1 Topic by Zeal (edited by Zeal 2014-04-07 20:26:08)

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Topic: Octet Oneshots

[spoiler]I've been meaning to do this for a while. I'll post random things related to the Octet members and their backstories and such here. I didn't develop them particularly well during Orre, and now most of them are dead. So yeah. This first one is post-Orre, though.

Location unknown, sometime after the Orre arc

-A woman in a red mask and a man in a green mask are in a small room, empty aside from a single unused chair. The woman is standing on one side of the room. The man is sitting on the floor on the other.-

-The red-masked woman turns towards the green-masked man.-

Effigy: You ready to take that mask off yet?

-The man pushes himself to his feet. He towers over Effigy.-

Choice: ...You still wear yours.

Effigy: Heh. I'm not removing mine until you remove yours. Get it?

Choice: ...I do. But I do not trust you.

Effigy: ...Of course you don't.

-She takes off her mask and lifts it so her face is still hidden, but her mouth can be seen. She grins widely.-

Effigy: What reason would you have to trust me? You know that I would have forced you into this if you hadn't come to me on your own. I'm not hiding that. You've been with me from the beginning. You know exactly what I'm planning. Exactly what I can do. You know it all. And... I don't think anyone would trust me after that. No... anyone who would trust me after that would have to be delusional.

-She puts the mask back on.-

Effigy: ...Wouldn't you agree?

-Choice says nothing. Effigy removes her mask and shows her grin again.-

Effigy: Of course you wouldn't. You were one of the sanest people in R&D. And despite your claims, you trust me. That's the truth; don't try to hide it. If you didn't, you wouldn't have followed me all the way here. Hell, if you didn't, you wouldn't have agreed to my plan to begin with. You would have put an end to everything right there. Asking for your aid was one of the most reckless things I could have done. And yet...

-Her smile fades away.-

Effigy: Everything turned out in my favor.

-She puts the mask back on.-

Effigy: Why do you trust me? I just can't grasp it. I just don't understand. You have no reason to support me. But you've done so nonetheless. Why, then? Why do you trust me?

-She takes the mask off completely and drops it to the ground.-

Effigy: ...Why, Choice? Why do you trust me?

Choice: Why... That is a question I cannot answer.

-He takes off his mask.-

Choice: But you are correct... I trust you. Not completely. But I do...

-Effigy looks into Choice's eyes.-

Effigy: Your face is too soft, too boyish. It doesn't suit a person of your stature. You're much less intimidating than you were before.

Choice: Should I take that as a compliment or an insult?

-Effigy turns away.-

Effigy: Neither. It's an observation.

-She turns back.-

Effigy: If we're not hiding our faces anymore, we should change into something more comfortable, too. Get it?

-Choice sits back down and nods.-

Effigy: Let me know what you want to wear, I'll take care of the rest.

-She opens the door and leaves the room.-

2 Reply by Zeal (edited by Zeal 2014-06-23 15:51:00)

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Re: Octet Oneshots

Saffron City, about 15 years ago

-A 16-year-old girl with long pink hair is sitting on a bench in the middle of the city, a Charmander sleeping on her lap. Sitting to her right is another girl about the same age, with short blonde hair. A Bulbasaur, Bellsprout, Oddish, and Exeggcute are playing nearby.-

-The girl with pink hair looks at the scarlet sky and gently nudges her Charmander. The Charmander yawns and opens his eyes.-

???: The sun's setting.

-The other girl nods and stands up.-

???: Vewe, Vlerë, Vafra, Vrucht!

-The four Grass-type Pokémon stop running around and look over at the blonde-haired girl.-

???: We're heading home for the night! C'mon!

-The Grass-types run to the blonde-haired girl as the Charmander yawns again and jumps off of the pink-haired girl's lap. The girls walk awhile before either says anything.-

???: You haven't been very talkative lately, Anima.

-The pink-haired girl softly smiles.-

??? Anima: Neither have you.

-The blonde-haired girl smiles back.-

???: True enough. Arceus knows we've both had a lot on our minds.

-Anima stops walking as the other girl turns a corner.-

Anima: Hey, Lynette...

-The blonde-haired girl stops and turns around.-

??? Lynette: Hm?

Anima: Can we... Can we stop by my old house again today?

-Lynette solemnly smiles.-

Lynette: Of course.

-The two walk in the opposite direction and reach a house surrounded by police officers. A young-looking police officer walks in their direction. He smiles at Anima.-

???: Visiting again, Ms. Haven?

Anima: Officer Shane! Nice to see you!

-Though she tries to hide them with her smile, tears run down the side of her face. Her Charmander hugs her leg in an attempt to comfort her. She crouches down and begins to pet him.-

Anima: ...How much longer will it take...?

Shane: ...Detective Collins has been saying the trial will last only a single day more.

Anima: Then... the last day is tomorrow?

Shane: Barring any unforeseen complications, yeah. Probably.

-Anima stops petting her Charmander and stands back up.-

Anima: Thank you.

-She walks away.-

Lynette: Er... it was nice seeing you, Officer.

-She bows nervously, then runs to catch up with Anima. The two return to Lynette's house for the night.-

Outside Saffron City Courthouse, the next day

-Anima is sobbing. Lynette, too, is crying as she tries to comfort Anima.-

Anima: H-How... could th-they do this...? "The e-evidence was insufficient"? No it w-wasn't! Why would they even s-say something like that?! They're m-monsters... All of them!

-Lynette hugs Anima. Both continue to cry.-

Saffron City Detention Center, several days prior

-Anima and Lynette are in a visiting room, talking to a man on the other side of a wall of bulletproof glass.-

Anima: Rueckl...

-Rueckl smiles, his eyes and hair the same red hue.-

Rueckl: Ms. Haven, Ms. Heath. I don't often get visitors. This is certainly a pleasant surprise.

Anima: Drop the facade.

Lynette: You know why we're here.

Anima: We need you to confess.

Rueckl: I'm sorry, what was that?

Anima: Confess, dammit! You killed my parents! Why can't you just be honest about it?! The evidence will--

Rueckl: Ms. Haven. My attorney has already rendered your testimony inadmissible. According to the law, I am the one who's being truthful. Because that's the truth. I did not commit the crime of which I am accused.

Anima: ...But you told me...! You outright told me that you killed them...!

Rueckl: ...Did I...? I fear your memory's a bit hazy... I don't remember saying anything of the sort.

-He smiles again. Anima glares at him.-

Anima: ...You...! You bastard...!

-Rueckl laughs, and turns to the guard.-

Rueckl: I apologize, Ms. Haven seems to be in an unpleasant mood today. May I return to my cell?

-The guard nods, and leaves with Rueckl.-

Saffron City, the day after Rueckl's acquittal

-Anima is running through the city, sobbing. Lynette is trying to keep up with her.-

Lynette: Anima, what are you doing?! Where are you going?!

Anima: ...You should know. W-we walk this way almost every day.

Lynette: ...Your old house... but... why...?

Anima: It's the scene of th-the crime. I'm investigating. They m-missed something, dammit! I know they did!

-Lynette's eyes start to water as they get near the house. The police are nowhere in sight.-

Lynette: Even if you find something, it won't change anything. The case is closed.

Anima: I don't care. I just need to prove he did i-it... Rueckl... That man does not deserve to be free right now!

-She tears through the police tape and runs into the building.-

Lynette: Anima, you're insane! Damn...

-She runs in after Anima.-

-Anima runs to the scene of the crime, frantically tearing the room apart.-

Anima: There's gotta be s-something! Anything...!

Lynette: Anima... Calm down... please...

???: There's nothing. Don't worry, I already checked.

-Rueckl enters the room, smiling.-

Anima: You...! YOOOoOOOoooOOUUuuU!

-She runs toward Rueckl, who kicks her to the floor.-

Lynette: Anima!

Rueckl: Ms. Haven... I'm trying to send a message. Your parents were bad at comprehending that, too.

Anima: Rueckl...!

Rueckl: Maybe this will make it clear to you. I can do anything I want.

Silence.

Rueckl had pulled out a gun.

And in an instant, Lynette was on the ground in a puddle of her own blood.

That nightmarish sound echoed for far too long. It could have been an eternity.

Then...

Silence.

I don't know how long it lasted. The rest of that encounter was a blur.

Somehow, I ended up with Rueckl's gun...

I didn't feel remorse. Not at all.

As I pulled the trigger, everything became clear to me.

When justice fails, the only thing to do is take matters into your own hands. It's that simple.

Some people in this world deserve a punishment far worse than death. But death is the most I can give them. And death is a punishment I am prepared to give. Every time.

That day, fifteen years ago... It changed my life's direction. Gave me a mission. I devoted myself to ridding the world of the filth who found ways around the law.

I would go on to kill... dozens. Maybe even hundreds. By now, I've lost count.

But here I am, ranting...

My name is Anima Haven. And with my own hands, I will create a perfect world. A world where only kind, well-intentioned people have any place.

I accept that after everything that's happened, I can't put myself in that category. The world I will create... it won't be for me. It will be for them. For everyone.

What I want is unending peace, unending happiness. And there's nothing I won't do to make my dream into reality.

..................

.........Get it?

3 Reply by Zeal (edited by Zeal 2014-07-09 01:58:51)

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Re: Octet Oneshots

A restaurant in Pueltown

-A white-haired man of intimidating stature is seated at a table, drinking tea as he watches the door to the restaurant. A few minutes after he arrives, a thin, dark-haired man dressed in a black suit enters the building. The dark-haired man notices the white-haired man and approaches his table.-

Boatman: You're Choice, aren't you?

-The white-haired man nods.-

Choice: I am.

-The dark-haired man closes his eyes, smiles, and sits down.-

Boatman: I'm a bit relieved. Your face takes a lot away from your menacing build. You look a lot friendlier without that mask.

Choice: ...I have been told.

-Boatman's smile fades.-

Choice: You are Jonathan Byrne.

Boatman: No. I'm not. That name isn't fitting of someone like me... I'm keeping the name Iulianus gave me.

Choice: Boatman, then. You are Boatman, correct?

Boatman: Of course. And you're still Choice?

Choice: ...Correct.

Boatman: ...Why?

Choice: ...What do you mean?

Boatman: I mean... Why?

-A waiter approaches the table.-

Waiter: Could I interest you in anything else?

Choice: I am fine with just this tea for now. Thank you.

-The waiter nods.-

Boatman: I'd like—

-The waiter walks away. Boatman's disappointment lasts only a moment before he turns to look at Choice again.-

Boatman: I mean, It's funny to me that a traitor would keep his alias. I'm still Boatman out of respect for Iulianus. Why are you still Choice?

Choice: ...For the same reason.

-Boatman scoffs.-

Boatman: Do you take me for some kind of fool? You played a part in his murder, you think that I'll believe you respected him in any way?

-Choice takes another sip of tea.-

Choice: I played no part in his death.

Boatman: ...Wha...? But you're one of the...

Choice: It is true... that I am partially to blame for the deaths of the others.

Boatman: Thief was there that day! She's the one who killed Iulianus!

-Choice stands up.-

Choice: You are wrong!

-He realizes that Boatman is quivering in fear.-

Choice: I am sorry.

-He sits back down.-

Choice: Iulianus was killed by an external force. Truthfully...

-He takes one last sip of tea and sets down the empty cup.-

Choice: That is the reason I called you here today.

Boatman: ...Go on.

-Choice reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a photograph. He hands it to Boatman.-

Choice: This is Iulianus' killer.

-Boatman looks at the picture of the blond-haired boy.-

Boatman: He's a child. You really must think I'm some sort of—

Choice: Zachary Motte. He is in Fiore, from what I have heard.

Boatman: Will you be quiet for just one second?!

-Boatman looks down.-

Boatman: I'm sorry, that was... I've been talking more than... I really should be...

Choice: No, I should not have cut you off. Please continue.

Boatman: Tell me this... Thief visited the underground laboratory that day in order kill Iulianus. Am I wrong?

Choice: You are.

Boatman: But she—

Choice: She was sent to kill Iulianus, Traitor, and you.

Boatman: ...That doesn't count as me being wrong, that's just expanding the...

-His voice trails off and his face turns paler as he realizes what Choice just said.-

Boatman: ...I... was one of the targets...?

-Choice nods.-

Choice: You were.

Boatman: ...Then why aren't you trying to kill me now?

Choice: I have nothing against you. If Anima was here, things would be different.

Boatman: Anima... Effigy, you mean...? I should be thankful she isn't...

-He glances at the door.-

Boatman: Why hasn't she come after me?

Choice: Frankly, I believe she has forgotten you.

-Boatman sighs.-

Boatman: ...Of course.

-He glances at the door again.-

Choice: She will not come. I am not that cruel a person.

-Boatman sighs again.-

Boatman: Thanks...

-He looks at the empty teacup.-

Boatman: Can you answer one more question for me?

Choice: ...Of course.

Boatman: Had everything gone as planned... you would have played a part in Iulianus' death. Right?

-Choice picks up the teacup and takes another sip.-

Boatman: ...The cup is empty; I just saw it.

Choice: You saw wrong.

-Boatman sighs. Choice sets the cup down.-

Choice: .........Correct.

-Boatman looks down.-

Boatman: That's all I needed to know. Thank you.

-He stands up and holds out his hand.-

Boatman: I enjoyed this conversation. I hope our next meeting is not on bad terms.

-Choice just looks at Boatman's hand.-

Choice: I have the same hopes.

-Boatman puts his hand down.-

Boatman: V-Very well, then! Farewell.

-Boatman turns and walks away. Choice takes another sip from the empty cup as he leaves the building. Boatman looks at the picture he was given.-

Boatman: This kid dressed in green, huh...? At the very least, it's worth looking into...

-A Scizor with a shadowy aura that had been standing outside of the restaurant approaches Boatman. Boatman puts the photograph back into his pocket, and the two leave the city.-