Another time, another place...

[bravenewmods]

As you descend into the newly formed tunnels, a strange feeling surrounds you. Driving deeper, a strange green light encircles you, pushing you unconsciously deeper and deeper into the swirling mists. There’s a power here, ancient and unfathomable. And then, light. But when you emerge, things have suddenly changed.

Any vestige of your Enlightened powers are gone. Your clothes are different, your equipment is different, even your Warp Band is gone! Any changes the process may have brought upon your body is also gone, you are now, fully and truly human. In its place, strapped securely to your belt, are a collection of red-and-white balls. You know instinctively what these are. The heretical tools of the lost age. Pokeballs…

[OOC Notes: ALL Enlightened powers, form changes, and other associated abilities will be gone for the duration of this log. Shifters may choose either to enter as a human, retaining their Pokemon team, or as a speech-capable Pokemon, although speaking in front of other humans may cause alarm and suspicion. Any Enhanced equipment is also altered, it is now entirely technological and may appear quite advanced. Unless specified in the intro log, your clothes will likely be reflective of more modern US attire or army combat gear, depending on the situation.

As always, we will be progressing the log at least once every 24 hours to keep things moving. If you have any further questions, please ask here.

When making your first comment in a thread, please list your character's Pokémon team.]

Comments

[youngestone]

[Kili's (very atrophied) sense of danger kicks in and he pulls Usagi back a bit. The other girl, Lenna?, is right. It might not be safe]

I don't like this.

[darer]

[Thorin isn't used to being waved off. He goes tense and quiet, reminded so strongly of Gigas that it's hard not to outright hit the man, now that he's also noticing the pokéballs. His eyes narrow. He lets go, steps back, but does nothing to apologize or even acknowledge the scientist, or anything he's said.

He knows this kind of arrogance.

If the creature in the vat is a pokémon like he's thinking, it's likely a psychic type by shape and coloring alone. He scans the room for any potential exits, then looks over to Lux. There's no point, in his mind, to playing along right now, but she seems to have a different idea. He'll give it the benefit of the doubt, strides back over and lowers his voice.]

We need to get out of here.

[Too much about this is raising too many red flags. They don't know where they are, they don't know how they got here or what happened to them, and this situation is dangerous. Anyone with any sense can tell that much. Anyone who's heard of hat the first Enhanced that were let loose did can tell that much, for that matter.]

[inthenameofthemoon]

[ Usagi's very bad at not letting curiosity get the better of her... especially when she's more concerned about the pokemon inside the test tube than her own well being. which is why she's often not allowed to her own devices. any of her friends will agree to that.

Her attentions are only pulled away from the pokemon in question when she sees Domri bringing out his Rhyhorn and the gentle tugging of being pulled away from the tube. She's only allowing herself half a second to swoon over being tugged by a good looking guy. Just half a second. .... that's when her hand automatically reaches up to her belt. She feels it: the dreaded cold round surface of the pokeballs attached to her. She remembers this feeling back when everyone was stuck in their dreams and her glimpse into that past life of hers. Usagi doesn't say anything and reaches for two pokeballs and opens them up.

Pinky the Clefairy and Luna the Meowstic appear and she gives them both a very big hug before Luna takes her spot on Usagi's shoulder and Pinky to her side. Proverbial security blanket check. Now the butterfree's in her stomach were cut down by a third. ]

What's its name?

[radeonthecity]

Getting my friends out of these things!

[Whether out of panic or apathy, Domri responds to Lux's whisper at his normal volume. His now-free companions proceed to make confused and distressed noises, and Domri's eyes visibly widen and his breathing speeds up slightly when he realizes he can't understand them, though any further signs of his distress at this development are hidden before they're displayed. Gotta keep from showing fear and weakness.

Instead let's pay attention to how the mysterious Pokémon in the tube is visibly stirring. That's a much better thing to focus on. Less better is the fact that Domri knows nothing about aquariums, hence why he's walking up to the tank and tapping on the glass.]

Hey there.

[ladyofluminosity]

[ Yes, this was going well. No one was making any kind of effort to play along, Domri was making a scene, and whatever that thing was in the tube was beginning to move.

Hearing Thorin, she looked up, giving a very slight nod, looking at Lenna, Kili, Domri and Usagi before tilting her head toward the door. Move them into a position to flee. Lux will follow She wants answers first.

Once a researcher, always a researcher. ]

I'll make sure he's properly reprimanded once we're done here.

[ She gave the boy a look that said to play along, before shifting her gaze toward the exit, hoping he would follow her eyes. He could contest her or not--she frankly anticipated the latter. Confusion might do well here, anyway. ]

Unfortunately not. You know higher ups, they don't tell you anything unless they think it's necessary. The good doctor told us that you would be more than happy to give us a debrief, without question. Or she would, oh how did she put it...

[ She smiled a sweet, noblewoman's smile. ]

Make sure you never work in this industry again. If you were lucky.

[bravenewmods]

The scientists jump as Domri releases his Pokemon and move to stop him, although some of the closer scientists eye Lux warily. A voice echoes into the minds of everyone assembled.

I... am not certain. Who... am I?

The creature's eyes open and it stares right at Domri.

[youngestone]

[Kili starts to move back towards the door subtly, keeping a hold of Usagi's arm and trying to tug her behind him.

And then the thing starts talking in his head and he just freezes. This is very, very bad and he wants to go home already. But then his little brother instinct kicks in and he says:]

A-ask the other ones! We just got here!

[Throwing the scientists under the bus? Yep.]

[radeonthecity]

Domri's focused on the tank and thus misses Lux's look, not that he would likely have done what she wanted anyways. And then something much more interesting to pay attention to occurs.

Domri's definitely surprised by the sudden voice in his head, but after a moment he grins.

"I don't know. I've never seen a Pokémon like you before. Pretty wrecked-looking though! The talking-in-my-head thing is great! But are you okay in there? It looks kind of cramped."

If it can read minds and emotions on top of speaking, it'll find that Domri bears it no ill-will, has some concern for its well-being, has minimal worry about how dangerous it is, and generally thinks it's pretty interesting and wouldn't mind hanging out and getting to know it better. He's also wondering if it'd feel fuzzy if he pet it.

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

[Lenna caught that look from Lux loud and clear, and begins slowly backing toward the door while keeping her eyes fixed on Mewtwo. She doesn't want to turn her back to this thing. Even without her Enlightened powers, she can feel in the air how powerful and potentially dangerous it is.]

You don't have a name...?

[As nervous as she is, Lenna feels like if they can keep it talking calmly, they just might avoid something bad. It does puzzle her that it doesn't seem to know anything about itself, though.]

Maybe we should introduce ourselves, then. My name is Lenna Tycoon.

[inthenameofthemoon]

[ It's a rather difficult predicament that Usagi's found herself in. Honestly, how often did she find herself being protected by a rather good looking person? ....... Okay. Good looking males. All her friends are very attractive okay. But, if there's anything that Usagi can't run away from, it's someone, whether it be a person or a pokemon, that needs help.

This pokemon, as large and scary looking as it was, had no idea what it was, and she wasn't about to just leave it to the hands of these scientists that looked like they had no kind bone in their body. No one deserved to live like this!

So, before she gets too pulled back by Kili, Usagi places a hand on his shoulder to stop him and instead glances at everyone, especially Domri and Lenna who have taken the lead with what she was already thinking. ]

My name's Usagi Tsukino! [ Both Pinky and Luna just look at each other, keeping themselves as protectively close to their human partner as they can. If the pokemon doesn't do anything drastic, the scientists might. ]

[darer]

[Thorin, though he's started toward the door also, doesn't make a move to stop Domri, or Lenna, or Usagi. In fact, he stops in his tracks. Maybe there's a point here, one that's at the very core of Union - they don't have to fight everything just because it could be a threat. Maybe this can be resolved another way. Maybe it doesn't have to come down to fight or flight. If so, he doesn't feel he's the right person for the job.

So he lingers instead of moving, deciding he'll try this their way, and keeps a wary eye on the scientists. They had better not interfere. Should Mewtwo look into his mind, it will find concern, wariness, irritation, yes, but also a tentative kind of faith. Hope.

If anyone lays a hand on or tries to interfere with his team, he's ready to spring into action at a moment's notice, but he still inclines his head slightly in respect.]

My name is Thorin. We don't know how you came to be here, but we mean you no harm.

[And if anyone else in the room does, well. That's going to be an issue they can solve.]

[ladyofluminosity]

[ Of course it spoke. Lux took a deep breath, feeling the entire situation seem to slip through her fingers like sand. But she could improvise. If they kept it calm...

Although she was having a hard time keeping calm herself. Taking a few deep breaths, she tried to center herself. If the pokemon(?) tried to read her, it would find apprehension, but at the same time, curiosity, fascination, and deep concern. ]

And I'm Lux. It's nice to meet you.

[ She cast a disgusted look at the scientists behind her. You put it in there. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.

She looked back toward the pokemon in the tube, following Thorin's example. ]

We want to help you. Are you hurt? How do you feel?

[bravenewmods]

The Scientists on the other hand are starting to encircle the group.

"Back off! What in the world do you think you're doing!?"

The creature in the tank looks around, curiously.

I feel...

It's eyes shine with pure white light. The tank shatters around it, sending orange fluids draining everywhere. Errant wires are ripped away as it steps down.

Pain.

[radeonthecity]

"Pain? I'm not sure if I can regenerate you right now, but, uh..." He pats his body. Stupid new clothes moving things around. He soon produces a small bottle and offers it to the creature-formerly-known-as-the-creature-in-the-tank. "I have this Super Potion. It might help."

Meanwhile, Domri's Zigzagoon has recovered from its confusion over the situation and has become curious about their surroundings. It scampers off to look for any interesting unattended objects that may be in the room.

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

We're sorry... we're so sorry.

[Lenna bows her head in as genuine a gesture of apology as she can manage, arms folded in front of her waist.]

You didn't ask for this. To be imprisoned in a place like this. We had no right. But if you'll let us, we'll help you.

[ladyofluminosity]

[ Note to self: Domri had absolutely no danger sense to speak of, and Lenna, though she was a very good friend, was a bit too much of a bleeding heart at times.

She put a hand on both of their shoulders, speaking low, trying to keep her panic down. ]

I think we should go. Now.

[inthenameofthemoon]

[ Pinky seems a little perturbed by it, but, she doesn't seem to think too much on it. The Clefairy is more worried about her human partner and the situation she may have gotten herself into. She's trying to tug her white lab coat to get her attention, but it seems that Usagi is more focused on other things...

.... Oh god oh god oh god there's orange liquid everywhere it's not getting inside her shoes is it oh ewwww it is. But, Usagi swallows her complaints. all of them because that's not the most important issue here. ]

Can you tell us what kind of pain you're feeling? [ Because this was pinging all the things that Usagi couldn't and wouldn't just walk away from. ] We can try to help you if you'd like!

[youngestone]

[THIS IS WHY KILI HATES SCIENTISTS. THEY DO NOTHING GOOD.

Kili goes to move back with Thorin and Lux when the glass breaks when Domri (what an idiot) and the girls step forward. He joins them, bringing Belbul out in case they need help]

We want to help, we meaning...not these other guys. These other guys are idiots.

24 Hour advancement

[bravenewmods]

"Spies! Terrorists!"

The scientists brandish Pokeballs as a myriad of poison types and fire types are released, including some breeds the team is completely unfamiliar with such as what appears to be two giant heads attached to each other that are spewing poison gas and an enormous serpentine creature with a horrific face on its hood.

The creature looks around curiously before looking at the team. Raising its hand, barriers of energy appear around each of the party members. It then raises its other hand and a blinding explosion wracks the facility.

When the dust clears, the entire facility is leveled and the team finds themselves on top of an island. The sun shines brightly, and the strange Pokemon regards them all with curiosity.

You are different. You seem... out of place.

[radeonthecity]

"Krokt..." Domri whispers in awe at that display, blinking spots out of his vision and looking around at the destruction, Super Potion still being held out but forgotten.

Sometimes, not stopping to think about the implications of what you've just seen can be a good thing.

His Pokémon, meanwhile just stand where they are in stunned silence.

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

[Yeah, Lenna is similarly stunned at this point. Someone else is probably going to have to take point on talking to their new friend, because the only noise that's coming from her is choked sobbing as her legs wobble out from under her and she collapses to her knees, simply staring wide-eyed at the carnage and destruction around them.]

[youngestone]

[Kili is Calderan. War and death and mass slaughter, while not common, are something he is prepared for. When Domri and Lenna start to freak out, he speaks up (since somehow he became Leader of the Crazy Kids)]

We are! Like I said, we literally just got here! We were in Union and then there was smoke and we wound up here with Pokéballs and crazy scientists.

[inthenameofthemoon]

[ There's a cold chill that goes right down Usagi's spine, as suddenly the whole area just changes all around her. Her automatic response is to hold her pokemon tight as the chaos ensues, but just as it happens, everything finally quiets down.

It's when she lifts her head that the flash backs to that glimpse into her past life really hit hard. She remembers the broken down town and she remembers the dead bodies of both pokemon and humans alike scattered across the ground and under the rubble and dirt. ]

It.. it's like before...

[ Pinky, noticing the familiar distress that she's seen Usagi fallen into these past few months, just reaches up to tug hard on both of Usagi's hands and even going so far as to give her a nice wake up slap. ]

Fairy!

Ow! [ Usagi's pale face looks down at her pokemon, initially shocked that she's been hit, but once it all sinks in that freaking out = no bueno, she just swallows down as much of the panic as she can and looks back up at the pokemon with a shaky, but still determined gaze.

Don't panic, Usagi. Don't panic.. You panic and that's less of a chance of being able to solve this problem and get everyone home safe and sound. ]

This... this isn't the era we came from. Things were happening back in our home town and we came to see what was happening and ended up here before we knew it.

[ Usagi slowly turns to look at Lux and Thorin with that shaky gaze, hoping maybe they're more together to explain in more detailed terms. ]

[darer]

[Thorin's seen more than his share of carnage, but this is above and beyond the levels of power he's seen. He casts a glance around them and sees the place levelled, and knows exactly what it means. But he's been a soldier too long to do anything but move on.

His first order of business is to see if Kíli and the rest of the team are in one piece - which they are, though some are as shaken by the sight as he'd have expected. The second is to release his three pokémon friends from confinement finally. All of them crowd close around him. Kiltal the growlithe gives a piteous whine. Everything smells wrong, confinement was terrible, but this is more terrible.

Noticing Usagi looking at him, he nods to her and continues, hoping to bring some more context and structure into the explanation.]

There was an earthquake. We're still not sure if it might have been set off by something other than natural causes, but we went into the openings it created to investigate. Instead of under our city, we found ourselves here, just before you awoke. How and why, we don't know.

[ladyofluminosity]

[ It took every ounce of willpower to not be physically ill.

Those people... Even if they did something terrible, they were all...

Standing closest to Thorin, she leaned gently against him for support, trying her best to stop trembling and to simply stay calm.

She wanted to say something. She should say something. But she found that the words wouldn't come. So, instead, she observed, taking more than a few deep breaths. ]