The White Dragon

[bravenewmods]

The people of Union have descended into the besieged city, doing everything in their power to aid the citizens of Glacier yet remaining within. Whether struggling against the invaders seemingly loyal to the White Dragon, or seeking out the injured and lost in need of aid, they take advantage of several hours of relative calm to do all they can. And for a time, it seems to be working - the invaders are not so very strong after all, not against the experienced Unionites who have surpassed everything from human armies to memories of gods.

But perhaps the might of the two combined is an altogether different challenge.

GRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAH!

The sensation is felt throughout the whole of the city, the rumbling of the earth itself enough to take down the more unstable buildings in its wake. From any point, at any height, all eyes are drawn to the monstrosity that has descended in the blink of an eye into the still-burning town center. A great, white dragon... Exactly as described by those who had escaped from the city.

Those with sharp eyes will see that standing beside it, there seems to be a human figure.

Its sheer presence is overwhelming. The air around it ripples with an aura of heat, but felt even more keenly than that, there is a devastating sense of raw power and control. This being... this god could burn down the entire earth if it wished. A city of Glacier's relative size... What chance did it possibly have? That the world yet remains standing seems almost a mercy. Its size is immense, its bulk several times larger than that of a Wailord, its height almost seeming to rival the tallest towers of Union, though perhaps this is an exaggeration of the mind.

It takes a step forward, and the earth shudders once more in its wake.

All across the frozen city of Glacier, every individual carrying a Warp Band will suddenly feel the device activate of its own accord as a video feed begins to play. Attempting to turn it off fails, and changing it doesn't seem to work either. Something, or someone, has hijacked the feed and is using it for their own announcement.

A tall, severe looking man stares into the feed, his lone eye seeming to burn with an unnatural fire. And beside him, only its lower body visible, stands the feet of the White Dragon, its fur outlined in crisp detail from this distance. The man gazes steadily forward, eyes yet alight with passion.

"So, it seems that this place has found someone to come to its aid. No matter, our plans will not be disrupted by insects like you. Still, it's good to know that there are humans left that understand the value of kinship with our fellow inhabitants of this world. It brightens my day, you might say, to know that my men have been facing honorable opponents, and not weak cowards that still cling to the old ways.

A pity that when we're done here, we'll have to come for you next. I won't lie to you and say we'll show you mercy, but at least your deaths will be swift."

He smiles then, a thin and grave expression.

Every fiber of those remaining in the city screams to flee from this threat. There is nothing they can do - they must retreat. But though their minds may instinctively beg for such a course of action, to do so means to abandon its people to a fiery demise. Can they truly run from this?

They must choose quickly... and this time, it is not a choice concerning a rabid creature, an angered and wild animal lashing out. This cold and calculated destruction, sanctioned by a god itself, so reminiscent of what was said to have happened in the past. To oppose it, perhaps, means to steer the course of history into terrible new waters. Choose quickly, people of Union. What answer will you find?

((Reshiram is a Legendary, and thus, the normal rules will not apply. It will be able to strike through abilities that would seemingly protect people, and analysts will not be able to sense its weaknesses. It radiates an aura of power that will inspire fear and awe in those who see it. Please be warned that there is a definite chance of injury when attacking this creature; however, despite all this, it is possible to defeat it.

Have fun! And enjoy some mood music.))

Comments

[bravenewmods]

[You humans like to talk a lot. Talk, talk, talk. Towering above them like the god they believed it to be, the white dragon tipped its head to the sky, letting out a mighty roar before gathering energy at its open mouth. Dark and pulsing, the dragon spread its wings, rearing back and firing a Dragon Pulse attack forward at the party.

They were still talking. They weren't frightened enough. They would learn.]

[a_gentle_boy]

[There's no more time. Even as his fumbling hands reach for Castform, the Dragon is already on its way. Time seems to slow as the enormous beast gathers energy for its attack; Lucas's heart leaps into his throat and... well, stays there for the remainder of the fight.

It suddenly seems hard to breathe.]

PSI Counter.

[His voice is a whisper as he raises a hand and a shimmering aura forms a barrier in front of them as the Dragon Pulse descends. It would not fully protect them, no - but some of the force would rebound against the shield and reflect back upon the aggressor. ...At least, that was how his Psychic ability normally worked. Who knew how well it would manage in practice?

Behind him, Castform squeaks in terror. It is Espeon who calls itself forth from the Warp Band now - and its eyes glow as it makes a valiant attempt to induce a great telekinetic feat, a Power Swap with the beast. If it could not outright steal its power, perhaps, at least, it could syphon a portion.]

[conquerorofwaves]

I'm not sure - but let's assume it's deep, but we have to stop it first!

[Sinbad looks at the ring on his finger - blowing onto it, siphoning off some of his own energy to form a Light Screen to assist Lucas in shielding the group. Furfur and Focalor cried behind him, using his long tail as a shield.

As he did so, he gaze upon the great Dragon - he doesn't want to hurt it, but... maybe he could stop it? The young man focuses not on the God itself, but the air around it, the cells as the air plummets in temperature, trying to will them to slow, attempting to freeze it in it's tracks]

[child_of_luv]

[Minako decided to appeal to the "master" this dragon seemed to be responding to. Using her Charm once again.]

Why are you fighting these people? What have they done to you?

[bravenewmods]

[ Espeon's Power Swap and Minako's Charm manage to work in tandem, lowering Reshiram's Special Attack, even if just slightly. The dual shields further dampen the attack, hitting against both PSI Counter and Light Screen, shattering both. They do their job for the most part, but the attack still lands.

Angered by being toyed with, the white dragon spreads its wings and charging at them in an attack of pure Outrage. ]

[conquerorofwaves]

[He yelps as he's thrown back by the attack, landing in a pile of fluff. As he hits Focalor and Furfur sprang into action getting in front of Sinbad - the Growlithe growls, stomping it's paws on the ground giving everyone a Helping Hand with interpretive dancing to try to motivate as Focalor squawks winging around trying to draw the Dragon's attention away with an Aerial Ace against it's neck in a flurry of wings and beak]

Leave him alone!

Ow....

[child_of_luv]

[Minako's Staraptor also charge's in with Focalor, bringing his own Aerial Ace into play.]

Well... if they don't want to talk...

[They might just have to do this the hard way. She gave her Sylveon the nod and Eros attacked with a Moonblast.]

[a_gentle_boy]

Ah!

[The shattering of his psychic power sends Lucas reeling back, momentarily dazed. The remnant of the Pulse doesn't particularly help matters either, and by the time he's recovered himself, it's already upon them again in a whirl of claws and teeth.]

Avey!

[The Espeon glows brightly with the power it's stolen - small and nimble, it presses itself against the ground to avoid the attack and lets loose with an immense blast of Psychic power. Lucas isn't so lucky; a clip to his leg and he finds himself flying off into the snow with a... well, getting hit by a 5 story dragon probably didn't do wonders for limbs remaining attached.

He almost vomits from the pain.

He attempts to vomit up healing power instead, and this works out marginally better. Lifeup Omega would ensure that he was fine - but he still wasn't walking anywhere anytime soon. Ideally, from his position half-buried in the snow, he was less visible, anyway.]

[bravenewmods]

[ Both Aerial Aces hit, but only prove to anger the rampaging dragon more, and with thrashing tail, gnashing teeth and claws sharper than the sharpest of blades it continues to charge toward them. Rushing through anyone still on the ground in its direct vicinity, the giant god swats away the two flyers as if they were nothing.

Lucas' Psychic attack makes the white dragon stop its outrage if for just a moment, the god of fire staring at the child from his mound of snow, imposing its own pressure onto him. It would appear that Reshiram had a new target.

Or did, until Moonblast hit. Rearing back and letting out a ear-shattering screech, it honed in on Minako and her Pokemon, charging much faster than it had before. Body raging with explosive heat, it ran at Minako and her team like a flaming freight train. There seemed to be no way that she would escape in time. ]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrvDTTpnQQ4

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

[ But all at once, Reshiram screamed again, and somehow Minako was spared. The trained had stopped short of its destination, but what caused it to derail?

A sonic boom. A mighty screech. Then a loud crash as the white dragon fell to the ground, as the glowing figure of a bird towered over it, talons gripping the Dragon-type's wings and pinning them down.

Reshiram continued to thrash, roaring in pain and frustration. ]

"No. You will stay down."

[ Reaching, the white dragon attempted to bite at its oppressor. ]

"Why?! Do you intend to help them?! Do you wish oblivion upon our kind?!"

[ Managing to wedge the great fiery bird a bit, Moltres slammed Reshiram's wings back down again, pressing it against the earth. Turning toward Sinbad, Minako, Lucas and Gordon, it tilted its head slightly, expectantly. ]

"Well? I'm here to see the mettle of this generation first-hand. What are you waiting for? Impress me, children of Savior. I cannot hold the Unforgiving Blaze here forever, after all."

Re: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrvDTTpnQQ4

[conquerorofwaves]

[He groans, standing up to his feet as the Rufflet crashes, Furfur rushing over to the bird]

Focalor!

Sin...bad. I'm - fine! Get this jerk!

Furfur! Protect him!

[Sinbad breathes in, ears pinning back as he steps forward, both hands stretching out to Resharim]

We don't need to prove ourselves, We just need... to save everyone that we can!

[He growls softly, tail trashing as once more he concentrates - stagnating the molecules in and around the legendary, slowing them down, lowering the temperature in the process. It was going to take a lot of his energy, but he is again trying to chill Resharim until it's Frozen solid, or least forced still long enough for someone else to knock it unconscious]

[a_gentle_boy]

That's...!

[A giant flaming bird? Lucas stares, slightly dumbfounded as the literal deus ex machina appears and bears down upon their enemy. That aura - surely this was another god. But whoever that was... whatever was happening... now was their chance.

He staggers to his feet, gritting his teeth and keeping his weight on his good leg as his entire body comes aglow with the force of his Psychic power. Castform peers out from behind him as he places a hand on a tree trunk and takes one step forward.]

That's right. We didn't come here to fight.

[He holds up a hand now, shining with the force of his conviction.]

But there are people here who need our help... and we won't abandon them.

[The blast of Psychic power that blazes out is intense -- too intense, even Lucas staggers back in surprise as his entire body glows with that energy, engulfing him in its power. For a moment or two, his body is invisible within the radiant light... surely, this was the same power of evolution that Sinbad had called upon earlier.

Except when it fades, nothing whatsoever seems to be different about Lucas. ...Had he always been two people, though?]

Ah --

[The newly materialized being of shadow places a hand on his shoulder - though faceless, it is Lucas's equal in every way. And as he gazes in utter surprise, he seems to understand. ...He gives a nod.]

PK Love!

[The psychic blast continues relentlessly, fueled now by two hearts. Or at least... the memory of two hearts.]

[bravenewmods]

[ The temperature drops significantly, a fine, icy fog beginning to settle over the battlefield. Despite their being two powerful Fire types duking it out, Sinbad's subzero gambit seems to be taking hold. Reshiram is far too distracted to do anything initially, snapping at Moltres' wings in an attempt to crunch them off for good. It only notices that something is going on when it is far too late, the white dragon's body becoming sluggish. Sinbad won't be able to freeze the dragon god outright, but it seems that his strategy has at least some merit.

Moltres, not too keen on having frozen feathers (if that was even remotely possible), pushes off against Reshiram into the air, driving the other legendary toward the earth. Yes, good. It was getting a bit balmy down there.

Growling and spitting as Reshiram takes the Psychic attack full-force, the white beast scarcely notices Lucas' artful transformation until, snapping its attention toward Sinbad, the creature sees two people standing there. Were their always two of you--

Oh. Well that didn't sound good.

And it felt even worse than it sounded, and Reshiram let out a feral cry as the supercharged psychic attack collided. Wings shuddering, body shaking, it collapses once, struggles to stand back up, then finally succumbs, kicking up dirt and debris as it finally goes down.

Hovering overhead for a moment longer, Moltres finally settles on the ground, glowing a bit. Preening gently, the god slowly shrinks to a more "manageable" size. Being large and in charge is difficult. Resting a taloned foot on Reshiram gently, the fire bird tilts its head slightly. ]

"My, that was over-dramatic. Perhaps we should start calling you the Prone to Temper Tantrum. The Unforgiving Big Baby? I'll have to bring this up at our next meeting."

[ Reshiram groaned something that could only be taken as an attempt at an insult. ]

[commissionergrump]

[Well, that's encouraging. Gordon's surprising agility (and a magical Steel Type coat he got from Sanctuary) have kept him in the fight, but he's looking a bit worse for wear all the same. A jacket doesn't protect your head, no matter how high you wear the collar, and he's bleeding from the temple, the head wound bleeding far more than the severity of the gash actually warrants. His Pokemon look on in concern, but he pulls his hat (knocked aside) back on, applying some pressure to the wound.]

They're right. God or not, we came here to protect people. Humans aren't like they were. We've learned, we've grown. We will protect the humans and the pokemon of this city.

[He turns to the Swellow hovering beside him, glancing at the dragon god out of the corner of his eye.]

Ace, go ahead and start leading people and pokemon to safety.

[Then he turns to the Rhyhorn, more alert and awake than it's been in some time, adrenaline doing a lot for one's attentiveness.]

Susan? Drill Run

[The Rhyhorn nods, lowering its head and it's horn, improbably, starting to spin. It charges forward with all the shocking speed Rhyhorns are capable of, aiming straight for the pinned Dragon God.]

[child_of_luv]

[Minako knew they couldn't dodge in time, and she crouched, pulling Eros against her in an attempt to at least shield the Pokémon from the attack. The others were far enough back, but they were worried, for sure.

As Moltres landed, stopping Reshiram's attack, Rico recovered enough to fly in, landing long enough for Minako to climb on, and then grabbed Eros with his talons before flying out again. Once they were safe, Minako checked her team quickly before dispatching them for different things.]

Eros... stay with me.

Rico, go get healed. Artemis, Oscar, get everyone else to safety.

[With a reluctant agreement from Rico and a firmer one from the others, Minako headed back into the fray.]

Let's do it again, Eros!

[The Sylveon nodded and fired off another Moonblast at the Great White Dragon.]