bravenewworld | Event - Confrontation with the Enhanced

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Event - Confrontation with the Enhanced

With the revelation of the presence of the Enhanced, Union was able to quickly mobilize. As the strange conditions continued to worsen, the Trainers of Union once again set out to bring order to the chaos.

This time however, they do not walk entirely alone. A small, dedicated team remains behind in Union, sorting through the dossiers and information that Crystal and Rory have collected. Connected to those in the field via Warp Band network, hopefully they can identify the Enhanced and find a way to calm them before a tragedy occurs.

[OOC: There will be a thread for each active team based on the sign-ups. Any areas that did not have any sign-ups will not be present and will be addressed later. As per our usual standards, moderators and NPC helpers will progress the log at least once every 24 hours. The Union log will work somewhat differently from the battle logs in that the participants will be collecting information concerning the Enhanced; when enough information has been accumulated, they will be asked to tag into the battle threads to provide guidance and support to those out in the field.

Characters participating in the Union log will function as support staff for this event. They will have their own log interacting with Rory and Crystal and as characters in other logs encounter the Enhanced, they can use the observations made to try to find out more about the Enhanced in the field and help the people in the field determine an appropriate situation. Because of this, players in the Union thread may threadjack any ongoing log to relay information as needed.

The outcome of this event will depend very much on player decisions and the ability of the characters to respond to the threats at hand, so we would highly encourage you all to tag as regularly as possible. Thanks!]

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The mountain continues to bleed from two gaping holes; the one side exuding slowly flowing magma, and the other a sheet of ice steadfastedly freezing everything in its path. At times, they crossed paths, resulting in enormous jets of steam rising into the air. The atmosphere is somber - the Pokemon have long since fled this region. There does not appear to be any life here, human or Pokemon.

Edited 2015-01-31 05:13 (UTC)

Casius snorts as the group of investigators approach, presumably from the ice-side so as not to melt, the big canine's breath coming up in a puff of steam. He didn't like this, not one bit. This was going to be very, very bad. Rei marches alongside him, trudging through the snow, bow hanging within easy reach at her back, and she's intent on her goal. There's something very, very wrong here, and she's careful to keep her psychic presence held in, not wanting to accidentally brush her empathy sense against a potentially insane Enhanced.

Slowing her step, she turned sideways to watch both the group at large and the two holes.

"So, we're here. I suppose the next step is to find the source, but where should we begin?"

"If they're causing this issue, perhaps we might just gum up their works. That might draw their attention... and perhaps their ire."

Robin's eyes scan both sides with intent interest.

Edited 2015-01-31 07:43 (UTC)

"What, we wanna make 'em mad now? Peachy."

Fuyuhiko stood on his two human legs and surveyed the area as well, hands in his pockets. The reek of sulfur coming off the lava had made his nose useless a while ago, and he'd decided that, should they at least manage to start with a negotiation, he'd have better luck looking like a reasonable young man than like a bitey canine.

He looked over his shoulder at his Pangoro, who was stroking his chin thoughtfully. "We might be able to plug the ice hole for a while with some boulders, but I don't know what the hell to do about the lava."

Whether or not making the mystery source of this commotion mad is a wise idea, standing about talking is probably less than ideal. Before them, the wave of ice inexorably advances, transforming a gnarled tree into a beautifully frosted ornament even as they watch.

Higher up on the mountain above the source of the fire and ice, they may note a strange rock formation - it appears almost like a flower not yet in bloom, the petals still turned inward to protect the delicate bud. Down below, there is a cracking noise as immediately adjacent to the stream of ice, another hole slowly trembles open and begins to pour out molten lava.

The situation is obviously worsening.

That looked like something that they should investigate. If Cordelia had to wager a guess, that would be where the Enhanced was, locked away in the strange, icy bloom. Riding atop her Swanna, she shouted down to her party; "Take to the sky if you can!" Leaning over the flying pokemon and reaching down for Robin, the Warp Band on her other arm activated, summoning Lucario.

They weren't supposed to be agressive toward these people, at least not technically, but the situation was quickly worsening. Talk likely wouldn't get them far, so it was time to see how an Aura Sphere might fare against the giant rock flower.

An ice visor had materialized over her eyes, acting as a broader scope as her analyst abilities were at full capacity as she rode upon Aurora. She looks up at the flower and is getting a reading on the whole ice rock. She saw Cordelia start to form an attack and her eyes widened.

"NO! Don't shoot anything!" she yelled out. The last thing she wanted to do was alert them to their presence if they didn't know they were here yet. She frowned.

"No one should attack until we can actually see the Enhanced! Save your energy! For all we know you're just firing at a rock. We don't know what that is! You don't know what that does and you can't just go randomly firing at it!" she hissed, clearly annoyed that the first action someone was taking was an attack.

She suddenly summoned a wall of ice and blocked a small fiery rock heading towards her and some of the others.

Edited 2015-02-01 07:35 (UTC)

This was bad. This was definitely bad. That was Rei's first thought. The second was that yes, flying was going to be the most advantageous thing. With a pat to Casius, she tapped her warp band and swapped the dog for the newly evolved Olympus Mons. The Charizard scooped her up and took off quickly.

She swoops up, the Pokemon's wings beating steadily as it moved up towards the ice-flower. If nothing happens, she'll eventually reach it.

"Ami-chan's right! It's a waste, and that Enhanced could very well be set off by an actual attack. Let's at least try and talk to them first!"

Edited 2015-02-01 07:45 (UTC)

Kids these days, can't follow orders. With a bit of an amused sigh, Robin grabs Cordelia's hand and mounts Swanna as well, removing a book from his robes.

"I suppose it would be good to at least get a visual on the target."

'Take to the sky if you can!'--great idea, if you could. Fuyuhiko's Crobat could probably have borne one person's weight, but Kazuichi only had his Houndoom. He wasn't about to just abandon his scaredy-cat friend here on the ground.

A quick decision swapped his Pangoro out for a quietly keening Cofagrigus. "Watch our twelve," he told her as he Shifted back into his Mightyena form, and she floated ahead to Ami's side, long arms and high defense at the ready to smack down more rocks.

Four-legged once more, Fuyuhiko bounded after Ami, her Luxray, and her very useful ice wall. "Kazuichi, this way!" he shouted before raising his voice even further. "Oi!" He couldn't be sure the weird pile of rocks hid the Enhanced, so he just addressed the top of the mountain at large. "Excuse me! I apologize for the rudeness, but could you knock it off with the weather for a fucking minute!"

With a nudge from Belaire, Kazuichi hurried after Fuyuhiko and Ami, keeping watch over his shoulder to make sure Belaire was close by. "A-are you really asking the stupid mountain to please calm down?!"

In case she'd need to use her fire attacks, however, Belaire refused to hide behind that ice wall at the present moment. She'd duck behind it should something come her way, but lava was a little easier to deal with.

Edited 2015-02-01 17:18 (UTC)

Ami's admonishment probably comes too late to prevent the attack from actually striking! The Aura Sphere smashes into the rock formation head on and blows a nice crack in it, though it's not enough to send the whole thing crumbling to the ground. With a slow deliberation, the earth shifts as more rocks rise up to cover the gap... though perhaps some of the airborne adventurers will catch a glimpse of something fiery behind it.

The earth gives a shuddering gasp - no. There is an actual shuddering gasp and the earth trembles along with it. The voice is barely audible, but to those with keen senses, the sound of short, staccato gasps of breaths will follow the long exhalation.

"Go......"

The rumbling of the earth will herald the imminent opening of another fault... this one extremely close to Kuzuryuu, Souda, and their Pokemon.

Ami gasped as the ground shook and the chasm begin to open. With quick thinking she shot out some ice and created a frozen bridge beneath their feet that would give them just enough time to get away from the chasm before it would crumble away.

"MOVE!"

She whistled and immediately her Noctowl, Minerva flew down. She got off of Aurora and onto the Noctowl while letting the Luxray return to the band for safety. She looked all around and towards the rock. If they could get to actually talking to the enhanced, maybe they could be reasoned with.

"Please, we wish to help you. No one" she glared at Cordelia, "is trying to hurt you. We want to help but you have to allow us to get close."

"Olympus, help them!" Rei shouts and wheels back around, banking sharply so that the Charizard could scoop up Fuyuhiko and Souda in his claws, provided they're smart enough to grab hold. She wouldn't let them fall, she couldn't.

That presence though...the sheer weight of the power behind it is astonishing, and the rasping of it...that's not good!

"Ami-chan's right! We're here to help! Just tell us what you need, and let us get to you! She's a medic! If there's anything we can do to help, we will!"

Fuyuhiko yelped as Olympus Mons grabbed him and, lacking any opposable thumbs to grasp with in his Mightyena form, could only do his level best to stay still and not force the Charizard to drop him. It made shouting orders awkward, but he called out to his Cofagrigus below:

"Oba-san! Get Belaire!"

The Cofagrigus stopped her moaning briefly, then rushed over to take the three-legged Houndoom in the right two of her four arms and swoop over the widening chasm to solid ground.

Shit. He'd assumed they were facing Ice and Fire, but are they dealing with a triple-type, here?

"Kazuichi, can you get on the line back to Union? Ask them if any of those bastards are Ice, Fire, and either Rock or Ground!"

Cursing all the way along, Souda clung to the charizard as best he could, whining once he was steady.

"Fuck-- fuck," he whined, heart hammering as he watched Oba-San scoop up Belaire. But with an affirmative howl from her, Kazuichi took Kuzuryuu's direction, engaging his warp band.

"Hey--hey! Whoever's out there-- we gotta know, right frickin' now. I-Ice, fire, and--" A breath. "Rock or ground. We need one that matches that! We just got the ground pulled out from under us up the mountains!"

Well, if anything, the Unioners watching would get a sense of urgency.

Robin, meanwhile, is taking a more proactive approach. He casts his gaze upon the Enhanced and scans her, taking in her typing and abilities.

[OOC: Analyst type level scan per the Trainer ability.]

Ami, if you were thinking Cordelia was going to try to have a conversation with a rock, and that she would actually feel bad about engaging said rock, you're barking up the wrong tree.

But nature puns aside, it probably wasn't the best decision. Even still, this person was threatening the wildlife here, and, by proxy, the safety of Union. That came first; she was a former Sword, and some habits never die. Let the kids talk. Calling Lucario back into the band, Cordelia stays afloat, moving to give Robin a better vantage point. If there is any further threat, she would strike, no questions asked.

Robin will have only enough time for a glimpse before the crack closes again - but it's likely perfectly obvious even without the Analysis what this person's typings are. His keen eye will see that the flames surrounding her body sputter and flare as if contacting water - which indeed they are - and a strange vapor is rising simultaneously from her body. Half-Ice, Half-Fire... with the body composition to reflect it. She's sitting with the fire portion facing them now.

There is nothing about her appearance that readily suggests her innate ability: her frame is frail, obviously sickly; she's hardly ready for battle. That she possesses the traits of a God of War is exceedingly unlikely, but her actions suggest some control over a third typing - rock or ground. In the absence of that possibility, then, it is safe to conclude that this woman's control over ground is her Enlightened trait. Ergo, she is a Child of the Shifting Earth.

More than that will be evident as well, not just to Robin. She is clearly in a great deal of distress as she slowly continues to wheeze, the ground shuddering underfoot as she does so.

"I can't..."

The chasm widening where Souda and Kuzuryuu were moments ago halts with a great effort, though it seems she is incapable of closing it.

"You have to go..."

One last gasp.

"...t... ....urts...."

[ Were they being tested? It certainly felt like they were being watched by something with rapt interest. What would the group choose to do? Would they save her, or..? The more perceptive might feel themselves being watched, but if they try to find it, they'll see nothing actually there. How strange. ]

Ami did notice, but she didn't have time to examine it. The medic was being presented with a patient, everything in her wanted to help them and help them now, circumstance be damned. She looked to make sure everyone was safe before she moved Minerva in closer, keeping the Noctowl as close as was safe. Just like when Rei had been engulfed from flames from she evolved the second time, the ice and water type encased her arms in ice to provide a barrier from the intense heat.

She looked over to Rei and the others. She would help this girl, not just to keep to her oath as a medic, but because someone was hurt, someone who had been forced to endure so much...

"Please," she said, getting closer and closer. "I can help. I will do everything I can to make the pain go away. We will do everything we can," she looked back at everyone. "No one is going to hurt you any further, I won't let them." She wished more than ever she had the healing abilities some pokemon had, but she didn't.

"My name is Ami Mizuno, what's your name?" she would start there, introducing herself as she might with any patient. "I'm a medic at Union, I'm an ice and water type," she said with a smile, trying to keep attention on them and see if she couldn't get the enhance to open up.

"We just want to help you, but you have to let us close. Let us do what we can. Let me try and help you. Please. What hurts?"

She looked at the others, trying to encourage them to offer gentle words instead of attacks or screams of surprise.

"Will you let us get close?"

Rei guided Olympus Mons closer, the big Pokemon carefully and gently holding onto both Souda and Fuyukiko. He wouldn't let them fall. Her attention does briefly divert to the intruding entity, a powerful psychic presence telling them that something was there...and then it was just...not.

Not that it matters, the real focus is on the obviously pained Enhanced down on the pillar of stone. There's no way she's going to turn on someone in obvious pain, and neither will Ami. That just isn't how the two of them operate.

"Ami-chan's right. We're here to help. If you let us get closer, we'll do what we can. Deimos can heal your injuries...and sooth what she can, and Ami-chan can take care of you. She's the best healer I know. So please, let us help!"

Even Fuyuhiko couldn't bring himself to attack someone so obviously not at fault for this shit, not right now. She was hurt, and she was still trying to control the fissures in the ground, if that's what the halted spread of the chasm meant.

He kept his growl of a voice low, just enough for Rei, Kazuichi, and Olympus Mons to hear. "Hey. The ground stopped, I'm going back down. It'll be easier, and I got my own Flying-type if I need her." And with that, after making sure he wasn't about to drop like an idiot into a lava flow, Fuyuhiko wiggled free to take some weight off Olympus Mons.

Oba-san the Cofagrigus put Belaire down just in time to catch her Bonded partner and gentle his landing, but she wasn't even paying him much mind. She was still uncharacteristically silent, glowing eyes fixed on the woman in the stone. So much hurt, so much effort--Oba-san was generally disconnected from the world, floating as she did between her memories of life and the crushing grief of what she'd lost, but the woman's labor called to her.

She'd pulled the stone around her the way Oba-san wore her gold sarcophagus, hadn't she? A shield against the pain, to protect her and shut the world out from it.

Oba-san drew herself up, floated forward about a step, and began, whisper-soft at first, to sing: not her mournful lullabies this time, but the songs they'd sung for her during the birth of her child. Comfort, but stern encouragement, as well, as her warbling, echoing, unintelligible voice rose enough in volume to be heard. Push through it. Breathe. She was a woman grown, was she not? Breathe, and hold.

With Kuzuryuu moving much too quickly for Kazuichi to protest, the skittish mechanic looked to Belaire, who once again gave a short call to her partner.

With her reassurance, Kazuichi did his best to stay-- quiet. Calm was not a possibility. He was too stressed, too scared, but with everyone acting the way they were? Well. They needed him to do a job, and he was going to do it. He focused on communicating with Union, trying to put together a solid set of information to relay before reporting anything that could be incorrect.

(He'd shake and tears might form at his eyes, but Kuzuryuu had told him what to do.)

((24 hour progressing!))

The answers don't come quickly, but eventually, something will emerge from the rock formation besides muffled gasps and pants. The women's voice seems a little steadier as she tries her best to suppress the abilities that are raging out of control.

"Sierra..."

The rock encasing her recedes at a snail's pace. Heat radiates from one side; intense frost from the other. It would probably be faster to describe what didn't hurt, in this particular instance.

"I should never have left. I was a fool..."

There is a palpable sense that she is one moment away from disaster; one twitch of the head or shake of the hands from a terrible outcome.

"Please..."

((Souda can feel free to chime in down here if he wishes! Also the next tag might come a little quicker so that Something Can Happen.))

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