ROCKET BATTLE LOG

[indigo_league]

As the clock nears 10 PM on Saturday, the manor (or the parts of it that people aren’t blocked off from, anyway) is completely abuzz with speculation and gossip. What could Lance possibly be planning to announce? And why haven’t any of the Elite Four even been around? They’re fairly reclusive, but it’s safe to say that everyone is at least a little curious, if not actively suspicious.

But it’s time for the big reveal, so manor staff are bustling around, reminding everybody to be in the ballroom in a few minutes for Lance’s important unveiling of… well, whatever it is he’s unveiling! The staff all seem pretty excited, so it must be big, right?

There’s been plenty of room to dance and move around in the Ballroom until now, but with everybody packed in there at once, the space is a little tighter. Especially with the small stage and podium set up in the middle. As the last (or seemingly last, assuming there aren’t any carefree stragglers who didn’t bother turning up on time) person is ushered in by staff, complete with whispers of "Psst! Hurry up, it’s almost time!", the door to the ballroom is shut and the lights dim slightly, sending a hush over the audience.

After some fumbling from whoever’s in charge of the lights (... wait, is that Captain Garfield and his Rattata up there? He’s a theater tech too?! That guy must REALLY be a jack of all trades!), a spotlight flips on and centers on the podium, where the head staffer (who might be recognized as the one with the terrible hipster mustache who’s been doing a PARTICULARLY egregious amount of schmoozing and sucking-up to trainers over the course of the party) is stepping up to the podium.

He clears his throat.

"Welcome, welcome, ladies and gentlemen! On behalf of the Elite Four, we’re all so happy you could join us! We hope you’ve all been having as good a time as we have, because I’ve got to say, I think this is our best party yet!"

He looks around at the assembled trainers eagerly, as though anticipating unanimous agreement.

When there’s an impatient buzz (and a shout of "Get on with it already!" from someone) instead, he laughs awkwardly.

"Oh, yes, well, we’re all here for one reason, right? To see what Lance has brought you all here for! Well, folks, as you can see, he’s not here with us right now… He’s had a bit of a-- how shall we say… an accident! So sad, I know! But fortunately, he’s graciously allowing us to make his announcement for him. Which is…"

On cue, the spotlight turns stark red. If anyone has the presence of mind to look, Captain Garfield's Rattata is holding a bit of red plastic filter in front of it.

But chances are, everyone’s attention is probably going to stay on the stage, because the guy at the podium literally just RIPPED HIS CLOTHING OFF DRAMATICALLY, revealing… yes… a very, very familiar black-and-red uniform underneath.

It’s followed immediately by more ripping sounds as other staff and even some partygoers scattered throughout the audience follow his lead, and the telltale noises and flashing of Pokemon being released from their balls. And many voices, all yelling at once...

"PREPARE FOR TROUBLE! AND MAKE IT DOUBLE!!"

The music shifts.

OOC Notes: The number of characters who must participate in the battle to call it a success is 37! In order to keep track, once you have made your first comment to this post (either a toplevel or a tag to someone else!), please bring it to the CHECK IN THREAD by 10 PM EST tomorrow! YOUR COMMENT MUST BE POSTED TO THIS THREAD IN ORDER FOR IT TO COUNT TOWARDS THE TOTAL.

GUESS WHAT GUYS?

glittertextmaker.info

OOC notes: Here it is, the part where your characters get to explore the Rocket Base and discover its secrets! Maps of each level will be posted in this top post as they are opened up, with blacked out sections being revealed as obstacles are cleared. Obstacle clearing will be based on total comment count to any mod comment with a count listed, whether those comments are contained in a single thread or spread out over multiple different ones. As many people can comment to an obstacle or base level as wish to, for as long as they want, even after it has been cleared. There are a total of two obstacles (including the first one) which are triggered by character actions we will be watching for!

Anyone who wants to thread anything out in the base or mansion during the time characters are trapped (and who doesn't want to use this log for whatever reason) is free to make their own network/action posts with whatever they like! But mods will not be coming around to those with interaction, and they will not count towards clearing obstacles.

Questions? Ask them HERE!

NOTE FOR ITEM RNG: In order for the mods to give out your item, your character must be actively looking through the loot piles in whatever tag you'd like us to respond to with your item! Items can also be given out in the middle of an existing thread between characters, whenever they get around to searching the piles! The header does not have to be in your toplevel.

Links List

Level One



OBSTACLE - KEY CARD (CLEARED)

OBSTACLE - CONVEYOR BELT HELL (CLEARED)

Level Two



Level Three



ELITE 4 JAIL

OBSTACLE - FREE THE LEGENDARY

Comments

DOUBLE DOORS

[indigo_league]

[The double doors’ keypad grants access when “SLOWPOKE TAIL” is entered, and when the doors open, the room beyond floods with light, and four voices groan and hiss at the sudden shift in their surroundings. Though they’re a reclusive bunch and worse for wear, the figures of the Elite Four and their Champion are hard to mistake for anyone else - Will, Koga, Bruno, and Karen all have an air of strength about them despite their wounded pride and bound arms, and Lance is...well, he looks like he’s been knocked out cold, but he’s alive. It’s been a trying ordeal for all of them, so if you want to speak to the four that are conscious, try to keep it to one Elite Four member. They probably want to get to that glass case with the Pokeballs outside more than they want to be individually questioned.

Also, if anyone needs it, there is a small bathroom sequestered off in the cell. Just. Just putting that out there.]

OOC Note: Please keep your E4 NPC tags to one member per character!

[johto_guys]

[If anyone was going to manage to keep a dramatic domino mask on throughout this entire ordeal, it’s Will. Although…it looks like he’s got quite a shiner underneath, judging by the edges of bruise edging out the sides of the mask.]

[He’d rushed to get his Pokeballs out of that glass case, although once they’re safely clipped back to his belt he’s straightened right back up again and crossed his arms sagely. He’s the Elite Four’s Psychic master, he has to maintain an air of dignity and mystery, even if he was just rescued from a cell and his cravat is skewed to the side.]

[He’s also pretty humiliated that they’d all been captured and held, so he probably won’t want to answer embarassing questions…]

[Just gotta…get back that dignity…]

You’ve all done well, Trainers! Of course, we had a backup plan, but with you all here, we didn’t need one after all! I’ve seen so much in my travels, but to see so many fighting for what’s right in a vile place like this…it’s a testament to your strength.

[tearsofademon]

[Hi Will. It's been a few months. You're looking all right, given present circumstances.

...Of course, Ryner's response is mostly a shrug, because what is accepting proper thanks for anything.]

It's not like anybody was gonna just let those assholes get away with this crap.

[johto_guys]

[Oh, yes, one of their two Champions. Will nods, but gives Ryner a flourishing gesture with one hand.]

Most people would have felt the need to do something, yes, but you all actually succeeded. How was it that you all managed to find us?

Perhaps a Psychic was involved?

[tearsofademon]

Not exactly.

[He pulls out the invitation he received, because yes he brought it with him, and offers it.]

They kind of got greedy, is my guess.

[the kindest guess he can make]

[johto_guys]

[Koga, the Poisonous Ninja Master, stands apart from the rest of the Elite Four, casting a critical eye to the unpolished yet devious hideout of his captors. He has a particularly scathing look for the keypad that kept him and his fellows locked away. If you get close enough while he's examining it with all the prowess of a grandparents confronted with an iPad, you'll hear,]

A mere code was all that stood in our way...? Even with the knowledge of all my ninja arts, and everything I could muster...

[He might let his grudge against Team Rocket's technology settle down to talk, if you address him, but when not engaged, this is going to be one salty ninja.]

[yoyoboy]

[Hello, Koga! Don't mind the 12-years-old kidding fanboying at the sight of a ninja.]

Wow, you're a ninja?! That is so awesome!

[It wasn't long until Tony snapped out of his awe as he decides to question about their situation.]

I mean, what happened to you, guys?

[johto_guys]

[Koga lets out a huff of breath, turning away from that deplorable keypad to take in the child before him. Hm...]

We were caught with our guards down and stripped of our companions, and then placed into captivity with no means of escape...despite my best efforts.

[He tried so hard, but even a ninja has their limits.]

I am more amazed that we were discovered at all. Team Rocket is not always the sharpest of organizations, but they are ruthless. How did the lot of you come to know of our plight?

[yoyoboy]

[Ouch... He had to admit, for a bunch of clueless thugs, they sure know how to defeat a ninja and one of the Elite 4.]

Let's just say we got duped by their invitation and that our Pokemon prom is a sham.

[johto_guys]

[Hey, it's a legitimate question. Though Koga looks...marginally surprised by the answer.]

Their invitation?

[johto_guys]

_{[Bruno is a man of many strengths but few words and being separated from his team--and so ungracefully too-- had all but rendered him mute from shame. He has spent nearly all of his imprisonment sitting in the far corner, hands on his knees, staring at the floor. But now that his Pokemon are returned to him, he stands tall with his face scrunched in determination.]}

Team Rocket is made of nothing but cowards. Why else would they lock us away instead of facing us in a fair fight? I am proud of you all for showing them what strong trainers can do.

[bertall]

<sub>[Well, damn son, this guy is even bigger than the pictures in the magazine let on.

The 'strong trainer' comment earns a half-confused, half-nervous stare, and even with Marcel at his side, Bertolt is fighting the want to shrink back. How do compliments even work??]</sub>

I-I'm not that strong, um... B-But how'd they get you guys? Aren't you supposed to...

_{[You know, be super uber strong?]}

[johto_guys]

_{[YOU CANNOT SHRINK BACK, STRING BEAN BOY, FOR BRUNO THE POWERFUL HAS PLACED A MIGHTY HAND UPON YOUR SHOULDER. IT IS VERY SWEATY.]}

We were separated from our Pokemon. Apart from my team I am nothing.

[bertall]

_{[HE IS GOING TO SWOON HERE--okay maybe not that, but he is going to start wanting to follow him. What is this emotion he is feeling? Is it fanboy-ism?]}

B-But you don't look like nothing, I-I mean, uh...

_[SHIT.]

You look strong enough to pick a lot of those guys up and throw them.

[johto_guys]

_{[FOLLOW ALL YOU WISH, BABY BIRD. FOLLOW MOMMA AND BECOME STRONG. HE GIVES BERTOLT'S SHOULDER A FRIENDLY SQUEEZE.]}

Thank you. But the thought of never seeing my Pokemon again was enough to reduce this boulder to a pile of sand. Promise me you will protect your Pokemon the way I wish i could have protected mine.

[charcoalfeather]

[Giant man, meet... little girl. She might have been a bit nervous delving into the depths of this gritty place, only to turn a bit more nervous now that she's looking over the strongest trainers in the region.

She gulps, wearing a worried expression.]

Us? Well, thank you. [She appreciates the compliment, but.] What about all of you? Are you hurt?

[johto_guys]

_{[HELLO LITTLE GIRL. BRUNO SQUINTS MYSTERIOUSLY.]}

The only thing Team Rocket has damaged today is our pride. And our property from the sound of things.

_{[BRUNO HAS BEEN TOO BUSY BROODING TO NOTICE POOR WILL'S FACE.]}

[charcoalfeather]

[LITTLE GIRL SQUINTS NERVOUSLY because that's something we're doing apparently. Her first meeting with the Elite Four is going Great.]

O-oh, right. Yeah. Your house is, um...

[Think Rakka. Choice words...]

It's in one piece!

[Nailed it.]

[johto_guys]

<sub>[They're all angry about what happened. They're all angry that they managed to be caught off guard and beaten by a bunch of common thugs.]

[But probably none of them are angrier than the dark queen herself... Karen.]

[There are dark bags under her eyes and her mouth is FROZEN in a tight-lipped, furious grimace.]

[The first thing she did upon release (after getting her Pokemon from the case, of course) was stare piercingly around the tiny basement floor, as though hoping there might be a few Rockets lingering around for her to physically beat to a pulp.]

[It isn't until after 1. Lance has been safely set on a course back up to the surface (and better first aid than can be administered down here), 2. someone's handed her a water bottle, and 3. she has her Umbreon safely in her arms, that she actually says anything but a few terse words to anybody, and when she does, it's clearer than ever that she is capable of Literal Murder (tm) right now.]</sub>

Of course they hit us by surprise.

You all clearly fought them and won, do you honestly think they could have POSSIBLY defeated us in fair combat?

[pipers_son]

[Nothing more attractive than a woman on the brink of murder. Joker would honestly pay to see it.]

[But that seems like it's going to take a while, so for the time being, instead he just looks her over with his prosthetic hand on his hip and Rogue still around his shoulders (who is looking awfully sulky about that Clefairy).]

So what'd they do, then? So we know what ta keep an eye out for.

[johto_guys]

<sub>[... Oh... Joker... you wouldn't be the first person to think that, certainly, but now's not the time.]

[Karen turns to shoot him the most withering look she can manage. And Karen in particular can deliver a mean withering look.]</sub>

I just said what they did. They hit us by surprise.

<sub>[C'MON JOKER, do you really expect a proud Elite Four member to divulge exactly how they were trounced by a bunch of thugs? She's not about to admit it.]

[Which means it was probably really embarrassing.]</sub>

[pipers_son]

[Ooooh, Karen, step on him harder- I mean. He gives a harmless grin, shrugging a little bit.]

But that could mean anythin’, couldn’t it? For example, with us, it was them pretendin’ ta be the Elite Four throwin’ a surprise, but the surprise was the Rocket theme song~.

[dreamsofahero]

While I highly doubt they adhere to the principle intentionally, it is true that the surest way to victory is to ensure one has every advantage possible over one's opponent. That, and cowards generally avoid anything resembling a fair fight.

*so yes, they're lousy low-life cheaters*

Are all of you well, or as much as possible, under the circumstances?

[johto_guys]

<sub>[Ah, yes, it's one of their Aurora winners. Karen remembers you.]

[She strokes the ears of her Umbreon, which is being uncharacteristically snuggly after being separated from her for so long.]</sub>

We're fine.

It's Lance I'm worried about.

_{[They'd had food and water in there, because as crappy as Team Rocket is, they weren't interested in killing the Elite Four. But Lance had gotten the worst of it...]}

We were able to tend to him a little bit, but he's been unconscious for a long time. He needs to get to a Pokemon Center immediately.

_{[She can only hope that force field surrounding the manor has been brought down so that the people taking Lance back to the surface can get him out...]}

[dreamsofahero]

*nods*

Assuming that whatever is generating that force field is located down here, I imagine we should have it taken out soon. Do you have a means to transport him? Valiant can use Teleport, if needed...