[Game] Lord Windos' PokeRole Adventure: Celadon City Vandel

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"Very well.  Let me preface this by saying it's been around 8 weeks or so since this disaster started.  Yes, you heard that right.  8 weeks.  It should make more sense in a moment."

"Two and a half hours ago, my small group arrived and started searching for the source of the NRF's trouble, as I explained earlier.  The outdoors is primarily host to huge swarms of Nuclear pokemon of varying kinds, but the indoor areas aren't any prettier either.  We discovered the Clinic by the entrance was shut tight, and anyone who'd been caught in the corridors was most certainly dead, and had been for a good while.  That's not really new information, obviously, but it might give you an idea of how much things have or haven't changed in this 5 week time period.  We made our way to this location after scoping out the entrance area."

"We've been splitting up to cover more ground when it seems safe to do so.  The nutritional lab certainly looked like it had been breached, but given how cramped these spaces are, there wasn't likely to be anything super duper extra dangerous in that room.  While my two companions out there investigated the nutritional lab and what was left of the corpses of those unfortunate enough to be in the corridor, I was scoping out this lab that we're in right now."

"...to be blunt, everyone who was in here was dead.  You weren't able to handle the intense pressure of the situation on your own.  Not that I can blame you at all for the decision you made, given the circumstances.  Leaving a video with important information as evidence was a good call on your part.  I don't recommend you watch it back, though.  Back on topic, a certain partner of mine watched that video too, and she...well, took pity on the situation.  Enough that she decided giving you a second chance at life was reasonable, though there were other reasons to justify it as well.  Yes, I know this all seems impossible, given that you're currently alive and healthy.  Fortunately for you, it's not impossible when the person who found you is partners with the Mythical Mew.  She brought you back to life, and here we are.  Now, as for why I'm telling you this instead of perpetuating the illusion that no time has passed at all...well, there's a rather...obvious change that would very quickly dispel the illusion by itself.  Namely...well, you're not quite 'you' as you remember.  If you look at your arms for a second, for example...your skin color has changed and you're much more muscular now.  Mew had to trade the life of a Tauros I had on hand for yours in order to bring you back, so you've taken on some of the traits of the species, horns included. (Reiner points to a spot just above his forehead for emphasis) If that's still not enough to convince you I'm telling the truth, Mew is willing to show herself to you.  She's tired after expending so much effort on a Revival Ritual, but she is more than willing to make an appearance to try and help smooth this explanation over a little.  Memory loss in some form is also a common side effect of being brought back from the dead, though how much usually varies depending on how long you were dead and how you died in the first place."



There's a bit more to explain still, but this is the meat and potatoes of the situation.  The rest will have to wait until Alexandria has reacted to the truth that she was revived from the dead by Mew... (with Mew showing herself as additional proof if necessary)

You were right in assuming she'd be skeptical of your claim of THAT much time passing, as she lowered her hands back to her lap and stared at you incredulously, but she held her tongue and let you continue speaking without interjecting, uncertainly nodding for you to do so. What you said sounded like complete hogwash to her, but given the evidence she....OD herself, yet somehow survived and is suffering severe memory loss.....anything could be possible. Especially....in such a hellish situation as the Outbreak.

That silence persisted as you recapped the events that happened thus far, her expression shifting from shock, horror, bitter rage, and sorrow as you described what you've seen/encountered with your motley part point by point. In particular, the most prominent feelings you picked up from her at this point, however, was just.....numb, dismal, and worn out acceptance . Everything you described and told her about was what she had to live through from the very beginning of the Outbreak, from when it was at its worst in the first few days, to the long, nerve wrecking weeks of living like a trapped Ratatta that followed. She wished she could be more horrified, more outraged at what's happened, at how much things have degraded and stayed the same since the Outbreak, and at how long it took for somebody to do something meaningful about it - which were mercenaries/private investigators at that, not the National Guard that were supposed to help them in the first place - but she just.....couldn't.

The phrase 'conditioned to accept horror as the norm' sprang to mind. Her....resignation also probably touched a little close to home for you, given you've lived through your own version of hell the first few years following your exile, before Petrel provided you salvation in the form of inducting you into Team Rocket. History is circular, some say....

Alexandria was, understandingly enough, jarred out of wallowing in bleak despair/apathy when you moved on to 'current' events, nearly falling out of her seat when you revealed the full, unvarnished truth of what had happened to her. That she didn't just miraculously survive OD on morphine, and was just put in a coma for weeks without somehow also not wasting away during it, as she first though, but that she actually died by her own hands, but yet lives again. It was hard enough believing her first thoughts on her....situation, but this news, THIS.....

"W-W-What? What?! H-How?!"

Her questions were, of course, promptly answered by you, though they were hardly any help in her understanding what the fuck was going on with her. Well, not quite; she comprehended what you were saying perfectly well, but she had an exponentially harder time of accepting the information she was being given, for it sounded literally impossible and beyond reason.

"M-Mew....revived me? As a.....Tarous Hybrid? What. That's....that's ridiculous! Purely inconceivable! Is this.....just some sort of jest? A lark? To hide some awful truth from me, or make a tasteless joke to calm me down? W-Well, its not appreciated, let me tell you sir! I'm just as human as the rest of us, even with all the Radiation bathing the area! See for yourself-"

It was at this point she took your advice and pulled back the sleeve of her lab coat, and reveal her newly tanned and very muscular arm to you and herself.

"...Ah."

That was all she could say at first as she took in the sight of a couple of changes she'd gone through. Slowly, the minotauress then reached up to her forehead with her other hand to where you indicated her horns were, and, soon enough, was gently caressing them. Additionally, she also happened to notice that her change in natural hair color, something you failed to mention to her.

"....Oh....so you are telling the truth. About.....everything. …..Oh."

Alexandria then brought her hands to her abdomen, and started to....feel herself up, gazing downwards upon herself as she poked, prodded, and pressed all over, her expression one dazed and of morbid/clinical curiosity.

".....It.....feels like I have gained a six pack and.....chiseled physique as well from....the Tauros Mew used to revived as well. …Huh."

She then faced you again, looking.....completely out of it, as she stared right through you.

"....I always wished that I was more fit, but I don't believe I envisioned becoming so.....like this. I guess this also.....explain my temper breaking earlier. ……………………………Ah."

…It appears she's in shock now.

...At least its not worse.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

You were right in assuming she'd be skeptical of your claim of THAT much time passing, as she lowered her hands back to her lap and stared at you incredulously, but she held her tongue and let you continue speaking without interjecting, uncertainly nodding for you to do so. What you said sounded like complete hogwash to her, but given the evidence she....OD herself, yet somehow survived and is suffering severe memory loss.....anything could be possible. Especially....in such a hellish situation as the Outbreak.

That silence persisted as you recapped the events that happened thus far, her expression shifting from shock, horror, bitter rage, and sorrow as you described what you've seen/encountered with your motley part point by point. In particular, the most prominent feelings you picked up from her at this point, however, was just.....numb, dismal, and worn out acceptance . Everything you described and told her about was what she had to live through from the very beginning of the Outbreak, from when it was at its worst in the first few days, to the long, nerve wrecking weeks of living like a trapped Ratatta that followed. She wished she could be more horrified, more outraged at what's happened, at how much things have degraded and stayed the same since the Outbreak, and at how long it took for somebody to do something meaningful about it - which were mercenaries/private investigators at that, not the National Guard that were supposed to help them in the first place - but she just.....couldn't.

The phrase 'conditioned to accept horror as the norm' sprang to mind. Her....resignation also probably touched a little close to home for you, given you've lived through your own version of hell the first few years following your exile, before Petrel provided you salvation in the form of inducting you into Team Rocket. History is circular, some say....

Alexandria was, understandingly enough, jarred out of wallowing in bleak despair/apathy when you moved on to 'current' events, nearly falling out of her seat when you revealed the full, unvarnished truth of what had happened to her. That she didn't just miraculously survive OD on morphine, and was just put in a coma for weeks without somehow also not wasting away during it, as she first though, but that she actually died by her own hands, but yet lives again. It was hard enough believing her first thoughts on her....situation, but this news, THIS.....

"W-W-What? What?! H-How?!"

Her questions were, of course, promptly answered by you, though they were hardly any help in her understanding what the fuck was going on with her. Well, not quite; she comprehended what you were saying perfectly well, but she had an exponentially harder time of accepting the information she was being given, for it sounded literally impossible and beyond reason.

"M-Mew....revived me? As a.....Tarous Hybrid? What. That's....that's ridiculous! Purely inconceivable! Is this.....just some sort of jest? A lark? To hide some awful truth from me, or make a tasteless joke to calm me down? W-Well, its not appreciated, let me tell you sir! I'm just as human as the rest of us, even with all the Radiation bathing the area! See for yourself-"

It was at this point she took your advice and pulled back the sleeve of her lab coat, and reveal her newly tanned and very muscular arm to you and herself.

"...Ah."

That was all she could say at first as she took in the sight of a couple of changes she'd gone through. Slowly, the minotauress then reached up to her forehead with her other hand to where you indicated her horns were, and, soon enough, was gently caressing them. Additionally, she also happened to notice that her change in natural hair color, something you failed to mention to her.

"....Oh....so you are telling the truth. About.....everything. …..Oh."

Alexandria then brought her hands to her abdomen, and started to....feel herself up, gazing downwards upon herself as she poked, prodded, and pressed all over, her expression one dazed and of morbid/clinical curiosity.

".....It.....feels like I have gained a six pack and.....chiseled physique as well from....the Tauros Mew used to revived as well. …Huh."

She then faced you again, looking.....completely out of it, as she stared right through you.

"....I always wished that I was more fit, but I don't believe I envisioned becoming so.....like this. I guess this also.....explain my temper breaking earlier. ……………………………Ah."

…It appears she's in shock now.

...At least its not worse.

Yeah, it could be a lot worse...

"...on the bright side, your colleagues' sacrifice also wasn't in vain.  There are some other pressing things we need to discuss, though, Alexandria.  Such as...oh yes, right, I haven't introduced myself yet.  Name's Reiner, Dragon Tamer and partner of Mew.  Pleasure to meet ya."  He extends a hand to offer a handshake.

Given that it's anything but normal in the current situation, a little normalcy in the formalities might help, I suppose?

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Yeah, it could be a lot worse...

"...on the bright side, your colleagues' sacrifice also wasn't in vain.  There are some other pressing things we need to discuss, though, Alexandria.  Such as...oh yes, right, I haven't introduced myself yet.  Name's Reiner, Dragon Tamer and partner of Mew.  Pleasure to meet ya."  He extends a hand to offer a handshake.

Given that it's anything but normal in the current situation, a little normalcy in the formalities might help, I suppose?

The bullish woman fish eyed stared was transferred over to your hand, and after a moment or two of just looking at it, she sluggishly clasped it, and gave it shake.

"....Alexandra Wilken, Assistant Researcher of the....now defunct Nuclear Research Facility. It is good to see you as well, sir."

She still looked/sounded dazed, but substantially less so now. You'd be pleased with the success, if it wasn't for the fact that the minotauress hadn't let go after the handshake, and was currently in the process of grinding you hand/wrist bones into paste. By the fiercest Dragon God, her grip on you was tighter than a buff, money grubbing and penny pinching Crawdaunt! It was like Emily and her hug, but MUCH WORSE! Ouch ouch OUCH!!! 


Reiner HP decreases by 1, and Pain increases by 1! Talk about a firm handshake!

".....Now, what are those matter that are so crucial that you need to discuss with me, Reiner?"

She's still 'shaking' your hand as she ask this, which may or may not impede your ability to respond. Maybe.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

The bullish woman fish eyed stared was transferred over to your hand, and after a moment or two of just looking at it, she sluggishly clasped it, and gave it shake.

"....Alexandra Wilken, Assistant Researcher of the....now defunct Nuclear Research Facility. It is good to see you as well, sir."

She still looked/sounded dazed, but substantially less so now. You'd be pleased with the success, if it wasn't for the fact that the minotauress hadn't let go after the handshake, and was currently in the process of grinding you hand/wrist bones into paste. By the fiercest Dragon God, her grip on you was tighter than a buff, money grubbing and penny pinching Crawdaunt! It was like Emily and her hug, but MUCH WORSE! Ouch ouch OUCH!!! 


Reiner HP decreases by 1, and Pain increases by 1! Talk about a firm handshake!

".....Now, what are those matter that are so crucial that you need to discuss with me, Reiner?"

She's still 'shaking' your hand as she ask this, which may or may not impede your ability to respond. Maybe.

"...first of...all...ow...might want...to watch...that grip...a little...you're a lot...stronger now...a lot..."

Yeah, Reiner's visibly cringing.

[Lord Windos]

"...first of...all...ow...might want...to watch...that grip...a little...you're a lot...stronger now...a lot..."

Yeah, Reiner's visibly cringing.

She blinked a few times, and then looked down on the 'handshake' you were for a few excruciating seconds, before her eyes widened and she snatched her hand away from yours and presses against her chest, to your immense relief. Ahhhhhh…MUCH better! Pain is reduced to 0!

"Sorry, sorry!!! I realized that I've grown stronger, but I didn't think of by how much. Oh dear Arceas….this is going to be a pain to get used too..."

Something tells you its going to be less a pain for her as it will be to anyone/anything she interacts with in the near future. Which, obviously, includes you, Lindworm, and.....Arial. Hmm......perhaps there's a silver lining to be found here...

[Spiritmon]

After Arial finish eating the burrito, he knock the door again. "Reiner? Mind if you finish already your conversation? We still have some clean to do in this place. Remember: We only have twenty four hours to do what we supose to do, and there is some exploration we still need to do." Then Arial look again to Lindworm. "Lindworm, you by chance know how much time pass already since we enter this facility? I need some number reference."

[Dragonstrike]

Reiner ignores Arial.

"...*ahem*...back on topic...we do still have a job to do here.  Namely, tracking down the source of what started this whole mess, and putting a stop to whatever they're up to.  And if you could help us with navigating and searching the place, we'll likely be able to get that done sooner.  Though there is...one complication...since you're part Tauros now, that also means you're effectively a Normal type.  You'll have to take two Iodine tablets every 4 hours to counteract the radiation in here, at least until we can find you some anti-rads gear to use.  This is a rather sticky situation, but we'll do our best to get ya through it.  If you need some Iodine Tablets, I have some I can spare."

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

After Arial finish eating the burrito, he knock the door again. "Reiner? Mind if you finish already your conversation? We still have some clean to do in this place. Remember: We only have twenty four hours to do what we supose to do, and there is some exploration we still need to do." Then Arial look again to Lindworm. "Lindworm, you by chance know how much time pass already since we enter this facility? I need some number reference."

While Reiner choose to do his level best to pretend the madman didn't exist at the moment, the same could not be said for Alexandria, who gave you a mildly curious and confused look.

"....Twenty four hours? What? Why is there a time limit to your.....operations, Reiner?"

Lindworm says it will soon be roughly two and a half hours since the party has begun their raid/crusade on the NRF.

Spoiler

Reiner ignores Arial.

"...*ahem*...back on topic...we do still have a job to do here.  Namely, tracking down the source of what started this whole mess, and putting a stop to whatever they're up to.  And if you could help us with navigating and searching the place, we'll likely be able to get that done sooner.  Though there is...one complication...since you're part Tauros now, that also means you're effectively a Normal type.  You'll have to take two Iodine tablets every 4 hours to counteract the radiation in here, at least until we can find you some anti-rads gear to use.  This is a rather sticky situation, but we'll do our best to get ya through it.  If you need some Iodine Tablets, I have some I can spare."

Furthermore, your proposal and subsequent reveal caused her to do a slightly double take, before she replied in a disbelieving, hesitant, and none too subtly nervous/tense tone of voice.

"W-what now? Are you.....being serious? *Stares at you* ....You are. *Shakely sighs* R-reiner, if you can forgive me for saying this....WHY in Arceas's name should I help you, rather than being evacuated from the NRF effective immediately? Or, if that is not possible until later, leave me barricade in here in the meantime? Unlike you or your compatriots, I'm....I'm just a civilian Researcher! I don't have the capacity to handle Pokemon in anything but laboratory settings, and have zero experience in....in surviving...critical scenarios such as...the one we're in. Save for my own, but......*Her stare transition briefly to the empty bottle of morphine on the floor, looking fairly haunted*.....I'd say its woefully lacking, in light of.....recent revelations."

An moment of uncomfortable silence descends between you and the minotauress, before she manages to muster up the resolve to continue, her voice still uneasy and skeptical.

"I-f we discount my.....suicide, my fellow Researcher and I only survived by sheer luck and the skin of our teeth.  As for my......revival and all the.....benefits it has granted me, I don't know the first thing to how to utilize them in any way, much less in self defense or survival. I very nearly pulped your hand without realizing it, until you pointed it out! A-and if I AM part Normal type now, those....specimens and the ambient Radiation outside this room is more deleterious to me now than ever before! In fact, if I'm part Pokemon now - hard as that is for me to believe - that could mean I could be.....CORRUPTED too if preventative measures and treatment fails, in a worst case scenario."

The bullish woman looked downright terror stricken at the possibility, rendered to a hoarse whisper as he eyes dilated fully, while her whole body was shivering. 

"I...I....I don't want that to happen. S-so.....how can you....you justify m-my inclusion in your party, in-instead of just.....requesting all the relevant information you need on the NRF, and keep me out of harm's way? Why?"

Oooh, looks like she's right back on the verge of panicking again. Better come up with a good, calming rationalization to convince her, and quick!

[Dragonstrike]

*pause*

Actually, everything was already technically paused, wasn't it?  Well then, let's take this a step further...

*FLASH*

If this were a movie screen, that sudden flash of light would suddenly cover the entire screen, leaving nothing but a white, empty looking space.

Except for a few figures present in it.

Reiner, who startles and looks around warily, wondering what the heck just happened.

Weavile, who is here partially due to a technicality, but also for a reason...and probably also looking quite puzzled at first.

And Mew.  We all know why she's here.  Though she probably doesn't know why Weavile's here...

"What the @#$% is going on?  Where are we?!  What the @#$% happened to the NRF and Alexandria?!"

Reiner's questions echo in the silence of the empty, white space...it's all too similar to the domain of deepest darkness...and yet...entirely different, too...hmmm...

...and then the echoes...start to sound different?  Like...they're a response of some kind?

"Pardon the intrusion, my friends.  I needed to be able to speak freely.  Without...interference, shall we say.  This is one of the few places I can do so."

The method is a little extreme, maybe...but I'm interested in seeing how Mew and Weavile react at first to this...sudden occurrence that dragged them who knows where.

[Figured I'd have a little fun with this instead of just outright telling Reiner the way I usually do, tbh.  I think this'll help me get my creative juices flowing again, and there's some interesting things I'd like to do while in this space...nothing that will affect the Celadon Campaign majorly beyond what's already been arranged, though.  Permission to continue further, Windos?  When I said this was going to be interesting, I wasn't kidding.  ]

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

*pause*

Actually, everything was already technically paused, wasn't it?  Well then, let's take this a step further...

*FLASH*

If this were a movie screen, that sudden flash of light would suddenly cover the entire screen, leaving nothing but a white, empty looking space.

Except for a few figures present in it.

Reiner, who startles and looks around warily, wondering what the heck just happened.

Weavile, who is here partially due to a technicality, but also for a reason...and probably also looking quite puzzled at first.

And Mew.  We all know why she's here.  Though she probably doesn't know why Weavile's here...

"What the @#$% is going on?  Where are we?!  What the @#$% happened to the NRF and Alexandria?!"

Reiner's questions echo in the silence of the empty, white space...it's all too similar to the domain of deepest darkness...and yet...entirely different, too...hmmm...

...and then the echoes...start to sound different?  Like...they're a response of some kind?

"Pardon the intrusion, my friends.  I needed to be able to speak freely.  Without...interference, shall we say.  This is one of the few places I can do so."

The method is a little extreme, maybe...but I'm interested in seeing how Mew and Weavile react at first to this...sudden occurrence that dragged them who knows where.

[Figured I'd have a little fun with this instead of just outright telling Reiner the way I usually do, tbh.  I think this'll help me get my creative juices flowing again, and there's some interesting things I'd like to do while in this space...nothing that will affect the Celadon Campaign majorly beyond what's already been arranged, though.  Permission to continue further, Windos?  When I said this was going to be interesting, I wasn't kidding.  ]

Weavile was indeed quite perplexed at being spontaneously summoned here, squinting his eyes against the pure sterile whiteness of the place he was in. What the heck? One moment he's chilling in his Pokeball, the next he's forcibly materialized in this......place? That seems......familiar to it somehow? What in Arceas name is going on here.....

Mew, on the other hand, seemed completely unphazed at her summons to the White Space Betix, nor was too concerned with the black cat thief's appearance alongside Reiner, save for mild curiosity. She didn't know why they were summoned too, but if [Dragonstrike] thought it important for them to be here, so be it. Its not like they would negatively impact what the Revelations that was to come....

However, there were a few things about the semi-sociopathic Mythic that seemed.....off, given her current state. Namely, that she was giving off tense, anxious, and.......faintly hopeful vibes, physically expressed by her tail twitching restlessly back and forth. To Reiner, it would almost seem like see was......waiting in suspense. Anticipating something......big.

Then you chimed in, causing both Dark and Divine felines to swivel their head rapidly towards you to stare at, Weavile's accusatory (Oh boy, THEY are responsible for this. Ugh, what is it they want NOW....) and Mew's unflinching and.....intrigued (['A bit grandiose way to clue Reiner in, and I do not understand Weavile's inclusion, but this does give us all a great measure of privacy, so I do not mind. Now then, if you would.....let's get started.']). Looks like the Pokemon have a better idea of what happening than you do......hmm.

[Hey, I don't mind that at all, especially if it serves the plot and creativity! Permission to continue granted, mate!]