The Indigo League (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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victory_road2020-12-20 03:54 am
indigo_league) wrote in victory_road2020-12-20 03:54 am
How Team Rocket stole Christmas...
All the Rockets were working, putting their plans into place...
Just because there has been an absence of huge heists and explosions, doesn't mean Team Rocket has taken some time off from crime for the holidays. Everything but, in fact!
Under the eye of Jennies and gym leaders everywhere, Team Rocket has been putting their new dastardly plans into action by replacing every mall Santa and Elf (and boy, are there a lot of mall Santas and Elves this time of year!) with their own grunts and privates. Their goal? To scope out all the malls, shopping districts, and shopping centers in the two regions in preparation for the Saturday before Christmas, which just so happens to be the biggest shopping day of the year. No other day in the year has stores just so absolutely glutted with cash and valuables, registers and store safes overflowing with money. Plus there is all that yet unsold merchandise. Really, it just begs for someone to come and steal it.
Doing so would be the heist of the year, the talk of the season and who else but Team Rocket would be able to pull it off?
Of course, being that this is Team Rocket, they cannot help but want both the fortune and the fame. (Or is that infamy?) When you go big, you gotta go loud, and that is exactly what Team Rocket plans to do right at the biggest, busiest, most valuable market of them all: The Goldenrod City Christmas Market.
(Plus if everybody's attention is drawn to Goldenrod City where they've stationed their best and brightest, all the other Rocket members across the two regions will certainly be able to get away with their far more silent dastardly deeds with that much more ease)
Even among Christmas Markets, The Goldenrod City Christmas Markets is something special. There is no market more festive or more beautifully decorated. Winding through a part of town (having outgrown its old stadium home), the various stalls and shops sell valuables that cannot be bought anywhere else; valuable TMs, precious held items, even items like fossils and gems, Goldenrod has it all.
And soon. Team Rocket will have it all.
If a series of people in balaclava masks, heavy coats, and warm hats begin to filter into the Christmas Market as the evening wears on… well, it is the biggest shopping day of the year. And with the December chill nipping at everybody's noses and ears, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be warm while you shop… right?
Towards the end of the evening, as shoppers slowly start leaving for home, their wallets a lot lighter than when they arrived, the various intercoms that have been playing non-stop Christmas music for the last few weeks suddenly cut out with a strangle crackle. The bright and merry Christmas lights suddenly cut out, leaving the market flooded in darkness.
What's happening? A power outage? Did someone forget to pay the power bill?
But no, it's worse. Much worse.
… and make it double...
You better watch out
We’re making you cry
Don’t make us shout
We’re telling you why
Team Rocket is coming to town!”
Dozens upon dozens upon dozens of warmly dressed market-goers suddenly throw off their coats, balaclavas and hats, revealing their Team Rocket uniforms underneath! The lights come back on again, but unlike the cheery twinkling of before, they are all a harsh red now.
Red like the Rocket R that has suddenly appeared everywhere. Even as many of the Rockets are swooping in to steal every TM, battle item, and cashbox that isn’t nailed down, other Rockets are putting Team Rocket’s mark on their surroundings: banners with the Rocket R (which had been hidden very cleverly within other decorations) are suddenly unfurled while the speakers blare something that is definitely not Christmas music. Even the large Christmas Tree at the centre of the market is a target, as a few grunts use their Psychic pokemon to tear the delicate beautiful ornaments of the tree, replacing them with the Rocket symbol.
And while there are always some guards and Jennies at the market, they are quickly surrounded by Rocket privates who deal with them with almost terrifying precision. It's as if they knew exactly what pokemon these Jennies were going to bring and made sure to tailor their teams to that.
With the Jennies dealt with, the chaos is complete. Who can help us now?
And as Goldenrod descends into Rocket chaos, all those who remained at home or who are out on the road will be treated to a very unusual visitor.
His arrival is heralded by the sound of sleigh bells, growing ever closer until suddenly you can spot it: a sleigh. And not just any sleigh. It’s the same sleigh you must have seen over and over in the past few weeks, gracing every advertisement, window display and Christmas decoration. It’s pulled by a singular Stantler which dashes through the air, its hooves skimming the clouds as it guides the sleigh lower and lower until it touches down onto the ground in front of your character (or, should you be inside, onto the roof). The single occupant of the sleigh rises, a massive red-clad man with an equally massive beard, and it is him, the OG (Original Gift-maker).
Santa’s jolly face is uncharacteristically serious as he extends a thickly gloved hand, his voice lacking its normal grandfatherly cheer.
Won’t you help me fight tonight?”
Event FAQ
What if my character does not want to help Santa?
Santa will understand. He'll look a little sad, but he will understand. He will depart, though he will give characters a candy cane before he goes.
Wait, is Santa giving us a lift to Goldenrod, then?
Yep! He can do that for everyone at the same time, because Santa is magic like that.
My character wants to help Santa, but they are not a fighter!
Not to worry! Even if your character is not a fighter, Santa can really use their help. You see, today Santa isn't just carting around gifts in his sleigh -- a quick reach into his sack will reveal First Aid kits and potion packs.
For anyone who wants to help out, but who aren't good at fighting, Santa would really appreciate it if they would be willing to help support others who are doing the fighting, and help heal any of the pokemon or people who may have gotten hurt by Team Rocket's shenanigans.
My character wants to help Santa and is willing to fight, but they don’t have any high level pokemon!
Worry not! Santa will provide! For everyone who wants to fight, but only has low-level pokemon, Santa will lend out two (2) of his little helpers: a Jynx in a fur-lined red dress and a Shiny Galar Zigzagoon (adorably candy-striped in red and white.) Both Pokemon are Level 60. Sadly, these are just on loan and Santa will need them back when the fight is over, but they will pose for selfies with you on request.
What about the non-Goldenrod locations? Is Santa sending anyone to fight off the Rocket operatives there?
They’re being taken care of by the Pokemon League, Gym Leaders, and all kinds of trainers from this world. Which doesn’t mean Team Rocket won’t steal some of what they’re aiming for anyway. It just means the other locations won’t be completely defenseless.
I have a Rocket character. Where are they supposed to be during this?
At the Christmas Market, of course! They’re one of the ‘best and the brightest.’
Wait, so when Team Rocket says they’re ‘stealing Christmas’ what they actually mean is that they’re robbing a bunch of places at once on the biggest shopping day of the year and taking over the Christmas Market?
Well, yeah. Did you think they were gonna go the Full Grinch? Nah. Raiding the cashboxes is way more profitable.
So, uh, how are we getting home again?
Time to walk-- No, no. Santa wouldn't do that to people. After everything has been dealt with, he'll give people a lift back to where he picked them up. Unless they'd much rather remain in Goldenrod City, in which case, that is fine too.
Sylvain Gautier | Fire Emblem: Three Houses | OTA
[This sure is happening. Hopping on a weird, hairy man's magical flying sled? Sure, okay. It gets him to Goldenrod at least, which had been his intention all along. And hey, it's a chance to play hero.
He hopes Santa doesn't mind as he changes into his armor. It isn't much, but if he needs to throw a punch or two, at least the metal gauntlets will help.
Initially, intends to stick close to his friends. Unfortunately, they all scatter as quickly as they'd landed. It's just as well, no one to hold him back when he gets a little reckless. As it is, he has only two notable Pokemon to fight with -- a "Jynx" and a "Zigzagoon." They look cool, but he isn't sure what he's going to be doing with them.
No matter, he throws himself into the fray, calling out moves that he thinks are legitimate, and throwing fists when they inevitably fail.]
B.
[Naturally, Sylvain had heard some of the gossip by now -- the Jenny's had been captured. The beautiful law enforcers needed help. And while Sylvain might have been a semi-taken man, he's also a chivalrous knight. So that means he's swooping in on every group, and ducking into each shop and alleyway with a first aid kit in hand.]
Any beautiful ladies in dire need of a knight in shining armor?
C.
[It doesn't exactly go well the entire time. Where Sylvain might have once been able to withstand a flock of poorly armed bandits, he now finds himself surrounded by a band of well coordinated Rockets with teams of fierce Pokemon. He doesn't have his horse, his lance, or even his crest to protect him.
It leaves him a mess. His nose is probably bleeding, his head is aching -- all from his own panic to get away from the strong fleet of Pokemon the Rockets brought, rather than from any physical fight -- but that doesn't keep him from grinning like a fool.]
That -- That all you got? [His fingers itch to a Pokeball, glancing at one of the growling creatures as he does.]
D.
[Wildcard. Hit me with anything else!]
b
... This world is, honestly, very weird, but she can roll with the punches.
It's a good thing there are things for her to do, though, which is why she's running around with plenty of first aid supplies. She's currently kneeling in an alleyway, patching up someone and their Pokemon. It's a surprise when she hears a very familiar voice. She turns, eyes wide. ]
... Sylvain!
[ She definitely sounds relieved; at least she knows that someone she's familiar with is alright. ]
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Are you alright?
[He kneels down beside her, hand settling on her shoulder. He can see someone else is also injured but -- Sylvain knows from experience how easy it is to ignore personal wellbeing for someone else's.]
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I-- yes, I'm alright. Don't worry--I've managed to stay out of any trouble.
[ For once, at least in a long time. She turns her attention to her patient, and finishes up--she gives them an extra potion, too--before she looks to Sylvain. ]
What about you? Are you okay?
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Gallant knights, all that.]
Do you need an escort? It's pretty dangerous out there right about now.
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She's a little worried, though, but when he asks if she needs an escort, she hesitates. Mira's more than a little uncomfortable at the offer--it's not Sylvain's fault, it's just... she's not sure she's worth the effort. They hardly know each other, after all. ]
So far, I've been alright. I don't want you to trouble yourself, especially if you have friends to look out for.
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You are also my friend, right? [He flashes her a smile, small and distracted though it may be.] Besides... I'm still looking out for them while I'm helping you, right? I will still be moving, still be looking in places that I might not have looked at otherwise.
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W-well. [ She clears her throat and tries to regain a modicum of composure. ] ... If you're really sure, then that's alright with me.
[ She still feels somewhat guilty that he's even offering, but... she also doesn't want to go this alone. ]
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It's as if they're going on a walk in a park, rather than heading out into battle.]
Shall we, dear lady?
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C, aka "why is Sylvain like this"
But eventually, he hears a familiar voice, and is already experiencing a moment of exasperated dread even before he whirls to see...this. Scowling deeply, he dashes toward the bandits, ducking and weaving past them to take up a defensive stance beside Sylvain, glaring at him in between keeping his eyes on the enemy Pokemon. In moments, both hands contain pokeballs.]
Sylvain, what did you do??
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[As he does so, a group of rats cling to him, followed by one very large striped creature who has, frankly, been very helpful. Just not helpful enough for Dimitri to immediately track down Claude. Helpful for battles, of course, when Dimitri can't smack people with the walking stick he borrowed, but not this.]
[He does, however, spot the blur of blue that is Felix, and turns to go after him... only to turn onto the scene of his other friend, surrounded by aggravated Rockets and their Pokemon.]
[Well. Dimitri doesn't think twice.]
[Unlike Felix, Dimitri doesn't hesitate to ask questions. Instead, coming in from behind the group of Rockets, Dimitri smacks behind the knees of one to make him hit the ground with a surprised shout. From Dimitri's shoulder, his rats start to take turns using him as a launching pad straight to the faces of various Rocket grunts.]
[A lot of yelling is happening very quickly, and more happens when the Obstagoon behind Dimitri makes a truly stunning Scary Face.]
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You should see the other guy. [His words come out almost slurred. Never mind the fact that there is no other guy, just an inconveniently placed sign post that his face had met. He's pretty sure that's the only reason the Rockets had gotten the drop on him.
He might have started to say more, or at least to charge back into the fray now that he has backup. However, the sight of... Well, it's a hell of a sight, is what it comes down to. A number of rats begin to swarm the area, and again, Sylvain is left to wonder if he's imagining it all. A hallucination is the only way he can think to describe the looming figure that the rats shoot from.
But -- no. The more he focuses, and the more rockets fall, the easier it is to make out Dimitri. And... there's something about the nonsensical nature of it all that brings Sylvain back to his senses.
Mostly.]
A whole rescue squad for me? I must be in big trouble.
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[Felix spares a wary glance for Dimitri, but so far it's just rats...mostly...rather than rampaging, so he releases the borrowed Jynx along with Fellstar--who has gotten into a good rhythm backing up the more powerful psychic--and Zoltan, who runs great interference with his immunity to normal attacks. In the meantime, Varley runs off to snatch pokeballs away from Rocket grunts' belts and scatter them under the bandits' feet, laughing as they trip, stumble, and fall on the round objects.]
feralmitri typical violent threats cw
[Dimitri doesn't need the balls as he continues to smash people's legs to the ground, snarling as he does so.]
How dare you - I ought to feed you your own fingers until you choke on them-
[A couple of the Grunts, not used to hearing whatever the FUCK Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd says with his mouth when incensed, start to... back off a bit. He's only smacking people to the ground while his rats run wild, but sir? Sir are you okay over there-]
[He's fine. What Dimitri is truly worried about is Sylvain, as he calls over to him.]
Are you both all right?
Re: feralmitri typical violent threats cw
He might not have seen Dimitri at his worst, but he'd certainly heard his descent down to that point. This -- this seems dangerously close to that.
Varley, Gremlin and the rest of their crew seem to have things relatively under control. Though, if they do seem to struggle, Sylvain lets out the Jynx into the fray. She's worse for wear, but with backup she'll be fine. At Sylvain's instruction, she immediately sets to helping some of the rats fly once more. Mostly, though, Sylvain's focus is on Dimitri. He wades through the crowd, chucking elbows at enemies and guiding wayward rats back to their targets or destinations.
He casts a worried glance back toward Felix. He knows that Felix won't like this anymore than he does -- likely substantially yes. That also troubles Sylvain, his stomach twists at the idea of their tenuous peace with one another falling apart.]
Dimitri -- [His vision swims for a moment, but he blinks through it. His hand claps on Dimitri's shoulder, trying to still him. To draw him back. He tugs on it, an attempt at coaxing him to look Sylvain in the eyes.
The Rockets are falling and fleeing now, woefully unprepared for such an unconventional onslaught. What's more important now is what's happening with Dimitri.]
Mitya. Dima. Look at me.
Re: feralmitri typical violent threats cw
Once the bandits disperse, Felix turns with a fierce scowl only to see Sylvain...reaching out to Dimitri. Gentle. Kind. And the ill feeling intensifies, even more when he hears those childhood nicknames that he hasn't been able to bring himself to speak in a decade. Where was this behavior then, Sylvain? Why didn't you do something then? Why didn't I?
Felix doesn't know how to be gentle or kind. He doesn't know how to think properly with this fear running through his veins like ice water. He snaps, marching up to the two of them and glaring hard up at Dimitri, jabbing a finger toward him.]
Get a hold of yourself, we're not done here. We don't have time for you to lose your wits and let the beast out, and I don't have the patience to deal with you like this again. Shove the boar back where it belongs or so help me I'll do it for you.
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Sylvain's hand, his shoulder. Felix's finger, suddenly in his face. Dimitri blinks, and finds his lungs suddenly burning. How long has he been breathing this hard?
His ribs seem to shudder when he takes a breath, and Dimitri's stare as he looks to Sylvain is - wide eyed, frantic, too bright. He swallows, and finds his throat barely able to manage that much.]
They - I won't let them.
[It's a rasped out growl, shoulders tense to the point of hurting as he forces his fingers not to clench down and break the walking stick in his hand. He's positive he'll do it, if he's not thinking.]
I will not let them take you. They already hurt you, I...
[To the side, the Rattata are squeaking victoriously at the last of the Rocket grunts running off, practically hopping off the ground from the force of it. The Obstagoon watches more carefully, first at the Rockets, and then back at Team Traumatized back there.]
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C kiddo to the rescue
You're stupid!
[The small voice carries over through the crowd, and Kayo shoves her way through, the Rockets clearly not entirely comfortable with attacking a little kid with no defenses. She marches right up to Sylvain, eyeing the pokeballs he borrowed from Santa, and then his nose. She opens her first aid kid and hands him a square of gauze.]
Press this to your face.
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But he doesn't let himself think of the name. Instead, he directs his thoughts toward whatever entity thought it a good idea to hand a first aid kit off to a child and send her into the fray.]
Kayo -- you shouldn't be here. [He takes the gauze all the same, eyeing it before shoving it up into the nostril bleeding the worst. That's probably how it works, right?
If Mercedes were here, she'd be sure to have a fit.
Still, it's motivation, if nothing else. He steps forward, far enough to put himself in front of Kayo. He and his team aren't much of a threat, but it seems that beating up an adult in front of a child doesn't weigh well on the collective moral compass. With a few jeers of "next time" and "we let you win," the crowd disperses, happy to make off with their winnings.]
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[She shoots Sylvain a look. Like hell she shouldn't! You clearly need a babysitter, mister! She makes a sound of protest when he steps in front of her, but in reality she feels a warmth bloom in her heart. He really is trying to protect her. Proof that he isn't just talking has her feeling some kind of way and she's frowning to hide her smile as she reaches to tap at his pokeballs.]
I have potions, too.
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That so? [He holds out one of the balls -- the Jynx had a rough go of it.]
Think you could help this beautiful lady out?
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[He actually kneels down to her height, and everything. Kayo keeps her serious expression on, tapping the Jynx's pokeball to release her with a nod.
As soon as the pokemon appears, she's spraying a little potion bottle at the worst looking injuries.]
Where is it the worst?
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She listens to Kayo's question, then takes the time to consider it. After a moment, she points to her shoulder. She'd taken a pretty nasty headbutt to it.]
You're pretty good at talking to these guys, aren't you?
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[Kayo patiently sprays the potion on her shoulder with a decisive nod. She turns back to Sylvain for a moment, thinking, before she returns to fussing over the pokemon.]
You aren't?
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In the end, he just sort of shrugs.]
I have never been that great of a listener, really.
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