Arashi had a feeling this night was going to get only stranger the longer it went on.

Honestly? He just needed some cash so he could go back and pay off the capsule hotel owner for another month’s worth of rent and stay!

Now how the hell was he going to get that money, dumpster-diving?

All the people he’d encountered earlier were walking around only in their sleepwear, so that was completely out of the question at the moment.

Ugh, what the hell! He thought angrily as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle up. He had the feeling that there was… something or someone watching him from within the alleyway?

Grumbling softly to himself, because he knew he couldn’t risk going out there (obviously, sleepwalking people in unison looked like something out of a horror movie) he decided to go deeper into the alleyway.

Who knew what was waiting for him in the dark, dank depths?

---

• Where the hell is he gonna get that money now?!
• Decides to stay in the alleyway
• Goes deeper, because he hates that feeling of being w a t c h e d

[attr="class","ruby"]

[attr=class,absolute-holder]

[attr=class,bulk]

Gavin is surprised to see oscar clayton among those summoned. He would have assumed the man had stumbled across the scene unwittingly, as was the case with Valerio Dachev, but the Beast's words suggest otherwise. Gavin dips his head in greeting, remaining silent. That Oscar questions Remiel instead of Gavin is signal enough to anyone paying attention that this business had nothing to do with Rocket. If it had, Gavin would be the one calling the shots.[break][break]

Valerio's confused look implies he might not have picked up on the subtle cue. The veteran clings to him in a signature display of overfriendliness, and Gavin rolls his eyes with a good-natured smirk.[break][break]

"Guess we've got the lights," he acquiesces.[break][break]

As soon as they're out of earshot of others, Gavin addresses Valerio in a low voice. "We'll need to fly up to the rooftop. We could climb, but that's too slow. Try not to be seen by anything; Calcifet's already on edge."[break][break]

He hadn't missed the look Remiel had shot the red-haired Rocket. Mounting his Corviknight, Gavin directs it onto the roof of the closest building to the four-story from which the spotlights originated, not wanting to get too close to the source without doing reconnaissance.



Gavin acknowledges oscar clayton, surprised to see him.[break]
Agrees to go check out the lights with Valerio Dachev.[break]
Flies w/ Corviknight onto the closest high-up roof to the spotlights, not the roof of that building itself, to try and judge the situation from a safe distance.

[attr=class,ooc-notes]

[attr=class,absolute-holder]

[attr=class,bulk]

[break][break]

Remiel is oddly insulted and baffled by Valerio's explanation, but decides not to speak on the fact as they continue. The mention of sleepwalkers and Hypno does serve to unsettle him. When the man continues to press for questions, however, the ambassador just about finds himself ready to send him off. Thankfully, Valerio takes it upon himself to pair with Gavin: a man within the order that Remiel trusted could handle the situation well.[break][break]

Unsurprisingly, the underboss goes with the flow rather swimmingly, and the two are soon off to investigate the pair of searchlights afar. Their ascension to the rooftops above is uninterrupted. The distance between them and their destination permits them some time to talk or strategize. Eventually, however, should they stop to look down, they would come to find the unsettling march of sleepwalkers and Hypno that Valerio had mentioned before.[break][break]

Like a steady stream, it seemed to be coming from the direction of the searchlights...[break][break]

[break][break]

Oscar mounts his Dragapult, declaring his chosen assignment and prompting an affirmative nod from the Team Rocket admin. "You're one of our most formidable assets... but keep your wits about you, Hanged Man. Our enemies do not play fair." He assures the Beast, seeing him off afterwards alongside the quiet raven-haired lass leaning on his shoulder.[break][break]

Razor's soundless flight covers great distance as they soar above the mostly empty streets and alleyways. It would appear that most of these aforementioned sleepwalkers have yet to reach so far, though the shadowy silhouettes below are clearly marching towards the harbor. Just as the trainer and his Dragapult realize as much, however, the world surrounding them suddenly disappears:[break][break]

[break][break]

A raspy voice cackles, echoing within the bizarre cube-shaped room Oscar and his Dragapult have suddenly found themselves trapped in. Unable to steer itself upwards in time, Razor attempts to shift through the barrier using its PHANTOM FORCE instead. But the instinctive attempt proves to be ineffective, and the dragon crashes into the glittering wall instead, sustaining minimal damage and nearly toppling Oscar off.[break][break]

After the chaos of their crash, it is difficult for the pair to distinguish up from down in the TRICK ROOM they've found themselves trapped in. Furthermore, Oscar's Dragapult twitches as it forces itself to move. It appears to have had its speed lowered drastically. The grim and malicious looking Hatterene that phases through the wall across from them, in the meantime, seems to be standing upside-down on the ceiling and moves as freely as a cloud. When the voice speaks once more, it appears to be coming from the black collar around her neck.[break][break]

[break][break]

[break][break]

Unbeknownst to Ruby, the use of Safeguard had emitted an aura that attracted the attention of a few Hypno she had attempted to sneak past. Rather than chase after the elusive figure heading towards the plaza, however, the Hypno simply looked at each other instead, nodded, and carried on about their business. An unspoken alarm had been rung. One that would come into play before long.[break][break]

[break][break]

Remiel acknowledged the disguised young girl with his typical nonchalant gaze as she approached. Both he and Isra remained silent and observant as she summoned an Orbeetle by her side. The distinct feeling of a telepathic connection was familiar to him. He used it often with the blue Gardevoir that stood to the other side of him. And, though there seemed to be a slight glitch in the connection for a moment, Ruby's voice came across clear enough.[break][break]

"We're pleased to have you, Magician," He verbally responds. "Our Hanged Man just set off for the harbor. I suggest you accompany him." His hues of grey-blue shift to the black-haired belle by his side. "The Priestess and I will patrol the main neighborhood." The ambassador declares, looking back at the disguised face in front of him afterwards.[break][break]

Hoenn's precious 'Saint of Slateport'... "If you're sure you can do this... I urge you to practice the utmost caution." She was still just a kid, after all. And a public favorite, at that. Her possible death could far outweigh the consequences of their own.[break][break]

[break][break]

As Arashi sneaks further into the darkness of the alley, the Hypno that approach from the street walk right past him without taking notice. Surely, another duo of shepherds are bound to come before long. But, for now, the coast appears to be clear of the bipedal creatures. All except for the one hiding behind the dumpster:[break][break]

[break][break]

The Mime Jr. standing before him looks dirty and unkempt. Its crooked hat slouches to its right side, despite its intermittent attempts to straighten it. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed despite this, however, the little tyke endeavors to mimic each of Arashi's movements afterwards. Even his expression! But appears to be doing a rather bad job at it and keeps breaking out of mime to fix his little hat.[break][break]

[break][break]

After a rather startled awakening, Kazimir would find his efforts at heroism... mostly successful. While the Munna did, in fact, flee in response to the violence take upon it, this only seemed to draw the ire of the rest of the horde above. Like stubborn balloons with the intent to suffocate, they descended upon the man and his Braviary in perfect synchronization, YAWNING as they pushed themselves into the pair to keep them place.[break][break]

[break][break]

To make matters worse, the sleepwalker he had tackled to the ground only briefly awoke, muttering a string of nearly incomprehensible words before falling back into his deep slumber once more. "Wev hall tickets... burh neverler..." The stranger smiles dumbly in his sleep, blissfully unaware of the dozen or so Munna crowding them.[break][break]

Or, for that matter, the pair of Hypno shepherds behind them that have suddenly taken notice of the lambs that have fallen out of line. With Braviary presumably on the verge of drowsiness and the situation looking quite dire, what will the two trainers there do?[break][break]

[break][break]

With their protective measures taken, Adrian and Amber would hear their invisible barriers shudder as they withstood the psychic force of the strangely souped up Hypnosis. The Psyshock, in the meantime, would serve to stagger the Phantump for a moment. But not quite long enough to keep it from crossing the distance between it and the Hypno that had attacked it.[break][break]

With a startled moan, the bipedal creature deftly grabbed the little ghost by its horns to keep itself from being stabbed. The leeching made contact regardless, however, and it groaned as it felt its energy being sapped. Though it struggled to do so, it held up the Phantump at eye-level in an attempt to peer into its eyes with its own, suddenly prismatic, hues. In other words: a CONFUSION at point-blank range before it cast the Phantump away.[break][break]

The second Hypno, in the meantime, glared at the pair of humans ahead and the Bronzor that accompanied them. Then, in a stunning move, it slowly opened its mouth and... spoke. "Not fair, not fair, not fair!" The Hypno seemingly cried out, stomping its feet on the ground. "You're not with them, too, are you?! Go to sleep like all the other good little boys and girls!" The raspy voice snapped, prompting the Hypno to point its free hand towards Amber.[break][break]

Despite the barriers between them, the force of its TELEKINESIS would manage to seep through, lifting Amber helplessly into the air as the voice cackled with laughter. Just before it could chime in with another taunting remark, however, it opted to say something rather strange instead. "Ehhh?! One moment! Stay right there!" The Hypno spoke, keeping its focus on the two ahead but staying silent thereafter.[break][break]

---

[break]

round objectives:[break][break]

☐ split up to intercept the hypno or investigate the lights afar[break]
☐ survive and/or run into other PC's (non-obscura members)[break][break]

overall objectives:[break][break]

☐ stop the swarm of hypno from kidnapping people[break]
☐ discover the true identity of the trainer pulling the strings[break]
☐ investigate the spotlights coming from a nearby building[break]
☐ try to maintain a low profile for the sake of safety[break][break]

[break][break]

instructions:[break][break]

— there is no posting order, but please wait until everyone has posted to post again[break]
— please ROLL with your post using the dice button[break]
— each pokémon of yours can perform 1 move per round[break]
— please include a tl;dr note of your important actions[break]
— missing a deadline three times results in being kicked out (this particular round is exempt)[break]
— have FUN[break][break]

Arashi Akiyama , Cillian Quinn , Kazimir Wynter , NATALIE OSWALD , Valerio Dachev , Isra Nightingale , oscar clayton , Adrian Malcolm , @amber

[attr=class,ooc-notes]

obscura mini-event

“What the hell?”

Blinking at the… weird thing in front of him, he quickly took a look at his (stolen) PokéGear to see if there was any information on the… strange Pokémon that was in front of him. He wondered what was up, before hastily pressing the buttons on it to keep it in ‘Silent’ mode and pulled up the information he needed a few seconds later.

What in the name of fuck is a Pokémon like this doing out here? He thought, wondering if someone—hell, if anyone owned the little thing. Standing there for a few moments, he took scope of the situation. It wasn’t until a few minutes later did he realize that the Mime Jr. was trying to imitate the way he stood.

He found it hilarious, to be honest.

A few moments later, though, it had to fix the strange ‘hat’ perched atop its head.

“Gee, what the hell,” he muttered again, walking over. Keeping his laughter to himself for the moment, he watched as the Pokémon was apparently mimicking his every single movement—and then he tried to fix the strange ‘hat’ it had on.

So strange, this evening was.

Would it get any stranger? Who knew.

---

• Encounters the weird Pokémon (Mime Jr.)!
• Checks his (stolen) PokéGear for information
• Wonders how the fuck it ended up here
• Noticed it’s mimicking his every move, although the hat seemed to be bothering it
• Attempts to fix the hat.
• So strange.

[attr="class","kcontain"]

template by kay

[attr="class","runrun"]

[attr="class","ruby"]

[attr=class,absolute-holder]

[attr=class,bulk]

[break][break]

Miming wasn't easy when your hat kept getting in the way of perfect imitation. Mime Jr. was starting to feel a little irritated, in fact! But when the young man reached down to help him, something sparked within the little tyke. The sudden sparkling in its eyes made it clear that it had never been shown this much careful affection before. It was over the moon![break][break]

[break][break]

Breaking out of its habitual miming for a moment, the Mime Jr. did a little dance as the sleepwalkers continued to march down the street nearby. Strangely enough, the dance emitted a strange aura from the small pokémon's body. And this, in turn, seemed to have a strange effect elsewhere.[break][break]

One of the sleepwalkers stopped just in front of the alleyway for seemingly no reason. As another blindly crashed into him from behind, the man began to dazedly blink awake. Just as he began to, however, and turned into the alleyway to look at the glowing Mime Jr., a Hypno suddenly appeared and sent him spiraling back to sleep.[break][break]

Another gripped the corner of the alleyway with thick, fuzzy fingers before edging its head around. Its beady narrow eyes locked onto Arashi and the Mime Jr. with a malevolent stare. Enough to snap the latter out of its dance and send it hiding behind Arashi's leg.[break][break]

Blocking the exit to the alleyway, this Hypno opened its mouth before unleashing a terrible POISON GAS that swept forward![break][break]

[break][break]

Valerio's decision to mask their movements in the clouds proves successful, and is executed just in time as they soar above a pair of Hypno shepherds and their quarry. Narrowly avoiding what could have been a chaotic psychic assault, the pair soar ever closer to the source of the lights ahead. At this point, a few things are immediately noticeable:[break][break]

For one, the four-story complex upon which the searchlights are docked upon is actually a fortified headquarters for the Harbor District Police Department. Secondly, there appears to be a faint pink aura emanating from the building... and a slumped over figure at the rooftop, by the lights. How Gavin and Valerio choose to approach this scene further remains to be seen.[break][break]

[break][break]

In a realm where up and down were nearly incomprehensible, Ruby and Oscar would still find themselves incapable of fully comprehending the physics of it all. The sickly Hatterene that floated about, however, appeared as comfortable in this cube as a fish in water. She snickered at the sight of the other Hatterene. And, when she came charging in, seemed a little too prepared for the BRUTAL SWING that came her way.[break][break]

Seizing Whisper's tentacle with her own, the pallid Hatterene sustained some damage, but sent most of that energy whipping towards Ruby and the Wobbuffet protecting her instead. The latter's PROTECT came just in the nick of time as the dark energy blasted around them. But that wasn't all.[break][break]

With a gargled cry that vibrated the very fabric of the trick room, the dark Hatterene unleashed a powerful DAZZLING GLEAM that violently cast Whisper backwards and blasted across the Wobbuffet's barrier as well. Oscar would sustain some damage himself, the glittering stars of the attack tearing at this clothes and knocking him sideways against the trick room's... wall? Ceiling? Floor?[break][break]

Regardless, the dark Hatterene snickered afterwards before suddenly speaking again. "Another victim for the box, then? Very well, kehehe. I'm starting to realize exactly who we've come across now, anyway. Our lord will be pleased to find I've culled your numbers!"[break][break]

[break][break]

Adrian's unique scope of vision would reveal a miasma of blood red energy sweeping through the neighborhood like a silent wave. The energy seemed to be coming from the north, heading straight for the harbor afar. It clung to the Hypno like an aura and, for a split second after it had finished talking, had intensified in color before diminishing. Whatever this energy was, and wherever it came from, it was clear the Hypno were benefiting from it. Their swinging pendulums glowed steady like a heartbeat as they soaked it all in.[break][break]

The sight of the charging Drapion was enough to send the pair of Hypno into a frenzy as they prepared to defend themselves against it. The one that had sent Amber aloft (Hypno 1) safely leapt out of the way. The other (Hypno 2) was hit by the Drapion's KNOCK-OFF and staggered backwards, dropping its pendulum on the pavement below. Adrian would note the strange blood red energy slowly fading from that Hypno's body shortly thereafter.[break][break]

Meanwhile, the first Hypno continued swinging his pendulum as it moved its free hand about, creating a powerful BARRIER that would encompass itself and its ally. After having shielded itself from the worst of the PIN MISSILES that came flying towards it, it seemed only to have to worry about the Phantump it had tossed aside earlier. Its body shook as the red aura (still only visible to Adrian) surged around its body once more. Before the Phantump could finish its spell, it was slammed down with a FIRE PUNCH.[break][break]

"Oi, what's this then? Trying to steal my show, hmm?" The talking Hypno sneered, grabbing the Phantump by its branch and throwing it back in Amber's direction. Just after he'd done so, however, the Grimmsnarl's sneak attack came upon it and—[break][break]

[break][break]

A Cinderace had intercepted the FALSE SURRENDER from above, taking the blow but delivering it back with a twice as powerful COUNTER kick that sent the Grimmsnarl backwards against Adrian. As the rabbit settled into the light bounce of a fighting pose, a dark hooded figure would appear against the moonlight, standing at the corner of one of the rooftops above. Its trainer. "They're not even with the order, mate. You lettin' a couple of civvies give you this much trouble?" The obscured male teased, earning a glare from the talking Hypno.[break][break]

Meanwhile, in the Bronzor's FUTURE SIGHT:[break][break]

[break][break]

And, suddenly, Amber's Bronzor snaps out of its trance and is rendered... ASLEEP.[break][break]

[break][break]

The shadowy fire blast proves highly effective in dispersing the cloud of Munna that had descended upon Kazimir. The man (NATALIE OSWALD ) that had come to help him, however, succumbs to the Munna's yawning thereafter. He falls asleep standing up, just out of reach. Before long, the man sluggishly drags his feet along as he merges into the line of sleepwalkers heading towards the harbor.[break][break]

Unfortunately for the hero of Hoenn, should his brave disposition inspire him to fight back and save NATALIE OSWALD , he would soon find himself at odds again with twice as many Munna slowly descending to him from the sky above. Furthermore, the two Hypno up the block have finally begun to jog towards the site of the disturbance, brandishing their pendulums in the hopes of hypnotizing Kazimir and his Ninetales from afar.[break][break]

Outnumbered and out of depth, a voice calling to him from an alleyway nearby offers him an escape route.[break][break]

[break]

---

[break]

round objectives:[break][break]

☐ investigate the police HQ (Cillian Quinn , Valerio Dachev )[break]
☐ defeat the dark hatterene (Ruby Walker , oscar clayton )[break]
☐ uncover the identity of the masked man (@amber , Adrian Malcolm )[break]
☐ survive and/or run into other PC's (non-obscura members)[break][break]

overall objectives:[break][break]

☐ stop the swarm of hypno from kidnapping people[break]
☐ discover the true identity of the trainer pulling the strings[break]
☐ investigate the spotlights coming from a nearby building[break]
☐ try to maintain a low profile for the sake of safety[break][break]

[break][break]

instructions:[break][break]

— there is no posting order, but please wait until everyone has posted to post again[break]
— please ROLL with your post using the dice button[break]
— each pokémon of yours can perform 1 move per round[break]
— please include a tl;dr note of your important actions[break]
— missing a deadline three times results in being kicked out (this particular round is exempt)[break]
— have FUN[break][break]

Arashi Akiyama , Cillian Quinn , Kazimir Wynter , NATALIE OSWALD , Valerio Dachev , Isra Nightingale , oscar clayton , Adrian Malcolm , @amber

[attr=class,ooc-notes]

obscura mini-event

[attr=class,absolute-holder]

[attr=class,bulk]So...what exactly is this... miasma hanging about them...?[break][break]

Adrian maintained a dialogue with his patron as the altercation with the Hypno progressed, up until a third party intercepted. Up until that point he'd curiously observe, noting how the aura swelled as their powers were invoked, and that perhaps the pendulums themselves were the source or conduit for their powers. Yet he lacked any firm understanding, not yet learned in these things. Nor would they suffer him to investigate undeterred he'd realize, as a Cinderace descended from the rooftops, dealing Drapion a mighty blow in retaliation. Wha- F@#%![break][break]

"Of course there's more," he muttered with derision, leering upwards after a momentarily lull in conflict permitted. And who the f@#% are you supposed to be...? They were more evidently human by appearances, and curiously sputtering nonsense about some 'order' or whatever. To him it sounded like a bunch of Harry Potter Hocus Pocus malarkey. "Omen; SPIRIT BREAK!"[break][break]

Adrian didn't wait for Grimmsnarl to fully recover, but that setback was mitigated by Drapion; its SCARY FACE was evil incarnate, a menacing mug of bitter resentment, chilling the blood of their most fleet-footed foe, Cinderace. And thus paving the way for a well-placed strike by Omen, or so he'd have hoped.[break][break]

Where did the crimson trail lead, and who was this masked man?[break][break]

"Who are you?!" Asking was more direct than trying to scale the building and give chase. Plus he needed to keep an eye on his mystery accomplice...[break][break][break]

---

Adrian observed the RED AURA & STRANGER further;[break]
Drapion used SCARY FACE;[break]
Omen used SPIRIT BREAK![break]
_{Dark-type attacks are more effective and cannot be resisted.}[break]

[attr=class,ooc-notes]