#darkraise

So much had changed since the day he'd captured Steelix...He'd been through more than any Trainer could reasonably be asked to endure, had seen incredible sights, and had even forged precious bonds with friends such as Arven, Lynn, Hau, Yris, Hisao, Gloam, Yvette...He'd even reunited with his subordinates once again, and had been entrusted with the duty of becoming a hero for Lumiose City.

But, he wasn't here for sightseeing, or to reminisce...He'd come to Wild Zone 12 in order to check for signs of Laquium. And if he found an infected Pokémon, he would need to battle. So, he would let Steelix out of his Pokémon Ball, opting to do some investigation while the Iron Snake Pokémon enjoyed some time in the cool, fresh air of the snowy environment.

"Groooaaaah!"

Steelix, meanwhile, seemed content to commune with the wild Pokémon, grunting away happily as he caught up on Lumiose City's happenings from the perspective of other Pokémon. For a small blessing, they weren't picking a fight with the Iron Snake Pokémon...But, that wouldn't last as another Steelix would emerge. This one was clearly agitated, and the mere sight of it had sent the wild Pokémon scampering to safety. And that pink mist...

Laquium mist...

This Steelix was suffering from exposure to Laquium, and displaced from its own habitat besides, which meant...It needed to be Fainted, before irreparable damage was done to the Wild Zone's environment. And with Steelix already out and raring to beat some sense into this victim of Spinel's madness, Amethio was all set to stop this rampage in the making before it spread. After sharing a glance with Steelix, Amethio decided that he was ready...He'd need to bring all of his might to bear against an opponent that had been empowered by that wretched curse, after all.

"Curse you, Spinel...! How many Pokémon have to suffer before you're satisfied!? Steelix, prepare to battle!"

...The only problem was, the commotion had made a lot of noise from the roaring of the two Iron Snake Pokémon. Amethio would need to make this quick, if he wanted to avoid drawing any unwanted guests into this.

Beheeyem, making a quick escape using Teleport, had returned them to Spinel's vehicle. What an unexpected assault. The stranger felt odd to it, just like the man from the rooftop on that day... But it couldn't be. A moment after appearing, it once again had to use Teleport on Umbreon, as the Moonlight Pokemon had nearly exited the van to go after said figure.

[ Stay here. ]

It wasn't safe to go back out now. They needed to make sure Spinel was kept safe until he woke up.

...

...

That dream realm. It was eerily silent now. The only sound the thrumming of Malamar's psychic influence. It seemed to be enjoying a more stable sense of control. Most likely, causing further malevolence on the outside.

"We at..."

That planted suggestion. This fragment of his original self has been avoiding it for so long. It was what allowed Malamar to first access his mind. How many times did they force him to listen to it? He's slipping. The darkness has become so overwhelming.

"We at Exceed."

He's hunched over, chuckling as the corruption sets in, and the light leaves his eyes.

"Are here to support your future, and that of your Pokemon. Leave it to us, the Exceed Corporation..."

He's so exhausted. The remnant has been all that has remained for years. Yet Malamar's influence is continuously radiating throughout Spinel's mind, even all the way down here. It's only become worse since the events in Kalos began. Was he losing his grasp?

Is it over?

"We must always strive for progress... The cost is irrelevant... Morals only stand in the way of knowledge..."

He's so drained...

@darkraise is following!

Citrine wouldn't say she was anything approaching an expert at sensing things, but from the shudder down her back at the...pokemon? was it even a pokemon? she and her trainer walked past told her it was just off. Weighing things in her head, she decided she could trust Sho to keep himself out of trouble for a little bit to check on this.

01. staring at them in silence for a long moment before walking away. (for tetsuka if you have muse for her! maybe after watching her beat up someone)

She immediately felt weird. Watched, in a way passerby's glares never made her feel. Worried, in a way that makes her stomach drop. A worry that rarely comes from anyone who could think about stopping her.

Or could've. Past tense. Her target for the day was already done for, anyway. Not much to do about them, if not dragging them to the hospital and put a few casts here and there.

An odd feeling. A bad one.

The kind that makes her release her Steelix, not even turning to see who was lurking in the shadows. At least, for now.

"you seem to make a lot of enemies around here."

"I don't know what you're talking about, I was just trying to--

...uhm?"

Wait... who said that? Last she noticed, she was being told off -- or being cursed at -- by yet another incredibly rude Kalosian who couldn't take getting his ass kicked by a big lizard from the future during the Royale gracefully, and she was so focused on not getting ran over by a Scolipede to notice if anyone was looking at her. Miri seemed tense, so... someone in the shadows?

Nobody was there, after all... at least from what she could see. This town is a little too dark for one that thrives so much at night...