bravenewworld | Attack on Sanctuary

Attack on Sanctuary

It’s just after midnight when the column arrives outside of Sanctuary, shrouded in darkness under the pitch black of a new moon. Bordered by mountains to the north, the city has two primary gates to the West and the East, both of which are shut tight with massive oaken doors, centuries old and further secured with an antique portcullis. The city itself is surrounded by walls of stone, easily one-fourth the height of those found in Union and about twice the height of many of the homes, sturdy stone buildings with triangular roofs, about the same size as Calderan homes. Like Union, there are many towers within the city, but unlike Union, the towers are cold, aloof structures that stand alone with no connection to the other towers. The city itself is stone, cold, gray, and unfeeling, with small drops of light from streetlamps which line the streets, emitting an eerie blue-white glow. This is Sanctuary. Home of the Magi, conquered by Gigas for forty years. This is the city that must be reclaimed.

[OOC: If you did not choose to take the Pokeballs (you don’t have to have affirmed in an NPC thread, it’s entirely up to the character), they may have either 1 large Pokemon or 2 small Pokemon. A large Pokemon is classified as any Pokemon that is 4’ tall or long per the official Pokedex guidelines, anything smaller is considered a small Pokemon. Without the aid of Pokeballs the Pokemon will be required to be out and active throughout the log, and will not be able to be recalled or sent away if they are injured and must be carried if knocked out. As always, please limit yourself to 2 major actions in the log, and declare all Pokemon accompanying you in your first tag to a log. As always, to keep the logs moving, we will be responding every 24 hours.]

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The group was perhaps a bit surprised to find that when they reached the facility, they were not given weapons or technology, but instead joined by three Magi researchers and a group of twenty figures, all in robes and hoods. None of them speak, and they all mutely obey the commands of the Magi, following the team to the operation zone. The Magi, on the other hand, are quite pleasant, engaging the team in conversation, asking about Union, the food, the city, and the traditions. They do, however, remain tight-lipped on the presence of the hooded figures, claiming that they’re not able to say much. Even more curious, when the tunnels are reached and the attack has begun, they hold back a bit. The leader, a rather genial Magi by the name of Alexander speaks somewhat sheepishly.

“Well, I guess this is it. It might be good for us to move on our own for now. Honestly, I’m not certain using our research tonight is the best of ideas, there are still some issues yet to be worked out. Maybe we can… hold them in reserve?

"Them." Not "it". Haruka may occasionally oversimplify things, but she knows a telling detail when she hears one.

She neglects to point it out, however, sending Flight the Reuniclus and Breeze the Ninjask out for one more sweep around the area. No point in getting the alert called on their movements before they've even begun to, well, move.

"Do you want guards or not?" she asks, since that seems to be the most pressing issue. She looks over at Michiru to confirm the other woman had noticed what she's noticed. Nothing ever stays simple, does it?

[ooc: Yuuna has Hitmonchan, Flygon, Tyranitar, Magnezone, Spiritomb, Porygon, and Politoed.]

That particular detail registers with Yuuna as well, and she frowns deeply from her position beside Merrill. After the incident in the ruins she may be hovering a little more than usual, but that doesn't take away from her eye for the little things. There's something about this situation that gives her the heebie-jeebies, but she attributes it to nerves.

The question from the Magi draws her attention, and that of the Tyranitar at her side. Kyo leans in protectively, one stony paw resting on Yuuna's shoulder.

"You're seriously saying you want to turn back after all this? What's wrong? Tyran?"

[OOC: Estelle has Adol the Flareon and Asiha the Goomy. No Pokeballs for her]

Estelle looks at the group of robed men and blinks. Were they their research? She wonders; she glances sideways at Haruka, and nods once. She speaks up after Yuuna: "We can definitely keep you safe!"

Her Flareon stays at her side, tail swishing. Her Goomy, conversely, is sniffing in the direction of the robed men.

[[ooc: Michiru has a Gardevoir.]]

Michiru shares a look with Haruka, but keeps an impassive eye on the Magi. Her Gardevoir pointedly stays on guard.

So much for straightforward missions.

(OOC: Merrill has Vespiquen, Drapion, Sylveon, Pumpkaboo, and Sableye.)

Merrill is either cheerfully oblivious to the oddity of conversation everyone else is noticing, or is extremely good at pretending to be. It's frequently difficult to tell with her. All the same, she seems cheerful as always and satisfied that nothing is attacking them for the time being.

"Is it all right if I let my Pokemon out? Viscount Dumar and Vhen'alas were both very eager to see your city for themselves."

"Your aid is much appreciated," Alexander says. "I am myself a potent Magi, although like many others I am not exactly great in close combat. Honestly, you all seem quite capable, if we were to hold the weapon in reserve I would be glad to accompany you to carry out our objectives. As to the Pokemon... I certainly don't see why not. As I understand, ours is to be the main force to break the Gigan armies and route them."

"Right," Yuuna breathes and taps the release catches on all seven of her Pokeballs, letting the six Pokemon besides Gouken out for the moment. The Spiritomb immediately begins moving, waving a tendril of it's body over at Merrill happily before scooping up it's keystone and vanishing into the back of Yuuna's armored jacket, tucking in for a ride in it's favorite spot.

"Well, if we're to be the vanguard and holding the weapons you've got in reserve, then maybe it's best we get a move on. Are you and your men ready?" She gestures, encompassing the whole of the collection of mages, not leaving out anyone. "Because we don't have a lot of time..."

"Adol, Aisha, stick with me," Estelle said. She glanced at Yuuna, but let her take the lead. She'd be ready if they fell under attack. She looked sideways at Alexander and grinned. "I'll keep in front of you. If something comes your way, it's gonna get clobbered."

"Oh, good. I'm sure they'll be happy to have some room to move around."

Merrill takes out her five Pokeballs, tapping the buttons and letting her companions loose. Sulahn the Vespiquen immediately begins mothering everyone there, offering them honey to keep their strength up. Falon the Drapion seems highly invested in getting cuddles despite its horrible insectine carapace and poisonous barbs, and Shem the Sylveon begins chasing its tail.

These are the highly trained attack creatures Merrill has elected to bring along.

Meanwhile, Vhen'alas the Sableye and Viscount Dumar the Pumpkaboo briefly discuss something among themselves, and with nothing more than a nod, wander off by themselves. Merrill seems utterly unconcerned with this, as if it's a thing that happens all the time. That would most likely be because it is a thing that happens all the time.

"They'll be fine, I'm sure."

So - guard the Magi but hold back on their secret firepower unless it becomes necessary. That makes enough sense, and enough of their companions brought multiple Pokémon, that Haruka feels comfortable continuing to move.

"Let's go," she tells the other humans in her group, searching for Reuniclus and Ninjask through their bond. Anything up ahead they should be worried about?

She takes a close look at Alex and his other Magi as she walks past them, too. She doubts the "weapon" will be visible, and time is too much of the essence to demand to see it, but it can't hurt to check for anything odd. Changes of plans right off the bat never sit right with her.

Michiru studies this Alexander person, frowning a bit even as she keeps moving.

"And you plan on holding this weapon in reserve till when?" Or was it 'weapons?'

Preparing for an escort mission is all well and good, but if it's changing, she'd like to know.

Alexander smiles easily.

"Ideally, they'll not see battle at all. As I said, while our orders are to bring them, I honestly disagreed with that directive, they're untested. We will hold them in reserve, should it be necessary they can prove quite potent but I'd prefer it not to come to that. Shall we?"

As he says this, the group hears the sound of gunfire and shouts of Gigas troops approaching on their position.

"I don't think we have much of a choice," Yuuna replies with a glower in the direction of the gunfire. Her hand tenses, resting on the hilt of her sword, ready to draw it at a moment's notice.

The Pokemon with Yuuna fan out around her as they start, Tyranitar and Magnezone in the lead, forming a screen for the trainers with their heavily armored bodies. The others stay near her, unlike Merrill's duo. That prompts a small smile and a cheeky look at her girlfriend. Something to lighten the mood wouldn't be amiss.

"D'you think those two went off to look for more gems and outfits?"

Estelle glanced, nervously, at those hooded figures. She wondered again, but not for too long; then she looked back in the direction of the sound of gunfire. She felt Aisha tense up behind her, then she nodded sharply to Yuuna's words.

"Yeah," she agreed. "They're getting close."

She pointed her staff in the direction of the gunfire, then nodded. "Keep your focus up!" she said. "We got this handled!"

A red light fired out from her in a circle, over her nearby allies; it acted as a simple boost to their attack power, before the battle was joined. It wouldn't last long.

Michiru is not impressed, though she schools her features so she appears impassive at best. Infighting amongst their allies.

"How auspicious," she says dryly. "Waltz."

Waltz the Gardevoir nods, throwing up a Reflect around the party. Michiru herself begins with a Calm Mind. Time to get to work.

Haruka's Reuniclus adds a Light Screen to that Reflect. They're here as guards - better do the job properly.

She draws her Enhanced sword, shifting her position so she'll have a clear shot once they spot the enemy. Here goes nothing, she supposes. The more efficiently they handle this, the less time Gigas will have to call for reinforcements.

This all sounds pretty ominous to Isabela, but also pretty far over her head. As far as she's concerned, she's here for mercenary work, and the battle's about to be committed.

"Right. Protect the gents in robes, take out the bad guys, got it," she says, tossing out a pair of Pokéballs. Taking the vanguard is the enormous Tyrantrum, which stomps up a Stealth Rock, and behind him her Aegislash, which starts building up an Iron Defense.

Edited 2015-06-01 20:59 (UTC)

Merrill turns to Yuuna with a smile and a nod.

"I'm sure they'll come back with something very pretty. They always do."

She doesn't particularly consider how that keeps happening, or that her Pokemon might just be thieves. But that's not exactly at the forefront of her mind at the moment anyway now that they're being attacked. Gesturing for her Pokemon to advance, Merrill calmly gives them their orders.

"Falon, help Isabela's Tyrantrum."

The Drapion surges forward to comply with Merrill's request, laying down some Toxic Spikes to complement the Stealth Rock. The advancing attackers will have quite a few entry hazards to contend with if they want to get all the way to the group.

Meanwhile, Merrill once again calls upon the blood magic she learned from her Spiritomb, slicing her hand and summoning a Death Cloud to hang over the existing spikes and further hamper the speed and resistance of the encroaching enemies.

(ooc: Merrill's spell decreases enemy attack and movement speed by half, and lowers their defenses by one-quarter.)

The team spies a large group of about thirty Gigas soldiers dragging robed figures along the streets. There are about five altogether, two are motionless and three are still moving, albeit with some pain as they are carelessly - or perhaps even intentionally dragged across bumps in the ancient cobblestone roads of the city. They don't appear to have detected the group's presence. Yet.

The sight of deliberate cruelty is enough to really set Yuuna's teeth grinding. Normally she tries to remain somewhat dispassionate about fighting, keep her head, stay calm, but seeing people treated that way by an obvious enemy?

It's unacceptable, and her light, cheerful mood vanishes in a heartbeat.

"Sabakumi, Renraku. You guys know what to do."

The dragon and Porygon both chirp an affirmative, and the fight begins. The Flygon's wings buzz as it takes a breath and releases a phosphorescent kaleidoscope of energy at the group, using her Dragon Breath in an attempt to paralyze and disable what she can. And the Porygon? Begins to Download info via it's passive Ability and Lock On to the group.

Edited 2015-06-02 04:40 (UTC)

"Gh..." Estelle grumbles, softly. She keeps it under control at first, though -- when Flygon releases its breath attack, she leaps in. Her staff spins over her head, and fire ignites up the length of the staff. A move not unlike the one that she did when she evolved -- though more deliberate, this time.

She swings her staff at the Gigan soldier at the lead. Her Flareon runs in at her side; while she swings her fire staff, the Flareon rears back.

And makes a Scary Face.

Michiru picks one of the soldiers holding onto a robed person and slams him (or her) into the ground with a Psychic. Gardevoir levels a Moonblast at another one of the captors.

Those robed guys were presumably just as important as these robed guys, which meant Tyrantrum was probably a little indiscriminate for the job. Isabela motions Aegislash forward alongside herself while leaving Tyrantrum as a guard.

The sword-and-shield Pokémon flies forward brazenly and strikes at a Gigan with a Night Slash. Isabela slinks around to the side while he's hopefully distracted before stepping up and aiming a solid punch at the back of the guard's head, aiming for a strictly-against-boxing-regulations knockout.

Taking advantage of the confusion, Haruka sends her Ninjask into the fray to try and snatch the prisoner Michiru's target had been holding, hoping to drag the robed figure to safety. For her own part, she concentrates on a group of soldiers and lets loose with an Earth Power. Striking the enemy before they can sound the alarm is most important right now.

Mission 10: Yuuna, Merrill, Isabela, Michiru, Haruka, and Estelle

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Tyrantrum, Aegislash, Sharpedo, Vivillon, Ludicolo, Zoroark, Mawile

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