*at about 9 in the morning, Bruce hears a loud knocking at his front door. Outside, Griffin waits nervously, his expression one of fear*
Come on, come on…
( it’s @bladergriffinsnest btw )
[ * Bruce silently teleports behind Griffin. ]
What's got you rushing over her so nervously?
GAH!-
*griffin leaps back in surprise, more jumpy than usual. His startled face softens with relief upon seeing Bruce*
Bruce! Thank goodness- Wait, I never introduced myself! I’m Griffin Arashi, nice to meet you.
I’m so sorry to show up here unannounced, but I need your help! Émile’s missing! He disappeared last night- didn’t come home- he mentioned knowing you- please, please help me find him!
*he gasps for breath in between sentences, tears welling in his eyes and a few falling down his cheeks*
[ Bruce freezes. ]
Missing? As in just GONE?
. . .
Two questions :
Do you know if Emile has met with anyone recently before her disappearance? And have you seen her Bey anywhere?
Yes! Just gone! I went to s-sleep beside him, and when I woke up, she was g-gone!
*he’s fully crying now, scared for Émile*
I don’t know at all. She’s only mentioned y-you and Robin Kazami before. As for his Bey, Eros goes with him everywhere. S-She wouldn’t just l-leave him!
I d-don’t know what t-to do…
. . . Hm . . .
[ * Bruce thinks for a moment, before grabbing his cell phone, making a call to @personas-baby-bird. ]
Hey, Robin! Sorry I'm calling so early, but someone named Griffin is looking for Emile. Based on context clues, they live together, and Emile didn't come home after last night. If you want, gather yourself and you teammates, cause I might need a pair of helping hands of two with this. Meet me in the park when you've gathered whoever you wanna bring along for this.
[ * Afterwards, Bruce turns to Griffin. ]
Don't worry, I'll find Emile, and hopefully with some help from my Robin and his friends. As for now...
[ * Bruce snaps, teleporting both himself and Griffin to the beystadium at the park. ]
Let's talk details to try and get a understanding of what's going on. Can you tell me about some of the things that happened before you both went to bed? That might give us a clue or two we can use.
O-Okay… Um… He looked kinda like he was lost in thought ever since dinner, so I suggested we watch a movie to get his mind off of it. We watched an action spy movie; I think the main character’s name was James? He was cool… but now I’m off track.
Anyways, she looked a bit better afterwards, so we got settled down in bed and we kissed a little and cuddled until I fell asleep. And when I woke up this morning, about an hour and a half later, he was gone. I called her cell phone, but it went to voicemail…
Oh! He was muttering something yesterday… he said something about a “Lodestar”, whatever that is? Will that help at all?
[ * At the mention of "Lodestar", Bruce's Shadow begins to emerge from the wall, a semi-monochrome, leaning towards blackened version of Bruce appearing. ]
That name is familiar, the Lodestar. I am not completely familiarized with it, but I believe that is a place located in the Shadow Realm, one of my many names.
[ * Bruce turns to the shadow duplicate. ]
So this is Shadow Pro business we're dealing with... thanks for the insight DR.
[ * Bruce turns back to Griffin. ]
Looks like we got ourselves a lead!
W-What? Huh? What was that-that shadowy thing?!
Wait, did you say the Shadow Pros?! Émile could be in danger! I have to-
*he immediately turns to dash off, despite having no idea where he’s going*
*just then, Robin and Tenka come into view*
Bruce, hey! I brought Tenka with me-
*he sees Griffin running*
Hey, where are you going? Did you hear from Émile? Come back for a sec!
*he runs over to catch up to Griffin, putting his hand on his shoulder*
We should get all the facts straight before you run off. We’ll find him, I promise. Just hold on a sec.
*he walks alongside Griffin, leading him back to Tenka and Bruce*
So, what all do we know? -🪶
( @master-of-spirits @bladergriffinsnest @shiroboshi-style sorry for tagging!)
[ * Bruce was just about to teleport Griffin back when Robin and Tenka appeared. ]
Just in time. Well, as for what we know, Emile had most likely encountered a Shadow Pro sometime before her disappearance, and I'm guessing they offered some kind of deal. Emile doesn't seem the type to fall for something like that though, so it's possible she left to try and force out a couple more details.
However, we DO know that this has something to do with the Shadow Realm, specifically somewhere called "Lodestar". Got any info on what this Lodestar may be, seeing as you've been involved in Shadow Pro shenanigans before? DR doesn't have any info on it except being able to say it's familiar due to recognizing the Dark Resonance in it.
…No, I don’t know anything about a “Lodestar”. There’s one thing I remember about it the Shadow Pros, though; they’ll use any kind of dirty trick to get what they want. I just hope they didn’t convince Émile of anything…
On the bright side, though, we know that he’s not being held hostage. They would have done something if they had her. Plus, I’m sure that he can handle herself! I’ve seen how strong he is personally…
I say we split up to look for him. Bruce and Tenka, you’re our best fighters. You guys should go towards any known Shadow Pro bases, but don’t engage right away. Try and see if Émile’s with them, and if she is, call us for backup. I’ll go with you, Griffin, and we can search the outer streets first, then move towards the center of town. If we find out anything, we’ll call you guys!
What do you guys think of that? -🪶
( @shiroboshi-style @bladergriffinsnest @master-of-spirits )
That sounds like a plan! Here, take these.
[ Bruce tosses LIGHTNING PEGASUS to Robin. ]
Lightning will allow you to increase your speed using Resonance. You'll be able to search much faster, and if you need to, you can even run up walls to get on top of a building for a "Bird's Eye View". You can also manipulate lightning, but that's only if you need a light shock to jumpstart a potentially unconscious Emile.
[ Bruce chuckles before also tossing Robin BLIZZARD PEGASUS. ]
And Blizzard is also pretty self explanatory, with Resonance based Cryokenisis.
And I'll hold onto Hurricane and Pyrogenetic. It'll be easier to hold off Shadow Pro goons with these. I admittedly will need Tenka to help me find the bases though, cause I don't know about any of em... But other then that, we're golden.
Whoa!
*he catches the Beys in surprise*
Bruce, you’re willing to leave these with me? Are you sure? I’ll take good care of them, I promise! Although Pegasus scares me a little bit…
Speed does sound really useful… as does the height advantage (the idea of running up the wall is terrifying though), so I’ll be glad to have you along, Lightning! No offense to him, but I kinda hope that I don’t have to use Blizzard… Thanks again, Bruce!
Alright! Griffin, come on! Let’s go find Émile!
*he heads off in the general direction of the west. turning back, he waves to Tenka and Bruce*
Good luck, you two! Stay safe! I’ll call you if we find anything! -🪶
( @bladergriffinsnest AGH SORRY FOR LATE RB)
( It’s just fine! Intense productivity is not a part of human nature )
R-Right. Hang on, Émile…
*a few streets down, there’s no hint as to where Émile is, and Griffin’s looking worried. He calls his boyfriend’s name down every street*
Émile? Émile, can you hear me? Are you there?
*he bites onto his necklace, a stress reaction common for him*
What if the Shadow Pros got him? What if he’s hurt somewhere? And why can’t we find him?! I just want him back already…
*robin frowns in concern, worried for Émile and empathizing with Griffin. Too many nights he hadn’t been able to sleep after Jaxon hadn’t come home*
I understand how you feel. This is really scary, I know. But I promise you, we’re gonna find him. No matter what!
Maybe this is a good time to try out Lightning’s wall climbing… Bruce said I have to use Resonance for this, so…
*robin instantly sits down with crossed legs and holds Lightning Pegasus to his forehead, furrowing his brow and focusing on the bey’s energy. Eventually, he begins to glow slightly, and Pegasus glows in return*
Let’s see if this works…
*he takes a step towards the nearest building wall and puts his foot up on it. When it doesn’t slip at all, he takes a deep breath and lifts his other leg up until he’s standing parallel to the ground. With a gasp of awe, he steps up and up the wall until he’s running in excitement. He reaches the top in no time and scans the city streets below him*
Hmm… I don’t see him anywhere, Griffin! I’m gonna come down, so don’t freak out!
*being very careful to not look down and shaking the whole time, he climbs back down the wall step after wobbly step*
Whew, made it! I couldn’t see her from up there, but I can check from the tops of other buildings a little further away to get more perspective. Which way do you wanna go next? I didn’t catch any hints in any direction, so just pick whatever one. We’ll search our space in no time! -🪶
*when Robin suddenly sits down, Griffin has to admit he was confused. His confusion skyrocketed straight to fear when Robin suddenly began to run up A WALL.*
WH-WHAT THE- !
*His eyes are wide with surprise and fear as Robin yells down to him not to panic*
Kinda already doing that, but thanks! What in the actual HELL did you just do?!
*after freaking out for a little bit, he catches his breath and decides that it’s not important right now*
Y’know what? Doesn’t matter. As long as it helps find Émile. Let’s go this way next-
*suddenly, Griffin’s phone buzzes. He pulls it out of his pocket, looking unsure, but the second he sees what’s on the screen, his eyes widen and his jaw falls slack*
It’s-It’s Émile! She sent her location! She wouldn’t do that unless-
*fearing the worst, he turns on his heels and takes off at a sprint*
I’m coming, Émile! Please hang on!
( @personas-baby-bird oops I’m really late, sorry! )
