Elite Four Aftermath - In The Blizzard's Wake

[bravenewmods]

The warriors of Union fought hard, and in the end, victory was their reward. Seeing the battle lost, the fanatics of the Elite Four fled into the night, those that were not killed or captured of course. Sveta was nowhere to be seen, nor was her mysterious companion, and as its rage was reaching its peak, the mighty Dragon simply vanished in a blaze of energy, recalled by its trainer but not before slamming the mysterious red dragon into another tower for good measure.

As quickly as they had come, the gods of Union vanished, leaving behind the ruined, devastated city. What was once panic has subsided to a quiet shock and horror as the dead and wounded are gathered and people try to find out what was damaged and if their family and friends are still among the living.

While the damage is great, the defenders of Union can take heart in the fact that it could have been much, much worse. The habitat suffered a major blow with a great hole blasted into it, but it is otherwise undamaged and salvageable. The forge likewise had one smithy station destroyed from a divine claw smite, but is otherwise unscathed. The signal tower took moderate damage from the initial attack, but it is reparable, given time. The biggest toll, however, is on that of the people. The Residential District, as well as parts of the Entertainment district lie in tatters. Several towers are gutted, and a few even fell completely, many of the citizens inside them trapped and unable to escape. In all, the death toll numbers around 700, with at least 1,000 wounded, and is expected to rise as rescuers desperately comb the wreckage in search of survivors. Never before has Union lost so many of its citizens, never before has such suffering and violence come to Union. People are afraid, they are angry, but, in the true spirit of Union, they are banding together. The City of Union has survived. But it will never be the same.

Comments

Evening of the attack.

[expertonshutters]

[Well. The fanatics retreated and that's a victory he was willing to take. The city was a mess and people died but it could have been so much worse. Not that he liked that this city had to see something like that. It was one thing to go after and help other cities- it was another to have that fight in your own yard, to have your own civilians dead and wounded.]

[So even after the fight, Hayato didn't stop. He did his best to try and help people under debris, clearing wrecked buildings, whatever his strength could afford until his was quite literally placed out of the way by his pokemon.]

[That fall had gotten him harder than he thought. Looks like he'd aggravated something and he's sitting off to the side by a broken fountain trying to catch his breath. That and he still hasn't fought the nausea from the God level Toxic he took at point blank. His pokemon hover around him, a few of them taking shifts with going out and finding survivors.]

[If he's approached, he'll look up and smile, though.]

[encouragetomorrow]

[She's taller than you now, Hayato. And she's pretty displeased.]

[Her evolution was probably a lot of things-- predominantly because of the fight with Kyurem, and the lasting adrenaline afterward. It felt almost silly when it happened-- she could have used the strength she gained against the dragon and prevented more damage. Prevented the deaths. It may have also been in no small part due to watching the man who had effectively become her Calderan older brother launch himself into Kyurem's mouth, and then get thrown back out like a ragdoll. She hadn't seen him land.]

[But it was pointless to dwell, now that it was over, and the only thing she could do to make up for her poor timing was use her strength to help where she could. But one small detail had to come first.]

[Her feet were digitigrade and almost taloned, she had a tail, the claws on her hands weren't only present when she was distressed anymore and there was a small set of leathery wings folded against her back. She still managed to walk softly, and her shadow fell over Hayato as she set her hands on her hips. She was glad to see him in one piece, but she was very irritated.]

You could have been eaten, you know.

[expertonshutters]

[She was quiet. Cyclone chirps at her before he realizes she's there and he looks up right as she approaches him. He doesn't try to smile, because he knows better. He hadn't thought about other people seeing him uh. Do....that...]

[Anyway.]

[He looks appropriately abashed when he replies.]

It wasn't what I was trying to go for, I promise.

[He is, though, very glad to see her safe.]

You evolved.

[encouragetomorrow]

[She stands there with her hands on her hips and looks scolding for a long few seconds, but he might notice that her jaw is trembling just slightly, set in a forced frown. It dissolves into a relieved smile edged with a possible inclination to cry a moment later.]

[It's hardly a breath after he's mentioned she evolved before she throws herself at him, careful not to jostle him too much but wrapping him in a fierce hold. You'll get used to Honoka bodily hugging you eventually, Hayato.]

I'm glad you're okay.

[expertonshutters]

[He tenses in her arms for two reasons. 1. The usual discomfort when anyone touches him and 2. He was battered in bruised and gods know what else so the sound he makes is something between a squeak and a hiss before he manages to settle.]

Ow- Honoka-

[And then it sort of catches up to him that she probably thought he didn't make it out of that. He sighs fondly.]

I'll be fine. I'm glad to see you in one piece, too.

[encouragetomorrow]

[She doesn't let go for a minute, even with his complaint, and when she finally does it's with a huff. She swipes the back of her hand over her eyes. She wasn't crying, but she may have teared up a little.]

I didn't see where you fell, just that you got thrown.

[A second later she jabs him in the shoulder.]

You need to stop doing that.

[expertonshutters]

[He will, just carefully rub her back. Hopefully its not uncomfortable with his claws. He lost his gloves in the fight somewhere.]

I was caught by a friend. Mostly.

[It was still a pretty hard catch.]

Mm. When the Gods stop banging on our doors I'll think about it.

[encouragetomorrow]

[It feels sort of good, actually. She's having the hardest time getting used to the wings, of her new additions, so the scritches are kind of nice.]

Well, good. You don't look like you should be out here with the relief efforts, though.

[expertonshutters]

Hm? What do you mean?

[Hayato you are a really shitty liar.]

[encouragetomorrow]

[Punches him in the arm.]

[expertonshutters]

Ow!

[Okay, okay point made. Also wow that hurt.]

[encouragetomorrow]

[Still making this face.]

Why aren't you resting?

[expertonshutters]

Because-

[He rubs his shoulder, geez.]

Because there's still work to do.

[He's still alive, breathing, endowed with helpful abilities whether he wanted them or not. Throwing in the towel seemed pointless. ]

There are still people who need help. That's what I'm supposed to do with these abilities. What's a little pain if I can still save some lives?

[encouragetomorrow]

[She reaches out and takes one of his hands, encloses it in both of hers, and rubs little circles in what would be the fleshy part between his thumb and forefinger.]

You say that, but you're not thinking about it long-term. What's a little pain if you can save lives? Well, a little pain could be a lot of pain later. Could keep you down, keep you out. Who's helping then, when you're down because you didn't take a rest when you could have?

[untalented]

[Hayato can smile all he wants-- Waver is too tired, too on edge to be dealing with someone's lies no matter what their intentions are. He leaned over Hayato's position, taking every scrap of information he could get from observation alone, and abruptly shoved a Potion in the Calderan's direction.]

You look like shit, Hayato. What insane thing did you do this time?

[Because, Enhanced Calderan. After their last meeting like this, it doesn't take much to guess that Hayato had done something crazy.]

[expertonshutters]

[He's doing that thing where he looks at him and knows stuff and it kind of weirds him out, to be honest.]

Has anyone ever told you you have an impeccable way with words?

[Oof- he takes that potion and looks at it. Goro practically mutters a threat at him if he doesn't use it. Fine, fine, geez. Down the hatch. Blurhg.]

I tried to punch the dragon. He almost ate me, instead.

[untalented]

[Waver just sighed, exasperated already by the way this conversation was going to go.]

After all of our thoughts connected and everyone heard me cursing? I don't think anyone cares about my language anymore.

[Then, without prompt, he adds in a Heal Pulse on top of the potion. Hopefully that would be enough to take the worst of the sting away.]

And that was dumb. You win the award for being the Most Reckless this time around.

[expertonshutters]

[A slight eyeroll.]

It was pretty impressive, I have to admit.

[And he sputters a little at the added Heal Pulse. He remembered that feeling from the last time. He really needed to stop getting into fights with Gods and the like. It does take the edge off and after a moment, he shifts to try and get to his feet, taking a few unsteady breaths.]

It was worth it to punch it in the teeth. Unfortunately I found out that type immunity doesn't mean a damn thing to the Gods and it's mouth was full of poison.

[untalented]

[Frown deepening, Waver reached into his bag to dig out an Antidote, which he then shoved at Hayato without preamble.]

Then use that-- and I hadn't thought of Gods messing up someone's immunity. I need to check on another one of my steel-typed friends now. She's strong, but she's pretty stoic about her problems...

[expertonshutters]

[Geez, waver. He takes it almost with a fumble.]

I can't just-

[Goro wacks him with a bone and tells him he'd better. Hayato grumbles and takes the Antidote. He's taken a few already but Waver's just about does the trick.]

Yeah- no kidding. I hadn't either until I was leaping through it's Toxic assault.

[A pause. Steel-typed girl who's a bit stoic...]

That wouldn't be someone named "Saber" would it?

[untalented]

[The mention of the familiar name actually gets the young man to calm down some. Relaxing his shoulders, he eyed Hayato curiously.]

That's right. She's a Honedge-shifter. We live in the same house, but we got separated in the chaos...

You don't happen to know where she is, do you?

[It was the first shred of information he had found about his friend, and he hoped that she wasn't badly injured.]

[expertonshutters]

[Yep, that's what he remembered about her. They've been teamed up twice, so far, hilariously. He nods.]

I don't know where she is off hand, but I know she made it out of the fight okay. She was in my group. She's actually the one who caught me out of the sky.

[They haven't known each other long, but he's got a lot of respect for her.]

I can help you find her if you want.

[untalented]

[That was encouraging. Very encouraging.]

As long as you promise not to over extend yourself.....I'll be glad for any help you can offer.

[expertonshutters]

Scout's honor.

[Though it looks like Nikon, his Aggron doesn't believe him, so she scoops him up and sets him in her arms. He looks. Comically put out about it.]

Fine

[She is pleased. Ready to go when you are!]

[untalented]

[The Aggron earned a stern nod of approval from Waver, who was quietly glad that he didn't need to say anything more on the matter.]

Please, show me where you guys were at. Maybe we can trace her footsteps from there.