A barbarous encounter with cinema

[The Humble Sage]

The bio-weapon stalked forward on scaled paws. Slowly and methodically it crawled across the underside of the imperial vessel. The drums pounded, they echoed in its core. An urge, a calling that it could not resist, though it might try with every fiber of its being. But it did not try, it relished in the drums, the call of the hunt, the prey drew nearer. A short distance away, three of the islands inhabitants were patrolling the waters. The cinnabar islanders had been dealing with the Empire for too long not to be suspicious, and the jelly-fish Pokémon was watching for any would-be pursuers while the two seahorse pokemon scoured the area ahead with a stern gaze. They were heading in the direction the diplomat's vessel, but were moving slowly to ensure no surprises from any of the other vessels. That was their first and last mistake.

With an almost lazy motion, the bio-weapon released its hold on the timbers of the boat, twisting lazily in the water as it sank the distance to the ocean's floor. With a dull thump it landed on all fours, a cloud of murky sand billowing outwards from its impact. There was a rippling effect, as the bio-weapon's scales shimmered,  changing from the dark brown wood of the boat, to a softer yellow-green of the sand beneath its paws. The two Pokémon continued their patrol, drawing ever nearer to the Imperial vessel. If it had stopped to care, the bio-weapon would have appreciated the patrol's deployment. The rearguard kept the flank secure from ambush, while the rest of the patrol scoured the area in front of them. Against most attacks, the formation would make it impossible to remain undetected. However, this was unlike most attacks.

The bio-weapon prowled forward, patches of camouflaged fur rippling in the ocean's current. The Patrol continued to draw closer, still unaware of the danger. With a coiling of powerful muscles, the bio-weapon leapt, crossing the remaining gap and landing on the ocean floor directly below the patrol. One of the Seadryas looked down in surprise at the unexpected cloud of dust, but by the time he caught sight of the bio-weapon it was too late. As the bio-weapon's camouflage drained away, it opened its beaked mouth, and released a sudden jolt of electricity, which shot forth, spreading through the water at appropriately lightning speeds. The Water-type Pokemon didn't even get a chance to raise the alarm.

---

The Sage sat up, his brain a frazzled mess of disconjointed thoughts. There was something wrong with him, something wrong in his brain. He was sure of it. As his eyes adjusted to the brightness he became aware of his surroundings. The debris-laden alley he found himself in did nothing to simplify his confusion. The midday sun poured its harsh light onto one of the walls besides him, shining onto the plaster. The Sage put a hand to his head, attempting to quell the thundering tempest inside. Had he spent too long in the tavern again? He couldn’t recall any of the events that had led him to his current place, and only vaguely remembered where he was. Slowly, he shifted his weight, and got his feet underneath him. Groggily, he shambled his way out of the alley.

He remembered being on the island, he even recalled that he had been looking for something, but for the life of him he had no idea what he had been looking for. He stepped into the street proper, looking around in a vain attempt to get some sort of bearings. The myriad lifeforms of Cinnabar passed him by, glancing at him worriedly but making no directly hostile actions.  The Sage glanced skyward, rubbing his temple with one hand, trying to recall the events that had placed him in that alley. The systematic stomping of a collection of boots drew his attention to one end of the road, as a squadron of Imperial stormtroopers rounded the corner. They processed down the street in a very collected group, the man at the center clearly an imperial official of some nature. The Sage watched them approach, deciding whether hiding or remaining in the open would be the wiser course of action to avoid detection. Before he had reached a decision however, the official held up a hand and the procession halted in place. The well-dressed official pointed a hand towards the Sage and spoke in a very public address.
 
"Well well, It is not often we run into other humans on this island! Come over here will you, I am curious to hear your story!" the man said with a jovial smile.

[The Humble Sage]

The Bio-weapon circled the away from his kills, tracing a path towards a quieter shore of the island. It was crucial that the Bio-weapon was not traced back to its origin. The bio-weapon did not care about the Empire or their scheming, but its instincts had been specifically designed so that it would seek to appear Cinnibarian in origin. If the Empire was found to have performed its mission that would completely invalidate the cost Dr. Mornur had accrued developing it, and that was something the Empire would not take kindly to.
 
The Bio-weapon continued its steady padding across the bottom of the ocean, circling the island, deep enough beneath the waves that its camouflage made it virtually impossible to spot from outside the water. Eventually it left behind the collection of piers, and moved on to the unmonitored waters of a more secluded portion of the shoreline. The ocean floor rose sharply, into a cliff-face worn smooth by the erosion of constant waters. To most, the cliff would pose a serious obstacle, those few handholds existed in the weathered stone were made slick with ocean spray. But to the Bioweapon, this was as immaterial as the pokemon had been. As it neared the base of the cliff, the bioweapon put two of its six legs onto the stone, the pads clinging tightly to the stone. Without even breaking stride, the Bioweapon began scaling the slope.
 

---

 
The Sage eyed the Imperial diplomat from across a small table. A pair of Imperial Soldiers stood at attention behind the man, their poise immaculate as they stared out from their helmets. The residents of Cinnibar went about their business, but they were clearly giving the café a very noticeable berth. For his part the Diplomat seemed entirely at ease, graciously thanking the oddly subdued clownish person who arrived shortly with the tray of tea.
 
He studied the man’s face as he accepted the cup, and he had to admit, Sir Medaeus possessed an impressive control of his facial reactions, and despite himself, the Sage almost believed it when Medaeus complemented the cowed pokemon on the quality of the drink. But then he can afford to, after all. The shark can be courteous to its neighbors. As the silent clown made a hasty retreat the Diplomat turned back to face the Sage, his face a practiced model of genuine friendliness.

“It is quite fascinating, I have always been told that Cinnibar Island is a… reclusive and technologically inept place, where only a few individuals of more… inhuman persuasion, there have even been some frankly ghastly rumors that Mewtwo has a bit of an issue with us as a species. Now of course much of this is but hearsay, but I was curious about the series of astonishing and riveting events could have led you to be found here. You don’t mind sharing do you?”
 
The Sage shook his head nonchalantly, “Not at all, Ambassador. I am always willing to spin a tale when the opportunity is offered. However, I would warn you that much of this tale will be spun, as my reasons for being here are entirely unremarkable.” Sir Medaeus sighed lightly and took a sip of tea.
 
“A pity, I was hoping for a tale of grand adventure.” The diplomat said as he leaned back in the wicker chair, “you will pardon me if this question appears too forwards, I have been longer at sea than I would like and it’s left me a touch brash.”
 
“A common condition.” The Sage interjected, more to derail the diplomat than to make any real contribution, he needed to make sure the ambassador didn’t entirely dominate the conversation, the man was as deadly with a couple of words, as any dueler with a sword. “but by all means, ask away.”
 
Sir Medaeus gave the Sage a sort of half-smile that betrayed his irritation, then continued, “ I have heard people suggest that Cinnibar is a home for exiles and outcasts, is that the case with you?” he asked, perfectly trimmed eyebrows raised in polite curiosity as he brought his mug up to his mouth.
 
That’s disappointing, The Sage thought as he locked eyes with the Diplomat, Are you really just interrogating me for my affiliations? I had hoped that we could work something positive out of this Medaeus. He shrugged slightly before answering, making sure to maintain the eye contact as he spoke. “I am both exiled from my homeland and an outcast. But I think that is hardly surprising in this world of ours. One would think more people would flock to Cinnibar’s banner if those were the only criteria.”
 
Sir Medaeus gave a slight laugh and leaned forward again, elbows resting on the table as he did so. “So you are a prime then? Unless I have misplaced you?” He asked, continuing to feign politeness, though He seemed to know the Sage had guessed his intentions Which is all the better. Let us drop the false casuality, and rely solely on our false indifference, Medaeus. Let me see how well your words can dance!
 
“Alas, good sir! You are mistaken! I am but a wandering secondary, struggling like any other man to eke out his existence. Would that I were such a thing, You would not find me in such a stringent place as I am now!” Now the Sage sat back. It was not a great lie, and he was sure Medaeus only half believed him. That would be enough though, as the question would allow him to distract the Diplomat with leads if need be.
 
“Indeed, primes seem to be more interested in running amok in the upper tiers and assaulting imperial troops.” Sir Medaeus paused and took another sip of tea, while the Sage slightly ground his teeth. There was an inflection on those last few words that the Sage did not like, and he mentally ran though the posting on his bounty that Dasha had shown him. There weren’t enough details that the diplomat could have made the connection could he? The Sage shunted the thought aside before Sir Medaeus could tell he was dwelling on it and continued to listen.

“But no, I share your envy of the primes.  However, we were not made by the same Omni as they, and we can do nothing to change the fact. I simply give thanks to the Beneficent Emperor that he thought me worthy to summon.
 I do wonder though, you will pardon my horrible manners no doubt, but you wouldn’t happen to know which prime has summoned you, perchance? You have a distinctively archaic method of fashion.”
 
The Sage glanced down at his tunic as if he was completely surprised by the statement, though he had been expecting a point along that line as soon as the diplomat had decided he wasn’t a prime. He did have the look of a Camelot Resident, there was little he could do to argue with it. But he would try.
 
“Ah, I was summoned during the creation of one of the outlying fiefs of Darkshire, I do not know the name of the prime that summoned me, but I doubt they cared enough for it to matter.” This was an even flimsier claim than the first one had been, and the Diplomat was smiling now as he nodded. He thinks he’s found me out, but which lies has be bought? The Sage wondered as he took a drink from the cup in front of him. The Diplomat sniffed slightly, and now you’re done with the conversation, you will try to end the contact as quickly as possible. The Sage gave what he felt was an appropriately surprised look as Sir Medaeus stood up.
 
“Yes I fear that many of us secondaries are something of an afterthought. And speaking of afterthoughts, I regret that I have just recalled some important business I have been neglecting. I hope you will not think too ill of me that I must stop our conversation with so much still left unresolved. You will forgive me I hope?” The Sage glanced up at him You aren’t even being subtle about your dismissal Medaeus, Do you think me that unimportant? The Sage nodded of course, he could hardly refuse the Diplomat’s request even if he had hoped to get more information out of the confrontation.
 
“I do hope we will meet again soon, once my business is concluded, that we might finish our discussions.” We that he gave a small dignified bow and turned away, the two soldiers following sharply behind him.
 
The Sage sat for a short time more, finishing his tea, then got up and turned in the opposite direction. He turned down the first side alley he saw, hurriedly made his way down it then ducked into a side door. The room was a small storage space, smelling faintly of oranges. The Sage crouched out of sight and waited. His hunch was confirmed as a lone human, her gray uniform clearly marking her as an Imperial guard hurried down the alleyway. She slowed down a little way past the Sage’s hideout, and he overheard some of her conversation as she spoke into her communications unit.  
 
“I’ve lost  visual on Clowney’s goon, but he isn’t far. Tell the commander that he will not interfere with our operation here.”

[The Humble Sage]

The Bio-Weapon stalked its way along the roof tops with a determined gait. It could smell the target, not far away. The residents below remained unaware of the Bio-weapon’s presence, and its mission proceeded completely as planned. It tasted the air, tongue flicking out of its beaked mouth with a series of rapid flicks. Its target was somewhere, it could discern the slightest snatches of its prey’s scent, even through the huge plethora of aromas that suffused its senses. There were so many smells, so many things it had never tasted before. For a moment, The Beast-mind returned to the forefront.  Below it, prey went on about its life, completely unaware of the death that lurked directly above them. It considered stopping to ease its hunger, the herd below would be none the wiser provided it wasn’t careless. The Bio-weapon peered over the edge of the building, gazing down at the myriad Pokemon that travelled below. A single string of drool escaped the corner of the Bio-weapon’s mouth as it stared down at the food below. It coiled its hind leg muscles, preparing to pounce. Then it noticed the Tamer.

He was watching, just like always. The Tamer always watched, that was simply what Tamer did, and today he watched from an alleyway below. His cloak was oddly shaped and hid his form, but the Bio-weapon knew him. There was no mistaking those eyes, they locked gaze with the Beast-mind, provoking it to challenge him. Without breaking the stare, Tamer raised one hand to expose a gauntlet, then with the other hand turned one of the knobs. The Beast-mind roiled in agony, and the Bio-weapon reared, falling onto its back and rolling in an attempt to quell its mental duress. Eventually the screeching pain lessened, and the Bio-weapon regained its composure. There was no time to eat, no time for the hunt. The Target was nearby.

---

The Sage stepped out of hiding, not long after the agent had passed. He had learned what the situation entailed, so he would not have to be discerning it on the fly this time, and in any case he doubted he would be able to elude them all for very long. Moving swiftly, he caught up to the Imperial soldier as she exited the alley into a sparsely traveled back street.

“Are you looking for someone?” he asked, taking more satisfaction than he knew he should from the jump of surprise as the Agent whirled around. Her blaster came out of its holster with suprising speed, but a quick swipe with the walking stick deflected the aim, and the blaster’s shot simply smashed into the pavement to his left.

“Careful there, dear. I think that would do me quite a bit of bodily harm.” The Sage laughed in an attempt to project confidence about the encounter. He hadn’t really thought this approach through, since the Agent had managed to get her weapon drawn so quickly. If she disengaged, he would have a hard time disarming her before she could land a shot. She was currently on her back-foot however, and she might not yet be thinking tactically, he needed to press his advantage before he lost it.

“Why don’t we avoid the pleasantries and agree to discuss this all rationally, hmm?” he asked, lifting his dueling cane slightly to showcase his goodwill. The Imperial agent was clearly assessing; he could see the gears turning in her mind.

But somehow he didn’t see the left hook in time. It smashed into the side of his face and the Sage stumbled backwards; more in surprise than in pain, but definitely also in pain. The Agent wasted no time, as an expertly aimed shot sent the dueling cane twirling out of his hand and skittering across the ground behind him.

“Alright, you King-toting Scum. Discuss all you want.” Her tone was gruff and her weapon remained trained on the Sage’s forehead as she spoke the words. The Sage sighed and straightened up, making sure to keep his motions as un threatening as possible.

“I simply wished to know why you take me for a Kingdom lackey?” The Sage asked, continuing to feign ignorance of Clowney’s existence on the island. Sir Medaeus was exceptionally skilled at retaining information, but that didn’t mean all of his lackeys would be. “You see, We are rather far away from anywhere I would want to be if I was a member of the Kingdom. Yes, I know, I’m a human on Cinnibar, how odd. But to assume I am part of the kingdom… That’s even odder.”

He nodded slightly as he saw the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. That was all he needed. They knew Clowney was here. Was that their true reason for making the trip here unannounced? The Agent’s earpiece chirped as a message began broadcasting. Keeping her weapon trained on the Sage she raised one hand to activate her comm. But she looked away for a moment as she did so, a costly mistake.

Immediately the Sage dashed forward. If one treated her blaster as a blade, the situation wasn’t too different from one Yianna had taught him during his time with the wood elves. He gripped the bottom of the weapon with one hand, and raised it above him, then brought his other hand down on the raised arm bending it at the elbow. The Agent grunted in surprise as the weapon dropped out of her hand. Before she could slip away the Sage twisted her around, trying to pin her in a type of hold. With a smooth motion however, she flipped him over her head to go flying forward. He managed to turn the dive into a role and came up grinning, her earpiece in one of his hands.

Putting the piece to his ear, he prepared himself as the Imperial Agent gave a cry and rushed into the fight once again. “…stations. The Birdie is getting distracted….” The voice came staticy over the communicator. Now he would get some answers, he just needed to keep them. the Sage dropped into a defensive stance, the Agent had abandoned her blaster, she was too intent on getting the comm unit back as quickly as possible. She knows how bad a situation this is for them, I have to make sure she doesn’t warn anyone else. The Agent drew a dark metal knife and flicked a switch on the hilt. The blade began to hum and blur slightly, and the Sage found himself wishing he still had a weapon. “I had to give it a treat to get back on track just now, but its heading for the Jester again. Tamer out.”  

The Sage was backpedaling hard now, as the Agent pressed the attack hard. The humming knife sliced through the air again and again. Although the Sage managed to evade and deflect the attacks, she had learned from their first exchange, and was providing him no chances for another disarm. It would only be a matter of time before he backed into a curb or a wall. He needed an answer, fast. Another voice came onto the channel, despite the static, he recognized it as Medaeus’ peaceful tones, “Make sure the thing doesn’t reveal itself before-hand, Tamer. That psychic has put the whole island on edge, and despite Dr. Mornur’s efforts, our friend doesn’t look or act enough like a resident to fool a patrol.”

As expected the Sage’s back hit paneling. The Agent had done a great job of not giving him any warning the wall was approaching, but she was clearly waiting for it, as she pushed the attack. With a grunt, the Sage wrenched himself sideways, falling to the ground overbalanced. The Agent scowled in frustration as she turned, The Sage was aware that he didn’t have many options here.

Later he could have sworn that he had pulled the book out with the intent to catch the knife in it. If the knife got stuck, then they would be on even footing again. As it was, the book came out open and the Sage felt some kind of strange inner fire. His mind harkened back to the strange island, and old woman he had met there.

ҴԢՅ ՃӨҊժӸՅӔҊՅҊ ѾUҨҴ ӸՅ ԖҊՅҨՅҊӴՅժ.

The Agent recoiled in surprise as sharp inky blades came scything out of the book, slicing and tearing at the area in front of them, before collapsing into ink that splattered onto the ground beneath them.

Slowly the Sage got to his feet, feeling shaky and out of breath. He stared in shock at poor woman, whose body had been ripped and torn by the blades. She was clearly dead, her eyes still wide open with surprise. Despite himself, the Sage felt bad for the Agent, for all he knew she was simply following orders. He bent to close her eyes, wincing slightly at the gashes nearby. He crushed the earpiece before someone thought to ask her a question, as they could probably track its location somehow if he kept it.

Tossing the broken circuitry to the ground, the Sage set off again, though more tempered this time. The Imperial forces seemed to be targeting Clowney, unless “Jester” was more of a code word than he believed. If he wanted the man’s help, he couldn’t let that happen. He needed to have a chat with this Tamer person.

[The Humble Sage]

The Bio-Weapon had reached its target; the astronomer’s lair was not far away. It watched from across the road, as a form that its senses told it was surely the target moved about inside. It coiled its hind legs in preparation, waiting for the signal from Tamer. It bristled the spines on its back, building up current in preparation for the attack. If left to its own devices, the Bio-weapon would happily have torn both the target and the entire house to shreds, and certainly it would not be a difficult task. All it needed to do was wait for the order to be given by Tamer.
 
The Bio-weapon was slightly puzzled that the command hadn’t been sent yet. Inserted into its bestial mind was a rudimentary understanding of its mission.  The attack was supposed to be slow, ideally the astronomer was to be given enough time that he could put out a call for help, then he and any of his assistants that had stumbled into the area were to be dealt with as brutally as possible. The Bio-weapon knew all of this, even felt that it was in position to enact the attack now. But it could not. Although Tamer allowed the Bio-weapon to roam mostly unrestricted, there were a couple of key actions that Tamer would have to implant into its brain directly.
 
The Bio-weapon waited, tail swishing back and forth in anticipation, waiting for the signal. But it did not come. The Bio-weapon hissed in confusion and turned to look back towards tamer. Their mission’s critical moment was imminent, and Tamer was refusing to act on their opportunity. The Bio-weapon’s already beady eyes narrowed as it looked down at the situation below. Tamer was there, but there was someone else, someone the Bio-weapon didn’t recognize.
 
Whoever it was, they were attacking Tamer. The Bio-Weapon watched the fight with even greater intensity then it had watched the astronomer’s home. It did not particularly care what became of Tamer, but the other person was clearly a threat to the mission. The Bio-weapon screeched in challenge, as it turned towards the fight. Tamer looked up at the Bio-weapon as he retreated backwards under the assault. A glimmer of a plan flashed through Tamer’s visage, and he leapt backwards, as far away from the attacker as possible. As Tamer landed, he adjusted a dial on the gauntlet. The Bio-weapon’s mission changed, and it screeched and began bounding down the building towards the new target.
 

---

 
The Sage looked up as the horrific monstrosity began descending towards them. The Imperial agent smirked at him. “Get a taste of the best our scientists can do!” the man said with a laugh. There was no doubt, this man was the one controlling the beast. The Lynchpin can only hold up a garment when it remains hidden. Revealing its existence destroys its purpose, The Sage smirked back at the imperial agent. and you are a fool for showing me that. With a burst of speed, the Sage rushed his opponent, a quick swipe to the temple left the man stumbling backwards, one hand clutching his head. Without pausing, the Sage pressed the attack, delivering several blows to the reeling agent. The Sage rolled under the man’s clumsy counter and gripped him in a headlock, before twisting. The Agent collapsed, but the Sage snatched hold of his arm, and held the man’s gauntlet in front of his face.
 
The Bio-weapon thudded down onto the street nearby, electric current arcing between the dorsal spikes that lined its back. It stared him down, preparing to leap. The Sage stared directly back, and twisted a knob on the gauntlet. The beast’s eyes widened in surprise as the Electrical arcs grew in frequency. Its knees twinged, but it began to charge towards him. A persistent beast of a thing, aren’t you… the Sage thought and twisted the knob to its full extent. The Beast arched its back, eyes rolling backwards as the Electricity leapt about uncontrollably, totally engulfing the beast in a ball of blinding light. Civilians fled as the explosion spread across the street.
 
The Sage was flung against a nearby wall, which gave way in the ensuing blast. Smoke filled the street, as the Sage struggled back to his feet. Pokemon were fleeing the scene rapidly, away from the smoldering crater in the middle of the street. The Sage approached the edge, looking down at the charred corpse of the Bio-weapon. It was practically unrecognizable.
 
“You there!” said a gruff voice, and the Sage turned to see a man he could only assume was the astronomer, peering out from one of the windows of a nearby building. “what is the meaning of this?”
 
The Sage turned to face the man, and headed towards the door of the building. “I will explain it to you inside sir, I am afraid you are the target of assassination.”

[The Humble Sage]

The Sage pushed open the door and found himself facing a loaded crossbow. Clowney was sitting in the chair calmly, the large mechanical device resting easily in his lap.  The man seemed frazzled, but his surprise was quickly giving way to irritation, and he scoffed slightly as the Sage entered. “Alright pal, you’ve got about fifteen minutes before this place is crawling with Cinnibar security. I need to be gone by then, so you start talking. Now.” The voice was tense, but under control. This man has seen his fair share of danger. The Sage thought as he prepared his explanation.
 
“I was informed by… various sources that you were stationed here, and of the nature of your mission here. I was intending to seek you out for this reason, to offer you assistance.  I was intercepted here by Imperial Agents, and I learned of their plan to assault your life. If anything remains in that crater in the street, it’ll be the corpse of that thing they were sending to hunt you.” The Sage gestured towards the street as he spoke, noting the unimpressed look he was getting from Clowney. “You are welcome to look if you like, though there may be more imperial agents in the area.” Clowney snorted.
 
“Or right in front of me.” The Astronomer said, hands not leaving his crossbow. “Your story is plenty vague, prime. Don’t give me that look, you’re either a rogue prime or a ranking member of a faction, that’s clear from how you’re showing up like you own the place.“  Jadevon stood up and crossed to his desk, loaded crossbow still held, though no longer trained on the Sage’s chest. “Since you aren’t part of the kingdom, I don’t have any reason to trust you. The others might have helpful locals in the area. I’m working under the Empire’s nose. ” The Sage attempted to interject but Clowney simply raised his voice over the objection. “And don’t even pretend for a minute that The Empire wouldn’t readily sacrifice a few agents to get you into my trust. SO, you can leave now, or I can peg you in the throat and you don’t leave at all. I have no reason to believe you are working for the kingdom in any way, and I have now TEN minutes to get all of my research away from here.Get lost before I make up my mind that you’re a loose end I'm better off cutting.” With that he set down the crossbow and began sliding papers into a binding.
 
The Sage clenched one hand in frustration and he was tempted to make a move while Clowney’s back was turned. But no, the man would be expecting that. There were others, he had said. That meant there must be other artifacts as well? His glance strayed to a nearby document, bearing the seal of Dalaran quite prominently on the head. No way of proving my allegiance? Swiftly he pocketed the letter and exited the building.
 
Smoke was rising from the crater still, a clear beacon to anyone looking. He needed to get away from here and fast. Clowney was not going to cooperate, so he would have to find someone else instead.