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Mar 23, 2022 19:19:23 GMT
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Post by getsuga on Feb 24, 2019 19:03:32 GMT
After the trainers saved the world from Nadar and Jasmine, they were rewarded with an older woman that looks and shares the same memories as their late friend, Marietta. Their rest is cut short as Sana and Marietta are caught in a trap set by none other than Paradiso member Roderick. Lucky Jace and Tully were there to even the odds. Their battle was long and difficult due to the neurotoxin Roderick emits but they finally beat him in a stalemate of sorts. Yozora manages to pick them up just in time while the person that treats their poison is also Roderick.
Tully is the first to wake up as he experiences a cold breeze. He sees the back of a Gardevoir that leaves the room closing a hatch-like door with a window behind herself. Tully finds himself in a room with Jace and Sana, each in their own bed. Aside from his new arm cast, he can move just at 100%. His pokeballs, as well as his belongings, are on a nearby nightstand. He can assume that they were also healed. Inside his sling is a rolled up note, a message from his sister Felicia.
Reese,
Hope everything is well! After we got back from Oar's Rest Port I checked my phone and the family has been tryin' to reach me for hours so I was forced to leave. Anyway, you should come by Ico City when the chance arrives. That's where the main family operation is now. Maybe Daddy will be happy for you with this.
Good job on saving the world little brother.
Behind the note accompanies your new wanted poster with the crimes you caused in that one town you met Tobias and Chance.
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Post by madandy on Feb 24, 2019 23:04:50 GMT
Tully sighs. "Course. Call me paranoid, Felicia, but I ain't gonna rush there." Looking around, he secretes the poster and letter back in his sling before nudging the others. "Hey, guys, might wanna wake up, we're... somewhere."
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Post by kurohagane on Feb 25, 2019 5:42:03 GMT
Now conscious from Tully's nudging, Sana cautiously scan the room she is unknowingly placed into. The previous ambush and her still lingering anxiety about Paradiso led her to clutch herself... shivering in fear until Ruby immediately takes over. She responds wwith another doubt. "Were we being house arrested?"
Before deciding to clean herself from whatevetoxin, she leaves the bed, opening the hatch door to examine.
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Feb 28, 2022 15:56:25 GMT
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Post by Trixander on Feb 25, 2019 15:37:38 GMT
At first, Jace drifted back to consciousness. After he remembered what happened though he sat up with a start. Reaching for his belt he made a quick count. One, two, three, four, and five. Okay. While Sana was investigating the door he released Ace and Gengar to check on them.
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Mar 23, 2022 19:19:23 GMT
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Post by getsuga on Feb 25, 2019 16:46:03 GMT
Ace and Gengar come out as good as new. Ace jumps across every bed to show off how fresh he is while Gengar hands Jace the masterball he took into hiding.
After opening the hatch door, Sana view went on for miles. The dazzling sun from across the world shines on the craggy snow-covered landscape. The cold enters the room uninvitingly when the hatch is open for one minute too long. She sees Gardevoir far down the mountain path, entering another door below.
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Post by kurohagane on Feb 25, 2019 17:19:52 GMT
"Wait up!" What was the Gardevoir trying to lead them to? Sana braces the chilly landscape, hugging Whimsy on her chest like a pillow. With the need to sate her curiosity at its peak again, Sana quickly picks up her belongings and cautiously follow the psychic. She looks back to Jace and Tully, motioning them to follow. On the way, Ruby takes over Sana's body, the magical girl has reappeared again. Sana uses Enchanting Transformation.
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Feb 28, 2022 15:56:25 GMT
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Post by Trixander on Feb 25, 2019 18:02:30 GMT
Not exactly keen to rush headlong into the cold, Jace was slower to follow. He had a guess where they were, and he was in no hurry. Still, he wanted to find out what happened after their battle with Roderick. Jace followed Sana, hoping to find a Paradiso member with answers.
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Post by madandy on Feb 25, 2019 23:50:09 GMT
Tully slinks along behind the others - he has no idea what's going on, but that's been the case for over a day by now, so he's just looking out for the next thing that's going to try and kill them.
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Post by getsuga on Feb 26, 2019 5:31:32 GMT
To your surprise, Gardevoir actually holds up for the group. She stands idle for the three of you to enter another hatch-like door.
Upon entering you see Rime looming over a couple computer screens attached to a wall. Parts of the metal walls are more iced over than others but the temperature is bearable. Gardevoir closes the doors.
"Ah yes, you three have woken up just in time." Rime says with her back away from them. "Don't worry, this isn't another dream sequence like what Travis put you through, this is the real peaks of Nashor Mountain!" Rime turns around and gets up from her chair. Wearing jeans and a 'nICE QUEEN' T-Shirt you wonder how anyone could live in such conditions.
"Paradiso dropped you three sleepy heads off while they were getting things done for their boss. It feels nice to get away from them yah???" She runs over to an even bigger metal door on the other side of the room. Before pressing one of the two buttons, Rime asks. "Before we dive right into this gym challenge, do you have any non-Paradiso related questions for me?"
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Post by Trixander on Feb 26, 2019 18:45:31 GMT
"Yeah, I've got two, although the first one may be Paradiso related. Why does it feel like we are being pushed through these gym challenges?" Jace took a moment before asking the second question. It was a question that was bugging him since day one, but he hadn't thought to answer. "And what happens after we have all eight badges? Victory Road? Are there three champions?" Or can there only be one Jace thought to himself.
Jace always knew that, should there only be one champion, his team would become his rivals. Of course, he suspected that Tully wouldn't even try to become champion. Sana, on the other hand, would.
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Mar 23, 2022 19:19:23 GMT
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Post by getsuga on Feb 27, 2019 5:56:03 GMT
"What were they supposed to do? Just leave you sleeping in a ditch? Leave you with a murderous clone of your friend? And here I thought you'd be frustrated in not completing challenges ASAP. Jeremiah says you've exceeded his expectations for the very beginning." Rime says walking over to her desk and sits on top. You can see she liked handing her knowledge out.
"A position at the very top is a dream you three share yes? After completing the eight challenges set out by each gym leader, trainers must go through Victory Road. The only way to reach the Champion's hall is by paving your path with bested trainers. On the contrary-there can be only one Pokemon Champion on Nexus. The current champion himself, Kan'on, was partnered with a fellow trainer and together, they overcame all challenges including splitting the Elite Four. When it was time to face the champion, Kan'on and his partner were able to use only six pokemon between the two of then in a doubles battle." Rime gets straight to the point as she beckons for Gardevoir. "Kan'on and his dear friend had to battle each other to see who would walk this region as Champion. The loser has a choice to become one of the Elite Four."
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Post by kurohagane on Feb 27, 2019 6:58:34 GMT
Ruby thinks for a while, and feels something did not quite add up, chronically. Sana was challenging United Front and hadn't gotten the badge yet. "Hmmm? Should not we be transported to United Front instead? Sana and her friends still had to get her badge there, considering the abomination Sana had me fight."
"What happened to Ka'non's friend, after his defeat?" The second exposition, Ruby had a feeling she will not like the answer.
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Post by getsuga on Feb 27, 2019 7:27:35 GMT
Rime shows a smirks and rummages through a drawer. "Oh Sweetie, no one tells tales about losers. As I said, the path to the top is paved with bested trainers... For your previous challenge, I talked with Alexander. I told him it would be unfair for the trainers to challenge such distinguished trainers. Don't get pissed, but what I'm saying is true, you don't want to waste your time on the trash there. Ooo" Rime glows as she finds badges for the United Front challenge. She diddles with them between her fingers.
"If you beat my Ninth Circle and then some, I'll let you have keep both my badge and his. Does... Sana find that fair?" Rime definitely noticed how Ruby referred to her host in third person.
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Post by kurohagane on Feb 28, 2019 4:36:39 GMT
Ruby pauses for a moment, feeling her currently dormant persona thought, and then "Aye, Sana is okay with that." She shows a thumbs up on top of a wink. "After all I am Ruby Hearts, magical girl of justice, ready to take on another challenge for the badge!" Ruby conveniently forgets her skimpier magical girl clothes being not suited for winter.
"Oh, Rime, Sana just asked if there a city nearby?"
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Post by getsuga on Feb 28, 2019 6:14:51 GMT
Baffled, Rime heads towards the elevator, calling you three over. "Oh, i-is that so? There is a small town a few miles away from the base of Nashor Mountain. A city will be far from here.
For the first stop, she leads you to a utility room. The lights flicker over what looks like something straight out of Home Depot. You see aisles upon aisles of what you would normally see in your average PokeMart. From potions to X Accuracy she has then all in a large quantity. Also rack of coats and boots catches your eye, all in different sizes. Lumber and power tools line up against the wall, you find yourself contemplating on building your own shack for just a moment.
"If there's anything you need for this challenge, you can buy it from me. Still have those cards from the previous gym? I'll give you 20% cash back for however many points you give me."
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Post by kurohagane on Mar 3, 2019 17:22:07 GMT
By checking the card reader, Ruby calculates 21500 points from her G-Card. Enough to buy a lot of potions for Sana's altruistic needs. In light of increasing hateful, worthy or cruel foes she is facing, she feels the need to equip herself and her Pokemon with more powerful gears. If so... why not stretch the points she had by charming Rime. She gets closer to Rime and holds her hand, pleading Rime coyly.
"Miss.Rime, I don't know if we're going to face more hateful foes in the future, but I would like to be more well-equip. May I have a discount, pretty please?"
You can't do that Ruby! Ruby playfully ignores her dominant persona's fuming voice in her head, who is angry at Ruby's flirty behavior, for she is going to tarnish Sana's name.
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Post by getsuga on Mar 4, 2019 0:39:58 GMT
Rime reciprocates by clasping Sana's hand with both palms. "Of course I can! I already told the remaining gym leaders to deliver their best challenges so you will have something to look forward to! I'll shave 10% off your entire purchase. There will always be someone with ill intent standing in your way, but let these badges be a testament of your tenacity and strength."
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Post by madandy on Mar 4, 2019 1:37:21 GMT
Tully hums in surprise. "Wow, ten percent? Geez, that's real nice of ya, there. Heck, I'd woulda been happy with five."
Like many of the best tricks, it's technically true - he'd be happy with any discount, but he would like ten percent even better and he's hoping that a subtle bit of reverse psychology might get it. And if not that, then the five percent.
Also like many of the best tricks, there isn't really a losing scenario - either he'd get ten percent, five percent or no discount at all, which is what he'd get if he hadn't said anything. She theoretically could raise his prices, but that doesn't seem like the kind of person Rime is.
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Post by getsuga on Mar 4, 2019 16:54:30 GMT
She takes out her handheld card reader. "Don't think I forgot about you two. It's only fair if I extend the offer to you boys as well." Rime glows with excitement as she scans their cards.
"With this many points, I can definitely auction this on eKay. I assume you three don't have the time to wait that long for cash to flow in."
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Post by getsuga on Mar 8, 2019 6:49:37 GMT
After buying your new equipment, Rime finally leads the group to the elevator. The cab is lengthy and high, suitable for transporting things in quantity or large items. Not the fastest elevator in the world though. You seem to have spent a good six minutes going down to the bottom level.
The doors open and snowfall rushes in the cab. Rime pushes your group out. As you walk, the featherweight snow crunches underneath your print. The snow reaches mid-shin height and doesn't have a bite to it quite yet. Besides the green pine trees the only color you can see is the vivid white which goes on for who knows how long. Your drop-off point is in a forest so visibility is limited. Sunlight struggled through the dense grey cloud above, but the morning was as overcast as a late afternoon. Rime, unfazed by the weather, turns to the group. "What you're seeing now is my personal winter wonderland inside Nashor Mountain. There's only one way in and out this baby and you just came through it! The name of my game is Ninth Circle, you will survive in this icescape for 24 hours and you will do what you must. My only rule is to not bother the other inhabitants of my land. Do I make myself clear?"
"You may keep whatever you find and also wild pokemon that will challenge you. If you're not careful, too much activity in the cold will give you frostbite. And we're expecting hail sometime his afternoon." Rime chuckles to herself.
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