MISCHIEF NIGHT

[indigo_league]

Who: All the Dark-types put your paws up!
Where: Anywhere and everywhere!
When: Sunset on Halloween Night to sunrise on November 1st!
Summary: MISCHIEF NIGHT MISCHIEF NIGHT
Rating: G-PG13
Log:


There’s a sour-sweet wind a-blowing this eve as the sun hangs low and red in the sky. The leaves have turned, windows glow like jack-o-lantern eyes, and the streets hum with the excitement that the night will bring. There’s no mysterious trees growing straight out of the concrete this year, and there’s a palpable sense of relief as those who were waiting with bated breath for the other shoe to fall finally set about hanging up last-minute decorations and picking the candy aisles at every PokeMart bare.

It is Halloween, and for the first time in a few years, it would seem nothing is going to get in the way of the holiday.

… At least, right up until the last sliver of sun dips below the horizon.

A flock of Murkrow explodes up from the woods around Violet City, cawing in excitement. On the Sevii Islands, Alolan Rattata pop out of their burrows with bright eyes and quivering noses. In the glens outside Celadon City, the Houndooms start to howl.

Almost as one, all Dark-type Pokemon, big and small, young and old, stop and lift their noses to the crisp breeze. Something ancient tingles in their bones. Oh, tonight...tonight is their night. However much they may love their trainer, something higher is calling them. Mischief! Adventure! CANDY!

It’s time!

Fast or slow, brazen or sneaky, the sunset is the signal for each and every Dark-type to break away from their trainers and run off into the night. To do what? Well what do you think, silly humans? You know what night it is!

Some fashion their own costumes and go door to door earning sweet treats alongside the excited children who are out in droves. Or perhaps they might pursue some more unconventional treat-seeking avenues -- sometimes one man’s trash is another mon’s treat!

But there’s more to Halloween than candy; others will develop a nasty streak and put the ‘trick’ in ‘trick or treat’, upsetting outdoor decorations, frighten childrening and little old ladies, or even pantsing people! The horror! Anything can happen on Halloween!

Even the wild Dark-types are filled with the holiday spirit. Last year everyone was too wrapped up with that Ghost-type nonsense to properly enjoy Halloween, so they’re all too happy to make up for lost time. Harried trainers trying to track down their tricky runaways might find themselves befriending the Poochyenas, Murkrows, or even Alolan Meowths that have come out of the woodwork to celebrate. After all, what good is a grand trick if there’s no one to tell about it? What good is a tasty treat with no one to share? Even trainers who don’t have any Dark-types in their arsenal will find themselves approached by these wild Pokemon and invited to tag along!

Comments

B!

[exeggutorhead]

[There was absolutely no way that Envy wasn't going to go find Henry tonight--his returned best friend who he hadn't seen in person in ages, on his favorite holiday? He can't be stopped. The warps may be going haywire, but they still work. Unfortunately Henry'd already left the Center by the time he gets there...but that's fine! He'll just go out and find him. Violet's not that big a town.]

[Sure he could just call and see where Henry is, but that would ruin the surprise.]

[His first thought had been to jump out of the bushes for even more surprise, but...past Incidents and the knowledge that Henry had only just gone through some shit make him think better of it. He can be a surprise on his own.]

[It actually isn't long before he turns a corner and DOES catch sight of Henry, further down the sidewalk and leading along a little costumed Pokemon. They're not facing him, but he'd recognize even the back of Henry anywhere...and it takes all his willpower to refrain from sneaking up behind his friend. Instead he cups his hands around his mouth and SHOUTS from the distance.]

HENRY! FOUND YOU!

[He starts speedwalking towards them, here comes a dragon man.]

[no_ufo_ending]

<sub>[Envy has grown into a wise, wise man.]

[Henry hears his name, but the first thing he does is not turn around--it's shooting both his arms out to grab hold of the little ghost he's with. It works because those little black paws start a-going because that was A STARTLE.]

[He turns with a tired smile, grinning wider once he sees the costume and recognizes what it's supposed to be. Henry tucks Willy under one arm like a sheet-wearing football and starts to close the distance between them.]</sub>

Envy! Your costume is perfect!

[exeggutorhead]

[Envy, ever and always a sucker for compliments, absolutely pauses in his approach in order to hold his chin up proudly, hands on his hips so that Henry can witness the costume better.]

Isn't it? It's not supposed to match the one I've turned into before exactly, more like one from a fantasy book, but a few of the details...

[He does love adding those head fins. But for once, there's something more important than going on at length about costume design--he grins wide, reaching out one arm to clap Henry on the shoulder as soon as he's close enough. The grin miiight be a little wobbly. Talking on the 'Gears is one thing, but seeing Henry here in the flesh is like the final puzzle piece of feeling like he's really back.]

It's good to see you.

[no_ufo_ending]

That really happened, didn't it?

<sub>[One thing about having his memories jostled upon returning to the world of Pokemon is that those hazy memories from the weird weekends were shuffled in there right along side everything else.]

[Once they meet, Henry shifts the ghost under his arm a little to mimic Envy's gesture, clapping his friend on the back as well to share a side-hug.]</sub>

It's good to see you too...it still doesn't feel real--just a little. But it's getting better.

<sub>[And for a moment he's content to just stand there far far away from the hellish world he left behind and enjoy the sheer unliklyhood of the life he's made. A home, friends, a job, a new purpose--not to just be the dumpster for a serial killer's baggage.]

[And then the hug turns into a headlock.]</sub>

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU SMOKED ALL MY WEED!

[exeggutorhead]

I'm pretty sure it happened...

[Ah yes, the classic Side Hug shared by two people who aren't fantastic about casual contact.]

[Envy's thrilled, and completely doesn't suspect that the headlock is about to happen until it does. He SHOUTS in surprised, squirming against the abrupt grip.]

I SAID I WAS SORRY!

I can help you make more weed!

[no_ufo_ending]

_{[As Envy squirms, Henry just shuffles to turn with him. THESE ARE THE ARMS THAT KILLED GOD.]}

You can't just MAKE more weed! You have to grow it with months of careful attention, patience, and love!

_{[During the bustle, the little ghostly bundle in his arms lets out a startled MAOOOWWWW and Henry stops choking his best friend.]}

Oh--! Sorry, lil guy. Envy, this is Willy.