A Sinister Harvest!

[ulternnpc]

Once again the season for the Harvesting Bonds festival has arrived. All over the islands people and Pokemon were dressing up in colorful, autumn themed costumes for the occasion.

However the main event, down in Gilterrace Town had yet to be completed. There were still people out still preparing for the upcoming festival. The town was buzzing with activity, as last minute decorations were being made out of pumpkins. There were even a number of people fussing over where to place them among the other decorations that have already been set out.

From the laughter, and smiles from people they were all clearly enjoying their time together. Aside from decorating people could be seen helping out Pokemon into their costumes. A playful wind brushes by--carrying the scent of food throughout the town

Click.

A sudden sound that would only be audible enough if things were silent, went off. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, except one of the pumpkins seemingly lit up. Then another, and another, and then more.

"Huh, that's strange? Did someone put something in here?" One of the people in charge could be heard over by the decorations.

"Oh, maybe somebody already lit up one of the lanterns? Kinda early for lights don't ya think?" Another spoke up while walking closer checking out one of the glowing decorations in question.

"K…kyaaah!" Suddenly a scream pierced sharply, causing the festive atmosphere to grow quiet and still. Many eyes turned toward the scene. Before them a Parasol Lady is suddenly surrounded by a group of people holding her in place as a Malamar and a man approach in front of her.

The scene was peculiar, and unsettling as the Parasol Lady's fearful expression gradually grew blank--with her eyes seemingly vacant. An unsettling silence stretched as both the man and Malamar turned.

The man will raise his hand slowly, pointing directly towards them with a smirk on his face.

"Go, my faithful ones. Capture them all."

---

(🌺 For any questions/comments and/or plotting please feel free to refer to the OOC POST!🌺)

Comments

[ulternnpc]

“Rooownnn!” Amidst all the chaos Calyrex will appear. He can be seen adorned in a costume that a fine young man had made for him the year prior. He can be seen looking around seemingly in search of someone, or something before immediately approaching anyone nearby.

He’ll float before them before swishing his cape, and gesturing to them to follow.

[goingallout]

As Harvesting Bonds has returned, both Ash and Pikachu are dressed up for the occassion -- the 10-year old having to wear a Lycanroc-inspired getup, while Pikachu seemed to be wearing a pumpkin around his head. Both expecting to have a fun time in this year's festivities.

As he caught sight of Calyrex, immediately Ash's eyes lit up at the sight of a familiar face.

"Calyrex! How ya been, buddy?" he grinned, "It's been a while!"

Noticing that Calyrex wanted Ash to follow him, he obliged while wondering where the King of Harvests would take him.

[ulternnpc]

"Roooownwon!" Calyrex under normal circumstances would have happily greeted Ash. Instead he was more focused on leading Ash away from the chaos in the opposite direction.

"HELP!" However, it seemed there were others. Calyrex stopped with his cape swishing along in a dramatic flair. Where he turned he'll see one of the festival goer being captured in a Malamar's tentacle.

"Crowwwon!" Immediately, Calyrex changed its course heading straight for Malamar.

[ulternnpc]

A. Family Get Together (For Buson & Bashou)
The day was starting out as normal for Manzana–but he was excited having had the chance to invite both his brother and his partnerin crime, Buson and Bashou to the Festival. Both he and Anemone had plans to set up a stall over at the festival grounds but it was still early before they had to head down and prepare their decorations.

Plus Anemone had woken up early that morning just as eager to entertain their guests by baking treats for all of them. The smell of delicious pastries filled the whole house leaving Manzana alone in the living room waiting for their guests to arrive.

He couldn’t help but glance curiously at his phone every once in a while to see whether Buson had sent him any new messages since last. He was sure they were set to arrive any time soon.

B. At the Festival Grounds (Open to all!)
A little later, both Manzana and his fiancee Anemone can be seen setting up a stall with carefully arranged flowers, and an array of pastries and cookies that Anemone had made earlier in the morning. They were set out and easy access for any passing by guests. It was just as Manzana was putting up finishing touches to their stall (a few small decoration pieces, shaped like maple leaves) did he pick up on the sound of screams.

Immediately his first instinct was to drop everything, and place his back to the stall while observing the situation. His hand too moved over to one of his Pokeballs, with his eyes growing sharp. This wasn’t normal–what was going on?

b

[domeinion]

Something's up and I don't like it.

[Alice glides over in her clunky, elaborate glitch costume, eyes darting toward the sound.]

Did a new team drift in?

B

[ulternnpc]

[Manzana turned his attention over to Alice, unable to hide his surprise. There's also a look of relief when realizing who it is, and the fact she seemed unharmed. Immediately his serious expression returned as he turned his gaze back in the direction of the scream.]

I haven't the foggiest idea, but that may be a possibility. Of all things to happen...

[Who could it be? Team Flare? Team Rocket? Some other team, altogether? His fiancee, Anemone also made her way over to them.]

Well we can't just stand around here! Let's go and help anyone who's in trouble!

A

[buson]

Sorry, Buson didn’t think to send another message after heading out until he was literally outside the door! But hey, at least it’s a nice, quiet gathering and at home, so Bashou wouldn’t be so averse to go, especially with Buson there and having already met Manzana himself…

One quick message to tell Manzana to look outside, before he began knocking (a little too loudly and over-enthusiastically!) on the door. Dressed in a jinbei (because he likes the half pants and short sleeves more than a samue, okay?), with very flashy and bright, coiling, serpentine Dragon type designs.

yaaay my brother from another mother and also world

[ulternnpc]

Manzana saw the message first from Buson before hearing the loud knocks. He'll laugh to himself before going over to open the door for Buson. At the sight of him on the other side, Manzana's unable to hide his look of surprise.

"Attila! You decided to dress up for the festival?" He'll smile over to him while opening his arms up for a hug in greeting. "It's so good to see you."

[domeinion]

[1) preparation]

[Alice shows up in... okay, what is that costume? She's shuffling around in a large fabric box supported by a frame of plastic pipes on wheels. It's all purple blocks making up weird shapes, with panels for Alice to stick her hands out and a hole for her face.

...She's dressed up as a glitch, is what we're saying. Hyperbug is flying next to her in a question mark costume with his wings sticking out.]

Fascinating! There's so much going on -- what do you think, Hyperbug? I wonder if they've set up any Trick-or-Treat Houses.

[2) the incident]

[Alice steps back (or, uh, wheels back, given the clunky costume) and glares. Something rustles in the back and she opens the back of the big fabric-and-PVC glitch and steps out from around the side.]

start9! What's going on here?

1

[radleyslittleevie]

[Evie approaches, intrigued.]

Hi! What's your costume? The purple is so pretty!

[She's wearing a purple witch or wizard hat.]

[domeinion]

Oh, it's a glitch in reality! Or at least the most common representation.

[Hyperbug buzzes in his question mark costume.]

His is another one! You see, where I'm from, there was an incident where an elaborate simulation broke and its elements entered the real world, which began to glitch like a computer. That phenomenon now has its own guardian, a Pokémon called Phancero. Though another name we call it is OLDEN. This is around the time of year that people honour OLDEN, so I thought it was appropriately seasonal!

I do like your witch costume! Is that the kind of thing that's common for this sort of holiday where you're from? I think I saw a few in some Trick-or-Treat Houses.

[eadietheeevee]

An Eevee Baker

Eadie the Eevee is definitely at the festival. She has brought a variety of foods she has cooked and baked, hoping to promote that she is a talented chef. She's sitting at her booth with a red bandanna on her head, greeting everyone who passes by and explaining her wares if asked.

"Yes, I really did make everything. Why do you ask?"


Parasol Lady

Eadie's ears go back flat on her head at the ominous pronouncement. "You're not going to catch me!" She hops down, preparing for battle.

[ulternnpc]

The Parasol Lady still with a vacant expression is the one to move forward. She lowered her own parasol down before holding out her Pokeball. Both the man in charge, and Malamar stood back while observing.

"It would be wise for you to simply give in, and join us. Wouldn't it be better if we all get along and become part of paradise?"

[eadietheeevee]

"Paradise?" Eadie snorts. "Oh, so you're the ‘let's create Utopia' kind of nut. You know how many of them have tried that through the years and failed? What do you think makes your plan more foolproof than theirs?"

An Eevee Baker

[buson]

Buson first mistook Eadie for Eevee, expression brightening as he walked over.
"I didn't know you baked..."

But the voice that replied wasn't anything like Evie's! It had a more mature quality to it.

He blinked in surprise.

"... you're a different talkin' Eevee, huh? You talk fancy, to boot."

Re: An Eevee Baker

[eadietheeevee]

"Different? You know Evie, then." She smirks, pleased. "She's been helping me get set up and telling me all about her friends. I'm not surprised you've met her. She wants to talk to everyone."

An Eevee Baker

[dragonbuster]

What could be better than food?!

Georgia's so eager to grab something to eat (and she's actually going to pay for it, this time!), she initially completely misses the fact that she's met this Eevee before.

Hands clasped, a wide grin and sparkling eyes as she admires the food.

"All of this looks AMAZING, really, all by yo—GAH!"

It's her!!

Re: An Eevee Baker

[eadietheeevee]

Eadie is pleased for such food appreciation, but she soon recognizes this girl and jumps. Now she's on guard, but still speaks completely calmly.

"Yeah, I'm bringing all my food know-how here. Might as well, since who knows how long I'll be here."

An Eevee Baker

[loudvoiceloudbabybird]

"Oh wow, they all look tasty!" the teen exclaims. They're wearing a pair of Pikachu ears and a Pikachu tail, and if Eadie looks closely she might notice their hair sparks with actual electricity on occasion. "It's really cool that you can bake! Do people not believe that you can?"

Re: An Eevee Baker

[eadietheeevee]

"Thanks," Eadie says. "Yeah, some people think I'm the pet of the actual baker. That gets old."

She looks at the hair. "You really like Pikachu, don't you?"

[from zero to attacking humans with Pokemon, #JustBusonThings]

[buson]

Buson got to freely spend the rest of the day, given there was a festival going on and besides, he had that little party to attend, but he maybe he should have expected from hiw the last festival turned out, this wouldn't all be fun.

The scream got his attention and when he looked the Parasol Lady's way, he caught the fading light in her eyes and the fear fading into nothing. Kind of a blank, doll-like face. It's unsettling and reminds him of something unpleasant.

Who's trying to make trouble here? ... that's a Kalosian Pokemon, isn't it. But not one of Manzana's...

Alright, time to try and take down whoever that is!

He grabbed Skarmory and Mawile's pokeballs. The lady clearly isn't acting of her own volition, so he isn't targeting her, he's going to attack the source! That man looked to be in charge, didn't he? A hard look exchanged with his Pokemon. Skarmory briefly looked surprised, then focused, glaring at the target.

"Skarmory, Steel Wing!" Buson swung his arm out. "Mawile, Play Rough!"

Skarmory flew towards the man, wings sharpened and glowing, while Mawile focused on Malamar.

[ulternnpc]

Of course the good old Doctor wasn't prepared for the sudden attack aimed his way. However, while the Malamar was distracted by Mawile as it moved to lash back with a Dark Pulse--a Rookidee stepped in to take the brunt of Skarmory's attack effectively protecting the man.

"Fufufu...good job my beautiful Eloise." He chuckled, with his dark eyes moving to Buson. "What do we have here? A party crasher?"

Lifting his hand he'll snap causing the newly hypnotized Parasol Lady to turn her attention to Buson.

"It's futile to fight." She spoke with no emotions behind her voice. "Join us. Join us with Lord Z and his Pokemon Army."

[stormkingofshepherds]

Relaxing...

Nathaniel is not one to dress up, but that doesn't mean he can't try to enjoy himself anyways. Not to mention some of his companions are way more into it. Brinda is skipping along beside him, wearing a pair of Pikachu ears and tail, while a Crustle with a spherical shell is scuttling along, a cardboard ring with attached styrofoam moons encircling her shell. A Ludicolo follows close behind, dressed in a snazzy-looking outfit and occasionally doing little dances to entertain the children. And Macy, of course, is at Nathaniel's side, on the lookout for any potential dangers.

"You know...it's kind of nice to see this. It really is peaceful here, isn't it?"

"Everything smells so good!" exclaims Brinda. "Can we try a bit of everything, Dad?"

Nathaniel smiles, ruffling their hair. "Of course."

...before everything goes wrong

Oh hell no. Nathaniel has been slowly settling into this new region, trying to get used to it and learning more about the different worlds people come from. It's still all a bit confusing, and part of him grieves for what apparently could have been. But right now, there's a danger in front of them, one that he can't let stand, as part of Quan's Hope.

"Belle! X-Scissor!"

The Crustle nods, lifting up a claw to cut away her cardboard ring, letting it drop to the ground as she scuttles forwards, preparing to slice at the Malamar.

"You're not going to succeed! Me and my dad will kick your butts!" adds Brinda, raising their hands. Electricity sparks between them as they glare at their opponents. Part of them wonders if they should just fully transform, but-no. They can handle it as they are for now.

[ulternnpc]

"What?!" The man that was standing next to Malamar reacted when it's hit by the X-Scissor. Undeterred he'll follow with an attack of his own. "Use Psybeam!"

The Malamar will prepare an attack at Belle--and all the while the Parasol Lady will walk over. Her expression blank as she stared at Nathaniel and Brinda. She'll readjust and lift up her parasol before purposefully walking in between Brinda and their opponents.

"Do not interfere." She spoke in a complete monotone voice.

[megabond]

Before the Storm

[Professor Sycamore couldn't resist a festival. While he wasn't in a costume, he was helping out with the lanterns and the food. Despite all of that, he is willing to chat before the Harvesting Bonds start.]

Caught in the Eye

[Unfortunately, it all changes when the Malamar attacks.

Upon seeing the chaos brought upon the local doctor and his band of evil Pokemon, Augustine didn't take long to help with the evacuations. He was confused at all of this. He barely knew the doctor, but he knew he wasn't the type to hold any grudges.

However, just as he could flee with the others, he was suddenly blocked by a Malamar as it flashed a light to the Pokemon Professor.]

What in the world are you...doing...

[Just like that, his mind fell to Dr. Unoya and the Malamar's control who could do nothing but obey their orders.]