Event - Confrontation with the Enhanced

[bravenewmods]

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!]

Comments

[kakuto]

"They're right! We can do this without anyone breaking anyone!" Rin pulls herself up to get on Zeni's shoulders, who moved his arms to grab her legs in place. Her hands are curled into fists, feeling the rain drops on them is making her tense. The lightning reminds her that it's possible to punch with lightning, a move that she learned and some of her team knows.

It's an idea, but she will keep it to herself for now. Avoiding any fighting is important unless absolutely necessary.

"You need the rain to survive. Is that it?" she asks. "Rin knows we don't really know you or the struggles you went through, but you might end up hurt yourself if you overdo it!"

[bnw_ax_npcs]

Straightening herself again, the woman's focus shifted back from Sanae and the pressure retreated, the rain beginning to slacken just a bit from driving sheets to merely a downpour. With the attempts to stop her gone, her posture settled into something guarded, wary...but less openly hostile for the moment. The grinding sounds from her fists stopped altogether, and she turns her gaze skyward.

"Child, nothing hurts me...not anymore." she answers in a low voice, hitched ever so slightly. It's still rough, but the cold, adamantine edge was gone, replaced by something childlike, full of wonder and fear.

"I just like the water. I don't care if I drown this place, I just want to be left alone with the water."

[taudriver]

"I won't let you do that!"

Takuto charges in.

"It's a... PUNCH!"

And then he, well. Attempts to punch her. Nice.

[miraclemiko]

Takuto what were you doing?! She shouldn't be acting against her teammates, but...

But this was too much! Raising her gohei to the sky, she summoned as strong a wind as she could muster, directing it between Kuon and Takuto. She wasn't sure if it would deflect his blow entirely it's not a projectile, but it would certainly soften it a bit.

[ebbnflow]

Without thinking, Nami rushed in. As she went in, she returned to her normal form. Her tail lashed out to grab Takuto. Regardless if the punch lands its mark, someone needed to control him before he escalates. She kept a firm grip but was careful not to squish him.

She shook him and glared at him
"What the shell are you doing?! Hitting her won't change things for the better!"

[kakuto]

"Then-nya?" Or she was going to try to say something about finding a limit, but Takuto had one job and he's going in for the punch. With the other two attempting to stop him, she stays where she was glaring at the boy.

"Takuto! Are you asking for your own face to be punched?! And it's not going to come from her either!"

They weren't suppose to fight unless necessary! Better say something quick before the axe comes out.

"Look, we can keep it raining, but can we just tone it down a bit?!"

[bnw_ax_npcs]

The wind, coupled with Nami's interference, keeps the blow from landing anywhere near on target. The woman does turn a bit, angling her body so Takuto's fist slides along her belly, and it'll feel like raking his fist along rivets doused in water. It doesn't get through the shell of water around her, thanks to their quick thinking. Good job.

The enormous woman glares dubiously at the boy before stepping back, her arms unfolding and hanging loose at her sides, nearer to the ax and to six small red and white orbs belted to her other hip. Another outburst would clearly be the end of negotiations, and there would be even less forgiveness.

The girls, though, are favored with a nod. She had no real interest in fighting these people, she just wanted them to leave her alone. And if they're going to pull the boy away, that's good. It means less people she'll have to hurt for her own safety.

"It seems only you girls have any real sense. Try that again, though, and I'll bury you. All of you."

Her lip twitches at the request, though, and Rin becomes her sole focus. Her eyes are intense, but there's a childish lilt to her voice, a hint of confusion coloring her words, like she really doesn't think there's any other way. Strangers in a strange land, and all that. "I need the rain. This place...It's safe here. Nobody can find me, unless I let them. But it's too dry."

[taudriver]

[Takuto backs off a bit, pouting slightly]

[miraclemiko]

[ Takuto, that was really dumb. She should tell senpai on you... but it was also kind of heroic. But in a really dumb way. Please don't do that again >:|

As for Kuon, Sanae frowns deeply. ]

But what about the pokemon here? You're hurting them. Isn't there somewhere else where you can be safe where you don't hurt others? Like the islands maybe?

[ Didn't the islands get a lot of storms?

Okay, so maybe she doesn't exactly know what she's talking about, but something just doesn't feel right about her argument. Why does she need the rain in particular? ]

Why rain? Isn't there something else? Something that makes you happy? Or someone?

[ebbnflow]

[Nami lets go of him. For now. She's watching you, Takuto. This is something they can't afford to lose. The change in voice doesn't go unnoticed by her.]

Let's see, someplace where there's plenty of rain...There might be some mountains or forests that rain a lot. If it's just water you want though, the ocean with its few islands might work too. I can help you look for an island where no one can bother you.

[kakuto]

"Yeah... The desert's air is very dry. That's why certain Pokémon live here since it's hot and they can live better without needing water."

When she notices she got the woman's full focus, Rin become a little more nervous. Despite Takuto's punch attempt, it seems obvious that this Enhanced did not want to fight either. She listened to the other's suggestions and they all make sense to move someplace else where rain can exist well, but flooding a new place could happen if she moves. It's puzzling, but at least she can try to show Kuon that she is holding her ground, but she's not a bad person and she just wants to help her.

"Hey, I like the rain too! Water is nice and fun to play in! Swimming, jumping in huge puddles and accidentally getting a noble guy wet, and water fights with your Blastoise. Water is great! Water with dry air and sand is not really a good combo, is it?"

She looks down on her giant turtle partner in crime, who just nods at her before she looks back up towards Kuon.

"So... We can help you find a better place!"

[bnw_ax_npcs]

"Ocean?" That briefly seems to get her attention. Not for long, because Rin's commentary draws a very small...but very genuine smile. It's only there for an instant, but it is there.

"That...that's...right. But where else could I go? Where can I be left alone..."

[taudriver]

"The ocean should be fine for that. There aren't all that many people if you stay away from the ports."

He would know. He made that swim.

[miraclemiko]

Yes, good, this was starting to turn around! Stowing away her gohei on her belt, Sanae took a few steps closer herself, putting her hands to her chest.

"That's right, you could be happy there. Nobody would bother you or try to take your rain away." She paused, then genuinely smiled, her head tilted just slightly. "And if you ever get lonely, you can call one of us and we'll come visit you anytime. I promise!" Let's be frands, Kuon!

[ebbnflow]

"Shorely we can kelp find an island to call your own. I used to live in the ocean growing up myself. The ocean is a big place so you won't have to worry about unexpected guests."

Nami offered her most sincere smile. As someone who still struggled to find her place after her exile, she knew that feeling of having a place on your own.

[kakuto]

"Yeah, what they said! We can help you find a place and make sure you get there safe and sound without any scary guys trying to look for you!"

Rin still has that excitement from her commentary, now smiling pretty big. Things seem to be turning on better on their end, which is good.

"The sea is far south. Union got a big boat to ride on, but we can Surf there if that makes you feel better."

[bnw_ax_npcs]

Kuon is, quite frankly, overwhelmed. She takes a step back and teeters, dropping back into the damp dune beneath her with a metallic clatter. She has never had anyone treat her like this before. Offer anything to her that wasn't related to wanting some work.

Her shoulders rise and fall, her breathing quickening as she looks up at the four people.

"I...don't understand. You'll just...leave me alone? Just me and my Pokemon? Where I won't have to do anything?"

You don't want something from me?

You don't need me to do something for you?

You won't come looking for me?

You won't send me back...?

So many unasked questions fill her eyes, an almost childlike disbelief coloring her entire face. Why would strangers help her? Was it really for a few plants? Or was there some other meaning behind it?

[taudriver]

Just stay out of sight and don't hurt anyone. This isn't a good place for it, a lot of the Pokemon here can't handle the rain.

[miraclemiko]

[ Sanae nods. ]

If that's what would make you happy. You only have to do what you want to do.

[kakuto]

"Mm! You don't have to do anything for us. We just want to make the Desert safe to travel through and let the local Pokémon live here again."

Rin guessed that the desert Pokémon either hid themselves underground or moved as far as possible to avoid the rainfall. Better to think that rather than thinking they drowned and all.

"Do whatever it takes for happiness!"

24 Hour Progression, and Mission Accomplished

[bnw_ax_npcs]

"You-You're serious...aren't you?" Kuon shakes her head and leans back onto her hands, looking up at the stormy sky. A ghost of a smile crosses her lips and she laughs.

"I guess...heh...if you're willing to get me there...then I'll go."

A pause, and she swallows, looking at the group. The last question is a bit harder to get out, and if she wasn't already coated with water, then it'd be more obvious that she's crying. This wasn't now she expected to be treated...not at all. She didn't like hurting people, but sometimes they just...forced...her to.

The rain begins to slacken as she manages the words, though.

"And you'll really come visit?"

((ooc: And that's it. You've stopped the Juggernaut. I'll keep replying with Kuon though, if you're interested in talking with her. Just reply and I'll maintain the same 24 hour rule :) Good Job!))

[miraclemiko]

Sanae felt that she didn't even need to ask, smiling brightly. Being wet and soggy didn't matter so much to her anymore, hearing Kuon laugh made everything better.

"Of course! We're friends now, right? That's what friends do."

Somehow she may have missed a few steps in the friend making process, but her heart was in the right place, at least.

[kakuto]

"Of course we will visit! I will totally play tons of water games with you!"

Because playing in the water is the best okay. Definitely skipped a few steps in the friend process indeed, but everything seemed to be okay so success.

"By the way, I'm Rin! The big Blastoise I'm on is my head partner in crime Zeni. What's your name?"

The Shellfish Pokemon is smiling too, relaxed in the rain still but he's happy that everyone is happy.

[miraclemiko]

Shoot, she forgot to introduce herself! She leans over the redhead's shoulder, still smiling. "And I'm Sanae! And the Poliwhirl here is Moriya."

He raises an arm, not quite sure what to make of all of this.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[ Something else was there, a calming presence hovering on the outskirts. Watching. Waiting? It was hard to say. The more perceptive might catch something out of the corner of their eye, but if they try to look, they will see nothing there. Maybe it's the rain playing tricks on them. ]