(Untitled)

[eflamberge]

[It's probably happened to all of you. You're so focused on what you're doing, that you completely forget about the rest of the world around you.

What usually does not happen is that said world fades out and is replaced by a completely different one. And so, as the blue-haired Count pensively polishes his precious Magma Emblem using a small towel

Comments

THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER OMG YOU'RE HERE - I mean, uh, hi

[forgedinmagma]

[At the sight of the Team Magma enbelm, Troy reaches for his Poke Balls. Out comes Skarmory, and although he doesn't have it attack, it's a near thing. The look on his face should tell Edmond exactly how fond of Team Magma Troy is as he approachs.]

We don't need any more criminals on this island.

[Troy's voice is clearly struggling to maintain a neutral tone, but there's a strong undercurrent of hate to his voice.]

[eflamberge]

[Blink. Blink.

Slowly, Edmond raises his eyes from the Magma Emblem and does a brief double-take as he looks around himself, recognizing the place, then at his Zangoose. So this is what Fang was trying to tell him... Edmond is back on the island! His first thought is, are the Maxies anywhere nearby?

... But there's no time to think about that now. Who is it that just spoke?

Unfortunately, sir, you look a lot like a person that Edmond isn't terribly fond of. Because, clearly, there can only be one person in Hoenn who rules at hoarding shiny rocks. Edmond quickly hides the Emblem in his pocket and frowns, blue eyebrows knitting together.]

The young Mr. Stone...? How very like you to act so rashly and rudely. Wherefore would you attack us?

[forgedinmagma]

My name isn't Mr. Stone. That's another version of me, one who's a lot more lenient on criminal activity. And you'll note I haven't actually attacked you. This is just a precaution in case you decide to engage in any of the delightful crimes your group is so fond of committing when people's backs are turned.

[He makes a hand gesture to his Skarmory, and it comes up beside him. It's wings aren't spread, but it's legs are braced and it's ready to move if it has to. Troy's face remains unreadable.]

[eflamberge]

[... Oh, right, the whole alternate universes and doubles thing. The thing that makes it possible for a Maxie to be murderous and insane. And yet, still so inexplicably attractive... focus, Edmond!

Ah, so he saw the Emblem. Very well - Edmond has an entire protocol prepared for cases like this. His posture relaxes and he tilts his head to the side.]

"My group"? I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, Mr. ... ah, what is your name, then?

[ghosberlass]

[Plassica was focused on yet another attempt to talk to the dead, but she stops once her Flareon nudges her.]

...

Am I seeing things?

[eflamberge]

[Blink. Blink. ...

... Oh, it's the Island. And that's Plassica over there, he recognizes her. Maybe things haven't changed much since Edmond left?

... Anyway, he'll pocket that Magma Emblem now because, really, sweetheart, you saw nothing. He even offers her a bright smile in the attempt to make her focus on something else.]

... Ah... Good day, Plassica. It has been quite some time, hasn't it? How have you been?

[ghosberlass]

I'm doing well, but things have been a bore lately.

[She's definitely a bit surprised to see him again. Her Flareon keeps nudging her but she appears to be ignoring it.]

[eflamberge]

"A bore"...? What, precisely, do you mean by that?

[While Edmond is still offering her a friendly smile, his Zangoose is now staring sternly at Plassica's Flareon, red eyes narrowed into slits. What is the Fire-type trying to tell her?]

[lara_laramie]

D-Daddy?

[Lara sees Edmond from behind and while the clothes are completely beyond anything her family owns, that hair is totally his. At his voice, though, her shoulders slump.]

Ah, sorry. You look like... nevermind. Are you new to the island?

[eflamberge]

[Well, that caught Edmond's attention. He's always wanted children-

... But he doesn't actually have any at the moment, and if he did, he wouldn't allow them to dress in such rustic garments. Especially not the girls.]

... I am... not precisely new. I believe was absent from here for a while and now it seems... [He looks around himself for a moment. Yup, that's the Island all right.] It seems I have returned.

Allow me to introduce myself. [Customary curtsy.] I am Count Edmond Valerius Flamberge, of Lavaridge Town, in the noble land of Hoenn. May I have the honor of knowing your name?

[lara_laramie]

[Lara smiles genuinely at him. She can't be on guard around someone who looks this much like her father.] My name is Lara Laramie, of the Laramie Pokemon breeder clan in Johto. It's mighty fine to meet you, sir. If you don't mind my asking, what's that thing you're polishing?

[eflamberge]

It's a real pleasure meeting you.

Ah, what thing...? [A small pause, as he pretends to be clueless.] Ah, you must mean the medallion - I am not quite sure as to what it is, either. I merely found it on the ground during a mountain stroll.

I couldn't resist

[gatorfaceisevil]

[Gatorface smells vinegar. Vinegar is food. He's going to clamp down on Edmond's hands now. Food!]

[eflamberge]

[... Eeep! Now, Edmond's hands look as if he's wearing all of his grandmother's old, gaudy rings at once. And that is probably how it actually is, plus his ruby-encrusted wedding ring.

... So, even leaving aside the fact that those fangs really hurt and that you're an evil, disgustingly damp Water-type, he is definitely not happy about this.]

... M-my rings!

[Luckily, Fang the Zangoose gets to work immediately, long claws trying to pry Gatorface away from the Count.]

[gatorfaceisevil]

[The good news is, Fang pried Gatorface off. The bad news is, he's clearly got some rings in his mouth and they click together as he runs his tongue over them.]

[tinyairlock]

[Magma sense
TINGLING

...But you don't look like a Magma member. Too high-class. You have that Emblem nonetheless, so...incoming tiny Rayquaza.]

[eflamberge]

[Ah... what is this?

... It's very cute, and Edmond is far from being insensitive to cute. He'll smile at the cute mini-dragon.]

Hello, there. What's your name?

[tinyairlock]

[Hmm. You aren't recoiling in surprise/horror. Maybe you aren't a Magma member after all. Or maybe you're just being polite.]

Hello. My name is Rayquaza.

[eflamberge]

[No, see, he has never seen a Rayquaza before. Though he has definitely heard the name.]

... Ah! Rayquaza, the great guardian of the sky... that's you? It is such an honor to meet you. And it's simply wonderful that you are capable of speech that I can understand!

[Of course, he thinks that Groudon can kick your ass from here to Unova, but he'll make no mention of that.]