PlatinumSkink

Pokémon: Start

@Pikmin Eye

The woman flashed a kind(?) smile upon hearing Martin’s explanation, her eyes focusing hard on him. Then, the slightest of a chuckle left her mouth as he implied she was as lost at him.

‘You don’t need to worry about us. But, no, getting to the surface is a bit more complicated than just treading along the right path,’ she said, walking a few steps closer to Martin, to a more personal conversational distance. Of course, with the light behind her like this, all her features were cast in shadow to him.

‘I congratulate you on finding the Vast Underground, but I must insist you don’t come back. Far bigger and far more dangerous things than Durants lurk in these depths, and they might just take offense to this smell rather than flee it. I can’t in good conscience let you walk on.’ So she said, taking out a Pokéball and opening it. With a flash, a one-and-a-half meter tall_(woah!?) green, sage-like bird-Pokémon took shape, staring at Martin expressionlessly from beside his trainer.

Pokédex Entry #178 – Xatu, the Mystic Pokémon. It carries the mystic ability to see both the past and future, yet it stays rooted in place all day long. From the moment the sun rises, it stays still eyeing the sun’s movements until sunset, meditating. Legends say it sees a terrible future it cannot change, and so it doesn’t move.

There was a certain shift in pressure around the Xatu, like the Psychic power was emanating from the Pokémon. Estimated level… high.

‘Don’t worry. Gather your Pokémon. My partner will teleport you out,’ she declared, still with her kind(?) smile. She wasn’t asking.

‘Or, if you want to insist you can handle yourself, how about a Pokémon battle to ease my worries?’ she then suggested in a kind(?) but foreboding tone, smile not changing, hand on her hip. The grunts at the cart all became noticeably alarmed with this statement, starting to pull the cart backwards away from her.

…

Team Virtue Admin Ivory would like to battle?

Vast Underground Progress

__________________________

@Rune_Alchemist

‘Alright, so I’m on my own,’ Yvonne confirmed. ‘Suppose I’ll settle for flooring all the competition in Normal Contests first, then,’ she smirked intently, after having understood that Claire was going to take off. ‘100% of that was all bark, Claire. I look forward to seeing your bite!’ Yvonne replied with a raised chin and confident smirk, as Claire ran off.

And, yeah, because Claire ran off so immediately Anise had to hurry too, which meant she didn’t have an umbrella either, and she didn’t look too happy to be rained on.

‘Uuuugh, guess I’ll train a bit.’ She choose to do so among the trees, that exist on route 11 while Claire was battling, because there was cover there.

Meanwhile, Claire was challenging trainers!

Lass Jessica first.

Ralia VS Pidgey. So, turns out Pidgey was awful at hitting Ralia after that Double Team. It shot sand and gusts at multiple clones, but was unable to actually land a hit on Ralia before being defeated by Confusion. Jessica was now intimidated.

‘Y-you’re not, like, one of those super-strong trainers, right?’ she had to ask before taking up her next Pokéball.

Lure VS Shroomish. Turns out Gust is amazing at getting rid of Stun Spores and Leech Seeds midair, all logic in consideration. Shroomish was helpless to get support-moves in and then could but do a few, very not very effective Absorbs that hardly hurt Lure before being defeated.

Lure grew to Level 12!

Del VS Cottonee. Del did get paralyzed by Stun Spore, but in turn got off a very super effective Poison Sting that poisoned his opponent. In panic Jessica went ahead with the plan to Fairy Winding directly after that. Del took significant damage, but slowing Cottonee down with String Shot and then Poison Stinging again led to his victory.

Claire was victorious! Claire gained 420P for winning!

‘Aaaah… Now I’m soaked and defeated…’ Jessica lamented, before returning to dashing back to Redcoast City.

Then Cyclist Eric.

Ralia VS Pidove. “Gust” was apparently not a hard order for Pidove to grasp. Ralia’s Double Team was largely unsuccessful, wind was hard to dodge, though Teleport to relocate saved some damage. While both Pidove and Ralia hit, Ralia did way more damage on average and Pidove was swiftly defeated. Ralia is a little over half health.

Ritz VS Shinx. Leer and Supersonic both hit but unfortunately Shinx shook off the confusion with relative ease and was able to counter Ritz. Ritz was higher level and had better moves, but Shinx had naturally high attack with Leer cancelling out the Rivalry loss. Ultimately, Ritz had to be switched out to prevent fainting, but Del then faced a Shinx on her last legs. Del easily won, tactics not really necessary.

Del grew to Level 12!

Ralia VS Venipede. Sooo, Rollout isn’t exactly logically a high-accuracy move. Ralia was Screeched, defense mortally depleted, but that meant nothing if Venipede couldn’t hit. Venipede rolled at the clones, but couldn’t hit the real one, and Ralia’s Super Effective Confusion took down Venipede’s health really quickly. Ralia won with fair ease, though being already hurt from Pidove combined with Screech would have meant a single hit would have been it. Now that didn’t happen, though.

Ralia grew to Level 14! Ralia learned Lucky Chant!

Claire was victorious! Claire gained 347P for winning!

‘Oooh! Hardcore you are, confirmed! Now I gotta swing by Redcoast City before heading on to Route 12! Good continued luck!’ Eric wished her, before cycling on.

And with that, she was free to join up with Anise (who was looking really pleased with herself) and head on towards a new city, awaiting at the top of a steep climb up the base of Mt. Strength. A new city which it happened to be raining on.

Arriving To

Rainrock City

Passing over the rock bridge to enter, you’ll find Rainrock City to be a lot of exactly what’s in the name. Rain and rock. At the base of Mt. Strength, the city is on the top of a steep cliff, and has grown right where two rivers flow down from Mt. Strength to meet. A lake has grown in the center of the city, and the city has grown around it. The architecture of the buildings takes influence from an older time, as on these rocky cliffs larger buildings are difficult to construct, the streets made of cobblestone rather than asphalt. Given the near constant rain, it’s a largely silent mountain city where a lot of older people live, listening to the falling rain and taking it easy. You’re unlikely to find the town square bustling with attention.

Behind the town lies ancient caves, thought to have been inhabited in ancient times. By Pokémon, by men, who knows, the writing on the walls remain untranslatable to this day. It is perhaps due to these caverns, as well as a general concentration of old and wise people, that caused Rainrock City to house both the Rainrock Library as well as the Rainrock Academy. If Pureplain City house the schools for young children to learn, Rainrock City is where they finish their studies at the Academy, studying old texts under the calming noise of the rain. Rainrock Academy also happens to house the Pokémon Gym, due to Gym Leader being an esteemed professor.

Also notable, around Rainrock and on the streets there are Geodudes in town despite the rain, just lying about. Oh, and small crab-like bugs that make home in the rocks around here.

Pokédex Entry #74 – Geodude, the Rock Pokémon. Found in fields as well as mountains. They commonly rest, half-buried in the ground and indistinguishable from normal rocks. There are always way more Geodude around than a traveler will notice. Stepping on one by accident may trigger their rage.

Pokédex Entry #557 – Dwebble, the Rock Inn Pokémon. It finds a rock of suitable size. It melts a hole in said rock using a liquid secreted from its mouth, then crawls in and lives in it. A rock-less Dwebble is known to be aggressive until a replacement is found, so be careful should the rock break.

‘The entrance to Mt. Strength is on Route 4,’ Anise told. ‘We head south from Rainrock City onto Route 3, and almost immediately turn east for Route 4. Then we go along that a while but not all the way to Stillwood Village, unless you want to challenge the Gym there or something, and turn north about mid-way into Route 4 to head up the mountain.’ Anise nodded as she informed of the way.

Now, then. Anything to do in Rainrock City, or just move on?

Suggestions to actions

1. Find Pokémon. Can still search for Pokémon in towns~
2. Talk. In cities, there are considerably more people one can talk to. Talking can give you info on local rumors and such.
3. Exit. Exit the town to any of the connected areas.
4. Specify. If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result.
5. Trigger random event. Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you.
6. Notable Places. Visit any of the places in the city!
6.1. Pokémon Center. Heal all your Pokémon.
6.2. PokéMart. Go to a store and buy things.
6.3. Rainrock Academy/Gym. A higher-level Pokémon academy for higher-level studies. Also doubles as the Pokémon Gym for ???
6.4. Rainrock Library. Information stored throughout the ages. Are you interested in any particular subject?
6.5. Rainrock Lake/Rivers. Powerful currents flow beneath, a calm lake lies midst the town. Surely, some water-Pokémon got to inhabit these.
6.6. Rainrock Caves. Ancient, shallow caves in which contain numerous Rock-types. Something lived in here in ancient times.
6.7. Old Street. Many old people live here. Careful, they don’t actually have much else to do but battle.
7. Familiar Faces, Oaken and Rodger. Two of Jacques’ hopefuls that Claire might remember. Oaken’s taking great interest in the Library, Academy/Gym and the Caves, walking back and forth staring down into a guide-book with utmost focus. Rodger stands beside him with an umbrella and doesn’t look nearly as interested. Claire could pick which place she’d want to run into them in front of.

Connected areas:
Route 3. To the south, the route around the mountain, leading to Route 4 or Highhill Town. A wet woodland.
Route 11. A semi-populated road west under heavy rainfall, starting with a descent down towards Redcoast City. Abandoned buildings on the south side facing Silent Forest.

Rainrock City, known Pokémon

Common:
#74 Geodude
#557 Dwebble

Uncommon:

Rare:

__________________________

@Eklispe

So, before going to bed Dawkin went off to train in the Wet Caver-

To train against water Pokémon in the river of Wet Cav-

To train in Wet C-

In W-

…

These work as fodder for an electric Pokémon too, right?

ZAP.

Pichu grew to Level 7!

… Okay. So. There are Goldeens in the water, quite apt for a Pichu to train against. Should go pretty well.

Pichu grew to Level 9!

Goldeens take offense to being zapped, and several attacked back, so Pichu’s considerably damaged now. Overall, perhaps a chance to gain some friendship points? Maybe.

Otherwise, Dawkin headed back, went to bed, woke up, got spooked, the rest of it.

__________________________

@Pirouette

‘Alright! One Jaw Fossil, coming right up!’ Isaac smiled happily as he deposited 4000P of his own and then handed over the fossil to Erika.

Erika obtained a Jaw Fossil!

‘Dawn Stone, eh,’ Isaac said as he considered. ‘They’re evasive little things. They do show up sometimes, but I don’t know I can give advice for how to find one.’ He scratched his beard as he thought about it. ‘But I can point you to where we’ve more frequently found stones. It’s deeper in, after a left-turn, and-’ Isaac started describing the way to an underground(ice?) mining area where they tend to find stones of kinds. ‘It’s not the only thing they find there, but yeah. It’s close to the Frozen Cave proper, don’t wander in by mistake!’ He chuckled at that.

Back at the Miner’s Lodge (much better name), they were wary about giving someone as young as Erika actual machines, but she could have a pickaxe and a helmet. She was also asked if she had a fire-Pokémon that could help her with excavating, and, yeah, she does. Chic’s Ember will do. She also got a bag with wheels for if she found a lot. She was assured that the pickaxe would do, the ice isn’t hard to mine.

Following Isaac’s instructions, she headed further into the cavern ice-valley, and could see miners with varying fighting- and fire-types helping excavate. There were Machops and Machokes, Timburrs and Conkedurrs, some Geodudes with pickaxes, a couple Ponytas and a few Vulpixes, one had a Flareon. All helping their trainers get into the ice.

Erika’s directions turned her left in a split further along time mine. It led to a smaller cave, frozen in ice, that was a bit rough and she had to be careful not to slip. There were still a couple miners down here, but this smaller mine was where she had been directed, so it was simply to start. There was a tiny purple Pokémon just standing by one wall, seemingly wild, just inspecting its reflection in the ice.

Pokédex Entry #238 – Smoochum, the Kiss Pokémon. Its lips are the most sensitive part of its body, and it uses them to identify new things. It is energetic and constantly runs about, though trips often. It tends to be conscious about its appearance, stopping by any reflective surface to ensure it hasn’t gotten dirty.

To her right, there was a path in. Deeper in. It was darker, but still not dark due to all the ice. It was more foreboding, for there lay Frozen Cave, tunnels. The path that was called “a challenge for those who wish to travel to Cooldome”, and coming through was in itself proof you were worthy to visit Cooldome City. … If you didn’t just buy a ticket on the train through the regular tunnel on the other side of the mountain, of course.

Anyways! That’s not what Erika was here for, mining!

So, with a pickaxe, possibly with Chic or other Pokémon helping her, Erika started mining. True to their word, the ice fell off easily to these sharp axes. There were plenty of promising-looking shapes in the ice, but most turned out to be regular rocks. But, as she hacked in, she saw a shape in there that was beside the ordinary. It was… a very odd Pokémon.

What she had found

Pokédex Entry #686 – Inkay, the Revolving Pokémon. It’s capable of flashing lights from the dots on its head that drain an opponent’s will to fight, after which a wild Inkay tend to flee. It dazes pray with these same lights, then catch them. Evolving them involves first getting them to a high enough level, then forcibly turning them upside down.

It’s frozen solid in the ice. Will Erika do anything? She could carefully free the Pokémon, continue mining, or do something else.

something else

1. Find Pokémon. Note, there are more Pokémon in the tunnels than here. Unless you’re specifically searching the ice?
2. Talk. This is basically a small settlement. They probably know a bit about mining in ice!
3. Move along. Either out of the cave, or deeper into it.
4. Specify. If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result.
5. Trigger random event. Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you.
6. Notable Buildings. Not many, but there’s a small base here!
6.1. Miner’s Lodge. For maps, getting info or tools and learning how to mine!
6.2. Miner’s Shop. Skip all the hard work of actually mining and buy what the miners are selling! Varies every day!
6.3. Comfy Igloo. If you just want to rest, have a chat, relax, restore health.
7. Area Specific: Mining. People here mine the ice for items and Pokémon caught in the ice. You could too!

Connected areas:
Route 5. Exit the mines and you’ll be right there.
Frozen Cave. The Frozen Cave proper awaits beyond the mine.

Frozen Cave Mines, known Pokémon

Common:
#225 Delibird

Uncommon:
#238 Smoochum

Rare:

In Ice:
#321 Wailord
#686 Inkay

Pokémon: Start

@Eklispe Heh. Nicely posted. The fact you thought it was the little brothers for a moment was momentarily endearing. Anyways, yupp. Strategy for training taken into account. Let's see how it goes.

@Pirouette Alright. Yupp, that's a nice post. Now I get to look at my Frozen Cave mining list and have some fun. Nicely posted.

Hm. On that post I made 14 hours ago, perhaps closer to the 28-30 rather than 18-20. Heh.

Worm - The Malfesant Throne

@Old Amsterdam Could you try to give something, at least? Hesitation's potentially fine. Just so we don't stop here, for some reason.

@SkinnyTy So, um. You've been gone for an additional five days now. How's it going? Do you think you'll be able to post, or is it too hectic? Does "should" mean "will" or did you intend to continue with that post?

Pokémon: Start

Okay, I think I'm going to get a post in around 18-30 hours.

Lunacy of Love: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

Oh, uuuh... We were, um... going to move the ship out of the way before starting to fix it, using simply that Mariette spent herself making a larger portal... but we didn't get around to actually doing it before the skip...

Eh, oh, well.

I did also intend that we'd be looking for people specifically that might be willing to take on potentially world-threatening enemies, not necessarily only in Penrose. Like, prioritizing those who'd- eh...

Oh, well.

I'm getting 403 forbidden on that picture. How do I fix that?

Pokémon: Start

@Eklispe Yeah, sure. Just include the mention of doing so in the same post as you then skip forward, and I'll simply include how it goes in my next post.

RPGC #15: New Beginnings - Prompt and Entries

So, we just post them here? Alright. I wrote a little super-hero flick because I'm in super-hero roleplays right now, so here. Also, I cannot write stories under 1000 words. Here's the one I'm officially submitting, 2049 words.

It’ll get easier over time, 2049 words

‘You’ve gotta be a villain,’ I said. ‘The good guys are constantly on the defensive, they’re the guys defending the good shit. Being a villain means you get to plan out the attack, take out the defenders way ahead of time, you’re more likely to win. Besides, as a good guy the best you’ll get is a pat on the back and a paycheck, villains gets to keep all their loot.’

‘Um, Charlotte,’ Holly looked a bit uncomfortable as she replied. Several of my like-minded friends giggled at my words, others looked uncomfortable, only Holly was able to reply. ‘I don’t think it’s that easy. Villains have to deal with the guilt of committing crimes, making people’s lives worse, being shunned…’

‘Eh,’ I shrugged. ‘It’ll get easier over time. Not that it matters, none of us are going to awaken powers any time soon.’

The subject was dropped, and we eventually picked up our plates and deposited them at the proper place in the school cafeteria, and headed back to class.

_______

‘She’s bullying at school, she’s cheating at tests and she listens to nobody. W-we can’t let our girl continue like this…’

I staggered back, eyes wide staring at the wall of my room. It wasn’t that I just had heard my mother lament over me that had startled me. It was the fact I had heard her from four rooms away as if she had just spoken inside my head. In fact, I felt where she was, alongside my father. I also felt my neighbors, their neighbors, someone driving by in a car, numerous dogs and cats, countless bugs… I felt the location of everything living on the street, and I could choose to hear whatever sounds they were making. All I had wished for was to be able to eavesdrop on the conversation I knew they were having, and somehow I got it. And, instinctively, I knew it could do so much more. My lips curled into a grin.

‘… BO!’

Both my mom and dad jumped from the unexpected sound erupting in their heads, my voice. I felt their panic, and I laughed. This was glorious.

_______

‘Excluding you four, you currently have fifty-four men on this compound,’ I declared with confidence. ‘Thirty of them are playing games in the barracks, six of them are cooking lunch for the rest, fifteen are on guard, one is on the toilet and the two in the ceiling above me are filming me and have guns trained on me in case I do something funny. Then there are twenty-one hostages in the basement…’

Bloodshot, large man, local villain, sat with his hands together inspecting me along with the three other present power-users under his command. He looked like he needed some more convincing, so I continued.

‘I can also feel which ones are power-users. As of currently, including yourself, you have five power-users. Four in here, and one among the regular troops.’ Power-users somehow felt differently to my powers. I smirked, knowing how valuable this had to be. Finally, Bloodshot stood up, his large frame quite intimidating.

‘Impressive, I must admit,’ he said. ‘But before I let you join, you’re going to have to prove to me you have the heart of a villain.’

I looked at him a bit curiously, before one of the four suddenly vanished from existence. Only because I could sense him by my power did I know he had teleported down to the hostages. Down there he grabbed a few, and then he reappeared as suddenly as he had vanished in front of me, three bound hostages in hand. A middle-aged woman, a young man and an older man. The woman and the young man were struggling and crying, the old man was glaring angrily. The teleporter then held a handgun forward towards me. I frowned, looking over at the boss.

‘Prove to me your determination. I can’t trust someone who’s hands remain unsullied,’ Bloodshot said, gesturing at the gun.

While slightly hesitant, I accepted the gun. I’d never even seen one before, but knowing I might run into this situation I had studied their function. It was light, yet the danger was real. I inspected it for a second before ensuring the safety was on. Then I inserted my finger into the trigger-hole and started spinning the gun on it.

‘For the record, I think we could work together without these sorts of measures,’ I said, closing my eyes while spinning the gun abscently. ‘I could put my own demand saying you’re not to expose me to the rawer side of the operations. I think my power is useful enough you’ll have use of me regardless.’

‘That said,’ I finished, turning to the squirming hostages. I grabbed the gun, undid the safety, and directed it at the old man’s chests with one hand.

My aim was true, my expectation for the recoil was not.

As the bang of the gun sounded through my ears my fingers jerked in pain, my hand had flown up to so the two sections of my arm collided. First there did I manage to stop it after having staggered a bit. My ears hurt from the sound of the gunfire, but the man I had shot screamed so much louder. The shrill scream echoed inside my head, and seeing the blood on the floor staggered me more than the recoil. The man died moments later, falling over on the floor.

I grunted, feeling a disgusting feeling in my chest. Guilt? Disgust? Fuck that. I gripped the gun with two hands before directing it. My power helped me aim, and with two more bangs I shot the woman in the heart and the young man in the head. They died way faster than the old man.

The feeling wouldn’t go away. I stood frozen where I had fired the last bullet, looking over the three corpses. The three individuals I had killed. I might have remained there if Bloodshot hadn’t started slowly applauding. Reawakening, I brought the gun hand to my hips and grinned at him.

‘So? Sullied enough for you? You got it all on film, too,’ I giggled, knowing the people in the ceiling had filmed the proof.

‘I’m willing to give you a shot. Come, let’s share the news with the team. I want them all to see you,’ Bloodshot stated, some pride in his voice, as he and his underlings passed me towards the door. I breathed out in relief, but… the repulsive feeling in my chest hadn’t gone away, my hands were shaking. I looked at them, one of which was still holding the gun. I couldn’t stop the shaking. I gritted my teeth, clutching the gun hard, before I turned to follow Bloodshot.

It’ll get easier over time, I told myself.

_______

It was a curious feeling, seeing someone get killed with my power. It could only pick up living beings over a certain size, so as soon as they died they just vanished. For four months, I directed Bloodshot’s team with my surveying power, warned about opposing power-users and informed of enemy numbers, looked out for reinforcements. Battlefield control was my game, and I played it well. I could make call-outs that nobody else could, and I was now an integral part of the team. I directed them to kill so many people…

Even when I stood a kilometer away, I sensed Bloodshot shooting his blood-shots at the guards, I felt Hijack teleporting people hundreds of meters into the air to fall to their deaths, I felt Clawress literally slicing people in half. For all these months… the feeling of disgust in my chest had never vanished. Even though I myself had never partaken in the killing again, the feeling had never vanished.

I felt two guards running straight for Bloodshot’s trap through a door. I frowned in frustration.

‘Stop, you fools!’

I didn’t realize I had sent the message to their minds until I saw them stagger and stop. Oh, fuck. … Well, whatever!

‘Bloodshot’s behind this door! If you know what’s good for you, hide and don’t show yourselves until-’

Bloodshot decided not to wait and leapt at the door before immediately shooting both guards, who winked out of existence to my senses.

‘Damn it,’ I whispered, frustrated.

‘Scryer?’ one of the guard assigned to protect me immediately asked. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘…’ I didn’t give him a reply. I didn’t trust myself to not completely fuck up my excuse. I suppressed my feelings and kept up my support.

It’ll get easier over time… right?

_______

It was a drunken party, months later. Because of my help, Bloodshot’s gang could constantly evade authorities, because I felt their approach. Tonight they celebrated another victory, another successful deal, and I pretended to be knocked out from some of the things that had been distributed. It was easier like that. I… I didn’t feel like celebrating. They didn’t know, I was now repeatedly sending warnings ahead of time, to prevent unnecessary loss of life. Each time I had to simply pray Bloodshot didn’t find me out. But no matter what I did, the feelings just wouldn’t go away. The feelings of disgust in my chest, the feeling that something was horribly, horribly wrong. It wasn’t getting any easier.

Suddenly, I felt someone entering my range. A flying hero. Judging by the pose as he flew… Starlight.

I lay there silently. I knew what I should do. It was so easy to do, too.

I made my decision.

‘Starlight. This is Scryer.’

_______________

And there I was. I sat on a stump in a forest, arms crossed, looking on from a range as Bloodshot’s gang were being ambushed by heroes they didn’t even know were coming. I sat with a somber expression, knowing they were trusting me to look out. My guards had no idea, they assumed my silence meant everything was going according to plan. I felt the special forces approaching my position. Old Gunslinger was leading them.

‘Raise your hand, so we know who not to shoot,’ Gunslinger said. Obediently I raised my right hand up above my head.

‘Scryer? What are you-’

The guard didn’t have time to finish the sentence before a spray of bullets flashed through between the trees, taking down the guards around me. I breathed in heavily, feeling the finality of their bodies hitting the ground around me. The special forces moved in, double-checking that they had finished off my guards.

In the distance I felt Starlight and Steelia take on Bloodshot. Hijack and Clawress were out, as were the other power-users. Bloodshot was there… and there he was out. It was over.

Gunslinger walked and stood beside me. Older man with a gun, grey beard, limited sight into the future that allowed him to predict what would happen and see exactly how to act to win. Yeah, I couldn’t counter that.

‘You do understand that we still have to arrest you?’ he asked, in a calm but thankful voice.

‘… Yeah. I’m ready.’ I said, breathing out.
I sighed. My life was basically over. I was a known villain with blood on my hands. But with this, the disgusting feeling had finally withdrawn. It wasn’t gone, but it wasn’t as bad. I would live my whole life from now regretting what I had done… but at least for now, I was satisfied.

‘I’ll see if I can put in a good word for you,’ Gunslinger suddenly said, causing me to look up in surprise. ‘We could really use someone like you. If possible, I’d like to give you a second chance. If you really regret what you did, then you’ve got a long route to go for redemption yet. Are you ready to travel it?’

‘… Ha.’

I couldn’t do more than laugh. Was I going to get a chance to make things right? … It was more than I felt I deserved. But… if he was going to put it that way…

‘… Yes, sir. Gladly, sir.’

It was bittersweet. But perhaps, with enough work, I’d be able to make up for what I had done, and the pain in my chest could go away.

Who knows? Perhaps forgiving myself would get easier over time.

... And because I felt like challenging myself, here's the same story but I tried to cut down on the word-count. If the above is too long, here's one 500 words shorter. I'd have to strain myself if I wanted to make it shorter, but *checks clock* I think I'm out of time. Heh.

It’ll get easier over time, 1574 words

‘You’ve gotta be a villain,’ I said. ‘The good guys are constantly on the defensive. Being a villain means you get to plan out the attack, you’re more likely to win. Besides, as a good guy the best you’ll get is a pat on the back and a paycheck, villains gets to keep all their loot.’

‘Um, Charlotte,’ Holly looked a bit uncomfortable as she replied. Several of my like-minded friends giggled at my words, others looked uncomfortable, only Holly was able to reply. ‘I don’t think it’s that easy. Villains have to deal with the guilt of committing crimes, making people’s lives worse, being shunned…’

‘Eh,’ I shrugged. ‘It’ll get easier over time. Not that it matters, none of us are going to awaken powers any time soon.’

The subject was dropped, and we eventually picked up our plates and deposited them at the proper place in the school cafeteria, and headed back to class.

_______

‘She’s bullying at school, she’s cheating at tests and she listens to nobody. W-we can’t let our girl continue like this…’

I staggered back, eyes wide staring at the wall of my room. It wasn’t that I just had heard my mother lament over me that had startled me. It was the fact I had heard her from four rooms away as if she had just spoken inside my head. In fact, I felt where she was, alongside my father. I also felt my neighbors, their neighbors, someone driving by in a car, numerous dogs and cats… I felt the location of everything living on the street, and I could choose to hear whatever sounds they were making. And, instinctively, I knew it could do more. My lips curled into a grin.

‘… BO!’

Both my mom and dad jumped from the unexpected sound erupting in their heads, my voice. I felt their panic, and I laughed. This was glorious.

_______

I had just described my abilities to Bloodshot, local villain. I could sense others over a distance, feel if they were power-users or not, and eavesdrop or talk to them.

‘Impressive,’ Bloodshot said. ‘But before I let you join, you’re going to have to prove to me you have the heart of a villain.’

I looked at him a bit curiously, before he commanded three struggling hostages be brought in. A middle-aged woman, a young man and an older man. An underling then held a handgun forward towards me. I blinked.

‘Prove to me your determination,’ Bloodshot said. ‘I can’t trust someone who’s hands remain unsullied.’

While slightly hesitant, I accepted the gun. I’d never even seen one before, but knowing I might run into this situation I had studied their function. It was light, yet the danger was real. I inspected it for a second before ensuring the safety was off.

‘For the record, I think we could work together without these sorts of measures,’ I said, closing my eyes. ‘I could put my own demand saying you’re not to expose me to the rawer side of the operations. I think my power is useful enough you’ll have use of me regardless.’

‘That said,’ I finished, turning to the squirming hostages and directed the gun at the old man’s chests with one hand.

My aim was true, my expectation for the recoil was not.

As the bang of the gun sounded through my ears my fingers jerked in pain, my hand had flown up to so the two sections of my arm collided. First there did I manage to stop it after having staggered a bit. My ears hurt from the sound of the gunfire, but the man I had shot screamed so much louder. The shrill scream echoed inside my head, and seeing the blood on the floor staggered me more than the recoil. The man died moments later, falling over on the floor.

I grunted, feeling a disgusting feeling in my chest. Guilt? Disgust? Fuck that. I gripped the gun with two hands before directing it. I fired twice more, and the two other hostages fell dead.

The feeling wouldn’t go away. I stood frozen where I had fired the last bullet. The three individuals I had killed. I might have remained there if Bloodshot hadn’t started slowly applauding. Reawakening, I brought the gun hand to my hips and grinned at him.

‘So? Sullied enough for you?’ I giggled, knowing my success.

‘I’m willing to give you a shot. Come, let’s share the news with the team. I want them all to see you,’ Bloodshot stated, some pride in his voice as he passed me towards the door. I breathed out in relief, but… the repulsive feeling in my chest hadn’t gone away, my hands were shaking. I looked at them, one of which was still holding the gun. I couldn’t stop the shaking. I gritted my teeth, clutching the gun hard, before I turned to follow Bloodshot.

It’ll get easier over time, I told myself.

_______

For four months, I directed Bloodshot’s team with my surveying power, warned about opposing power-users and informed of enemy numbers, looked out for reinforcements. I could make call-outs that nobody else could, and I was now an integral part of the team. I directed them to kill so many people…

Even when I stood a kilometer away, I sensed Bloodshot shooting his blood-shots at the guards. For all these months… the feeling of disgust in my chest had never vanished. Even though I myself had never partaken in the killing again, the feeling had never vanished.

I felt two guards running straight for Bloodshot’s trap through a door. I frowned in frustration.

‘Stop, you fools!’

I didn’t realize I had sent the message to their minds until I saw them stagger and stop. Oh, fuck. … Well, whatever!

‘Bloodshot’s behind this door! If you know what’s good for you, hide and don’t show yourselves until-’

Bloodshot decided not to wait and leapt at the door before immediately shooting both guards, who winked out of existence to my senses.

‘Damn it,’ I whispered, frustrated.

‘Scryer?’ one of the guard assigned to protect me immediately asked. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘…’ I didn’t give him a reply. I didn’t trust myself to not completely fuck up my excuse. I suppressed my feelings and kept up my support.

It’ll get easier over time… right?

_______

Months later, Bloodshot’s gang celebrated another victory. I just sat, senses dulled. I… I didn’t feel like celebrating. They didn’t know, I was now repeatedly sending warnings ahead of time, to prevent unnecessary loss of life. But no matter what I did, the feelings just wouldn’t go away. The feelings of disgust in my chest, the feeling that something was horribly, horribly wrong. It wasn’t getting any easier.

Suddenly, I felt someone entering my range. A flying hero. Judging by the pose as he flew… Starlight.

I lay there silently. I knew what I should do. It was so easy to do, too.

I made my decision.

‘Starlight. This is Scryer.’

_______________

And there I was. I sat on a stump in a forest, arms crossed, looking on from a range as Bloodshot’s gang were being ambushed by heroes they didn’t even know were coming. My guards had no idea, they assumed my silence meant everything was going according to plan.

‘Raise your hand, so we know who not to shoot,’ Gunslinger said. Obediently I raised my right hand up above my head.

‘Scryer? What are you-’

The guard didn’t have time to finish the sentence before a spray of bullets flashed through between the trees, taking down the guards around me. I breathed in heavily, feeling the finality of their bodies hitting the ground around me. The special forces moved in, double-checking that they had finished off my guards.

I sensed Bloodshot being taken out in the distance. It was over.

Gunslinger walked and stood beside me. Older hero with a gun, grey beard, limited sight into the future that allowed him to predict what would happen and see exactly how to act to win. Yeah, I couldn’t counter that.

‘You do understand that we still have to arrest you?’ he asked, in a calm but thankful voice.

‘… Yeah. I’m ready.’ I said, breathing out.
I sighed. My life was basically over. I was a known villain with blood on my hands. But with this, the disgusting feeling had finally withdrawn. It wasn’t gone, but it wasn’t as bad. I would live my whole life from now regretting what I had done… but at least for now, I was satisfied.

‘I’ll see if I can put in a good word for you,’ Gunslinger suddenly said, causing me to look up in surprise. ‘We could really use someone like you. If possible, I’d like to give you a second chance. If you really regret what you did, then you’ve got a long route to go for redemption yet. Are you ready to travel it?’

‘… Ha.’

I couldn’t do more than laugh. Was I going to get a chance to make things right? … It was more than I felt I deserved. But… if he was going to put it that way…

‘… Yes, sir. Gladly, sir.’

It was bittersweet. But perhaps, with enough work, I’d be able to make up for what I had done, and the pain in my chest could go away.

Who knows? Perhaps forgiving myself would get easier over time.

Pokémon: Start

@Pikmin Eye Oh, um. They're all in casual clothing, I noted you might see through the "disguise" by seeing the model of some of those backpacks, as well as other obvious signs. And, uh. It's my intention that the female in front of you is at the very least around 30, if possibly more. It's hard to find images of anime-characters that don't look supremely young, but your reference to her as a "girl" makes me want to comment. I specifically referred to her as a "woman". Eh, suppose I could have been more descriptive on that.

Anyways! Nicely posted. Now, let's see. I have a few options for how I could have her react to this, heh.

@Rune_Alchemist Heh, alright. Yeah, I'll see how I believe that'll go. That's some sweet interaction, and logical fighting. Nicely posted. Now let me check what I'll do with it.

@Joshua Tamashii ... Pffffth! ... ... ...
Nicely posted. Haha.

Pokémon: Start

So, uh, my personal rule is that I shouldn't let any post become more than "4 days ago" without receiving a reply, but that's, like, worst case scenario. Other than that, it depends on my whims. So, yesterday I had this urge to write, and was able to finish those large posts. Then it became the question of "do I wait until the last possible second to post this?" ... Which I resolved to be "nah" and posted it.

What I think I was trying to write was "post sooner and you'll get a reply sooner", which I realize isn't always entirely the case, but you can expect that I'm working on a post and might not wait whenever it says "3 days ago" on the latest post. I might wait to see if more posts show up at "2 days ago" or earlier. Er.

My apologies. Perhaps I should reinstate the "will try to post in x hours" posts. I have, though, found that lately I can't always trust myself to achieve that and hesitate to make such claims. Hah.

Pokémon: Start

... That'll do. Tell me if I did anything wrong or if anyone has questions. Heh.