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WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: Jeopardy -> Heropa
WHEN: Nov. 19
WHAT: A resolution and a swear-in
WARNINGS: Please label threads

Somewhere, in a place that is and is not Jeopardy, time has passed. To some, it may have felt like mere hours; to others, days. For time doesn't truly touch this place. Only fate exists here, for imPorts to change or allow to proceed as it will.

Somewhere, the sisters look into the hearts of those with the power to decide the fate of this entire world and know their choice. A blinding light grows, forcing even the strongest to close their eyes, and as they do so, a vision of what could have happened appears in their minds. A world wreathed in flames, fire and screams echoing ceaselessly as they depart; a peaceful world, healed and whole and well—and a certainty that another world has paid a heavy price.

And then there's the sensation of three powerful forces leaving, two taking an unwilling third with them to wherever they are going. This world will be left as it is now, and its future will be whatever the people here make of it.

MEANWHILE, IN HEROPA

One week into the mysterious storm that has enveloped much of Jeopardy, citizens across the nation are losing hope. The government continues to monitor the situation at a safe distance, but cannot enter the affected part of the city, though one SEAL team did make an attempt, only to become lost in the wind for hours before emerging without ever making it through. While the storm hasn't grown, neither has it shown any sign of changing.

The heroes who bravely charged into the storm have not officially been given up for lost, but with no news coming from Jeopardy, few believe they will emerge unscathed. To honor their sacrifice (?) and offer sorrowful natives a means of coping, a candlelight vigil kicks off outside Heropa City Hall at 4:30 PM EST.

Speeches are given. Commemorative t-shirts are sold. It is at this point that a large portal of light opens up in front of the building and deposits all imPorts who entered the storm, as well as a confused but unharmed Layla and Sally Clapp. A stunned silence falls over the crowd — followed shortly by an eruption of cheers.

Organized chaos quickly reigns over the occasion. Medical personnel are quickly called in to aid any imPorts who might need it, and government officials quickly descend, one thing on their mind: what the heck happened, heroes?! ImPorts are asked to state, for the record, exactly what they experienced — which leaves a lot of room open for the more creative among them. Just what each imPorts is willing to confess to or lie about is up to them, but there are other imPorts at hand to refute or support all statements.

While imPorts are technically free to go, all are encouraged to enter the building for a debriefing with government officials. Those who care to share their story begin to paint a picture of what happened, and a flurry of transportation begins to move between City Hall and the local porter outpost, as Jeopardy will certainly require some aid now that it is fully accessible. Reports begin to filter back that while there have been some casualties and collateral damage to the city, it is far less of a disaster than the government anticipated during the storm, no doubt due to imPorts' efforts. Additionally, news from other porter cities begins to arrive; with the dissipation of the Jeopardy storm, all dimensional anomalies elsewhere have ceased.

Following the briefings, ImPorts may go home and get some rest, although they may have trouble shaking off the crowds — which are largely ecstatic that the people who apparently saved the world are in front of them.

While imPorts were occupied with the post-disaster debriefings, locals have used the time to launch an impromptu celebration of their defense of this world. Local restaurants, breweries and nanas have hustled their finest wares over, and free food and drink are flowing for the homecoming heroes. A local party & events organizing company has strung up some lights and tents in the park across the street from City Hall, lending a festive atmosphere to the area. T-shirts being sold to honor the assumed-fallen heroes have been 'edited' with permanent marker, going from 'FALLED HEROES' (there was an error in the print run, given the notice of less than a week) to 'RISEN HEROES' and are, regretfully, being given away for free.

For those who stay, an impromptu party breaks out, and the occasion quickly becomes the latest swear-in, albeit with a more casual emphasis on the actual swearing-in than usual; a card table is set up with the usual seals and documents, but it's a bit haphazard.

Along with tasty libations, local musicians start jamming on acoustic guitars in the park's gazebo, setting up some cheerful background music—or maybe you're not too tired to dance? A local physical therapy school has rolled in multiple portable massage tables, with free sessions for sore heroes!

The locals who haven't dispersed yet are also around, likely to seek autographs from the world savers, while podcasters, BlueTubers and regular nosy nellies might lean in with a recording device, asking for the real story of what happened. For imPorts who become too intoxicated or exhausted to porter home, many locals are offering couches to crash on — although the pillows they use may later show up on ePay.

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He remembers what happened, sort of. From a very odd and disjointed point of view. Part of it like they were his memories and actions, and some belonging to someone else. It was really strange.

So he’s glad when Archie doesn’t seem to hold a grudge, and relaxes a bit. He comes over and sits next to him on the fountain, running a hand through his hair tiredly.

“No. Not anything decent anyway.”

"They're giving out free shit all over. Make sure you get some."

None of Archie's Pokémon take issue with this. Mightynena comes over to rest his head on Lance's lap, whining softly.

"How're you doin'? Not hurt or anything, right?"

“I will.”

Both he and his Pokémon could use some food, and free is always good. He has to grimace at the idea though of just how long he’s been away from work. Hopefully he still had a job to go back to.

When Mightyena puts his head in his lap though, Lance blinks in surprise but then actually smiles a little and pets the Pokémon’s head.

“I’m not hurt. They actually took very good care of me, or as well as they could considering the circumstances.”

He pauses and then glances at Archie.

“What about you? And Nikolai?”

Edited 2019-11-20 01:51 (UTC)

"Eatin' cardboard aside," he says dryly. "I'm not surprised, actually. If you put yourself as their leader it wouldn't do them to try and hurt you. I suppose it's a boon they kept you safe through all that happened."

There's a beat before he answers where he flags down someone who's wandering around to take food orders.

"Get somethin' off him. Me an' Niko are doin' fine. Just gotta see how it all goes in the coming weeks."

"I guess you're right," he said quietly, though he doesn't sound entirely convinced. "But I should have been there."

When Archie flags down the guy taking orders, the dragon master perks up. Deciding to order the most calorie filled and fattening food they had. He could really use it right now.

"Right... I have to wonder what's going to happen now."

"Hey," he says, gently, resting his hand on Lance's forearm. "Don't be too hard on yourself over it, alright? It's not your fault you weren't there."

Maybe if it had been something like what Steven had done or Lance stepping aside willingly, he might be more upset about it. As it stands, Archie just feels bad for the poor guy. He's never known someone to lose control of their powers to such a degree-- not since that thing with Ronan...

"You'll be along with us for that ride, at least."

"It was my fault I got myself into that mess. I didn't know what I was doing."

He sighed and shook his head. While he knew that after he'd gotten into it, he couldn't stop himself, but he had unknowingly got himself into it. If he had been more careful with his powers, maybe this wouldn't have happened.

"Mizuki must think terribly of me between what happened with Guzma and this."

"S'not like you did it on purpose. These powers we get are fucked up," Archie says with a shrug. Though he can see and knows rationally Lance's mind won't be changed on this in one conversation. It might be a regret that plagues him as long as it's in his memory, here.

"You an' your team are safe again and we didn't have those Ultra Beasts as a problem on top of everythin' else. That's something."

A beat, then: "I wouldn't know. You could try talking to her yourself. It's probably better for her to learn that her heroes are flawed, though. Puttin' you up on a pedestal is just as dangerous if she has standards you couldn't live up to. You're still a human."

Lance is quiet for several moments as he thinks about that. He had to agree that they got some messed up powers. If only he could find a way to control his abilities better. He would definitely be more careful from now on. Archie is right though in that Lance will stew on this for awhile, and probably have some regret for as long as he's here. At the very least he's going to learn from it.

"Thanks," he says after a moment. He appreciates Archie's positive look on it.

"You're right. They say you should never meet your heroes, and I see why. Even still, I wish I hadn't let her down."

"Don't meet the idealized version of your heroes you have in your head, 'cause they don't exist."

That aside, he does understand that Mizuki is still a child and an optimistic one at that. He wouldn't be surprised if she was forgiving or chided Lance in her own way. Whatever happens, Archie has no real stake in. It's between them, not him.

"I'm sure she'll let you make it up to her."

He nods in quiet agreement. Lance didn't have quite the experience Archie did with kids though. This was a learning experience for him as well. He has to laugh a little though.

"I'm sure she will. Once I get myself cleaned up I'll talk to her."

Snorting a laugh, Archie throws his drink back the moment it's delivered.

"Aye, I think if you went near her now like that you'd be arrested. When'd you last shower, anyway?"

What Lance got was a hamburger, a hotdog, fries, and a big soft drink. He also wastes no time in starting to devour it. Though he has to snort himself at Archie's comment.

"I'm... not sure," he says between mouthfuls. "That's not a good sign."

With the stubble on his face though that's almost a beard, it's clearly been awhile since he shaved at least.

Archie does not hesitate to grab a few fries out the box. Sorry, Lance.

"Ridiculous man... well, I can't say you're lookin' or smellin' any worse than I'd exepect of someone after some intense trainin'. How're your Pokémon? Charizard?"

Charizard is the one he's worried about, even if he's... kind of scared of the big guy.

He doesn't mind! Take as many as you want Archie.

"I guess that's some comfort," he mutters with a mouthful of food. He would have thought he smelled worse. Especially after being in a garbage dump. There's a moment of silence though at the mention of his Pokemon.

"They're a bit unnerved. Charizard is still upset about your friend attacking me though."

"I've been on the shit end of possession, I know how awful it is."

He feels for Dragonite especially, seeing as the poor Pokémon tried to fight against it.

"Maybe he'll understand why, maybe he won't. I can't imagine Andy will be too bothered either way," Archie says with a shrug. "I did give her strict instructions not to kill anyone present, Pokémon included."

Which is... probably why Charizard still has his head, but Archie doesn't mention that part.

"Thanks for that."

He would have been less able to forgive himself if his Pokemon had been killed because of all of this. Because of him.

Again there was a long silence, but when he spoke next, his voice was a bit quieter.

"I don't want these powers. I wish there was a way to make it stop."

Likewise, Archie would've felt responsible for it, though he doubts Andy would've actually killed any of them unless Guzzlord had actually eaten him.

"If there's ever a time to find out how to sort them out, it'll be now. It's worth a try to ask, though don't go for a power nullifier. One of those will take out your team as well."

Lance shook his head at that.

"I did the first day I arrived. There's no one that seems to know what to do with my powers. I was told there was a Charles Xavier who used to help people, but he's not here anymore."

He sighed quietly, actually considering the idea of a power nullifier.

"As much as I would miss them, maybe it would be better for them to not be here. Especially after everything that's happened."

He looks quite shocked at that, but not angry. It only really sheds light on just how much this power is bothering him.

"They wouldn't want to leave you, and you can't take them away without their consent, can you?"

As a Pokémon trainer, Archie has every right to be shocked. Lance would be too if it was someone else in another situation.

“No they wouldn’t, but it might be for their own good. This world has been hard on them. Your Pokémon are smaller mostly and resemble some of the animals here. But there is no good place for dragons.”

Lance sighed quietly, clearly troubled as he took a bite of his hotdog.

“When it’s just me and them, I can handle it, for the most part. But with those ultra beasts, it’s like I had a thousand voices in my head. It was deafening, I couldn’t hear myself think. Then it was like I became apart of them and them a part of me. I don’t want that to happen again.”

"Then you only keep it within your team. If something like that happens again, then you either respond in a different way, from a distance or not at all."

He shakes his head.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you do this when it seems motived by despair and regret. It'll only make it worse."

“That’s easier said than done. You don’t have to live with it, Archie.”

He let out a resigned sigh though, and scarfed down the rest of his food. He would let it go. For now.

“I should go. There’s a lot to take care of before I can sleep tonight.”

"No," he says. "But I live with you, don't I?"

Shrugging, he lets it drop. Lance has been through a lot-- he doesn't want to keep pressing.

"Alright. Give me a shout if you need any help-- get some good rest."

“Yeah... you too. All of you deserve it.”

So with that he takes what he hasn’t eaten yet and goes... home. Not the one that was a garbage dump either.

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