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Post by Wolfe on Oct 15, 2012 21:51:52 GMT -5
A lone biker sped along the vast sea of darkness, illuminating a ray of light within the landscape. Its rider, Marc, lowered himself, exhaled a stream of steamed air, and continued, undaunted. After a quick stop within the black market of Valedsea, he had topped off his supplies, enough for roughly one week. Rations, cash, and gasoline. Unfortunately for Marc, weapons were strictly outlawed within Aero - if any arms were found on imported containers, they were quickly seized by the port authorities. There were some cartels that did manage, somehow, to smuggle munitions through the Frozen Coast, but those were only sold at premium prices - and however rich the Iron Fist was, it couldn't afford to finance arms for each member.
Not that Marc needed any. Trained in martial arts, most people who knew him steered clear when he was frustrated. It was probably beneficial to their health that way.
Marc swerved just in time to avoid a collision with a speeding driver. Some arrogant idiot who didn't even know how to drive. He hated those people. Especially the rich brats. He cursed silently. His sole mission was to track down Mika and Isabella, and broker a business deal with the elusive woman. The Iron Fist needed Pokemon for fights. Quite badly, actually. Although their reputation preceded them, most weren't that harsh. Their sole purpose was to defend Aero from assimilation by the Celestial brutes. That conflict had brought quite a bit of bloodshed, although not yet apparent to the general public. It would be better that way.
They had been forced to more violent means, if only for the purpose of survival. Marc had taken power with a coup, placing a few hand-picked leaders onto the Council of Elders. Good people, who knew what had to be done.
Anyway, he had seen Isabella fly off, Mika in tow, toward the mountains. She may be powerful, but Marc knew she had her limits. He had last caught sight of the duo at sunset, a blot of darkness in a sea of color. Although he was tired, years of training had hardened him into a veteran, unyielding and fierce. And so, Marc accelerated, and swerved between the lanes, multiple drivers swearing at him and honking their horns. At the next ramp, he slammed the gas, and leapt into the mountainside, and into the welcoming darkness.
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Post by Sam on Oct 16, 2012 16:12:25 GMT -5
"Agent Cary, I've got a situation here."
"What is it, Tom?"
"Young boy, he's alone. Going along the road on a motorbike."
"Alright, I'll check it out."
"Over."
Agent Cary pressed a button on his earpiece, shutting it up from all outside noise. If anyone said anything, he wouldn't hear them, but neither would his prey. Pitch darkness surrounded him, but his eyes pierced the ground bellow, seeing perfectly, as if it was daylight. Cary was a Pokemorph, a very minor one, but still a Pokemorph. The only thing different about him were his senses. His eyes could see miles away and in pitch darkness, his ears could sense the fluttering wings of a bug that was twenty feet away, and he could smell everything. He didn't know what he was morphed from, but he knew that his family before had been more major, but he inherited only senses. No visual evidence. But that suited him. He was the most dangerous Celestial hunter, in charge of catching Pokemon and human alike. They were no different. But most importantly, he was to capture Pokemorphs. If he found one, then he would track them down until either he died, they died, or he had them in his possession. They were the most important, they could not achieve their goals without every one on their side.
He leaned forward just a little, signaling to his Staraptor, Strike, to move beneath the clouds. He did, not too much to be seen, but enough so Cary could see the ground. Scanning the area this boy was said to be seen, he spotted the headlights right away. Yes, this was the kind of guy that would carry Pokemon around. So, he'd just take them. And if he didn't have any or didn't give his up, then he would capture the boy. Maybe he would just make a clean job of it. But humans were harder to capture because they were so fragile. He didn't mind harming people, actually, he liked it, but too much harm could cause serious trouble for both him and the Celestial government. If he killed or injured beyond repair, he'd have to throw down hi job and go into hiding. Even like that, they would find him and kill him.
He nudged Strike gently with foot. The bird immediately leaned forward and went into a sharp decline. The joys of this ride had worn out on Cary, he'd done it so many times. So, he just put his head onto the warm, feathery back of Staraptor to stop his eyes from watering and to make them go faster. In a matter of seconds, he felt them slow down in the slightest, swoop up, then land on what seemed to be a very sturdy branch. Cary opened his eyes and jumped off of his Pokemon and onto the branch. With perfect balance, he jumped from tree to tree while Strike followed behind. He didn't see any cars roaring along this road as they would have done in daylight. Just the boy and a few outcasts. He smiled. This would be not only perfect, but easy.
He took a Pokeball, not the usual red and white, but colored like a green shell, from his jet black leather jacket and pressed the center button. It became bigger and he could feel the power of the Pokemon inside waiting to burst out. He took out a second, the Pokeball dark blue with a net covering it, this one's power more subdued, but getting ready for a mission. The boy was coming closer...closer...he was almost there...
Cary threw both Pokeballs out with master skill. They burst open in the air ans let out streams of light. The one that came from the turtle shell Pokeball was a gigantic, light blue beast. The second was much smaller, but its colors more deadly, and six legs instead of two. The Nidoqueen and the Ariados rushed forward as the boy sped towards them. The spider Pokemon jumped to the side and shot webs at the wheels of the motor bike. Nidoqueen jumped straight over, arms spread wide, claws out, attempting to tackle and trap the boy under a steel grip.
The hunter and Strike came after them, very silently, keeping into the shadows until they knew that they had caught their prey. If it failed, then the Pokemon would be returned to their Pokeballs and Cary would fly away on the back of his Staraptor and try again. But that rarely happened. And this time, they were looking good.
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Post by Wolfe on Oct 16, 2012 20:01:56 GMT -5
Marc hit the ground. Hard.
The bike, nearly flipping over, collided into a dead tree, decimating what was left of the plant. At first, his vision went black, obscuring all sight of outward sources. The titanium alloy of his vehicle had only been dented - an easy fix once he was out of danger. Marc shook his head, looking around carefully. The wheels. A thick strand of woven threads had basically thrown the bike off of its balance. It could've been an incident, but he knew better.
Team Celestial was back.
Obviously, Marc was on their hitlist, but of all people? He scanned his surroundings. His bag had spilled. Food had been spilled everywhere. Banknotes lay scattered. No matter. Those could be easily replenished - the Iron Fist could easily forge currency, without detection. The bike was another issue altogether, though. Although collateral damage was slight, getting the engine started again may prove to be trouble. In the distance, a surging roar rocked the forest. Someone - or something was tracking him, and they were closing in fast. He was outnumbered, and badly. Fighting his way out was definitely not on the table. He stood up, shakily, and strode over to where the wheels of the bike lay, clogged up with webbing. Obviously natural, as opposed to synthetic material. The work of a bug type Pokemon, naturally. There was obviously a human commanding the creature. But where was he?
Moving hastily, he hefted his bike, and hid it under cover of a nearby bush, and doused it in water. Another shook the forest, this time louder. Closer. He knew he was running out of time. Out of desperation, with no other alternative, Marc grabbed the canister of gasoline. With a heavy "clank", it burst, spilling black liquid everywhere. On the trees, in the ground, soaking the bushes. Marc struck a match, and throwing it back casually, sprinted away from the scene. Behind him, the flames roared, devouring the forest behind him. It spread, faster than ever, leaping from tree to tree, scorching a path behind him, and into the path of Cary. He walked calmly, not looking back, a smug look on his face.
Ardebit et inferno, culus
Burn in hell, asshole.
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Post by Sam on Oct 16, 2012 21:49:35 GMT -5
Nidoqueen roared with rage as her attack missed the boy. She just managed to twirl to the side to avoid collision with the motorbike. She tumbled over on the ground, but never lost her head for a moment. She got up on one knee and looked over her shoulder. Gasoline. So, the boy was going to start a fire. In seconds, the burning flames were blazing in front of her. She stared at the red fire with no expression as she slowly got up from the ground. She was shaking, not with rage or fear, but with the feeling of power bursting from her body.
Just behind Nidoqueen, Ariados slowed his super paced walk. His six legs turned quickly as he heard the roaring of flames come from behind him. Cary had told him not to be afraid of anything. And he wasn't...except fire. Never, ever would Ariados go up to battle with a fire type, not even a mere Magby for that reason. He didn't know why, but was told that Cary saved him from a fire that he had set to trap some people in a house. But he didn't let that fear show. Turning around, he scuttled back to Cary at the fastest pace he had. Quickly climbing onto Staraptor, Cary returned him without a glance behind. He knew his Pokemon's fear of fire. And he respected that.
Of course, if one of his Pokemon was deadly afraid of fire, a hunter would have to do something about it. It had taken much practice, but he'd finally done it. Nidoqueen was like a female Ares to him. She knew the war moves, the ones that took down those in her way. Ariados was the trapper, immobilizing them long enough for Cary to find them and capture them. Then Staraptor was like everything else. Carried them around, attacked from above, and could trap or stop an escaping victim. And right now, it was Nidoqueen's to shine.
"Neptune, we need to follow him! You know what to do!"
Neptune nodded and began concentrating energy. She felt the air around her...the moisture all around. She pulled it into her body and it multiplied in the energy that was bursting to be released. She closed her eyes and threw out her arms. Then she roared and jumped forward, eyes snapping open, blazing with determination. From the ground, a solid wave of water rushed forward and caught her in her jump. It surrounded her and she carried it towards the flames. Any other non water type Pokemon using Surf would have been frightened by the towering flames she was descending into. But she was controlled and rushed into the roaring heat with a vengeance.
The roaring of the flames began to lessen as the Surf spread across the line of fire until there was nothing left. Neptune was on her feet already and running towards Marc, her form beginning to glow brown. Before she got halfway, she slammed her body into the ground and cracks shot along the earth towards Marc. Right in front of him, the earth blew up in a tremendous Earth Power attack. At the same time, Cary sent out Ariados right next to Marc. He raised his legs and opened his mouth in preparation to shoot webs.
Strike soared in, overhead with Cary behind him. He was smiling. "Now, boy, I want you to put your hands in the air or Venus will hurt you. Surrender, you've lost!"
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Post by Wolfe on Oct 17, 2012 12:37:02 GMT -5
Marc's face was grim, singed by flames. He cursed, quite loudly, seeing that his ploy had failed. But Marc never gave up. And however bad the circumstances were, he had to at least try something. As bad as his luck was, he wasn't going to go down without a fight. Although outnumbered and outgunned, he had one thing that his opponent did not. Strategy. To face both Nidoqueen and Ariados directly would be suicide, and he knew it clearly. But...what if...they couldn't see him?
His thoughts of escape were stopped by a sudden wall of earth forming directly in front of him. Molten magma spewed from where the structure had formed, singing the ends of Marc's shirt. He cursed. Too obvious - he had to flank them, but how?
The man-sized spider reappeared right next to him. At least, he knew now, that it was deathly afraid of flames. That might help. In response to the man's order, Marc shook his head, defiantly. "Sorry, buddy, but you'll have to go through heaven and hell to find me! vale, amicus!" Acting quickly, he kicked his pouch into the air, seizing a small, silver container that had a huge spray nozzle. Quickly, he threw it into the ground, the impact from the collision breaking open and releasing its contents. Tear gas - and a smokescreen.
Running as fast as humanly possible, he retrieved his lighter, and threw it toward the vague shape of Ariados. Hopefully that would stall it for a bit. Marc took cover behind a tree, and morphed, his features become more refined, growing taller and taller. Turning back, the Gallade fired off a thin purple slice of psychic energy, humming with an immense amount of power. It flew true, and in moments, it was close, very close, to colliding with the blue shape of Nidoqueen. But Marc wasn't around to see it - the Gallade had already retreated into the darkness.
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Post by Sam on Oct 17, 2012 13:50:27 GMT -5
Strik clicked his open beak shut and spread his wings wide, slowly floating out of the smokescreen. Cary already had his shirt over his mouth and nose and his eyes squeezed shut. They had an escape just above them. They were lucky. Venus and Neptune weren't. They were caught right in the middle of the gas explosion and were already closing their eyes. But Cary was out of it. His eyes were worth all three of his Pokemon's put together. Raking the area with his Pokemorph eyes, he watched Marc run away from the cloud of black, then looked back into the great mass of darkness to seek out his Pokemon.
Bellow, the two Pokemon were having some kind of a hard time. If they hadn't been Poison types, they would have surely been weakened by the gas then burned by the lighter and hit by the psycho cut. But Neptune, being a quick thinker, saw the flash of the lighter through her tearing eyes and leaped forward, grabbed it, and threw it behind her. It splashed into wet mud and went out. She looked down at her hand, which was now burned and stinging. She gritted her teeth and pulled through. Venus had his legs pulled over his head to protect himself from the gas. He wasn't afraid, but he wanted to make sure that when he shot his webs at the boy, his aim would be true. Neptune snatched him off the ground and, despite her wobbling feet, launched herself out of the musky cloud, just missing the attack. As soon as the gas was away, Venus pulled himself away and scurried towards Marc on his six legs, trying to find Marc. His night vision eyes scanned the darkness, trying to find a boy running away, but there was nothing. Just a Gallade in the distance...
A Pokemorph. The boy was a Pokemorph. That's where the Psycho Cut had come from. That's how the boy had gotten away so quickly. There was no other explanation.
Strike and Cary floated down towards Venus and Neptune. Venus was standing, staring into the place were Marc had disappeared and Neptune was groaning on the ground, tears flowing out of her eyes, cradling a burned hand. Feeling a tiny bit of guilt for sending her into that, Cary returned her to the Dusk Ball. He also returned Venus to his Net Ball, then looked around at the wreckage. Time for the inspection and the tracking. He;d done this with a few of his victims, all of which he found rather quickly. Bu Marc seemed different. He'd caught Cary's attention and he wanted, desperately, to catch him. Walking over to the wreckage of the motorbike, he began rummaging around. Just some food, burned money, and the empty tank of gasoline. Nothing of interest. No Pokeballs or money to be used. There were actually a few dollar coins that Cary quickly pocketed, so he decided to get tracking. Squatting next to the bike, he took a great whiff of its scent. He could smell metal, definetly, fire, smoke, and human...and Pokemon. But he couldn't find the material they made Pokeballs out of. And that's what gave him away.
Cary used different methods to figure out if his prey was Pokemorph or not. One of them was to, obviously, try to trigger a Morph, or get them to expose themselves. Another was the one he used now. He didn't use this method often as he usually couldn't get close enough to smell them so thoroughly. But if something like this happened, he tried to find the scent of Pokeballs if there was the scent of Pokemon lingering there. If no Pokemon were present with the target and there was no smell of Pokeballs, which there wasn't, then the target was a Pokemorph. He didn't know which, but he was almost sure Venus knew. He'd use the translator he'd stolen from the Pokemon lab.
Cary's growled under his breath that he let something so valuable get away. Climbing aboard Strike, he leaned forward towards the bird's head. He whispered to Strike, very quietly, "Up," and the Staraptor spread his wings and jumped into the air. They shot straight up, as fast as they had coming down and, soon, they were in the clouds. He decided it was safe enough to turn on the radio again.
"Tom."
"Mission successful sir?"
"No, Tom. The boy's a Morph. Track him, we are in no condition to follow him at this moment. We're coming back to base right now."
"Yes sir."
"And Tom? Be warned. The boy is powerful and very clever."
"Yes sir."
"Over."
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Post by Wolfe on Oct 17, 2012 21:32:20 GMT -5
Marc trod over the now-soaked trees of the decimated forest. He was indifferent, although he had made a fatal mistake. That man now knew his identity. A Pokemorph. No doubt, that man was an agent of Celestia, they way he spoke, the Pokemon that went with him. He would need to carry more protective measures from now on...
The forest was damp, yet it still smelled rather singed. The trees around him were burnt, but their leaves remained green. He'd have to drop by the HQ in Calava - his supplies were mostly diminished, although he had gathered some information on his adversary. He preferred tactics over brute force, espionage above front-line tactics. Now that was unusual for a member of Team Celestial...or perhaps, he was just a rogue Pokemon hunter, like Mika...no matter. In time, he would take care of that issue. Like everything else...
He had reached the original point where his bike lay, dented, but working. Taking out a pair of pliers, he carefully disassembled the wiring within, and then struck them together. Sparks flew, and the engine roared to life. Marc smiled, albeit bitterly. He had learned this trick during his dark days...the times where he had gotten by with thieving and trickery.
He mounted the silver motorcycle, and salvaged what was left of his original supplies. Taking one last look at the surroundings, he gunned the engine, and, with a roar, sped farther away, toward Isabella and Mika, and toward Calava City. He didn't look back.
END THREAD
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