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.
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[Because it feels as though... Hm. He doesn't like the strange feeling that curls in his chest, and tries to ignore it.]
[Instead, he glances back awkwardly at Felix from beneath the shaggy mess of his hair. With how much Dimitri has been running about, it's become even more disheveled than usual.]
...I promised that I would help.
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Loved ones elicits a twisting feeling in his chest. Abruptly, he remembers his words from only a few minutes prior, and barely suppresses the urge to cringe.
Instead, his attention shifts to Dimitri.]
Sure, but... [Sylvain worries his lip. He's always made a point not to bite them, lest they wind up cut or chapped. To hell with it hear, though, he's worried.] You seemed pretty out of it earlier, Mitya. Are you sure you will be alright alone?
[He looks back to Felix for help.]
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If you go back out there now, you'll just get...confused again. And your rats are worried. [Sure, Felix. It's just the rats who are worried. Not you or anything.] You can help later when your head's screwed on straight again. ...and what did I tell you about your hair?
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That it's... going to get me killed?
[He thinks that sounds right...]
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That does sound like something Fe would say. [He glances over at Felix, affectionate as ever.]
If you are that worried about it, Felix, I am sure we could find some ribbon around here to tie it back. The Rockets probably won't mind if we take a few minutes to do our hair.
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[He has no evidence, really, that Dimitri forgot anything. He's just...complaining. But he does push himself back out of his corner again with a put-upon sigh to approach Dimitri in his chair, where Fellstar the Espurr hops down from Felix's arms to join the rats in Dimitri's lap.]
You still have the hair tie I gave you?
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[He can't quite look at Felix.]
...I left it in my bag. I did not want to lose it...
[It's too important for him to treat carelessly.]
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[It's difficult not to feel like he's missing something. And with Dimitri giving himself and Felix space for their moment, he figures he can do the same for the other two. In the meanwhile, Sylvain kneels down, pulling open a few drawers. He's seen nearly every shop offering wrapping services, surely he can find a little ribbon to spare.
As he searches, he pops his head up.]
What color are we thinking? Gold might get lost in your hair, but silver would really pop out. A very nice contrast, I think
[Another few drawers and -- aha! He holds it up.]
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[He sighs and turns the glare toward Sylvain.] Who cares what color it is? It just has to do its job.
[But he takes the ribbon Sylvain holds up anyway and moves back to stand behind Dimitri's chair.] Keep still. [Reaching out to carefully tame the tangled mop of the prince's hair is easier this time, having done it once recently already, and doing it makes Felix feel calmer, too; helps to drive back the lingering panic.
It does take longer than it did the other day, though, as the other man's hair is more tangled than usual, and he's quiet as he works just as hard as he did then not to pull on the knots hard enough that it might hurt. Eventually, he deems it done well enough that he can pull it back just the same way as before, gathering the front and sides up into the ribbon and tying it firmly, then stepping back. ...he grudgingly admits that the silver does look nice. But hell if he's going to say that out loud.]
Next time, do this before you get into a fight.
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[After all, they should all know that Dimitri doesn't trust himself to tie something like that, without being able to see it, and not break it. He feels absolutely certain that it would have fallen out because of that... assuming he didn't break it first.]
[But then Sylvain is choosing a ribbon, and Felix is behind him, and, well... Dimitri lets out another breath.]
[They're here. They're here. They're here. He hasn't lost either of them.]
...Thank you. Both of you.
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Not that he's panicking too bad right now. Especially not now that Dimitri has gained control over himself once more.
He pretends not to pay them too much mind while Felix works. His eyes still shoot over from time to time all the same. It's been far too long since he's seen them like this together. Felix's gentle moments are few and far between, never mind rarely reserved for Dimitri nowadays. He feels like he's intruding, yet at the same time...
Surely there's something in the way they look at one another. Maybe it should bother him? Maybe it would bother him, if it wasn't his two best friends. If it wasn't the way it was meant to be.]
No need to thank us, Dima. Part of the whole best friend job, right, Felix? [He shuffles over and slings an arm over Felix's shoulder. It's a mostly friendly gesture, rather than romantic -- save for the kiss he carefully presses to Felix's shoulderblade. Out of sight, but still obvious.]
And you're welcome for being right about the color.
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The color is...fine. But still irrelevant.
[He peers through the glass storefront out into the mall, gauging how bad things might still be out there.] Are we ready to move?
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...I am ready. I still need to find Claude...
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I'm assuming none of us are allowed to go our separate ways at this point, huh?
[While Felix would be fine on his own, Sylvain certainly wouldn't allow Dimitri out of his sight. He had to assume the other two were thinking the same of him.]
Let's go track down our little lost deer, then.
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[Felix retrieves the sword from the corner and checks over his Pokemon; the borrowed Jynx is in most need of aid, so he spares a few potions and then puts all of them back in their balls except Varley and Zoltan before he moves out into the mall, glancing back to make sure Dimitri in particular is following.]
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[With them checked out, Dimitri looks at the other two tentatively.]
...Is it truly all right for me to be with you both?
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As it is, it takes everything in his power to not comment. He bites down on his lip, hard enough for it to color white, then releases.]
Nowhere else I would rather have you, Dima.
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That's a ridiculous question. Why are you even asking?
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[It's hard to get the words right, honestly. Hard to explain himself, even holding all of his rats together as a reassuring and warm weight.]
...I frightened you both. Did I not?
[He's not so oblivious to miss that. He never was. It's just... He couldn't bring himself to care, not fully, not really, before.]
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It's the same thing with us. As long as we are with you, we're able to pull you back. We're not letting our Mitya go anywhere, right Fe?
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He turns his eyes to the front again to keep watch for trouble, responding quietly.]
Right.
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[But he can't deny them, either. Finally, he nods, and rises up to his feet to follow after his friends.]
...Then let us find Claude. He is in disguise...
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Last I saw, he would have been heading to regroup with the Rockets, likely to heal up. I... knocked Sturm out as part of his cover.
[Sylvain seems a little upset about that for a moment, but he tries to choke it down as best as possible.]
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[Felix knows how Sylvain feels about killing enemy mounts, so this reaction doesn't surprise him, but he certainly would have done the same in Sylvain's place and what's done is done. So he doesn't address it. There's nothing much to be said, anyway.]
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He cares for Sturm so much... and if Sturm is recovering, then he is in even more danger of being caught in a bad situation.
We need to find him immediately.
[No more fooling around. Trying to recover himself, Dimitri quickens his pace towards the exit.]
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