>>37567967
>>A tiny, old-looking jack hammer

>>37567967

Hey there funky bunch. Is it a party over here? Is it a party over there?

Voting periods will be 10 minutes usually, with votes during high-stakes, "react fast!" events taking 5 minutes. I will wait 10 minutes here, initially, so that people can show up.

Write-ins are always welcome and, actually, I try to reward them when possible. Creativity, flexibility, thoughtfulness... All important things to consider when you're in the middle of guiding Grey through this quest.

If you have any questions or concerns at any point in the quest, please feel free to voice them. That said, let's try not to shitstorm in thread. That hasn't been a problem with this quest and that's because you guys, the playerbase, are the shit. Keep up the good work.

Useful shit:
Twitter: @TheHeraldQM
Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=herald
Document link: http://pastebin.com/wPmrDbds (embed)

Here's some strawpolls. Please vote:
http://strawpoll.me/3341184 (embed)
http://strawpoll.me/3391511/r (embed)

>>37567967
>A domestic vacuum robot
Not choosing the QT option...

Also woke up just in time for SSQ...good day today...

>>37567967
>Our Chainsaw

>>37567967
>An old welding torch-kit

>>37568049
Do we still have that even...

>>37567967
If we do not have our chainsaw, I'll change my vote from >>37568049 to >A tiny, old-looking jack hammer

Jackhammer is in the lead, but it seems it doesn't necessarily have a strong majority.

Your chainsaw cannot be used as it currently exists. It is more modern tech and, as such, is relatively Rotom-proof.

We can keep on voting for that while the rest of this scene is laid out.

>>37568172
So we need to "fix" our Chainsaw?

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>>37567967

The day is damp, the compound is safe (albeit broken, much like its occupants feel these days) and Erwin's on his way.

And Ness's Eelektross just you a potential source of transportation, dammit.

"Ness?"

Somehow, Ness has managed to peer into the gentler, more humble side of the heart that lay within the muscular, blood-thirsty body of the Eel. She has him on his back and is rubbing his stomach, parroting what you imagine a stereotypical trainer would say in her usual monotone:

"Good boy. Good Ross. You are very good. You did good job." Some more pats and scratches. The 'Tross slams his heavy tail against the ground repeatedly in a "wagging" motion. "What. A. Good. Boy."

It honestly creeps you out a bit, watching her handle a death machine like that. How did she get him under control? It must have been the gun, right? Surely.

"Ness...?" Finally, she hears you and diverts her attention away from her Starter (much to his consternation and disappointment). "Good job on issuing a command, but could you try to aim him a bit better?" She nods. "Ah well... Maybe we can fix it up later. You two ready? You think Ross is good to go?"

"Yes. I believe it would currently be appropriate to give a thumbs up and sayd 'no sweat!'"

"Sure. Well, I think my team is set as well... Could fit in some group training, I suppose. What do you think?"

"I believe you have greater experience in that department, as in many others."

"Dammit Ness..." You sigh into your hand. It's almost becoming a Pavlovian response to Ness speaking, now.

>Train Apollo with Ross
>Sprig with Ross
>Volts with Ross
>Bonnie with Ross

>Competitively
>Cooperatively
>Train in a mock-battle

>>37568195
>So we need to "fix" our Chainsaw?
Yes.

>>37568270
>Train Apollo with Ross
>Cooperatively

>>37568303
This

>>37568270
>Train Apollo with Ross
>Cooperatively

>>37568270
>Train Apollo with Ross
>Cooperatively

You guys can either come up with a training idea that would work well or roll the dice, leaving it to luck (and Herald).

>>37568303
>>37568318
>>37568321
>>37568327
HIVE MIND!

>>37568346
Show off Apollo's power and show Ross how our training helped him get there...run through some of our typical exercises and warm-ups and then kick it up and get him pump...gym bros...

>>37568270
>Volts with Ross
>Cooperatively

>>37568403
You want an iron-pumping montage with an Eelektross and a Growlithe...?

Eh. I've seen weirder requests lately.

GONNA NEED A MONTAGE SONG, THEN!

>>37568424
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPFCHuEegsk

>>37568424
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btPJPFnesV4

>>37568270

Training... Training...

Hm. Well, you haven't pulled out Apollo in a while. There's that to consider. Also, Ross seems too strong or dangerous to idly use as a sparring partner, especially for Bonnie or Sprig. What's more, the Eel is going to have to work together with your team in close quarters this afternoon, most likely pairing up with Apollo...

You approach the Eel and give him a once over, checking with Ness first to make sure it's safe to approach him. You ask her to keep him occupied while you scan the 'Tross with your Dex and your eyes. He seems skilled enough an maneuvering on land, but you imagine skirting around a muddy or watery environment would be right up his alley. He's muscular, so focusing on strength and not dexterity or finesse would be important... A level head and communication is something he's lacking.

Hm. You wonder how he does socially around other Pokemon...

"Come on out, Apollo." With a quick flick of your wrist the Growlithe is out. You give him some reassuring pats and a warm greeting before directing him to Ross. Apollo goes a bit defensive, as he is wont to do, and then slowly approaches. Ness tries to keep Ross's attention but he bristles and coils a bit at Apollo's approach. There's some growling, lots of sniffing, and both set to posturing aggressively...

As you would have predicted, Ross roars aggressively in order to show his dominance. Apollo reciprocates, and then both take semi-defensive positions. You and Ness step in and get them separated.

"Grey? That went smooth like the surface of a Cacnea." You readily agree with her. "That is a joke, yes? Cacnea are painful to touch."

"I got the joke, Ness."

"Then why did you not laugh?"

"Because..." You sigh. "Hah. Hah. Sorry, I just forgot."

"Ah. Yes. Perhaps it is mental fatigue. You should consider getting more rest in the near future."

"Sure, Ness. Sure."

>cont.

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>>37568540

You turn back to Apollo, your mind going over ideas on how to get the two of them working together better... "Apollo? Play nice. That is Ross, and he's a teammate. Team, okay? Important that we work together. Okay?" Apollo nuzzles into you, yipping happily. You believe in his ability to follow orders. Ross worries you, though.

"Ness? I have an idea." You motion for Apollo to approach the treeline. "Apollo? Get that tree down!"

He gives it a strong, scorching ember. The bark is marred and sap sets to bubbling out, but... Not much happens.

"Alright Ross, your turn!"

Ness brings Ross over and directs him to hit the tree. Ross hits it with a sparking, explosive zap.... Again, the bark of the tree splits, but the bald, scarred tree remains standing.

"Alright! We have to work together, okay? Ross and Apollo: let's do it together!"

>Gimme some rolls for the TRAINING MONTAGE BONUS!

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>37568588

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>37568588
rollan

>>37568593
DAMN SON!

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>37568588

>>37568593
Alright...

>>37568593
MANLY PARTNERSHIP ACHIEVED

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>37568588
Hnnnnng yesssss

File: waitasecond whatintheactu(...).gif (1.67 MB, 400x225)

1.67 MB GIF

>>37568593
>Na-na.... Nan de...!?

>>37568588

Ness directs Ross to the back of the tree, urging him to push and rage against it while you, with the help of a harness, have Apollo pull against it. You urge them on, cheering and whooping as you hear the tree splinter and crack...

Oh, oh shit. Maybe you didn't think about the tree falling forwards onto Apollo...!

"Apollo, move! Watch out!" The Growlithe digs his feet into the dirt, running out and away from the tree, but he needs to be running horizontally! The tree hits the ground and, to your dismay, Growlithe's tail is stuck under it! You don't think there's much damage, but your poor friend is howling and whining as he tries to pull away. You rush over and start lifting, hoping to get it up enough for him... Damn this thing is fuckin' heavy!

Ross rumbles on over, roaring before taking the tree in his hands and straining against it. He bellows and gnashes his maw as he lifts. Slowly, slowly...! The tree is finally up and Apollo scoots away. You and Ross release it and it falls back to the earth.

"Ahdamn: thanks Ross!" You pet his flank and he gives a less threatening growl than usual. Apollo comes on over, yipping happily, and then begins nuzzling against the Eel. To your amazement, he doesn't bat him away or get mad: he merely bends down and gives what seems to be a friendly headbutt.

File: heliship.jpg (34 KB, 900x500)

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>>37568876

>99

After that episode, the two 'Mons become fast bros. You secure a second harness around Ross and begin clearing rubble and downed trees around the area, the two working together. Ridge and another Ranger eventually come out and start helping with their teams. It lifts everyone's spirits to be working and making progress towards getting things normal again...

The commotion must have alerted a couple of the few wild 'Mons left in the area, though, as a pair of Zangoose showed up! They tried to double-team Ross but, in a heroic act of reciprocation, Apollo came to his rescue. He tackled the haunches of one, biting down and rolling it into an all-out fight. Ross got an opportunity to release some of his latent anger, tossing one of the antagonists into a tree before biting down and sending a wave of electricity through the second. They sent the Zangoose fleeing with shock and awe, fire and electricity working in a destructive harmony...

The two seem to have a new found respect for one another. With Erwin surely approaching, you and Ness took your pair of bros in to get healed...

>+5 Shock and Awe bonus to Apollo and Ross working together
>Apollo seems over half-way there to evolving!

You and Ness retrieve them from the nurse, your 'mons back to full health, when Ridge comes into the room in a hurry.

"Yo! Grey! I think your friend's here!" You get a bit of relief and nervousness at that. "Didn't think he'd come in on a heliship, though!"

>"Wait, what?"
>Write-ins...!

>>37568983
>"Wait, what?"
>rush out to Erwin

>>37568983
>"Describe him to me."

>>37568983
>"Wait, what?"

>>37568983
>"Wait, what?"
Proceed with caution...but don't look like you are...yeah...

>>37568983
>All pokemon out now, Chainsaw at the ready
"That probably isn't my friend, so be careful, I'm going out to say hi."

Okay, definitely respond with a bit of confusion / apprehension...

But what is your physical response? Not quite sure what you guys want.

>Go out to meet "Erwin"
>Stay in and wait?
>Pull your whole team out?
>Have Ridge describe "Erwin" and come back
>Send someone else out to scout
>Peek through the window
>write-in (as always)

>>37569100
>Have Ridge describe "Erwin" and then go to greet him as apropriate

>>37569100
>Pull your whole team out?
>Have Ridge describe "Erwin" and come back

>>37569100
>Have Ridge describe "Erwin" and come back

>>37569100
>Go out to meet "Erwin"

>>37569100
>Chainsaw OUT

>>37569100
>>37569143
Fuck wait no...
do this first...
>Peek through the window
This paranoia...

Writing now....

Sorry, real life distractions >.<

>>37569100

You look to Ness and share a piercing moment of quiet. You nod, and she nods in response: both of you feared TITAN or someone else coming after you, and Erwin never mentioned a heliship. It's not impossible, but...

"Ridge?"

"Yeah? Wha'sup?"

"I need you to do something for me: something important. I need you to describe the person that comes out of that ship. I don't think it's my friend. I think it's trouble."

"Uh, sure? Sure... No problem, I guess." He walks to the doorway. You? You pull your whole team out. Thankfully they're small enough. You kneel down, muttering some reassuring words while petting at Sprig and Bonnie. You're not sure if you're going through those reassuring words more for yourself or for your team.

A bang. A gunshot. That was a gunshot, right? Another.

Definitely a gunshot.

Memories of the gym fight roll into your head like angry anvilheads, flush with pain and agony instead of rain. The crackling of the fire spills into your gut; the cries of men roasted alive.

"Shiiiiit shitshitshit--" You fall back, ass landing hard on the ground. You cover your head.

"Grey...? Grey! Keep to me! It is TITAN!"

You fumble about as you try to work the container holding your chainsaw. It's shaking. No... you're shaking: you're trembling like a leaf in a hurricane. Why are you shaking? Fuck, come on, man!

>"TITAN? Yeah? No shit!"
>Throw over a table, take cover. Let them come to you and roast'em
>You can't let the "civvies" be caught in the crossfire, and Ridge must have been shot. Head out, take the fight to them.
>Just let Ness handle it. You can't take this...

>Roll 1d100

>STRESS MODIFIER: 2

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>37569413
>You can't let the "civvies" be caught in the crossfire, and Ridge must have been shot. Head out, take the fight to them.

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>37569413
>You can't let the "civvies" be caught in the crossfire, and Ridge must have been shot. Head out, take the fight to them.
Fuckin' TITAN

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>37569413
>You can't let the "civvies" be caught in the crossfire, and Ridge must have been shot. Head out, take the fight to them.
Damn, we totally got Ridge shot.

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>37569413
>You can't let the "civvies" be caught in the crossfire, and Ridge must have been shot. Head out, take the fight to them.
Damn it I was too late...

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>37569413
Last roll for crit!

>>37569413

Shaking. Shaking. You're shaking; Ridge was shot. YOU'RE SHAKING. RIDGE WAS SHOT.

"IgotRidgeshot- I got. Ridge. SHOT." You kick against a nearby table. You curse, you screw your eyes shut: this can't keep happening to you. This is ridiculous, surreal, a dream...

Your world turns white: colors fade, edges bleed into one another. The world goes quiet and peaceful. You feel serene.

>96 -2 = 94
>Negative modifier temproarily removed

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fWBHDhaP_w#t=78

"Grey: do not let the struggles define you. Let your actions define you. Overcome this. Rise above these waves. Rise above this pain." It's Ness's voice. The tones and dips of her voice ring out as honeyed notes in your consciousness; like waves of light they touch you and wipe away the dark stains on your life. "The pain will come, but the challenge is here. Face the challenge now, feel the pain later."

"Feel the pain later." You let out a long sigh, and reality comes washing back in. You hear Apollo barking, Volts sparking. Men yelling. "Now. Now is the time. Center myself..."

You push yourself up and scoop the container ball back into your hands. Deftly, you summon and brandish your sword. You rev it a few times: it feels good, as always.

"Team? Let's go. Move out! Apollo: charge in, keep moving! Smokescreen!"


>Bonnie? Move and then priority
>Sprig? Move and then priority
>Volts? (Currently in Jackhammer. Ghost/Fighting type.) Move and priority.

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>37569549
>Bonnie? Move and then priority
Let's throw up a sandstorm to mess with their aim. When Apollo goes supernova tiny glass shards will probably be a bitch to handle too

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>37569573
Geezus it's perfectly brutal...

>>37569549
>Sprig: Stun Spore on the heliship's pilot

>>37569549
I need to know more about what the enemy is doing to make any real plans.
>>37569573
This sounds good though

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>37569549
>>37569604
forgot my roll and holy shit 4chan is slow for me

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>37569549

>>37569626
Anon...

>>37569617
>I need to know more about what the enemy is doing to make any real plans.

Totally down for that.

Surroundings: Windows are well-boarded. Main entryway is a typical lobby-like entrace, with doors currently wide open and surrounding glass boarded up. Lobby has tables, chairs, nurse is currently panicking a bit and taking cover. There are obviously entrances around the building. From your position you can't see the ship's landing or enemy positions. There's probably going to be at least a splinter of the forces heading for the main entrance.

Forces: You know they have guns, and they usually have a modicum of armor including headwear/helmet. They seem semi-professional. If anything like last time, they'll shoot to stun and not kill.

Any other questions?

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>37569647
I thinking get Bonnie defense curled up to keep the darts useless and then go rollout

>>37569647
they'll shoot to stun and not kill.
Oh great so ridge isn't dead?

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>37569647
I thinking get Bonnie defense curled up to keep the darts useless and then go rollout

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7.86 MB GIF

>>37569626
>2
>Not even happy about it

Man... What am I going to do with you guys?

>>37569685
not kill us over one crit fail?

EVERYONE IN THIS THREAD!

I'm going to continue this in ghost mode on the moe tg archive. I will provide a link if necessary, but we'll just ghost on this same thread in the archive.


This posting speed is a bitch.
Same thing as posting on tg, just a little different, okay?

>>37569709
Who said I was going to kill you?

>>37569720

https://archive.moe/tg/thread/37567967

Head in there.

>>37569728
Will update this quest with story posts soon.

>>37571109
Damn. Moot's voice is nice albeit annoying.

Still love him though. <3

Talking to myself so the quest doesn't fall off the board...

>>37572464
Anon has scooted!

>>37572464
Scoot scoot ima boot!

>>37569549

First step? Take in your surroundings: the lobby is safe (for now) but you need to take the fight outside and keep the troops busy. You need to collect Ridge, too. Obvious strategy? Move out the front door in force, throw everything you've got at them and stay out of fire. Yeah. Simple.

"Ness, I'm heading out!"

"Grey-? No! You cannot!" Ross is already being directed over towards you, imposing himself between you and the doorway. "I shall handle this. Stay here, stay safe, or otherwise flee! You cannot be captured!"

"Fuck that, Ness! I'm not leaving them-" you point to the survivors around you in a general manner, "... and I'm not leaving you! Ever! I told you that!"

She goes quiet. Determination lights up her face.

"Understood. We go together?"

You nod. "Together."

"Bonnie! Out! Entrench and throw up some earth! Sand spike it!" She Slash runs past you on all fours, scales erect and claws gleaming. "Apollo, Sprig? On me! Come'ere Sprig, girl!" You pick up Sprig and bring her onto your shoulder. Apollo comes to your side. "Volts? Go fuck'em up."

"WITH PLEASURE." The eerily-floating jackhammer then whirs into action, piston thrumming violently, before splitting in half before your eyes. Volts (or a more squat, tinier version of himself) appears in between the two halves which are now "arms." "I WAS BORN FOR THIS. EXCEPT FOR NOT BEING BORN. OBVIOUSLY."

He then rockets up and out the door. You hear the sound of bone-shuddering hammering and piston-action. Screams follow.

"Let's go!"

>>37572584

You, Apollo, and Ross breach the door to find a clay-mud wall erected, Bonnie crouched deep in the earth behind it. The smoke initially exuded by Apollo has started to clear so you throw some more into the air towards the heliship.

There's Ridge: he's near the boarding-ramp of the ship. There're guys everywhere. About a dozen total. You keep flush with the wall as bullets (darts, whatever) whizz by overhead. The barking of guns fills the air.

Two guys near the ship. Three guys towards the east flank, close to the building. Three in the open, Volts is dealing with those. 4 more scattered about the building. There's a guy up high, climbing the building itself. He's spotted you-

>Apollo!
>Sprig!
>Shoot him, Ness!
>Ross!

>>37572606

"Get'im, Sprig!" You point up and the little she-fairy jumps into action. With a flourish she snaps her upper torso forward, and you watch as...

"Razor leaf?"

>Sprig learned Razor Leaf! Use it to cut bad guys into bloody ribbons from afar!

Two razor-sharp, dart-like leaves shoot out from Sprig's back and strike the man. He cries out, clutching his arm and pulling his aim off of your group. You then bring your arms together. Sprig climbs towards your palms and you throw her into the air: she tumbles once before landing on the roof, skittering along at a break-neck pace, hopping about like a wild thing. She begins launching attacks at the man, covering him in hazards...

"Ross! Thunderbolt!" Ness puts her Eel to work on zoning the foes around the building, focusing on the group on the ground near the East entrance. There's still four nearby that you need to handle...

One straight ahead, taking cover behind some debris. Another pinned down behind an A/C unit. The last two are rushing your position!

>Go, Apollo!
>Chainsaw after Apollo smokes'em!
>Roast'em!
>Flame charge'em!

>>37572625

"Light them up, Apollo!" Your Growlithe steps into a low stance, building up a flame. He growls, flames licking over teeth and fur, before barking out a flaming shot that shoots towards the charging foes. They spread, both diving out of the way.

"Now! Flame charge!" Apollo dashes into action, the flames now spreading over his upper torso, and rockets after one of the soldiers. You decide to take the other, lancing up your chainsaw and charging with a battlecry. Apollo gets under one the right-most of the pair, pushing him up and over onto his back as the two smolder and burn. The man cries out: Apollo works on silencing him with a bite. The other soldier is up and targeting him, going for that trigger...

"FUCKYOU!" You're on him, the weight of the saw carrying you forward in a sloppy tackle. The man screams, panicking, but it's too late: you run it over his chest, catching on and sparking over his chest armor before knocking him into a spiraling fall. You stumble back into balance before kicking at the bastard.

A shot whirls over your head.

"APOLLO! ON ME! SMOKESCREEN!" And you're both back to running, Apollo throwing up some more smoke before sprinting to your side.

There's an explosion. You hear the familiar crackle of electricity and the teeth-jarring bark of a handgun. You look over to the ship: Volts is moving towards the twin guards, jack-arms a pair of violent blurs.

You're about to go after one of the stragglers when a new noise pierces through the melee... The sound of a hot-air balloon? It's almost like a hose...? What is that...? A gout of flame obscures your vision for a bit. You blink away the sudden dilation to see...

Some sort of heavy-trooper? Flame-throwers, heavy armor... Robotic legs? Holy shit.

>Split up, take him out with Apollo
>Fall back to Bonnie, let Apollo and Ross take him
>Get Ness to mindfuck him or something!
>Write-in

>>37572658

Heavy target; looks impressive, looks dangerous; you estimate it'll take overwhelming force. Immediate action? Fall back.

"Take his legs out, Apollo! Distract him! Keep moving!" The Growlithe is, once again, off like a shot. You fall back to the mudwall and urge Bonnie up. "Ness! Ness!"

Her voice touches your mind: clear, serene, unemotional. "Currently West of your position. What is situation?"

"Big-ass motherfucker!"

"Wha-...? Ah. Words unclear, memory is not. I see. Directing Ross to your position. Will follow."

There's a roar. You turn back to the fight: Apollo's keeping mobile and trying to knock the thing off balance or roast it. You're not sure if there's a human inside it or not. No way someone could survive the waves of heat washing over that suit, right?

"Alright Bonnie! Head in with a rollout! Knock him over! I'll follow." The shrew sets to spinning like some wild firework of muscle, scales, and dirt: dirt's flying everywhere and she's kicking up quite the mess. You block most of it from hitting your face and watch her form head over and into the conflict. You rev your saw and head over...

Another road: sparks, crackling... An explosion. Against the intense light you see the snake-like form of Ross slink up onto the Heavy Armor. He coils and launches into it, just before Bonnie smacks into its side. It topples, losing the grip it had on Apollo. It's good to know Ross saved your teammate once more.

You stand back. No sense in running over. You'd only get in the way of the carnage.

All that's left is to take the ship... You look towards it. Its props are gearing up! Shit!

>>37572678

>Anon suggests: QTE like in just cause 2!
Sure. Let's try that. This'll be fun.

>>>>

You run towards the heliship. It's taking off, and the ramp is being lifted into the plane! You have to get on there...!

>ENTER THE COMMANDS (One command per post) YOU HAVE 1 MINUTE!
← ↑ ↑ A

>Anons fuck it up
MASH THE A BUTTON! HURRY!

>They mash that button like some cheap whore from a PGQ backstory

>>37572723

You run towards the heliship. It's taking off, and the ramp is being lifted into the plane! You have to get on there...! The thrusters on the ship buck forward a bit: you swing to the left and drop as a wheel goes over your head!

"Shit! Too close too close...!"

The ship swings back and you see your opportunity: you jump! Your right hand finds purchase and you hold on for dear life. You throw your other arm up and onto the ramp, saw clanging against the metal, and then begin pulling yourself up. You're almost there when...

"AAAAH!" A soldier slides out of the door, foot stamping on your wrist. You try to grab his ankle and pull him off...

But you miss his ankle! He stamps on you again!

>MASH A! (Completed! Success!)

You try again, this time instead opting to punch him right in the tendon. He grunts and tries to kick but you have him this time! You pull on his leg, climbing onto the ramp and struggling past his violence. eventually, you get stable enough that you can swing the saw towards him. You couldn't rev it, and he catches the blade. He cries out. You stand up and begin leaning into it, going for the ignition... He grabs your wrist! It's a fight! You strain! You push, pull, grit your teeth and fight against him...!

"Fuck you, TITAN asshole...!"

You shove him away and hit the ignition. The saw blazes into life and you dash it across his body. He screams out and topples over, his form falling off the ramp.You head inside. The pilot's there. He panics when he sees you. He's going for a handgun!

>ENTER THE COMMANDS (One command per post) YOU HAVE 1 MINUTE!
> A! B! B! ↔! ↔!

YOU TOTALLY RAN OUT OF TIME!

It's okay, though. Two minutes seems more reasonable, anyways.

>>37572723
Ouch what a burn herald. You left Apollo taking notes.

>>37572759

You dash over. No way you're getting shot now...! Your hands meet his on the handle of the gun. He starts shouting at you but you grit your teeth and slam your head into his. He's dazed just enough for you to punch him in the throat (its sloppy, but it worked!) and then you have the gun.

You consider shooting him...
You consider it strongly...

You toss it away and then go for him with your hands. You find purchase on his shoulders and throw him forward: he barely stops himself from hitting against the console, allowing you to get behind the seat. When he sits back up you wrap an arm around his neck and squeeze. He wheezes and protests, trying to hit you, but you've taken worse on a nice day. You keep squeezing, throwing him back and forth. His protests die down... He's struggling less... Less.... You let him go.

Now to fly a ship. Shit.

"NESS!?"

You hope she can hear you...

>Try to pilot it yourself
>Maybe Ness can guide you?
>Slap the controls until something works!
>Just go down for a crash. You're not that high up!

>>37572790
>>37572783
I was wondering if anything would notice that. I swear, no offense to the Turtle. Lov'im <3 Also it's my drink taking effect. Swear on me mum.

>>>>

No response? Fine. You're on your own.
>ENTER THE COMMA-
Nah, fuck that.

Time to panic. Panic-mode engaged. You pull the body out of the seat and flop down. Your hands go to the controls.... And they're staying relatively stable, but you're heading straight up. Shit... Shit... You look around the cockpit, eyes searching for anything that pops our... there! That looks like a throttle thing, and it's pulled back some, right? You start to ease it down, slowly...

Yeah, you're definitely descending. But don't you need the landing gear out for that?
"Shit."

"Press this button, here:" Ness's voice finally reaches you. You resist the urge to scream in joy, instead opting to actually do as Ness told you. You press the button and there's the noise of machinery shifting and working. "Now ease her down. Slowly."

"Where the hell did you learn this?"

"You shall have to congratulate Seline at a later moment. For now? Please focus on piloting."

And so you do. Ness guides you, and you get the ship on the ground... It's shaky, but you do it. You're alive. Everything should be okay: you beat them. You beat them good, and now you have their fucking ship.

>Celebrate hard.
>Pelvic thrusts of victory!
>Do a barrel roll
>Write-in
>HAVE TO LEAVE WORK. WILL BE RIGHT BACK!

>>37572841
I hope we teabag the pilot.
Give him the ol' arabian goggles.

>>37572841
ALRIGHT!

Is anyone still around to quest? I need at least 1 able-bodied motherfucker! None of that lurking shit! I don't care if you don't got fingers: you better type out a response.

>>37572841
Yeah love PGQ but it's happening gear is much better than its SOL gear. Arch does make pretty cool worlds.

Celebrate for a quick second then disable the prisoners and take their gear. Also download top gun soundtrack for reasons.

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>37572876
oidfhweofiuh

>>37572876
Lurking. I don't usually vote on decisions since I don't trust myself.
Although I did vote to teabag him first.

>>37572841
>Pelvic thrusts of victory!

>>37572876
>Celebrate for a quick second then disable the prisoners and take their gear. Also download Top Gun soundtrack for reasons. Barrel roll while playing it.

>>37572876
S-sorry. I've been listening to moot's live broadcast all day.

>barrleroll
>In a heliship
top kek guys

>>37572841

>Pelvic thrusts of victory!
>But only briefly before making absolutely sure that all of them are incapacitated one way or another. Probably best to keep some captive for questioning.
>Get everyone healed up again
>Stockpile their arms and armour, see if there's anything that fits you and Ness. If there's spare grab sets for Dani, Erica, Nick, Erwin, etc
>Get someone on lookout for more attackships or something, warn them of the man on the skarmory

OH SHIT CHECK ON RIDGE!

>>37573075
THIS THIS THIS THIS THIS THIS...

>>37573075
THIS!

>>37573075

YOU SO LUCKY MOTHERFUCK HE WAS GONNA DIEEEEE!
Just kidding.

>WRITIN' REAL QUICK BITCH BE LIKE THE FLASH

>>37572841

You flick this damned bird off and sit back with a sigh. Your hands go to your head, you sigh, you lay back...

"Huuhmffffhuhhh...?" It's the pilot. He's awake again, groggily trying to get a hold of the world spinning about him like some abused carnival ride that won't let you go-

"Shit! Get back down fucker!" You rise to accost him once more but manage to meet him as you're rising from the seat: he drags himself forward on shaky arms as you stand.

"HFFFBFFFF!" Is all he can get, his words slightly muffled against the fabric of your jeans. That's right: you just accidentally teabagged this poor son of a bitch. You scream and slug him in the temple: he's down again, clutching at his head. You jump over the seat and get your saw back in your hands. With it, you keep the bastard threatened and immobile. You get him to drag his sorry ass away from the cockpit. You keep him on the ground while you call for Ness and some rope...

You get him tied up with your robotic companion. There's a moment of awkward silence where you set to thinking about what you're going to do with him when something hits you mentally: Ridge. Where is Ridge? Is he okay?

You set out back onto the battlefield. Scorch marks and bodies are scattered about. It's disturbing, but the adrenaline keeps the worst of it off your stomach and out of your throat. You find Ridge: he's being attended to. You talk with the Rangers (who want a fuckin' explanation, of course) and the nurses are taking care of him. Ness saw to him, apparently. You'll have to thank her later.

>cont.

>>37573481

You get to work cleaning up. Ness can handle interrogating that fuckwad... That handled, you send the Rangers in to cool off and tend to their own. Ridge should be fine. Not dead, thank god... You keep an eye out for Erwin, uneasy about this whole start to the day.

>Protective gear acquired! 6 jackets (do you want them all?)
>Grab 2 rifles...?
>Ask about specific things / pieces of gear you might be interested in, people

>Fast forward to Erwin
>Talk to someone? Who?
>Barrel roll?

>Consider team automatically healed

>Write-in as always!

>>37573496
>Do you want them all?
Yes. We can take them with the heli. If we don't take the heli, at least take some for us, Ness, and Erwin.
>Grab 2 rifles.
>Fast forward to Erwin

>>37573496
Hand off 2 protective jackets to the rangers and one rifle.

Thank the EdI- I mean Ness.
Barrel roll that thing to the top gun soundtrack!

>>37573496
>Protective gear acquired! 6 jackets (do you want them all?)
Check with the rangers that they're not in need of any, otherwise grab them all
>Rifles
Maybe one for Ness, potentially Erwin but noone else from our gang has firearm training so may as well leave them with the rangers too
>Specific gear
Any comms kit? Can we do that whole thing where we listen to their radio chatter?
Any maps that bely their base locations?
What was that heavy trooper dude using to fuel that flamer, and is it apprehendable?

>>37573579
>Barrel roll that thing to the top gun soundtrack!
Or... we could NOT trash our new helicopter?

There could be a tracking device on the Heli, might want to let Volt check

So uh... If we leave things as they are TITAN are just gonna send another, larger armed force to this outpost in the chances that we're still here and moreover to sweep out anyone involved with repelling the last one.

Should we try and DELIBERATELY let TITAN know where we're headed or at least no longer there so that they ignore the rangers? Or maybe just best to tell the rangers to flee?

>>37573622
Could he? Wouldn't the heli and any tracking devices be Rotom-proof?

>>37573496

You're sitting against the remains of the mudwall, a reinforced vest hanging on your shoulders like a monument to your changed life, when a voice breaks you out of your post-fight depression. "Grey!" Ness calls, and you look to her making her way down the heliship ramp. "I have extracted a multitude of useful information from the TITAN pilot. What are you doing?"

You look around: smoldering grass, a stench to the air, scorches and chunks of earth blown about, the feeling of despair in the air... You call back to Ness with a bite in your voice and pain in your eyes. "I'm just enjoying the view. You know, letting it all sink in! Why?"

"Ah. I see. Yes, well, I thought you were moping and not being productive. Carry on, then." You grunt through clenched teeth at that, and call Ness back before she disappears into the ship once more.

"You were right, Ness."

"Yes. Yes, I believe I was. Being right about such things is a benefit of being part of the 'psychic master race.'" She puts on her usual stilted laughter, then. You roll your eyes. "Hah. Hah hah."

"Yeah, sure. Tell me, oh 'master race,' what should I be doing right now?"

"Cover our tracks, as it were. Since the male was a pilot you should check the communications chatter and perhaps give TITAN a false trail or confuse them with lies. Bring any useful supplies onboard the ship. Assist the Rangers, strip the bodies of wea-"

"Alright, sure. I'll move the supplies on board, but I'm going to need your help in coming up with a lie. Hey, Ness? Can you really fly this thing?"

>cont.

>>37573976

"Can I fly this aircraft? Yes, and it shall serve as a quick and effective means of getting to TITAN. Perhaps we shall not need Erwin's assistance after all."

"Oh, that's fantastic. Dragged him out here for not-" A piercing, screeching cry fills the air. You look up and spot the glimmering, striking plumage of a fantastically large bird: a Skarmory. "Speak of the devil...!"

Erwin settles down. The concern and questions are all over his face. You know his first question before he even gets off his ride: "What'n the hell happen'here, son?"

>"TITAN."
>We were attacked. We fought them off. How are you and your team?
>You down with flying in a heliship?
>What kind of team are you packing?
>WRITE-IN!

>>37573998
>"TITAN."
>We were attacked. We fought them off. How are you and your team?
>What kind of team are you packing?
>You down with flying in a heliship?
In that order.

>>37573998
>"TITAN."
>We were attacked. We fought them off. How are you and your team?

>>37573998
>"TITAN."
when he asks for more
>We were attacked. We fought them off. How are you and your team?
and then
>You down with flying in a heliship?

>>37574036
This sounds good.
Ask him if he wants a jacket and a dart gun too

>>37573998
>"TITAN."
>We were attacked. We fought them off. How are you and your team?

Then end with
>You down with flying in a heliship?

>>37573998

TITAN decided to give us a few presents...
Give Erwin one of the Jackets

>>37573998

You greet Erwin with a handshake. Well, you try: he takes a few moments to look you over, muttering inaudibly and shaking his head. He takes your hand in a firm grip after closing the few steps and pulls you in to a tight embrace. You reciprocate, perhaps a bit uneasily: it was unexpected, but not unwelcome. Erwin holds you, patting your back while giving some tough-to-hear words that do, actually, sooth some of your pain.

"You'n going through so much. So much, Grey." Another squeeze. "We gonna'n get you through this, y'hear? I swear to whatever's listenin' we'gun make it past this. I always'n be here for you."

Your thoughts of explaining the attack, of telling him the plan... Die on your lips. You weren't expecting this, well, this... Embrace? This support. You're dragging him into all this shit and he's here for you. He's gonna help you.

>Get a little emotional. Not often people support you like this.
>Hug him. Thank him.
>Tell him he's a good man.
>Write-in

>>I'll take your votes and throw them into the next post. I wanted this to be kinda unexpected.

>>37574168
>Hug him. Thank him.
>Tell him he's a good man.

>>37574168
>Get a little emotional. Not often people support you like this.
>Hug him. Thank him.
>Tell him he's a good man.
I like all of these. Throw the emotion in there to make it sincere, but Grey shouldn't lose his shit over it.

>>37574168
>Hug him. Thank him.
>Tell him he's a good man.

>>37574168
>Hug him. Thank him.
>Tell him he's a good man.
>Get a little emotional.
>Get the drive to do this.
>Make TITAN pay.

File: Jesus christ how horrifying.png (36 KB, 195x251)

36 KB PNG

>>37574168
>Hug him. Thank him.
>Tell him he's a good man.
mfw you just reminded me how much my father is a fuck up

>>37574168
>Get a little emotional. Not often people support you like this.
GreyXErwin OTP

File: virtual_hug.gif (17 KB, 354x369)

17 KB GIF

>>37574239
Shhh. Shhh, anon. Mama Herald is here for you. Just let it all flow out.

So.....

Ness Quest... would you play it?

>>37574272
Fuck, im crying now thanks

>>37574278
Yes, but why?

>>37574293
If i had an appropriate pic that was uplifting i'd use it anon. Be well.

>>37574278
No

>>37574278
Yes.

We need to explore what she does once Grey's trials and tribulations are finished. Once she leaves to find herself by touring the countryside all alone (except for Ross).

>>37574382
W-w-why would she be along? Grey promised to n-n-n-never leave us!

>>37574382
And any other mons she'll catch. I can see her getting along with a porygon famously.

>>37574168

You let it get to you. Hell, "let" it "get" to you? Fuck, you don't care. You don't: there's no place for manliness in death, and no sense in distancing yourself from ANYONE emotionally right now.

Not when you could die. Maybe today? Maybe tomorrow? Maybe years from now? You don't know, and you don't plan on leaving anyone hanging when they counted on you or put themselves out there for you. You know what it's like to reach out and not be heard, not be held...

"Grey? Grey, son-it'n-alright... It'n alright." You leave your thoughts and attend to the bit of wetness at your eyes. You give Erwin another pat and thank him. You part and try to center yourself. His hand is still on your shoulder. "Shouldn' have to go over this at yer age... Let me go'n, yeah? Tell'n me where to go an' I'll make good. I'm swearin' I'll tear these baster's apart."

"No. No, Erwin." Your eyes find his and you smile. He gives a sad smile back. You give him a light punch on the shoulder and then make a show of getting ready for the trip. "You're a good man. Dammit, thank you; thank you for... being there for me and putting up with this shit. It has nothing to do with yo-"

"Everything to do with me, Grey. Everythin' to do with'n the whole WORLD. You'n not takin' this on alone an' I'd never let you'n."

His gaze is hard and true; he means what he says. You nod.

"Then let's suit up: I got some presents from TITAN. You ever ride in a heliship before?"

>cont.

>>37574646

You explain to Erwin exactly what happened while going over the surroundings and then settling inside for a spell. He didn't take the news well: apparently Erwin is as righteous about justice as you would expect a good man like him to be. Maybe even more passionate than you at times? You had a long discussion about setting things right. Then you asked about him, his team, and about hitting the signal tower nearby.

Turns out Erwin has a Skarmory, an Electivire, a Tauros, and a Swampert. Fuck if that isn't a team, and they're all seasoned in battle. You're gonna give it to TITAN hard, those fucks. They're gonna pay. The Rangers expected an explanation, and they took it: from Erwin, of course, because you don't argue with a senior Ranger as decorated and veteran as him. Erwin told them to get the hell out of dodge. Of course, the closest big city was Atlan... So they set a course for one of the neighboring, smaller stations. Apparently there were a couple survivors there as well. You gave them some supplies, took a couple numbers down, and wished them luck. They wished you luck as well, and actually seemed honored to see your party off.

Volts couldn't interact with the ship much, so technical aspects were left to Ness. She claimed to have found a way to disable the passive tracking onboard, but that would definitely alert TITAN. It would be better to do so later, or en-route. She insists you come up with a convincing lie regarding visiting the nearby Signal Tower: perhaps the ship was damaged and you need to "drop the captive candidate off?"

>What did you find out from the pilot? Anything useful?
>What other targets are we looking at?
>Do we know what taking out the tower will do?
>Why... Why do they want to capture me so bad?
>Write-in

>>37574740
>What did you find out from the pilot? Anything useful?
>What other targets are we looking at?
>Do we know what taking out the tower will do?
>Why... Why do they want to capture me so bad?

>>37574740
>What did you find out from the pilot? Anything useful?
First we need to know what's up so we can spin a convincing yarn

>>37574740
>What did you find out from the pilot? Anything useful?
>Do we know what taking out the tower will do?

>>37574740
>head towards the city
>turn off tracker mid air
>turn the fuck around to the signal tower

>>37574740
backing >>37574807

>>37574646
Is Erwin secretly Grey's dad or something?

>>37574740

Erwin suggests saying nothing: just leave the tracker on and head for the tower. Lead TITAN there and take them all on at once. Ness cuts in, adding (with an apology for seeming rude, thankfully) that such a plan is unwise, as you could easily be overwhelmed by such a force. However, the pilot's understanding of TITAN's movements and situation would suggest their forces are in large part occupied or scattered. Seems they weren't fully prepared for the 'Mon attacks...

"Still, if we were to broadcast our location and intentions like they would divert as much of their force as possible. Capturing you is their central goal in all things. And should they not secure you, and manage to secure enough of the other candidates...-" You cut her off there

"Wait. What? Other candidates?" You had figured, but Ness hadn't mentioned such a thing before-

"Yes. I,... I should explain, so says my heart. Logically, this is something that would only serve to discourage or confuse you, but-"

"Please, Ness? Just out with it...?"

Erwin cuts in himself here, having been listening but unable to follow: "What'n the hells'n you two talkin' bout?"

"On every continent, Grey: candidates, in line with the original ARC project. A prime is chosen by the ARC. However, other candidates are contacted as a contingency and may be brought forward in sufficient number-"

"So... Whatever may happen, could still happen if TITAN captures enough other innocent people?"

"Yes. They do not need you, so we must eventually stop them or seal the ARC before they, instead, force the ARC to resolve."

"Resolve?"

She sighs. "There is too much to explain currently. We must focus, Grey. Yes? I promise: I do not lead you astray. All may be well, but TITAN cannot be allowed to interfere or resolve the ARC. Their purposes are malicious."

"Sure. Understood. So what are their short-term plans? What, uh, 'were' they, anyways, before we fucked them up?"

Erwin gives a satisfied grunt at that.

>cont.

>>37575189

"Capture you. Deliver you to Atlan, and then transport you to a main facility elsewhere to be held securely. The pilot was not informed of such future details. TITAN is secretive even internally."

"Sure. Alright, so... Say I was secured, but damaged and can't make it to the city? The signal tower is on the way, anyways."

"Yes, I... believe this should work sufficiently. Regardless, if we are able to disable the tower and escape the ARC's activity in the area should be restored and the local Monster population calmed."

>Any other questions? I know this is a huge text dump but I'm drunk and feeling FANFUCKINGTASTIC so what better time to write a lot?

>>37575207
How well built are the towers? Any structural flaws?

>>37575207
What is involved in shutting the towers down in a way that isn't quickly fixable?
Do the towers serve any other purpose (e.g are they piggybacking radio relays or something for general use)
Do we have any idea how large a force will be defending it?
Is there a way we can quickly disembark from the copter and have the pilot retreat with it to safety? Or should we land it a little ways away and cross the rest on the back of Erwin's flyers? Make less noise, be more ready to fight, potentially deal with long range sensory equipment and snipers...

QUESTIONS?!

>>37575207

"I'm assuming that we need to do more than just hit the off button... Do we know anything about the construction of these towers or the equipment needed to operate them?

>>37575239
What you would expect from a cell site or radio tower. The base is reinforced and well-tempered to survive 'Mon abuse, but you can take it down with work.

At least, you think so. You might have to get creative.

>>37575347
>What is involved in shutting the towers down in a way that isn't quickly fixable?
Knocking it over and torching the installation (computers and such).

>Do the towers serve any other purpose (e.g are they piggybacking radio relays or something for general use)
They supplement cell and internet services. It's worth it to destroy them.

>Do we have any idea how large a force will be defending it?
No.

>Is there a way we can quickly disembark from the copter and have the pilot retreat with it to safety? Or should we land it a little ways away and cross the rest on the back of Erwin's flyers? Make less noise, be more ready to fight, potentially deal with long range sensory equipment and snipers...
Sounds like a solid idea: infiltrate atop Pokemon? You could ride Tauros, Ross, and the Skarmory.

>>37575460
>You could ride Tauros, Ross, and the Skarmory.
>Ride Ross
We can ride a giant electric eel? I don't even care if that's the best solution to a problem, I just wanna do it!

But er, didn't Erwin have a Pidgeot as a second flyer for picking us up? Can't we all fly in and crash through the tower window dramatically or somehting?

>>37575524
That he did. Thought I took him out...

My memory is the hardest part about running this quest.

Alright. It feels like this is winding down?

Anyone still game for playing?

>>37575656
I'm game

>>37575656
I'm here too but it does seem a bit quiet

>>37575675
>>37575685

Well one of you is captaining this fucking ship, then. Let's sail...

>writin'

>>37575656
I am also here, pretty much just got home, sorry I wasn't able to participate earlier

>>37575656

yep

>>37575656
me

>>37575698
Lemme just fetch my fancy hat...

>>37575698

When I was just a lad, looking for my true vocation....

>>37575698

The Rangers want vengeance. Erwin wants justice. You want TITAN to pay. Ness? She...

"Ness?" You stand behind both her and Erwin, the two of them at the helm of your stolen ship. "What... What do you want from all of this? And after?"

There's a bit of quiet. Erwin brushes a finger over his mustache noisily.

"I, ah... I am afraid I do not understand your question, Grey."

"What do you hope to gain in stopping TITAN? In fixing the ARC? What do you want from life after all this is done?"

>What DO you want from all this, Ness?
>To see you safe and successful.
>To see the ARC completed.
>To see the world restored to its natural order (not definitely compatible with #2)
>To be with you. That has become my prime directive, now.

>Afterwards?
>To find myself
>To be with you
>I do not care
>I do not know

>Write-in

>>37575816
>To see you safe and successful.
>To find myself

>>37575816
>To see you safe and successful.

>To find myself
>To be with you

>>37575816
>To see you safe and successful.
>Afterwards?
>To find myself

>>37575816
>To see you safe and successful.
>To see the ARC completed.

>>Afterwards?
>I do not know

>>37575816
>What DO you want from all this, Ness?
>To see you safe and successful.

>I do not care

>>37575816
>To see you safe and successful.
>To see the ARC completed.


>To see you safe and successful.
>To see the ARC completed.

Fuck you plug dj why cant you just work properly for a prolonged period of time

>>37575816
>To see you safe and successful.
>To find myself
>To be with you

>>37575913
Ikr?

>>37575816
>To see you safe and successful.

>To find myself
>To be with you

>>37575816
>To be with you. That has become my prime directive, now.
>To be with you
Ness is still best girl

>>37575816

"Ah. You are looking for my personal take on this mission? My stake, my goals... My desires?"

"Yeah, I guess. In so many words!" You laugh a bit. "Long-term, what are you thinking about?"

"Being with you. Seeing you safe and successful as you fulfill your role with the ARC. Afterwards, should I still be alive and welcome? I wish to be with you. Perhaps... Perhaps I shall 'find myself' and my place in the world, though I do not know if I truly care about such things. Is it human to question oneself so?"

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, I think so... Everyone wonders about their future: it's the one thing everyone has in common. Time. There's never enough though. Right, Erwin?"

He grunts and sets to a bit of good-natured laughter. There's a small tinge of bitterness. The kind of bitterness that comes with old age. "Damn straight. Never'n enough time... But'n plenty o' time to look for yahself, you two. Trust me."

"Did you find yourself, Sir,... Erwin?"

He gives a smile to Ness while shaking his head. "I don't know many that do. Seems like the longer you spend lookin', the more you find what'n 're lookin' for lost to you... Can't find what isn't lost, and I spent a lottah time lookin'..."

"I... I do not understand your statements."

"You will. With'n time, miss."

You regard Ness in... a slightly different light, now. It both tests you and comforts you to know more and more about her. She's so different, so odd, and often rather difficult. Yet, her traits make her a fast friend in some ways. There's not a lot of bullshit to cut through, just a lot of growing to do. On both sides, yours and hers/

You, Ness, and Erwin are all wearing gear to keep you safer. You know your destination. You have ten Monsters on your side, all powerful and dedicated. You think that includes Ross: you're not sure because it's a bit hard to see all past the danger and crazy. The Eel reeks destruction.

It's going to take a few hours to get to the Signal Tower.

>Final check / questions?

>>37576028
Pep talk mons all the mons

>>37576028
pep talk to mons

>>37576069

>Discuss your current team with Erwin? Maybe get some pointers?

>>37576101
That as well. Also Download some battle music.

>>37576101
Yeah, sounds good. He might be able to give us pointers on how to use Sprig better. Maybe a couple of more utility thoughts on Bonnie.

We'll likely be needing her to undermine the tower base

>>37576101
That seems good. Maybe get some pointers with using guns from Ness.

>>37576028

Feeling a bit closer to your human companions, you turn your attention now to your more monstrous friends. May as well bond with them and give them a good ol' pep talk!

You bring out your team. You'd bring Ross out too, but... He's a little too big and a little too wild for the confines of the aircraft. You wouldn't want an errant thunderbolt to take everyone down.

Bonnie and Sprig set into taking it easy: the little sprite sitting in front of the shrew, who is delicately picking odds and ends out of her fur. It's cute, watching them groom together. Bonnie (a bit more mature than your other 'mons) constantly has to reach out and drag the excitable little grass-type back into her lap. You give them a bit of a hug and some scratches each, part of you musing on getting to know them better.

Thinking that they both deserve every shred of happiness you can give them, you pull out Sprig's headphones and slide them onto her head. She calms down at that: she sits quietly in Bonnie's lap, bouncing and swaying her head and arms to the radio.

Apollo and Voltergeist are both in relatively good spirits as well. Volts takes interest in Sprig's headphones but, sadly, can't possess them. Thinking on that, you pull out the old stereo Ridge found for you. You let Volts switch into it; he takes on an old-style radio announcer voice and starts switching through radio stations. Eventually he settles into a tune you've never head before, but he alleges:

"OLDIE BUT A GOODIE, GOOSE."

"Goose...?"

"INSIDE JOKE. GET IT? I'M INSIDE THE RADIO. HAH. NO? OH. GUESS NOT."

Then you settle down yourself, spending some quality time with Apollo. You try to get him to do some basic, stupid dog tricks. You've just worked through "walking on two feet" when Volts has a suggestion:

"DO A BARREL ROLL!"

"You mean roll over?"

"NO! DO A BARREL ROLL, FOX!"

"He's a dog. Lion... thing. Doglion, you dumbass."

"NU-UH. YOU ARE THE ONLY ASS THAT IS DUMB HERE."

>cont.

>>37576349

Volt's song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1irgU2O4EMk

And, well? That's how you got into a raspberry match with your Rotom.

Eventually, Erwin sidled into the back area to update you: there hadn't been any comm chatter, but you would need to send something out soon. That's all according to Ness and your captive pilot, of course. Also, you're only a couple hours out from landing. Erwin and Ness talked and agree that finishing the trip on foot or by flying-mon would be best. You agree.

"Say... Hav'n seen you's team much. No Mittens, yeah?" You nod glumly. "Sorry... Uhn, well'n theeen... Le's'see!"

He goes from 'mon to 'mon, greeting them and checking them over. He spends a particularly long time talking to and looking at Volts because, as Erwin said, "Ain't nevah seen a damn Rotom 'fore! Where'n you find him, Grey?"

You tell him, making sure to share that it was HIS book that brought you to the ship wreckage. Erwin beams at that, soaking in the story and enjoying every word of the tale. With a gusto he cheers for you before going back to looking over your team. You ask him a couple questions, trying to see what it is that he sees.

The personal things. You know, yeah? Each 'mon'sa differen', just like'n people. You sha' know, so tell'n me: what do you see about your 'mons?"

Bonnie?
>Pick ONE
>Her claws are well-curved. Good for digging.
>Her scales are huge! She's tough and spiky.
>She has a knack for handling dirt and using it in battle
>She's athletic. She's quite the little powerhouse when you get her going.

>>37576577
>Her scales are huge! She's tough and spiky.

>>37576577
>Her scales are huge! She's tough and spiky.

That rollout was boss.

Also i love you for that song Herald.

>>37576577
>Her claws are well-curved. Good for digging.
She is the slashiest of sandshrews!

>>37576626
Mama Herald loves her girls.

>>37576577
>Her scales are huge! She's tough and spiky.
YOUR SCALES ARE HUGE THAT MEANS YOU HAVE HUGE DEFENSE

>>37576577
>She has a knack for handling dirt and using it in battle

>>37576577
>She has a knack for handling dirt and using it in battle

>>37576577
>Her scales are huge! She's tough and spiky.

>>37576577

"Well..." You take a close look at Bonnie and each of her dominant features. You've used her a fair enough amount, really. You feel you have a pretty good handle on her abilities.

"Her scales. I was looking at some of the diagrams in my 'dex and... I think her scales are pretty big. Bigger than you'd expect. She's damn tough, and I think her rollouts are pretty solid because of it!"

Erwin nods and agrees with your general assessment.

"Any tips for Bonnie, Erwin? Or for me in training and helping her grow?"

"Well'n... What does she know?" You tell him, and he nods along while carefully listening. "I see. Well, try'n this..."

Erwin suggests quite a few ideas: getting Bonnie to work with formed-dirt on her limbs, to give her reach attacks; getting her to work on whipping up a sandstorm (hard, he claims); getting her to work on sinking foes into the earth from afar; he says quake attacks are great but involve moving a lot of earth.

You move on to your other 'mons...

>Apollo (Pick ONE)
>His legs are getting pretty strong, and his hind legs are long-ish?
>He's solid on his aim with range attacks, I think?
>His mane and tail are so, uh, fluffy!
>He's naturally below-average in temperature... What does that mean?

>Sprig (Pick ONE)
>Sometimes her horns glow a bit?
>I noticed she's very musical
>Sometimes she gets this dark smirk...
>I get this poking feeling in the back of my head...

>>37576930
>>Apollo
>His mane and tail are so, uh, fluffy!

>>Sprig
>I noticed she's very musical

>>37576930
>He's naturally below-average in temperature... What does that mean?
>Sometimes her horns glow a bit?

>>37576930
>His legs are getting pretty strong, and his hind legs are long-ish?
Extremespeed get

>Sometimes her horns glow a bit?
More fairy power?

"I get this poking feeling in the back of my head..."
GODDAMNIT SPRIG IS NOT MALE

NOTE

You may want to think about, uh... Moves that relate to these choices. There are a couple secrets to be had in here.

>>37576930
>His legs are getting pretty strong, and his hind legs are long-ish?
And he's got big teeth too.

>I noticed she's very musical

>>37576930
>His mane and tail are so, uh, fluffy!
>I get this poking feeling in the back of my head...

>>37576930
>He's naturally below-average in temperature... What does that mean?
Mystery box
>Sometimes her horns glow a bit?

>>37576930
>He's naturally below-average in temperature... What does that mean?

>I get this poking feeling in the back of my head...

>>37577046
I think it means he has flash fire

>>37576930
>He's naturally below-average in temperature... What does that mean?
>Sometimes her horns glow a bit?

>>37576930

"Ah, well... Let me think." You go through some of your memories regarding your 'Mons, Apollo being one of your oldest and Sprig on of your most recent catches... "Apollo's body core temperature is below average. And Sprig? Sometimes her horns glow a bit. Any clues on that?"

Erwin invites each of them over in turn, pulling out a meter or two for each of them and then scanning them with his 'Dex. He looks surprised in both cases, albeit pleasantly so.

"Ah. Uhrm. Hm... Well, I'm thinkn' Apollo had som' ice bred intah him at'n a point. Hidden power'm, yeah?" He sends the Growlithe back over to me and then Sprig follows. "And the 'Scott? Could be psychic? Could be'n a beam attack..."

You and Erwin talk about some different possibilities, with Erwin asking some questions (especially regarding Sprig) to pinpoint these unique abilities a bit more. Finally, he think's Apollo's control over some of his heat-based abilities could be different or stunted due to a cold-based attack organ. In short? With some work, Apollo may be able to do some ice-based attacks. Time will tell.

Sprig? Could be moonblast, solar beam, flash,.. or she could be ready to learn hyper beam. A lot of 'mons build up greater stores of energy with their final stages. If you could train her to focus this radiation from her horns...

Well, it's a lot to think on. A lot for the future. You thank Erwin earnestly, reminding him of just how useful he is. He says it's a pleasure as he loves 'mons, and then encourages you to share a few words before coming up front and sending word out to TITAN. Ness seems to think you'll imitate the pilot well, and you're going to have to send out the signal...

>Give me some choice words for your 'mon. Make it memorable.
>Writin' up a next part...
>BOSS FIGHT OH YISSSSS

>>37577388
>"They liken themselves to Atlas yeah? Time to show them what happens when the weight of the world comes crashing down!"

>>37577388
Alright guys here's whats up. When we touch down we're going to be facing a lot of people. They hate pokemon and want to destroy them. They kidnapped me, beat me and at one point tried to breach my head. They set up a tower that makes wild pokemon really mean and makes them attack and kill people. I'm not sure why, but we're going to stop it and them. No one else is going to have to deal with the old wars while we can stop it. Let's do this!

>>37577388
All of this >>37577467 seriously anon, pat yourself on the back.

>>37577467
>>37577470

+1 QM Point
2 Total now

>>37577467
My autism demands that I correct that Atlas held up the sky, not the world...

>>37577388
Alright boys and girls, today we start to fight back against TITAN. But before we do, I would like to thank you for standing by me for these few days. It has been a roller coaster, and I probably wouldn't have made it without all of you. (gesture of affection to all of them) Now, let's move out and kick some ass!

>>37577560
it got us a QM point, its good enough anon. Besides we're about to Zeus their asses back into jail.

>>37577560
No, thanks for correcting me. It seems I've been wrong all my life about that and I try not to be. The fact that you get statues of him holding up any old thing doesn't help I guess

Alright. Gonna cut here. We'll play again soon!

I had a lot of fun. Hope you guys did too. I'll give 30 minutes to stick around and chat. Anyone have any suggestions for the tower raid?

That gives me an idea... Should we have it be like the movie The Raid? Personally, I feel it could either be sparsely defended or teeming with baddies. Which would you prefer?

>>37577768

Well, seeing as though the towers are vital to their false flag operations, they would have a force capable of holding off rampaging mons, and possibly to dispatch any wondering or investigative persons. They would also need technical personnel to operate the signal emitter as I assume it is not just a 'Plug in and play' type device, it is likely that the necessary equipment had to be installed and needs continuous attention to work properly, otherwise the signal might meet interference or a stray mon attack might damage the tower altering the signal beyond it's operational band...

Basically, there would be a noticeable presence of guards around the perimeter of the facility, possibly a similar number 'off duty' inside the facility with the technical staff...

Tactical estimations at 6-12 guards, depending on shift length could be 3-6 active guards if 12hr shifts, or 2-4 active guards if 8hr shifts. There would also be 3-5 Technical staff. There is also probably going to be someone in charge of the operation in the tower, either a Soldier type or Scientist type, depending on force organisation and/or what type of operation the tower operations are classified as...

>>37577768
I figure sparsely as too many would draw attention and drain supplies, team would be added if a threat was immanent.

FUCK YEAH! thanks for runnign herald, you're aces, even if you are a chucklefuck and a half.

>>37578047
If you give me advice on how to be less of a chucklefuck I'll give you smut. Deal?