Seraphim was once again waiting at their usual meeting spot, since he had gone on the previous two expeditions with this group, they had most things understood by now. So this had become routine. It had been a few days since their last expedition, and he was eager to return. Perhaps he was being to overbearing, but when you discover a factory filled with Volcanion, and that is making them it tends to make you want to explore further. This time they were missing the primal shard that could take them, and were going to explore other areas of this place. He was early as he usually was, and he checked his belt to make sure that he had his entire team with him this time.

Not knowing what they were going to be facing he brought an assortment of his strongest Pokemon, his Gallade in particular had proven useful in this place on the first occasion, and his Charizard had been a boon on the second visit. Sitting on a nearby rock he just looked at the portal several yards away from him. Part of him wanted to just eradicate the League presence from these rifts, and have Rocket take control of one, but that wasn't feasible with the turmoil their leadership was going through at the moment.

Between the traitors, and whistle blowers, Amor truly didn't know he could trust within the organization aside from oscar clayton at this point. Even then part of him wondered if his friend would eventually betray this organization all the same? So Amor did the only thing he could do. He was focusing on increasing his own strength, and doing that by going into these rifts to get anything useful that he could out of them. Pokemon or otherwise....

"Personally, I wish I could just live in there....That place seems far more suited to me than here." But he figured the moment he tried to make a home in there, some horrid monstrosity would appear, and tear him apart.

Oh well.... he thought silently.

Makoto Kurumi Cathrine Fisher

Each time Makoto headed to the Mechanical Kingdom, it seemed all the more curious - more and more aspects being unveiled with every visit. The mechanical pokemon, the absence of any flesh-and-blood beings, the factory... They'd be lying, if they claimed disinterest.

Thus, when they were called upon to once more investigate the world beyond the rift, they were sure to answer - approaching the rock that Seraphim was seated upon. "Staying in there for too long is not a good idea, from what I hear, sadly." They pointed out - giving him a smile and nod in greeting as they did. Given the existence of things like the song that had twisted their minds on the first visit, it'd take a number of precautions to be able to comfortably remain within long-term, they were sure.

But rather than worry about settling in the kingdom (for as much as they felt like that'd be their next assignment, at this rate,) they'd instead ask "What's the plan for today's trip, in any case?" as they leaned against a larger rock that lay nearby. Would they be capturing one of the mechanical pokemon? Searching for more of those factories? Or something else?

She had prepared all the Pokémon she owned with any combat or utility applications.

She had made sure to bring along her notebook, her gear, and herself.

She was ready. Ready to skulk through this kingdom once more on behalf of Team Rocket, though by now she would have to admit that there was a bit of a personal interest as well.

And with that interest in mind, she found her way to the meeting spot, getting there just in time to hear Makoto’s question. She gave the two of them a greeting wave, but would otherwise not disturb their conversation.


OOC: Mechanical Kingdom pt 3
Location: Mechanical Kingdom
TAGS: Amor Rose Makoto Kurumi

At the statement of Makoto Kurumi he just gave a robotic chuckle.

"Perhaps you are correct, but Machines I understand well enough....I could probably make it work somehow." He felt that strongly about it, but he had other plans for the moment. So reigning as the mechanical king would have to wait for a while. When Cathrine Fisher arrived he tapped his armored knee for a moment as he thought about the objective.

"We are going to explore the castle further. While I would like to know about the Volcanion Factory we discovered on our last outing, the castle still has some secrets that I think we should explore." He told the two of them, and his Gallade appeared next to him in a flash of white. "We will be teleporting directly into it this time. If you remember there was a section we didn't explore, and I have reason to believe that there is an entire network of secrets underneath it." Of course there was no logical basis for that, but it was a castle therefore it had to have a basement.

When he stood up he touched his Gallade on the shoulder, and would look to his two companions once more.

"Be ready for anything, Makoto I believe you have the music box we recovered? When we get in I want you to turn it on immediately. I want to test something before we erect our sound protection." He explained to her, and when the other two were ready, and gripped on to his Gallade, they would Teleport directly into the castle. Specifically the site just on the other side of the large entrance doors.

Something was a bit off however as the song of the kingdom was incredibly slow as if someone was running molasses over the entire place. The normal steady clinking of the gears that kept a perfect rhythmn seemed to be turned down by half speed. Furrowing his brow he looked around, and the few scraps of machines that were still able to somewhat walk, were doing so at a snails pace. Folding his arms as he waited for Makoto to activate the music box he pondered what could cause such a drastic change.

"Curious...." He said lowly hoping that this version of the lethargic song wouldn't affect them once they turned on the music box. However only time would tell.

TLDR
When everyone was ready Amor teleported everyone into the castle!
Prompt 21 has been met!
Amor is trying to figure out why the slowed down song give off letargy to the machines.
Amor asked Makoto to activate the music box to test a theory!

Cathrine Fisher Makoto Kurumi

Makoto couldn't help a slight smile at Amor Rose 's response - a hue of amusement to it, in a positive sense. They supposed it'd make sense, for someone who seemed so in love with machinery and tinkering to feel at home in a world of machines. Though, for all of Makoto's curiosity about the Mechanical Kingdom, they much preferred the world they were familiar with, where beings were more often of flesh and blood than the other way around.

Cathrine Fisher 's approach, meanwhile, was met with a nod and wave in turn - Makoto offering her a brief smile, as well.

The subject soon shifted to that of the plan - to which Makoto nodded along. The castle, even if it was only one single location, was quite large - there were sure to be more than just a few secrets remaining down there, much as Seraphim spoke. There was only so much that a single expedition team could figure out in just one sitting, after all - and there were few other Rockets that had been able to explore this particular rift, compared to the others. "Perhaps we'll find another factory, down there..." They'd muse out loud - not to anyone in particular, but nonetheless putting a voice to their thought.

When Seraphim stood though, Makoto would straighten up as well, no longer leaning against the rock. They nodded at the question of the music box - and as if to answer him, brought it out from their bag in preparation. If he wanted it to be turned on immediately, they'd make sure they had it readied ahead of time. Holding it close to their chest with one hand, they'd place a hand upon Seraphim's Gallade so as to be teleported - Kuro rising up from their shadow to place a paw against the psychic-type's leg...

... So that the group could all be transported, just inside the castle. Immediately though, it was easy to tell that something was off - namely, tempo. It was as if the kingdom as a whole had slowed down entirely - the patrolling mechanical pokemon moving only at half the speed they were meant to, in time with the equally-slowed song of the kingdom. It almost had Makoto feeling slow, themself, with how the song was already seeming to settle all-too-comfortably in their head...

But, they would open the music box - and twisting a windup key on the side, it'd soon begin to play. A gentle chiming, paired with the click-click-click of the surely delicate mechanisms within, filled the air - and even though the kingdom's song should've remained audible, it was as if it was pushed into the background in lieu of the music box's own. Makoto's mind felt clear - and with that clarity... They could see how even the other mechanical pokemon were being affected - their tempos seeming to shift to match the music box's own.

"Interesting..." They murmured, as they watched the movements of the constructs. "There's a knob here, that I found adjusts the music box, too." They mentioned to Seraphim - and indeed, it seemed almost as though slowing or even rewinding the music box's song affected the constructs much the same...

Music Box prompt filled

Cathrine Fisher , Amor Rose

Cathrine listened. The plan was sound, the assumption Seraphim made, even more so.

In a flash of light there was a Gallade. Teleportation would be their means of infiltration for the initial stretch. She grabbed one of her Pokéballs before placing her free hand on the Gallade letting them know she was ready.

And off they were.

As they emerged at their desired location. Something was off almost immediately. It was the tempo of the rhythm. She felt how the song tried to ease its way onto her like a warm comfortable blanket.

But then her head cleared as the Music box began to play. She gave a curious glance in Makoto and the Music Box’s direction.

As if the Kingdom or whoever was playing the song realized it had competition to its dull slowing rhythm, it began to pick up pace. The machinery outside the Box’s range began to move faster, more frantic as if urged on by a force they did not know.

But the sound of machinery breaking soon followed. Whether by age or design, it was clear it wasn’t meant to keep such a pace for long.

Cathrine looked to Seraphim, to see where he wished to head from here.


PROMPTS:
- Prompt 20: Cleared
OOC: Mechanical Kingdom pt 3
Location: Mechanical Kingdom
TAGS: Amor Rose Makoto Kurumi

It was a good thing that his assumption was right on the money otherwise it could have been bad for them all. Was he using their group as guinea pigs for this? Perhaps, but science required sacrificed, and it wasn't as if he was safe just himself. Letting out a silent sigh of relief he was thankful it had worked because he didn't want to have to explain to Higher Ups, why the three of them had come back almost dead a second time.

"Good now we have a proper defense for this place. It will make future exploration that much easier, in the meantime let's go into the basement, or well whatever the bottom of the castle is." With his Gallade in the lead, followed by himself he would lead the group down the set of stairs that he had spotted on their first expedition here. Of course curiosity had gotten the better of him, and he wanted to see where it lead to. It was nice not being alone all the time, he had to admit.

As they descended further down, there were more bones, it truly seemed that anything that had once been alive was well, and truly dead. Part of him felt that it was sad, but when he saw the harmony of this place, perhaps not having humans was the proper way. The human element was unpredictable, illogical, and selfish to a fault. Machines worked together to bring out the best of each other, all the intricate parts truly became more than the sum of their parts, and humans hadn't learned that yet. If they ever did the world would be a much better place.

It was then that they got to the basement or some version of a basement, a large circular room was their current location. It was filled with Coal Engines not unlike the one they had found in that volcanion factory, but these seemed specifically tailored to be powering the large door that currently barred their entrance. There were eight engines in total, and he tapped his cheek as he wondered what was powering them all this time? On the floor around them were strange looking Mechanical Dolls they were all mostly busted, but there were a few specimens that seemed to be in good shape.

"Alright it looks like we have to power down those engines, it shouldn't be hard." He explained as he made his way past broken bits of machinery towards the first engine, and when he peered into the fuel source, his hidden eyes opened wide. "Quick! Get them out!" Amor wasn't one for unnecessary Pokemon Cruelty, and seeing Carbink in the engines, who all looked worn, and weathered took the wind out of his sails about this place as he freed the first one. It hopped around pointing to the other engines, and so Amor worked with the other two to free the Carbink from their servitude. It was a bit horrifying in his head.

When they had freed all the Carbink the little pokemon hopped around the group happily, though they didn't seem keen on going up the stairs, and he couldn't blame them if they were being used like this. With the doors powered down they slowly began to creak, and split open to allow them passage.

"Be on your guard..." He would grab one of those dolls before they left, but for now they had trudge forward into the unknown.

TLDR
Seraphim is a bit horrified at thinking about how long those Carbink were being used as fuel for.
Prompt 32 fulfilled!
Soulless Magearna dolls were found!

Cathrine Fisher Makoto Kurumi

The music box was indeed a fascinating trinket - though Makoto couldn't help but wonder whether it was better than what they had before, for the previous expedition. While being able to influence the pace of the constructs did help, having to hold and periodically wind it was a little tedious...

... But, nonetheless, Makoto followed Seraphim's lead into the lower levels of the castle - down into the basement. The sight of bones sent a chill up their spine though, a reminder of the people who once lived here, and long-since perished. And though the group had their theories about what had happened here before, well... The fact that nobody has yet found a for-sure answer unsettled them.

They did not have to linger on the thought for long, though. Upon being led into a circular room filled with soulless dolls and a number of engines - not unlike the one that had allowed the group entry into that strange factory before - the initial plan had been to simply power each of them down. But then Seraphim had called to 'get them out' - and though they gave him a bewildered gaze at first, wondering what he was talking about...

... Their eyes lit up with recognition, upon seeing a weary Carbink being released from one of the engines. Wasting no time, Makoto would bring out Tsume - "There's pokemon - living pokemon - in those engines. Get them out!" - and alongside the Zoroark, began working to free the poor fairy-types.

As Tsume slammed his claws into one of the machines to tear it open though, the fox would let out an alarmed snarl as something rushed out from the worn gears and machinery that he ripped away at. Something strange, wispy, and ethereal - and yet just as suddenly as it had appeared, it was gone before Makoto could even catch more than a glimpse of it. What was that...?

They didn't have much time to consider it, before the carbink were all liberated - and with them freed, the door ahead would begin to creak open. Following Seraphim's lead, they would take one of the mechanical dolls that still looked intact, before heading onwards alongside him; wondering what else this kingdom had to offer...

Prompt 24 filled

Cathrine Fisher , Amor Rose

Cathrine followed the group, eyes peeled for dangers. Taking notes of all the unusual stuff they saw upon their path until.

Especially those Mechanical Dolls, honestly they seemed a bit creepy.

Anyhow, when they reached the circular room, and the Carbink conundrum was revealed, she was quick to join her friends in prying free the slaves from their unwilling occupation with the help of one of her stronger Pokémon, Feraligatr.

She kept the Feraligatr out, now that Seraphime requested that they be on their guard. But as they would make their way onward the blue reptilian would grab one of the Soulless Dolls, just as Seraphim had, figuring it might come in useful…

PROMPTS:
OOC: Mechanical Kingdom pt 3
Location: Mechanical Kingdom
TAGS: Amor Rose Makoto Kurumi

Another large empty passageway, and now they each had a mechanical doll in tow, but where this went he didn't know. So the trio would make their further into the back of the cave. All around them were more of these dolls, some were in perfect condition, others were in horrid disrepair. There didn't seem to be rhyme or reason to why some were fine, and others weren't. Instead the number of the dolls kept increasing the deeper they went, and then suddenly they were upon a strange Pokemon. It was one that he was only familiar with thanks to this place. A Volcanion was at the end, and it seemed to be trying to repair the dolls, but he didn't understand why.

So slowly Amor approached, and that is when the glowing red eyes fell upon them, and it let out an ear splitting roar.

"The Princess....Have to rescue the Princess...." it seemed to be mourning, in distress attempting to resurrect someone that was precious to it. That last part, hit a bit closer home to Amor than he cared to admit. There was someone that he wanted to bring back himself if given the chance. "You've brought her to me....Let me bring her back, it has to work this time!" the Volcanion stated as it grabbed at three crystalline hearts from nearby.

"Um wait, what are you doing?" Came the robotic question, but it was summarily ignored, by this creature who was on a mission to resurrect this Princess.

"I have failed....Hundreds of times....I wasn't there when the kingdom fell....I wasn't there to protect her, but I am here now....It has to work this time...." the Pokemon's voice choked up as strands of pinkish energy emanated from it's body, and began to snake around the crystalline hearts. "Please come back to me Princess...." It's voice was becoming dimmer the more energy it poured into those heart crystals.

"Tch, it's gonna die...." It was sacrificing it's own life force to attempt to bring back this Princess....The gauntlet on his arm began to shine as he summoned forth his Charizard, and Mega Evolved it instantly. The Volcanion was to lost to notice, but Amor wasn't going to let this creature die.

He understood why it was doing this all to well....

"Focus all your mega energy on it!" Amor his Charizard the instruction, and slowly the mega power that gave it it's special form was siphoned off into the Volcanion keeping it from expiring. It seemed to do enough that all three of those hearts were fully powered now.

"Quick....Put those in her chest....Bring her back to me....Please bring her back...." It almost begged, and a twinge of sadness formed in Amor's gut.

So he took one of the Soul Hearts, and placed it into the dolls chest. Immediately it began to light up as the heart activated the doll, and brought it back to life. It stood up, and the Volcanion began to cry almost as if it had succeeded. Though it's eyes began to dim, it's life didn't seem to be in danger, but perhaps it needed to rest?

"Wel....come....Back....Princess...." It spoke softly through the tears.

Makoto Kurumi Cathrine Fisher

TLDR
Special Hunt Completed for Amor!
Mega Evolution prompt fulfilled!

The sight of the volcanion - paired with the roar - had initially been an alarming one, Tsume stepping forward protectively when the beast came into view. But, it didn't take long for either of them to realize that this one was different from the others - speaking in a mournful voice, seeking out a supposed princess with a desperate type of fervor.

And in the process of seeking out its princess, it was sacrificing bits and bits of its own life.

Makoto was a bit surprised about just how quick Seraphim was to come to the aid of other pokemon - watching as he mega evolved his charizard, to offer the volcanion some more energy. They almost expected the Rocket member to take a more prudent and distant approach - especially given that anything could happen. If danger approached, mega evolving the charizard likely wouldn't be an option...

... And yet, even that being said, they couldn't help but - well - help, as well. Pulling out the mushrooms they had brought to the expedition, they'd offer them to the volcanion. "Here," They spoke softly, persuading. "You need to keep your strength up - for the Princess' sake."

A flicker of recognition and acknowledgement crossed the volcanion's expression, at Makoto's words. Slowly - not from reluctance, but from exhaustion - it'd bring its head closer to them, carefully accepting the mushrooms and munching them down. "Princess..." It sighed - casting a gaze towards the soul hearts that were being charged.

With one of the hearts, Seraphim would be able to bring the doll he had brought with him to life. The sight seemed to put the volcanion at ease - and so, Makoto followed his lead, putting another one of the hearts into the doll that they had retrieved.

It took a second - but slowly, the Magearna that Tsume had been carrying would begin to stir. It twitched, its eyelids fluttered... And then slowly, the fairy-type pushed itself upright. Rather than move with the song of the realm like the other mechanical pokemon did, or stand around waiting for instructions, or any such robotic action...

... The Magearna gazed around at its surroundings, as if with curiosity.

Makoto wasn't sure what to make of the pokemon yet - but glancing towards the volcanion, they'd reach out to pat it on the head. "... Rest. You've done well." They spoke softly, with genuine comfort. It wouldn't do any well for it to exhaust itself, if it was this tired.

... But that raised the question - what now?

Iron barktongue prompt filled

Cathrine Fisher , Amor Rose

Cathrine followed the group as best she could. Feraligatr hauling along the doll on its shoulder.

It didn’t take long for them to stumble upon another peculiar sight. A mix of curiosity and concern quickly appeared on her face as she saw how it had been sacrificing parts of its own body for the job it was trying to do.

Amor and Makoto were quick to help. While Cathrine considered it, she was less inclined to completely forget about the dangers that loomed around the area.

And so, it was that Feraligatr were the one to join Amor and Makoto in laying down their mechanical dolls and adding the living beating heart of the Soul Heart to the Megearna, allowing it to wake up from its long ‘slumber’

The doll’s eyes slowly came to life as it gazed around. Not really sure what was going on. Just as Cathrine now stood, eagerly anticipating something happening.

PROMPTS: Special Hunt completed.
OOC: Mechanical Kingdom pt 3
Location: Mechanical Kingdom
TAGS: Amor Rose Makoto Kurumi

Makoto used the strange looking plant thing? They had found during one of their excursions to try, and help restore some of the Volcanions lost vitality, but after it had restored three of those hearts in the search for it's Princess, how much longer did it have? If it kept doing this perpetually it was only a matter of time before it died. Amor didn't think that others would have the same mercy on the creature that he did, and he frowned. Should he keep coming back here to make sure it kept up on it's health? Would that even matter in the long run? This creature....It was like looking into a mirror almost. If Amor could literally give his life to restore the one that he himself held dear, of course he would do it...

"I will make an effort to come check on it so often to make sure it hasn't depleted itself." He wasn't speaking to anyone in particular, maybe it wasn't meant to be to anyone but himself. "I suppose that means I will have to scavenge for more of that bark tongue stuff." It seemed to have some effect on restoring the energy of the Volcanion in front of them. Life was such a fleeting thing even in this place of machines it would seem.

"We should let him rest." Then the robotic man simply turned on his heel, and walked out the way they came without another word. It had affected him to see that thing begging for the life of the one it held dear, and now he had a copy of that "Princess". The Magearna that had been brought back to life by the Volcanions devotion followed him dutifully like a Princess, or Maid. Of course, Amor had no idea where the real Princess was, but it was just another mission that he would have to do his best to finish, and uncover the mystery of.

If the other two came with him, they would leave the same way they always did, with his Gallade. Teleporting them to a safe distance out on the other side of the rift. However unlike the previous two times, Amor would leave without discussing anything further. His new Mechanical Pokemon in tow as he went to go sort some things out on his own.

Tuzo_Jyd

TLDR
Thread complete let's go!