Episode 1: A Stranger In Familiar!

[fallers_npcs]

Today on Melemele, there has been a strange and rash sequence of events!

Officer Jenny has been busy, as a series of thefts has been noted across the city. The wealthy industrialist Viren has been targeted several times with valuables relating to the Pokemon Groudon.

As researchers are coming into the town today to help work on the Ultra Hole situation, on invite of the Aether Foundation, it seems that someone might have slipped through into the town. A certain woman in green might have been spotted in several of Viren's locations before a theft has been seen.

Some people might be starting to get uneasy about the influx of people. Perhaps it's time to investigate some of these rumors that a thief might have made their way onto the island...

Comments

[adora_plz]

Sorry Ellen, Adora's got magical girl dibs!

When the alarms sounded, Adora was out of bed immediately.

When the giant rose into the view, Adora was out the door and down Hala's pavement, releasing Fred. Leaping onto his back, they galloped down the road, sword on her back.

"C'mon Fred, move, move!"

Riding Fred into view, she screeched to a halt as she whistled. "That is a huge Pokemon. All right, Fred, let's do this! Charge!"

Drawing her sword, she exclaimed, "FOR THE HONOR OF GREYSKULL!"

Thunder clapped as she transformed into She-Ra and with a crackle of light, she and Fred were engulfed in light. Fred gained battle armor as the pair rammed into the Skarmory's leg, causing it to topple backwards from the webbing that was being wrapped. It screeched and buffered the area with winds.

[blue_ice]

Some Fallers are heroes. Some are cowards. And then there's the bystanders who are just trying to get through their days without getting into too much trouble. This is the story of the latter.

Kaiba and his two small Pokémon were out for a stroll when the ground shook, and a giant...metallic dragon-chicken erupted out of nowhere. He'd seen enough kaiju movies to know that sticking around is generally a Bad Idea, but then a man in a spandex suit swung by, and the girl and her Fred galloedp right past him out of some magical girl anime...

He cursed under his breath and tried to run for it, only to find himself clinging to a nearby light pole against the onslaught of wind. Kisara wrapped herself around his arm, but Goomy...little Goomy had another idea.

She slithered onto the scene spraying bubbles, determined to help in whatever little way she could. Kaiba crouched low and chased after her, frantically shaking his head.

[hearts_beat]

Okay, now everything is going crazy! And with people getting flung about, racing in, causing trouble and just about causing all sorts of crazy stuff.

"Okay... I think I can't hide about any longer. Time to play things out." Ellen said, going for her Cure Module as her Fairy Tone, Lary, floated by her side.

"Let's Play! Precure Modulation!"

In a split second (or in that video clip above), Ellen was quickly replaced with Cure Beat.

It's starting to become a cosplay contest in here!

[shadowslipping]

It's definitely a cosplay contest. Yuume, who had frankly been staying un-'transformed' where possible, takes one look at the Skarmory from Jenny's police car and swallows.

That spider guy is jumping right in, with at least two others, and is that her great uncle-

"...Officer, if it's alright, I'm going to open a call to you on my glove, she shouts, darting forward with Audino yet tucked into her ball. "I'll explain on the move!"

Taking a sword to a Ditto is probably inhumane. Also it might not even work and those beady eyes are alarmingly evident. But she rushes forward anyway, and through the opened call on the glove can be heard a whistle for the ditto's attention. "PwwwwEEET! DOWN HERE!"

Look at her, a totally defenseless civilian! Don't you just want to step down?

She's pretty blatantly acting as bait- those near with good vision might even catch the shadows seem to roll at her feet.

[acmellash]

With the Air Raid Sirens being rang, it wasn't long till Ash arrived on the scene, dressed in what appeared to be his sleeping clothing, having hauled himself out of bed.

Hat on head, Pikachu on his shoulder, and Pokemon at his side, he exclaimed, "That's a huge Skarmory!" Before double-taking. "Wait, that's a Ditto!"

Rotom-dex exclaimed, "It's massive! This is a Dynamax!"

"Dynamax?" asked Ash, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Dynamax: A form of powered evolution found primarily in the Galar Region! Dynamax is a powerful form change that changes the Pokemon into a massive state and gives them incredible strength and power for a limited time! You can even use Z-Moves and Mega Evolution during this time! Be careful everyone!" Exclaimed Rotom to everyone around the place.

"Sounds like a challenge, let's do this! Everyone come out!" Ash summoned his Pokemon -- Torracat, Lycanroc, Meltan, Rowlet who was actually awake for once in this disaster. And Pikachu jumped off his shoulder. "The rest of the Ultra Guardians are clearing the town, so let's get to this!"

His Pokemon all agreed with a shout and he exclaimed his orders. "Pikachu, Quick Attack! Lycanroc, Accelrock! Torracat, Fire Blast! Rowlet, Seed Bomb! Meltan, Flash Cannon!"

[darkenedmoon]

Yotsuyu had been asleep until the air raid sirens. Now, she was on a helicopter, accompanying Lusamine to the site of the disturbance. Nor was she particularly sanguine about the experience. (She might be more interested about the helicopter were it simply a tour, and were she not seeing the very large metal bird-thing as they approached over the buildings.)

She leapt out of the machine, holding Gosetsu in her arms and preceding the President. Yotsuyu was not given to run towards the fray, considering, but her Oshawott had other ideas.

Gosetsu practically yelled "WOTT!" as he scrambled out of her arms, running towards the extremely large beast. Though she was terrified, she ran after him.

"Gosetsu, be careful!" she cried. She could hear Ash yelling orders to his Pokemon from where she was, glanced up at the Skarmory, then at Gosetsu.

"Gosetsu, Tail Whip!" She'd at least been studying her own Pokemon...

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

Sena's another innocent bystander to all this nonsense, as he usually tends to be. He'd just wanted to head out to the beach to relax, and he'd even gotten out his old visor-eyeshield combo from his days in Sinnoh.

It doesn't match very well with his striped tee-shirt and shorts, but it covers his face decently enough and protects it from the strong sun, so whatever. Not that it helps when a giant freaking Skarmory suddenly pops up out of nowhere.

"Hieeeeeee?! W-what?! What is that?! Skarmory aren't supposed to be this big!"

Normally he'd like to, you know, run, but. This doesn't look like an option, and it looks like everyone else around him is gearing up to fight as well.

"Gaah, what's going on...whatever! I'll ask questions later, I guess...Monta, Vee!"

He tosses two Pokeballs with a practiced throw, revealing his Infernape and Jolteon respectively. Those are his Pokemon that have the best chance against this type matchup for now, he supposes. If he needs more firepower, he'll send them out.

"We're going with a sweep to finish this quick, you two! Monta, use Flame Wheel at a slant! Vee, back up his attack with a Thunderbolt, hurry!"

Is...is that an electrified fire monkey yep that sure is an electrified fire monkey barreling down the street okay.

[fallers_npcs]

With a mighty crash, the Skarmory crashes to the ground, dazed. The combined attack slammed home. The webbing snaps on the wings of the Skarmory, causing it to throw Peter into a tree upside down however.

Beat's transformation and Yuume's shout grabs its attention and it raises it's leg but is distracted by Adora who, with Sena's Pokemon and Ash's, slam headlong into the ankles. Combined with Gosetsu's Defense down move, topples it over into the ruins. Normally this wouldn't be the case but because of the bubbles from Goomy, it slicks up the battlefield, thus causing it to slip, and falls over.

In all, a successful First Round And there's some considerable damage to it's overall health. Keep up!

[blue_ice]

Kaiba lightens his steps, finally catching up to his wayward Pokémon when it bounces up after the crash. He calls it back, but then Kisara wants a turn. She decides to add to the thunderbolts, bounding over the rubble and firing off a few small ones.

"Not too close!"

To her credit, she seems to listen, but he still doesn't like her in the fray.

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

Now that the initial shock of the battle has worn out, Sena's starting to get back into it. His old battle insticts are coming back, and it shows in his next order.

"Vee, Monta, don't let it recover! Vee, get close and hold onto that leg with a Thunder Fang! Monta, pin it down with Close Combat!"

If there's anything he learned from football, it's that you go all in or nothing.

[acmellash]

"Good job everyone, keep it up!" Exclaimed Ash, as his team pulled back from the crashed opponent. "Keep it pinned! Torracat, Fire Fang! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

The pair of Pokemon leaped up into the air and crashed down with their attacks, adding to Kaiba's own Kisara's Thunderbolt, Monta's Thunder Fang and Close Combat.

So far, it seemed to be working.

[shadowslipping]

"Tch-!" So much for being stepped on. But the slip gives a bigger window. Yuume runs right for where it falls...

Just in time to seemingly be crushed under it.

Except...

'Just Kidding.' The force of the Skarmory's weight is used to her advantage, slamming her deep into the shadows. Within seconds she's blasted back out- a figure in violet and black, an Audino upon her back. "Now-!"

Entrainment! "Audi-niiiii!" A surefire hit type of move, they don't know what ability the Ditto has. It's own? Skarmory's? Regardless it's got Audino's now, and before gravity can pull them back down the pair both flip around the other with alarming coordination.

"And...GO-!"

Yuume kicks, and Audino kicks off at the last minute from where they're still above the Skarmory, a large pink 'bullet' heading for the head. "DIIIII NOOOOO!!"

Secret Power!

The fist of Audino's punch certainly lands. And the damage...is minimal. But the fist sparks.

And the sparks travel.

The area they're in is industrial, and Secret Power induces Paralysis in such a region.

"Hu-h!" Yuume lands, and hurriedly runs to catch her winded Audino as she falls, both bowling back somewhat in the process. "Hah...That should delay it..!"

[darkenedmoon]

Ever see an Oshawott look pleased with himself? Because that's where Gosetsu is right now.

His Trainer even has a fierce and tight smile on her face as she dashes to meet her Pokemon. "Do not get too cocky now, Gosetsu." She narrowed her eyes at the downed Skarmory, wracking her brain as to what to do next. No, Water Sport was not a good move to put forth in this instance...

"Another Tail Whip if you please, Gosetsu!" Even if Yotsuyu didn't want him to get too close to the immense Pokemon, she knew he could at least help the others' moves hit harder. It seemed a good strategy.

[soft_focus]

Meanwhile, near the fight but certainly not At It, a certain little girl is being rather naughty. Sophy and the other guardians said they had to evacuate. But if so many people were fighting, what if something went wrong? What if there was something they missed?

....Well it turns out they're fine. But amid the sea of battle ready emotions, something stands out just barely. Something...different.

Reira creeps through the bushes and such, slinking toward it...

[hashtagparkerluck]

Things seemed to be going okay at first but then things took a rather unexpected turn.

"Oh God!" The giant Skarmory cuts through the webs and he's suddenly sailing through the air. He's very sorry for any property damage. Just as Peter's sailing through the air, a shot of web catches him but he's got too much momentum and Shelob is just sailing with him. With a sharp cry he smashes into a tree, hard and apparently now upside down. Shelob smashes into him seconds later and he curls his arms around her to prevent any damage as he falls the rest of the way to the ground. Sorry, Parked car.

"Oh god, that sucked." Peter states, setting Shelob down and shaking his head. "Come on dude, that the best you got?" He calls out, firing his webs again, Spinarak.

"Hey Shelob, let's try a poison sting!" He lets himself land on a nearby roof."

[adora_plz]

With the Skarmory thrashing despite being pinned, stunned, jabbed, poison stinged, zapped, and otherwise indisposed, She-Ra came charging in on Fred, whipping the Sword overhead as she landed atop it, the Sword transforming into a rope as she lashed it around the thrashing body.

Tying it down, she pulled it tight, and yanked, trying to keep it from struggling. "I got it, I got it--whoa!"

Being whipped around like, well, Spider-man, was a new sensation.

"I don't got it, I don't got it!" She yelled, She-Ra being a giant glowing ball on a chain.

[hearts_beat]

"Okay... so things aren't too bad here, good." Cure Beat thought over her actions a bit before nodding at her Ghastly.

"Ghastly, use hypnosis... you got that, right?" she said.

"Ghast!" the ghost Pokemon replied before turning its attention to the Pokemon, using its attack on it.

[fallers_npcs]

Hammered from all sides, the unexpected thing happened.

The last move from Ghastly started to make it feel drowsy? Its eyes started drooping and it started thrashing slower and slower... slower and slower... and slowly, surely, it sat down with a heavy thump.

The glow around it subsided and it started to shrink until it became a normal sized Skarmory. And then -- it bubbled and shrank into a blobby Ditto who oozed into a puddle of snoozing liquid.

Jenny frowned as she went over and "cuffed" it. "This is unexpected. Ditto contained."

Elsewhere, a young man suddenly lost his cool as he snapped his pencil, only to realize Reira was standing there. "What are you looking at?" he demanded.

ROUND TWO COMPLETE! RAID BATTLE - COMPLETE!

[bestmomever]

Lusamine's earpiece beeped. "Yes?"

"Understood," she said after a moment, turning to address the others. "Everyone! We've located the Dynamax Culprit! Police have identified the suspect! Be on the lookout for a man named Brodie, Interpol has notified the Aether Foundation and the Alolan Police Department."

Jenny turned to the rest of the Fallers. "Spread out, please, all of you. If you see this man here," and she flashed a picture of Brodie and the current appearance of him as Tracey. "He's disguised currently as Professor Oak's Assistant, Tracey Sketchit who was seen entering the region."

[acmellash]

"Brodie? I remember him," said Ash. "Don't worry, we'll find him." said Ash. "Let's go everyone!"

With that, he took off in a direction, searching for Brodie.

[soft_focus]

Reira just...stares. And stares. And-

"....You don't feel like someone scared," she eventually says. "And... ....you weren't fighting the big one. ....What's on the paper?"

[fallers_npcs]

"What makes you think I'm not excited for this situation?" said "Tracey?" "This is exhilarating to draw Pokemon."

[hashtagparkerluck]

Guess it was that Brodie guy after all, Peter thinks to himself before glancing around the area. "Okay Karen, you know what to do." He tells the AI.

"Brodie has been located." Karen zeros in on the disguised thief. "He appears to have taken a hostage."

"WHAT!?" Peter cries out, outraged. He fires his web again and flips over to Brodie's location, landing in his usual Spider-like crouch.

"Hey buddy, picking on a little kids now? That's just no bueno. I'm gonna have to ask you to let the little girl go."

[soft_focus]

Before Peter is quite there, Reira has a speedy little quip back for 'Tracey'.

"Because you're not. That's not what you're feeling at all."

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

"I...wait, what's going ooooonn...?" okay bye officer jenny thanks for the info NO REALLY, WHAT'S GOING ON.

Sena blinks confusedly at the "cuffed" Ditto, slowly going over everything in his head.

"I guess...that Brodie guy is supposed to be behind that whole attack for some reason...?" He's startled by the agreeing yip of his two Pokemon who come back, clearly proud of themselves for the effort they put in. "You did great, you two...thanks. Return for now, okay?"

He puts their Pokeballs away after they assent, and takes out three other Pokeballs. "Nin, Shell, Yan, you're up!"

A trio of bugs pop out of the balls - Ninjask, Shedinja, and an oddly colored Yanmega. Two of them immediately start flitting around energetically, while the Shedinja instead just opts to float silently, an unnerving contrast to the other two.

"You guys, we've got someone out there causing trouble for everyone...see that picture? Look for someone nearby who looks like that." The bugs nod, before they all spread out in different directions. Funnily enough, despite the other two's obvious speed advantage, it's Shell that comes back first, probably because it searched more methodically rather than the rapidfire random searching the other two more impulsive bugs are doing.

"Lead the way, Shell!" It doesn't take long for Sena and Shell to follow up behind Spider-Man and Reira, goggling at the sight.

"Wh...what, hey!" okay now what did he just walk into