014. [Anonymous Text/Video/Action for Goldenrod City] - ROCKET PLOT

[explosivecombat]

[ANONYMOUS TEXT]

[Unlike the other anonymous messages that this particular 'Gear tends to send out, there are no images attached to this one. Nor are there any particularly threatening messages - in fact, the message attached isn't threatening at all! Really, unless you're keeping very close track of who's sending what, you wouldn't think it was coming from the same source.]

i understand that there are a lot of you who were disappointed last week - something about how there were no fireworks on the fourth??? and there was something else called tanabata that not everyone may have heard of. i'm glad that people are spreading the word about things like that - celebrating culture is important!

and because it's important, a few of my friends and i have arranged a surprise for you! most people seem to be in goldenrod city, so we'll do it there - meet us in the square in front of the department store at sundown tonight. we want to make johto a special place for you, and to make you feel welcome here - i hope the later date isn't too disappointing!

if you can't be there, don't worry! i'll broadcast the fun for you over the network; it'll be great!

[Well. Uh. While it's completely anonymous and therefore less embarrassing than it could have been...Kimblee is typing like a hyperactive teenager. This can't possibly bode well. At all.]


[ACTION/VIDEO - GOLDENROD DEPT. STORE, SUNDOWN]

[And just as promised, after the sun goes down and there are a fair few people in the square - some NPCs, some not - there will be fireworks.

They aren't exactly high-grade, so the display isn't too impressive at first - a few pretty colors, maybe, but nothing terribly elaborate. Clearly whatever hyperactive teenager sent the message to the network will get a YOU TRIED........ Award, but it's nothing to write home about.

...and then other displays begin enhancing the explosions.

It's a bit difficult to pinpoint exactly where they're coming from, as there seems to be at least three Pokémon contributing to them - and the bolts of electricity must be coming from a Pokémon, they're unmistakably attacks like Spark - but the electricity seems timed to enhance the blasts put out by the fireworks, causing far larger explosions, shocks of electrical energy dancing between the trails of embers raining down from the sky.

Rather pretty, all things considered - it's gone from the work of an amateur into something far more advanced. Probably someone who knows what they're doing.

And while everyone's attention is trained skyward, that's when things start to go wrong.

It's a very planned-out sort of wrong; a calculated sort of wrong. A "something is firing Zap Cannon directly into the crowd" sort of wrong.

Whatever it is, it doesn't seem to be aimed properly; Lock-On is clearly not being used. However, it's difficult to say what on earth is being aimed at in the first place; those who are quick enough to not get fried (easier than it sounds, given the lack of aim here) and analytical enough to notice patterns will realize shortly that there is none, though the attacks do seem to be coming from one particular direction - the assailant is situated on the rooftop of the Goldenrod Department Store. Certainly, making your way up there will ensure that you find one of your attackers.

However, there are secondary attacks that seem to be following the Zap Cannons - smaller attacks, Spark and occasionally Thunderbolt, though that latter one seems to be a bit more infrequent - and those seem far more directly-aimed, trying to take out individual targets rather than shooting into the crowd at random. These are coming from another rooftop a short distance away - one of the nondescript, privately-run shops that aren't directly affiliated with the Department Store itself. Entering that shop will find the shopkeepers knocked out, so it's clearly neither of them doing anything - so who else is up there?

Should you be in Goldenrod City and wanting to investigate the electrically-based mayhem, pick your path - either the Department Store, where you'll find the individual with the ridiculously powerful attacks and no sense of aim, or the nondescript shop, with the weaker attacks but some sort of strategy.

And for those not in Goldenrod City? The fireworks were definitely filmed for you. And after a sudden burst of jittercam veering off into the crowd? So was the attack on the civilians, until the feed suddenly snaps off mid-attack. Should you try to respond to this particular signal, responses will come a couple of hours later.

Enjoy.]


[OOC]

[HELLO, ROUTE. Kimblee is one of the Rockets that submitted himself as a human guinea pig for the sake of gaining stupid amounts of elemental powers! Of course, there's no way he's doing this entirely on his own - he has some...help, shall we say - but even so, he's having himself a pretty good time tonight.

Should you choose [action], regardless of which path is taken - the larger threat overall or the one that's actually strategizing - I'll be engaging you; feel free to mingle among yourselves as well, if you see fit to do so!]

Comments

[determinator]

[Archer fully understands just how easily he could slip up here. The thought is repeated numerous times until nothing else exists but that one thought, let's go back to the base. Let's go back to the base. Let's go back to the base.]

[Then Kimblee is suddenly yielding and Archer almost slips up; he almost stops sending those messages. He finally nods curtly, offering Kimblee a hand. The psychic link is incredibly weak - his powers are nowhere near as strong as Kimblee's, much to his displeasure - but that certainly doesn't stop him. He needs to get Kimblee back inside. That's the most important thing.]

[explosivecombat]

[Kimblee looks at him a bit strangely for a moment - what are you doing, are we going somewhere, why are we going somewhere I need to - before that hand is offered; he hesitates for a moment as though confused - finish this, why are we leaving before it's finished - and he shakes his head again, mild annoyance flickering into his expression.

There had been something wavering there, on the verge of breaking through, before it was quickly dispelled. Let's go back to the base.

Kimblee nods a bit in the Gardevoir's direction, vaguely; Archer of the Pokémon variety will take care of the creatures left here. The Gardevoir seems bothered, but doesn't complain; his trainer has been very strange all day, and he would rather prefer that he stay in the base with his...former trainer, the one that Kimblee seems to like so much, rather than out here where he might harm himself.

And then Kimblee takes Archer's hand, not seeming to notice the small shock that comes with completing the action. They should go back to the base. Archer wants to take him back to the base.

Let's go back to the base.]

[determinator]

[Thank god. That thought might have slipped in somewhere, but Archer keeps repeating the little mantra all the way back to the base. He doesn't let go of Kimblee's hand either (the shock is a small price to pay for Kimblee's safety, after all).]

[It's only when they're finally in their room with the door safely locked that Archer lets up on that mantra. They're safe. Kimblee's safe now. There's nothing left to worry about.]

[...Except for the part where Kimblee is going to be furious that Archer used his powers to persuade him like this, but it had to be done.]

...I'm glad you're safe.

[The words are soft and Archer doesn't make eye contact. He's not really sure what else to say. An apology would probably be appropriate...]

I apologize. You... wouldn't return to the base and it's dangerous out there, Kimblee. I know you can handle yourself. That's not what this is about. Attacking all of Goldenrod would have brought the entire city after you. There are all sorts of powerful trainers here. I didn't want to see you get hurt.

[explosivecombat]

[Coming out of whatever trance Archer had put him in feels a bit like waking up after sleepwalking - or at least, Kimblee imagines it does, as he's never been in the practice of wandering about in his sleep. But the fact is that he's suddenly somewhere that he hadn't been, and he can't really recall what made it such a good idea to come here in the first place.

He looks at Archer for a moment while he speaks, confused; why is he apologizing? It isn't as though he could have -

...oh.

......oh.]

...you used whatever powers they gave you, didn't you?

[determinator]

Yes, I did. Psychic powers.

[Archer glances up towards the door, absently wondering if there's any way for him to keep it closed should Kimblee decide that the best idea is to go back out there. No, probably not. Alekhine stands a better chance of that and he sends the Alakazam a message to do just that should Kimblee try to escape.]

Again, I apologize. I won't do it again.

[...Not unless the situation desperately calls for it, at least.]

[explosivecombat]

I can take care of myself, Archer. I don't need you to protect me or keep me safe.

[...oh boy

here we go]

[determinator]

I know you don't. You weren't thinking straight, Kimblee. You wanted to remain out there despite the danger you were putting yourself in. I ordered you to return and you didn't listen. We've worked far too hard for a mistake to take us down now. You know that.

[Archer's voice is still soft, but even. He's certain that what he did was right, maybe not executed in the best way, but ultimately he was in the right here. He's being patient though; he knows Kimblee won't admit that even if he does recognize it. He's far too proud.]

[explosivecombat]

And do you really think I can't defend myself, should it come to that?

[determinator]

Not at all. What I'm saying is the entire city would be after you. You can defend yourself against any weak opponent, of course, but against all the ones who gather here? Several people settle down here after obtaining the badges, Kimblee. I don't think you could handle all of them.

[explosivecombat]

And that would be my own doing; you wouldn't be affected in the least. Unless you believe me to be so weak-willed that I would betray you to save myself?

[...I mean he probably would lbr

but for the sake of argument]

[determinator]

No. That's not what this is about, Kimblee. I know you wouldn't betray me.

[ahahahahahaha... haha... ha...]

You could have gotten yourself killed or injured severely. It would be detrimental if you had been outed, yes, but ultimately I didn't want to see you injured. This isn't worth the risk. Once you've honed your powers and figured out everything you can do, you'll be able to deal even more damage. You can risk yourself then, when we stand to gain something from it.

[explosivecombat]

And tell me, Archer - will I be allowed to risk myself then, or will you try to pull me out of the line of fire again? Or, if I am injured, through something that's my own fault - will you lock up again and make some sort of ridiculously careless mistake?

[He's admittedly surprising himself a bit with this; he hadn't been aware that he was still so angry over this sort of thing. He clenches his fists tightly at his side, small shocks of electricity flaring up, shining over the dark fabric of his gloves.]

I don't think you understand that I live to fight. If I can't put my life on the line once in a while, there's no point in continuing to live it - risking nothing means that I can change nothing.

Prison is the safest place in the world, Archer, and I would really prefer to not be kept in one, whether it's surrounded by bars or not. Don't you understand? I don't care if something happens to me - it will have been worth it in the end.

[determinator]

No it won't. Putting yourself at risk for nothing isn't going to do you any good. What's the best thing you could possibly get out of this? Terrorizing the city, correct? You've done that. You don't need to stick around to make sure that's accomplished. When there are other opportunities with greater rewards - and there will be - of course I'll let you fight. I won't interfere.

[That's... not something he's really sure about, to be honest. He's never considered that what he's doing is imprisoning Kimblee. He's just trying to keep him safe. That's not the same thing at all, right?]

You can change plenty without risking your life, Kimblee. We've changed Team Rocket since we've been here. We've made this organization a legitimate threat. You haven't had to risk your life for that.

But I understand where you're coming from. You want to do more. I never said I wanted to keep you caged here. I've been good to you - you've said so yourself. I don't want to lose you to something that could be prevented, or even worse, to something that has absolutely no gain for us. You're... very important to me, Kimblee. Neither of us are accustomed to the idea of give-and-take when it comes to relationships like this and it will take time for us to reach a perfect balance. I understand that what you want is to fight and I... know I need to let you have more free reign. But you have to understand that what I want is your safety.

[There's a brief pause while Archer tries to find a way to word what he's trying to say.]

...I would rather spend the rest of my time here in Johto with you in Mahogany Town in complete safety than constantly worry about you. I understand that you would much rather fight. I have been trying to let you have what you want within reason.

[He's still not articulating the point properly which frustrates him. Archer can't find a way to describe it though; he cares deeply about Kimblee and would prefer to see him stay alive, even though death isn't permanent here. It would be a waste to have him outed here and now.]

[explosivecombat]

[...Archer.

There are about a million things he could reply to that with. About a million points that he should be replying to, and he knows it.

However, there's all of one thing that's really sticking out right now; something that he has to address, something that he cant exactly let go of.]

...when you word it like that, it really sounds like you're trying to propose marriage or something, Archer.

[determinator]

[.....................................]

[Kim...blee...]

[Kimblee what does he do with that.]

[Oh my god, what does he do with that.]

[................................throw a pillow at your head, obviously, because he is the most mature villain in this game.]

That is not--! Don't be ridiculous!

[explosivecombat]

[HOW IS THAT RIDICULOUS]

Well, I don't see how -

[.........mmf]

...!

[Okay hang on

just

did you seriously just hit him in the face with a pillow

let him grab that pillow and toss it...to the ground tbh because he is not engaging in a battle of the soft things with you]

I don't see how else I'm supposed to take assertions like that! Will you play that latter part through your head again and tell me if it sounds as good as it did when you said it?

[determinator]

[YES HE DID oh my god what are you and why do you do these things to him and why is he so tsun what the hell this is stupid and he hates you!!!]

Yes it does! You're the one who misinterpreted it horribly!

[explosivecombat]

Humor me and give me the actual meaning, then.

[...our lives, Archer...]

[determinator]

[...they're magnificent...]

I happen to care whether you live or die, so can you at least try not to fling yourself into situations like this where there's nothing to gain?

[THERE IS THAT BETTER]

[explosivecombat]

You don't seem to see the issue with that, Archer.

According to you, there's never going to be enough to gain from any given situation. You led me to that conclusion a long time ago.

[determinator]

[Archer is silent for a moment. Is that true? Is the risk never going to be worth the gain?]

[...He really doesn't like that he can't answer that question.]

I... don't know, Kimblee.

[explosivecombat]

...that's my point.

[He can feel himself becoming agitated again; for now, he bites it back, though there are a few small sparks making their presence known again.]

I don't need your protection, Archer.

[determinator]

I know you don't. That doesn't change things any. What you were doing out there was completely reckless, Kimblee.

[explosivecombat]

Perhaps. And any consequences taken would have been my own fault, wouldn't they?

I'm not going to continue to argue this with you, Archer. Don't interfere with me like that again.

[determinator]

You weren't thinking straight, Kimblee. We can't afford to fail now. You know that.