M Obemu's Story

A mysterious figure appeared within the bar through it's own teleportation. When the wavy locality finished bending, a three foot figure was now stationed. The figure's eyes glowed blue, and it studied the location carefully. A mostly empty bar it seemed, in need of some provocation. The figure hovered over to a wall, and proceeded to take position there, hovering in place with an idle animation, composed of flair.

Adorning it's hands, three colored dots, red, yellow, and green, a group of colorful spots. Idly watching everyone in the bar, it regarded NPCs as patrons, at least so far.

The figure looked like an alien. An oblong, brown head, symmetrical lines, two green eyes with small black pupils, and even four mysterious dots matching its color adorning its chest. It was three feet, and hovered a few inches off the ground as it observed the new entry.

The figure continued to idle, not intending to accomplish anything of note at the moment. It easily could do so, but it chose not to, deciding to instead observe the others with a great interest.

The figure saw nothing to gain here, and vanished from the bar in a teleportation.

Across Nimbasa City, the dark shadow spread, darkening the skies and bringing a rain of flashing lights and streaks of lightning. The rumble of thunder was intense, and several crystals would begin arising from cracks in the earth at various locations. The ground became tainted and corrupted around each crystal formation, and the air, in general, began to feel more oppressive. Trainers throughout the area had their moments of panic, running for shelter, with the Pokemon Center quickly filling to capacity. The flashing lights outside raining from the sky stung and harmed Pokemon and Trainer alike, and many sought treatment for the scrapes they took.

--

Inside the Pokemon Center, as the nurses worked tirelessly, a Scrafty turned to raise its shades and observe the Trainer standing beside it. The Trainer looked frightened, scared, and a little exhausted, with her tank top and shorts having done little to protect her from the flashing lights. She was scratched all over, and her clothing was tattered. The televisions and radios were on the fritz, and many Trainers were trying to get them working again.

The Scrafty pondered the turn of events. Just hours ago, it was a bright and sunny day, with a grand fight occurring at the large stadium, and then the fight had to be interrupted. This followed. It vexed the Scrafty. Something was up, and it wasn't sure what, but it was big.

--

Elsewhere, inside the Theater, another location where Trainer and Pokemon were taking shelter, several Trainers were trying to get a radio and television working to see if they could get any news on what was going down. Everyone was on edge, and volunteers were helping any Trainers and Pokemon who ran inside the building to get medical aid as needed. Aiding their efforts was a Beheeyem, one that seemed to know the move Heal Pulse, and was quite proficient at treating even the humans, alongside the Pokemon.

To it, this whole circumstance stood out as odd. Peculiar. Yet, the feeling it got was not unlike the one it had when a Zoroark was trying to terrorize the region on the down low several years ago. Only this felt like it was going to get worse, rather than better.

--

Every corner of the city was soon shrouded in the darkness, and few Trainers or Pokemon willingly were still outdoors. What would happen next was unknown.

"Okay, go!"

"Nfffffg! Oh, ow, ow, ow, OW, OW, OW!"

Skyball cursed aloud as he glided from one point of cover to another, trying to fly in between the raindrops as best he could. Unfortunately, when the Emolga spread it's glorious wings, it exposed him to all kind of misfortune from above...including light particles that hurt when making contact with skin. He figured if Dee or Gambit were here, they'd be contemplating the logistics of the phenomenon at hand, trying to understand how it works and a potential counter to the issue.

But they chose Search and Rescue... he mocked them in his head, immature voice and all. It was a way of coping.

He found himself underneath the large dumpster soon enough, joining his long time Pachirisu friend soon enough. "You're better at this 'run for cover' thing than I am," he grumbled.

"Whaaaaaat?" Lumi's eyes widened in over-dramatic fashion, "You mean to tell me I'm finally better at something than you are? The Spirit World must be frozen over!"

Skyball scowled, "Shut it. I have to glide to keep up with you. I have more exposure."

She giggled, "Well you should really do something about it."

"Lumi, I'm actually not in a good mood right now," Skyball snapped, "Chill for a sec."

Her smile faded. It was rare when Skyball got like this, "What's up?"

"Something feels different."

"Liiiiiiiike what?"

"I think it's the weather," he pointed above him, "Something in the atmosphere. It's like...infecting me or something."

"Well I don't feel anything," Lumi extended a hand out from underneath the dumpster, "See? I feel fine. Little hurt, but nothing an Oran Berry can't fix. You sure you're not just placebo-ing this feeling?"

Skyball sighed and looked down, "I don't know. Maybe?"

"Well, pay attention to it. If it starts to get worse, let me know. We can let Crimson know when we get back to the Guild."

He thought for a moment before nodding, "Alright...Alright! I'm focused. Are we almost to the outpost?"

"Yeah. Pretty close." Lumi took a look around, "Should be a left and a right and then we'll see it."

Skyball chuckled lightly and let out a smirk, "This city takes me back, y'know? Lotta fond memories we made here. Fighting that Nidorina..."

"You got to fight the Nidorina," Lumi shook her head, "I had to take on a Charmeleon and his goons."

"Yeah...and I had to rescue you."

She snorted, "That makes it a...one to ten ratio?"

He exhaled, amused, "That's generous of you..."

They were silent for a spell. Skyball continued to contemplate, "Wonder how that kid is doing..."

"He seemed smart. He's probably fine." She patted his wing, "Maybe Rubira will run into him."

"Yeah, maybe...ya ready to finish this?"

"Ready when you are."

"Kay. You're up."

"Kay...ah, ooh, dammit, dammit, DAMMIT!"

---

Rubira was panting as she entered the Theater. She was pretty fast, so she could easily sprint through the flashing lights before it started to get really bad. But that didn't stop the fact that it did, in fact, hurt. She was wincing as she trotted past the opening, trying to squeeze past the hundreds of people.

Many people were taken aback by the sudden presence of Rapidash. Any tourist or human that owned a Rapidash would've kept it in the ball, given the mob of people hiding out in the theater. As a result, many people believed she was a wilding, which made little sense as Ponyta weren't native to the region. Not to mention the knapsack on her side only proved to perplex the odd situation.

But Rubira didn't pay the stares any mind. She simply passed through, reaching the back and glancing around the area. With so many creatures in one location, it would take a while for her to look at everyone in here. Finding Team Cassanova would be a tougher challenge than she thought.

Hope Lumi and Skyball find them... she thought as she took notice of the Beheeyem in the corner, healing Pokemon and humans at it's own kindness. She knew it had to be getting tired, using Heal Pulse so much.

An act of kindness... she thought as she reached into her knapsack and pulled out a Leppa Berry. She walked over to the Beheeyem and set the berry down in front of it.

"You could use this at some point, I reckon," she said with a grateful smile, "Thanks for everything you're doing."

---

Nimbasa City : Musical Theater Lobby

---

The Beheeyem stopped his work on bandaging a young boy's leg and whirled around to face the Rapidash.

Thank you, kindly, Fire Horse Pokemon. However, this should be taken to my "Trainer". That is, my assistant, who is inside the theater itself. She is overseeing the efforts of the healing of all who enter while I handle the severe, or vulnerable cases. Her mien is one of compassion and calm; her aura and presence serene, as a leadership figure in this sudden, yet trying, time.

Turning back to the boy, the Beheeyem nodded once.

The preserving and coverage of your wound has been completed. It is okay, and is to be healthy soon. Take great care, and promise to stay with your partner in your Trapinch.

Floating into the air, the Beheeyem pocketed the Leppa Berry, beckoning the Repidash to follow him inside the theater proper.

---

Nimbasa City : Musical Theater Auditorium

---

The crowded interior of the theater itself was astonishing, yet most of the crowd was silent and calm, here to rest and let their panic go free. Many drank water, grabbed food, or just chatted with each other in a sort of friendly commiseration to uplift each other. The center attraction, however, was on the stage itself. A woman of shapely figure and bust, glowing with the spotlights focused on her, stood. She was tall, and her garb was almost angelic. It wasn't the most modest of garments, but the resemblance to Arceus was unmistakable in its colors and aesthetics, almost as if she was trying to represent the ultimate deity's presence.

The other standout feature about the beautiful woman was her eyes. Though open, her eyes were murky and grey. Clouded permanently in what was no doubt a showcase of what she was doing without at all times. Somehow, she could still reach down unhindered to place hands onto a section of the stage before her; a section that healed Trainers and Pokemon who stood within its zone as she uttered simple words of healing and peace over them.

The Beheeyem continued.

If there is anyone to thank, properly it is her. My assistant and "Trainer", it was by her idea that I set up a place of rest here in the Musical Theater, as a spacious alternative to the no doubt crowded Pokemon Center. Though she cannot see, her compassion in trying times is unmatched, and in this profession of aid, such a trait is a virtue.

It would likely take Rubira a while to find anyone specific, but there were plenty of people to ask, if not the lady herself.

Rubira followed as she was guided, interested in the human the Beheeyem was talking about. As they went, she continued to search through the crowds of people for a familiar face...particularly one belonging to Team Cassanova. People continued to stare, but didn't seem to question too hard about her presence in the Musical Theater Auditorium.

As they left the common area and entered the main theater, the Rapidash blinked as her eyes laid upon the hundreds of thousands of people and Pokemon that occupied the room. No wonder people were waiting out in the main lobby, she realized. Most of this space was full. They seemed to be enjoying themselves...or at least trying to enjoy themselves and make light of a dark situation. While the humans talked, the Pokemon did the same. The younger ones were playing, some up in the rafters, while the older ones either talked with other Pokemon or stood by their trainers. They were trying just as hard to make themselves as comfortable as possible.

A few of their eyes spotted Rubira trotting through. One of them leaned over and whispered, "I think that's a Crimson Guild Member..."

The muttering and whispering grew and before she knew it, the rumor was spreading like wildfire. The few eyes that were on here grew to several, which grew to all Pokemon staring and watching her. Even the kids that were above them looked down to peer at her from above. Some of the humans noticed the strange looks their Pokemon was giving her and followed their gaze, puzzled or bemused. What made this particular Rapidash so special?

Rubira silently sighed and focused on blotting them all out. She was here to find Team Cassanova, not to be distracted.

Her gaze went towards the stage and she caught the marvel that was the Beheeyem's trainer. It was like she was their vessel to Arceus, acting as the conduit to the Pokemon God and relaying the hopes and thoughts of the people down below. She even dressed the part, although her clouded gray vision told her everything she needed to know about the lady's sight.

Rubira was suddenly drawing a parallel. It's just like...

But before she could complete the thought, the words of the Beheeyem spoke up, explaining the lady's actions and her rationale. She had to admit...it was a clever one. No doubt the Pokemon Center would have their hands full trying to heal so many visitors at once. It was impressive that they pioneered this effort. And while she knew that other humans and Pokemon would be doing the same, they definitely weren't doing it to this scale. She couldn't imagine this kind of crowd at the Pokemon Center.

"Well then I thank both of you for your combined efforts in bringing the people and Pokemon a refuge from the storm," she said to the Beheeyem, "Who knows how many lives would be in jeopardy if you two weren't around."

Her gaze flicked around the massive auditorium, trying to find a familiar face, "Say, you wouldn't have happened to see an Aipom, a Spinda, and a Wobuffet roaming around here, would you? They'd likely be together, but if not, then they'd be wearing a purple cloth, like this yellow one." She lowered her head, pointing at the neckerchief with her snout, "It'll have a symbol engraved on it like that of a firework."

She glanced down, catching her own team symbol with her gaze: A Thunderbolt encapsulated within a Diamond shape. I hope Lumi and Skyball are doing okay...

---

Nimbasa City : Musical Theater Auditorium

---

The Beheeyem apologized.

I do not know any of the aforementioned individuals. I am sorry.

It seems he could not help Rubira there.

---

Nimbasa City

---

Lumi and Skyball would find that there were patrolling Sigilyph and Starmie, as well as an occasional Bronzong. Their patterns seemed easy to identify, but being spotted would be trouble.

The Rapidash nodded in understanding, "That's alright. Thanks for your help."

She gave the Auditorium a final lingering glance around, making sure she wasn't missing anyone or anything, before bounding through the auditorium, towards the front door, and back into the harsh weather.

---

"Woah, goons!" Lumi suddenly pulled Skyball back to avoid being seen by a Sigilyph.

"Huh? You don't know that," Skyball gave her a questioning look.

"Well they don't seem to be reacting to any of the falling rain."

The Emolga peeked out from underneath the dumpster, rearing his head slightly around the corner to get a better look at the Sigilyph before turning back and going, "Yeah, uh...I guess that's a good tell..."

"We gotta be careful how we move forward. We're almost there." The Pachirisu pointed towards an older, crumbling building that they knew was their Nimbasa City outpost.

"Yeah...hold on...look, here comes another one."

The two Electric-Types watched as another Sigilyph rounded the corner and proceeded down the same path the first Sigilyph had gone down. Lumi thought for a moment.

"Is it that consistent?" she asked Skyball. "Do they go down the same path constantly?"

"Only one way to find out," Skyball grinned.

They waited for a moment, looking to figure out the pattern. And sure enough, at approximately the same timed interval, a third Sigilyph made it's way around the same corner. Lumi peeked out, pausing until she saw it head down the street and continue on it's path. When it was out of sight, she nodded.

"We've got a minute," she reported, "Now's our chance."

The two of them bound through the street, making a quick right turn and then a sudden left before diving underneath another dumpster.

"I'm going to smell so bad after this, aren't I?" Skyball grumbled.

"Nah. You might actually smell better!" Lumi giggled, prompting a playful punch from the Emolga.

"You're so full of it," his words were dismissive, but that grin remained on his face.

They continued to sneak their way through the street and a half they had left to go, getting by with no incident. They only encountered one other baddie...a Starmie floating by with a passing gaze into the alleys it came across. But they knew better than to be exposed at any point, hiding until it had passed. Soon enough, they were finally away from the main streets and into the building they had adopted as their outpost.

For such a flashy and well-kept place such as Nimbasa City, this deteriorating building that they made a base out of was oddly ignored. It was made of grey concrete brick with several cracks showing and a lot of graffiti scrawled on several of the outer walls, allowing the Crimson Guild emblem to be expertly hidden as am image within the paint. Regardless of rationales as to why the cityfolk wouldn't destroy or rebuild this building was intriguing, but they wouldn't have it any other way as it allowed them a strong foothold position in the center of the Unova Region, a days walk away from pretty much every location at most.

The duo made their entrance into the building through the only way that made sense...from the gaping hole in the roof. While Lumi landed in a soft bundle of blankets, Skyball expertly glided through the opening, into the door that led to other rooms inside. The Pachirisu would make sure no one had spotted them entering before following close behind.

"It doesn't look that different," Skyball noticed as he looked around the hallway, "For a team like Cassanova, I'd figured they would've remodeled the place already."

"That's what they said they were gonna do," Lumi agreed, "Maybe they didn't spend enough time to do anything. Or maybe they just didn't have the supplies."

"It's Cassanova," Skyball snorted, "They would've brought 'em."

After a bit of navigating, they came to the main room. Despite initial voices to make the base up near the entrance, they decided to set up the outpost in a more secluded spot, one far away from any of the entrances. The set-up was about as to be expected from an abandoned building...dusty furniture, cobwebs in corners, many accessories falling apart before their very eyes. Even the carpet was matted down and looked displeasing. There was one unique addition, though. Upon entering, there was a map of the Unova Region tacked to the back wall with several pins adorning many locations on there, including many in Nimbasa City. However, the most notable pins to Lumi and Skyball were the black ones in between Driftveil and Mistralton...the ones that they knew the Master Blaster had been fired.

"Think we'll see the sites?" he pointed towards them.

"Skyball, we're on a mission," Lumi had to remind him.

"Right, right, right...well, it doesn't look like they're here."

Indeed, the Aipom-Spinda-Wobuffet trio were nowhere to be seen. The Pachirisu immediately started going through the drawers, pulling out various organized pieces of paper and looking through them. Skyball continued to examine the map, reading the pins with a practiced eye and turning back to Lumi.

"No active pin saying where they went," he noted, "Seems like they just saw the commotion and made their way to the Grand Stadium as fast as they could."

"No active jobs either," Lumi continued to riffle through the pages, "All I've got are Turf Wars being resolved."

"That would be the big concern in this area," Skyball muttered.

"Hey."

The call from the front of the room was sudden and the two Team Volt members whipped around to the sound, eyes alert and sparks prepped. But the gazes went a bit more relaxed when they saw who it was.

"Crimson," the Emolga heaved a sigh of relief, "Good to see you."

"What are you doing here?" Lumi asked.

The Chimchar walked closer, that casual smile on his face, "Got a ride. Not much to be found up at the Grand Stadium, so I started to move down."

"Where's everyone else?" Skyball raised a curious brow.

"I sent them back," he responded, "The weather started hurting them and I didn't know how bad it was going to be. I'm immune to it, for some reason, so I stayed behind."

"Wait, really?" Lumi thought for a second, "Do you think it's because you can swap types?"

Crimson shook his head, "This isn't a power any of us are familiar with."

"It could still be genetically Pokemon-based. Otherwise, how could that Diancie use it?"

"I'm hoping we find that out soon," Crimson pulled out something from his knapsack...a business card, "I've befriended a human while I was investigating the stadium. When we got here, we got a ton of leads on where we can go next."

Lumi leaned over and started reading the card, "Dr...Nendal...is this the scientist?"

He nodded, "That scientist cloned himself, evidently, and had another existing person here in Nimbasa. But unfortunately, before we could get anything else out of him, he was killed by the Gym Leader here."

"Elesa?" Skyball reeled back, eyes wide, "She did that?"

"You know her?" Crimson asked.

"Know of her. I've fought her before...when I had a trainer. I didn't know she'd have it in her..."

"Yeah, well something snapped in her," Crimson grimaced, "I hope none of us will stoop to that level. Killing people isn't going to solve our problems. It just makes them harder."

"There's a ton of places we can check out," Lumi went on, examining the locations on the card before grinning at the Chimchar, "I think I know what you're gonna do with this."

"Well I've already got our human friend on the way to Driftveil to check out one of the places. He'll contact us if he finds anything." Crimson pocketed the card. "Where's Rubira?"

"She's exploring the city on her own," Skyball said, "She figured while we checked this place out, she could find Team Cassanova potentially wondering around somewhere."

"Well, by the state of things around here, Team Cassanova hasn't nestled in here yet," Crimson glanced around the room, "Chances are, they're not in the city."

"So where could they be?" Lumi bit her lip, her concern showing.

"Well, if they were posted here and their last seen location was the Grand Stadium, I'd say they're somewhere in between."

"The wilderness?" Skyball questioned, "But why would they hide out there? The weather's bad, but not so bad as to prevent travel."

"I don't think they're hiding out there," Crimson's gaze suddenly darkened, "I think something happened to them."

There was a silence afterwards. Lumi and Skyball lowered their heads, not sure how to respond to such a thought. They've come across bad situations before, but those were just wildings and in some cases, human interference. Never had their own potentially been in danger. Not even with the Psychic Rebellion afoot. Finally, the Pachirisu spoke up.

"So we group with Rubira and go explore the wilderness," Lumi nodded, as if convincing herself to agree with her own plan, "See if we can find...something..."

"Don't lose hope just yet," Crimson's calm demeanor returned, the casual gaze resting on the two of them, "There's no proof of anything. It's just a hunch. But it's important to consider, so you know where to search next."

"Right," Skyball suddenly steeled himself, "I think we can find 'em no problem! Lumi, let's go find Rubira!"

"That's the spirit," said Crimson as the two of them took off out the door and towards the streets to find their friend.