{ "submission_id": "2591412", "keywords": [ { "keyword_id": "187641", "keyword_name": "avali", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1487" }, { "keyword_id": "123", "keyword_name": "female", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1105232" }, { "keyword_id": "25531", "keyword_name": "linoone", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "810" }, { "keyword_id": "165", "keyword_name": "male", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1215412" }, { "keyword_id": "4422", "keyword_name": "pikachu", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "13724" }, { "keyword_id": "27233", "keyword_name": "pmd", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1856" }, { "keyword_id": "464", "keyword_name": "pokemon", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "197028" }, { "keyword_id": "357813", "keyword_name": "protogen", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "1963" }, { "keyword_id": "112", "keyword_name": "rape", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "32341" }, { "keyword_id": "590782", "keyword_name": "sands of iron", "contributed": "f", "submissions_count": "28" } ], "hidden": "f", "scraps": "f", "favorite": "f", "favorites_count": "2", "create_datetime": "2021-11-29 10:56:05.162171+00", "create_datetime_usertime": "29 Nov 2021 11:56 CET", "last_file_update_datetime": "2021-11-29 10:53:27.496871+00", "last_file_update_datetime_usertime": "29 Nov 2021 11:53 CET", "username": "Rylasasin", "user_id": "34998", "user_icon_file_name": "43058_IAMELIPHAS_mag3thum.gif", "user_icon_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/43/43058_IAMELIPHAS_mag3thum.gif", "user_icon_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/43/43058_IAMELIPHAS_mag3thum.gif", "user_icon_url_small": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/43/43058_IAMELIPHAS_mag3thum.gif", "file_name": "3824039_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_a1.rtf", "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/3824/3824039_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_a1.rtf", "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/3824/3824039_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_a1.rtf", "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/3824/3824039_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_a1.rtf", "thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/3824/3824039_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_a1.jpg", "thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/3824/3824039_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_a1.jpg", "thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/3824/3824039_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_a1.jpg", "thumb_huge_x": "269", "thumb_huge_y": "123", "thumb_large_x": "200", "thumb_large_y": "91", "thumb_medium_x": "120", "thumb_medium_y": "55", "files": [ { "file_id": "3824039", "file_name": "3824039_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_a1.rtf", "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/3824/3824039_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_a1.rtf", "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/3824/3824039_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_a1.rtf", "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/3824/3824039_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_a1.rtf", "mimetype": "text/rtf", "submission_id": "2591412", "user_id": "34998", "submission_file_order": "0", "full_size_x": null, "full_size_y": null, "screen_size_x": null, "screen_size_y": null, "preview_size_x": null, "preview_size_y": null, "initial_file_md5": "ff16139038e5e84cccd3eaf644e4e85b", "full_file_md5": "ff16139038e5e84cccd3eaf644e4e85b", "large_file_md5": "", "small_file_md5": "", "thumbnail_md5": "e7a37095a0bd56946d9c73f4b488fcd1", "deleted": "f", "create_datetime": "2021-11-29 10:53:27.496871+00", "create_datetime_usertime": "29 Nov 2021 11:53 CET", "thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/3824/3824039_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_a1.jpg", "thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/3824/3824039_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_a1.jpg", "thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/3824/3824039_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_a1.jpg", "thumb_huge_x": "269", "thumb_huge_y": "123", "thumb_large_x": "200", "thumb_large_y": "91", "thumb_medium_x": "120", "thumb_medium_y": "55" } ], "pools": [ { "pool_id": "75459", "name": "Stars of Iron", "description": "The new story, a several month long Altquel RP between me and Joao. Told in present tense. ", "count": "86", "submission_right_submission_id": "2592121", "submission_right_file_name": "3825225_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_act_2_searching_the_maze.rtf", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/3825/3825225_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_act_2_searching_the_maze.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/3825/3825225_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_act_2_searching_the_maze.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/3825/3825225_Rylasasin_stars_of_iron_part_1_act_2_searching_the_maze.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_huge_x": "269", "submission_right_thumb_huge_y": "123", "submission_right_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_right_thumb_large_y": "91", "submission_right_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_right_thumb_medium_y": "55" } ], "description": "So this is the first act of the first part of the new series, STARS OF IRON! It is a cleaned up version of an RP between me and Joao that has been going on almost daily for several months now.\n\nAs of now there are 7 parts, each with several acts, so I will be uploading these fairly frequently. MUCH more frequently than I did Loonar Eclipsed and Star Shia.\n\nIf you could not tell btw, this starts some time as an altquel to Loonar Eclipsed, where, instead of teleporting Loona back, they keep her on board and search for her friends together. Yet, it's not a simple Altquel either, as more things happen and more characters are introduced.\n\nAs always, for those who don't mind spoilers and don't mind reading ahead, the Gdocs link is [url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UKWLj5fEVzeoFNDzSRGRJKqM4G0SVVqwbuaqOJtSzNA/edit#]Here.[/url]. However, this time there is an extra reason to view it in Gdocs...\nBecause this story has pictures sometimes! In this case, the dropship at the end.\n\n[url=https://inkbunny.net/submissionsviewall.php?rid=c6a9fd4348&mode=pool&pool_id=59838&page=1&orderby=pool_order&random=no&success=]Also, obligatory link to the comic itself to which this is a fanfiction of.[/url]", "description_bbcode_parsed": "So this is the first act of the first part of the new series, STARS OF IRON! It is a cleaned up version of an RP between me and Joao that has been going on almost daily for several months now.

As of now there are 7 parts, each with several acts, so I will be uploading these fairly frequently. MUCH more frequently than I did Loonar Eclipsed and Star Shia.

If you could not tell btw, this starts some time as an altquel to Loonar Eclipsed, where, instead of teleporting Loona back, they keep her on board and search for her friends together. Yet, it's not a simple Altquel either, as more things happen and more characters are introduced.

As always, for those who don't mind spoilers and don't mind reading ahead, the Gdocs link is Here.. However, this time there is an extra reason to view it in Gdocs...
Because this story has pictures sometimes! In this case, the dropship at the end.

Also, obligatory link to the comic itself to which this is a fanfiction of.", "writing": "[b][center]Act 1: Meeting the Crew[/center][/b]\nWalking along a dirt path is a short, chubby yellow rodent creature with a lightning bolt-shaped tail. He is making his way forward with an unsteady pace and a very worried look. It appears he has a rather large dried blood stain on his right side, no sign of wounds so this blood likely isn't his. \"I-it's okay...the maze protected me...the m-maze is...watching over me...\" He worriedly mumbled to himself. \"You will protect me right...?\" Now he sounds like he is talking to someone but he gets no reply, and by his confusion looks like he was expecting someone to be by his side. \"H-hello...?\"\n\nFour mons approach casually, on their way to somewhere else. One is a Linoone with a fierce look of determination on her face. The others... are pokemon the pikachu have NEVER seen or even heard of before. Two raptor-bird like things that are closer to the bird than the raptor, and some... metal... dog... thing wearing a mask. The latter is MASSIVE, dwarfing even the guards at the gate.\n\"Ugh, this is getting us nowhere.\" The Linoone complains. \"I told you we should have just gone to the maze first.\"\n\"That's what I said.\" The brown bird deadpans.\nThe big mightyena-like masked dog thing speaks, but its voice is distorted. And metallic-sounding. The Pikachu cannot make it out, and he is not sure he wants to. But the others seem to understand it just fine.\n\"Well, alright. we have a few more places to ask, and-\" The blue bird mon's eyes suddenly fall upon the Pikachu. \"Oh hey we can ask this guy.\"\n\"You, there!\" The brown bird barks at the yellow rat as they approach \"We're looking for an Eevee. Goes by the name of 'Veera'. Have you seen her around here?\"\n\nPikachu doesn't know what those strange pokemon are, he never saw them before. Why are they talking about anyways? Taking a deep breath and praying he makes his way over to them, he will have to get pass them to get through that gate after all since they are along the way. But as he got closer his movement became slower and slower until he froze in place out of fear.\n\n\".... ummm... Hello?\" The brown bird asks with a hint of annoyance in his voice.\n\"Have you seen my friend, or not?\" The Linoone asks with a tone of far more obvious annoyance. \n\"Woah, what happened to this guy?\" The blue bird chimes in as it notices the bloodstain.\n\nThe Blue Bird Guy's small exclamation upon seeing the blood stain was enough to startle the yellow rodent. \"Aaahhh!\" He screams. \"I-I'm sorry! I didn't kill that guild member! the dungeon did! I swear!\"\n\n\"Guild Member?\" The brown bird asks, clearly confused. \"What's a 'Guild Member'?\" \n\"Those guys that wear the badges with the wings coming out of it.\" The Linoone tells him, her voice carrying a hint of irritation behind it. \n\"Oh, those guys.\" The brown bird boy confirms in a low voice.\n\"Which reminds me.\" The Linoone says with an angry snarl. \"There's still some unfinished business in this town-\"\n\"You refer to the 'PIgnite' that raped you, correct?\" The metalic dog asks. The Pikachu can now make out its voice now that it's closer, but it sounds no less frightening.\nThe Linoone nods her head slowly.\n\"Don't worry, Loona,\" The brown bird guy wraps a feathered arm around the Linoone, 'Loona', and pats her back. \"we'll get 'em good.\" \n\"...Thanks Eilumi.\" Loona replies back in a softer town than she had been using to the brown bird guy, 'Eliumi'. \n\n\"Please forgive him, he is in shock.\" A rather monotonous voice from nearby says, but it doesn't appear to be anyone else around here, at least to the naked eye. \nPikachu started looking around for where the voice might have come from. \"It's...it's the dungeon...!\" \n\"...As I have said, he is in shock.\"\n\nNow it is the group who is in shock at this unexpected voice. \n\"Who's there?\" Eilumi demands as he looks around, trying to pinpoint the voice. \"Nine, do see anything?\" He says to the giant metallic dog, 'Nine'. \n\"[b]Scanning.[/b]\" Nine drones in a monotone, metallic voice.[b] \"Target heat signature located.\"[/b] \nNine turns towards the heat signature, and both Eilumi and the as yet unnamed blue bird all look towards it. Loona however, is left scratching her head.\n\"Uuuh, guys, what are you looking at?\" She asks, very confused.\n\nThe heat signature has a pretty humanoid shape, down to the legs being plantigrade. Looks like a normal creature with a head, a torso and a pair of legs and arms. Other than that it also seems to stand over seven feet in height. \n\".....I see.\"\n\nNine appears a bit shocked to see something bigger than him in this world.\n\"Well, that's a [i]little[/i] disconcerting.\" Eilumi comments with a bit of fear in his voce. \n\"What are you guys talking about?\" Loona still has no idea what they're even on about.\n\"Okay, whatever or whoever you are, come on out. We know you are there.\" Eilumi calls out to the voice, before turning to the blue raptor-bird by his side. \"Khaun... be ready for anything.\"\n\"Right.\" The blue raptor-bird, 'Khaun', nods as he reaches into his cloak. It appears he's getting ready to take something out of it on a moment's notice, along with his partner, but they do not do so just yet.\n\n\"Do not be alarmed, I do not wish to harm anyone.\" Judging by the sound of approaching footsteps, whatever is there is getting closer. They can all see something flickering in the air in the direction they are looking, like a cloaking system powering down to reveal a tall figure wrapped up in a white cloak from head to toe, their face is covered up by a golden mask that has a number of cracks. \nPikachu looks at this person with fear and reference, he was just about to bow down and begin praying to it too... \n\"Please do not do that.\" The stranger said, sounds like being worshiped is not what they want. \nThis confuses the electric mouse for a moment but he doesn't want to argue with what he sees as some sort of divine entity.\n\nLoona, now clearly intimidated by this large presence, slowly makes her way behind Nine. \n\"Who...\" Eilumi tries to put on a brave face, but it appears his confidence is slipping somewhat. \"What are you? \nNine continued to look up and down at the stranger. \"[b]Species: Unidentified. However, I am detecting that this entity is non-native to this world[/b] \"\n\"Well ,that really narrows it down....\" Eilumi replies with sarcasm. \"...Not really.\"\n\n\"I would state the same things to the three of you.\" They look to the direction of the town. \"I would like if not a lot of pokémon know I even exist, could we talk in a more secure place before someone happens to come this way?\"\n\nSeeing no better options, and not wanting to upset the person, Eilumi nods. \"Alright. Lead the way.\" He looks to Khaun. \"Khaun, take the ...\" The words die as he looks at the yellow rat in front of the large being. He turns to Loona and whispers to her \"what kind of 'mon is that again?\"\n\"Pikachu\" Loona whispers back into what appears to be one of his four ears. \n\"Thanks.\" Eilumi whispers in return. He turns his attention back to Khaun, ready to continue his orders. \"Take the Pee-Kah-choo with us.\"\n\nThat's confirmation enough for them, they begin pacing away from the dirt road, into the wilderness. \"Wait...!\" Pikachu does want to be away from it, he is quick to follow by running very quickly.\n\n\"Might want to have the dropship on standby too while we're at it.\" Eilumi tells the giant dog, Nine.\n\"Already done.\" Nine responds.\n\"Okay, so we're out here now... who are you and what are you?\" Eilumi asks the giant figure.\n\"And what exactly happened to this Pikachu?\" Loona too has just noticed the blood on him.\n\nWhen it was deemed an isolated enough distance from the road to talk, the cloaked figure turned around to face them before kneeling down into some sort of sitting position that involves sitting on one's knees (basically Seiza). \"One question at a time. Firstly, the Pikachu. I saved him from a guild member in the nick of time, but you can attribute his mental instability to the fact of someone about to force himself on him...there is also the fact that he found out how much force needed to be applied to a stabbed torso to make the spine snap in half.\" A small pause is given before the next question is answered. \"Despite what he might think, no, I'm not the dungeon or anything related to it. I don't know how much any of that would mean to you, but I am a human.\" \n\"Huh...?\" Pikachu doesn't know what a human is, furthermore he is trying to wrap his head around everything that was said, and having some flashbacks of how he got saved in the nick of time...but it mustn't have been pretty at all if it left him like this.\n\n\"Human, huh? Well you certainly have the body shape of one.\" Eilumi replies thoughtfully. \"But you're taller than most humans. Honestly, I had you pegged for an Apex or something. So what's your story, are you some stranded offworld colonist or something, or did you escape earth when the big tentacle monster ate it up and got stranded here?\"\n\"A guild member trying to force themselves on someone\" Loona scowls. \"Now where have I heard [i]THAT [/i]one before?!\" \n\"Indeed\" Nine replies sadly. \"That does seem to be an unusually high occurrence around here.\" \"Here little guy, let me check on you.\" Khaun says to the Pikachu. \"I'm a medical officer, so I should be able to help you with any injuries you might have. ... physical anyway.\"\n\n\"Since you were honest with us, I will do the same.\" Eilumi adds. \"I'm Eilumi. Avali. That there is Khaun, also Avali. And the big guy is Nine. Protogen, he's an adopted pack member. Oh, and this is Loona. Hopefully soon to be an adopted pack member, that's still in training. All of us are Avalonian Exploratory Fleet, 9th Scout Battalion, 23rd platoon, Pack Number #221\"\n\n\"I do not understand what an Apex is, or what this tentacle monster you are talking about. Though I'm curious about how you already know what a human is, I can guess that they exist here, but no I'm not among them and I'm not stranded here. I could tell that you are not from around here either, there are more than 800 species of Pokémon, you are not either of them.\" Again, there is a small pause before continuing to the next topic. \"Likewise the honesty from you is very appreciated, introductions I have rarely go like this. I'm Joshua, age 45. Deep Time Space explorer, head of operations A, Jordan family generation number #128-A.\" \n\"uuuhh...o-okay.\" Pikachu is still nervous, but it seems like he is okay with Khaun approaching...though it's probably best not to do any sudden moves.\n\n\"800 species?!\" Eilumi exclaims. \"That's more sapient species than the Earth had before it was wrecked by The Ruin. Speaking of, so you are not from this universe? huh. Otherwise you would have known about that. You see, a few decades ago, the human homeworld, Earth, was attacked by a planet-sized tentacle beast known as \"The Ruin\". It was completely destroyed, and most of humanity was wiped out. Those that were left either exist in isolated colonies, joined the Occasus and were wiped out in the Occasus Wars, or were likewise wiped out in the USCM civil wars that followed. And you are correct, we are not from this planet either.\"\nKhaun takes out a small object, and begins to look over the Pikachu, moving the device up and down along his form \"No internal damage, minor bruising on the outside, no lacerations... No STDs. So that's good.\"\n\n\"So humans here have had something very unfortunate happen to them. Not what I wanted to hear but it already happened.\" Joshua stated. \"This Ruin you talk about reminds me of a few things but they are merely pathogen cells compared to what you just described.\" \n\"Ess-tee-dee...?\" The rodent doesn't know what that word in particular means.\n\n\"Sexually Transmitted Disease\" Khaun explains to the little rodent. \"Very nasty stuff.\"\n\"Wait...\" The Linoone, Loona, interrupts. \"Why didn't you check ME for STDs?!\" \n\"I did.\" Khaun replied flatly. \"You were asleep.\" \nLoona opens her mouth as if she is about to reply to that, but slowly closes it, and decides not to.\n\n\"So the Ruin, where is it now?\" Joshua asked Eilumi. \nThen that is good news right? I mean that he isn't sick or anything. \"O-okay, thanks for checking that out...\"\n\n\"Destroyed.\" Eilumi responds. \"By a survivor on Earth. Before you ask where they went, no one knows. They disappeared some time later. However, the Ruin's followers still remained. Despite their 'God's death, that didn't stop them. If anything, they'd come back more powerful than ever. The Peacekeepers arrested their leader, Asra Nox, but that didn't stop them. The aforementioned Occasus Wars followed soon after. A war that claimed billions of lives, human and otherwise. Eventually, the Occasus was wiped out... supposedly. \nLoona comes over to the pikachu. \"So what happened to you, little guy?\" She asks calmly. \"Don't worry, you can tell me. I... I've been hurt as well.\"\n\n\"That's the sort of poetic justice i like to hear about, even if i don't meet this person, they have my respect.\" He says. \"I don't know how things like that seem to get followers, but it seems to be a common thing that happens.\" \nPikachu kind of remembers this Linoone mentioning other things about guilds and how they are a problem, out of everyone present he can relate with her the most. \"W-well i...i mostly run from everything that threatens me, guild members included. But I couldn't run from that Swampert, he got me cornered and he was going to...he was going to...\" He begins shaking and looks like he is going to cry from recalling this moment he is trying to talk about.\n\n\"Yeah.\" Eilumi responds. \"Now if only the damn Miniknog would follow suit.\" \n\"He was going to rape you.\" Loona finishes. \"That's what happened to me.\" She says sadly. \"... Twice.\"\n\n\"Miniknog?\" \nWell it seems Loona knows where this would be going, so he gets a little ahead on telling her the rest. \"And then he saved me.\" He pointed to Joshua. \n\"Yes, I did. But it was not without consequences. That Swampert was not low rank, and now Pikachu is wanted for his death.\" The human added.\n\n\"I don't mean to tell you what to do, in that case.\" Eilumi responds. \"But if that is the case, you would think running around in town would be the last place you would want him to be.\" \n\"Neither was the other one who raped me.\" Loona growls. \"I had planned on getting my revenge on him. I still do.\" Nine comes over and puts his paw on her shoulder comfortingly.\n\nJoshua still has a question though. \"Who are the Miniknog? I assume it's a species different from your own.\"\nHe doesn't think that sounds like a good idea. \"But...but why? That sounds very dangerous, isn't it better to make sure they don't even know you exist...?\"\n\n\"Ah yes.... The Miniknog. Where do I even begin with them? Hmmm. species. Yes, that will do for a start. And yes, they are a different species than our own. Or yours, for that matter. I take it that being a human, you know what an 'Ape' is?\" Eilumi responds. \n\"Because, I do not want what he did to me to go unpunished.\" Loona replies to the Pikachu. \"People like that should not be allowed to just do that.\"\n\n\"There are some species of Pokémon that fit that category, yes.\" He replied. \n\"But then what can we really do...? they will just kill us if we try to stand in their way...\" Pikachu whimpered.\n\n\"Hmmm. The Apex species are what one might call a mix between 'gorillas' and 'chimpanzees'. Though don't let that fool you.\" Eilumi continues. \"They have very high mental capacities, which leads to them advancing their science to untold levels. In fact, their whole society revolves around it.\" He pauses. \"Now, I Know what you're thinking, 'well how can that be bad?' Oh trust me, it's bad. To put it bluntly, if this world is a lawless free-for-all run by the whims of petty nobles and guilds, then the Apex society is the opposite kind of hell: A society run by the dictatorship of 'Big Ape', who rumor is, isn't even real. Apex society is ruled by the governmental body called the Ministry of Knowledge, or Miniknog for short. If you were to visit a Miniknog controlled town, you'd find it to be orderly, bleak, oppressive, and with tons of propaganda and brainwashing everywhere. Surely you have something to compare it to back where you come from?\"\n\"Then I die standing!\" Loona replies with determination. \n\"No.\" Nine responds back. \"We talked about this. We'll help you get your friends back, take them aboard the ship, MAYBE help you get some closure to your situation if the opportunity arises, but you are NOT dying on this world. We do what we came here to do, get your friends, and then leave this world behind.\" \n\"But....\" Loona begins to protest. She relents, and sighs. \"Y... You're right, Nine.\"\n\n\"hhhmm, all these details, aside from the obvious physical difference, match the society i come from almost perfectly, how uncanny.\" He sure does have something to compare. \"Though I would choose the words orderly, cold and efficient for my case. But I understand if you have some stigma against that, not everyone can be pleased.\" \n\"Ship...? Are you planning to leave the region by sea?\" He has the wrong type of 'ship' in mind, of course.\n\n\"Well, that's just the surface level.\" Eilumi explains. \"I mean, our own society isn't exactly a libertarian paradise either. But nevermind that. As I was saying, it's what goes on below the surface that's the real evil. It's what they use their science for. Control and oppression. Example, if you're an apex citizen, they'll yank you off the street for being a suspected rebel, Being suspected to know a suspected rebel, eating a banana at the wrong time of day, or just not saying 'Hail Big Ape' fast enough. They'll whisk you away to their secret little 'thought reassessment' facilities they keep, and see what you know. Then they'll rewrite or erase your memories until you're either an obedient slave, or a mindless zombie. And keep in mind, that's their OWN people they do this too, As for what they do to other species that they lord over.... it's even worse. And again, that's just surface level. Remember that I said they were a science-based race? Well, so are we, but the difference is what we use it for. Tell me, how exactly does your version of humanity use science?\" \n\"How do I explain this?\" Khaun asks the pikachu. Loona thinks for a moment, then explains. \"No, not by sea. It's a ship... but instead of floating on the water, it's floating above the sky.\"\n\n\"Our science isn't used to oppress, that i can tell you with certainty.\" Joshua began. \"It is what saved us from going extinct, what brought us together and what makes our world need us. We do not have a standing army, but the pokémon there have trouble inventing and manufacturing human-made items that they use, so we sell commodities and technical services. It's important to the point that if we were to be attacked our allies would jump to our defense at a moment's notice.\" \nHe blinks. \"It...it has wings? a ship with wings?\"\n\n\"Yeah, If I were to sum up the Miniknog in one human word, it would have to be 'Fascism'\" He replies. \"Actually, I could have just saved myself a bunch of time explaining this if I just used that word from the beginning, I'll bet.\" \n\"Ummm... Something like that.\" Loona replies flatly. Truth be told, she doesn't really know how it works either. Definitely not like that, though. Then again she saw the ship from the outside, only the inside. \"You would have to see it for yourself to know what I mean.\" \"Actually, shall I call the dropship? It's not the ship we're referring to, just one part of it. But it should give you something of an idea.\" Nine asks. \"Eh, he's scared enough already, '' Khaun replies. \"Best not spook him further by calling the dropship unless absolutely necessary.\"\n\n\"Yes.\" Joshua nods to that. \"And about your fellow pack member, Nine. Can you tell me more about him? is he mechanical?\"\n\"You guys plan to leave anyway...\" Pikachu starts feeling anxious about this next question. \"Can I come too...? please i don't want to keep running anymore, i got caught once, i don't want it to happen again...\"\n\n\"Mostly.\" Eilumi says. \"More of a cyborg. I mean, so are we, but him way more than us. He still has some organic parts, but he's got durasteel bones and a shell. And that fur is synthetic. At least, that's what we've analyzed.\" \n\"I don't see why not.\" Nine responds. \"We should do what we've set out to do soon.\" Khaun sighs. \"Because at this rate, we'll end up taking half the planet with us.\"\n\n\"You appear to be in a hurry so will hold off on questions.\" He looked over at Pikachu and the others, having heard what they just talked about. \"I didn't knew what i was going to do to help him, because of me he as long as he is here he is living on borrowed time. So this does me a favor, and let me see if i can repay it. So what is that you have set out to do? perhaps i can give you some help.\"\n\n\"Well, we're on a mission. Probably similar to your own.\" Eilumi replies. \"We were originally sent here simply to observe. Get a few brain-scans to update the universal translator, which we have done. And to see what this world, and its society was like.\" he looks at Loona, who gives him a look. \"map out the world. Basically, scientific stuff. Then after about a month of this, report back to the council, and move on. All in all, it was supposed to be an easy mission. A well needed respite after losing two of our pack members in the wars.\" \n\"But...\" Khaun adds in. \"Things changed.\"\n\n\"I-it's okay, it's just me, I'm not bringing anyone else with me.\" If this is a chance to live somewhere where he won't fear being sexually assaulted, he will take it. \"...Something happened to your ship?\" Joshua stated a guess as to what Khaun means by that.\n\n\"No, the ship is fine.\" Eilumi said in response. \n\"What changed... was her.\" Khaun added, pointing an open palm towards Loona. \"She was the first, and so far, only mon we've brain scanned. And... well....\" He pauses. \"We could not in good consciousness send her back to this world like protocol dictates we were supposed to. Not even with a 'gift'.\"\n\n\"Protocol you say? Hhhmm, of course...So what does that mean? you said leaving her here is out of the question, so i assume that you have a plan. Is there a loophole?\"\n\n\"Our plan is to find her two friends, first off. We were in the process of trying to locate one of said friends. Until we located you two.\" Eilumi says, but is interrupted. \n\"By the way\" Nine interjects. \"Now might be a good time to ask, but have either of you seen a sword-weilding raichu in the dungeon? And while you were in town, have either of you come across a female Eevee? We had been looking for the latter when we came across the two of you.\"\n\n\"N-no i haven't...\" Pikachu shakes his head.\n\"I haven't seem any of these individuals either.\" No luck with Joshua too, unfortunately. \"But we were do you have any idea where we can go about looking for them?\"\n\n\"We know the raichu is somewhere within the dungeon.\" Eilumi replies. \"Orange and yellow eyes, wears a guild badge. He's got himself some Iron, so you might want to watch yourself. But it should make him easy to identify.\"\n\"Truth be told\" Khaun adds, \"We are not really looking for the raichu so much as the hostage he's holding. A shinx with red eyes. Goes by the name of 'Shia.' One of Loona's friends.\" \n\"Rai is a secondary objective.\" Nine also adds. This however, seems to tick Loona off. \n\"... Secondary... Objective?!\" She protests, with a twitch in her eye. \n\"Yes.\" Nine replies. \"Capturing him is a secondary objective.\" \n\"Capture?! That raichu has to pay for what he's done!\" Loona yells. \"To me, and-\" \n\"And. he. will.\" Nine sternly interrupts. \"But we would prefer we take him alive... for the moment.\" \n\"What use could you possibly have for him?!\" Loona snaps back. \"Do NOT tell me you intent to als recruit him-\" \n\"Of course not! Don't be ridiculous.\" Khaun replies. \"As for what we need him for... have you forgotten?\" He points to his head. Loona looks at him incredulously, then her eyes go wide with realization. \n\"OOOOooohhhh, you're going to do the brain-scan thing!\" She acknowledges. \n\"Yes.\" Eilumi replies back. \"Stick him in the chair, probe his mind, and see what he knows. See how he got that way. See who else he's hurt. Besides, we do have a brain-scan quota to meet.\" He says. \n\"And once that's done... we can decide what to do with him.\" Nine replies. \n\"I want him dead.\" Loona growls. \n\"And I don't blame you in the slightest, either.\" Khaun replies. \n\"As for the other friend\" Eilumi turns his attention back to Josh, \"She was last seen somewhere within the town she left. But that was several days ago, and we have had no luck in locating her. None of the locals have been particularly cooperative. We were about to give up, and head over to the guild, and allow our friend some much needed revenge on the Pignite that also raped her, but, well, you know.\"\n\nWhen the discussion started getting a bit heated when Loona started getting angry, Pikachu back away a little. \nThere is little point in sitting anymore since they are going to be moving soon, so the human gets up on his feet. \"I would like to apologize for the fact that we might end up dealing with pokémon that are after Pikachu for the killing I committed. Last we avoided them, there were two.\"\n\nKhaun notices the pikachu backing away scaredly. \"Hey hey there little guy, what's the matter?\" He asks comfortingly. \"No need to be scared.\" \n\"Don't worry, that won't be a problem.\" Eilumi responds to Josh. He lifts his cloak to reveal some hidden weapons on him. A sort of weird sword, some sort of claws, and a odd angled pistol. \"Khaun has them too. Nine has a hammer.\"\n\"So what's the plan now?\" Nine asks in response.\n\n\"Nothing Loona just...scares me a bit...\" Pikachu says. \nHe looks at all the weapons. \"Are you sure these can compete with this metal that is widely used in weapons around here? It seems to have a very uncanny effectiveness against everything...\"\n\n\"I'm pretty sure.\" Eilumi replies. \"It's just iron, right? Shouldn't be too difficult. Besides, Nine is mostly made of durasteel, so that's not an issue for him.\" \n\"Failing that, we have our gauss pistols.\" Khaun adds in. \"And failing that, we can always call in the dropship for some extra backup.\" Nine adds in. \"The sight alone should be enough to send them into a panic. And failing that, it is armed with some backup weaponry. Granted, it's not exactly an assault class, but more than enough for this.\" \n\"Yeah, it can be a little intimidating. To say the least\" Loona chimes in. \"It was for me the first time too.\"\n\n\"We are going to have to get into violence, isn't it...?\" The yellow rodent is obviously scared of that very possible fact. \n\"Right, I just have my hands and whatever I can pick up, but it is going to be enough.\" Joshua states. He is ready to go. \"Yes, Pikachu, that is certain to happen. So where are we going to look for Shia and Veera?\"\n\n\"Well we are not sure where Veera is. I suppose if we really wanted to we could go back to the town to search further for Veera, but I think we've almost exhausted all possibilities there.\" Eilumi says. \n\"Well, we haven't exhausted the possibility of us going in there and putting a boot up that pignite's ass.\" Loona replies. \n\"... Quite so.\" Eilumi replies flatly. \"Anyway, as for Shia... We will need to enter the maze for that. In that case, we should DEFINITELY take the dropship. Not only for the sake of speed, but also to avoid any unnecessary conflicts within the maze.\" Eilumi finishes. \n\"For better or for worse, Josh, it seems you are a part of this group for now.\" Khaun adds in. \"So let's hear your input on this.\"\n\nThey do appear to be willing to allow him to help, maybe they can end up doing something right in all of this wrong, even if it's a bit selfish of himself. \"We haven't known each other for more than an hour, but I will do all I can do to aid you and not hinder you.\"\n\n\"The real question is, what direction do we go first? Back to the town, or into the maze?\"\n\n\"You have searched the town thoroughly, going back there is not likely to get results.\"\n\n\"Alright.\" Eilumi says. \"Sorry Loona, but it looks like your revenge against the Pignite guild guy will have to wait.\" \n\"But...\" Loona protests. \n\"Only for now.\" Eilumi responds. \n\"Once we have Shia in our grasp, we may come back for that.\" \n\"Promise?\" She asks. \n\"Promise.\" Eilumi says. \"We will not leave this planet until your friends are found, and both your and our business is concluded.\"\n\nJosh looks to Loona. \"Were you considering going for him first rather than saving your friends?\"\n\nLoona looks off to the side ashamed of herself when he puts it like that. \nEilumi turns and looks towards the sky. \"S.A.I.L. Send the dropship. My location.\"\n\n[i]So their dropship is coming, in that case he is going to wait. Though he hopes that it's arrival is not going to cause Pikachu to panic.[/i]\n\n\"Now we wait. ETA, 4 minutes\" Eilumi says..\n\n\"Four minutes huh? Well if no variables are to happen i say we can talk a little more for three minutes and fifty two seconds.\"\n\n\"Okay, what else would you like to know?\" Eilumi replies.\n\n\"Tell me...How is space travel performed? You must be using something to cover so many light years.\"\n\n\"FTL drives of course. Wait, so you have universe hopping in your world, but you don't have FTL travel? How is that even possible?\" Eilumi questions in turn.\n\n\"I take it that the method you use is more controlled and weak compared to what ultra-wormholes can do. I am not speaking ill of your method of travel, i'm just very sure that mine can only travel too far, so it can't be used as a method of transportation within my universe itself...perhaps this might change but as of now it's not possible to tell.\"\n\n\"I see....\" Eilumi responds. \n\"I'm not going to even pretend to understand what any of that meant.\" Loona says to herself. \n\"You'll learn in time.\" Khaun replies reassuringly.\n\n\"Is there anything any of you would like to ask me?\"\n\n\"Not particularly at this moment\" Eilumi says dismissively. \"Anyone else have a question for our guest?\" He looks to the rest of his pack... and Loona. \nThe latter turns towards him with just one question. \n\"How long have you been here?\"\n\n\"not very long, i would wager 5 to 6 hours.\" Now to trade this response with a question of his own to Loona... \"Has iron existed in it's weaponized form for as long as you can remember?\"\n\n\"Yes, yes it has.\" She replies. \"I was born in the maze, so I don't know the full history of it though. I do know that it has been around for some time. Ever since someone called the 'iron king'. Whoever that was.\"\nEilumi looks upon the conversation. \"As for the rest of us... we've only been in orbit around this planet for less than a few days. And we've been *on* the planet for far less. Less than you've been, actually. So we can't help you there either.\"\n\"You seem to know quite a bit though for someone here for only a few hours.\" Khaun notes.\n\n\"If this king is even real to begin with...\" He looks to Eliumi. \"I have been to another instances just like this one, some things are constant such as the species of pokemon that exists. Iron...this iron at least, and the 'nobility' is the major difference i can see.\" \n\"Then what was different in the other thing?\" Pikachu raised a question of his own. \n\"...it was off, to say the least. Pokemon lived their lives with smiles on their faces as they all worked together. Guilds that exist to explore and rescue citizens from dungeons and most importantly no iron or nobles. Very likely that they don't know what rape even is. Despite all that I could never feel as if all was right there.\"\n\n\"If he [i]was[/i] real.\" Loona corrected josh. \"He apparently existed a long long time ago. How long? I'm not sure.\"\n\"Kind of like Big Ape.\" Nine mutters under his breath.\n\"If they know what sex is, they probably know what rape is.\" Khaun comments. \"They probably just have a better handle on it than this world does.\" \nA low hum can be heard in the distance, getting closer.\n\n\"Is that your vehicle coming?\" Pikachu, easy to scare as ever, gets wary of this humming as soon as his ears pick it up.\n\n[url=https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/827525145597181993/914834292218150952/proxy.png?width=1261&height=676]The dropship[/url] arrives, hovering neatly some distance above them\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "
Act 1: Meeting the Crew

Walking along a dirt path is a short, chubby yellow rodent creature with a lightning bolt-shaped tail. He is making his way forward with an unsteady pace and a very worried look. It appears he has a rather large dried blood stain on his right side, no sign of wounds so this blood likely isn't his. "I-it's okay...the maze protected me...the m-maze is...watching over me..." He worriedly mumbled to himself. "You will protect me right...?" Now he sounds like he is talking to someone but he gets no reply, and by his confusion looks like he was expecting someone to be by his side. "H-hello...?"

Four mons approach casually, on their way to somewhere else. One is a Linoone with a fierce look of determination on her face. The others... are pokemon the pikachu have NEVER seen or even heard of before. Two raptor-bird like things that are closer to the bird than the raptor, and some... metal... dog... thing wearing a mask. The latter is MASSIVE, dwarfing even the guards at the gate.
"Ugh, this is getting us nowhere." The Linoone complains. "I told you we should have just gone to the maze first."
"That's what I said." The brown bird deadpans.
The big mightyena-like masked dog thing speaks, but its voice is distorted. And metallic-sounding. The Pikachu cannot make it out, and he is not sure he wants to. But the others seem to understand it just fine.
"Well, alright. we have a few more places to ask, and-" The blue bird mon's eyes suddenly fall upon the Pikachu. "Oh hey we can ask this guy."
"You, there!" The brown bird barks at the yellow rat as they approach "We're looking for an Eevee. Goes by the name of 'Veera'. Have you seen her around here?"

Pikachu doesn't know what those strange pokemon are, he never saw them before. Why are they talking about anyways? Taking a deep breath and praying he makes his way over to them, he will have to get pass them to get through that gate after all since they are along the way. But as he got closer his movement became slower and slower until he froze in place out of fear.

".... ummm... Hello?" The brown bird asks with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"Have you seen my friend, or not?" The Linoone asks with a tone of far more obvious annoyance.
"Woah, what happened to this guy?" The blue bird chimes in as it notices the bloodstain.

The Blue Bird Guy's small exclamation upon seeing the blood stain was enough to startle the yellow rodent. "Aaahhh!" He screams. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't kill that guild member! the dungeon did! I swear!"

"Guild Member?" The brown bird asks, clearly confused. "What's a 'Guild Member'?"
"Those guys that wear the badges with the wings coming out of it." The Linoone tells him, her voice carrying a hint of irritation behind it.
"Oh, those guys." The brown bird boy confirms in a low voice.
"Which reminds me." The Linoone says with an angry snarl. "There's still some unfinished business in this town-"
"You refer to the 'PIgnite' that raped you, correct?" The metalic dog asks. The Pikachu can now make out its voice now that it's closer, but it sounds no less frightening.
The Linoone nods her head slowly.
"Don't worry, Loona," The brown bird guy wraps a feathered arm around the Linoone, 'Loona', and pats her back. "we'll get 'em good."
"...Thanks Eilumi." Loona replies back in a softer town than she had been using to the brown bird guy, 'Eliumi'.

"Please forgive him, he is in shock." A rather monotonous voice from nearby says, but it doesn't appear to be anyone else around here, at least to the naked eye.
Pikachu started looking around for where the voice might have come from. "It's...it's the dungeon...!"
"...As I have said, he is in shock."

Now it is the group who is in shock at this unexpected voice.
"Who's there?" Eilumi demands as he looks around, trying to pinpoint the voice. "Nine, do see anything?" He says to the giant metallic dog, 'Nine'.
"Scanning." Nine drones in a monotone, metallic voice. "Target heat signature located."
Nine turns towards the heat signature, and both Eilumi and the as yet unnamed blue bird all look towards it. Loona however, is left scratching her head.
"Uuuh, guys, what are you looking at?" She asks, very confused.

The heat signature has a pretty humanoid shape, down to the legs being plantigrade. Looks like a normal creature with a head, a torso and a pair of legs and arms. Other than that it also seems to stand over seven feet in height.
".....I see."

Nine appears a bit shocked to see something bigger than him in this world.
"Well, that's a little disconcerting." Eilumi comments with a bit of fear in his voce.
"What are you guys talking about?" Loona still has no idea what they're even on about.
"Okay, whatever or whoever you are, come on out. We know you are there." Eilumi calls out to the voice, before turning to the blue raptor-bird by his side. "Khaun... be ready for anything."
"Right." The blue raptor-bird, 'Khaun', nods as he reaches into his cloak. It appears he's getting ready to take something out of it on a moment's notice, along with his partner, but they do not do so just yet.

"Do not be alarmed, I do not wish to harm anyone." Judging by the sound of approaching footsteps, whatever is there is getting closer. They can all see something flickering in the air in the direction they are looking, like a cloaking system powering down to reveal a tall figure wrapped up in a white cloak from head to toe, their face is covered up by a golden mask that has a number of cracks.
Pikachu looks at this person with fear and reference, he was just about to bow down and begin praying to it too...
"Please do not do that." The stranger said, sounds like being worshiped is not what they want.
This confuses the electric mouse for a moment but he doesn't want to argue with what he sees as some sort of divine entity.

Loona, now clearly intimidated by this large presence, slowly makes her way behind Nine.
"Who..." Eilumi tries to put on a brave face, but it appears his confidence is slipping somewhat. "What are you?
Nine continued to look up and down at the stranger. "Species: Unidentified. However, I am detecting that this entity is non-native to this world "
"Well ,that really narrows it down...." Eilumi replies with sarcasm. "...Not really."

"I would state the same things to the three of you." They look to the direction of the town. "I would like if not a lot of pokémon know I even exist, could we talk in a more secure place before someone happens to come this way?"

Seeing no better options, and not wanting to upset the person, Eilumi nods. "Alright. Lead the way." He looks to Khaun. "Khaun, take the ..." The words die as he looks at the yellow rat in front of the large being. He turns to Loona and whispers to her "what kind of 'mon is that again?"
"Pikachu" Loona whispers back into what appears to be one of his four ears.
"Thanks." Eilumi whispers in return. He turns his attention back to Khaun, ready to continue his orders. "Take the Pee-Kah-choo with us."

That's confirmation enough for them, they begin pacing away from the dirt road, into the wilderness. "Wait...!" Pikachu does want to be away from it, he is quick to follow by running very quickly.

"Might want to have the dropship on standby too while we're at it." Eilumi tells the giant dog, Nine.
"Already done." Nine responds.
"Okay, so we're out here now... who are you and what are you?" Eilumi asks the giant figure.
"And what exactly happened to this Pikachu?" Loona too has just noticed the blood on him.

When it was deemed an isolated enough distance from the road to talk, the cloaked figure turned around to face them before kneeling down into some sort of sitting position that involves sitting on one's knees (basically Seiza). "One question at a time. Firstly, the Pikachu. I saved him from a guild member in the nick of time, but you can attribute his mental instability to the fact of someone about to force himself on him...there is also the fact that he found out how much force needed to be applied to a stabbed torso to make the spine snap in half." A small pause is given before the next question is answered. "Despite what he might think, no, I'm not the dungeon or anything related to it. I don't know how much any of that would mean to you, but I am a human."
"Huh...?" Pikachu doesn't know what a human is, furthermore he is trying to wrap his head around everything that was said, and having some flashbacks of how he got saved in the nick of time...but it mustn't have been pretty at all if it left him like this.

"Human, huh? Well you certainly have the body shape of one." Eilumi replies thoughtfully. "But you're taller than most humans. Honestly, I had you pegged for an Apex or something. So what's your story, are you some stranded offworld colonist or something, or did you escape earth when the big tentacle monster ate it up and got stranded here?"
"A guild member trying to force themselves on someone" Loona scowls. "Now where have I heard THAT one before?!"
"Indeed" Nine replies sadly. "That does seem to be an unusually high occurrence around here." "Here little guy, let me check on you." Khaun says to the Pikachu. "I'm a medical officer, so I should be able to help you with any injuries you might have. ... physical anyway."

"Since you were honest with us, I will do the same." Eilumi adds. "I'm Eilumi. Avali. That there is Khaun, also Avali. And the big guy is Nine. Protogen, he's an adopted pack member. Oh, and this is Loona. Hopefully soon to be an adopted pack member, that's still in training. All of us are Avalonian Exploratory Fleet, 9th Scout Battalion, 23rd platoon, Pack Number #221"

"I do not understand what an Apex is, or what this tentacle monster you are talking about. Though I'm curious about how you already know what a human is, I can guess that they exist here, but no I'm not among them and I'm not stranded here. I could tell that you are not from around here either, there are more than 800 species of Pokémon, you are not either of them." Again, there is a small pause before continuing to the next topic. "Likewise the honesty from you is very appreciated, introductions I have rarely go like this. I'm Joshua, age 45. Deep Time Space explorer, head of operations A, Jordan family generation number #128-A."
"uuuhh...o-okay." Pikachu is still nervous, but it seems like he is okay with Khaun approaching...though it's probably best not to do any sudden moves.

"800 species?!" Eilumi exclaims. "That's more sapient species than the Earth had before it was wrecked by The Ruin. Speaking of, so you are not from this universe? huh. Otherwise you would have known about that. You see, a few decades ago, the human homeworld, Earth, was attacked by a planet-sized tentacle beast known as "The Ruin". It was completely destroyed, and most of humanity was wiped out. Those that were left either exist in isolated colonies, joined the Occasus and were wiped out in the Occasus Wars, or were likewise wiped out in the USCM civil wars that followed. And you are correct, we are not from this planet either."
Khaun takes out a small object, and begins to look over the Pikachu, moving the device up and down along his form "No internal damage, minor bruising on the outside, no lacerations... No STDs. So that's good."

"So humans here have had something very unfortunate happen to them. Not what I wanted to hear but it already happened." Joshua stated. "This Ruin you talk about reminds me of a few things but they are merely pathogen cells compared to what you just described."
"Ess-tee-dee...?" The rodent doesn't know what that word in particular means.

"Sexually Transmitted Disease" Khaun explains to the little rodent. "Very nasty stuff."
"Wait..." The Linoone, Loona, interrupts. "Why didn't you check ME for STDs?!"
"I did." Khaun replied flatly. "You were asleep."
Loona opens her mouth as if she is about to reply to that, but slowly closes it, and decides not to.

"So the Ruin, where is it now?" Joshua asked Eilumi.
Then that is good news right? I mean that he isn't sick or anything. "O-okay, thanks for checking that out..."

"Destroyed." Eilumi responds. "By a survivor on Earth. Before you ask where they went, no one knows. They disappeared some time later. However, the Ruin's followers still remained. Despite their 'God's death, that didn't stop them. If anything, they'd come back more powerful than ever. The Peacekeepers arrested their leader, Asra Nox, but that didn't stop them. The aforementioned Occasus Wars followed soon after. A war that claimed billions of lives, human and otherwise. Eventually, the Occasus was wiped out... supposedly.
Loona comes over to the pikachu. "So what happened to you, little guy?" She asks calmly. "Don't worry, you can tell me. I... I've been hurt as well."

"That's the sort of poetic justice i like to hear about, even if i don't meet this person, they have my respect." He says. "I don't know how things like that seem to get followers, but it seems to be a common thing that happens."
Pikachu kind of remembers this Linoone mentioning other things about guilds and how they are a problem, out of everyone present he can relate with her the most. "W-well i...i mostly run from everything that threatens me, guild members included. But I couldn't run from that Swampert, he got me cornered and he was going to...he was going to..." He begins shaking and looks like he is going to cry from recalling this moment he is trying to talk about.

"Yeah." Eilumi responds. "Now if only the damn Miniknog would follow suit."
"He was going to rape you." Loona finishes. "That's what happened to me." She says sadly. "... Twice."

"Miniknog?"
Well it seems Loona knows where this would be going, so he gets a little ahead on telling her the rest. "And then he saved me." He pointed to Joshua.
"Yes, I did. But it was not without consequences. That Swampert was not low rank, and now Pikachu is wanted for his death." The human added.

"I don't mean to tell you what to do, in that case." Eilumi responds. "But if that is the case, you would think running around in town would be the last place you would want him to be."
"Neither was the other one who raped me." Loona growls. "I had planned on getting my revenge on him. I still do." Nine comes over and puts his paw on her shoulder comfortingly.

Joshua still has a question though. "Who are the Miniknog? I assume it's a species different from your own."
He doesn't think that sounds like a good idea. "But...but why? That sounds very dangerous, isn't it better to make sure they don't even know you exist...?"

"Ah yes.... The Miniknog. Where do I even begin with them? Hmmm. species. Yes, that will do for a start. And yes, they are a different species than our own. Or yours, for that matter. I take it that being a human, you know what an 'Ape' is?" Eilumi responds.
"Because, I do not want what he did to me to go unpunished." Loona replies to the Pikachu. "People like that should not be allowed to just do that."

"There are some species of Pokémon that fit that category, yes." He replied.
"But then what can we really do...? they will just kill us if we try to stand in their way..." Pikachu whimpered.

"Hmmm. The Apex species are what one might call a mix between 'gorillas' and 'chimpanzees'. Though don't let that fool you." Eilumi continues. "They have very high mental capacities, which leads to them advancing their science to untold levels. In fact, their whole society revolves around it." He pauses. "Now, I Know what you're thinking, 'well how can that be bad?' Oh trust me, it's bad. To put it bluntly, if this world is a lawless free-for-all run by the whims of petty nobles and guilds, then the Apex society is the opposite kind of hell: A society run by the dictatorship of 'Big Ape', who rumor is, isn't even real. Apex society is ruled by the governmental body called the Ministry of Knowledge, or Miniknog for short. If you were to visit a Miniknog controlled town, you'd find it to be orderly, bleak, oppressive, and with tons of propaganda and brainwashing everywhere. Surely you have something to compare it to back where you come from?"
"Then I die standing!" Loona replies with determination.
"No." Nine responds back. "We talked about this. We'll help you get your friends back, take them aboard the ship, MAYBE help you get some closure to your situation if the opportunity arises, but you are NOT dying on this world. We do what we came here to do, get your friends, and then leave this world behind."
"But...." Loona begins to protest. She relents, and sighs. "Y... You're right, Nine."

"hhhmm, all these details, aside from the obvious physical difference, match the society i come from almost perfectly, how uncanny." He sure does have something to compare. "Though I would choose the words orderly, cold and efficient for my case. But I understand if you have some stigma against that, not everyone can be pleased."
"Ship...? Are you planning to leave the region by sea?" He has the wrong type of 'ship' in mind, of course.

"Well, that's just the surface level." Eilumi explains. "I mean, our own society isn't exactly a libertarian paradise either. But nevermind that. As I was saying, it's what goes on below the surface that's the real evil. It's what they use their science for. Control and oppression. Example, if you're an apex citizen, they'll yank you off the street for being a suspected rebel, Being suspected to know a suspected rebel, eating a banana at the wrong time of day, or just not saying 'Hail Big Ape' fast enough. They'll whisk you away to their secret little 'thought reassessment' facilities they keep, and see what you know. Then they'll rewrite or erase your memories until you're either an obedient slave, or a mindless zombie. And keep in mind, that's their OWN people they do this too, As for what they do to other species that they lord over.... it's even worse. And again, that's just surface level. Remember that I said they were a science-based race? Well, so are we, but the difference is what we use it for. Tell me, how exactly does your version of humanity use science?"
"How do I explain this?" Khaun asks the pikachu. Loona thinks for a moment, then explains. "No, not by sea. It's a ship... but instead of floating on the water, it's floating above the sky."

"Our science isn't used to oppress, that i can tell you with certainty." Joshua began. "It is what saved us from going extinct, what brought us together and what makes our world need us. We do not have a standing army, but the pokémon there have trouble inventing and manufacturing human-made items that they use, so we sell commodities and technical services. It's important to the point that if we were to be attacked our allies would jump to our defense at a moment's notice."
He blinks. "It...it has wings? a ship with wings?"

"Yeah, If I were to sum up the Miniknog in one human word, it would have to be 'Fascism'" He replies. "Actually, I could have just saved myself a bunch of time explaining this if I just used that word from the beginning, I'll bet."
"Ummm... Something like that." Loona replies flatly. Truth be told, she doesn't really know how it works either. Definitely not like that, though. Then again she saw the ship from the outside, only the inside. "You would have to see it for yourself to know what I mean." "Actually, shall I call the dropship? It's not the ship we're referring to, just one part of it. But it should give you something of an idea." Nine asks. "Eh, he's scared enough already, '' Khaun replies. "Best not spook him further by calling the dropship unless absolutely necessary."

"Yes." Joshua nods to that. "And about your fellow pack member, Nine. Can you tell me more about him? is he mechanical?"
"You guys plan to leave anyway..." Pikachu starts feeling anxious about this next question. "Can I come too...? please i don't want to keep running anymore, i got caught once, i don't want it to happen again..."

"Mostly." Eilumi says. "More of a cyborg. I mean, so are we, but him way more than us. He still has some organic parts, but he's got durasteel bones and a shell. And that fur is synthetic. At least, that's what we've analyzed."
"I don't see why not." Nine responds. "We should do what we've set out to do soon." Khaun sighs. "Because at this rate, we'll end up taking half the planet with us."

"You appear to be in a hurry so will hold off on questions." He looked over at Pikachu and the others, having heard what they just talked about. "I didn't knew what i was going to do to help him, because of me he as long as he is here he is living on borrowed time. So this does me a favor, and let me see if i can repay it. So what is that you have set out to do? perhaps i can give you some help."

"Well, we're on a mission. Probably similar to your own." Eilumi replies. "We were originally sent here simply to observe. Get a few brain-scans to update the universal translator, which we have done. And to see what this world, and its society was like." he looks at Loona, who gives him a look. "map out the world. Basically, scientific stuff. Then after about a month of this, report back to the council, and move on. All in all, it was supposed to be an easy mission. A well needed respite after losing two of our pack members in the wars."
"But..." Khaun adds in. "Things changed."

"I-it's okay, it's just me, I'm not bringing anyone else with me." If this is a chance to live somewhere where he won't fear being sexually assaulted, he will take it. "...Something happened to your ship?" Joshua stated a guess as to what Khaun means by that.

"No, the ship is fine." Eilumi said in response.
"What changed... was her." Khaun added, pointing an open palm towards Loona. "She was the first, and so far, only mon we've brain scanned. And... well...." He pauses. "We could not in good consciousness send her back to this world like protocol dictates we were supposed to. Not even with a 'gift'."

"Protocol you say? Hhhmm, of course...So what does that mean? you said leaving her here is out of the question, so i assume that you have a plan. Is there a loophole?"

"Our plan is to find her two friends, first off. We were in the process of trying to locate one of said friends. Until we located you two." Eilumi says, but is interrupted.
"By the way" Nine interjects. "Now might be a good time to ask, but have either of you seen a sword-weilding raichu in the dungeon? And while you were in town, have either of you come across a female Eevee? We had been looking for the latter when we came across the two of you."

"N-no i haven't..." Pikachu shakes his head.
"I haven't seem any of these individuals either." No luck with Joshua too, unfortunately. "But we were do you have any idea where we can go about looking for them?"

"We know the raichu is somewhere within the dungeon." Eilumi replies. "Orange and yellow eyes, wears a guild badge. He's got himself some Iron, so you might want to watch yourself. But it should make him easy to identify."
"Truth be told" Khaun adds, "We are not really looking for the raichu so much as the hostage he's holding. A shinx with red eyes. Goes by the name of 'Shia.' One of Loona's friends."
"Rai is a secondary objective." Nine also adds. This however, seems to tick Loona off.
"... Secondary... Objective?!" She protests, with a twitch in her eye.
"Yes." Nine replies. "Capturing him is a secondary objective."
"Capture?! That raichu has to pay for what he's done!" Loona yells. "To me, and-"
"And. he. will." Nine sternly interrupts. "But we would prefer we take him alive... for the moment."
"What use could you possibly have for him?!" Loona snaps back. "Do NOT tell me you intent to als recruit him-"
"Of course not! Don't be ridiculous." Khaun replies. "As for what we need him for... have you forgotten?" He points to his head. Loona looks at him incredulously, then her eyes go wide with realization.
"OOOOooohhhh, you're going to do the brain-scan thing!" She acknowledges.
"Yes." Eilumi replies back. "Stick him in the chair, probe his mind, and see what he knows. See how he got that way. See who else he's hurt. Besides, we do have a brain-scan quota to meet." He says.
"And once that's done... we can decide what to do with him." Nine replies.
"I want him dead." Loona growls.
"And I don't blame you in the slightest, either." Khaun replies.
"As for the other friend" Eilumi turns his attention back to Josh, "She was last seen somewhere within the town she left. But that was several days ago, and we have had no luck in locating her. None of the locals have been particularly cooperative. We were about to give up, and head over to the guild, and allow our friend some much needed revenge on the Pignite that also raped her, but, well, you know."

When the discussion started getting a bit heated when Loona started getting angry, Pikachu back away a little.
There is little point in sitting anymore since they are going to be moving soon, so the human gets up on his feet. "I would like to apologize for the fact that we might end up dealing with pokémon that are after Pikachu for the killing I committed. Last we avoided them, there were two."

Khaun notices the pikachu backing away scaredly. "Hey hey there little guy, what's the matter?" He asks comfortingly. "No need to be scared."
"Don't worry, that won't be a problem." Eilumi responds to Josh. He lifts his cloak to reveal some hidden weapons on him. A sort of weird sword, some sort of claws, and a odd angled pistol. "Khaun has them too. Nine has a hammer."
"So what's the plan now?" Nine asks in response.

"Nothing Loona just...scares me a bit..." Pikachu says.
He looks at all the weapons. "Are you sure these can compete with this metal that is widely used in weapons around here? It seems to have a very uncanny effectiveness against everything..."

"I'm pretty sure." Eilumi replies. "It's just iron, right? Shouldn't be too difficult. Besides, Nine is mostly made of durasteel, so that's not an issue for him."
"Failing that, we have our gauss pistols." Khaun adds in. "And failing that, we can always call in the dropship for some extra backup." Nine adds in. "The sight alone should be enough to send them into a panic. And failing that, it is armed with some backup weaponry. Granted, it's not exactly an assault class, but more than enough for this."
"Yeah, it can be a little intimidating. To say the least" Loona chimes in. "It was for me the first time too."

"We are going to have to get into violence, isn't it...?" The yellow rodent is obviously scared of that very possible fact.
"Right, I just have my hands and whatever I can pick up, but it is going to be enough." Joshua states. He is ready to go. "Yes, Pikachu, that is certain to happen. So where are we going to look for Shia and Veera?"

"Well we are not sure where Veera is. I suppose if we really wanted to we could go back to the town to search further for Veera, but I think we've almost exhausted all possibilities there." Eilumi says.
"Well, we haven't exhausted the possibility of us going in there and putting a boot up that pignite's ass." Loona replies.
"... Quite so." Eilumi replies flatly. "Anyway, as for Shia... We will need to enter the maze for that. In that case, we should DEFINITELY take the dropship. Not only for the sake of speed, but also to avoid any unnecessary conflicts within the maze." Eilumi finishes.
"For better or for worse, Josh, it seems you are a part of this group for now." Khaun adds in. "So let's hear your input on this."

They do appear to be willing to allow him to help, maybe they can end up doing something right in all of this wrong, even if it's a bit selfish of himself. "We haven't known each other for more than an hour, but I will do all I can do to aid you and not hinder you."

"The real question is, what direction do we go first? Back to the town, or into the maze?"

"You have searched the town thoroughly, going back there is not likely to get results."

"Alright." Eilumi says. "Sorry Loona, but it looks like your revenge against the Pignite guild guy will have to wait."
"But..." Loona protests.
"Only for now." Eilumi responds.
"Once we have Shia in our grasp, we may come back for that."
"Promise?" She asks.
"Promise." Eilumi says. "We will not leave this planet until your friends are found, and both your and our business is concluded."

Josh looks to Loona. "Were you considering going for him first rather than saving your friends?"

Loona looks off to the side ashamed of herself when he puts it like that.
Eilumi turns and looks towards the sky. "S.A.I.L. Send the dropship. My location."

So their dropship is coming, in that case he is going to wait. Though he hopes that it's arrival is not going to cause Pikachu to panic.

"Now we wait. ETA, 4 minutes" Eilumi says..

"Four minutes huh? Well if no variables are to happen i say we can talk a little more for three minutes and fifty two seconds."

"Okay, what else would you like to know?" Eilumi replies.

"Tell me...How is space travel performed? You must be using something to cover so many light years."

"FTL drives of course. Wait, so you have universe hopping in your world, but you don't have FTL travel? How is that even possible?" Eilumi questions in turn.

"I take it that the method you use is more controlled and weak compared to what ultra-wormholes can do. I am not speaking ill of your method of travel, i'm just very sure that mine can only travel too far, so it can't be used as a method of transportation within my universe itself...perhaps this might change but as of now it's not possible to tell."

"I see...." Eilumi responds.
"I'm not going to even pretend to understand what any of that meant." Loona says to herself.
"You'll learn in time." Khaun replies reassuringly.

"Is there anything any of you would like to ask me?"

"Not particularly at this moment" Eilumi says dismissively. "Anyone else have a question for our guest?" He looks to the rest of his pack... and Loona.
The latter turns towards him with just one question.
"How long have you been here?"

"not very long, i would wager 5 to 6 hours." Now to trade this response with a question of his own to Loona... "Has iron existed in it's weaponized form for as long as you can remember?"

"Yes, yes it has." She replies. "I was born in the maze, so I don't know the full history of it though. I do know that it has been around for some time. Ever since someone called the 'iron king'. Whoever that was."
Eilumi looks upon the conversation. "As for the rest of us... we've only been in orbit around this planet for less than a few days. And we've been *on* the planet for far less. Less than you've been, actually. So we can't help you there either."
"You seem to know quite a bit though for someone here for only a few hours." Khaun notes.

"If this king is even real to begin with..." He looks to Eliumi. "I have been to another instances just like this one, some things are constant such as the species of pokemon that exists. Iron...this iron at least, and the 'nobility' is the major difference i can see."
"Then what was different in the other thing?" Pikachu raised a question of his own.
"...it was off, to say the least. Pokemon lived their lives with smiles on their faces as they all worked together. Guilds that exist to explore and rescue citizens from dungeons and most importantly no iron or nobles. Very likely that they don't know what rape even is. Despite all that I could never feel as if all was right there."

"If he was real." Loona corrected josh. "He apparently existed a long long time ago. How long? I'm not sure."
"Kind of like Big Ape." Nine mutters under his breath.
"If they know what sex is, they probably know what rape is." Khaun comments. "They probably just have a better handle on it than this world does."
A low hum can be heard in the distance, getting closer.

"Is that your vehicle coming?" Pikachu, easy to scare as ever, gets wary of this humming as soon as his ears pick it up.

The dropship arrives, hovering neatly some distance above them
", "pools_count": 1, "title": "Stars of IRON P1A1: Meeting the Crew", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "text/rtf", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "2", "rating_name": "Adult", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "4", "name": "Sexual Themes", "description": "Erotic imagery, sexual activity or arousal", "rating_id": "2" }, { "content_tag_id": "5", "name": "Strong Violence", "description": "Strong violence, blood, serious injury or death", "rating_id": "2" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "f", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "0", "views": "285" }