(05-20-2024, 10:06 AM)Dragonstrike Wrote:

(05-20-2024, 09:18 AM)Lord Windos Wrote:

Spoiler

Getting to Dodger was somewhat annoying, as a couple of police officers and nosy detectives intercepted you to none so subtly ask why a 'civilian' like you was getting the idea they could intrude on such a important meeting. A flash of your credentials and an equally none too subtle implication of the dandy man not being pleased with any hold ups got them to pave you a way to him Lickytung split - the joys of being a bigger fish in the governmental chain of command AND power bracket. 

The Quicksilva Speedster is rather grateful for the timely interruption and even more useful intel, giving you a nearly jolly smile and a serious but pleased nod.

"Now that's exactly what we needed - more Strange shenanigans, but in our favor this time 'round! 'Right, that settles it - we're going to put a bollo out on anyone matching this description, and I'll get some of these fine officers here *Waves in their direction* to begin searching the local places of worship and the usual haunts of the 'overly religious, judging by the black bird's testimony. *Tsk* Shame it's Dark Typed, 'for we could've had a Psychic brought in to extract a 'true' depiction of everything, straight from the source - with their permission, of course.

He says that pointedly, though you have a strong feeling it was directed at a few suddenly Mareepish looking officers. 

"*Sighs* Serve and protect, even the mischievous lil' critters, ladies and gents. *Opens his eyes and looks at you* Seddi, mind if you do me a favor and check out the Center for me? I'll join up in a bit, once I get the Pokeball rolling on hunting down our first real lead in this nasty piece of Muking business.'

Seddi nods. "We definitely need some harder evidence besides second hand testimony from a wild pokemon if we're going to get anyone charged with a crime.  Checkin' out the Center's my next stop.  Due to the high possibility of magic being involved though, we might need to call in some equally magical assistance.  I know a guy, but whether he'll help is a different matter.  I've gotten the impression he's a little busy at the current moment."

The 'guy' in question being Bernhard, of course.  Seddi couldn't help but notice that the mage was the only one not actively responding to the group's messages right now.  Makes him wonder what was holding the man's attention if he was ignoring this crisis entirely...

Regardless, there's little time to dwell on it.  He has a ransacked Pokemon Center to investigate next.

(05-24-2024, 04:59 PM)Lord Windos Wrote: With that all said and done (for now), you and Sylvia (+ her henchmen and new curious crow friend) enter into the center…

…Empty. 

Vacent. 

Hollow.

Those and worse feelings crept across you spine as you stare all around you in the EMPTY lobby. All signs of life were ERASED or ABANDONED, belongings left at VACANT furnishings and VOIDED Pokeballs littering the place. The machines in front were gone - removed so cleanly and perfectly you would not even know they existed in the first place if they weren’t standard across all Centers in the world.

Gone, gone, A L L G O N E A W A Y…

…The glowing trail leads deeper in.

(05-24-2024, 04:25 PM)Lord Windos Wrote: Later on, Aaron gives you a level stare as you bring up your poor showing with the clowns, before motioning to you silently. Looks like he wants to hear you own take on what went wrong…

(05-24-2024, 04:35 PM)Lord Windos Wrote: To answer your question in brief about Nirix, yes the horn will grow back quickly enough for it not to be a problem . The wonders of modern healthcare! Still hurts like heck, though, and the significance of harvesting the horn is heavy for you and your steed not matter WHAT.

Papa Gleam is still Fainted, though their express does seem a bit more at ease now, strangely enough…

I did some Rolls on the already, and I don’t want to keep you waiting any longer (or run out of time to write!) , so I will say that the creation of The Alpha Curse Cure was a Success. It did not come without cost, however - you Gauntlet took 10 Stress Damage for reasons that will be touched on later, and it drained a whomping 3 Will from you in the process in addition to tiring you and your Mons out greatly. Still, a Success is a Success; what comes next is undecided yet…

Cut Content due to the Horn being already added

the BY FAR most significant part of it all: The very harvesting of his precious Galarian Rapidash's horn. Bernhard has been dreading as well as anticipitated this, but also feels ready to take this big step in his career of being a Scimitar Alchemist.


He'll step forward to Nirix, face him with an aura of confidence, assertiveness and determination, and just look at his magic steed for looong while throughoutly and carefully caressing through his pastel mane - much more than he usually does, aka Bernhard does express A WHOLE LOT more emotions and softness than the stoic and kuudere him usually does. Especially so also a GREAT amount more of affection towards Nirix. Bern hopes and trusts that Nirix appreciates this. He leans in close to him upon speaking the following significant words: "...Time has come. After all seen and done so far, the time is now, my precious and magically bound partner... You know what to do. I know what to do. ...I'd have to lie to you if I were to say that I am...unafraid of taking this step, yet I feel ready and confident to take said step. I do trust that you are likewise so, after having seen and witnessed the bad state dear Saph is in... Please also rest assured, Nirix, that I will look into rewarding and reconciling you for your...sacrifice done here. Nothing, not the littlest bit, shall ever be done in vain, never so as long as you are under my care and as long as we share an utmost of magical bond."

As safety measures just before harvesting the Horn, Bernhard will cast a Safeguard over himself as well as Nirix, and ready some Super Potion if Nirix happens to take damage or even remotely displays pain or discomfort. Once we're done, we'll also cast one (if needed several) Heal Pulses onto Nirix to ease some stress, anxiety or pain. (All via Evocation Spells) Bernhard will also ask Nirix directly whether he wishes to retreat to his Luxury Ball for rest or whether he wishes to remain out and witness the further steps, and act accordingly.

The Horn itself will be throughtly grounded until it will be added to the Alpha Form of the Cure for Curses - we'll carefully sprinkle it in/add it while chanting our Incantation and channeling SPE into the creation. To determine how much SPE we'll channel, what's the Success Range and Hard Limit of this creation? (Plus, how's Zephy doing? Not yet well enough to draw from her SPE, I guess?)

Quote:

"Vicious tendrils and threads of the pitch black curse that is pestering the precious and beloved daughter that is Saph - it all shall be engulfed in a pastel veil and covered by a whispy liquid that bears the colors of the deepest and prettiest of deep cosmos. All that is evil and nasty shall be replaced with a shimmer of HOPE, VITALITY and LIFE. "

"Let Saph see the world and enjoy her life again, and may her father rejoice once more and be fred of his anxiety and despair for once and for all. It all shall be done with the help the most precious of cure and creation, one once haunted and killed for, one I am feeling blessed to have added to this medicine and creation of mine. (read: the harvested Horn) May this medicine and tonic reach the blessed Saphire worn as a pendant by Saph, and may it empower this charm enough to fight off what is unwanted and evil for it to not leave a trace in Saph's system."

(05-24-2024, 04:59 PM)Lord Windos Wrote:

Spoiler

With that all said and done (for now), you and Sylvia (+ her henchmen and new curious crow friend) enter into the center…

…Empty. 

Vacent. 

Hollow.

Those and worse feelings crept across you spine as you stare all around you in the EMPTY lobby. All signs of life were ERASED or ABANDONED, belongings left at VACANT furnishings and VOIDED Pokeballs littering the place. The machines in front were gone - removed so cleanly and perfectly you would not even know they existed in the first place if they weren’t standard across all Centers in the world.

Gone, gone, A L L G O N E A W A Y…

…The glowing trail leads deeper in.

(05-24-2024, 05:27 PM)Dragonstrike Wrote:

Spoiler

Seddi's got a tight grip on both the potion holstered on his belt and one of the pokeballs containing another of his pokemon as he surveys the scene with Ceruledge, Rabsca, and Sylvia and her entourage.

A place of safety and healing.  Violated.

E m p t y

"...I'd describe this is as a scene straight out of a ghost town, but even a ghost town would look more lively than this mess.  Not a soul in here to be seen, living or dead."

It's quiet.  Too quiet.  Echoing footseps and voices in an empty building only add to the ominous air of the deserted building.  Even speaking quietly, Seddi almost feels like he's talking too loudly.  Like a librarian is about to scold him, but amplified to a degree he hadn't considered possible until he'd walked in the door of the ransacked Center.

Seddi silently motions to Ceruledge and Rabsca to stay on guard while they continue to move forward, following the only trail they have so far.  The perp is likely long gone and the place looks abandoned, but better safe than sorry.  If anyone is going to notice anything out of the ordinary or potential ambushes, it's likely going to be those two 'mons of his.

Not wanting to break the silence any further then he already has for now , Seddi switches back to communicating telepathically with Sylvia.

[How capable are you and your companions in a fight, Sylvia?  If we're going to keep following those tracks, we should be ready in case we find something hostile or scared at the end of them and need to defend ourselves.]

(05-24-2024, 11:51 PM)Iron Wrote: "Being kind and understanding pays off, I guess. I'll miss that guy's skrunkly little face."

(05-24-2024, 09:34 PM)Mikaruge108 Wrote:

(05-24-2024, 04:25 PM)Lord Windos Wrote: Later on, Aaron gives you a level stare as you bring up your poor showing with the clowns, before motioning to you silently. Looks like he wants to hear you own take on what went wrong…

"I was sure that I could bum rush the heck outta them, I guess that cockiness is what got the better of me in that battle." Aaron can tell that Darren isn't as indignant as he usually would be during one of these patented lectures.

(05-24-2024, 05:27 PM)Dragonstrike Wrote:

Spoiler

Seddi's got a tight grip on both the potion holstered on his belt and one of the pokeballs containing another of his pokemon as he surveys the scene with Ceruledge, Rabsca, and Sylvia and her entourage.

A place of safety and healing.  Violated.

E m p t y

"...I'd describe this is as a scene straight out of a ghost town, but even a ghost town would look more lively than this mess.  Not a soul in here to be seen, living or dead."

It's quiet.  Too quiet.  Echoing footseps and voices in an empty building only add to the ominous air of the deserted building.  Even speaking quietly, Seddi almost feels like he's talking too loudly.  Like a librarian is about to scold him, but amplified to a degree he hadn't considered possible until he'd walked in the door of the ransacked Center.

Seddi silently motions to Ceruledge and Rabsca to stay on guard while they continue to move forward, following the only trail they have so far.  The perp is likely long gone and the place looks abandoned, but better safe than sorry.  If anyone is going to notice anything out of the ordinary or potential ambushes, it's likely going to be those two 'mons of his.

Not wanting to break the silence any further then he already has for now , Seddi switches back to communicating telepathically with Sylvia.

[How capable are you and your companions in a fight, Sylvia?  If we're going to keep following those tracks, we should be ready in case we find something hostile or scared at the end of them and need to defend ourselves.]

(05-25-2024, 12:21 PM)Lord Windos Wrote:

Spoiler

Cerluedge is more Unnerved by the E M P T Y atmosphere of this pl the Mons out, lloox unsteady on their feet as they move about. Murxrow is the most unbothered out of alvia, but they le with Syle and Detectabl visibly focusing on xeeping the trailess face. Rabsca is....pensive, mostly tacturn or expressionlloox on her normalmost  hauntedlades of hers and a guard, adiminishinglame ble effect on her - the flace, it being so oppressively  O P E N  that is was having a visiblooxing a bit restless and furative, but fine enough. The aide to Sylvia appeared VERY pale and unwell, however, cold sweat beading off them as they hunched in on themselves, as if trying to hide from the V A C U O U S N E S S of this E M P T Y  Center....

*Rolls - *

...

*Rolls...*

. . .

*....Rolls*

...
Oh dear.

As you step forward to follow the trail, your foot so happens to trace across one of glowing steps as you were were looxing a bit more carefully and mindfully about them   

Smiling. Carass. A Presence. Warm. Welcoming. Inviting. Eyes but no sight, see nothing and all. Voiceless Hymn, becxoning. Hear, harxon, follow the call of &^%$#@!#$ 

[WARNING, ALERT - MASTER!]

And find yourself collapsed on the floor. Not in the lobby, but further in, and only a few feet away from the precipice of....

Of...a Circle . Seen, but unseen, brought into clarity not only by the combine effort of Rabsca and Sylvia, but

Harx, harx, hear the voice of *&^%$ and be s a v e d.

*Ding*
*Ding*
[CEASE - S E D D I !!!]

You were only millimeters away from it now. Lookiing closer, you see a symbol inscribed inside of it, touching points along the north, south, east, and west of the circle. What it was 

Come, ye Sinners, come ye Saints, come ye humble or grand. Come all, and welcome.....!

*Ding*
*Ding*
[WARNING, WARNING! -  Mental Corruption Levels Exceeding Tolerances! Recommendation, Priority 1 - Do Not Approach It, Do Not Focus On It, Do Not Try to Comprehend it Any Further!] 

*Plip*
*Pilp*

A steady stream of blood hit the floor, pooling around the edges of the Circle, but never entering it. You loox confused for a moment, before realizing their source - you, as your life fluid flowed free from your nose.

"S-S-Sir? S-Sir? Are you...are you alright?"

A voice draws you out of...         breaxing your focus away from the Circle and towards it. With that, you discover where you are, exactly - one of the many indoor Battle Arenas Centers tend to have, with Sylia and her aide looxing over at you from your side. One of the biggests ones you've seen, in fact - it could easily fit a standard Gym Battle , all the crowds and equipment, and then some. The poor man looxed plain spooxed and way in over his head, his eyes wide and holding an edge of panic to them. Your Mons....they were by your side, but not. Present in body, but not mind, their gazes hazed as they stared off into space to....something your mind shou1d not dwe11 on.

Seddi's suffers 3 Lethal Damage and loses 3 Will. Ceruledge and Rabsca are Dazed and Confused, and lose 1 Willl each. You all gain 10 XP . Iron 1eaves 1oses 3 Wi11, but gains 5 XP and 1earns Hea1 Be11 - Sou1 Resonace. Costs 1 Wi11 to use, but requires no Ro11 and can be used as a Free Action to c1ear you and her of most Status and Menta1 Effects - cost increases if used in rapid succession. An Important Clue has been Revealed.

One of your pocxets feels heavier.