Call to Arms

[bravenewmods]

Rumors abound within Union as a number of sudden, secret and late night meetings are called by the council. Long hours of deliberation behind closed doors with no public or media admittance cause quite the stir. By morning, theories run rampant as the great doors finally open and haggard, weary, and stone-faced council members emerge, accompanied by General Ironborn of Caldera and a group of four figures, clothed in dark black robes. One of the Councillors steps forward to a mic-bearing podium and clears his throat.

“Citizens of Union, we know rumors run across this fair city, and now is time to put them to rest. Last night, we received word that Caldera had made contact and requested an immediate meeting. The request was granted.”

He shuffles a bit nervously before continuing.

“The quakes of the past month have had an unexpected benefit. They dislodged some rocks under the city of Sanctuary, opening new tunnels. As some of you may know, Sanctuary is a city currently occupied by Gigas. The rebellion has managed to escape the city, and have come to their old Calderan allies for aid. It appears Gigas is tightening their grip, nobody can enter or leave Sanctuary without approval from the Gigas Senate or military. Within Sanctuary, it is a time of fear and unrest.”

General Ironborn steps forward with some impatience, and the council member yelps and moves out of the way. His expression is grim.

“We of Caldera intend to liberate Sanctuary from Gigas. Too long have they suffered under the Gigan yoke, and we will break it by the coming summer. I am here before you today to call for aid. Alone, Sanctuary and Caldera are not sufficient. But with Union, with Refuge, with Citadel, we are strong. Today, people suffer in unjust rule and oppression. Tomorrow? Tomorrow, they can be free!”

The General steps respectfully back as the councilman reclaims the podium.

“Union has heard the pleas of Sanctuary and Caldera. We will aid. But as we have made clear, we are not a city of killers. While we will provide aid, we will not aid in the taking of life.”

Those near the podium at this point might hear General Ironborn snort and mutter under his breath “if some Gigan bastards ‘accidentally’ shuffle off the mortal coil, you’ll see no objection from me.” The Councilman, however, continues as if he didn’t hear the comment.

“We are seeking volunteers. Our allies will be convening here tomorrow to discuss the plan of attack. The good general and the rebels will be here to answer questions as needed.”

The councilman stops as one of the robed figures places a hand on his arm. They confer briefly, before he nods and steps aside. The figure takes the stage and draws back his hood, revealing a haggard man in his 30’s with a scraggly beard and skin pale and unhealthy.

“Citizens of Union, my name is Clement of House Blackwatch, Magus of the Third Order. I am a representative of the Sanctuary Resistance. Please, we need your aid! Long we have suffered under Gigas. To think that potential allies lay so close - I could not dream it! Please, lend us your aid! I implore you!”

Desperation is clear in his eyes and voice, but he respectfully steps aside as the councilman once again clears his throat.

“Ahem, yes, as I said, everyone will be available to answer questions. I must also note, Sanctuary is outside of our Warp Band network. Your bands will not function and you will be unable to summon your Pokemon as you approach the city. Our allies with Team Evolution have offered to provide us some assistance but it is… ah… a bit…”

He trails off.

A calloused hand grips the councilman’s shoulder, ushering him out of the way. A woman steps out from behind the councilman. Dressed in old-fashioned Calderan garb, she looks strong despite her size. She holds something in her left hand.

She begins to speak, without the microphone. Her voice carries surprisingly well. “My name is Ryuuko Nishimura. Mister Donnachaidh sent me ahead to prepare you.”

Holding out her left hand, a strange looking ball expands in her hands, before she tosses it out, away from the crowd. The Pokéball flashes, before a Darmanitan appears from the light, bowing deeply.

Taking the microphone, Ryuuko takes a few steps closer. “Rory tells me that the people of Union do not use Pokéballs here. However, we have taken special care to make sure that your needs will be taken care of. The Nishimura clan is well-known throughout Caldera, as master blacksmiths for countless generations. Before the cataclysm that struck our great land, the Nishimura clan was world-renowned for their Pokéball design.

“I understand your reluctance. It is for this reason that I have gone to great lengths to craft each Pokéball that we provide by my own hand.” She holds the Pokéball up again for emphasis. “What you see here is nothing like the terrible devices of old. I have studied the Habitat Tower in Caldera, as well as the Warp Bands from Union, and learned what I could from it. I have used this knowledge to construct what you see here.”

Pressing the button at the center, the Pokéball retracts, and Ryuuko pins it to her obi.

“I have done my best to make them as comfortable as possible for your Pokémon. However, I do understand your reluctance. If there are any doubts, I would be more than happy to show you the process in which they are made, if this should ease your minds.”

The woman steps back, again ceding the floor to the councilman who really, at this point, looks like he wants to go home and go to bed.

“Well then. Any questions?”

Comments

General Brand Ironborn

[bnw_void_npcs]

[sparkofgenius]

How are we getting there, Sir?

[Lucca salutes smartly, though she's in her very, very irregular outfit. She's no soldier, but she remembers the man from the war.]

[brandnewshoes]

General Ironborn!

[Estelle's actually seen Ironborn before; her father was a high-ranking officer in the Calderan army. But "seen" isn't "feels comfortable addressing him." She walks forward.]

I'll go, sir. The chance to help them--it's what we have to do. Do we know the Gigans have locked the city down, though?

[expertonshutters]

[He sees the General there and he considers just watching and listening instead of speaking out, but his inner reporter refuses to stand for that.]

[There's a chance the General has no idea who he is, after all. He was just a photographer that got lost amidst the chaos of war. Rather than ask a question, though, he just decides to add his own support.]

Speaking as a Calderan, Gigas will regret ever setting foot outside their own walls. I'll fight until that city can taste freedom.

[And he means that.]

[iamthatis]

[Matthias wasn't a soldier...he knew that, but he was a guardian; a sword and shield for the weak against their oppressors and one look at Basil was all the conformation he needed on that subject.

As usual, they were on the same page.

With that, he took a few steps forward and clicked his heels together before taking the usual at attention pose common within the Sword ranks.]

General Ironborn sir! As a member of the Swords of the Savior, I made a vow to uphold the most base tenant of our order. Be the shield for those who cannot protect themselves, and a sword against their oppressors. If we're giving aid to Sanctuary, then I, Matthias of Union pledge my service towards this effort!

[And Matthias' Lopunny is right there next to him as they both give a proud, official looking salute in unison.]

Re: General Brand Ironborn

[conquerorofwaves]

I've heard a little of Gigas, and liked none of what reached down to the Archipelago.

[Especially what a certain someone told him]

So, I'm going to help by whatever means I have.

[darer]

[Thorin may have left the military, but he salutes all the same.]

General. I'll be joining you in the field.

Because it needs asking in IC context

[lunchleader]

So, uh...what about those who don't want those Pokeballs, but still wanna bring their Pokemon anyway? Can't we just have those we need come with us?

[radeonthecity]

I volunteer!

[Says the scrawny kid in Valkyrie leathers, accompanied by a Zigzagoon, a Growlithe, a Charmander, and two Teddiursa, one of which is green. The Growlithe is watching Ironborn suspiciously.]

[toxicrevenger]

Hello again, General Ironborn.

[Pamela inclines her head politely in greeting. She looks different than when they first met, having gone through her first and second evolution since that time. But the facial features and the red hair are still the same, at least, even if her complexion is not.]

I was wondering if you could tell me about the land surrounding Sanctuary.

Clement of House Blackwatch, Magus of the Third Order

[bnw_void_npcs]

[lunchleader]

You said you're a Magus...does that mean you do magic?

And how is everyone at Sanctuary? Are they still getting stuff like food and water okay?

[child_of_luv]

So... what's involved in being a Magus?

[expertonshutters]

Mister Blackwatch, you wouldn't happen to be able to produce maps of the city for our use, would you?

Ryuuko Nishimura

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[schmott_guy]

You reinvented pokeballs? That's...going to ruffle some feathers.

[rainsrespite]

What's the difference between yours and the old ones?

[The woman in the photo is, by the way, looking very, very grave. As are the seven assembled Pokemon.]

[niepokonany]

You have got to be kidding me if you think we're going to trust this junk.

[expertonshutters]

Nishimura, eh? Is that name still as notorious as I remember? If so, that adds some legitimacy to your words. Like everyone else, I'd like to know how they're different from the ones in the past.

[Look who's gone full reporter mode with a pen and paper.]

[divine_braid]

Wait... you redesigned PokéBalls? How do they work?

[celebrity_commentator]

I'm gonna volunteer, of course, but I don't see why we would fight Gigas by doing the same things they do anyway...

[actsmagnificent]

[ Team Evolution again? And a new member, at that. Haruka takes her Warp Band back from Natto. ]

You've really got your fingers in every pie.

[second_destiny]

How are these different from the Poké Balls of old?

[imprudens]

It seems like people are giving you a lot of trouble for your inventions.

[outtahere]

Unlike some others, I'm interested in what you've managed to accomplish. I'm guessing by you saying that they're "nothing like the terrible devices of old" that they don't have the effect that the stories tell, of controlling the Pokémon inside and forcing it to obey its trainer? Those stories are the main reason people here aren't a fan of them.