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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Dec 6, 2020 22:44:36 GMT
Amaranth takes a few minutes to give his partners a proper introduction to Hyacinth, and though she's extremely wary of both Big Iron and Magnificent Six, when nothing comes of proximity or contact, she takes these in stride not unlike the rest. A bit of time is spent with Kai, making sure the boy is confident going into this, and with Ayah and her sister as sort of a family bonding moment. They were all a little weird now, but it was time to put a stop to the prime point of offense to Theodore's sensitive condition, among many others.
It wasn't high noon, but he'd pretend it was.
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Post by DataNinja on Dec 6, 2020 23:03:18 GMT
Several tension-filled minutes after all the preparations have been completed, and everyone's set, a boat begins to pull in towards the dock they'd seen the other day. It's not a very large one, though fairly sleek - it could easily be any of the pleasure boats that dot the waters of Hoenn. But, knowing who's within, there's a bit of aura of menace to it.
The boat remains quiet once the engine's cut, nobody emerging. It's time. Stepping onto the ship, the group of them - including Zach and Maya, begin to descend within.
And almost immediately it's clear there's something wrong. The halls and rooms belowdecks look right for a ship... but they don't fit, as soon as the threshold is crossed. It's too big for the space that was seen from the outside.
"I... uh," Ayah says, nervously, squeezing Amaranth's hand. "Is this safe? It feels like... everything's so thin..."
"You get used to it," Maya reassures.
"See? This is what I mean. All of this stuff could revolutionise how we build things," Zach says, a little bitterly. "But instead, we get it all in service to one man's ego."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Dec 6, 2020 23:19:01 GMT
"...Yeah it just runs on people's anguish on account of shoving foreign things in them." Amaranth replied dryly. "It seems like he is expecting us, either way. Unless he was just expecting you aboard? Not sure what kind of arrangement y'all had." At least it was big enough in here for his Pokemon... and things much larger than them. Didn't really like that.
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Post by DataNinja on Dec 6, 2020 23:28:05 GMT
"There are ways to collect the energy besides that way," Zach says. "They just felt... the ends justified the means. Not at all a good philosophy, and I was complacent in it. It's not an excuse. But I can at least help to right things. I don't know what comes after. I guess that'll be all up to you..."
"Don't know if they're expecting anyone," Maya shrugs. "Depends on if they pay any attention to cameras, I suppose. Or have gotten too engrossed in work. That's why they usually never come ashore right away. ...or often at all." She gives a wry smile. "It's funny, you'd think that maybe they don't like us too much."
"But we're all family when it came down to getting cajoled into something," Ayah says, dryly. "Isn't that right?"
"Screw that!" Evelyn says, defiantly. "We're your family now. I don't care what anyone thinks." She looks around, as though daring anyone to disagree, and that seems to get a giggle and smile from Ayah.
"I think you're a bit slow on the draw, Ev," Ruby teases, winking and inclining her head towards the hand-holding going on.
"Shut up!" It seems to have lightened the tension at least a little.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Dec 7, 2020 3:17:28 GMT
"Evelyn you should be careful about who you call family. You have your pedigree to consider.". Amaranth jabbed playfully before draping an arm across her shoulders. "Though you are stuck with us either way.". The bit of laughter at least left the mood less oppressive. Something with its dimensions not adhering to what they understood was definitely unsettling.
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Post by DataNinja on Dec 7, 2020 20:45:01 GMT
"I'm not pulling me down," Evelyn teases and winks, "I'm pulling the rest of you up." She pulls the other Trainer in, briefly, before laughing.
"It's funny how much you can learn what really matters, and what doesn't actually. It's rarely the things that you thought you would care most about..."
"Yeah," Ruby says, quietly. "And sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for."
"You can't blame yourself for this, Ruby," Ayah says. "None of you can. It was just... misfortune. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time..."
"You don't blame yourself for this either, though," Ruby retorts, staring at her. "I know that look. It's the 'I'm beating myself up' look, and, no. This was beyond any of us. And we're going to make it right." She gives a wry smile. "Hey, Theo, I'm gonna need some backup here, making sure your girlfriend's cheered up."
"That's not fair..." Ayah complains, with a laugh, going a bit red.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Dec 7, 2020 20:58:15 GMT
"If someone told me I'd never see you again, I would do a few things I regret too.". Amaranth put his arms around Ayah and kissed her gently. "So enough of this. The growing pains are behind us now. We have each other, no guilt or regrets okay? Friendship through and through."
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Post by DataNinja on Dec 7, 2020 21:50:46 GMT
"You're right," Ayah says. "Thank you. I... haven't had outside people to rely on for so long. But... I guess you aren't really outside people, are you?" She laughs. "Sometimes... it just feels so surreal. Having people who care in that way."
The group moves on throughout the ship, peering in all the doors. It seems most are just empty rooms, or living space, or metal structures like those that projected the gates. But nothing's active. It mostly just seems abandoned.
Until Amaranth hears a bit of a noise. Peering into a room, it seems to be a large battle arena. And there's a figure standing at the other end. Stepping in to investigate, along with Ayah, a shimmering rainbow barrier encompasses the walls, and blocks the door, humming to life.
The figure at the other end turns around. And though he's much more clean-shaven than in the picture from the house, it's obvious that this man is Nathaniel Harrison - Orion.
"Had enough fun poking around?" he asks, dryly, voices clearly able to carry across the field. "I don't know why you're here to throw a spanner in the works. It was almost all completed. We could have evolved humanity beyond what it is now. Still can. But I know you're here to try and stop it. Why is that, really? Do you have a reason beyond 'you felt wronged by progress'? Because it is unfortunate. But sacrifices have to be made."
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Post by Robot on Dec 7, 2020 22:20:43 GMT
"I didn't see you first in line volunteering to be a sacrifice in the name of progress. You definitely didn't offer any sort of comfort to your test subjects. So yeah, you pretty much nailed my reasons on the head. So I tell you what, you acted without consideration for others, how about I do some of that? Right now. When it is really inconvenient for you. We'll even call it an experiment."
There was bitterness in Amaranth's tone, and he reached for a Pokeball.
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Post by DataNinja on Dec 7, 2020 22:57:46 GMT
"I have sacrificed everything outside of this project," Orion snaps back. "I have dedicated my life to this now. To making things better for everyone. I've done more than I had to do, too. I gave those adrift a purpose, a family. A goal to make things better. You can't help everyone all the time. ...but that's what I plan to do when this is all done."
"Your 'family' is a hollow mockery," Ayah says, bitterly. "Something to make you feel better about yourself, while actually just having people to do your dirty work. It's not a family. I've learned what that truly feels like. And it wasn't ever you. You and my eternal fear of loss."
"What an ungrateful child," he replies, sighing, tossing his own Pokéball up and down in his hand. "I could have just left you and your sister to make your own way in the world. But I didn't. Because you were all lost and alone and didn't know anything about this world. It wasn't my fault that you wandered in. They weren't my mistakes. But I tried to fix them anyways. The decision to cross was all you, Ayah."
She looks uncomfortable and flushes as she averts her eyes from either of the other two in the room.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Dec 7, 2020 23:07:34 GMT
"You wanted your next step in human evolution, I'm here. Hey Dad.". A shimmer rolls down Amaranth's body, hair releasing from its braid and nearly brushing the floor as it shifts into the pinks and oranges of sunset. Hyacinth hit the field beside him. "You could have put Ayah back at any time I bet. It was just too convenient to have the easy help. Hell, you probably didn't even bother with the courtesy of learning the names of those of us you decided to use as a damn battery."
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Post by DataNinja on Dec 7, 2020 23:37:19 GMT
"We tried putting them back," Orion says. "According to Julia there was too much interference. Apparently it's harder to re-open a portal once you have part of what belongs over there on this side or something. A painful lesson. Especially because what they have over there would shoot us ahead leaps and bounds. But it wasn't my choice to keep them over here. I just did the best with what I was given. It's why we needed more energy. To fix everything."
"It is quite impressive what I see before me," he admits. "I presume it's only been a short timeframe that you managed to tame one of the fauna of the multiverse in. And your power... it is there. It is glorious to see what could be." He gives what seems to be a genuine smile. "But what is it that you want here? What is your goal? To stop Ayah from being sent home? To waste the sacrifices that have been made, when we're so close?"
"Home... doesn't matter anymore," Amaranth can hear Ayah say, quietly, as she clenches a fist with frost lightly sparkling over and around it.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Dec 8, 2020 0:08:37 GMT
"To stop more sacrifice in the name of some... Ideology. What was done is done. The problems you caused me and my friends without so much as a how do you do, we worked through those together. The cost of your social life, which being a sociopath I don't see you having much of, seems negligible compared to what your 'experiments' have been put through. Holding you accountable, making you pay for the sacrifice you had others take in your stead. Justice. Whatever you want to call it. I don't feel better. I feel unstable. I feel conflicted, and there is nothing you can do to fix THIS!". Amaranth gestured to himself. "I was a boy! Fancied myself a man! Now look at me!"
Old pains stirred.
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 1, 2021 21:51:15 GMT
"Isn't it glorious?" Orion asks, no hit of sarcasm or irony. "You're more than human now. Or perhaps... simply more human. The next stage in our evolution. You just need some time to settle down. To let the conflict drain from you. You've spent too much time internalizing this, and not focussing on you."
"But, very well, child. Let us dance. See if your power can match up with that gathered from across the dimensions. Are you fit to tussle with even the lowliest of them?"Two Pokéballs are tossed out, and a large blue stone humanoid and a floating sword and shield appear in the space on the field. Ayah wordlessly responds with her snow Ninetales. "Let's go, children. Show me what power you've obtained. If what I've done has brought you forwards."Map
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jan 2, 2021 21:59:05 GMT
Amaranth's face shifts through several embarrassed colors. What was with this guy? Not a hint of remorse and he seems absolutely giddy at his handiwork. The praise, being called a child, and hearing it insisted that he'll come around in time throws him emotionally off balance. Butch Cassidy hits the field, the Scrafty considering the size of his opponents.
"Ayah, not sure how this is going to work out, but I'm with you for it." They offer a consoling smile. (Butch goes on 6)
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 2, 2021 22:42:05 GMT
"It doesn't matter how it's going to work out," Ayah says softly, before reaching over and squeezing Amaranth's hand. There's still a little bit of frost on her fingers, melting at the warmth of another person. "Because we're going to make it work out." "We're not children anymore," she spits out across the field. "We've seen too much. And most importantly, we've grown. We've been on a journey. I know I'm not the same little girl you pretended to care about anymore. Snowdrop, ice the sword."The beam of cold that lances out towards the Steel-type also envelops the Ninetales itself, forming a protective mist. It really doesn't seem to have done much, though, and the Aegislash remains floating, not even yielding an inch. "Really? Your vaunted journey didn't tell you that you should have used Ice on my Ground-type, instead of the Steel?" there's a bit of a chuckle. "That was barely even a scratch. You've seen Regis all your life, and yet still didn't internalize that?""You're wrong. I knew you would underestimate. Not lean in to defend against such a supposedly weak attack, while you were in such a position of full power. And I know Amaranth can deal with whatever else you do. But I want you to look closer. Because, I told you. We've grown." It's clear now that the blast of cold around the Aegislash, while not deeply harmful, has encased it in a layer of ice, leaving it struggling. "I'll deal with that one, I think. I'm sure you have the other," Ayah says, grinning at her partner. "This is nothing, child. But a good gambit. Do not mistake it for true power."Ninetales hits with Ice Beam. It's not very Effective. Ayah triggers Deep Cold, Freezing Aegislash for a turn, as well as lovering its Atk, Def, and Speed 1 CS. Ninetales gains a tick of temp HP from Winter's Kiss, and 5 DR.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jan 2, 2021 23:38:49 GMT
"You always did have the best battlefield control." Amaranth grins at his partner, bumping shoulders with her a little. "Butch, give the big one the stink eye and close for Tumbleweed, we're going to all in this one." (Reckless Advance Ravager's Orders bound)
Scrafty uses Intimidate on Golurk, dropping its Attack 1 CS, then attacks with Grass-Crunch, a pair of punching strikes that cause dried, nettly bushes to burst from the ground and drive into the target as a followup. (9 Vs. AC 2, for 52 Grass Physical, and Butch gains 5 DR from Type Strategist).
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 3, 2021 0:14:43 GMT
"Eh, I dunno about that," Ayah says, winking. "I think it was a bit too slick to really catch on."The Golurk stumbles around from the force of the hit, before attempting a powerful swing. Even with its lack of concern for its own safety, though, it's unable to connect. Butch Cassidy just leaps out of the way, a little snicker on its face. Unfortunately, the Colossus doesn't really seem to show a response. The Aegislash seems to be slowly cracking its ice prison, but Ayah gives a smirk. "Snowdrop, don't give it a chance. Let's use that chill and make it even worse. Like we practiced."The fox yips, before a shadowy aura surrounds the sword and shield, as it feels like all the anger and hatred is poured into the one attack. The cold intensifies, as the ice thickens and stabs into the 'mon. The assault finally ends, but the Steel type is looking much worse for wear. "How's that scratch doing now?"Golurk is hit by Grass-Crunch. It's super effective! Golurk Misses with Dynamic Punch. Aegislash is frozen. Aegislash takes 2 injuries from boosted Hex. It's super effective! A critical hit!
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jan 3, 2021 0:49:11 GMT
"Jeez, that swing would have been seriously bad news if it had connected with Butch. Incoming your way Ayah, going to see if we can't put our own twist on things. Payback on the weapons rack Butch!" The Scrafty beelines away from the Golurk, intimidating the Aegislash as it approaches, giving a hop and an odd backwards kick, throwing its weight into it.
(50 Dark Physical, and Provokes from Golurk.)
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Post by DataNinja on Jan 3, 2021 1:22:50 GMT
The opening allows the Golurk to connect with a backhand, but it's nowhere near as potent as the previous attack. And the darting attack works, connecting... until the unfrozen Aegislash begins to glow, and a protective ward shines on it, sapping some of Butch Cassidy's strength. "Good try. But not good enough. And that's left you open."The Golurk runs up, and attempts to basically steamroll the Scrafty… but utterly misses its target, possibly for worry of knocking the Aegislash over. "Alright, looks like you've got that one, and we're tapped on things good against it... so let's change targets." She looks towards Orion. "What did you say about how Ground likes Ice again? Sorry about this Ama, but it's for a good cause."The Ninetales shivers, letting lose a rain of hail from the sky... followed abruptly by a ferocious Blizzard coalescing on the Golurk. IT's still up, but looking a lot worse than a moment ago. Scrafty takes 8 damage from AoO. Scrafty hits, Aegislash uses King's Shield. Scrafty loses 2 Attack CS. Golurk misses with Stomping Tantrum. Natural 1... Ninetales uses Snow Warning. Hail for 1 round! Golurk takes an injury from Blizzard.
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