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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I don't really understand, either. Shadows…? Cipher? You want to turn Pokemon into weapons?

[Hilda cringes. In another reality, in another land, there were people who did that in larger scales?]

Why would you do something like that? Aren't they good enough as they are?

[She looks at N, who seems about ready to just forcibly take the kidnapper's Pokemon. Hilda wasn't sure she approved of that, but if all of this about experiments and shadows was true… She wasn't sure she would feel like stopping him. So as a last resort, she tries to get through to the afro guy somehow.]

Unlike N, I can't see auras or darkness or anything. But even I could still tell that Serperior was restless and hurt. Don't you care that this process is hurting it?

Shadow Pokemon... [He repeats it to himself, additionally making note of the other terms. Orre. Cipher. Snag Machine. N has never heard of Cipher, or of a "Snag Machine", but that's not surprising. He has, however, heard of Orre-- some distant memory from a book back in his castle. A desert, barely any wild Pokemon; it repelled him. Now, he wonders, how many Shadow Pokemon are there in such a region?

He flinches when one of the Pokeballs is thrown, but follows it with his eyes, making sure it gets to its trainer. He glances over the familiar Numel with some relief, but redevelops his careworn stare when Hilda speaks.]

To some people, Pokemon are never good enough as they are. You remember it, don't you, Hilda? What I stood for? Some do not care at all for Pokemon-- they only care that they have prime tools for their own gain, and they will do whatever is necessary to achieve that. Even if it means causing such pain. After all, it's not as if they can see it like you can, or hear it as I do. People like that do not even try to understand. [He glances back at Paprika briefly; this is a lecture he wants her to hear as well. Getting through to Miror? Apparently, N has given up on that.

He turns his attention back to Miror.] Reasoning with people such as you is pointless. Should I allow you to leave, you will replace Paprika's Pokemon with others. And even if you do not, you would still be forcing that Serperior to suffer. [Perhaps he could gain leverage with threats if Miror decided to warp any more Pokemon, but, as Miror said, threats really don't suit him.] Unless there is some goodness in your heart, I do not see any reason to simply let you be. Even if you escaped, I would have to find you again. And I have yet to see any good come from you. Am I wrong?

[Miror keeps a steady glare focused on N throughout his speech, feeling an odd mix of deep-seated amusement at the naivete of the outlook, and a foreboding sense of deja vu. It's as if he's heard this all before! Although there's a slightly different note to this one: carefully veiled references to some kind of personal history. Maybe N really is an ex-criminal! Why, if only Miror had known; he would have tried to dig up more dirt on him before starting this little escapade.

He crosses his arms -- carefully, to avoid the rocks -- when N readdresses him. Taking care to appear flippant, he tries to figure out just how far this little hero on a power trip is willing to go when he has the upper hand.] Are you wrong? Well it's hardly my fault if you feel you have to trail me like a hungry Poochyena. But, I'm curious, darling; just what is it you plan to do to me, if not let me be? Hmm?

[Paprika's...just going to pretend she understands what's going on. She gets that it's bad, but the rest is pretty beyond her. For now, she figures it's probably best to hang tight and let N and Miror B duke out their liberation thing. Absently, she starts scratching behind Old Man's ears, which seems to satisfy him.]

[After listening through N's lecture and Miror's cool dismissal of it, Hilda finds her mouth acting mostly on its own.]

We'll stop you. As many times as it takes! We won't let you go, now, either... Until you've returned all of Paprika's Pokemon, and that Serperior too.

[She disregards completely the ideological implications of liberation, or whatever. The right thing to do is relative to the situation, and her kneejerk reaction to take this particular stance is guided by her gut. Her mind isn't catching up until well after she's spoken. Ah, oops.]

I don't know. Jail you, perhaps-- that seemed the most logical. [But he looks a bit unwilling to do that. N didn't trust the police. He knew Ghetsis had been taken away to jail, but he hardly doubted that the imprisonment lasted long enough. ~~Spoilers: he's entirely correct in that assumption; Ghetsis never even went to jail at all. Nice try though, guys!~~]

Either way, Hilda is correct. [He pauses, glancing at the others, should they have any additional ideas.] Paprika's Pokemon will be returned, and the Serperior given to me... or we will take you to the police. [He tilts his head, watching for Miror's reaction.]

[Miror doesn't say anything about that for a while. He appears mildly concerned about the threat of being turned in to the police, actually -- he'd been in jail before, and getting out was not as easy as he occasionally bragged about. His gaze moves to the rocks surrounding him, idly taking note of their sharp edges and close proximity. As dismissive as he is trying to appear, it is undeniable that he is in a thoroughly compromising situation here. But it had taken months and months to approach even a vague similarity to a Shadow Pokemon with Serperior! The idea of losing all that work is infuriating.

But he can't see any way out of this without submitting to the demands -- not when the other two options are getting arrested and gambling that someone he'd already misjudged wouldn't actually move on to more violent methods. Quietly seething, he looks back to N.] Now, see; I'm impressed! I underestimated you! Such a devious little mind you have! Yes, you have beaten me through and through and thoroughly, too. I'll give you back Paprika's Pokemon, and Serperior, too, you greedy thing.

[He laughs bitterly as he retrieves Serperior's Pokeball and adds it to the others in his hand. Taking a small step toward N, he reaches toward him through a gap in the Stealth Rocks with the Pokeballs sitting in the palm of his hand. He watches N carefully, his expression grimly sardonic.] Why, it's almost as if this isn't the first time you've coerced someone into giving you their Pokemon.

[Not entirely sure if she's supposed to be getting her own Pokemon or leaving the serious business standoff to N, Paprika glances down at Old Man, who merely whuffles in return.]

Well, I mean, didn't you kinda do the same thing? 'Cause you were all like, "Yeah you'd better give me your Pokemon and stuff or I'm gonna go all 'SAW' on your ass!" and stuff.

[Actually, it was pretty terrifying, but it doesn't seem too bad when she puts a humourous spin on it.]

[Paprika's comment makes Hilda huff. She folds her arms at Miror and looks up at him, pulling a face.] Yeah, really. Threatening a girl... You're the worst. What N has or hasn't done before, means nothing to you. [But the Pokeballs are safely in N's hands, and the bargain has been fulfilled. So Hilda nods at her Ditto.] ...That's good, you can let him go.

[As the rocks loosen and fall softly to the ground, Hilda turns to Paprika.]

He didn't actually do anything to you, did he? Are you alright?

[N doesn't say anything in response to Miror's suggestion, instead just letting the girls speak for him. He checks over the Pokeballs for a moment, then takes a small step back. He nods vaguely in the direction of the forest's exit.]
Go. [Darmanitan follows the backward step N took, and Sigilyph moves aside a bit. Still, she remains hovering nearby, staring silently at Miror with those three eyes of hers. JUDGING YOU SO HARD.

Turning his attention to the Pokeballs again, N cautiously plucks one from the group and looks it over solemnly. He's not sure how to get rid of that shadow, but he's definitely going to try. He pockets the one Pokeball and turns to Paprika.]

He had me believe that you'd been killed... [Well, thanks for the vote of confidence, N! But he does look very relieved, even if a voice in the back of his mind reminds him that he should be angry about what essentially was betrayal on Paprika's part. Hesitantly, he offers her the rest of her Pokeballs.] I only wish I had found you sooner.

[Miror continues to watch N, smiling bitterly when Paprika mentions that he had done the same thing.] Well, that's oh-so-true, but I'm the criminal here, aren't I? Champions don't usually... what was it? Liberate other peoples' Pokemon?

[As the Stealth Rocks fall, Miror takes a step back, halfway expecting something else to happen to him. When nothing does, and N dismisses him, he finally recalls Claydol and gives a quick nod towards his Lombre.] Well, darlings, it's been fun. 'Til next time! [He flashes a sarcastic grin at the group which fades to a grim scowl as he turns and makes his way towards the forest exit. Lombre hurries behind him, glancing nervously over its shoulder at N and company as they leave. Not his most graceful exit, but it'll have to do.]

[Watching Miror B go, Paprika does have to think it's not exactly the coolest exit. Still, she's unbelievably relieved to have all this craziness behind her. Trotting over to N, she takes the Pokeballs from him, Old Man plodding along behind her at her own pace.]

Thanks, uh...

[Oh, oops. That kind of reminds her that she was the one who told Miror B that N used to be the Champion--whatever that meant, it was obviously pretty important.]

I... I'm really sorry, man.

[Hilda spares Miror's back another harrumph as he leaves. She's about to cheerfully interrupt, maybe fuss over Paprika or congratulate N, but something... about Paprika's tone, and the way she's looking at N, feels a little off. It doesn't feel like she's apologizing just for the kidnapping situation. So for once Hilda reads the mood and decides to step back for a moment, and let them sort out whatever they may need to.

Thankfully her attention is seized by her Ditto anyway, which is just now morphing back into its real form - and then immediately back to a Zekrom.]

Ah, you like being one of those, don't you?

[It gives a friendly sort of nod, and she pats its head. She can reach - it's only barely taller than she is. She takes to offering it some suggestions, enthusiastically for someone caked in mud and drenched from rain.]

Hum, do you think you'd like to be smaller? N's Reshiram was really tiny. Maybe you can get the face right if you try going smaller.

[N shoots a glare in Miror's direction at his comment, but looks a bit dejected once the man has gone. He frowns at Paprika. Mini-lecture time!] I explained to you how highly esteemed the position of Champion is, didn't I? I trusted that you would not reveal what I told you. [Then again, he didn't really expect it to be used against him in the way it was.] You put your Pokemon-- and yourself-- in danger, while putting my own safety at risk. [He probably shouldn't have spoken of it to begin with, but it's obviously too late for that.] I'm glad that you are unharmed, but what if we had not found you in time? What if I had lost?

[He sighs heavily and averts his attention to Hilda, glancing at her from over his shoulder.] Your help was much appreciated, Hilda. As was yours... Zekrom. [He offers the pair a small smile, but it's gone again when he turns back to Paprika. He nods at her Pokeballs.] Let them out. Make sure they haven't been harmed either.

[At his feet, the Plusle and Minun regroup as well, quickly clambering up onto Darmanitan's head. N regards the two with some curiosity; when did that Plusle show up? They chatter away protestingly at N (judging by his uncertainly stubborn expression, it's something about how he needs to cheer up and be happy that he won).]

[Well, shit. This is kind of like getting sent to the principal's office in elementary school, only a million times worse because she's actually done something wrong. Sheepish, she lets out all her Pokemon, who all seem a little confused, but no worse for the wear. Robin resumes her habitual post on Paprika's shoulder and instantly begins to sift through her hair with her beak, preening. Still looking guiltily at N, Paprika reaches a finger up to stroke the top of Robin's head, eliciting a satisfied peep.]

Uh. I guess I can't just be like, "my bad" or whatever.

[Apparently the Ditto hadn't noticed there was anything wanting in its rendition of Zekrom's face, but it seems to ponder the idea and finds it worth trying anyway. Its form changes again, and it ends up the size of a toy. Ah, cute. Hilda picks it up into her palm.]

I think you got it! Well, you can go back to being tall if you feel like it later. It's a free country. [She pokes it idly, and it reacts by biting her finger, almost like a parrot.

A few paces away from her, it sounds like N has said what he needed to Paprika, so at her second apology Hilda decides to chime in. She walks back closer to them, and gives Paprika's Pokemon a quick survey.]

Ah, well... in the end, the one who's really at fault was that guy, wasn't it? I think we should be happy we're all safe. [She smiles and pushes her graceless, sopping bangs out of her eyes somewhat sheepishly, juggling Oshawott and pet-Zekrom in one arm.] I'm glad I could help. Sorry for suggesting you put your Pokemon on the line, though.

Hmm. [So he says in response to Paprika. "Her bad", perhaps, but her Pokemon do look equally unharmed. His Darmanitan immediately seeks out Paprika's Darumaka, giving cheerful greetings and chiding, "Geez, be more careful next time! You had me all worried, fatty!"

Surrounded by happier Pokemon, N can't help but loosen up a bit, managing a small smile. He glances at the mini-Zekrom with some amusement. He'd let out his sham of a Reshiram to greet its counterpart now, but he exchanged it back in Nimbasa in favor of the more experienced Sigilyph. The Psychic-type hovers a bit closer, its job as a guard accomplished. N places a hand appreciatively on the Pokemon's side.] Mm, it's alright. Even if I had failed, they wouldn't have obeyed him. Though I would have preferred other means, it seems such a compromise was necessary--

[He trails off abruptly, and sneezes. Sigilyph flutters her wings, startled, and N pulls back a little, looking just as surprised and a little dismayed.] Oh... [Guess who's going to have a royal cold!

He sniffles, ignoring the minor setback, and looks at Paprika again. He sounds a bit less scolding.] Your Pokemon are fond of you. You're their trainer-- they trust in you. You've been in this Unova just as long as I have. I believe it's about time you learned to understand its ways.

Its ways? Like, the ways of the Force?

[Okay, he was asking for that one. Still, she's glad to see that N isn't too mad at her, even though she probably deserves it. Seeing Hilda up close, Paprika can tell she doesn't look quite as much like Rose as it'd seemed like before, but there's enough of a similarity to really make her homesick for the first time. The downside to being the dumb one, she realizes, is that you're a heckuva lot more likely to get yourself in trouble. Somehow, she doubts that Rose would've bothered with Miror B at all. All things considered, though, there's nothing for it but to put a good face on.]

Okay, yeah, that one was really bad.

[Indeed, her Pokemon do look fond of her. Hilda observes them being friendly, and lowers her Oshawott to the ground so it can mingle. It seems curious about Old Man, and approaches him timidly.

Maybe it's just the high of having thwarted Miror mixing up with exhaustion, both emotional and physical - but, several moments after the joke, Hilda ends up snickering. It doesn't really matter that she didn't get it at all, it just seemed worth laughing at.]

I'll have a lot to learn from both of you, about these ways. Since I just got here... [And speaking of, that means a proper introduction is in order.]

Ah, yeah! Uh, you heard my name already, but I'm Hilda. Actually, I'm from the same place N is from. [She extends a hand, and a big grin, to Paprika]

[N of course just blinks and raises an eyebrow at the joke, and looks even more perplexed when Hilda laughs. Force? The force of what? He just looks back and forth between the two, quickly giving up on the effort of asking for an explanation.]

Ah. [That's true. Hilda's arrival was still very recent; like restarting her journey over from stage one, he imagines. He nods as Hilda introduces herself.] And a well-respected trainer in her own right. More skilled than I, in truth. [There's a bit of a bashful smile.] Still, I will provide whatever guidance that I can to both of you. [He's definitely not an expert, but the ability to understand Pokemon was always an advantage.]

[Paprika takes Hilda's hand and gives it a shake, already feeling better. It's essentially impossible to make her upset for any extended period of time.]

Cool! Uh, just in case you missed it while everyone was screaming it, I'm Paprika.

[Oh, so N and Hilda know each other? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...]

So you two are like, actually from the same universey-dimensioney-thingy?

Good to meet'cha. [She lets the hand go, but not the smile.]

Yeah, I guess N's told you, but it's... the same as this place. [Hilda wants to say more about their Unova, about reviving the dragons and Team Plasma and all. But she's not sure where to start... Not to mention it might be touchy for N to speak of. So after hesitating for a second, she lets it go at that. It's a bit funny - it is true that they know each other, but she and N never had such a normal, cheerful introduction as this.]

[N nods, and adds tentatively:]
Hilda recognized me. No one else here has recognized me. [That was the only way he could tell, it seemed.] Our Unova is very similar, but there are apparent differences. The species of wild Pokemon, for one. The absence of some, the presence of many. [Speaking of which...

He moves aside abruptly, speaking softly to the Plusle and Minun still perched on Darmanitan's head. The Minun really just hitched a ride on his shoulder when they first showed up in LostLorn Forest, and now it seems it'll be joining N's team. As for the Plusle... it still looks somewhat uncertain.]

Uh, so there aren't normally all of these guys where you're from? Like the, uh...

[She glances down at the Plusle and points.]

This Redchu thinger?

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[ action ] The Heinous Plot part 3

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Time for an order change? N --> Paprika --> Hilda!

sounds good to me! also ohay subject lines

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Subject lines came back-- It's a Christmas miracle!!

yes good

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