Spring Cleaning: the log!

[these_balls]

Who: Everyone!
Where: The six urban centers: Goldenrod, Olivine, Ecruteak, Violet, Saffron and Celadon, as well as outlying routes.
When: May 5-8
Summary: It's the Toxicalypse, and the Rockets are out to make a racket! Hide yo kids, hide yo wives, they lootin' errybody out here. The pokemon are between levels 5-95 as required, and include Grimer, Trubbish, Muk and Garbodor. NPC Rockets will probably be packing Skuntank and Weezing for lulz and grossness.
Rating: PG-13 for violence, swearing, the usual.
Log:

At 7:30AM on May 5th...

It can't be heard. It's one of those sounds, far out of range of human hearing; some pokemon might pick it up, if they have sensitive ears, but even to them it probably registers as little more than an unpleasant buzz. In fact, it doesn't even interrupt regular broadcasting; if you're on a route, the likelihood of noticing any sort of danger is slim. The effect in the urban areas, however, is instantaneous.

Letters have been flying to Gym leaders and mayors and other important people about the poor trash collecting job of the last few days; it seems the streets of Johto and Kanto have never seen this much garbage. The heat is stifling, oppressive, the rain of just yesterday pushing down the smog and the smell, trapping it low against the sizzling concrete. For the ecologically-conscious citizens of this world, who sort their trash into six neat piles, a harmful act against the environment like this is unthinkable, horrendous; it never occurs to them that it could be intentional, because honestly, what kind of monster would treat the habitat of pokémon so lightly?

Team Rocket, it seems, picks up quickly on new and different ways of thinking.

The devices whirr to life, beep and flash and pop open very lightly like waking insects. From them, a special radio wave is emitted; around them, the vast swaths of trash begin to move, and warp and dissolve into sludge and organs and joints. One Muk is two Muks, two is suddenly four, and then there is nothing but panic and rushing and the smell, the horrendous toxic smell.

Someone screams, and after that, chaos.

[[ooc notes: each sub-thread involves not only the individual locations, but also directly connected routes. For example, if you're on Route 34, feel free to use the Goldenrod thread.]]

Comments

VIOLET

[these_balls]

VIOLET

[pinnedbangs]

[Rin wasn't an early riser. He preferred late mornings and early afternoons, but his pokemon enjoyed daylight hours and always tried to get him out of bed. Today, however, was the exception.

All the screaming people in the world couldn't have put Rin on edge. Well, it did put him on edge for something like a 20 foot monster (and he without a way to get rid of it), but the sight of Violet City looking like an enormous dump with crazy zombie-garbage pokemon seeming to multiple out of no where was close enough.

He was outside in moments, half-dressed and ready to help anyone who needed it. There was no way walking around the city could be safe right now, not with that smell.]

[usedcharm]

[Due to a few reasons that are far too lengthy to bother getting into right now, Rinoa's developed the habit of leaving Violet for a few days at a time to spend it on the road and/or training with her pokemon. She's finally on her way back into town when all the commotion starts.

[The smell alone is almost enough to make her turn back, but at the first scream she starts running into the city proper. She might not have a type advantage, but most of her team was used to fending off poison types by now. Not to mention her starter, a swablu named Angel, desperately hates dirty things so she's more than eager to start cleaning up the streets. Soon Angel and Ele (a mareep) are working together to sleep or paralyze as many of the invading pokemon as possible so that her ledyba, Lady, can take them out up close and personal. It's a good day to be a bug.]

[When she spots Rin, she heads over towards him hoping that maybe he has some answers.]

What's going on here?!

[She leaves for a few days only to return to a city trashed and there are poison types running afoul everywhere!]

[pinnedbangs]

[ -- He turns too quickly and almost loses his balance, but he manages to keep his cool. Rinoa didn't seem to be in any immediate danger (and a quick glance behind her showed that her pokemon were good fighters). That was a good thing, especially in this mess. There seemed to be no end to their opponents!]

It's been like this since this morning! I mean, the trash has been here longer, but it's only gotten this bad around now!!

[Birdie, Rin's pidgeotto, kept up an aerial attack while acting as look-out for the rest of its grounded team. Quil stayed by Rin's side, trying hard to fend of the enemies surrounded them with its flames.]

[freezetheskies]

[There's definitely no way walking around the city is safe, and not just because of the smell. There's trash everywhere, and no matter how much someone takes out, more just comes up behind them.

Case in point, Hitsugaya. He's nearby, with his back to Rin and his Golduck at his side, but neither sees or senses the Garbodor coming up behind them, seemingly inhaling to breathe poison gas on the unsuspecting pair. Help them out, Rin?]

[pinnedbangs]

[Help is on its way! Rin notices only at the last moment, right when the Garbodor inhales. His hands go straight to his pokebelt before he remembers Birdie, his pidgeotto, is already out and about. Rin's instincts tell him to tackle the Garbodor to the ground but he chooses a safer option.]

DUCK! [He really hopes Hitsugaya listens, because Birdie has already swooped down to Garbodor, aiming for its face with its wings. Rin runs around the pokemon, attempting to get close to Hitsugaya before being noticed.]

VIOLET

[wormed]

[[The sight of all the rubbish filling the streets of Violet City surprises Kariya, but it doesn't bother him too much. The smell isn't even that bad; it's nothing compared to the sewers of Fuyuki City, although he does wrinkle his nose ever-so-slightly. His sense of smell has sharpened considerably since coming to Johto, but it's still nothing compared to what it was before he met with Zouken.

Kariya is more concerned with the safety of those around him rather than himself, but his young Scyther is similarly unbothered, strangely enough. Or if she is, she's hiding it well. His Silcoon, cradled under his arm, also doesn't seem to mind. So for now, he chooses to remain slightly hidden by the shadows, watching the proceedings.

He knows who he needs to protect, and as long as they aren't in danger? He will not interfere.]]

VIOLET

[strawberryredgrave]

(And for once, Dante was awake nice and early for that shiny new job he's had for about a day. It really didn't take long for him at all to realize that the town was being flooded by undesirable poison types.

Kariya may notice this man in a red coat simply scoffing at the sight of encroaching muk.)

You know, it's the same old thing, no matter where I go: get some breakfast, walk down the street and just around the corner, there's something that wants to fight me. I guess I should thank you for the wake-up call.

(And he sarcastically bows, making the muk exchange confused looks with each other.

But once Dante fans the smell away from his nose, he starts getting a bit serious...only slightly.)

Kinda hard not to wake up to a smell like that. Tell you what: after I kick your asses, I might pick up some air freshener for you. Have fun, Sparda!

(And out from his pokeball comes a Scizor, giving the muk what would be a cocky smirk if he could give one.)

Get your stretching on and have at 'em!

(And after an application of agility, that Scizor starts whaling on those enemy poison types...and wow, those are some damn fine moves he's using. That guy's just all over the place, punching and slashing in a surprisingly stylish manner. This Scizor wasn't just trained like a pokemon...he was trained like a badass.)

[wormed]

[[Kariya doesn't move or interfere when the man in the red coat starts to attack those strange rubbish Pokemon; if anything, he's glad he doesn't have to do it himself. The Scizor, however, does catch his interest. It's magnificent. He beckons his Scyther closer, and she obediently sits next to him.]]

What a beautiful Pokemon.

[pretentions]

[Well, this is genuinely repulsive, isn't it. Naturally, the first time he's seen civilization after more than a week alone with Lord E-Rank Luck, and this happens.

He's actually taking care to aim the Embers his Quilava is shooting everywhere; he has his staff, his Mystic Code out, though it's utterly useless here for anything but indicating targets - regardless, it's serving that purpose rather well.

...no one seems to have informed him that setting this whatnot on fire is not the greatest idea ever to be had, but it's working well enough for now.]

[wormed]

[[It's impossible for Kariya to ignore the flashes of fire coming from across the street. The very sight is enough to cause him to start trembling, his arms tightening against his chest. His eyes narrow, and he slinks further back into the shadows.

Tokiomi. That repulsive mage.

Having met up with the older Sakura here in Johto, Kariya's vitriolic hatred for Tokiomi had only grown, intensified. Deepened. Despite what he had put her through, Sakura had grown into a perfect, beautiful young woman. She had beaten him.

But he would still pay for it.

So he doesn't hesitate when he senses the oppurtunity. Tokiomi is distracted. It's perfect.

He doesn't turn to his Scyther when he addresses her; his eyes are locked on the back of his worst enemy. Those shoulders, that hair...how could he ever forget that sight?]]

Kill him, Mika.

[[The words are spat out as if Kariya couldn't stand the taste; his Scyther looks at him, confused, before her eyes narrow. She's young. She doesn't yet understand how Pokemon are not supposed to attack humans.

She's perfect.]]

I want him dead.

[[With a soft whurring sound, Mika takes to the air, heading directly for Tokiomi and his Quilava.]]

[returntospring]

[One of the people he needs to protect seems to be doing a good job of protecting herself, really. She's been taking full advantage of Dahlia's type superiority against the poison-type Trubbish and Grimer - not their evolved forms, no. She knows her pokemon aren't strong enough to fight them, so she'll leave those to Shirou and the others helping clear Violet City.]

Dahlia, use confusion!

[The tiny creature makes a noise of acknowledgement, and sends an invisible shockwave out at the Grimer they were currently fighting. The blob reels backwards, staggering - as much as a mucky blob can, at least - and falls back, knocked out.]

[wormed]

....Sakura?

[[There's no mistaking that flash of purple hair as she goes past, and Kariya forces himself to his feet, emerging out of the shadows.]]

Sakura....!! What are you doing, it's not safe here!

[wontdieifkilled]

[A hero needs to protect. A hero must fight threats.

Thus, this cannot and will not go ignored by one Shirou Emiya.

He's out in the midst of it already. A Steelix, a Forretress, a Skarmory, a Lucario, a Pawniard, and a Beedrill -- all but the Pawniard at level 100 -- are blasting through the Poison-types, surrounding their trainer. He's running around looking for stragglers.

This song is playing in the background all the while.]

[returntospring]

[Every hero needs support, right?

Sakura's pokemon aren't anywhere near as strong as Shirou's, but she does have one advantage, at least: her Ralts. Sakura, though not a trainer, had spent time studying up on type advantages and weaknesses so she could help her pokemon grow. So with her starter's advantage over the pokemon currently assaulting the city, she's been doing a good job with backing Shirou up!]

Senpai! [After knocking out another grimer, she calls out to him.] I think this area's clear for now!

[wontdieifkilled]

Okay!

[The Beedrill and the Skarmory take to the air.]

Where in the world are these Poison-types coming from...?

VIOLET

[marimbagirl]

[The trash didn't sneak up on Anissa. She had been worrying about the debris for days, wondering if she should even leave town for a while, give them time to clear the trouble while she trained her new hatchlings elsewhere.

But. This morning.

She only made it a couple steps outside the Center before - whatever it was that was happening - had her jolting back inside and rushing to call back every member of her team. In seconds all were tucked away.

All but her Hoppip, blowing out of her reach and coming right back out again, making scared noises as she refused to be tucked away alone. Eventually, she had to reach out and just hold Chloe in her arms, else chance getting them both in harm's way by staying there. Both were choking on the stench, so she has to run.

It's foolish, but if anyone see's the woman running out of the Center in search of an escape out of Violet, trying to dodge the oncoming Muk traffic? Know she thought this was the only option.]

[empireofmymind]

[Wait - isn't that -

As soon as Ken'd realized what was happening he'd headed out himself; the Pokémon Academy had had more than enough trouble recently, so he'd been prepared to defend it if need be.

Yet when he sees someone he recognizes from the feed, his priorities quickly change.]

Hey!

[That call is both to attract her attention and those Muks' - in charges his Houndoom, while Ken rushes over as quickly as he can, carrying Pupitar.

His only super-effective Pokémon would have limited mobility during a disaster.]

[marimbagirl]

What-?

[Anissa near-trips in a circle to see who's talking to her, only to stall as she sees and places the boy running towards her.

-hold on tight, Chloe! Anissa is moving even more as she teeters on what Ken is up to!]

B-be careful!

[There's so many of them, no matter how strong, how can they be fought??]

Re: VIOLET

[tinymoonkid]

[Kurow pulled his scarf up to cover his nose and mouth, in an attempt to at least dull the terrible stench a little bit. He'd never, ever smelled anything this just plain terrible before, and the overpowering stench was making him somewhat nauseous.

Not that he was going to show it, of course. Even cornered by Muks in a back alley as he was, he'd faced worse. And there was no way a bunch of slime creatures were going to beat him without a fight!

His Growlithe whined quietly at his side - obviously the smell was getting to her, too.]

Sorry, Girl. Can't do much for the stink 'til we get out of this mess, but like, no better way than to help clean it up, right?

["Growlithe!" She howled in approval, getting into a battle-ready stance in front of her trainer, and Kurow smirked.]

Glad you're with me! Let's take 'em out with Heat Wave!

[And suddenly, it became very hot in that back alley...]

Re: VIOLET

[used_realtears]

[Nobita is busy trying to keep his baby Diglett out of trouble. While Horu has been lucky so far in avoiding damage, they still have several assorted Poison-types after them. Right now, Horu has just come up to the alley, and decided to join in the "fun" with a Mud Bomb.]

H-hey! Horu! [Nobita skids to a stop upon seeing his errant Pokechild, and immediately attempts to step in. Thankfully, the heat doesn't get to him too bad.]

Do you need help? [He can't see the other person yet, but it's always a good thing to ask, right?]

[freezetheskies]

[This was...unexpected. Hitsugaya hadn't been planning on staying here for as long as he had, not in this city, but he was here and things were a mess. There was just no other way to put it, so he'd taken to the streets to do what he could. Anyone on the roads, however, is more liable to see his Arcanine and Golduck swarming the trash-pokemon and forcing them back before they see him, considering they tower over him.

Doesn't mean he's not there, though. Please do not be crashing into him; he's...not good at taking hits.]

[conduit]

[ Rangiku was currently scanning the area for anyone in trouble. In times like these, her inner instincts as a Shinigami kick in. To protect the public, she must slay the hollows. Or, in this case, smelly, grimy, blobby, knock offs. After relocating a couple of people to rooftops where they'll be safe for the next couple of hours, she spies her captain. Immediately, her aspirations change from helping the public to serving him, like a true Shinigami. ]

Hope! Use extremspeed! [ Out of, what seems like nowhere, a blur briefly goes by as Muks instantly recoil in retaliation. Rangiku swings back, triumphantly riding on the pokemon. ] Use Aura Sphere! [ And it hits! The Muk briefly flinches, but it does not do that much damage since Muks are poison. ]

Re: VIOLET

[chosen_light_child]

*Hikari wasn't sure what was going on, what with the massive smell and all the garbage piled up and everything like that happening.

But she did know that all of the Muks that were roaming around, which was why her Togetic was out and flying around, blasting them with Extrasensory whenever they got an opening.

Right now though, Togetic was the only Pokemon she had that had a move that worked extremely well on poison types, so she was hoping that he managed to hold out for a while.*

[hopeboy]

[All this is really getting out of hand and even if Takeru knows he can't fully put an end to this, he still might as well try. Riding on his Fearow, he scans the area. Kami help them, this is so gross. Spotting Hikari from afar, Fearow flies a little lower as he approaches her.]

Hikari-chan! Are you doing alright?