Invasion: Start

[bravenewmods]

The morning after the meteor shower, things start as they always do. Union’s gearing up for another day: people going to work, shops opening, kids heading to school, and foremen getting their crews to work on the last of the damage left by Kyurem’s rampage through the city. It’s just an ordinary day, with only a passing thought given to yesterday’s odd occurrences by anyone outside the scientific and psychic communities. There’s some very real theories floating around there, but there’s little real chance at anything solid coming from the discourse. At least, until reports start coming up Route 1 from the single port started by one Union entrepreneur two years ago. It’d grown quickly with Gigan help, seaborne trade flowing up the lone road, and now it was completely overrun.

Panicked sailors and land crew come streaming up the way, nursing hundreds and hundreds of Bug-type induced injuries. Beedrill stings, Spinarak bites, and photographs of several enormous members of a new species that’d yet to be recorded quickly circulate and prompt Council response. Whatever these things are, they’re clearly hostile and the risk of damage to the city itself seems likely given how quickly the port had been overwhelmed.

With the city still shaken by Kyurem’s attack, the Council wasted no time. The call to arms was put out and trainers hastily sent out to deal with the sudden intrusion. Anyone willing and able to fight was asked to head down the road as quickly as possible, with the intent of sorting this out and either diverting the tide or stopping the invasion cold. The road itself is deserted, abandoned wagons left in a hurry, and not a single wild Pokemon can be heard for miles. It’s almost like they were aware something big was coming, and even the more aggressive types clearly opted to clear out.

When it comes into view, the port itself seems to be in particularly bad shape. Smoke rises up into the horizon, and hundreds and hundreds of Bug types swarm all over the structures, chewing away at the wood and stone. But perhaps the most troublesome sight is the beings that are overseeing the attack. Several members of the new species, fifteen feet tall at minimum, twenty at the peak, direct the swarm in its efforts. And further out to sea, a singularly massive specimen, some forty feet tall, watches it all, hunched forward, dark eyes gleaming with interest as its minions go to work…

Comments

Group 1: Veronica, Duo, Orihime, Sinbad

[bravenewmods]

Pokemon: Dragonite, Gengar

[conquerorofwaves]

Sinbad's tail flicks in anticipation, looking over the group - the only one he didn't know at least from passing was Veronica. Badr and Ja'far stayed closed to him, the ghost seems on edge from all the insects.

"Should've known something was going to happen when I woke up last night," He commented, frowning at the sight of the port in the condition that it's in.

....Noivern.

[blastruler]

Veronica assessed the damage and the number of enemies, taking in the scene as if swarms of insects descended upon settlements every day.

"We need fliers," she informed the people around her. The air began to warm, sunlight streaming through the clouds as her Child of the Ever-Changing Skies training kicked in. "Airborne troops, loop behind the larger ones. Those on the ground, focus on Fire-type attacks."

Her eyes took in each person here in turn, searching for possible volunteers for her battle strategy. Everyone here also had the right to refuse to accept her as being in command; she understood that. She'd alter her own plans once she had an idea how many people would cooperate. "We'll need a diversion."

24 hour advance.

[bravenewmods]

A diversion only works when the enemy hasn't spotted you-- alas, these have. Driven by an anger that spurred from a primeval source, a horde of Venomoths and Dustox descended upon the group in a cloud of Poison Powder, their presence a herald for the strange Pokemon that loomed in the background behind them. With a metallic clang that reverberated off of the buildings in the port, the unknown Pokemon launched an immediate attack by hurling Magnet Bomb upon them.

They hadn't arrived to speak, so don't even try; they came to destroy.

[blastruler]

Veronica stands her ground in the face of these attacks, sweeping a hand across the scene to scatter Ember: she's hoping to burn up that powder, but if she hits some Bugs, she won't complain. Nemesis takes to the air, hoping to explode that bomb in midair by hitting it with Air Cutter.

"The same orders apply," she tells the others, then turns to the giant Pokémon with what might look like a smile on her face. Almost like she's encouraging it to get closer.

If she and her companions don't turn out to have taken care of all that powder, though, they'll have a time limit.

Group 2: Michiru, Haruka, Minako, Keith

[bravenewmods]

Rhyperior, Pidgeot, Salamence

[actsmagnificent]

So this was the meaning of that uneasiness on the wind....the Elite Four? Some other enemy? Haruka doesn't see a human atop any of those gigantic monsters, and given their affinity for a specific Type, she's guessing this threat is attacking of its own accord and bringing its friends with it. (She wouldn't have cared either way. Just changes her tactics. Slightly.)

"Free the port," she tells her Rhyperior before climbing aboard Rushing Wind the Pidgeot; Uranus the Salamence is also available for anyone who needs a ride. Her eyes are focused out to sea, at the main event still lurking over the waves. "I'll be back soon."

Small fry have never been Haruka's style.

Cleffa, Poliwhirl, and Luxio

[redpaladin]

Things had been so quiet, Keith was honestly getting a little antsy. Stopping a bunch of bugs from terrorizing the port seemed to be well timed. Being a fire type, he wasn't too worried about it until they came into view of the port and saw ...

What the hell were those things?

A threat, that's what they were, and whatever that hulking thing in the water was, it needed to be stopped. he just wasn't so happy about the ocean between them and it. But- not to be left behind, he gladly takes the offered ride on the Salamence, making sure his team is accounted for- Rang almost wandered off in the wrong direction again, sigh.

He doesn't say much, but the sword at his side seems to imply he's ready to fight a giant fucking bug.

[bravenewmods]

Not so fast! Giant fucking bugs will have to wait. Marginally less giant fucking bugs, however, may be on the menu for the moment as one of the bizarre new creatures spots the approaching humans. As the dockworkers and sailors had already been driven out of the area, the creature hisses sharply, and the swarming assailants make an instant beeline for the new arrivals.

The noise from the buzzing of wings, though not an attack in and of itself, is tremendous as the swarm instantly descends. Stout soldiers lead the charge as Heracross and Scizor swoop down from above, bringing Horn Attack and Metal Claw to bear. Their tactics employ speed and numbers. No strike is particularly well aimed or strategic, but the sheer quantity of blows adds up quickly as each individual lashes out before disappearing back into the swarm.

They have a particular eye on the two fleshy, seemingly poorly protected humans.

Gardevoir, Rapidash, Reuniclus, Noivern, Lapras

[incousinswithyou]

Michiru nods at her Rapidash, who snorts and paws at the ground before joining Haruka's Rhyperior. Michiru herself takes a moment to soothingly pet her Noivern before climbing on herself. Gardevoir is by her side as usual and -

Well, then. With a screech, Noivern takes to the air to try to avoid the swarm even as Gardevoir quickly puts up a Reflect for the team. Rapidash's flames intensify as it uses Fire Blast at the incoming horde.

Group 3: Yuuna, Ami, Raine, Elaine

[bravenewmods]

Pikachu, Altaria, Fennekin, Castform

[wise_maiden]

The meteor shower had been a sign, all right, but the flood of reports that followed it were not exactly what was expected. It was clear that something was wrong, and Raine had grown too used to snapping to attention when an investigation was warranted, especially with the potential threat growing. The invasion had to start from somewhere... but this was a large and destructive force.

When she arrives at the port area, she automatically analyzes the area around them, in particular studying that looming foreboding specimen that was without a doubt the facilitator of all of it before looking to the rest of what compiled their small group.

"Has the site been fully evacuated? We need to find out why that being is behaving in that way... and for that we have to try and avoid skirmishes with the others if the defense of the port is being seen to..."

More anger directed at humans for existing, probably, but that was something to assess, not assume.

Hitmonchan (of course), Infernape, Primeape, Hawlucha, and Golurk

[rainsrespite]

Yuuna hadn't really paid much mind to the meteor shower, but this? This was something she couldn't ignore. She wasn't a scientist, she was a medic and a fighter, and this was her forte. When she'd gotten word of what was happening she'd headed right out, and with her usual group in toe.

"The site's clear as near as I can tell. If there's anyone left in the port, then they're trapped and we have to break through to get to them."

Beside her, Gouken, her Hitmonchan partner nodded and set himself for a fight, shadowboxing playfully, eager to get going.

"Which means we need to take down what we can, and get in there. This has to end before it gets any worse."

Luxray, Noctowl, Dragonite, Cyndaquil, and Lapras

[allergictoloveletters]

As Ami was a part of the science community and Rei was a psychic, it wasn't hard to hear about the theories of the meteors. Nevertheless, Ami had hoped that the attacks from pokemon would be finished, though she had no idea the scale of the situation.

"Socrates, Archimedes, and I can help with quick rescue," the little cyndaquil, Archimedes, was not to be misjudged while the giant Dragonite, Socrates, stayed by Ami's side along with Aurora, her Luxray. Athena, her Noctowl, meanwhile was circling and eyeing the bug pokemon with click of her beak to spot any sudden attacks and put them in their place.

"Bug types are especially weak to fire, flying, and rock type moves. We need to move as a group otherwise to avoid getting overwhelmed and subdued by numbers. We can use a barrier of fire and wind to push them back from us if it gets bad."

[bravenewmods]

Raine's analysis yields a result of Bug/Steel type for the key player in this assault, but not a whole lot of other useful information. The smaller versions of that looming shadow take advantage of the group's stopping to plan, zooming in to attack the harbor with a broad, sweeping Zap Cannon. The other Bug-types scatter in the wake of this imminent assault.

Group 4: Mei, Garviel, Gordon

[bravenewmods]

Honedge, Riolu, Anorith, Ampharos

[greyerrant]

Loken trudges towards the assault with his comrades in tow, flanked by his Riolu and Honedge, Ampharos sparking behind him, and Anorith scuttling in front as if looking to pick a fight with it's fellow bug types. It would appear all his Pokemon are as pugnacious as he is.

The head towards the far piers to head off the swarm at the water's edge, and beyond, with little comment, as taciturn as the hulking steel giant at their fore. His paragon blade is held in one hand, the other balled into a fist, body language indicating how utterly appalled he is at the attack at a logistical facility like the port.

Once he reaches the piers, he finally speaks, quietly, to his Pokemon and anyone who has joined his grim march. "Not one backwards step."

Froslass and Vanillish

[snowboots]

Mei's happy to be serving alongside a pair of obvious old hands, especially people more her age. She's not been on a battlefield in a while but she does recall what it's like, and it's hard keeping up with kids anymore. Holding onto her weapon, an oversized, experimental blaster of sorts she'd made to counterbalance her mono-typing, Mei steps up beside Loken.

"No, not a single step. Let's show these bullies how we deal with their kind."

[bravenewmods]

The Bug-types are on the both of them in an instant, their attention caught by something more interesting than these immobile buildings. Gordon, Mei, and their Pokémon will find themselves swarmed and assaulted on all sides by a variety of attacks, primarily things like Poison Sting and Bug Bite. Wearing down these defenders seems to be the order of the day.

[greyerrant]

Loken and his companions weather the bug and poison assault rather well, particularly Garviel. He counters by lashing out with the paragon blade, lightning-typed though it is, having little idea of it will be effective against the bugs or not.

As for his companions, Riolu unleashes a Force Palm trying to smash the bug types back. Ampharos moves forward and unleashes a Discharge like an oversized bug zapper, and his other Pokemon stand by for the next wave.

"Let's thin out the swarm a bit..."

He looks at Mei, then at the water, and says,

"An idea occurs! Can you freeze the water so we can head out towards those who command the swarm?"

Group 5: Ken, Arachne, Adell, Rose

[bravenewmods]

Pokemon: Blaziken, Houndoom, Pidgeot

[vulcanblazer]

It seemed like every time things looked like they were going to be quiet for awhile, that maybe things would settle back to normalcy in Union for more than a scant few weeks, something always came up. And it sure picked a hell of a time for it. Adell was, perhaps understandably, annoyed that whatever these bug things were decided to attack today of all days. Moreover, if this wasn't resolved soon, it'd prevent him from getting home for harvest in a timely manner. This was just perfect.

He looked over the devastation the bugs were causing at the port, and frowned. The leaders were easy to pick out... but man, they were unlike anything he'd ever seen before. Well... they were still bugs, right? They shouldn't be impossible to deal with. Other than maybe the forty-foot monstrosity out at sea. That one might be more of an issue.

Adell sighed, and adjusted his fighting gloves for comfort.

"You think talking to them first might do it? It's worked before. We could end up wrecking even more of the harbor if we go in without at least trying to solve it without force."

Beowulf gave off a low growl at the idea, voicing his doubts.

Venipede, Gyarados, Koffing, TINY FLAG RALTS

[empireofmymind]

Insects. Insects all around him. And the Pokémon Kaiser didn't even mean the swarms descended on the port.

Unmoved by Adell's question - not even deigning to answer it, in fact - he tried to walk past the older boy, Mage robes sweeping out around him, mask in place, hair ruffled in an unseen breeze. He'd just about had it with insects.

"Ralts!" proclaimed the petite standard-bearer hurrying behind him: halt in the presence of the Pokémon Kaiser!

"Leave pest control to me," the Kaiser proclaimed in a low voice, pulling a Poké Ball out from beneath his robes. This was a good chance. A chance both to gather data and to let his name be known. He was tired of being anonymous. He was tired of these interruptions to his studies.

It was time the world learned a little respect.

Blaziken, Absol, Gardevoir, Ditto

[sparrowfeathered]

Rose runs up a little after Adell. Her team is fast on her heels; she walks up after him, in time to see the magus stepping forward. She hasn't heard, of course, of the Pokemon Kaiser. She stares at his back for a moment, before she looks at Adell. She reaches her hands out in front of her, fingers interlocking, and then cracks her knuckles loudly.

"I'm not sure, to be honest," she answers Adell. "If we can talk to them, it's a good thing. But we better be ready, just in case. We--"

Her eyes spot the Poke Ball that the Kaiser pulled out; then, her eyes widen sharply.

"H-Hey!" she calls out. "Be careful with that thing! We don't wanna piss them off right off the bat! There's a whole lot!"

Litwick, Gabite, Abra

[wovensecrets]

... Well. This situation was more than a little amusing. At least, at first. Frankly, Arachne wanted nothing to do with it, and just like before, she found herself drawn into a group unintentionally.

At least, she was amused until it occurred to her that the hastily attacking pokemon were not, perhaps, acting of their own volition. It was hard to be sure, and the most she could do was make an attempt to listen and see what she could pick up about the entire mess, thanks to her shifting ability. Not that she particularly cared about how they had gotten there or not or why they were behaving in such a destructive way, but they were bug typed pokemon and that ... was offensive enough. Her amusement gave way to headache, as she stood back and observed...

... The entire reason for why she had gotten drawn down here in the first place, the would-be Kaiser, preparing to charge boldly ahead. Just as he should have been. As it was, she felt under-prepared as it was to clean up his messes, her best defender, scyther, she had to leave behind because the little fool had already encountered it, and that was a connection he didn't need to know about yet. The cloned aggron was strangely feeling far too testy to bring into this sort of environment. The others were far too pathetic to bring along. Which left... very few options, and for now they were instructed to be on the alert. Particularly the ridiculously clingy Abra, whose only purpose at this time was to teleport her out of harm's way if something should happen.

She keeps her distance, not wanting to lose the group, since she'd clearly have to rely on those two redheaded humans for defense if something went wrong. Not a pleasant thought either.

"Tch..."