sculpted | MISSION 004 [SOUTHERN ROUTE 35

MISSION 004 [SOUTHERN ROUTE 35 - ACTION/VIDEO]

[[GOOD MORNING, JOHTO! Should you be watching your video feed this fine day, or in the vicinity of the outskirts of Goldenrod City, you'll soon catch sight of Alex Louis Armstrong posing dramatically in front of the camera, shirtless. Of course.]]

I have a marvel for you all today! My beautiful Stein has evolved into his final form!

[[And suddenly, popping up in front of the camera is....

....a swan in a purple bra. A sparkly purple bra.]]

Witness the way the sunlight catches his glossy feathers! The way the light sparkles across his wings! Have you ever seen such a magnificent sight, Johto?!

[[As Armstrong speaks, the Swanna goes through a series of triumphant poses. And if one looks closely, they might even see some....pink sparkles near his eyes? Could he have learned the art of the Armstrong sparkle, passed down in the Major's family for generations?]]

My Pokemon are now all in their final forms! And so I pose this question to you, noble viewers; what Gyms do you recommend we take on? We have been training our bodies firmly and dutifully in preparation for this day!

[[And behind him, Armstrong's team of Pokemon sit quietly, mostly looking amused at his display. Some look annoyed, but more at the Swanna's posing rather than their trainer.]]

Alternatively, should you wish to come and marvel at the sight that is the magnificent and beautiful Stein the Swanna, I welcome you all with open arms!

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[OH MY GOD YOU ARE SO COOL]

How do you do that? That's like... the coolest thing ever!

Huh, yeah I guess I could see that. I do try to switch mine out pretty regularly.

[Except when he's travelling; it's kind of hard to give them all equal attention then.]

Looks like you've assembled quite a team though! Your uh... swan is pretty interesting.

[For lack of a better word...]

[[Armstrong puts up a hand to stop Descole.]]

You needn't apologize for anything, Mr Descole. I'm sorry for burdening you with my issues; forgive me.

[[He turns to look back at his Pokemon, continuing to frown.]]

Oh it changed him alright. Changed him to the point where he murdered five superior officers and did 7 years in solitary confinement for it.

You need to stay away from him, Mr Descole.

That swan is no where near as pretty as me.

[Johnny is also shirtless. And posing.]

[[Steph roars in shock and pain as the Aqua Tail hits her, struggling to stand as the Swagger attack takes its toll. Eyes rolling in her head, she leaps towards what she hopes is the Luxray, ready to attach with Reversal.]]

Lowen, you have to help her!

[[Forcing himself to his feet, the Luxray staggers over to the fray, releasing another Discharge before crashing back to the ground, fighting to get back on his feet.

The tables have turned; now Archer's pokemon are walking all over his. Armstrong frowns again, never taking his eyes off the battle in front of him.]]

[Yeah, he knows...

Clive smirks and puts his Zorua down.]

You heard the man! Show them what you can do!

[And just like that, Kira takes on the form of the fabulous Stein, sparkles and poses and all, and she even returns that same exact haughty look right back at him.]

[[YOU ARE SO CUTE WHAT THE HELL]]

Now now, I couldn't possibly reveal my secrets~!

[[ALSKJASLKDJASD

STEIN DOES NOT APPROVE OF THIS!! HE DOES NOT!!

Armstrong, however, is laughing loudly!]]

How fantastic! You could have a lot of fun with such an ability, couldn't you? I do hope you don't use it for anything dastardly, my boy!

[[WHAT'S THIS

A CHALLENGER APPEARS]]

I believe I may have to challenge that claim, good sir!

[[....

POSE]]

Isn't he just?! But he is merely a rose amongst other beautiful roses, Mr Isaac!

[[Let him smile fondly and pat Stein on the head, there.]]

What sort of team have you assembled?

[Lucky used to belong to Greed and Greed is contagious.]

[BUT OH MAN A COMPLIMENT. Lucky tilts his head to the side and does the dog equivalent of a self-assured grin, because yes, yes his sunglasses are the coolest. The effect is kind of ruined by how much his tail is wagging.]

[Envy, meanwhile, would rather not have his dog decide to start following Armstrong around for the next few hours. So out of hiding he comes, doing a good job of pretending to be nonchalant.]

Hey! Lucky!

[Lucky's head perks up and he barks back, but doesn't go back over to Envy just yet. Come meet his new friend, trainer! :D]

[Oh shit not Reversal--!]

[...And there goes Caïssa. Archer frowns and returns her. He should probably work on getting Pokémon with higher defenses. Arbiter, on the other hand, takes the Discharge attack fairly well and shakes it off. He slams his tail down again in Steph's direction - another Aqua Tail attack.]

[This time, Archer doesn't pull out another Pokéball. Instead he merely points forward and shouts the name of his next Pokémon.]

Isolani!

[Have you been paying attention to Archer's shadow, Armstrong? If you have, you might have noticed a strange warping every so often as the shadow tries to conform to what it should be doing in the sunlight. The shadow elongates itself and starts laughing, suddenly zooming forward as soon as Archer shouts the name. Out of the shadow comes a Gengar, making a face and still laughing.]

[Isolani launches a Shadow Ball attack as soon as he's out in the open, aimed at Lowen. Archer is down to three Pokémon - Arbiter won't be able to take too much more, but it's clear Archer is no longer worried.]

[After all, he's saved the best for last.]

[He tries~ No really, he does.]

Aww, really? But it's so cool! I'd love to be able to sparkle like that!

Prettyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!

[KIRA IS GIVING STEIN THE BIGGEST TROLLFACE RIGHT NOW]

Why, of course not! I only utilize this ability during battles and emergency situations, never for evil.

Oh, yes, I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Luke Triton. And you are?

A-Ah..!!

[[Armstrong's eyes widen as both his Arcanine and Luxray crash-land either side of him, unconscious.]]

Steph...Lowen!!

[[Taking a brief moment to check they aren't badly injured, he returns them to their pokeballs and turns back to the field.]]

...yes, I understand.

[And his tone implies that he does; at the same time, he can't say that he cares to dwell on the topic for now, so he shifts his focus toward the first few statements once that acknowledgement of the warning is out there.]

And I'm not exactly apologizing, Major Armstrong, nor do you need to apologize yourself. I asked you about the incident, so you're hardly burdening me in the first place - even if you were, I asked you to do so; clearly I don't mind.

No, that was more an expression of sympathy, my friend - as far as I'm concerned, you deserve at least that much.

I... guess so.

[He's never been one for poetic language...]

[But at that, Isaac brightens up and pulls six Pokéballs from his pack. He tosses them all out, allowing the six Pokémon to get used to their surroundings.]

I've got more than these, obviously, but I wanted to train these guys while I'm out on the routes.

[First up is Carmen, the... murdermammoth. She's the daughter of Kimblee's Mamoswine and she's one of the most intimidating things on his team. She's here for travelling purposes, but she's also quite strong. The second is Bellatrix, the Kabutops. She swings her scythe-arms in the air, stretching before sitting down next to Isaac's leg and looking quite content. Third is the Pokémon he received on Valentine's Day, Cryogonal. The ice mask floats behind Isaac, studying Armstrong and his Pokémon warily. Fourth and fifth are Marcus and Terence - a Charizard and Gabite, both of whom are already launching playful attacks at one another. Isaac never separates the two of them for very long. The final one is a new addition to his team which is currently perched on his shoulders. An Aerodactyl - Isaac doesn't seem to mind that it's one hundred and thirty pounds of dinosaur spread out over his shoulders. In fact, he looks quite pleased with himself.]

They're varying in level, but I figure it's best to have a wide variety of Pokémon when you're travelling!

[And for the most part, everything he trains is either Water, Ice, or Rock...]

[[Right! He's lost half his team and only has three to go; better make this count!]]

Berlichingen! Neuschwanstein!

[[If you managed to catch those names, you'll notice Stein the Swanna rolling it's magnificent eyes, before fluttering daintly onto the field. Must he battle? Must he really?

His battle partner is possibly the bitchiest Lucario in the world; he runs onto the field, slamming his fists together and snarling, bouncing lightly on his feet. He is gunna take you guys out, dammit! Even if he cannot stand this bastard he's supposed to be fighting alongside!]]

Stein, Hurricane! Berli, Copycat!

[[Stein rolls his eyes again, before taking to the skies, preparing to fire said Hurricane attack at Arbiter. Berli, however, is furiously enthusiastic, racing onto the field and hurling your Shadow Ball right back at you, Isolani.]]

[...Your Pokémon certainly have charisma, Armstrong... Archer's not quite sure what to do with that. All the same, he flicks a finger casually and Arbiter leaps in the way of the attack. Ghost-type moves doesn't do much to him and he shakes it off lightly. The Hurricane attack, however, does a significant amount of damage, leaving the Drapion barely hanging on. Archer frowns for a moment, but he's not too worried.]

Again, Arbiter!

[He launches himself at Stein, charging up that Thunder Fang attack again. Archer turns to Isolani and nods - the Gengar attempts to land a Hypnosis attack on Berli. He'll have to teach Isolani some more varied moves to take on Fighting-types in the future - that is what Berli is, right?]

[[Armstrong nods silently, returning his gaze to Descole.]]

It's all in the past, Mr Descole. Sometimes, however, I wish it would just stay there. But I don't deserve that. I don't know if I ever will.

[[Clearing his throat, he searches for a quick topic change.]]

How do you know Archer and Kimblee, anyway?

...Well, you were asking about gyms earlier, right? Which ones have you beaten?

[[Berli neatly avoids the Hypnosis attack but Stein is hit head-on with the Thunder Fang, letting out an animalistic shriek as he crashes to the ground, twitching. Through some miracle, he's managed to grasp onto a few remaining hitpoints, but he can't move or attack. He's basically out of the battle.

Armstrong's eyes widen, and he quickly orders Berli's next move.]]

Heal Pulse, Berli! Quickly, help him!

[[Berli turns at that, but he doesn't immediately move to fire off the healing attack. If anything, his lip curls up as he stares at the usually proud Stein, struggling to stand in a mess of singed feathers.

It doesn't go down well with his trainer.]]

Berlichingen!! You will do as I say!

[[Jumping up as if he was the one receiving an electric shock, the Lucario sheepishly heals Stein, the Swanna furiously getting back to the air and shrieking angrily at his rescuer, in that frustrating language only pokemon understand.

Armstrong, on the other hand, covers his face with his hand.]]

How dreadfully embarassing...

[[He was going to pay for that little spat between his Pokemon, and he knew it. Archer wouldn't miss that little oppurtunity.]]

[...Well. He hadn't realized how welcome a subject change would be until one finally happened; good god, Major.]

Ah, well - Mr. Kimblee is more one I know of, as he tends to be a little...hard to miss, when he posts to the network; we have a few mutual acquaintances, however, and so I've seen him in person here and there, as well as heard a good deal about him. As I've said, he seemed polite and rather charming, although I admit that he seems a bit...strange; what you've told me certainly does explain why.

As for Colonel Archer and I, we met over the network; he was rather helpful upon my arrival here. He's a little abrasive for my tastes most of the time, but in general he seems rather knowledgeable about the place, and he's not bad for conversation once in a while.

[What in the world was that?]

[Archer has certainly seen Pokémon that don't get along - his Crobat and Honchkrow hated each other back when they were a Zubat and a Murkrow - but he's never seen it get in the way of battle. This might be because all of his Pokémon are battled-hardened warriors who thrive on the battlefield and enjoy beating faces in. Or something.]

[He doesn't say anything though, instead tipping his head slightly in consideration. How odd. Yes, he will confront Armstrong about that after the battle - but now isn't the time for that.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 4 of 9

MISSION 004 [SOUTHERN ROUTE 35 - ACTION/VIDEO]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

no subject

A POSE OFF!

[ACTION]

[Action]

[ACTION]

[Action]

THE MOST MASCULINE POSE-OFF IN EXISTANCE!

[ACTION]

[action]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

Video

[Action]

[ACTION] 1/2

no subject

[ACTION]

[ACTION] 2/2

[ACTION]

no subject

[Video]

[ACTION]

no subject

[ACTION] - 1 / 2