💀 TEAM SKULL SHENANIGANS (OPEN) 💀

[golisolation]

WHO: Team Skull (Guzma & Tupp) & YOU!
WHERE: Around Maurtia Falls
WHEN: Throughout September
WHAT: Team Skull causing problems through Maurtia Falls like the hooligans they are!
WARNINGS: Swearing, alcohol, probably violence? Will update as needed.

[Throughout the month of September (how convenient that the first half of it has a monster keeping things busy in De Chima), Team Skull will be picking up in activity. With a decently large number of hooligan teens in their ranks, they can spread out and cover a good deal of Maurtia Falls. Doesn't help that these punks got themselves motorcycles and mopeds to get their asses around quickly, or to make for quick escapes when need be. Either way, they're causing problems across Maurtia Falls, and it seems that Guzma's never too far from them. Or, if not Guzma, there's a certain blue haired imPort leading some shenanigans of his own.

Their crimes are still pretty small scale to what they could be, all things considered. Graffitiing buildings, even cars in some cases, with random nonsense, but always an inclusion of the Team Skull emblem. As people approach, trying to get them to stop, the gang gets immediately aggressive. While they aren't likely to throw hands if they don't have to, they get loud, they surround, and act tough. Peppered threats of "You wanna go!?", or "Don't make me kick your ass, yo!" are pretty frequent. Some will actually fight if it escalates enough, while others might back down and attempt to flee—looking to Guzma or Tupp for help if either are present during the confrontation. If both are, they defer to Guzma, as Tupp surely will too.

Of course there's more than just Team Skull sharing their artistic visions across Maurtia Falls. Some of the thugs cashing in their five-finger discount at larger stores. Some being a little less stealthy about it, just grabbing different merchandise and making a break for it. Could be any variety of things: electronics, packaged food, etc. It doesn't seem to really matter what, they're just taking and fleeing as quick as they can. Some might make it to their buddies outside, hopping on their bikes to make a get away, others might not be so lucky if they're cut off by those who take it upon themselves to get involved. One of the few that are getting caught might pull out a phone, sending a message to somebody (that's Guzma), before trying to act tougher than they are.

There's also those who take to mugging citizens. Might even make the mistake of trying to mug an imPort, it's not like they totally know who is who at times. Especially if someone's trying to cut through a dark alley, coming across a couple of punks hiding out. They got knives on them, switchblades, but that's not to say they actually know anything about using them as skillfully as they would like their victim to believe. Granted, should it be Tupp leading the mugging, there's no flash of knives, but rather the threat of three Salandit. The approach is the same, whether their target be an innocent civilian or an imPort, but the hostility will certainly shift and ramp up once it's made apparent that their target either is an imPort, or an imPort is trying to disrupt their activities.

Other days will find the bulk of the gang loitering around parks and other public spaces, littering and trashing up the place. Trash left wherever, beer cans and bottles (are any of these kids even of age?) crushed or smashed once empty and left laying about, there's certainly someone with a damn speaker playing loud as fuck hiphop, while others are trying to breakdance. Trying being the operative word, here. Some are graffitiing the walking paths of the park, or trash cans, and so on. Others might be hassling park goers for the hell of it. You know, just inflicting general chaos and assholery. Hell, there might be a couple having tiffs with each other, trying to tough guy the other one down. They're all a bunch of angry idiots, though it's worth noting that there's a pretty even spread of guys and girls in this gang, all as equally aggressive and stupid.

At the center of it all, typically perched on either a park bench (ass on the back of it, feet on the seat, arms resting on his knees with a beer in hand) or a park table (in a similar way, ass on the table, feet on the bench seat, always with a beer) is Guzma. He's overseeing his little shits making a mess of everything, and causing a disturbance. His Pokémon are out and about too, which makes the group, beyond their own sheer number (which is a dozen or so), pretty unapproachable to most.]

((ooc: Feel free to pick a prompt, or even come up with your own! Team Skull will be doing typical gangster shit, thieving, vandalizing, etc. They're punk kids with a chip on their shoulder, but they're not murders. Please indicate roughly when the thread would be happening and also if you'd like either Tupp or Guzma to be involved, or even both! Any questions, feel free to hmu @ZornSable!))

Comments

[killtime]

[ There was this one time, months ago, when Andy had reached a point in her life where the only real fix for her stress was a nice, thick joint. It'd been a while back, but she clearly remembered meeting Magnus on the Network (big guy, nice ass) and meeting him at a pool party, where he generously gave her a bag of the good stuff. Then she hadn't bothered speaking to the man since — and only mentioned him in passing when she wanted to make a dig at Archie for what was, in her opinion, a pretty blatant crush. Only now she's pretty fucking stressed. And there's only so much alcohol a person can stealthily drink before one's family starts becoming concerned, so.

She decided she'd, you know. Switch it up a little. Pop in on Magnus and see if he was still hanging out bags of weed. As it happened, Magnus had a bounty of weed. Which he was giving away. The sign on the "secret weed room" had read WEED HEAVEN NOW, and, as promised, there was an assload of weed inside. She'd helped herself, thanked Magnus with more sincerity than she'd mustered in probably weeks, and then meandered over to Guzma's new place.

If nothing else, Guzma would appreciate the stuff. And besides, it'd been a while since she'd said hello to the ones that really mattered — his Pokemon.

So, she just shows up. No invitation or nothing. She's already rolled herself a spliff, letting it hang from the corner of her mouth as she tries to get her cheap lighter to produce a flame. ]

Anybody home?

[golisolation]

[Of course Andy's first met with some grunts spray painting the brick fence that surrounds the building, while a few others are down the street doing their own thing? But her approach gets their attention, and so they stop what they're doing and try their best to be intimidating. They barely even get a word out before Guzma's voice cuts through the air.]

Yo, back off!

[The gate's opening up, another grunt doing that for him like some punk doorman, and Guzma strolls forward, hands in his pockets, back slouched, giving the grunts that were going to give Andy a hard time a dangerous stare. They back down immediately, muttering "Sorry, boss!" and otherwise similar apologies, before scramming.

With his attention now on Andy, Guzma grins. His eyes flick to the spliff in her mouth for a moment, before focusing on her again.]

What brings ya to the factory, huh? Miss your boy that much?

And there better be more of that.

[killtime]

[ The gang's grown a bit, hasn't it? She doesn't really recognize most of the faces — but she's an old lady, and her memory isn't as good as it used to be. Still, it's not like she's going to hold a grudge over some kids trying to act tough, so it really doesn't matter either way. No hard feelings — though it's a little amusing to see how quickly the attitude changes when Guzma arrives.

At his questioning, she shrugs her shoulders mildly, neither confirming or denying. She's here, isn't she. ]

Brought you a present. [ She takes a little baggie of weed out of her pocket and tosses it his way. So yeah, there sure is more of "that." Now if only she could get her lighter to work so she can actually smoke "that." ] Some guy I know just gives the shit away for free.

[ Though the word "know" is a big of an exaggeration. She knows Magnus by name and by face — she knows he has a lot of weed, and a beefy ass that Archie dreams of. ]

You've been taking in more strays.

gotta bother guzma (tupp can come too)

[fursleuth]

[Man, not being a cop anymore (technically!) can be rough, and this isn't even his city anyway. He can only keep so many streets clean. So Pikachu's mostly been interacting with this whole situation with disappointment, like the Mascot of The Pokemon Universe telling punkass teens that he's "not mad, just disappointed" is going to make them just suddenly change their ways.

It doesn't. Also one threw a can at him. Not even intending to hit him, just to startle him like you'd do to a raccoon in the garbage or something. Rude.

Eventually, he traces all of this back to the source.]

Wow. I did not need detective brains to tell me this is all you.

#Blessed

[golisolation]

[When Guzma sees Pikachu padding up to him and his crew, he can't help but smirk. It's been a minute since he talked to this little dude, almost forgot he was even here. But he's chill, even if he's calling him and his goons out on the mess they're making. Guzma gives the area a cursory glance, before shrugging.]

Coulda been anyone, yo.

[As he says this, another grunt finishes a beer, tries and fails to crush it against their head, and instead just drops it and tries to kick it—but misses.

Nice.]

[fursleuth]

[Pikachu observes this Failure To Can with the same level of fascinated disappointment he's been indulging since he arrived in De Chima.]

You're right. Definitely could've been anyone. Let's pretend for a second, though, that it wasn't anyone. You pulled this together really fast. I'm impressed and kinda jealous. I'm a seasoned detective who saved a whole city, and I'm stuck finding lost wallets and valuables while working part time at a toy emporium 'til I get my credibility built back up.

[krookedcop]

For Tupp: Mugging

[Nanu is comfortable in dark and shady places and gives no mind to utilizing an alleyway to take a shortcut home. Ironically, he decided to just avoid a different couple of Team Skull grunts trying to be agents of chaos. Nanu decided that if they wanted to spray paint a car it was none of his business.]

[But now Nanu is face to face with an idiot and his three lizards. Nanu glances down, then looks up.] Can I help you with something? [He says in a voice so flat that he's really hoping Tupp says no sir and steps away.]

For Guzma: Loitering

[Nanu just keeps running into these little bastards, doesn't he? Nanu is out and about with a cat on a leash and a cigarette between his fingers. He looks like he just came from work. He's wearing a button up shirt with the tie pulled out, the shirt unbuttoned halfway down to reveal an undershirt, slacks... And sandals.]

[Nanu strolls directly towards Guzma, undaunted, though his cat freezes at the sight of all of those monsters.] Hey, it's okay... [These cats were a little thicker than the typical pokémon unfortunately. He goes to pick up the cat, but all the Team Skull kids shout in unison as one of them almost spins all the way around on his head without falling. The cat bolts right towards Pinsir.] Guzma!

[golisolation]

[Guzma wasn't paying much attention to Nanu nor his cat, watching the grunts as they figure out how to do... basic breakdancing moves. They're getting there, but man do they got a long way to go. The one almost does a full spin, and that's pretty good, considering most can't even balance in their head at all. However, when he hears Nanu shout his name, that gives him a jolt.

And he drops his beer, spilling it on the bottom of his pants and his nice white shoes. This results in Guzma getting distracted from the actual problem, as he stands up, swearing under his breath as he tries to remove himself from the spilled area, glaring down at the mess, before looking to Nanu with an even harder glare.]

Yo! What's your—

[That's when he notices that Pinsir now has a hold of the cat, and he's trying to stuff it into his mouth. The cat? Shrieking and trying to scratch this bug. Pinsir? Not fucking bothered in the slightest, he might not be as powerful as the others anymore, but that carapace is still pretty decently tough. The cat's about halfway in his mouth, its hind legs pushing against the sides of his mouth to halt its entry, when Guzma shouts again.

This time at Pinsir, and not Nanu, at least!]

Hey! Put that—Meowth? Whatever! Put it down! That ain't for you.

[Pinsir jolts, and stares at Guzma, his arms halting in their place. He locks eyes with Guzma, thinks about the request, looks at the cat... his eyes flick back to Guzma. Instead of putting the cat down, he starts to just more slowly advance the cat into his mouth.]

Y'really think I'm that dumb, asshole? Put it down, NOW!

[Pinsir's face scrunches with annoyance about as much as a bug Pokémon's face can, and with indignation, he drops the cat on the ground. Crossing his arms, and sitting down with a pout. As for the cat, it shoots off from where Pinsir unceremoniously dropped it, and up a tree.]

[krookedcop]

[Nanu lets out a full body sigh, seeming to let out a year of his life with it.]

Thank goodness... [He drags his hands down his face.] Thanks for stepping in, Guzma. I'm... uh, sorry about your shoes. I can get you new ones. [As if Guzma isn't ambiently alcohol scented anyway?]

Poor thing. That was my fault, though. Can't believe she slipped my grip.

[At least if it's up a tree, he can get it. Not so much if it's in pinsir's mouth. He walks up to the tree and looks up. His cat is still shaken, and hisses at anyone who approaches, even Nanu. Nanu takes some cat treats out of his pocket and sets them on the ground, then sits there to wait for his lil' buddy to come down.]

[salandidiot]

[Tupp had just been minding his business squatting in alleys, you know like he do, waiting for any potential 'customers' to make the mistake of wandering by. It's so usual of a habit by now that he's already got his Salandit out before today's customer has a chance to fully reach him. It's not like there are many trainers here he needs to be locking eye contact with to bully into a battle so he's swapped his methods somewhat.

The more sneaky of his three Pokemon already starting to circle round back behind Nanu, keeping it's eyes on him all the while, to cut off any chance of escape. Thanks to the lighting of the alley though Tupp doesn't notice just yet who he's mugging today. He does have two other grunts with him though, but for now they remain squatting back on either side of him. An intimidation method obviously.]

Yeah gramps, I could use yer help alright.

[With a hand on his hip he leans forward menacingly. The two Salandit in front whipping their tails.]

Hand over all yer money and valuables if you don't wanna get hurt today.

choose ur own adventure

[krookedcop]

[God. Why. Why must his grunts fucking be like this.]

Alright, alright. No need to get violent over all of this. [Nanu takes out his wallet and unclasps his watch, holding them out with his left hand. Does Tupp, the hapless idiot, approach?]

lookit this ugly mug

[planetary_bonds]

[Yusei's always been at home in the dirtier alleyways. It feels safer to him than in broad daylight - at least in the alleyways you have some idea that there's people hiding, fixing to relieve you of more valuable burdens. Out in the city the public spaces, there's no clue what people want from you.

Unless they're stupid, like the particular brand of Skull Grunt who thinks it's a great idea to try and waylay a guy riding on a motorcycle with a human blockade. He's lucky that Yusei's the type of guy to care about running people over, and with the junk parts he's carrying on him, it'd be a heavy hit.

Or maybe the junk parts are what they wanted from him to begin with. They do look quite shiny and interesting. Yusei doesn't even change expression when one of the Grunts snidely "requests" him to hand over the luggage, the bike too while he's at it.

Yusei blankly picks out an engine part from the pack he's been wearing.]

You want this?

[Mocking laughter echo from the grunts. The way Yusei's asking it, it really looks like he's genuinely clueless...obviously they want it, duh!]

You can have it, then!

[And without warning, he hurls the metal object at one of the grunt's heads, knocking them clean out.

Good job, Yusei. You just started a street brawl. Proud of yourself? Great. Excellent. Now deal with the rest of the - okay yeah you can go and start hurling them out of the alleyway into the main street that's not going to get you noticed by more of their crew or anything OF COURSE IT ISN'T.]

[golisolation]

[Well, that certainly gets Guzma's attention. Not being far off from the alley doing his own thing, it's not distracting enough to not notice how some of his grunts are being pitched like trash outta the alleyway. At least that means today's gonna be interesting, huh?

The way in which he strolls down the alley, side stepping one of his grunts as they land unceremoniously on their front, is completely inappropriate for the situation. Cool and casual, he stops a couple yards from the scene, cocking his head to the side as he scans over the scene. One grunt knocked out, the others thrown like they were nothing, and some dude with a motorcycle who looks...vaguely familiar? It takes him a moment, but then it clicks.]

Ah, I know you. [He stands at his full height of 6'5, hands pulled from his pockets as he crosses his arms over his chest with a smirk.] The milk drinker, yeah?

[As for the grunts that are still conscious, they look to their boss for help, or some understanding on what to do. Guzma ignores them, for now at least.]

[planetary_bonds]

[Yusei's used to having to look up (Jack is good for something, occasionally), but he still looks out of his element, staring up at Guzma like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Out of all the people he'd expected to confront him, the party guest who looked way too amused at his drinking habits wasn't one of them. He inclines his head slightly at the moniker, presumably acknowledging the nickname, but otherwise doesn't respond yet.

Instead he glances at Guzma, looks down at the grunts, then back at the older man, seemingly drawing connections.]

...These your guys?

[It sounds like an aggressive question, like he wants to pick a fight or something. But the way he says it...it's more like a blank acknowledgement. Maybe. or maybe he's just picking a fight]

graffiti!

[lesterzeppelin]

[ in hindsight, Apollo should've just left it alone.

The Falls know he's one of Aegis, even if he never advertises it. His Bwitter and Instagrahm posts speak for himself, he supposes. In the past, that affiliation's given him a wide berth. In the current, it means that he's staring at a particularly awkward bit of graffiti in an alley.

He wouldn't have stopped by, but his inner artist is offended. The colors clash; the stencils were unevenly placed; and the composition is just off. So instead of yelling at the random tough guys, Apollo sighs, rolling up his sleeves and picking up a stray can that had rolled at his feet. ]

Look, [ he sighs, brushing his curls out of the way as he shakes the can and sprays on an even, perfect stripe pattern across the letters, ] If you're going to deface a building, at least make it pretty.

[golisolation]

[That certainly gets him some attention, the punks turning to Apollo, agitation clear on their faces.]

What!? You think you're better than us, huh? Better check yourself, fool!

[But as Apollo begins to work, the noise of the annoyed grunts as they watch him try to correct their masterpiece alerts the big bad boss himself. He was just down the way, overseeing some other grunts as they leave their own terrible graffiti on some poor person's car, but the sound of not only some grunts getting testy, but another voice he's less familiar with draws him in.

He stops, not far from the scene of two grunts throwing a little bit of a tantrum, yet still watching Apollo as he works. Guzma kinda recognizes this kid, he's pretty sure he's talked to him before. Granted, Guzma's talked to a lot of people since he's been here, so they all kinda... blur together when it's the ones he's talked to less frequently. Look, he's a popular guy!]

Is this your application for Team Skull? 'Cos we don't really got those, but points for effort, yo.

[lesterzeppelin]

[ Children never change. Apollo snorts, not even hiding his grin as he stands on his tip-toes and alters the graffiti. Stronger contrast, even lines, confident strokes. He's not an expert - Hephaestus had always been more of an artisan and sculptor, and the arts were so broad that several of his siblings claimed some aspect or another. But he hadn't been a god of medicine and archery for nothing; his hand is even and steady, with his movement from the shoulder as he keeps painting.

As he sprays the outline of a petal, he gives Guzma a lazy glance, ] Nah. I've got my hands full – just thought I'd give your boys a hand.

[ His edited masterpiece: a wall of flowers, with the Team Skull emblem resting square in the middle of the biggest flower. There's a metaphor somewhere, about beauty blooming from even the darkest gang. In reality, this hid the ugliest of the messaging best, while keeping the property value somewhat intact.

Now that he's really looking at Guzma, he looks familiar. They've talked before, right? Once or twice? ]

But also, seriously. I can't always fix this, so invest in some good stencils.

Throw anything at me.

[hadthehighground]

Obi-Wan never much liked Maurtia Falls. He used to live here, and his experiences were not the best. However, he always had a knack of finding trouble one way or another. He came to this town frequently still. Either to meditate in the kyber crystal cave outside of town, pay a visit to the Pour Decisions bar, attend a support group meeting, or more importantly keep the local youth center and haven going. Neo Jedha is it’s name, and he spends much of his time there trying to help the troubled kids of this city.

In fact he’s heading to the porter from Neo Jedha to go back home in Nonah.

The man is dressed in his usual Jedi robes. His dark brown cloak billowing behind him as he walked. He looked tired thanks to the emotional strain of trying to help so many kids bear their burdens and work towards a better future.

Little did he know what some of them were actually up to.

[golisolation]

What's sad is the fact that Guzma too worked as a counselor for troubled youths. Instead of using that to help them get back on track, he did the opposite. Took advantage of their need for rebellion, recruited them, gave them the space to be themselves. Of course that merely encouraged poor behaviors, and allowed them to follow a path of crime.

Much like they are now, as they approach Obi-Wan, a pair that he might recognize if they weren't covering half of their face with those bandanas. They don't recognize him immediately, and maybe if they did, the two would let him go. Unfortunately, that's not the case here.

"Yo! Old man! Better stop right quick and give us your shit!" the taller of the two called out, flashing a knife. The other nodding and circling around to cut Obi-Wan off, an effort to flank him. Maybe they should know better, take those robes to realize this isn't just some eccentric native, but rather an imPort.

Something that did sink in a moment later as the second grunt finished circling around to Obi-Wan's front, getting a clearer view of his face, "...Wait, I think I know you—er, whatever! That don't matter! Y-you better hand your shit over, we ain't gonna ask again!"

So much for their tough resolve, huh? Fortunately for them, their boss ain't too far off. Observing them as they make their attempt, but otherwise staying out of view. After all, can't go holding their hands constantly, can he?

[hadthehighground]

He can’t say this is the first time he’s found himself in such a situation, but this is certainly one of the more pathetic examples. Obi-Wan indeed doesn’t recognize them for their coveted faces and remains completely calm as the pair flank him. Their threats rolling off him easily.

“I’m sorry, but I have no shit to give.”

Yes he’s being a bit snarky. He knows what they want, and does indeed have stuff on him, but he gives no shits. The fact that one of them seems to recognize him and sputters a bit draws a raised brow, but his attention goes to the knife.

“You should put that away before someone gets hurt.”

Park

[innerdragon]

Maurtia Falls wasn’t a city that Lance knew very well. But he has been tasked with doing a patrol this particular night since he was now a part of Aegis. Coming to the park, Lance had to sigh at all the litter that was scattered around.

While not actually part of his job, the caped champion could be seen picking up the beer cans and whatever other trash that was on the ground. Carrying to the nearest waste bin where it belonged.

[golisolation]

Lance picking up trash definitely wasn't what caught Guzma's attention. Nah, it was Lance himself that did. Sure, it took him a moment to realize who the caped man was, but once it clicked, he rose to his feet from his perch on the bench. Chugging his beer, he made his way over to the champ. Right as Lance turned to pick up another piece of trash, he'd find a beer can tossed his way, landing right into view.

"Here's another one for ya."

What a jackass.

[innerdragon]

He heard something and was just turning to look, but Lance’s cape had faster reflexes than him. The corner of it swatting at the can in midair to send it rocketing right back at Guzma’s smug face before it’s owner even had a chance to entirely process what was happening.

Park, for Guzma but Tupp is absolutely welcome also

[crypdick]

[ The Outsider likes to check in on those who have drawn his attention. And he'd heard of Team Skull in his visits to Maurtia Falls, even watched some of the vandalism and mugging passively from the rooftops above. Now he seeks out their leader, finding the park where they've all convened. Now that's a gang if he'd ever seen one, and he had seen plenty.

Some of the gang members or the Pokemon might see something like a strange young man appearing briefly before disappearing again, only the thin black glittering smoke left behind proof that they hadn't been seeing things. Finally he appears next to Guzma, sitting on the picnic table as if he'd been there the entire time.]

Hello, Guzma. You have quite the collection of thugs and miscreants now, haven't you?

[golisolation]

[While the grunts are absolutely startled by The Outsider's little poofing around in his mysterious and extra sorta way he does, Guzma's none too bothered. While he's never quite seen him do this before, their interactions more over the network than not, he can't say he's all too surprised he can pull this sorta crap.

So once he's settled next to Guzma on the picnic table, Guzma offers him a casual glance, a smirk spreading across his features at the question.]

Sup, dude. Been a while, huh? [He nods, looking out to his gaggle of goons.] Your boy's been busy, but the payoff's worth it.