united_one | [ action ] The Heinous Plot part 3

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[ action ] The Heinous Plot part 3

Miror B. paced along the edge of a campsite tucked away in the trees of Lostlorn Forest. He lacked his usual rhythm, and appeared to be deep in a rather annoying line of thought. A Combusken followed behind him, occasionally stopping to glare off into the woods and raise his claws menacingly whenever a Pidove or other equally harmless woodland creature made a noise. This wasn't helping Miror's mood. He rolled his eyes at the overeager Pokemon and turned randomly back towards the tents, leaving Combusken scrambling to catch up.

Kidnapping Paprika had been a stroke of genius, he thought, grinning a bit as he remembered his increasingly amusing conversations with N. Treating her like a guest rather than a hostage had been laziness. He didn't have to keep her locked up or extend any energy to prevent escapes; all he had to do was lie, which was as easy as breathing, really. The problem was, he realized as he stood tapping his foot impatiently near his tent; the problem was, no one was taking him seriously! N was taking far, far too long to comply, and why shouldn't he? Paprika was doing fine. There was no hurry.

Well, then! Today would be the day. Today he'd make sure everyone knew he was oh-so-serious. Putting his hands on his hips, he smiled deviously and called out: "Paprika! Get over here. Resix, you, too."

((I only realized I wrote this in prose after I finished so I HOPE YOU GUYS DON'T MIND PROSE LOL. This will in all probability be the final part of the Heinous Plot -- aka feel free to jump in any time, N and co.))

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[Obligingly, Paprika trots over, having just eaten the last of her self-made birthday cake from the day before yesterday. She's sort of wondering now if N had just ditched her--heck, she wouldn't blame him, since she's kind of been the one who ran off in the first place. Still, she figures she's just over-reacting, since her new company isn't too unpleasant or anything...]

'Sup?

[Proto Man sidles up real close to Paprika. Something was off about Miror, and he feared things could turn sour fast.]

Yes, sir?

[Miror grins at Paprika, giving a cursory glance towards his faithful lackey, 'Resix'. Yes, he'd been putting this off far too long! This was gearing up to be just as delightful as annoying N himself.]

So here's the deal, darling. [Miror's Combusken stood at his feet, clicking his claws together in empathic, devious glee.] Turns out I kidnapped you. Whoops! Surprise! Fuhohoho! Oh, yes; the hiding in the woods, the broken Xtransceiver -- it was all so brilliant, really. Oh, but unfortunately for you, your friend N doesn't seem to care too much. Wouldn't even consider my oh-so-generous demands, which is not good news for you, darling. [Paaause for effect! Miror gestures grandly towards Proto Man.] Resix, take her Pokeballs, would you?

[She is going to need a second to process this.]

W-Woah, wait, what? Dude, you're--you're kidding, right? 'Cause, like, no offense or anything, but this is kinda a crappy kidnapping, isn't it?

[He shakes his head.] No, no joke. Now why don't you hand those over before I have to hurt you? [Hopefully, she won't call him on that one.]

[Miror just grins.] You know, it was a crappy kidnapping, but I have a feeling it's going to go much better now. [He folds his arms and chuckles.] Yes, it was oh-so-pitiful, really; poor, poor, N, searching the desert for you in vain. Do you know, I think he thought I killed you, which was a little funny, I must admit. I mean, what does he think I am, some sort of maniac? Fuhohoho!

So sad, though; now he doesn't seem to think I'm very serious about this. Oh-so-rude, really. Which is why I need your Pokeballs. So hand them over, darling!

[She takes a step back, wrapping her arms around herself and completely forgetting her Pokeballs are in her bag, set against the side of a tree stump that isn't facing in a visible direction.]

I-Iunno, man, I'm pretty sure that doing this shit like straight out of Saw or something counts as being a maniac.

[Step for step, Proto Man refuses to let her more than an arm's length away.]

No, we have be exceptionally sane with you. More than we should have. [He grabs at the collar of her shirt.] Hand over your Pokemon.

[Miror B. grin becomes slightly strained when Paprika doesn't immediately comply. Even she doesn't think he's serious! He taps his fingers on his arm, only slightly consoled by Resix's apparent competence in handling the situation. He'll have to give him some more Pokemon or something -- how did he reward his old lackeys back in Orre? Oh, that was ridiculous, those two buffoons never did anything worth rewarding.

He reaches into his pocket, pulling out two Pokeballs and showing them meaningfully to Paprika.] Now, darling, I'd really hate to bring my own Pokemon in on this, but if you take too much longer I just might have to! Funny thing is, that silly little friend of yours probably wouldn't mind too much if I did have to rough you up a bit to make a point. [He taps his chin in exaggerated thoughtfulness.]

Actually, I'll make this easy! [He tossed one of the Pokeballs to the ground, releasing Claydol. The Pokemon makes a deep hollow chime, its 'arms' rotating slowly around its body as it levitates in front of Paprika.] If you don't hand over your Pokemon right this instant, Claydol here will Psybeam you! I'm not sure if you've ever been hit by a Psychic attack before, darling; it's not very pleasant.

[This is definitely not how Paprika had been expecting things to go down, and so she reacts in turn--which is to say she's kind of freaking out. Her eyes dart around for that stupid stump that is not making itself at all apparent right now, since she's totally inclined to give him what he wants if she can figure out how to do it. She has no idea what a Psychic attack entails, but she can at least figure that it's not terribly pleasant. Tentatively, she points in the general direction of where she last saw her bag.]

S-Somewhere over there in my bag by this tree stump, Iunno, what d'you even want them for they kinda suck because I don't know what I'm doing with this Pokemon stuff?

[He looked from Paprika, to where she pointed, to Miror. Sure, maybe they were over there. Or maybe, just maybe, she was setting them up.]

Why don't you check it out, boss? I'll keep her under control.

[Wonderful! Miror rubs his hands together and grins. Finally some proper respect!] Oh, don't worry about that, darling. I don't really want them at all, but your friend is oh-so-concerned for their well-being.

[He shoots a slightly annoyed glance at Proto Man when he makes his suggestion. Miror B., checking things out? Ridiculous! Not when he had so many beings scrambling to follow his orders! He snaps his fingers.] Combusken! Go fetch the bag.

[Combusken dashes off in the direction Paprika pointed, searching around behind a few tree stumps before locating the thing. He pulls it over by its strap, dragging it along the ground. Miror picks it up and begins rummaging through the bag, pulling out Paprika's four Pokeballs with a snicker.] Mm, yes, so much to-do about these puny little things. Well! Thank you very much, darling, you've been oh-so-helpful. And don't worry -- if you're lucky N will actually pay attention this time. He's oh-so-sentimental about Pokemon, you know.

[He casually recalls Claydol and flashes Proto Man a grin.] Make sure she stays put, would you? I have to decide the best way to deal with these Pokemon of hers.

[Paprika swallows hard, hoping she hasn't inadvertently doomed her Pokemon to something out of an anti-animal testing expose.]

What's your beef against N, anyways? Did he, like, kick your ass when he was being all Champion-ey and stuff? 'C-Cause I'm pretty sure people only do this kind of crazy shit for revenge in horror movies.

[Proto Man gives her a quick shake.] Do you honestly think you're in a position to be asking questions? [Hostages these days, honestly.] Hey, boss. What're we going to do with them? [No one was getting hurt on his watch, and that included Pokemon.]

[Miror slips the Pokeballs into his pocket, giving Paprika an amused, sarcastic look that doesn't conceal his true ire at the question very well.] Fuhohoho! Oh, darling; how incredibly naive of you! No, no; that's not it at all! [He frowns slightly. He knows exactly why N annoys him so much. In a brand new world where everything was looking up, where all his past failures were forgotten and everyone he met seemed so willing to do his bidding, N was the only one who threatened to tear it all down.

Oh, yes, he'd almost definitely blown the small amount of resistance out of proportion, but the self-righteous brat he'd heard on the Xtransceiver all those months ago reminded him so much of Michael that it had made him a bit obsessive. And he knew all that, but that definitely wasn't something you could go admitting aloud.] I'm just proving a point here. I mean, really, like I care about the silly League. [Okay, he does care a little.

He turns to Proto Man.] What are we going to do with them! Oh, it has to be good. Oh, oh, I just wish I could make Shadow Pokemon properly! That would be oh-so-perfect. Oh well. I suppose I'll just have to, I don't know. Kill them? Seems pointless. [He starts to wander off, talking aloud about his options.] I mean, what good are dead Pokemon? Useless! No, no; I won't kill them. Well, not all of them, anyway. Fuhohoho!

[Thoroughly rattled, Paprika would probably be crying if she wasn't too scared to even think of it. She's already completely forgotten that there are any alternatives to freaking out over the abrupt downwards spiral this series of events has taken, but it's not too likely that anyone's just going to pop up to rescue her in the middle of some creepy forest. Still, a jolt of alarm goes through her when Miror B suggests killing her Pokemon--she's been a crappy Trainer to them, but that doesn't mean they should get hurt for it.]

Woah, dude, t-they're living things man you're totally off your rocker they didn't even do anything!

[She's babbling, and it's pretty obvious she doesn't really know what she's getting at, but the idea that Miror B would seriously consider killing her weird super-monster-animals is just plain horrifying to her.]

[Just as Paprika finishes her sentence, there is a sudden, fast rustling in the trees above her. The violence of the movement is enough to send a shower of leaves scattering over the group below. Before there is too much time to wonder about what exactly is up there, it shows itself: a Darmanitan. A very angry Darmanitan.

She leaps out of the trees, surprisingly nimble considering her size, and crashes down to the forest floor before Paprika and Resix. She gives a deep, vengeful bellow in Miror B.'s direction. In a moment, her comrade shows up-- a Sigilyph-- which floats down from the trees with a bit more grace, and flies in a quick circle around Paprika and Resix, making affirmative chiming sounds. It doesn't take long for Darmanitan to make a first move, lunging at Miror B. with a fist alight with flames. Darmanitan used Fire Punch!

Looks like a mini cavalry has arrived. What was that about a rescue being unlikely?]

[This was unexpected. As he looks from the monkey attacking Miror to the bird circling him and Paprika, he's faced with two options: fight or flight. Not much of a choice. He drops the girl and makes a straight dash for the cover of the trees.]

Ambush! Scatter!

What! No! [Somewhat shocked by the unexpected intrusion, Miror B. merely takes a few, uncertain steps away from the attacking Darmanitan. Luckily for him, his Combusken is loyal to a fault and rushes in to dramatically push Miror aside and take the Fire Punch himself. The Pokemon is thrown back by the force of the attack, only its resistance to fire keeping it from fainting outright. After sliding painfully on the ground, it shakily attempts to get back to its feet, but is suddenly recalled to its Pokeball.

Miror B. quickly trades out Combusken's Pokeball for two more, and releases both of his Lombre to stand between him and Darmanitan.] Lefty, Righty; Fake Out these two wretched intruders. [With a furious glare towards the retreating Proto Man, Miror quickly moves toward Paprika. He grabs her arm roughly and drags her toward him.] Oh, no; you're not going anywhere.

[As the two Lombre rush toward Sigilyph and Darmanitan to carry out their orders, Miror tries to make sense of the chaos. These can't be wild Pokemon! So what was happening? The police? Where was the trainer? He begins to back up towards the woods, himself, holding Paprika in front of him like a human shield.]

Wait, I--

[She's cut off abruptly when Miror B yanks her to the side, his grip on her arm surprisingly painful coming from someone she's previously presumed to have no physical strength whatsoever. The weird bird thing that had been flying around her seemed kind of familiar, but she's not exactly in a state to think about it hard enough to remember if she's seen the thing before. Still, even Paprika can realize she's pretty much a meat shield right now, so she's just not going to move, barely even registering Miror B's backwards steps as an indication that she's supposed to be going with him.

((OoC: And if any of N's companions (Hilda, and Dragonite and Thomas if they followed N instead of splitting up at Nimbasa) want to get involved, send me a message or something and we can work something out?))

[Darmanitan gives a frustrated roar when the Combusken takes the hit instead of her target. She's about to lunge forward again, but hesitates when she sees that Miror has gotten a hold of Paprika. Can't use Flare Blitz when the girl is in the way. Taken off guard, she staggers back as the Fake Out hits her. The Sigilyph does the same, unable to escape the attack. As it tumbles back through the air, it makes a series of shrill chiming cries-- like an alarm.

As Miror B. steps back, he might notice another flash of movement-- something in the trees-- before a figure emerges from the dark. It's N, looking a bit out of breath after running after his Pokemon, with a Minun perched on his shoulder. He looks over the Miror and Paprika, and smiles in relief for a fraction of a second. There is Miror B., and Paprika is alive. It's almost laughable, finally seeing Miror's appearance. It's so very... flashy. Draws the eye. It almost reminds him of his father's extravagant manner of dress. The next moment, his expression is vengeful.]

My friends have surrounded you. A foolish decision-- to make your hideout here. [He gestures with one hand to the forest around him, and the Minun gives an affirmative "Mi-nun!"] Release her. Now.

[Miror turns toward N, instinctively moving Paprika between him and the newcomer. But as he looks over N's appearance, he actually calms a bit. He recalls how Emmet described this most annoying of persons -- long, green hair, casual dress. Why, this was none other than...] N!

[He straightens, feeling a bit more confident as his two Lombre move back near him after attacking Darmanitan and Sigilyph. He pulls Paprika to the side but doesn't let go of her arm, then waves his free hand dismissively as if he couldn't possibly be less concerned about N's claim. Still, as covertly as he can behind his shades, he's searching the surrounding trees for signs of more people and Pokemon.] Oh-so-rude of you to show up like this; I did say to call beforehand. Still, if you're here to pay up we can solve this quite peacefully!

N!

[Admittedly, after hearing what Miror B had said, she'd thought that maybe N had a point in ditching her--heck, she wouldn't have blamed him, really. She's not really sure why he bothered to show up again, but at this point, she doesn't really care. Besides, even when she's scared shitless, Paprika knows how to appreciate a well-executed heroic entrance.]

This guy's, uh, well, he's totally off his rocker, s-so watch out!

[Hilda emerges from the trees a few steps from where N did, just as breathless. Miror could probably see her coming as he scanned, since she pretty much charged in without bothering to try concealing herself. She recognizes Paprika immediately from the illusion form N's Zoroak had taken - so the other man had to be the criminal. He looked extremely out-of-place, she thought, for a criminal. But she was too focused on the scene to pay it much mind.]

Nope! No one came here to "pay up" anything, and you're not taking anyone's Pokemon.

[She's holding an Oshawott, and there's Pokeballs on her belt - they're nothing more than a bluff since the only Pokemon inside them is a Ditto, but it's a bluff nonetheless.]

[N just nods in agreement with Hilda.

Still, what Paprika said is absolutely correct: he has to be careful.] I am well aware of that, Paprika. [He glares at the two, eyes darting about as he tries to formulate a plan. He would just attack outright-- scare Miror away-- but he can't while Paprika is in the way.

Meanwhile, Sigilyph and Darmanitan recover from the hits they took, but don't move too far, only following after the Lombre so they surround Miror on the side parallel to N.]

I already said that I have no intention of following your orders, Miror B. Let Paprika and her Pokemon go... or my friends and I shall have to force them from you. [The Minun on his shoulders bristles, and Darmanitan and Sigilyph both give corresponding battle cries.]

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/slides right on in here

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is it now N->Miror B->Paprika, or is anyone else stepping in?

That sounds good, + Proto Man if he wants to get involved again.

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just gonna go ahead and tag back, but if anyone else wants to jump in, feel free!

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order is Hilda --> N --> Miror --> Paprika! c: