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Post by Manic on Jul 31, 2019 4:42:08 GMT
I can't remember what the actual reason was, but I'll go with 'Peace!Manic gets seasick and that doesn't transfer over.' Nope! Far more important than that.
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Post by Manic on Jul 31, 2019 4:53:07 GMT
Update #13: Damocles
Buh...wha'happen? He's up! Everybody, he's up! Priscilla? Hey thereOOMPH! We were worried about you, you creep! What were you doing in the other world to make you pass out the moment you got here? Seriously, you look terrible. Nothing I can think of...I mean, I've been active and all, but nothing unusual. We thought you were faking at first! CORRECTION: You thought he was faking at first. Okay, fine, whatever, I thought you were faking at first. So you dropped like a rock- Hey! -and you got no idea why? Not a clue. What've I missed?
Well, we went and got the medicine. Yeah, turns out Molly isn't half-bad at pantomime. Show-off. Then we went back to Olivine. We would've waited for you to wake up, but that Ampharos looked to be in pretty bad condition. Happy to be of service! Then we dragged your still-unconscious butt back here and they put you in one of the beds downstairs. You've been sleepin' like a log all day! Buh. I wish I knew what that was. I feel fine, oddly enough, and- hang on, I've gotta take this.
Not...really? Oh. Well, there's a gate just inside Cianwood City! That leads to another couple of routes, and then the Safari Zone! Sounds good to me! Just watch it; some unsavory folks have set up on the way. No idea why. Anyway, see you soon! Yeah, cool, seeya! *click* Oh, uh, we should proooobably introduce you to the new teammate. We have a new teammate?
It is a bliss to encounter you! Oh, uh, right! Lucky! Yeah, um, sorry about that before. Consider nothing pertaining to it! Nice enough girl, but she talks funny. Uh, Lucky's a guy, sweetheart. RESOLUTION: The Staryu/Starmie line is asexual. A sexual what? Asexual. As in, not sexual. As in, neither male nor female. So, what happened to Rhonda? The other you boxed her, talking about the flying types at the lighthouse and the likelihood of Rock attacks around here. He also said, uh...that her stats suck. Ouch. Right in front of her! Yeah, I'm sorta getting a feel for the other me. I don't think he was being malicious, just tactless. Anyway, let's have a look at you, Lucky.
So now I have a Modest Staryu and an Adamant Scyther. Accurate! Y'know, for a guy who has the entire world aligned against him, somebody up there loves me. While you're in such a good mood, shall we get back to Cianwood? We're not in Cianwood? EXPOSITION: Following the healing of the Ampharos, you were placed in bed at the nearest Pokemon Center.
Well, we're not getting any younger! S. S. Priscilla, at your service!
Huh. Cianwood is actually kind of charming, when it's not spinning out of control. I'm all a-flutter. So, where to first, boss? Can I suggest the Center? Nothing wrong with a little free healing. Well, I mean after that. Wouldn't want your pretty fur all scuffed up. Settle, Romeo. Wait. Are you guys a thing now? No! Ehhhh. A gentleman doesn't brag. RIGHTSOANYWAY.
What? The safari zone. Yeah. It's still under construction. That's not what Baoba said. That's nice. Still not getting through. Let's try this a different way. My name is Manic. Nice to meet you. I'm Depressive, and this is Schizophrenia. Now bugger off.
Dude, what the hell, Baoba? What? Your derps won't let me by. What derps where? The ones at the gate. They say the place is still under construction. ...pass them your gear for just a moment, if you would? Yeah, go for it. OBSERVATION: The decibel level issuing from your Pokegear exceeds normal human tolerance. Wow. I can hear him from over here! He assuredly appears agitated! ...and if you don't want me to come down there and hit you so hard that your parents will cry, you'll get out of that boy's way yesterday!
Much better.
New route, new catch, HOLYDAMN we're high up. Good thing nobody's afraid of heights. ALERT! Excessive elevation increases the likelihood of catastrophic falling damage. Wait a minute. Molly? Lilly, she's a machine. She's not afraid of anything. She's right, though. Watch your step up here. Oh, and keep an eye out for tall grass, okay? No tall grass, but I found a cave! Nice work, Priscilla. Let's see what's inside.
Hmmm. One path leads you to fun and glory! And the other? CERTAIN DEATH. ... ... ...okay, a dead end. Fair enough. Now, which is which? Where's the fun in just telling you? Lana? Set him on fire. The top path is the fun one! Good answer.
Ohhhhh good. These guys aren't foolin' around! Okay, I'm confused. This is the second person I've seen with a Magmar below level 30, and now an Electabuzz too. What the hell is this? Ohhh yeah! That's right! That Walt guy had those Magmars at super-low level. Wait, you - ah, of course you did! Just with the other me. I'm guessing you had a pretty smooth ride with that one. Lilly mopped the floor with them! Yeah, it was kinda fun! Repeat performance, maybe?
Girls, you never disappoint. Oh yeah! We bad! That appears like an excess of amusement! Don't worry, Luck. You'll get your chance! REQUEST: Continue onward to more solid ground. Yeah, Molly's right. Let's keep moving, Baoba's waiting for us! Looks like there's one more double battle in our way. A couple, this time!
MOVING ON.
Wait. Did anyone see any grass on 47? Yeah, but we couldn't reach it. That patch up the waterfall, that was it?! Look, I'm a good swimmer and all, but... That scarcely appears just! We coulda just gone down and surfed. No offense to Priscilla or Lucky, but I think I'm good on water types for now. Let's just see what this route has in store, there's grass right over there.
So. That happened. Mmmmyep. Fine, I'll be the one to say it. That suuuuuucks! I think Eusine rides one of those. Rides...you know what, I'm not even going to ask. Probably wise.
Say, nice little area he's got going on here. He's even got a pokemon center! THEORY: Due to lack of proximity to a town and the presence of trainers on the path, visitors are likely to be tired. Good point. Looks like there are a few shops lined up too; nothing I really want, but it's interesting to see how a mini-town sprung up around this place. You don't feel all swirly, do you? Nope! Looks like it's not enough to trigger the...shifting, I guess. You ask me, sounds like a crappy 80's horror movie. The Shifting! This Halloween, come to...Safari Zone. It takes balls to enter. Hah! Niiiiice. Cute. Let's get in there, Baoba's probably wondering where the hell we are!
Damn, man. You don't screw around! A man with my means isn't going to set up some half-ass Safari Zone! Independently wealthy, huh? Let's just say that the war has been kinder to some than others. ...how about I just pretend I never heard that? Suits me. Say, while I'm thinking about it...
What, seriously? You've got balls, kid. If something should happen to me, I'd like somebody with a pair to take this place over. Well. I'll, uh. Keep it in mind? Hah! That's the spirit! Now get in there and catch a Geodude. Don't worry about it! I'll lend a hand. Should be pretty easy. Oh, right, before I forget? Your pokemon can't fight in there. House rules. So, I just...chuck the pokeballs and hope? Pretty much! Happy hunting! Guess you can't help, Lilly. Sorry. Heh heh...shows what you know. C'mon, let's get in there!
Guy's gotta make a living!
(Inside...)
So, uh. How're you gonna help, Lilly? Easy. You want a Geodude, right? Yeah. HEY! Ow! SAMMY HAGAR RULES! Up yours, David Lee Roth is a god! There he is! Go get him! How did you- You want to catch a Geodude, start talkin' rock! Aaaaaand...got him!
... ... ...DAMMIT!
Ah-ha-ha! Right! Hey, listen, I just remembered, there's something I've gotta do. Can I get back to you on that? Hm? Sure, I guess. You all right? You look spooked. Oh, yeah! It's pretty important. Look, I've gotta run, okay? See you! Yeah, okay, see you! It vanished. Damn right it did.
Okay, so, what are we doing here? In the time-honored tradition of journeys everywhere, we're beating the snot out of wild pokemon for our own benefit. Churning! Something like that. Everybody take turns, swap out if you're hurt. Mind those Tauros, they look mean. They look mean? Yeah, and I just saw one use Pursuit, so be on your guard.
(Some time later...)
Good job, team! Whew! Well, I...definitely feel stronger...little out of breath... STATUS: Power level increased. Still kicking ass and taking names. Well, without the names part. So, this is enough for tonight, right? Time for a good night's sleep?
...Manic? Why are we leaving the Center again? Because we're not done. C'mon, Lana! There are butts out there begging to be kicked. Let's strike the Underworld out of them! Yeah...whew! Okay. Not tired. Totally still on this. Dammit.
(Even MORE time passes...)
Now can we go? This is getting boring. And that's the sign I was waiting for! Now we can go. QUERY: Which sign were you waiting for? Well, up until now, you lot had been complaining that the Tauros hit too hard, or the Vulpix were too easy, or that the Gloom were trolls with their status effects. Yeah? But now that you're bored, I know the fights are actually too simple for you. So, time to go! Ffffffff...you mean, at any time, I could've just said I was bored and we would've left?! Yep! Now, let's get going! I hate you.
Oh! Hey, right! Sound good? Sounds better than good, actually. C'mon, everybody get into position. Boring, but sure, whatever. Do I seem attractive? Hold on, let me fix my fur. REQUEST: Please clarify the purpose of this endeavor. Having a picture of the other team is nice. Having a picture of both teams could come in handy someday.
Wow. I look like I'm about to kill something! I...I don't really look like that...do I? You can't even see my face! Who's that good-lookin' Raticate? Damn right, that's me! OBSERVATION: This unit's photographic representation is accurate. No unique fornicate was presented! I've had worse. C'mon, let's get back to town!
Okay, team. You ready to challenge Chuck? Let's do this! Affirmative. I look like a Ditto imitating a Swampert...badly... Hey, cool if I sit this one out? I opt to spectate! No way I'm going up against Fighting types! It's no problem. Lana, Molly, and Priscilla have this. C'mon, let's-
-stand...here...in front of the waterfall...while he ignores us.
Well, that sucked. Hmmm. I think we might be doing this wrong. How do you mean? Well, think about it. We hit Ecruteak, right? Right. Then we hit Routes 38 and 39. Correct. And then? ... ... ...Oh, for Arceus's sake.
You still want to surf with me? Look, Priscilla. That guy's camera is shit, okay? You look great. You're not just saying that? You were pretty as a Wooper, and you're pretty as a Quagsire. If his camera says different, then his camera is wrong. *snf* Thanks, Manic. You're the best. That reminds me, where to? Olivine. Back there? Why? Because the next city after Ecruteak was Olivine, which explains why Chuck was ignoring us. It does? His gym isn't supposed to be the fifth.
Jasmine's is.
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Post by Manic on Jul 31, 2019 5:11:24 GMT
So it turns out, it's not wise to piss Baoba off. And hey, no apologies for the method of locating a Geodude. None whatsoever. XD
Poor Priscilla. Hurts when you don't like what the camera shows you.
And we still don't know why Manic blacked out...yet.
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Post by Manic on Aug 2, 2019 4:59:35 GMT
Update #14: Productivity - vs. Jasmine & Chuck
Not electric? Nope! So the lighthouse, and the Ampharos, and the two Magnetons hanging around her all the time... Purely a coincidence! Rrrrrrright. Gotcha.
Okay, team, get...ready? Uh... He's not doing anything. You're not doing anything. Well, no. You aren't going to bring out your pokemon for a gym trainer match? No, because I'm not a gym trainer. Oh. Neither was the last guy. Where are all the gym trainers? Somebody plowed through the lighthouse and took them all out. They're still recovering. Oh, uhm. Aheh. Well. I guess it's a free walk, then? Certainly seems that way. OBSERVATION: The gym trainers in question were defeated before our arrival. Yeah, uh, that was me. No kidding? Way to go! Shhh! Actually, here. Chew on this for a second. What, really? For me? Just trust me.
Oh shit, son! Hee hee! Wait, you learned what?! Magnitude can kiss my pebbly ass! ASSESSMENT: Battle power of Lilly has vastly increased. I wouldn't desire to encounter you in a lightless avenue! Okay, I think it's time to break the news to Jasmine.
Let's see. Weak to ground and fire and fighting, super-effective against rock and ice, tends toward the strongly defensive? Well, yes...I admit, I'm also a little curious as to how you got that badge... Morty's badge? Don't know what you're talking about. But I can see it in your badge case... Here, catch. Oh, my! Go ahead, test it. It's authentic. And Morty can verify that I didn't steal it. Feel free to give him a call. That won't be necessary. You seem to be a very resourceful trainer...does this have anything to do with that 'other world'? Ah, you heard about that! Well, you sussed me out. This is the other Morty's badge, whiny emo git that he is. That said, regulations are very clear: I need Morty's badge, but it never says which Morty. You're an intriguing boy, I'd like to talk to you more... Fine with me. Let's chat while we battle, okay? Hmmm? Oh, well, if you're sure of it...
...but I won't be holding back. You'd better not. I won't.
Hah! Set 'em up, I'll knock 'em down! Nicely done, Lilly! So, tell me about this other world... It's different. The same person can be completely different in each world. Explain... Okay, let's use Morty as an example. In this world, he's a professional, intelligent leader of both city and gym. In the other world, he's, well, you heard me. Whiny emo git...what am I like in the other world? Curiously, you're very similar in both worlds. The exception to the rule. I wonder if it means anything. Oh, um, time for the last pokemon now. Ready? As I'll ever be. Go, Steelix! Ohhhhh shit. What? I got this. No, Lilly. You don't. Steelix have ludicrously high physical defenses, and you're gonna have a bad day if it knows any Ground attacks. Uh oh. I think I'm in the same boat! CAUTION: This unit defends well against both Steel and Ground attacks, but Rock attacks are likely to be present. No way I'm chewin' through that! I need my teeth sharp, not worn down to nubs! Your team seems uncertain. How will you defeat the defenses of steel? Simple: I won't. Priscilla, you're up! Flood the battlefield!
My S-Steelix! ...sinks like a stone in the water, that's right. Priscilla can swim around freely, but your Steelix is stuck on the bottom. I feel like a Spearow hunting Weedle! For all intents and purposes, you are! Just be careful - it may be slow, but it can still move! [It's okay, don't worry! What could it possibly-
OW! Arceus, Priscilla, that's what I'm trying to tell you! Even when a Spearow hunts a Weedle, it knows to watch out for that poisonous tail. This is the same thing! I didn't think the parallel was quite so close! It's all right. Now, water is your element, and it's surrounded by the stuff - pound it from all sides with water pressure, and it'll crumple like a tin can!
Striking...these are the tactics you employed against Falkner, aren't they? Well, a variation on a theme, anyway. Sure, there's type effectiveness and all that good stuff, but a creative mind can make up for a lot of lost ground.
Because you defeated me, I am obliged to give you the badge and a TM, but... But? I don't like the sound of that.
You must know that Morty has recommended that you be retired. I do. Has it been done yet? No, but it can't be long now... Jasmine. I need to understand what is happening to me, and why. There's an unknown, unaligned third party out there who's sworn to destroy me, Team Rocket has made a resurgence, and... And? And I need to know if this name means anything, or if it's just a coincidence. There's a lot more going on here than anyone seems to know, but I know this: Johto needs me now more than ever. ADMONISHMENT: Johto's need for you is equal to what it previously was. You know I'm with you right up until the end.
So long as you wanna keep moving, I'll keep kicking ass and taking names!
I see...then you want to keep going, even in the face of all this? I have to. With or without the approval of those in charge. The answers I receive may be the key to ending this war once and for all. Also, before I forget: Dupe. Beg your pardon? The name of the Geodude I captured in the Safari Zone. He shifted over to the other world; he should be back here, now. Wait, so that means...! Bingo. It means I'll be able to finish Baoba's test! He may be a very valuable asset. I see...I will recommend that you be allowed to continue on your journey. It may cancel out Morty's recommendation, or it may not... It's more than I could have asked for. Thank you, Jasmine. For now, I have business with the sixth gym. Manic, you just defeated the sixth gym... What? No, Chuck's is the sixth. You're fifth. Look more closely at your badge case. ...oh, son of a...
How could you not have noticed that? It makes sense, though! We did reach Olivine before Cianwood, it makes sense that it'd be five-six, not six-five! Seemed like a good idea at the time. What a bunch of wacky loons! What? Who says that? Looks like Lucky does. You're a little odd, you know that? You're an unusual mallard, yourself! Right...so, anyway, let's focus on how to wake Sleeping Beauty up. Hey, uh, Manic? Think we might see about making this journey a little easier? I mean, haven't we earned it?
Yeah, okay. I guess there wouldn't be any harm.
Okay, note to me: one Repel isn't quite enough to get from Route 40's shore to Cianwood. It's no biggie! I can see Cianwood's shore from here! Yeah, I guess this is close enough. I mean, we might have, what...one encounter on the way there? Oh noes.
(Four random encounters later...)
What. The hell. Was that? Where I'm from, we call it a 'dogpile'! I swear, it's like they were waiting for the Repel to wear off before they just converged on us! Yeah, 'bout that. A little help here? Wow, Jack. You look like a drowned Raticate! DIAGNOSIS: Jack remains alive, albeit injured. Right. So, pokemon center first, then Chuck. Got it.
This guy is still out of it?! Smack him in the head! Pull his moustache! Perhaps he slumbers? RECOMMENDATION: Humans are sensitive to changes in their environment. Interrupt the flow of water to awaken the gym leader. Easier said than done. There doesn't seem to be a way up to that winch! It's a visual phantasm! Observe! A visual what?
Traverse the route here! Wait. Trav...visual phantasm. Optical illusion. Traverse the route. Cross the path! You're a weird one, aren't you? I'm precisely average! Hmph! Precisely average. Perfectly normal! I see! Wanna explain to me, then? Lucky speaks in synonyms! You're the individual who parleys curiously! Uh huh. Well, let's take care of things now that we're through, okay?
There we go, that should do it. Are you sure you should've kicked it like that? Well, no way I was moving that enormous thing on my own! Wuss. Hey, that thing was designed for somebody who spends all day training. I'd rather spend all day training! Uhm. Gah, you know what I mean! Let's just get down there.
Um, because you couldn't be roused any other way? Nnnnnnrrrrrghhhh! Are you okay? That waterfall was the only thing that cures my pounding headaches! Ooooooh. So, let's get this over with quickly so that you can get back to it, huh? Wait a minute. You're that Manic guy, huh? That's me! Morty says you should be decommissioned, but word just came down the pipe that Jasmine says you should be allowed to continue. What's your deal? My deal is that I have a lot to learn and very little time in which to learn it. Yeah, yeah, I read the damn report. So much paperwork! That's not what this is supposed to be about! I kinda like this guy! Ugh, tell me about it. It's all been paperwork and requisitions and recommendations with all the gym leaders so far. Hmmm. You're a man of action, huh? I'm not stopping, even if the recommendation says I should. Even if they say I'm a nut.
Nice one, kid! Tell you what. You kick my ass, and I'll recommend that you keep going! Jasmine and I together should overrule Morty any day! Okay, but I warn you, I'm bringing my 'A' game! Kid, if you don't kick my ass, I guarantee I'll kick yours! Now, show me what you've got!
Priscilla! A Primeape's key advantage is its speed. Flood the area! It's become a habit by this point! Don't even think about it, kid! My Primeape can hold its breath for a long time! It's trained with me! Sure, but the water will slow down its momentum enough for Priscilla to finish it off. You can only punch so fast through water! Aaaaand done! Not bad, not bad! But how're you gonna handle somebody who's a little more at home in the water? Secret weapon.
Don't assume that you've gotten the best of me! Poliwrath, turn that flood into a tidal wave! Molly, use the terrain to your advantage! REQUEST: Clarification, please. The ledges! Use the height advantage and dive-bomb this thing with all your strength! Affirmative. Please hold...mission complete.
Not bad, kid! Not bad at all! Here, take the badge and this TM. I'm reminded: Chuck, have you heard of a kid named Varas? Friend of yours? Quite the opposite. He's pledged to destroy everything I love in front of me before destroying me. Well, he rolled through here a while back and gave me a good beating. 'Swhy I went back to training so hard. Why? Varas is a third party. He doesn't seem to care about the war; he doesn't align himself with either side. The only things he seems to care about are power, and coming after me. Can you tell me anything about him? Not really. He told me I was weak, spit in my face, and walked away after our match! I went to take a swing at him, but he had this damn Feraligatr with him that blocked the hit like it was nothing. Now, there's a water type! That does sound like him...thanks, Chuck. You've been more helpful than you realize. No problem! If he's an enemy of yours, you're a buddy of mine. Now, go get the Fly HM from my shrew of a wife, and go after his ass!
Oh, thanks, Miss... Don't mind me, dear. And please excuse my boorish softie of a husband. He likes to think he's hardcore. And you disagree? Honey, I've given birth to and raised three of that bulky brute's children. Compared to that, he might as well be tickling himself with a feather. Yikes. So noted.
WHAT, Joey. Hey, buddy! It's just me, your pal Joey! We're not pals, Joey. You're stalking me. What, that doesn't mean we can't be friends? I'm hurt! Friends don't threaten to snipe friends from a distance. Ah-ah-ah! Never mix business and pleasure. Anyway, want to know where your little ginger friend is, or should I just hang up since you don't want to talk to me? Joey. If you know where to find Varas, I need that information! Wellllllllll... JOEY. Okay, okay. He was seen Surfing east of Ecruteak. Ecruteak... Okay, my turn for a question! Why does he hate you so much? I don't know, Joey. I kinda wish I did. He says I did something to him, but I have no idea what. Aw, that's boring. Fiiiiiine. Bye! *click* Why do you still answer the gear when he calls? He's a hyperactive kid with a sniper rifle. So? You're just supporting his attempts to get attention. Compared to the prospect of a bullet through the brain, I'll take it.
Heyyyy, P-Man. Wanna learn a cool new HM? P-Man? I beg your pardon? He just beat a gym. Like, just beat one. So unless you wanna get shifted... Oh! Oh, no, I should say not. So, what do you have for me?
My goodness! The places I could visit, the travel! Cairo, Norway, Australia! Think maybe, in exchange for your free air travel pass, I could recruit you for transportation until we're done here? My boy, you've granted me a world of possibilities. It's the least I could do. Now, where shall we be off to?
And with that, I spread my wings and whisked us away for a whirlwind tour of the Johto region! Well, most of it, at any rate.
There were goods to receive and treasures to sell, exotic locales to visit and errands to be run!
New friends could be made anywhere we went, and- Uh, think we could do this without the commentary? Oh! Well...yes, I suppose we could, though it wouldn't be half as interesting. You're a pal. Now, where to go next... Manic! That guy has a Water Stone! Really? Hey! Hey, buddy! Where'd you get that? Saved up my points at the Pokeathlon Dome. Why? They sell elemental stones there?! Yeah, different one every day. You didn't know that? Hell no, I didn't know that! Let's get moving! Huzzah! Beneficial manual labor!
(Some time later...)
So...tired... Listen, pal. It's called 'Run Away', not 'Run Endlessly Until You Collapse From Exhaustion'! Easy, easy! It'll all be worth it here in a second. Do you consider me prepared for this? I sure hope so, because we've been busting our asses for it! Here goes!
Very, very nice! Amazing... Hmmm? I detect the cosmos... Uh, okay. Is that good? There is no 'good' or 'bad'. There is only 'now'. Arceus have mercy on us all. QUERY: Lucky has become more introspective in behavior; what is the reason for this? He sounds even nuttier than before. And that's sayin' something! Well, since there's only 'now', we're going to go get you some new goodies 'now'.
I will never get used to that. Oh, the other Manic did the same thing? Yeah, but he was eager to face Whitney...and after that, he was eager to get out of Goldenrod. We didn't stay long. Well, I suggest you get comfortable, this might take a little bit.
(Later...)
Two states of matter and two states of energy...remarkable. How long is he gonna be like this? I haven't the foggiest clue, but I know this much: we just got a rampaging SpAtk monster on our team. Way to go, Lucky! You've really come into your own. Not bad! Ehhh, I don't get it. Still looks mostly the same to me. Maybe, maybe not...but I'd hate to be the next gym leader right about now.
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Post by Manic on Aug 2, 2019 5:01:49 GMT
One could reasonably ask why Manic said the two Jasmines were alike. Think about it: if your alter-ego was Peace-World-Jasmine unstable, would you want to know about it? A little white lie.
As for Lucky, if you figured out his speech patterns before Manic did, enjoy! That information is now obsolete.
Oh, Percival. You certainly are Percival. Might not be much in a fight at this point, but has personality to spare.
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Post by truezero2 on Aug 2, 2019 9:35:44 GMT
As for Lucky, if you figured out his speech patterns before Manic did, enjoy! That information is now obsolete. Yep, now he's just all zenned out.
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Post by Manic on Aug 4, 2019 8:55:18 GMT
Update #15: Momentum
Okay. Why are we back here, again? Yeah, all this backtracking is getting kinda...boring. To pick up the pokeballs Kurt has been holding for me for a while, and get yelled at. Oh, no... What's wrong with that? Nothing, but look what's wandering around! All things, at all times. Oh, hey, it's the Farfetch'd we helped that guy find back in the day! ASSESSMENT: The Farfetch'd in question appears to be beckoning.
Wait, is this what I think it is? Yeah, it powers up Fire moves! Can you think of anyone who would like that? Gimmegimmegimme! Hee hee! I remembered your Quilava when I found this, and told the Farfetch'd to keep an eye out for you. Well, far be it from me to get between a Quilava and her Charcoal. Enjoy! Mmmm, it's nice and warm. Girl, sometimes you creep me right the hell out.
Joey. Seriously, man. This can't be healthy. You're telling me! Back to Goldenrod, then back to Azalea...what's next, back to New Bark? I'm...actually kind of tempted. Really? ...I was kidding! It'd be nice to see my mom again. Hey, man. You okay? Yeah, yeah. I just haven't really gotten to see her since all this shit got started. Want me to stop by and see how she's- NO, Joey. Stay away from her. Seriously, I was just gonna see if she's okay. I mean, yeah, sure, I have a gun pointed at your head right now. Sure, I'm under orders to plug you if things get too bad. That doesn't mean I have to be a dick about it! Joey, just...*sigh* I know you're trying to be nice, but she doesn't deserve to be dragged into this any more than she already is. Let her be. Your call, man. Just checking in! *click* You think he really has a gun pointed at your head? VERIFICATION: The presence of a small red point of light on the left temple indicates that the claim Joey makes is accurate. Just...keep...walking.
Hoshit. Everybody chill, it's all good. Seriously, this thing gives me the creeps. It is no greater than a mote of dust, the difference between us, infinitessimal. Y'know, it seems to me that if we don't bother it, it won't bother us. Let's just get in there, get the apricorns, and leave it to its business. We can't kick its ass? Wha- no, we can't kick its ass! It hasn't even done anything to us.
GAH! I MEAN YOU NO HARM. W-well...that's good! I COME BEARING A WARNING. That's, uh, distinctly less good. ALL IS NOT AS IT SEEMS, GEMINI CHILD. AN OBVIOUS DECEPTION HIDES A GREATER ONE. An obvious deception...wait. Before you go, this is the second time you've called me 'Gemini Child'. Do you know about what's happening to me? Can you make it stop? YES. NO. KNOW THIS: IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME, YOU WILL BECOME MY UNDOING. No I won't. I don't mean you any harm either! I KNOW. I WOU- I MUST GO. Wait, what? Hang on, there's a lot more I need to- And so, the ebb and flow of conversation comes to pass.
Damn it, Eusine! Take care, Manic. I'm in a dark mood. Why would you be in a dark mood? You got to see Suicune again, even if you ran it off. Yes, that would be why. My goal is not to run it off, but to get to know it! ...hmm. INQUIRY: What are you determining, Manic? I was wondering what it could imply.
If you can predict its whereabouts, I order you to tell me immediately. Okay. ...well? Sorry, I can't predict its whereabouts. It just kinda shows up. Seemingly at random. Although... Although what? Well, the first time I saw it, it was in the Burned Tower. The second time was here. And then there was the time in Cianwood. Beg your pardon? His mind was in a higher plane at the time. Oh yeah! You were still out cold. We saw Suicune just north of Cianwood. Just north of Cianwood...so it's encountered us three times, not two. Burned Tower, Cianwood, Route 42. What do they have in common? I honestly can't think of anything. The first two are in cities, but the last isn't. The first and last have trees, but the second doesn't. You can catch water pokemon in the last two, but not the first. It's almost like...maybe that's the pattern? Maybe the routes are specifically chosen so that they don't all have any one thing in common? It's not much, but it's the best I've got.
What I'm after? Not you! Suicune! You're talking to a Suicune who's long gone? Is your real name Clint Eastwood? Ah. Have you considered a career in comedy? Not really. Good. Ouch. Damn, that was harsh! Owned! Can I go now? I suppose so. I'll be keeping an eye on you, Manic. You seem to be a path to Suicune, whether or not you intend it. Swell.
Well, team, here we are. Time for Mahogany Town, and we all know what that means. STATUS: Awaiting orders. I don't know that I have any to give. I have no idea what to expect here, I only know that it's the next destination for us. Nothing general, then? C'mere. All of you. ...yeah?
Do you mind? We're trying to have a moment, here! Well, I guess I could just give the place to somebody else, then. No! No. Sorry. I'm a little on edge. Things have gone all weird, and...anyway. Sorry. Fascinating. Anyway, get your butt back here! The second test is ready, and this one is a little more amusing. Well then. I guess we get a little longer together!
Okay, so how do I get to the desert? Just use my machine to move the areas! Wait, wait. What? The machine right there will let you swap areas around. Easy as pie! You're telling me that you have a machine that allows you to rearrange the landscape?! Yep! Gives me the widest selection of Pokemon anywhere! Doesn't that terrify the pokemon? Probably! Well, have fun! ATTENTION! 'Dupe' has already been captured in the Safari Zone. From one, many. She's right, Manic! How will you get another catch when you already have one?
Looks like there are six areas in this place. The Peak can stay where it is, I have my catch for that one. The Sandshrew can be my catch for the top-center. If I get unlucky, I'll move the desert to one of the other areas and try again. You're gonna make out like a damn bandit, man! Six areas, six pokemon. Already got the first one, now let's see about the second!
Been there, done that.
Bingo! Now, stay nice and still, I'm gonna give you a new home and a team to work with...BAM! ...ehhh, it's not as fun with no team to celebrate beside.
NO. Screw that noise. 'Troy'. There, now get your ass back here, we have work to do!
He was serious?! Meh, whatever. I'm bored! Lookit you, big damn tycoon! So...this is my place now? HAH! Hell no! You'll take my place when I die. OBSERVATION: Given his current state of health, the present owner may live for another twenty-five years. Life is the most transient of gifts. Well, at least we got a Sandshrew out of the deal! And you can address us by name again!
Oh, I intend to. You're leaving us here again? Last time, I promise. Gonna get all of this taken care of now. Only the present can exist in the present. You're the owner, can't you sneak us in? What if you have to swim? Wouldn't be right. Don't worry! I'll only be a few minutes.
"Success, failure. On the surface, they are opposites, clearly defined. It is not until greater scrutiny takes place that one realizes that it is possible for the two to mingle until they become indistinguishable from one another. For example, in the Safari Zone, did I fail or did I succeed? Some might argue that I succeeded, in that I came away with three additional pokemon. (Dupe would be gifted to Baoba as thanks for his generosity.) Some might argue that I failed, in that two pokemon escaped. Is it any wonder that I might view the matter as less binary than most? The two pokemon I failed to catch were unnerving, to say the least. The two pokemon that I succeeded in catching in that trip were sent to the parallel world, leaving me with no immediate gain to show for it. In my successes, I had failed; in my failures, I had succeeded.
With the warnings of Suicune, the imprecations of Eusine, and the raucous laughter of Baoba still echoing in my ears, I set out once more to change my fate."
- excerpt from All At Once, the memoirs of Manic
Time for Round 2, I guess. Don't misunderstand, but it'll be nice to see the other Manic again. Priscilla, what can you tell me about him? He's confused about this world and the state of affairs, but he just seems...happier, somehow. I know he's basically you, but he seems younger. Does that make sense? Sort of, I guess. He's still getting used to how much ass I kick! Manic, listen. This world we're in, the war, the military leadership. It doesn't really allow you to be a kid for very long, does it? No, I guess it doesn't. The other Manic, his world isn't like that. He got to be a kid in ways you never did, in ways you never could. I know what you've said about the other world's version of people, but I can't help but wonder if maybe - just maybe - it's better there. I don't know, Lana. I've been trying to puzzle it out in my head. There are so many angles from which you can look at it. Infinite angles. The world is defined by our perspective. Well, if ya want a dumb ol' Raticate's opinion, there's no 'better' world. We got the one we got, and if we want it to be good, that's up to us. Y'know, that's not a half-bad opinion, Jack. Lana, you're in charge while I'm out. Let's make this happen.
Well, at least I didn't pass out that time. You pa-a-a-assed out too? Yeah, I WHOAH! I told you it was a big difference! Wait. Claire?! Yea-a-ah! The other Manic has done a lot of work. Check it out!
Sweet Arceus, what's he been feeding you? Steady d-d-diet of whoop-ass! What she means to say is, we've been doing a great deal of training. Interesting. You seem to be basically the same levels as my team in the other world. I guess it's not all that impressive. Hell yeah it is! Oh, wait, that reminds me. Here, check it out! I brought a picture. I think I remember that Gra-a-aveler! And a Scyther...is that the powerful bug in the other world? She looks so strong. And there's my counterpart, and a Quagsire? Really? And a Starmie? And a Raticate of all things? Hey, don't knock Priscilla or Jack, they've saved my ass more times than I can count. As for Lucky, he's a damn powerhouse. I hope the other me is smart enough to train him up well. Don't worry, your other t-team is in good hands. Good to hear. Anyway, let's have a look around, yeah?
Hummawha? That sounds like a 'no', then. What's this about Gyarados rampaging? Oh, the little buggers are squirming around something fierce, wrecking anything they come across! Sounds pretty dangerous. It is! The tourism board has shut the lake down until it's been resolved. Hmmm. I wonder. Let me guess. We're going to go deal with the matter. We totally are. Claire, stick close, we're going to need some electrical firepower. You know I ha-a-ave your back. First, though, that guy looks super-suspicious.
Oh, I get it! What-do-you-get? I've heard of these things before, but I never understood the name. RageCandyBar, Lake of Rage! It's like a Philly cheese-steak! A what now? So, you want one or not? Candy from strangers...if I take it, will you let us pass? Nope! Nobody passes this point. Sorry, kid! You can buy the candy bar, though. I-could-just-fly-us-over! Not without a beacon, you couldn't. I guess we'll take care of things here, then go from there.
Well, I'm certainly glad there's nothing suspicious about this place. We definitely shouldn't come back, and we especially won't investigate the Lake of Rage.
I'm surrounded by idiots. Hey! Huh? No, no! Not you six. You're all pretty cool. But man, have these people all had lobotomies or what? Maybe they're just tired...? Muh-maybe they just need therapy. I ain't even mad. My trainer kicks thirty-one flavors of ass. Heh, thanks. C'mon, let's see what we can catch around here.
(What the hell, coin flipper?) Not bad, I guess. If Curtis hadn't just come to this world, I might give him more of a chance. Er, you might consider giving him a chance anyway. Sorry, but an Alakazam is way faster and more powerful. S-sure, but you haven't muh-met him. We really should change that sometime soon, though. Him and Sandy both. I'll keep it in mind. Let's just keep going to the Lake, hmmm?
Two entrances. Huh. Yeah-but-only-one-of-them-leads-anywhere. Can-we-go-soon? The-rain-is-soaking-me-to-the-bone. A lot of that depends on how quickly we figure out what's gone wrong. Well, you'll be proud of me, then! Why's that? I've already figured out what's going on. You don't say. I'm just glad there's someone smarter than me along. You sound very confident, Link. Would you care to share with the rest of us? Behold!
Well, that sure as hell isn't normal.
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Post by Manic on Aug 4, 2019 9:03:37 GMT
Well! The Safari Zone was certainly...one-sided. And yet, it was significant in ways that are not yet obvious...
War really doesn't work well with childhoods, does it? One might say that youthful innocence is a casualty.
And now for the most obvious front in the world!
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Post by crimsondoom on Aug 4, 2019 16:42:35 GMT
Honestly, that most obvious front is very frustrating to me. Because, y'know, back in Kanto we could just have gone with "They're video game characters and can't defy their programming" to explain it. But here in Johto, that doesn't appear to be true, so why in the Nine Hells hasn't anybody investigated that place? Is everyone in Mahogony being bribed to ignore it or something???
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Post by Manic on Aug 5, 2019 4:38:32 GMT
Honestly, that most obvious front is very frustrating to me. Because, y'know, back in Kanto we could just have gone with "They're video game characters and can't defy their programming" to explain it. But here in Johto, that doesn't appear to be true, so why in the Nine Hells hasn't anybody investigated that place? Is everyone in Mahogony being bribed to ignore it or something??? A prank? Something in the water? Who knows?
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Post by Manic on Aug 6, 2019 10:29:56 GMT
Update #16: Relation
...cool? I will now demonstrate this power. NOPE! But it's really- NOPE! You'll like- NOPE! Okay fine. Just take this TM and go. Now you're speaking my language.
Ah, dammit. Sorry. That was my weakest move. Yeah...who would've thought a Tackle would one-shot it? I can't help but notice...all the pokemon around here seem to be, um. Pathetically weak? Oh, well, I guess you could put it like that, sure. I think Big Red over here might have something to do with it. Is it time to confront the creature, then? Yeah, but be careful. Keep your distance.
Wuh-what is that?! Keep back! That's radiation. In very rare cases, some pokemon exhibit different coloration due to naturally occurring radiation! You're kidding. This thing is radioactive?! That would certainly explain the weak pokemon surrounding it. How-do-we-fight-it? I'm-not-going-to-touch-something-that-will-bake-me-alive! Don't worry about it! We solved this problem a long time ago. We-did? Claire. Right between the eyes, if you would.
That wasn't so ba-a-a-ad. Yep. Gyarados. Double weakness to electricity. I would've figured it would be neutral. Y'know, water/dragon? An understandable mistake, but Gyarados is not technically a dragon. Water/flying. No shit? Er, yes. No shit. Not that this isn't captivating, but let's get back to dry land. Oh look, a souvenir. Maybe I'll just... Farrah, wait! Let me wrap it in something first. I don't know what a radiation burn would do to you, but I don't care to find out.
Hmmm. Y'know, I bet I know someone who would like this.
Why? There are Gyarados in this lake. When I say 'evolve', I'm referring to its radioactivity. That's evolution? Think about it. You were highly hesitant to attack it with anything physical, correct? Well, yeah. Quite a survival trait, don't you think? At the cost of destroying everything around it! Precisely. That's why they must be stopped.
I've heard of a young man climbing the ranks of the challengers to the League. Uh, yeah, something like that. Perhaps you'd be willing to help me with a little dilemma. I guess? Do we really have time for this? This might not be any of our business... Manic. If you don't go with him, I'm leaving. You're...whoah, whoah. Of course we're helping. Easy, now. Glad to hear it. I'm fairly sure that the souvenir shop in Mahogany is a front. Because you have eyes. I know, right? It's like they're not even trying. At any rate, I need to get in there and find out what they're doing to cause this mess.
Honestly, if you hadn't asked, I probably would've investigated without you. You're quite the enterprising young man. Not exactly. I'm just not going to let whoever's responsible muck about with the local ecology. I'm looking forward to this. Is-there-something-we-should-know? No. [Are you ok-k-k-kay? No. Come on, let's follow him. We're going to need to talk about this soon, Grace.
HOLY CRAP! Why didn't you just fly back? I was trying to give Kenya a break! Are you out of your damn mind?! You should never order your pokemon to attack humans! Ever! I will do what needs to be done. Okay, this guy is starting to piss me off. He's gone ma-a-a-ad! Even if it means sacrificing your league eligibility? I'm quite sure the League won't disqualify me. Now, Dragonite, if you could kindly move that armoire for me...
How did you know this was here? There was a small crack through which air was blowing. It was faint, but there was a whistling sound. I didn't hear a thing. I'm not surprised. I'm used to Hyper Beams, but you're not. I bet your ears are still ringing. A little. So...after you, then.
Wha- buh- I know, it's not half-bad. How could Team Rocket be here?! Why-wouldn't-they-be? They're-all-over-the-place. But they disbanded years ago! No, they didn't. This doesn't make any sense...bah. Let's just try to clear the place out. They were criminals before, and they still are. Everyone be on your guard!
This should help a lot. No more irritating grunt-sounding alarms. If you don't mind my asking...why did you think they had disbanded? Because they did! Ten years ag-OH SWEET ARCEUS. Um? The war. Of course! There's that war again. What is it this time?
The war started because Genwyn despises non-Kanto pokemon. Genwyn came to power because of the vacuum left after the death of Gary! Death? Gary Oak is still alive and is still the champion of Kanto. In my timeline, my namesake defeated Gary Oak, who was then murdered shortly thereafter by an assassin. That power vacuum is what allowed Genwyn to take control. If-you-say-so! In this timeline, there is no war...because there is no Genwyn...because Gary Oak didn't die...because there is no namesake! What-does-that-have-to-do-with-this? My namesake was also largely responsible for the defeat and disbanding of Team Rocket! If he didn't exist... Then this world ha-a-a-as a Team Rocket because it never ha-a-a-ad a Manic? Exactly!
Thanks, I appreciate it. Listen...Lance, right? Right. I just need to verify something. Does the name 'Manic' have any significance to you? Well, yes. That's you. Right, but have you heard of anyone else with the name? No, why? Thought so. That tells me something pretty important. Let's get going. The sooner we're done here, the happier I'll be. Um, okay. Well, you heard her, team. On with it!
So, how do we get that? Isn't it obvious? You're going to suggest beating it out of them, aren't you? Clearly. Isn't there anything else we can do? I'm listening, if you have any ideas. *sigh* Okay, fine, we do it your way. I'll get started. C'mere, grunt...
Arceus help me, I will ruin that man. What's your problem all of a sudden? Back off, Link. You wouldn't understand. Then help us understa-a-a-and! What's-so-awful-that-you-can't-share-it-with-us? Please? We're all worried about you. This isn't like you. I know, I just - we'll talk about it later, all right? For now, the longer this takes, the worse it gets. Good enough for me. Double-time, people!
All right. Well done, team. Minimum of harm done, and we've got what we need. I just hope they've remained safe. Grace, he has a Dragonite with him. He'll be fine! Dragonite are strong, but they aren't invincible. One good Ice Beam, and... Okay, okay, I get it. We're hurrying, I promise.
That does seem to be your penchant, doesn't it? Varas. What are you doing here? What do you want? You already know the answer to the second question. We had this discussion in Olivine. Yeah, I remember pretty clearly. As for the first...claiming my birthright. Something you stole from me a very long time ago. Well, a different you, anyway. ...are you talking about my counterpart from this world? Is he somehow responsible? No. Now, shut up and listen. All right, I'm listening.
It's storytime again, Manic. This story is about a boy from Sinnoh who sets out on a journey to conquer the then-corrupted region. You see, this story takes place some twenty years in the future. Unfortunately for him, he's beset by a debilitating disease that cripples him worse and worse the longer he travels. Why are we listening to this bullshit? Because it's relevant to your trainer. At any rate, he overcomes trials and tribulations, eventually losing much of his voice, even his ability to walk properly. In the end, he manages to succeed in defeating a woman with a similar - albeit non-lethal - affliction, prevent the destruction of the world at the hands of a nihilist, and his journey ends in success with mere seconds to spare. That's really heartwarming. What does it have to do with anything? That boy's name is Manic. That boy is you.
Twenty years in the future. Perhaps you would prefer to discuss your female aspect, pulled thirty years forward and shoved into Unova, made a pariah and burdened with memories of a past life she never truly experienced? You'd like her, she even surrendered her journey for a brief time. What, she just gave up? That doesn't sound like me at all. No, I imagine it wouldn't. She managed to overcome, of course - ended a civil war, defeated an organization run by a madman manipulating an innocent boy, and cleared her name. Successful, predictable, perfect. It's absolutely revolting. And I assume that she was also me. Correct. Each region in the League has received or will receive its own Manic. Its own destroyer, ruiner of lives, crusher of dreams. I see. So there was my predecessor in Kanto, the first story was Hoenn, the two you just told were Sinnoh and Unova... Yes. You are the last. If you succeed, all is lost. My team is in no shape to fight you, but know this: I will end you. I must end you, to ensure my own survival. Why shouldn't I just end you now, and save myself the trouble? Oh, you should...but you won't. You are, after all, a Manic. You're too 'good' for that. ...
What...what should we do? Let me bla-a-a-ast him! Yes, Manic. Let Claire 'bla-a-a-ast' me. You have the ability to end this right now. You don't have the will, though, do you? ... Manic? Get out of my sight, Varas. I never doubted for a moment. However, as a reward for playing your role to type...
And I'm sure you don't. That was Lance. He's a trainer, like me. Mmm-hmmm. Who else is he? A dragon-type specialist. Oh, that's beautiful. You don't know, do you? *sigh* What is it that I don't know, Varas? Why not ask Grace? She knows. Oh, that reminds me...someone Grace knows should be bleeding out right about now. Weren't you in a hurry? What?! Bastard! Hang on, I'm coming! Grace! Damn it...this isn't over, Varas! Oh my, no. Not by a long shot.
G-Giovanni... Manic? What's-going-on? In this timeline, Giovanni would never have been exiled...Claire, Link, I want you far away from this fight. Giovanni was an expert Ground-type user. Kenya, you too. Ground and Rock go hand-in-hand. Farrah, I'm going to need you, Rebecca, and Grace... You are right to fear me, boy! You have come here to your doom! Wait. Something doesn't add up here. What do you mean? I am the great and powerful Giovanni! Where's Lance? And why don't you look ten years older? Wait a damn minute...give me that! Gah! Okay, okay. So I'm not Giovanni. Yeah, no shit, Sherlock. Now, are you gonna play nice, or are we gonna play soccer with your head? Yeah, you want the password? Sure. It's "Hail Giovanni". ...just like that?
Second password, huh? Yeah, not exactly. See, the door only responds to my voice. Since I'm not letting you in there, what the hell! Hail Giovanni. That's the password. Greasy little turd. Let's wreck him anyway! P-puh-personally, I think our time is better spent trying to figure out how to get past the d-door! I gotta go with Rebecca on that one. Let's find another way through. Yeah, I'm not letting you do that. Really. Yeah, I've got my own pokemon, and it's time to show you what they can do! Now accepting volunteers! Oooh-oooh-let-me-do-it! I'll d-aw, damn it! Sorry, Kenya was first. Go for it!
You don't really think you can beat a Team Rocket executive, do you? Yeah, like that'll happen! I don't think you've met Kenya yet. She's a Fearow. What of it? Fearow, and formal postal worker.
What the hell was that?! That was entirely too many months of pent-up postal rage. Damn, Kenya! Now can we go?! Sure, but go where? This assclown won't help us, and his voice is the key to getting through that door!
Yeah, why don't you just swallow a great big bucket of shut-the-hell-up? Hail Giovanni! Aaaaaugh! Get back here! I do believe our solution has presented itself! C'mon, let's move! Men! This is Petrel! Repeat, this is Petrel! Whatever you do, get off your butts and stop that Murkrow at any cost!
Bam! Success! Hail Giovanni. I'm just glad he's been trained to mimic Petrel! Nah, I just hate that oily scumbag. Seeya! He just- aw, hell with it. Let's get in there! Mmmmno. I don't think so.
Uh huh. And how do you plan to stop us? Oh, that's simple, my dear. We'll just let you go right on in. And...how does that count as stopping us? Mmmm, we'll lock you in and change the password. Figure, give it a little while, you'll starve to death. Then we just re-open the room and proceed! I don't like this one bit. She looks crazy enough to do it! We need backup!
You're all right! Thank Arceus. I thought you hated him? I wasn't talking to him. The Dragonite? You know him? I do! Or at least I did. I hope I still do. Hmph. I suppose we'll have to do this the old-fashioned way, then. Two-on-two battle!
What?! Where did our pokemon go?! You mean those pokemon over there, slumped against the wall? I...I didn't see a thing! That's my Kenya! Neither rain nor snow, nor sleet nor hail, nor some fashion disaster with a bad wig will prevent her from kicking your ass. One-savage-beating, sign-here-please!
It doesn't matter where you go, where you hide, what you do. You've made a powerful new enemy, both of you. Never forget that. Please. I've been kicking Team Rocket ass since before I was born. My biggest worry is which pokemon I want to gain the experience for it. Since before you - what does that even mean?! Hell if I know, but apparently it's true. Now get the hell out of here before I plant my foot so far up your ass that you'll have to name your kid "Route 1".
Why can't we just unplug the device? The sudden shift in voltage might cause a short. Better to knock them out than kill them. He's right. Shutting down that much current all of a sudden could be dangerous. You take that side, I'll take this side. Let me. It's the least I can do. You sure you're up for it? I need to do this. Please.
No. Manic, this is important! Then you're going to have to explain it to me. I...I don't want to talk about it. Understood. Claire, if you would do the honors? Wait! *sigh* I do know that Dragonite. At least, I did. I don't know how much he's changed, though. It's okay, we're here for you. Grace, is that a friend of yours?
We used to live together, up on Mt. Mortar. It was a pretty happy life. Decent food, good shelter, we kept each other company. Then he came along. The 'dragon master'. Captured both of us. Just like that? Just like that. Lance decided to keep his personal favorite, but he sold me to Mr. Game, said I was too weak to bother with. Told me that if I ever wanted him back, I should challenge him. Th-that's awful... Grace. That's not your 'friend', is it?
No. That's...that's my father.
Lance. We need to talk. Yes, I imagine we do. That's Grace's father. You need to release him. Why would I do something like that? He's a magnificent Dragonite, and I caught him legitimately. Then...take Grace with you. Manic, what the hell?! The two deserve to be together. This is wrong, and you know it. Well, she's certainly grown up from her days as a Dratini, but she's hardly suited to be on my team. She wouldn't last two days. Lance, I'm not budging on this. You've broken up a family! Then I'll make you the same offer I made her. Defeat me, and you can have him.
Of course. I may not be a genius, but I can put two and two together and come up with onion. I beg your pardon? Varas knew who you were, but then, I suppose that your pokemon and their levels are a dead giveaway...aren't they, Champion Lance? Ah, you figured it out, then? Pity, I prefer to travel incognito. Then you might want to ditch the cape. C'mon, let me set him on fire! But you might hurt the Dragonite...or he might! It's tuh-too risky! Dragons resist fire. He'll be fine! And...if he's not? ...fine. I'll meet you outside. We're coming for you, Lance. I just got an even better reason to plow through the gyms.
It will be a battle for the ages! Fuck off and die.
Manic. I'm sorry I kept it from you. Shhhh, it's okay. I had no idea the champion was such a piece of garbage. Why would he do something like that? It doesn't make any sense. ...
You just figured it out, didn't you? Link! There you are! Dammit, don't wander off without me. Don't change the subject. You figured out why he did this. I think so. What? What possible reason could there be for destroying my family? He wants you to challenge him. He wants you to get stronger. He wants a proper fight, and you can't give him one unless you evolve. How does that help him in any...oh... Exactly. He doesn't want one powerful Dragonite on his team.
He wants two.
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Post by Manic on Aug 6, 2019 10:33:03 GMT
Now we have an understanding of who Varas is: someone who knows Manic's full story, and is willing to use it against him. Someone who weaponizes Manic's moral code to use against him.
While we're understanding people better, Grace gets some important development as well. Here's someone with a very good reason to despise Lance, but regaining what she's lost might be playing into his hands.
And Lance, too. Here is a man who knows exactly what he wants, and is willing to do anything to obtain it, no holds barred. There isn't even any particular malice in his tone; he is the ultimate in pragmatism. There is no right or wrong, there is only what he wants and how he'll get it. A truly dangerous person.
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Post by Manic on Aug 8, 2019 8:31:24 GMT
#17: Haste - vs. Pryce
Still not letting me through, huh? Nope. What's it going to take? You have no idea what's ahead, do you? Well, since you can't approach this area of Johto from the south side, and you're keeping me out at this end? No. I don't. Trust me, kid. I'm doing you a favor. If you can't handle Pryce, you can't handle what's waiting for you ahead. Beat Pryce, then. Got it. In the meantime, maybe there are a few other things you can do that will help, hint hint. Subtle. Come to think of it, there are a few loose ends, aren't there? If this Pryce guy is tough, maybe we should get any edge we can? I mean, if you think so. Hmmm. Well, I do have this Red Scale burning a hole in my pocket. ]Anxious to guh-get rid of it, huh? No, I mean it's literally burning a hole in my pocket! OW!
Innnnteresting. And it was in the Lake of Rage, you say. Yeah. Something that Team Rocket was doing was irradiating them and making them go nuts. What kind of something? I don't think I like the way he's asking that. I'm not entirely sure. Oh well, no matter. Might I have the scale? You might, if you can give me something of equal value. I have a spare Nugget. Ha! That's adorable. No.
And that's my final offer. Hmmm. Let me think about it. Are you serious? Those things are amazing! Yeah, but they're not one-of-a-kind like the Red Scale is. I-think-I-get-it! Back-off-and-let-Manic-work. Well? All right. I guess I need the Exp Share more than I need the red scale. Here you go. Score! Keep in mind, if I discover a sudden swarm of weaponized Gyarados, I will come for you. Yeah, yeah. Now go away, I have research to do! Works for me. Next stop!
About damn time! Here, take 'em! If you can't be fast, your catches might as well be! Kurt, do you know much about Jasmine? What, the Olivine gym leader? So you do know about her. Yeah, but only what I just told you. Why? It may be nothing...meh, nevermind. Don't mind me. C'mon, folks. Let's get to training. Pryce isn't gonna beat himself.
(And then, grinding took place. Oh, Johto. Y U NO have good training spots?)
Hell yeah! Sweet Mew, look at the size of you! Very nice. You have a lot to be proud of. Literally. It's, um, a little warm just standing near you. Huh? Oh, yeah. I'll try to reel that back, sorry. If you can tolerate my discha-a-a-arge when I fully evolved, I can tolerate your heat. Something tells me I missed a funny story. *snicker* Link looked like a Venonat for a while there. SO! Uh. We ready yet?
I'd say we're about as ready as we're going to get. Strategy discussion, then? I-hope-you're-not-expecting-me-to-fight-in-that-cold! Not at all. Kenya, you and Grace will have to hold off in this gym. That leaves Link, Rebecca, Farrah, and Claire. Don't worry, man. I'll take point, no sweat. Actually, no. I want Claire up front. Uh, resistance to ice, remember? I kept Molly, my Scyther in the other world, out of the fight with Jasmine because Steel and Rock are good friends. Guess what's good friends with Ice? Uh. Water. It's okay, I'm sure you'll get your chance.
(A small army of gym trainers later...)
Where did that come from? Don't bother trying to hide it from me. I'm not hiding anything. We've just met. And I can see the pain in your eyes. You can stop trying to psych me out. I'm on to you, Pryce. Tell me, then. If I'm merely playing mind games, why do your Pokemon struggle so to prop you up? What? That's bullshit. Yeah! He's tough enough to handle things on his own. Of course he is. Even through his parents being...like they are. And buh-being yanked back and forth between worlds. And the cuh-cuh-criminal organization. And the military upbringing. And the- We get the idea, Rebecca. Okay, sure, I've had it a bit rough...but show me someone who doesn't! You won't get anywhere lying to yourself, Manic.
Bring it, Pryce. I'm not afraid of anything you can bring to the table. Adapt or die. That is the truth of the world, Manic. That is why Pokemon evolve, and that is why you must do the same.
I got it, but I ca-a-a-an't see a thing! Rrrrgh...damn hailstorm! It stings...I think I'm getting frostbite! Now you begin to understand one of the advantages of age: the understanding of how to prepare. Link! Keep Kenya and Grace close to you. They're vulnerable to cold, they'll need you. No problem! C'mere, ladies. Link's nice and warm. Easy-Romeo, I-have-a-beak-and-I'm-not-afraid-to-use-it! I'm not worried. You couldn't handle this. Ready for my next pokemon? Do your worst!
Ma-a-a-anic! I am literally firing blind out here! I could hit one of you! Got it! Everybody, get behind Claire! We already are, one hundred puh-puh-percent! No, I mean physically! Oh-ho! By staying behind her, she knows where not to aim. Very good! But how will you handle this? This...this is very, very ba-a-a-ad! What? What's wrong? There's nothing out there! I can't sense anything at all!
What do you mean, nothing out there? He just sent out his- OW! Quick, aim at the spot where the attack came from! I did! There's nothing there! You seem to be having some trouble, young man. Do you concede? Not a chance in hell! There's got to be a way through this! Damn it, I need to focus! OW! I need to return! It's like fighting a Kecleon! Wait, I've got it! Claire, lay down a Thunder Wave in front of you! Wh- fine, it's better tha-a-a-an what I've been doing! Now, track the blind spot! Where are you not sensing electricity? Riiiiiiiiiight...there! Farrah, give me your strongest hit on that blind spot! Hey, what about me? No time to argue! Strike now!
WHEW! Nicely done! We...we won? We won! Way to go, team! The hailstorm is dying down! Thank Arceus, I don't think I could've handled much more of that.
How did you figure it out? Simple. Claire can sense electromagnetic currents, like most Ampharos. Go on. So she should have been able to sense whatever was hitting her. The only way she wouldn't is if it was a Ground type. ...and that's why you didn't send me out! Bingo. So, we had to shift paradigms. A blind spot in an entirely blind area is effectively invisible...but a blind spot in an electrified area sticks out like a sore thumb. And then it was simply a matter of delivering the winning blow. Well done.
Nothing's been able to stop me so far. Have a care. Confidence is a boon, but overconfidence is a potentially fatal flaw. I understand. I'm sorry if I was a little hostile when we first met. It's no trouble. You're a prideful young man, and I can appreciate that; I was much as you are, at your age. Heh. Actually, that's kind of comforting. Just be cautious. Tread lightly, and take a break on occasion. A life lived at top speed will pass before your eyes. Now, here's your TM. Go, and be well. You too, Pryce. Take it easy.
Elm? How do you do that? Do what? I literally just walked out of Pryce's gym. Oh! Well, that's good to hear. Did you win? Yeah, but it wasn't exactly a cakewalk. I need to defrost my team. What's up?
You mean weirder than normal? Well, the director has been broadcasting personally. That's pretty cool, right? Normally, it would be. ...buuuuuuut? Well, he's sort of broadcasting praises of Team Rocket. Exsqueeze me? He sounds funny, too. Maybe he's sick? Aw, hell no. I bet I know exactly what's going on here. Don't worry about it, Elm. We'll fix this.
Yeah, you too. And hey, if you start turning red and destroying shit, turn off the radio. I'll, uh. I'll do that. Goldenrod? Goldenrod.
Ma-a-a-anic... Yeah? What's up? Maybe we should let the police handle this. They won't. They won't even try. What? Of course they will. Rocket has the radio tower! That is their job, Manic.
Mmm-hmmm. I want you to think back. All the way back. How many police officers have we seen in our travels of most of the region so far? Huh. Not many. How many of those were in cities? Even-less? And when was the last time you saw one do anything but battle pokemon and lose? Umm... It must have happened at least once... If it did, I can't remember. Something's rotten around here; the gym leaders seem to be on the level, but the police presence over this entire region is practically nonexistent. I'd say we've seen ten Rocket members to every one policeman we've found. Then we're on our own? Link, my mother once told me, 'Be the change you want to see in the world.' Very wise words from a very wise woman. If we want this fixed, we'd better get started.
(Later, in Goldenrod...)
So you're not letting me past. Nope! Pokemon battle? Nope! ...pretty please? Well... ... ...nope! (Wow, I actually thought that was going to work for a moment.) Fine. We'll be back.
Yeah, well, neither do you! Shows what you know! We're the only ones who belong here! Uh huh. And the residents? Sheeple! Only people wearing our colors are worth a damn. Wearing your colors...bleh. Bleh all you like, we're an exciting new Team Rocket with a chip on our shoulders! We're so underground, we should hire Harriet Tubman! ...damn. Okay, I don't have an answer for that.
Why are we here? Because this was the only place we haven't been in Goldenrod. Is anyone else creeped out? I d-d-don't like this...this place is creepy when it's abandoned. Hear hear. Looks like everybody left in a hurry. Doesn't mean we get to put off exploring, though.
GAH! Easy, man, easy. Come again? They're just recruiting younger and younger, aren't they? Nice Ampharos, though. All of my pokemon are pretty boss. Pity they'll take them away and stick you with a Zubat or something. Oh well.
Change. Yeah, man! If the others see you decked out like that, they'll give you hell all day long. Of...course. How silly of me. C'mon, we've taken this place over. No need to be shy. What happened to the owners? Ah, they're fine. You're a newbie, so you don't get it: there are lots of little sub-groups inside Team Rocket. Not everybody hurts people for kicks. And you? I just want to see us back on top. I'll hurt people if I have to, but I don't want to. I see. Interesting insight. Now c'mon, let's get you fitted. You're a medium, right?
Now more than ever, I am convinced that the 'R' stands for 'remedial'.
Yes, sssssuhhh. Try again, new blood! Yes siiiiihhhhhhuhhhh... Sir. Yes srrrrrrraaaaahh. YES SIR. Very good. Carry on as you were. Yes sir. Of course sir. Very sorry sir. What just happened? Oh Arceus, I'm going to crack up! Ever watch Bugs Lopunny? Bugs what? Later, later!
Oh, uh, thanks. So, do you know where your post is? Do you know where your post is? Of course I do! Of course I do! Stop mimicking me! Stop mimicking me! I mean it! Stop or I'll give you a thrashing! Okay, okay. Now it's your turn. Let me get out of your way so you can climb the stairs! Let me get out of your way so you can climb the stairs! ... Well? Oops! Sorry.
OH GOD WHY
Uh...how dare you cast aspersions on Rocket's dignnnnhhh. Really. Sorry. Team Rocket's dignnnnnuuuunnnh. Dignity! Just say the word! Wow, somebody who knows how I fuh-feel! Dignnnnnnhnnnh. Oh, stop this foolishness and give me those! Wha- hey!
Varas, I literally do not know enough words to describe how much I hate you right now. I assure you, your hatred of me pales in comparison to my hatred of you. Absolutely pales. In the meantime, perhaps you should focus on fighting your way through the Rocket horde? That's what you're good for, after all.
(Beatdown ensued. No big thing.)
What? No! Varas, let go of me! I have to stop him! Now, now. Patience is a virtue. Three...two...one...and go. Screw it, it's too late now. One thing I don't get, though: why are you helping them? Half of a berry says 'because he's a gigantic douchebag'. Anything to weaken you. Every rival, every champion, every criminal falls before you...but the more skillful at least winnow down your forces somewhat. Giving your enemies an advantage gives me an advantage.
You know, I've come to a bit of a conclusion about you. I imagine that everyone who meets him comes to the same conclusion. Ahem. 'One, you're super-annoying. Two, you are bat-shit insane!' Followed by murmurs of agreement from your team before you continue upstairs. Ffffff...how...? I know you, Manic. Better than you know yourself. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go withdraw your little protege from the daycare. Oh, how he misses his Daddy. You leave Grant alone! Ma-a-a-anic, no!
Heh heh. Idiot. Wha...oh, sweet Arceus...I'm going to fucking kill you! Certainly, you could waste your time doing that. OR, you could progress through this building, save the radio station, make your way through the basement, and hurry through to the next town. You...ggggghh...this isn't over, Varas! Not by a longshot! Watching you suffer is all the reward I need. Now, run along like a good boy.
What? What possible purpose would that serve? Simple. The rules say that you have to defeat Lance - twice, in fact - in order to succeed in your journey. Okay, big whoop. When I defeat him, I'm going to slit his throat. Motherf...gah, you're not getting to me any further! C'mon, let's get out of here! Great, we've got two timers on us now!
Great, where do I get that?! Sensors indicate that the Card Key is in the basement. You heard the gizmo, team. Double-time! The basement is locked. The key to the basement is in the Director's office. Did I say double-time? Triple-time!
Dude, have you flipped? Team Rocket is ten pounds of crap in a five-pound sack! Screw it, I don't have time for this. I need the basement key!
Buh? Something's-weird,-how-does-this-guy-know-you? WAUGH! *thump* Link! Are you all right? Yeah, I just slipped on...what is this stuff? *snf snf* Grease paint! Then this must b-be...
You listen to me, you oily fuck. You listen to me as hard as you possibly can! Whoah. What's your problem? Right now, you are delaying me from saving several lives. So help me, I'm going to start beating you until you scream, and keep beating you until the screaming stops! Team, get in here, this guy's lost it! Manic, calm down! You have to stay focused! Calm down?! I don't care so much about Lance, but Grant is in danger! If you don't stay focused, you'll make a critical mistake!
Hah, gotcha! One down, five to go! REBECCA! Clear a path, I can't see! One-industrial-strength-fan,-coming-up!
Owwww...it hurts...! Oh, praise Arceus! Manic, come here. Rebecca, are you- *SMACK!* Augh! What the hell! You listen to me! We're all worried about Grant, and we're all worried about Lance too, especially Grace! But if you don't get your head in the game and keep your focus, we won't be able to save ourselves, much less them! Next time, I use claws! ... ... ... I...I think you might have overdone it... ...Manic? No. No, he's right. Varas is pretty clever, I'll give him that. He got me to forget what I was doing by scaring me. C'mere, you dumb bastard. OOMPH! Leggo! Now, don't make me smack you again, okay? That really sucked. I see.
I don't understand. Why are you doing this? That was probably one of the most real things I've seen in a long time. Yeah, really terrifying. I'm not joking. You get into this line of work, you get used to fake people, saying fake things. You start to become fake, yourself. Sounds like Rocket all over. I know it can't excuse what I've done, but - for what it's worth - seeing someone really fight for what they believe in has given me something to think about. Now, go on. Save whoever you need to save. Just watch out, that basement is crawling with Rockets. ...get out of here, Petrel. You'll never see me again. I'd better not.
A kimono girl! A Manic. Look, I'm glad the Rockets didn't hurt you, but- But you are in a hurry. I will not hold you long. I'm sorry if this seems rude, but whatever you need to say, please say it now. I only wish to thank you for your efforts, and congratulate you for finding your ally. Gonna have to be more specific. Which ally? One is distinct from the others. You should get to know your pokemon better. I'll keep it in mind. Anything else? Prepare yourself. In your war with the Rockets, the Radio Tower will be your final battleground.
Swell.
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Post by Manic on Aug 8, 2019 8:57:31 GMT
Sometimes, a gym battle is about more than just who can hit hardest.
As for Petrel, seems like he's had enough of trying to fill someone else's shoes!
Stay tuned, loyal viewer; the climactic battle with Team Rocket is just around the corner!
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Post by Manic on Aug 9, 2019 6:14:56 GMT
Update #18: Confrontation
Ugh, damn it! Rockets everywhere. It seems that Petrel wasn't lying. Yeah, yeah. Let's give him a medal if we ever see him again. I-thought-he-said-he-was-never- I know, Kenya. C'mon, let's get a move on! My sentiments exactly!
You've got some serious balls following me down here, Varas. Well, I certainly had nothing better to do. And since I know you fight much harder when you're upset or anxious, I thought it would be amusing to see if I could take down at least one of your teammates. Amusing? Arceus, but you're a sicko, aren't you? Are you done? I'm not even close to done. Why are you here, anyway? Weren't you going to go get ROFLstomped by Lance or something?
So, lacking any other immediate way to hinder you, I decided to come and harry your team. Okay, that's it. I have a question for you. Oh? And what is it that you think I'd be willing to tell you? You stole a pokemon from Professor Elm. Yes. You swore...what I'm calling a hate-oath against me. Also true. You made it a lot harder than it had to be for me to stop Team Rocket. Are you going somewhere with this? All of this because you have this hatred of me. Right? Ah, so you have been listening. Good boy. Okay. What I want to know is, why?! What could I - or some other version of me, or whatever - possibly have done to you that would warrant this all-out, no-holds-barred, seething hatred of me that seems to be the only thing that fuels your existence?!
Let's make a wager. You defeat me now, and I'll answer your question. And if you defeat me? Then I'll already be getting what I want. Fine, then. Claire. You're on deck!
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm ready for some a-a-a-answers!
I'm getting really tired of you, Varas. And I know you can understand me! Now man up and state your case or shut up, already!
What-they-said. I've-found-Manic-to-be-pretty-fair; if-he-really-has-hurt-you, I'm-sure-he-can-make-amends!
Manic used Give A Damn! But it failed! You should care a great deal, Manic. I'm poised to take everything from you, and I intend to do just that! Ahem. I believe we had a wager. The fact that you can't even remember it only makes me more furious with you! I wish I could literally hate you to death! We've covered that, Varas! Like, a billion times! Now, why?! YOU KILLED MY PARENTS, YOU SON OF A BITCH!
Of all of the possible outcomes I might have predicted, that one threw me for the greatest loop. As I watched Varas briskly retreat into the distance, I found myself staring after him, my mouth agape in utter shock. Killed? Me? Could I have been guilty of murdering a boy's parents? It was impossible, I knew. I was his age, after all, and would not have had the strength to end anyone's life. And yet...the notion of other Manics, of other versions of me continued to nudge at the back of my consciousness. My namesake would be ten years older than I would, and he would have had the resources to end the lives of two people. Why? The question was evidently apparent in my face, and I felt Link's paw on my shoulder as he and the rest of the team gazed at me with pensive, questioning expressions. I found myself with no answers to give them, of course; I was still struggling with the notion of an alternate version of me in this timeline, and the idea of entirely disparate iterations further back - and forward, it seemed - along the timeline was even more bewildering.
In that moment, I knew only two things with certainty: one, Varas sincerely believed that I was guilty of the murder of his parents...and two, he had every intention of bringing to bear his version of justice.
- excerpt from All At Once, the memoirs of Manic
I...we...can't let this...stop us! Did you...did you really... Of course he didn't! He couldn't have. I'm relieved that someone else noticed. What's actually st-stopping him? Varas is Manic's age, or at least close to it. A young boy, murdering two adults? Without pokemon, impossible. And since I've been with Manic since the beginning of his journey, and he hasn't killed a single person... No...no, you haven't.
Huh? What're you talking about? C'mon, you've personally been there for most of it. Exa-a-actly. We've been with a Manic throughout this entire journey, but not necessarily this one. It pains me to say it, but we ca-a-an't completely rule out the possibility that it's true. Seriously, what the hell? You think he's telling the truth? Link. Let it go. What?! But she- She's right. Technically, you can't actually be sure that I'm not guilty. I know I'm not, but none of you do. So, I'm just going to have to ask you to trust me when I say that I've never killed anyone or anything that I'm aware of. I believe you. More importantly, whether or not Manic is guilty, Varas obviously thinks that he is. We need to assume that he's acting on that belief. And to counter that, we need to fight our way through this complex. Let's get moving, team.
(cue beatdown of Rocket derps)
Director. I need you to listen carefully to me, because time is of the essence. All right? If you have the card key, I need to use it. The longer I wait, the worse things get. Team Rocket has taken over your radio station and is using it to broadcast propaganda.
Thank you, Director. I have to admit, though, I'm focused on things more important than just the radio station. What could possibly be more important than that? Lives hang in the balance. Yours, mine...and an innocent young life who deserves better than this. I'm sorry, but I have to go.
ALL RIGHT, BITCHES! LISTEN UP! Whoah! I'VE BEATEN SO MANY OF YOU FASHION DISASTERS THAT MY HAND'S GETTING TIRED! Um... IF ANY OF YOU STILL HAVE POKEMON THAT HAVEN'T YET BEEN FAINTED, FORM A SINGLE-FILE LINE FOR AN ASS-WHUPPING! OTHERWISE, YOU BEST GET THE HELL OUTTA MY WAY! ... ... NOBODY? GOOD! Wow. That was kinda...scary. Scary-but-effective! Weak-willed people will sometimes back down in the face of overwhelming confidence.
Uh, Manic? Hmmm? Don't get me wrong, I get the whole confidence thing, but...you realize we won't have beaten anyone on the other side of this door, right? Yep. Don't get cocky. Remember what almost happened with Petrel. *shudder* I wouldn't call it cocky, per se. More like...unstoppable. Oh, well, that's not cocky at all. How silly of me to worry.
Let us pray the pimp's prayer. Lord, please pray for the soul of this bitch. And guide my p-pimp hand and make it strong, lord! So that she might learn a ho's place! Amen! Amen. *SMACK!* Now stay down!
Oh, right! You're the creepy wannabe we swatted down. Mmm-hmmm. You had the region's champion to help you! Yep! We pretty much mopped the floor with you. Yes, it was a convincing victory. I'll say! It was a beating of epic proportions. Your pokemon might as well have been standing still! I hope they got workman's comp for it. Well, without Lance's help- I mean, I actually thought you were playing around for a bit there. You know, taking it easy? I was kinda bored. ENOUGH!
Mmmmyep. Now you're in trouble! I've trained my team up by seven whole levels, and you don't have Lance to help you! *snrk* Really? Yes, really! Why is that funny? Well, that puts you pretty close to the levels of my pokemon when I faced you last time. That's right! Yeah, uh. I dunno how to break this to you, but...I've been training too. Hey, you remember Link, right? Hi there. Fffff...s-so? I can beat a single level 36! Oh, no. He's not level 36 anymore. Also, most of the team is higher-level than him. I really need to get you caught up, Link. Mommy...
(battle censored due to FCC regulations)
Manic, are you ready for this? I don't think any of us can really be said to be ready for this. We've never faced their leader before, but if he's anything like G... ...Manic? Are you all right? That's-his-I-just-figured-something-out-face! Wait, that can't be right. Can it? That only solves half of the puzzle, though... Maybe that's his I'm-still-working-on-it face. This is too distracting before the big fight! Anyway, if he really is the Team Rocket leader, he's bound to be tough. Stay sharp, everyone. We don't know what to expect up here.
I don't believe I've had the pleasure. Archer. You must be Manic. That's me. It's funny...you've been a real thorn in our side throughout this entire operation. So, what exactly are you trying to do, anyway? After being defeated by Gary Oak, our former boss went into exile. We're trying to bring him back so that Team Rocket can be restored to its true greatness! Restored? Team Rocket had greatness at one point? Ah, you're too young to recall any of that. At one time, we had the entirety of Kanto in the palm of our hand! And then...well. Suffice to say that Kanto is hardly a hospitable place for us any longer, so Johto will have to be our new base of operations. I don't think so. Why not pay a visit to scenic Antarctica? Lots of space there.
You have meticulous plans? You're standing in one! So, let me see if I understand this: Here we go. Your plan has consisted of cutting off Slowpoke tails, pestering Kimono girls, and bum-rushing a radio station. And when you bum-rushed the radio station, you kidnapped the Director and locked him up with the card key in hand. He had it the entire time?! You know, I'm not generally one to talk up gang leaders, but...your 'meticulous plans' are shit. Seriously, I'm betting he can hear you, but isn't coming back out of sheer embarrassment. Snotty little upstart! You can't talk to me like that! Pretty sure I just did.
I'm putting an end to this here and now! You know, if you had teamed up with your little buddies and maybe trained a lot more, you might have been intimidating...but you split the party. Everyone knows, don't split the party!
I'm sorry, but the longer you stand in our way, the longer it takes for me to pry my father away from not one, but two megalomaniacs. You're going to have to take a dirt nap, there's a good pup.
Ooooogh...it's down, but I don't feel so good... It's cool, Farrah. Take a breather. All right, that does it! From hell's heart I stab at thee! Sheesh, this guy has a Houndoom! He's not playing around! Claire, take it down! It's too strong, I can't get a hit in! Damn it! Grace, swap in! Nnnngh! It's not relying on its fire attacks like the other one, and I don't resist Dark! Unbelievable! Link, I need you front and center! AAARGH, my arm! I swear, this thing's made almost entirely of teeth and pain! This isn't working...I can't send Farrah in, she's weak to fire and she's poisoned! Hey! What are you doing! Get away from him! ...huh?
Tickle tickle! Stop that, you wretch! Cerberus, bite her! Rebecca, be careful! Fuh-focus on healing the others! J-just keep me alive! Got it! Grace, Claire, have a water! Much better! I needed tha-a-at! Rebecca, one for you! Th-thanks! Link, your turn! Ahhh. Milk really does do a body good! Hey, M-manic! Guess what! Hmmm?
Girl, you are something else! Hee hee! Everyone's tuh-ticklish! Just plain unbelievable.
How in Giovanni's name did my ace get defeated by a tickling monkey?! Man, don't you get it? All Rebecca did was put the final nail in the coffin. You were destined to fail. You didn't even plan! Oh, and I suppose you could do better. Well, yeah! You start by forming small groups, insular to each city, that undermine local support for the gym leaders by planting evidence of incompetence. When people are ready to rebel, you coordinate each group with the other, and take over the region in one fell swoop before anyone can react. Negotiate with two members of the Elite Four, take them hostage, and demand to negotiate their release with the other two. Imprison the other two. When the champion is alone, you give him a choice: he can surrender in an official capacity, or you can start exploding cities. Start with a place like Cianwood, probably. If he surrenders, you win. If he doesn't, you tell people that he did it as a show of force, to further undermine his authority. If they don't lynch him on the spot, he'll still be forced to run for his life. Giovanni comes back to a region he already owns. ...buh... You are one seriously scary son of a bitch, you know that? Can I use that? No.
It's all in the line of duty. Hah, you sound like you're part of the military! In a way, I suppose I am. Which reminds me, I really do need to get going. Believe it or not, this only saved some of the people that are in danger. I see, I see. Do what you need to do. But tell me, at least: what is your name? My name is Manic, sir. Now, I have to go; I'm needed elsewhere. Blackthorn, specifically.
Take this with you. I know the guard on the east edge of town. He's a big Lugia fan. Let him so much as glimpse this, and he'll let you pass. That's Lugia's emblem! Manic, those are extremely rare! Oh. Uh, thanks, then! I appreciate it! Thank you! Oh, I'm reminded, I was given a message to pass to you on the way here. By whom? A young red-haired boy about your age.
Please, if you can remember, I need to know! Oh, right! Are you on a scholarship, young man? Uhm? No, can't say I am. Why? He said something about your grant expiring. Motherf...all right, you heard him, let's go!
At least everything's back to normal...ish.
Well, that was surprisingly easy. Did you see that guy drooling? Creepy. I guess he just ruh-really likes Lugia. He looked about ready to soil his pa-a-a-ants! I can't help but feel like we're forgetting something. Rocket is disbanded, Pryce has been beaten...and Grant needs us. Frankly, if you don't know what it is, I'm going to keep pressing on!
Of course there's a cave here. Of course it couldn't just be easy. What a silly idea! Settle, man. We'll get through. Words-of-wisdom! Words of...I remember! Manic, I remember what we forgot! We have to go back! Go back? Now?! The kimono girl, the safari zone, the lake...hurry!
This had better be worth it. I certainly hope so too. Wait, you brought me back here without any idea of whether or not this would be worthwhile?! Too many pieces of the puzzle revolve around this, Manic. It will be worthwhile, I just hope it's in a way we can understand. Okay, fine. What is it that's so important?
Well, it's about time. Oh yeah! I remember you. Curtis, right? That's me! Oh, wait, right, the speech. Hang on. Speech? Ahem. I am the Oracle of Liberty and Truth! I am here to guide Manic, Dedicated through the final trial, and you are he. ...buh? Now get me outta here, the Girafarig smells funny.
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Post by Manic on Aug 9, 2019 6:21:25 GMT
Is Team Rocket truly finished for good?
Have we finally found this Manic's Oracle?
Is Manic guilty of what Varas thinks he is?
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Post by crimsondoom on Aug 9, 2019 11:06:42 GMT
You seem to have a thing for crass but lovable Abras. First The Dave and now Curtis? (Random crack theory: Curtis is actually The Dave reincarnated as an Oracle!)
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Post by Manic on Aug 11, 2019 22:49:33 GMT
Update #19: Wipe
WARNING!
The following contains vivid scenes of violence, and may be upsetting to some readers. Children, the easily-offended, and easily-offended children should consider skipping this update.
{Spoiler}Icy Path is before us, but we have stopped to rest.
A modest campfire glows peacefully outside the mouth of the cave, surrounded by the members of my team, peacefully slumbering. Lilly stands sentinel, facing south toward the only entrance, but she sleeps like a stone; a faint rumbling that I recognize as a quiet snore emanates from her general direction. Lana and Jack lay peacefully by the eastern edge of the fire, with Lana's natural body heat providing a comfortable buffer to the fire's radius of warmth. Slightly further away, Molly and Lucky have drifted into a nigh-unrecognizable slumber against the cave's wall, while Priscilla stays far enough away from the fire to prevent it from drying out her skin. I have unrolled my sleeping bag, and I am nestled comfortably within its softness, relying on my body heat to complement the fire's warmth. The hour is late. The stars above us shine brightly, a symbol of constancy that anchors us to the universe, come what may. I allow my eyes to drift closed, and I slumber. {Spoiler}A voice echoes throughout the night. "Manic." Female. "Manic, wake up." Worried. I open my eyes, and there stands Lilly, still as the stone from which she is made. "Please..." Her voice is tinged with panic, and I rub my eyes as I look at her. Something is odd about her legs, something misshapen and strange. Something I can only see as illuminated by the firelight. The others are still asleep. Only Lilly and I remain conscious. Something is strange about her, something out-of-place...and then I see it. Blooms of vegetation have sprouted from between the cracks in her stony exterior, a bizarrely floral appearance lent to the otherwise sedimentary pokemon. She turns, her eyes meeting mine for a second that draws out into infinity as she whispers one word: "Run." And then she is gone, a gnarled tangle of vines and roots exploding out of her from within, shredding her to pieces as I watch until only scattered pebbles lay over the ground. {Spoiler}I move to rise, but something broad and heavy crashes down on my back and shatters my spine - I cannot feel my legs - and holds me in place as carnage unfolds before me. A powerful, unyielding hand directs my vision to Priscilla as the vines creep toward her. I open my mouth to scream, but my teeth are ground to powder against one another as the hand crushes my jaw against itself, and I am forced to watch through tear-streaked eyes as the gnarled tentacles wrap around my beloved Quagsire. Silent and insidious, they leech the life from her body within a few sparse seconds, leaving her too dessicated to utter so much as a single sound before she falls lifeless to the ground. I had never learned to tell whether or not Lucky was asleep, but I mentally note the lack of outward resistance even as I watch a tentacle wrap securely around each limb, the light in its central gem growing dimmer, dimmer...and finally flickering out completely. Any sign of an all-too-brief struggle fades away soundlessly as the earth yawns open beneath it and it is dragged under, its corpse hidden from view as if it had never existed. Three of my teammates are dead, I am crippled beyond repair... {Spoiler}The hand wrapped around my head turns my gaze toward Molly next, and I can only watch as the stone against which she leans wraps two long arms around her head and twists. My prized Scyther slumps like a rag doll, destroying any hope I might have held out that sh might have survived the experience thanks to her mechanical nature, but the grotesque display is not done. Whatever has gotten a grip on her pulls, wrenches, tugs ruthlessly at her head with an unforgiving, unyielding strength...and, with a sickly tearing sound, Molly's head comes free from her body. Long, chestnut-hued limbs casually cast Molly's head into the fire, and the flame sputters as if in protest before enveloping it utterly, working to consume it as fuel. I can scarcely see the faintly panicked expression still visible on her face, that faltering moment of consciousness writ clear upon her visage before the flame devours it. {Spoiler}Again, my head is wrenched to the side. This time, my vision is directed to the sight of Lana and Jack draped over one another, comfortably settled against each other. Desperate, I silently plead for whatever is doing this to spare at least these two, to leave me something...and, for a moment, it seems as if my prayer has been answered. I can only see two gaunt pink limbs, gloved hands describing invisible walls around them that gleam in the firelight for only a moment before settling into place. Surrounded, they slumber peacefully, unaware of the massacre that has taken place around them mere moments prior. Safety, I imagine. Safety from whatever is doing this. Perhaps, in this world gone mad, there is yet some benevolent force that dispenses tiny morsels of mercy.
{Spoiler}From above, wide, fanged jaws part to emit a constant stream of water down on the pair. Rather than dispersing and soaking into the ground as it should, the water seems constrained by the invisible barriers, forced into a box-like shape with my two remaining pokemon trapped inside. Wakefulness comes almost instantly, and I can see the pair of them staring at me, banging roughly on the walls that have been erected by whatever unnatural force assaults my friends. They are screaming. They are desperate. I cannot hear a single sound. Higher, higher the water rises, Lana writhing in obvious agony as the liquid spills into her lungs, into her eyes. Jack is trying his best to buoy her upward, but the two startle and flail all the more loudly as they hit a ceiling of sorts. The pair are surrounded by a cube of water that has no right to exist, an impossible construct that cannot, must not be, but is. I am screaming within my mind as I watch them claw at the immaterial force that holds the water in place. Slowly, very slowly, their struggles fade...and then cease entirely.
{Spoiler}I long to tear my sight away from what I have witnessed, when one all-too-familiar form is presented to me: long-necked, white in color, winged. Innocent. Pure. The face is streaked with tears, the body is quaking with terror, and I long to reach out to the frail, vulnerable form of Grant even as hands appear around it. "I believe this belongs to you." hisses a venomous, nigh-feral voice, brimming over with victorious amusment at my plight. "Daddy!" screams Grant, struggling within the grip of his unseen assailant. I try to call out to him, but my mouth will create nothing more than muffled murmurs. I look up, trying to see the source of those hands, to plead with all that I have, offer anything - even my own life - in trade. Abruptly, Grant emits a sharp, guttural shriek, and he begins to writhe in agony as my eyes widen. From his round belly, pressure...and then skin is broken, sharpened metal emerging from where it should not exist. I nearly black out from the abject horror presented to me, but I can hear Grant's voice go quiet as he quietly pleads, "Daddy...why...?" before he goes still. {Spoiler}Nothing matters. The blade is passed. The cool metal, now slick with the blood of my adopted family, is pressed to my throat. Skin is not broken. Death, luxury that it will be, is not yet mine to embrace. I can feel another form moving to cover my own. Humanoid. Human. From the shadows, a Victreebel, Sudowoodo, Mr. Mime, and Feraligatr approach, their feral glee visible in their eyes; these are pokemon that have been taught to enjoy killing, and this is some of their finest work. A voice husks very quietly into my ear, scarcely recognizable as that of Varas: "Manic whited out!" The blade is drawn clean through my neck, raw flesh laid out against the cool night air as my jugular vein is severed, and the unholy laughter of the gathered horrors echoes in the night while my warm lifeblood spills out onto the ground.
My name is Manic, and these are the last few seconds of my life...
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Post by Manic on Aug 13, 2019 8:24:53 GMT
Waiting for the other shoe to drop?
Well, here you go.
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Post by Manic on Aug 13, 2019 8:35:07 GMT
Update #20: Reality
{Spoiler}Darkness. Oblivion. A passing of time without thought or will. A second, a year, a millenium passes. I do not live. I do not want to live; in truth, I do not want at all. Nothing remains for me except the comfortable, yawning void of nothingness. {Spoiler}A voice. Very faint, barely recognizeable as the hissing whisper of water crashing against distant stones. Only the living can hear, I think. Only the living can think. I do not want to live! Life is agony, death is at least the absence thereof. Again, the voice. Louder, now. The hissing of static. Words...words are being formed. I do not know words. I do not want to know words. And yet they come, unbidden, unwanted. Try as I might, I cannot chase them from my mind.
"...late, he's pretty far gone..." {Spoiler}I am alive. Curse all that ever was and ever will be, I live. Every moment is agony. I am crippled, broken. I have lost everything, including myself. And yet...I can see. The firelight endures, and there is...combat? There is combat in the background. Motion, at the very least. Two human figures have another pinned to the ground and are vigorously pummeling it about the face and torso; they are young. They are familiar. They are my age - am I young? I do not feel young. I feel ancient, older than the oldest tree. One wears a dark cap with a yellow stripe down the middle, the other has a red cap, and blue jeans. They are trainers; I can feel it, even in my brutalized state. Somehow, I know on an instinctive level that they are trainers, and allies. Two other humans are slowly lifting me up, and one calls over a pokemon. I do not know what this creature is, with its brown fur and its vaguely lapine features. I can feel it lay its hands to my throat...and, miraculously, the wound begins to close. Breath comes, ragged and unsteady, drawn in with great, gasping effort.. {Spoiler}"I told you it wasn't too late." says the trainer on my left, clad in a white cap. "You know you can trust me." The other, sporting a blue jacket and black pants - and a surprisingly effeminate hairstyle - replies, "Fuck if I knew. I've never seen this before. This is the first time it's ever come after us like this." The white-capped trainer flinches at the words. "I wish you wouldn't talk like that." Innocent protests, to the consternation of the other. "Grow a pair, Innocent." comes the reply from the somewhat irritated-looking trainer at my right. The other looks ready to respond in kind when a massive, red-hued winged insect approaches. "If you're quite done berating each other, I think he's awake." it explains, before calling the rabbit-thing back away from me. As I watch, the forms of the unnatural pokemon that had aided in the murder of my comrade - how the memory pains me, I long to be rid of it - melt away, becoming indistinct. {Spoiler}Red, glowing eyes drift amidst a sea of darkness. Tendrils, talons, fangs, all manner of weaponry both natural and unnatural exude from the shapeless mass, each one seeming to drip away from the mass to take up its own form in an attempt to lash out at me and my would-be saviors. Even the false-Varas merely oozes away from its assailants to rejoin the nameless horror that visited itself upon me. Unable to help myself, I gaze at my fallen comrades, and I wail aloud at the sight of them - Molly's headless corpse sprawled over the ground, Lana and Jack floating near the top of their watery tomb, the shambles that was once Lilly. Each one is a fresh horror for me, the witnessing of the event doing nothing to lessen the shock, and the white-capped one turns from me in time to vomit profusely even as the other takes up the weight. "Sweet Arceus." whispers my supporter. "What manner of..." {Spoiler}His sentence goes unfinished as combat begins anew. The rabbit-thing lashes out with elementally powered kicks and punches, tearing through the insubstantial shapes as if they were paper, its energy apparently boundless. The insect accelerates, almost seeming to teleport about the battlefield as it unleashes ever more powerful blasts of heat that wash over me even from a distance. The two pokemon - I assume they are pokemon - are destroying the monstrosities with ice and fire, with fists and feet, and even a sonic assault that makes my ears ring. I can even see what appears to be two faint outlines, one a massive shape I recognize as a Snorlax, one vaguely humanoid with a leaf atop its head; they can do nothing against the oncoming waves that seem to pass through them, hollow as they are. Despite this handicap, they continue in their futile struggle to oppose the teeming throng, valiantly attempting to herd whatever-this-is away from me. {Spoiler}The two humans who had been pummeling my rival turn to face me, and all four humans are soon gathered around while two lone pokemon strive to hold off the encroaching mass. I would berate them for leaving their charges untended - as I had - but no words will come. "Listen." says the red-capped one, laying a hand upon my shoulder. "It's not real. None of this is real." I sigh inwardly. I've heard this so many times in the recent past. This world isn't real. I'm not real. He's not real. The pain, though...the pain, I remember. All of it. Watching my cherished pokemon die... "If anyone would know, it's Self-Aware." states the one in the dark cap. "I promise you, this is a trick. Your pokemon ARE NOT DEAD." {Spoiler}I pause, giving the new speaker a weary look. Not dead, he says. The bloating, dismembered corpses of my allies say otherwise, and my eyes reflect the message. "Scrap it, Courageous." says the one holding me up, before turning to address me. "You have to listen to me." he speaks. "I know it looks real. It's not. It's a head game. It's an illusion! Look at that thing they're fighting. Does that look real to you?" I lift my head, and stare into the yawning abyss of emptiness. As if sensing my gaze, a dozen new, gleaming red eyes open from within its mass and stare at me; it is hungry, I can feel it on a level more profound than I had ever imagined possible. It is hungry, and the only food that will satisfy it is me. The nothingness feels...comforting. Welcoming. Let it end, it seems to beckon. Let the pain end. I can free you from all of this, if you will only allow it. {Spoiler}A sharp pain stings my cheek, drawing my attention away from the siren's call of the monstrosity. The one named Courageous has struck me in the face, and while he appears apologetic, it is evident by his expression that the emotion is fleeting. "Don't just stare at it!" he chides me. "Listen. Your team? They're alive. All of them are alive, but they won't be for long if you don't snap out of it!" The others shoot him a disapproving glance, and he hunkers down somewhat, seeming appropriately chagrined. Despite this, he continues to speak in a desperate tone. "Look, I'm sorry, but...that thing, it wants you. It wants to destroy you, and in so doing, destroy us all. I didn't survive all this way to get shot down because that thing used Hypnosis on you! It can only win if you let it!" I glance at the two pokemon valiantly defending the small gathering, struggling until they are short of breath, lashing out with bursts of energy and punches and kicks and anything at their disposal.
The fight is fantastic; it is beyond words, unseen heretofore among trainers.
Their dedication is absolute. They are fighting beyond their means, and they relent not for a split second.
For every shadow struck down, another takes its place.
They are losing. {Spoiler}"What...do I do?" I finally croak, hoarse, ruined. Even if what they say is true, even if this hideous monstrosity is some fabrication, what can I hope to do against it? I can feel the hope in my heart flickering and fading, and the pain in my heart paralyzes me more thoroughly than my ruined spine ever could...I am about to fail my team for a second time. The humanoid figure, the outline, approaches from the scene of the combat. "I can not fight for you." it speaks, its voice ethereal, indistinct. "That power was - will be - lost. In reality, I can do nothing for you...but this is not reality. And so, I grant you my greatest gift, the only gift that I can still grant." Its hollow lack-of-eyes meet my own, and I hear a voice within my mind whisper, "Knowledge. You are the only one who can truly fight here, Manic the Dedicated. This is your mind." I shudder at the mental contact, and Innocent coaxes me to look into his eyes. {Spoiler}He is smiling.
We are in mortal danger, and he is smiling.
I am broken, bruised, exhausted, and he is smiling. {Spoiler}"Grant is alive, Manic." he whispers.
The shadow-form shrieks as I burn it away to nothingness with a mere thought. Grant is alive! I can still save him!
Empowered by this knowledge, I can do anything, and I make my choice.
I open my eyes, and I forget.
Hey, Manic. You gonna sleep all day or what? Let him be. The last couple of days have been incredibly taxing. Yeah, but aren't we in a hurry? If we're going to save Gra-a-a-ant, we'd better move. Wha...huh? I'm awake, I'm awake. Man, I feel worse than I did when we bedded down. You don't look so good. I mean, no offense or anything. Wuh-why is there a red line on your neck? Line? Lemme see...hmm. Beats me. Musta slept on it wrong. C'mon, we better get a move on. I ain't evolving on my own, y'know. Yeah, you've got a point. Okay, team. Everybody get ready for the cave! Better keep an eye on you, man. Shit just got real.
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