Chapter 50: Rewind {MANDATORY CHAPTER!}

[Stupid Pinata]

Chapter 50: Rewind

Darkrai defeated, Arceus Elite exist no more, the world's balance has been preserved once more. At what cost? Many lives have been lost, the entire charade had been a major gambit of Arceus himself. Each puppet string had been pulled, every loophole extorted and the God himself didn't seem to show the least bit of remorse.

"Hey Solaris, you in here?" The office door creaked open slightly, two blue spectacled eyes peered in at the Espeon as he sat perched on the window sill. The Psychic feline turned to the Pikachu as she nudged the door open with her nose and trotted on in.
"Tempest, how you doing?" The Sun...no...the Eclipse Guild master asked. He was requesting the guild's name to return to its original name in honor of the Eclipse family, primarily those that had passed.
The Pikachu guild master scratched the stub where her right ear use to be and sighed, "We got a lot to clean up, I was thinking...before we stress over that and repair what was broken, let's have a party?"
Solaris' lavender eyes widened in alarm at the suggestion, "That doesn't seem particularly appropriate."
"Since when did I give a damn about being appropriate?" The Pikachu stated with a smirk before slowly walking off, her paws folded behind her back. "You don't have to come, Pinky. That's your choice, but I figured we could use the break...before we break."  

[Stupid Pinata]

The alarm bell went off as usual, but there was no problem that needed to be solved this time.
Rather, when the guild members entered the main hall they'd find it decked with streamers and decorations like a child's birthday party.
It was all Tempest and Solaris could really do at last minute but it was festive enough and the childish atmosphere was somewhat comforting.
There was a table set to the side with food and repetitive techno played over the intercom.
Tempest would not permit Solly to choose the music, you see.  

[Checkerboard_Muffin]

Tetris && Luka && Jude && Daisy

"Should we even be here?" Jude asked dryly as the group entered the main hall. "We're barely a part of this guild, if you ask me."
Walking alongside the Charmander, Luka shrugged nonchalantly, one corner of his mouth quirking up as he glanced at his teammate. "Well, so what? This is jes' a party, Ah don' see why we can't come even if we ain't been doin' much. Ah don' see any bouncers kickin' out people who don' risk their lives for th' place on a regular basis, d'you?"
"Well, no..."
"Then quit complainin'."

Meanwhile, Tetris ignored the two and simply looked around the room with an air of detached interest, tilting his head to one side slightly at the music and mulling over whether or not he found it matched what he had come to know as tasteful. It seemed...'dancy' enough for a festive setting, he supposed, though he wasn't sure how much effort could have possibly been put into the synthesized noise currently blaring from the speakers. He wasn't much of a musician, though, so in all fairness he probably had no place to judge. After all, this party was most likely not meant for simply listening to music; nothing was ever that simple when it came to the guild.

"The decorations are pretty," Daisy remarked brightly as she turned to Jude, "Don't you think so, Master?"
The Charmander grimaced at being called 'master', but he'd given up on trying to correct the Budew doll that she wasn't his servant or property or whatever she thought, so he simply sighed and glanced up at the streamers. "Uh, yeah. They're...nice. I guess."  

[Lunatalia]

Zori & Kaiyou & Azra & Gary & Skye & Istas & Celeste

Zori sprinted down the hall, headed straight for the main lobby of the building. Just behind, her teammates were running at full speed. Kaiyou, Skye and Azra were all at her side, each with their various choice of battle gear already readied for a fight. The Soothe Globe 'round her own neck bounced off her chest, flashes of reflected light shining from its surface. She knew Kai to have his Terra Globe, and Skye her Prism Ruff, but she worried for Azra, who as of late... had entirely refused team practice. 'I should have forbid her from coming.' The thoughts were racing before she could stop them. 'She's not ready, she hasn't prepared.' It was frustration, then, that filled Zori's heart. She wasn't sure at all what to do about Azra, or how to deal with her absolute refusal to work as a member of the team. She knew Raven was just as utterly lost on the subject, not to mention Kai, so it seemed there was little they could do about it.

All four teammates slowed to a gradual stop as they entered the hall, taking in the pulsing rhythm of the techno music and the long trailing streamers that ribboned their way around the room. It was far more simple than the usual sort of guild party, but sure enough, Tempest and Solaris sat nearby, watching the guild's many teams begin to file in. The Leafeon sighed roughly under her breath; this was ridiculous. They'd all come geared up for battle; if there had been a memo, she'd missed it. 'Oh well. At least this means we're not under threat again.'

The team captain nudged Azra with the tip of her tail. "Azra, would you please do me the favour of extending the invitation to our other teammates? They might as well join the party."

The Riolu vanished a split second later, only to return with Istas cradled in the crook of one arm, and Gary flopped crudely across her shoulders. The expression on the young Riolu's face was one of irritation and exhasperation. She was rarely asked to do much of anything anymore, and yet she still had the nerve to express frustration about every little thing when she was. Golden eyes dull with exhasperation, Zori merely murmured her thanks and pulled Gary from the girl's shoulders. They'd enjoy the event, regardless.

Team Stormcloud dispersed into the room, leaving the Leafeon to stand near the entrance, with her daughter resting on the steps just below. The Eevee's dark, feminine eyes were fixed on seemingly nothing in particular, and clouded with thought. She knew the look of a daydream when she saw it. The expression left as swiftly as it had come, leaving the two to settle into quiet conversation, mildly discussing their plans for training the next day.

- - - - -

Celeste paused, scowling upward at what had to be the lamest decorations she'd ever seen. She wasn't impressed, having seen far more impressive decor than this. The guilds were known for their power, and yet they couldn't so much as throw a good party? How shameful on their part.

Turning her nose up, she scampered back out of the grand hall, hoping to get as far away from the tacky music as possible.

 

[x - Mirelle]

Beatrice - Ailleen - Emily - Lily

It was hard to tell exactly when Team Wonderland truly arrived at the party. It could have been the instant Beatrice teleported the four of them there, it could have been five minutes after, when half of their body mass particles had matterialized, or it could have been fifteen minutes after said teleport, when all four bodies of Team Wonderland solidified. 2 and 1/2 of the team never wanted Beatrice to teleport four people again. Lily, much like the honey badger, honestly didn't give two sh*ts. Beatrice only half felt like never teleporting four people again, the other half of her thought she just needed more practice, so she should teleport her team more often. Ailleen and Emily just wanted to keep all of their body particles.

Beatrice almost instantly went into the corner, entering wall-flower mode. She picked up a pen and began to unhinge all the screws and barricades holding the ink in place. Before a single drop of ink could hit the ground, she condensed it into a solid ball. The psychic shield bounced against the ground, causing it to bounce up into the air. It changed several shapes in mid bounce.

TBE

 

[Tsuki the Fated Wind]

Hiro-Lunar-Electra-Jimmy

Team Reach would make it to the party, having made a new member that they forgot to bring along. A Mime Jr had been wanting to join since Pi day. One could say Hiro had been wanting to have a 'it's the end of the world' party and they'd be right. He had absolutely missed such a wild party.

No seeing drunk Lunar. even if they were minors, a hiro could dream.

"So what'd you do while we were gone?" the Machop asked to his ever silent partner. Maybe... maybe this time he'd say something. Nobody could just not help on the grounds that they didn't give two flying Pelipers about the universe. The fighting type likes this verse, uni and all.

Lunar would ignore him yet again, opting to gorge himself on sugar.  

[lsanna]

[[ There will be a post here. |D ]]  

[thegoodsamaritan]

.::Stark & Rem & Luna & Geisha & Will & Drift & Mako & Siegfried & Argonne & Nariko::.

Team Blacksteppe burst into the main hall, expecting a fight. Instead, they found... a party. A badly decorated, annoying-music-saturated party. Stark blinked once or twice in confusion, his head starting to pound in time to the thumping beat of the music. And then Boros killed everyone. He blinked once or twice more, and then turned back to his team, who seemed just as confused as he was.

"A... party?" said Geisha, bemused. Will scoffed.

"Pretty tastelessly done for a party."

Rem looked as though he would raise an eyebrow at this scene (if he had one to raise), crossing his claws. "Well... I suppose we... just try to enjoy ourselves?"

The team looked amongst themselves, the silence broken by Argonne, oddly enough, who shrugged, lifted his flute to his lips, and attempted to play over the sound of the techno beat in the background as he walked into the midst of the other party-goers. Stark stood for a moment, trying to work out this new development, before shrugging inwardly, and turning to the others.

"Well... we do need a bit of a break. I mean, all things considered." He didn't need to continue- everyone knew exactly why this "party" was likely allowed to proceed. With that, the team dispersed in different directions, leaving Stark standing alone with Gabriel, somewhat awkwardly. Stark gave a short, humorless laugh.

"It never ceases to amaze me how random things seem to go around here," he said, leaving it up to the Weavile whether or not he wanted to respond.

 

[kwchups]

"So we're celebrating in the wake of all the fallen? What, does that then make this a funeral or something? Seems pretty upbeat for the circumstances. The fact that this was put off for so long doesn't better the situation." Ein knew well enough that formal services were held after the last battle the guild has had in quite awhile as he arrived sidesaddle on his Absol companion; his spoken words were just meant to irk the mentioned accompanying Pokemon as much as possible. Finian was there, he experienced the hell that the guilds went through, and as much as he wasn't one for parties, he understood well enough why this attempt just to lighten the mood was necessary. As the duo entered, many of the younger ones in attendance seemed to truly be enjoying themselves, but most who were in that last battle surely were faking their smiles if they could even muster that at all. He himself remained at his norm, expressionless. "Show some respect." His voice was more ordering than pleading of the Celebi.
"Awe~. You're no fun~. Why do I attach myself to you?" Was the only response that he got in return, completely off subject. "I don't know, why do you?" The level of conversation reached with that produced frowns all around

Another set of faces arrived at the word (and alarm) of a party. Normally, Blight especially, would be all over an event like this, but right now he felt as if he was in attendance only out of obligation. As of right now he was there specifically to take care of a younger member of his team and get him out of their hell-hole living quarters for a bit. Over the dull roar of a bustling crowd of people all shoved in and mingling in such small quarters, the music being played for their enjoyment was no more interesting and shoved into the background as elevator tunes. He wasn't a savant like his Psychic powered partner, but the Lopunny could tell early on that this wasn't the finest crowd available. Surely there must have been so many conflicting emotions spinning amongst those in attendance that if Chase were to show up, he'd be frazzled by it. Clam-level happy guildians who simply can't resist a good time mixed right in with their coworkers who are in mourning for the loss of their team mates. Blight put on a smile though, he was truly glad to have fresh surroundings available to him, not much was there for him to do really after that last battle; the kingdom was truly at peace for now and that was enough to make him content for the moment. The same couldn't be said for a certain Grovyle that he kept in tow. "Why did you even agree to come if you're just going to mope the whole time? It's not even like you have reason as good as half the Pokemon here."
Blight spat at Ace who just sneered at the comment. He wouldn't admit it but the Grass type too was getting a little antsy too to get out of his team room.
 

[Redilicious]

:: :: ::
✗ Jonah :: Ash :: Brendan :: Eric ✗

"Jonah, you dropped a feather!"
"Ah, thanks"
"Don't sweat it~"

The archen would take his deep blue feather back from Ash, not much that he could do with it now though there was no sense in leaving it on the floor as litter. He played with it for a moment before sticking it in to Brendans hat, the petilil looking up at him in awe before grinning. Jonah would look at him awkwardly, "Er...keep it" He had plenty more either way. How odd, though, this was the second time one fell out this week...maybe he was beginning to molt?

Jonah would look around, trying to find something to do. Truthfully he had no reason to come, but he hadn't gone out in awhile and the three he had come with (who had their own reasons for wanting to be here) needed to be watched. Senka, who usually did these things for her love of caretaking, had been bedridden the past few days with Ren as her nurse, the ghost refusing to let her leave until she was completely healthy. Basilisk was a crazy introvert, there was little that he could do to convince him to go out considering the snivy was the one with most of the authority. Everyone else just needed their rest.

He didn't mind it one bit, though he had no idea what to do now. Maybe fate would bring something his way?

[[ I'LL EDIT THE OTHER TEAM IN LATER AWWWWYISSSSS ]]

 

[Lunatalia]

Keiran

The dark-furred Riolu glanced to the side, listening in silence to the chatter of his new teammates. He felt a little exposed in such a public place, as he always did, but he reminded himself that it would be foolish to launch a solo-assassination attempt with so many trained warriors around. Especially after what the whole guild had been through. They likely wouldn't hesitate to lash out, if someone so violently interrupted their moment of peace.

Following some of the others, he made his way through the crowd. Nariko, Will and Argonne all seemed headed in vaguely the same direction, so he followed their lead, hoping to stay relatively close to those he'd placed his trust in.

A curious sensation rippled through his head and torso, and it felt as though someone had submerged him into the coldest water on earth. Freezing from the inside out. He shuddered a little as he realized that it was from a Froslass, who'd happened to merge her way through his body on her way past. Heading for the food table, though he didn't really know if Ghost-types ate anything. They were... unfamiliar to him, kind as Geisha, his new Mismagius teammate, happened to be.

He glanced over his shoulder, silently wondering if Geisha could accomplish the same feat as the icy stranger. Floating through other Pokemon was probably a lot harder than it looked, and she'd always appeared solid to Keiran. Well, so far, anyway.

 

[Cysic X]

Tolin

Tolin settled down quietly at the edge of the room, lacking any particular interest in the event going on around him. It was for the sake of appearance alone that he had bothered to stay past his discovery of the nature of the event; he didn't hate parties but, frankly, if he desired to relax there were far better ways. He had always been much more used to small social gatherings and this was... large. And tacky. But appearance was important so there was value enough in simply appearing, even if it was only to settle down quietly near the snack table and have something to eat; he couldn't remember when he had eaten properly as of late.

Gabriel

"Random isn't quite how I'd describe this. This is just..." The Weavile stopped for a second to rub one of the paper streamers between his fingers. "Lame. What were they thinking?" Really now, this was their idea of a party? Bad techno, decorations lifted from a 5 year old's party and a snack table? This was just... bad. Gabriel enjoyed a good party but this wasn't exactly his scene and he wasn't sure he was going to stay. Most likely he'd just leave then and there if he couldn't find someone of interest in the crowd to kill some time with.  

[Waifu Trashu]

((too lazy to find sprites afk sleep))

"Is it required we go?" "I doubt it, but it's better than sitting around here, isn't it?" "Not necessarily..." The Gardevoir frowned as she stood within the doorway between the party, and the comfort of her teamroom seemingly forever away. She showed little interest in many things; simply content with sitting around since her own return to the guild. The others payed little mind, simply letting her go about her way but it was lingering a bit too long. This, if anything, made for a good excuse to use force.
Alice's eyes scanned the hall in silence, perhaps looking for faces she wanted to talk to to begin with before finally walking in, only to take refuge against a side wall and stare on in silence, picking up where she'd left off. There was no point in arguing with the Flareon, nor did she have the energy for it. Ver of course just smiled and wandered in to do his own business. He too looking for those he knew in the growing crowd. Others of the team mentioned joining, but when was still in the air.  

[Stupid Pinata]

Solaris and Tempest exchanged glances, the guilds were divided between those who seemed genuinely enthused by the quickly pulled together affair and those who frowned upon it in wake of recent events.
The Pikachu, however, would not be daunted and quickly pranced up to a nearby table to leap onto it where she could be more easily seen.
Solaris remained where he was, possibly concerned that if he copied her actions he'd break something or fall off and look silly.
He had dignity to preserve. It wasn't a lot of it, but it was something.

"Welcome everyone! Thanks for coming and sorry for the alarm scare. There are no Pokemon attacking us, no battles to fight or wars to wage. We're all assembled here to relax and enjoy the comfort of eachothers company-"
She was cut off quickly and smoothly by another voice before she could continue.
"-and to say goodbye to the guilds you knew and leave for the Five Islands temporarily while everything is being renovated."
Both the Sun and the Electric guildmaster turned around to find a familiar black and white Gardevoir standing right behind them.
Alfred returned their stares though with less confusion and a more business-like demeanor.
"A-Al-Al-"
"Alfred. Two syllables, Solaris." The Psychic cut in once more though mostly to stall any further conversation. Instead he lifted a hand and waved a single piece of paper for attention.
"...the guilds are being redesigned, rebuilt from the foundation up. The guild system itself is being reorganized and managed to be more effecient. It is best if no one is present during contruction in both points. So, I've taken the liberty of contacting the Guild of Seasons. You'll all be heading there immediately after your-" He glanced around briefly to the tacky streamers and hastily prepared table of food before looking back to the two guildmasters.
"-event. For a 'vacation' of sorts. You'll be messaged information on the new structure and maps as well for the new building plans once they are finished."
Solaris could only gape, mouth wide open and still reeling from shock. So Alfred was back? Or...sorta. Something was different. He'd said Solaris' name in such an informal manner. Did he not know him? Did he even know Tempest? It didn't seem as though he was aware of them in any other fact than simple co-workes.
Regardless, after he'd finished speaking he turned to make his way for the door but, spotting Tolin idling off to the side, he redirected his course to the Scyther instead.
Just as well, Tempest was right behind him with her blue eyes narrowed in obvious annoyance and some semblance of 'pissed off'.
"Hold it. Hold it right there, Alfred."
The Gardevoir inhaled sharply and turned around to face the furious Pikachu.
"Oh? You know your name now? Thank Ar-" She stopped, but continued on with the swear unfinished. "What makes you think you've got any right to rule after this? You, who doesn't even remember his fellow guildmasters. You, who doesn't recall any of the s**t that's happened."
She had picked up on what Solaris was thinking, though far quicker and she lashed out a paw to grab a handful of the edge of his dress to keep him from walking away from her.
Alfred flinched and made one attempt to back up only to realize she wasn't letting go.
He'd prepared for hours to say what he needed in one go without faltering or hesitating. Said it quickly, to the point, so he could make his exit as fast as possible but Tempest, as usual, was always faster.
He didn't know what to say to her accusations. She was right in all regards.
What right did he have?
"...you've done enough. You've all done enough. We're all still alive because of you and the Pokemon who went to that tower..." Alfred considered his words carefully as he spoke, his tone a near whisper and his words somewhat bordering the edge of a stutter.
"It's time you all took the break you deserve and let the one who let you down to begin with fix what was broken."
Tempest frowned, closed her eyes in thought and then let the fabric in her paws go before turning around and padding back to Solaris. Her expression never shifted from its outrage, and Alfred sighed at the crisis diverted. Tempest, he knew, would be the biggest challenge.
With that over he continued to make his way over to Tolin, finally with his back to the guild members and others in attendance he dropped the calm and near emotionless expression in favor of the twisting grimace that usually came with being overloaded with unwanted emotions.
He couldn't stay in this room for long, not with the horrific mix of amusement and sorrow mingling in the same incessantly throbbing abyss in his head.
It was too much.

"Well, this is exciting. Something between a wake and a five year old's birthday party." The cynical voice came from behind Blight and the aformentioned Kirlia teetered into the room in his usual dancing-like manner.
Something about this evolution, he just had these urges to spin around and twirl through a meadow of flowers.
The sooner we find a Dawn stone the better. If he went Gardy there was no way in hell he'd ever live it down. Not with the machopunny over there.
The pale white and blue Psychic stepped over to stand between the large rabbit and the fiery reptile, a kind smile went towards Ace but he turned to narrow his eyes up at Blight.
"Why are we hear?" He was already beginning to catch a buzz from the emotions wafting around, a nasty tingling in the back of his head like a thought trying to push its way to the surface.


Finally adding her own forced cheer to the mix, a sleek Glaceon slipped into view from one of the side doors before briskly making her path to her uncle.
Ivy hadn't wanted to attend, there was just too much sadness inside her that she had difficulties holding in. Her worst fear was breaking down in this very room, surrounded by Pokemon who both mourned and celebrated the victory and losses.
Regardless, she felt she had some duty in attending and so she'd hide behind Solaris for the evening and pass her false smiles out to all who greeted her.
Her Uncle didn't even bother, it was clear he didn't want to be there either.
But for appearance sake the two grit their teeth and dealt with it, meanwhile Tempest had found the mini-bar and there was salvation in the bottles that a party wouldn't give...