Topic: RPM POKEMON ADVENTURE THING

[Quickman]

"Don't play dumb," Domino folded her arms.  "You may have escaped Mount Quena unscathed, but you're not the only ones who remember."  She resumed her pacing.  "It took a hypnotherapist to drag those memories back to the surface.  I had to do this off of Giovanni's payroll, and it almost cost me my job, because I had to label it as PTSD!"  She whirled around and slapped both palms flat on the table.  "That big chunk of missing time is not something you just ignore."

[White-Jet]

The trio cringe and look to each other, realizing that if they kept up the farce any longer, they'd be forced into the same session which would only result in more embarrassment and lack of involvement in future Team Rocket scandals.

James eventually muffles a growl and springs to his feet, pumping his fist in aggravation, "Alright fine!  If you really must know, we were intending to steal Mewtwo back after finding out what he did to the boss, but we got sidetracked by that no-good numbnut, Carr, who stole the cards we've been using to steal the Pokemon in that town!"

Meowth irks nervously as Jessie bounces up and pumps her fist in equality.

"That's right!  That traitor, Carr found that floundering white Skitty and used it to rip the cards off our backs!" she protests, "If it weren't for him, we would have used the power those cards granted us to restrain that abomination and haul him back to our boss to be properly punished for his crimes!"

Meowth struggles not to cringe as he slowly attempts to duck under the table to avoid forcefully agreeing with his human companions.

[Quickman]

Domino laughed.  She laughed for an uncomfortable length of time, then finally calmed down.  She took a deep breath and turned away to speak into her radio.  After a few moments, the same grunt appeared at the door and handed Domino a file before turning to leave.  Leafing through it, Domino resumed her pacing, then turned on her heel and slapped a picture onto the table.  The photo was of a bespectacled young woman with short green hair.  "Do you recognize this woman?"

[Dr. Wily II]

Joe had been in the obersavtion room, watching the interrogation between Domino, and a motley crew of Team Rocket agents. With a talking Meowth. He didn't know who the hell these agents were, but Domino seemed intent on interrogating them... Perhaps they aren't as motley as they seem? Still... A talking Meowth!?

[White-Jet]

The two stared at the photo as Meowth continues to sink further under the table.  Though Jessie glares at the photo with infuriating jealousy, James confidence began to fall into the same category as Meowth, becoming unsure of how far Domino was going to push their memory until they uncover the other trainers that were with Mewtwo.

"Is...is that you during your high school years...?" James mutters nervously towards Domino.

[Quickman]

"Of course not!" Domino snapped.  "I'm a natural blonde, with perfect eyesight."  She cleared her throat and pointed to the picture.  "I have witnesses who place this woman in a battle with you three.  You fought her and her scraggly stray Meowth that she picked off the street not more than a day before."  Domino finally sat down and thumbed through the rest of the file.  "Her name is Lexi Shank, also known as 'Quickie' for whatever reason," she muttered something under her breath before continuing, "and she's a business owner from Saffron City.  This woman is also the most affected by Mewtwo's mind control.  That beast has her on a very tight leash, so what I want to know is," she looked up at Jessie and James, "how did she act when her 'master' wasn't present?"

[White-Jet]

Hearing Domino claim that Mewtwo is a manipulator almost made Meowth jump out from under the table and protest only to be slammed back to the floor by Jessie's foot against his back.

"I'll tell you how she acted," she seethed, "Like a whiny little brat; shoving pictures into our face while claiming he trusts her as a trainer and insisting we help her get him back just because he claimed we had helped him fight off our own organization when we spent the majority of this conflict behind bars!"

She pumps her fist to the point of forcing a vein through the back of her glove, "I was happy to put the little upstart in her place if it meant keeping that abomination of an experiment in Team Rocket's mitts long enough to get their vengeance and show him why no one, Pokemon or human, messes with the likes of Team Rocket!"

Meowth turned his head towards his aggravated, female companion, unsure of what she was thinking putting Team Rocket's cruel ambitions before someone she obviously respects as an individual, but is too outwinded and terrified of what might happen to object to her tirade.

[Dr. Wily II]

Although unable to see the photo Domino placed on the table, Joe got her the name of the subject.

"Lexi... Quickie... Mewtwo's most manipulated individual... In order to free her... We must captured Mewtwo..."

Joe glasped again, his Raticate's PokeBall.

[Quickman]

"So, completely and utterly lost," Domino nodded slowly, "mainly concerned with getting back to her master."  She sighed and shook her head slowly.  "It's sad, really, if you think about it.  That woman can't even think on her own, anymore.  Everything revolves around her master's will.  Mewtwo had completely broken her, and honestly," she gave an all-encompassing shrug, "I don't think there's any way to break that link and undo the damage that Mewtwo had caused."

[White-Jet]

"So...what're you thinking we should do about this...?" James mutters nervously, predicting the worse possible decision that would further provoke Mewtwo to retaliate in a savage rage.

[Quickman]

"Well," Domino tucked the picture back into the file and closed it, "obviously capturing Mewtwo is hellish.  I'm sure you still remember Mount Quena and the trouble we went through there..."  She trailed off, smirking.  "And when we had it again, it managed to deal thousands of dollars worth of damage.  Right now, engaging it directly isn't an option."  She put the file on the table and stood, resuming her pacing.  Walking over to the two-way mirror, she peered through it.  "But, if we capture its slave, it will come to us.  And it will bring its friends."  Domino smiled at the mirror before turning around.  "You've met Mewtwo's slave.  Go and work your charms and get that woman to us.  Her master will surely follow."

[White-Jet]

James and Meowth compressed their lips in concern while Jessie slams her foot on the table and pumps her fist for what seemed like the third time.

"Don't you fret!  We'll make sure that horrid experiment feels exactly how we suffered when it tried to destroy our only means of surviving in this wretched economy!"

She then grabs her two cohorts and hauled them out of the room, intending to put their so-called "plan" into action.

[Ahrzayl]

Ahrzayl grumbled and stood up, making a pouty face at Heirophant. She walked toward and past him, needing to get to the bridge. She may be a freak but she still had duties as the captain. Besides, there was someone there that she needed to talk to. Still beat up about the truths that had come out, Ahrzayl paced past her friends without saying a word. When she arrived on the Bridge, she didnt even saying anything to Julia at the moment for they steadily brought the ship closer to the ground, following silent procedures. The Superia touched down in a clearing near the route that lead to Fuchsia City and decloaked itself only to disguise itself as an abandoned radio building. The engines powered down and the side hatch folded down for exiting.

"Hey...Ahr. I called the police. They'll be coming to get Steiner." Julia said as she finished shutting her console down.

"What? But I need answers from him. I need to know...so many things. Where I came from, what I'm capable of, why Team Rocket wanted me, and just what exactly I am." Ahrzayl groaned.

Julia chuckled and put her headset down on her board, spun to face Ahrzayl and walked over to her. She was still lookeing down when Julia put her hands on both arms of the chair and got face to face with her. She smiled.

"Ahr, you came from being raised by a loving mother that even at the cost of her life, she tried protecting you. You're capable of great things. I've seen it with my own eyes. We were able to escape a whole organization thanks to you. Rocket wanted you because you're special and I know that's the truth I believe. And what are you? You're Ahrzayl, just you. I love you just the way you are. Freaky space alien or not." Julia giggled making Ahrzayl follow suit. "And I'm sure the others will accept you too." Julia said sofly as she slowly got closer.

Ahrzayl wasn't only feeling better but was really feeling it. She closed her eyes and moved closer too. The anticipation was so great that she swallowed hard but continued on. Just at the moment Ahrzayl was about to have her mind blown, a pair of lips pressed against her forehead. Ahrzayl furrowed her eyebrows, not expecting the outcome but managed to accept it as she was indeed feeling much better. She smiled and brought Julia in for a hug. They held eachother for about a minute then released.

"Come on, I bet they're waiting to getting going." Julia said as she grabbed Ahrzayl's hand.

"Alright, alright. I'll go." Ahrzayl giggled and got up to follow Julia.

[Quickman]

Mewtwo watched as Ahrzayl and Julia emerged from the flight deck.  He gave a knowing nod to Ahrzayl and isolated his telepathy so that only she could hear.  "The circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant.  It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.  Do take care to remember that."  With that, he turned and made his way down the corridor.

[White-Jet]

Hierophant watched as Ahrzyal eventually made her way back to the bridge, still feeling down about the sudden shock of her true origins.  He looks towards Ryo, Posu and Nega as they followed after her, stopping a moment to glance towards him before continuing onward, prompting him to follow after just to make sure she was feeling better.

They arrived just outside the bridge, watching as the only trusting member of her crew, Julia, doing a better job of calming her down before the two embraced in what seemed like a forgiving hug before making their way out of the room.  As he was preparing to escort the cheering trio out of the way, he notices Mewtwo appear on the other end, watching as the two came out.

He seemed to be staring at Ahrzyal, most likely wanting to talk to her telepathically, before disappearing down the corridor.  He wanted to say something himself, but it seemed everyone took all the available morals and he would only be parroting what they had already said, so he figures it was best to just smile towards her presence and take the cheering trio to locate the rest of the trainers that had boarded the ship since the fiasco back at Stone Town.

He decides to stop by Wily's quarter's first, as he remembered that Merrick hadn't left his person since that incident in the engine room.  He seemed to be bothered by something lurking withing Wily's conscience and didn't want to leave until he uncovered what it was and possibly drive it out of his soul.  Hierophant can only hope whatever that entity is hasn't noticed the card and attempt to rip it off in the most violent way possible.

[Dr. Wily II]

Joe noticed Domino approach the 2-way mirror, and heard her next plan of action. To capture Quickie. But wait. Wasn't capturing Mewtwo the priority? Hearing Domino's explanation of luring Mewtwo using Quickie still got to him. However, perhaps the technology of Team Rocket can help Quickie out of Mewtwo's control. It has to... Right?

Feeling the ship land, Dr. Wily II slowly got off the bed. Still unaware that Merrick was still attached to his back, Dr. Wily II slowly limped onwards, still smirking.

Inside Dr. Wily II's mind...

Snag.  The lantern of the Hermit is flung back into the darkness of Wily's soul as the rope of the Hanged Man yanks his conscience upside down, discombobulating whatever was going through his mind as another energy creeps its way towards it; a long scythe with a eerie skull at its side.

Death: psychological transition; bringing end to what the soul accepts and forcing it down a path it clearly didn't choose; eliminating what it no longer needs.

Merrick grits his teeth as the scythe arches behind the skull and prepares to swing it at Wily's inner conscience while it continues to dangle upon the tree that snagged it.  Without further thinking, he brings his staff out and points it at the oncoming scythe, causing both its orb and the corners of his card to glow brightly as he attempts to use his pure White Magic to drive the intruding source of Death out of Wily's conscience.

Death notices his scythe was hindered, and turned to face the source. Noticing a faint glow, it decides to leave his prey for now, and find the intruder.

[White-Jet]

Hierophant arrived in time to see WilyII limp out of the room, seeming even more out of it than usual with the exception of what appears to be a smirk protruding from the near obscurity of his mustache.  Though he should trust Merrick's decision to stay glued to his back, he couldn't help but wonder how he was feeling at the moment.

"Is everything okay, doctor?" he asked.

Back inside the darkness of WilyII's back, Merrick sees the Tarot Energy representation of Death becoming distracted by the intrusion of his White Magic.  It didn't seem to be doing enough to drive it away, but perhaps he could keep it busy until someone with similar conscience-reading abilities becomes aware of the oppressive personality and use a powerful means of driving it out.

Merrick concentrates harder on his staff and the card transferring its magical energy towards healing the conscious, causing the edges to glow brighter and catch Hierophant's attention that something was seriously wrong.

This should have been his time to act, but with only him and the cheering Pokemon around to witness the suspicious nature protruding from WilyII, he didn't want to risk provoking the unknowingly shifting doctor into attacking him and endangering his responsibilities.  Reluctantly, he keeps his distance from the doctor and allows him to continue onward, moving to bring his hands together in preparation of forming his staff in case he does get jumped on.

[Dr. Wily II]

Inside, Death noticed the glow slowly growing in intensity, and began to flinch at the sheer brightness. Retreating, it quickly raised its scythe, and slashed at Dr. Wily II's chest, leaving behind a wound in his conscience.

...

Outside, Dr. Wily II limped on, and past Hierophant. The red aura in his eyes slowly dissappeared, as with his smirk, as he slowly lifted his head to face Hierophant. "I'm fine... I guess the hectic week took a lot out of me more than I initially thought..."

[White-Jet]

Whatever was controlling WilyII seemed to have retreated after Merrick intensified his White Magic, but the fact the card still hasn't left his person seems to indicate that he noticed something left behind by that source that he feels he should observe and figure out some way of getting rid of it without reawakening his eerie change.

Hierophant felt it was best to leave the situation to Merrick and scratches the back of his head, "Well, we're at Fuchsia City right now, and there's a Pokemon Center close by.  Maybe you could rest some more there if they don't let you stay here a while longer."

[Dr. Wily II]

Inside... The wound quickly healed, leaving behind a scar, that seemed to glow maliciously red before the glow disappeared completely.

...

Outside...
"Fuchsia City... That sounds like a good idea... Maybe... Maybe some fresh air will do the trick too..."

[White-Jet]

Though distrustful that it has completely vanished, Merrick decides he shouldn't keep lingering on WilyII's back, knowing that someone other than Hierophant and his Pokemon would be  point out his presence and prompt the seemingly manipulated doctor into prying him off.  He slowly and quietly pulled himself loose and slinks back over to said group, hoping his departure hasn't reopened the psychological scar gashed into his conscience.

Hierophant eyed Merrick's departure before turning his attention back to WilyII, "We should hurry, then.  Everyone should be near the exit by now."

He then escorts the trio towards their intended destination, though Merrick remains slow to follow, looking back towards WilyII before eventually picking up speed.

[Dr. Wily II]

"Alright... I'll be there shortly..." As Dr. Wily II watched Hierophant's group walking off, and making sure that they were completely out of sight, his head droped again, and a familiar smirk appeared.

Inside... The scar glowed again, and continued into a sort of blinking pattern.

Outside...
"Finally... You left... Card... Trying to seal me away? Not going to happen... I will have some fun... Yes... Like taking down a certain Team Rocket...

When Dr. Wily II raised his head again, his eyes were emanting a familiar malicious red aura...

[Quickman]

Quickie strode outside, followed closely by Mewtwo.  She readjusted her backpack and glanced over her shoulder.  "We should consider crashing at a Pokemon Center.  You're still fighting off an infection."

Mewtwo nodded, though he did not dignify it with a verbal response.  He felt rested, as he was able to sleep, but after the excitement on the ship and exertion of his powers, he could feel that fuzzy-headed, heavy-eyed feeling creep back in.  Though, he was able to keep the coffee down, which surprised him.  He yawned and rubbed his eyes, turning to look to see if the others have emerged yet.

[White-Jet]

Merrick attempts to look towards Wily while still keeping the back of his card facing him, realizing the ominous aura had returned, but currently feels he couldn't do anything about it without staying on his back for a lot longer than either of them were willing to tolerate.

The group eventually made it outside, accompanied by Synthis and Genbu who encountered them after heading back to the borrowed quarters to get Hierophant's magical duffel bag, quickly noticing Chariot and his crew heading north of the city.  While Merrick and the cheering trio stayed behind, more bothered by what had been going on than wanting to wait for everyone else, Hierophant, Synthis and Genbu trot out to catch up with the high-spirited knight upon noticing Tarot Skitty sprawled across Excalibur's back.

"You got Tarot back?" Hierophant asked.

"It wasn't easy," Chariot grumbled, "But considering how banged up that dwarf and his Pokemon were, it wasn't too hard for Danny to break loose and fly into Tarot's mouth."

"What about the other cards?"

"That was the hard part," Chariot growls while rubbing the back of his helmet in frustration, "Danny tried to get the other cards back, but that Skarmory fought back and took off before he could get any closer from where he jumped into Tarot.  Which means once that dwarf gets his energy and senses back, he'll most definitely come looking for Mewtwo and force him under his control."

Danny lands on Chariot's shoulder, "Let him try!  We got Tarot Skitty back!  Once he shows up, we'll use it to rip the cards right off his and his Pokemon's body, then he'll be just as powerless as the rest of those Team Rocket grunts!"

"I hope we can even get that far," Hierophant sighs, "Things had gotten hectic on that ship that barely anyone's been able to sleep through the night."

Chariot humphs before shoving his hand into Hierophant's back and pushing him towards the entrance at the north end of the city, "Looks like you could use a little sightseeing then.  Since the Safari Zone has been replaced by some attraction called a Pal Park, there's bound to be something there that'll ease your mind until that other fiasco pokes his demented head in."

Hierophant tries to protest, but the rambunctious knight continues to push him towards the entrance, prompting the more exasperate grass Pokemon to follow suit, hoping this would help them unwind rather than crashing in the Pokemon Center for the night.

[Ahrzayl]

Ahrzayl and Julia stepped down next, half looking for the pokemon that came to her near the landing gear and Heirophant. Knowing they'd be out somewhere, she walked over to Quickie and Mewtwo. Julia stopped her for a second.

"Hey, I'm gonna stay behind and look after the ship, okay? That and airlock Steiner's room till the police show up." Julia giggled. "You guys head to the city and get down what they came here to do."

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Ahrzayl asked.

"Um, hello? When have I not been okay? Miss, I'll Be Okay." Julia laughed at Ahrzayl's concern and hugged her. "You just have fun and be good. You can tell me all about it when you get back."

"Well...alright." Ahrzayl hugged back and let Julia go back inside.

After she dissapeared behind the doorway, waving, Ahrzayl continued on to the duo.

"Hey uhh...I wanted to thank you guys, all off you for what you all did back there. I was blind to a lot it seems. Sorry it's been such a rough ride." Ahrzayl said, smiling nervously.