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Mar 23, 2022 19:19:23 GMT
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Post by getsuga on Feb 28, 2021 18:32:03 GMT
Halt your steps Do not look forward Hope encroaches from behindSometime ago....Jeremiah and Tatsumaki stand at attention before the Pokemon League doors. Time goes without words. Jeremiah shoots a teeth filled smile at Tatsumaki, who responds by lowering her sight and a slight smile. The woman that was inside the caves of victory road was forced to resurface as well, still holding Tatsumaki's white coat. "Why... why am I here?" "Is this all that's left of my precious limbs?" A voice calls out from the horizon. The Boss, Jack, and Masked Man approach the three. "Lets go, the final operation starts now. Those three must be fighting the Elite Four."
"And what if they get in our way, your majesty?" Jack asks without hesitation. "We remove them. They have earned themselves a quick death if they do not comply." The boss says as he walks past a sullen Tatsumaki. "You two will stay inside the main hall to ward off any outside threats. Jack, I will honor your request of meeting your friend one last time."
The group approaches the two guards before the iron doors. The men get a feeling of unease as they approach, unfolding their arms and puffing their chest out they ask The Boss. "Show us your badges." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBAwlqGjuosJace, Tully and Sana step off the lift and exit Luna's room. The team of Chansey make an efficient assembly line to haste the healing process without complaint. The return to the scenery invites you to the champion's door. They would feel each step getting heavier, their heartbeat fluttering like a bird in panic, the hands of all those who came before pressing you onward to the final challenge. Instead of that, they chase the sounds of battle through the halls. A rite of passage with a bitter flavor. The sounds have mostly subsided, but you crack open the door to see a fatigued Jack, his team of Pokémon lay collapsed at his side. He charges at Kannon with his sword. The Champion effortlessly evades and counters unarmed. "Did you really think I'd be sitting on my butt for these last 15 years? You were always the pragmatic one, but the Jack I knew would never do something this underhanded." Kannon says in a painfully calm rage.
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Post by Trixander on Feb 28, 2021 21:02:19 GMT
It was strange. Despite feeling as if their journey had been disrupted not an hour before, Jace felt a strange sort of triumph running down that hall. All of this time, he thought that Paradiso was trying to rob them of their Pokemon journey. That the interruption of gym challenges, or the shortcuts created, or the invasion of Victory Road somehow diminished the experience. But now, as they burst through those doors into the champion's arena, Jace knew the truth.
This was their Pokemon journey.
"JACK!" shouting his name was both an accusation and a demand for attention. Ace stood triumphantly at his side, just as he has this entire journey. "Where is he? Where is the Boss?" Jace knew he was here. If they were tying up the Elite Four, and Jack was in here with the champion, then that means nobody would be between the Boss and whatever it was that he wanted. Jace didn't know the Boss's plan, but it clearly wasn't to take out the champion, or else he'd be in here.
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Post by getsuga on Mar 2, 2021 2:50:54 GMT
Their eyes settle on Jace as he intrudes on their fight. "Ehh? You guys know each other!?" Kannon says as his fingers slide between the two. Jack regains his footing as he shakes off the fatigue, although it's still a struggle. "Probably walking around the facility, thinking about how he wants to change the interior. Blue isn't really his color." He says with an everlasting vacant expression. "His majesty has given me an opportunity to get closure on our long rivalry you see. Kannon and I beat the previous champion together, but ultimately fortune chose him to stand at the top. However I though losing to you again would be more painful than this." Jack redirects his attention from Kannon. "You're in no condition to fight us, boy. After a battle with the elite four there's no way you can take on both Tatsumaki and Jeremiah. I suggest you give up on your dreams and live a peaceful life."
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Post by Trixander on Mar 3, 2021 16:19:58 GMT
Jace only smiled at Kannon's confusion. They didn't really know each other that well, but now as not the time for exposition. Ace had his face to the floor, sniffing around for Tatsumaki and Jeremiah. He'd have their scent any minute now.
"That's bold talk from someone with their ass in their hand," Jace snarked. "And in case you couldn't tell, the Elite Four didn't even scratch us." This was technically true. Jace, Tully, Sana, and Ace were all completely unscathed from their bout with the Elite Four. The rest of their team, on the other hand, were scuffed up pretty badly. Still, better to shake Jack's resolve here. If they were able to defeat the Elite Four so completely, would he think that they can defeat the Boss?
Ace had the scent, and he was less interested in this conversation. He ran off in its direction, hounding down their finally opponent in Paradiso. Jace didn't have anything more to say to Jack, instead leaving with a salute. Good luck, it said. Good luck, and better hope you're not here when I come back.
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Post by getsuga on Mar 8, 2021 8:16:50 GMT
Jack reaches out for the exiting crew, "What are y-" His words cut off as Kannon's Arcnanine step between them. Kannon furls his brow as he walks towards the defeated. "If the end goal is me, why are they waiting so long for you to finish... whatever this was?" --------------------------
The trainers follow Ace's nose, walking through familiar scenery. He leads them to the very beginning of the Pokémon league entrance which is completely in shambles. Surgical knives now puncture the walls and the couch Jeremiah lies down on. The iron doors lay broken on the cracked floor. A pair of Chansey heals the unlucky guards that tried putting up a resistance to Paradiso. The only combatants left standing are Nurse Joy and Tatsumaki who stare down each other with killing intent.
"I'd be careful if I were you. Walking into a catfight is not something you'd want to do, ya dig? Also what happened to saving the world?" Jeremiah catches the group as the walk down the stairs. A knife is also caught in his mohawk.
An interruption between these two might light an entirely new conflict in this atrium. Speak well.
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Post by Trixander on Mar 8, 2021 17:26:57 GMT
Jace was a little confused as to what was going on here, but he thought better than to interrupt. Fewer obstacles between him and the Boss. Of course, if Jeremiah and Tatsumaki were here that meant the trail was cold. But now, he was convinced, they were on the Boss's trail. With his psionic sight, he could see the path taken by a massive force.
"We're still on for saving the world," Jace said. If these two weren't going to stop them, they were going to keep going. For some reason Jace thought that they had to stop the Boss before he did whatever it was he was planning on doing. His gut told him that time was of the essence. "We can catch up after that."
Picking up the trail again, it was Ace's turn to follow Jace. With Jack, Jeremiah, and Tatsumaki out of the way, there was only one person left to deal with.
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Post by getsuga on Mar 11, 2021 6:04:21 GMT
Jeremiah hesitates for a moment as he watches the group enter the passage. "Wha-! I wanna join! If it's gonna end here, we gotta do it in style, ya dig?" He says leaping off of the couch. ----------------------------------
the corridor shifts into a narrow descent of unwelcoming architechure. Whoever made this surely created it as an afterthought within the palace. The lighting and décor isn't as luxurious as the main building. Rows of lights connected to wires line the ceiling. The craggy walls bite at your arms and mildew stabs your nostrils. Ace's head props to the ground and hastens his cheery step. The Eevee moves ahead of the group as he follows the new scent - tail wagging with excitement.
Ace is the first to escape towards the light at the end of the tunnel, he looks back at Jace with a bit of confusion but it does not stop him from exiting. Sensing the sounds of screams, flames, and ground shattering moves you remove the veil of the tarp. Though their figures appear battered and beaten, you see the Elite Four circle in among one man and his Pokémon, among a sunless sky of the same underground facility. Ace runs full force to this stranger and paws at his leg. His response, surrounded by all killing intent was to drop to a knee and pet the Pokémon with gratitude.
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Post by Trixander on Mar 11, 2021 22:00:02 GMT
Suddenly, things took an ominous turn. This was the fourth conflict that they had run into, but it was different in a very important way. Jack was fighting the champion, Tatsumaki with Joy. It didn't look like a battle in here, it looked like a slaughter. Sure, the Elite Four were softened up, but whoever did this was no joke. To make matters even more confusing, Ace seemed to know them. Jace did not like this situation, not at all.
With a slight nudge, he indicated that Tully should take cover. Up until now Jace had been confident enough to take the threats head on, but now he wanted every asset available. Tully's ambush tactics might be necessary here.
He figured that he didn't have much time to hide, but still Jace paused before addressing the figure. "Hey, don't give him any treats. He's on a diet," Jace was more jovial than usual, but he had his hand on Ace's Pokeball. He wouldn't even try to send out another pokemon to intercept, and would instead return Ace to safety if need be.
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Post by getsuga on Mar 12, 2021 16:50:22 GMT
As Tully veils himself behind a well placed rock, Jace looks into what they're dealing with.
An Alakazam and Lucario create defensive circle close to this gentlemen who is only focused on Ace. His shoulder length brown hair and posture makes it difficult to define his other features. "Always a hair late to whatever it is you go huh?" The man says without much fatigue in his voice. He speaks to Jace calmly and unfazed by much of everything. "It was always so frustrating and convoluted."
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Post by Trixander on Mar 12, 2021 19:57:43 GMT
"Well, maybe you can just point us out to the Boss," Jace offered. "Then maybe we'll get there on time."
It was worth a try...
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Post by getsuga on Mar 14, 2021 5:03:38 GMT
The man abruptly lets go of Ace which makes the pokemon pout. "Yeah, he's over there in the control room." He indicates with a flick of a finger. Their hazel eyes meet, his eyes devoid of enthusiasm are glazed with coldness and uncanny familiarity towards Jace. "Since this fight is over, I'll show you the way there-"
"OVER!?" The air around Luna ignites as she winds up for another attack. "Eat this." She snips before spewing an endless torrent of fire at the man. It collides into an invisible barrier causing the heat to prematurely. Luna loses her grit and her knees begin to rattle. Her kimono catches a breeze; she looks intently with bloodshot eyes, but it was Kaysal who noticed the next attack.
Him and Beheeyem dart from front of the fierce maiden, using their psychic ability to intercept the falling barrier. Alakazam tosses Beheeyem to the side which results in the two elite four getting flattened into the ground.
"I don't know exactly what you're Jace, but it wouldn't make a difference. There is no great security for the boss than me. You should know that." A moment of silence runs between the two before he asks. "Are Marietta and Tully not present?"
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Post by Trixander on Mar 14, 2021 19:15:44 GMT
Finally, it clicked for Jace. Marietta said that her Jace and Tully were killed, so this Jace must have come from a different timeline entirely. How long had he been here, Jace wondered. What was his world like?
For now, he had his own world to worry about. "Marietta was killed by Paradiso's renegades a long time ago. As for Tully, if we're lucky he's halfway to the Orange Islands with the Master Ball by now." Jace shrugged, as if what he said had little gravity to it. "What about you? How'd you end up working for the Boss? Champion life didn't suit you?"
This was weird. Super weird. But Jace wasn't about to let it shake him. They were on the fast track to the Boss now. What they would do when they got to him, Jace wasn't sure. But the goal wasn't to win a deathmatch, not necessarily. They were playing capture the flag, so first they had to find the goal. If they could simply prevent the Boss from getting what he wanted, that would be good enough. Of course, that may result in a showdown between himself and... himself. Would he be able to win in that matchup? If he was tied up with his doppelganger, could his team defeat the Boss?
These questions ultimately didn't matter, because they had to try.
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Post by getsuga on Mar 17, 2021 7:44:51 GMT
The doppelganger's eyelids droop. "That's unfortunate. Looks like misery and despair seeps into every timeline eventually." Jace says before a frown registers on his face. "So now you've been travelling with that magical girl? I didn't know her well, but she was at our napes often. Especially Marietta's."
He beckons Ace to go back to his owner with a gentle tap of his foot. The double brings his lengthy brown hair back, given that was all the Elite Four was able to mess with outside of his Pokemon.
We, saved the world of course. He looks towards the ceiling of their cage. Reliving the days of freedom, "Everything was going well until-" Jace pauses for a moment. He paws at his waist for a Pokeball, returning Lucario, but leaving Alakazam out. "I betrayed everyone's trust in me. The Boss appeared in my world to give me a second chance and I took it. Nevertheless if I told you the details you wouldn't get it, even if you are me."
He turns en route to the command center. Only for Vell and Sumi to get in his way. A fire burns in the copy's vacant eyes. "What we both understand is we dislike ants that don't know their place, right Jace?" He says as the two leaders fall to their knees from Jace's telekinesis. His power is so great the area above the two makes a space rending cylinder. They struggle, but all that's accomplished is gritting their teeth and sweat their fear.
"Don't worry, I will not kill them. The Boss will need followers for his new world. This was my warm up, the only one that needs to die here is the Champion. Lets go."
Jeremiah looks at Jace and Sanna. Even though he's wearing sunglass you can feel the distress in his face. "I'm looking as dumb as ya'll right now, honestly! We gotta get your Big-Me away from this place or else we'll have a hell of a time fighting him."
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Post by Trixander on Mar 17, 2021 12:11:04 GMT
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ2AvJjrjZoJace smiled, but it was more rueful than anything. "Man, here I thought you were me. You must have been hit on the head or something, because you're completely backwards."The smile didn't last, and soon Jace was intense. For him, this was personal in the most literal way possible. "Misery and despair hasn't seeped anywhere. No matter what obstacles get in our way, we have always looked skyward, because that's our only limit. Each and every one of us is here, not just to save the world, but because we want to be our best selves. That is what it means to be a Pokemon trainer. We don't give up. We don't surrender. And when the going gets tough? We evolve."Jace shook his head at Jeremiah's suggestion. How would they get rid of Jace? So far Jace hadn't abandoned much of Paradiso, and he refused to abandon this version of himself now. "If you were me, you wouldn't be a follower. Ever since we left home we have led the charge. And if you were me, you wouldn't have given up on your team. Because they felt the same way, each and every one of them. They also reached for the stars."At last, Ace returned to Jace. He scooped the Eevee up and set him on his shoulders. "But you know what is the most egregious error, and why I don't think you are me? Because you forgot that your best friend in the whole world was an ant who didn't know his place. A ragged, weak, pathetic Normal-type who couldn't even evolve. He started his journey abandoned in a cage. Now he is quite literally on top of the world. He reaches for the stars. Me and my friends, we reach for the stars."Now Ace shared Jace's expression. There was no anger or hate, but pure determination. "I will never give up. We will never give up. And if you were me? You wouldn't either."
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Post by getsuga on Mar 18, 2021 11:45:17 GMT
Jace stops in place during his younger self's speech. "As usual," He turns around in a contorting scowl.
"You've got a big mouth, boy."
With a swift gesture of his hand, the ground underneath Jace and Sana begins to crack and shoots towards the command center. Not long after, they feel the telekinetic effect on their bodies. "That's right, if something important to us then giving up is never a choice. But I'll be damned if justice rules over my actions and these selfless ideals spewing from that mouth!"
Roll Focus to break off from the telekinesis effect, acrobatics to pull yourself away, or another roll "Only one path lies open. I must now take it."
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Post by getsuga on Mar 26, 2021 15:26:52 GMT
The antithesis narrows his eyes in disappointment as both Jace and Sana chose to resist. "How disappointing. I guess I can do another warmup. Kannon will definitely mop the floor with Jack and I'll be on my way, as expected."
He levitates above Sana as she regains her positioning in the air, swinging down at her shoulder with a razor-sharp kick. Alakazam blocks Jace and Jeremiah's way with a disregarding snort. Something about that Pokemon looks familiar to Jace and Tully. The recollection of your memories shows the Kadabra that Marietta caught and let escape soon before her death. It seems he changed allegiances in the other world.
Bizzaro Jace: 17 Alakazam: 32
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Post by madandy on Mar 29, 2021 22:02:23 GMT
Tully gulps. Halfway to the Orange Islands? Wish I'd thoughta that.
Still, he slips a pokeball under his coat and releases Cassie, keeping the flash hidden before letting her out and pointing towards Alakazam and pulling out a knife, readying the pair of them to attack.
Tully uses Take Aim
Initiatives: Tully: 30 Cassie: 24
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Post by Trixander on Mar 30, 2021 13:58:03 GMT
"When we don't like the only path presented to us," Jace started. "We make ourselves a window!"Leaping from his shoulder, Ace began gathering his own aura in preparation for the battle. For some reason, the Eevee and his partner felt that this battle was more important than the showdown with the Boss. This was a battle for their own soul. Jace: 21 Ace: 35
Ace uses Swords Dance
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Post by getsuga on Apr 2, 2021 23:20:39 GMT
Alakazam narrows his eyes at Ace's threat. He's had to deal with a lot of hot headed pokemon, this is just another one.
"It's unfortunate circumstances Sana Hearts, but I won't let you regret joining him..." Alternate Jace says from above her, almost as if the sky itself granted him footholds. The Pokemon fires off a dazzling beam of energy into Ace which is certain to leave a mark. "You'll be long gone before you can regret anything."
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Post by madandy on Apr 4, 2021 20:58:43 GMT
Cassie and Tully look to each other, hesitation on Tully's face. Not out of the prospect of facing an alternate version of an ally, but rather because he knew how dangerous Jace could be in battle, and this version seemed even more experienced. With an eyeroll, Cassie darts out of hiding, rocketing herself at Alakazam and swooping low over him, narrowly missing but giving Tully an opening to dash up and strike when Alakazam isn't paying attention. He sighs, "An' the award for least surprising ambush goes to..."Cassie: Standard: Night Slash on Alakazam, Misses Activates Clever Ruse, gaining +4 evasion for one full round and ignoring Stat Evasion until the end of her next turn
Tully: Standard: Feint Attack on Alakazam Swift: Spend 1 AP to activate Dirty Fighting, using Low Blow maneuver.
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