, isn't she.
She'd deadpan if she weren't already.
GS: Meng Wu has attacked Anne Aomori with Deal Out! GS: Meng Wu enters a Counter stance! GS: Meng Wu has gained 3 Combo! GS: Meng Wu has completed her action. GS: Timu Guado mostly charges Damian Tamaoka's Gust for 105 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Timu Guado gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Cripple applied to Timu Guado! GS: Mute blocked! GS: FP up! Arcane Font!
<Pose Tracker> Magilou has posed.
"I am an excellent influence!" Magilou huffs at Rena, folding her arms and pouting. "Honestly! Doctor, tell her!" OH NO SHE'S PUTTING CITAN ON THE SPOT LIKE THEY'RE FRIENDS OR SOMETHING. "I'm always helping!"
And so is Sprigatito! Who is clearly having his own adventure inside that truck. But can Tuxedo Mask defeat the baddies without Sailor Moon...?
Don't ask Magilou, who's too busy advising Damian: "Because crime is fun! And it always pays! Laws tell you you have to do things one way, but the law is a bore!" Speaking of crime paying, she puts her hand on her hip, and declares, to Anne: "Dental? Whenever I have a problem, I just terrorise a dentist until they fix it!" Is -- is that true? There's a horrifying sense that it might have actually happened.
She does try to Quick-Step back away from that huge chunk of ice -- but Anne's attacks, it seems, are deceptively swift. "Oof!" Magilou yelps, as she catches a big hunk of ice right to her exposed midsection, and she goes flying into a lamp pole. "Eyowch! That hurt!!" She says, as she grasps it to right herself, and stomps a foot.
(Nothing seemed to break her skin, though.)
"But fine! I'll let you thaw me out..." And this time, a blue Seraphic glyph alights at Magilou's feet, as she invokes: "Better watch your step... Flood Wall!" And beneath Anne's feet erupts a wall of water, battering upwards to toss her into the air.
GS: Magilou has attacked Anne Aomori with Flood Wall! GS: Magilou has gained 2 Combo! GS: Magilou gains 5 FP from her Daredevil! GS: Magilou gains 5 FP from Gleam! GS: Magilou takes 36 damage from Poison! GS: Magilou has completed her action. GS: Anne Aomori mostly evades Meng Wu's Deal Out for 28 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Anne Aomori gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Shield applied to Meng Wu! GS: ROU|LET|TE: Moderate! Anne Aomori critically fails to guard Magilou's Flood Wall for 146 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Anne Aomori gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Cover applied to Magilou! GS: FP up! Arcane Font! GS: Dirk Swordsman mostly guards Damian Tamaoka's Bulldoze for 36 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Dirk Swordsman gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Interrupt applied to Dirk Swordsman! GS: FP up! Power Burst! GS: Dirk Swordsman has lost 2 Combo from Interrupt!
<Pose Tracker> Dirk Swordsman has posed.
WHATCHOO GONNA DO WHEN CUFANTMANIA RUNS OVER YOU, POKEBROTHER??
It seems the option is straightforwards. After tumbling forwards, Cufant kicks up and spins in the air before landing on the ground to position herself for a second attack run, trumpeting merrily.
Then...
The coccoon splits... and from it comes the beautiful form of Silci's new evolution. Cufant trumpets in congratulations.
"Stop -- stop encouragin' him to do crime on other planets! You're an adult, you're supposed to be a good role model!" Dirk shouts at Magilou in irritation, before pointing his webbed-up-partway sword towards Damian. "And as for YOU --"
Farfetch'd runs up next to Dirk, mirroring his sword-pointing as if to be more intimidating.
"Breaking stag... You are STEALING SOME OTHER PEOPLE'S STUFF. This is a like, well understood phenomenon! It is called crime! You are just doin' crimes on these people! What if this is like their sacred statue and they declare war on us, dude?! Do you think these guys don't have wars?! Those Aslev and Kiveh places are havin' a war on the other planet RIGHT NOW! -- Huh? Evolving? Stop havin' your Pokemon evolve during your crime spree!!"
Quilladin is, for the most part, now free, and seems to have the wisdom to let Dirk scrape Oshawott out the rest of the way. Oshawott gives Silci's new form a dirty look, because even if Silci's ascended to a new phase of life, Silci still webbed her up BUT GOOD. It's in her FUR
Meanwhile: Chira declaims her challenge and charges towards Cufant, who sees this coming with an alert honk of the trumpet. Cufant answers this incoming Bulldoze -- by charging back! However, Chira has the advantage of a lot more velocity, and to be honest, Cufant has yet to really serious-up here, and so the resultant impact is almost certainly going to be in Chira's favor.
Except that Cufant doesn't stop pushing forwards.
GS: Dirk Swordsman has attacked Damian Tamaoka with Cufant faked BULLDOZE! GS: Dirk Swordsman has gained 1 Combo! GS: Dirk Swordsman has completed his action.
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
"There are OTHER WAYS TO DO IT!" Rena shouts at Damian, upset at the thought of him perhaps being just another young man who feels he doesn't belong in Nedian society, before- "You have no idea!" She tells Masked Blossom, while swinging around to try and give Wu a better opening to shoot.
As Masked Blossom vanishes from the close combat in a puff of smoke, she sounds aghast, "Are you trying to RECRUIT her while we're in the middle of a fight!?"
This time when she sends darts of life energy at her, Rena sweeps her hand in mid-air, the darts clanging against the special coating of her knuckles which seems to help with magic.
Unfortunately one does get through just enough, for a glancing blow, as she grimaces, feeling something within her system.
Magilou however protests, and Rena looks at her, and then looks at Citan. "Are you telling me that that guy is going to back you up? He's so put together and you're so-"
Pause.
"-you."
After a moment though, "You know what! I'll sort this out later-! And as for you!" As she looks back to Masked Blossom, "-SILENCE!"
Ethereal Chains suddenly appear in mid-air, laden with Symbology runes, before trying to construct down upon her 'spiritual' throat as if to hinder her ability to utilize magic.
And in the wake of the spell, she stalks forward, as if to capitalize on that spell. "You're not wrong." She says, of her being a powerful symbologist, "Allow me to demonstrate it for you... again."
GS: Rena Lanford has attacked Anne Aomori with Silence! GS: Rena Lanford has gained 1 Combo! GS: Rena Lanford's stances have changed to Hero! GS: Rena Lanford has completed her action. GS: CRITICAL! Anne Aomori mostly evades Rena Lanford's Silence for 0 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Anne Aomori gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Infect! Debuff durations extended!! GS: Hex and Mute applied to Anne Aomori! GS: FP up! Arcane Font! <Pose Tracker> Timu Guado has posed.
The Masked Blossom calls out that a Trainer's Pokemon isn't obeying, and somehow above all the Zubat screeching going on over there (there's a lot), Timu hears that calm, commanding voice over all of that.
"Fueco!!" Fuecoco angrily yelps, now back up on his feet and hopping up and down angrily at Hooligre's back. It's Pokemon-speak demanding to know what's going on.
"Hoo...!" Hooligre grunts as he watches Damian's Whelpwisher get denied their seeming birthright to defeat and overcome almost any Dark-type Pokemon on an even playing field. His fist clenches, head lowered as he chokes back something.
The beauty of Silcoon evolving into Beautifly, to Timu, is lost in the moment as she grapples with both Damian's betrayal and Hooligre emotionally flying off the rails.
"Stop it!!" Timu yells. She's not sure to who. Maybe it's to everyone. Tears start to well in her eyes. "This isn't Nede! I-- Hooligre," she holds out her Pokeball, "return!"
The Pokeball's light surges towards Hooligre to claim him back home, just as the newly-evolved Beautifly brings forth a sharp gale wind that even has Fuecoco staggering and Timu's hair and clothing recoiling in the breeze.
Defying even the recall command, Hooligre withstands it with a feral snarl and another shout of 'HOOLIGRE!!!'
In Pokespeak - 'he betrayed her!' (This should be in capital letters, but even all-caps cannot encompass the depths of this rambunctious Pokemon's soul.)
"Hooligre!" Timu's teeth clench. "Return...!"
"HOOLI!!" Hooligre snarls - a repeat of that same translated sentiment - swinging with one arm out as he finally gets captured by the light into his Pokeball. She pulls that Pokeball close to her chest in her right hand, gripping her fingers around it tightly and holding it close to her heart.
"...Fueco." Fuecoco exhales, looking up to Timu as if gauging his Trainer's well-being, and giving plenty of time for Dirk to take center stage in arguing why this is bad.
"I lived through their war on Spira," she says to Dirk, "I wouldn't wish that on anyone."
"Fuecoco!" Fuecoco hops up and down, eagerly, trying to call Timu's attention back to the goings on.
The Pokeball that Hooligre lives in rumbles in her hand, causing her to clasp down on it about as tightly as her strength allows. She keeps it near her heart, for the time being.
"I'm not going to let you do this," she speaks up, eyes narrowed as she gestures outward with her staff in the other hand. "Fuecoco! Chase down Silci with your Incinerate!"
"Fue!" Fuecoco, renewed with now knowing it's his turn, and his turn at last, opens up his mouth with renewed vigor and lets out a gout of flame to the newly-evolved Beautifly.
GS: Timu Guado has activated Force Action: Full Clip! GS: Timu Guado has attacked Damian Tamaoka with Incinerate! GS: Timu Guado has gained 1 Combo! GS: Weaken expired! GS: Timu Guado has completed her action.
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
He had heard of Team Rocket, but this is the first he's encountered them himself. She seems confident. The young man with her is perhaps less so -- but no less determined to hold his ground, Citan notes, while the circumstances afford him such leisure.
"Hmm. I would be surprised if that were the case," he muses to Wu as she passes him by.
And indeed, Blossom gives her answer. "So it is simply 'avarice' that moves you," Citan replies, his expression not changing in the slightest as he gazes at Blossom. And yet, the look in his eyes suggests that in his own way, he is taking her measure.
'Doctor', Magilou calls him. He hadn't mentioned he was a doctor when he'd met with Anne.
He glances over at Magilou, then at Rena. ...A Nedian girl? But there is something different about her--
"She is, ah... certainly an influence," he says to Rena of Magilou, which may be damning with faint praise.
Citan is testing Blossom, much as she had tested him prior. One can observe all they like, but when you get right down to it, one must analyze the situation more directly--
Or provoke a response, as it were.
One of his strikes hits home, and it's in that moment that Blossom whirls about, turning what had been a dance between the two of them into something far more direct. Citan makes no attempts to evade it: evasion at her speed would be a near and dear thing, even for him. Instead her fist collides with his left forearm: he had instead steeled himself for the strike.
The energy of that blow tells him everything he needs to know, and suggests grimly what her next attempts might consist of. As Blossom directs her attentions elsewhere, Citan drops back.
The air around him stirs. A component of the air in nearly any place is a fair amount of water vapor, and it's its presence that Citan pulls upon now. Not quite mist, yet hardly dry air, its passage can be felt as it swirls about several people in his vicinity. If she's about to try what he thinks she might, then he would rather be prepared for it.
GS: Citan Uzuki has activated Force Action: Extend! GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked White Knight Leo with Sazanami! GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked Citan Uzuki with Sazanami! GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked Meng Wu with Sazanami! GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked Magilou with Sazanami! GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked Rena Lanford with Sazanami! GS: Citan Uzuki gains 21 THP from his Cautious! GS: Citan Uzuki gains 5 FP from Gleam! GS: Citan Uzuki has completed his action. GS: Citan Uzuki heals Citan Uzuki! He gains 31 temporary hit points! GS: Regen applied to Citan Uzuki!
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
The log burns merrily, indeed. Leo's eyes widen. The disappearing acts are getting quicker and more blatantly magical. Is this woman a... what was the term... A 'ninja'?
Don't ask how Leo knows the word. It's probably Zed's doing.
"Coordinated and stylish, yes," Leo admits. "But selling--" The White Knight trails off in muted fury. The worst part is that he knows there are people in Pentagulia who would simply allow this Statue to disappear, especially if it ended in a large sum of unmarked silver ending up on their doorstep.
Anne knocks Leo back into the present with a lightning-quick attack. Pride gets the better of him. He lunges forward, into those blades; what looks reckless at first glance is actually a calculated guard. Someone with Anne's experience can pick up on the quickness in his steps, the way he holds himself. Leo's blade sweeps up to block in a heartbeat--
And in the same motion, he slashes at Anne's midsection and strikes the sword-sais out of their flight path. One of them digs into his side, drawing a red line on his white uniform. Leo grimaces.
"...Dunsparce," says Dunsparce, the flutter of his wings dying down to stillness. He glances between the furious Hooligre and Timu. "Dunsparce." That's horrible. But Hooligre is in no shape to fight, in Dunsparce's estimation. The little drill-snake watches, somberly, as the switch occurs.
"Dunsparce. Dunsparce!" Dunsparce raises a wing, encouraging Fuecoco with a heartening cheer.
'What if this is like their sacred statue--'
"This is a sacred statue!" Leo cries. He glances at Dirk for a moment, expression wavering between grief and anger. But Dirk isn't the problem. Dirk is helping. Leo takes a breath, and forces himself to focus. His stance shifts up to something deceptively languid. He holds his blade with both hands, turning subtly to follow Anne.
In the space of a few heartbeats, Leo moves. His blade sweeps out in a furious slash, and in that moment, it becomes disjointed. It cuts the stuff of spirit and magic, while leaving the flesh intact.
Leo stops behind Anne, turns, and looks at her, waiting to see if she stands or falls.
GS: Interrupt! Attack weakened! GS: CRITICAL! Damian Tamaoka critically fails to charge Dirk Swordsman's Cufant faked BULLDOZE for 134 hit points! GS: Hyper applied to Dirk Swordsman! GS: Charge!! You gain 35 FP! (That's 20 more than usual!) GS: FP up! Power Burst! GS: Citan Uzuki heals White Knight Leo! He gains 8 temporary hit points! GS: Regen applied to White Knight Leo! GS: White Knight Leo has attacked Anne Aomori with Soul-Cutting Blade! GS: White Knight Leo has gained 1 Combo! GS: Recover! Delay removed from White Knight Leo! GS: White Knight Leo gains 5 FP from Gleam! GS: White Knight Leo gains 9 THP from Regen! GS: White Knight Leo has completed his action. GS: Citan Uzuki heals Rena Lanford! She gains 36 temporary hit points! GS: Regen applied to Rena Lanford! GS: CRITICAL! Anne Aomori critically fails to guard White Knight Leo's Soul-Cutting Blade for 285 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Anne Aomori gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Dispel! Recover! Blitz and Shield removed from White Knight Leo! GS: White Knight Leo drains Anne Aomori! White Knight Leo gains 24 temporary hit points! GS: Damian Tamaoka has activated Force Action: Accelerate! GS: You have activated the Force Action Accelerate! GS: CRITICAL! Damian Tamaoka perfectly evades Timu Guado's Incinerate for 0 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Damian Tamaoka gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Weaken blocked!
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
"But the attention is the fun part," Blossom retorts. "The sunlight is important for a flower like me!"
She has no comment on binaries for the moment. Though if it's that obvious to Magilou, too...
Damian can give the lines, but will it hold up to the argument of someone like Rena? When Damian's Pokemon evolves, Anne has comments for that, too. "That's the funny thing about Pokemon. They don't care about morals or ethics--just the resolve of their Trainer. If their needs are taken care of, they'll fight for you even if you're doing 'crime' without a complaint. ...Sometimes even without that."
She doesn't answer about war for now. Instead, it's 'on' with Meng Wu. The pistols ring towards Anne; she moves, such that they just impact the folds of her clothes, rather than anything vital, leaving a couple of holes in her Symbologically-enhanced uniform.
Magilou goes into a pole. Anne is pleased. "It's supposed to hurt," she points out gamely. But this spell she can't evade. Masked Blossom is hurtled into the air by battering floodwalls, curling into a ball up in the air. She can't guard against it, but at least the impact with the ground doesn't make it worse, Anne rolling with the fall towards Rena.
There are other ways to do it, she says. "Yeah, but those aren't fun," Anne points out. "And waiting on the government to effect change means we'll wait another forty thousand years." A beat, on recruitment, "Of course I am. Was I supposed to play fair? Combat's not a game on Lunar."
Ethereal chains appear, and Anne finds herself bound by them--they don't make her unable to speak, but they do dampen her Symbology significantly. "Hmmm," she says. "That's an interestin spell, too. You have quite the variety, don't you?"
Timu takes control of her Pokemon after all. She can guess at the feelings Hooligre must be expressing, considering Timu and Damian. "Impressive," she tells Timu. "It takes a strong-willed Trainer to assert control like that."
Citan gets a brief chance to make eye contact with Anne. "Of course," Anne lies about avarice being her only motive. "What else?"
Citan moves to support his allies, and Blossom's eyes narrow. Yes, he's getting prepared all right.
Blossom is in fact a ninja. And Leo appreciates their uniform! "You don't approve," she says of 'selling'--right before he hacks across her midsection. Symbological runes flare to life and spare Anne a deep wound, but the barrier is damaged in the process. "Hmmm. You really don't approve," she comments.
But it's a sacred statue... Hmm. Anne finds that Leo follows her more closely than she expected--and when he slashes, she grits her teeth, and stumbles once. She is very skilled, but lacks the combat experience that Leo has. This exchange goes to the White Knight. "Hmph."
"WHAT IS THE HOLDUP WITH THAT CRANE!?" Blossom shouts then, and the Grunts call back, "No more delay, ma'am! We caught that pesky cat!"
The crane begins to lower, all four Machamp arms reaaaaching out to try to grasp the statue. But...
In order to grip, it has to let down the barrier.
"Tsk tsk. If you don't want me to use magic, then..."
Anne retreats, backflipping her way out of immediate melee range of those around her. They'll have to approach fast to get to her again. "Then, the secret art that has been handed down," she intones, beginning to make fast but delibrate motions of her hands, carving symbols into the air with each gesture. "That which steals will and vitality..."
"In preparation for the grave!"
Anne sweeps out her hands suddenly, "The Lily Curse!"
Ki sweeps across the field, and from the ground spring spectral flowers, lilies in many beautiful colors. They do exactly as she said they would where they touch the combatants, binding and sealing and sapping the vital spark.
But perhaps curiously, not even the Guard who suddenly fall will be dead from it. "Now! Get those lifters under the statue before they break the crane!"
GS: Anne Aomori has attacked White Knight Leo with Lily Curse! GS: Anne Aomori has attacked Citan Uzuki with Lily Curse! GS: Anne Aomori has attacked Rena Lanford with Lily Curse! GS: Anne Aomori has attacked Magilou with Lily Curse! GS: Anne Aomori has attacked Meng Wu with Lily Curse! GS: Anne Aomori has gained 1 Combo! GS: Anne Aomori gains 27 THP from her Cautious! GS: Anne Aomori has completed her action. GS: Rena Lanford mostly evades Anne Aomori's Lily Curse for 134 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Rena Lanford gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Dispel! Regen removed! GS: Entangle applied to Rena Lanford! GS: Rena Lanford enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Citan Uzuki heals Meng Wu! She gains 33 temporary hit points! GS: Regen applied to Meng Wu! GS: COUNTER! Meng Wu counterattacks Anne Aomori with Counter Attack! GS: Meng Wu mostly charges Anne Aomori's Lily Curse for 170 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Meng Wu gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Dispel! Regen and Shield removed! GS: Entangle applied to Meng Wu! GS: Meng Wu enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: White Knight Leo mostly guards Anne Aomori's Lily Curse for 108 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! White Knight Leo gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Dispel! Regen removed! GS: Entangle applied to White Knight Leo! GS: FP up! Power Burst! GS: White Knight Leo enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Citan Uzuki critically fails to evade Anne Aomori's Lily Curse for 234 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Citan Uzuki gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Dispel! Cover, Regen, and Riposte removed! GS: Entangle applied to Citan Uzuki! GS: Citan Uzuki enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: CRITICAL! Anne Aomori mostly guards Meng Wu's Counter Attack for 76 hit points! GS: Citan Uzuki heals Magilou! She gains 32 temporary hit points! GS: Regen applied to Magilou! GS: Magilou fails to guard Anne Aomori's Lily Curse for 151 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Magilou gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Dispel! Cover, Mighty, and Regen removed! GS: Entangle applied to Magilou! GS: Magilou enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Drowsy expired!
<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.
Magilou says that crime is fun, and that the law is a bore. That's... almost like something that was said in his discussions with Anne before. If not quite in... those terms. "We-re n-not gonna let ourselves be c-constrained by Nede's l-laws." Is that agreement, of a sort? At least in result, if not intent.
Damian would be mortified to learn that he was so transparent, even to a complete stranger. And definitel one who would have no reason to see anything familiar in Damian or anything.
Silci calls back "Beau~" to Cufant's congratulations.
Dirk is upset, and he has every right to be. "Kislev a-and Aveh. A-and I know. B-but our government is leaving everything t-to the Drifters. A-and I like some of them, b-but--" He takes a deep breath to steel himself, fists clenching.
There is a soft, quiet, "Purr?" from Purri, but Damian shakes his head. He can hold it together this time.
He looks up again to meet Dirk in the eye, his expression pained, buthe is doing his best to hold himself together. "I w-watched one of them kill f-f-f- ... f-four... p-people, r-right by the rift! A-a-and she said sh-she was doing it to p-p-protect us!"
His voice is trembling, but he's doing his best to remain determined. "I-if our government is g-going to allow that, w-when it w-won't condone k-killing itself, wh-why should we follow it!? Are you o-okay with them letting th-th-that happen?"
Chira is of a hasty nature, and though spirited, she is not winning a struggle against such a massive pokemon. (Silci might be the only one who has taken on a much larger opponent tonight and come out okay.) The Trapinch tries her best to dig in but is eventually flung back, landing on her side.
Damian quickly withdraws Rishi, and then checks on Chira before withdrawing her, too.
Damian looks to Rena. "Th-this is the way I've ch-chosen." If there is one thing Damian is really good at, it's taking care of his pokemon.
Timu makes a demand to Stop it, and even Damian isn't sure who that's aimed at. His resolve from before, even despite Timu's shock before is cracking a little bit more--probably a combination of seeing someone he considered a friend so upset, and his own self-inflicted emotional vulnerability by bringing up that moment again.
He glances away, and doesn't have words to speak to that.
Hooligre truly has a powerful will, and Damian is honestly starting to worr about i. An out-of-control pokemon who won't follow commands... But Hooligre is recalled, and Fuecoco marches forth to expel incinerating flames--but while Damian's self-confidence is growing shaky, Silci's is soaring.
Literally so, in this case, as she darts backand up, the edges of the flame just ticklikng at her but not enouggh to do any damage. "Beati!"
Two of his pokemon have taken heavy hits, and perhaps a change of strategy is needed. Thankfully, he has more trusty friends he can rely on.
"P-Purri," he says as he stands back up. Purri nods, stepping up to Damian to give him the discs, and then taking her place on the front lines to stand across from Fuecoc.
"Purr." It's nothing personal, Fuecoco. But she has to help her Trainer out.
Damian tosses another pokeball, and a Vulpix is brought out to face against Cufant.
"N-Night Slash. F-Flamethrower." It's clear that while Damian is determined, he's not really enjoying this all that much. Not at all in the way Blossom is.
Purri lets out a loud rowr as she gets ready. Dark energy flows into her claws, leaving a trail of dark claw marks behind her as she charges forward and swipes ferociously at Fuecoc.
Meanwhile, Pixi steps forward, squaring herself right with Cufant. She inhales deeply, flames swirling and gathering within her tiny maw before she spews them forth in a continuous stream.
While his pokemon attack, Damian rushes over to the statue and starts putting the devices under each of the corners.
GS: You do not have that Force Action. [fury] GS: Damian Tamaoka has activated Force Action: Fury Shot! GS: You have activated the Force Action Fury Shot! GS: Damian Tamaoka has activated Force Action: Lock On! GS: You have activated the Force Action Lock On! GS: Damian Tamaoka spends 3 Combo on Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: Damian Tamaoka has attacked Timu Guado with Go All Out!! GS: Damian Tamaoka has gained 1 Combo! GS: Damian Tamaoka spends 3 Combo on Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: Damian Tamaoka has attacked Dirk Swordsman with Go All Out!! GS: Damian Tamaoka has gained 1 Combo! GS: Damian Tamaoka has completed his action. GS: Timu Guado mostly guards Damian Tamaoka's Go All Out! for 114 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Timu Guado gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Misery adds Interrupt! GS: Interrupt applied to Timu Guado! GS: FP up! Arcane Font and Reaction bonus! GS: Dirk Swordsman mostly charges Damian Tamaoka's Go All Out! for 178 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Dirk Swordsman gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Misery adds Delay! GS: Delay applied to Dirk Swordsman! GS: Dirk Swordsman enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Entangle, Interrupt, and Slow expired!
<Pose Tracker> Magilou has posed.
Magilou is transgressive, and transcendent, and transformative, and trans-a-lot-of-things. She has great reasons to think of her favourite things as granting her freedom of expression.
(It might also be pretty obvious.)
"RrrrrRUDE!" Magilou rolls her R, as she brushes herself off, when Anne declares it's supposed to hurt. She continues huffing, as Citan 'defends' her. (At least he has the decency to heal her with that water vapour while not endorsing her strongly enough.) "I'm the best influence!" She insists. "And the best role model! Come on, kid! We'll go get a drink after this!" OH NO, NOW SHE'S TALKING TO DIRK. SOMEONE GET HER AWAY FROM THE CHILD.
"Gatito!!!" Sprigatito yowls, and then goes quiet. They've caught the naughty kitten, and Magilou does hear that. But first...
She can't quite afford to take her eyes off of A -- ninja calling herself the Masked Blossom. (SAFE!) In preparation for the grave, Anne plants a flower, and Magilou brings up one of her paper dolls as a shield to absorb the blow. It saps at the spirit's will to fight, and at Magilou's spirit, through their bond.
For just a moment, her expression isn't.
"I hate flowers."
But then she blinks, and as if it were never there, that dull expression disappears from her eyes as she grins to Anne. "Anyway, we're done here," she says, wagging a finger, "because I have to go pick up my naughty little kitten. Ciao!"
Magilou hops on another of those paper dolls, and surfs through the air to get to that truck, which -- despite its barrier being lowered -- still has its doors locked, surely.
But Magilou has a solution for that. "You're all about to get a lot closer!" She declares, as a shadowy purple Seraphic glyph alights on the earth, and a gravity node appears on the ground by the truck. "Gravity Mine!"
The crushing forces should go a long way towards warping the door off its hinges -- and, coincidentally, get in the way of its quick escape. Magilou swoops down, and hops off her shikigami, a hand on the roof of the truck as she peers inside.
"You have something of mine," she says, with a sickly grin which speaks of unimaginable torments. Extending an open palm, she says, "I'll be taking that Sprigatito back, now."
No comments on the statue, which she still plans to steal from them so that her girlfriends' settlement will have its very own save statue.
GS: Magilou enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Magilou has attacked Anne Aomori with Gravity Mine! GS: Magilou has gained 2 Combo! GS: Magilou gains 5 FP from her Daredevil! GS: Magilou enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Magilou has completed her action. GS: CRITICAL! ROU|LET|TE: Catastrophic! Anne Aomori critically fails to evade Magilou's Gravity Mine for 293 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Anne Aomori gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Cripple and Entangle applied to Anne Aomori! GS: FP up! Arcane Font!
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
Rena at least picks up on Citan's implication, and she has to smile, even as blood starts to clot on her face, but suddenly that wound begins to close up from his Chi driven technique. "That's what I thought you might say."
Of course Magilou DOUBLES DOWN and- "Is he even old enough for that!?"
However, Anne answers her on the stagnation of Nede, how long it will take for the government to effect change. Academically Rena admits it's a great point, based on their history but, "You've forgotten something - that you're standing on another world. Change has come to Energy Nede beyond just - what Team Rocket has to offer it."
As Masked Blossom's team starts to fix the 'Crane' problem with Bienfu, Rena looks towards Damian, as if saying pointedly, "... And that works both ways. Your way isn't the only way!"
But Anne has opportunity to cast the Lily curse, and Rena feels Citan's Chi stripped away.
She feels strength and vitality stripped away as she dives into a roll away from the spectral flowers, but they still have done their work, and she finds herself bound to them.
Paler, and with a faint rasp, Rena forces herself up, and then suddenly dashes towards the Masked Ninja, against the struggle of her binds.
And abruptly hits the ground, attempting to smash into her with a leg tackle, and as she falls tries to strike her with a rising uppercut for a one two-hit to send her skyward, and the moment she does...
Symbological Runes form around her, as Rena rasps faintly, "Star..." It gathers, like a tiny celestial wellspring in the sky, the city square brightening from the tiny conjured radiance.
Gridlines form around it, as if safely containing it's brilliance, before Rena declares, "...FLARE!"
It opens, as suddenly that radiance roils in like a tide of flame over Masked Blossom's position.
GS: Rena Lanford has activated Force Action: Full Clip! GS: Rena Lanford spends 1 Combo on Link! GS: Rena Lanford has attacked Anne Aomori with Star...! GS: Rena Lanford has gained 1 Combo! GS: Rena Lanford has launched an attack Link! GS: Rena Lanford spends 3 Combo on Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: Rena Lanford has attacked Anne Aomori with ...FLARE! GS: Hex expired! GS: Rena Lanford has completed her action. GS: CRITICAL! Anne Aomori mostly guards Rena Lanford's Star... for 137 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Anne Aomori gains 1 additional Combo! GS: FP up! Arcane Font! GS: Anne Aomori critically fails to guard Rena Lanford's ...FLARE for 270 hit points! GS: FP up! Arcane Font!
<Pose Tracker> Timu Guado has posed.
The Masked Blossom gives her praise about Timu's will to assert control like that, as Hooligre's Pokeball continues to rumble in her grasp. He is still rampaging, within his comfortably tailored-to-species home - spacious, cavernous, and dark, all within the confines of a sphere able to be held in the hands of a Nedian child (or the proportionally larger hands of a Guado teen, in Timu's case).
She's quiet through that praise, her own heart struggling with Damian's insistence - and the fury and fear he speaks of watching death by the hands of one of the other Visitors there. To watch someone intrude upon one's life and assert their ways, no matter how upsetting or dangerous... it's hard to not agree, when the Guard and their crusade swept through Spira after the disaster of Operation Mi'ihen.
She watched a number of people burn to Mauri's deception at Bevelle. Hooligre's Pokeball shakes harder as Timu bats back tears again.
"Don't... don't put words in my mouth," Timu tries to snap, but she has to keep the focus on Fuecoco and his attempts (that come up short) to give Beautifly an incineratin'.
Fuecoco looks up as he sees Beautifly manages to fly clear away from the flames that would engulf them. "Fue!" He calls, as if incredulous about the amount of grace and comfort Beautifly already displays in their new, evolved form, but...
Purri comes out, standing across from Fuecoco with that 'nothing personal.'
"...Fueeeco," 'so it goes,' Fuecoc leans forward, eyes narrowing... and then Vulpix joins the mix.
"Fuecoco," Timu says softly as the Pokeball in her off-hand shakes like it's about to do its best possible impression of a Voltorb. She contemplates the violent rumbling that could darn well dislocate her wrist, eyes open to look to it in the precious moments leading up to an expertly-executed Night Slash.
A strong Trainer exerts their will, and the Pokemon comply.
A good friend...
"Hold!" She calls to Fuecoco as she throws Hooligre's Pokeball back into the fray, as the ogre of a Pokemon reappears again between Fuecoco and Purri.
Wordless, Hooligre places himself between Purri and Foecoco, as the Night Slash rakes across him - the matching type of his species being natural armor against that manner of attack.
"...I'm not just Hooligre's Trainer," Timu says, finding her composure. "He's my friend."
Fuecoco peeks out from the side.
"They all are," the Guado teenager finds her stride as she takes her staff in both hands, as Hooligre looks back to Fuecoco, snorts, and nods.
Fuecoco nods in turn.
"Fue!" Fuecoco waves a little arm, and points it forward, as if now playing the part of Trainer on Timu's behalf.
(The resultant 'Hoo' is a 'don't press your luck li'l guy,' if endearing.)
"Hooligre," Timu's voice steadies, holding her rod horizontally in subconscious visualization of how a number of Summoners of a time now forever gone might direct and command those who would fight on their behalf, "...our feelings..."
Then, with intensity. "Let's Return them!!"
"HOOLI!!" Hooligre snarls as he barrels forth with what is at least a third wind, barreling back an enormous hand as his friendship with Timu - visualized as heart-style effects emanating off of his person - rears forward and lets it reflect just how much her gesture of kindness meant to him back on the Pewter Road.
How he'll pay it forward for as long as the two go on their journey together, trying to swing at all of them at once.
GS: Amplify added to Timu Guado! GS: Timu Guado has activated Force Action: Boost! GS: Timu Guado spends 5 Combo on Headshot and Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: Timu Guado has attacked Damian Tamaoka with Return!! GS: Timu Guado has gained 1 Combo! GS: Interrupt expired! GS: Timu Guado has completed her action.
<Pose Tracker> Meng Wu has posed.
Wu calls out to Rena as she exclaims surprise, "It's more common than you'd think." Why fight when you can bribe your way forward? Unfortunately Anne's just a little too late for it to work. "I made a counter offer after all."
And over her shoulder she calls, "They do need one though." It's a joke. Why's it sound so serious?
In a more serious tone (In her mind) she adds, "It's why I offered a legitimate method. It's more beneficial to everyone." That is, you don't lose your smokes and collect fascinating new injuries.
Though if they're just after cash. Well. She's familiar with shakedowns and protection money. She didn't do petty larceny that often.
This isn't really petty, but she's got high standards.
Ancient family secrets. She knows a thing or two about that. She also totally tries to distract the ninja with another winged shot as she's putting on a show. Wu's not very nice. Or fair.
She does stagger at the wave of ki. Dragging through the strange flowers. Ever forward if needed. She has no real clue what that ki thing is, truth be told. She's not quite staggering, but she is dragging her feet. That desire for the smoke break that was cut short intensifying. She shakes herself out though. Digging deep into that well of... whatever motivates the elf.. She secrets her pistols away, slinging the coat away. Seems she wants to get in on the act. Even if she's still stony faced. "It's showtime then!" Though really, it's a nice distraction as she focuses her ether.
The earth beneath the truck heaves. Lifting up into the air for a moment before suddenly collapsing downward. Jagged, uneven, surprisingly deep. It seems Wu didn't want the truck to get away.
That it might do so anyway isn't.. actually as big a concern as one would normally think. She can at least say confidently she tried!
And you know, there aren't too many casualties. And she can maybe get some goody points for fixing the hole after.
Honestly the spell wasn't that flashy. It was clearly repurposed from an earlier age of hers. She just wanted to get in on the action. It felt right somehow.
Not that it showed.
Eventually! "Offer's there if you want a better way." She calls out, fully expecting at least the ninja and her thugs to get away. That's how it is. (Though if she leaves thugs behind Wu's going to be really disappointed.)
"You don't change what's wrong by robbing from others-" she starts. Then adds, "Those that don't have it coming." She knows what she is. Seems she's agreeing with Rena's point. Just from a different point of view.
There's a deadpanned "I thought they were pretty" to Magilou. It's really hard to tell how serious she is that way.
"Thanks for the help-" she starts, remembering something suddenly. Looking to Citan. About to call him Doc because medic. He's a doc anyway though isn't he. Some habits die hard.
GS: Meng Wu has activated Force Action: Full Clip! GS: Meng Wu has attacked Anne Aomori with Sunken Hope! GS: Meng Wu has gained 2 Combo! GS: Cripple and Disrupt expired! GS: Meng Wu has completed her action.
<Pose Tracker> Dirk Swordsman has posed.
Dirk does a double-take as Timu reveals that she has seen actual-ass war for herself. War, of course, is cool when it's fictional (even if sometimes people tut-tut the stories and films moving away from good wholesome Pokemon narratives). But it sounds like...
It wasn't imaginary for her.
And Anne has something else to say. Pokemon just thrive on the resolve of their trainer. They don't care about 'right' and 'wrong' - just what their Trainer wills. It's not that what she's saying is incorrect, it's that it feels as though it's wrong. Dirk's jaw tightens.
And Damian has more to say. He saw them kill people. And the government was fine with it. Not with an accident, not with someone struggling and the cops or their Pokemon going just a little too far, not even with those very occasional people who just crack up and do awful things that end up in those TV shows your mom doesn't want you watching.
"..."
Cufant, meanwhile, gets subjected to flamethrowering. She trumpets in pain, even if the flames don't seem to do a ton to her copper hide. Oshawott pivots around, crouching in preparation for a watery counterattack, which is good tactics, before Dirk says: "Hold up."
The Pokemon look at Dirk.
He points his sword at Damian. It may feel threatening. It IS threatening, even if a sword cannot, generally, sit down Link, hurt people from afar.
"... Your goal's to stand for people when the government won't? Maybe you've got a point. Maybe we found out the world isn't what we'd hoped. Maybe it's like we've been dreaming for a long time and now we have to wake up. But I want to tell you something, Rocket Guy. I'm gonna find the greatest blade in the universe. And I'm gonna use it to keep our people safe, one way or another. And you wanna know the funny thing about that?"
The grip on the sword tightens...
"Sometimes it ain't the sword that's the blade." Then he makes a savage slice-- towards the truck?!
The Pokemon were already looking at him. They see the guidance. He doesn't seem to need to get specific. Cufant, who presumably shares all pachyderms' love for messing things up, is the first to get in on the action, breaking into another run with a merry look on her face and then smashing up against the side of the truck even as Dirk calls back to Timu, "Keep the Pokemon busy, dogg!!" (Timu has probably learned this is some kind of term of Nedian subcultural endearment. Dirk and random skate-punks and arcade-lurkers are not actually calling Timu a 'dog'.)
Scalchop and Quilladin go for the tires, scalchops and quills jabbing and stabbing, even as Farfetch'd dives in to stab his leek at the tail-lights and other features. ... Which is probably not going to do much to help, but he's at least *in the spirit of the thing*.
Dirk stalks over to the Truck, sweeping his sword forwards. It cuts through one of the fading spectral lilies. The top falls a little away from the bottom, but does anyone see it? Dirk sure ain't paying attention. He has a vehicle to stab.
GS: MYSTIC ARTE! Dirk Swordsman has attacked Anne Aomori with Tsurugi Ultimate Beatdown ~First Formation~! GS: Dirk Swordsman has gained 3 Combo! GS: Delay expired! GS: Dirk Swordsman has completed his action. GS: Anne Aomori fails to guard Meng Wu's Sunken Hope for 200 hit points! GS: FP up! Arcane Font! GS: Delay! Attack greatly weakened! GS: Anne Aomori critically fails to evade Dirk Swordsman's Tsurugi Ultimate Beatdown ~First Formation~ for 222 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Anne Aomori gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Shieldbreak applied to Anne Aomori! GS: Damian Tamaoka has activated Force Action: Accelerate! GS: You have activated the Force Action Accelerate! GS: CRITICAL! Damian Tamaoka mostly evades Timu Guado's Return! for 125 hit points! GS: Hyper applied to Timu Guado! GS: FP up! Power Burst!
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
It's not a smile that Citan tenders to Rena and -- yes -- Magilou. It's certainly not a sly smile. But it's also not not a smile... especially not not one of a sly nature.
As the chaos continues, a small group, having been at last convinced by one of their number to advance, makes their way ahead.
The corner of his mouth twitches, though it doesn't make the thoughts and emotion behind his expression any less inscrutable. "It seems, if you will pardon my saying, rather short-sighted. Or are you predicting that the people of this world will not retaliate for the theft of such an icon?" he asks of Blossom, a woman who he has met for the first time today. Honest.
Technically speaking, the barrier should be impenetrable. Muroto the Espurr seems hesitant enough as the small Pokemon band approaches it -- or at least, he lags behind the others. His espression hasn't changed a whit, in any case: he continues to stare straight ahead.
"Weedle!" insists Shirane, their apparent gangleader.
"Kyu!" answers Ise, who dutifully prods the barrier with his stick. As it happens, this is just as the barrier is dropped. "Mimi!" he cheers, once again convinced of his strength and coolness.
But A-- Blossom has finished playing around. What Citan had anticipated has finally come to pass. And though he takes flight, perhaps to evade whatever she might sweep towards them with, he finds there is no place to evade to amidst the spectral garden that has arisen. His shielding mist is stripped away, along with a portion of his own vitality and in that instant, Citan is staggered. The truck is moving--
It takes focus to gather up the necessary power: briefly, Citan closes his eyes. He takes but one breath, aligning himself for what is to come. Water and earth have enough in common to be good allies, but water and earth differ in enough ways to be bitter enemies. One flows, one remains still. One fractures, one changes its form.
When he steps forward at last, the movement is as sudden as an earthquake: dropping to one knee, he slams a fist against the paving stones of Meribia and the earth calls out in answer. A directed tremblor rolls across the plaza towards Blossom from his epicentre.
He could strike the truck but, no -- remove the head and the body withers.
A soft sound breaks through the din of battle: "Pur..."
And then, slowly, Muroto's ears lift, revealing the sensory orbs concealed within. There are two things that areimportant to know about Espurrs, and they are--
'The organ that emits its intense psychic power is sheltered by its ears to keep power from leaking out.'
'It has enough psychic energy to blast everything within 300 feet of itself, but it has no control over its power.'
The air around Muroto has begun to vibrate, sending bits and pieces of the road floating up as its sphere of destruction expands outwards... which includes 'towards the truck'.
GS: Citan Uzuki has activated Force Action: Full Clip! GS: Citan Uzuki spends 1 Combo on Poison! GS: Citan Uzuki enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Citan Uzuki has attacked Anne Aomori with Chisei -Hou-! GS: Citan Uzuki has gained 4 Combo! GS: Citan Uzuki's Stoic stance ends! GS: Citan Uzuki gains 20 THP from Cancel! GS: Citan Uzuki enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Shieldbreak expired! GS: Citan Uzuki has completed his action. GS: Anne Aomori mostly guards Citan Uzuki's Chisei -Hou- for 86 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Anne Aomori gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Poison applied to Anne Aomori!
<Pose Tracker> White Knight Leo has posed.
Not for the first time, Leo looks back at the stammering youth Blossom's roped into helping her. He recognizes Damian from the attempt to capture DAIHAKU. (Would he? Was Leo even there? He was surely in the crowd somewhere if so. Mystere was the one that fought Team Rocket, there.) Someone killed four people outside the rift. What in the Goddess' name is going on at these new borders?
For a moment, Leo's gaze bores into Damian's, all weary grief. Timu could tell him so much about what he did in Spira. She could tell him so much about what his sister did when his back was turned. He wants to tell Damian he's making a mistake.
He has no right to.
Leo is no magus, but he recognizes a sealing art when he sees one. He takes a step closer to Anne, blade still raised. "You're outnumbered." Behind him, the melee between Rocket Grunts and Guards continues, disorganized. But Anne has one last card to play.
Lilies bloom at Leo's feet. The world starts to waver around him. Citan's bolstering Ether fights against Anne's curse, but her earlier stab provided the opening the draining technique needs. The White Knight staggers, his sword-arm lowering. The blade catches in between the cobblestones, and he braces on it for a moment, breathing hard.
"Dun! Dunsparce!" Something warm and scaly smushes against Leo's head. It's Dunsparce, trying to bring him to his senses with a gentle head-bonk.
"Dunsparce," Leo says, "it can't move if the wheels are in a rut. Use Dig!"
"Dun!" The winged snake Pokemon dives tail-first into the cobblestones, drilling down through the earth. The stones raise and lower in a trail as he cuts through the earth, digging furiously in an attempt to make giant potholes beneath the truck's wheels. He can't see exactly what he's doing aboveground, but that won't stop the brave Pokemon from trying.
"Regroup!" Leo shouts, to his troops. "There! Cut off their escape!" Leo can't quite charge in his state, but he does stumble towards the truck. Dunsparce has done a fantastic job of weakening the earth beneath it. Leo gestures--
And clods of earth, cobblestones, and other digging debris start to pummel the truck's windows and underbody!
GS: White Knight Leo spends 3 Combo on Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: White Knight Leo has attacked Anne Aomori with Tandem Attack - Rock Serpent! GS: Disease expired! GS: White Knight Leo has completed his action. GS: CRITICAL! Anne Aomori critically fails to guard White Knight Leo's Tandem Attack - Rock Serpent for 305 hit points! GS: FP up! Arcane Font! GS: Anne Aomori has Fallen! She is no longer able to fight!
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
Magilou hates flowers. "I'll remember that," the ninja tells her. It's lighthearted, but it's also a simple statement without other taunts.
"That's true too," Blossom says to Rena. "Team Rocket's only one of many philosophies of change on offer on Energy Nede, now. Isn't it wonderful?"
Rena chargs forward. She smashes into her, and Anne is able to guard the leg tackle. The uppercut does launch her upward though, and Rena's Star Flare bursts all around her. Anne disappears in the blast entirely, only to hit the ground a moment later on one knee. "...Heh," the Blossom says. "How did you become so idealistic, growing up on a world like Filgaia?" she wonders.
Then, she rises to her feet. "Hmmm," Blossom says, regarding Timu for a moment. "So you are. Friendship is one way to bond with your Pokemon..."
"One you've clearly exercised. We'll have to make note of you."
"I'll let you speak for yourself next time."
"I think I'll contact you later," Anne suggests to Wu. "If you're still interested in doing business."
The Grunts who were just defeating many of Leo's Guards are rocked from their feet by Wu's magic. "W-waaah!" The Guard have the chance to rally! Hearing Leo's orders, they rally!! They can't charge, but they start to push back the Grunts and their Pokemon!
"It would definitely seem to be short-sighted," Blossom agrees with Citan. "And yet, our Boss is working hard to expand to Lunar and Filgaia. I wonder why?"
But his power, she can defend against, sticking her feet and letting herself flow with the waves of seismic force, guarding through inaction. It's still enough to send sparks flying through her Symbological protections.
The truck, meanwhile... Well. Without its barrier, it has no defense against Magilou's gravitic magic. The friendly Machamp tilts slightly, no longer quite perpendicular to the ground, as the door crunches outward. "uh," the Grunt says, in lowercase just like that. The other grunt says, "What? C'mon, we can--"
"no. no we cannot. here you go, ma'am."
He hands over the Sprigatito.
"..." the other Grunt says, and then looks at the grin again. "...Yeah," he says, "That's fair. Uh, enjoy your day, ma'am."
Then the whole truck shakes from Wu's earthquake. "Uh!?" says the Grunt again. The one who isn't traumatized by being next to Magilou's Gravity Mine.
The air around Muroto vibrats... and the sphere of explosion starts to expand outwards. "Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh," the Grunt says more alarmedly. "aaaaaaaaa," says the other grunt. "buckle up!!!"
Leo's Earth batters the truck, and the occupants huddle. The big, smiling Machamp continues to smile, but increasingly dirty, and increasingly off-axis.
Until Dunsparce comes up, and all the magic comes together to launch the truck up into the sky!!!
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again...!"
Blossom 'hms.'
<Pose Tracker> Damian Tamaoka has posed.
It's a good thing Damian's Spiritsight doesn't let him read the narration. He is probably not ready for all of he things Magilou is.
It does twig him onto the fact that there is something weird about all those paper dolls, though, but he hardly has the time to investigate that further right now.
Damian looks to Rena, as she says there's more than one way. He nods, to that. "Th-then we'll see, ho h-has the strength to make their way happen."
Timu speaks of her feelings for Hooligre--and all of her pokemon--summoning the Dark type out to intercept Purri's attack. Purri is actually taken off guard by that, "Mrwowr?!" and she immediately hops back, watching her Typing counterpart warily. Dark is a bad matchup for her, but that goes both ways.
Only Timu isn't ordering Hooligre to use a Dark-type move--instead, it's Return. Both Damian and Purri are a bit surprised to see that, and to see how it manifests, as Hooligre charges for Purri with heart-empowered swipes.
Timu's pokemon are her friends. It gladdens Damian to know that Timu feels that way, that she's taken the same approach to her pokemon that he also prefers--to know that a Visitor can adapt their ways so thoroughly.
But he can't stop for the ones that won't.
He quickly returns to his work, not issuing any orders for Purri. He and Purri are friends, too, and have been friends for many, many years. He relies on her for a lot--even as he loves her a lot. (Both things can be true, after all.)
Purri, for her part, waches Hooligre approach, dancing lightly back. "Purr!" And another light stp to the side."Purr!" And another back. "Loin!" She escapes the worst of it, those plenty of those hearts hit her for grazing damage. It's taking all of her focus just to try and stay ahead of Hooligre and Timu's combined feelings.
She's panting a little, by the time the assault is done. And clutching at her side a little. But her gaze is still sharp and focused on Hooligre.0
But Dirk points that sword at him. The last time Dirk did this, at the attempted capture of Daihaku, Damian paled and quivered back. The most recent time it happened, was the leader (more or less) of a band of bandits who were threatening him even as he was trying to save some lost pokemon.
And then he was shot.
Damian, having just finished seting another device, stands up, to move to the next one, but stops to turn towards Dirk. "You sh-shouldn't point your s-sword at people. N-not unless you mean it." His voice is deadly serious and steady, even if his stammer works against him still. "... Th-that's why th-they were killed."
But Dirk wants to find the greatest sword in the unvierse, and to protect their people safe. "... Okay. I h-hope you can." He goes back to seting the next device, but Dirk sends his pokemon after the truck. Purri glances back--they should intervene, but something else more drastic occurs first.
Muroto's ears lift, revealing the organ that stores its psychich energy. And with it a spear of destruction heading for the truck.
"Purr! Purrloin!" she shouts, and Purri, Silic, and Pixi converge on Damian's position. Damian keeps working as Purri faces the wave. She concentrates, taking up a stance that looks remarkably similar to the one Rishi was using moments before, and when that wave comes--she strikes at it, summoning her own barrier of energy to shield them.
Purri used Detect! (via Assist.)
Sadly, Damian has already chosen who he's going to listen to, Leo. For better or worse.
He gets the last device on and activated."Th-there!"
... Only to look up and see the truck blasting off into the sky.
"..."
He and Purri exchange a look. There is a silent nod between them. Damian recalls Silci and Pixi, and Purri jumps up onto his shoulder. He looks up to Blossom. "... Your orders, ma'am?"
<Pose Tracker> Anne Aomori has posed.
Anne considers for a moment, glancing around. "Well, I guess that's that," she says. "Time to blast off, too!"
She hurls a smokebomb for the ground, which fills the entire square with thick white smoke.
When it starts to fade--on its own, or through magical aid--the Rockets are all gone.
The 'levitation pads' remain, not quite crammed under the statue since the crane didn't finish its work.
There's surprisingly little collateral damage...
<Pose Tracker> Timu Guado has posed.
Timu's expression softens some as the Masked Blossom speaks of having to make note of her, to let her speak for herself, and it's not a privilege she exercises in the moment.
Opposite of Purri, Timu's Hooligre wears his physical exertion on his lack of literal sleeves, planting both fists on the ground by his knuckles to prop him up as he takes in breath. Dirk's trusting him by proxy to hold the line, which he normally wouldn't care about, but as Timu clearly does, he does in the moment too.
Fuecoco walks along to Hooligre's right to try and corral the rest, even if he does not cut an imposing figure in terms of stopping other Pokemon at all.
Fuecoco's not wrong to instinctually make the attempt, as Purri, Silci, and Pixi all move too quickly for Hooligre to reach out and smack back, and Fuecoco makes another spirited attempt to catch Silci moving (and comes up sort).
Just as Timu turns her head to reach out with her staff, that truck's all but blasted off, and a smokebomb fills the space. What she has to say is interrupted with coughing and sputtering, as is Hooligre and Fuecoco alike. The collective Timu-led trio gradually take back control of their lungs just as the smoke disappears.
"Damian," Timu murmurs, steps forward... and falls to her knees.
"Fue...?" Fuecoco looks behind him as if to ask what's up, just in time to watch his Trainer and friend fall to her knees and just... cry.
Wounded and exhausted, Hooligre trudges forth and wraps himself around Timu in an outright hug. She can accept his rage, he can accept her sorrow.
Fuecoco edges in too with open arms, causing Hooligre to snap a sharp look... and then decide, with a snort, fine, him too. So Fuecoco goes in for the little hug that he can muster.
The truth about Damian and his allegiances hurts, and so Timu lets it hurt in the middle of foreign territory of a land that once brought great pain to Spira, as her Pokemon friends serve as sanctuary to feel vulnerable in this place.
<Pose Tracker> Meng Wu has posed.
There's talk of further deals. She holds a thumbs up, "Yeah. Sure. Might be mutually beneficial and you know, less likely to upset the locals and kids."
Wu picks her coat up and shakes it a few times. Then pulls it over her shoulders as the smoke begins to clear. She's going to pretend she didn't cause a decent amount of the damage here. The repulsors are still there though! And... she sighs. She should fix some of this at least. She chews on this thought though. Maybe come back with mooks and make them dig it up while she knocks on the statue to see if it really was just simple greed?
Just how serious the offer was is probably a good question. And she's not entirely sure she agrees with dragging other worlds into these problems. The thought making her realize they already kinda are.
She gives one last forelorn look at her last smoke on this world. Then at some of the things in her pockets and in the bag left behind. Picking it up, she stops near Timu, giving her some space at the very least. Like she's trying to think on something, glancing into her bag like a stuffed toy might help.
She doesn't know the details, but there's something she knows there, buried deep. Scorched away in a manner.
"I have to deliver some gifts. Would you like to help? It's a bit of a walk if you want to talk."
The others didn't seem.. as affected in a way, but they clearly knew more than she did. And she does want to help. She's just bad at showing it and expressing it. It's easier to just be the spooky boss in a lot of ways.