LEAGUE EVENT

THE FINAL BREATHS

Law and chaos, truth and deception; the longer the conference trailed onward, the more these opposing symbols overlapped, until deciphering became a fool's game to play and lose.
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By now, the majority of civilians had made their escape. Whether it be through a miracle, or the kind act of members of the league sharing their aid, today, the result of decisive actions saved lives. And yet, there was no victory to be celebrated. Not with fire still coalescing around the city's center, licking up the walls of offices and stores. Not when wounded children and parents still cried out for their families. Not when violence still raged, ever the more outspoken.

Its this reality, stripped away from the beauties of hope, that Eduardo Hisakawa found himself stuck within, staring down at the doll, at the flag, and all the implications strung in-between. Beaten, his Kleavor was the one to enact revenge.
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Fleeing from the scene, a shroud of black and red was caught racing toward the sidelines, readied to jump onto his corviknight. Freedom was inches away, locked away behind a mere millisecond, because for him, and many others, the world snapped into darkness.
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SLASH hit. Blood escaped his torso, crimson red. The rocket's gasped could be heard, as agony poured out through a shrill scream.
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Still, his body found his Pokémon, and together they vanished.

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"Oh, I'm-"
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No warning heralded the dry cough that lunged out from the old man's throat. Leaning forward, the man let it out, his shoulders shaking to its vicious demand.
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When he finally straightened himself, its with bloodied lips.
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"I'm just fine. Just a bit stung, but I'll pull through!"
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His weary smile offered no support. It was clear to Noel Parker that somehow, some way, through the midst of chaos one of the spikes had made contact to his skin. And, without immediate care, it wouldn't just be coughs wrecking havoc on his body.
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But Elise Calcifet would not be aware of timer ticking behind her. Caught onto the strings of revenge, PSYCHIC aimed to entrap those that still lingered. Namely, a grunt who'd been left near the edges of the conference, with Bastiodon serving as a shielded means of escape.
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"Let go," she gasped, PSYCHIC clutching around her torso. It was a vice-grip, near impossible to escape without external help. The more she struggled, the tighter it got, until her gasps melted into pleas. "I said let me go! Fuck - I - I didn't ask for this! This was supposed to be a quick job, goddammit!"
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"Bastion!!"
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The Pokémon, initially not wanting to divert its attention from PROTECTing the stream of escaping grunts, finally caved to the woman's cries. Elise Calcifet would know, if examined thoroughly, that the Pokémon's bond with its supposed trainer was weak. Possibly flimsily forged without much time or care placed into it. Because, while the Bastion did react to the psychic, using FOUL PLAY to redirect the concentrated force, it did so with a grimace, barely caring long enough to ensure the woman's safety beyond the severing of Calyrex's grip.
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"Took you long enough," She cried, immediately ducking behind the Pokémon's shield. "And you! I would say watch your back, but I doubt i'll ever see you again. So," the grunt shook her head. Twisting around, she uttered the last words before pulling into a sprint. "...good luck!"

For DESIREE BLOOMS, bravery marked their action.
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The fan boy, still dazed from the events, held no signs of concerned. Blinking, he stared up at the grimmsnarl, only reacting after flames had faded away from his immediate view.
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"Thank you," he croaked. It was clear he couldn't take everything in yet. The shock was all too real still, like the first hit of cold after a scorching day of baking under the sun. Even then, he was able to weasel out a soft request. One more indicative of his innocence than his injuries: "my parents...where are my parents..."

But while innocents were saved, soldiers continued onward, their march neverending, their hearts never ceasing. When annalise henderson's meowstic's PSYCHIC reached outward, it took purchased, but not onto a grunt. Rather, the PSYCHIC caught wind of the Machoke, tripping him at the ankles.
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His trainer didn't even look back. Away, he ran, without hesitation to hinder his escape.

For paxton concordas and Yuina Higashi, the backdrop was of a different genre entirely. Both sides of the pair, however different their methods might've been, had their own discoveries to uncover.
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With Yuina Higashi, it was with the grunt whose blood continued to stain the cement. Without the mask, he'd look like any other man. Brown hair, brown eyes, a wide jawline, a short nose. She could've ran into him at a coffeeshop and not suspected a thing. And yet, blood stained his hands, and now, blood stained hers. Like a ritual, the act of killing carried from one shoulders to another, bearing the same weight, carrying the same cost.
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It didn't matter if she buried the body. History had been made. A chapter of her story had brought along the end of his, and no amount of revision could change that.
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With paxton concordas, his came with the body. As strange as it may be, from all external outlets, it met every requirement of what you'd see. It was cold, it was lifeless, its skin felt like skin. And yet, the more he'd look at it, the more unsettling the girl's blank expression would become.
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But before more could be done, a voice broke out in front of them.
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"Officer Concordas!" A familiar guards made their entrance, with a Rapidash at his side. He looked like Eduardo Hisakawa, with a slanted smile and worried eyes, there was no disputing the immediate warmth his friendliness exuded. "Thank god yer okay. It's madness. Can't make sense of it myself."
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Looking down, the guard took note of the young girl and made a grimace.
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"Fuck... I'll take care of this. They need y'all out there. Rockets are escapin' left and right, and... we can't let 'em get away. Not after this."
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Leaning downward, the supposed Eduardo Hisakawa took hold of the body as though the child was still alive, cradling her between his arms, then setting her down onto the back of his rapidash.
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"Get 'em bastards for me."
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Together, without wasting a beat, the guard and rapidash ride off, away from the conflict.
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At center stage, revenge was hard fought. Imprison and shackles tied the leader to the stage, but never did he look worried. Rather, his composure implied the opposite.
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"You're delusional to think you still hold power," he chuckled shaking his head. "Today, you've lost. And tomorrow, you'll lose again. And do you know why?"
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The grunts who hadn't escaped yet gathered. The Salamance, the Drapion, the Gengar - their menacing auras wisped around the man's ankles, both highlighting and overshadowing the chains that bound him.
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"Because all The League is capable of is delaying the inevitable. But one day, very soon, delaying won't be enough."
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He snapped his finger.
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"Gengar, DISABLE these binds. I'd like to get back already."
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With one swift cut, DISABLE unraveled the man from his entrapments, freeing him enough to grab onto Salamance.
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"Until we see again."

LESSER OF TWO EVILS

As the sun dipped below the horizon, far behind skyscrapers, casting its golden hues across the city's center, one sentiment waved through the air, shared in one harmonious breath of relief.[break][break]


It was over. Finally, through pain and resilience, the battle was over. But not entirely so.
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Because while people might've began to recoup, and flames began to quell down, the skies never ceased movement. On occasional, a black dot appeared, swiping against the sky. Frantic in its movements, most wouldn't even bat an eye. It was just another spec of dust - was the common conclusion.
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Only Yuina Higashi might see more from it, as upon its initial appearance, she'd feel a stir within one of her poke balls. Vibrating, the small crafted ball quickly split open its jaw, releasing her unown, whose pupil maintained the same state of frenzy.
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Eventually, as everything began to settle, so would the dot, or at least, it would appear that way. Because, moments later, upon every device, across every screen, a loud siren erupted.
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"THE ▐▐▐▐▐▐▐▐▐▐▐▐ HAS ISSUED A NATIONAL EMERGENCY. THIS IS NOT A TEST; PLEASE STAND BY."
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A pop up block announced, a robotic voice enunciating every word with perfect clarity.
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"Today, we gather in unity against this unjust, abhorrent, and vile attack. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to all those affected, but make no mistake, Team Rocket had no hand in this. Unlike the League, we value honor, integrity, and the truth.
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Violence and intimidation have no place in our society. These are the words of Councilwoman Livy. Remember those words as you grieve. Remember the pain and the hurt. Remember the river of flames so potent that it could only have come from one singular source. Today, tomorrow, and in the days to come, remember.
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So, let us stand united, as Hoennians and Pokémon, against the only force that seeks to divide us: the League."

EPILOGUE

Following Rocket's announcement, and the days that came after, the following has occurred:[break][break]

- General sentiments are still uncertain. Some find it natural to believe in The League over the words of Team Rocket, others find their doubts vindicated. Regardless of either side, one thing can be said for certain: extremities have risen as a result of this event.
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- The entirety of the Conference was aired on live television, including the start of "Team Rocket's attack". The rest has been circulating through online social outlets, like Youtube and Tiktok. Publicly, most figures are siding with The League, leaving only the most vocal critics to take Team Rocket's statement into legitimate consideration. The media is labelling this a "The Early Signs of What's to Come."
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- Councilwoman PENELOPE LIVY has continued her efforts in stamping out Team Rocket's statement, refuting it at every public appearance. "we value honor, integrity, and the truth? Do they take us as fools? What part of Kanto speaks of integrity? What part of Petalburg's invasion speaks of honor?" (note: She is speaking of Meteno, not the current war arc.)
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- All bodies, whether injured or presumed dead, were taken in by League authorities. As more information presents itself, their bodies remain on League premises, still awaiting discharge to their respective families. Names, dates, contacts, and more information can be found in the LEAGUE database. Strangely, however, the access acquired is kept at a Councilmember level.
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- The Mayor of Slateport has continued supporting the league despite the growing question of national security. He has maintained that now is a time to work together, not against one another. Though, he is still outspoken in his dissatisfaction toward the way the event was handled, critical of not only Councilwoman Livy, but her staff.
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- The old man saved by Noel Parker and Elise Calcifet is still being treated at Slateport City Hospital. He is in a critical state, fighting off the poison from the toxic spikes.
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- The parents of the fan boy DESIREE BLOOMS saved was be immensely grateful for his safety, thanking her profusely. While they were not at the event themselves, they found it strange how enthusiastic he was to attend, or how, as politics was still so far beyond his world view. They hadn't expected this to happen.
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- The Machoke annalise henderson and june sleigh managed to keep behind is now under league custody. Like with the wounded, data on his whereabouts are strict. Further inspection is possible through some difficultly.
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- If paxton concordas or Yuina Higashi went back to the Grunt's body back in the alleyway, they would find it to be gone. Left behind was only the ashes of the burnt R.
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- Eduardo Hisakawa's support throughout the event sparked a crowd of support from those saved. Many will send in their thanks, both personally and through the station. Even Councilwoman Livy will send over a gift of gratitude, wishing to meet sometime soon.
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- If Gunner Graves or paxton concordas were to investigate the face of the leader through the HBIC, they'd find their systems completely at a lost. Not even a single hint tied to his descriptions. At first glance, it'd look like a dead end. But, upon further examination, and expert lenses of a programmer or techie, the systems would look almost too clean. As though someone had meticulously scrubbed it dry.
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- Kyrenai Black will find a manilla envelope on her desk the morning following the conference. Inside, she will find her next assignment.
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- The initial death marking the start of the attack was far too disfigured to identify. Currently, HBIC is processing footage of the event to hopefully find some kind of hint of his name, age, or anything to work off of. This is a highly confidential investigation.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Hello! Thank you so much for taking part in this thread. I apologize in the delays for post. These just take so much out of me haha, but I think cooked some great plots here. As I've said before, if you're interested in further leaning into this storyline, please reach out if you need help or have any questions. While I'm definately not needed for personal developments, if say, you'd want to investigate one of the "loose ends", im more than happy to help workshop with you.
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To help with this, below is a list of possible plot hooks for characters to dive into. Feel free to think of your own, or ask if the possibility of one that I might've missed. Please keep in mind, with many of these, it'll require collaboration to achieve results. For example, if someone were to want to investigate league's databases without being apart of the organization, they'd have to leverage an in somehow. I, of course, will be flexible with these storylines though, so we'll be able to work something out no matter what.
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- The Mayor and his perspective on the event.[break]

- The missing grunt body paxton concordas killed.[break]
- Yuina Higashi's unown appearing just before the broadcast.[break]
- The broadcast.[break]
- The grunt Elise Calcifet momentarily captured via Psychic.[break]
- The machoke annalise henderson and june sleigh captured.[break]
- The outspoken leader.[break]
- The strange girl's body Yuina Higashi and paxton concordas found.[break]
- The man that looked like Eduardo Hisakawa who took the little girl's body. [break]
- The first man who died. His final words.[break]
- The security measures and how they were breached.[break]
- The grunt paxton concordas killed. [break]
- DESIREE BLOOMS's fanboy/family. [break]

Eduardo Hisakawa Yuina Higashi DESIREE BLOOMS Gunner Graves paxton concordas annalise henderson june sleigh Elise Calcifet Noel Parker Kyrenai Black