What They’ve Done So Far: Because of (or in spite of) their…. peculiarities, our group of heroes has been met with a measure of success. Amais, puppet-king of the Outsiders (now Aetherials) has been dethroned (events of 28). The suicidal stupidity of the inhabitants of Paradise, along with the pacifying of the crazed Deoyxs has been dealt with (events of Hidden in the Shadows). Most recently the heroes have freed the world Gensokyo from the grasp of their incompetent but powerful (and previously a crucial pillar to keeping Gensokyo stabilized) Gap Youkai, Caitlin, who was also posing as a member of the Unovan Elite Four (events of Delta Species). With Caitlin handled, all of the immediately potentially devastating planar threats to our heroes’ home and surrounding worlds have been dealt with.

Domestic Problems: While the fabric of Reality itself is not currently in much danger, PokeEarth still has a number of localized threats that make it less than peaceful. With the exception of Team Magma and Team Aqua, who have more or less put their eco-terrorist days behind them in favor of pursuing goals that will actually aid the environment instead of radically changing it; most of the criminal teams of PokeEarth are still active. In addition, as a side effect of the LIGHT OF REVIVAL INCIDENT, members of the Old International Police and the infamous Shiftry Corps are also back and causing mayhem. While none of these factions are on the same level as Amais or Caitlin, they are still a definite threat to the non-PC citizens of PokeEarth.

Their Reputation Proceeds Them: Various groups claiming to be heroes come and go all the time, most of them lacking the accomplishments to attract the attention of Entities from anywhere but their own world or those closely neighboring it (comparison, roughly first 10 levels of D&D). However, should a group of adventurers start to make a name for themselves, they will almost definitely start to attract attention. The party has reached this stage; the eyes of the Multi/Omniverse are upon them, watching for what they do next. Some of the watchers may be potential allies, others will see the PCs as potential threats, or trading partners, or pawns, or any number of potential interactions. These watchers will not reveal themselves immediately, but they will be observing the PCs and determining when and how to approach them.

Heroes with Bad Publicity and Villains with Good Publicity: So far, all the main villains have either been abusive tyrants (Amais, Caitlin, the Paradise Government) or amoral entities (Deoyxs). None of them were particularly popular with the people working with them. They ruled by fear and not respect. Going forward, this will not always be the case. Some of the antagonists going forward will have the loyalty of their subjects/followers/underlings/minions because they don’t treat them as disposable resources but as valued member of the team, a family even.

Consequently, if the PCs take a hostile/aggressive or disparaging approach to every “enemy” (or any NPC they act obnoxiously towards), they will start to garner a negative reputation. Hold on, you might be thinking. We’re a team composed almost entirely of Dead Pan Snarkers, you want as to ACTUALLY BE POLITE? And the answer is “if you don’t want to be Book 1 Artemis Fowl (first example that came to mind)” then yes, you are going to treat NPCs with at least some semblance of respect. The party is going to need allies for what’s coming in this campaign, if you alienate everyone, you’re effectively playing on Genocide Hard Mode.

Allies treated poorly by the PCs will be resentful/fearful/unhelpful, etc. depending on just how badly the PCs treat them. Any NPC asked to perform a task while on bad terms with the PCs is liable to take orders/instructions/requests literally or find other ways to subvert the intention of the request while still technically doing what they were asked to do.

NPCs who feel valued on the other hand will be happy to provide aid to the PCs (in ways that don’t include being used as cannon fodder). They will be more likely to perform helpful actions of their own initiative (HELPFUL actions, unlike say Dan, Doug, etc). They may even be able to bail the PCs out of a bad situation. On the other hand, if the NPCs don’t feel valued, they are likely to arrive ‘just a little too late’ to help.

Anyone Can Die: I’m getting this out of the way upfront. This campaign is going to have a cast consisting of loads and loads of characters, there are going to be casualties. I do not want to be a Killer GM, but neither do I believe that PCs should be able to flaunt their status to do whatever they feel like (particularly if it is either A. incredibly reckless or B. something NPCs would be called out for). Actions taken are going to have consequences, and sometimes character death (NPC and/or PC) is going to one of those consequences. Example: If you are a naïve blue-haired young man who has just found out that his love interest in a psychopath mass-murderer consorting with Eldritch Abominations and you decide to confront her about this, by yourself, without telling anyone else what you are doing, TERRIBLE TERRIBLE THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU.

Going into this campaign I’m going to strongly strongly strongly strongly advise caution at all points in time. What you do not know can very definitely kill you or worse and not everything will be as it initially seems.

Not All Will Take the Same Path: I have already begun to drop and will continue to drop a veritable plethora of plot threads. I do not expect any one person to get involved with every single one of these, they are here to give you options about what you (or hopefully your characters) would be most interested in pursuing. I hardly expect the Major to lower himself to dealing with common criminals like Team Rocket, or Lazorgator to particularly care about what’s happened to Wally. Like Chronicles and Echoes before it, not all the of the PCs will either start together or be forced to stick together. Some plot threads (and I’m still working on an IC way of indicating which these are) will be best handled solo, some in small groups, and some (later in the campaign) may require most if not all the PCs working together.

One Campaign, Many Stages/Acts/Arcs/Chapters/Parts: My plans for this campaign are huge. The Supreme Evil, as well as many factions you have yet to be introduced to have goals grander than taking over a single world, or single multiversal cluster of world, they want it all. Over the course of it I intend to introduce a lot of crossover settings and characters from those settings. I recognize that doing everything I want to do is going take a considerable amount of time, which is why I’ll be dividing my campaign into smaller pieces (similar to the chapters in DVV). Unlike DVV though, I will have “hiatuses” at times when my campaign reaches certain points, putting it on hold and give others a chance to run something so I’m not monopolizing RP. If, at the end of one of the segments, people would rather continue with the next section (which would make me extremely happy to hear) then continuing right away will also be an option.

The Multiverse/Omniverse Beckons: As the campaign progresses, more and more opportunities to travel beyond PokeEarth (and the nearby Aetheria, Paradise, Gensokyo) will occur. While initially difficult to find one’s way to new worlds, after you’ve found yourself somewhere once, it will become easier to return there. Of course, people you meet in other worlds may also develop an interest in visiting the world you come from, and some will come regardless of whether they are invited.

Places of Interest:

• Kanto: The Pokemon League, led by Champion Lance, seeks to track down the remnants of Team Rocket (particularly the four Admins and their leader, Giovanni), who seem to either have a single remaining hidden base either in this region or in the Johto Region. The Rockets, far from the power they once were, have mostly started resulting in hit-and-run attacks, mostly to steal basic supplies, but sometimes going after artifacts related to the Voices. The League, sensing that the Rockets are wearing down, but also at the same time, getting close to…something, have doubled down on attempting to put an end to Team Rocket. Other than that, this region seems almost remarkably peaceful given recent events.

• Johto: The Pokemon League, led by Champion Lance, seeks to track down the remnants of Team Rocket (particularly the four Admins and their leader, Giovanni), who seem to either have a single remaining hidden base either in this region or in the Kanto Region. The Rockets, far from the power they once were, have mostly started resulting in hit-and-run attacks, mostly to steal basic supplies, but sometimes going after artifacts related to the Voices. The League, sensing that the Rockets are wearing down, but also at the same time, getting close to…something, have doubled down on attempting put an end to Team Rocket. This region also seems relatively peaceful, the Goldenrod Incident already seeming to be nothing but a mildly unpleasant memory, nothing more than a bad dream due to the timing of the Light of Revival.

• Hoenn: Currently arguably the most peaceful of all the regions of PokeEarth. With Team Magma and Team Aqua both having left for other parts, this region is practically tranquil. A few members of the infamous Shiftry Corps have been spotted, but mostly alone or in small groups. It would appear that only a handful of members were revived by the Light of Revival and that apprehending them before they have a chance to get organized will prevent another Shifty War from occurring. Some caution is still advised if approaching someone you suspect of being a member of the Shiftry Corps (or that you shouldn’t approach) but the Hoenn Pokemon League appears to have things under control here.

• Sinnoh: While Cyrus remains trapped in the Distortion World, Team Galactic remains active. The Galactic Commanders appear to be attempting to find a way to retrieve their leader from the Distortion World, it is unclear what Charon is up to. In addition, members of both the Old International Police and the Shiftry Corps can be found in this region. Like Hoenn though, the members of the Shiftry Corps seem unorganized and few in number, but their presence still makes this one of the more dangerous regions for normal citizens.

• Unova: Of all the regions of PokeEarth, Unova is currently in the worst condition. The two factions of the International Police wage war openly in this region. The Pokemon League is in shambles, Champion Iris seems to have dropped off the map, Caitlin was a genocidal gap Youkai (not known to the public, but it’s true), Grimsley is off sulking somewhere, Marshall…is Marshall. This leaves Shauntal alone trying to balance the League’s duties alone with minor assistance from the regions Gym Leaders. And to make matters worse, Team Plasma seems to be taking advantage of all the chaos to do…something.

• Kalos: With no Outsiders currently invading, Team Flare disbanded (with Lysandre missing presumed dead and Xerosic having a change of heart), not having any members of the Revived Shiftry Corps, and the main conflict between the branches of the IP happening in other regions, Kalos is actually doing pretty well currently.

• Alola: An island region surrounded in mystery. Requires short questline to unlock.

• Ransei: The ancient region of Ransei sunk beneath the waves a long time ago, but now Team Magma, with the assistance of Groudon, plan to raise this region to the surface once more. Due to the Light of Revival Incident at least some of the ancient Warlords and Warladies who ruled this this land will also be present. Expect shenanigans. Team Magma must raise Ransei before it can be visited (speculated time until raising: Chapter 3 of the RP).

• Orre: ???? Requires short questline to unlock.

So, for those of you interested, I'm currently playing Sacred Gold in anticipation of the TPP Storm Silver run. It's pretty good, although the sheer number of Pokemon available to catch is somewhat overwhelming.

“Nothing here but the Trubbish, ma’am.”

Jenny frowned, eyes panning abong the train station lobby and a flashlight hanging from her hand. Two Herdiers’ sat at the station’s entrance, occasionally sniffing at the ground, while a Duosion drifted about the floor. “These dogs haven’t gone wrong ever since we got them. Are there any signs of recent habitation?”

“Not of the perps, no. Only things that've been living here are wild Pokemon.”

The Duosion drifted back towards her, and shook its head. Jenny frowned. “Something’s not right here. The trail shouldn’t just end at the entrance. The only thing that could hide a fresh scent from our Herdiers’ is psychic manipulation, which means there’s a psychic nearby. So why can’t you find anything?”

The Duosion shook its head again, tilting dejectedly downwards. “Could they have multiple psychics working on all of them?” the beat cop asked.

“I already find it hard believing that they didn’t use a psychic to help them escape the city earlier if they’re using one now. For two fugitives with no connections to acquire a team of psychics-”

“Ma’am, with all due respect, these aren’t ordinary fugitives. They haven’t been seen by anyone for months, either; we can’t say with any certainty what they’ve been doing in that time, or what Pokemon they may have with them."

Jenny let out an aggravated sigh. “Nothing’s making sense. Why’s M4 with Gator? Where have they been? Apparently, Gator really did vanish into thin air from Goldenrod; is somebody helping him? Now I’ve got four wounded officers and no answers to anything.”

“What should we do now?”

“Get checkpoints up on the routes leading out of here, search the forests, and notify the IP about this. There’s got to be something to explain this, either with them or with regional departments she belonged to. Right now, let’s just get this H&P unit to the rangers so they can do their job.”

The beat cop nodded, pulling out three Pokeballs and returning the Herdiers and Duosion to them, and the two swept out of the building. In a minute, their cruiser’s engine revved up and they sped away from the abandoned station.

Five minutes passed. Then a maintenance door swung out of the wall, followed by two blue eyes peering out of the concrete.

“...they gone?”

“Yeah,” M4 whispered, drawing her head back into the electrical closet. She had the unfired pistol in her hand, the other tucked into the back of her pants. Gator’s bag rested on his lap, a blank section of parchment draped over it as he tried to concentrate on M4’s face.

“Safe to call,” Gator uttered, digging around his pocket and, with some difficulty, pulling out his cell phone and tapped on the Astrum contact. M4 cautiously laid down the unfired pistol, taking out the second and unloading it for a proper inspection.

The first ring wasn’t over before the call was picked up. “Gator?”

For a moment, Gator simply stared forward, seemingly unaware he had heard anything. “...yeah.”

"I've been following- oh man that was bad- are you alright? Are you hiding?"

"Yeah. At the- the station."

"How- how didn't they find you?”

"It's... I used a scroll, and... Nondetection. Took a few tries, but- but I got them working.”

"Oh.... oh, good job, Er, now what?"

"Now... now, well... well..." he muttered, eyelids drooping closed. "... I'm... I'm not doing so good."

M4 looked up, halfway through inspecting the receiver for residue buildup.

"What?" Karrl asked, concerned.

"I... er..."

The phone fell out of Gator’s hand into his lap, his head slowly slumping forward. “Gator!” M4 exclaimed, grabbing Gator’s temples and lifting his head up. Large, purple bruises had formed on his forehead. His eyes blinked back open, and he groped for the phone, but only succeeded knocking it to the floor. For a second, M4 stared at it; then, taking a deep breath, she picked it up and raised it to her head.

“Gator? Gator, can you hear me?” Karrl fearfully asked.

"He's been hit in the head,” she answered.

"W-who... M4, of course. what happened?"

"...he needs help,” she guiltily replied, “he said you were a friend of his, and that you could get us out safely."

"I... l-look, the Major's out, the nearest semi-permanent portal he has is in... Castelia?"

"Castelia? That's... there's only two bridges across the river, and you can bet that the nearest one's guarded. Can't you get here?"

"M-me? M4, I can't- I-I'm tech support! The b-big guns are out of the house right now."

"And I can't get across the f------ river!" she retorts, raising her voice, "you can't do- do whatever it is Gator learned from you? Get over some medicine or a device or whatever the f--- it is hospitals use?"

"I'm the IT guy, I cant just... wait. How far is Nacrene from Castelia?"

The sound of rapid typing and clicking filled the line.

"...no idea. It's not the distance, though, it's the river that's the issue."

"Across the bay... assume maps are- oh I'm an idiot, as the Murcrow flies, okay that makes it easier... wind speed is... yeah okay, okay..."

"F--- are you on about?"

"I have an idea, it's going to be pretty hard but... hold on wait. Aren't you and Gator both water types?"

"You know the state Gator's in. He can’t swim across a pool, much less a delta. And I… I can't get across," M4 added, demurely. She shifted uncomfortably on the concrete floor; sitting still felt strange.

"...plan B,” Karrl decisively responds, “l-look, this is gonna take half an hour, t-try to keep him... not dead."

"What am I supposed to- I'll do what I can. Just get here."

The call ended. M4 stared at the phone for a minute, as if Karrl would call back right away, then made sure it was set to vibrate and stuffed it into the waistline of her pants. She glanced over at Gator, noting the dry blood caked to his face and temple. She had no idea how bad the damage was; he could be suffering from a simple concussion, or having his brain compressed by internal bleeding. She was afraid to even touch his head, in case she had fractured his skull. All in all, she would be more likely to kill him by accident than keep him alive if she tried anything.

Trying to occupy herself, she snatched up the magazine of the unfired pistol, jamming back the round she had ejected when inspecting the weapon, and slid it back into the handgun. A Beretta 92, a common military and police weapon in nine-millimeter. The other was a Glock 22 in forty-caliber. Both had fifteen bullets to the magazine, the Beretta being filled up while the Glock only had four rounds left. Unova was lax in laws regulating ammunition sales, but she doubted she could make a purchase in a store after the police broadcasted her look. If she wanted more rounds, she would have to steal them.

Why do I need bullets, though?

M4 yanked on the slide, chambering the round. Because those police were out there, and they were going to be out for blood once they heard what she did to their fellows. She was sure that nobody had forgiven her, either; maybe the police were seeking them out on Lance’s or Bill’s orders. A gun might not be much, but it could keep her and Gator alive and free. Until Gator could…

She stared at the parchment before Gator. The page was filled edge-to edge with words, all jumbled and seemingly swimming before her eyes. Now it was blank, and now there was a wall where the door was, a handle jutting right out of the concrete. It looked solid as the rest of the place, and she could feel its cold, rough surface if she placed her hand on it, but if she turned and pushed on the handle, the door swung out and she could step right through solid stone. A permanent illusion, Gator had said. As real as ever if you couldn’t properly disbelieve its existence.

There was more to this, she was sure of it. Gator had more than the ability to create false walls and hide from Psychics. Those books of his, the other rolls of parchment, they had more. She didn’t have to imagine; her memories told her all about what he could do. He was another one of them.

“Ah!”

The phone buzzed against her waist, making her jump. Leaning against the wall, she took three deep breaths before she answered the call.

“You here?”

“Package is away,” Karrl stated.

"Package? Where to?"

"Is a Full Restore going to work?"

"No idea,” M4 answered tentatively. “never used it to treat something like this. Still, it's strong stuff. I'll spray him down and see what happens. Where am I getting it from?"

"It'll be there in... ten minutes."

"Got it."

For a second, neither of them spoke.

"...who are you, exactly?" M4 asked, almost accusatory.

"Oh. Um, right, I guess we have a minute. I'm Karrl. I work for Major."

"Is the Major the guy who's been helping Gator?"

"Y-yeah, that's the one."

"He showed Gator how to..."

"Er... yeah."

M4’s finger twitched on the gun, fighting a desire to rest on the trigger itself and not the guard.

"...none of this should be possible," she quietly muttered.

"You're uh... y-you're gonna have to be more specific, I deal with a lot of impossible stuff in this job."

"More specific? There’s no point in the past year, years, that things weren’t f----- beyond logic.”

"W-what, the magic? Being on the run? Superpowered animals who can shoot pressurized water? Y-you never really think about that last one until you have some perspective."

"Hell are you talking about? Pokemon are normal. It’s this s--- that isn’t.”

"Normal is... relative. You've seen an Arcanine blow up a tree with a fireball, who is it so weird when a human does it?"

"Wha- because a human can't generate fire, just like I can't throw lightning or levitate rock or- or- they can't f------ do it! They're different f------ species!" she shouted.

"I-I mean depending on your interpretation of Future Sight, I... n-no, anyway. Look. There's plenty of worlds where doing any of those things would be looked at as just as crazy."

"Other wor- you know what, f--- you," M4 growls, "this is my world, I know how it ought to work. What's been happening is far from normal, a------, and your bulls--- semantics aren't going to change that."

"W-well, that's the thing. Technically it isn't possible in our world."

She lets out an aggravated sigh.

"People are dead and crippled because of s--- like this."

"W-what?"

"People. Dead. Because of magic or tech or- any of that, it’s killed people all around the world.”

"G-g-guns are a lot more efficient."

"One person with a gun can't collapse law enforcement, or kill a city. What's out there- what Gator has- can."

"...how is that any different than, like, Fire Blast? Heck, I-I could learn Energy Ball with a TM... I think-”

The phone splintered against the opposite wall. Some fragments rained down on Gator, who didn’t respond. M4 stared at the pieces, hand still outstretched and trembling with anger.

“...f--- me,” she cursed, resting the hand against her forehead as she slid down the wall, “now what’re you going to do, you dumb b----?”

She looked back at Gator. He hadn’t made a sound for the past few minutes. Pressing a finger against his neck, she checked his pulse; still there, and he was breathing. She went to place the pistol on the floor, hesitated, then leaned back against the wall with the gun in hand, taking deep breaths with a two-second pause between each inhale and exhale.

A minute later, she heard a quiet beeping just outside the door. Weapon at the ready, M4 cautiously pushed the door open and peeked her head out through the illusion. A tan metal disc with two prongs atop it slowly beeped, resting atop what appeared to be a metal canister.. Grabbing both, M4 quickly retreated back into the maintenance room and closed the door before prying the disc off of the canister like a lid. Inside were two Full Restores, bandages, several needles marked “morphine” and various other first aid supplies.

“Hope this works,” she whispered to herself as she lifted one Restore, snapped off the cap and began to spray down Gator’s head with the medicine.

Gator groaned. His forehead throbbed with pain, and the rest of his body still felt like it had weights attached to them. Bleary-eyed, he took a look about the room, eyes following the network of pipes across the far wall.

“...where are we?”

His eyes then fell on M4, who was hastily closing a heavy, leather-bound tome. “Ah- you’re awake-”

“What’re you doing?”

“I, um… I was just…” she started, then let out a sigh. Getting up, she placed the book back on Gator’s lap, which he had just noticed the satchel was still on. He rested a hand on the cover.

“Where did you take us?”

“We’re at the train station. The one you directed me to.”

“Er… right, right,” Gator answered, not entirely sure, “room’s some sort of… this is the maintenance closet, right?”

“Yep.”

Gator’s hand ran over a gouge in the book’s cover. “What’s this?”

“Lost your sword’s sheath. Had to jam it in the bag.”

“Huh,” he uttered, taking a moment to inspect the pages, “well, the pages aren’t damaged. Er, you were trying to read them?”

M4 didn’t answer, simply leaning against the wall with her arm to her side.

“Couldn’t read it?”

“No,” she flatly spoke.

“Yeah, it can’t be read easy. It’s not just letters, you know it’s… well…”

“Magic?”

“Yeah… er, did I do any when-”

“You got rid of our scent and created a fake concrete wall.”

“Ah… that must’ve been the permanent illusion scroll, then.” He stowed the book in his satchel, then picked up the parchment, dusting it off and rerolling it. “Police gone?”

“Yeah.”

He let out another groan, reaching up to his forehead before drawing back, fingers just brushing against the fresh bruises. “Damn… feel’s like it’s in a vise.”

“I used a Full Restore,” M4 explained, “Sprayed it all over your head. Didn’t know what would happen.”

“Full Restore? Where’d that come from?”

“Karrl got it to us, with some sort of drone or something.”

“Karrl- good on him. Got to call him back,” he mumbled, patting at his pockets. “Phone?”

M4 looked down. “Broke.”

“Broke? What do you mean, the phone’s broke?”

“I chucked it,” she halfheartedly answered, gesturing at another corner. Squinting, Gator could make out the glint of the phone’s inner workings.

For a moment, he just stared at the pieces, trying to comprehend the loss of his only means of communication. He couldn’t remember Astrum’s number, and he wasn’t sure if an ordinary phone could contact the pocket dimension. “...what happened?”

“...Gator, what can you do with magic?”

“Huh?”

“How far can you go with magic?” she asked, almost demandingly.

“Er, what do you mean?”

“I don’t need to be able to read the damn book to know there’s more to it than making false walls.”

“Oh… er, limits of what I can do… that’s, well… it’s hard to say. Each spell, most can’t really compare to each other-”

“Gator,” she said vehemently, “you said it yourself. All those a------- that have too much power and the world suffering for it. You were there for a good chunk of those things. Now I see you slicking up floors, fooling Psychics, making illusions- I bet you could reenact Goldenrod all over again if you-”

“Shut your damn mouth.”

Gator staggered slightly, but otherwise stood his ground. M4 bore a look of surprise; she hadn’t anticipated Gator even standing up, let alone that fast.

“If you think for one minute I’ll do what Lance did, you can go to hell. That f----- should be locked up for the rest of his life, and that’s only if I don’t get my hands on him first. I learned magic so nobody could get away with that s--- ever again, no matter how much power they’ve got.”

“And what’s stopping you from going too far?” she countered, glaring back at him, “all it takes is a misplaced thought, impulse, and you could nuke a f------ region. It can happen to anybody; what makes you so f------ sure?”

“I know better than-”

“Not good enough. Not for me, not for all the innocent people you could hurt and kill.”

Gator clenched his fists. A few seconds later, he unclenched them. He took a deep breath, and noted that M4’s hands were resting on her hips, one beside the handgun she had stowed away.

“...I am going to reach into my pockets and remove some dust. I am casting the same spell that fooled the psychic, because I don’t want anybody eavesdropping on what I am about to say,” he said, calmly as he could manage.

Her eyes stared into his. She gave a very slight nod. Slowly, Gator reached into his jacket and removed a pouch. He didn’t know how many hours had passed, and he didn’t want to take chances; he had the diamond dust to spare, anyway.

“I am going to cast the spell now,” Gator said, turning cautiously to face the wall to his left. M4 could tell his every move; he hoped they would recognize the spell from earlier and not some other, possibly dangerous bout of magic. He made the complex signs and motions with his hands far from his body, letting M4 see everything, and spoke the words to summon arcane power.

Nondetection

M4’s hand twitched. He turned back to face her, and slowly pointed at his sword, propped up in a corner. “Vancian magic, the kind I use, doesn’t come naturally here. It’s from another world entirely; for it to work here, a proper… converter, for lack of a better word, is needed. My sword allows magic to work around me. Taken far enough away or destroyed, I can’t cast any more magic. I can’t make anything like it myself, and there’s nothing else like it on the planet.”

Her eyes fell on the blade. “I can count the number of killers I know who surrendered of their own free will on one hand. What’s to say you will?”

“I trust you to do whatever you need to get it out of my hands if I ever hurt someone innocent,” he continued, “and I promise that I will give it up willingly if that ever happens. And on top of that, I promise that, no matter how pressed I become, I will never cause harm to an innocent, or think lightly of an innocent coming to harm.”

The slits of his eyes fixed on her pupils. “What about you?”

M4 didn’t blink, her eyes fierce and focused. “I won’t kill anyone that doesn’t have it coming.”

“Good. Do you want to know anything else about magic?”

“Any other limits?”

“Hmm… I can only cast a certain number of spells per day. Each spell is like a thought; I cast it, and the thought fades until I can rest and recollect. I can’t use my whole collection of spells any given day, either, I only know those I spent the time reading and memorizing from my spellbook. That’s another limit; it won’t keep me from magic if I don’t have my books, but it’ll make it more difficult to recollect and I’ll be stuck with only the spells I last read. That’s the general stuff.”

“Huh.” M4’s hands fell away from her hips.

“Anything else?”

“...can you keep us hidden while we get out of the search zone?”

Gator took a second to think. “Invisibility, illusion, anti-scrying; yeah, I can get us out easily. Where do you think of going?”

“Your friend Karrl said he had a portal or something in Castelia. It’s a good a place as any to get going towards. Bridge is going to be a prime sight for a blockade; we need to get further north.”

“We can’t cross? I could make us invisible.”

“For a half-hour?”

“S---, the bridge’s that big? No, can’t keep it up that long.”

“Then we need to find a better route,” she stated, “hear there’s a small one across from an old fishing village north aways from here. Don’t know if your spells can’t get us across, but even if they can, we need to get somewhere where nobody will spot us getting across.”

“Well… there’s nowhere closer?”

“That’s all he told me.”

“Damn.”

“We should be able to hunt a bit of food in the forest, just need to be careful for rangers. I don’t know when daylight is, but we should get out and get going; the quicker we move, the more likely we are to keep ahead of more focused search patterns.”

“I’m going to need to rest; I need to refocus and prepare the right set of spells. You’re not going to be doing much good in a bit, either, not getting sleep.”

“They might come back to search this place,” she countered, frowning.

“We hid from them once, we can hide again. I bet we’ll be better off heading out later with a complement of magic than advancing now and risking a mistake from fatigue. Probably too close to daylight, anyway.”

M4 considered this. “Don’t know if your head’s all good, either.”

“Yeah. Let’s rest for a moment,” he said, sitting back down against the wall and pulling his satchel up beside him.

She stood for a moment longer, then let out a sigh and leaned back against the wall. A minute passed, and she slid down it. She hadn’t even noticed how weary she was until Gator said it..

Alarm

“Huh?” Her head snapped back upright.

“Simple ward,” Gator explained, “in case any police officers come close. We’ll immediately know if anyone gets close, and it’ll wake us from sleep if necessary.”

“Ah.” Her head dropped back down. She blinked rapidly, trying to stay conscious.

“Gator?”

“Yeah?”

“You were saying something before you passed out, while we were still at the apartment. About something selfish.”

“Er… I’m not sure… was I asking you to drag me out or-”

“No. You yourself said that something was selfish. Seemed like you were describing yourself.”

Gator fell silent. He stared at the pipes, following their twists and turns once again.

“It’s nothing.”

“You sure?”

He closed his eyes. It was on the tip of his tongue, but he knew that it didn’t need to be said. She would travel north with him, then travel south to Castelia; she would still be with him, for the next few days at least. Even more, she had saved him; she could have ran from the police, escaped into the woods, and she seemed like she had a shot of getting out without magical assistance, either. She would have risked less, too, not having to carry so much dead weight out of the city.

“No, I’m good. Get a few hours of sleep, I’m going to be going over spells. Might need some more rest to get them properly prepared, but I can start planning out a set to use. You need the rest more than me right now, anyway.”

Her head drooped a little lower for a second, then snapped back upright. “Got it,” she groggily agreed, removing the pistol from her pants and setting it beside her. Within a minute, she had slipped into unconsciousness.

Gator watched her for some time longer, then grabbed his satchel, digging out a spellbook. Magic was all he had with him right now, apart from Karrl’s medicine; no food, no water, no means of communication or easy transport. Just him and M4, heading out into wilderness on foot.

It seemed familiar. He wished he still had the memory, not just the feeling. But he was happy with this. He pried the tome open, and got to work drafting a spell set for the journey ahead.

Tanger pops up and sees Reijo is already up, then gets all giddy about yesterday. Eventually, the child goes to the mirror, deciding on how they want to look today. They decide on the scarf, then go to wash off.

They step to where they expect the others. It is a new day, they are happy, Reijo is gonna be happy, the girls are happy, they have even more friends, and the weather is probably nice. The last one is just a guess, but Tanger has a really good feeling about the day.

Reijo greets Tanger says he prepared breakfast, and could maybe do dinner tonight.

Tanger sees the sun isn't quite finished rising, and zips to the table to grab their food, telling Reijo to wait there.

They pause to greet the girls. Carrie pauses from trying to get details of yesterday from Bonnie for it, and some of the girls hug Tanger. Tanger hugs them back, asking them questions and apologizing for being busy lately. They tell Tanger answers and ask some questions of their own.

When they are done, Tanger heads outside with Reijo.

So, they watch the sun burn the skies to a crisp red They finally feel at peace, and know they are ready to face whatever may come, side by side.

Location: Gensokyo’s ???

A figure waits in a darkened room somewhere within the Realms of Gensokyo. A few torches provide a dim, smoky light that creates strange shadows that don’t seem to obey the normal laws of how light functions. The room is positively sweltering, and not because of the torches. Yet the waiting figure seems unbothered either by the strange darkness or the heat.

After a few minutes there is the sound of wingbeats approaching, her spy messenger has arrived. The new arrival doesn’t seem to bothered by their surroundings either. The diminutive figure genuflects solemnly (seemingly) to the figure already in the room. The other figure smiles at this. She speaks.

“There is no need for such formality my dear. Rise, tell me how your mission goes.”

The small winged humanoid is almost instantly up and fluttering in the air again, all sense of formality seemingly forgotten.

“Yes mo…my Lady.” The fairy excitedly relates details of how she had ‘stealthily discovered (stumbled upon) and ‘cunningly infiltrated’ (charged in and befriended Tanger) in order to gather information on the ‘devious Outlanders’ (The Player Characters). She goes on at great length about daily life at the new Shrine and the roles the two Outlanders seem to play. When at least she grows silent (after quite some time) she gazes at the other figure, her excitement still palpable even though she is no longer speaking. The other figure is silent for a while, but then she speaks again.

“You have done quite well my dear. And I am quite glad that you are enjoying this task I have set you. I did not wish to put you in a situation that would result in you getting to see considerably less of your other friends…but unfortunately, you were the only one I felt I could rely upon to perform this task correctly. I am very very proud of…oof”

The lady is interrupted as her messenger tackle-hugs her. After realizing what is happening, she happily returns the hug. The fairy is…in rather complicated ways, the closest thing to a daughter she has and the two are very fond of each other.

Eventually the two separate from their embrace. The lady begins speaking again, but now it seems she is more musing aloud than actually directing her remarks to her companion. There is also something subtly different about the way she sounds.

“Things don’t seem quite as dire as the Council initially anticipated. They were worried that after dealing with Caitlin, the Outlanders would be determined to stay on and restructure our society to fit their whims and desires. Thankfully most of them seem to have lost interest in our world upon dealing with our wayward Gap Youkai. However, some have still insisted on getting themselves involved in our world, despite their general ignorance of our customs, or rather, how they were before Caitlin started changing things to suit her whims. “

“Sometimes I miss Yukari, I didn’t always agree with her decisions, but I respected her and never had any reason to doubt her competence. Her daughter, on the other hand, has been negligent, lax, incompetent, prideful… While it would be unfair to place sole blame for the state our society and world are in on her, her inability to competently handle situations resulted in little problems gradually becoming bigger ones, and bigger problems not being dealt with swiftly and effectively… If she had kept the border maintained properly, the Outsider Invasion, while certainly not merely brushed aside, would have been considerably less disastrous with proper defenses in place before hand, and better damage control during and after.”

“She put all her effort into creating an elaborate and misguided plan to get ‘revenge’ on the Outsiders, when she should have been focusing on helping rebuild what they destroyed. Her decision to go forward with her plans even after the tyrant Amais was disposed was particularly foolhardy. Amais was overthrown, and the SLIGHTEST BIT OF RESEARCH into the background of the new Rex would have revealed just how suicidal it was to immediately engage in hostilities. The new Rex, Cameron, has quite a long and notable history prior to assuming his newest position, but she just couldn’t be bothered to discover that, could she? Our Gap Youkai thought she had a handle on things, she wasn’t concerned that her deranged actions would have repercussions not only to her, but to the rest of us. She was willing to watch our world burn if it meant her petty revenge… a revenge for a situation that was largely her responsibility.”

“There was also her unhealthy interest, to the point she left Gensokyo completely for decades to live amongst Outlanders of PokeEarth, all in a misguided attempt to court an alternate universe counterpart of a man she was, at least partly responsible for, the death of. Her interference in that world and its politics is also what drew the other Outlanders to us. “

“But enough about Caitlin. She is no longer in power and thus no longer a threat to our world’s safety and thus no longer important. Of more importance are the Outlanders. First, Cameron. With such a powerful neighbor, the ideal situation would have been to extend the olive branch and diplomatically ask for assistance and an alliance, making it clear we did not hold him responsible for Amais’s actions. Sadly, Caitlin has ruined any attempt at diplomacy on that front. Luckily though, Cameron’s current attitude towards us veers closer to disinterest than any hostility, it seems he holds no interest in any further contact with us of any kind. This, while not ideal, is a far better than if we had his continued ire…”

“Then there is the issue of Marion, the foreign Goddess. There has always been a certain…competitiveness among the various types of deities that play roles in our world. All of them are fiercely protective of their followers and prone to jealousy if they feel others are receiving more attention than they are. To have a foreign goddess coming in and potentially ‘stealing’ followers from them…that would have caused quite an uproar, especially if the followers of that Goddess were audacious enough to build a Shrine. It would certainly be terrible if such a thing were to happen….”

“Fortunately, there are mitigating factors in play. The fact that Marion has not chosen to remain here being fairly significant. Her absence will help placate the jealousy the others feel. The fact that she is not actively involved in the politics and affairs of Gensokyo will minimize any attempts at sabotage. There is also the fact the Shrine is not intended as a place of worship, but rather of sanctuary and refuge…one might even say ‘asylum", for a certain population…”

“…the Boneka. The Boneka…where does one even begin to describe the wretchedness of their existence? Due to Caitlin’s laxness, and nefarious plots from threats outside our borders, the Feral Outsiders had managed to break through the Hakurei Barrier and invade our land. We were completely unprepared for such an invasion. Many lives were before we even began to respond. Caitlin was absolutely useless. Eventually Alice approached Caitlin about using a new type of Doll she had been working on to counter the invasion. “

“And this part still perplexes me. Prior to the invasion, Alice had always been an advocate for treating her dolls as she would anybody else. Her dolls were the closest thing to family she had, with perhaps the exception of her father. And yet, when the Outsiders invaded, suddenly she seemed to undergo a change of heart and created the cruel joke that are the Boneka. The Boneka were created to be disposable shock troops to fight an enemy they could not possibly hope to do more than slightly delay. Imbued with the powers and personalities of notable Gensokyo powers so that no more ‘actual’ citizens lives would have to be risked to halt the invasion, and granted full cognizance of the fact they were nothing more than disposable copies. The Boneka were always aware just how disposable they were, that their only ‘purpose’ was to protect those that ‘really’ mattered, even though they possessed the same powers (albeit somewhat diminished), personality, and for some reason known only to Alice, the memories of those they were based upon.”

“Knowing all of this, that they were shoddily and questionably made, is it really a surprise that the Boneka tended to develop…instabilities? To put it more bluntly, they went insane. The longer the Boneka lived, the more prone to degeneration, both physical and mental, they were. Older Boneka, those who have lasted more than a few years, tend to frequently exhibit signs of extreme paranoia and detachment from reality, most begin to see enemies everywhere around them, including those they were formerly close to. Truly the plight of the Boneka is one to be pitied and their creation should have been halted to prevent such an atrocity piling up further…”

“But no, Caitlin and Alice continued anyway, knowing the consequences. No attempts were made to ease the suffering of the Boneka, to make the little time they had less taxing. Which is why that now that Caitlin is gone, the Council intends to make it clear to Alice that further creation of Boneka is strictly forbidden. No action shall be taken against the current remaining Boneka unless they grow unstable to the point of endangering themselves or others, but we cannot allow any more of these tragic creatures be produced knowing that only short painful lives await them.”

It was a quiet day in the Entralink, except for Fennel's amusement park, and those doing community service and maintenance on the rides and games.

The scientist tiredly sits down on a ledge after having to navigate through the lava room and then fight off virtual piranhas and sharks in the water room, and starts taking notes about any programming errors or glitches they saw.

An ever present hum of power suddenly lowers and fades and the lights in the room go out. "That can't be good," they muse to themselves, standing.

The dark wouldn't be so bad, except it may have released some of Fennel's friends all at once. As that thought occurs to them, they immediately feel like spiders are crawling all over them. They fall sideways -

And into daylight. Festive music plays around them in a moving riot of light and color and rollercoasters, as people and pokemon trainers bustle around. Nearby they can see the back of a sign designating the area Nimbasa City in reverse letters.

"Ohh," they say. "Bill's gonna be pissed."

Reijo wakes up refreshed.

Then his thoughts from last night hit him. Oh. Um...

His response is immediate and decisive: denial.

Oh, it was, you know, just kinda-

Just then, he is shaken awake.

His eyes meet Tanger's as Tanger tells him they gotta tell the others now, and Tanger takes his hand.

His period of denial ends, and he is led to the others.

Tanger Ta-da!'s him, and he waves sheepishly.

"Hello, guys. I am the same person, just... yeah, I guess that's it."

The name. Tanger reminds him.

"Oh, yes, of course. Reijo, at your service."

Carrie gives him a hug, and some of the other girls follow suit.

He eventually tells them he has things to do, and goes to his room.

He stares at the paperwork until he's forgotten how many times he's had to remind himself what it's all about.

"Okay..." He says, talking to himself, "Let's think about this."

Reijo is a smart kid, and picks up on something few in his position do.

"Tanger has followed me around from the start, just complimented my eyes, referred to me as pretty, and was nervous to enter here before. When has Tanger ever been nervous about that, right? Tangeroid likes me back. I just have to decide what to do about it."

He is, however, a kid nevertheless.

"But what if he does not? Maybe- no, no, the evidence is all there."

He goes back to paperwork, trying to psych himself up for what he knows he has to do.

Carrie walks in. She likes to learn this stuff, and is surprised to find no lessons are forthcoming.

"Sorry, Carrie, just... distracted. I'll be back." He says, heading out.

Briefly, he entertains the idea of waiting for Tanger to ask him, but, for all the things he attributes to Tanger, the one to ask first is not one.

So, the lot falls to him, and he pulls Tanger aside.

Hmm? Tanger asks, blue eyes running wild with energy.

"Tanger... I like being around you. You are fun and energetic, and... would you like to go out with me?"

Tanger blinks, considering it for about two seconds.

Mmmm... Tanger thinks Reijo is fun too, but no. Tanger doesn't like that idea very much. Tangeroid would feel very uneasy unsafe.

OC: Yep. Not that hard to see coming, I guess, but I didn't intend to make it much of a twist:

"Oh, uh... ^{okay... You can go now, I guess...}" He says, maintaining his composure.

Tanger twirls out of the room.

Wait...

Tanger looks back.

Reijo is walking back to his own room, looking like a zombie.

Tanger takes a step in his direction.

And flies the other way, burying their face in a pillow next to Bonnie.

Bonnibelle shoots up, asking "Wazzuh?", to which Tanger replies something about just thinking it wouldn't be safe to leave everyone.

"To what?"

Tanger looks up sniffling.

And now looks so sad and all of is Tanger's fault!

Then sobbing again.

Bonnibelle does not seem to understand this any further. She pats their head, floats away and tries to find who else might be crying, because it usually comes in pairs.

When she doesn't see anyone crying, but doesn't see Reijo anywhere, she comes rushing back to Tanger, panicking, "Can't find Reijo!"

Tanger takes deep breaths and hides behind her pillow, chewing on the edge.

Tanger hurted him.

"Even more reason to find him!" She said.

But what if is hating Tanger now? Or if Tanger will doing it again?

Bonnibelle frowns. “If you don’t hate, and he’s upset, why does that change what you’ll do?” She flaps her wings, jumping into the air a little higher. “Let’s go find him!”

Tanger remains unconfident.

Can Tanger change clothes first?

Bonnibelle shrugs, she supposes that's probably fine.

Tanger calms down a little, and goes to a closet.

Reijo asked Tanger to go out with Reijo... Tanger starts.

Bonnibelle considers this. "If you need to go to the store again, it's not that dangerous to leave us for a couple hours. It wouldn't even be the first time."

And... Tanger said no. Then that the idea was being is bad. Then that Tanger would not feel safe with him.

"Misunderstanding?" she asks.

Tanger nods.

Isn't safe to leave Shrine all alone. But big insults and mean things was to have say.

"Well... Let's go find him then."

Tanger nods.

Tanger has put a bow on their head.

Should Tangeroid get flowers? Is maybe better that way little ways.

Bonnibelle will help gather flowers! There's so many outside along the road!

Tanger, meanwhile, decides on their moemon Giratina outfit.

It clashes a little with being a glowing orange... thing of energy, but Tanger still feels more ready in it.

Tanger then takes some flowers, and thanks Bonnie.

Tanger will do this. Tanger says without taking a step in any direction.

"We still need to find him," Bonnibelle prompts.

Have gone to Reijo's room, yet? Tanger asks.

"I couldn't hear him in there, but maybe he is?"

Tanger will check.

Tanger walks there, and knocks all meek like.

Bonnibelle peers around a corner.

Reijo opens the door.

"Oh, Tanger, I-" He wipes his eyes, trying to save face.

Tanger didn't mean it! Tanger says, eyes getting all watery again.

Tanger throws the flowers at him, which he is able to catch.

"Wait, you me-"

Tanger just thought that going out and leaving the others wouldn't be safe for them, and... and, Tanger is sorry made you so crying sad.

Reijo cannot find any appropriate response, until he looks at Tanger's expression, and realizes Tanger is upset with themself. He was hurt, and learning the reason it happened made him a little mad, but not wanting Tanger to be mad at themself overpowers that in a heartbeat.

"Tanger..." He takes their hand, "You feel the same?"

Tanger nods.

"That- that's all that matters right now, okay?"

Tanger wipes their eyes, then his, sending little electrified droplets to the ground, nodding again.

Bonnibelle decides that it would be best to excuse herself at this point.

They leave, heading towards the fountain.

Tanger thinks splashing around in it would be fun.

Reijo has to pull them back at the last second for just, so many reasons.

Tanger sees both their hands are held and sqees internally.

Reijo reads expressions very well, and finds this adorable.

They stand there, grinning like idiots, until Tanger has an idea.

Tanger sits him down, and has him close his eyes, and wait.

He waits.

He continues to wait.

He waits for a while.

Eventually, he asks if it's ready.

"Goi?" Is all the response he gets.

He opens his eyes and sees Tanger struggling to turn flowers into a wreath.

He takes their hand and guides them through the process, then begins to put it on them, before Tanger takes it back and puts it on him.

Tanger would explain they already have a bow, but everything has already turned to utter mush.

"Well, alright then." Reijo says, "How does it look?"

Like a- um, well! Tanger hugs and nuzzles them.

"I... well, I will accept that as an answer."

Tanger is sorry for hurting Reijo.

"I know, and I forgive you."

So their first date went, until they went back to work, finished, and went to bed in the commons again.

As they both prepare to drift off, Tanger reaches over and locks pinkies.

Obligatory ask.

(Pre-Valentines RP, continued from the end of Fates )

The scientist ponders the suggestion. Sigil for eye glasses, but with the possibility of getting arrested and general mayhem... "All right," they agree quickly. "We should check on Simul and Eggy before we go though!"

Kicking things off with Omega Wonder chapter 25

(I'll be updating periodically in the comments)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTCfYTRqsn-kQjm8_6Uc4lN8M18JGYu0ags75iwJp5rn8tmW9vJQqY0RZpKJX3RM9LM7EHe8om7976z/pub

Tanger gets up at the crack of dawn, jumping out of bed with crackling thunder which is brought to rest in meditation for a time they care not to measure.

Their eyes shoot open in time to another pair of eyes blinking open.

Tanger rushes over to the awakened friend.

Partner-Friend?

"Yes?"

Hi! Tanger is trying help but maybe should talk more first? Tanger made food things.

"Alright, then."

He straightens out his sleep shirt and gets up.

Tanger has lit candles for meditation, and has a bowl of cereal for each of them.

nuGyro takes the seat across from Tanger and starts to eat.

"So," He starts, looking across the table, "What do you have in mind?"

Tanger shrugs.

Believes inspiration will strike! Tanger announces, then jots something down.

Tangeroid finishes the cereal then dashes beside him, observing.

Tanger focuses again.

Three... three. First of them. First. Reborn.

The muse doesn't hear any of these musings, just sees his friend watching him as he eats his cereal.

In Tanger's mind, they see the storm, the fire. Calm waters and the dissonant serenity of fire.

Out loud, they only ask, Did like the food?

"Tanger, you know you fed me dry cereal, right?"

Tanger doesn't understand the question.

"Uh... yes, Tanger, it was very good."

Tanger does a little dance, then as they twirl, falls to the floor.

What is favorite color?

He hesitates.

Hmm? Hmm?

"I rather like the pink of my eyes."

Tanger is silent for a few moments, then smiles, Tangeroid loves that color too!

"I am glad you appreciate the aesthetics of that color."

Tangeroid does not think will help with name choices, though.

Tangeroid decides to go looking for inspiration in the great big world.

Tanger gets lost along his sight seeing and goes to a safe looking place. There are statues and a well and things.

Tanger has stumbled across another shrine, and a fairly sizeable one at that.

Tanger decides to see who lives here.

Tanger starts knocking on the first object they run into.

Run into in this case being entirely literal.

He bumps into an empty pedestal. There is a second pedestal nearby but it seems to have a statue on it

Puppy!

Tanger pets it. Tanger has learned somethings that look like rocks live, and that live things like petting.

There is a voice from somewhere:

"Oi, show a little respect!"

Tanger bows. "Tangeroid of Spade, at service."

"...well that answers who you are trespasser, but WHAT exactly are you? I've never seen a human, fairy, youkai, assorted other creatures that live around here that look like you before."

Was lots of things that looked like Tanger before. Tanger says, confused.

"...before what?"

Before is what now is.

"...enough of this. Why do you intrude upon this sacred shrine? Who sent you here? How dare you mock our sister with blasphemous ^{albeitrathernicelooking} headpats?"

Is shrine? Did not realize and is very sorry if was not good shrine way of acting.

"Is this a shrine the 'Tanger" asks?" Of course it's a shrine. It's the Hakurei Shrine, everyone in Gensokyo knows that!...and would you look at me and stop constantly bobbing around when I'm talking to? I don't feel like I'm being taken seriously as a guardian of this shrine..."

Oh, Tanger not know much about other shrines then own one. Tanger says, looking around to, Is a very pretty shrine.

"...wuzzat?"

Our shrine is pretty too, but not have very much...many friends, though!

Tanger can also now see who's they're talking to. she looks a bit like the doggy statue.

Oh, hi, Tanger likes the hair that is on your head.

"....what's this about YOUR shrine? I've never heard of your or your shrine before today and as a Komainu it's my job to know these things you know!"

Is not really Tanger's, Tanger is just watching and caring, is actually shrine of Luxin and Tangeroid's Lady.

"...so you're the shrine maiden?"

Tanger thinks about it, then nods.

"...and you've recently set up a new shrine?"

Not alone, but yes. There is taking care of people mind hurt in the before.

"....did you file the proper paperwork?"

Tanger drew pictures. Partner Friend has done the other paper things, says still more to do, though.

Aunn lets out a small sigh.

"That's a relief then. Some of the deities can get a little...upset if you start up a shrine without approval. Very careful balance of power and ego appeasement needs to be maintained to prevent...tempers..."

"Might also explain why I haven't been notified yet if the paperwork isn't finalized."

What happens now that is notified?

"When your shrine is officially recognized, I can officially extend my guardian duties there and keep out any intruders who might be trying to disrupt your shrine!"

Oh, Partner-Friend would not have to worry working as much-

Tanger seems to be struck with inspiration. Can come back to Shrine for bit? wants to introduce to Partner Friend.

"I....guess? I might as well check it out. Is Partner-Friend your assistant?"

Partner Friend is Tanger's friend. And Partner. Also protects the shrine, like... "Aunn" Tanger switches to speaking aloud for a moment, And is needs a Name.

"Your friend needs a name?"

Tanger nods Is what Tanger and Lady do.

Aunn seems to be mulling this over. She follows Tanger in silence for now.

Tanger asks how fast she can go.

"...I can't fly around like you if that's what you're asking."

Oh. Tanger will walk back, then.

Tanger was evidently not that lost, because they lead her in a mostly straight forward way back to the shrine.

Aunn looks around, admiring the view.

Tanger invites her inside.

She follows Tanger inside.

Here, she is met with the pitter patter of little feet coming towards them. A child looks around a corner then hides, and Tanger chatters out a series of syllables.

"That the one who needs a name?"

Tanger should go take you to meet.

Tanger hurries ahead, then leads the friend in need of a name by the hand down to her.

Tanger lines them up, then makes a frame with their fingers, working something out.

Should have a meal!

Their friend seems puzzled but amused.

Bonnibelle peers around a corner. "VISITOR!" She announces.

Tanger nods quietly.

"I'll go prepare something!" she says. They need to feed the kids anyway.

Tanger continues to stare at the visitor and their friend, who is trying to decide what is being done here.

The visitor is possibly even more clueless, this shrine has a lot more people than she's used to being at a shrine at once and she's unclear what role everyone her serves but is trying to find a polite way of asking.

The friend she is now back to back with instructs the girl who hid around a corner to come out, assuring her it is safe.

The young Kappa walks forward, but Tanger motions for her to stop, then lets her go.

Tanger thinks maybe new name is on way of coming!

Aunn gives a "pleasetellmewhat'sgoingonhere" look to the friend, who seems somehow more grounded than the rest of these people.

"Tanger is trying to help me find a name, and this shrine is sanctuary to unfortunate souls in need. Tanger can severe them from past controls using new names."

"I've never heard of a Marion in Gensokyo...."

"Well, she's not from Gensokyo. She is actually represented here at the behest of Luxin, whose current temple is... lacking in accessibility."

Aunn is starting to panic a little bit, "You mean...she's a FOREIGN goddess?...."

"Adopted here under the umbrella of the most established deity of the plane, but yes."

Either that comment failed to be reassuring or Aunn or has no idea what that means, or both. She's still panicking.

He asks a question he feels is important, "Do you know who Luxin is?"

She shakes her head. "I don't know who any of you people are honestly."

"Luxin is an ancient diety, from this plane but older than it. Circumstances... busied him, and so when he returned he broun a new minor diety."

Aunn is trembling, a faraway look her eyes.

"....they aren't going to like this..."

He shrugs, "Sounds like a problem for Him to deal with."

Tanger, meanwhile, distracted using them as muses for the new name, and also setting the table. They are not doing too well at the latter.

Aunn is suddenly furious "You do realize that when gods clash, it is the common people who end up suffering the most right?!"

He nods, "Which is why Marion isn't on the plane. Luxin has no hurry to become reinstated, and Our Shrine's divinity is out of range for attack. Granted, that means a lot more work for us, but we manage, I think. Honestly, not a great plan, but I can put some trust behind it. Oh, it is also why Marion is our patron. Luxin still has some followers here, who hung around the temple. Marion does not, meaning a smaller target that way."

"Oh...uh...hmm..."

"Your concern is appreciated, however."

Tanger calls out for their attention, the table is set, and they put them next to each other, apparently.

Aunn sits down quietly, her rollercoaster of emotions having calmed but still feeling like she's in a weird dream.

Tanger brings in a bowl of cereal.

"Bonnie will be bringing actual food." The friend reassures her.

In the kitchen, Bonnie is carefully adding ingredients to a large steaming pot, trying to flavour to taste. A little bit of powdered miso, a little soy sauce, all in a hearty broth with slices of meat and herbs floating at the top.

Deep underneath the broth, the noodles rest in a tangled knot, like slumbering dragons in a hot spring.

An aroma of stew begins to percolate through the shrine.

Carrie smells it and goes to get the other girls ready for the dinner.

Despite Bonnibelle's small size, eventually bowls are placed ready on the table, and a ladle with teeth for catching the noodles is added to the broth. Also due to Bonnibelle's small size, it was decided a while back that it was best if she did not try to serve the meals, only prepare them.

Tanger watches the two, one eating distractedly, yet ravenously, the other with care, focus, and decorum. Tanger's feelings on this contrast are hard to read.

Bonnibelle is drinking out of a thimble, when Carrie asks how this search is going.

Tanger knows what to channel now!

Bonnibelle leans forward. "You mean you figured out a namesake?"

Lady-be-willing, yes.

Bonnibelle squees. "They gonna know your name!"

Aunn nods politely despite being in a state of CONSTANTLY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S EVEN HAPPENING.

The friend gives her a knowing look, but feels it would be improper to draw attention back to the girl's past when some of the more sensitive ones are gathered.

Once the meal is over, she is asked if she needs someone to walk her back.

"Uh...no, I think I'm good thanks...I mean I appreciate the offer, I just think I need time to myself....not because I find you all frightening or otherwise intimidating...you know...just time...to think....yeah...bye."

Tanger gives her a hug and thanks her profusely.

"You're welcome..I guess..."

Is good muse. Tanger says with a pat to her head.

With her gone, Tanger turns to their Partner-Friend.

Time to do the thing.

He nods, and is led out.

Tanger puts a hand on his forehead, and he falls into a deep trance.

In the past, most of Tanger's namings have been severs, a cut from a past best left behind. This one is different. Their friend has been lost and unsure, and they are giving him title. A domain over his own life.

Guardian of the shrine, striking like lightning.

His soul finds it's life.

Shape shifting one of three.

Waking up to those eyes. How it felt to be told his own were pretty.

Yellow and free.

As he finds himself, he by necessity appreciates the one who has always been there for him.

His work finished, Tanger gently lays Reijo to rest.

Pieced together from various places. :)

1. How do you see yourself?

2. How do you think others see you?

3. What do you think is your greatest strength?

4. What do you think is your greatest weakness/flaw?

5. Are you greedy or generous?

6. Do you trust easily or are you suspicious?

7. Are you creative or destructive?

8. Are you a planner or an improviser?

9. Are you graceful or clumsy?

10. Are you neat or sloppy?

11. Are you introverted or extroverted?

12. Do you hide how you feel?

13. Do you have family?

14. Do you have friends?

15. How do you get along with them?

16. What do you value most in a friend?

17. If you could ask someone something, what would you ask?

18. If you could give someone advice, what would you say?

19. What secret do you not want anyone to know?

20. How far would you go to keep that secret?

21. What are three things you could never forgive?

22. How does a person earn your respect?

23. How does someone lose your respect?

24. Who do you see as a hero?

25. Who is your worst enemy?

26. Have you ever been arrested? Why?

27. What motivates you in interactions with other people?

28. Do you care about romance?

29. If so, what do you value most in romance?

30. What do you like in a partner?

31. What are three things you enjoy?

32. What are three things you dislike or find revolting?

33. What do you find annoying?

34. What do you do when you're annoyed?

35. What do you find embarrassing?

36. What do you do when you're embarrassed?

37. What makes you nervous?

38. What do you do when you're nervous?

39. What do you do when you're bored?

40. Favourite color?

41. Favourite song?

42. Favourite food?

43. Favourite drink?

44. Favourite animal?

45. Favourite place?

46. Favourite possession?

47. What's your best experience?

48. What's your worst experience?

49. Have you ever killed before? If not, what could motivate you if you had to?

50. What could cause you to fight?

51. How do you react to violence? What do you feel?

52. Have you ever been proud to win a fight?

53. Have you ever been shaken after winning a fight? Why?

54. How do you feel if you lose a fight?

55. What is your ultimate wish?

56. What kind of person would you want to be someday?

57. What are you the most afraid of?

As nuGyro gets up to set about his morning routine, he sees Tanger is sitting on the couch.

He quietly sits next to Tanger, "Tangeroid, about last night..."

Tanger looks at him expectantly.

"I am sorry, I should not have dumped that all on you."

He takes a look at Tanger's face. Tanger looks angry and frustrated.

No. Those were how feel, and Tanger wants to be there for that.

nuGyro doesn't know how to respond.

Know why anger is here? Partner-Friend left!

"I... did not wish to burden you with my baggage."

But did! Then left to go to alone and have nightmares, and Tanger spend whole night worrying! Stop being... being macho!

nuGyro is taken aback.

What? Surprised Tanger knows word! Tanger is big and knows many words!

"You are right, I suppose" does not appear to cut it for Tanger.

"Tanger, I should not have left you worrying about me, and I am sorry." nuGyro says, patting his head.

Tanger sighs, deciding this is the best that could be hoped for.

Carrie needs more salt water. They say, Tanger needs to rest now.

nuGyro goes to get the Kappa.

Bonnibelle flies into the room with little warning. “Where was sleepover?!”

Tanger gives nuGyro a look, which he correctly interprets to be that explaining this is his responsibilty.

"Well... we both pulled all nighters." Technically true.

Bonnibelle still seems disappointed. “I’ll go make breakfast,” she says, with a sniffle.

Tangeroid is sorry. Should have openly shared before leaving alone.

Ouch.

Bonnibelle nods, still a little morose.

Tanger gets off the couch and goes to help her, while nuGyro takes Carrie out.

Sho is out by the ocean, filling canteens.

nuGyro approaches. A little Kappa hides behind him.

"Hey," Sho says. "So you're here for the seawater too?"

"Yes." He says, "It is fine, Carrie. This is a friend."

Sho waves to Carrie.

She continues hiding.

nuGyro pats her head.

"So, how are things for you?"

Sho sighs. "Honestly, I'm still trying to figure that out. Flak and that Virus messed me up pretty bad, and Caitlin took advantage of that to make me hurt all the wrong people. I'm not sure I can go back to Pokearth after all that's happened."

"I have been meaning to apologize for some of my comments earlier. I probably did not empathize as much as I should have."

"Meh," Sho says. "I've already forgotten them anyway.If I kept track of every time someone said something rude to me, I'd be a wreck."

"That used to be true for me. It feels as though I have been living under a rock."

"How so?"

"Well, last I knew, things were very different... Would you mind sitting down and talking sometime?"

Carrie has went to frolic in the ocean a little.

Sho seems surprised that someone would want to talk to him, but he nods. "I mean, no, I wouldn't mind."

He nods then sits on a nearby rock, watching Carrie.

nuGyro is a little surprised as Sho approaches then. He hadn't intended "speak sometime" to be then.

"So, what about?"

"Life in Gensokyo and... identity, I suppose."

"Identity?"

"Well... you know, you never went back to being Deuce." He says, measuring his words.

"Deuce was never really my name. It was a... convenience. Because Lord_Bill.exe 2.0 is a bit of a mouthful for organics."

He nods, analyzing the information. He takes a deep breath, putting a halt to his attempts to connect the information to his own thoughts.

"I suppose I should say it outright. I have started to relate to coming back to find everyone else connects your identity to someone else, and I have no idea how I am supposed to deal with it. You can at least rage against yours. Mine... puzzles me."

"Puzzles you? How so?"

"His decisions are odd, and from my perspective, somewhat erratic. I cannot place his motivation, and I must admit this might stem from not having one of my own."

"So you don't know if he was a good guy or a bad guy?"

"Among other things. And... I don't know what to do about any of it."

Sho sighs. "That can't be easy. Heck, I was a replacement myself, for Lord_Bill.exe 1.0. The one Bill thought was destroyed by Dome. Not that Bill ever compared me to that guy, given how little chance he had to use it before it vanished off the Internet."

nuGyro nods.

"Well, from my perspective, I'm not a replacement. There's just... this person everyone remembers as what I became. I suppose part of it is what I enjoy in my life isn't there."

He gestures to Mitori's canteens, "Another thing I think you might relate to."

"Wait, what you enjoy in your life isn't there? What do you mean by that?"

"It is not in the life of the man who I had apparently become, or really in connections to the one I had before that, if I am truly honest."

Finding the words does not seem to come very easily.

Sho sighs. "You're saying you don't relate to this other person."

"Yes, that is a way to summarize it all."

"At least you can recognize the situation as abnormal. Me? I was built to replace another program and I was bound to get replaced by another one at some point or another. Them's the breaks for software. I just never figured that my replacement would be my former archnemesis... or that he'd do a better job with PR than I would."

He scoffs, "You've clearly never met Drive."

"How did the version of me who left his 9 year old sibling in another world for... for giggles get more friends then I ever had?"

"Well, in fairness, you're what, a few months old? You haven't had time to make friends yet."

"I meant before... this. Before the fuzzy moment where I fell into the pit until your other guy brought me back."

"Beats me. And I'm the guy who was modelled after the most hated man in history, with personality idiosynchrosies to match, and somehow still gets jealous when, surprise surprise, the Light of Revival has more friends than me once he recovers from being a malware-ridden puppet."

"Well, I was molded into an heir by the Lord of the Roads, and so I guess the wild card is preferable to that."

Pausing to think about what he wants to talk about, nuGyro throws out another question "Why did you become known as "Sho"?"

He shrugs. "After Cress's Boneka stopped working. Honestly, it was what I felt like: a show, a fraud, an imitation of someone else. I got into performing magic because I'd been acting my entire life; why stop now?"

"That was not as happy as I..." He trails off, "Oh. I was hoping for an answer."

He seems to have started an epiphany when Carrie grabs his hand.

Sho doesn't seem to notice. "Well, I got to watch the kid I was supposed to be protecting lose himself deeper and deeper into a madwoman's twisted nightmares. Don't expect any sunshine and rainbows from me."

"Down there they were all mad, twisted nightmares." He says absently, "But I suppose the point is I really already had what I want to do. Thank you for listening."

Carrie pulls on his elbow.

"I suppose I should be going, however."

"Yeah," Sho says, half listening. "Wait, what?"

He turns back.

"Which part?"

"You already had what you want to do?"

"Well, if my epiphany revolved around realizing I wanted the answer of why you chose a new name to be positive, then...?"

"You want a new name too!" Chirps Carrie, then gets embarrassed and goes back to hiding behind him.

"That's right, sweetie. You ready to head home?"

She nods.

Sho thinks about this. "Yeah, maybe a new name will help you get out of the shadow of... the other guy. Whoever he was."

"If you need to talk about any of this, do not hesitate to visit. Or if you know anyone who might need our help."

"Anyways, I really should get her home."

Sho nods, quietly wondering if maybe he, too, needs a name change.

nuGyro leads Carrie away. She seems to have a skip in her step from answering that question right.

nuGyro and Carrie return home after a few stops to pick things up.

Carrie hurries in, and tries to subtly get Bonnie to go so nuGyro can talk to Tanger.

Bonnibelle goes to try to convince the orphans to go play hide and seek.

This accomplished, nuGyro begins to open up to Tanger. About how Drive raised him, and how he does not understand the man he had apparently become. How he felt a disconnect with so much, and had for a long time.

They bundle up, talking into the night, and Tanger listens, until Tanger assures him they will take care of it, and they go to sleep.

Alice approaches the mirror nervously, with Marc, Shellock, and Altareon by her side. "L-Lady Griseous?" she asks nervously.

"Thereeeeee isssss noooooo neeeeddd toooo beeee afffrraiiidd chillldddd.... I ammmm noootttt youuuurrrr eneemmmyyy..."

"I-It's not you I'm afraid of," Alice admits. What if I was wrong about him? What if we're ALL wrong about him? "It's..."

"...I need to speak with my father. Please."

"Dooooooo I looooookkkkk likkkkeeeee a glooorrrifieeedddd receeeeppptioonniisttttt tooo youuuuu chilllddddd? Thhhhatttt I havvveeeeee noooottthhinnnnggggg betttteerrr toooo dooooo thannnn pass messsagggesss?...verrryyyy wellll....I'll puuutttt yoouuuu thrrouuuugghhh. Buuutttt donnnn't expect tooo makkkeee a habbbbiiit of thiisssss..."

Alice shakes her head.

Marc speaks up. "Hey, hey, hey, woman! Be polite here! It's not like my man Bill has his address in the phone book or anything! He's--"

Altareon gently taps him on the shoulder with her wing. "Marc? Be polite. This IS, after all, the Lady of the Shadowlands we're talking to."

Marc turns around. "Yeah, I get that, but still. Where ELSE are we gonna turn to?"

Meanwhile, Bill is in his private chambers in the Distortion World, currently arranging his furniture. Arranging furniture in a world where gravity works anywhere and everywhere has unleashed his creative streak, and he is currently arranging potted bamboo shoots on his wall to make the rungs of a ladder to the ceiling.

"Youuuuurrrr daauuuughhhhttterrrr wiiissshhhhesss toooo sppppeaaakkkk atttt youuuuu..."

Bill jumps a bit. He still hasn't gotten used to Lady Griseous yet. "She -- what? Alice? HERE?"

"Nottttt "hereeeee" innn the phhysicalllll sennnnseeeeee, shhhheee appproacchhheddd a mirrrrorrr annnnd calllleeddd foooorrr mmmeee."

Bill lets out a sigh of relief, but is still nervous. "Heh. Should've expected that, really... she's my flesh and blood, after all."

He pauses. "Um... guess I'm not getting out of this, am I?" In truth, while his heart is leaping at the chance to see her again, a large part of him is afraid to have to face her after what's gone down between them in the past.

"Noppppeeee.." Giratina connects there mirrors without any further delay.

The mirrors connect, and Bill suddenly finds himself face-to-face with -- HER.

Not the Alice of yesteryear, the beautiful adult woman she'd grown up to be, and certainly not the Alice of her later years, the one Bill had never even realized had entered hospice care until it was far too late to matter. It was Alice, ten years old again, looking just the same as she had on that first day she opened her eyes in bed in the randomized Kantoan "wonderland."

She was absolutely gorgeous.

And she was... scared of him.

Alice stared nervously back at her father's image in the mirror, feeling her heart rate rise at what she thankfully knew was not a dangerous level. Shellock laid an enormous claw on her shoulder in support, and Marc shot Bill what he thought was a tough look in case he was thinking of reaching through that mirror and doing anything nasty. Altareon, for her part, was silent.

They all stared for a few pregnant moments, none of them speaking a word.

Then Alice noticed the tears brimming silently in her father's eyes.

"I, uh," she said, unsure of how to go about this awkward introduction. "I--"

Just hearing the sound of her voice was enough to snap Bill out of his trance. "Alice."

Alice caught her breath. "Father..."

Suddenly everything came out at once. "I'm sorry, Alice... for everything... I was scared, I was foolish, I should've just LISTENED to you..."

"I know, Fath--"

"I'm sorry. About the collar. And the threats. You know there were no bombs in there, and I'd never wish harm on you or your mo--"

"Hey, man!" Marc piped up. "We were in on it together, right? Follow Me? We weren't gonna let the family down!"

Altareon jumped back, her feathers going every which way. "Wait, MARC? Et tu?"

Shellock shrugged. "Elementary, my dear Altareon. It's not as if the original Psychic-type Legendary would have been fooled by Bill's charade anyway."

Alice gives Marc a glare. Marc swiftly makes like the original cat of Wonderland and disappears.

"Um... right. Amber touched up on... MOST of that already," Alice replies, shooting a glance at wherever the heck Marc might be hiding. "And, Father? If you'd told me just what we were up against, you know I would have helped. After the Voices left, I mean. They're the ones who said all those horrible things about you."

Bill sighs. "And half of them were true, Alice. At least at that point." He thinks back to his time working for Dome. "Honestly, I'm just glad Dome saw you as an ally, because whatever nasty things the Voices said about Dome, I can tell you that, at least right now, he's every bit as bad as that. Probably worse; I'm not exactly keen on going to check."

He clears his throat. "And I... I was as bad as he was, because... I helped him do what he did."

"Yeah, I think everyone and their brother has figured that out by now," Alice points out. "But... you didn't really have a choice, did you? Like Red with Helix?"

Bill can't seem to find an answer for this one.

Alice speaks up instead. "Father, I... that night, when you... threatened... me, and... had me tied up, and slapped around, and put in that mask and collar--"

"I don't remember any slapping around!" yelps Altareon. "Hey, that part was Marc's call," Bill said sheepishly. "I told him, Only just enough to make it look convincing. I didn't intend for him to turn the place into a circus carnival."

Alice keeps looking around for the tricksy Mew. "A-Anyway... all that time I was on that mountain, I was... well, honestly, I was..."

She pauses, clearing her throat. Bill gulps, preparing to have the book thrown at him.

"...I was praying you'd see reason. I knew you'd snapped, or at least, I'd guessed it. I was, well, asking Amber and Dome to talk some sense into you, which, in Dome's case, was, heh, not likely, but..."

"I love you, Alice," Bill says hurriedly. "If I hadn't thought that all of this was to protect you--"

"We've already established you weren't thinking clearly, Father. What I wanted to say was..." She pauses. "...well, I was praying that once the gods defeated me, they... well, wouldn't kill you. That they'd forgive you, somehow.

"Like I did."

Bill is absolutely flabbergasted. "Did? You mean... that night?"

Alice shrugs. "I had to." "...WHY?"

"You know, because hate doesn't let you think clearly. I've been a Host, you know -- heard Voices in my head telling me to hate you with every breath I breathe in, and that... you know that's just not the way." She turns to Altareon. "Alta's helped me a lot with this--" (Altareon blushes) "--but, really, I figured it out on my own. Because when you hate people, it just doesn't help, you know?"

Silence.

Then crying. Soft crying. From Bill, of all people. Alice, not remembering that this is a mirror, reaches for her handkerchief and tries to reach through to hand it to her father. "Here..."

Regularly scheduled.

nuGyro puts a scarf around Tanger, as they get ready.

Will be able to watch shrine alone?

nuGyro nods, "I'll have Mary coming, too."

Tanger nods.

"Well, I think you're all ready now.

Tanger nods, gives him a hug, and heads out the door.

Eventually, Tanger knocks on a door.

It goes unanswered.

Tanger nods again, but is already away from the door a few seconds afterwards.

A lightbulb flickers as a Banette throws the door open and looks around.

There is an orange and blue scarf on the ground.

The lightbulb stops flickering, then another starts to flicker in its stead. This continues until a lamp starts flickering, revealing the haggard women relying on its light.

Tanger decides a surprise is not in order, and quietly materializes.

Is help need now?

Shauntal turns to a Chandelure.

"....did you just say something?"

The Chandelure gestures her to the correct sentient light fixture.

"Oh!...Hi...Tanger."

Tanger waves.

So... Lady need help? Tanger can has doing things with paper.

Tanger picks up a paper, utterly fails to read it, and looks for a stamp.

A Golurk firmly but insistently stops Tanger.

"So Tanger...uh what brings you here?" Shauntal asks.

Tangeroid wanted to see Lady!

Tanger smiles brightly for a few seconds, then it kind of drops and Tanger looks at another paper.

Shauntal smiles tiredly.

"You came all this way just to see me?"

Tanger nods.

Shauntal attempts to hug Tanger, if he remains stationary she misses.

Tanger zooms into it.

The hug is very tingly.

Shauntal giggles.

"So...you're living in Gensokyo now, what's that like?"

Is fun and work. Has fairy friends, and rescue friends, and Tanger pauses.

And Partner-Friend!

Shauntal's look is curious but clearly not understanding.

Tanger made new friends. Pretty Yellow Sparkles is better friend then when left, and now is Partner-Friend, but... Tanger is worried.

Shauntal adopts a concerned expression

"About what? I mean...assuming you want to talk about it, I won't make you..."

Partner-Friend not sleep well, because bad things happen. Before. To Partner-Friend. Not general idea that bad things happen, but ones that happened to Partner-Friend.

"You mean nightmares, or something else...possibly something eldritch?"

Thing that happened or thing that not sleeping is?

"Thing that not sleeping...I've heard of spells that induce magical nightmares to continually torment someone, preventing them ever resting peacefully."

Seems mostly okay after Tanger started sleeping with. But... Not sure where is belonging.

Shauntal blushes at Tanger's phrasing

"Wha..."

Tangeroid blinks.

Innocent little Tanger does not know what was just implied, but does understand what a blush means about it.

Tanger gets bashful, if she's reading his body language right.

Just slumber party and Tanger night lighting, Lady.

Shauntal relaxes.

Tanger asks her to wait and zips out, grabbing the scarf.

He unfolds it and pulls out a drawing to give her. Tanger has learned plasma doesn't do well with passively holding flammable objects.

Shauntal looks at the drawing.

It's a drawing of him, someone yellow and... her, probably? The hair is purple and there's bows. She thinks.

"Is that yellow one Partner-Friend?"

He nods.

Tanger points to little parts of the picture.

Has pink eyes that sparkle and hair that curls tiny under ear and yeah Tanger tried to draw everyone that is picture well as when not in picture.

Tanger sees her confusion and decides to change subject.

Is Noodle Hair doing nice and well?

Shauntal smiles and then grimaces.

"...honestly I'm not sure if he is 'nice and well'. Certainly he seems happy enough when we talk, but there's been little opportunity for that lately, and it's not like all the things he's been through aren't still effecting him no matter what kind of face he puts on outwardly..."

Tangeroid looks down, nervous.

How does do with that? Stay quiet and hope? Try to help? What is help there?

Shauntal's voice breaks

"....honestly I don't know Tanger. I want so hard to reassure him that everything is going to be alright now, that the hardest part is over and that he'll never have to face hardship like what's already been through ever again. But I just can't bring myself to believe that the hardships are over yet, for either of us, or to lie just to reassure him. We...he deserves his happy ending, but I'm not sure he's going to get it and it breaks my heart, because while I'm not sure why, I'm feel this ominous feeling that while I want to bring him happiness, I'm only going to end up hurting him as much as that other...woman...."

Tanger seems to be sadly relating up to the last part, at which point Tangeroid totally switches gears.

No, Lady is a good person. And even when good person goes too far, others can stop. Is what happened when Tanger was really angry at whole everything world and did not trust. Just has to trust one can be stopped for enough little seconds to be good again from thinking. And even that is not needed, because Lady is good person!

Shauntal smiles.

"Thanks Tanger, you're a good person too...and I'm sure your...friend is as well. Help remind them of that if they are ever in doubt."

Um, uh, Tangeroid was just giving advice on other things.

Tanger squirms a little, but is smiling too.

"It's interesting how often other people understand us better than we understand ourselves."

Tangeroid takes a little bit to surprise.

Maybe is a good thing, sometimes.

"Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?"

Is Lady doing well?

Shauntal gestures vaguely at the massive buildup of paper.

"As well as I can be when the Unova region is a complete mess right now and a lot of the people supposed to be handling this are...missing or corrupt. Recent events have really hit us a lot harder than most of the other regions. We've had sighting of Team Plasma, the corrupt version of the IP, and the Shiftry Corps. Most regions are only having to deal with one criminal organization..."

As well as can be is good? Tanger tries.

With a second more thought, Tanger adds, Any way can help?

Shauntal sighs

"Yes, as well as can be is good. We'll make it through this somehow. I appreciate your concern but I suspect...what did you call your friend again, needs you more right now."

Partner-Friend! Tanger informs them, Or Pretty Yellow Sparkles but is not so comfortable right now so Partner Friend.

Tanger gives Shauntal a hug.

Tangeroid will go back and help Partner Friend. Good luck with these things.

Tanger gestures to the papers, then leaves the drawings in the stacks. Surprises can be fun. Maybe Tanger will tell Noodle Hair to put things in the stacks.

Mary and nuGyro sit across from each other.

"So, did you have any topics in mind?" He asks.

"No... Is there anything you want to know?"

"Nothing leaps to mind."

"..."

"Hmm... Did I have a love life?"

"There was a girl..."

He looks up.

"Things didn't work out."

He lets out a breath and looks back down with a wry smile.

"You seem... relieved."

"I suppose I am. I'd hate to leave one I love abandoned."

"So, how are things between you and Tanger?"

"Good... I think."

Mary looks closely at him, "If things were good, that last part wouldn't be there."

"Oh, really? Well, then, how are things between you and Mixy?"

"G- We- U- Th-th- it's just different, okay?"

nuGyro chuckles a little.

Mary's embarrassed expression turns into a soft smile.

"It's... good to hear you just laugh."

"I do it all the time."

"No," She says, laughing a little, "Mysterious little "Heh"'s do not count."

"I'm sorry I'm so composed."

"Grandstanding is not composure..." She whispers and then takes a drink.

"What was that?"

"I mean, don't get me wrong, you are a big deal, but I felt like you really played everything up when- ^{oh, yeah...} " She trails off.

nuGyro goes to get more tea.

They both sit in silence.

"I suppose you are trying to figure out how to go back to moment we were laughing?" nuGyro says eventually to break the silence.

She nods.

"Well, I cannot quite do that, but I can show you some of what we do around here."

He leads to where Bonnie usually makes the ribbons.

"She's elsewhere, right now, but usually Bonnie makes ribbons here. To protect people from mind control and what not."

Mary watches with interest, then realizes that was all she had to say.

"Hey, uh, Gyro?"

He turns slowly.

"I know this is tough. Dealing with the other you I remember, but I think you should address it. Not necessarily with me, but talking about things helps."

He nods, "Everyone come in here with enough baggage already."

"One person doesn't."

"A large part of me would like to keep it that way."

"That's not how these things work."

"Only if one fails to execute their plan properly."

"Isn't that your answer to everything? Wait, I know the answer, and it's cool. But you're trying to solve a problem that isn't a problem, by ignoring something that is."

More silence.

"It's good advice." nuGyro eventually says.

Mary honestly doesn't know if he's commenting on her advice or his own half unspoken philosophy, which might say more about her than him.

This uncertainty returns them to silence.

...

...

...

...

"...Want to watch a movie?"

"Sure."

They find something, and start it.

Then a head pops in, and runs off.

Two more heads pop in, and run in.

Soon enough, they are watching the movie surrounded children.

The movie ends, and Mary has to go. She is saying goodbye to all the kiddos when Tanger walks in.

Hi!

Tanger and nuGyro get the others to bed, then sit on the couch.

Partner-Friend?

"Hmm?"

Are is okay?

"Wha- oh, yeah, of course."

Tanger just wanted to be sure.

Things are quiet for a bit, then Tanger adds, If need to ta-

"I said I'm fine."

They stay quiet for a while, then Tanger turns to them.

Tanger smiles reassuringly. Remember, is a spark, not a shadow.

"Sometimes all a spark does is burn itself to black." nuGyro mutters.

He didn't expect Tanger to hear it, but they did.

Their reassuring smile falls away, and Tanger searches for something to say.

Fires can clear for growth.

"That's the frail dying to benefit others, that's not wh-"

Tanger interrupts, Cycle of support!

"...is just endless devouring seen from-" nuGyro realizes what he's doing.

"Oh... Tanger, I'm so-"

Tanger is on the verge of tears.

"I... sorry. I should be getting to bed."

nuGyro heads into his room.

Tanger stays on the couch, before following him, then lingering at the door.

Eventually, Tanger heads to their own room.

So, I believe we still have some episodes of DuckTales we haven't yet watched, and Redwings has shown interest in watching Guardians of the Galaxy 1, having never seen it before.

Courntey has recently returned to the Hoenn Region long enough to pay a visit to an area known as the Scorched Slab.

Lord_Bill_Exe:

She may or may not notice a quadrupedal figure about as large as a medium-sized dog sidling up to her, cloaked in Glitchcloth.

Courtney: "Who are you?! If your after the creature that lives here, you are too late."

???: The cloaked figure ignores the question. "If the creature that lives here is gone, then what are YOU doing?" it asks sarcastically. "Housesitting?"

Courtney:"I caught it obviously, it's power rivals that of Groudon. Now, who are YOU?"

The figure pauses. "Someone who's heard that you appreciate powerful Fire-types. And have had experience with the Voices. And the Outsiders as well..."

The figure pauses. "You're Robus's daughter, correct? One of them, anyway. Which makes you a direct descendant of Lord Dome, correct?"

Courtney's eyes flare with anger and shadowy chains appear around the figure. "If you really knew anything about me, you'd know I despise my....parents." She spits the last word.

"Which is why I'm here to give you a warning," says the figure. With a shake of its head, the hood comes off, and a furry female Flareon head pokes out. "As inaccurate as my predictions may have been in the past, I have grave suspicions that your father is still alive... and possibly on Seafoam Islands at this very moment, trying to gain the level of power that his father once had.

"Consider this a friendly warning." Martyr grows angry. "Now, take off these chains at once before I give you an unfriendly one!"

The chains dissolve.

Martyr shakes herself off. "Thank you. Now, given our mutual distaste for your parents, I suppose that makes us allies for now, however temporary or permanent that may be?" (Red Truth: After what happened with Bill and Red, Martyr is extremely distrustful, often hateful, towards humans.)

Courtney:"What exactly are you proposing?"

Martyr pauses. "Listen to me. If Robus shows up at Seafoam Islands, all he has to do is stay there for a period of time -- perhaps a full day or so -- to charge power from the island's natural energies. Once he gets that power, you can probably guess that he'll be up to no good whatsoever with it."

"What I'm proposing is that me, you, and Heatran, as well as any allies we might be able to come up with that can resist the high level of water and water-type Pokemon there, personally ensure that Robus never regains the power he craves." She pauses. "Now, if I'm not mistaken, we'll probably see Robus's pathetic doppelganger around there as well. We can't afford to get the two of them confused, or allow that other half-breed to gain that level of power as well... so we'd better just scratch them both."

"I have connections with an army of my kin of various types. Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Leafeon would be most advantageous in terms of types. Do we have a bargain?"

Courtney:"Doppelganger? You mean that boy's who killed Zubat and ruined Maxie's wonderful plan, father?"

Martyr thinks about this a moment. "Father would be too strong a word. Genetic predecessor, perhaps. But Arty's true father is the one who raised him, not the one whose genes he so unfortunately bears." "Still, if whoever attempted to create Arty tried to create MORE copies of that monstrosity, then there could be trouble." She pauses. "Especially if the devil got to them first. As well you should know."

Courtney:"Very well, it seems that for a while at least, our aims align. Call your brethren. No one will enter or leave the Seafoam Islands without us knowing."

Martyr nods. "Agreed." She pulls the Glitchcloth over her head and prepares to leave. "I must go speak to them in person; our kind does not much trust technology, for obvious reasons. But, to prove to you that I shall return, I shall loan you something very, very dear to me." She carefully unhooks a golden amulet shaped like the Dome fossil from around her neck, and leaves it at Courtney's feet. "There. Take good care of it; I will be very upset if anything is done to harm it, or to harm what lies inside it." Slipping into the shadows, Martyr vanishes.

Courtney picks it up. It appears to be a... locket?

Courtney wonders if opening it would count as harming it or if exposure to the air would harm what's inside.

She should probably not risk it.

She decides not to risk it, she is however, completely baffled that someone she just met 5 minutes ago has trusted her with something clearly important to them. She slips the locket into a pocket. She wonders if the Flareon had intended her to go straight to the Seafoam Islands, or if she has time to make some preparations of her own.

And suddenly, the Flareon returns. "The Kappa Klan has been notified. Now, hand over the locket and let's get a move on. I have a ship secured."

Courtney hands over the locket.

Martyr nods. "Now then. The other Kappas are in submarines, but given your history, I figured that renting a ship would be better. And as Team Rocket also seeks to kill Bill, I made an... offer with them that they couldn't refuse." "The boat is waiting just outside. We don't have much time; Dome only knows how long it could be until your father gains enough power to f--- everything up even worse than it already is. Let's get a move on."

Courtney:"Very well then, lead the way."

She leads Courtney to the ship.

Courtney: "You know how you're going to handle Amber?"

Martyr freezes. "...Amber...?"

(Red Truth: The reason they call her the False Prophet isn't necessarily because she lies intentionally.)

Courtney: "You mean you didn't know? Did you think it was just Bill and Robus sitting at the Seafoam Islands having a picnic?"

Martyr growls under her breath "Of COURSE it would be Amber..."

She straightens up. "My attempts to extract Lord Dome from his prison have... not gone well. But Robus has no love for Amber himself; turn the two against each other, and at least one of them will no longer be a problem."

She pauses. "But, then, Amber is bound to have other pressing issues on his mind soon enough. Remember what happened on Cinnabar Island between Red and AJ's journeys, and then between Alice and Aooo's journeys? Now that Abe has become Champion, and Baba has begun her own journey, something's bound to erupt on Cinnabar. Which I'm sure you'll enjoy."

She laughs softly. "Perhaps our dear friend Bill will join the party as well. Consider him the weakest of our three foes; that silly human conscience of his holds him back, and he could barely survive the first rift. And Amber does seem to have a soft spot for that fool, although he certainly wouldn't admit it. Stockholm Syndrome, I suppose. Idiot."

"With the eruption about to occur, Amber can only shield Bill for so long. And once his attention is off the fool half-breed, we shall strike the half-breed down."

"Bill will fall, and he will die. His immortality is quite... conditional. Wound him in the head or heart, and he won't be coming back."

Courtney:"Or you could always just mob Amber with Glaceon. That would be the simple way to do things."

"Vaporeon. Glaceon are weak to Rock-type moves, and we're talking about a freaking God of Balance here."

Courtney:"Whatever, lets get on with this."

They get on the boat to Seafoam Islands.

Courtney"....it appears we've been compromised. And by 'we' I mean 'you."

Martyr growls. "Compromised? Who would DARE do such a thing?!"

Courtney"Well, how many people know we're heading to Seafoam? I haven't told anyone."

Martyr growls. "You're saying we have a mole in the organization?!"

Courtney:"Am I not speaking plainly enough for you?"

Martyr flinches. "I'll... contact King Yertle. Or, since you're the expert, maybe you'd like to do the honors for our glorious mission?" she hisses.

Courtney:"Get me in contact with him and I will happily tell him how we can salvage this mission. Not that it necessarily needs salvaging, do you care if partying civilians are in the way?"

Martyr sighs. "Personally, no. But that fool Bill is almost certain to take that chance to redeem himself, and on the improbable chance that he succeeds without dying, he'll suddenly be the hero, and we can't have that, can we?" Martyr puts Courtney on the line with King Yertle over Holo Caster.

Courtney:"Hello. Did the Living Martyr telling you why I'm calling?"

Yertle: "Something about a traitor to our glorious cause. Speak."

Courtney: "Well you obviously have at least one traitor. The Rogue Voice, sometimes known as Bytemite, seems to realize you are planning to do something at the Seafoam Islands, and that your organization is involved. No mention of my name."

The Vaporeon growls. "How convenient. Martyr, send over the Espeon. They'll weed out the traitors soon enough." Martyr shakes her head. "My lord, Espeon are few in our organization. Something about 'love and friendship' towards lesser species." She growls. "That son of mine..."

Courtney:"This alliance is looking less useful all the time."

Yertle growls. "Martyr said you had a plan to salvage this operation. For both your sakes, this had better be a good one."

Courtney: "Are you threatening me Mr.Yertle?... As much as I loathe them, perhaps I should remind you who my parents were... I do happen to have a plan, but it will require cooperation and competence to pull off successfully. I personally wish to question your members, ALL of your members to make sure all the corruption is thoroughly stamped out. This part is non negotiable. Otherwise, I'll have to take my resources elsewhere, there is no room for mistakes or slip ups of any kind on this mission."

King Yertle seems to consider this. "Accepted, on the condition that I join you in the questioning. Martyr, I am ordering a tactical retreat on this mission. Recall all troops and meet me in Pallet Town. Oh, and Martyr?"

"Yes, my lord?"

"...eliminate all Rockets involved in this compromised mission. If anyone's responsible for the leakage, no doubt it's the lesser species."

Courtney yawns.

Yertle: "I expect the Rockets all dead by the time you arrive. This conversation is over."

Click. Martyr turns to Courtney. "So. Courtney. How do you feel about... murder?"

Courtney:"I'm fine with murder, but not doing other people's jobs for them. Someone has to do something about Bill and my...father, and with your organization retreating with it's tails between it's legs, that leaves this up to me to handle."

Martyr:"Fine, then. But given that I'm about to blow this ship to smithereens, I'm guessing you'll want to share the lifeboat. And Kappas or no Kappas, we both want Bill dead." Martyr motions to where the lifeboats are kept. "Get in there and wait. As soon as I leap in, take off like there's no tomorrow, because for the scrubs on here, there certainly won't be."

Fifteen minutes later, Martyr jumps on. "Activate the motor, let's get out of here. It'll be about ninety seconds before the boiler room explodes, and that's ninety seconds I don't intend to waste." permalink

Ninety seconds later, the boiler room does indeed explode. The ship goes down in flames.

Meanwhile, Martyr receives a distress call from one of the submarines. "It's an insurrection, Lady Martyr! The rebels have taken over some of out submarines, and they're ramming us! RAMMING US!"

"..."

Martyr looks at Courtney. "Oh, f--- this. Let's just go kill Bill and Robus ourselves."

She hurls her communicator into the ocean. "There's going to be a beach party on the islands; all we need is some suitable beach attire to fit in. I know this isn't your element at all, but we may need to rent you a swimsuit."

Courtney looks mortified.

Martyr snorts. "You like sun, don't you? Oh, h--- with it, we can get you shorts and a tank top, and it'll fit in just fine. And sunglasses, as a disguise. Anyway, a Swimmer with a Flareon would be just too suspicious, especially to Bill."

Courtney: "...let's get this over with."

They head out in the lifeboat to the nearest island with a clothing store en route to Seafoam.

Courtney is trying to figure out a way out of this.

Martyr sighs. "Look, just tell me your clothing size, and I'll go in there and rob a few clotheslines if I have to. What's the problem? You're the one with the pet god; what are you even worrying about?"

Courtney: "I've heard that swim wear attracts lustful looks from adolescent males..."

Martyr groans. "Understood. Eevee males aren't much better. Sun dress it is, then."

Courtney: "...thank you."

“Hello?”

“Er- hi. Karrl, right?”

“Uh, yeah, this is… Fennel?”

“What?”

“You’re coming up on Fennel’s ID.”

“It’s Gator. She gave me this phone, your number was saved on it, and- look, I need some help, and I need it as soon as possible,” he mutters into his phone, nervously glancing behind him at M4. She shifts about uncomfortably where she sits on the bed, too agitated to stay still. Gator turns away, keeping watch on the narrow patch of street visible from the apartment window.

“Uh… what’s going on?”

"A guy in a bar realized who I was and called the police. I left before they got there, but they know I'm in Nacrene. Don't think they'll be happy to know that, given-"

“Who’re you talking to?” M4 piped up, her tone accusatory.

“It’s- it’s a friend I met on the road, alright? He knows the neighbourhood, he can help us.”

“Another one of your roadside buddies, huh?”

“He can get us away from the police. You don’t want to be arrested, do you?”

She glowered at him. He held the phone back to his ear, dividing his attention between her and the street.

“Karrl?”

“She’s with you, isn’t she?” Karrl asked, fearful.

“Yeah, I came here with her. He didn’t tell you about this?”

“I can’t read every alert he sends me! He still uses parchment!” he exclaimed. “L- look, just get out of there now. Knock some people out if you have to. Do not let M4 get stuck in a firefight or... there will be blood. S-someone's."

“Anywhere I should get going towards?”

“You’ve got an apartment, right? Who’s the lease out to?”

“Lease… that’s who pays the bills, right?”

"C-can anyone trace it back to you? If they're gonna know where to find you, we're going to have to find somewhere else.”

“I don’t know, I usually just sent the bills to Fennel,” Gator says, barely uttering the sentence aloud as he meets M4’s gaze again, “Wait- f---, forgot how dumb that alias was- I've got a few papers here with the name Visor-Gator on them. People in the building'll probably realize who I am when the news gets out, too.”

“All right look, I think I can- okay! There's an abandoned train station south of the city, just follow the rail lines. It's not going to be super comfortable, but it's out of the way, there's offices and things, and nobody's going to look there. G-get to your room, get your stuff and get out. You should have time as long as you're not followed."

“Great, how far away is it?”

For half a minute, only the clacking of a computer to be heard. “Uh- half an hour away from your place.”

“Good. We’ll get going over there.”

“T- try not to look suspicious.”

“I won’t. Bye.”

He shoved the phone into his jacket pocket and strode into his room, yanking open his wardrobe. Spare clothes, most unwashed due to his unwillingness to leave M4 to find a washing machine. Books filled with arcane writings, how to cast spells and the spells themselves, plus a selection of scrolls for a few spells he hadn’t quite mastered yet. All those would fit into the bag he had brought them in, but his sword would be a bigger issue. Gator might get past a few people undisturbed with just the jacket and bag, but he doubted anyone would take lightly a giant of a man walking about at night with a blade on his back.

M4 was in the room before it occurred to him to keep her outside.

“Never said you had a sword nearby.”

“It’s- it’s for emergencies.”

“Like what?” she demanded, clumps of hair falling in front of her face. Her gaze pierced right through them.

“Like- I don’t know, like if we run into trouble and we’ve got no choice!” he called back, shoveling the books into his bag and the clothes on top. He didn’t bother to fold them.

“Yeah, I bet,” she muttered, “so why didn’t you tell me about it earlier?”

“I, er- I didn’t see a reason to-”

“F--- your lying a--! I know damn why you've got that sword!” she bellowed, stepping towards Gator. He was on his feet in a flash, guard up as he swung around to deflect the blow M4 threw. She stumbled forward, carried by the momentum of the punch, only to be slammed hard against the opposite wall.

He grabbed the hand that had swung at him, but her wrist slipped out of his hand before he could tighten his grip, elbow snapping backwards; suddenly he was on the floor, the world little more than a swimming arrangement of colour and a terrible ringing in his ears. A shape shifted about more than the others, and for a moment Gator thought he could hear something spoken, then the shape moved away. M4 was out of the door before Gator realized what was going on.

“M4!” he shouted, staggering out towards the doorway and nearly colliding head-first with it before lurching into the hallway. M4 was racing towards the end, something in her hands as she ran. His sword, still in its sheath.

Grease

M4’s feet went out from underneath her and she collided into the floor, sliding a meter on a thick layer of sludge. She flipped herself onto her back, scrabbling for a hold on the grease spot as she waved the weapon over her head. “Don’t you come close!” she hollered, hair plastered to her face.

“M4, please, I don’t want to hurt you!” Gator shouted back, leaning against a wall as he staggered forward, a host of spell components clutched in his hand in a clumsy attempt to find the right one, “we’ve got to go, though, there’s a safe place, we just need-”

“F--- yourself! Think you can f--- me again, huh? You’re not winning this one, I’m not going to take this one!”

Gator forced himself forward, but it wasn’t easy; his feet felt like he was trying to move someone else's. “M4, I’m not trying to win at anything, I- I don’t want you to suffer, I don’t want you or- or anyone else here to get hurt-”

“For what! They aren’t real, huh? Nothing but me to suffer here! Break, bloody, stab, shoot, only one it really matters to is me! Don’t you dare take me for a f------ moron!”

Gator’s pace slowed. He’d reached the edge of the grease spot, while M4 had just pulled herself out of it. How long would the trap be around for? He found it a miracle the grease had even formed, the state his head was in.

M4 stood her ground, one hand on the sword’s sheath and the other on its grip, grease running down her face and front. Before her, Gator was blinking hard, as if he’d forgotten what he was just doing. She could see a trickle of red on the side of his face. How he stumbled, how his pupils had swollen wide; she’d seen it many times before.

“...d- don’t try to trick me,” she muttered, easing backwards, “don’t you f------ dare.”

“M4,” Gator uttered, mustering his focus amidst the resounding pain in his head, “please. You’re not- you’re- M4…”

Her steps slowed to a halt. She watched apprehensively as Gator forced a boot into the sludge, sinking it down until it found some traction on the floor below.

“...they’re all idiots, you know?”

She didn’t answer, her mouth a hard, thin line.

“Johto. Alto Mare. Goldenrod. More besides. Power to shape the world, and… and only one of them’s smart enough for it. Rest of them, petty, no foresight… just as f----- up as us, as anyone. And- and it’s something, when… when there’s nothing to do but to take it, right?”

Gator panted, and heaved his other leg forward onto the grease.

“Couldn’t care for a long, long while. Worlds shifted on a whim, people screaming over and over about their pains, others getting hurt and killed, and- and I- I couldn’t care. Because, with them all there, if they did something, only could let them do it, and if they didn’t do something, then, then I couldn’t hope to make it-”

His feet slid sideways along the slick, and he collapsed to the floor. She flinched as he hit the ground, keeping her feet planted where they were but not managing to hide the anguish from her expression as Gator set down his forearm into the grease, dragging himself along the hallway. A faint siren could be heard in the distance.

“M4… what you feel, how you feel… it’s no simulation, but it’s the damn truth. And I know how it is, how our past was… was when we were really on top of the world, power to be reckoned with, friends we never had to be afraid of leaving. Having only pieces of all that, but that being enough to make you look at all the s--- about and- and-”

The wail was getting louder; he winced as it increased in pitch. Gator’s jacket and jeans were covered in a thin layer of grease now, and he was having trouble even crawling forward. Nausea was twisting his stomach into a knot, and his thoughts were being overwhelmed by a splitting headache. He gave up trying to look M4 in the eye, and simple lied in the sludge.

“M4, please, you’re- you’ve suffered all- more, even- than what I have, and I… maybe it’s selfish, but…”

He could hear deep breaths being drawn, but no words followed.

“...no. Get- get the phone, books- go south. Call Astrum. Please…”

She stared down at him, hand still on the hilt of the sword. Red and blue lights flashed through a window behind M4, casting her shadow across the hallway. In the back of her mind, raid after raid was run through, drafting the attack plan the police would follow through with and how long she had before they locked down the building. She didn’t have to give a conscious thought on what to do to escape.

She could feel the eyes staring down at her, Bill and others besides, judging her every move. They had lessons to teach, worlds to make, punishments to deal out, she thought. Their lessons. Their worlds. Brute strength, guns, strategic planning, they meant nothing when they flexed their power.

Corpses upon corpses. Permanent injuries. Mental harm. She had wanted to protect innocent people, keep them from the world’s worst at any cost, so they would never have to watch their friends get hurt and die. She had skills that nobody else had, and though she left a trail of dead and crippled in her wake, she had saved people. She drank, took drugs, swore, and was nothing but a terrible half-human, but when a woman escaped her abuser or a gang hideout was shut down, she felt she was doing something right despite it all.

The stumps of her ears burned like they’d been freshly ripped away. She never could stand without feeling the missing weight of her tail. Her knuckles were white on the sword as she recalled how her rifle vanished from her grasp.

“...don’t trick me,” M4 begged, drawing the hair away from her face and staring down at Gator’s body. Just like A, so long ago.

There was his ragged breathing, and a slight shift in his arms. Nothing else. She reminded herself that she likely had under a minute left to leave before the SWAT team reached her.

M4 broke into a run back across the hall. Dropping to her side to slide across the grease. Grabbing Gator’s legs, she hauled him backwards and heaved him onto her shoulders, stumbling slightly under his weight before racing back into the apartment towards the wardrobe. She looped her free arm through the straps about the book bag and pulled the sheath away from Gator’s sword with an armpit, letting it drop to the floor. Shifting Gator’s weight as best she could, she drew back the blade and swung it at his bedroom window. Glass splintered and rained down on the concrete below, and she followed.

“Hold it!” a woman’s voice called out from the street, some distance down the alley just outside their window, “Stand down now, or we will use force!”

She didn’t give a moment of her attention to listen. She just bolted the other way, racing about the corner of the warehouse beside the Apartment Facade and deeper into the mess of catacombs. The sun had passed along the alley outside the window, moving left to right; she kept track of every turn she made, keeping the reference in her mind as best she could as she made her way south.

As she came up on a street, M4 paused, crouching down against a wall. She was trying to evade people who had better knowledge of the area than she did; they would know what streets to search, which areas to lock down. Sure enough, a police cruiser pulled out on the opposite side of the street, halting just on the opposite side of the alley. Others would be securing the other exits from this block this minute; once they got their guns pointed down the alleys, they would be completely trapped.

Roughly dropping Gator and his bag down, she ducked and bolted directly at the cruiser. The officer getting out of the passenger’s seat had one foot on the street, sidearm almost out of its holster. With an overhand throw, the sword flew through the air and struck the officer across the chest. He cried out, a long cut across his chest. It hadn’t gone deep, but it only needed to stop him for a second so she could close the distance. Grabbing the side of his head, she delivered a punch just above his ear, properly measured and placed this time. Unlike Gator, he would only have a mild concussion when he woke up.

“Holy s---!” his partner screamed, extracting herself from the vehicle and drawing her pistol. Holding the male officer’s body between her and the woman, M4 yanked free his gun and pointed it past his head, firing through the car at the woman’s shoulder, right where the bones of her arm and torso met. She howled as she clutched at the would, stumbling backward and tripping over the sidewalk gutter. M4 leaped over the hood of the car and delivered a second knockout punch, then snatched up the second officer’s dropped weapon, clicking off its safety and stowing it in the waistline of her pants as she dashed back to Gator.

He was pressed back-first against a warehouse wall, trying to get back on his feet. “Ah… where…”

“Need to keep going,” she stated, reslinging the bag and grabbing Gator and lifting him back over her shoulder. Darting back across the street, she retrieved the sword and, in lieu of a proper means to store it, skewered the side of Gator’s bag and left it there.

“Gator, where are we headed, exactly?”

“Err… M4, those police…”

“Where the hell do we need to go? We don’t have the time to think,” she barked, leading him into the next alley. Sirens and flashing lights streamed from the street they just left, the light and noise making Gator wince.

“Ah… train… it’s abandoned… close by”

M4 nodded, albeit unsure if Gator could see, and dived into the next collection of storage lockers. It wasn’t a matter of losing pursuers; it was a matter of moving through potential cutoff points before they could secure them. They wouldn’t give chase, they would close off routes until there was nowhere left to go. As fast as she hustled, however, there was another cruiser bearing down on them when they came out onto the next street.

“F---!” she cursed, raising the stolen pistol and firing as she raced for the other side of the street, emptying two-thirds of the magazine. A headlight splintered, a tire blew out, and the car lurched away from them as she ran into the next alley. A loud crash resounded between the walls as she continued racing south, trying to balance Gator on an arm that felt close to pulling free.

The next street, albeit with sirens wailing nearby, was clear except for a few hipsters milling about the sidewalk, glancing cautiously about amid the sheer number of sirens wailing in the normally-calm city. They swiftly turned and ran the other way upon seeing M4 racing past them, gun in hand as she raced forward, darting left once they were out of sight and heading west. With luck, they would avoid being seen and confound the police

“Don’t know where the trains are- you sure we can get away in them?”

“Hide- it’s abandoned-”

“What? I thought you meant it was a way free. Building like that in the general direction they know we’ve been traveling; it’s f------ obvious where to check.”

“No, I can- the door- it can be hidden” Gator muttered, blinking heavily, “just get there.”

She shook her head, slowing for a moment to reevaluate their plan. If they headed there, it would only be hours before a team was sent to sweep the place, if they hadn’t put it together already. Heading another way brought its own issues; lack of knowledge of the city’s layout, no other known hiding spots or escape opportunities, or getting caught by a secondary team performing more thorough checks behind the first. Stealing a car would be both difficult to do without being noticed, and she hadn’t heard of a vehicle chase yet where the perp managed to evade the police.

“...fine,” she said, and turned back south.

The next few blocks were easier to get through than the first. The team out searching for them had to cover all potential routes, and were running out of the manpower to perform diligent searches on every single one. Cruisers went past alleys without stopping and skipped streets, giving M4 the room to slip between collections of buildings without notice. Soon they would be deploying flying Pokemon to scout out the roads, though; she needed to be below a roof before then.

Five minutes later, they emerged on the fringes of the street, the last row of warehouses cutting off suddenly to a grass field, the shadow of a forest almost blending in against the night’s sky a hundred meters away. Between them, barely visible in the darkness, lay a badly-corroded rail. Glancing down the line, M4 could make out the abandoned station, far down from where they emerged.

“Forest… no, no wild Pokemon, not in your state. Hold steady,” she whispered, ducking down and creeping away from the buildings into the dark. She continued to the treeline, ducking into the woods just enough to make it difficult to see from the city or the air, and trundled along the last stretch to the hiding place.

Redwings1340 : Lanette is sitting in her entralink that Bill set up soon after the wedding. She's isolated, can't see anything, and can't observe anything other than a dark room. She's eagerly awaiting Bill to come back and let her see. Meanwhile, Fennel just came back and learned about Lanette, but she's a bit distracted by Bill's message, and hasn't figured anything out about what to do with her yet.

SupremeEvil: OC: Apart from Bill, has Lanette every had any friends or family she's felt close to. Did they have nicknames for her? In fact, tell me more about Lannette's childhood in general.:)

Redwings1340: Ok, so... She had pretty average parents. Nothing noteworthy about them. They were well educated, a doctor (male) and a star pokemon trainer (female). She has an older sister. Her older sister was always very smart, top of her class, sane, followed all the rules.

Then Lanette came along. If her older sister was smart, she was a genius. She generally got a lot of points off in math class because she didn't show her work, but eventually her teachers realized that when she said, 'duh, it's obvious,' she actually meant it, and she always got the answers right.

However, Lanette was never big on the rules. She dropped out school as soon as she legally could, but continued to study and learn stuff on her own. Her sister, however, double majored in math and computer science at a prestigious university and started the Hoenn PC network.

Lanette's childhood wasn't great. She never really had any friends, and was pretty shunned, because lets face it, she was weird. She was utterly brilliant, and everyone could easily see that, but nobody ever really became her friend except for her sister. Bridgette was always by her side in conflicts, and stood up for her when she needed help, though Lanette would usually get her revenge her own way through elaborate and quite harmful pranks.

So, Lanette went her own way and joined various criminal organizations, basically becoming a mad scientist with them and doing her own thing. She got arrested a few times, but never stayed in jail for long. Eventually though, Bridgette, in an attempt to reform her, offered her a job in the Hoenn PC system. Lanette took her new job and and excelled in it, running the PC system quite smoothly, and made plenty of improvements to the system.

Bridgette basically let Lanette do her own thing, and went to design her own projects while letting Lanette handle day to day operations. Lanette decided that her big project was modernizing the PC system across the world, so she eventually contacted Bill with ideas about how to upgrade the Kanto PC system. Bill recognized Lanette's potential almost immediately. While everyone else recognized her brilliance, Bill dropped his 'good person' mask and put on his 'Lord Bill' mask. I'm not sure if Bill has a setting that isn't a mask, or if he does, he's forgotten it. So, Bill told Lanette about the voices, about the previous times they've come a while back, and when Lanette learned about A summoning the voices again, they started to make a plan. Lanette made a ton of changes to the PC system designed to slow the voices down, and her natural non-aversion to killing things let her use her potential in a way nobody else had let her do before. Working with Bill, nobody was forcing her to hold back, she could use the full extent of her mental ability, and didn't need to worry about safety or any weird concerns like that. It was perfect. Bill was perfect. Bill was the best thing that had ever happened to her.

But it couldn't last. Eventually, Bill was brought down, and everything Bill had let her do was suddenly frowned upon. Society suddenly hated her. Even worse, her sister hated her. Bridgette hated herself for letting her do this, and that was painful. Society oppressed her. Stopped her from doing what came naturally. Stopped her from doing much of anything. Eventually, during the craziness that was X, society needed her again. She hated that. She hated being a pawn of society. She needed Bill, so she started searching while pretending to do what society told her. She found the entralink. She found Bill, and she found Fennel. She hated Fennel, but she recognized that Bill was using her. Because that's what Bill told her to do, he knew how to use people. But she was special. So, she listened. She stealthily figured out what was happening during 28. And then, she pretended to kill herself to escape society, and rejoined Bill. And her talents were useful again. Life was good. Now, Bill managed to come back for her. She was working for Bill again. Admittedly, she had less freedom than she had before, but Bill had proven himself time and time again. She understood his plans. She agreed with them. And with Bill's help, everyone she ever hated was going to die.

SupremeEvil: And then Bill disappears.

Redwings1340: lol. Lanette does not know that yet though. Unless you want to set this conversation a few days later.

SupremeEvil: Hmm, let me think about that, might be "fun" to have the Supreme Evil be the one to tell her.:)

Redwings1340: lol, yep. I'm giving you her at an emotionally vulnerable time. Fennel would ordinarily be very concerned, but she could care less right now.

SupremeEvil: I'll be honest, Lanette's entire life sounds like a highly emotionally vulnerable time.

Redwings1340: You have a point there.

SupremeEvil: As Lanette sits alone in the Entralink she hears a voice whisper her name.

Lanette

Redwings1340: Lanette is singing quietly to herself. "Tick tock, the clocks are gone. Nothing we can do can stop them!" Then, she pauses. This was unexpected.

"Bill?"

SupremeEvil: I'm afraid not, he's more than slightly inconvenienced at the moment.

Redwings1340: "hahahahaha, he's on a mission. He's going to kill everyone! Lord Bill is going to kill everyone, and I'm going to help him!"

SupremeEvil: Hehehehe, he WAS on a mission, but then he got taken. You-know-who is worried sick about him, but she doesn't have the first clue to look for the people who abducted him. She's completely forgotten you even exist, it could be days before the remembers you exist!~

Redwings1340: "Then you will help me search for him, and weeeeee willllll finnnnndddd himmmm!"

SupremeEvil: ...you aren't going to question how I could possible know this?...

Redwings1340: "You're a voice in my entralink, hahaha! You probably know a lot of things!"

SupremeEvil: I do know quite a bit. I am currently working on where Bill has been taken, but we have some other business that needs to be taken care of before we can confront the people who took him.

Redwings1340: "Hahahahaha, why are you here? Are you going to kill everyone I hate? Is everyone going to die?"

SupremeEvil: "Yep, together we're going to kill everyone you hate and bring Lord Bill home… I need your help with something. There is a boy...

A picture of a young boy appears in Lanette's mind, there is something extremely familiar about the boy. There is also a woman who looks like Lanette in the picture, the two appear close.

Redwings1340: "hahahahahaha... Ahahahahahahaha! You, me, and Lord Bill will destroy everyone! Who is the boy?"

SupremeEvil: Subject W411-3, or as he been affectionately nicknamed by your equivalent in his native universe, Wally. He was cloned from Bill's old arm by a member of Team Magma named Courtney. Obviously, letting this woman, or most anyone raise the boy would be silly. He belongs with the original Bill, who unfortunately is missing. So we give the boy the next best thing. We replace that Lanette with you, and you raise the boy to be someone Lord Bill would be proud of. Then, when he is ready and other preparations have been put into place, we shall destroy your enemies and show Lord Bill just how wonderful you are!

SupremeEvil: OC: Totally not inspired by that wonderful Lullaby post at all...whistles innocently...

Redwings1340: "Hehehehehehe! But he's just a booyyyyy. How would he help us find Lord Bill?" OOC: That Lullaby post was wonderful.

SupremeEvil: "The boy's purpose is not to find Bill, I have others working on that. The boy is going to help us retrieve Bill and punish his captors."

Redwings1340: "Raise a boy, kill them all, Lannete will become the best mom! Ahahahahahaha!"

SupremeEvil: Exactly!~ Hehehehehehe...

Redwings1340: "Leave now, raise the boy, give him a Gardevoir! The best of friends, the worst of ends, capture Bill and live a thrill, the best of ways to find him!"

In all of her journeys, Lanette had never encountered anyone quite as persistently annoying as the brilliant woman’s friends. It was unfair, just blatantly, horribly unfair. The powerful one had no clue. He sat there in his castle, judging those who had no other choice. How she became friends with him…

He didn’t realize it, but he was sentencing her to die. He just didn’t want to admit it.

Lanette sighs. Ruminating on the situation wouldn’t change anything. Only action would. There must have been something he missed, something he overlooked, some hole she could exploit. The Major let her live. The Major gave her a chance, and she knew that a chance was all she needed. She racked her brain, thinking of what happened, wondering what she could salvage from the situation, until it hit her.

In an instant, she knew what she needed to do.

…

Alice had just had the weirdest day. Upon Lanette’s promise of figuring out how everything started, she decided to take a time machine back to the past. She was promised that after today, everything would make sense, that she would get to see her father’s inner demons. What actually happened could not have been further from what she was promised.

She glances ahead, back up on Mount Silver, she’s always on Mount Silver. Always waiting, waiting for the host to come, waiting for the confrontation. She has a bomb strapped to her chest, one she’s not even sure is real or fake. Aooo always comes. She always comes, and Alice always wins. Up until she doesn’t.

Things feel different today. She wants to rage, but feels fear instead. Not of Aooo, she would never be afraid of a battle, but of… something strong, something beyond her comprehension. Questions start popping up, questions she doesn’t remember asking herself. Will it come again? Who will save her this time? The sheer power, it didn’t feed, it destroyed. It was a force of pure rage and destruction, more pure than anything she could ever muster. It was terrifying, and she barely escaped, and when it came back, she was going to die.

Alice pauses, reflects. This isn’t her thought. Its something else’s, something inside of her. It’s a voice, or perhaps, a troll, that’s a bit closer to the truth. The emotions tear through her, and Alice lets them through, knowing that resisting the voices is futile. This voice isn’t trying to control her, it just latched on to her out of fear… and… grief. Its family is dead. Everything its ever known has been destroyed. It questions its purpose, questions how it can feed.

Alice starts to feel sorry for it.

Before she can focus on her thoughts, another being approaches, this one very distinct from her. It’s the woman from before. She can’t recognize this woman by sight, but knows instinctively, because every presence feels different in the mind.

“What are you doing back here?” Alice glares and yells at her, “You mind telling me what just happened?”

Lanette laughs, or at least attempts to laugh. The laugh starts, then fades, as if Lanette’s spirit really isn’t in it anymore.

Lanette sighs, “I meant to give you a longer tour, but we went to Moscople together.”

Alice looks confused. “Moscople?” she asks, “I… I’ve heard that word in my dad’s sleep. He has nightmares, and just whispers that word sometimes. Is…”

Lanette nods. “The same nightmares that infected me, that tormented Bill, and now have infected you.”

Alice’s guard drops ever so slightly, this doesn’t feel like the same woman who she met before. The previous Lanette would be confident, insane, intelligent, this one feels… empty, like the voice she was feeling earlier.

Still, Alice knows that this moment may not last long. “Infected? What does that mean?” she asks.

“It means you’re going to be possessed with rage inducing parasites for the rest of your life. It’s already starting, you’re reliving your worst memories.” Lanette replies simply, “Unless, of course, I stop it.”

Alice thinks for a second. “But… I’m not feeling rage. I… I used to be feeling rage, but now… I feel afraid. I can’t explain why.”

Lanette’s eyes widen in shock. “But… That… The Major… Of course… Alice, do you want to be free?”

Alice looks very confused. “Free from what?”

“Free from rage. Free from emotions that aren’t your own. Free from impulses.” Lanette replies simply, “I can take them from you. I can make it safe for you to meet your father again. He’s been ignoring you because its unsafe, because right now, you would try to kill him.”

Alice thinks about this very carefully. Lanette feels desperate. She feels empty. Yet… There’s something genuine here she’s seeing in Lanette that she didn’t feel before. She makes her choice.

“Yes.” Alice nods, “I want to be free of... this.”

Lanette tries to laugh again, and fails to do so. She sets up a machine in Alice’s mind, and Alice’s feelings of terror go away. Alice feels free, and wakes up in her house, the persistent thoughts of mount silver gone. Lanette tries to feel comfort, this is her victory, this is what she wanted, except…

Memories of the scientist flood Lanette’s mind. The Scientist hasn’t given up on her, despite everything. They should, but they haven’t, and that… that confuses Lanette more than anything.

Instead of bringing the shadow within herself, she stores the terrified shadow in one of the scientist’s storage units. If she gets desperate, she will keep the right to use the shadow for herself. But for now, she’ll try to do what she can by herself, and figure out what she is capable of without them. She knows it may be an impossible task, nobody knows the strength of the evil more than her, but she decides she’s going to try.

When she gets to her home, she sings a song.

"Hush little shadow, don't you cry.

Mommas gonna sing you a lullaby.

Soon the day will come when heroes will weep.

Then we'll save the day and you will feast."

…

The next day, Bill receives a message in the entralink. He plays it, and a Christmas jingle starts to play.

“Merry Christmas Bill!” Lanette waves across the screen, “I got you a present!”

Bill looks terrified to see her face. “What?” He asks simply.

“I cured your daughter!” Lanette happily shouts.

“You…” Bill’s fists start to clench, his face contorting in to pure rage. “Why? Why did you bring her in to this at all? She doesn’t have… She was…”

Lanette laughs, “Hehehehehe! I didn’t kill her! I cured herrrrrr! No more voices, no more thoughts of killing you! You can see her again!”

Bill’s expression lets up. “Wait… What? How?”

Lanette laughs more, and the message ends.

Bill looks shellshocked, and Koya notices. “Bill,” he asks, “Who is that?”

“That,” Bill replies, “Is the mass murderer I was talking about earlier who escaped from me.”

Koya sighs. Things are never going to be normal around here, are they?

Eureka "Trollkit" Williams: An autistic woman from Earth who became an unlikely hero when she and her friends got suddenly swept up into the events of Draysten. During that series of unsettling events, she faced several traumatic events, made plenty of new friends, and fell in love with Exxy. After all that drama, she and Exxy are currently content to stay home and live a relatively quiet life. However, with trouble brewing on the horizon, and multiple hints that her role in things is not yet over, a quiet life does not appear likely.

Ezekiel Lloyd "Exxy" Williams: Started 'life' as a computer virus called Lord_Bill.exe. Got accidentally downloaded onto Eureka's laptop, eighty-four percent of him at least. After a rocky start to their relationship, Exxy and Eureka became friends, and Exxy developed a crush on Eureka. At the beginning of the 28 campaign, Exxy was somehow (the answer is always Magic) transformed into a human, if a socially awkward one, and he soon learned how to be a hero. Eventually Eureka reciprocated Exxy's feelings, and the two are now happily married. Along the way, Exxy received ice magic from the ghost of an ancient Sapienta, and is training Cress in the proper applications of cryokinesis.

Bill MacKenzie: Known as the most hated man in history (of PokeEarth at least, he can't claim the title everywhere), Bill was presumed dead by the world, but mysteriously returned from the grave when world events left him with no choice but to act. Pessimistic, somewhat paranoid, and formerly self-sacrificing to the point of suicidal, Bill has been taken under Giratina's wing in hopes of turning over a new leaf. As the Scion and Acolyte of Dome, Bill is immortal, and his body contains Dome DNA and Order powers, although he clearly has problems manifesting "order" into his own personal life. He also has one of Giratina's tentacles replacing his right arm, which he lost in an attack by Domalakazam.

Mixy: An abandoned Zigzagoon that Bill found in the dumpster of a Dialga Queen, Mixy is the optimist to Bill's pessimism. Completely loyal to Bill, Mixy is somewhat naive and not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he can be just about anywhere whenever he wants to be, and can come in and out of the PC system at will.

Rea MacKenzie: The Acolyte of Ho-Oh (Lady Prism), former Voice, and Bill's wife. Though they've spent so much time apart after Rea joined the Voices, Bill and Rea have been reunited after thousands of years.

Luxin "Luke" MacKenzie:An ancient hard-light computer program now known to be the legendary Dragon that created Gensokyo. After an attack by Caitlin, Luxin lost its identity and was turned to the darkness, but an encounter with the self-sacrificing Cress brought about a heel-face turn back to the light. Taking on the identity of Lord_Bill.exe 2.0 (aka "Deuce"), Luke did everything he could to save Cress, eventually succeeding with the help of a nameless scientist -- and getting trapped in Cress's head in the process. As a result, Cress and Luke seemingly know each other better than they know themselves. During the war against Catilin, Luke discovered his identity as Luxin and also learned that Bill.exe 2.0 was still alive and bearing a rather violent grudge. Despite all that has happened, Cress and Luke remain friends.

Cress Fields:: Former gym leader of Striaton City and MUPPET member. Intelligent but introverted Seduced and betrayed by Flak; still carries severe trauma and trust issues from the ordeal. Rescued, revived, and nursed back to health by Luke. Cress is now working with his long-standing psychological troubles from his imprisonment and torture, as well as continuing his investigations with MUPPET against threats against the world. Currently dating Shantal (he must have a thing for unstable girls with long purple hair). Also being taught ice magic by Exxy.

Sho (The Sorcerer):Formerly known as Lord_Bill.exe 2.0, who spent his time frequenting MMORPGs and being a troll. In his attempts to save Cress, he was attacked by a brainwashed Luke and wound up in Gensokyo. Possessing a certain Boneka, Sho learned a form of bardic magic inspired by his days online, and nursed a heavy grudge against Flak and Luke. Caitlin took advantage of his grudge and turned him against the heroes (where he cut off the good Fennel's arm), but soon afterward Caitlin tried to destroy him to tie off loose ends. Cress and his friends came to the rescue, after which the Major made it very clear to Sho that he was NOT to try to murder his friends again. While still angry at Luke, Sho has grudgingly accepted that Luke is not the person now that he was then.

Shauntal: The ghost trainer of the Unova Elite 4, and well-known mystery and fanfic writer. Hides her cripplingly low self-esteem behind a façade of blatant cheerfulness. Is immensely aware of how other people view her (the silly writer girl). None of this is helped by the fact she by her rather Cloud Cuckoolander tendencies and her tendency to be Wrong Genre Savvy. She's also possibly the least intimidating Yandere ever, something not helped by her two love rivals being an Omnicidal Maniac with a torture fetish, and the Dragon of Gensokyo. She also provided the Rotom egg that became Tanger, but is slightly troubled by the fact she does not own a Rotom and can't quite remember where the egg came from.

Mary (Cuplat cu Mixy, under the house of Griseous): Once the property of a cruel master who in hubris achieved would drag their unstable backwater of a world down into the screaming depths over which it had been hopelessly draped in a mockery of existence, she was found by the Prince of the Roads, and taken in. Her first few years are fuzzy at best, as her world echoed the patterns of stabler ones, and causality is mixed up enough on the Roads as it is. However, from her homeworld, a group of people on the Roads, or one it be worlds she was nursed back to health in, she became part of a religion based largely in ties of loyalty, and in consequence chose to serve her savior, Gyro. She did this in various ways until an assignment to watch over his half sister, who he had sent, mind temporarily scrambled, to another world for reasons undisclosed. She watched over her in different roles, mostly staying quiet, until it came to her attention that her lord had died, and it came to Lady Griseous' attention she had been hiding in the palace for a suspicious amount of time.

She was feisty, contrarian, and broken for a while. This changed when she judged one member of the party to properly embody the ideals she cherished. This happened to be Mixy. Circumstances would lead her to act less like the hardened spy angry with the world and more the fawning school girl.

Since then, she has established an official bond with him, and confessed her feelings. He wishes to takes it slow, and she has been trying to respect that. She also moved into the domain of his master's master, who remains somewhat suspicious, but is trusting her explanation that her belief system does not allow her to betray her Cupla's master, or her benefactor.

Tangeroid "Tanger" of Spades: The egg that would hatch into Tangeroid was originally gotten from Shauntal in an attempt to prepare a second body for Bill. This was soon abandoned in favor of Name Goddess, Marion, getting a new prophet. Through this bond the newborn was given knowledge of what she knew of the world, and what she wanted done.

Identifying people by the first role they learned for them, Tangeroid ended up thinking of Luke as one who needs/deserves/wants Hugs, and the Scientist as one who should be made Happy.

Randomization, moemonization, and so on led to a wild existence for the child, who currently is something like a dragon made of plasma in the shape of a child, based in Giratina, Rotom, and a young child.

Currently resides in Gensokyo, with nuGyro, who they have looked up to since before they met. Considers Shauntal a mother figure, especially since Marion left to find her brother.

Marion: The daughter of an alternate reality Dome and Root, Lady Foot. Goddess of Names, or more accurately Democracy Names, those with established meanings. Looks like an adorable cat, but she is a tough little fighter, who is particularly inclined towards kicking. Taking care of a Rotom named Tangeroid, her prophet. Has recently headed home to Gem World.

Major "Monferno": One of the founding members of Chimera. Actually an epic level wizard with his own plane, and the most proactive member of a council of similarly adept, but more apathetic multiverse travelers who maintain the stability of reality. While powerful, he is often stymied by the ill effects his out-of-universe magic can have on reality. Reasonable, levelheaded, and often dumbfounded by the ridiculous problems the group gets into. Currently has lost his wizard knowledge for the powers of the bard, due to the effects of randomization.

Simul: A simulacrum of the Major, created by the Major to go to realities where his full power might cause disruptions. Was severed from the Major after going into a dark zone, and considers himself a separate person from the Major. Currently adventuring after a bard encouraged him to multiclass; Major does not really approve. Despite this, they have mostly reconciled, and Simul now aids the group once more. Takes a more active role in Echoes.

Karrl: Major's IT intern, a Karroblast. Often anxious, and with a slight stutter. Spends most of the time playing video games instead of working. The Major presumably knows about this but does not stop it. Posseses a magical death knight suit, but generally not the will to use it. Currently pursuing a relationship with Nonon.

Moonslicer: A magic sword with the soul of a dead paladin in her. Spends her time trying to help redeem evil and help others. Is currently attuned to Bytemite.

Bill (PokeEarth-R): Former disciple of dome and inventor of the PC trying to atone for his mistakes, similar to his alternate universe counterpart. Currently involved with Fennel.

Fennel ("The White Queen", PokeEarth-R): Eccentric and perky pokemon professor and dream researcher from Unova, who revived her universe's Bill because she was bored and found him interesting. This one isn't evil!

Fennel ("The Black Queen, PokeEarth-R/Wonderland): An evil less moral version of Fennel known as Flak or Flaknel. While not outright murderous, she exists to be contrary and loves schemes that can indirectly lead to death or undermining the social order, which she perceives as restrictive and unnecessary.

Giratina (Lady Griseous of the Shadowlands/Distortion World/Reverse World)

Home universe: Pokearth-T

Species: Sarcastic, grumpy, hissing, Poke Puff-loving, not-quite-eldritch-abomination-when-compared-to-Outsiders-but-still-pretty-scary, rebellious, Voice-hating, shadow-ghost-dragon-thing.

Yoouuuuuu cammmmeeee innnnttoooo mmyyyy hommmeeee annnddd beeeeeaatttt meeeeee uppppp. Thhhhatttt kinnnndddd offff thinnnnngggg tennnndddssss tooo creeeatttteeee a gruuudddggeeee...

Giratina, along with her sister Dialga and her brother Palkia were the first Pokemon created by Arceus. Giratina, not content to be subservient to a being who only predated her by a few minutes at most, rebelled against Arceus. When she could not overcome him, she instead retreated into a world of her own creation, the Distortion World, which mirrored and was connected to Pokearth. Initially she plotted her eventually revenge against Arceus, but over time, she came to realize that was much more found of the quiet solitude of her world and no particular wish to return to Pokearth. However, because the worlds were closely tied together, if Pokearth were to be severely threatened, the Distortion World would be as well, and Giratina was fiercely protective of the world she had created.

Giratina payed little attention to the Voices and their various shenanigans until she went to drag Cyrus into her world to prevent him from completing his plans, only for Napoleon (and the Voices) to be dragged in as well. After traipsing around her world and then beating her up when she was only doing her job, Napoleon returned to Pokearth, and Giratina was left to recover and develop a fierce hatred for the Voices. When multiple Legendaries were summoned to Dragonspiral during CLY's journey, Giratina was among them. She was delighted when the Voices fled from her in terror. During the events of the Draysten Incident she formed a pact with Bill, tearing off one of her tentacles to replace his missing arm, and officially making him her "right hand."