Frontier Town Mayoral Residence – Ground Floor

[Namohysip]

A tiny Treecko approached the security with confidence and nonchalance.

"Hello," she greeted with a nod. "I am here as part of the specialized increased security. I'd like to take a look around the area so I know what I'm defending."

Simple, honest, and to the point. The easiest infiltrations were the ones when she already had permission to go inside.

"If you need proof of identification..."

She reappeared several feet to the right and made another bow like it was some kind of performance.

 

[Jackie Cat]

The Grand Frontier Gala! A Starlit Soirée that Looks to Future Fortunes!

Mayor Ignatius had outdone himself, as promised and advertised. The reception areas of his ostentatious home had been filled with serving staff offering refreshments, buffet tables, wine coolers, and the like. A small band played music in the ballroom, and the mayor himself drifted from group to group, speaking in ears and making diplomatic wing-shakes.

Some guests were local great-and-good types, others were newly in town having ridden or driven or even flown in from nearby, and some had arrived earlier in the week and taken rooms in Sun Stone or elsewhere for their stay. Many wore jewel necklaces, gold bracelets, fine satin sashes, dinner jackets, silk gloves, bow ties, lace ribbons and whatever else would distinguish them. They gathered in standing groups to discuss gossip, business, and politics. They drank wine by the bottle, they dipped berries both mundane and uncanny in fondue, they nibbled at plates of hors d'oeuvres, they made toasts, they even danced.

Some guests, though, were heroic spirits. Either attending as interested guests, or as guards against uninvited intruders.

Where are you? Can you hear me?

No sign of any just yet, though.

 

[Jackie Cat]

"Oh, very impressive," bluffed Eloise. Thaddeus nodded, and began to bullshit Dave about Grace University and how he definitely could see his way to funding a graduate of that fine college.

Ignatius' thin smile grew a little wider. He opened his beak to say something to Dave.

He didn't get a chance to speak — a plume of smoke erupted from the bandstand, scattering the musicians and sending up a cry of alarm from the nearby guests.

??? appeared...!?

"Good evenin', folks!" said the dark figure amidst the smoke. She strode forward, bowing and waving dramatically. "Mister Voclain was so ungracious as to forget to send me my invitation to this fine shindig! Not to worry, I brought myself along to the occasion of my own accord~ Now we can have a real good time, 'cause boy, do I have a lot to say!"

If Ignatius was at all surprised or disappointed that Sonora had made her way into his party after all, it didn't show on his cold expression.

"Detain her," he commanded, without raising his voice.

The Pawniard and Patrat stationed around the ballroom stepped forward to take on the outlaw, but were met by more smoke bombs, confused shouting, and then tackles and attacks from members of Las Picaras, appearing apparently from out of nowhere. Growlithe Sera and Capsakid Carolina appeared at Sonora's side, guarding her from attacks.

Ignatius sneered at the ensuing melée, and inclined his beak towards his more recent security hires. The order didn't even need to be given verbally, to be clear.

Get rid of her.

[ ] Objective: detain Sonora...?
[ ] Objective: wait, what is happening? You are fighting a battle? Someone please explain!

Sonora ate her Reflex Seed! +1 Eva and Acc!
Sera ate her Cautious Seed! +1 Def and Res!
Sera used her Protect Orb! +1 Shield!
Carolina's Defender Skill! Sonora will take 25% less damage this turn!
Rocco's Support Skill! Sera got +1 Def!

Some of the guests fled to other parts of the mansion. Others stood and watched, perhaps stunned, perhaps entertained. One way or another, there was going to be a show.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Sonora's face lit up at the sight of nearly a dozen allies pouring into the room. "There's that cavalry at last!" She must have thought that Mabosstiff had taken out Hob & Nero and any recruits, and that no help was coming... But Laura stumbled through the archway after Odette moments later, with the rest of her squad – and the Scovillain – close by.

"Hey!" called the Meowth. "Everyone, listen up! We have hard proof that the mayor is using blackmail and fraud to take control of this whole town—" here she glanced at Odette, only just registering what the fuck the Mawile had said "—and his guards just attempted to burn the evidence! This whole event is a racket! We—"

"That's quite enough of that," came Ignatius' raised voice. The Empoleon shot a querulous glare at Mabosstiff about that stray word 'attempted'. "I won't stand here and be slandered by a band of agitators! Bisharp Rin, Mabosstiff Raul – arrest this rabble. All of them."

The security chiefs nodded and barked their assent, and each advanced on the nearest group of heroic spirits. Rin scraped her blades together with a hideous noise, and Raul menaced his targets with a belly-deep growl. Ignatius swept up the northern staircase with surprising speed. Facing the exhausted Las Picaras and the 'mon who'd just fought them to a standstill, Ignatius cast his cloak back with one wing stretched wide, and activated a wonder orb at his hip.

Bisharp Rin used her Healthy Orb! -2 to Hex timers!
Bisharp Rin ate her Reflex Seed! +1 Acc! +1 Eva!
Mabosstiff Raul used his Healthy Orb! -2 to Hex timers!
Mabosstiff Raul ate his Cautious Seed! +1 Def! +1 Res!
Empoleon Ignatius walked to North Mezzanine!
Empoleon Ignatius used his Healthy Orb! -2 to Hex timers!
Empoleon Ignatius ate his Violent Seed! +1 Atk! +1 Mag!

Boss Attack! Ignatius is preparing Icy Wind, targeting North Mezzanine and North Ballroom!

"I gave you a chance to demonstrate your value," he declared. "You have squandered it."

Turn 4​

[ ] Critical Objective: defeat Ignatius Voclain.​

Phase 2 Combat Notes:

• You are still in the same Squads, and can only interweave actions with your own Squad.
• Please do use the three separate squad channels to reduce crosstalk between 32 different players!!
• Each of the security chiefs is a skilled fighter acting as Ignatius' bodyguards. While they're around, you can't all gang up on Ignatius – his underlings will intercept you!
• As such, Bandit Squad must defeat Mabosstiff Raul before they can attack Ignatius.
• Similarly, Courtyard Squad must defeat Bisharp Rin first.
• We've put you all in a zone with your squadmates for ease of strategising and targeting. Please keep to the couple of zones your fight is localised to whenever possible. Flavourwise, this is to avoid getting in eachother's way, as squad members are only "in sync" with their squadmates.

 

[Jackie Cat]

"I dunno what just happened, but seems like you've got yourself up shit creek this time, eh, mayor? Now, what would have been discovered by these little troublemakers that'd have them all turn on you..."

"Yes, I believe those 'threats' are not sounding as trite as you made them out to be."

“̵y̷O̴u̵ ̵D̷o̶N̷’̶t̴ ̶D̸e̴S̸e̶R̸v̴E̷ ̸e̷V̶e̸N̵ ̸t̶O̷ ̸s̷P̷e̷A̷k̷ ̸t̷O̸ ̴m̴E̵. I̵s̷n̸’̷t̸ ̶t̷h̸i̶s̵ ̴y̸o̷u̵r̸ ̷N̶A̷T̶U̴R̵A̴L̷ ̵S̶T̶A̸T̵E̸?̶ ̶G̶r̸o̴v̴e̴l̸i̵n̵g̶ ̶a̸t̶ ̸o̴u̸r̶ ̵f̵e̴e̵t̷,̶ ̵P̴E̶A̶S̸A̶N̷T̸?̵”̵

"Sonora has a few things to say to all your guest here about how much of a piece of shit you really are. The stuff we took from your vault should be more than enough evidence to back up her claims. So how about you lay here and stay quiet as she gets her point across? Or else I'll make you see the point."

Ignatius struggled for breath enough to spit back an insult. Even thoroughly defeated, he was a creature of immense pride.

"Gloat if you wish," he muttered. "It is... impossible... for you to have accomplished this... alone."

Squatting on the balustrade behind him, Grafaiai Vago gave the group a hard look.

"You know," they said, softly, "he's got a point. How did you pull that off? By rights, that should have been a way closer thing."

"Mm. Seen yer wanted posters."

"Well then, does this mean you're a free kitty now? He was a tough bastard for sure. I'd kick his ass again while he's down if I was feeling cheeky tonight."

"You fight well. Even when holding back."

“I’m thrilled that this worked out. I’m glad to have helped. And…thanks for having our backs, too.”

"Thanks for the save at the end there. Looks like we both owe each other one."

"Was this what you planned, or did things just turn out this way?"

"Still worried we might be working for Ignatius or pull a Blast Seed on you? Or does this count as proof we can be trusted?"

Sonora held up her paws. "Hey, hey, thank you kindly, everyone!" One paw went around the group as she addressed individuals. "I had no idea this would turn out quite like it did – I honestly expected that bastard to turn me into a limp rag. Of course I trust you strange folks – and you fight plenty well, too. Y'all really came through. How could I not help y'all after that? I, uh..."

She laughed a little, and her gaze wondered.

"I ain't sure what's next fer me, Felin." She tipped her head to Gerome. "I still got warrants. We'll, uh... see if they're renewed, I guess. Don't rightly know what'll happen, I just wanted to stick it to this guy as hard as I could. Now... Maybe there won't even be any more illicit wagons fer me and my crew to hit. We'll have to figure out what to do instead..."