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

Cage Room

[brokencode]

[Forcing Angel to look at caged creatures was the fastest way to bring her to tears, or at least close to them. The second she saw them, Angel was shouldering her way through the crowd. Skagbait followed closely behind, and both of them knelt before a caged fish with troubled looks.]

[Used to whatever abuse had been hurled at her, the Gorebyss was quick to lash out, slashing this way and that with her sharpened nose. The Lucario quickly shoved her trainer backward, taking the brunt of the assault with little trouble. After a moment, she brought a bone club down onto the lock of the cage, determined look in her eyes.]

[It was easy to see that her dear trainer was upset by the sight. Best to alleviate the strain by helping free the creature.]

[schachmeister]

This is just unbelievably cruel.

[Armin had followed her when she had pushed through the crowd. This display was sickening enough on its own --and it made his stomach twist to think of Ambrose caged somewhere like this-- but to her this would be even worse, wouldn't it? A very stark reminder of her own past.

Assured that Angel is protected by her Lucario, Armin allows his good eye to trail over the almost endless looking rows of cages. Naturally he had known Team Rocket was nothing good, but having never been directly subjected to any of their scheming before, it had been easier to dismiss them as not that bad, perhaps even bumbling and useless like those clowns during Halloween had been. This though-- this made the reality of their work more than clear. Not bumbling and useless. Cruel. Very very cruel.]

[brokencode]

I agree...

[Angel didn't look up -- a good thing, considering the state of his face. She'd have been far more concerned about him than the Pokemon, at least for the time being.]

[As it was, after a handful of bone clubs, the lock cracked, falling away. The Gorebyss was quick to push through, horn leading the way. The pointed tip pressed forward, aimed first at Angel, then toward the distracted Armin, intent on his attack.]

[Skagbait was first to move, gripping the Pokemon tight as she could. Its long form, coupled with the slipperiness of its scales, proved too much for the Lucario.]

Armin!

[Fearing for her friend, Angel dove into action. She had no hopes of holding the creature, a foot longer than even herself and certainly much stronger, in place. Instead, she loosed a Pokeball from her bag.]

[The creature was immobilized almost immediately, form turning into nothing more than red light. Rather than being hit (or possibly pierced by) the Pokemon, the Pokeball might simply thud against him.]

[schachmeister]

[Armin snaps around at her cry, the sharp edge of fear having him going for two swords at his waist that haven't been there in months, his hands groping on empty air. He's still searching for them, searching for an enemy when the pokeball thuds harmlessly off his arm and onto the ground.

It's enough to snap him out of it, to quieten the part of his brain whispering titan, titan, titan.]

I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention. Did you--

Did you catch it?

[brokencode]

[Both distress and concern ran deep within the lines of Angel's face. Her friend had nearly gotten hurt because of her, and the only way she could think to make it right was to trap the Pokemon that had only been scared.]

[She nodded rapidly, looking more like a bobblehead than a human. Quickly she straightened up, shifting closer to survey him for any sort of injury, even though she knew the Gorebyss had gotten nowhere near him.]

I'm sorry. I should have been more careful.

[schachmeister]

No, it's all right. I should've been paying attention. And I didn't get hurt.

[Well, he got hurt, his puffy bruised eye a testament to that, but that had been earlier on the evening and not at her hands.]

[brokencode]

[He definitely got hurt, and with the brief period of chaos out of the way, Angel clambered to her feet to inspect the injury. She reached out, attempting to take Armin's face into her hands as she leaned in close to survey the damage.]

Did someone hit you? [Angel hoped not -- she hoped it was an accident, bumping into the punch bowl, or a wall or something along those lines. She didn't want to imagine her friends being hurt by other people. Not in this supposedly peaceful place.]

[schachmeister]

[As long as her fingers stray nowhere near his bruised and puffy skin, Armin allows Angel to touch his face, his brows drawing together.]

They took one of my pokemon. I know it is unlikely but... seeing all these cages here, it made me wonder if he was in one of them.

[brokencode]

[Angel was sure to avoid it, though she found herself wishing that the bar wasn't so far away. She didn't want to leave Armin here alone, but ice on the injury would have been a good idea.]

[The thought gave her an idea though, and so she quickly fished out a Pokeball, releasing Ciri, who let out a troubled chirp at the sight. Nevertheless, she stood at attention when Angel knelt before her.]

Can you use ice shard for me -- just once. I need something for my friend here.

[Ciri was quick to listen, though she did perform with a bit of a flourish. All the same, Angel was gifted a shard of ice, one that she held up to Armin while the Alolan Vulpix scampered over to the rest of the cages.]

Try this?

[Was she trying to ignore the implications of him losing a Pokemon? Absolutely.]

[schachmeister]

[Armin hisses softly when he first presses the ice chip against his injuries. There is a sting, the cold sharp, but soon it starts to help lessen the throb in his bruised flesh. Who knows, it might even help bring down the swelling some so he won't just be squinting at things out of one eye. The quasimodo look just isn't a good one for Armin.]

Thank you.

[Armin, honestly, is fine not discussing Ambrose right now. The sting of it is fresh, anger and worry and sense of self-disgust at letting it happen coiling in his stomach.]

We should try and get the rest of these free. This sort of thing... I've never seen anything this low.

[brokencode]

[Angel glanced around as Armin tended to his injuries. There were plenty of trainers hard at work, busily trying to make things right. Her gaze slipped back to Armin, and she shook her head.]

Take a break for now. There are others here who can step in. Right now, you look like you could use the rest.

[Angel certainly could, and she had been feeling that way since before the Gorebyss lashed out. With that adrenaline quickly fading from her body, she had nothing else to keep her going.]

[Already, she shifted toward a nearby wall, glancing back after a few seconds to see if Armin would follow.]

[schachmeister]

No, it's all right. I can handle this much.

[Believe it or not, this is not the first time he's been punched in the face. It's not even in the top ten.

Though realising that that might not be enough to convince her, he adds:]

I'd like to make sure all these pokemon are released first. I wouldn't feel right resting while they are still trapped. And the ice already helps a lot.

[brokencode]

[The frown forming on her lips undoubtedly displayed Angel's doubts, but she kept her mouth closed. She knew better than to tamper with or question the depths of someone's determination. If Armin thought he could do it, then she wouldn't protest.]

[She'd just have to do her best to keep him from struggling too much.]

Okay, then... Where should we start?

[schachmeister]

Thank you.

[He can tell by her expression she isn't entirely certain about letting him bull ahead, but he is grateful she is not stopping him. His body, weak as it is, has made him feel useless often enough, stuck watching others charge on ahead while he had struggled to keep up. It has betrayed him in other ways too, with tears that come too quickly, and fear that has gripped him too tightly in the past. If he would've had to sit here and feel useless that would just feel like another betrayal, and he is honestly grateful she won't make him go through that.]

Lets start here.

[He moves to one of the cages, one that holds a Carvanha that tries to snap at the bars the moment he comes near.]

[brokencode]

[The snapping creature immediately flinch backward. A glance was aimed Armin's way, wondering if he might opt out of freeing this particular creature. If he said nothing, though, she would continue on. After all, he had willing complied with her attempts to free her new Gorebyss.]

[It would only be fair to do what she could to help Armin with his own attempts.]

Skagbait? [The Lucario shifted toward the pair, club already at the ready.] Be careful, and do whatever it is that Armin says.

[schachmeister]

[If nothing else, the snapping motivates Armin to work even harder at getting this pokemon free. He knows what it is like to be caged (though not quite like this). And if nothing else that sort of anger... is it weird that it reminds him a little of Eren?

He thinks for a moment, before shrugging out of the jacket he is wearing. Avert your eyes, Angel, he's... actually, he's still pretty much completely dressed, just sans jacket. He ends up wrapping it around his hands, as if he is preparing a net.]

Skagbait. I want you to smash open that lock and then stand back. Hopefully it won't charge at us.

[But you know it will, thus his jacket barrier.]

[brokencode]

[The Lucario leveled a long, serious glance at the young man. The threat was clear, and Armin smart enough to make sense of it. If he was willing to go through with it, she wouldn't deny him the opportunity. If anything, she was appreciative of his bravery.]

[It took only three whacks to loosen the lock considerably. She paused long enough for Armin to take note, to prepare himself for the approaching beast, before smacking down one last time. She quickly leapt backwards, landing beside the boy and ready to defend him as necessary. Striking down the Pokemon was the last thing she wanted to do, but if it came down to protecting Angel's friend and keeping the Pokemon safe, her decision was clear.]

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa's mostly hung back so far, as she wasn't really one of the people who delved deep into exploring whatever odd event they've been sucked into at a given time. But when she follows some members of the group into the cage room.... god. Her stomach turns.

She approaches the tanks with the water pokemon, close to where Angel is, and presses a hand against the glass of a tank housing an agitated Kingdra. The Pokemon headbutts the glass, used to the abuse much like the Gorebyss that caught Angel's attention, but Elsa doesn't flinch away. She just looks heartbroken.]

This is terrible. I knew Team Rocket stole pokemon, but I didn't know this is what they do with them....

[brokencode]

It isn't fair.

[Her attention slipped away from Skagbait and her work, knowing that she could lend no assistance at this point. Instead, she joined the pale-haired woman, gazing at the distressed Kingdra with a sad look in her eyes.]

Once Skagbait is done, she can help you here. And everywhere else. We need to get them out of this place -- it isn't right.

[Watching the way both the Gorebyss and the Kingdra lashed out only made her heart hurt more. What sort of cruelties had they seen before people had arrived to rescue them.]

[The siren shuddered at the thought.]

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa shudders as well. Her own confinement may have been... different, may have been necessary to protect her people and her sister, but that doesn't mean she wasn't lonely. That she didn't feel angry and hurt sometimes during her isolation. Seeing how angry these Pokemon are... it just. Strikes a chord deep in her, and that drives her to action.]

Hold on, I think I can help. [She pulls out a ball and releases the Pokemon inside: a Froslass, who upon seeing the trapped Pokemon, looks as horrified as the two girls do.] Snowball, can you freeze the metal of the cages? To make it weak enough for our friend to break?

[Psh, Snowball doesn't even need to be told twice, and she raises a hand to shoot out a low-powered Icy Wind at the metal. It should be brittle enough in no time!]

[brokencode]

[The Lucario stepped back for a moment. Her trainer seemed to trust in the woman beside her, which meant the Pokemon could too. Once the Froslass was done, she quickly got back to work -- opening not just the cage of the Gorebyss, but several others in the process.]

[After the chaos of releasing the fish Pokemon, Angel was quick to return to Elsa's side, checking in on both her and the Kingdra. Skagbait bounced her club within her hand, ready to strike on command.]

[Angel, in the meantime, had to admit she was impressed.]

That was... really smart of you to suggest.

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa is quick to scoop the Kingdra up, and though the pokemon struggles weakly at first, it seems to realize that Elsa and Angel are trying to help. With a shuddering sigh, it finally stills in Elsa's arms.]

I was afraid it might not work. With the water right there, it might have been affected as much as the metal. [She gives the Kingdra a quick once-over; she's no Nurse Joy, but it doesn't look any worse-off than it did in the tank...] But everything seems okay now.

[brokencode]

[Angel was quick to kneel beside the pale-haired woman. Her hand fished about in her bag, eventually procuring both a potion and a Poke-Puff. She held both out to her companion, preferring not to crowd the already frightened creature.]

They seem to be in good hands now. That was very quick thinking, my friend.

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa gently shifts the Pokemon in her arms so that she can take the offered items, administering the potion first before holding out the PokePuff. The Kingdra only nibbles at it, but it still seems much more content and healthier now!]

Quick thinking that I wasn't sure would work. [She looks a little guilty, because she could've hurt the poor thing if she did that wrong...] But I'm glad it worked out. I had to do something.

[brokencode]

[The guilt was both noted and understood. Quick thinking, in Angel's experience, had often caused trouble. It was lucky for the both of them, then, that things had ended so well, but it would not have been the end of the world, either.]

Pokemon are naturally frozen when it comes to battles, from what I have seen. It... might have been frightening, I will not deny that, but I don't think it would have hurt him anymore.