[mission!] grace.discipline

[daigo]

Daddy had to be kidding him when he mailed a letter to his doorstep and was so kind to have the letter pinned under a dawn stone. Daddy wasn't kidding, however, when out of the envelope dropped a coupon he was to take to the nearest pokémon center to exchange for ... something. Steven didn't have a good feeling about it. He had received a parcel in return, together with something he left behind when he got into that frightening row. Bemused and amused, he grasped the handgun tightly. The president of Devon hadn't forgotten his son's love for guns. Him going on his first mission as a Nox member didn't go uncelebrated by daddy dearest.

"Father ... you didn't need to."

He gripped the handgun tightly and pocketed it within his coat. It was a chilly night as he stepped out of the hotel room, at the same time wondering how exactly his father had found him (chances were the pidgey he sent was fatigued to the point of no return) before recalling the tracker Mr. Tsuwabuki had conveniently forgot to remove from his son's pokénav. His father had yelled about disowning his son for siding with Nox, but the tracker ... Steven shook away his stray thoughts. He pulled his trenchcoat closer to him, striding against the wind towards his meeting point.

No, it was not a date. Yet, every meeting he had with an old friend always ended up as such. That person didn't ever stop badgering him or pushing him into annoyance, before smiling and waving him off like ... like those nurses in pokémon centers. It was more than likely that he would chide him for being late today. Keeping track of time was never his strong suit, anyway. He often got sidetracked with other, better things in life - for example, stones. And rocks. More stones never hurt anyone, so ... stones.

He quickened his step.

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[mikuri]

[ooc: oh wow you capitalized]

Wallace hummed a tune on his lips as he wondered about in Opelucid City with no map, no directions, no specific destination in mind to guide him. There was one place he had taken note of though, the very place he was actually in Unova's unfamiliar territory for but it was Wallace's practice (or habit as what others would say) to spend the time exploring the paths he passed by on his way. He observed everything from the style and architecture of buildings to the parking preferences of the locals. He took in the smallest details there was to build them together in a bigger picture. After all, the mind was an artist's most prized brush. With it, he can create any art - all was imaginable and therefore possible.

His brief journey to Unova gave birth to many new pictures for Wallace and each of them had their own names to represent their individuality. Each was unique, each was different. It was once again the smallest detail that was relevant, that set each picture apart, that made all the difference. For Opelucid, it was the brilliant system of technology governing the ways and life of the people in the city. Sure Wallace had his favorites; nothing certainly could match his home city of Sootopolis, but he was an open man! He had the mind of a wanderer, a traveler. He wished nothing else but to see just how diverse the world could be. It was such a wonder just how all these differences could fit in their small world.

But the wind that drifted across Unova's lands were no different from each other. Observation was not only by the five basic senses. That level of observation detached a person from the actual picture. There was the deeper connection to observe, the invisible link between living beings. The atmosphere, the aura. Wallace was no psychic but he could easily tell the misplaced splash of color tainting every picture. Unova was in a general unease. An ugly black mark stuck to the pictures like gum.

He spotted a group of children playing about and his humming immediately ceased. Only the young ones wouldn't know, only they would be allowed to remain ignorant.

It took him a few more hours leisurely traversing the city before deciding to head to where he should be. He was probably late - definitely late but Wallace didn't care. Ten, fifteen...oh fifty minutes late so made no difference and Wallace knew whatever time they have agreed upon, his good friend would be late as well so it wouldn't hurt to take his time.

But unlike his good friend, Wallace kept track of time. He just didn't care about it. His friend, however, lost grip of it. Thoughts kept him busy like persistent secretaries eating every minute of his life. Wallace worried for his sanity. Wallace would simply go mad if he were in his shoes.

He spotted his friend right in the same direction Wallace was heading. It seems they were equally late this time. Wallace quietly followed him from behind. He looked stiff.

"Have you had dinner, 'Daigo'?" Wallace called, finally revealing his presence. "I'm sure you wouldn't want to spoil this rare night we're together with a rumbling stomach."

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[daigo]

"No."

Curt, blunt, serious. They were on a mission. Was there time for food? No, not really. Rocks - perhaps. Steven glanced at his turquoise-haired friend. He was early, but then again - when wasn't Wallace earlier than him? He frowned, then glanced at his long-time friend. "I don't think I need to eat," he said, turning away to glance over the city. He didn't have a stomach made of rock, but he might as well have had. He hadn't had a decent meal since he discovered the gemstones of the Unova region; he needed an expert to consult and discuss these relatively new discoveries with.

"Have you, Mikuri?" said the man, before checking his pokénav. He had it modified to contain more than just the standard functions, but at the same time, his father made him promise to include the tracker. Back then he hadn't thought much of it, but after their falling out, it was just a hindrance. The president would know where he was, any minute, any hour of the day as long as he brought up the relevant data on his personal computer, or whatever newfangled device he was working on.

The nox sympathizer slipped his hand into his trenchcoat pockets, replacing his device. "Should we get going?" It wasn't so much of a request than a simple statement as he walked towards their target building. The faster they got over this, the faster he could go back to tea with Mikuri (maybe) and gemstones. He was pretty sure some of them stood a chance at fascinating his somewhat fickle friend ... they looked nice, after all.

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[mikuri]

“Not since I arrived in Unova, no,” Wallace answered, placing a hand on his waist as the lids of his eyes closed. He sighed and laid a palm on his forehead. “For a man of your mind and age, Daigo, one would think you could take care of yourself. Listen to your own words! Not needing to eat? You are simply being stubborn.” He looked at Steven, sorely tempted to roll his eyes. “I was saving my appetite for a meal with you. I was hoping we can chat a little, catch up.”

But as much as Wallace would hope for, he knew Steven would not follow. He understood Steven's situation right now; he and his father had clashed and parted ways where the civil war sundered their relationship completely. It was now that Steven needed Wallace the most; yes, he is a grown man now and Wallace being all motherly is a little unnecessary but he could not trust Steven to make the best decisions right now. He would have to prove to Wallace first of his steadfastness regardless of his estranged father for the Hoenn Champion to back off. He could not really help Steven. He could only hope for the best.

“It seems that was just my fancy alone. I should expect nothing less from you, you who forgoes writing to a friend in long periods of time only to invite me when it's related to your work...and by work, I mean rocks and fossils. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy them but relaxing once in a while is no crime.” He strode toward Steven, hands swinging on his side. He paused and inclined his head to his friend, a smirk drawn. “But this is not the time for that, no? Let us move on then.”

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[daigo]

steven had made up his mind not to listen to his friend at this point. wallace had seemed to think that eating was of utmost importance to a grown man like him. he figured that he'd survived until twenty-nine half-eating most of the time, he would be able to for the next ten years or so until his internal systems started failing him. but no, the turquiose-haired man had to make it hard on him. catching up. that sounded completely, utterly like the fabulous! man he was. "after this mission, then," he said calmly, digging his hands into the depths of his trenchcoat.

there wasn't anything interesting in it other than the pokénav he knew from touch alone. he quickly removed his hands, but it was rather chilly outside. isshu's weather was far more volatile, the winters colder and harsher than in hoenn. truth be told, he liked the warmer weather more where outside activities were still possible in winter. like rock-hunting in general.

as for keeping his word for food with his friend, that remained to be seen. steven had doubts whether he would even remember; the rush of doing something often made him lose track of time. the white-haired man glanced across at wallace. writing? writing what - oh. those goddamn letters. it wasn't that he didn't try. steven swore he did, finding himself holding a pen only to put it down again because he didn't know what to put in words other than a sincere (or so he hoped) invitation to something that he could actually talk about. he knew he wasn't as eloquent or elegant or elephant - screw vocabulary - as the regional champion.

"yeah. let's just ... go," he muttered in response. what did he have to say in his defense? nothing. it was always with mikuri that he found himself at a loss for words. there was no exception to it. not once in many encounters had he a witty remark that wouldn't be sent spiralling back to his face at the snap or a finger, or parting of lips, or a flip of hair. he hurried towards the building in question, sparing a moment to stare up at it.

it loomed. rather menacingly, but steven wasn't fazed. the both of them were and used to be champions of their own region. the very same region, in fact. battles, should they face some, were of no problem. the main question was the security; other than computers, did they have anything more complex? steven knew he wasn't a genius at deciphering codes - mikuri?

...

he didn't think he knew what programming languages were. shampoo brands or the latest fashion trends? definitely.

"any ideas?"

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[mikuri]

For Champion and former Champion, Wallace and Steven, infiltration seemed like a mission out of their league. They could take care of themselves against opponents armed with Pokemon and even weapons but fighting wasn't going to solve everything. A fight was exactly what they were trying to avoid and for this particular job, they needed to go through a research facility's security designed by one of the most - if not the best - technologically advanced city in the entire country. He understood quickly what was in Steven's mind though Wallace wasn't really that concerned.

"The laboratory is not empty," Wallace said, sizing up the building with one hand cupping his chin. "I'm conscious of the building's blueprint and can understand codes but I'm quite sure you do better job at both." Steven was the one with weapon research background after all. While Wallace was not clueless at the field, he still wasn't any better than Steven. Perhaps in chemistry, biology, and botany. Those were essential in studying the ingredients behind beauty products after all!

"If we hit a dead end, we could always seek the 'help' of a scientist," Wallace said with a cool shrug. "Perhaps it would be best if we blend in first to navigate inside easily. For that, we would need clothes and ID. Infiltration." They wouldn't be able to go far with a borrowed identity. Who knows what kind of technology Opelucid was? Everything was ran by computers. No doubt they would bump into iris and fingerprint scans and invisible traps that would alert the entire facility of their presence. That was just about going in. They would also have to get out alive.

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[daigo]

if it wasn't empty, then it had to contain something. steven's mind had contained that thought for quite a while before he dispelled it. of course; it was obvious. they had to blend in, and having wallace with him was an asset. no doubt he would lather upon his face copious amounts of foundation and whitening cream, then eyeshadow and mascara before they walked in as women. "do you have the coats?" steven asked wallace.

he didn't seem to be carrying anything. the former champion's own trenchcoat was black, and far from looking like what a scientist would wear. going shopping at this time of day was completely out of the question. and so, he watched the other man, partially curious as to what wallace had in mind. whatever idea it was, it couldn't be that bad. after all, this person was the champion of the hoenn region, and therefore, someone of certain calibre.

"how about you get me a computer, we disable the security systems and gain access, watch the people inside panic so we can get an idea of what we're up against?" said the man. a pokémon fight was what he least wanted. seven years ago, he would have barged in, guns ablaze. today? if possible, he wanted to avoid conflict. stop bringing out the big guns for small occasions. steven hoped wallace understood; lethargic, he had long stopped his pursuit in getting stronger.

he was, at the end of the day, retired.

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[mikuri]

"Coats?"

Wallace looked amused. Did Steven really think he have prepared that much? He was the one who called him here. One would think it was him who had done the preparations.

"Of course I don't," he said. "We'll be borrowing one. From the scientists inside."

Wallace thought it was a given. They would run in there, beat two scientists unconscious, take their clothes, and hide them away. Quite simple but Wallace knew it wouldn't be that easy. They would have to live with it however, make adjustments as they go along.

He snorted at Steven's ideas. "If it was that easy." Even Wallace's suggestion was more realistic than that. Besides, they need not to even go as far as disabling the security system to cause massive panic - nor did Wallace think it be wise to challenge Unova's security system right now. All they have to do was to go in and come out without anyone noticing. He thought Steven was being silly, unaware at the fact he simply didn't want to fight. That thought wouldn't even cross Wallace's mind. All this time Wallace was thinking Steven simply was obsessed with work.

"The entire city is ran by computer and there's a slimmer chance of finding a human than a robot outside the building," Wallace said. Touring around the city had actually paid off. He didn't know how exactly Opelucid's computer system go but he knew the background to guide them through. It was better than grasping for straws. "Would you be able to find the security code through the robots?"

Before infiltrating, they have to know how to get inside first.

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[daigo]

"yes, coats. from the scientists, alright."

steven glanced at wallace. he had expected the one specializing in beauty and everything sugary to prepare something like that. being let down was a little of a surprise, but he kept his emotions relatively in check. taking clothes from a scientist would be like taking candy from a baby, considering they were both currently and once were champions. but he had half a mind to let wallace do most of the job; his pokémon were ill-suited to fighting in constrained spaces. he did not think that thorpe, a metal leg (beldum) was any more useful than a well-aimed rock.

"robots?" he muttered, hands finding themselves in pockets. "you think, we should get a security code through a robot on the streets, and link that to the security centre?" steven stared at wallace, eyes level with his. "get me a computer, and i'll find you the security code."

at the end of the day, it would be him sitting at the computers and not the former gym leader of sootopolis. that was evident enough. finding and linking something from a robot was not something he could do in a night - not when there were many things to do. he sighed, glancing at wallace as a vehicle pulled up near the building. "how about we see if there are any scientists afoot," he suggested quite calmly, pulled his coat tighter over himself, and walked across the pavements to where the vehicle was.

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[mikuri]

He didn't say anything and followed Steven to the vehicle quietly. It seemed like Steven misunderstood what Wallace was saying and he would blame his persistence to forgo eating for more time to work. that or someone forgot to turn their telepathy on When he said everything ran of machine, Wallace meant everything.

The vehicle pulled to a stop and Wallace lagged behind Steven, eyeing at it cautiously. He have seen them around and knew just how they worked. They don't come around in broad daylight of course and some would rather not question what it was that they contained. "Wait, Daigo Steven?," he whispered. It would be best if they don't stay close. That should be coming out now.

The side door opened but a person did not come out. Levitating out from the driver's seat was a pitch black orb. A single red sensor rotated on its center like an eye and turned to Steven and Wallace, verifying their identities and comparing them to the database-

Wallace lunged forward past Steven, a Pokeball already a hand, and shot it straight right at the orb. The Pokeball released the majestic form of Empoleon spiraling in mid-air with his metal wings keeping him gliding.

"[Aqua Jet]!"

Majorelle's form burst into water and he sped through the air like a blue bullet. The Aqua Jet crashed onto the orb and a small explosion followed. Majorelle landed on the ground with his wings crossed and he uncrossed them as if he were sheathing swords. He turned around, knowing that he have done sufficient damage to pulverize boulders into rocks but what he saw betrayed him.

Wallace narrowed his eyes at the fallen orb. Approaching it, he lowered to one knee and studied it. "A direct attack from a blow as strong as a canon...and yet, not a single scratch."

There was no physical damage at all. The armor of the orb remained almost untouched. Its ivory black steel body reflected Wallace's frown. Smoke was coming out from the machine, most likely a short circuit.

"While invulnerable, it seems it isn't quite adept with water." He turned to Steven, grim. "Does this give you an idea what we're up against?"

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[daigo]

steven merely watched on curiously as the door opened, but there was no driver in its seats. the last time he visited this city - he glanced behind him to remind himself - there were people around. people who were actually human and not robots. was everything so technologically advanced that there was no shred of humanity left? the former champion was silent, his eyes narrowed. for a moment he had thought that his reclusion and reluctance to socialize (hence his brief stint in meteor falls) would change his view upon the world, but it seemed that nothing had changed at all. time had passed and yet - nothing at all.

the empoleon was swift. a precise [aqua jet] had shorted out the 'driver', and when it rolled out, he was unimpressed by its ... crudeness. sleek and cool as its design might have been, there was nothing interesting about what it did. it was more than likely a surveillance device, a grounded one with some sort of home origin that sent it out. its timing was incredible. it was as if it wanted both men to discover it.

"indeed it is not," steven agreed rather amiably, having nothing to argue about. wallace's battle-readiness had caused steven to shirk battles even more. he was getting old, thirty the coming year. he was no longer as agile and sharp as the younger trainers - or as honed and experienced as those his age. pokémon were now his companions, no longer his comrades in war. he would not place his pokémon's heads on the lines like he would have years ago.

he met wallace's gaze. "unfortunately, no. i've kept out of these matters for far too long." his pokéballs were within reach, but he was reluctant to use his pokémon to solve conflicts.

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[mikuri]

Wallace recalled Majorelle into his Pokeball. For far too long? He knew Steven was immersed with his work, maybe to the point of a workaholic but with the way he spoke, he spoke as if he had not met the world for ages. It was like he had been living in a cave all this time...and Wallace wouldn't put it past Steven if that was true. He just sighed. Wallace was tired of worrying for Steven's health just as much as Steven was tired of fighting. None of them were aware of this irony living in their lives.

"I hope you've kept in touch with Unova technology," Wallace said, turning back to the orb, deciding that he push this mission first lest he slip a remark about Steven's reclusive behavior, which would be untimely right now. Wallace could only hope this was just another thing with his father although he was starting to lose faith in this excuse fast.

"I've never seen anything like this," he continued, inspecting the orb from afar. He feared that touching it would trigger a mechanism even if it looked quite broken from the dosage of water. "I don't think it would be of use to us." He glanced at the doors of the building. No security guards. It was ran by some password or code most likely with robots just like this one.

Wallace went over to the sidecar and saw from there what appeared like an ordinary front seat. He caught some plugs where the orb plugged its wires in to drive the vehicle. He couldn't see the contents of the back from the front seat and there was a risk of triggering an alarm if they opened it carelessly. He straightened up. This was Steven's specialty. The vehicle might contain useful information to them or maybe hiding behind its ordinary design was some secret information lying about. There wasn't a laptop in sight but with the technology it had, maybe there was a computer that could be accessed from the vehicle?

He continued to look through at the front car, not having dared to go in yet just in case, and silently waited for Steven's opinion on the matter.

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[daigo]

"read up on it a little," steven replied as he glanced at the orb, "got in some practice, but it cost me quite the pretty penny." the former champion bent closer to the orb, convinced that it was weakened by the empoleon's blow. the faint scent of burnt wires told him that it was effectively out for the count; he put on a pair of rubber gloves, pulling at their edges before he picked up the orbs. he felt around its cool surface; he found a catch, and loosened it. wires unfolded from an invisible front pouch. he pulled a face at the strong scent.

he tugged at the wires, standing up to face wallace, before digging into his pockets. "here's a pair of gloves. put them on and hold this," he told his friend. "it's disabled. majorelle did a fine job of knocking it out." and once that was done, steven retrieved a small device from his pockets, touching the end of the trio of wires on it. he quickly glanced at the readings that scrolled swiftly from bottom to top; "it's scripted to drive this vehicle and pull up where it is right now before driving away. seems like we interrupted it ... and there's this extra script." his eyes narrowed. he hoped his apprehension would be for naught when nothing else showed up; a part of him recognized the sentence as leading to another program, but considering how they had rudely interrupted it -

- what were the chances of someone feeing information into it as a buffer before they cut them off? this would mean that the sudden disappearance of this particular sphere ... steven sighed, taking the orb off wallace's hands and throwing it back into the vehicle. "let's hope no vans take that corner towards us," he mused grimly, walking to the back of the vehicle and throwing it open. the back of the van was anything but interesting; a spare tyre, some more wires and lighting in the event it was dark.

"mikuri, could you have majorelle flood the trunk?"

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[mikuri]

He looked at the gloves in disdain, holding it by his fingertips and keeping it away on an arm's length. Black! He didn't like the color very well. Shade of black is perfectly natural and beautiful but black alone was, well, a black hole. It was a mishmash of every color, turning out to be absolutely nothing - a trash. That was how Wallace looked at it.

"No other colors, I suppose?" he asked under his breath, putting them on and holding the orb as he was instructed to. He listened to Steven, taking a look at the text scrolling Wallace was fast enough to catch but not enough to decipher. Steven read them with ease as Wallace expected. He expertly hid his twinge of annoyance for not being able to do the same despite knowing Steven was much more superior than him when it came to technology. He exchanged it for a disinterested look instead.

"It is ironic how Water is weak against Electric, yet what runs on electricity is vulnerable against water." He pulled out the gloves and took out Majorelle again. "My apologies, Majorelle. Steven has more demands to make," he said, smiling playfully. The Empoleon nodded low wordlessly, not minding it one bit. "[Hydro Pump] if you will."

With the opening of his beak, Majorelle let out a blast of water at the inside of the van. The strength was enough to make the van jump and the devices inside to promptly explode and smoke. Wallace grimaced at the smell.

"If we have been the expecting guests then I don't suppose there's any reason left for us to bother sneaking in? That should make things easier for us or do you think it's a trap?"

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[daigo]

He couldn't give Wallace any other colours. A pity, he supposed. His friend did adore colours of multiple shades. The former champion watched as Wallace summoned the empoleon once again. The emperor penguin pokémon sprang from its pokéball, landing before the two men. It promptly opened its beak and fired a jet of water - a powerful one - at the van. The strong scent of wires surged through Steven's senses, and the man pulled a face. Wallace was right.

Water might be weak against electric in typing, but when it came to real-life usage, it was very useful in shorting them out. The silver-haired man watched as the penguin preened itself after a job well done. "Indeed, Mikuri," Steven commented, glancing at the empoleon for just a moment. He should look into one of those pokémon someday - if he remembered correctly, it was partially a steel-type. Interest taken in the pokémon, he promptly made a mental and pokénav note to further read up on one of those pokémon.

"We might as well stride in, yes," muttered the Stone as he glanced towards the building quietly. "It's amazing how much technology's developed. If we didn't know better -" He let his sentence hang as his hands slipped back into the trenchcoat pockets. Nothing else mattered but the mission right now. If they could avoid a fight from breaking out, even better.

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