Bumping for the regulars.

Another bump for the regulars.

I'll bump again, but I have a feeling you're not online anyway.

We usually don't have many of us on until a bit later, CS. Give me an hour and I'll start, 'kay?

>>7811655
All right, then.

Alright, back.

Since the Smokescreen didn't do much, have Snover use Icy Wind and Magnemite use Thunderwave. After that, I say we run back to the desert.

>>7812226
Since we don't have a consensus, I'll just clarify this. You, wanting to run away from a flying Pokemon who doesn't have to make the same turns that you do, will attempt to flee over open ground all the way back to the desert, taking into account the three nearby Magma grunts as well?

>>7812251
Good point. Is there a forest nearby?

>>7812293
No. You might recall that this is the territory of the guy who regularly flies out and has his Charizard shoot fire at anything standing.

>>7812346
.....touche', good sir.

Go with what I said before, and use the same strategy from when we first ran from him - split up into three groups and dodge while we run.

>>7812395
Where exactly are you running to, then?

>>7812411
The desert. It worked before, so it might work again.

>>7812447
You begin running back, away from Sarina and Courtney, the former of whom turns back to you as she starts moving towards the Fiery Path. "Where are you going?!"

>>7812498
(Oh I see, railroading are we?)

We run back to Sarina and Courtney, right after firing another Smokescreen to mask our escape.

>>7812537
(I wouldn't normally, but you're the only person here, and... let's just say that Sam and the others would be pissed about what would happen here if you did try to run back to the desert.)

You do indeed go there, your Smokescreen meeting a Flamethrower from Charizard. Luckily, it misses. Snover , surprisingly, has kept up with you very nicely.

>>7812564
We keep following Sarina and Courtney - firing Smokescreens behind us.

>>7812575
You ultimately flee to the entrance of the Fiery Path. It's quite hot in here, and rather dark, but still not as hot as the room in which you were born. Another Flamethrower hits your heels as you run inside, and Skarem lands.
"Elusive, you are! But you cannot remain inside forever, yes?"

>>7812624
"Indeed, see if you can catch us on the other side Skarem!" We disappear inside the tunnel.

>>7812637
"Oh, I will!" He laughs, then takes off again.

>>7812675
We wait inside the entrance of the tunnel for a few minutes, before asking Sableye to use his Ghost powers to check the outside.

>>7812684
The outside part you just came into, or the part at the other end of the tunnel?

>>7812703
We never went through the tunnel. We said that to Skarem to send him on a goose-chase. The 'ole Bait and Switch. We're checking the side we just entered.

>>7812726
You mention this to Sarina, who giggles a bit despite herself. Courtney looks concerned, but Sarina releases Sableye nonetheless. Fading her body into darkness, she peeks out the side of the tunnel entrance, then turns back to you. "The three other men are still near, watching this exit."

>>7812765
"They're an obstacle to us then - they need to be removed..."

>>7812803
Courtney nods, looking to Sarina and her own grunts. "We're ready. We can definitely handle them between us."

>>7812809
"Alright, but first, we'll need a plan. Something to tip the fight in our favor - we don't have time for a drawn-out battle..." We look to Sableye again, "Sableye, would you be able to sneak up on those guards without them seeing you?"

>>7812726
>>7812873
Sneaky git, dis 'un

>>7812873
"I should, yes. You want me to... bring them down?" She seems visibly uncomfortable about this.

>>7812894
What can I say? I loves mah rogues!

>>7812897
We look at Sableye reassuringly, "No no, that'd be too dangerous, and we wouldn't risk your life like that. I want you to see if you can steal their Poke Balls without them noticing. If you can't, just cause some mischief and distract them - that'll give us the opportunity we need to take them by surprise. Think you can manage that?"

>>7812940
She cocks her head. "I'm skilled at hiding in darkness... but this is broad daylight outside."

>>7812968
"What about shadows? Can you move in those?"

>>7812995
"I can move better in those, yes."

>>7813017
"Can you see any out there?"

>>7813044
I need to go for something like half an hour so that my computer can unfuck itself.

>>7813058
sure thing.

Anyone else following this thread? It looks like we'll have an opening opportunity for someone to play a sneaky Sableye, if you're interested.

bump

>>7813044
"There are some, scattered around near the rocks. I could, but it would be difficult, and I don't know if I could take all of their balls before they noticed."

>>7813463
"Then don't worry about it - just do what you can to confuse and distract them. Cause some mischief. When you do, we'll jump out and take them by surprise..." We look to Sarina and Courtney to make sure they understand, "Everyone ready?"

>>7813529
They both nod, as do the Magma grunts behind them, and Courtney speaks. "We're ready."
Sableye moves out towards the protective grunts. With a stealthy Knock Off, she knocks down one of them, removing his belt in the meantime, and the other two quickly turn on her, taking out their own Poke Balls.

>>7813583
Time to give 'em a knock to the back of their heads while their backs are turned and RUN LIKE FUCK!

>>7813583
WE ATTACK!
CHAAAARGE!

>>7813611
>>7813612
You run out of the cave. How do you plan on attacking, exactly? Courtney and Sarina have opened their Poke Balls containing Gabite and Golbat, respectively.

>>7813719
Have Snover use Icy Wind and Magnemite use Thunder Wave - to paralyze and/or disorient them

>>7813719
We need to incapacitate them quickly. If Snover can use Icy Wind to freeze their belts and pokeballs to their cloths, then they won't be able to send out any pokemon. Then she can just freeze their feet and legs to keep them from following us. Then we run.

>>7813812
One word of warning: Pokemon attacks are strong. Icy Wind doesn't isn't that much of a precision move, and you could do some serious tissue damage with it even if you did hit exactly what you were aiming for. Snover would be very reluctant to do it as well.

>>7813812
>Then we run.
AFTER we check them for Goggles and interrogate them for info. Heheheheh...

>>7813840
Good point.
Go for Powder Snow instead.

>>7813844
If they have goggles then take them, but I don't think we have time for an interrogation.

>>7813840
Oh. Well then, what's that weaker attack that she started with? Try that instead.

>>7813924
Agreed

>>7813924

Second

>>7813863
>>7813924
Courtney's tactics adopt a slight adaptation of your original plan; her Golbat immediately flies into the faces of the grunts who remain standing, lightly battering them with his wings. Snover, seeing her opportunity, fires a burst of Icy Wind at the ground beneath their feet, spreading a thin ice sheet under them.

>>7813992
And Magnemite?

>>7814005
Maybe he can direct a Sonicboom at them to temporarily deafen them so that if one of us lets slip where we're headed they don't hear?

>>7814005
>>7814053
Magnemite aims a Thunder Wave at the one who was initially knocked down; he's the only one easy to hit without also possibly hitting Golbat.

>>7814053
I'd think a Thunderwave would be sufficient enough to paralyze them, wouldn't it?

>>7814072
Sweet.
Now, the other two grunts - are their feet frozen to the ground or are they just standing precariously on a mini-ice rink?

>>7814095
Their shoes are frozen to the ground.

>>7814220
Hmmm...

Another Thunderwave perhaps, or shall we beat them around a bit first? Charmander could get in close-quarters and do some scratchin'...

>>7814220
Great. Remove their pokeballs and hide them somewhere so that even if they get free and chase us they won't be able to fight. Then take their go-goggles if they have them and run.

>>7814240
Good idea.

Charmeleon rushes in and scratches the pants off the guards - relieving their belts and subsequently their Poke Balls and Items.

>>7814240
>>7814304
You do this. Their reactions, while not favorable, also don't hurt you, and you're able to grab both belts.

>>7814323
Hide pokeballs with Snover. Cover them in Ice Wind so that even when they're found the ice will need to melt before they can be used. Courtney and Sarina get the Go-Goggles. Meet up and run once both these are done.

>>7814349
And steal anything else they might have in their pockets that could be useful. Perhaps they have some security cards/passes that could come in handy later...

>>7814369
"Sarina found MASTER BALL SCHEMATICS!"

>>7814349
>>7814369
You can drop off the belts somewhere, but none of them have goggles on them.

>>7814426
Well crud, what else were they carrying?

>>7814426
Then we'll have to hope that there isn't a sandstorm. Run to the tower and wait until night, when it isn't so hot, then leave and continue through the desert. With any luck, the sandstorms die down at night.

>>7814452
Poke Balls. That's it.

>>7814481
The first sandstorm you ran into was in the middle of the night, remember?

>>7814518
We're going to the desert anyway. Fiery Path has Skarem waiting for us, and the Sky Lift has a small army of Magma grunts guarding it - Desert is the best path to go.

>>7814550
Just so you know, those three were the Sky Lift guards. At least at the bottom of the lift.

>>7814518
It's still better to go in the night when it isn't blisteringly hot. And maybe we'll get lucky.

>>7814581
Yeah, but last thread you said tht there were lots of guards at the top.

>>7814581
>>7814589

>>7814638
Fair enough. Do you go out to the desert, then?

>>7814692
Yes, but we go in the late afternoon/night time when it's not as dark.

>>7814732
Where are you going right now?

>>7814732
Well, we should probably start heading to the desert now, lest Skarem come back and find us here with the incapacitated guards. Make our way to the edge of the desert and find someplace to hide until dusk.

>>7814753
Back to the desert.

>>7814757
Agreed

>>7814757
>>7814817
Everyone does see the virtues of heading back to the desert now, and you move along. As you do so, you feel a new surge of power pass between the three of you; in that little escapade, you each gained two levels. Charmeleon has made it to level 22 and learned Scary Face, while Magnemite and Snover both reached level 21; Magnemite learns nothing and Snover learns Mist.

>>7814948
Woohoo!

Continue on to the desert then.

>>7814948
(I don't know if it's just me, but it feels like we're getting levels really fast. I know you have a reason for it, but it seems like it's getting to the point where it might become unbalanced)

inb4 'u dun need balance moar pwer plzzz'

>>7815078
To be honest, you're still the lowest-level Pokemon in your party right now.

>>7815092
I know, but still...

I just hope we'll be able to have a real pokemon battle within the next thread or two. Give us a chance to really strategize.

>>7815119
I think you will.

Also, I'm going to eat dinner now. It'll be short enough that I doubt I'll make another thread.

>>7815147
Well, not really. It'll take some time to cook, so... why don't we talk about power levels? Sam, you just want us to get into a real battle sometime soon?

>>7815246
Well tha'ts part of it. I mean, the idea of levels is that it signifies growth in the pokemon of not only mental and spiritual, but physical as well. While we may be quickly learning about how to survive and use our wits to defeat stronger opponents, I feel that until we do some real battling and/or training that the actual fruits of our labor will be woefully undersized and bitter, certainly not fit for the market. I mean, we could just call them 'baby [name of fruit or vegetable here]', like baby carrots or baby corn, but that's just a cop out. Shit, looks like I went off on a tangent.

Anyway, I just think that maybe two levels was a bit much, since heck, we as Charmeleon didn't do anything except steal their belts after they were incapacitated. I understand the idea of group XP, but maybe 1 level would have been more appropriate than 2.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

>>7815316
I agree. Although, we did manage to escape Skarem twice now, and this little battle should garner us some experience before, so perhaps we could be close to another level-up instead of going up 2 whole levels.

>>7815362
Well it's good to see someone else isn't fooled by their cheap marketing ploy. I KNOW THAT THOSE ARE JUST REGULAR CARROTS! BUT YOU FUCKED IT UP SO THEY DIDN'T GROW BIG ENOUGH AND YOU'RE TRYING TO MARKET THEM AS SOMETHING NEW! WELL IT WON'T WORK!

>>7815316
>>7815362
That's fair enough. As for another battle, Charmeleon may be about to learn the value of a the shortness of a straight line.

>>7815421
So, shall we take back the level-up from earlier then? At the most, it should only be one level.

>>7815421
Wait, what do you mean by that? That simply going for the trainer and knocking him unconscious saves us the trouble of having to battle through his/her pokemon? As I said, that's what we have been doing and has resulted in a deficiency of actual battle experience.

>>7815455
That will quickly not be an issue.
>>7815466
That wasn't quite what I meant.

Oh, here's another question: whom do you like as a villain more, Z or Skarem?

>>7815478
Just checking.

>>7815505
Z. It's funny when he gets mad.

So tl;dr: We need EVs?

Do we even have a shtick in mind? Bellyzard? Straight sweeper? Mixed att/spa?

>>7815535
Well it's been semi-confirmed that there are Natures, so there might be EVs as well. Though that might be confusing and lead to shitloads of grinding, so I'm against it.

>>7815529
This. So much this.

>>7815505
Z makes for an awesome villain, but I like that I can trick Skarem and use his flaws to my advantage. He makes a good practice villain until we discover Z's flaws and figure out how to use them against him.

>>7815568
Ahh...
Do you want a bit of a spoiler about villains?

>>7815605
I know that wasn't directed at me, but since any revelations will be seen by everyone, I feel justified in giving my view on the matter.

No thank you. I'd like to learn things as we go. It'll be more climactic once we finally DO learn the secret.

>>7815635
All right. My dinner is now.

>>7815605
No thanks.
It makes it more dramatic when we finally find out in-character.

bump

>>7815979
That's strangely poignant, now that Porygon2 is no longer with us. Anyway, I'm back now. You're running towards the desert?

>>7816056
Yes

>>7816094
All right. The bunch of you run down the mountain and through the scorched lands, with Golbat being withdrawn. You get maybe halfway there when a blast of fire hits the area behind you, accompanied by triumphant laughter.
"Hahaha! You are evasive little rodents, yes! It is lucky I am not a patient man, else I would have been waiting for you for hours! But I could not; I live to fly, fly and burn!"

>>7816204
Alright guys, Skarem's starting to get on my nerves now.

Fight or Flight?

>>7816204
"Then why don't you fly and burn something else? As you can see, we're quite adept at dodgeing your attacks, and even if they do hit, we probably won't burn that much. Try looking for some big stands of trees; those'll burn for a lot longer."

>>7816363
"You think that you're good at dodging my attacks eh?" He laughs again. "I like seeing the fuel run! But here, have a real attack if you like!"
Ariliee obliges, spitting an Ember at you.

>>7816418
Run. Try to set up a Smokescreen again. Run run run, as fast as we can. He'll never catch us, we're the gingerbread man.

>>7816442
Holding this, waiting until /co/mrade posts.

>>7816537
I'm fine with it.

>>7816550
You fire off a Smokescreen, but this time, the resulting aim is off; Ari's already moved forward. The Ember slams into you, knocking you down with its force, although the heat itself isn't terrible.

>>7816606
Hah, resistant to fire, hell yes! Continue to run.

>>7816657

>>7816657
>>7816668
Courtney suddenly grins evilly, then pulls out all three of her Poke Balls and hurls them. Mightyena, Golbat and Camerupt join her. "Sarina! Help me here, we have the bastard outnumbered!"

>>7816717
*Heh, I'm beginning to like this Human more and more...*

"Snover, Magnemite, we're making our stand here! Time to send this bastard packing!"

>>7816770
Are you mad? Snover could get seriously hurt by even an Ember! She needs to hide; we'll be able to take them!

Start up with a Thunder Wave, then Thundershocks from Magnemite. We'll spam Smokescreen so that it won't be able to hit us. No our own attacks won't loose accuracy due to being unable to see the target; why do you ask?

>>7816839
How about we just have Magnemite guard Snover for us and have them as support, while we go to the front with the others?

>>7816854
Well, I guess that could work, but since we're resistant I figured we should guard her, and belch out a smokescreen every turn. Hell, why don't both Charmeleon AND Magnemite guard her? Both the attacks don't require direct contact, so they can both keep a bit of distance.

>>7816883
I'm up for having Magnemite guard Snover, and assigning them to the back line as support - but I'm going after this bastard.

He tried to burn me. HE WILL PAY!

CS, does Sarina release her Pokemon? What about Courtney's grunts?

>>7817078
She does, I was just waiting for Sam to reply to post the next action.

>>7817138
Remind me, what were her Poke's again?

>>7817193
Gabite and Mothim. I think she only sends out Gabite.

>>7817204
Why not Mothim?

>>7817230
Mothim's easily fryable.

>>7817138
Oh, I'm sorry. I'm okay with HCs plan.

>>7817259
Good point

Okay then, Snover and Magnemite are put on the support line - Magnemite protects Snover in case an attack gets through. Have Snover use Icy Wind and Magnemite use Thunder Shock. After their attacks, we use Smoke Screen.

>>7817301
You form your line as Gabite comes out to join Courtney's Pokemon. The grunts, with their lower-level Pokemon, stay in the background. Skarem laughs again.
"Ah, seven against one? You have no honor! But then, what should I be expecting, eh?"

>>7817384
How did the attacks affect Skarem and Arilee? Does the Smokescreen at least mask us?

>>7817384
"Well, you were just chasing us from the air on a fire breathing dragon from which no effective retaliation could be brought to bear. That doesn't seem very fair to me. Heck, why did you stop? As soon as we stopped running you could have blasted us! What, are you going to battle us now? I thought you wanted to burn us! Your logic is flawed."

Damn James Bond villains.

>>7817431
I think this is the pre-battle smack talk.

>>7817450
>>7817455
I've got a comeback and a matching counter-attack planned, just wanted to make sure of the affects of our preliminary strike.

>>7817455
Basically, yes.

>>7817450
Skarem laughs again; and yes, the top of his misshapen head is still on fire. "The people who I burn fast are boring! You're interesting; who else has escaped me twice before, eh?"

>>7817495
see
>>7817301

I can banter as I fight, LET'S DO THIS!

>>7817495
Why do none of our villains use proper logic?!?!? WHY?

*sigh*

"Well, if it's as easy as it has been for us, I'm guessing plenty of people have managed to get away from you! And why is your head on fire?"

>>7817495
Oh, if any of you have seen Escape 2000... if you want to get a picture of what Skarem sounds like, he's basically this guy after having his head dipped in burning tar.

>>7817531
You fire off your respective attacks. The Thundershock causes Ariliee to wince, and the Icy Wind a bit less. Golbat charges forward, then, biting down with Poison Fang, while Camerupt and Mightyena wait on the ground.

>>7817548
lol

I mean, GET TO THE ATTACK ALREADY!

>>7817595
And the Smokescreen?

>>7817595
Wait, are Seviper and Sableye out as well? We can use everyone we can get. Y'know, unless they would fry from even his weakest attack. Heck, the only reason Snover isn't in a pokeball right now is that we will not allow ourselves to be captured.

>>7817620
That one hit better; Ariliee's vision is definitely clouded.
>>7817645
Do you want to bring them out? They're both level 30.

>>7817657
Well, that's 8 levels higher than us. And they DID seem rather eager to fight last time we talked. So yeah, ask Sarina to let them out. As I said, we could use all the help we can get.

>>7817657
>Do you want to bring them out? They're both level 30.
Yes

>That one hit better; Ariliee's vision is definitely clouded.
TIME FOR THE HEROIC MANEUVER!

Charmeleon gives Gabite a confident smirk, "Gabite, throw me at Skarem!"

>>7817701
Or we could go for another smokscreen.

>>7817701
>Charmeleon gives Gabite a confident smirk, "Gabite, throw me at Skarem!"

That seems a little risky. Why not just keep up the Smokescreens?

>>7817714
>>7817733
FAST
BALL
SPECIAL

>>7817701
>>7817733

... Dude... Fastball Special.

>>7817746
>>7817755
I. Don't. Get it. But whatever.

>>7817701
Magnemite unleashes both Seviper and Sableye, while Gabite gives you an incredulous look, but hurls you nevertheless.

>>7817844
Well HC, this is your ballgame now. What comes next?

>>7817844
We fly straight at Skarem through the Smokescreen, claws out.

(referring to >>7817384: "Ah, seven against one? You have no honor! But then, what should I be expecting, eh?")

"Expect THIS!"

We slash and scratch at Skarem's face when we reach him.

>>7817914
Wouldn't Metal Claw be better than Scratch?

>>7817948
We don't have it, remember?

>>7817914
As you jump up to attack Skarem, Ariliee snarls and whips her head up, biting down hard on your leg. Your claws do slice through Skarem's face, but little blood comes out; the caked-on scar tissue served him well here, apparently.

>>7817965
Oh yeah. Stupid 4th gen. I. HATE YOU!

>>7817973
Shit, were hurt now. Lets see how he likes fire. Fry him point blank with ember.

>>7817973
DRAGON RAGE ON ARILEE'S FACE!

>>7818011
>>7818018
Consensus?

>>7818018
Do we have Dragon Rage? Sure, use it. But I'm more inclined to aim for Skarem first.

>>7818084
Yup, Charmeleon get it at level 17.

>>7818084
Aim at them both if we can, but particularly Arilee so we can get her to let us go.

>>7811337
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>>7818126
PORYGON Z!
HE COMES!

>>7818116
Dragon Rage is kinda like a blue Flamethrower. It's hard to hit two people with it.

>>7818170
Then go with aiming at Arilee.

>>7818196
Eh, sure. But remember that we're being held by her several dozen feet off the ground, since she's still flying. If she drops us, it could be bad.

>>7818223
That's where Golbat comes in. >>7817595

>>7818233
Awesome plan go now.

If there's no other consensus: you aim your blue flame at Ariliee, which does its damage, but she doesn't seem to mind that much, simply biting down harder and then twisting her head, dangling you from her mouth into the sky. Skarem grins. "I do hope that you have a trainer, Charmeleon! Because if you still seek to attack me directly, and you are not protected by a Poke Ball, she will be all too happy to kill you!"

>>7818360
"But you'd be dead, right? Besides, we have Revives. Pity they don't work on humans!"

>>7818360
Arilee takes a full-on Dragon Rage attack to the face and it doesn't affect it enough to make her lose her grip on us? I call bull-shit.

>>7818382
Don't get cocky, kid.

>>7818398
It's a straight 40 damage. No critical hits.

>>7818398
Well, you know how when you're about to have to go through a lot of pain, they give you a piece of leather or something to bite down on? Maybe she's using our leg like that, so she didn't open her mouth.

>>7818412
>>7818418
Fine, question:

Are you still letting us keep our level-ups/skills from before?

>>7818457
Yep, you keep them all.

>>7818457
Time for a Scary Face?

>>7818497
Bingo

"Let. Go. NOW!"

>>7818497
>>7818517
You Scary Face. Ariliee shudders slightly, but doesn't let go; her movements have slowed, but she continues to hold on, glaring at you in the meantime as Skarem laughs. "Ari, your dedication truly warms my heart!"

>>7818555
Scary Face on Skarem perhaps? Also, have our allies on the ground stopped their attacks? We should really try to get Magnemite to use Thunder Wave if it's in range; paralysis would force Charizard to the ground. Then Seviper and Sableye can join in.

>>7818575
This

(Seriously though, Arilee sounds way to over-powered. A Dragon Rage and a Scary Face attack with no effect? That's bull shit.)

We claw Arilee in the eye and get Golbat to carry us away when she lets go.

>>7818575
They stopped because they didn't want to hit you.

>>7818601
Remember, Scary Face is just an enhanced String Shot.

>>7818601
And dragon rage is a fixed 40 damage.

40 is FAR from a lot.

>>7818603
Oh.

>>7818601
Dude, she's probably level 50 or higher. We're doing damage and Scary Face did have an effect. It lowers the pokemon's Speed. We are going against a poikemon trained by Skarem; I'll bet it's seen way scarier things than our Scary Face, and that's why it didn't drop us.

tl;dr- Of course she's overpowered, this is one of those fights where we're supposed to only be able to drive the enemy back, not actually defeat it. Hell, Skarem probably has at least one or two other pokemon if he needs them.

>>7818625
Claw the bitch's eyes out, use another Dragon Rage if we need to. Whatever it takes to make her lose her grip and escape with Golbat.

>>7818652
Sounds good. Pray she doesn't bite hard enough to cut through the leg. And heck, if she doesn't let go, we might as well try to Thunder Wave her anyway; yeah we might get paralyzed as well, but it will be worth it if it forces her to land.

>>7818695
Agreed

>>7818652
>>7818695
You aim a Scratch at her eyes; she closes them, but the attack is painful nonetheless. She growls something past your leg.
"You will cease attacking my master at once!"

>>7818758
"We have stopped attacking your master. We're attacking YOU now. Also, are you my mother?"

DO A BARREL ROLL!!!

>>7818775
>Also, are you my mother?
.....

>>7818758
"Then cease your attack on my FRIENDS! I have no quarrel with you, Arilee - but as long as you come after my comrades, I WILL do what I can to defend them! Even if it costs me my life!"

>>7818829
Hey, it's a retardedly slim chance, but as my father always says, "You won't know unless you ask." Who knows, maybe some of her eggs were stolen by Team Rocket or something. And anyway, if it distracts her long enough for us to get loose, will you complain?

>>7818853
Come now, Sam - we have no basis to suspect Arilee as being our mother. Let's at least investigate into her past before we start trying to create links. Role-play, man.

>>7818874
She's dark shiny, we're dark shiny. There can't be many of us. And we're the same family of pokemon. What are the chances of that being a coincidence? Honestly, I give it 50/50 odds. I just think that Charmeleon would have taken notice of the odd coloration. At the very least, we might want to ask her about it, since it doesn't look like she's about to let go.

>>7818908
I agree we should investigate, perhaps even ask her ourselves - but we're in the middle of a battle at the moment. There are times for these things, man. (Besides, we can probably hear about it from Courtney's friend inside the Magma organization later).

>>7818951
I can agree to that. What say we have one more go at making her let us go, then we try asking nicely because, hey, why not, and then if neither of those work we try to tell Magnemite to use Thunder Wave.

>>7818965
Let's just go with making her let us go and getting Magnemite to zap her.

>>7818996
That is indeed what I just said, yes.

All right. Do you just ask her to let you go? Do you mention the question about her being your mother in this at all?

>>7819039
go with
>>7818829

No questions about maternity yet, we don't have anything to base that curiosity on other than "She's shiny and we're shiny"

>>7819055

>>7819055
>>7819073
Can you describe your exact action?

>>7819095
I'm fairly sure he wants us to speak.

>>7819106
Pretty much, yeah.

>>7819134
I'll assume you say this, then:
>>7818829
"It is my duty and honor! No outsiders are permitted in this land! Why have you come here, in any case?"

>>7819177
"We were hunting down a Monster by the name of Porygon Z. While we were tracking him through Mauville, it blew up the Power Plant to cause chaos and delay our progress. Your master Skarem has been tricked into thinking WE were the ones who did it, and now the Monster laughs at all of us while we fight for his amusement."

>>7819177
"Well now, that's quite a tail, and one that is particularly difficult to tell what with my leg being bitten and bleeding and whatnot, but here goes...

Right, so I was born in a secret Team Rocket test facility. Shortly after escaping the birthing chamber, me and a couple other escapees saw some strange pokemon, later confirmed as Porygon-Z, break free and kill several Rocket Scientists. We managed to escape with Sarina - she's the one down there without a Magma uniform- but Z seems to keep tracking us and meddling with computers and stuff.

It tricked Team Aqua into thinking that we betrayed them, so to regain their trust and get their help in combating Z we thought we'd come and try to raise some hell here and disrupt Team Magma, their arch enemies."

>>7819207
Z didn't bow up the generator. It was totally pissed when it blew, remember? That was probably the psychics who did it, since they warned us and everything.

>>7819207
>>7819236
"The Monster... Porygon-Z?" Ariliee pauses, while Skarem gives her a curious glance. "The being that informed us of your arrival in Mauville City?"

>>7819250
(Arilee doesn't know that. Ever hear of Bluff?)

>>7819294
"It spoke to you? Then it most certainly had its hand in all this. Most likely it knew we were coming and informed you of us, then blew up the Power Plant itself and blamed us so you would attack us - attempting to take out two birds with one stone."

>>7819330
"It informed us over a computer. It would have no need of it if it was anywhere near here. And why is that... Courtney with you?"

>>7819339
"Eh, we met up with her on the way to Mauville. She seemed nice enough. Plus she has the whole 'Old Guard' thing going on, what with having been with Magma since before the regime change."

>>7819339
"She offered to guide us through Mauville."

>>7819384
Skarem leans down, murmuring something to Ari, which she doesn't immediately respond to. At least she's not biting down on your leg, although you're still dangling from her mouth.

>>7819447
"We were all tricked by the Monster. The Human girl there had her Porygon2 and two of her comrades disappear because of it, and Seviper and Sableye lost their Master in the explosion we escaped from. Even the recent attacks on Team Aqua have been orchestrated by the Monster."

>>7819495
"And an attempted attack on Team Galactic, though that was thwarted."

>>7819495
Ari finally speaks again. "Just... what is it that this monster wants from you?"

>>7819520
"Well it *says* that it wants to kill everyone who we tell about it; seems like it doesn't want to be too well known. So naturally we go and tell as many people as we can, to raise awareness and get as many trainers to help stop it as we can.

It says that it's plans won't hurt humans or pokemon, but since it's first act was to kill everyone in the room, then poison the base, then cause the base to self destruct just in case, I'm disinclined to believe it."

>>7819520
"It wants to destroy all the Humans and control the World. You, your master, me, my comrades - everyone. And it will not stop for mercy until it does."

>>7819582
>>7819602
Which one?

>>7819602
Well, it hasn't said that, but it would seem to be a pretty safe assumption. Oh, and it can infiltrate pretty much any electronic device, so it's probably listening in on us through your master's poketech.

>>7819631
They're both the same, really

>>7819713
Yeah, mine is just more verbose. I do so love to wax loquacious.

>>7819713
Ari pauses again, then opens her mouth and drops you. "There is nothing here for you to help you in your quest. Begone, and do not come here again."

>>7819770
"Fine with me, Arilee."

>>7819770
"But them how will we regain Aqua's trust? Or is that not your problem? Either way, I don't suppose you'd be willing to put us down gently?"

>>7819781
Courtney, hearing this, glares at you as you plummet to the ground. You being a Pokemon, it doesn't hurt much.

>>7819829
Well, I'm guessing it would hurt a lot more if we happened to land on our wounded leg. And how the hell does Courtney know what we said? We're high in the air; I doubt she could hear us, and we weren't in a position to pantomime.

>>7819790
>>7819829
lol

>>7819829
Charmeleon limps to her comrades and pauses by Courtney, "We'll discuss this once they're out of earshot. For now - just trust me."

>>7819851
Good point. Remove the glaring, I'm tired. I could go to bed now, but that'd mean delaying a significant plot point until tomorrow.

>>7819868
You mean Friday tomorrow or Saturday tomorrow? It's 18 minutes into Friday for me, so I'm not sure what you mean. And I'd be willing to wait either way.

>>7819904
Saturday tomorrow.

>>7819947
Gotcha. Well, unless HC has a burning desire to continue, I guess I'll see you Saturday.

>>7819956
I'm good, as long as Courtney hears >>7819860

>>7819994
She does. Good night, then, everyone.