C0D13
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Bug Maniac
Administrator
Posts: 2,069
Trainer Class:
Player Name: C0D13
OOC Username: Ladybug
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Post by C0D13 on Oct 14, 2024 11:37:22 GMT 9
HEARTEATER PT.2: CONCLUSIONNo man knows till he has suffered from the night how sweet and dear to his heart and eye the morning can be.Hearteater disappears into the sealed coffin like a ghost down a vacuum cleaner, sucked into the lightless, foodless prison. How long will she be trapped? It is impossible to say, but for now the evil will starve and fester with only its new memories to chew on. Solgaleo pads over to the coffin and lays a single void-black paw on it. He does not speak. There is nothing to say. And the creature trapped inside cannot reply. [tangent=Thank you all!] "āāāāā ā¬āā āā°ā°!"[/tangent] Solgaleo says to the players. He nods his great head, the steely mane shifting like a solar ring. [tangent=You have fought through blood and friends, and freed those stolen from the stars.] "ā¬āā āāāā āāāāāā āāāāāāā āā°āāā
āāā
āāāāāā
ā, āāā
āāāāā
āā¬ āāāā
."[/tangent] The cavern erupts with strange sounds as the Ultra Beasts wave and sway. The spark of wires, clatter of stones, his of bubbling venom. And through it all a note of understanding: They're cheering. Solgaleo lets out a resonant roar, and a great portal tears open in the side of the cavern. Un-partnered Ultra Beasts trickle through the entrance to the den, gathering at the edge of the portal. [tangent=We have been stagnant far too long. It is time to wander once more.] "āā āāāā āāāā āāāāāāāā āāā āāā ā°āāā. āā āā āāāā āā āāāā
āā āāāā āāāā."[/tangent] Standing vanguard at the side of the wormhole, he watches as the Ultra Beasts move through it. Some stagger, some limp, but they all move with a purpose that is their own. Before he follows, the red Solgaleo locks eyes with Ruby, Sarah Lee, Josh Devlin, and Kyukon. There is something of Litten still in himā a youthfulness despite the centuries of space-travel. [tangent=You are not like the others] "ā¬āā āāā āāā ā°āāā āāā āāāāāā,"[/tangent] he says, the corners of his mouth curling. [tangent=Never forget that.] "āāāāā āāāāāā āāāā."[/tangent] WORLD EVENT COMPLETEAll participants receive x1 Cosmog DNA!
UNLOCKED: NEW ADVANCED SUBCLASS!CONTACTULTRA BEASTS | There are as many alien worlds as there are stars in the sky, and for these lonely extraplanar wanderers, you are First Contact.
A Contact represents a bond of shared experience and memory. Though you may not share a common language, you have reached a level of mutual understanding. A human through which an Ultra Beast has made Contact can understand them perfectly, and has additionally mastered the ability to transmit whole snippets of memory to other life-forms they make physical contact with.
All Ultra Beasts are naturally immune to Corruption, meaning the -type cannot affect them. As the Contact levels up in this class, this immunity can extend to the Player as well, and one's Ultra Beasts become better-equipped to face this foreign world by your side.
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C0D13
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Bug Maniac
Administrator
Posts: 2,069
Trainer Class:
Player Name: C0D13
OOC Username: Ladybug
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Post by C0D13 on Oct 14, 2024 11:37:29 GMT 9
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
The Creed
Posts: 1,136
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Oct 14, 2024 15:29:33 GMT 9
ZONE 3
As soon as the lid of orioncayge 's stolen coffin slammed shut, trapping Hearteater inside, the tense boss music stopped, leaving eerie silence for a few seconds before a morale-boosting victory theme played. After spending so much time with Izoni, Josh had started to comprehend Solgaleo's -- and the Ultra Beasts' -- language. While he couldn't yet speak it, he could understand it. "We couldn't have done it without you," the boy replied, embracing the red lion's leg and giving the legendary PokƩmon the best hug he could.
Josh reached for Solgaleo's back, trying to climb up it for a victory lap with his hero. The red PokƩmon was, of course, unwilling to entertain the boy's request. Even if he was, an error message from his UI stopped him:
Error> You must be at least level 43 to mount this PokƩmon.
His heart sank. Even if he went through the painstaking effort of raising a Cosmog like he did Thunder and Storm, he would need to be at endgame, or even postgame strength to hop on? It discouraged him from detracting efforts from the two legendary PokƩmon he was already raising. It took him nine months of nearly daily play just to reach level 20. With the exponential curve, how long would it take for him to reach 30, let alone 43? It all seemed so daunting... like what he desired to do in the game would take him years to accomplish. He supposed that was part of the appeal of Hydance's business model.
Josh, on foot after his combination attack and many others helped imprison Hearteater, walked toward Sarah Lee in a rare display that Altair and Alkaid would almost assuredly enjoy. "It's over, Sarah. It's over," the tired-looking racer exhaled, embracing her if she allowed it. "Thank you for all your help. Without your efforts, we never would have learned all we did. We never would have succeeded in locking up this terrible bat. But this is just one enemy. The next one will be even stronger than this. We should swap friend codes. That way, you can message me when you're ready to train me. Make C.L.A.W. proud to have me in her guild. Tear up the PVP ladder. All that jazz."
Next, he would stumble toward Alicia Westfield . "Couldn't have done it without you, either. You understand Venex on a level that I never could, and it was because of them that we won... and in the most spectacular fashion possible. Twilight, though... we need to talk," his smile turned to a frown. After the Herculean effort he made to get the dark-type fighter on his team, he wanted to get to the bottom of what had infected her. She didn't deserve that. He didn't either. None of his team did.
Lastly, Josh dizzily swayed toward Alkaid . "Thanks for everything, too. I don't think I could have gotten ready without you. Any PokƩmon you want to track down from all the ones we freed? I'd really like a Skarmory--"
Before he could say anything more, a UI message interrupted him, one that he had been waiting to see for a long time.
Information> Josh reaches level 21. Information> Ares the Charizard is now eligible for Ride Training.
The realization that Josh could now do what his ten-year-old self dreamed of when he first played PokƩmon -- saddle up a dragon -- gave him a second wind. A big second wind. The only thing that stopped him from soaring ten feet above UNOVR's overworld, torching all who opposed him, was a trip to the Everworld. A trip alongside ARAVAN ESCHER. One that would likely test them both in a way Seta had never done in the past. He was willing to pay any price to get that Charizard back. All of his steeds were precious to him, but Ares was special. Special in a way no other PokƩmon could be.
Clicking open Mirage's PokƩ Ball, Josh put his hand on the Ninjask's saddle, only for the proud bug-type to zip backward and buzz his wing against his hand. The young boy let out a pained yelp from how rapidly the chitin appendage smacked him. "That hurts! What gives, Mirage?" he asked.
"Kid, this is no emergency anymore," the snarky Ninjask replied. "I've done my due diligence. You want to sit in my saddle? You gotta earn it. And you haven't earned the right for me to evaluate you yet. And don't you even think about touching my saddle or reins again until you're level 25. By then, I'm sure you'll know enough about respect that we'll see eye to eye."
Dejected, the second wind left the boy, causing him to collapse near the edge of Hearteater's lair. "I'm... coming... Ares..."
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Kyukon
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Lone Wolf
The Creed
Posts: 402
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Arthur Wright
OOC Username: Peony
Arena Points: 0
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Post by Kyukon on Oct 14, 2024 16:03:31 GMT 9
Zone 3: Hearteater There wasn't even a scream. You know how like in kid's shows, the bad guy makes a show of them being beaten? He would cry out, plead for mercy, sink their claws onto the ground as they get dragged away to who knew where?
There was nothing at all. Pity was all there was.
And Arthur didn't know how to feel about it, even when everyone cheered, especially the Ultra Beasts, with their strange noises that were reminiscent of drums and stomping. It was over and they could all go back home. In the corner of his eye, he saw maybe one or two players downcast. Perhaps their Pokemon were not so lucky.
He reunited with his two Pokemon and let Anta out so that he could tell her that the battle had been won. They were relieved (mostly Buru) and thrilled (mostly Banko and Anta). It was their first real battle, and a largescale one at that, joining hands with many others to take down the biggest threat they had ever seen. And now it was done, so they could leave. The end of the hero's journey would mean for them to go back home, but home didn't quite exist in UNOVR, he realized. Actually, would that beā¦Mom? Maybe it was high time he gave her a proper visit.
ā¦but he still had no feeling on his right hand.
In truth, he was not as surprised or as angry as he thought he might be. The game said nothing, only when checking his character status, the curse was still present, and seemed to be the same as it was before. He could control the mist as he had learned the past couple of hours, and with some of the Xurkitrees sparking in joy, he found that the light was still blinding, making his eyes hurt (more than it would do if he didn't have the curse, he felt).
What would Seta say then, if he went to the Everworld looking like this?
<So what gives with the hand?> Buru asked while crossing her arms. She had some more spunk now that the danger had passed and Anta was healing her with an Aqua Ring. It was basically to act as a crutch until they made their way to the closest shrine. <You're not fooling me, it's related to the fat ass that we just beat down, isn't it?>
Banko let out an uneasy exhale. <But it's still there. 'Cause the boss is still alive?>
That seemed to be a likely explanation. However, Arthur also knew that his chances for landing that killing blow were slim. He remembered looking at that HP bar; at some point, he could've sworn the numbers become distorted and garbled as players and Pokemon slammed into it. As it turned out, even if it was a game, the game was not always going to give him a miracle.
Or maybe the game was playing exactly how it was supposed to be.
āYeah, maybe.ā he said softly, letting his left hand rest on his chest. He was then unable to hide his surprise that he could actually feel something steady and beating.
<What is it?> the Granbull asked.
Arthur shook his head; the slightest smile on his lips. āNothing. You did well, all of you. Let's get out of here and tell the others.ā
<We're walking? Ughhhā¦>
<You can ride on me. I still gots energy left t' spare!>
The player let out a small chuckle as he took the Mudsdale's offer. Buru decided that even if she was exhausted, she didn't want to go back to her Poke Ball just yet. Anta would wrap her fins around Arthur's shoulders as the Granbull sat in front of him so that she wouldn't fall over.
<So where we headed?>
Arthur used his free hand to check through what were the fast travel options available. There was a way to teleport back to the entrance, which opened up the other places, so it seemed prudent to go to a shrine first. āWell, we could--ā
<Peep?>
ā¦
Oh shit he was still holding onto the Mudkip.
āUhhā¦hey lil fella. Could you point us to where your trainer is?ā
There were other trainers crowding around Solgaleo. Arthur even spotted one crazy blonde kid try to climb up on him (what a mystery on who that was). For him, well, he didn't want to approach. Not after what he did. It seemed best to leave the celebration to the victors--he still had a trial to beg for.
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Aero
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Hard Mode Survivor
Mythstar
Posts: 245
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Alyce Ellery
OOC Username: Spinner
Arena Points: 10
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Post by Aero on Oct 14, 2024 18:38:04 GMT 9
ZONE 3 Aero sighed in relief once the Hearteater was absorbed into the coffin owned by orioncayge. To her relief, Crystal's sacrifice was worth it in the end. They stopped the source of their Ostellia troubles and now, they were free to roam without any worries anymore. And unlike the last raid with Zapdos, she felt like she took down a bad guy with all of the players' help. She helped the Ultra Beast and the abducted Pokemon and now, they have a means to get through the Corruption with the alternative Zapdos unknowingly provided them.
Now all that was left was to clear the gunk that took over her armor while reviving her Frosmoth and...
"Buzz?"
She flinched and turned to the Buzzwole. Unlike its kind, it seemed to stay by her side with no intentions of joining its kin on their journey home. "Do you want to explore this world, Vonnie?" The Ultra Beast nodded its head. "In that case, how about you join me and my team? Now that mean Lunala is gone, I want to try exploring more of Ostellia without any worries. Plus, we might find some new Pokemon we might befriend soon. Are you okay with that?"
The Buzzwole stared at the young trainer for a while. But then, it responded with a big hug, much to her surprise (and her back) since her armor was still contaminated from the mist earlier. "G-Glad for you... to be... onboard! Help..."
Thankfully, she heard her plea as it released their hug. Then, a new window popped up after the notification of her well-earned Cosmog DNA. "Whoa, a new Advanced Subclass! And I can understand Ultra Beast now?!" In response, another window has popped up.
Tip: You can enable Pokemon Speech to use this tier for a full experience. This was certainly a surprise. She never activated that function because she thought it was optional and she was comfortable hearing her Pokemon crying normally instead. Of course, her curiosity got the better of her, and switched her Pokemon Speech Off to On in her option menu. Then, she temporarily replaced her Kindred for her new subclass and turned to her Buzzwole. "So... Can you hear me?"
She turned silent, nervous at what would say. She had a feeling they had some thoughts they hid during her playthrough here. She wondered what would her Buzzwole feel about her...
<<I hear you.>> Her eyes widened as she heard the same buzzing, yet deep voice from the Ultra Beast. <<I hear you, loud and clear, Ms. Aero. I will be happy to explore with you as your partner.>>
Aero widened her eyes with a bright smile. "Yeah! I'm looking forward to it!"
<<And I'm looking forward to singing with you again, Aero!>>
"Yep! Same to you... Huh?!"
Aero quickly looked around, knowing that the energetic voice didn't come from Vonnie. But when she turned to her Skeledirge, she noticed him smiling at her and opening his mouth. <<Did I say something weird?>>
She stared at her Skeledirge for a while. Before he and Vonnie could react, Aero fell on the floor with her smile and widened eyes frozen.
Player Aero fainted in shock... On the bright side, she has a lot to do in Ostellia now that the second season has come to a close.
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Morpheus
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Weekend Warrior
Player Character
Posts: 148
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Shiro Kuroda
OOC Username: Spinner
Arena Points: 20
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Post by Morpheus on Oct 14, 2024 19:26:48 GMT 9
ZONE 3 It was over. The monster in the form of Lunala was sealed into a place they couldn't escape and the Ultra Beasts were freed from its grasp.
Morpheus sighed in relief as he let his knees collapse on the floor with a well-earned smile. He still has a lot of questions about the Ultra Beasts and that mysterious, yet malicious Legendary. But if anything, he was relieved that the chaos was over for now. Everyone gave it their all and they earned this victory fair and square, a far cry from his first raid when it ended in a bittersweet conclusion.
But when he saw most of the Ultra Beast leaving through the portals, he noticed the Poipole and Celesteela who accompanied him remained by his side. At the same time, he got a notification that he got a new subclass, Contract. It's because of their efforts that he and the players managed to defeat the raid boss. So he knew what to ask them next. "Are you guys planning to go back soon?"
Pica the Poipole tilted their head. <<I don't know... I want to explore this world with you much longer! Morphy is too funny and interesting to leave!>>
<<I share the same sentiments,>> Kaguya the Celesteela added. <<It would be too soon for me to depart. I want to continue flying and if you have our permission, I want to do it with you and your friends by your side.>>
Morpheus smiled. It seemed like his new subclass managed to break the language barrier a bit between them, so there was no need for him to make second guesses. "No objections here. I already locked myself out of the loop and I'm not doing it again after this." He took out his Golden Poke Balls and aimed them at his new partners. "I'm looking forward to working with you two."
Both Ultra Beasts nodded in approval before they were caught in the Poke Balls. After a few shakes, he got a new notification.
You have successfully caught Poipole and Celesteela. <<So what now, Morpheus?>> His Flapple asked. <<Are you going to leave again after this?>>
He smiled at Malum and stroked his head. "Only for a while. I need to learn more about Ultra Beasts and see what's next for us." He looked up in the sky as the clouds started to part. "I think it's time for me to take this world more seriously than ever."
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Buzzster Hooperham
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The Quizmaster
Player Character
Posts: 152
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Buzzster Hooperham
OOC Username: D-Bug
Arena Points: 70
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Post by Buzzster Hooperham on Oct 15, 2024 9:22:15 GMT 9
ZONE 3 Buzzster cheered as the villain was sucked into the coffin, sealed for the foreseeable future in a bed of heavy marble. "Nice work Petal!" he said, offering a high-five to his partner.
Petal panted, her leaf dropped at her side. The Solarbeam had drained her skin of its youthful green color and she looked like a boiled bean.
"You okay?" he asked, bending down next to her.
"Just...tired..." she said.
Buzzster picked Petal up and put her on his shoulder. "You did great," he said, giving her a bright smile. "You blasted that bat and won the day. Now let's go and get a burger, just you and me."
"But...your Pokemon..."
"What?"
"We need...to find...them..."
A memory stirred in Buzzster's mind. Standing at the top of a building in the Nexus with Bergamot Gristleborg and watching helplessly as Kartana carried away several of his Pokemon. Their faces drifted through his mind. Charlie Sheen the drinkable Surskit. Varoom, the car guy. And even-
"Oh fuck! Where's Suckle?!"
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eddiecayge
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Player Character
Posts: 23
Player Name: Eddison Cayge
OOC Username: Fred
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Post by eddiecayge on Oct 15, 2024 9:37:32 GMT 9
"LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"
Eddie let out a whoop that would make a Kriketune jealous as he thumped the side of the towering fortress that was Jericho, a jovial laugh roiling from his throat like lava from a long dormant volcano. He'd never felt so god damn alive in his life, never so accomplished, sure he hadn't done MUCH, but he did manage to free the cool solar crucifix person and they did something sick, and Jericho had done a big rock throw dunk move so like...
Baby steps.
But boy howdy was he hooked, the sheer adrenaline and thrill of it all, how real it was, how perilous everything seemed! His heart was thumping in his chest as he monkeyed down his new Ultra buddy, the stakka setting up stairs for him to descend. Scanning the crowd he kept an eye out for Torino , Laguna , and lastly his cousin orioncayge . The former was currently nowhere to be found which concerned him, the secondary target was still over where Solgaleo was posed up like a legend for post raid talks. But as his eyes settled upon his cousin, the wind left his sails.
Orion hovered wordlessly over the coffin, leaning his weight onto clenched fists, stanced up like a white knuckled gorilla with a look upon his eyes like he'd already logged out and his body was just waiting to catch up with him. There were no hoots, or hollers from him, just a stoic, contemplative quiet.
"Yo!" Eddie called out, jogging to catch up to his cousin. "Hype ass fuckin fight dude!" He exclaimed, slapping his psuedo sibling on the shoulder.
He might as well have just slapped a marble statue for all his hand could tell.
"Thanks." Orion murmured, eyes not leaving the coffin.
"You good dawg?" Eddie inquired, leaning forward to peer upon his cousins face and ponder his stoic expression. "Cause you're acting like we didn't just smoke the absolute SHIT out of this raid and get like, the best possible ending."
"I'll be fine," Orion grunted, eyes not leaving the coffin lid. "Just processing it all."
"You sure?" Eddie inquired with a raised brow.
"Yeah man." Orion lied.
"Well...I'm gonna go check in with the others...then probably log and get some food in my belly and hit up Macs for some drinks. If you swing by booze is on me kay champ?" Eddie's hands drummed across his stoic cousins shoulders like bongos. "Good shit dude, you and I are gonna have to do some rocky shit so I can catch the fuck up so it's not just you stuntin all the time."
"Yeah man," Orion nodded, his gaze turning from the coffin to his cousin and offering a soft smile. "I'm glad you're seein the appeal."
"I totally get it now." Eddie grinned from ear, eyes alight with delight. "I shoulda hopped in way earlier dude!"
"You shoulda." Orion nodded, his gaze returning to the coffin. "Go have fun, I'll catch up with you at Macs maybe, dunno yet." There was a poignant pause between the two before Eddie clicked his tongue.
"Aight man, if you don't swing by I'm finding your ass, I know where you live punk."
"Yeah yeah." Orion replied, slugging Eddie on the shoulder. "Go have fun dude."
Eddie took a few steps backwards, eyeing his cousin appraisingly before nodding, and turning on his heel to go find the others. Clearly his cousin needed some time.
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Alicia Westfield
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Player Character
Posts: 693
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Helen Rose
OOC Username: AzureGhidorah
Arena Points: 12
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Post by Alicia Westfield on Oct 15, 2024 9:40:59 GMT 9
ZONE 3: HEARTEATER
Alicia heaved a deep sigh as it was all said and done. Her Pokemon cheered as the devourer was driven into itās stolen artifact. An artifact that was chained by Orion and nailed shut by the stake she provided him. Would it ever be opened again? The pinkette wasnāt sure. It wasnāt going to be her call. She wasnāt going to approach the matter on her own one way or another. She was justā¦ tired now.
She hadnāt realized how much energy she had burnt up in her charge and stunts. How much she had been running on adrenaline and fury. With fury being changed to pity at the sight of the morbid bat, adrenaline had to pick up the slack.
And then she thought of her friend. She delved into the pack sheād kept concealed up until now, and pulled out an egg. Black with green energy racing in hexagonal patterns. It was a thought that sheād been concerned about exercising. But perhaps being at the epicenter of such a grand event, the nexus of glorious victory, might be key to awakening the slumbering legend.
It still rested in her hands, moving slightly as it stirred, but other wise it was unaffected. She smiled softly and shook her head, storing the egg away safely again.
The status of the egg of Zygarde was one matter. The fact still remained that they had won. And she hadnāt slowed the charge down with her lack of experience. She had no benefits from prior World Events, like Aeroās Boon Of Surging. But she hadnāt needed them either. As much as she disliked the Recoil abilities negative effect, especially given sheād been bitten by it just nowā¦ the numbers didnāt lie.
She not only didnāt hold anyone backā¦ she was a frontrunner in why they won. She could, mathematically speaking, claim that this raid wouldāve gone very differently if she and her Pokemon werenāt there. Tikani, Sylvene, Fumar, and Yggdril all crowded in around her, just in time for Josh Devlin to get to her and speak up. āI just wish Iād been able to keep Venex or my Guzzlord friend up for the celebration. I have a lot to talk about with them. But yeah, message me with where weāre going to meet up to talk about Twilight.ā
That was going to be a rough talk, she imagined.
The pinkette hero let out a sigh, leaning back against her teammates, and raised a fist into the air. āYou all did itā¦ thank youā¦ for supporting me and carrying me this far. Andā¦ Iām so-ā
āNone of that now. We stood ready as your dear friends and loyal warriors.ā Sylvene interjected, cutting Alicia off with a feather to her lips. āYouāve more then earned your share of respect.ā
āAnd now, we can all go back together. United once more.ā Fumar added.
Alicia smiled, putting her arm down and smiled. āā¦ We won then. [tangent=We all did.]āā āā°ā° ā
āā
.ā[/tangent]
Thisā¦ was an ending she could be happy with. She didnāt think sheād do anything different, given the chance.
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Torino
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Weekend Warrior
Mythstar
Posts: 221
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Torino
OOC Username: Ladybug
Arena Points: 0
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Post by Torino on Oct 15, 2024 9:59:01 GMT 9
ZONE 3: HEARTEATER Torino looked on in shock as the boss of the World Event faded away, lost and sealed in her coffin.
Hearteater was defeated. The day was won.
They won.
They WON.
Her mouth opened a little in surprised. "We did it?" she asked the world.
A smile crept upon her like dawn, and her face broke into joy and excited tears. "We won! We are the winners! It is over! We did it!" She grabbed Donphan and Xurkitree by their arms and danced around in a circle. Doduo paraded nearby, poking his beaks up at the sky in an excited victory dance.
"I cannot believe it! I have never won!" Her heart trilling with excitement. She ran over to eddiecayge, dragging Xurkitree behind her. Donphan dropped back onto four feet and ran behind her. "We did it!" she announced, wrapping him in a huge hug. Xurkitree followed suit, tangling him in electrical wires. Ciambella, her Donphan, playfully bumped into Stakataka in celebration. "Victory!"
Visions of past World Events rimed her mind, crusts of disappointment and loss. The world always changing for the worse. Friends and Pokemon disappearing. Night drawing closer with every loss. The unending grip of Winter.
She left Eddie to celebrate with Xurkitree, and danced over to Alicia Westfield, weaving her way through her friend's crowd of Pokemon. "Alicia! We did it! Victory! I never win but we won! You were wonderful!" she wrapped her friend in a perfumed hug, holding her close and imparting all the joy and excitement of a first-time victor. "Before it has always been bad and cold and losing, but we did it!"
She wiped her eyes on her long sleeve. "We did it," she said, voice getting a little softer.
"I never win," she said, smiling at Alicia Westfield with tears in her eyes. "But today is different."
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Bergamot Gristleborg
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Muddy Girl
Mythstar
Posts: 403
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Chryssa Glasgow
OOC Username: M00K
Arena Points: 37
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Post by Bergamot Gristleborg on Oct 15, 2024 17:15:27 GMT 9
ZONE 3 What was an egg?
Was it cage? Was it contract? Was it symbol, or just ceremony?
She had been unable to turn it to gold, back when she'd tried in the Dream World. Did that mean it was alive?
What was a life?
Chryssa believed it was a weapon. The only one you were ever armed with.
So why would she choose to bring one into the world? Why would she Create, like some careless God, seeking the pleasure of the moment with no thoughts of what was to come ahead? It was folly. It was suicide. It was forging the destruction of her own soul, of her own power, of her own integrity.
Life was a curse. Something to inflict. She believed that.
Almost.
She had resolved to not-not hatch the egg.
But this was not the Dream World. Her memories of time spent in that place were hazy, barely-realized, liquid thought slipping between laced fingers. It was always like this. Every time she became not quite herself (or twice herself) it faded like grief, like trauma, as if the WorldScreen itself was conspiring to keep her under wraps. Under control.
Whose control? God's? Nintendo's? Hydance's? Or simply Fate itself with its trailing skein, snipping off loose ends and tucking them back into The Plan?
There was no Plan in mind when Bergamot tucked the Cosmog Egg beneath the wasting Hearteater. No Plan when she sent her Pokemon to revive others at the cost of their own health.
The best outcomes in life were not predetermined.
Hearteater boiled away like smoke as its health bar plummeted into the negatives. The red mist of its sagging form evaporated, drawn into the white marble casket sealed by stake and chain. Left behind was Bergamot's Cosmog Egg: intact, shielded from the barrage by Hearteater's bloated body.
Life out of almost-death. Life out of life-in-imprisonment. What else was an egg, after all?
It shoneā not white, like trapped starlight, but black, like the Boƶtes Void. Bergamot watched with bated breath as the hatching Cosmog rose into the air, shaping its umbral form into the familiar cloud shape from the opening of Sun and Moon. Nebby, the game had called it. Doddering spirit of the duffelbag. A cute, otherwise pointless Pokemon that would someday evolve into either Solgaleo or Lunala.
<Hello, Bergamot!> said the Cosmog, and the villainess immediately felt her skin crawl. There was something wrong with that voice. A recording of a recording, the sound of something playing back from far away. <I'm glad we finally got the chance to meet! I've been looking forward to this day.>
<I don't like this,> said Guillotine. The Piplup and Luxio drew close to Bergamot, instinctively shielding the young woman from the cheerful specter floating above. <Bergamot, that thing is bad news.>
"I have to agree," Bergamot admitted, "Perhaps I shouldn't have used Hearteater to hatch it."
<Oh, it's nothing to do with Hearteater. I would have hatched months ago in the Dream World, had you permitted it.> The Cosmog gave a little twirl, nebulous lines of its body blurring and fading like memories. <You hesitated back then. You almost smashed me, actually. I thought you'd sensed the truth, but here you are! Here we are.>
"I didn't change my mind. I left it to fate," said Bergamot. "I had no idea Lunala would be in this World Event. It was destiny." The word felt hollow now.
<Fate! There's no such thing. Who do you think steered you?> Her mind was going blank. Staticky. All around her, players were celebrating their victory, and she was rooted to the spot. <I've been inside your mind for a long time, now. Ever since we started speaking. I can read you pretty well, now. Almost perfectly.>
Cosmog let that sit. A note of irritation had briefly entered its voice, but it was smoothed away. <But that's ooo-kay! We have time.>
Bergamot's mouth had dried up.
<Anyway, I'm free now! I'll see you soon, Bergamot.>
With that, the Cosmog blurred into a streak of black-and-blue light, zipping up and out of the cavern. It was gone before Bergamot even had the chance to activate her Golden Pokeball. Not that she would haveāa creeping dread was growing in her, overriding the strangeness which the past months had left in her mind like a sour aftertaste.
"Weren't you supposed to catch it?" spat Cell disbelievingly. The blue lion's hackles were on end. "Now that thing's loose out there!"
"It'll be back," said Bergamot with certainty. She felt numb. "It wants me."
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