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

[rosehecate]

...No, it shouldn't.

[Anthy keeps her hands at her sides, balled up into fists, arms so very tense.]

But - but even if we stop it here...what keeps someone from doing it again?

[What keeps a person from doing it to another person?]

[brokencode]

[That was an answer Angel simply didn't have. Her shoulders lowered, brows drew together as concern lined her troubled features. Unable to resist any longer, her hand extended all the way, loosely clutching the area.]

Sometimes people leave evidence behind. Maybe we can find out where they went, and keep them from continuing on.

[rosehecate]

[Evidence? Angel, all the evidence you need is in the girl in front of you. But what would happen if you knew that?

Anthy lets out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding.] ...Yes. But let's...get them out, first.

[brokencode]

[It's the kind of thing that Angel couldn't wrap her head around at present. Anthy was far too sweet and kind for her to even consider the idea, to even suspect the possibility.]

[What an awakening that would be.]

Some people have recommended ice. It will make the metal brittle. Ciri might be able to help some, but she will need assistance of her own.

[rosehecate]

[But what do we do with knowledge once we have it? It's something Anthy also has to consider. She's grown far too attached to her own little friends to want to let this sort of thing continue.]

I'm sorry - none of my friends can make ice. Maybe...Henriette could melt the locks, but then that might hurt the Pokemon inside. I don't know.

[brokencode]

[Angel was quick to shake her head. Even if it didn't hurt the Pokemon inside, it was sure to stress both them and the trainer out. There were other ways to go about it, or other people to break the cages open. Much as she wanted to be involved, she was comforted knowing that the entire room was just as unnerved as she was.]

We can find another way, it's alright Anthy. Do not let it trouble you.

[rosehecate]

[She lets out a breath, a little longer and a bit more worn than she'd intended it to be, before jamming a hairpin into another lock.]

I am troubled - I can't help it. When it's an animal, I've always been troubled.

[Because they couldn't rightly speak - just like her. Just like her, for so long.]

[brokencode]

[The siren silently studied the girl for a long moment, before nodding to herself. She shifted to the cage beside the one Anthy was already working on. Ciri padded up beside her, ready to do whatever she needed to make both her new trainer and her trainer's friend happy.]

[After the Vulpix finished freezing the lock, Skagbait approached, quickly jamming a fist against the lock. It broke free and the cage opened, letting loose the Pokemon. Angel simply shifted to the next one, while the Vulpix padded over to Anthy.]

[Need help? she seemed to ask as she placed a paw on the girl's knee.]

[rosehecate]

[She's pretty sure she almost has this lock undone when the Vulpix's paw touches her knee. Anthy looks down, eyes widening...do the creatures like Henriette come in different colors? This one is...]

...Yes?

[brokencode]

[The Vulpix let her tails wag just a little. It was a very serious situation, she knew that, but attention was attention, no matter how dire the setting. Nevertheless, she didn't let it distract her for too long. Instead she turned her attention to the lock and breathed a quick puff of frost over it.]

I think she's trying to help you break it. [Having freed another nearby creature, Angel turned back to her friend, head tilted to the side.] It's what she and Skagbait have been doing. Ice makes the metal brittle, and easier to break.

[rosehecate]

Oh.

[She absently puts a gentle hand on the Vulpix's head, scratching behind its ears in thanks. Where...where do you find the white ones like this? So soft...just like Henriette, but cool.]

Thank you. But...I don't know if any of mine are strong enough to break it, even if it's brittle.

[brokencode]

[Ciri was contented by the touch, and let out a soft pix to let Anthy know it. That the human seemed so enamored by her was simply a bonus!]

[Angel, on the other hand, looked to Skagbait, head tilting and eyebrow lifting. She motioned to the lock, and the Lucario took a hesitant step forward, before looking to Anthy for permission.]

She can help, if you'd like?

[rosehecate]

...Yes. Please.

[She needs to get stronger. If she's going to keep doing things like this...]

[brokencode]

[The Lucario had previously noted the care that Angel had taken around the girl, and slid forward carefully. It was the same ginger methodology that she had taken around her own trainer, so hardly out of her usual behavior.]

[After making sure that Anthy was prepared, a bone club launched forward, shattering the lock and sending the pieces clattering to the floor. She turned back to the girl, nodded once, and slid back. She might have grown up, but some things never changed.]

Thank you, Skagbait. [Angel shuffled about in her bag, plucking out a berry and handing it over. The Pokepuffs would have to wait for the time being -- to tend to the stressed out Pokemon.]

[rosehecate]

[Anthy watches, appreciative for the gentleness, and flinches just slightly when the bone club makes contact. It's an impressive move, that's for sure.

She nods to Skagbait as the Lucario passes.] Thank you. Truly.

[So weak. Too weak. She has to try and get stronger.]

[brokencode]

[The canid creature returned her gesture with one last sharp nod. Any friend of Angel's was a friend of hers, even if she didn't act like it. But she was also just as eager to free her fellow Pokemon as the humans were.]

Leaning closer, Angel rested a hand on Anthy's shoulder. Her grip was light, easy enough to shrug off should the girl find that she was uncomfortable with her touch.]

Are you going to be alright?

[rosehecate]

[The touch is not shrugged off.]

...No. It hurts to see this. But - but I've got to help.

[brokencode]

[A thumb swept over her skin just once, while a frown played at her lips.]

Helping is good, but... [She drew in a breath and let it out in a soft sigh.] Promise you will not overextend yourself in the process. I don't think anyone, these Pokemon included, want to see you hurt for their benefit.

[rosehecate]

...I won't. That's why I'm picking the locks.

[She's a reed, she'd break if she tried to break locks by force.]

[brokencode]

Okay...

[The hand against the other woman's arm pulled back, coming to rest against her lap. She was being too concerned, too doting -- too much of the Guardian Angel she used to be. Anthy was capable of caring for herself, that much was clear.]

Let me know if there is something more we can do.