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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Mighty waves crash regularly onto the shore now, resulting in a strangely awe-inspiring sight. Though the weather is unaffected, the very sea itself appears to be engulfed in rage. Whirlpools have formed all along the coast, visible now with the naked eye, and any travelers out into the seas without an incredible amount of navigational skill will find that their boats and Pokemon are quickly tossed back against the coastline.

Those who still insist on venturing to this region may feel a strange hum in the back of their minds.

Edited 2015-01-31 05:25 (UTC)

The only person with an incredible amount of navigational skill is at the Ruins, so the group's left with Banzu, who's not terrible by any stretch but has less than a year's experience at the whole seafaring thing. That said, he knows the subtleties of operating Pathfinder better than anyone and is keeping both hands on the wheel at all times. The Pokémon he has with him aren't the team he'd normally use for a trip, but considering the circumstances he had to make some adjustments. His Beheeyem has strapped himself to the railing at the bow to psychically relay warnings of whirlpools and other hazards back to the wheelhouse. Normally this would mean that his Smeargle would be resuming engine room duties, but considering the unpredictable situation he needs to be on call to assist the others and possibly Sketch a move if necessary. This leaves the Riolu who's been following Banzu around as the best option for engine room duties, much to Banzu's annoyance. His Carbink is available for defenses, and his Rotom for attacks of various types. Banzu himself has his Thunder Wave handgun and his Steel-type shotgun on him, the former in case paralyzing their target will work, the latter in case nothing does.

Banzu made the suggestion before they departed that the rest of the group might want to tie themselves to the ship with ropes, but he hasn't pressed that issue. He has ensured that the forward deck is clear of all obstructions and nothing will rattle about belowdecks, allowing the best possible environment for fighting and fast movement that the situation allows.

[For more details on the ship, see here.]

Hair flapping in the wind, Eri had taken Banzu's suggestion and secured herself to the ship. She had some other methods to keep herself on board if it came to it, but better safe than sorry. Her rapier was strapped to her side and she generally looked ready for action.

Nozomi has likewise secured herself, taking the opposite side from the blond. Her pokemon aligned but not out, she holds one hand up in a strange position, focusing, trying to anticipate some kind of attack.

Maya is less secured-- but being somewhat incorporeal, the effect of it would have been lost on her, anyway. Instead she stands next to Shinrei, stroking the ghost's strangely-textured fur, while Boss and Chikao huddle in wait under her hakama.

She's not used to trips like this-- not enough to anticipate things the way Nozomi is trying to, but she's at least trying to stay ready.

Shh-shh-shh-shh-shhhhhhh....

The breeze makes a curious sound as it streams through the railings of the ship, a noise that once again seems to settle firmly in the back of the mind. It is strangely quiet out on the waters -- apart from the steady noise created by the waves dashing up against the boat, there's nothing else to hear. No howling wind, no storms, no rain.... just waves. And the sound of the running engine. In this enormous open sea, the prospect of finding something hidden within it seems daunting.

...

It will probably seem even more daunting whenever they spot the 20-foot-tall wave sweeping slowly towards them from the distance.

Going in, Banzu expected that this particular search would be time-consuming, and considering what he's been watching from the port he's been expecting giant waves on this trip too. That still doesn't make the size of that monstrosity any less intimidating when he sees it.

If the wave seems to be of limited width, or in the unlikely event that there's a previously-uncharted islet nearby to shelter behind, he'll change course appropriately to avoid the brunt of it. Otherwise, since outrunning a wave is pretty much futile, he'll turn the ship directly into the wave and open up the throttle, intending to use the ship's bow to partially cut through it and dissipate the impact as much as is possible. In support of this possibility, Facet the Carbink moves toward the bow and prepares to use Protect to blunt the force of the water across the deck. Driver the Rotom equips the Fan Core and moves to the bow as well, preparing to use Air Slash to try and further cut through the wave just before it hits.

In any case, the "punch through the wave" option is not going to be the most pleasant for anyone involved, so if there's any way to go around it instead Banzu will go for that.

"Tatyana! Clear a path! Dragon Rush!"

Eri's Warp Band flashes to life as Tatyana the Dragonite emerges. Without missing a beat, she blasts forward, straight ahead and uses the force of her impressive bulk to disperse the oncoming wave as best she can to allow the ship safe passage, before wheeling around and circling the ship.

"Ryujin, with Tatyana!"

Nozomi's Warp Band activated and a light flew toward the water. The Wailord surged forward with the Dragonite, trying to hit the wave head on and help disperse the impact.

As Nozomi called out with Ryujin, Maya nodded to Boss.

"Give Ryujin a Helping Hand, okay?" She commanded, and the Sylveon hopped to his feet, light pouring from his ribbons as he gave Ryujin a boost.

Shh...

As the Dragonite and the Wailord rush straight into the giant wave, they may notice that it seems to respond in kind. The wave narrows and focuses on its targets as it surges forward, adding height and strength and speed before smashing into the bulk of the two large Pokemon. Dragonite, in particular, may feel as if something much more localized than a wave has smashed into its stomach with a great force...

...ah...

The wave dissipates, leaving behind a tiny form sitting atop the water for the briefest of moments before it's disappeared again beneath the waves. The boat will receive only a modest aftershock - enough to rock it severely, but not so much that it's in danger of capsizing.

This may change as the waters beneath the boat begin to churn about in a circular motion.

His Beheeyem confirms that it also saw that tiny something for that brief moment, but the sudden formation of a whirlpool beneath the ship takes priority over asking if anyone else saw it. The throttle is already as open as it can go and Banzu turns the ship so it's moving in the same direction as the water in the whirlpool, intending to try and use the whirlpool's own momentum to fling them away from it. Assuming he's fast enough to execute this idea before the whirlpool completely forms. Otherwise they're not going to get anywhere and will need to come up with a new plan before they're pulled down.

Eri's eyes flash a brilliant blue. As Tatyana returns to the ship, she extends her hand and forms a ball of ice which she launches into the air. It explodes, sending sharp icicles into the forming whirlpool in an attempt to slow the water, calming it around the ship. Even if it means freezing the entire water around the ship that would be preferable, she can always release it later.

Bracing herself against the side of the ship, Nozomi managed to call back the Wailord and summon Coeus, her Reuniclus. The bubble child bracing his human from behind, she gave him a reassuring smile.

"It's okay, I'm fine," Turning her attention back to the whirlpool. "Help me find who's doing this."

Holding onto her shoulders, Coeus tried to scan the waters with psychic energy. Nozomi, meanwhile, cautiously took a hand from the side of the ship, reaching for her card holster and drawing a card--Justice--channeling Miracle Eye through it.

Edited 2015-02-01 08:14 (UTC)

With her team of ghosts, Maya almost feels as though she can do nothing to aid at the moment. Instead, she braces herself for the possibility of needing to use protect or light screen by focusing her own energy, instructing her pokémon to be ready as well.

The murmuring hum in the back of their minds, at times a whisper, at times a hiss, becomes distinctive now as the sound of human laughter. As Banzu attempts to steer the ship away, Eri's frost interrupts his valiant effort; whether or not it was the result of her powers or the third party altogether, the churning waters begin to solidify into ice. It seems as if this force simply wants to get this ship to stop any way it can.

Hm...?

Nozomi's Miracle Eye will probably not allow her to see through the bottom of the ship, unfortunately - but she will very clearly detect the presence sitting at the bottom of the whirlpool. It would probably be advisable not to use her psychic powers to brush too closely against this mind.

In any case... it also detects her.

Nozomi and Coeus may feel a sudden headache coming on as a strong Psychic shockwave ripples towards them in response.

Well this is lovely. Banzu will keep the throttle open and continue trying to pull out for a bit, but if they don't start moving he'll shut it down, because he didn't build the engine with this particular scenario in mind and he doesn't want to wreck it by trying to sail out of a block of ice.

There! While she couldn't see the source, she could feel it distinctly and, as she began to press further, Coeus gripped her shoulders tightly. The Reuniclus very rarely spoke--or made any noise at all--so the sudden distressed, pained gasp from the pokemon might come as a surprise.

Nozomi lurched forward as she gripped the side tightly, trying to play it off as a direct result of the boat's movement. Her head was screaming, she should let go.

Should. But wouldn't. Not yet.

Just a little longer, just a little more. Please, body, just hold out a little more. Nozomi kept her mind attuned, trying to reach out, to communicate. She wasn't much of a telepath, if at all, and the act itself was taxing, so she only managed a few words.

"Here. Help. Friends."

That was all she could take before she severed the link, whole body shaking, head threatening to split in two. "She's. She's below us." Nozomi managed to get out, struggling to keep her usual optimism present in her voice, despite the pain.

"NOZOMI!"

As Eri screams, the ice underneath the ship starts to spike out downward, reacting to her rage and driving down beneath the ship.

Maya's gaze snapped to Coeus and Nozomi, and, hesitantly, she took a step closer to her cousin. With so little she could do, she felt almost useless-- but if anything, if she was able to keep herself out of damage, she could later try using Pain Split with anyone who might need it.

Her concentration was thrown instantly, though, at Eri's exclamation.

"Wait--" Maya began, though the effort was futile. What could she do? Wouldn't further stressing Eri just make it worse?

"..."

If Nozomi isn't a strong telepath, her conversation partner certainly seems to be. She might not get the response she desires in words, but flashes of thoughts and emotions will swirl about in the mental link they briefly share. Noise. Pain. Screams. Anxiety. Fear. Echoing back and forth until it's not at all clear whose mind these feelings stem from. When she looks at Eri, she will feel her rage. When she glances to Maya, she will see her indecision.

At the end of this, the unseen assailant's face will imprint itself into Nozomi's mind for a brief moment, one hand over an ear, the other holding a finger over her lips. Her face is hauntingly lovely... her hair fans out about her in the water. There is the sensation, the very distinct sensation that this person is drowning... though surely that doesn't make any sense...

Shhh...

And then it is gone.

Back in real time, as Banzu brings the ship to a halt, the sound of the engine dies down to give way to nothing but the sea once again. Eri's scream echoes loudly over the waters, and the ice spears down towards the woman within its depths. Perhaps it strikes true, but it's not entirely clear...

But there will be plenty more time to attempt to strike. All around the boat now, large swells of water gently cascade up from the sea, giving way and receding as something surfaces on each side. To their north, a Starmie; to the south, a Lanturn; to the east, a Jellicent... And to the west, right where they are clustered by the edge, a young woman with vibrant red hair, sitting with her knees drawn up to her chest and a half-smile on her face.

"..."

While Eri's scream just confuses him, not seeing the reason for it, Banzu half-stands from his seat when he sees the Pokémon and woman rise from the waters.

Damn time you showed yourself.

He aims his Warp Band's camera at the woman through the window of the wheelhouse and transmits to Union.

"It's Banzu. She's shown herself. Red hair, control over water, two..." Multi the Smeargle taps him on the shoulder and points to the rear. "Make that three Pokémon, a Starmie, a Jellicent, and one more I can't see from here. Tell me what'cha got."

The Beheeyem, Carbink, and Rotom at the bow eye the situation with caution, the Carbink slowly floating towards the girls, trying not to provoke an attack but also trying to get close enough to be able to get at least one of them behind one of its shields if they're targeted. Banzu unholsters his Thunder Wave handgun, keeping it out of sight for the time being as he flicks the safety off.

Staring out into open water, her mind was assaulted by images, sensations; Nozomi was nearly overwhelmed by it, forcing herself to swallow down hard, lest she be physically sick.

She could see her. Her face, the vivid color of her hair. Nozomi mimicked her gestures unknowingly, one finger moving to her lips, and the other hand cupped over her ear. She felt the water around her, enveloping her, and, before breaking from her trance, as if the woman was in front of her, Nozomi took her hand from her ear, reaching out, tired, pained mind reaching out.

Nozomi hadn't realize she wasn't breathing until she suddenly started coughing and gasping for air. What was--for a moment, she felt like the two had been.

...Was that what she was trying to tell them?

"Ericchi stop!" Finally gaining control again, she grabbed tightly to the other woman's wrist, then looked toward Maya. There were tears in her eyes; whether they were tears of pain or for the woman she saw, it was unclear. "Tell them we don't want to hurt her."

Quickly turning her head, she shouted over the roar of the ocean. "Banzu, cut the engines! No one make a sound!" And before he could argue; "Just do it! Trust me!"

If she was wrong, they were dead--but if they continued down the road they were on, she was almost certain they would be lost at sea either way.

Through great force of will, Eri grits her teeth and the ice around the ship dissipates as she loosens her grasp on it.

At Nozomi's words, Maya's face went from one of concern to a more resolute one. Something was wrong, and there was no time to act like a child or act worried, or frightened.

No one make a sound-- but if Maya could concentrate long enough, she could send some sort of sign. She wasn't telepathic herself, but her psychic powers relied more on spirits and the mediation between them; thus, closing her eyes, she tried to make her aura as peaceful as possible. Tried to reach out, to push forward.

Using the shadows to zip to the other side of the helm, Shinrei dragged Boss to motion toward the pokémon waiting at the other side. With ribbon-like feelers extended, Boss did his best to communicate as well.

Ocean

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