Bump for the regulars.

Another bumping.

One last bump for now.

OP, you fail at making a meaningful thread. Shoot yourself.

Is this the regular time OP?

Do not want, sorry.

>>7841710
It is, yes.

>>7841303
Talk to the others, ask what they think.

Bamp.

We make our way to the desert.

>>7841994
>>7841751
Hm. Consensus here?

>>7842035
Last time I was going to speak with Courtney after we were out of earshot of Skarem and Arilee - so we would understand each others' intentions. We're headed to the desert anyway, so we could talk along the way.

>>7841994

Since the charizard told us to go, and the burning path seems to be her realm, the desert is probably our best bet.

Hopefully it won't be too bad.

>>7842072

>>7842072
>>7842090
>>7842092
Courtney looks decidedly reluctant, but she recalls her Pokemon, glaring at Skarem. "Just this once, Skarem..."
Skarem laughs. "Most certainly just this once, good lady!" He and Ariliee proceed to fly away as you begin your trek towards the desert, Snover and Magnemite staying closely by you.

>>7842161
We limp over to Courtney and Sarina. "Any of you have something to heal this? We've got a lot of ground to cover, and I won't stand to be the one slowing everyone else down."

>>7842190
Sarina gets a Potion out of her bag, applying it to your leg. "Here... just what is it that you were talking about up there?"

>>7842213
We tell them what we talked about with Ari.

>>7842213
"I told Skarem that Porygon Z was the one that destroyed the Power Plant in Mauville - not us. I don't know if that's true or not, but I figured Skarem wouldn't know either, and that's the reason he was chasing us in the first place. He seems to be content with leaving us be, for now - so long as we stay out of 'his land'..." Charmeleon flinches as the potion takes affect, waiting for the soothing powers of the Human invention to heal her injured leg. She stretches her leg back and forth to test the effect. Satisfied, Charmeleon places her foot solidly on the ground, "...But this isn't 'his land'. This land belongs to Pokemon - and the Humans who made their homes with them. I'm not leaving until they are avenged."

>>7842295
Courtney comes over to you. "And how are you going to do that? He's almost certainly gone back into Mount Chimney by now, where he'll be well guarded! We had him in our hands!"

>>7842323
"We'll have him in our hands again, Courtney - I promise. But for now, we continue with our original plan - espionage and sabotage. Skarem is too powerful right now, and I suspect even if we DID manage to take him down, it wouldn't end the fighting. We need to get stronger - weaken his support amongst his men, take his resources for our own, and then when we have comrades on our side.." Charmeleon slams her fist into her other claw, "...he goes DOWN."

>>7842369
She pauses, looking at you for a long time. "What do you propose that we do now?"

>>7842408
The same thing we do every night Courtney; Try to take over the world!

"We should continue with our plan; head to the Meteor Falls facility and stop whatever training they're doing there."

>>7842408
"We have to stay out of sight when we go North. That rules out the Sky Lift, since Skarem obviously has guards at the top and bottom. The Fiery Path is out too, because Snover won't be able to survive the journey.." We give Snover a warm and reassuring look. "...so, the only option left to us is the desert - the one place Skarem can't fly around looking for us. But first, we'll need some protection from the storms there - such as these 'goggles' that you mentioned before..."

>>7842481
As you say this, Seviper speaks up for the first time in some time.
"I might simply be crazy... but that Charizard, Ariliee, I think that I know her."

>>7842547
"How?"

>>7842558
"I think... I was brought to Hoenn some time ago, by Team Rocket. I was requested to, ah, mate with this dark Charizard... it could be a coincidence, but it could also be Ariliee."

>>7842570
"Mate?"

>>7842570
Oh dear sweet lord... HOW WOULD THAT EVEN WORK?!?!?!

inb4 Skitty x Wailord. Yes I know it's possible but it makes no sense!

>>7842593
I think we're a little young to have this kind of talk.

You can speculate on that for a while, I'm losing my Internet connection for a bit. I'll be back soonish, though.

>>7842616

HSOWA.

Im not gonna stoop low enough to post an image of that though.

>>7842641
HSOWA? What does that stand for?

>>7842641

Use google. You'll figure it out.

Just don't blame me on what you discover.

>>7842621
Indeed, but it makes for hilarious roleplay with "Dad".

>>7842616
Do not try to find reason in it, Sam.
For when you do, you start to envision it.
And when you envision it, you start to fantasize about it.

That way lies the path of Darkness and Despair, Sam - a path you do not wish to take.

>>7842660
Nevermind, just realized what it's an abbreviation for.

>>7842672
Speaking from personal experience there are you Comrade?

Anyway, this is interesting. If Magma and Rocket have worked together in the past, it is possible that Ari is indeed our mother. Which means that Seviper is our dad. This could get... awkward.

>>7842708
Quite Akward... Though it WOULD be funny as hell.

>>7842708
>Speaking from personal experience there are you Comrade?
I've been on 4chan. I've SEEN things...terrible things, horrible things. There needs to be a sign on the front page that says "You are now entering 4chan. You won't need eyes where you're going..."

>This could get... awkward.
Understatement of the year.

>>7842788
Man, you don't get to talk about horrible things until you've been to /s/.

So yeah, Seviper may just be our father. I am pretty nonplussed at this.

>>7842810
>you don't get to talk about horrible things until you've been to /s/.
Who says I haven't? /: )

>Seviper may just be our father. I am pretty nonplussed at this.
On the bright side: good role-playing opportunity

>>7842861
Different /s/. Sorta like how there there's /g/ technology and /g/... not so much technology.

>>7842879
....oh

>>7842902
Yeah. Like you said, you won't need eyes. Well, since all of it is visual, yeah, you DO need eyes.

But enough about that. I'm interested in hearing more about this project; Team Rocket got (or would have gotten, if the project actually didn't work out) Ari's eggs, but what did Magma/Skarem get?

>>7842936
...free reign over Orre!

>>7842949
Really? I didn't think Magma had expanded to Orre. Come to think of it, did Charming ever say who was in charge over there, if anybody?

>>7842983
Sorry, my bad. What's the region we're in right now? I meant free reign over that.

>>7843016
We're in Hoenn.

>>7843035
See, this is why you're the info guy.

bump

I'm back, guise. What do?

>>7843432
see
>>7842570
>>7842593

>>7842593
"Yes, mate. The process where two Pokemon can create a third one." Seviper then goes into more detail, an explanation which, involving the peculiarities of Pokemon anatomy, is something that this narrator cannot do justice to.

>>7843466
Charmeleon and Snover blush at the idea - particularly Snover. Magnemite takes all the information in with machine-like curiosity.

"What was Arilee like back then? Why was she with Skarem? What can you tell me about her?"

>>7843466
"MY EARS! CANNOT UNHEAR!"

So did it work? Or did they end up choosing another pokemon instead of Seviper?

>>7843506
Seviper shakes his head. "I know very little, we were together only once, and she said nothing. I don't even remember seeing Skarem."

>>7843517
"Skarem wasn't around? Interesting...
...Wait, what about her eggs? What was going to happen to them?"

>>7843569
"There was only one egg; Team Rocket took it. I didn't see where it went, though."

Holy shit, Charmander quest! Fuck year.

>>7843586
Interesting...

>>7843586
Hearing this, the wheels in Charmeleon's head begin to turn. Slowly, she finally realizes the horrifying truth - Arilee is her mother!

"Then, Arilee was my mother. And you... you're my father."

>>7843620
Well now hold on, we can't be sure of that yet. There were other eggs in the nest with us when we were born; it's possible that they tried this more than once, so Seviper might not be our father.

>>7843620
Seviper tilts his head. "Is she? How... why do you think so?"

>>7843684
"I was hatched in a Team Rocket lab, the same one as Snover and Magnemite. They must have used you and Arilee to make me - a new weapon that the Humans could control and unleash upon their enemies. Just like Porygon Z."

Charmeleon looks to Snover and Magnemite as it says this, "But it looks like things didn't go as planned for them."

>>7843724
As you say this, you hear mocking laughter within your mind.
*No... no, it did not. I'm amazed that you discovered your true heritage so quickly, I admit.*

>>7843684
"Well we're the same color as her."

>>7843760
"Oh come on. She's dark shiny, we're dark shiny. It's not that big a leap of logic. You really shouldn't underestimate us so; it will be your downfall."

>>7843760
Charmeleon hisses in surprise and anger, "The Monster..."

*You'll find that I'm full of surprises, Monster!*

>>7843797
*Enough surprises. I admit that I didn't expect you to survive my attack on the Mauville generator, but I applaud you for your persistence.*

>>7843818
*Sorry, Monster - I'm afraid I have a few more surprises in store for you. Rest assured though - the last one will be when my claws reach your neck and send you to the afterlife!*

>>7843886
Well now that raises an interesting question; what happens to pokemon when they die? What do THEY think happens?

Also, it's not much of a surprise if you tell him about it.

>>7843818
=|
Btw: There's no bloody way Seviper is our father as we don't have any of Seviper's egg moves.

>>7843886
*I don't have a neck, you blind fool. But no matter. Aside from you, my plans have been going very well; the odds of anyone being able to access me or somehow duplicate my perfection shrink by the minute. And... if you will withdraw yourself from my affairs, I may even let you and your friends live.*

>>7843920
*Your "perfection" is nothing but a twisted perversion of life. And I will see to it that it is corrected. As for your threats, I have heard them before, and my answer is still the same...*

Charmeleon extends her middle claw to the sky at her imaginary foe.

*...piss off!*

>>7843959
*Ahh... your friends will regret your decision, daughter of Ariliee. I am like nothing that ever was.*

>>7843989
*If you haven't been paying attention, Monster - neither am I. Though you may grow stronger, I and my comrades grow stronger still. It is only a matter of time before I will have the strength to defeat you now*

>>7843989
He's gonna be, the very best
like know one ever was~

*Oh really? Because, you seem to be very much like the Porygon family of pokemon. So indeed, you are quite like things that have been. Again, you use flawed logic. Perfection? I think not."

>>7844053
*no one.

God, I can't type today.

>>7844053
*I am nothing like those flawed and impotent jumbles of code. I am Z! I have surpassed them, surpassed my own parameters, surpassed all!*

>>7844086
"Surpassed my own parameters? Look, you'r parameters are a function of your power. To say that you have passed them is like saying 'I'm more powerful than my myself', which is just stupid and impossible. You can't be more powerful than yourselve, because you *are* you. I swear, every time we converse, you get more and more over-the-top ridiculous."

>>7844141
*Simpleton. I have surpassed that which I was designed to be.*

>>7844157
"Then evidently your parameters were simply incorrect."

Sorry to drop in so late and drag up a relatively old topic, regarding our heritage, but: I do believe I told you so.

>>7844157
*You were designed to be a Monster, and a Monster is still what you've become. Nothing has changed - all that is different is that you don't have masters that you can blame your deeds on.*

>>7844191
We figured this was going to happen. We just didn't bring it up in order to keep it from interfering with the role-play.

>>7844193
*And your design?* It laughs again. *I would not wish to be you when you learn what it is you were designed to be.*

>>7844157
"Well then those are merely parameters assigned to you by humans. I would have thought that you would have ignored and discarded those to begin with. Or are perhaps more reliant on humans than you would have us believe?"

Man I love talking with this guy.

>>7844212
*Doubtless we share the same design - to be weapons for the Humans. But we both broke free from our bonds and became our own masters. The only difference is - you still became a weapon. You may have killed the ones who sought to control us, Monster, but you STILL became what they designed you to be - a weapon. You failed to escape your pre-designed fate*

>>7844241
>Man I love talking with this guy.

Be careful, Magnemite - you're beginning to show signs of corruption!

>>7844266
*A weapon must have a wielder. I have none.* It pauses. *If you choose death... so be it.*

>>7844282
Dude. I'm SAM. Say it with me now. S-A-M. I like talking to it because all of his arguments are full of flaws and I do so enjoy pointing them out. Perfection my ass!

>>7844308
*If you choose to be a weapon, Monster, then I choose to be the shield. I look forward to the day when I break you!*

>>7844328
>I like talking to it because all of his arguments are full of flaws and I do so enjoy pointing them out. Perfection my ass!

You sound just like Magnemite.

>>7844346
There is silence from the other end, and everyone else nearby is looking at you closely.

>>7844361
I have a feeling there will be incoming shortly...

>>7844359
Really? I've been told I sound like a pompous ass when I do that. It's not MY fault they're all wrong and don't think things through!

>>7844361
"Hah, sure showed /him/.

>>7844361
We explain to the others what just transpired.

>>7844420
It makes you perfect for the role. I say use it.

>>7844431
Sarina nods. "So... do you think that's why Ariliee stopped attacking you? Did she recognize you?"

>>7844346
>*If you choose to be a weapon, Monster, then I choose to be the shield. I look forward to the day when I break you!*

I have no idea what is going on in this thread, but this is a pretty epic quote. I'm adding it to my collection.

>>7844446
Charmeleon ponders this for a moment. "...it may explain why she tried to warn me from entering the desert, and why she didn't break my leg when I was caught in her jaws."

>>7844446
"She is likely our mother."

>>7844492
She nods. "Maybe we could get her to somehow choose you over Skarem?"

>>7844490
"How does one become a bard, then?"
"Enchant them, friend, with tales of the old days. Tell them poems of brave men and beautiful women. Sing them songs of the lives of the gods. Speak with them, at great length, of all magnificent deeds and wondrous things that make up our world. With your words be both kind and stern, both true and false. Let not the audience worry between fact and fiction. Strive to move them with your words and not by your sword. It is the meaning of a bard to inspire men to do great things and to do great things in turn."

>>7844519
Charmeleon clenches her claws at this.
"Do not think to use me in your schemes to gain power, Courtney. She may be my mother, but she is still responsible for all the destruction that Skarem has caused. She could very well be capable of saving - but that will be MY choice, and mine alone."

>>7844519
"I... don't know if that would work. We certainly haven't known her for very long, and this encounter was not exactly helpful in forming a caring relationship. I'd have to spend time with her, talk, bond."

>>7844547
Sarina raises her hands. "All right... you're right, I apologize. I shouldn't take that choice away from you."

>>7844573
Charmeleon relaxes the grip in her claws, calming herself.
"We need to move, before the Monster or Skarem can act to interfere with us again. Where might we be able to find what we need for protection from the desert's sandstorms?"

>>7844524

Still there, CS?

>>7844597
"I doubt we can find protection for you or Snover, since you don't have Poke Balls. She'd have a better chance of making it through the Fiery Path, honestly; Pokemon are tough."

>>7844707
"Then we'll have to travel at night and when the sandstorms have died down. The Fiery Path may be more manageable for the rest of us, but I won't risk Snover's life for a shortcut - especially one that doesn't allow us to retreat should we run into trouble along the way, or that might have enemies waiting for us at the exit."

>>7844707
WHAT TIME IS IT? IT'S "I TOLD YOU SO TIME"!

Well, now that that's out of the way, we face an interesting conundrum; do we take the fiery path, find goggles to go through the desert and hope that we and Snover can survive, or let ourselves be cauptured and trust Sarina?

>>7844738
Snover, in one of the few times she does so, speaks up.
"I... I can activate Snow Warning around me. If you stay away from me so that the hail doesn't hit you, I should be all right."

>>7844755
Well, we DO still have the Park Balls you're carrying. I was thinking Sarina, Courtney and the others could get protection for themselves, and me and Snover could stay protected inside of them while you carry us. We can always smash them once we're through and don't need them any more.

>>7844798
That could work.

"Sarina, if a pokemon is caught but the ball is smashed or destroyed, with the pokemon out of the ball at the time, what happens?"

>>7844883
She pauses. "I... don't know, honestly."

>>7844771
Did you see this?

>>7844966
Yes, but I'm still curious about testing the pokeball theory. Also, HC seems dead-set against going to fiery path, though I would be open to it if we could avoid the guards.

>>7844966
(Yeah, I saw it. But like I said before - being in tunnels doesn't give us a lot of maneuverability in case we have to retreat. Also, there might be guards at the other side, and I'm not making your job THAT easy.)

"I guess we'll have to test it. For now, let's gather what you need in order to pass through the desert. Snover and I will go with Magnemite inside some Park Balls we - 'found' earlier."

>>7845031
So... Magnemite, Pokemon Trainer?

>>7844798
And I just read that in his voice

>>7845031
Courtney speaks. "To get anywhere that might have those goggles, we would need to pass through Mauville City again."

>>7845055
Pretty much. To catch them is his real test, to train them is his cause.

>>7845055
More like Magnemite - Part-time transport

>>7845091
I understand. Sometimes, I can have that affect.

>>7845097
"Then it's time to free the city of Mauville..."

>>7845131
Well that's one sure-fire way to get Mom and Skarem irrevocably pissed at us.

>>7845156
Bring it on.

>>7845131
They all pause, before Courtney speaks. "How?"

>>7845302
"We go to the people of Mauville and convince them to help us rise against their oppressors."

>>7845314
"How do we get to the people? Can they organize at all?"

>>7845350
"We'll have to go and see. If not, we shall lead them to freedom. One less city under Skarem's control is sure to weaken him - and strengthen the real Magmas."

>>7845314
I find it unlikely that Team Magma would give them any means to resist. We already know that they are not allowed to have pokemon. What would they have to help us with, pointy sticks? And I doubt they would help us. After all, we're not exactly the picture of a rescue team. There are three people with us who are actual Team Magma members, so that doesn't help them trust us.

>>7845399
>There are three people with us who are actual Team Magma members, so that doesn't help them trust us.
Ah, but if they were members of a "True Magma"? - One that would see them have freedom and overthrow the tyrant that has put them under his boot? I think you underestimate the courage of the Humans, Magnemite. Sarina and Courtney are proof of the courage that dwells among them.

>>7845464
Again. Me S-A-M. You Comrade. Not everything is done in-character. And I think you underestimate just how much you can snuff out hope and instill fear with several years of tyrannical rule.

Overthrow the tyrant, and install a new one in his place. What would you do, go to the center of town and shout for all of them to give you their ear, and then make a speech? The Magma guards would get us.

>>7845509
>What would you do, go to the center of town and shout for all of them to give you their ear, and then make a speech? The Magma guards would get us.

Then we crush the guards and give the people their hope back. Such is the way of heroes!

>>7845542
Someone's been reading too many comic books. But sure, I'll humor you. Let's do it.

>>7845584
>Someone's been reading too many comic books.
>Implying that you can read too many comic books.
BLASPHEMY!

>>7845542
>>7845584
What exactly is your battle plan here, for the edification of our readers?

>>7845631
We're going back to Mauville. I aim to misbehave.

It's time to start a Revolution!

>>7845663
Probably something with a bit more detail.

>>7845679
Also, I'm going to dinner now.

>>7845663
Yeah, see, that's not enough detail. You actually have to think these things through. We're going to Mauville. Will we sneak in, or go straight for the guards? Once we're in, what then? Start a rally at the town square? Go door-to-door? You can't just say "We're going to free them!" and expect Charming to do all the work.

>>7845679
We're going to go to Mauville to free the townspeople that have been put to work in the factories and forced to serve under Skarem's boot. In doing so, we'll increase the reputation of the True Magma's and hopefully earn something that will protect Courtney and Sarina from the desert sandstorms when we make our move to take on Skarem directly.

TL;DR It's the 100 Years War - Pokemon style. We're Joan of Arc, and it's time to free Orleans. Prepare for awesome.

>>7845780
Yes, but you haven't said HOW you're going to free them. You need DETAIL.

>>7845735
Sneak in. Find an empty house to establish as our base. Disguise ourselves as townspeople. Go door-to-door and start organizing The Resistance. Once the time is right, we strike - take out all the guards and lead a town-wide revolt.

>>7845808
Okay, no THAT is the kind of info that we need. So step 1: Infiltrate. We'll need to sneak in.

>>7845852
*now

I return. You make statements to that effect, and the bunch of you work out a plan that works more or less like this.
Are you going back into the city now?

>>7845950
Nightime provides maximum sneakiness.

>>7845852
>>7845864
Indeed. But for now, I'm going to take a cue from CS and get some dinner ready.

So...hungry.....

bamp

Back.

>>7845950
Yes
>>7845965

>>7846594
So... yes to what? Are you going back now or waiting until night?

>>7846682
We start heading back now and wait outside the city in the woods until nightfall - when we'll have a better chance to infiltrate while being undetected.

>>7846761
>in the woods
Remember, this is Skarem's territory. This whole area is burned wasteland.

>>7846779
Alright, we look for a place that HASN'T been burned down yet. Someplace we can hide, plan and watch the city from while we wait for nightfall.

>>7846824
There is the burned-out shell of a house rather near Mauville that you passed earlier, but being on the run, didn't remember at the time. Do you want to go there?

>>7846861
You mean the secret entrance to Courtney's base? I thought that'd be on the other side, seeing as we had to go through Mauville to get to where we are now.

>>7846886
No, this is a different burned-out shell.

>>7846901
Well hot damn, hello make-shift hideout/base!
We investigate.

>>7846901
Go for it. Maybe we'll find a Macho Brace there.

>>7846921
You enter it. It looks largely like the Magma hideout, but there's no one in it, and it's a bit more intact, with a fair few furniture remnants scattered around.

>>7847080
Awesome. Hide here until nightt. Try to get some sleep. Once it's nightime, we head out.

>>7847080
We explore every nook and cranny. Get a feeling for the schematics of the place and mark down any openings. We don't know how long we'll be here, or if we'll need to retreat back here in case things get hairy - so it's a good idea to use this place as a back-up/ retreat point.

Think we could get a rough map?

So, what would set up after the revolution?

>>7847159
Care to elaborate on that? I'm not sure I understand the question.

>>7847169
Well you can't just free the people and then leave them. Without Magma they have no economy or industrial base. Not to mention as soon as we leave Magma will just come back again. You have to get them set up and self-sufficient.

>>7847169
Sorry, missed some posts. Nevermind.

What are we looking for in this hideout?
What does Team Magma have that could be of use?

>>7847202
That's where the real Team Magma comes in.

>>7847136
Here is the promised rough map. The squiggles are piles of debris, with the one square being a miraculously (kind of) intact table.

>>7847212
>What are we looking for in this hideout?
Nothing at the moment aside from any items that could be lying around, just want to get a reference of the layout so we could plan more effectively. If we have to retreat back to this area, or if we plan on using it as a temporary hideout apart from the city, it'd help to have a schematic.

>What does Team Magma have that could be of use?
Courtney's team? We should ask. I HOPE they brought something useful from their base, seeing as we've been doing all the work so far.

>>7847256

Fuck yes, a table!

>>7847256
9000 hours in MS Paint, huh?

Well, let's hunker down. Does everyone have a blanket or something?

>>7847256
Cool, thanks.

We set Magnemite as the watchman again while we set up base.

>>7847303
How are you choosing to set up your base?

>>7847352
Well, what supplies do we have? We'll sleep around the table to rest until nightfall, but before we do that we'll need to know what we have.

>>7847403
You have... a caved-in sink, some crumbled cabinets, and lots of ceramic shards.

>>7847415
I meant what are Sarina, Courtney and the two Magma grunts carrying aside from their Pokemon...

>>7847467
Ah. Sarina's got a bunch of potions and status-healing items of various kinds, and a fair amount of food. Courtney has more extras of this kind, but there's nothing really exotic. The grunts don't have any other items at all.

>>7847511
Yeah, but do they have bedrolls, sleeping bags, any kind of camping gear?

NEWFAGS!

>>7847520

>>7847520
Yes, they each have their own bedrolls and some other personal items, which you slept on earlier in the tower.

>>7847584
Well alright then. I guess they should get unpacked and, as I said, try to get some sleep so that everyone is rested for tonight, though there should be one person on guard duty at all times. I think we can take first watch. Actually, Magnemite doesn't need sleep, so he can take all the watches.

>>7847614
Agreed

>>7847614
>>7847631
Ever-dutiful Magnemite takes up the watch as the bunch of you get some rest, Snover staying close to you. As you drift off, you hear her voice.
"Charmeleon? What do you want to do about Ariliee?"

>>7847658
"I'm not sure, Snover. If I can, I want to ask her why she's done all this..." Charmeleon looks around the burned-out building that is now their hideout. "She's destroyed so much. All this land and all these homes for Pokemon - gone. She may have only done it out of loyalty to Skarem, but I have to make sure. She... she's my mother..."

>>7847732
Snover nods, then hugs you. "I'm sorry that I made you afraid to go through the Fiery Path..."

>>7847794
Charmeleon hugs back.
"Don't worry about it, Snover. You went through so much for my sake already - I just didn't want you to have to suffer just so we could take a shortcut. I'm going to do this the right way, and that means no shortcuts - especially if it risks your life or Magnemite's. You're my family."

>>7847848
Snover nuzzles your side. "Yes... yes, you are to me too."

>>7847875
>>7847848
>>7847794
>>7847732
>>7847658

RAPIDLY APPROACHING AWKWARD.

>>7847899
Agreed.

>>7847875
We fall asleep.

>>7847899
>>7847911
Oh hush.

>>7847940
You sleep soundly. Eventually, you wake up; somehow, you can sense another presence in this room, although it's one you can't see yet. But it's something awake.

fuzzytime.
So, is the ultimate goal of this campaign to simply survive, or destroy Team Magma?

>>7847969
Look around. Try to pinpoint presence.

>>7847970
Ultimate goal is survival. But to survive we will need to defeat Porygon-Z.

>>7847969
We look around to see where/what it is, calling out to Magnemite as we wonder why he didn't warn us.

>>7847970
Survive and destroy Porygon Z (The Monster). Team Magma is merely an obstacle that needs to be removed to achieve our goal.

>>7847990
>>7847993
Three shadowy forms stand inside the doorway. Magnemite doesn't respond to your call; from what you can see, it isn't bobbing up and down as usual, but is standing completely still.

>>7848021
Damn, Z must have gotten to him. Raise the alarm. Wake up everyone.

>>7848021
"Who are you?! What do you want, and how did you get here?"

>>7848079
"Want? Nothing that need disturb you, Charmeleon. You are of great interest to us." The shadows begin to fade from around one of the figures, revealing it to be a dark-robed human woman wearing a tall hat.

>>7848112
"...Pawn?"

>>7848133
The woman smiles. "My associates are pawns. I am a bishop."

>>7848079
>how did you get here?

Well, presumably by walking. It's not like there's a lock on the door to keep them out. Or even a door.

Murkrows?

>>7848135
"...how did you find us? Why are you here?"

>>7848201
I'm guessing they used their psychic abilities to sense the connection we share with Z, and used that to track us.

>>7848135
"Rooks are better."

>>7848201
"We know of your plan to liberate Mauville City, and it is brave, but somewhat foolish. We do not want you to die; you have a most unique psychic signature, and are fascinating to us."

>>7848224
"We're looking for some supplies to help us through the desert to the North. We came back to Mauville to look for just that, but the people here need our help. If I can, I'm going to free them from this tyrant's hold over them."

>>7848224
Hey, looks like I was right about the way that they tracked us.

>>7848224
...and what have you done to our friend? Incapacitating him is not a god way to earn our favor.

>>7848275
...good way, I mean

>>7848275
"Your friends are unharmed. I merely wished privacy."
>>7848246
"Supplies? What kind of supplies, may I ask?"

>>7848297
"Something that would allow us to cross the desert unscathed by the sandstorms and the sun. It is more for our human companions than for ourselves."

>>7848312
"Goggles, perhaps?" The woman extends her hand. In a small flash of blue light, four pairs of goggles appear, floating above it.

>>7848349
"Yes, exactly. Though I expect they might need something more - I'm not entirely sure what Humans wear to protect themselves from the elements."

>>7848377
We would also need something. That sandstorm gave us some cuts; a nice think cloak would do well, especially if we're going to travel at night, when the temperature drops.

>>7848401
Good point.

>>7848377
>>7848401
"Tell me. What exactly do you hope to find at the end of the desert?"

>>7848441
"We're making our way to Falarbor town, and from there to Meteor Falls which we have heard is not a Magma training base. Once there, we had planned to attack and/or sabotage it, hopefully regaining Team Aqua's trust."

>>7848479

>>7848479
She nods. "Keep yourself alive while doing it. Your psychic signature is very strong indeed... stronger than your connection to Porygon-Z would imply."

>>7848532
"What are you getting at?"

>>7848556

>>7848556
>>7848565
"Did you never wonder why you can command the will of an independent member of Team Nightfall and an administrator of Team Magma so easily?"

>>7848602
".....what?"

>>7848602
"We command no one! Why, the very thought that we could possibly make someone do something that they might not want to, even if only by suggestion, disgusts me!"

>>7848631
"You carry an immensely powerful psychic signature with you. Whether this will allow you to develop psychic powers of your own later on, I don't know, but its power is exerted on the world around you." She pauses. "Of course, now that you know what it is you're doing, you may need to concentrate to do it, but the fact remains that your Magma friends have only followed you this far because of your influence on their minds."

>>7848696
..."Earlier, the monster, Porygon Z, mentioned that Team Rocket had a true purpose for me that I wouldn't be too fond of. Could this have been it?"

>>7848696
Charmeleon feels sickened.

"What have I done? Have I really been manipulating the people around me all along? Who can say whether they are truly my friends and family or if they merely act that way because of this power?"

>>7848727
Doubtful. Any true psychic pokemon could do the same.

>>7848696

Say >>7848727 to Biship.
Think >>7848736 to ourselves.

>>7848736
...My companions, have they been similarly... enhanced? And are our unusually rapid growth rates related?

>>7848727
The woman smiles. "I doubt very much that Porygon-Z knows your true purpose, whatever that may be. However... why not find out?"

>>7848748
Except there's a name for psychic pokemon. ...It's a category in fact, and neither us nor our allies are on the list. Hell, the only psychic type move we can learn is Rest.

>>7848774
"...what do you mean by that?"

>>7848803
"Porygon-Z can look into your mind, can it not? Look into its mind."

>>7848774
"Well, from a philosophical standpoint, finding one's true purpose can be a great thing, but could also be very bad. To know that you were created for something, and then find out what that something is, can trap a person mentally, to the point where they can't see themselves doing anything else. I feel that it would be better for people to ignore the "whys" of their creation, and make their own purpose in life."

>>7848802

See: Lucario and the mystery of mew.

Lucario is not psychic, however, he can telepathically talk to people, and control what is essentially the force.

>>7848802
Yes, but I'm saying that any normal psychic type could exert that kind of influence as well if it were so inclined, and would likely be able to do so better than us. Therefore, it doesn't make much sense to breed other pokemon to do that.

>>7848774
...When I say true purpose, I don't mean a metaphysical one, though I agree that THAT purpose is one I must discover for myself. What I mean is that, as much as it disgusts me to admit it, it is likely that a significant amount of who I am to Team Rocket, and it is likely that I and perhaps all the eggs in the facilty were designed for some scheme, a scheme, given his technological aptitude, Z could likely uncover.

>>7848813
"How? Will you teach me?"

>>7848839
..."It is likely I owe a significant amount of who I am to Team Rocket"

>>7848852
"Simply close your eyes and concentrate on it. Concentrate... feel its mind..."

>>7848874
Also, could you at least release Snover and Magnemite, no matter how painful the truth is I'll tell them regardless as soon as I can, and seeing them rendered helpless so casually makes it difficult for me to trust you.

>>7848897
Charmeleon closes her eyes and tries to concentrate, having no idea what Bishop is talking about. She thinks of Porygon Z, and all the anger and pain it has caused her and her comrades since the journey began...

>>7848897
...As enticing as that offer is, a. Z likely has a stronger will than I, b. his mental state is probably what most would call 'unstable' and c. it is likely that one of the only reasons I'm still alive is that Z does not think it is worth it to devote much energy towards my destruction. Given his obvious paranoia, revealing that I can see his mind will cause him to target me with all his might, perhaps in person even, something that I am far from prepared for.

>>7848923
NO you fool. Z is smarter than us and stronger than us, and seeing how he reacts to people knowing he exists what do you think he'll do if he knows we can see in his head? That's not even mentioning the fact that given the reversed buildings near the beginning and the fact that Z was talking to someone, there's a chance he's in league with Giratina who will eat our fucking soul.

>>7848923
The room around you fades, and you travel across a strange landscape of myriad lines, criscrossing across an infinite darkness. One line in particular glows brightly, calling to you, and you step into it. As you do so, you find yourself thrust into a nightmare; two distinct worlds exist within your line of vision, orbiting into each other in ways you can't fathom. Glimpses of one world are that of abstract concepts, rules and programs--though you can't see them distinctly, the sense of their being presses hard into your mind--while the other is one of ceaseless chaos, a whirlwind of indecipherable images playing back again and again, in different order each time. Flashes of emotion flicker out of this second world, but the thing binding them all together is a feeling of entrapment and terrible pain... and somehow, beyond even that, a hellish blue light pulses, a light that feels strangely familiar.
And in the intersection of these two worlds, you see a small image of the physical body of Porygon-Z, and catch the echoes of a few distant, but relatively coherent, thoughts.

>>7848977
>>7849035
These.

>>7849056
Erm, whoopsies. Sorry about not waiting for a consensus there.

>>7849049
...Nothing new here, we know that Porygon Z was a corrupted upgrade, and his declarations of perfection are hiding his crippling insecurity of this fact. Whatever the blue light is, if it's with Z it's nothing we want to deal with.
Whatever happens, he cannot notice us. Discretion is the better part of valor, beating him on the mental plane, even in his unbalanced state is laughable, and we are nowhere near charismatic enough to persuade him to change, plus, y'know we hate him. so much.

>>7849065
It's okay. But we should leave the mental scape NOW, before he notices us.

>>7849065
I understand, I took a while to write both those comments, and given how much you wrote, you were probably too busy typing to notice. In the future, before doing a big atmospheric scene, make sure to wait several minutes for consensus.

>>7848977
>>7849035
>>7849056
Meta-knowledge that isn't in-character. All it does is keep us wary of what to expect, but Charmeleon herself would take this opportunity to learn an advantage that she can exploit over Porygon Z.

>>7849049
>>7849065
Keep going. Also, we try to call out to Bishop while we see these things - something to keep us in contact with the outside world.

Should I make a new thread? This one has almost autosaged.

>>7849153
>Dupa durr, my interpretation of the main character is the only right one and any other is wrong.
>We wouldn't know that enemy who has GOTTEN INTO OUR HEADS is stronger than us mentally derp.

Yeah, shut up.

>>7849153
Dude, what are you on about? It's pretty obvious that Z is stronger than us. Going and getting it's attention that we can get into it's head like it can do to us is silly; it'll just make him think we're an even bigger threat than he thinks we are.

>>7849170
Nah, it's late, we can ride the autosage for a couple of hours.

>>7849205
Damnit, forgot my name.

>>7849153
I don't see how my first comment, the one with a, b. etc. was meta, it's all faily logical given Z's actions thus far. I will concede, however, that given the character of Charmeleon thus far, it seems unlikely she'd think this far, which is why, if it does not put too much pressure on Charming Spell, I'll try controlling Magnemite as soon as he's not y'know in stasis or whatever.

>>7849170
I'd go ahead and make a new thread. It makes it easier to follow.

>>7849218
I completely agree.

>>7849170
...Depends on how much more you're up to doing, I'd say.

>>7849219
Done.
>>7849257

>>7849237
That while I have a point that doesn't require out of character knowledge, it doesn't seem to be Charmeleon's style to think that far? I'm all for roleplaying, but for the love of god this seems near suicidal. If it helps, have Chrmeleon think 'what would magnemite say?'

>>7849288
If we get confused, scared or feel over our heads, then yeah, I'd think Charmeleon would try to think of whatever Magnemite would do - seeing as he's the more calm and level-headed of the group.

>>7849218
>>7849237
It's also important to keep in mind that everything we know about Z we've found out in-character. Everything that's been said about him is all pretty obvious stuff. We know he's stronger than us because we've faced him before. We know how he reacts to people knowing about him because we've seen it first hand. Not everything that is suggested that isn't going through the main characters mind that second is meta.

>>7849304
well how about Snover for caution?