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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2025 4:20 pm
Watching as the robot was punted into the distance by the Zap Cannon, Rome knew that this wasn't over. It was too quiet of an ending for something that had struggled and fought like it had. If what it did last time was any indication, it was going to try another Shadow Sneak assault, but that wouldn't help fully. Not when it seemed impossible to guess its next target. All that left was motioning towards Aleister to start moving towards Aile while Harleen moved to meet up with Rome and Phemes held position nearby Sol. While there wasn't enough time to respond to the thing's reappearance, it did leave at least one Pokemon nearby for what came next. And with the Reuniclus managing to get to a spot at least close to Aile's side, there was an opportunity for something here. "Phemes! Bullet Punch!" He called, watching as the now Mega Metagross drew back its left limbs before launching straight ahead like a freight train. And as the Pokemon reached velocity, Rome called out another order as he attempted to dodge the oncoming Moonblast beams that were aimed his way. "Aleister! Ally Switch!"
The wall of metal doom that was coming straight towards Aile and Iron Valiant would disappear, replaced by the stationary form of Aleister the Reuniclus. However, there was now a full speed Metagross coming at the Iron Valiant, punch aimed to swing around Aile and slam directly into the strange Pokemon's flank. Rome would take one of the Moonblasts to the stomach as his dodging proved less sucessful and his own motions weren't quite matching up as well as Reno's would've for Harleen to accurately intercept.
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2025 3:00 am
Sol tried to watch and keep an eye on Iron Valiant, its speed making it difficult to ensure he had a read on where it was going. But the momentary pause after its attack ensured that the combo from him and Calida were able to land a direct hit... though it didn't seem to phase it. He'd applaud whoever seemingly designed this robot- it was indeed quite robust, well more advanced than anything even now- if it wasn't for the whole 'is currently trying to kill us' problem and the sheer uncanniness of it. It wasn't, however, able to dodge and evade forever, and the Zap Cannon blasting it away had him hope that maybe that'd do it, the shock wave throwing him and Calida back.
"Is.... is that it?" He asked after a solid ten seconds, seeing no sign of their assailant rushing into the fray. "More importantly, are you both- Aile!" All too quickly, Iron Valiant had indeed come back, already behind Aile and with her in its grip. One way or another, this thing meant to get someone and was running (possibly literal) circles around them all the while. He moved his right arm out of instinct, only to be reminded of the twist and snap by immediate, intense pain followed up by the Screech from metal shavings running together. Disoriented and pained, the Moonblasts would come next to throw him back. Resistances still helped to mitigate it otherwise, but it was all adding up for even Sol to reach his limits. Panting as he struggled to get to his feet again, he'd see Aile and Reno doing everything they could to get an upper hand again. As the Mega Metagross was suddenly swapped in for a hell of a hook, he'd be digging for something to at worst, maybe make Iron Valiant go after him again instead. And, with any luck, less likely to be subjected to electromagnetism.
Tightening his grip on the Fast Ball he'd taken out and trying to get a visual on where he needed to toss the ball, he'd note the arm(s) trying to punch the robot and give the best guess he could concerning any potential trajectory. He wasn't sure if this thing even counted as a Pokemon, but in tossing the ball, they were all going to find out. "Right, let's see how this works, then. All of you, keep ready!"
To her credit, Calida did keep ready, but she really wasn't keen on the idea that it might go after Sol yet again.
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2025 8:01 pm
The Screech would go off and immediately seemed to have caught the Iron Valiant off guard, the robot jumping startled slightly and creating an opening to Aile to attempt to forge a blade from her sand and stab it into the robot only for it to quickly sense what she was doing and shattered her construct via telekinesis. Unfortunately for it though in that same moment Aile disappeared, replaced in its grip by a Reuniclus. Iron Valiant would let go of the newcomer and would begin the process of changing strategy only for a certain Mega Metagross to come barreling into it, sending it flying with the Steel type.
Iron Valiant would travel with Mega Metagross a ways into it collide with the cave wall, causing the entire place to shake violently from the impact, the Paradox Pokemon soon falling to the ground lifelessly. Not to let the opportunity pass them by Sol would chuck a Fast Ball at it the moment it hit the ground, the ball connecting and quickly converting the strange Pokemon into energy and absorbing it into its confines before slamming shut.
One...two...and...click! Iron Valiant was caught!
It was over, they finally put an end to the rampaging murder machine, they could finally breath. Now without the threat of immediate death the trio would have time to get their bearings again, tend to their wounds, figure out why Reno is being weird and most importantly get the hell out of here. They had enough adventure for one day. If they checked their SNAGs they might notice they suddenly have a signal that they didn't before. Don't look a gift Ponyta in the mouth.
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2025 9:02 pm
Aile fell to her hands and knees as soon as she was swapped out from the Iron Valiant’s grasp, shaking tremendously. It was all she could do to keep herself conscious and some amount of calm, stable might be the better word. Her head would turn towards where the fighting was taking place, watching it at this point until the robot was brought into and stayed in Sol’s Fast Ball. An audible sigh would escape from the woman’s mouth as the ball locked, wanting to just collapse on the spot from relief.
Instead, what she’d do would be punch her flesh fist on the ground, standing with Sandy Shocks triumphant buzzing and beeping being the current background noise for them now. She wouldn’t even look at her SNAG, though, instead turning to the one she currently believed was her friend. “Reno. What. The. Hell?! Were you just bluffing, or what the hell did that thing do to you?! Because that was one hell of a bluff if you were, considering you seemed like you were ready to end me just there like that damned robot!” The buzzing and beeping stopped when Aile shouted, Sandy Shock’s attention brought over to Aile once she yelled. Was this the best time for her asking, probably not. But, she needed to ask it now for her own peace of mind. Unlike Aden, she could at least get immediate answers, hopefully. She didn’t get completely screwed up by the friend that was about to end her life, at least not physically.
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Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2025 7:35 pm
Rome would physically recoil at Aile's outburst, dreading the explanation he was about to have to offer. Especially with how absolutely insane it might sound. "I......The only good way I can explain this particular conundrum is to say that Reno is not controlling the body right now. That ludicrous robot we captured managed to...infect him with the mental equivalent of its programming. Which was unfortunately incredibly effective due to one of his channeling moves he was actively using at the time." Taking a breath and settling himself out, he would meet Aile's gaze. "I am Rome. A....long term resident in Reno's head. Pleased to actually speak to both of you personally."
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Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2025 6:01 am
Aile’s face quickly went from being hurt to just confused, not completely understanding. Reno was… reprogrammed, effectively? Was he going to be okay? Not to mention, he had a hitchhiker of sorts. Or probably more like a roommate. How long had he been there? And how often did he take the reins?
Finally, after some time of thinking, she’d speak up. “Wait… Ah, pleasure, first, before I come off as being rude. Um, secondly. I probably should also thank you… Rome, right? Since apparently, Reno got reprogrammed of sorts… Arceus, what the hell is next with the mind screwing?!” Aile shook her head, taking a breath to keep herself from getting into a tangent. “Anyways… I… God have mercy, this is so much in a short amount of time. Rome… Not to think ill of you, though this kind of stuff is still way over my head, being the neophyte of the trio here… But is Reno going to be okay?” She’d put her hand over her face, rubbing her temples as she was still gathering thoughts. “And… sorry for the yelling.”
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Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2025 7:46 pm
Rome would offer a half smile as he did his best to figure out how he might explain anything here. "Um.....best I have is that Reno will hopefully be able to manage deprogramming to some degree on his own with his time on the....inside. He's at least not actively trying to fight back to being in control." Taking a moment to think, he would look to Aile directly and add, "If that was meant to be is he going to be okay if I am in control, that's also yes. I've been around this long, so I am not some foreign threat that's enjoying playing house inside his head. And don't apologize for the yelling. After the day you've had, I would have been amazed if you didn't have a strong reaction to....this."
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Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 4:44 am
Sol would stand there for a moment, absolutely stupefied at Iron Valiant going into the ball he'd tossed. As if it were any other Pokemon. And he caught it. Maybe the day finally caught up to him, but he'd fully expected it to simply bounce off or have some other issue what with it clearly being robotic in some fashion. Maybe it was similar to how Porygon and its upgrades worked? Were there others like it? If there were, was he sure he really wanted to meet them when this one was so hellbent on killing the group?
He'd spend a bit processing the whole thing, slowly walking to the ball and holding it and keeping his thumb as far away from the button as he could for fear of accidentally letting it back out. There was no way in hell he'd take chances on it getting some sort of second wind. "...how the hell did that work?" He finally asked aloud, already knowing the answer and knowing a lot of research needed to be done. After they got out of here and recovered. If they did, of course. With the more immediate threat seemingly resolved for now, he'd divert his attention to Reno.
Or, more accurately with the response after Aile's question, Rome. So this was how he'd learn about Reno having a headmate. He didn't seem particularly bothered by the discovery, though he had wished it would've happened in a more casual setting that didn't hinge on immediate faith that it'd work out. But when you've spent a good chunk of your life traveling and the experiences that came with it, you end up seeing a lot and learning to roll with it.
"Can't say this is the sort of time or place that'd make for a good meeting, Rome, but likewise to you. The way you sound about things, it's probably for the better that you are the one in front right now. Give Reno a chance to sort himself out, hopefully." A part of him wondered if it was anything like earlier with Aile, with the whole thing bubbling on her and attacking Aden deal. A question best saved for later, with more perspective and less immediately open wounds- physically or emotionally. "That said, I do have to echo Aile a bit myself. You've both- believe I'm addressing this right- surely had your reasons for keeping things under wraps before now, but I'm curious about you yourself since I doubt our first proper meeting will be the last."
In the moment, he hadn't yet noticed that his SNAG started receiving a weak signal, but even if he had, having a moment to rest and tend to the immediate matters at hand would do the group good. His Quilava would give a confused, curious look towards Reno, not understanding... pretty much anything in regards to the situation. But things seemed to be safe for the moment, finally letting herself relax since surely nothing else would try to attack.
Surely.
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Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 6:46 am
Aile shook her head, appreciating the words but not really taking them to heart. “Thanks, but exploding like that isn’t terribly productive.” She’d let out a sigh and looked over to Sol, letting him say his piece. As he spoke, she’d go ahead and gather up the Pokéballs and items scattered by Sandy Shocks’ magnetism, recalling Dagobah and looking to the ancient Magneton, who was looking back at her with curiosity. “AyTee,” she dubbed it quietly. “Tall like one, and you look like you could be a mobile turret.” She’d give AT a pat again, offering a small smile briefly before she thought to the Iron Valiant. It reminded her of something as well, but she couldn’t put her finger on it at the moment.
Shrugging, she’d grab her SNAG just to see how much time might have passed, only to see… signal bars. She’d blink rapidly before turning her head to the tunnel, wondering how fast they were going up. They had gone pretty deep in the Asado Ruins(probably now fitting for the place, thanks to their actions.), and deeper still once the floor collapsed. For them to have signal, the tunnel must have been going upwards the entire time they were walking. “Don’t look a gift Rhyhorn in the mouth, I suppose.” Wanting to get out of here as soon as possible, she’d go ahead and call in Claydol to give them a ‘port back out. “School then HQ? Or just HQ and inform Raifort what happened from base?”
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Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 3:01 pm
Rome would pipe up as the Claydol arrived. "School first. No need to give Barbara any leftover opportunities to get anything else out of the institution. Assuming she survived this whole ordeal before we....awoke." Trailing off, he would turn his gaze towards the Herba Mystica that was still with Aile. He didn't want to make any specific calls but it seemed like that plant could use the extra examination from Raifort when they went to the school. "I can explain some things about myself once we get everything else sorted out."
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Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2025 3:35 am
"Hm?" Curious, Sol would check his SNAG as well, seeing the faint signal it was picking up. He'd look around to be sure nothing else was following them, already guessing Aile was giving the call to bring Claydol over and giving a sigh of relief. Further exploration could come another day. "Safe to say we're in agreement about making an escape while we can, but I'm with Rome. Get back to the academy first, and let Ms. Raifort know about things personally. And that we managed to get the last Herba, too. We can worry about returning to HQ once everything's squared away. As for Barbara... I've a feeling we won't be seeing the last of her, though I'm almost inclined to suggest that Amaranth enjoy her five-finger discount after this encounter."
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Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2025 10:37 am
“Sounds good. Let’s get out of here. Claydol, take us to the school.” As soon as the others were in contact with Claydol, and AT was recalled, Claydol would bring them outside the school, where it seemed the sun was starting to rise in the sky. “Goddammit all… That was a long a** night.” She’d trudge her way in, deciding that it had probably been long enough, Raifort could probably be found in her office instead of at the Nurse’s Office. Regardless, Aile would let someone behind a desk give Raifort a heads up that they were coming, the trio getting very odd and concerned looks over their dirtied clothes(possibly torn as well), and in Sol’s case, a broken arm. She brushed it off by saying that they were going to be leaving soon after meeting with the teacher to tend to it, but needed to drop this off first. Before the person could argue back again, Aile would guide them on into an elevator, pressing the button for Raifort’s floor.
Not a moment after they would open the door to her office, Raifort would be in their face, concern plastered all over her own face as she saw the three Snagem’s states. “Aile! Sol! … I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced! But what happened? Where’s Barbara? Did you get the Herba? What was the Titan Pokemon there?” Well, it seemed Raifort was back to normal for sure. Aile would hold out the Herba to answer one of the questions, but she maybe wanted some back up on the others. The bombardment of questions was not great for the woman’s brain to process immediately. Especially the whole deal on the Titan Pokemon.
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Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2025 8:23 pm
Giving a cough at the sudden burst of questions, Rome would step forward to attempt to offer some answers. "I'm Reno. And.....I'll answer the questions from easiest to hardest." Settling himself in, he would do his best to meet the erratic woman's gaze. "We have no idea where Barbara went, but I did confirm that she was operating with someone outside of the school. And after your infection with the Parasect fungus, it is likely the same man who instigated the whole Team Star incident. The Titan Pokemon was in fact there and is very directly related to much of the strangeness that happened. After having to get around a trial or two, we entered and opened the Herba chamber and found....a cryptid called Sandy Shocks. Then we were jumped by Barbara and her Pokemon in her efforts to try and steal the Herba for her own reasons. During that conflict, the chamber collapsed and we ended up inside a strange cavern in the depths of Paldea." Digging into his bag, he would pull out the crystal that had been bludgeoned out to act as their light source during their spelunking adventure. "Those caverns had these crystal growths all throughout. Any idea what this is? Might help identify where exactly it was we ended up before we could manage to get a signal to call for help."
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Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2025 2:57 am
"Not as long of one as I thought despite it, though," Sol added. They definitely were knocked out for a while if the sun was coming up by now... at least they were in relative safety. Following Aile and Rome inside, he'd avoid looking to the people behind the library's desk, letting Aile's answer suffice for an explanation and going straight for the elevator.
He didn't get much of a chance to answer with the bombardment of questions from Raifort, but did see how Rome planned to handle his particular situation. He couldn't say he blamed him for deciding the need to know basis was that she didn't. With the answers that came alongside, he'd pivot to trying to add more information where he could. "What he said. She found us after we found the Titan- an odd Magneton- and the Herba Mystica it had. Unfortunately, I can't speak on what condition the ruins we found are in now... nor can I say the only odd Pokemon we encountered was that titan. That crystal he found wasn't the only one like it either, we saw others around with a similar glow until we found a way to escape. Though as you can guess, the journey didn't exactly go unscathed."
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Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2025 6:45 pm
Raifort frowned as she listened to the account that ‘Reno’ and Sol gave, taking the Herba from Aile and looking it over as they listened. When Reno brought the crystal out to show, though, she’d take it and look at it, face wearing a confused look as she examined it. “This… This reminds me of the crystals that form the Tera Dens around Paldea. And you found it in a cavern underneath the Eye of Asado?” The teacher would stare at the crystal for a moment longer before setting it down next to the Herba Mystica, taking a deep breath. “Let me back up a moment and make sure I have everything correct here. So, you all got there before Barbara, good. But she did show up, and you deduced that she might have been working with the one who brought about the whole fungal infection? And while you were in the Herba chamber, you also encountered a cryptid called Sandy Shocks?” She put a finger to her lips and tapped it, as if she was trying to remember something. “That… sounds like something from one of those magazines. Are you sure about that?” “If I can, it had the three eyeballs of Magneton, but two of its magnets were giant, touched the ground, and overall, it looked like it could be at home in a glam rock concert. Well, looks like.” Aile held out the Ultra Ball that held the Sandy Shocks, with Raifort looking in surprise. “Wait, you caught it?” “Yeah. though, it likes stealing metal from… anything, really, so probably not a great idea to bring it out here.” Aile would refrain from mentioning that they also had the one that nearly killed them all, unsure of how Raifort would react to that one. “Right… Well, the crystal reminds me of the Tera crystals you can find around Paldea, though maybe without some sort of elemental charge. The cryptids, though… They actually exist?” The teacher tapped a finger onto her desk. “That brings up some interesting questions. However. I would assume you three need rest, and to get yourselves checked up.” She looked the three of them up and down, raising an eyebrow. “You mentioned Sandy Shocks wasn’t the only odd Pokemon, you found. …Can I assume that was the one that gave you hell?”
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