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victory_road2024-10-02 04:24 pm
indigo_league) wrote in victory_road2024-10-02 04:24 pm
Project Paradox Event End!
[ image source ]
Amid all of the wormhole chaos and Paradox Pokémon stampeding across all regions, the battle through Silph Co.’s headquarters is a long and rough fight. The Jennies have gathered in front, ready to provide additional support and Pokémon. It’s thanks to III, Heather, Keith, and Envy that anyone can even enter the building to begin with. III leads the charge with Kallinikos the Vulpix, stopping the Iron Bundle from freezing up the doors any further, barely giving it a chance to recover from its stacked status effects. Before it gets a chance to rally, Heather’s Lucario, Wolf, comes onto the scene, smacking it over the head with a powerful punch. The flames from Keith’s Torracat and Envy’s Houndoom lick at the icy, snow-covered walls. Drip, drip, drip. A river of water flows from the entrance as the ice melts, bit by bit.
“CHARGE!” scream the Jennies as the frost finally gives way. The doors are forced open to reveal the mayhem within! Dozens of feet pound the linoleum tiles as trainers fight their way through the swarms of Paradox Pokémon and carve a path to the stairs–only to find an Iron Moth awaiting them, spitting flame and poison alike. The heat from the flames grow ever higher, the sound of the fire alarm screaming in everyone’s ears.
Envy and Heather once again jump into the fray, with Envy being carried down by Carl the Aerodactyl and Heather being carried by Cicada the Flygon. Strapped tightly to Carl’s back is also Juliet the Vaporeon, who barely hesitates in blasting as much water as she can! The Iron Moth flashes and sputters, giving off a loud, mechanical whine as Cicada smashes into the ground with a well-placed Bulldoze.
The ground shakes as the foundations of the building crack. Duo suddenly teleports in, using his Kadabra, Snoozer, to cut it down with psychic-type moves. As the Iron Moth tries to summon the last of its strength, it flinches–Ryou’s Meowstic, Nekomata, has just hit it with Fake Out, and lands the final blow with a well-aimed Psychic attack! The Iron Moth topples to the ground, the stairwell still singed, but significantly less perilous.
More people thunder through the hallways, seeking out a way to the entrance to the AI testing chamber. Suddenly—a cry for help! Screams of terror and fear! As the trainers turn the corner, they find a massive Iron Hands barricading a bathroom full of Silph Co developers. It turns its head, its electronics eyes glowing with malice.
The overhead fluorescent lights flicker as it stomps its way towards a nearby desk, then picks it up and tosses it towards the group. A flash of movement, a bright, Dazzling Gleam, and the desk to be sliced cleanly in half by Jotaro’s Iron Valiant, Gallant. The halves of the desk fall off to the side, narrowly missing the trainers behind it. The Iron Hands stomps its feet, clearly frustrated—and then goes to charge a powerful electric attack! As the energy balls up in its hands, Ryou’s Cursola, Wight, sneaks in with a cheeky Disable. The electricity sputters from its hands and dissipates, pinging haphazardly around the room. Heather continues her battle marathon, sending in Carousel the Rapidash to keep the Iron Hands at bay.
While the Iron Hands is distracted, Ryou’s Dragapult, Reaper, Heather’s Lucario, Wolf, and Jotaro’s Mudsdale, Freight, blast their way to the bathroom to rescue the poor scientists trapped within. They’ll…probably make it back up the stairs. Somehow. It’s fine. They’ll be okay.
At last, the final six trainers make their way towards the testing chamber. Among them are Doppio, Min-Gi, Heather, Minfilia, Yuzu, and Carly. But the group comes to a halt as they realize that the path forward is completely electrified. The darkened hallway is lit up by sparking, unprotected wires as the Iron Treads and Iron Jugulis stand guard at the chamber door.
The Iron Treads stomps the ground and the Iron Jugulis lets out a mighty, metallic roar. Doppio, Min-Gi, and Heather jump into the fray. Out come Doppio’s Pokémon, Scarabella the Heracross and Cristina the Morpeko–Scarabella readies and hones her power, while Cristina chatters and smacks the duo with a well-placed Torment. As the Paradox Pokémon ready their opening attacks, Min-Gi pulls out Doug the Gastrodon and Echoes the Noivern. The Iron Treads bellows and rolls up into a ball, drawing electricity from the ground for a Wild Charge, its angry red eyes zeroed directly in on Cristina. With blinding speed, it zooms forward–only for Doug to jump in and use his hardened defense to take the hit! Echoes lets out a Supersonic screech, causing the Iron Treads to stumble back and unfurl in pain.
As Doug the Gastrodon draws himself up again, he wiggles, and rain begins to fall upon the electrified field. The lights flicker as the electronics begin to short circuit. Cicada the Flygon is back and ready to rumble, providing support power as Dayglo floods the chamber with even more water. The hallway plunges into darkness as the lights go out briefly before the emergency generator kicks on, bathing the entire area in an ominous red glow. The battle is fierce and terrible, and the added hazards of water only increase the intensity of the battlefield—but eventually, the Iron Treads and Iron Jugulis fall. With some quick uses of Scorching Sand, the water and exposed wires are covered to allow the final group to enter the ARC-eus testing chamber.
The testing chamber is dark, save for the steady pulse of red emergency lights. At the center of the room is the ARC-eus system itself–a cluster of servers and askew monitors and input devices, bundled in loose wires and defended by an Iron Thorns and Iron Valiant. A set of commands appear on the monitors, then disappear in a flash. The Paradox Pokémon seem to stagger slightly in response before focusing their attention on the trainers that threaten them–Minfilia, Yuzu, and Carly.
The Pokémon immediately move to attack. Minfilia sends out her Meowistics, Alphinaud and Alisaie, and immediately sets up a Trick Room, slowing the Paradox Pokémon down. Yuzu sends out Robin the Decidueye and Mozart the Gallade. A flash of light illuminates the darkened room as Mozart Mega Evolves, his cape fluttering as he moves about the battlefield. He glowers at the Iron Valiant as the two trade blows, future meets present. The Meowistics continue to provide support, debuffing the opponents as much as possible with Charm and Toxic and continuing to refresh the Trick Room.
Carly sends out Kyusei the Quagsire and Resonator the Gourgeist. A whirlpool of water catches the Iron Thorns and Iron Valiant, trapping them both. Rain once again begins to fall in the enclosed space, though the AI machine itself is protected by a small canopy. The smell of singed metal rises above the battlefield as the Pokémon trade blows and the building shakes with each vibration, until finally, finally, the Paradox Pokémon collapse.
Another command appears on the monitor, calculating another wormhole trajectory. Carly darts forward, her hand reaching for the big red “OFF” button. “COMMAND COMPLETE” flashes across the monitor. A split second later, Carly’s hand slams down. The machine powers down, the monitors blinking off, lights flickering.
Silence, then, a low hum seems to fill the air. The empty space above the machine seems to warp and vibrate, glowing with a strange energy. The effect is somewhat like looking through a kaleidoscope or a broken mirror—the air is fractured and split into a dozen, no, a hundred different pieces, and a black void begins to form around it. Another wormhole?! After all this?
But before the void grows any larger than a pinprick, the chamber is suddenly filled with a blinding, white light.
ENOUGH.
Everyone in the Silph Co building suddenly has a strange, echoing voice beamed into their head—and though you can’t quite make out the words, you understand what is being said.
THE FABRIC OF SPACE AND TIME IS TENUOUS ENOUGH WITHOUT THY MEDDLING IN ITS AFFAIRS. ITS STEWARDS HAVE GROWN ANGRY AND CONFUSED. WE COME TO REPAIR WHAT HAS BEEN BROKEN.
BUT WE SENSE THINE TRUE DESIRES. A YEARNING FOR HOME. HAVE PATIENCE, AND IT WILL COME.
The light fades. In the afterimage, those in the AI chamber can make out the indistinct shapes of three different Pokémon. As soon as you blink, they’re gone, the chamber once again shrouded in darkness.
Above the dead machinery of the ARC-eus system is a single, dark void surrounded by fractal iridescence. Not growing, not shrinking, but completely stable. The building is quiet. Project Paradox has been shut down for good.
“CHARGE!” scream the Jennies as the frost finally gives way. The doors are forced open to reveal the mayhem within! Dozens of feet pound the linoleum tiles as trainers fight their way through the swarms of Paradox Pokémon and carve a path to the stairs–only to find an Iron Moth awaiting them, spitting flame and poison alike. The heat from the flames grow ever higher, the sound of the fire alarm screaming in everyone’s ears.
Envy and Heather once again jump into the fray, with Envy being carried down by Carl the Aerodactyl and Heather being carried by Cicada the Flygon. Strapped tightly to Carl’s back is also Juliet the Vaporeon, who barely hesitates in blasting as much water as she can! The Iron Moth flashes and sputters, giving off a loud, mechanical whine as Cicada smashes into the ground with a well-placed Bulldoze.
The ground shakes as the foundations of the building crack. Duo suddenly teleports in, using his Kadabra, Snoozer, to cut it down with psychic-type moves. As the Iron Moth tries to summon the last of its strength, it flinches–Ryou’s Meowstic, Nekomata, has just hit it with Fake Out, and lands the final blow with a well-aimed Psychic attack! The Iron Moth topples to the ground, the stairwell still singed, but significantly less perilous.
More people thunder through the hallways, seeking out a way to the entrance to the AI testing chamber. Suddenly—a cry for help! Screams of terror and fear! As the trainers turn the corner, they find a massive Iron Hands barricading a bathroom full of Silph Co developers. It turns its head, its electronics eyes glowing with malice.
The overhead fluorescent lights flicker as it stomps its way towards a nearby desk, then picks it up and tosses it towards the group. A flash of movement, a bright, Dazzling Gleam, and the desk to be sliced cleanly in half by Jotaro’s Iron Valiant, Gallant. The halves of the desk fall off to the side, narrowly missing the trainers behind it. The Iron Hands stomps its feet, clearly frustrated—and then goes to charge a powerful electric attack! As the energy balls up in its hands, Ryou’s Cursola, Wight, sneaks in with a cheeky Disable. The electricity sputters from its hands and dissipates, pinging haphazardly around the room. Heather continues her battle marathon, sending in Carousel the Rapidash to keep the Iron Hands at bay.
While the Iron Hands is distracted, Ryou’s Dragapult, Reaper, Heather’s Lucario, Wolf, and Jotaro’s Mudsdale, Freight, blast their way to the bathroom to rescue the poor scientists trapped within. They’ll…probably make it back up the stairs. Somehow. It’s fine. They’ll be okay.
At last, the final six trainers make their way towards the testing chamber. Among them are Doppio, Min-Gi, Heather, Minfilia, Yuzu, and Carly. But the group comes to a halt as they realize that the path forward is completely electrified. The darkened hallway is lit up by sparking, unprotected wires as the Iron Treads and Iron Jugulis stand guard at the chamber door.
The Iron Treads stomps the ground and the Iron Jugulis lets out a mighty, metallic roar. Doppio, Min-Gi, and Heather jump into the fray. Out come Doppio’s Pokémon, Scarabella the Heracross and Cristina the Morpeko–Scarabella readies and hones her power, while Cristina chatters and smacks the duo with a well-placed Torment. As the Paradox Pokémon ready their opening attacks, Min-Gi pulls out Doug the Gastrodon and Echoes the Noivern. The Iron Treads bellows and rolls up into a ball, drawing electricity from the ground for a Wild Charge, its angry red eyes zeroed directly in on Cristina. With blinding speed, it zooms forward–only for Doug to jump in and use his hardened defense to take the hit! Echoes lets out a Supersonic screech, causing the Iron Treads to stumble back and unfurl in pain.
As Doug the Gastrodon draws himself up again, he wiggles, and rain begins to fall upon the electrified field. The lights flicker as the electronics begin to short circuit. Cicada the Flygon is back and ready to rumble, providing support power as Dayglo floods the chamber with even more water. The hallway plunges into darkness as the lights go out briefly before the emergency generator kicks on, bathing the entire area in an ominous red glow. The battle is fierce and terrible, and the added hazards of water only increase the intensity of the battlefield—but eventually, the Iron Treads and Iron Jugulis fall. With some quick uses of Scorching Sand, the water and exposed wires are covered to allow the final group to enter the ARC-eus testing chamber.
The testing chamber is dark, save for the steady pulse of red emergency lights. At the center of the room is the ARC-eus system itself–a cluster of servers and askew monitors and input devices, bundled in loose wires and defended by an Iron Thorns and Iron Valiant. A set of commands appear on the monitors, then disappear in a flash. The Paradox Pokémon seem to stagger slightly in response before focusing their attention on the trainers that threaten them–Minfilia, Yuzu, and Carly.
The Pokémon immediately move to attack. Minfilia sends out her Meowistics, Alphinaud and Alisaie, and immediately sets up a Trick Room, slowing the Paradox Pokémon down. Yuzu sends out Robin the Decidueye and Mozart the Gallade. A flash of light illuminates the darkened room as Mozart Mega Evolves, his cape fluttering as he moves about the battlefield. He glowers at the Iron Valiant as the two trade blows, future meets present. The Meowistics continue to provide support, debuffing the opponents as much as possible with Charm and Toxic and continuing to refresh the Trick Room.
Carly sends out Kyusei the Quagsire and Resonator the Gourgeist. A whirlpool of water catches the Iron Thorns and Iron Valiant, trapping them both. Rain once again begins to fall in the enclosed space, though the AI machine itself is protected by a small canopy. The smell of singed metal rises above the battlefield as the Pokémon trade blows and the building shakes with each vibration, until finally, finally, the Paradox Pokémon collapse.
Another command appears on the monitor, calculating another wormhole trajectory. Carly darts forward, her hand reaching for the big red “OFF” button. “COMMAND COMPLETE” flashes across the monitor. A split second later, Carly’s hand slams down. The machine powers down, the monitors blinking off, lights flickering.
Silence, then, a low hum seems to fill the air. The empty space above the machine seems to warp and vibrate, glowing with a strange energy. The effect is somewhat like looking through a kaleidoscope or a broken mirror—the air is fractured and split into a dozen, no, a hundred different pieces, and a black void begins to form around it. Another wormhole?! After all this?
But before the void grows any larger than a pinprick, the chamber is suddenly filled with a blinding, white light.
ENOUGH.
Everyone in the Silph Co building suddenly has a strange, echoing voice beamed into their head—and though you can’t quite make out the words, you understand what is being said.
THE FABRIC OF SPACE AND TIME IS TENUOUS ENOUGH WITHOUT THY MEDDLING IN ITS AFFAIRS. ITS STEWARDS HAVE GROWN ANGRY AND CONFUSED. WE COME TO REPAIR WHAT HAS BEEN BROKEN.
BUT WE SENSE THINE TRUE DESIRES. A YEARNING FOR HOME. HAVE PATIENCE, AND IT WILL COME.
The light fades. In the afterimage, those in the AI chamber can make out the indistinct shapes of three different Pokémon. As soon as you blink, they’re gone, the chamber once again shrouded in darkness.
Above the dead machinery of the ARC-eus system is a single, dark void surrounded by fractal iridescence. Not growing, not shrinking, but completely stable. The building is quiet. Project Paradox has been shut down for good.
[October 2nd. The camera focuses on a haphazard looking reporter in front of a newsdesk, her papers scattered across her workspace. Her clothes look a bit rumpled, and a Watchog next to her is trying its best to put the papers into neat stacks. She smiles widely at the camera.]
This is EV news, bringing you an update in the wake of the Silph Co Project Pidove meltdown. In the weeks since the incident, Silph Co has released a statement regarding the state of the project and their plans moving forward:
As we have once again been reminded in the events of these last weeks, Silph Co.'s dedication to innovation for all comes with a great array of challenges, and opportunities. We want to thank the many trainers who stepped up to resolve this unprecedented event.
At time of writing, the ARC-eus system division of Project Pidove has been suspended indefinitely, though not without any gains made. Paradox Pokémon still remain, on this side of the curtain, and it would be in the best interest of all of us to gain a better understanding of them. We are excited to announce another opportunity for thrill-seeking Pokémon trainers in collaboration with The Safari Zone:
The remaining Paradox Pokémon have been given free roam of their own partition of The Safari Zone. Trainers are encouraged to pay us a visit, and try their skills and their luck in catching one of these marvels of the future for themselves....
[The EV news broadcast goes on to detail other news for now.]
[OOC: Thank you all for participating in the event last month! You can see an FAQ about the wrap up and boss battle rewards here!]