there's nothing inherently wrong with the world; the sun still rises in the morning and sets in the evening; people still go about their daily lives, fulfilling whatever commitments they have and yet, something feels off.
you can't put your finger on it. maybe it's that strange look that passerby gave you yesterday. maybe it's the way the moon hangs in the night sky, or maybe it's the way people seem to be on edge, as if they all have something to hide. people walk around with suspicious eyes, always wary of their surroundings and their actions. you attribute it to them simply being cautious. you choose to ignore the signs.
but it's only a matter of time.
hoenn is inspired by, but not associated with nintendo's pokemon franchise. the current skin was created by pharaoh leap using font icons primarily from ion icons and fonts from google fonts. in particular, we would like to thank kumachan and leap for their additional templates (staff temp, custom pc). lastly, custom templates like the gachapon, garden/swarm, and random event template were coded by ulla.
characters, with the exception of canons from the manga, belong to the members who write them, and all posts and templates on site are credited to their respective authors and artists. we claim nothing that is not ours.
there was nothing allaying about the rocket boss— cadis von klaussner . for jayde himself was not shy of people like him. a mask so firmly rooted into their being you couldn't tell real from pretend. the cheery quirk that did not hold the intent most would've perceived. [break][break]
his eyes closed for a moment. [break][break]
"how kind of you." he'd say, pressing himself to act genuine but the disinterest had already slipped by. this was a job after all and cadis von klaussner was still his boss. the unveiled irises expressing a furrow of uncertainty as he stood there awkwardly. "what do you want to know?" jayde questioned, not entirely confident with his ability to treat another. especially a human— with his backstory.
typical yet surprisingly unexpected given the league had been subject to so many slip—ups. jayde had played a quiet role within the group. hardly offering conversation unless it was necessary. this time seemed to be so.
"another opening. look for it." he said, not exactly demanding yet his tone would've given the assumption. "you'll all know the obvious when you see more security." speaking from the back of the group, he adjusted his spectacles with his index finger. not another word was offered.
the jaded individual turned opposite and let them...
he rushes towards the descent of the dragon. the beast unable to make the endeavor as its reptilian eyes stilled into a close within jayde's arms. concern flashing into hostility as the creatures above lingered only to offer farewell. their eerie chimes that near resembled the laughter of children drifting into the beyond. thankful they were gone. [break][break]
gal grumbled a heavy sound of trouble. the guilt an apparent presence as he turned to catch a glimpse of his friend. "don't look at me that way." jayde says, hand fumbling with the dangling pokeball, "if you'd done nothing we would've lost him." it taps against the unconscious garchomp, disappearing in a momentary swarm of red light.
[break][break]
"we've got other things to worry about." jayde felt a twinge within his chest as he turned towards the legendary. was this lugia even the one he'd been searching for? there were many questions— so many painful wonders that ate away at him like the poison within the other.
[break][break]
sure enough, jayde moves. much to the dismay of his watching pokemon. sol lets out a soft growl, pressing for his dear trainer not to go any closer. unsurprisingly he doesn't listen. the determined motion only settles into a halt as the creature before them jerks to life.
[break][break]
the unsettling shade resembles a heavy smog. a poisonous substance that froths from its large mouth like smoke. it ripples and distorts. certainly it isn't anything he'd seen before. "lugia..." he starts, strangely— afraid. the hostility in those unlikely red eyes send a foot back and he quickly gathers his resolve. "its me... jayde and gal. everyone is here— sort've..." the fallen fira and aza would've been glad.
[break][break]
"i've got so many questions for you... but let us help you first," a hand outstretches. the one that opposes a limb bound by markings. "please?" only few have seen the notion that traces his features. concern, respect and love. perhaps it is that dedication that leaves him so stupidly courageous and willing to take this risk.
jayde kept his gaze anywhere else but on the pair. their approach lingering with a slight sensation of mockery and disdain. although he'd heard every word, he continued to eat as though it'd been drowned out by the thought of something else. certainly this meal was much more relevant.
finally the golden shifted from the tank before them. crossing towards the oddity of zombie and then Priam Conrad . able to discern on the immediate look that he was staring at his meal. quite irritated by the intrusion of his silence, he offered the remains to the blue—haired boy.
not all of them were always lucky.
"who are you two again?" jayde questioned, turning back to the murky waters. the visible marking on his arm slightly obscured as his arms crossed together. enfolded nonchalantly against the chest. "since when did we have any scientists?" always pressed to make deals with those that were interested in the matters of legendary pokemon— had never occurred with the supposed 'scientists'.
his bold approaches often resulted in encountering someone from the league or a small—time researcher that knew more than the higher forces of rocket. it was all quite comical. despite jayde being one himself— he was more inclined to explore the dangers of these supposed locations then settle in a laboratory. he'd only been after one thing.
the structure of the tank still withholding empty waters. dull light peering into the murky substance with not a trace of life left behind. all creatures that had once flourished in this place were taken by rocket. the result certainly wistful.
it was a quiet place however— surprising given slateport was almost always expected to have somebody loitering close by. jayde relished in the fact it had been otherwise. taking a bite of a meat bun he'd managed to grab before the entirety of them were gone. settling upon a still—standing bench.
the researcher crossed over his mind in the reticent moment. knowing that other matters had to be pressed rather than left unspoken. they'd considered a well likely place for his supposed target. something that was yet to be confessed to one in particular. not that rocket had much say when they didn't know what he was doing.
piercing gold disappeared in the momentary smile. jayde released the other and stepped away, approaching the bag he had previously set down. it was carefully brought over his shoulders.
"of course," he said shortly after, "but lets talk about this outside." the reminder upon getting interrupted by potential guards was evidence in the words of sam. an intelligent and strangely obedient individual in comparison to the rest.
his affiliation to rocket didn't hurt either.
another boost would be offered in the lengthy span from window to ground. the still present beast sitting patiently outside. decent weight settled in their hands. perhaps an encouragement for bliss in the pay that was to come. jayde offered sol a few pats on the head before gesturing to the other company.
jayde hadn't envisioned the exact thing slipping by the lips of sam. it was almost to good to be true that he would've considered it'd all been a dream. the placing and the creatures that took root of all tales.
he stepped forward. hasty and frighteningly fast. grabbing onto the other and forcing him to turn around so that their eyes would meet. it was a firm hold that would've been discomforting. unsettling even beneath the taller male.
"listen up, sam." the voice began, the smile of thrill tracing over his usually stiffening features, "you're gonna help me find one of those legends." shifting into a slightly more smug look, he continued, "that's why i came here after all." although the money was a necessity it seemed some things meant more. definite within change.
at least it wasn't the one he was hoping for. one heavy sigh withdrew at the offer for his supposed boredom. something that couldn't truly be denied given jayde was more adept in the dangers which overlapped this lifestyle of thievery.
"you and me both." he responded after a short while, beginning to carefully gather the beautiful diamonds. the open window above them allowing the moonlight to scarcely reflect against the objects. unwanted company surprisingly nonexistent.
"but... that's not what i was asking."after gathering a hefty amount of gemstones, jayde placed the contents onto the ground. their distinct sounds clamoring slightly within the bag. "what kind of research do you do, sam?"his tone was vaguely serious as his gaze shifted towards the other.
silent cries become louder as jayde makes his approach in the distraction. however— these strange creatures are not willing to allow passage. jagged stones force him to skid to halt and a distinct tch! slips by his lips.
he turns back, and to much of his dismay, regards aza in the struggle. "gal!" the voice shouts, although his friend would've made haste either way. the barrier becoming visible only when the nihilego was close enough to the dragon's head.
protect serving as a brief chance.
i really don't want to use this. but we need to get a move on.hesitation is apparent upon his serious expression but, it doesn't last for very long. another companion is released into the fray. sol takes his entrance with a bellowing howl of enthusiasm.
—and then it fades elsewhere.
the mutt is bewildered by his surroundings and his struggling comrades. jayde quickly snaps him out of it. "send them flying!"the swampert and lycanroc both nod their heads. what had once been a beautiful shade of green started to turn eerily red.
sol chose his target quickly. the nihilego that had yet to latch onward fell beneath the frightening gaze of the beast. rock climb was clear against the silvery shade of its paws, however, it was not the pursuit being used. the rapid motion shifted into a violent spin as he bounded along the cavern walls. drill run throttling forth.
meanwhile it had become a tug of war between the firmly latched on nihilego and gal. the slippery substance of the creature didn't make things any easier. the pair of pokemon communicating to each—other in frustrated grunts and roars. the larger water—type finds there is no other way. dreading the time to come.
it was the same silvery shade that engulfed one of its large large hands. swung backwards into the eventually motion of hammer arm. something that would both hurt the enemy and the unfortunate garchomp.
surprisingly— the other was light. he hadn't particularly been accustomed to giving those the support of being lifted up. however he knew well enough that it shouldn't have been this easy.
jayde steadied himself, waiting for the other to reach the other end as the weight left his shoulders. those golden eyes, caught by the slightest light met the beast that was still watching. one arm shifted, gesturing a motion that was akin to 'stay'.
he waited for sol to lower towards the ground. understanding and strangely obedient in comparison to the rest. his attention shifted immediately to the window, pulling himself over with a huff.
it was dark inside. the lack of power suspicious though not entirely troublesome. a long hallway went left and right from the opening of diamonds. beautiful stones that glared in the light of the moon.
standing center of the possible approach of guards, he crossed his arms over the chest. "you're a researcher aren't you?" the man questioned while the other was busy ridding of the locks. his expression intimidating and serious.
"i didn't come here to play babysitter." the few that were aware of his destructive nature either recoiled in fear or found it relieving. rocket was truly crossed in that regard, but also never spiteful.
or at least, in his eyes, the nonsense that came forth was that of an individual that didn't know anything. the sudden movement was slow, so terribly slow that it reminded him of her excitement over friendship.
the larger hand caught the frail wrist, and then, would reach for the other if she tried. fingers curling into the pale flesh with a terrifyingly firm grip.
"you're ignorant and stupid, esme cantrell," he said, eyes narrowed, "don't feed me false narratives when you were so easily fooled. when you didn't recognize a well—known criminal. are you even truly a gym leader? would you have allowed me to stay in your town, and hurt your people too?" he laughed, a scoff of mockery that slipped by his lips.
jayde shoved the girl backwards, a hard force to server the proximity they had once shared. she would've either fallen or stumbled. not that it really mattered to him. all he could imagine was her companions. the dread upon their features.
"you know nothing about how this world works, but, maybe this will serve a grand lesson." he said, just then, his attention drawn towards the slight quake of the building.
anddistant screaming.
selby was also suddenly alert, his growl resounding throughout the room once again. brows had furrowed with irritation. someone had clearly intruded the building. certainly not without reason.
those same golden eyes glanced towards the girl before approaching the door. "it might just be your lucky day." he said, the metallic structure slamming shut behind the pair that were now gone. jayde reached towards his side, not bothering with the pistol just yet as he released foxglove.
"don't destroy the place." was all that had been said before they both moved ahead. they were just a floor above the lobby, so it didn't take much to get there. the houndoom was the first to notice the swarm of uninvited guests and downed rocket grunts.
of course, the beast didn't care much for the people.
nasty plot was always active in that dark mind. his flamethrower oozing by parted jaws as it aimed to hit the entirety of the group. foxglove was terribly slow with his arrival, but managed to make it just in time, letting out a huff of challenge as the ground rattled. beneath the enemies earth power started to rise.
jayde had taken the opposite hall, nearly recoiling at the destruction his friends were doing. at least they had proven a reasonable distraction. with aza at his side, he gave the wave of a command, sandstorm beginning within the lobby.
the perfect cover.
it wasn't especially hard to sneak up on someone. despite the encirclement of equally strong companions, jayde saw the figure through the torrent of sand. he charged at him when the time had seemed appropriate, aiming to kick the center of the intruders back. enough he would topple over.
the uncertain and clearly awkward utterance might've made anyone else laugh. instead jayde seemed slightly bewildered by it. clearly discovering the amusement it held, but, never honest enough in expressing it. instead, he took in a breath.
"you can call me jayde. anything else and you might regret it buddy." his tone might've been serious, but a lousy smile was concealed as he passed by the other. he raised his attention to the window before them, glancing left and then right.
sol was watching the pair (mostly Sam Carter) with a rather curious look. contrast from its master.
because he was taller than the other, managing to get something lodged between the window wasn't as difficult. his tanned arm shifted, the tattoo visible in the movement as he gestured towards sam.
"let me give you a boost." jayde said, as if there was no roundabout to the offer, "how much time do we have?" there was always a limit to these kinds of things. unless the other was smart enough to make it seem otherwise.
those of such importance in regards to hoenn couldn't have been easily fooled. jayde had met plenty of gym leaders to know it wasn't the case. then again— some people liked to surprise him.
however, she'd never been as brainless as to approach slateport by herself. the freshly appointed leader of dewford was not entirely a threat, although, every individual of power held relevance to rocket.
especially those that held money.
the girl was locked within a relatively normal room, albeit it being once an office. many people affiliated with rocket were in the building, but, not enough that they were anticipating some kind of invasion.
selby followed the man down the hall where they reached said room. unlocking the door as the pair stepped inside, the houndoom letting out a low yet hostile growl towards esme. clearly the mutt was not friendly with people. even those of darker side.
"you'll be taken from here. i don't deal with torture, but, if you'd known who i was from the start maybe you wouldn't have to worry about neither of those things." tanned arms enfolded over his chest, passing a glance towards the still frightening beast.
"stop it." jayde said, the immediate command earning a scowl as selby settled down, "seriously, why are they appointing people like you as gym leaders? the league must be desperate." he paused, furrowing his brows, "did you ever consider any of the dangers? what about your pokemon? i'm sure they'll love playing slaves to rocket now that you're gone." his words were crude, but lacking of taunt.
or maybe it was anytime rocket had requested his aid, he hated that he was unable to deny it. more than it had been a "harmless" proposition, it was a demand underlined by an eventual backlash.
truthfully, jayde wasn't afraid of rocket, but he needed the money. unfortunately the world's survival was a majority built on such, something that just didn't grow on the nearest tree. you either worked to become wealthy, or did the dirty work.
there wasn't much of a choice for a criminal.
jayde arrived a bit late. he had let fira take a break given they were constantly moving, so his venture here had been a long and vigorous walk. it was dark, but, sol helped with that by leading the way. weaving through forgotten alley—ways and down quieter streets. places he wouldn't be recognized.
the figure loitering in the distance immediately caught his attention. he'd heard a little bit of the individual to know that the other was a researcher. an important piece of information. all that he truly needed to know if someone was relevant.
at least in his world.
"sam," he calls, his hands tucked in his pockets, "lets get this over with, yeah?" approaching the other with a rather uninterested expression, his piercing gaze waited for any sort of response.
