these_balls: (SERIOUS MOD BUSINESS)
Route 29: mods ([personal profile] these_balls) wrote in [community profile] route_10652014-10-27 03:00 pm

HOENNWEEN: INTRO CHALLENGE LOG

Who: Hoennween Plot Participants!
Where: Tohjo Falls!
When: Wednesday, October 29th
Summary: You've just received a call from a mysterious voice asking you to come help save the world. This is Day One of The Rest Of Your Life™ — the introductory skirmish that will determine your field position for tomorrow and the advantages you'll have going in to the fight against Archie and Maxie.
Rating: PG-13 in general; please mark threads that go higher accordingly!
Log:



YOU ARE HERE. YOU'RE FIGHTING THESE GUYS AND ALSO POSSIBLY THESE GUYS. THEY'RE NOT HAPPY TO SEE YOU.

ETA: AND THIS IS YOUR BACKGROUND MUSIC!

KEY:
GRAY areas in the north are a range of mountains that form a natural barrier around part of the Tohjo plain where the Elite Four's resort is located. It is both difficult and dangerous to get up into the mountains proper, but this seems to be the direction from which most of the Team Magma Grunts are entering the area.

GREEN areas in the southeast and southwest are densely-packed forested areas interspersed by lakes and rivers that seem to be feeding into the main waterway into the area. It is both difficult and dangerous to venture into the woodlands proper, but this seems to be the direction from which most of the Team Aqua Grunts are entering the area.

• The BLUE area in the south is the massive lake that feeds the eponymous falls that give Tohjo its name. You will also find Team Aqua Grunts here taking great care to hold control of the lake, if you're interested in engaging in a water battle.

PINK diamonds in the east and west are the sites of massive formations of Mysterious Plot Crystals™ jutting up from beneath the surface; the Grunts on both teams appear somewhat wary of these growths, so they will be keeping a reasonable distance from them while still doing their best to protect them.

• The BROWN rectangle dead-center in the map is...the Elite Four's resort. Not exactly what you might call a fortunate place to be located, but it's easy to see why this might be considered prime real estate for both teams. You're likely to find members of both Team Aqua and Team Magma hanging around here, so be cautious!


A FEW OTHER SETTING NOTES:

• As per Arceus's summon, there will be Gen VI Pokemon joining the battle on their own! You may NPC these Pokemon, within reasonable limits; you may not capture them in Pokeballs, and they are still wild so they will not take commands from characters the way a captured Pokemon would from its trainer. However, they do recognize that the portaled-in humans are fighting on roughly the same side as they are, so they won't attack player characters and might occasionally come to their aid if need be — you're free to NPC them as you like for purposes such as this.

• The aforementioned Gen VI Pokemon can be any Pokemon that swarmed during September, plus any of their evolved forms. They've had several weeks in the wild to get buff and settle in; now you can see what they've got to show for it!

• You may NPC the Team Aqua and Team Magma Grunts as you see fit; either one can be found anywhere on the map, though Team Magma will be more highly-concentrated in the northern areas of the map, and Team Aqua will be keeping more to the south.

• There is no restriction on how many Aqua and Magma Grunts you may fight.

• You may fight members of both teams on this log if you so choose; you are not required to pick just one or the other to focus on for this particular log.

• You may forego Pokemon battling entirely and simply beat up the Grunts with physical violence yourself. If you KO a Grunt, they will white out and be warped to the nearest Pokemon Center back down in the regions proper, where they will be arrested by an officer of the Kangaskhan Police.

FOR CHARACTERS INTENDING TO USE HONEDGES LIKE WEAPONS: due to the high volume of questions we have received on this topic (it's a popular inquiry!), we want to clarify for this Pokemon in particular —

If you choose to use a Honedge as though it were a traditional sword, the most that the Honedges will allow might be slapping the grunts with the flat side of the blade. They are still opposed to attacking/killing humans, opponents or not, and if you try to stab an opponent with them, you're going to get a really obstinate ghost sword going incorporeal and ineffectively going through them. There's also the fact that you're grabbing them by the head and swinging them around — they won't like that very much.

PLEASE NOTE: if you intend to use a Honedge in this manner anyway, we may ask that you experience light IC consequences for it later in the plot! We're not barring you from getting your sword skills on with your Honedges; we're simply pointing out that there may be natural outcomes that follow from those choices.

UPDATE: if you would like to interrogate the grunts, check here for information you can learn from them!


~

☆ THE NUMBER TO MEET OR BEAT IS 50 PARTICIPANTS.

REMEMBER: IF YOUR CHARACTER DOES NOT POST TO THE INTRO CHALLENGE LOG AT LEAST ONCE
(AS A TOP-LEVEL COMMENT OR IN RESPONSE TO SOMEONE ELSE'S TOP-LEVEL COMMENT)
BEFORE 9:00 PM EST on OCTOBER 28, THEY WILL NOT COUNT TOWARD THE 50-PARTICIPANT GOAL!

~


QUICK LINKS

EVENT LINKS MASTERPOST | THE INTRO CHALLENGE INFOPOST | QUESTIONS FOR MODS | INTRO CHALLENGE PARTICIPATION CHECK-IN THREAD
in_praetego: <user name=signontheline> ([!!] | Why must I feel this way)

[personal profile] in_praetego 2014-10-29 06:41 am (UTC)(link)
No... my team's still here.

[ At that, the houndoom might just glance over its shoulder back at its trainer with one bark. Yuki just can't help but smile a bit at that. ]

One of the pokemon I had that came from the swarm flew off all of a sudden.. then there was father...

[ But he shakes his head as if to dismiss the thought. No, Father Fujimoto wouldn't be here. That was just his head messing with him, right? ]

Were you drawn here too?
in_praetego: ([?] A new beginning)

[personal profile] in_praetego 2014-10-29 06:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ Don't mind the momentary staring at the punting... but he snaps out of it when his own Houndoom seems to recognize that bark and comes a-loping over with a manner of Look ma, I'm a big dog now! ]

Oh. Maka.

[ Have a sheepish little grin. ]

I'm not really sure if he's here. Kizamime just flew off and I was following him when we ended up here.
lieutenantantichrist: (how my hair look)

[personal profile] lieutenantantichrist 2014-10-29 06:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Blake's just finishing off the second sandwich when Steve hops to her feet and sniffs the air. A minute later, he hears steps.

When the cat-dog-or-something-hairy-thing emerges, Steve crouches into a fighting stance. Blake doesn't bother to get up.

He gestures with the crust in his hand.]
If you're with one of those Team Lava assholes, hold your horses. I'll kick your ass in a minute.
in_praetego: <user name=signontheline> ([#] | Since I've seen the way)

[personal profile] in_praetego 2014-10-29 06:48 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's Airi that sees him first. Yukio has his attention turned away, ordering Shiva in a battle between two Magma grunts who thought that the lone kid sitting in the middle of the open with Chansey eggs was easy prey. It takes a few sleeve tugs as he's busy with a hyper potion on Shiva though but when he finally turns, there's a mixture of worry and relief that punches his gut. ]

Rin!

[ With that, he rushes over with Airi and an arm is slung around his shoulders to help him up and take him over to their little "camp". ]

What happened?
in_praetego: <user name=signontheline> ([!!] | Been a while since I could)

[personal profile] in_praetego 2014-10-29 06:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ There's a quick check of his own supplies though just to see. He wouldn't want to leave Riku without supplies, after all. ]

Probably just one more of each to be on the safe side. And... maybe a couple of full heals if it isn't any trouble.

[ A beat though to consider. ]

Is this Team Rocket's doing?
loveisanopendoor: (I won't judge)

[personal profile] loveisanopendoor 2014-10-29 06:58 am (UTC)(link)
After we finish up here, I'll let you meet a couple of them, I promise!
fauxtographs: (� incorrect)

[personal profile] fauxtographs 2014-10-29 08:43 am (UTC)(link)
That's quite a relief! Speaking of which, where on earth are the police? Are we really expected to take care of all this ourselves?

[...judging by the distinct lack of any (police) uniforms here...the answer to that is probably yes.

At least it's not an uncommon occurrence...]


I mean, we're admittedly doing an alright job of it, but these people seem like a bunch of lunatics!
fauxtographs: (� annoyed)

[personal profile] fauxtographs 2014-10-29 08:48 am (UTC)(link)
[Most of the Magma grunts have scrambled away at this point, apart from the unfortunate soul that Emmy has grabbed by the hood. He's gabbling away and waving his arms in the universal sign of 'I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING PLEASE DON'T HIT ME!!', and Lily is trying to tug one of his horns off.

Emmy doesn't look very impressed, but at least she isn't trying to hurt him.]


I don't know. I heard his voice through that portal, but it just...it doesn't make sense. When I left him, he was...well, he was in a place that he wouldn't be able to get out of very easily.

[She's trying to ignore the little fact that Johto doesn't really care about jail cells when it comes to capturing people, because that...that's totally irrelevant!]

Besides, this idiot can't give me a straight answer. He keeps talking about Cinnabar Island and his boss! I really couldn't care less about that!
fauxtographs: (� calm)

[personal profile] fauxtographs 2014-10-29 08:54 am (UTC)(link)
[She wouldn't phrase it in that manner, but Emmy is definitely of the opinion that this is one heck of a clusterfuck! Reducing her sprint to a jog, she makes her way up to Rideaux as Lily dashes over to help Soulcutter keep those grunts at bay. The combination of a tiny sword and a tiny dog will have them trembling!

...apparently, quite literally.]


Thanks! That was a nicely done, Doctor!

[She just can't seem to escape gentlemen who use swords! Not that that's too bad of a problem to have, anyway.]

I'm afraid I can't be of any help in regards to your question; I haven't heard anything on the news about...well, any of these people. Maybe if we ask some of them, they might tell us something?

[Especially if we threaten to sic our Pokemon on them, apparently...]
katostrophic: (Default)

[personal profile] katostrophic 2014-10-29 09:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Well, now he's most definitely interested in this person - both a Rocket, and a magic user? This should be good.

...he's going to try and ignore the fact that his Hydreigon just happily returned that wave with one of his...side-heads. What has he told you about being scary and intimidating, Hydra?!]


If that's the case, I had better introduce myself. My name is Dr Kato - I'm Dist's partner.

[Placing his hand on his chest, Kato inclines his head slightly...and tries to ignore the fact that his Hydreigon just mimicked him. We need to work on that whole 'scary and intimidating thing'...]

I take it you've been having some fun out here?
katostrophic: (POUT ☢ we're pretty and sick)

[personal profile] katostrophic 2014-10-29 09:14 am (UTC)(link)
[Falling silent for a moment, Kato contemplates the terrified girl lying between the blades of Gale's massive claw. While he's admittedly never been the best with people, there's something about her face that leads him to believe she's telling the truth. With Dist clearly willing to harm her, it would be stupid to lie...and in all honesty, these costumed idiots don't seem the sort who would hold their tongues in the face of such a threat.

This is going to get them nowhere. But how can he communicate that to Dist without him flying into a rage? He's heard the story of the Professor, and he's aware of how much she means to him. His emotional state likely isn't the best.

...

...perhaps this will work.]


...Saphir.

[Ignoring their prisoner, Kato leans forward so he can keep his voice low, his fingers gently squeezing into Dist's shoulder.]

I think you may have been tricked. It's alright, though.

You haven't failed her.
pipers_son: (leyline) (Also pencil in smooth jazz and)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2014-10-29 09:57 am (UTC)(link)
[Don't worry- if there's anyone who's not going to judge Korra for doing things "wrong", it's not going to be the redheaded man smacking an Aqua Grunt over the head with what appears to be a branch to get him away from the young woman.]

[Joker gives a cheery (although perhaps strained) grin over at Korra while a very pissed off Zoroark behind him starts snarling at anyone who has the bad idea of coming near the redhead.]


S'cuse me, Miss! [He promptly ducks a wayward Water Gun, but keeps talking.] Don't suppose I could ask ya a question?
lieutenantantichrist: (happy now bitch?)

[personal profile] lieutenantantichrist 2014-10-29 09:57 am (UTC)(link)
[Blake's standing, panting, with his shirt torn, over the unconscious body of somebody from The Aquarium Gang or whatever the fuck. As he shakes out his hand and looks around, he sees just a little bit of brown hair sticking up from behind a rock.

He goes over to investigate who it belongs to, and here "investigate" means "grab a fistful and yank."

It's that damn kid, the one who's always around talking about being a psychic. Blake never paid him much attention because he knows full well there's no such thing as psychic powers.

He also knows full well that there's no such thing as hearing ghosts.]


Hey. Miss fuckin' Cleo.

[When it comes to the supernatural, Blake's internal compass has two places to point: dismissive disbelief or fear.

Being scared makes him angry.]


Ain't that a hell of a coincidence, finding a so-called psychic around here.

[He gives him a short, hard shake.] You have five seconds to tell me what you have to do with this.
pipers_son: (I'm convinced that I'm the main)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2014-10-29 10:00 am (UTC)(link)
[Unfortunately, a pair of those grunts- in Aqua blue- seem to be approaching her.... Only for the uniforms to shift strangely and suddenly disappear in a shift of light revealing one of them to actually be a Zoroark while the other is Joker still clad in his ringleader attire.]

[He pulls out a Hi-Potion from within his cape with his one hand and gives a grin to his fellow redhead as he tosses it over.]


Got all lost, miss?
pipers_son: (icons-for-the-baes) (I didn't hate myself when I woke up)

B

[personal profile] pipers_son 2014-10-29 10:05 am (UTC)(link)
S'a good idea. Wish I'd thoughta it myself.

[Joker is trying to find a break himself, none too pleased at being mislead. He looks like quite a sight- a looming Goodra behind him with a Furret curled around her hissing aggressively. For the redhead himself, his usual circus makeup is all smeared, hiding the way he's got a bit of a shiner on his left eye. He's breathing a bit hard and shaking his poor bruised hand as he plops down nearby.]

Lemme guess- a bit a psychic shite for yerself as well?
pipers_son: (icons-for-the-baes) (I didn't hate myself when I woke up)

B

[personal profile] pipers_son 2014-10-29 10:08 am (UTC)(link)
Might not do much, Miss.

[Joker looks a god-awful mess and is, in fact, slightly scorched it appears. He's sporting a black eye and his one hand is bruised just about as bad. At his feet is a tiny little Mime Jr... who might just look a lot more dangerous with the bright way her eyes are glowing and the serious look on her face.]

[Neither of them are particularly happy with the turn of events, as is plainly obvious.]


Questionin' why we got dragged here? 'Cuz if they actually tell ya a damned thing, I'd like ta know myself.
pipers_son: (iconography) (Did you ever find your cellphone?)

B

[personal profile] pipers_son 2014-10-29 10:10 am (UTC)(link)
[Well, hopefully they recognize a certain familiar ringleader who's coming up close with his Charizard breathing fire between her fangs angrily. He seems just as disgruntled and just as tired as Ilya, along with the bonus of a black eye that he's gotten at some point.]

[As he sees that familiar shock of pale hair, he raises his one hand up high in greeting.]


Oi! Ilya! You too, eh?
Edited 2014-10-29 10:10 (UTC)
pipers_son: (insovereign) (Sometimes I stop laugh and think)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2014-10-29 10:15 am (UTC)(link)
[Are you getting into a fist fight with someone? Are you not getting into a fist fight and actually doing a proper battle with a grunt?]

[Don't worry- Joker can change that. Anyone battling with the Grunts can find the Brit suddenly popping up behind their Grunt of choice and give a sound kick right between the legs. That hurts no matter what bits are there- trust him he knows. As the Grunt crumples to the ground, he'll give a cheery grin to you.]

[Although it does seem a bit... strained. And he's sporting a black eye beneath his ruined circus makeup.]


Fun lot, ain't they?
pipers_son: (leyline) (Why did I wake up to an event)

[personal profile] pipers_son 2014-10-29 10:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Out of nowhere, a whirling ball of smoke slams down onto the battlefield, obscuring most of the Aqua Grunts and their Pokemon on land. There's the roar of a Charizard before the air slams forward in various Air Slashes.]

[The smoke billows away as Torch finally dives in and pulls up at the last second with her wings keeping her airborne. The type advantage doesn't seem to bother her a bit- she just snarls in vicious eagerness.]

[Using her shoulders as place to put her feet and gripping onto her head? One Joker who glances back to Jimmy with an exasperated sigh. Somehow, already, he has a black eye that's beneath his ruined makeup.]


So this is where ya had run off ta! I knew I'd find ya 'bout.
lackingbeauty: (COME AGAIN)

[personal profile] lackingbeauty 2014-10-29 11:44 am (UTC)(link)
Bloody 'ell, Joker-

[A far less cheery Brit is tailing him, and seeing as she has a whip in her hand and doesn't look happy at all- maybe best to stay clear? At least part of this makes sense to her- this is a physical altercation and not... Pokemon battles?]

At least knock 'em out proper like.

[Which she seems to think is by hitting them on the head, seeing what she does to the Grunt nearest her while he's reaching for a Pokeball.]
styxiedust: I'm just judging our friendship (Baffled ✿ I'm not judging you...)

C

[personal profile] styxiedust 2014-10-29 11:51 am (UTC)(link)
...

[Ow. That really hurt. She almost swings her bat at whatever hit her, but stops when she sees it's just a Pancham.

And she actually understood the Pancham-ese, so she starts chiding the little bear too for being rude. Once done with the usual Big Sister Mode, Botan looks up to Yusuke and gives him a strained smile.]


Well, Yusuke, I didn't expect to run into you like this.
soundmind: (I hope you step on a lego)

[personal profile] soundmind 2014-10-29 12:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[Holy--

Yeah, that was a thing. But she doesn't really care about the Grunt that fell to the ground, just...she sees Joker's face and scowls.]


You idiot!

[...And she steps over the Grunt to scold Joker for the black eye, digging a cloth out of her bag to wet with some cold water. The cloth is for wiping off his makeup, the bottle is capped so she can press it to his black eye.





One problem, though. Joker is tall and Maka is short.]


...Get down here.
soundmind: (Quiet ► Who turned out the lights?)

[personal profile] soundmind 2014-10-29 12:11 pm (UTC)(link)
No, I've never seen them before...but I doubt they're the ones that called us over here and brought up the portal. And I doubt they're the ones we're supposed to help, either.
soundmind: (Unsure ► Why am I wearing glasses)

[personal profile] soundmind 2014-10-29 12:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Veronica!

[So she's not the only one that was called. Hey, at least there's someone familiar to Maka.

The kicking is a little unexpected though, so please bear with her while she centers herself, hand automatically reaching out to find her Alakazam's head to pat it.

Well. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.]


Take out the trash. [Said to her Alakazam, it's just this command that's needed for Flash to raise up the fallen Grunts and Pokemon with his telekinesis and send them rocketing away from the girls.]

It looks like I am. Any idea who these guys are?
soundmind: (Explain ► Well if we're done here)

[personal profile] soundmind 2014-10-29 12:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Really? That's weird, I heard a voice calling me over.

[She's not sure if Yukio did, but he seems down to Earth so maybe he just...wants to keep what he heard to himself. Kali, in the meanwhile, bumps against Shiva--pleased, somewhat impressed that nervous boy actually managed to raise him properly.]

Well, that, and my Alakazam was freaking out a lot. I put him back in his ball for now, one of the few times he's let me do that this past month. [Maka casts a glance around the chaotic environment, though at least some of the Grunts have given them a wide berth since she started lashing out.] I have no idea who these guys are, but they seem to be some Rocket knock-offs trying to make trouble.

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