"Wait, you mean you knew THE Giovanni? As in THE leader of Team Rocket? The one that disappeared a few years ago? I don't-" "You brats don't got hardly any attention spans left at all, huh?! Ain't you been listening, kid, we didn't just know him, we practically put him on the map!" Says a stout, gruff old man with a comb over and patchy stubble in charcoal black and silver-grey. The cigarette in his mouth falls out and into his coffee. His eyes have been scrunched shut the whole time, but they go wide and bloodshot at this. "Ah, cripes, see whatcha made me do, brat?!" "We got our start alongside his father, see? Rolled together and helped build the family business. We're the finest cat burglars in the region." Adds the woman next to him, who seems every bit as old, with noticeable laugh lines on her face, and a small nose, with grey wavy hair that falls down to her chin in a bob cut. Her eyes are bright, sharp blue, and a little mischievous. The kid sitting catty-corner to them at the long counter of the diner quirks one eyebrow, and lays his menu down flat in front of him. "I'm sorry... But aren't you a little old to be climbing up buildings and stealing things?" Comb-over slams his fist down on the counter and points accusingly at the child with the other. His eyes are scrunched again, but angled down angrily. "YOU AIN'T GOT A CLUE WHAT WE'RE TOO OLD FOR YA SNOT! WE'RE THE REAL DEAL PROFESSIONAL CRIMINAL AGENTS AND WE GOT DECADES OF EXPERIENCE, WE'RE SHARPER THAN EVER!" He pulls three poke balls out of his pockets then, rising out of his seat and stepping back. "I oughta teach you a lesson right here, right now, about respectin' your elders!"A black leather glove grips his shoulder, and another man, with a deeper voice, speaks up from behind him. "George, you're making a scene. Smooth moves, right? Let's make it all smooth moves today." He says calmly. He's got a leaner, more athletic build than the bruiser he's talking down, with a thick white mustache and mutton chops, a black scally cap on his head... And a black eyepatch with a bold, red letter 'R' on it. His gaze extends past the man's shoulder and to the woman. "And Leslie, I told you not to let him have more than one cup of coffee - you know how he gets." He chides with a slight smile. His good eye is a dull green color, and something flashes behind it when he speaks to her. "Good morning, Leonidas." She says with a smirk. "His wife told me not to let him have more than one side of bacon, either, with his blood pressure where it's been lately. But, well, you know how he gets." She smiles then, showing a silver tooth on the left side that glints in the morning light.>1/3
Leonidas steps around George, and over to the kid. He holds out a bundle of cash. "Here, boy, you breakfast is on me." Then he looks to the waitress standing a little ways off to the side with a pot of coffee in her hand, quietly watching the debacle. [Red]"Hey, we're moving to a booth over here. Get me two decafs, one for him and one for me. He likes cream and light sugar, and I just like sugar. Thank you." He informs her, and then gestures to the empty booth with a jerk of his head. The other two seniors join him over there, with Leslie looking amused, and George grumbling under his breath as he puts his poke balls away. Once they're seated, Leonidas withdraws a manila envelope from his trenchcoat and places it on the table. "Alright then... It wasn't easy getting my paws on this, but I have some schematics. If you two meant what you said over the phone, well... I think it's possible. We may be a bit long in the tooth, but we've still got what it takes, and with this one last job, we'll be out of the game for good. Our children and their children will be able to live the life of ease on this score, and Giovanni?" He looks conspiratorially from one elder to the other, allowing a pause to hang. "Well, he'll regret ever running his mouth about George, Leonidas, and Leslie. He thinks we're 'over the hill', he thinks he can just put us out to pasture after a decade of being sidelined. I say we give him something else to think about..." George's demeanor has done a one eighty, and he nods along grinning. "Lee, I missed ya somethin' fierce. It's about time we cleaned up and did somethin' right by ourselves. We gave our best years to the gang, and now we're yesterday's news. You got the right idea: it's high time we remind the brats at Rocket who wrote the book on purloinin' and plunderin'!" "I'm in too. The knitting and baking and seeing the grandkids is plenty nice, yaknow... but after a fashion it almost feels demeaning to just while away the days waiting for an assignment, only to end up giving some other crew a phone consultation on security systems." Leslie brushes some hair aside, and stares down at the envelope, shaking her head.Leonidas nods to them both. "Right on. Then let's get down to brass tacs, my friends. This might be our biggest job ever. It'll make sure we go down as legends, and Giovanni never forgets us as his betters. Twenty years ago we stole one of the world's most priceless artifacts. Now we're gonna take it back" He says this, and opens the envelope, pulling out a small stack of papers. He flips through and places one sheet down between them. It's a glossy color photo of a feather-shaped bone petrified in a chunk of rock. Leonidas taps it twice with a finger. "Our target... is the Mew fossil..." >2/3
This is a quest about a crew of legendary Team Rocket master thieves that have been pushed to the margins in their old age. To prove they are still the best, and repay Giovanni's disregard for their talent, they will be infiltrating his private estate to steal the same fossil they claimed for the gang decades ago, and selling it to a wealthy and powerful Pokemon Collector. ***Only Gen 1 and Gen 2 pokemon will be featured in this quest.***You will play as either George, Leonidas, or Leslie. Each trainer comes with a team of three pokemon, one of which is already assigned. You will be choosing your trainer and the two other pokemon from a list, and some of the options not selected will be assigned to the other two trainers. CHOOSE YOUR TRAINER: George: The muscle of the group, and more than half of its attitude, too. He's a skilled sumo wrestler, and even at his old age he can lift and move heavy objects, break down doors, and has a surprising amount of endurance. His pokemon partner in crime is Poliwrath, a brutal fighter just like him with a secret weapon: Hypnosis! Leonidas: From the very beginning, Leo has always been the team's mastermind. Originally a bored architect that defected to an outlaw life for thrills, he is a tactical genius, skilled climber, and expert sneak. Counterpoint to his stealthy and cerebral style, his top pokemon is a grizzled, gargantuan Steelix with a devastating Hyper Beam... Leslie: She has the longest tenure with Team Rocket, and was actually working as a recruiter when she discovered and hired both George and Leo in the same year. This lady is a master of social engineering and a disguise savant. Her number one pokemon is a sly Espeon that often surprises her foes with a powerful Zap Cannon attack." CHOOSE TWO OTHER POKEMON: >Machoke >Sneasel >Sudowoodo >Noctowl >Electabuzz >Hitmonlee>Wheezing >Primeape>Tangela>Ninetales >Skarmory >Scyther >Venomoth >Raticate >Xatu>Gloom>Magneton >Granbull>Magmar >Kabutops>Golbat>Ariados >Rapidash>Murkrow>3/3
>>6460843>George>GolbatFlying type to round out the team and a getaway guy. I also fucking love the Zubat line.>MurkrowDark type to take care of Psychics and a good "mook" coded mon.
>>6460843>Leonidas>Xatu>Sneasel
>>6460843>Leslie>Skarmory>Scyther
>>6460843>Leslie>Magneton>Scyther
>>6460843>Leonidas>Xatu>Sneasel>>6460845+1, good mix. Leonidas being the ringleader also seems best suited to be a PC, to me.
>>6460843>Leonidas>Golbat>Sneasel
>>6460843>Leonidas: From the very beginning, Leo has always been the team's mastermind. Originally a bored architect that defected to an outlaw life for thrills, he is a tactical genius, skilled climber, and expert sneak. Counterpoint to his stealthy and cerebral style, his top pokemon is a grizzled, gargantuan Steelix with a devastating Hyper Beam...>Ninetales>Xatu
Sneasel is the humanoid, dark, creature-with-hands-he-can-pretend-is-like-him, and Gloom of course is Actually like him in depressing toxic ways he can't admit
Switching from >>6460844 to >>6461088. Give me the bat. (Not sure if the IPs are retained, but rest assured that that is me up there.)
Seems Leonidas is the clear winner for trainer choice, and Sneasel is a consistent pick as well which I was hoping for. Counting the first vote, we have three Golbats. I am going to lock it there, and assign the pokemon for George and Leslie also. Full breakdown: Leonidas >Steelix >Sneasel>Golbat George >Poliwrath >Wheezing >ElectabuzzLeslie >Espeon >Scyther >Ninetails
Wait I just realized the first vote doesn't count anymore and there's a tie for Golbat and Xatu... I am still going to go with Golbat for plot reasons. Will start on an update when I can.
>>6460843>Leonidas>Wheezing >Ninetales Oh god, it has been a minute. I don't recognize half of these Pokemon.
>>6461147Sorry friend, vote is called, but thankfully both of those mon made it into the larger crew - just not Leo's own pockets.
THE PRESENT... [Interior: Dana's Diner, Fuschia City] You tap the photograph on the table twice with your index and middle finger together. "Our target... is the Mew fossil..." You says in a low tone. Leslie stares at the photo hard for a moment, but doesn't say anything. She looks up to your eyes, and nods once, a small smile on her thin lips. George's face scrunches a little, and he pulls out a fresh cigarette, tucking it into his frown. "Wasn't it locked up in that creepy lab of his? The secret project site that got blown to bits by that kid?" He wonders aloud. "It didn't get blown to bits by a kid. The kid showed up later, made different problems." You correct him calmly, leaning back in your seat. "It was some kind of accident, like a machine or chemical mix or something. That doesn't matter. The fossil survived. Got Intel from one of the grunts they stuck on cleanup. It's in Giovanni's private collection now." Leslie frowns a little now, hearing this. "The trophy room... Which is in Giovanni's private high-rise on Tourmaline Island. Tall order. It'll have way tighter security than the lab we snatched it from in the first place." Your conversation is interrupted when the young, upbeat waitress sidles up to your table with two mugs of coffee, which she places down in front of both you and George. She quirks a solitary brow at the photo on the table, but then just glances between the three of you. "Do you need menus, or are you ready to order?" She says, and her big blonde curls bounce a little when her head turns.Her smile manages to melt the dour expressions of your comrades, and they both smile up to her appreciatively. "Not quite yet, thank you, we don't need menus either though. Just a few minutes to think, miss, thank you." You reply politely. She smiles a bit wider. "Sure thing, friend, just wave me over if you need me sooner!" And with that she departs. >1/3
You look back to Leslie and heave a sigh, but still settle into a half-smile. "You're right about that, but it still won't be enough for the likes of us." "But how the heck do we even get in the door, or on the island itself?" George questions assertively, then pauses to light the cigarette with a brass lighter he tucks back onto the inside of his beige windbreaker. He takes a couple of puffs, and blows smoke out of his nose like an annoyed dragon, then withdraws the cigarette to point at you with it accusingly. "You know well as I do that even when we were in his good graces, we weren't welcome on Tourmaline. Now that the firm's gone mostly underground, it's like a fortress for him and his most loyal goons - even well liked Rocket agents can't just roll up on the dang place like they own it. We gotta be invited, and even if we were, they'd have eyes on us the whole time." You nod along to his little shpiel. "Yeah, I know all that. That's what I'm good for, right? Knowing what's up?" "You're good for givin' me a headache, pal, and the occasional stomach ulcer..." He grumbles back. You roll your eyes. "Relax, I got it all figured out." You dismiss. "We, don't gotta get invited, see, all we gotta have is three invitations, the kind that have his seal and that get printed on his black stationary. The twerp may be on a self-inflicted exile right now, and flying under the regional radar, but he's still a self-absorbed show-off snot. Doesn't have a gym no more, but he's still got the clout of a gym leader. A rich, well connected one. He still gets bored. So... He still hosts events, even on his little fortress." You follow this with a big, satisfied sip of your coffee while the others exchange a glance. "I take it he's hosting one soon, and you scored some of those authentic invites for us?" Leslie probes, looking more curious by the second. >2/3
You touch a finger to your nose and point at her with the other. "And the solid gold Squirtle doll goes to Leslie! That's right. Big dinner party in three weeks, a real old fashioned soiree... And secretly, a black market auction to sell off stolen Pokemon. All kinds of connected socialites, up and coming trainers, and professional crooks will be in attendance." You take another sip of coffee and shift in your seat. "Anyone that's caught Team Rocket's eye lately and a lot of the lowlifes in business with the organization in one way or another." George puffs on his cigarette again, but pulls it from his mouth to ash into the small ceramic tray on the edge of the table. "Right, and big G thinks we're washed up throwbacks that ain't worth his precious time. We aren't getting invited, or invitations, Lee. It's a non-starter." You smirk again, lifting your coffee but pausing before having another drink of it. "I never said we were just gonna get them, we're gonna-" How are you getting the invitations? >TAKE them! I happen to know three are in transit to the new gym leader on Cinnabar Island, and they have to take the ferry to get there. We're gonna steal them from the couriers in transit, and assume those identities to sneak into the party in disguise! >MAKE them! I got a picture of what the invites look like, and I even got a stack of the special stationary from an old friend. There's a document processing facility in Goldenrod City with a machine that can perfectly copy the text and seal. We just gotta break in at night, run the paper through, and voila, we got our tickets in! >Write-in (Feel free to be creative, give me a little caper with which to secure the invitations you'll need to disembark from the pier on Tourmaline Island and enter the high-rise) >3/3
>>6461188>MAKE them! I got a picture of what the invites look like, and I even got a stack of the special stationary from an old friend. There's a document processing facility in Goldenrod City with a machine that can perfectly copy the text and seal. We just gotta break in at night, run the paper through, and voila, we got our tickets in!If the courier or the gymleader meant to get the invitations talk then all the effort in taking them is wasted
>>6461188>TAKE them or MAKE them, it doesn't matter. Either work. The problem is we need to be on the list of invitees, that means assuming their identities. Real trouble, either they raise a fuss and we have to prove we're the 'real' ones. No, the real work is dealing with the invitees! Kidnap them and lock them up, or give them something better to do instead of going.
>>6461240>>6461242To clarify: if you TAKE them, that will include preventing the couriers from reaching their destination (multiple ways to do this). If you MAKE them, you will be cooking up your own identities and will get in alright - there won't be a cross referenced list, but guards will require you to show the invites. Think of this game as taking place more in the world of the show/movies than the games, and consider the ways that Team Rocket use disguises to gain access to all kinds of secure places. You can trust me not to pitch you vote options without thinking them through, or trying to trick you into making a shortsighted move.
>greentext TAKE them! new gym leaders imply a fresh or unfamiliar face, which gives these old cats a chance to disguise themselves & argue over how young / fresh they can pass for, and I think would give funny opportunity to see how they might choose to present themselves for a secret audience of old peers, adopting the costume of the "classic success" that being a gym leader probably represents in PokeWorld.
>>6461188>TAKE them!
>>6461188>MAKE them! I got a picture of what the invites look like, and I even got a stack of the special stationary from an old friend. There's a document processing facility in Goldenrod City with a machine that can perfectly copy the text and seal. We just gotta break in at night, run the paper through, and voila, we got our tickets in!less witnesses...
>>6461188>TAKE them! I happen to know three are in transit to the new gym leader on Cinnabar Island, and they have to take the ferry to get there. We're gonna steal them from the couriers in transit, and assume those identities to sneak into the party in disguise! No way there isn't a doorman with a list of who is and isn't allowed.
Calling the vote for TAKE!
You have your coffee held up in front of you where you sit, proud. "I never said we were just gonna get them, we're gonna TAKE them!" With that, you raise the mug as if to toast in order to emphasize the simple brilliance of theft to facilitate theft, and have a couple of big, satisfying gulps. "Aaahh!" George puffs his cigarette, but doesn't snap back - even without the details, he seems mollified by the idea, satisfied by the idea that no problem can't be solved by stealing even more. "So who's the mark?" Leslie cuts in, amused but clearly curious. You place the mug back down on the table abruptly, and cross your arms. "Marks. See, Giovanni can't use the postal service, right? He's wanted by the government. So he has private couriers, and seeing as they can't risk one of these invites getting into the hands of the cops or the Team's enemies, they are usually decent trainers and backed up by a grunt or two." You reply confidently. Then you go back for the manila envelope and pull out a couple more photos which you set down in front of her. You gesture to them lazily with a hand. One is a picture of a young woman in black slacks and a red button up shirt, with a black leather satchel over one shoulder, and her hair tied back in a ponytail which is pulled through a plain black ball cap. The other photo shows a pair of pretty tough looking guys in Team Rocket uniforms, probably in their early forties. The left one has wild mane of red hair and a handlebar mustache, with jowly cheeks, a torso like a keg of gunpowder, and hands like the burls of an oak tree. The right one is paler, with a lithe frame but the age showing in his face. He has bags around his eyes under a pair of horn-rimmed glasses, clean shaven but with a vertical scar down his left cheek and tucking under his angular jaw. His hair is blonde and trimmed short to his scalp. "Don't know the lady's name, but mustache's name is Ed, and glasses is Gein. Tough customers, but I think the big guy wanted to send a message to the recipient - namely, that it behooves them to stay on his good side and accept the invitation." You explain, and sigh through your nose. "The two of them will have a room separate from hers, but probably adjacent." >Cont'd
Leslie nods while George continues to be content to listen. She furrows her brow a little. "I see, and the recipient you mentioned, what do we know about them?" She asks, glancing between you and the courier. You raise a finger in a gesture of correction. "Recipients! We are stealing three invites. They're all identical, I guess they wanted to save time or money on making the goofy things, heh, just flashing one at the security checkpoint gets you off the pier and onto the island." Then you shift in your seat a little, and stroke your mustache. "So happens that the new Cinnabar Island Gym Leader is none other than Rory Ferno, the frontman for Thermal Throne. He's taking a break from music to focus on being a trainer. Still, he can't leave behind the celebrity - Giovanni wants him and his two former bandmates to attend and won't take no for an answer. We can save them the hassle of dealing with Team Rocket knuckleheads, plus the makeup and costumes they wear will make it easier to impersonate them." At this George winces a little, but at least tries to cover it by scratching at the side of his face and behind his ear. Then his nose scrunches as he starts doing the math on this. "But wait, I don't get it. If we steal the invites from the couriers, they either know immediately and contact Giovanni, OR they don't know about it and carry out the delivery anyways, then find out when they're missing once they reach the Gym. What am I missing?" "A bunch. Check this out." You begin, and then reach back into the manila envelope to just show him The Plan. - - - - - - - THREE DAYS LATER... [Exterior: Pier, Fuschia City Harbor] The sun is starting to get low, painting the sky in pastels of orange and violet that mingle between thin, wispy clouds. The sea breeze is warm, wanting to cling to you a bit as it whips through your hair. You're standing alongside George and Leslie towards the end of the pier. The former is wearing khakis and a short-sleeved striped blue button down shirt, with a bowler's cap covering his comb-over. The latter is dressed in a black one piece bathing suit with a burgundy skirt on that comes down past her knees, a matching shawl, and a big floppy black sun hat. For your part, you're wearing white seersucker slacks, a red Hawaiian shirt with a pattern of white Magikarp all over it, and a plain white eyepatch to match. All three of you are carrying black duffel bags, and George has on a black backpack. >Cont'd
All three of your heads turn when you hear the foghorn blaring from around the bend, and see the ferry pull around into view from the East. "Now remember, the plan is to get the invites before we hit the Seafoam Islands. It's ideal that these mooks never set foot on Cinnabar, so let's stay focused." You mutter just loudly enough to be understood. Both of your companions nod their heads. It isn't long before the great white ship has pulled in to port, and a metal gangplank is extended for you all to use to board. A crew member in a blue vest and hat punches your tickets as you pass him, and then the three of you shuffle along to your lodgings. Once inside, you close the door behind you.Leslie sets her bag down on a single bed at the far end of the room, then turns to smile at you wide. "Shall we get to work?" You take a deep breath, and nod. "One for the money, two for the show, three for our legend and away. We. Go..." You reply, setting your duffel down just next to you. Time to enact your plan to steal those invitations... How did it go again? >You're going to put on your Thermal Throne disguises now: black and red face paint, black leather suits, metal studs, and huge, crazy red and black hair. You'll let Leslie take the lead and get the courier to think she lucked out running into the group here. Run a confidence scheme to get them to hand you the invites and think the delivery is complete at the same time! >Smash and grab. Well, more like 'smash the goons'. You're going to take out Ed & Gein first, once it's dark, then confront the courier and beat her too. Once the trio is incapacitated, George will use his Poliwrath's Hypnosis to make them forget who beat them up, how many invites they have, and where they are even headed. They'll wake up confused after you've already jumped ship or disembarked at the Seafoam Islands. >You happen to know that even the couriers only know so much at a time, and their guards only know who they are supposed to protect. That woman was told to travel to Cinnabar Island first, THEN look at a list to see who the recipients are there. You're going to break into their rooms during dinner, snatch the invitations, and alter the list so that Thermal Throne's members aren't featured. You have your in at the party and neither the courier nor the band knows anything is amiss.
>>6461608>You happen to know that even the couriers only know so much at a time, and their guards only know who they are supposed to protect. That woman was told to travel to Cinnabar Island first, THEN look at a list to see who the recipients are there. You're going to break into their rooms during dinner, snatch the invitations, and alter the list so that Thermal Throne's members aren't featured. You have your in at the party and neither the courier nor the band knows anything is amiss.
>You're going to put on your Thermal Throne disguises now: black and red face paint, black leather suits, metal studs, and huge, crazy red and black hair. You'll let Leslie take the lead and get the courier to think she lucked out running into the group here. Run a confidence scheme to get them to hand you the invites and think the delivery is complete at the same time!Go big or go home..
>>6461608>You're going to put on your Thermal Throne disguises now: black and red face paint, black leather suits, metal studs, and huge, crazy red and black hair. You'll let Leslie take the lead and get the courier to think she lucked out running into the group here. Run a confidence scheme to get them to hand you the invites and think the delivery is complete at the same time! The funniest option for a trio of elderly goons.
You hear the muffled bellow of the ship's horn sound twice from within your quarters, and nod to each other. Without a word, you get immediately to work. The trick here will be an old-fashioned con: impersonate the band, score the invites, and disappear before the courier gets to the Seafoam Islands, so she can transfer course back to the mainland and save herself a trip to Cinnabar. The real Throne members won't ever know they were invited, the courier will think she's ahead of schedule, and you'll have the first piece of what you need to pull the big job. It all hinges on you being able to sell yourselves as the real deal in the meantime... It takes a little finesse here and there, but soon the three of you are dressed head to toe in black bodysuits with lots of straps, shiny metal buckles, and spiked studs. Poor George has to throw in a girdle to fit the frame of his a bit better. You swap your eyepatch out for a massive pair of red sunglasses with lenses shaped like roaring fireballs. Your mustache, thankfully, doesn't become a casualty, as you're playing the part of Rory Ferno himself, and he happens to have a great red beard and stache of his own, so it's just a matter of adding fake hair and dying it. The top of your scalp is covered by a huge, upwardly styled red and black hairdo that looks like fire, as if your skull was set alight. Layers of red and black greasepaint complete the look, and conceal so many wrinkles and lines across your faces. The black rings around the eyes and covering your nose also harken to a skeletal motif, and the scarlet everywhere else is reminiscent of a match-head. George and Leslie are camouflaged the same way, though his hair is styled distinctly in the shape of a mushroom cloud, and smoke grey, to better imitate Nigel Glycerin, the drummer. Leslie, of course, is the bass player, Cindy Sparx, and has a wig with a long, thick braid of red, orange, and yellow hair that trails behind her down to her thighs. >1/3
It takes about an hour of diligent work to throw it all together, and by the end you feel suffocated and sweaty under the layers of black, insulated fabric and thick paint. How in the world do those youngsters not pass out from the heat of these outfits? Especially while shredding on a stage covered with smog and pyrotechnics all around them! You shake your head. Maybe you are getting too old for this... "Alright, for a finishing touch, we need one more member for our group!" You look to Leslie with a wry smile. "Rory's known for having a tough Ninetails in his roster. She doesn't get as much play as his Houndoom, but I think it'll do the trick. Would you kindly?" She nods, and releases her fire-fox Pokemon, who at first doesn't recognize you or George, but circles around her trainer and rubs against her leg with the familiarity of decades. Leslie's Ninetails has a few streaks of silver towards the ends of her tails, now, and some greying hairs around her eyes and muzzle. You all make short work of this by applying black and red powder dye to her face, legs, and tails, just like the one Rory sometimes performs with. "Perfect!" You exclaim proudly, and plant your gloves hands on your hips. "Now we just gotta attract the courier's attention... Let's head out, gang." You gesture for the door, and your comrades fall in line behind. Looking either way, first, you step out into the hall, and proceed towards the front of the ship. A few passengers elbow each other, seeming starstruck, but none approach at first. Crossing an intersection, you nearly collide with a pudgy man in a wide-brimmed straw hat, a blue floral shirt, yellow board shorts, and white sneakers. He's got big round glasses on his face, and staggers back in awe a few steps at the sight of you, perhaps terrified by your devilish dispositions. The little guy scrambles away at practically a sprint down the hall and around another corner. >2/3
Exiting the interior, and stepping out onto the deck towards the front of the vessel, a salty breeze glances off of your protective layers while the warming mid-morning sun raises the temperature for you further. George manages to stifle a groan of discomfort. Off to the left, you notice a few teenagers tinkering with an electric guitar and it's amp, a snare and kick drum, a keyboard, and a bass. They seem to you a real band, and one that's just getting started, doing an inventory of their gear before a show they must have later. On the right but close to the very tip of the ship's nose, there's a couple of young trainers pointing out islands on the horizon, perhaps planning where they'll go looking for battles. One has a Chicorita pawing at her overalls, while the other's got a Mankey climbing up his shoulders and onto his head, playing with his hair much to the amusement of both travellers. Far to the right of them, almost enough to be concealed around the corner of the main cabin, your eyes settle on two figures in familiar uniforms: Ed & Gein, leaned over the rail and having a private chat. Neither has noticed your group yet, and it seems like Ed is halfway through a cigarette, so they might not be around for long. You huddle up with your two co-crooks to confer. "We gotta draw more attention to us, get the ship talking so the courier knows that Thermal Throne is onboard, right? Or we could go for a slow burn, and follow those two bozos over there back to where she is and play it off as a random chance we'd walk across her path." You begin. Then. You lift your head above the huddle momentarily to scan the different passengers around the area. Your head comes back down with some fresh ideas. "Either way, it's time to turn up the heat..." How are you going to bring the courier to you, or alternatively, find your way to her? >We all CAN play instruments, yaknow! We're gonna borrow the instruments from those kids and rock out right here, right now! That will get everyone onboard talking about us, it'll even gather a crowd big enough she might just find us before we're through with our song! >Costume or not, Rory also has a reputation as a strong trainer and now a Gym Leader. I'll challenge those two youngers to a double battle here on the deck, that will definitely turn some heads and get rumors circulating. (Pick George or Leslie for your partner, you'll have to battle with her Ninetails as you have no fire-types of your own).>We're better off just going straight to her. It may be a bit harder in these eye-catching outfits, but we're professionals! We'll follow Ed & Gein right to where she's loitering and let her hand them to us on the spot. >Write-in 3/3
>>6462135>We all CAN play instruments, yaknow! We're gonna borrow the instruments from those kids and rock out right here, right now! That will get everyone onboard talking about us, it'll even gather a crowd big enough she might just find us before we're through with our song!Time to ruin some reputations
>>6462135>Costume or not, Rory also has a reputation as a strong trainer and now a Gym Leader. I'll challenge those two youngers to a double battle here on the deck, that will definitely turn some heads and get rumors circulating. (Pick George or Leslie for your partner, you'll have to battle with her Ninetails as you have no fire-types of your own).I bet we're better battlers than bass guitarists, if you know what I'm saying.
>Costume or not, Rory also has a reputation as a strong trainer and now a Gym Leader. I'll challenge those two youngers to a double battle here on the deck, that will definitely turn some heads and get rumors circulating. (Pick George or Leslie for your partner, you'll have to battle with her Ninetails as you have no fire-types of your own).These guys should instigate a fight to cover for someone potentially asking them to sign any autographs, and it would get everyone's attention
>>6462167>>6462169George or Leslie?
Leslie
>>6462135>Costume or not, Rory also has a reputation as a strong trainer and now a Gym Leader. I'll challenge those two youngers to a double battle here on the deck, that will definitely turn some heads and get rumors circulating. Leslie
Demoralized by the participation dropping this sharply this early. But I'll keep running. Update tonight.
>>6462171Oh, sorry. George! he needs a win after the corset, lol.>>6462434Don't take it personally. 3-5 votes is typical nowadays on /qst/ even for very good QMs like you appear to be
>>6462135>Costume or not, Rory also has a reputation as a strong trainer and now a Gym Leader. I'll challenge those two youngers to a double battle here on the deck, that will definitely turn some heads and get rumors circulating. (Pick George or Leslie for your partner, you'll have to battle with her Ninetails as you have no fire-types of your own).
>>6462632George, or Leslie? You're the tie-breaker, anon!
You look down to the Ninetails seated between everyone's feet, and make your decision. "Alright Leslie, Ninetails, follow my lead. George, keep an eye on the courier's stooges for us, alright?" "Sure!" "Fine!" You break the huddle and start swaggering up to the trainers, clearing your throat a bit, but also dropping the tone and adding a rasp to better sound like the guttural baritone Rory Ferno! "Arherm! Hey! You kids there! Looks like you have some pretty strong Pokemon, think you got what it takes to swing with the king?!" You start. They both turn about suddenly to face you, wide-eyed shock fixed upon their features. The boy on the left has green sweatbands on his wrists and around his brow that match his green tank top and sneakers. His brown hair is parted in the middle and he has a bandaid over the bridge of his nose. The girl is in blue denim overalls with dirt stains around the knees, and has curly orange hair that falls to her shoulders, and contrasts with her dark, tan complexion. You cross your arms dramatically, with your two 'bandmates' flanking you. "Hah, whattaya say, my fellow youths?" The boy holds up a hand. You pause, but then point to him to indicate he can speak, like a schoolteacher. "Is there a reason your voice sounds like that?" You almost sweat the entire face of makeup off, but it doesn't show. You clench your teeth tight and maintain your composure. "I INHALED TOO MUCH SMOKE FROM THE PYROTECHNICS AT MY SOLD OUT STADIUM SHOW OK!? My vocal chords are in recovery... So, in the meantime, I'm focusing on training my Ninetails here!" You plant your hands on your hips and bounce back with a little conjured confidence. It's like you said: you're professionals. >1/3
Now the girl raises one brown, fingerless-gloved hand. Your shoulders slope a little with deflation as you point to her. "Who are you guys supposed to be, anyways?" All three of you practically melt into a puddle on the deck at that and collectively groan in pain. But, you collect yourselves. George casts an accusatory finger at you, leaning forward as he scowls at the young lady. "That's The Rory Ferno, and we're THERMAL THRONE!" He shifts to point that finger at the sky when he exclaims the name of the band. There's another quiet pause in the air. "Your older siblings are into us... Maybe your parents depending on how young you too are..." Leslie politely tacks on, peaking out from behind your spiky shoulder. You grit your teeth and make a dismissive sweep of your arm. "I'm a strong trainer, that's all you need to know, squirt! Now are we doing this or what? You think you can take the heat?" With that you smirk, and strike a pose. The two young trainers look to each other and shrug. Then the one with the sweatbands steps forward. "Sure, man. But we only have three pokemon between us. I have two, and Terra only has her Chicorita for now." He looks between you and 'Cindy'. "If one of you sticks to one, and the other two, we'll battle you. Sound fair?" You grin, and nod. "And square. Cindy will only use one of her pokemon. If you manage to beat my Ninetails, I'll bring out another member of my team." When you say this, you look to Leslie yourself, and as bid, she follows your lead. She draws in close to pat you on the back, presenting someone in agreement. The kids don't notice you both using the proximity for a little sleight of hand; she gives you Ninetails' pokeball. It isn't common, but this isn't the first time one of you has had to act as trainer for another's pokemon out of the team. >2/3
The two young trainers size you up, ignorant to the hand off, and then nod in unison. You all reposition yourselves so there's a large amount of space between either team, with the instrument-laden teenagers to the left, close to your side, while the two Team Rocket goons are still far off to the right, closer to the young trainers than they are to you, but only barely. You notice out of the corner of your one good eye that Ed has started on another cigarette, while both he and Gein have settled in to watch. George nudges you with an elbow when he notices your focus wavering, and you turn your attention back to your opponents. MARTIAL ARTIST MIKEY WANTS TO BATTLE!GARDENER TERRA WANTS TO BATTLE! "GO NINETAILS, LET'S GET COOKING!" You shout, pointing, and the fire-fox darts out to stand in front of you, planting her feet wide and bringing her head low. She growls in anticipation. "CASSANDRA COME ON OUT!" Yells Leslie as she lifts up a pokeball, and a beam of red light leaps free to form into a lithe feline with lavender fur and a tuft of grey at her chest. Her large, black eyes contain an unsettling depth. This is Leslie's Espeon, her very first pokemon! "LET'S DO THIS MANKEY!" Shouts Mikey, slamming one fist into the other palm. The beige simian clambers off of his master and takes a fighting pose. "CHICORITA, I CHOOSE YOU!" Terra intones excitedly. She and her pokemon share a confident smile as it struts out to stand in front of her, staring you down. Your team is faster, you act first! What will NINETAILS do? >FIGHT: SMOKESCREEN >FIGHT: FLAMETHROWER (PICK MANKEY OR CHICORITA) >FIGHT: QUICK ATTACK (PICK MANKEY OR CHICORITA) >FIGHT: CONFUSE RAY (PICK MANKEY OR CHICORITA) >BAG: Single Item (X ACCURACY, X ATTACK, FRESH WATER 3x, FULL HEAL 2x, REVIVE) >3/3
>>6462676>FIGHT: SMOKESCREENIf this screws over out team nvm.
>>6462678It won't!
>>6462676>FIGHT: SMOKESCREEN
>FIGHT: SMOKESCREENI'm only doing this because it seems like a good idea, i hate smokescreen
>>6462792It's such a Team Rocket-ass move. I'm still feeling out how much I want the action to miirror the games, where it's simple and mechanical, or the show, where creativity can tip the balance (like Ash using the sprinkler system to get an edge on Brock's Onyx with Pikachu, for example). I am leaning towards the latter but for the sake of gameplay it might fall sort of in the middle.
Rolled 6, 2 = 8 (2d20)Smokescreen doesn't need a roll, I'm gonna drop dice for the two attacks this round that do.
Rolled 4 (1d8)And lastly
"Hah, let's set the stage!" You shout. You've really gotten into character here. "NINETAILS, USE SMOKESCREEN!" She growls, and then from her muzzle expels hours of black, swirling smoke, jumping left and right as she does so in order to cover the other side of the field. MANKEY'S ACCURACY FALLS! CHICORITA'S ACCURACY FALLS!You hear coughing and gasping from inside the noxious cloud, and cast a wicked grin to Leslie. She returns the look and then points across the deck. "Over there, Cass, use psychic on Mankey!" Your partner's Espeon purrs affirmatively, and stiffens her posture by planting her paws. Her two-ended tail swishes in either direction once, and then an invisible force punches through the cloud of concealing smoke right towards the unexpecting Mankey! A perfect circular window is created as the psychic energy pushes the smog out of the way, and you see the enemy pokemon tumble backwards from the mental strike. It starts to rise back up to its feet, one eye half-closed from the headache it's sure to be feeling. You can hear Terra beyond the cloud, but can't quite see her. She calls out a command to her own pokemon. "CHICORITA, USE RAZOR LEAF ON ESPEON NOW!" Six green crescents explode from the smoke, whizzing to your side of the field! But the projectiles aren't anywhere near landing home on their target. They are fanned out, too high, and the nearest to striking Cassandra misses by eight feet at least. All of them zip off and into the open ocean behind you. "Darn it!" Terra complains. You can only see him partially, but it seems Mikey is shifting his stance, fists raised before him offensively. "Alright then! MANKEY, USE YOUR FURY SWIPES ON NINETAILS, GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT!" The ape takes an identical fighting stance. "MANK-EEEEEYAH!" It replies angrily, and then leaps from the smoke fully, bounding right for Ninetails! It feints to the side in an arc with a cartwheel as it closes in, and then lunges to batter Ninetails in the side. ONE, TWO! THREE, FOUR! FIVE, SIX! Furious swings land in her midsection! She's knocked aside with a surprised bark, but barrel rolls into the momentum to regain her footing. "Great job, Mankey!" The young martial artist congratulates his pokemon loudly from the other side of the deck. >1/2
Meanwhile, as the battle has begun to really rage, a half dozen passengers have come over to observe from the sidelines. You glance left, and notice George has sidled up to the teenagers, and is whispering something conspiratorially to the lanky one clutching the guitar. Glancing to your right, you see Ed leering from where he is leaned on the rail. He and Gein are muttering back and forth, and then Gein takes his leave, entering the vessel's main cabin while Ed stays to enjoy the show. You clench your fists and take a deep breath. Off to a good start. NINETAILS HP: 50/80 What will NINETAILS do?>FIGHT: SMOKESCREEN>FIGHT: FLAMETHROWER (PICK MANKEY OR CHICORITA)>FIGHT: QUICK ATTACK (PICK MANKEY OR CHICORITA)>FIGHT: CONFUSE RAY (PICK MANKEY OR CHICORITA)>BAG: Single Item (X ACCURACY, X ATTACK, FRESH WATER 3x, FULL HEAL 2x, REVIVE)>SWAP: ANGSTROM (STEELIX), SNEASEL >2/2
>>6462813HOURS should be A GOUT**
>>6462814>>FIGHT: FLAMETHROWER>Chikorita
>>6462983+1
>>6462814>>6462983 +1
>>6462983>>6462989>>6462991POKEDEX ENTRY: BATTLE Some attacks have a chance of missing, and require an accuracy roll, which is a 1d20. A 1 will automatically miss and may also backfire in some way depending on the nature of the attack. The difficulty of the roll will generally be low if there is one at all - Flamethrower, for example, is 3-20, with 1 and 2's being failures. Certain status effects and Moves can raise this difficulty, however, such as Smokescreen which raises it to 5. Damage is generally determined by the attack itself, but some Moves will require you to roll a separate 1d8 to affect the result of the attack, possibly applying a status effect (Poison, Burn, Paralyze, etc), or additional damage. One Anon roll 1d20 to hit One Anon roll 1d8 for status effect SPECIAL: ROLL 1D20, BEST OF THREE FOR SECRET SPECIAL STORY EVENT If you have rolled and there are still rolls yet to be made from the above after two hours have passed, you can claim and make another roll.
Rolled 9 (1d20)>>6463003
Rolled 1 (1d20)>>6463003Ok and for the special roll...
Rolled 7 (1d8)>>6463003STATUS ROLL NOW!!!
Rolled 14 (1d20)>>6463003Let's try that special roll again
Rolled 17 (1d20)>>6463003Special roll>>6463328Why the hell do you think you'd get two?
>>6463351>Why the hell do you think you'd get two?Because>>6463003>If you have rolled and there are still rolls yet to be made from the above after two hours have passed, you can claim and make another roll.I said so due to unfortunately low engagement with this quest
>9 Hit! >7 Burn! >17 Special! Update soon.
You point crossways to where you can make out the silhouette of Terra's Chicorita in the swirling cloud. "Ninetails let's call curtains on that Chicorita, huh!? FLAMETHROWER ATTACK!" You command! She lunges, and then dodges right to come between Leslie's Espeon and her target. She opens her mouth and instead of fangs, this time she breaths out a raging column of roaring, flailing flames that eat away the smoke and envelope the little green quadruped left in its wake. It doesn't just scorch her, it applies a harsh Burn across the poor enemy pokemon's body. IT'S SUPER EFFECTIVE! "Ch-ch... Ch-ch-chi... Hhh..." The little Chicorita tries to say, but can barely gasp the sound at all, singed and soot-coated across her exterior with eyes glazed over. She wobbles and then falls on her side, fainting. "Come back Chicorita, you did your best!" Terra calls out, retracting her pokemon with a dancing red energy that pulls her back into a pokeball. Meanwhile, George has been plugging several amps together, and chuckling with the teenage musicians. He smacks the drummer on his back and takes his place... He starts stomping rhythmically on the kick drum...There are almost a dozen passengers gathered out on the fringes of the battle now, observing with rapt attention. "CHECK THIS OUT!" George shouts, bringing all eyes onto him. https://youtu.be/DkWML41wUCo?is=-jja0qCFB8GwGOnd The amateur band launches into a high fidelity cover of one of Thermal Throne's biggest hits! NINETAILS' SPCL ATTACK RISES!CASSANDRA'S SPCL ATTACK RISES! You and Leslie are feeling a renewed vigor, and she smiles broadly - it's a shame her silver tooth is concealed, because it seems to shine brighter at times like this. >1/2
The old con-woman casts an open hand out towards the Mankey. "HAHA! LIGHT EM' UP CASS, USE YOUR ZAP CANNON!" "Za-what?" Mikey says, squinting, not making sense of what he heard. The sly feline leaps high in the air, performing a somersault accelerated by her tail, and then pauses while facing down the enemy. The red gem in the middle of her forehead glows yellow, then launches a yard long lance of jagged electricity like a ballistae! It crashes through the air at blinding speed, and connects square on the Mankey's center of mass, causing it to freeze up with limbs locked in bent positions and eyes twitching as the discharge of the Zap Cannon spiders around the exterior of its furry body. By the time the Espeon lands gracefully on her paws, the Mankey has already tipped over and landed on the deck with an unceremonious thud. Mikey draws him back into his pokeball. The music continues to rage on in the background as you stare down your opponent. Mikey tenses his jaw, and adjusts his sweatband. "You guys are tough! But I know somebody tougher than tough!" He says, pointing out at you with a finger. "SUDOWOODO I CHOOSE YOU!" He shouts, overhand pitching another ball so hard his back foot kicks up off the ground and his whole torso lurches over. As it spirals through the air, it opens and a red energy spills out that condenses into... A tree? It looks like a humanoid tree with branch arms that end in round bunches of green leaves. Another grass type up against your Ninetails? You've never seen this pokemon, but Mikey seems to have a lot to learn. The Sudowoodo has strong, onyx black eyes and it grins at you confidently. You notice the pokemon is missing a tooth, giving it a unique looking smile that reminds you of a hockey player. It strikes a battling pose. Your team is faster, you act first!What will NINETAILS do?>FIGHT: SMOKESCREEN>FIGHT: FLAMETHROWER>FIGHT: QUICK ATTACK >FIGHT: CONFUSE RAY >BAG: Single Item (X ACCURACY, X ATTACK, FRESH WATER 3x, FULL HEAL 2x, REVIVE)>SWAP: ANGSTROM (STEELIX), SNEASEL>2/2
>>6463425>FIGHT: FLAMETHROWERWell, if he sends out a tree it only makes sense to use a Fire-move. I mean it's not like Sudowoodo is a Rock-type or something
>>6463425>SWAP: ANGSTROM (STEELIX)why do I feel like whipping out a steelix on a boat might go badly, but he wood beat 'em
Rolled 2 (1d2)Votes been up for a day, so I'll decide it with dice. >1 Flamethrower>2 Swap for Steelix
Rolled 3, 3 = 6 (2d20)For the other mon
Heh
"This fire is out of control!""I'm gonna burn this city, burn this city!""This fire is out of control!""Gonna burn this city, burn this city!"George joins in the singing of the second chorus, adding an undertone of grit to the singing. His plan sure seems to have worked out, because there are at least forty onlookers now enjoying both the free show and the spectacle of your pokemon battle! "Alright, kid, how's about we put on some HEAVY METAL! Come back, Ninetails!" You say, holding out a pokeball with your left hand and drawing the fire-fox into it. In your right hand, you hold a scuffed pokeball with a reflective chrome lid instead of the usual red. You press the button on its front and let red energy stream out. "ANGSTROM, IT'S YOUR TIME TO SHINE!" The pokemon that materializes before you is so large it obscures your ability to see your opponents, and the ship itself bobs briefly, ever so slightly as its massive weight is put upon the deck. Your Steelix is a large specimen, it's jagged, snake-like body measures a full thirty six feet, with over a dozen scratches and scuffs from battles long past. One of the eye sockets on its massive head is empty, the brow crowned by a gnarly dent. He lost his eye in the same explosion that cost you your own, and it would have been your life if the steel serpent hadn't shielded you from the worst of the debris. Angstrom grins wide, almost menacingly, down at the Sudowoodo. You step aways to the side so you can see better, and cross your arms. "Ok Cassandra, take him out with another ZAP CANNON!" Leslie calls out. Her Espeon chirps up, "Es-Peon!" Then levels her gaze with the tree-shaped newcomer. Another bolt of electricity is launched from her forehead, but the Sudowoodo leans back into a limbo, allowing it to harmlessly pass over his torso and out into the open ocean, where it dissipates against a spray of salt and wind in the near distance. Mikey smirks. "SUDOWOODO, HIT BACK WITH DYNAMIC PUNCH NOW!" He instructs, stance wide and gaze settled on the Espeon. "Su-su-su-" His pokemon says, sprinting up into a lunge. "DO-WOO!" It exclaims the next two syllables as it twists three hundred and sixty degrees into a powerful right cross punch that's angled downwards to the Espeon's head. But she dodges with a quick sidewards leap! The bushels of 'leaves' connect harshly with the deck, cracking its surface and leaving a dent! That pokemon's mitts are tough as stone! The Sudowoodo rears back and flashes that damaged smile again, shifting into a boxer's stance. >1/2
Your brow furrows, this is an odd pokemon, but you trust Angstrom and Cassandra to handle him all the same. While you consider your options, you notice some movement and glance over to the sidelines to see that tubby guy from the hallway earlier shoving aside one of the other passengers to get a better look. Getting a second glance, something about him seems familiar... But he can't keep your attention. Your single-eyed gaze goes past him to laser in on an identifiable hat and ponytail: the courier! She's standing between Ed and Gein off in the back, all of their arms crossed as they observe the battle from a distance. You divert your attention back to the fight, the sunglasses concealing that you were ever looking at anything else. Your only limitation with Angstrom is that, out here on the ship, he can't use his Dig attack - at least not without sinking the ship. What will ANGSTROM do?>FIGHT: IRON TAIL >FIGHT: HYPER BEAM >FIGHT: HARDEN>BAG: Single Item (X ACCURACY, X ATTACK, FRESH WATER 3x, FULL HEAL 2x, REVIVE)>2/2
>>6463416i love this song>>6463712>FIGHT: HARDENDynamic Punch is Fighting Type, so we may need this.
>>6463793I concur>>6462712>FIGHT: HARDEN
Rolled 20 (1d20)For the other mon, no roll needed to Harden
Rolled 16 (1d20)
Behind your flamin' red shades, your one good eye narrows. Dynamic Punch is a Fighting-type move. Wonder if he knows any more of those. He must be Mikey's heavy hitter, and the kid looks like a real dojo rat. I'm not so sure this is a Grass-type at all. Something about the way it moves is off... You have strong Pokemon, some of which have stuck with you for decades now, but you generally win on your skill as a tactician. "ANGSTROM, BRACE YOURSELF AND HARDEN!" You say. Your Steelix does as bid, and takes a defensive posture, dipping his head lower to be level with the Sudowoodo. SHINNNG! A silvery light - like a reflection of a sunbeam rippling across it metallic surface - glides from the tip of his tail to the top of his head. The lustrous streak of energy is mirrored by the lenses of your sunglasses as you look on approvingly. ANGSTROM'S DEFENSE RISES SHARPLY! Leslie doesn't hesitate. "Attack with Psychic, Cassandra!" She orders, looking wary of this strange Pokemon. Her companion does as bid, planting her paws slightly apart and focusing her mind. Suddenly, the tree-shaped creature rises in the air, it's arms and legs flailing about as it's lifted by an invisible force. The Sudowoodo spins head over heels a full two hundred seventy degrees and is then slammed down on its back. You hear a crack in the middle of the loud THUNK! upon the body hitting the deck. Not like wood fibers being strained. It's like a stone being dropped! That's a Rock-type! The Sudowoodo rolls over, and pushes itself off the glossy wooden deck to stand up, dazed. It sounds like a bowling alley lane resetting itself, almost. The way it wavers, you can tell that hurt it more than it's used to. Mikey performs a blocking motion with the regimented precision of a karate kata as he commands his Pokemon. "SUDOWOODO, USE MIMIC! Copy Espeon's Psychic attack, target Steelix!" >1/2
The words cause the Sudowoodo to smile more broadly than before, and it curves up to almost seem a mockery of Angstrom's broad jaw. You notice he even winks one eye shut! Then, he holds his branch-like hands out and waves them in small circles running counter to one another. TONG! CHONG-GONG! Three invisible strikes sound out like a dull, low bell when Angstrom's head is struck by three corresponding blows, unseen but for the way his head jerks suddenly left, then right, then right again but downwards at an angle, as well. You grit your teeth. That was a tough blow, but Angstrom's about as durable as they come. It'll talk worse than that to start to tire him out. Could've been in a lot of trouble if that were a Zap Cannon. Sudowoodo doesn't seem to have much fight left in him, probably why he borrowed some from Cass. One more good hit should do it... What will ANGSTROM do?>FIGHT: IRON TAIL>FIGHT: HYPER BEAM>FIGHT: HARDEN>BAG: Single Item (X ACCURACY, X ATTACK, FRESH WATER 3x, FULL HEAL 2x, REVIVE)>2/2
>>6463847>FIGHT: IRON TAIL
>>6463847>FIGHT: IRON TAILSTAB type advantage to finish this.
One anon roll 1d20 to hitOne anon roll 1d6 for effect If you have rolled and there are still rolls yet to be made from the above after two hours have passed, you can claim and make another roll.
Rolled 12 (1d20)>>6464019lfg..
Rolled 1 (1d6)>>6464019Rolling for effects
You cast a finger at the Sudowoodo. "Alright how's about this for a Greatest Hit? ANGSTROM, IRON TAIL ATTACK!" You shout! The great beast shakes his head a bit, to shed the reverberations of that last hit, but he's shrugged off worse in his day. Angstrom lets out a low, vibrating bellow, and whips it's tail forwards. Another gleam of light ripples across him, from his midsection to the point of its tail, where the light gathers and remains like a great lantern. SHINNG! Angstrom rears sideways, twisting all the way around and dragging it's shining tail behind, and then it pitches a coil of its body forward vertically, bringing the end of its body down like a hammer on top of the Sudowoodo faster than it can dodge! SHTSH! CLIK!-vrrrA big flash of light from off to the right catches your attention, coinciding both with the end of the song, and your Pokemon's strike. Immediately you see him: the pudgy man from the hall! He's holding a big camera with a red PMZ logo on it. Suddenly you realize why he seemed familiar... That's PAPARAZZO PERCY HAMTON! Top journalist for PMZ, a major celebrity tabloid website and gossip magazine! He must have been looking for us since we bumped into him in the hall, and now he has a photo of Thermal Throne on this ferry, playing music and battling with other trainers... This is not good, if he publishes that photo, the REAL Thermal Throne will know they were impersonated, it could ruin our whole plan! You grit your teeth again watching the gossip-monger triumphantly wave around the photo as it rapidly develops, broad, toothy grin on his porcine face. You'll have to handle that before the ferry makes its next stop. For now, though, you face the other trainers again. The smoke has cleared plenty enough for you all to see each other plainly. Mikey's Sudowoodo is unconscious on the deck, and being recalled into his pokeball. Mikey and Terra don't seem disappointed, though. They've got polite smiles on and are composed as they begin walking towards you and Leslie. The both of you call back your pokemon as well, though you give Angstrom a proud pat and a nod before you put him away. >1/4
"Hey, you two are pretty good for your age." 'Cindy' says as you all draw near, and she extends a gloved hand for a shake. Mikey gives you both a deep bow with his hands at his sides while Terra shakes Leslie's hand, and then yours, then Mikey does the same. "Thanks ma'am, it was a great battle. You guys have really strong Pokemon! How do you have time to train them that well while also being musicians?" He asks cheerily. You cross your arms and shrug a little. "We make time. Helps that we have a really big tour bus. Say, where are you kids from, anyways?" Terra steps forward, hands held behind her back. "Oh, we're from New Bark Town! Or at least, we both grew up there. I was born far off, in the Orre region? Not many have heard about it. Mikey and I are actually on our way to the Seafoam Islands to visit my grandmother for a week, and then we'll be headed back to Johto." She explains with a nod. That's good, wouldn't want them going to Cinnabar for a Volcano Badge and screwing this up. Seem like good kids. You stroke your fake beard as you think, then drop to a knee and put a hand on Mikey's shoulder, looking between the two of them. "Well, you both have a lot of heart. Thanks for indulging us, and thanks for putting up a real fight. Maybe we'll see ya around." You say. Mikey and Terra nod in unison. He adjusts his sweatbands as he replies. "Thanks. Hope we see you guys too. And hey, that song your friend was playing? My dad does really love it, he plays it all the time back home!" He stands a little taller and grins when he says this. "Hey, excuse us, but do you mind letting us adults chat for a minute?" Says a dusky, tired sounding voice from off to the side. All of you look to see Gein approaching, with Ed and the courier just behind. >2/4
Leslie narrows her eyes, then looks back to the kids. "Alright, why don't you both run along now and get some rest for yourselves and your pokemon, ok?" Mikey and Terra nod again, then both of them walk off and back to the main cabin. You rise up to your feet just as the three Team Rocket goons come to a stop in front of you, and George meanders over after having talked a little more with the band. The crowd beyond is starting to dissipate, and you try to keep an eye on Percy as he waddles off, but for now you need to stay put. "If it's about an autograph, I'm sorry but we aren't doing any of those today, and we won't be offering an encore, either." You say straightforwardly, acting ignorant of their purpose in coming to you. The courier woman shakes her head. "Oh, no, it isn't anything like that. You're Rory Ferno, is that right? It so happens I was on my way to see you at the Cinnabar Island Gym. I didn't realize you'd be onboard." She says in a pleasant tone. You nod. "Yeah, that's correct. Were you looking to battle for a Volcano Badge? Afraid I don't have any with me, and I'm not interested in having another battle just this minute." While you respond you look between her two escorts, trying to get a better measure of them. Now that you're up close, you feel a palpable discomfort from their presence. Ed & Gein are creepy, and though they seem to be trying to present as polite and friendly, you can't shake the feeling that the two of them are dangerous. "Hahaha, oh, I'm sorry, no, nothing like that either." The courier says smiling. She holds up a finger for a pause, and then digs in her satchel while the other two give you unsettling, glassy-eyed stares behind fake smiles. Eventually, she holds out a black envelope with a big red 'R' on it. "Here. My employer is a big fan of your group, not just as musicians but trainers, too, and now I can honestly say I see why. These are invitations for a private party a few weeks from now. He'd be honored for you to attend." She explains. 3/4
Carefully, so as to not look too eager, you take the envelope from her. "Huh, really? Well thanks, miss. We'll see if we can swing it with our schedules. We love a good party. How do these work?" You ask, looking at the envelop for a moment and then handing it to Leslie. The courier adjusts the placement of her satchel. "Oh it's easy. When you get to the island, there will be a security checkpoint at the pier. You just need to show these to the guards there, and they'll wave you inside. We're being extra careful that only welcome guests get their hands on these." She smirks when she says that. "Anyways, there's a map included that will help you find your way. We hope you'll make it, Mr. Ferno, and your bandmates too. I'm not at liberty to discuss anything else just now. Have a safe rest of your trip!" With that, she gives you all a little wave goodbye, then turns a hundred and eighty degrees to go back from just the way they came. Her bodyguards both follow close behind on either side of her. Gein gives your group one last look over his shoulder, and winks. Creep alert! When the three of them are out of sight and the deck is mostly clear, you deflate somewhat and draw your comrades back into a huddle. "Alright guys, fantastic work, but we aren't done just yet. We got a spanner in the works, see, that dweeb that snapped a photo of us? That was Percy Hamton..." You say, looking gravely from one outlaw to the other. Leslie shakes her head and sighs. "Of course it was. No plan survives contact with the enemy, right? What a drag." She groans. "Oh for real? How about that bad luck! Well, what's the play, then? We can't let him put out pictures of us here, obviously." George chimes in, sounding a little annoyed about the whole issue. "Just say the word and I'll clean his clock. I can teach him a hands-on lesson about privacy." The stout old man starts cracking his knuckles. Well, what IS the play for dealing with this hiccup? >Good idea, George. You and I will confront him and challenge him to a battle. If we lose - which we won't - he can keep the photo and get an autograph. If we win - which we will - we can tell him he owes us a favor. Might be useful having a nosy investigative journalist in our pocket. >No, we've made enough noise. I'm gonna send Sneasel to get that photo and the camera using Thief. If we destroy the evidence, he can print whatever he likes, everyone knows he lies for attention all the time. >I think this Hamton guy is probably more than a little lonely. Leslie, I want you to change into something more tempting, a different disguise. Run a con on him, get his guard down, and we'll snag the photo. >Let's make it look like an accident. George, your Wheezing knows Self-Destruct, right? We break into Hamton's room, trigger the explosion, and voila - photo and camera are done for. >Write-in (Encouraged) >4/4
>>6464149>No, we've made enough noise. I'm gonna send Sneasel to get that photo and the camera using Thief. If we destroy the evidence, he can print whatever he likes, everyone knows he lies for attention all the time.
>>6464203seconded
>>6464149>Good idea, George. You and I will confront him and challenge him to a battle. If we lose - which we won't - he can keep the photo and get an autograph. If we win - which we will - we can tell him he owes us a favor. Might be useful having a nosy investigative journalist in our pocket.
