My sweet academy!

[Voile is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.]

Do you know what we're missing that we haven't had in quite some time? And I understand that is mostly my doing, however, I'm going to make up for that. The last contest hall and host club gathering was a success. We should have another one, and I've already begun work for a springtime celebration for the end of this month.

So what do I need? [Not eggnog.]
Volunteers. And believe me, I'll pay you handsomely. In food. Money, I guess if you need it or want it. Tailored clothes? Sure.

While not necessarily in need of a full committee, I'm interested in ideas for decorations and outfits. Although I'm very tempted to make flower themed outfits for everyone. I assure you, I could make flowers manly, too.

But if you're interested in lending a hand, whether helping me prepare, or playing the part of a host, you should say something here. There will be prizes and other such things, so it might be a good way to calm down after Valentine's Day. There's plenty of time to get involved and no rush. I promise.

[The video feed turns on and centers on a yellow and white fox sitting in a chair, wearing a red scarf, with maybe something underneath it resembling a necklace. He waves to the camera and grins.]

Hey, Smash Academy! It's been a long time... four and a half years since I've been here, to be exact! Only about two and a half for me personally, but... it's still a blast from the past being here again.

I've already been enrolled and should be getting my classes shortly...

...ah, but for those of you who've never met me before, I should probably introduce myself. I'm Tails! I come from the same place Sonic, Knuckles and Blaze do, if you've met them. [And Eggman. Sigh.] And like I said before, I used to attend the school a few years ago, but I'm back.

Hope to see you guys around sometime. I think I'm gonna go visit the stadium again for a little bit.

[And the video cuts off.]

So, you're probably all wondering where I've been for the last few days. Literally nobody has noticed or cared I'll let you all know.

I had my time-machine rebuilt, and was off exploring the wonders of history.

Learning about history can be fun. Let me show you some of the wonders.

::Bowser holds a bladed staff weapon up.:: This is a Taiaha. Maori warriors used to use them to invent trench warfare. What's trench warfare, you ask? Nobody knows anymore, because none of the Maori have Taiahas anymore.

::Bowser holds up a set of brushes.:: Did you know that Michelangelo painted a ton of naked people all over a church one time? Well, not without his brushes he didn't. Junior did a much better job at painting it over, anyway.

::Bowser holds up an old camera:: Eadweard Muybridge pioneered stop-motion photography, until his camera went missing. Today he's remembered most for getting away with killing his wife's lover.

::Bowser holds up a series of papers:: Did you know that Canada was supposed to be founded on July 1, 1867, but due to some inconvenient paperwork mistakes, it was actually not founded until September 5, 1867, at the height of Canadian winter? It's true.

And that's why history can be fun.

[Jolt's video feed was nothing but static. His voice could barely be heard over it before the feed shut off completely.

When Jolt gets sick, he loses control over his electric powers. Thus when he touched his phone, it shorted out. When he tried to use his computer, it blacked out. So with nothing left to do, not even feeling like eating, he just flopped onto his bed and hoped anyone who came to see him didn't get paralyzed.]

There's puke all over the staircase t'the boy's dorm. And in the student kitchen. In the fountain, too - just so everyone's aware.

I know I'm usually known for barfin' on people, but I've done no throwin' up or fighting for weeks. So... s'kinda surreal that it wasn't me this time, bein' Poison Type an' all. Haven't had problems with Nancy's food, either, so I hope he's not gonna take the brunt of the blame for the sick.

Anyone who can't get out've bed cuz they're not feeling well, I could make some runs t'the drug store or PokeMart or somethin'. Half my classes've been cancelled anyway, so I have the time.

Made an extra pitcher of Pecha Berry tea, too - it's in the fridge if anyone wants some. I hear it's good for shit like settlin' stomachs.

...Oh, microwave's not working, though. On account've being vomited on.

( And lo, a little red guy with clown shoes descended from the heavens... )


[There's a new video on the Network.

The first twenty five seconds of it are some kind of black, triangular nose on the end of a peachy colored snout. It moves around and the microphone stutters and wheezes and whoever this nose belongs to can be heard muttering something unintelligible.

Then, a violet eye stares into the feed, blinks several times with a big, red eyelid. Then he draws back so you can see his Echidna-ey face in its full glory.]

First off, I ain't wearing this uniform thing. I was hatched with fur. It's good enough for me, it should be good enough for you.

Uh... anyway. I'm Knuckles. Knuckles the Echidna.

Hmmm...

[He's sort of run out of things to say. He has questions, but he's not really used to talking to a computer. He's used to smashing them to gain extra lives and shields and stuff.]

Anyone know anythin' about the Floating Island above this school? It's kinda important. If you've got info on it, I'd like to know.

So. Thanks in advance.

[You are now treated to over a minute of closeup footage of his white-swooshed chest as he tries to figure out how to turn the computer off.]

[Has she been waiting to say this? She's probably been waiting to say this, eyes glued to a computer screen, and more specifically the clock. Has she even slept? No, she probably hasn't slept.

In fact, she looks a little tired, sounds a little tired, but sports a grin like no other. And out comes a laugh that can only be chalked up to a lack of sleep. Maybe. Sort of. This is secretly how Noelle laughs.]

♪♫ Happy, _happy birthday~
^Happy, happy birthday~
_Happy birthday ^{to me~}
And to ^you, and you, and _you~

But ^mostly to _me! ♫♪

 [It was an ordinary day for Jolt. Just an ordinary day, as far as he was concerned. Thank goodness he hadn't been affected by the craziness going around. But just to be sure, he'd better go check on his family and friends.]

Hey, everyone. Is anything weird going on for anyone? I'm fine, but I'll be there to help if anyone's having any problems themselves. We've gotta stick together, right?

[Only instead of the usual perky spiky dog on the webcam, it was a more calm looking guy with pale green hair and a shock of dark green cowlick. And his ears kinda looked like leaves. 

Uh oh.

Also Riwane might have noticed a small bouquet outside her door. Where did that come from? It's a mystery to everyone.]

[Something doesn't seem right...]

...Mm.

[All things considered, he doesn't look as perplexed as he perhaps ought to. This probably means upon waking up, he spent a lot of time staring at himself in the mirror.]

I seem to have run into some difficulty.

[While it'd be comical if he kept his soft and delicate voice, it's not quite like that. Whatever the case, he addresses what's really important at a time like this.]

I cannot fit into my dresses.

[The feed turns on with a shadowy figure floating in the seat. Two beady eyes blink once before giving a wave at the screen with its bubbly arm. Small bits of shadowy dust can be seen floating around the shadowy figure, and two distinctive things other than the smiling, drooling face are the question mark on its head as well as the glowing light on its chest area.]

Hello there! This place is called Smash Academy, right? My name is Ecolo!

Oh, I noticed weird shadow things around! Weird, isn't it~? I wonder what they are~!

[Hello friends, please enjoy this cheerful British voice. Wheatley sounds especially cheerful today. What could he possibly be so happy about?]

So! I'm pretty sure Rick is--Rick is dead, which is great news, if you knew him. Went down to the bunkers, last I heard, didn't come back. Probably a good indication that he is--that he is, in fact, dead.

[Oh.]

It's all right, it's all right, go ahead, breathe that sigh of relief, no one's--no one's going to judge you, trust me, we all felt the same way about that tosser.

But, uh, if you were friends with him, for some ungodly reason that I can't possibly fathom, I'm, ah. Sorry for your loss. If you didn't know him, well, let's just say you're better off. Good riddance to bad rubbish, if you ask me.

Good afternoon Smash Academy!

I, Michel, have come forth with a proposition for all the beautiful ladies who seem to be currently lacking a designated date for the upcoming prom, or simply want to have some fun!

I shall take anyone who has no one! And fear not, I shall make sure that every single one of you is cherished and taken care of like they should. For this day should be a joyful one, and Michel is more than happy to aid you in this endeavor!

So don't delay, send an e-mail to Michel today!

[With this he can avoid rejection by asking one person and make others happy! It's 200% better than everything else, cause he's totally amazing at math! Exclamation marks!]

Hey, gang. You probably already saw Goombella's thing about her leavin'. Sorry to say, but I'm goin' too.

Her Professor is sending a team to an Archaeological dig out in some place called Skyrim. So, there's plenty of treasure for me to hunt. Also? Dragons keep attacking towns in the area we're going to be researching. Like... huge dragons. REALLY huge Dragons. So, I'm going to go and fight them! Y'know. Keep the villagers safe and stuff.

[If you think you can hear barely contained excitement in his voice, you aren't dreaming.]

Anyhow, I'm gonna be around campus fixing up my affairs and stuff, and also packing at the apartment getting ready to move. So... uh. Heh. I suck at goodbyes but there's a bunch'a folks I need to say 'em to.

I'll catch you around.

[[OOC: So, if you think your character is someone Knuckles would want to say 'See Ya' to before he leaves, feel free to either set up an action post (I'm super flexible. Anywhere any time is fine.) or just reply to the video and we can go from there! If you would sooner not, then we can just assume they did their thing offscreen!]]

• Brown - A pair of flavoured wax lips and a letter of apology for taking his first kiss during mistletoes.
• Bulba - A couple of tailored sweaters for the cold weather.
• Cammy - A hand-embroidered and tailored peasant style top.
• Jolt - A set of very snazzy looking shades and a box of flavoured instant bacon hot cocoa.
• Knuckles - A tailored suit for him to wear at the next academy dance, made to fit human form.
• Lucca - A knee length summer dress and a pair of wedge heel sandals.
• Marie - An anonymously sent basket with a new hoodie suited for his head wings and a scarf for the winter.
• Max - A set of five specially tailored vest and shirt combinations, specifically crafted to accommodate Max's rather unique muscular structure.
• Phoenix - A new application for his Pokenav specifically designed to gauge her personal feelings and thoughts. Virtually it gives him the ability to read her as well as she can read him, so he feels they're more on equal ground.
• Sable - Seasonal themed barrettes, a pair for each season of the year from spring until winter.
• Sonny - A box of hot cocoa with marshmallows and one of her contest ribbons refashioned and personalized for him, along with a tailored and hand-embroidered jacket for springtime.
• Vinnie - A new flower themed over shirt with gracidea accents and designs.
• Watt - A cute mini dress, designed with fashion in mind, as Voile reinvents Watt.
• Wheatley - A set of flexible LED lights that change colour over time. He can plant them on his new chassis for light up fun.

( Char received one (1) text message to his cellular device. )

[And then eventually, after dargon business went down, a series of other private network text posts were made from both of Bulba's and Vinnie's accounts. Wow. Gosh.]

( Private to Nyx and Jolt, from Bulba: )

---

( Private to Red Team, from Vinnie: )

---

( Private to Voile and Max from Both of Them.. )

---

( ALSO THERE IS A NOTE FOR SKULL KID, FROM VINNIE: )

---

( ALSO THERE IS A NOTE FOR ZELDA AND KUMATORA FROM BULBA: )

---

[HELLO You can jump straight into action threads if you want to handwave setting things up. We can assume they planned to meet [SOMEWHERE!] at [SOMETIME!]. If you would also like to just text reply or handwave things, that is also super cool :>]

Voile, I wish to speak to you. If you distrust me yet, you may come accompanied. I couldn't care less.

Specifically I wish to discuss your evolutionary stages. I am doing research, but it will be only questions unless you consent to more in-depth testing.

I am free tomorrow afternoon. Contact me if this arrangement is agreeable to establish a time.

-C

[Wait, why is there just a pile of garbage here? Did somebody just empty out a dumpster in front of the camera and let it roll? Who even does that?]

Hello? This thing on?

[Oh wait, no. Now it's moving. And talking. He reaches over and taps the lens a couple times with a big ol' pipe finger.]

Oh! Okay, good. Great.

Er... high there! I'm sorta new here, and I was, uh, kinda wondering if any'a you fine folks out there would be willing to a lend me a hand. Or a paw or.. whatever you've got, really. Not gonna judge. But anyway! If anybody could point me towards...

[There's a slight rustling sound as he looks down at something off-camera.]

Dorm BE? I'm kinda lost, y'see. Not really all that good with directions. Or signs. Or words. But hey, that's what I'm here for! Gettin' myself an education, really hittin' the books. I mean, why else would I be here?

[Insert awkward chuckling here.]

Oh! My name's Gershel, by the way. Or, I guess it's my name. S'what everybody calls me, so I figure hey, might as well go with it, right?

[Unfortunately for any non-pokemon viewers, all of the above just registers as something to the effect of "Garbodor, garb, odor garb". The idea that he might be talking to actual humans out there hasn't really crossed his mind yet.]

Oh yeah, almost forgot I even had this thing. Sorry for the radio silence, just had my nose buried in literature from Kalos. Are you guys seeing this shit? Things are getting weird over there.

Anyways, I realized a lot of new kids showed up in the lengthy time since my last network post, so I'll just go ahead and reintroduce myself. Green Oak, boys RA/TA. When I'm not vaguely tending to hormonal brats, I'm Viridian City's Pokemon Gym Leader. My gramps is a professor of Pokemon studies. I Hail from Pallet Town. Charmed, I'm sure.

I guess the greeting extends to the new teachers, too. If you need me to sub for your class or help out or something, I'll get paid for it, so I'll do it.

I have a Venusaur, a Charizard, a Jolteon, and a Gengar with me on campus, all in various stations in the school. They're the better team, and I'll hear no arguments about it. I'm sure we'll all be the best of friends.

[Private to Blue]

So... Kalos, eh?

[/private]

[Action for Red]

[It took him a long time to do it, but one evening Green finally forced himself over to Red's dorm, three quiet knocks the only sign that he was there.]

[/action]