The Cloud Garden's Recorded History

[Stark]

Originally Posted by Tale

Zak: The Chatot is a female. Hope that's ok!
Stark: It is my pleasure =). You're more than welcome, what with the effort you put in yourself.

The Rainbow Waterfalls

Stark: Retrospective of your trip, you do not linger, for the severity of the situation disallows it. You tell Redgrave that returning the swarm to their Pokeballs from your place atop the cliff will be the best course of action, with which he agrees immediately, suggesting that he held a similar idea himself. Conscious of your vulnerability, you release your Treecko to fulfil the role of sentinel while you carry your task out, a role which he does not hesitate to embrace as he takes a few steps behind you, scrutinising the distant expanse for any sign of hostile intervention.

Picking the first of the balls in your hand, you briefly wonder if your plan will succeed. Then you point it towards the storm, and compress the central button. Instantly, the ball pivots slightly of its own accord and a thin red beam extends, stretching over yard’s worth of distance to contact the Scizor that habitually occupies its interior. As the contact is made, the beam fades as the unsuspecting steel bug is successfully recalled. You turn to Redgrave, and with an approving thumbs up he grins at your success. You place the ball apart from the pile, so that you do not mistakenly release the returned Scizor, and subsequently, you both begin to pick at random balls, returning Scizor after Scizor, the vivacious and unconscious alike. After a few seconds, certain trainers notice the intervention of thin red beams causing their opponents to vanish, and before long, a crowd is gazing up at you both, indicating your endeavours with zeal. With every successful return comes a sense of relief, and before long the pile of Scizor-occupied Pokeballs outweighs those still vacant. Your success awards you with a sense of accomplishment, “Look at us, Stark! We’re the heroes, buddy! The saviours! Haha!� Redgrave yells excitedly by your side as he returns two Scizor at once, enthusiastically snatching at ball after ball, throwing them to the pile at your side almost carelessly.

Soon, the Scizor are whittled to a number you could count on both hands, and the trainers, some rejoicing, some rushing to their injured comrades, begin to return their own companions. As you gaze down, it seems that some still haven’t registered quite what has occurred, and glance up at you, and back to the battlefield to determine what has happened. One trainer, of quite a bulky stature, begins to straddle a shimmering bird of steel, before prompting it to take flight and swoop up towards where you now stand. You watch as the Skarmory rider nears, and your heart sinks as you immediately recognise its passenger - the bearded guard that you only hours ago had a run-in with. Judging from his expression, your initial dislike will seem to continue.

He yells something, indistinguishable over the crashing of the waterfall beside you, and as the Skarmory reaches the cliff’s rim, he plucks a Pokeball from his belt. The Skarmory soars past, and turns to make a landing a few yards behind you. As his steely talons secure them both on the ground, the guard hops from his mount and throws the ball to the ground, unleashing an Exploud, its giant mouth agape. As he approaches you, he extracts his baton.

“YOU!� He shouts, tailed by what seems to be quite a maniacal Exploud. Treecko seems to brace himself as they approach, “Explain yourself, you cad! Those beasts murdered three people down there, at least! Mastiff, Howl!� The disturbed-looking creature at his rear bellows a blood-curdling cry that causes you to stagger dangerously close to the cliff edge. Evidently, the guard believes you responsible, or so it seems, for the Scizor swarm. What will you do?

"This just keeps getting better and better," Stark sarcastically mumbled to himself as he stopped himself just short of the edge of the cliff. His eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed in anger at the man in front of him. The pain in his leg quickly returning to remind him of just how much he was sick of this guy's attitude. With a scowl Stark stepped forward a couple of steps and glared at the man.

"Dammit! Is that the only way you know how to communicate?! Using force?!" Stark shouted at the bearded man, "Cause I'm getting real sick of it. If you would use that coconut on top of your shoulders for something other then a tool to plow your way through things, maybe you would see that we're the ones who actually stopped the swarm from killing more people. Of course, you'd rather come up here and nearly make me a fourth victim by knocking me off the edge of the falls than reason out what just happened. I don't know if it's because you can't figure it out, or you won't figure it out, but if the only way to get you to understand is by force.... then so be it."

Stark grit his teeth tightly. His anger was nearing the point of exploding and now he had the perfect target to focus it on. Whatever tired, painful feelings he had been living with had suddenly taken a backseat as the man ahead of him now had his complete attention, "Treecko! Let's teach these guys a lesson in humility. Quick Attack up to that exploud and then use your Strength to toss him into the air. Leap up after him into the air and then Pound him back down into the ground!"

[Raves]

Originally Posted by Tale

[COLOR="LemonChiffon"]
Delibird Ridge: The Caverns

Seakittenyfool: Following the ascertainment of your only option, you begin to muster your courage for a move so chancy it would likely prompt your demise. Yet the continuous weakening of the platform at your feet eliminates what little time you have to prepare, and as you instruct Volcape accordingly, to cater for the eventuality of the Onix’s possible remonstration, you feel a sudden jolt beneath your feet. The platform is collapsing.

The time you had to assure your security upon the Onix has been snatched, and the leap is no longer a leap for progression, but a leap for your life. Without Volcape prepared to catch you, your safety is somewhat compromised, but you instinctively know that your chances retain more truth in that leap than in any hesitation. So, swallowing your anxiety as Volcape makes the leap beside you, you take a running jump. The pressure of your leap is the final strain on the platform, and it crumbles beneath your airborne body as your flight bridges the gap between you and the now descending head of the gargantuan rock snake. Your limbs flail in mid-air as you desperately attempt to grasp at the solidity of the head, with naught beneath you now but the fatal mouth of the abyss. For a split second, it appears as though your angle was misjudged, but the barely-conscious rock snake sways an inch in your direction as it attempts to steady itself, and your descent is met head-on with the rocky surface of its skull. The somewhat graceless landing knocks the wind from your lungs, and as Volcape’s dexterity establishes his balance within a few short seconds, you unfortunately cannot emulate such nimbleness, and immediately recognise the shift in your balance that seems to throw you backwards. Your arms stretch for the horn to little avail, and as you begin to plummet, your heart shoots to your throat in the instant recognition of your imminent demise.

Then Volcape’s hand takes a firm grasp of your arm, and swings you around to counterbalance the force. Now, however, you are hung directly in front of the Onix’s right eye. Its recent disorientation makes distinguishing you somewhat laborious, but with a beat of its rocky eyelids, its black eyes note your presence with an initial alarm. Then it roars, and the sheer force of its breath and booming voice throws your body like a fragile leaf, struggling against the force of a gale. Volcape staggers, not just because of the force, but for the power that the Onix’s voice emanates. You, in the meantime, find your every sense stifled by the proximity of its bellow, and as you desperately cling to your Infernape’s strong hand, you wonder if your body can sustain the oral onslaught before shock disables you entirely. Wraith, unsettled by the vulnerability of his trainer, retaliates swiftly, with a powerful and close-range Water Gun directly onto the surface of the Onix’s head, sending a fountain of watery spray in all directions. Volcape winces slightly as the residual droplets turn to steam upon contact with his heated body, and the grip on your hand loosens by a fraction.

The Onix, significantly damaged by the water attack, then reels backwards, sustaining its bellow, and you are thrown to the air in Volcapes grip, who subsequently struggles to hang to the now horizontal horn of the howling snake, as Wraith follows suit by clinging to the appendage with both arms. Now directly above the Onix, Volcape pulls you down towards them, and manages to catch your helpless body in one arm, while the other clasps the horn as he dangles deftly above the abyss. The Onix then falls silent and lowers its head once more, allowing your companions to firmly place themselves back onto its skull, still tightly clinging to the horn, while you struggle to subdue the incessant ringing in your ears and overcome the shock of what just transpired. The Onix no longer attempts to throw you from its head, and in fact seems somewhat oblivious to your presence there. As it slowly surveys its surroundings, eyes heavy with fatigue, it begins to descend into the pitch-black chasm as though convinced that you had been dealt with, plunging you into the depths along with it.

The lengthy journey down plunges you into further darkness and you can scarcely believe that your plan is not only succeeding, but is succeeding while you are in one piece. The pungent dampness merges with the scent of clay and sulphur, and with naught but Volcape’s flame to illuminate your immediate surroundings, you feel a sense of vulnerability as a mere human figure stood deep within a cavern so vast. The Onix’s head soon rests on the chasm floor, and the simple act of it turning tail takes a few minutes due to its sluggishness and sheer length. You can barely distinguish the occasional drip of moisture above the low rumble of the Onix’s hefty body slithering across the groove it seems to have formed on the rocky cave floor. As you slowly progress amid the towering stalagmites and scurrying creatures of the deep, you recognise the limp, barbed tail of the Gliscor that had previously assaulted you, still out cold as a result of Yakuza’s powerful attack. You’ve progressed, it seems, to such an extent, that turning back is somewhat impossible. You only hope that this is a cave joined to Reagan, for if it falls short of this purpose, then your efforts fall short of their own.

You wind along the seemingly endless chasm for what seems to be twenty minutes. The Onix matches the pace of a sustained jog, and you begin to use the leisurely transport as something of an opportunity for respite. There is little need for concern, the depths of the chasm are somewhat peaceful, littered with beasts so small that they merely cower in the presence of the giant snake. However, this time for rest cannot remain for long, and as your adapted eyes gaze into the distance, you notice the path that must lead to the Onix’s den. It is a tunnel wide enough only to accompany his body, perhaps even burrowed by the rock snake itself, and judging from its strict adherence to its form alone, it cannot accompany a group of riders. A deep groove points from the top of the tunnel’s mouth, which, you induce, must accompany the Onix’s horn - leaving you no room to remain seated on the snake. This seems to be where you continue on foot.

What will you do?

The plan was reckless to say the least, but as it were, there wasn't much method left in the plan other than to simply step forward over air, hoping for an invisible walkway. As Volcape leapt onto the Onix, Jamie broke into a run, his every step forcing more pressure onto the platform until his very leap, which caused the rock to collapse completely as he threw himself at the dazed serpent, tempting Fate herself to guide him to safety. Noting his slightly misjudged angle, he flailed his arms in a futile attempt to give him momentum until he collided into the shifting head of the Onix, scrabbling as he gazed at the horn in front of him and the sudden shift in his balance as he started to plummet backwards, his fingers wiggling hopelessly at the spire as the trainer's eyes widened, realising that Fate hadn't noticed him as he started to emit a soundless scream, wishing that the fall and subsequently messy impact with the ground ended any pain before it began...

However, instead of being swallowed by the darkness, the warm hand of his ally grasping his arm while anchoring himself with his other arm as Volcape prevented the death of his closest friend, countering gravity by swinging him around, a hiss emerging from the human as his arm was wrenched, but thankful that he wasn't plastered all over the floor of the abyss as he looked into the large eye of the Onix as it blinked at him.

"...hi?" Jamie squeaked as the stone worm then gave a mighty bellow, the very force of the breath and roar instantly deafening and crippling Jamie as he was blown by the force much like a straw of hay in a tornado as Volcape gripped onto him with all his might, the trainer enfeebled by the mighty serpent. Wraith, noticing his predicament, attempts to silence the Onix with a water gun as he sprayed the head of the beast, a few droplets of the liquid spraying onto the Infernape as it winces at the water before Jamie, though sensibly battered, realises what the Marshtomp is doing, giving a feeble attempt to speak before the super effective attack grabs the snake's attention dynamically.

With the wetness of his head, the Onix raised his bellow to something much like a large bomb exploding as it jerked his head back, Wraith forced to grab onto the horn with both hands as Jamie was sent flying through the air, his watering eyes making out only an orange blob and a blue blob underneath a grey blob with a big black blob beneath them, his body as vulnerable as Volcape was when he found him under attack from the Skarmory back in Sinnoh, and as he felt as though his body was giving in, gravity returned as he fell towards terra firma, completely helpless to the laws of nature. That is, until he felt his limp form get pulled into his Infernape's arm as the monkey hung there, the strain of supporting himself and him almost evident, but fortunately the roar ceased as the source of this trouble lowered his head to its regular position, the trio landing safely on the head, Wraith panting as he readied himself for another attack if the Onix did anything again while Volcape sat, his tired arm still holding the Onix's horn. Jamie, however, was nothing short of a trembling wreck, his entire body smashed with acoustic rape as he felt completely violated by the Onix. Gulping air heavily, he could only gasp and shake as the realisation that the Onix wasn't doing anything came upon him.

Unbelieving that his plan actually worked, and with him in one piece physically, although mentally shattered, Jamie eventually composed himself once more as he gazed around the cave on a very oblivious Onix who was sure that the threat had been smooshed, as he opted to stay quiet. Looking around the massive cave, Jamie noticed the Gliscor responsible for this escapade, mercifully still breathing although unconscious, while the size of the cave made him feel incredibly tiny and open to attack by anything, possibly Reagan. Gulping slightly, he realised that if the cave didn't lead to the hunter, then all he accomplished was sheer idiocy by leaping onto a furious snake in a cave. Rubbing his head, tinnitus still drilling into his eardrums, he peered around the darkened cave, thankful that the ground was only mere feet away rather than a few dozen feet below, and noting the leisurely stroll the Onix was moving at, he felt much calmer.

Twenty or so minutes later, his accustomed eyes noted a cave, likely the Onix's lair, typically fashioned around the very serpent's form as Jamie sighed a little loudly, hoping the Onix never heard him, and realised that there was no way he could ride the snake any more, lest he be spread all over the walls of the den. Looking down to the floor, he noted that it was actually visible as he turned to Volcape and Wraith, before giving a nod.

"Thanks for earlier, guys, but it seems we'll have to hop off this guy to the floor. It's not a major drop, and after what happened back there, it's nothing to worry about. We can't go further unless we want to be smacked into a wall, so it's gonna have to be a disembarkment and search on foot once more."

With a sigh as he questioned just what state his hair was in, Jamie ushered the two pokemon near him as he prepared to hop off the Onix and look for another way through, other than the tunnel being used by said serpent.

[Pearl's Perap]

Originally Posted by Tale

Sorry about the size of this one, Zak. I didn't want to force your decisions where they're not required to be. Hope that's ok!

The Rainbow Falls: The Outskirts

Pearl's Perap: You discover a novel fear for Reynard and his seeming inability to negotiate before resorting to force. It appears as though the charm with which he laces his every word is but another ruse conveying a personality much unlike his innate and true nature, which, with the current situation borne in mind, tends to a more brutish comportment. His ill-considered reaction to the slightest implication of your perfidy prompts you to scale a nearby tree and supplicate a chance for negotiation. Reynard clicks his fingers, and the electric crackle stops. As he speaks, he seems to have reverted once more to his affable manner.

“Regarding the bird - why fight when you have a gun? In any case, Zak, we are supposed to be allies, are we not? Perhaps now I should tell you that you have successfully aided in the capture of Keeley. Your stunt back in the forest was simply brilliant, I hit her dead-on target. Months it has taken us to catch that girl, Zak, and all thanks to you we now have her. Now we can begin the…negotiating.� He approaches the tree, rifle at one side, Manectric at the other. Looking at you with a pitying expression, he offers a hand. “Let’s see about getting you those companions of yours, shall we? No need for blindfolds, no need for trickery. I’ll even let you hold the bird.� Glancing down at him, you see that his guard has been let down, he has turned within a moment. The Chatot in your arms twitches, still immersed in unconsciousness.

What will you do?

[That's fine by me, I'm loving this adventure, big or short :3]

As the eloquent man before him called off his rather violent seeming companion, confusion began rushing through Zak's mind once more. He did not trust the man, but the prospect of being reunited with his pokémon and items was more than enough for him to co-operate once more, at least for the time being. Gazing down to the still unconcious parrot cradled safely in his arms, the boy nodded at Reynard.

"I will accompany you, but only because I want to see my team mates again. Plus I want to make sure this little gem is okay, you should know more than anyone that some creatures don't wake up from tranquilizers..." Zak had not had this thought before and now he knew it would begin to niggle at the back of his mind until the safety of the Chatot was completely confirmed. As he reassuringly stroked the pokémon's downy feathers, he approached Reynard and the Manectric rather wearily once more.

"I know it shouldn't really be my place to ask, but, with helping assist in her capture. What is this big revelation you are hoping to pry, if you haven't already, from Keeley?" The boy spoke quickly, still on edge due to the man's apparent hostility, even if it was merely to highlight the fact he was not the sort to be messed with...

[Silver Wind]

Originally Posted by Tale

The Rock Garden

Silver Wind: Following your detour through the scenic Delibird Ridge, you traverse a path in lofty spirits, but plagued by the exhaustion that beats down on your with the sweltering rays of sunlight, you feel as though the continuation of your intended path requires an attire more suited to the weather. Consequently, you don the peculiar outfit that sits in your bag which conveys slight hints of your typical ringleader, what with the accompanying goatee, tall top-hat and the mysterious background to accompany the pseudonym of ’Kopernikus’. In search of a situation in which you can immerse your fresh identity, you proceed to Rock Gardens with Rampage’s ball clasped in your hand.

Along your progressively-rocky path, just as the distance reveals to you a great stone arch flanked by two steep hills, which shields great formations that tower above the horizon, your eyes meet the first presence you had anticipated. A figure is situated just in front of the arch, seemingly seated upon some stout object, with a tall item in his hand that resembles a sign. As you approach, the Rock Gardens beginning to materialise behind the arch, and the gradually-ascending hills which enclose you embedded with boulders that protrude in jagged formations from the firm soil, you begin to notice the frailty of the man that sits before the Gardens, as well as the long, matted grey beard that hangs from his jaw. Drawing closer, you can detect in his sunken eyes a detachment from the world around him that piques your curiosity. Peering from him and into the Rock Gardens, the path behind the arch now taking a far more jagged and inhospitable formation, you see the caves and burrows of which you’d heard much before concluding to travel here. In the dusty distance, movement is seen, either wild beasts or the presence of other people looking to explore much like yourself.

You turn back to the lifeless, bearded man at your side, and read the makeshift sign in his hand that is made from a plank of wood conjoined with cardboard. Barely legible for the muck that swathes it, you can discern two words: ‘Adventurer wanted’. Judging from the now filth-laden cotton shirt hanging around his torso, and the once neat but now soil-stained pinstripes clothing his legs, and the worn, matted leather of a once valuable pair of shoes, you ascertain that this man has not only spent a great deal of time detached from civility, but also possesses an intriguing background.

Then again, he now looks like a tramp, and sometimes dealing with such men is not the wisest of decisions.

What will you do?

Coming across such a character like the filthly man was considered something of a blessing, for he was holding a makeshit sign which read, "Adventurer Wanted." Considering the chances of others digging randomly around the garden in hopes of treasure, perhaps this man knew something the diddler didn't. Stopping to take a quick glance before running over to the man, who wasn't smelling to pleasant to the ring masters nose, and engaged him in some friendly conversation.

"Hello friend," he gasped, extending his hand in offer of a handshake. "I couldn't help but notice you had your sign there and I just so happen to be adventuring these parts. Maybe we can help each other out, if you have something that interests me, that is... Ahh before I forget, you may call me Kopernikus, grand ring master of the illustrious Seaside City. I'm currently looking for some beasts to bring back and such.."

The diddler did his best to hold back the nauseating feeling for a while longer, hoping our trampy friend would respond to his offer. He never thought that there would be homeless people in the Cloud Garden, much less the Rock Garden. Realizing that Rampage's pokeball was still in his hand, he hastliy slipped it back into his pocket. Surely the great ape would frighten the poor fellow, but it might the pokemon to prove to him that the diddler is indeed a tamer of great beasts.

[Tale]

I apologise, I promised Zak these would be up more than half an hour ago. I ended up getting immersed in a certain update, though it doesn't seem it from what's there, which took much longer than expected. Thank you to everybody for the brilliant replies. Just so you all know, I won't be able to update tomorrow as I'm away from home. I may be able to update Thursday morning depending on what time I get home, but definately Thursday evening. If you could all reply by then, you'll be in for a haul of updates!

The Rainbow Falls

Stark: For the slightest of moments, an expression more contemplative than you could have ever imagined your brutish oppressor to have pulled flashes across his face following your outcry against his rash and unthinking accusations. However, as soon as you conclude to retaliate, his expression swiftly reverts to its habitual sneer.

“This guy is a dick,� Redgrave states, plucking his own Pokeball from within his jacket pocket and expanding it in his hand, “I remember him from the riot back there - started it all off.� With that, he throws the Pokeball to the floor, unleashing a beast that surprisingly bears more resemblance to a tank than King - a towering Rhyperior. You glance at Redgrave, his seeming ability to train the most fearsome of beasts placing a sense of security in your heart. Treecko, in the meantime, sacrifices no time for thought, and swiftly rushes up to the Exploud, allowing it little time to respond, before colliding - with little to no effect. Seemingly possessing a far greater strength than your Treecko, the porous beast merely gazes down at the small bipedal lizard with an amused glare as Treecko seems somewhat taken aback by the futility of his attempt. Then, seemingly out of nowhere - not even an order from its master - the Exploud suddenly barks at Treecko, Astonishing your companion and causing him to recoil from the beast. The Exploud then inhales deeply, turning its head of many orifices to the sky, provoking anxiety in your heart. Redgrave then smacks his Rhyperior’s back, “Grim, Rock Blast.� In strict obedience to his masters calling, Grim the Rhyperior almost mechanically lifts his hefty left arm to aim at the inhaling Exploud, and within a split second, a pulse-emitting boom follows the flight of a jagged rock that cracks the target directly on the roof of its cavernous maw.

“Boom!� Redgrave yells zealously with the direct hit. The Exploud stumbles, and Treecko, yet unwilling to submit, hoists the beast from the ground with an unnatural Strength, bending its lean knees before yelling as it throws the comparatively hulking beast five feet into the air. In keeping with your tactics, Treecko wearily leaps within a second of his endeavour with impressive height, and upon his descent twirls mid-air to bring his stiffened tail down in a damaging Pound, that augments the harm of the Exploud’s already hefty tumble. As it collides with the ground, an almost musical expulsion of wind causing the grass surrounding it to shiver, Treecko lands with deftness upon its stomach, before leaping back towards you as Grim enhances the damage with a second rocky projectile to the Exploud’s head.

“Damn it! Up, Mastiff, up! Bellow so loud the cliff begins to crumble at their feet!� Your bearded adversary then turns to you, “You expect me to believe the fire-starter!? You weren’t present when the swarm emerged, yet here you are now, with every one of the beasts in your own villainous possession! I cannot stand by and watch the only possible culprit for miles escape without apprehending the villain!�

What will you do?


Pearl's Perap: You concede to Reynard’s request after having successfully evaded a less desirable fate, and descend from the tree somewhat gingerly due to the fragile bird in your arms. As you descend, you warn him of a tranquiliser’s potential threat, “Yes,� he responds, fairly bluntly, “I know.�

He eyes the bird in your arms, but seems respectful of the compromise you both had reached. “I’d better inform you that with the receipt of your companions, my associate may desire a word or two with you.� As he says this, leading the way towards the forests edge, you apprehensively pose to him a question to which, in light of your alliance, you feel an answer is obliged. Silence ensues for a disconcerting minute. “I don’t feel like I can divulge such information, Zak. Keeley retains in that devious skull of hers the exact location of a particular...place. That is all I will say. Besides, I’m sure that bird of yours must have told you a few things…� Once again, a tinge of hostility. As the Manectric tails you both, as before, vulnerability reacquaints itself with your instincts, though with the instance’s present abolition of a blindfold, your confidence is substantially enhanced.

The majority of your remaining minutes within the forest is spent gazing at the tropical resident in your jacket, though once you recognise the escalating intensity of the natural light that pervades the forest floor, as well as the proximity of the Rainbow Waterfalls indicated by the perpetual hiss of crashing water, you find your attention snatched back by the situation at hand. Reynard now secures his rifle with both hands, and as you each emerge once more into the vast hilly expanse, the wind whips at your face like a raging spirit. The cool atmosphere and vicious wind indicates your altitude, and several hundred yards ahead of you, you can distinguish a large river that in the gleaming sunrise shimmers almost iridescently like liquid pearl. Glancing around, huddling closer to the Chatot in your arms in order to combat the chill that engulfs your body, but a few seconds is all that is required before you can distinguish what must be Reynard’s base of operation - situated neatly atop a hill a few hundred yards away from you, and closer to the river. Reynard’s blonde hair is once again ruffled by the gale, and his shirt ripples like a spectral shroud, indicative of the material’s value.

With the concept of value borne in mind, the closing distance between you and the only partially-visible camp atop the hill allows for you to discern the evident worth of its various components. The grandest tent you could ever have imagined is the most eye-catching, standing atop foundations and particularly resilient against the winds. “Here it is. Our very own base of operations,� Reynard states, as you begin to ascend the hill upon which it stands, a task made more laborious by the presence of the unconscious Chatot in your arms, and the force of the wind that threatens to fling it from you.

When you reach the top, you begin to determine just how wealthy Reynard and his associate are, simply through the evidence presented to you in the form of a glorified campsite. The interconnected tents, each as luxurious as the next upon elevated foundations, accessed via small staircases, form a horseshoe arrangement that significantly averts the wind-flow. As you walk within the base, the wind seems to falter entirely, leaving your face stinging and your ears ringing from the short journey towards it. The miniature field that the tent formation encloses is presently vacant. Directly ahead as you enter is a tent that appears reinforced by a steel frame that suggests a prison-like nature. Perhaps, you think, this is where Keeley is currently incarcerated.

Silently, Reynard turns to ascend the second set of stairs to your left that leads to a cream tent that towers like a house above each of you. He partially unzips the tent’s entrance, and you follow, pushing through the gap in the resilient fabric.

The first thing you encounter is your backpack, crammed full with every possession you had confiscated. It sits just a few feet away, propped against a marble bust upon a black podium. Glancing around, you see that gracing the oaken-floored, unruffled tent is a vast array of antiquities and valuables, all neatly positioned and arranged in a way that prompts the impression that you have just entered Reynard’s house, let alone his campsite. Two leather sofas are situated beside a marble fireplace, a piece of abstract art mounted on the steel chimney chute. Almost as though returning from a hard day at work, Reynard proceeds towards the sofas, grasps a firelighter from the ground beside the fireplace and ignites the coals, before seating himself and gazing at the fire. Behind you, his Manectric sits majestically at the tent’s entrance, glaring almost soullessly into the newborn flames.

With the Chatot in your arms still unconscious, but twitching more frequently, you stand, uncertain the action with which to proceed. As if expectantly, Reynard turns to you, and gestures the bag with the hand that still hold his rifle, before propping it against the sofa’s armrest carefully and turning back to the fire. “By all means, Zak. Go ahead and take your possessions. You will find it all there. I only ask that you proceed with one of two actions…claim your possessions, leave this campsite, and never trouble yourself with contemplations this mess of a situation again. Leave the bird, however. Alternatively, you can join me, ask me what you will, and let it all out. What you intend to do, how you currently view this scenario - and to the best of my ability, I shall provide you with answers. Following this, we shall begin a test of your loyalty. It would be wise to choose whichever side you will from this point.� He rubs his chin as he takes a deep breath, “You know my recommendation. How about this - aid us, and I will let you keep that bird. It will be your signature, your very identity as a…member within our little club. Before you make your decision, discard all notions of right and wrong, good and bad. No such simplicity graces this scenario. There is only choice. What do you say?�


Delibird Ridge: The Caverns

Fishyfool: With a bracing breath, you each leap from the Onix’s slowly progressing head, moments before its entrance into the tunnel where it seemingly resides. Your feet now stand firmly on solid ground, and the sensation you typically take for granted is this time noted with enhanced appreciation following your descent into the chasm. With Volcape’s flame illuminating your path, you favour exploration over pursuit, and begin to attempt to locate a new path through which your journey can hopefully progress.

The stalagmites in this cavern forebodingly loom over each of you, their shadows stretching tendrils of darkness that threaten to drag you into an inescapable labyrinth of rock and shade that not even the shafts of light that twinkle like distant stars in a pitch black night sky can scarcely illuminate. So encroaching is the darkness that Volcape’s flame barely envelopes a meter’s depth, and from it scurry a vast array of miniature creatures, fearful of a luminosity to which they are unaccustomed. You stretch a section of the chasm that is unfathomable in the darkness, all the while sticking as close as possible to the wall through which the Onix had tunnelled, in the hopes of locating an indiscriminate passage. Your search is to little avail for what seems to be an eternity.

Then your heart leaps at a nearby sound that you cannot immediately distinguish. Something distinctly unnatural that seems displaced, even in this cavern. It resembles a hiss, sporadically interjected by a disjointed and distorted human voice - which to you seems peculiarly familiar. For its lack of use, you find it no surprise that the unfamiliar sound originates from the radio in your possession, the waves almost ineffective due to the depth in which you have been plunged. Nonetheless, Ryan’s voice can be heard to a point that is barely distinguishable. “You…there, it-…be-…while…ca-…you…’ear…m-…� as you strain to interpret the incoherent speech, the radio pressed firmly to your ear, your arm is softly tugged by one of your companions. After a few seconds they seize your attention and indicate an odd image that stands in the distance darkness. Two distant dots twinkle in the sea of black, like parallel gems lodged into an indistinguishable rock. In their isolated stillness, you get an unnerving sense that they are like eyes glaring at you from afar, from within the darkness to which they are habituated, at a sight so unnatural it grasps their full attention.

Then, as though it were an illusion, they disappear. You squint, attempting to discern them once more, slightly excited about the possible discovery of rare jewels. Then they appear once more, but they have shifted, and now sit much closer to where you stand in your Infernape’s firelight. For a few lingering minutes they stare at you, two twinkling lights in a pitch black ocean, and then they move once more, but at a much swifter pace. Judging from their proximity to you, they are just beside the same wall that you attempt to follow, only a little further down. As you continue to watch, and edge ever closer to the oddity, you begin to discern a small figure to which the twinkling gems seem attached. However, almost as soon as this figure is distinguished, it darts from your light - into a hole in the wall. It seems that whatever it is has found a passage.

What will you do?


The Rock Gardens

Silver Wind: Extending a courteous introduction to the promising albeit fairly repulsive man sat beside the arch, you extend a hand for him to take as you relay your faux identity and intention to him, eager to engage in some mutual aid. Following your small speech, however, there is only silence, and the bearded man conveys no sign of even having registered your presence as he continues to glare indolently at the arch. Miffed, even struck by the suspicion that the man is either deaf or deceased, you begin to walk into the gardens, until he begins to speak. “You are no adventurer.� Slightly insulted, you continue, unwilling to cooperate with a man who, in spite of his apparent despair, is so fastidious about those he accepts to be adventurers based on their appearance. “You are no adventurer unless you venture that cave, and bring me something.� He brings the sign he holds down to indicate the exact cave to which he refers - a small hole in the rocky ground that sits but a few feet from the garden’s entrance. His voice is seemingly as withered as his appearance, and his mind seemingly warped by his isolation. “Bring from it something for me, something to prove that you are who you say you are. Scarcely was the father in this world when the son could be found sitting on the roof. Bring me the son.� Slightly miffed at what he is implying, you watch as he reaches behind his seat, and presents you with a smudged vial filled with a clear liquid and corked. “Water.� He states simply, “Every adventurer needs water. Particularly you.� You scarcely take the vial from his wrinkled hand before his head lulls and he drops his sign. At first you believe him to be dead. But his long, soggy snore indicates that he is simply prone to narcoleptic tendencies. Judging from the depth of his slumber, he will not awake any time soon.

What will you do?

[Pearl's Perap]

Originally Posted by Tale

The Rainbow Falls

Pearl's Perap: You concede to Reynard’s request after having successfully evaded a less desirable fate, and descend from the tree somewhat gingerly due to the fragile bird in your arms. As you descend, you warn him of a tranquiliser’s potential threat, “Yes,� he responds, fairly bluntly, “I know.�

He eyes the bird in your arms, but seems respectful of the compromise you both had reached. “I’d better inform you that with the receipt of your companions, my associate may desire a word or two with you.� As he says this, leading the way towards the forests edge, you apprehensively pose to him a question to which, in light of your alliance, you feel an answer is obliged. Silence ensues for a disconcerting minute. “I don’t feel like I can divulge such information, Zak. Keeley retains in that devious skull of hers the exact location of a particular...place. That is all I will say. Besides, I’m sure that bird of yours must have told you a few things…� Once again, a tinge of hostility. As the Manectric tails you both, as before, vulnerability reacquaints itself with your instincts, though with the instance’s present abolition of a blindfold, your confidence is substantially enhanced.

The majority of your remaining minutes within the forest is spent gazing at the tropical resident in your jacket, though once you recognise the escalating intensity of the natural light that pervades the forest floor, as well as the proximity of the Rainbow Waterfalls indicated by the perpetual hiss of crashing water, you find your attention snatched back by the situation at hand. Reynard now secures his rifle with both hands, and as you each emerge once more into the vast hilly expanse, the wind whips at your face like a raging spirit. The cool atmosphere and vicious wind indicates your altitude, and several hundred yards ahead of you, you can distinguish a large river that in the gleaming sunrise shimmers almost iridescently like liquid pearl. Glancing around, huddling closer to the Chatot in your arms in order to combat the chill that engulfs your body, but a few seconds is all that is required before you can distinguish what must be Reynard’s base of operation - situated neatly atop a hill a few hundred yards away from you, and closer to the river. Reynard’s blonde hair is once again ruffled by the gale, and his shirt ripples like a spectral shroud, indicative of the material’s value.

With the concept of value borne in mind, the closing distance between you and the only partially-visible camp atop the hill allows for you to discern the evident worth of its various components. The grandest tent you could ever have imagined is the most eye-catching, standing atop foundations and particularly resilient against the winds. “Here it is. Our very own base of operations,� Reynard states, as you begin to ascend the hill upon which it stands, a task made more laborious by the presence of the unconscious Chatot in your arms, and the force of the wind that threatens to fling it from you.

When you reach the top, you begin to determine just how wealthy Reynard and his associate are, simply through the evidence presented to you in the form of a glorified campsite. The interconnected tents, each as luxurious as the next upon elevated foundations, accessed via small staircases, form a horseshoe arrangement that significantly averts the wind-flow. As you walk within the base, the wind seems to falter entirely, leaving your face stinging and your ears ringing from the short journey towards it. The miniature field that the tent formation encloses is presently vacant. Directly ahead as you enter is a tent that appears reinforced by a steel frame that suggests a prison-like nature. Perhaps, you think, this is where Keeley is currently incarcerated.

Silently, Reynard turns to ascend the second set of stairs to your left that leads to a cream tent that towers like a house above each of you. He partially unzips the tent’s entrance, and you follow, pushing through the gap in the resilient fabric.

The first thing you encounter is your backpack, crammed full with every possession you had confiscated. It sits just a few feet away, propped against a marble bust upon a black podium. Glancing around, you see that gracing the oaken-floored, unruffled tent is a vast array of antiquities and valuables, all neatly positioned and arranged in a way that prompts the impression that you have just entered Reynard’s house, let alone his campsite. Two leather sofas are situated beside a marble fireplace, a piece of abstract art mounted on the steel chimney chute. Almost as though returning from a hard day at work, Reynard proceeds towards the sofas, grasps a firelighter from the ground beside the fireplace and ignites the coals, before seating himself and gazing at the fire. Behind you, his Manectric sits majestically at the tent’s entrance, glaring almost soullessly into the newborn flames.

With the Chatot in your arms still unconscious, but twitching more frequently, you stand, uncertain the action with which to proceed. As if expectantly, Reynard turns to you, and gestures the bag with the hand that still hold his rifle, before propping it against the sofa’s armrest carefully and turning back to the fire. “By all means, Zak. Go ahead and take your possessions. You will find it all there. I only ask that you proceed with one of two actions…claim your possessions, leave this campsite, and never trouble yourself with contemplations this mess of a situation again. Leave the bird, however. Alternatively, you can join me, ask me what you will, and let it all out. What you intend to do, how you currently view this scenario - and to the best of my ability, I shall provide you with answers. Following this, we shall begin a test of your loyalty. It would be wise to choose whichever side you will from this point.� He rubs his chin as he takes a deep breath, “You know my recommendation. How about this - aid us, and I will let you keep that bird. It will be your signature, your very identity as a…member within our little club. Before you make your decision, discard all notions of right and wrong, good and bad. No such simplicity graces this scenario. There is only choice. What do you say?�

[Sounds great to me, as with the rest of the updates, this one is splendid]

With Reynard seemingly not caring about the risk the tranquilizing of the exotic bird could have caused, Zak dropped his protest. The parrot was twitching every now and again, which made the boy's worries disappear, it was obvious that the creature was rather safe for the time being. The man explains that, in exchange for both his companions and kit, he will have to speak with his associate. Presuming the man Reynard spoke of was the person who's conversation had been relayed by the now-unconcious Chatot, Zak nodded silently, it was nothing in comparison to what he had already gone through and the prospect of his team returning to him made his heart skip a beat. Refusing to speak of the now captured Keeley, an answer the boy had come to expect, the two began onwards to the base camp, Manectric trailing behind them.

As the duo wandered through the forest together once more, this time with Zak's vision intact, the boy could not take his eyes off of the sleeping Chatot within his hooded jacket. He had encountered them in the past, but never in such proximity for such an amount of time, he was taking in every single feather, stroking the bird's note-shaped head every few minutes. It was not until the two arrived near to the Rainbow Falls that Zak actually realized how close they were, having mainly focused on the bird and not the surroundings. The woods were becoming better lit due to the fact the trees were thinning out and the sound of the waterfall crashing down on the rocks below. Coming out into the open, Reynard's grip on the tranquilizer gun returns, obviously due to the chance that people could be nearby. With the open ground before them, the wind picks up, blowing quite the gale.

"I've been so used to the forest, no wind at all..." Zak murmured, attempting to make some form of conversation as he hugged the bird to himself, trying to gain a little more warmth from its tiny form. Beginning to hike, it is not too long before what the boy can only guess as being Reynard's base camp comes into view, "Here it is. Our very own base of operations." With his words, Zak gasped, for a camp, it looked like royalty occupied the area, each tent looked rather magnificent atop wooden stilts, tiny staircases leading up to the flapping entrances. Faltering slightly, Zak let Reynard lead the way slightly. With no wind within the camp, the boy notices his ears ringing, it had been more powerful than he expected. Directly ahead of the two was what looked like a tent with a reinforced steel frame, a location he assumed was now Keeley's home.

As the man veered off towards a staircase to the left, Zak speeded up, catching up to him once more. After ascending the stairs and passing through the tent flap, the real extent to Reynard and his accomplice's wealth became apparent, the whole place littered with all manner of trinkets and artifacts. Behind the two, Manectric sat down as if it was guarding the tent's entrance. At the back of the tent is two huge leather sofas adjacent to an unlit fireplace. Not wasting any time, the man paces over to the fire, reaching downwards for a firelighter before bringing the flames to life. It was the first time in quite a while that Zak had actually felt comfortable in an environment, a little peculiar regarding the current situation. As he too followed the man across the room, the boy noticed his backpack propped up against a podium upon which a bust was located.

"By all means, Zak. Go ahead and take your possessions. You will find it all there. I only ask that you proceed with one of two actions…claim your possessions, leave this campsite, and never trouble yourself with contemplations this mess of a situation again. Leave the bird, however. Alternatively, you can join me, ask me what you will, and let it all out. What you intend to do, how you currently view this scenario - and to the best of my ability, I shall provide you with answers. Following this, we shall begin a test of your loyalty. It would be wise to choose whichever side you will from this point." Zak hung on every single word that Reynard spoke, absorbing everything and nodding every few seconds. He could take back his possessions and leave, but that meant leaving behind the Chatot he had kept with him thus far. A decision formed in his mind right away, after all, the only reason he had wanted to get away from the situation is because he lacked his usual commodities, "You know my recommendation. How about this - aid us, and I will let you keep that bird. It will be your signature, your very identity as a…member within our little club. Before you make your decision, discard all notions of right and wrong, good and bad. No such simplicity graces this scenario. There is only choice. What do you say?"

The boy, despite having his answer for the manner, had other things on his mind at present. Pacing quickly over to the familiar backpack within which all of his items were located and, in the side pockets, each and every one of his pokémon in their respective pokéballs. With a quick rummage, the boy produced two specific pokéballs, releasing their contents with a quick 'click' of the activation button. In a flash of a crimson hue and a matter of a second, his Gible and Ralts appeared before him once more. With a stifled half cry, half laugh, Zak placed the Chatot alongside him on the floor and motioned for them to come close as he hugged them both tight, Esteban biting down on his shoulder blade in an affectionate manner, "I'm so glad you're both safe. I haven't been able to get you out of my mind..." With a heartfelt reunion over, the boy bidded the pair farewell for now as he returned them back to their balls, lifting the Chatot into his arms once more.

"I will agree to help you, I have my companions back now and the prospect of teaming up with this Chatot, once she is concious, is wonderful. I only ask that you treat me as an equal to an extent, I may be much younger but I'm not a child. No imprisoning, no blindfolds, no more taking of my things, I wanna potentially build myself up to working alongside you, as an apprentice of sorts..." Zak began, clutching the bird close to his chest, "...I just refuse to harm anyone or anything, without good reasoning. If something poses quite the threat to me, I will react, if something poses no threat, I will negotiate with words alone." With his thoughts on the matter on the table, it was just a matter of awaiting Reynard's reply. As the boy waited, he began to rummage in his backpack, he knew he had a spare pokéball somewhere...

[Raves]

Originally Posted by Tale

Delibird Ridge: The Caverns

Fishyfool: With a bracing breath, you each leap from the Onix’s slowly progressing head, moments before its entrance into the tunnel where it seemingly resides. Your feet now stand firmly on solid ground, and the sensation you typically take for granted is this time noted with enhanced appreciation following your descent into the chasm. With Volcape’s flame illuminating your path, you favour exploration over pursuit, and begin to attempt to locate a new path through which your journey can hopefully progress.

The stalagmites in this cavern forebodingly loom over each of you, their shadows stretching tendrils of darkness that threaten to drag you into an inescapable labyrinth of rock and shade that not even the shafts of light that twinkle like distant stars in a pitch black night sky can scarcely illuminate. So encroaching is the darkness that Volcape’s flame barely envelopes a meter’s depth, and from it scurry a vast array of miniature creatures, fearful of a luminosity to which they are unaccustomed. You stretch a section of the chasm that is unfathomable in the darkness, all the while sticking as close as possible to the wall through which the Onix had tunnelled, in the hopes of locating an indiscriminate passage. Your search is to little avail for what seems to be an eternity.

Then your heart leaps at a nearby sound that you cannot immediately distinguish. Something distinctly unnatural that seems displaced, even in this cavern. It resembles a hiss, sporadically interjected by a disjointed and distorted human voice - which to you seems peculiarly familiar. For its lack of use, you find it no surprise that the unfamiliar sound originates from the radio in your possession, the waves almost ineffective due to the depth in which you have been plunged. Nonetheless, Ryan’s voice can be heard to a point that is barely distinguishable. “You…there, it-…be-…while…ca-…you…’ear…m-…� as you strain to interpret the incoherent speech, the radio pressed firmly to your ear, your arm is softly tugged by one of your companions. After a few seconds they seize your attention and indicate an odd image that stands in the distance darkness. Two distant dots twinkle in the sea of black, like parallel gems lodged into an indistinguishable rock. In their isolated stillness, you get an unnerving sense that they are like eyes glaring at you from afar, from within the darkness to which they are habituated, at a sight so unnatural it grasps their full attention.

Then, as though it were an illusion, they disappear. You squint, attempting to discern them once more, slightly excited about the possible discovery of rare jewels. Then they appear once more, but they have shifted, and now sit much closer to where you stand in your Infernape’s firelight. For a few lingering minutes they stare at you, two twinkling lights in a pitch black ocean, and then they move once more, but at a much swifter pace. Judging from their proximity to you, they are just beside the same wall that you attempt to follow, only a little further down. As you continue to watch, and edge ever closer to the oddity, you begin to discern a small figure to which the twinkling gems seem attached. However, almost as soon as this figure is distinguished, it darts from your light - into a hole in the wall. It seems that whatever it is has found a passage.

What will you do?

Taking a deep breath, Jamie leapt from the Onix's head, landing somewhat carelessly on the ground considering that he almost did so from a few dozen feet higher in a position unsuited for landing from any height as Volcape and Wraith followed suit, landing much more gracefully as Jamie rose, his legs trembling slightly from the blasting their ride gave him. Loking around the darkened room, he thanked the gods that the flame emanating from the fire monkey gave him some light, although even then the vision was a meagre metre, and after a while Jamie began to feel as though he should have followed the Onix at a distance.

That was, until a sudden hiss and disjointed voice made him jump before he realised what it was as he lifted the seemingly useless radio, astounded to see it still active after being given an acoustic thrashing as he shoved the receiver to his ear, trying to distinguish what Ryan was saying. In spite of the static, he could make out vaguely what the ranger was saying, and noting that it had been a while, he was about to reply when the Marshtomp tugged at his arm, pointing him towards a pair of glinting objects. Watching carefully, the trainer slowly approached them as they shifted around the place until he noted the strange figure the gems seemed attached to, dashing his thoughts of rare gems as the thing disappeared. Without much contemplation, Jamie identified the gems as those belonging to the Darkness pokemon, Sableye, due to the movement and seemingly timid nature of the creature. Remembering the radio, still compressed against his head, he then attempted communication with the ranger.

"I can hear you, but only just. I've found a larger cave that I made my way down with some external help," Jamie called into the device clearly, omitting the point that said external help tried to kill him earlier, before continuing. "Right now I'm searching the area, though it seems the place is rather deserted. I've had a bit of resistance from a couple of wild pokemon, but nothing I couldn't handle, and am about to head down this passage I found."

Holding the radio near him, Jamie nodded to his pokemon before heading for the passage the Sableye seemingly entered, hoping that the pokemon, known as a ghost type, hadn't simply phased through the rock, as well as hoping that the crappy reception the radio had got his message through to the ranger...

[Stark]

Originally Posted by Tale

The Rainbow Falls

Stark: For the slightest of moments, an expression more contemplative than you could have ever imagined your brutish oppressor to have pulled flashes across his face following your outcry against his rash and unthinking accusations. However, as soon as you conclude to retaliate, his expression swiftly reverts to its habitual sneer.

“This guy is a dick,� Redgrave states, plucking his own Pokeball from within his jacket pocket and expanding it in his hand, “I remember him from the riot back there - started it all off.� With that, he throws the Pokeball to the floor, unleashing a beast that surprisingly bears more resemblance to a tank than King - a towering Rhyperior. You glance at Redgrave, his seeming ability to train the most fearsome of beasts placing a sense of security in your heart. Treecko, in the meantime, sacrifices no time for thought, and swiftly rushes up to the Exploud, allowing it little time to respond, before colliding - with little to no effect. Seemingly possessing a far greater strength than your Treecko, the porous beast merely gazes down at the small bipedal lizard with an amused glare as Treecko seems somewhat taken aback by the futility of his attempt. Then, seemingly out of nowhere - not even an order from its master - the Exploud suddenly barks at Treecko, Astonishing your companion and causing him to recoil from the beast. The Exploud then inhales deeply, turning its head of many orifices to the sky, provoking anxiety in your heart. Redgrave then smacks his Rhyperior’s back, “Grim, Rock Blast.� In strict obedience to his masters calling, Grim the Rhyperior almost mechanically lifts his hefty left arm to aim at the inhaling Exploud, and within a split second, a pulse-emitting boom follows the flight of a jagged rock that cracks the target directly on the roof of its cavernous maw.

“Boom!� Redgrave yells zealously with the direct hit. The Exploud stumbles, and Treecko, yet unwilling to submit, hoists the beast from the ground with an unnatural Strength, bending its lean knees before yelling as it throws the comparatively hulking beast five feet into the air. In keeping with your tactics, Treecko wearily leaps within a second of his endeavour with impressive height, and upon his descent twirls mid-air to bring his stiffened tail down in a damaging Pound, that augments the harm of the Exploud’s already hefty tumble. As it collides with the ground, an almost musical expulsion of wind causing the grass surrounding it to shiver, Treecko lands with deftness upon its stomach, before leaping back towards you as Grim enhances the damage with a second rocky projectile to the Exploud’s head.

“Damn it! Up, Mastiff, up! Bellow so loud the cliff begins to crumble at their feet!� Your bearded adversary then turns to you, “You expect me to believe the fire-starter!? You weren’t present when the swarm emerged, yet here you are now, with every one of the beasts in your own villainous possession! I cannot stand by and watch the only possible culprit for miles escape without apprehending the villain!�

What will you do?

Once more Stark found himself wondering if not bringing some of his more powerful pokemon was a mistake. Fortunately, Redgrave hadn't made the same choice. Then again, he was starting to feel somewhat like a damsel in distress the way Redgrave kept saving him. It was not a position he cared for. Not that he wasn't grateful for the other trainer's help. On the contrary, he just wished he was a little more helpful to the other trainer.

The exploud was stronger than he had first anticipated. No matter how much he may have wished to take the opponent down with Treecko, he understood that such a feat would be impossible. However, with the power of Grim and Redgrave on his side they might just be able to stop the loud pokemon before they lost anymore footing. Literally. So far they had worked well together as a team. Now they needed to take it to the next level.

"Treecko and I aren't strong enough to take that thing down, but you and Grim are," Stark said to the other trainer, "We'll try to distract 'em while you guys finish him off. We'll have to hit them hard and fast. Unless you like base jumping without a parachute."

Stark took a quick look behind him at the edge of the cliff. There was far less space than he felt comfortable with and his heart began to beat a little harder. He'd fallen off ledges in his dreams and didn't like it. The thing with the dreams was that he always woke up before he hit bottom. If he fell here and now, there would be no waking up. Not from this height anyway.

"Treecko! Leer at it to draw it's attention to you. Wait a moment for Grim to hit it with something then follow up the attack with a Dragonbreath," Stark called out to his green reptilian partner, "Finally, send a Magical Leaf at it."

[Tale]

Cor blimey, adventures are getting good now.

The Rainbow Waterfalls

Pearl's Perap: In the orange radiance of the warm firelight, you can see Reynard’s lips curl into a slight smile at your response, though his gaze is directed not at you, but directly into the fire. For a moment, all but the noise of the snapping consumption of the firewood is silent. Then, almost as if on cue, the Chatot makes her first sound since losing consciousness. It is not the voice of a human, but somewhat strained innate squawk, as she sluggishly attempts to redeem her footing. “Oh yes,� Reynard says softly, as though disregarding your compromise altogether in opting not to respond, “these tranquilisers…� he picks the gun from the sofa, and surveys it with an admiring gaze, “they actually cause complete memory loss…amnesia, you see. I’m terribly sorry about that, Zak. I’d be surprised if that little parrot even remembers how to fly.� Truly, Reynard’s words are agitating. Sure enough, as you watch the Chatot become accustomed to its surroundings, it is as if she is a newborn, struggling even to sustain an upright stature. “I am glad you have made the right decision, Zak,� Reynard continues, placing the gun in its original position, and looking up at you with an expression emulating the warmth that fills the tent, “and as promised, the bird is yours. Though I fear she’ll not likely remember you,� as he tells you this, she gazes up at you, her large beak filling her face with its proximity to your eyes, a pearlescent shimmer across its surface. She then releases a squawk directly at your face, before taking a graceless leap from your arms and onto the floor, landing with a futile flutter onto her stomach. She wastes not a moment, however, in regaining her footing and teetering along the wooden floor, the odd squawk emitting from her beak. As she seemingly attempts to ascertain an exit in a cyclical fashion, her wayward path tailed by the indifferent eyes of the guarding Manectric, your fingers grasp the Pokeball for which you were rummaging.

“Now, Zak,� Reynard says warningly, “let us see what use we can make out of this. I’m sure the bird will proffer little resistance. If you are to become my…apprentice…then let us ascertain your willingness to respond to my instruction. This is your initiation - wear the parrot down, cause it to faint, and I shall accept that you are willing to cooperate. Then, you shall reap the benefits of our operation. You shall discover the secret Keeley retains. Go on,� he urges, turning to survey how you will proceed, “I want to watch you battle. Oh, and please wary of the uh…valuables.�

What will you do?


Stark: Never devoid of a swift tactic, you proffer a method through which the vicious Mastiff can be swiftly dispatched, without causing further risk to your already daunting situation. “Nice idea, buddy,� Redgrave responds, tugging at his leather jacket bracingly. You call to Treecko to begin his distraction, just as Mastiff regains his footing and inhales through every hole on his body. Before your lizard can grasp his attention, however, he bellows. Your hands instinctively clamp shut your ears as you painstakingly struggle to sustain your footing. Inches behind your feet, you feel the cliff edge crumble from the force of the tremors it provokes. For a split second, you glance at Redgrave - just as his hand stretches out helplessly in an attempt to regain his balance. He cannot endure the force, however, and he stumbles backwards, stepping directly into thin air.

You do not take time to endure the bellow any longer, and spinning around clasp Redgrave’s outstretched hand before the cliff edge claims his life. Your every sense suffocated by the noise, you instinctively heave Redgrave towards you, causing him to topple forwards and onto the ground. Mastiff’s voice then fades, and you are left gasping for breath. With Redgrave now safe, you turn to your Treecko, who clambers to his own feet, before leaping valiantly towards Mastiff and leering tauntingly into his blood-red eyes. The bearded guard has seemingly suffered the worst extent of his companions bellow, as he now struggles to his feet as he massages his temples injuriously. Treecko’s distraction is an immediate success, and as the Exploud turns to respond, he is struck dangerously in the side of his head, forced to balance himself with his arm as he stumbles to the side as a result. As ordered, Treecko releases a subsequent Dragonbreath - directly into Matiff’s widened eyes. He roars in pain, and swipes at Treecko with an open hand, but misses by miles.

“Geez, thanks buddy. You literally just saved my God damn life. Right, let’s finish this thing - Grim, Take Down,� as the giant tank of a rhino releases a bracing exhale, Treecko follows up with a flurry of sparkling leaves that tear at Mastiff’s skin with little effort. He stumbles backwards, and the guard yells something at him in an attempt to retaliate. But then something catches your eye. With all the distraction, you had not until this point noticed the approach of a fourth human presence, progressing with impressive speed atop a charging bull. You yell out at Treecko to move with the impending danger, but it is not your lizard that is endangered. As the Tauros closes in, its rider, indistinguishable behind your opponents, leaps from its back and stands directly behind the guard. The Tauros averts its path, and you can only watch as your unsuspecting opponent is suddenly frozen with shock.

You struggle to ascertain why he does not react, but simply stands with a wide-eyed expression. The reason then reveals itself, as he is hauled from the ground, the two barbed and hulking pincers of a bipedal bug lodged deep within his back, before he is thrown meters from where you stand, completely immobile, completely lifeless. The blood drips from the glowering Pinsir’s weapons, and you are now stood face-to face with a man, bedraggled brown hair thrown from his face, with a crossbow directed straight towards you. Grim, barely weary of anything let alone a mere crossbow, continues with his attack - colliding damagingly with Mastiff, who topples helplessly to the ground without the energy to regain composure. Level Up for Treecko.

“Call it off!� The stranger calls, his gruff voice somewhat in keeping with his unkempt appearance. Redgrave, seemingly petrified by the crossbow, scrambles for his Pokeball and withdraws Grim in an instant. The stranger then turns to you. “Call yours. Put your hands up.�

What will you do?


Delibird Ridge: Sableye's Den

Fishyfool: As you convey the details of your current whereabouts over barely-functional radio, the reply is almost instant - though barely distinguishable. “Make…you…kee-…-ontact…�. As you attempt to discern the bearer of the dual jewels, your basic knowledge tends to the traits of a typical Sabeleye, which best explains the apparent mobility of the jewels as the eyes of the timid cave-dweller. You turn to Volcape and Wraith, exchanging nods before attempting to tail the creature, praying that it had indeed ventured into a passage, and not simply through the stony wall. You keep as close to the wall as possible as you approach, and as the progressive incline leads eventually to a small crevice in the wall, through which the cave-dweller must have entered, you feel the welcome flow of relief. Currently, by what you can ascertain through the shimmer of Volcape’s firelight, you cannot distinguish the elusive creature’s whereabouts - concluding that the crevice must continue to substantial depths. With little else to return to, you decide to enter, sidling your way through the tight passage with Wraith and Volcape close behind. The darkness ahead is foreboding, and as a short but reverberating shriek echoes from the unknown, you instinctively pause out of fear. Your presence apparently startles the beast, and your closing proximity is far from welcomed. Faintly, you can feel the rumble of something big cause the walls to shiver - perhaps the Onix engaged in a spot of tunnelling.

Gradually, as you progress under subjection to the sporadic screeches of what you can only induce to be the Sableye you begin to discern just where the crevice leads. The occasional point in the wall and glint of some indistinguishable gem indicate that the crevice is not entirely natural, but a path that leads to something quite exciting. Sure enough, your suspicions are validated by the ever-escalating frequency of glinting within the walls, and the distortion of Volcape’s firelight. As the path begins to widen, you begin to suspect your eyes of betrayal, as a small pocket within the cave is revealed, a spherical bubble that could barely contain fifty Golems, its walls embedding an innumerable quantity of glistening gems of numberless varieties. The sight is almost blinding, and inevitably electrifying. However, your stumble upon the miniature cavern has not gone unnoticed, or welcomed. Glaring at you from far corner, is a now glowering Sableye, its sharpened teeth glistening as it prepares to retaliate to any attack or attempt at mining its food-supply. It is prepared to defend, but not attack.

What will you do?

[Pearl's Perap]

Originally Posted by Tale

Cor blimey, adventures are getting good now.

The Rainbow Waterfalls

Pearl's Perap: In the orange radiance of the warm firelight, you can see Reynard’s lips curl into a slight smile at your response, though his gaze is directed not at you, but directly into the fire. For a moment, all but the noise of the snapping consumption of the firewood is silent. Then, almost as if on cue, the Chatot makes her first sound since losing consciousness. It is not the voice of a human, but somewhat strained innate squawk, as she sluggishly attempts to redeem her footing. “Oh yes,� Reynard says softly, as though disregarding your compromise altogether in opting not to respond, “these tranquilisers…� he picks the gun from the sofa, and surveys it with an admiring gaze, “they actually cause complete memory loss…amnesia, you see. I’m terribly sorry about that, Zak. I’d be surprised if that little parrot even remembers how to fly.� Truly, Reynard’s words are agitating. Sure enough, as you watch the Chatot become accustomed to its surroundings, it is as if she is a newborn, struggling even to sustain an upright stature. “I am glad you have made the right decision, Zak,� Reynard continues, placing the gun in its original position, and looking up at you with an expression emulating the warmth that fills the tent, “and as promised, the bird is yours. Though I fear she’ll not likely remember you,� as he tells you this, she gazes up at you, her large beak filling her face with its proximity to your eyes, a pearlescent shimmer across its surface. She then releases a squawk directly at your face, before taking a graceless leap from your arms and onto the floor, landing with a futile flutter onto her stomach. She wastes not a moment, however, in regaining her footing and teetering along the wooden floor, the odd squawk emitting from her beak. As she seemingly attempts to ascertain an exit in a cyclical fashion, her wayward path tailed by the indifferent eyes of the guarding Manectric, your fingers grasp the Pokeball for which you were rummaging.

“Now, Zak,� Reynard says warningly, “let us see what use we can make out of this. I’m sure the bird will proffer little resistance. If you are to become my…apprentice…then let us ascertain your willingness to respond to my instruction. This is your initiation - wear the parrot down, cause it to faint, and I shall accept that you are willing to cooperate. Then, you shall reap the benefits of our operation. You shall discover the secret Keeley retains. Go on,� he urges, turning to survey how you will proceed, “I want to watch you battle. Oh, and please wary of the uh…valuables.�

What will you do?

As the tiny parrot began to regain herself once more, Reynard explained the extended properties of his chosen tranquilizers. Not only did they act like regular tranquilizers, they also caused a complete memory loss. Sighing, Zak could only look on as the Chatot stumbled around, confused by her surroundings. With a pitiful smile, the boy turned once again to Reynard, the pokéball he was planning to attempt a capture with firmly in his hand, the man began once more, "Now, Zak, let us see what use we can make out of this. I’m sure the bird will proffer little resistance. If you are to become my…apprentice…then let us ascertain your willingness to respond to my instruction. This is your initiation - wear the parrot down, cause it to faint, and I shall accept that you are willing to cooperate. Then, you shall reap the benefits of our operation. You shall discover the secret Keeley retains. Go on." A sense of urgency in his voice, as if he wanted to watch the parrot in distress, "I want to watch you battle. Oh, and please wary of the uh…valuables."

Watching on as the bird began to make her exit, stopped only by the Manectric standing before her, Zak had to make a choice of which pokémon to use. He decided that, since he had already partaken in a battle alongside his Ralts fairly recently, it was Gible's turn. The two had not teamed up before for a battle, so it would be the perfect opportunity to get the land shark some sparring experience. Rustling in his backpack once more, the boy produced a Quick Ball within which the Gible was held before tapping the release button. In a split second, the playful dragon appeared before him once more, snapping his jaws open and shut.

"Hey again, little guy. We are gonna have to battle that Chatot if we want her to join our motley crew. You ready?" With these words, the eyes of the Gible lit up, obviously excited at the prospect of a tussle, "Begin by firing some toxic matter at the bird. Follow that up with Dragon Rage and then grab the Chatot and Seismic Toss her." His attack commands were a little full on, but he had plenty of healing items, if everything went smoothly...

[Tale]

The Rainbow Waterfalls: Reynard's Camp

Pearl's Perap: Reynard smiles as you release Esteban, preparing for a small bout with the bewildered parrot before attempting your capture. He rubs his chin as he surveys how you’ll proceed, as the Chatot begins to Growl defensively at Esteban. Before having even released his first move, Esteban seems somewhat intimidated by the small bird, but braces himself nonetheless, eager to engage with the throes of battle while under your command. As the Chatot begins to toddle away from you and your tiny dragon, Reynard winces as Esteban spews a thick, Toxic substance from his gut, soiling the oaken floor and soaking the parrot so that even moving along the tent is laborious. She Growls again, intent on finding an escape route before she is forced to endure any further beleaguering, however, Esteban is not hesitant in unleashing his next move. He powers up in his powerful little jaws a ball of flames, about the size of a bowling ball, which he launches zealously towards the Chatot, which fails to evade. Once again, she is struck, and lets out a pained caw, thrown as the flame dissipates across the room. Reynard appears yet more apprehensive as Esteban begins to tail the Chatot, who, already significantly damaged, attempts to escape his hold.

As the two small creatures speed their way across the wooden floor, Reynard feels compelled to intercept, “Uh, Zak,� he says, somewhat anxiously, “What happened to the…� Chatot collides into the podium holding the bust as she scuttles past - which topples directly on top of the pursuing Esteban, and causes him to stumble in disorientation, “wariness…� Reynard finishes, as the bust cracks on the wooden floor. As you fear for Esteban’s wellbeing, Chatot musters her bravery as she hopes, wings fluttering madly, towards him with a few threatening caws, before augmenting the damage with a well-placed Peck between his eyes. Your Gible, however, seems barely affected, and he swiftly responds by seizing the wings of the parrot and throwing her somewhat mercilessly to the floor. Manectric growls softly at the seemingly painful experience.

Chatot is significantly battered by the barrage of attacks. “Well, Zak,� Reynard says, “you’re seemingly far more capable of a good thrashing than you first make out. The parrot is on its way out, I’d say,� as he says this, Chatot rises laboriously to her feet, before making another attempt for the tent’s entrance, albeit with far more gracelessness than before. The poison is also taking its toll, it seems, as she squawks weakly from the pain.

What will you do?

[Pearl's Perap]

Originally Posted by Tale

The Rainbow Waterfalls: Reynard's Camp

Pearl's Perap: Reynard smiles as you release Esteban, preparing for a small bout with the bewildered parrot before attempting your capture. He rubs his chin as he surveys how you’ll proceed, as the Chatot begins to Growl defensively at Esteban. Before having even released his first move, Esteban seems somewhat intimidated by the small bird, but braces himself nonetheless, eager to engage with the throes of battle while under your command. As the Chatot begins to toddle away from you and your tiny dragon, Reynard winces as Esteban spews a thick, Toxic substance from his gut, soiling the oaken floor and soaking the parrot so that even moving along the tent is laborious. She Growls again, intent on finding an escape route before she is forced to endure any further beleaguering, however, Esteban is not hesitant in unleashing his next move. He powers up in his powerful little jaws a ball of flames, about the size of a bowling ball, which he launches zealously towards the Chatot, which fails to evade. Once again, she is struck, and lets out a pained caw, thrown as the flame dissipates across the room. Reynard appears yet more apprehensive as Esteban begins to tail the Chatot, who, already significantly damaged, attempts to escape his hold.

As the two small creatures speed their way across the wooden floor, Reynard feels compelled to intercept, “Uh, Zak,” he says, somewhat anxiously, “What happened to the…” Chatot collides into the podium holding the bust as she scuttles past - which topples directly on top of the pursuing Esteban, and causes him to stumble in disorientation, “wariness…” Reynard finishes, as the bust cracks on the wooden floor. As you fear for Esteban’s wellbeing, Chatot musters her bravery as she hopes, wings fluttering madly, towards him with a few threatening caws, before augmenting the damage with a well-placed Peck between his eyes. Your Gible, however, seems barely affected, and he swiftly responds by seizing the wings of the parrot and throwing her somewhat mercilessly to the floor. Manectric growls softly at the seemingly painful experience.

Chatot is significantly battered by the barrage of attacks. “Well, Zak,” Reynard says, “you’re seemingly far more capable of a good thrashing than you first make out. The parrot is on its way out, I’d say,” as he says this, Chatot rises laboriously to her feet, before making another attempt for the tent’s entrance, albeit with far more gracelessness than before. The poison is also taking its toll, it seems, as she squawks weakly from the pain.

What will you do?

It was not long before the Gible had begun his assault, managing to deal some serious damage to the Chatot, much to the pleasure of both Reynard and his Manectric companion. Despite the fact he was well equipped to help heal the bird afterwards, Zak felt a serious amount of guilt. Managing to push it aside, the man behind him acknowledged the fact that the parrot already seemed to be on its last legs. He did not want to deal too much damage this turn, having dealt quite the chunk already, so instead, he changed his plan slightly.

"Esteban, it's time to shine, you know what level you are?" the boy spoke to the dragon, who looked a little confused at first. After several seconds had passed, the dragon's eyes lit up, having realized what Zak meant. With a grin, the boy nodded and, in no time at all, the room became completely bathed in a white light, eminating directly from the Gible. With the light came a change in form for the dragon as he grew taller, his arms and legs both lengthening out. As soon as the pokémon's evolution began, it finished and, stood where the tiny Gible once stood was a rather slender and powerful looking Gabite.

"Great job! Now, with your added power boost, we should be able to use less damaging attacks but with more power behind them. Rollout around to the entrance, stopping the bird from leaving. Arriving before it, I want you to take it down. That should be enough..." As he spoke, his hand slipped into the pocket of his hooded jacket once more, clamping down on the feather ball he had recently acquired, the perfect home for such an avian...

[Raves]

Originally Posted by Tale

Cor blimey, adventures are getting good now.


Delibird Ridge: Sableye's Den

Fishyfool: As you convey the details of your current whereabouts over barely-functional radio, the reply is almost instant - though barely distinguishable. “Make…you…kee-…-ontact…�. As you attempt to discern the bearer of the dual jewels, your basic knowledge tends to the traits of a typical Sabeleye, which best explains the apparent mobility of the jewels as the eyes of the timid cave-dweller. You turn to Volcape and Wraith, exchanging nods before attempting to tail the creature, praying that it had indeed ventured into a passage, and not simply through the stony wall. You keep as close to the wall as possible as you approach, and as the progressive incline leads eventually to a small crevice in the wall, through which the cave-dweller must have entered, you feel the welcome flow of relief. Currently, by what you can ascertain through the shimmer of Volcape’s firelight, you cannot distinguish the elusive creature’s whereabouts - concluding that the crevice must continue to substantial depths. With little else to return to, you decide to enter, sidling your way through the tight passage with Wraith and Volcape close behind. The darkness ahead is foreboding, and as a short but reverberating shriek echoes from the unknown, you instinctively pause out of fear. Your presence apparently startles the beast, and your closing proximity is far from welcomed. Faintly, you can feel the rumble of something big cause the walls to shiver - perhaps the Onix engaged in a spot of tunnelling.

Gradually, as you progress under subjection to the sporadic screeches of what you can only induce to be the Sableye you begin to discern just where the crevice leads. The occasional point in the wall and glint of some indistinguishable gem indicate that the crevice is not entirely natural, but a path that leads to something quite exciting. Sure enough, your suspicions are validated by the ever-escalating frequency of glinting within the walls, and the distortion of Volcape’s firelight. As the path begins to widen, you begin to suspect your eyes of betrayal, as a small pocket within the cave is revealed, a spherical bubble that could barely contain fifty Golems, its walls embedding an innumerable quantity of glistening gems of numberless varieties. The sight is almost blinding, and inevitably electrifying. However, your stumble upon the miniature cavern has not gone unnoticed, or welcomed. Glaring at you from far corner, is a now glowering Sableye, its sharpened teeth glistening as it prepares to retaliate to any attack or attempt at mining its food-supply. It is prepared to defend, but not attack.

What will you do?

Travelling along the wall, Jamie was naturally somewhat relieved to note that the Sableye had indeed travelled through a crevice instead of a wall, and as the three headed through, he questioned how far the tunnel went as he progressed, stopping upon the sudden screech, likely the Sableye trying to intimidate something from proceeding. Taking note, he heard a rumble, possibly the Onix tunneling and prayed that a giantic head never came through the thin passage. Continuing, he noted a few smaller gems, and realised slowly where the tunnels led, with knowledge of what Sableye ate.

His eyes widened quite a bit when he eventually found himself in a fairly large room that seemed to be made of the gems, each one glistening. Were he a thief, he'd likely faint from happiness, but he wasn't, and as he admired the scene, the trainer saw the glare of the owner of said gems, as it bore its teeth for any attempt on it or its food supply. Trying to attack something so wary in a cave of this size would be risky at best, especially if it weren't alone, and so he decided to do the better thing, albeit one which had failed quire consistently in the past.

"Wraith, if it makes an attack, hose him with a water gun," he whispered to his Marshtomp as he turned to the irate gremlin.

"Hey, we're not here to steal your gems, okay? We're just passing through here looking for some poacher, and we mean no harm," Jamie stated in a friendly tone to the creature. "I'm not a greedy guy and don't think I'd get much from these gems anyways, so could we pass through?"

[Treepandaone]

Hi tale *waves*. You've got a huge example to follow, but I know together we'll have an epic adventure. And a thanks for waiting for me :x

Originally Posted by enchantress

Comet's Corner: A flat plateau that overlooks most of the Cloud Gardens. Many people say that during quiet, cloudless nights the skies are lit up in a display of shooting stars, some even say that mystical pokemon have appeared during these star storms.

Carrying his new Backpack, stuffed with all the things he would need on his adventures, Matthew approaches the Comet Corner, standing on the border line of the plateau as the ground itself seems to have passed beyond life, contemplating whether coming here was really a good idea. Matthew shivered a little in excitement, a little tingle going down his spine, drawing his coat around himself even tighter as he looked around at his surroundings. The flat plateau reminded him of a nasty loss to another trainer, although bringing back fond memories from a short while ago. As Matthew glanced around he tilted his head slightly, stretching after a rather uncomfortable first adventure making him contemplate his death and the lives of his own Pokémon in front of the Sun King.

Matthew’s second adventure into the land of Fizzy Bubbles was about to begin, as he felt the excitement well up inside him as he took a large breath in. As per usual, Magby lay strode in his arms, as Matthew looked down upon the fire type as it clearly remembered the battle as well, the all too familiar glint in its eye sparkling with the sky. It had been about half an hour Matthew spent looking at a board upon coming to the directions posts, pondering upon which adventurous section to trek to before reading about the certain places in his Pokédex.

Some even say that mystical pokemon have appeared during these star storms.

Matthew’s spirits lightened up as he remembered the rumours about the corner. This was why he had had a last-minute change of mind instead of visiting the The Fountain Garden. Matthew’s head bounced the ideas of meeting a mythical Pokémon, the pure adrenaline of a once in a lifetime opportunity proving too much for the beginning trainer as he wished to fill his Pokédex with all the Pokémon he could. With his break over, Matthew stood back up from his position and moved on, the feeling on anticipation flowing through his veins, ready for the adventure that lay ahead.

[Stark]

Originally Posted by Tale

Cor blimey, adventures are getting good now.


Stark: Never devoid of a swift tactic, you proffer a method through which the vicious Mastiff can be swiftly dispatched, without causing further risk to your already daunting situation. “Nice idea, buddy,� Redgrave responds, tugging at his leather jacket bracingly. You call to Treecko to begin his distraction, just as Mastiff regains his footing and inhales through every hole on his body. Before your lizard can grasp his attention, however, he bellows. Your hands instinctively clamp shut your ears as you painstakingly struggle to sustain your footing. Inches behind your feet, you feel the cliff edge crumble from the force of the tremors it provokes. For a split second, you glance at Redgrave - just as his hand stretches out helplessly in an attempt to regain his balance. He cannot endure the force, however, and he stumbles backwards, stepping directly into thin air.

You do not take time to endure the bellow any longer, and spinning around clasp Redgrave’s outstretched hand before the cliff edge claims his life. Your every sense suffocated by the noise, you instinctively heave Redgrave towards you, causing him to topple forwards and onto the ground. Mastiff’s voice then fades, and you are left gasping for breath. With Redgrave now safe, you turn to your Treecko, who clambers to his own feet, before leaping valiantly towards Mastiff and leering tauntingly into his blood-red eyes. The bearded guard has seemingly suffered the worst extent of his companions bellow, as he now struggles to his feet as he massages his temples injuriously. Treecko’s distraction is an immediate success, and as the Exploud turns to respond, he is struck dangerously in the side of his head, forced to balance himself with his arm as he stumbles to the side as a result. As ordered, Treecko releases a subsequent Dragonbreath - directly into Matiff’s widened eyes. He roars in pain, and swipes at Treecko with an open hand, but misses by miles.

“Geez, thanks buddy. You literally just saved my God damn life. Right, let’s finish this thing - Grim, Take Down,� as the giant tank of a rhino releases a bracing exhale, Treecko follows up with a flurry of sparkling leaves that tear at Mastiff’s skin with little effort. He stumbles backwards, and the guard yells something at him in an attempt to retaliate. But then something catches your eye. With all the distraction, you had not until this point noticed the approach of a fourth human presence, progressing with impressive speed atop a charging bull. You yell out at Treecko to move with the impending danger, but it is not your lizard that is endangered. As the Tauros closes in, its rider, indistinguishable behind your opponents, leaps from its back and stands directly behind the guard. The Tauros averts its path, and you can only watch as your unsuspecting opponent is suddenly frozen with shock.

You struggle to ascertain why he does not react, but simply stands with a wide-eyed expression. The reason then reveals itself, as he is hauled from the ground, the two barbed and hulking pincers of a bipedal bug lodged deep within his back, before he is thrown meters from where you stand, completely immobile, completely lifeless. The blood drips from the glowering Pinsir’s weapons, and you are now stood face-to face with a man, bedraggled brown hair thrown from his face, with a crossbow directed straight towards you. Grim, barely weary of anything let alone a mere crossbow, continues with his attack - colliding damagingly with Mastiff, who topples helplessly to the ground without the energy to regain composure. Level Up for Treecko.

“Call it off!� The stranger calls, his gruff voice somewhat in keeping with his unkempt appearance. Redgrave, seemingly petrified by the crossbow, scrambles for his Pokeball and withdraws Grim in an instant. The stranger then turns to you. “Call yours. Put your hands up.�

What will you do?

OOC: Think I'm going to take this opportunity to evolve Treecko and see what happens.

Victory! Well short lived victory. The brutal entrance of a crossbow wielding potential maniac seemed to steal any joy out of the success that could have been found. For some reason the old cliche about out of the frying pan and into the fire seemed appropriate at the time. Granted he wanted to defeat the bearded man and teach him a lesson, but killing him seemed a little overboard. Whoever the newcomer was, he didn't seem to be afraid to kill without resentment. With no moral barometer, this guy had already shown that he was not one to be taken lightly. The fact that Redgrave seemed frightened didn't exactly give him a lot of confidence about getting out of their current predicament. Having a crossbow aimed at him didn't exactly help either.

Reaching down Stark pulled a pokeball from his belt and expanded it. Reaching out he aimed toward Treecko when suddenly the small lizard became engulfed in a bright light. Stark's eyes went wide. While it was amazing to watch, the thought that he might have a crossbolt in his chest before the light show ended was not far from the front of his mind. Of all the times his little lizard had choose to evolve, he had to wonder why now. That's when it occurred to him. The battle with the exploud. Redgrave nearly falling off the ledge. Had Treecko been stronger he could have protected them better. That's what his partner had to be thinking. And while the sentiment was sincere and just, Stark couldn't afford to put them all in more danger. Not when they were lacking the proverbial high ground. The light subsided and where once stood a tiny green reptile, now a larger creature with long green leaves stood ready to fight for his trainer. Stark's lips curled into a half-cocked smile. Unfortunately, as much as he wanted to see what his partner could do, he had to remain smart.

"Tree... I mean Grovyle return. Sorry pal, but now's not the time," he said as a light shot forth from the pokeball in his hand and engulfed Grovyle. Stark stared at the ball for a second dropping his hand down to his side while keeping the ball in it. Raising his head, he looked at the man on the Taurus, "Who are you? And why did you kill that man? Sure he was unlikable, but he didn't deserve to die."

[Tale]

Welcome Treepanda! I'm very glad to have you aboard, and should everything run smoothly, we'll have your adventure up and running in no time. Remember, if there's any qualm or query, to simply contact me and I'll happily take on board your every comment, because I like being talked to. If you put in the effort, you'll be greatly rewarded =). I hope you enjoy yourself above all else!

The Rainbow Waterfalls

Pearl's Perap: “Ah, Zak, such flair! Never do you cease to impress,” Reynard comments upon Esteban’s sudden evolution into the impressive dragon that now stands almost at your own height, staring eagerly at the Chatot that speeds towards the immobile Manectric, that views Esteban with an indifferent glare. Momentarily admiring his own transformation, Esteban swiftly continues, lunging a small distance across the tent before intercepting the parrot’s escape with a deft and angled roll. Yet to have realised the materialisation of the new Esteban, the Chatot squawks in terror and instinctively turns tail - heading directly towards you.

“Spark, Esmond.” You whirl around as Reynard speaks to his Manectric, and bewilderedly turn to witness the Manectric’s unquestioningly swift execution of his orders as flashing Spark of electricity is sent directly from his maw to Esteban’s exposed rump. “Well, Zak, you’re at an unfair advantage! We should pass the time with a little more spice.” Esteban, shocked, swivels on the spot and glowers at the autonomous canine, growling threateningly before sensibly concluding to carry out your orders entirely and running for the fleeing parrot that scurries to the best of its weakened ability across the floor. “Spark, Esmond! Spark, Esmond!” She calls, mimicking Reynard almost identically as she attempts to escape, unintentionally stirring Esmond the Manectric into the offensive, as he obediently fires two more Sparks towards Esteban, who winces in shock and pain from the double zap.

For the first time, Reynard bursts into laughter. Esteban, continually attempting to Take Down the fleeing bird, is incessantly interrupted by Esmond’s obedient execution of the orders that Chatot is repeatedly squawking in the voice of Reynard, while futilely darting in all directions across the floor. Esteban, increasingly frustrated by the painful distraction, turns around to roar at Esmond, who Growls viciously back, scowling at the dragon with intensity. “Take it down!” Chatot cries, now emulating your own voice as it hops past, meekly fluttering its wings in a fruitless attempt at acquiring altitude, and Esteban wastes no time in interpreting the orders he believes to be your own in completely the wrong manner. He lunges for Esmond, tackling the charged dog with vicious vigour to the ground, enduring recoil as his own head crashes to the floor alongside Esmond.

Having successfully shifted the guarding canine, Chatot spies within seconds the glint of daylight that filters through the small gap in the tent’s entrance, and makes a break for it - though in her current state, at a rather laborious pace.

What will you do?


Stark: Following Treecko’s inspired evolution, you cannot suppress a sense of appreciation for the hardy lizard’s efforts within a battle where the odds were significantly stacked against his limber stature. However, the pressing matter of a poised crossbow goads your every motion, and it is with swift caution that you recall Groovyle, unwilling to flout the command of a man seemingly unperturbed by prompting an inglorious death. Glancing at the ball containing your loyal companion, which you now drop to your side, a bewildered fury pricks your thoughts and you turn your sights to the unkempt murderer, whose crossbow sustains its position. You speak to him, requesting his identity and insisting the guard did not deserve death. “Not now, Stark…” Redgrave mutters anxiously from the side of his mouth, hands up by his head in complete surrender.

The man, however, snorts with amusement, “Why? Death is not something to be deserved, it just happens. That is nature - the predator hunts, the prey is killed. There is no difference here,” you are tempted to protest, but he continues, “that man was a blight upon this beautiful earth. Him and his kind. You, I fear, are not his kind - are you?”

“No! Not us! We’re trainers, buddy, honest trainers!” Redgrave blurts, seemingly in a greater state of panic than yourself. The killer grunts sceptically, before prompting his Pinsir into action with a swift jerk of his head. His partner responds immediately, and walks over to the limp carcass of the man who’d moments ago wanted you dead. A few minutes pass as the man wordlessly continues to point his weapon towards you. The Pinsir then approaches its master, with a pouch clutched firmly in its claws. Without breaking his gaze, the crossbowman takes the pouch from his Pinsir and pockets it.

“My name is Tane. Looks like you two have found yourselves smack in the centre of a giant mess. You either follow me, or get out of here as soon as possible.” He lowers his crossbow, and gives you both a grave glance, before turning and walking away. Redgrave turns to you, bewildered.

What will you do?


Delibird Ridge: Sableye's Den

Fishyfool: Ever the diplomat, you issue precautionary orders to Wraith, and attempt to negotiate with the protective imp, assuring it of your decency and lack of ill desire. Alternatively, you request from it unhindered passage through its den, to which it responds with a tilt of its head, seemingly bewildered as to why you’ve yet to attack it. In your attempt to communicate with the cave-dweller, you reiterate your request, but with greater emphasis on the important words. Evidently, the Sableye this time comprehends your intention, and its shady skin is suddenly swathed in a thin crescent of glowing white as it bares its pointed teeth for an approving grin. Suddenly, it leaps onto the wall behind it, and begins to effortlessly yet rather eerily scale the cavern’s spherical shape, clambering across the ceiling with a deftness that resembles an arachnid. You watch it closely and cautiously, lest it lash out unpredictably - which you’ve found these cave-dwellers to be particularly fond of doing thus far.

As it approaches you, occasionally turning to glance down with its shimmering eyes with perhaps the same tentativeness with which you’ve armed yourself, it chatters its teeth somewhat excitedly. At your side, Wraith braces himself for a swift retaliation, but no such instance occurs in which he has the need. The dark imp reaches you, and drops nimbly from the ceiling, before scurrying up to you with apprehension. You make no motion to suggest hostility, and allow it to approach, until its glittering eyes are gazing directly up at you. With its sharp claws, it begins to search your body, scraping its hands along the cloth of your attire, picking the odd item from your pockets and thriftily surveying them before placing them back untidily in their respective positions.

Then its shadowy hands reach your radio. Flipping around as it has done with every other item, it brings the device to its ear - hissing excitedly along with the static it perceives. It gives a little hop, and gazes up at you with its glowing smile signifying its boundless enthusiasm. It gestures the radio and possessively presses it against its body as though signifying its desire to keep it.

What will you do?


Comet's Corner

Treepandaone: The sunset washes the sweeping plateau with a warm and entrancing orange tint as the looming twilight tails your path with Hellion held safely in your arms. The plateau prompts a nostalgia to which you react with both fondness and apprehension, amalgamating to further your anticipation of the location that, in the rumours you’ve ascertained, foreshadow the encounter of mystical beasts that will likely enrapture one so enthusiastic. The sunlit plains stretch for miles that the horizon cannot reveal, and your sense of exposure and overwhelming freedom is somewhat surreal but invigorating. Anticipating the sheet of nightfall that steadily creeps across the painted sky, you wonder if an evening so picturesque denotes the tranquillity and clarity of a night that promises the display of the plateau’s illustrious storm of shooting stars.

For a while, you consider setting yourself down upon one of the occasional landscape embellishments that litter your path - the odd jutting rock formation, or three-tree copse, and awaiting the cover of darkness to attempt to witness for yourself the dazzling spectacle that had initially lured you to the area - but without the need for respite, you see little point in waiting it out. Not a single creature has yet to grace your sight - although after a while, during which the final few inches of the sunset slowly descend into the horizon, your eye is caught by movement. So large is the crowd and commotion that has occurred around a thousand yards in the distance, you wonder how your eyes were not drawn until this moment. You can distinguish what seems to be a procession of a large crowd of people, accompanied by varying species of beasts and three clattering carriages pulled, as expected, by equine figures. As you approach the somewhat sluggish group of travellers, you can distinguish the jovial tone that surrounds them and the melodies of singsong joined sporadically by various voices and led by a few of the most powerful of these. You draw ever-closer, curious as to the nature of this precession, and couple of verses of their song reaches your ears clearly across the tranquil expanse across which you all travel in the same direction. Their buoyant voices are accompanied by acoustic instruments of seemingly all varieties, engendering a sense of wellbeing and joyousness that you cannot help but smile to.

Come along, my little gypsy girl,
Come along, my little dear;
Come along, my little gypsy girl -
We'll wander far and near!

"I should get a leathering
Should I with thee go;
I should get a leathering
From my dear aunt, I trow."

As you absentmindedly tail the cheery procession, enjoying their music all the while, you notice a couple of figures tailing and lingering behind - one hunched and seemingly encumbered, the other equally as encumbered but seeming to urge the other along. Moments later, and you see the hunched figure collapse, dropping their weighty burden to the ground in front of them. So far had they lingered, that the rest of the group is seemingly oblivious to their absence, and each person, bar the collapsed figure’s companion, continue without aiding.

What will you do?

[Pearl's Perap]

Originally Posted by Tale

The Rainbow Waterfalls

Pearl's Perap: “Ah, Zak, such flair! Never do you cease to impress,” Reynard comments upon Esteban’s sudden evolution into the impressive dragon that now stands almost at your own height, staring eagerly at the Chatot that speeds towards the immobile Manectric, that views Esteban with an indifferent glare. Momentarily admiring his own transformation, Esteban swiftly continues, lunging a small distance across the tent before intercepting the parrot’s escape with a deft and angled roll. Yet to have realised the materialisation of the new Esteban, the Chatot squawks in terror and instinctively turns tail - heading directly towards you.

“Spark, Esmond.” You whirl around as Reynard speaks to his Manectric, and bewilderedly turn to witness the Manectric’s unquestioningly swift execution of his orders as flashing Spark of electricity is sent directly from his maw to Esteban’s exposed rump. “Well, Zak, you’re at an unfair advantage! We should pass the time with a little more spice.” Esteban, shocked, swivels on the spot and glowers at the autonomous canine, growling threateningly before sensibly concluding to carry out your orders entirely and running for the fleeing parrot that scurries to the best of its weakened ability across the floor. “Spark, Esmond! Spark, Esmond!” She calls, mimicking Reynard almost identically as she attempts to escape, unintentionally stirring Esmond the Manectric into the offensive, as he obediently fires two more Sparks towards Esteban, who winces in shock and pain from the double zap.

For the first time, Reynard bursts into laughter. Esteban, continually attempting to Take Down the fleeing bird, is incessantly interrupted by Esmond’s obedient execution of the orders that Chatot is repeatedly squawking in the voice of Reynard, while futilely darting in all directions across the floor. Esteban, increasingly frustrated by the painful distraction, turns around to roar at Esmond, who Growls viciously back, scowling at the dragon with intensity. “Take it down!” Chatot cries, now emulating your own voice as it hops past, meekly fluttering its wings in a fruitless attempt at acquiring altitude, and Esteban wastes no time in interpreting the orders he believes to be your own in completely the wrong manner. He lunges for Esmond, tackling the charged dog with vicious vigour to the ground, enduring recoil as his own head crashes to the floor alongside Esmond.

Having successfully shifted the guarding canine, Chatot spies within seconds the glint of daylight that filters through the small gap in the tent’s entrance, and makes a break for it - though in her current state, at a rather laborious pace.

What will you do?

[Just thought I would highlight the fact that Esteban is Dragon/Ground, if the electricity is damaging him, that is o;]

With the previous rounds orders ending up in complete and utter chaos, Zak winced. Upon evolution, his newly acquired Gabite attempted a rollout attack. Failing to hit the foe, the rather battered looking parrot turned tail, heading for the dragon's trainer instead. In a second, Reynard barked a command for the Manectric and, rather than spark at the exotic bird, the canine aimed its thunderous attack directly at Esteban. Blatantly annoyed, the dragon began a low guttural growl, turning his attention solely to the Manectric. With this slight disadvantage to how the battle would unfold, Zak was disheartened further as the very Chatot he was battling began to mimic the voice of the Manectric's owner over and over. With several more quick shocks, the Gabite was slowly being pushed over the edge.

"Esteban, compose yourself!" Zak choked, his words seemed to come out in a murmur which inevitably went unheared by his dragon companion. Attempting to take down every now and then, it wasn't until the Chatot imitated the trainer's voice did the Gabite successfully land an attack. However, the attack was directed at the Manectric shocking him, rather than the designated avian. With a humongous thud, the two lay in a heap upon the ground, Esteban affected by the recoil of the powerful attack. It was not until Zak noticed that the entrance was unguarded did he zone back into the situation at hand, the Chatot had begun to escape.

"Esteban, get up now. Muster up all your new found power and use Fire spin to ensare that Chatot, now!" Zak cried out, motioning for the dragon to get up off of the floor and continue his original bout. As the boy cried his final order for the battle, he had already harmed the bird enough, his hand slid back into his pocket once more, within which was a newly acquired feather ball. Upon being brought from his pocket, the boy admired the tiny flapping wings upon the ball for a moment or two before facing the Chatot. He planned to throw the ball just as the dragon issued his ultimate assault. Not wasting any more time, Zak swung back his arm and threw, the ball flapping its petit wings frantically as it flew through the air...

[Stark]

Originally Posted by Tale

The Rainbow Waterfalls

Stark: Following Treecko’s inspired evolution, you cannot suppress a sense of appreciation for the hardy lizard’s efforts within a battle where the odds were significantly stacked against his limber stature. However, the pressing matter of a poised crossbow goads your every motion, and it is with swift caution that you recall Groovyle, unwilling to flout the command of a man seemingly unperturbed by prompting an inglorious death. Glancing at the ball containing your loyal companion, which you now drop to your side, a bewildered fury pricks your thoughts and you turn your sights to the unkempt murderer, whose crossbow sustains its position. You speak to him, requesting his identity and insisting the guard did not deserve death. “Not now, Stark…� Redgrave mutters anxiously from the side of his mouth, hands up by his head in complete surrender.

The man, however, snorts with amusement, “Why? Death is not something to be deserved, it just happens. That is nature - the predator hunts, the prey is killed. There is no difference here,� you are tempted to protest, but he continues, “that man was a blight upon this beautiful earth. Him and his kind. You, I fear, are not his kind - are you?�

“No! Not us! We’re trainers, buddy, honest trainers!� Redgrave blurts, seemingly in a greater state of panic than yourself. The killer grunts sceptically, before prompting his Pinsir into action with a swift jerk of his head. His partner responds immediately, and walks over to the limp carcass of the man who’d moments ago wanted you dead. A few minutes pass as the man wordlessly continues to point his weapon towards you. The Pinsir then approaches its master, with a pouch clutched firmly in its claws. Without breaking his gaze, the crossbowman takes the pouch from his Pinsir and pockets it.

“My name is Tane. Looks like you two have found yourselves smack in the centre of a giant mess. You either follow me, or get out of here as soon as possible.� He lowers his crossbow, and gives you both a grave glance, before turning and walking away. Redgrave turns to you, bewildered.

What will you do?

"Tane....." Stark quietly growled under his breath as the man with the crossbow begins his travels away from him. The nerve. To think that life and death were nothing more than nature following through on it's course. The fact that the man made a conscious choice to take a life for a mere pouch proved that he was worse than any animal seeking survival. As humans we are given free will to choose our destinies. Justifying our actions by saying that it is nothing more than predators and prey was insane. Life was precious and something to be treasured above all. Men like Tane who could steal away something as important as a man's soul without so much as a hint of regret were dangerous. And dangerous men like that often meant pain and suffering for those who didn't deserve it.

Stark placed his pokeball back on his belt and looked over at Redgrave with an obvious scowl still on his face, "I don't get it. With pokemon like Grim and King at your side, you should have been able to take that guy apart. Why did you sit back and do nothing? Forget it. It's obvious he frightens you. Mind telling me why? Other than the crossbow pointed at you thing, of course."

Stark looked at the pile of pokeballs still sitting near the edge of the cliff. They would need to do something with them eventually. They couldn't just leave them sit there for anyone to come along and accidentally release them. The last thing he wanted was a replay of what had happened already. Walking over to them, he began shrinking them down and placing them in his pack. It still bothered him that he didn't know who they belonged to. He had suspected Tane when he saw him, but the fact that the man didn't even act like he cared about them made him second guess that assumption. Regardless, they were far too dangerous to leave alone. He would have to find somewhere for them roam freely and refrain from being a threat to others.

Tane had mentioned that they were in the middle of something big. Something messy. The way the guards had acted below seemed to fit. Something was going on that he couldn't see. Something just beyond his reach. Not that he cared about the ambitions of men, but the fact that innocents were paying the price for these men's actions brought his blood to a boil. More than anything, he despised those who tried to walk in the footsteps of giants, only to not see who they were stepping on. On the surface it appeared that he had stumbled upon some kind of secret war. So far the guards below had been less than generous with answers, much less reason. Tane had at least bothered to explain himself. That meant Tane was the one he needed to talk to.

Stark looked up at Redgrave, then stood up and sighed. Having gained some composure he reached out his hand and said, "I'm going after that man. He's got answers and I can't allow this chaos to continue. You've been a good friend in the short time I've known you. I won't ask you to come with me no matter how much I'd like you to. You have your own path to follow. I just want to thank you for everything you've done for me. If you ever need anything don't ever be afraid to ask. I owe you a couple I'm pretty sure. Anyway, see ya later. And watch your back."

With that said, Stark began his pursuit of the man on the Tauros in search of answers as to what was going on.

[Treepandaone]

Originally Posted by Tale

Comet's Corner

Treepandaone: The sunset washes the sweeping plateau with a warm and entrancing orange tint as the looming twilight tails your path with Hellion held safely in your arms. The plateau prompts a nostalgia to which you react with both fondness and apprehension, amalgamating to further your anticipation of the location that, in the rumours you’ve ascertained, foreshadow the encounter of mystical beasts that will likely enrapture one so enthusiastic. The sunlit plains stretch for miles that the horizon cannot reveal, and your sense of exposure and overwhelming freedom is somewhat surreal but invigorating. Anticipating the sheet of nightfall that steadily creeps across the painted sky, you wonder if an evening so picturesque denotes the tranquillity and clarity of a night that promises the display of the plateau’s illustrious storm of shooting stars.

For a while, you consider setting yourself down upon one of the occasional landscape embellishments that litter your path - the odd jutting rock formation, or three-tree copse, and awaiting the cover of darkness to attempt to witness for yourself the dazzling spectacle that had initially lured you to the area - but without the need for respite, you see little point in waiting it out. Not a single creature has yet to grace your sight - although after a while, during which the final few inches of the sunset slowly descend into the horizon, your eye is caught by movement. So large is the crowd and commotion that has occurred around a thousand yards in the distance, you wonder how your eyes were not drawn until this moment. You can distinguish what seems to be a procession of a large crowd of people, accompanied by varying species of beasts and three clattering carriages pulled, as expected, by equine figures. As you approach the somewhat sluggish group of travellers, you can distinguish the jovial tone that surrounds them and the melodies of singsong joined sporadically by various voices and led by a few of the most powerful of these. You draw ever-closer, curious as to the nature of this precession, and couple of verses of their song reaches your ears clearly across the tranquil expanse across which you all travel in the same direction. Their buoyant voices are accompanied by acoustic instruments of seemingly all varieties, engendering a sense of wellbeing and joyousness that you cannot help but smile to.

Come along, my little gypsy girl,
Come along, my little dear;
Come along, my little gypsy girl -
We'll wander far and near!

"I should get a leathering
Should I with thee go;
I should get a leathering
From my dear aunt, I trow."

As you absentmindedly tail the cheery procession, enjoying their music all the while, you notice a couple of figures tailing and lingering behind - one hunched and seemingly encumbered, the other equally as encumbered but seeming to urge the other along. Moments later, and you see the hunched figure collapse, dropping their weighty burden to the ground in front of them. So far had they lingered, that the rest of the group is seemingly oblivious to their absence, and each person, bar the collapsed figure’s companion, continue without aiding.

What will you do?

Just a little edit to say thanks for the welcome. I missed it before, with it being so high up :x. I hope my adventure will be as enjoyable as you say, (although its already looking that way) and i'll try my best to get out some real quality replies.

Comets Corner bore a beautiful landscape as did the arena of his battle; the sweeping plateau penetrated by a warm and entrancing orange tint. Matthew looked forward, the odd jutting rock formation, or three-tree copse littered on the side, too perfect to be man-made. Not one to waste time, Matthew let his excitement get the better of his, staring out for miles over the terrain as he felt the encounter of mystical beasts more likely in such a place. Looking out to the sunlit plains stretch, he roughly calculated the size, miles upon miles stretched out as the horizon seemed near impossible to get to, the overwhelming freedom creating mixed feelings of surrealism and invigoration.

Matthew looked to the sky with awe, eagerly anticipating the night fall that was sure to come across such a painted sky, the Mythical Beasts that came with it ascending into his mind once again, as the evening pictured in his mind could match the tranquility and clarity of the plateau, a sight worth seeing for sure. Matthew wondered about path, arguing whether the night promised shooting stars, reminiscing about his home town and the lonely nights they brought until that fateful day.

Still seeking adventure and willing to wait out the night, Matthew passed countless landscape markings, each one a suitable place to sit and stay, but the serenity and peacefulness of the Plateau seemed to amplify his vigor, preferring to carry on until night hit him. Matthew carried on, slightly disappointed with the promising scene not develop one creature to study, to see and even to battle. Looking up he noticed the few final inches of sunset slowly descend onto the horizon, as his heartbeat quickened. Matthew recognised the all too familiar cry of night, the images holding feelings of joy, reminding him of great success. As Matthew looked back down from the graceful sky, he jumped as he saw movement ahead, a large crowd so loud with commotion he was confused that he had not seen them before only to notice the troupe seemed a few thousand yards in the distance. Squinting gently, Matthew glanced at the blurry shadows, distinguishing the shapes of humans and Pokémon alike, each beast tied to a carriage, hauling the goods to a destination.

Matthew tenderly carried on, approaching the sluggish travelers with ease, the long days walk refracted in comparison to their own, heartfelt struggle. Feeling a slight struggle in his arms, Matthew looked down to his Pokémon as it tilted its head to face them, ear outstretched. Matthew soon followed, the jovial tune soon reaching his ears, slightly muffled by the distance as he picked up the pace, eager to hear more of the joyful sing-song. Drawing ever closer, Matthew felt the music sweep him of his feet, the song becoming clearer with every footstep with the powerful voices that sang such thither. Matthew smiled, the voices seemed buoyant even though they had barely any possessions, the acoustic instruments a variety of music know how. Listening in more carefully, Matthew picked out the start of the song with ease, his ears dancing with happiness as any troubles melted away with it.

Come along, my little gypsy girl,
Come along, my little dear;
Come along, my little gypsy girl -
We'll wander far and near!

"I should get a leathering
Should I with thee go;
I should get a leathering
From my dear aunt, I trow."

Still following the group absentmindedly, Matthew noticed a few figures lingering behind, seemingly hurt as encumberment had one crouched over. Matthew stared at them for a few moments, wondering how he could be of assistance as he saw the man fall over, collapsing on the cold hard floor while the rest of the group carried on, the poor person unnoticed by everyone in the group.

Matthew looked down at his belt, demising a plan for the time being, wanting to help the poor soul. Grabbing one of the Pokéballs from his belt he clicked the middle button gently, smiling at his companion in his arms.

“You can come out later, I promise. I just don’t want you getting hurt”

Matthew watched as the red light swallowed the magby, quickly attaching it back to his belt and withdrawing another one, the red glow of the Pokéballs release mechanism cast on the floor as the blue crystaled steelix was loosed onto the plateau, acknowledging its freedom with a mighty roar. Patting the stone of the beast Matthew looked up into its eyes, remembering the power it showed on his first adventure, and the sorrow it shared with him at the end. Nodding gently, Matthew told the Steelix his plan.

“Ok Steelix, we need to go help that man over there, he seems to be injured.” Matthew explained, mounting the steely rocks on his back as he pointed to the man “When we get there, let me off nice and gentle, you’re a large guy and we don’t want him getting scared now do we?”

Matthew gave a quick thumbs up to the steel giant as he set off, still marveling at the surroundings as he passed.

[Raves]

Originally Posted by Tale

Delibird Ridge: Sableye's Den

Fishyfool: Ever the diplomat, you issue precautionary orders to Wraith, and attempt to negotiate with the protective imp, assuring it of your decency and lack of ill desire. Alternatively, you request from it unhindered passage through its den, to which it responds with a tilt of its head, seemingly bewildered as to why you’ve yet to attack it. In your attempt to communicate with the cave-dweller, you reiterate your request, but with greater emphasis on the important words. Evidently, the Sableye this time comprehends your intention, and its shady skin is suddenly swathed in a thin crescent of glowing white as it bares its pointed teeth for an approving grin. Suddenly, it leaps onto the wall behind it, and begins to effortlessly yet rather eerily scale the cavern’s spherical shape, clambering across the ceiling with a deftness that resembles an arachnid. You watch it closely and cautiously, lest it lash out unpredictably - which you’ve found these cave-dwellers to be particularly fond of doing thus far.

As it approaches you, occasionally turning to glance down with its shimmering eyes with perhaps the same tentativeness with which you’ve armed yourself, it chatters its teeth somewhat excitedly. At your side, Wraith braces himself for a swift retaliation, but no such instance occurs in which he has the need. The dark imp reaches you, and drops nimbly from the ceiling, before scurrying up to you with apprehension. You make no motion to suggest hostility, and allow it to approach, until its glittering eyes are gazing directly up at you. With its sharp claws, it begins to search your body, scraping its hands along the cloth of your attire, picking the odd item from your pockets and thriftily surveying them before placing them back untidily in their respective positions.

Then its shadowy hands reach your radio. Flipping around as it has done with every other item, it brings the device to its ear - hissing excitedly along with the static it perceives. It gives a little hop, and gazes up at you with its glowing smile signifying its boundless enthusiasm. It gestures the radio and possessively presses it against its body as though signifying its desire to keep it.

What will you do?

Watching the Sableye's movement across the roof, Jamie felt a slight tingle on his back at the seemingly arachnid way the imp travelled, reminiscing about the bugs he often found on his travels. Returning to reality, the Sableye dropped from the ceiling as Wrath held back any attacks as the gremlin ran its claws across Jamie, and at that moment the human felt incredibly uncomfortable, questioning the curious Sableye as he twitched slightly. It was explanatory if he was being felt up by a female human, and indeed he'd likely enjoy it as well, but the fact that said Sabeye was thrifting through him made him feel very awkward and a small chuckle from Volcape made him turn his head, hissing the monkey to shut up as its chuckle descended into a snicker as Jamie went from his pale colour to a deep beetroot tone.

Eventually, the Sableye found something rather vital to his exploration: A certain radio that Ryan gave him for communications purposes. Watching the creature hold it to its ear, it gave a cheerful hiss alongside the static before staring up at him with the eyes, the gemstones seemingly giving the ideology of the classic puppy eyes which girls were wont to fall for. Holding the radio to itself, Jamie instantly saw a problem: With said Sableye wishing to keep the radio, it'd likely become hostile if it didn't, and after what happened beforehand, making more enemies wasn't the wisest idea. Conversely, giving the cheerful bugger the device would mean that the standard communications with the ranger would be stifled. Considering the situation, Jamie closed his eyes in thought: While Meteos indeed could provide a psychic link to Ryan, the distance between them would prove to be draining on the Lunatone, and the link to the ranger was quite important. However, Jamie considered what the ranger had done for him in the short term, and while he had helped in bringing in a hunter, he was somewhat deadweight. Then an idea formed in his head. Crouching to get to eye level with the Sableye, Jamie stared into the eyes of the gremlin, preparing for some further talks.

"I see you like that radio, yeah? Tell you what, if you can help me out, I'll let you keep it. I'm currently looking for this guy who has been hiding poached pokemon in these caves, and I'm wishing to take him down. Do you think you've saw anything suspicious in the area? If so, could you take me there? I'll let you keep that radio there if you can, it's nothing too important to me."

Awaiting the response, Jamie knew inside that if the Sableye didn't know anything about Reagan's operations, then discovering what was going on would likely forge an alliance against him.

[Tale]

Thank you guys - brilliant replies. Sorry I couldn't get these up sooner today.

The Rainbow Waterfalls

Pearl's Perap: The proceeding moments seconds pass with a heart-stopping motion that seems to slow everything. Esteban and Esmond, tangled in their simultaneous attempt to regain footing, struggle to their feet, with the squawking Chatot speeding to the best of her ability for the tent entrance all the while. Your orders are swift, somewhat panicked as you desperately attempt to rectify the confusion that followed Chatot’s rediscovery of her ability to imitate, and Esteban strains his neck to face the bird, barely having disengaged himself from the agitating dog, just as she makes her final leap and flutters her wings in desperation to soar back into a world to which she is now entirely unfamiliar.

Esteban’s roar lends voice to your own screaming emotions as he unleashes a small tornado of flames. With inches between liberty and capture, the Chatot is helplessly enveloped - too exhausted to exert a final push - and in a pained squawk finds herself surrounded by the thin vortex of fire.

“Shit! The tent!� Reynard calls from behind you as he leaps to his feet, concerned with the tent’s wellbeing in its fabric wall’s proximity with the flames. You, however, hold more personally weighty issues in mind, and extract from your pocket the mystical ball you’ve recently acquired, embellished with a pair of fluttering wings that enhance its ability to seal those of avian variety. Noting your actions, and conscious of the beleaguering canine that currently approaches him, Esteban ceases his creation of the vortex that envelopes the now positively drained parrot, and leaves the bird in exhaustion. You release the ball, barely requiring to provide momentum as it flutters from your clutches, closing the small gap between you and the bird with which you feel destined to unite.

The ball collides successfully, just as Reynard runs past you and towards the flames that have currently spread to the tent door - although this is not what seizes your rapt attention. The ball, having enclosed the bird in a flash of blue, flutters frantically, speeding of its own accord through the air as it seemingly struggles to contain the creature within. With dangerous proximity, the ball zooms past your head, then drops, still fluttering wildly, rolling across the ground. Your heart leaps to your throat as you witness its apparent toil in containing the bird, and for a split second it cracks, only to clamp back down on its captive. Then it is still. You pause, the pounding of your heart stifling the panicked sounds of Reynard’s attempts to smother the spreading flames, and the wings of the ball fold softly to its sides, as a faint ping indicates the success.

The Level Five Female Chatot is yours. For a few brief seconds, you absorb the result of your feat. The sounds behind you, however, are amplified suddenly, and you are forced to turn and witness the flames now towering above Reynard, who currently fumbles with the intricacies of a fire extinguisher. His efforts, however, are pointless, as suddenly a spray of water from outside spurts through the gap and soaks the entire face of the tent, slowly starving the flames of dry fabric. Within a minute, the flames are reduced to mere embers, that soon succumb to the moisture upon which they burn. The steam which fills the tent is swiftly wafted through the gaping, charred hole that now mars the tent’s front, and within a few moments, you can discern the origin of the great wave of water - a hulking, bipedal tortoise sporting two canon-like appendages that protrude from the top of its shell. Beside it, stands a familiar face - the white-suited, silver-haired dragon rider, whose Salamence had engaged in a thunderous battle with Keeley’s Dragonite, before the residual force had caused your ultimate loss of consciousness. Esteban, who has now freed himself from Esmond’s assault, glowers at the man and growls defensively as he walks over to you.

“I think a little explaining needs to be done,� he says calmly, before approaching the tent, his silver hair whipped about by the gusts outside. His Blastoise remains stood upon the grass as he ascends the stairs to enter the tent. As he steps past Reynard, he removes his golden aviators - to reveal a pair of icy-blue, wizened eyes. One is squinted, significantly marred by a multitude of scars which, as you can now discern from such a distance, trail to the corner of his mouth. He looks at you expectantly, “Well?�

“Zak has pledged his allegiance, Sebastian.� Reynard states, seemingly willing to defend your case.

“Is that so, Zak?� His voice is cracked, somewhat strained, as though he’s suffered damage to the throat. “Would you be willing to work with us? Discard all notions of righteousness and evil and in the process acquire the experience of a hardened warrior - and the riches of an emperor?�

What will you do?


Stark: With a head swirling with considerations on the nature of life and death following Tane’s seeming disregard for the preciousness of life in which you have a significant amount of faith, you turn to Redgrave, and demand from him reasons behind his apparent cowardice.

“No…the giant crossbow and merciless minion was pretty much the extent of it. I’m not gonna risk my life for the sake of a man who’d wanted us both dead!� Redgrave replies, gesturing to the carcass of the guard that lies a few metres from you. Just a glance at the bloodstained patch of grass upon which he inelegantly lays causes your stomach to turn. You then focus your attention on the pile of Pokeballs that contain the swarm of Scizor, slightly miffed as to why Tane made no mention of them whatsoever, what with your suspicions of his direct involvement with them upon first glance. With your better nature deterring you from simply abandoning the pile for fear of situations repeating themselves, you conclude to take the swarm along with you, in order to release them when appropriate. As you pile them into your bag, you ponder over the scenario in which you’ve become ensnared. Hostility from every angle has pervaded your every endeavour thus far. Now, you seek answers.

You get to your feet, just as Redgrave tears his sight away from the dead body that has captured his attention all the while. You inform him of your intentions to follow Tane and ascertain the details of the scenario that surrounds you, thanking him for his assistance and indebting yourself to his efforts. Redgrave frowns, “You’re going after him? You’re crazy, Stark. Pure crazy. But fine, I’ll stick here, try and relay the details to everybody still down there…something needs to happen with this uh…this body.� He seems to suppress a gag and turns away. You shake his hand with a grave nod, and turn to pursue Tane and his two companions.

When you request from him the answers that you seek, he seems to smile faintly. “So, you’re wanting to get involved. Well, well, weren’t you the one abhorrent of my work a few moments ago?� He stops, hand upon his Tauros and his crossbow slung over his shoulder, and he turns to you, “You’re getting yourself into a war. The Rainbow Falls have been tainted by the greed and ambition of man, and we are its protectors, we are the besieged and the defenders of a beauty untouchable by human sin. You are the arbitrary bystander. But you could become more,� he places a hand on your shoulder, though he does not appear convinced of your allegiance just yet. “That man is part of an organisation of tyrants, a team professing power and authority over others that they possess no right to enforce. They believe they have a claim on these falls as the governing, law-enforcing body - but their true intentions, I fear, are far more sinister. Perhaps you’ll allow me to acquaint you with my side?� He offers a hand, throwing his shaggy brown hair from his face.

What will you do?


Comet's Corner

Treepandaone: The figure’s collapse strikes a certain depth of pity in your heart, and you do not hesitate to leap to their aid. Recalling Hellion for caution of his safety, you slip his Pokeball to your belt, and slide your hand to a second, one containing your hulking, crystal-hued steel snake, Impact. Desiring his assistance in the situation, you unleash the giant, the blinding flash illuminating the immediate vicinity, and his mighty roar reverberating across the open expanse - to such levels that you successfully grasp the attention of what seems to be the entire troupe of travellers, halting their song mid-flow. The entire procession cease their tracks as they turn to witness the towering stature of your steel companion, as a few of the accompanying beasts step to the forefront, prepared to retaliate should any hostility arise from you. As you clamber up Impact’s lengthy body, instructing him to proceed in order to aid the collapsed figure, their many eyes follow your progression, Impact’s weight prompting tremors that shiver across the expanse. As you approach the until now unnoticed person and his still upright partner, you recognise his apparent age and induce this as the reason for his meekness. As Impact moves towards them, the younger, bearded companion cowers from you both, seemingly uncertain as to your intentions, and as you glance towards the group, you notice a few more of the travellers closing the distance between you with a light jog.

As requested, Impact lowers you to the ground with a mildness that communicates your warm intentions before you even approach the collapsed elder and assure him of your helpful intentions. His companion, satisfied by the warmth of your approach, draws closer, a smile upon his bearded face.

“You had me worried for a second there, friend,� he says, pushing his thumbs through the straps of his hefty backpack, “that Steelix of yours is quite the giant!� He looks with an impressed gleam in his eye at Impact’s towering form.

“Aye, I thank you, lad, thank you for your aid,� the old man adds, accepting your hand to bring him once more to his feet. Both are dressed in a mismatch collection of faded clothing, the younger sporting a red bandana, from which a few locks of beaded hair dangle, the older a wide-rimmed hat that shadows his wizened green eyes as he glances at you with an appreciative response.

“Hey! Is everything alright?� You turn to see a man, dressed in a wider multitude of clothes than either of the encumbered companions including a waistcoat and hefty boots, with a thick shadow forming around his strong jaw.

“Fine, Doru, just fine. This kind trainer is merely offering his assistance to Gavril,� the younger man speaks, gesturing to your current endeavour to stabilise Gavril. Doru turns to you, an affable hand outstretched as a smile stretches across his face.

“Why thank you for your kindness, trainer. Such selflessness, it is an inspiration. Tell me, trainer, what do you seek from Comet Plains? Perhaps you’d seek adventure - or the mystical beasts of lore. Perhaps, should the prospect prove beneficial, you’d like to join our ragtag group of nomads? My name is Doru, and I am very glad to make your acquaintance,� you are taken aback by Doru’s immediate affability, but from first impressions cannot draw any indication of a hostile intention.

“And my name is Petre - this is Gavril,� the young man interjects, offering his own hand in greeting.

What will you do?


Delibird Ridge: The Caverns

Fishyfool: As you communicate your compromise to the dark imp, the Sableye affixes its glittering gaze upon you. Your mention of a suspicious man does not seem to prompt a response of any particular inclination, and as you finish, the Sableye makes no motion whatsoever. For a few moments, the small creature toys with the radio, deep in thought - then holds the device at arms length, surveying it with intrigue. A thought of some particularly enlightening nature then causes it to hop with excitement, its mischievous grin stretching once more across its dark face. It hugs the radio protectively as it hops across its den, scouring the ground for some particular item or location. You watch it as it eagerly drops to the ground and begins to drag its free claw across the damp stone. Then it pauses, seemingly having found a loose piece in its inclining floor, and glances up at you, its radiant grin still plastered across its shadowy features. Within a few seconds, the ghostly cave-dweller has heaved the loose stone from the ground, unearthing a gaping hole that seems wide enough to accommodate a body as wide as yours, but not an inch larger. It hisses with excitement at its discovery, and scurries along the den floor to climb its walls once more, the newly-awarded radio still clutched firmly in its claws.

You slowly walk over to the hole the Sableye had revealed and glance inside. The slope indicates that you’ll have to crawl into it, as opposed to leaping feet-first, and as you attempt to discern as far as possible its interior, all that you can distinguish is a small tunnel that continues for as far as you can distinguish, declining slightly as it goes. This is a space tighter than any you’ve come across so far, and is evidently formed by and for the Sableye occupant, perhaps connecting to a second den that it has cleverly pinpointed. You hope that the tunnel will eventually widen, but for now, neither of your current companions can accompany you into the hole, due to its confinement.

As you glance into the foreboding hole, you remind yourself that you needn’t trust the impish creature and descend into a hole that leads to a place unknown - that is if anywhere. Sableye are known for their tendency to fool and ensnare spelunkers, and with its interests satisfied, it seems that this Sableye has no need for you to hang around. If you were to retreat from its den, there is the entrance to the cave, and even the Onix’s tunnels open for exploration. These you ponder over as the Sableye clutches at the wall, clicking the radio between its claws, completely engrossed by the novel gadget.

What will you do?

[Pearl's Perap]

Originally Posted by Tale

Thank you guys - brilliant replies. Sorry I couldn't get these up sooner today.

The Rainbow Waterfalls

Pearl's Perap: The proceeding moments seconds pass with a heart-stopping motion that seems to slow everything. Esteban and Esmond, tangled in their simultaneous attempt to regain footing, struggle to their feet, with the squawking Chatot speeding to the best of her ability for the tent entrance all the while. Your orders are swift, somewhat panicked as you desperately attempt to rectify the confusion that followed Chatot’s rediscovery of her ability to imitate, and Esteban strains his neck to face the bird, barely having disengaged himself from the agitating dog, just as she makes her final leap and flutters her wings in desperation to soar back into a world to which she is now entirely unfamiliar.

Esteban’s roar lends voice to your own screaming emotions as he unleashes a small tornado of flames. With inches between liberty and capture, the Chatot is helplessly enveloped - too exhausted to exert a final push - and in a pained squawk finds herself surrounded by the thin vortex of fire.

“Shit! The tent!� Reynard calls from behind you as he leaps to his feet, concerned with the tent’s wellbeing in its fabric wall’s proximity with the flames. You, however, hold more personally weighty issues in mind, and extract from your pocket the mystical ball you’ve recently acquired, embellished with a pair of fluttering wings that enhance its ability to seal those of avian variety. Noting your actions, and conscious of the beleaguering canine that currently approaches him, Esteban ceases his creation of the vortex that envelopes the now positively drained parrot, and leaves the bird in exhaustion. You release the ball, barely requiring to provide momentum as it flutters from your clutches, closing the small gap between you and the bird with which you feel destined to unite.

The ball collides successfully, just as Reynard runs past you and towards the flames that have currently spread to the tent door - although this is not what seizes your rapt attention. The ball, having enclosed the bird in a flash of blue, flutters frantically, speeding of its own accord through the air as it seemingly struggles to contain the creature within. With dangerous proximity, the ball zooms past your head, then drops, still fluttering wildly, rolling across the ground. Your heart leaps to your throat as you witness its apparent toil in containing the bird, and for a split second it cracks, only to clamp back down on its captive. Then it is still. You pause, the pounding of your heart stifling the panicked sounds of Reynard’s attempts to smother the spreading flames, and the wings of the ball fold softly to its sides, as a faint ping indicates the success.

The Level Five Female Chatot is yours. For a few brief seconds, you absorb the result of your feat. The sounds behind you, however, are amplified suddenly, and you are forced to turn and witness the flames now towering above Reynard, who currently fumbles with the intricacies of a fire extinguisher. His efforts, however, are pointless, as suddenly a spray of water from outside spurts through the gap and soaks the entire face of the tent, slowly starving the flames of dry fabric. Within a minute, the flames are reduced to mere embers, that soon succumb to the moisture upon which they burn. The steam which fills the tent is swiftly wafted through the gaping, charred hole that now mars the tent’s front, and within a few moments, you can discern the origin of the great wave of water - a hulking, bipedal tortoise sporting two canon-like appendages that protrude from the top of its shell. Beside it, stands a familiar face - the white-suited, silver-haired dragon rider, whose Salamence had engaged in a thunderous battle with Keeley’s Dragonite, before the residual force had caused your ultimate loss of consciousness. Esteban, who has now freed himself from Esmond’s assault, glowers at the man and growls defensively as he walks over to you.

“I think a little explaining needs to be done,� he says calmly, before approaching the tent, his silver hair whipped about by the gusts outside. His Blastoise remains stood upon the grass as he ascends the stairs to enter the tent. As he steps past Reynard, he removes his golden aviators - to reveal a pair of icy-blue, wizened eyes. One is squinted, significantly marred by a multitude of scars which, as you can now discern from such a distance, trail to the corner of his mouth. He looks at you expectantly, “Well?�

“Zak has pledged his allegiance, Sebastian.� Reynard states, seemingly willing to defend your case.

“Is that so, Zak?� His voice is cracked, somewhat strained, as though he’s suffered damage to the throat. “Would you be willing to work with us? Discard all notions of righteousness and evil and in the process acquire the experience of a hardened warrior - and the riches of an emperor?�

What will you do?

[Superb as always, Tale! ;D]

Having issued a rather panicked attack command to the Gabite who lay in a pile alongside Reynard's Manectric, Zak realized he had made the wrong decision within an instant. As Esteban began to spew his flame-based attack, the boy realized that they were situated within a cloth tent, not the best of attacks he could have used, panicked or not. Squawking, the Chatot is engulfed by the thin fire tornado, the last of her hitpoints dwindling very low from the assault. From behind, the realization the boy had made was highlighted by his adult companion, cursing the fact that the tent would go up in flames at any moment.

As the intimidating Manectric approaches the Gabite once more, he ceases the Fire Spin, revealing the exhausted parrot. It was at this point that he threw the ball, which quickly fluttered its tiny white wings directly towards the Chatot. In a flash of light, the parrot disappeared within its grasp. As the ball moves around in a rather manic manner, Reynard dashes forwards, towards the flames now engulfing the tent walls. Swallowing hard, Zak squinted through the smoke, worried that, with such movement, the Chatot was bound to escape the feather ball. Darting his eyes back to the man, he was now attempting to beat the flames engulfing his artifact-strewn abode. In the split second the boy took his eyes off of the ball, the ever familiar 'ping' occured. A successful capture.

Taking in the fact he had managed to catch the tiny parrot, Zak grinned to himself before leaning down, grabbing the ball and turning his attention solely to Reynard who was still struggling, the flames getting ever more powerful. As he quickly manned a fire extinguisher, the fire grew larger, as if it were mocking him. It was at this point that a jet of water broke through the tent entrance, dousing the flames in a matter of seconds. Glancing through the newly formed steam to the outside of the tent, Zak noticed a huge Blastoise with its shoulder cannons aimed firmly at the tent. Alongside the beastly turtle stood a familiar face. Zak quickly distinguished the man as the Salamence owner who he had watch bout with Keeley, prior to falling into unconciousness and ending up ensnared in a cage by Reynard. Growling, Esteban faces the man before approaching his trainer once more, "You did superb, Esteban, but now is not the best time for you to be hanging around. C'mon back into your pokéball." Zak smiled sweetly at the Gabite that had caused the inferno, it was not his fault but the blame would no doubt be placed on him. Nodding, the Gabite disappeared into a flash of red once more as Zak tapped him with his respective pokéball.

"I think a little explaining needs to be done." The silver-haired accomplice of Reynard begins calmly, approaching the singed tent before ascending the staircase to the entrance, his Blastoise remaining poised on the grass. Reaching Reynard and Zak, he removes his aviator sunglasses, revealing his eyes for the first time to the boy. One appeared to be squinted slightly, surrounded by a plethora of scars, trailing downwards. Slightly unnerved, Zak tried to speak but began to falter, there was a dangerous air about this fellow, he did not feel comfortable at all. "Well?" he looked to the boy, expecting an answer right away, it was at this point that Reynard was quick to explain the pledged allegiance the boy had made.

With a quick defense, it was clear that Reynard was not angry at the fact that Zak had damaged his tent, it was his idea to battle, after all. As Reynard answered for him, the man, whos name had been confirmed as Sebastian, turned to Zak once more, "Is that so, Zak?" Quick to answer this time, Zak murmured a speedy "Yes, sir." His answer was taken well and Sebastian finished with a question, "Would you be willing to work with us? Discard all notions of righteousness and evil and in the process acquire the experience of a hardened warrior - and the riches of an emperor?"

The idea of battling experience and potential rewards hit Zak in an instant, he was always the sort of person who liked gaining, whether it was mental, physical or material, so his answer came quickly to mind, "Yes, I have come to respect Reynard, we have had our past conflicts, but I pushed them aside and I am now willing to conform. The idea of experience and riches is enough alone to get me to help out, but I am genuinely keen to get this opportunity." the boy bowed his head in a respectful manner before starting once more, "Could you two gentlemen excuse me for a moment?" Intending the question to be rhetorical, Zak slipped his hand into his hooded jacket's pocket once more, producing the winged feather ball and tapping its release button. In a moment, the Chatot landed on the floor once more, looking rather bedraggled.

"Hey girl...or should I say Alice." Zak had knelt down to meet the parrot, grinning from ear to ear. Acknowledging her name, she quickly imitated it several times before showing signs of pain, "Here, I've got a few things for you..." Turning from the men and the parrot for a moment, the boy rummaged around in his backpack, producing three items, "To begin with, I'm gonna spray you with this super potion [2/5]. Once you have felt the benefits, here's a little gift for you." The boy held out what looked like the preserved and dangerously sharp beak of a different kind of bird, "It's a sharp beak, it will boost your flying type attack power, I want you to hold onto it." Handing the beak to the bird, she quickly grabbed it, seemingly rejuvenated from the potion's healing effects. "Last but probably the best, I wanna teach you this TM Sky Attack." In his hand was a mini disk of a grey hue, containing the combat move Sky Attack. Cocking her head to one side, Alice looked on in slight confusion, obviously having never encountered a technical machine in the past. As she did, the boy pressed it on her forehead and, in a mere moment, the bird had an enlightened look in her eyes, gaining the ability to use the move in future.

Offering an arm, still grinning down at the exotic bird, Zak waited as she hopped on and shuffled up towards his shoulder, this would be her new favoured location, he was sure. Returning his attention to the men, he was ready...

[Treepandaone]

Originally Posted by Tale

Comet's Corner

Treepandaone: The figure’s collapse strikes a certain depth of pity in your heart, and you do not hesitate to leap to their aid. Recalling Hellion for caution of his safety, you slip his Pokeball to your belt, and slide your hand to a second, one containing your hulking, crystal-hued steel snake, Impact. Desiring his assistance in the situation, you unleash the giant, the blinding flash illuminating the immediate vicinity, and his mighty roar reverberating across the open expanse - to such levels that you successfully grasp the attention of what seems to be the entire troupe of travellers, halting their song mid-flow. The entire procession cease their tracks as they turn to witness the towering stature of your steel companion, as a few of the accompanying beasts step to the forefront, prepared to retaliate should any hostility arise from you. As you clamber up Impact’s lengthy body, instructing him to proceed in order to aid the collapsed figure, their many eyes follow your progression, Impact’s weight prompting tremors that shiver across the expanse. As you approach the until now unnoticed person and his still upright partner, you recognise his apparent age and induce this as the reason for his meekness. As Impact moves towards them, the younger, bearded companion cowers from you both, seemingly uncertain as to your intentions, and as you glance towards the group, you notice a few more of the travellers closing the distance between you with a light jog.

As requested, Impact lowers you to the ground with a mildness that communicates your warm intentions before you even approach the collapsed elder and assure him of your helpful intentions. His companion, satisfied by the warmth of your approach, draws closer, a smile upon his bearded face.

“You had me worried for a second there, friend,� he says, pushing his thumbs through the straps of his hefty backpack, “that Steelix of yours is quite the giant!� He looks with an impressed gleam in his eye at Impact’s towering form.

“Aye, I thank you, lad, thank you for your aid,� the old man adds, accepting your hand to bring him once more to his feet. Both are dressed in a mismatch collection of faded clothing, the younger sporting a red bandana, from which a few locks of beaded hair dangle, the older a wide-rimmed hat that shadows his wizened green eyes as he glances at you with an appreciative response.

“Hey! Is everything alright?� You turn to see a man, dressed in a wider multitude of clothes than either of the encumbered companions including a waistcoat and hefty boots, with a thick shadow forming around his strong jaw.

“Fine, Doru, just fine. This kind trainer is merely offering his assistance to Gavril,� the younger man speaks, gesturing to your current endeavour to stabilise Gavril. Doru turns to you, an affable hand outstretched as a smile stretches across his face.

“Why thank you for your kindness, trainer. Such selflessness, it is an inspiration. Tell me, trainer, what do you seek from Comet Plains? Perhaps you’d seek adventure - or the mystical beasts of lore. Perhaps, should the prospect prove beneficial, you’d like to join our ragtag group of nomads? My name is Doru, and I am very glad to make your acquaintance,� you are taken aback by Doru’s immediate affability, but from first impressions cannot draw any indication of a hostile intention.

“And my name is Petre - this is Gavril,� the young man interjects, offering his own hand in greeting.

What will you do?

Looking on with pity and desperation, Matthew saw the figure collapse, the figure constraining under the heavy burden it was carrying. Not one to respite on the differences in classes, Matthew quickly rushed to the aid of the figure, withdrawing Hellion in a flash of red energy, the hue of the energy glowing on the grounds surface, the red plateau become more so. Hastily grabbing another Pokéball off his belt, Matthew swirled it in his hand before tossing it into the air to reveal his Pokémon, Steelix. With its release the large steel creature bounded energetically into view, roaring loudly upon the masses, the blinding flash illuminating the immediate vicinity.

“Subtleâ€� Matthew chuckled, the roar echoing through the open expanse and causing the troupe to halt mid-song, each turning round to view the trainer and the steelix. Noticing the beasts step to the forefront along with other, much larger figures, Matthew got the sense of nervousness enter his system, as he saw prepared to retaliate for any hostility they may encounter. Flicking back and forth between two ideas, Matthew mounted on Steelix as its lengthy body proved more challenging than the plan first sounded. Whispering to Impact in a low voice, Matthew ordered him to move toward the injured figure, as he felt the wrath of a thousand eyes cast his way, unnerving him all the more, the weight of the steel pokémon causing slight tremors in the ground.

Approaching the figure, Matthew noticed the apparent age of the man, intent that the meekness of the fellow would be the cause of his lagging as he saw the younger person cower under the giant’s size, seemingly uncertain as to his intentions. Glancing back toward the group, Matthew noticed a few more of the travelers get closer to him, jogging to figure out what the commotion was about.

Patting steelix gently, Matthew looked pleased that the steel giant as it followed his orders, letting him down slowly, the mildness in his let down one that amplified the warm intentions Matthew showed, remembering first impressions are always the hardest and most important. With his intentions settled, Matthew looked at the younger of the two, a smile upon a bearded face as Matthew felt relieved, a battle with a troupe was the last thing on his mind.

“You had me worried for a second there, friend,� the man said, pushing his thumbs through the straps of his hefty backpack as Matthew smiled back “that Steelix of yours is quite the giant!�

Matthew chuckled, looking up at steelix with gratitude for his actions, patting him gently as he grabbed his Pokéball again.

“I do apologies, I didn’t mean to startle you, I just thought you needed assistance.â€� Matthew smiled at the old man as he clicked the Pokéballs center, the red light swallowing the crystal giant whole.

“Thank you my friend, if I need your assistance I shall call, but until then, enjoy your rest.� Matthew whispered to his companion.

“Aye, I thank you, lad, thank you for your aid,� Matthew turned to the old man, blushing slightly with the implementations of a compliment.

“It was no trouble, I was just trying to help� Matthew said, struggling slightly as the elder accepted his hand, bringing him to his feet with a swift pull of the arm. Matthew looked down at the two men’s clothing, appreciating the mismatched clothing, the faded colours a symbol of perilous journeys. Matthew looked at the younger character, a sporting red bandana catching his eyes and then back to the elder, a wide brimmed hat sticking out.

“Hey! Is everything alright?�

Matthew bolted around, completely oblivious to the rest of the troupe beforehand as he looked to face a much stronger looking male, his wider multitude of clothes signifying power, along with hefty boots, and a strong jaw.

“Fine, Doru, just fine. This kind trainer is merely offering his assistance to Gavril,�

Matthew smiled at Doru, wobbling slightly as he forgot he was stabilizing the elder. With Doru turning to Matthew, he offered a hand, outstretched as Matthew grasped it, shaking firmly and smiling.

Doru turns to you, an affable hand outstretched as a smile stretches across his face.

“Why thank you for your kindness, trainer. Such selflessness, it is an inspiration. Tell me, trainer, what do you seek from Comet Plains? Perhaps you’d seek adventure - or the mystical beasts of lore. Perhaps, should the prospect prove beneficial, you’d like to join our ragtag group of nomads? My name is Doru, and I am very glad to make your acquaintance,�

Matthew looked on, his beaming face lit up with the ideals of Mystical beasts of lore, nodding as he listened.

“My name is Matthew. Matthew Brown. It’s a pleasure to meet you Doru.â€� Matthew looked down at his Pokédex “I actually came to the comet planes with rumors of mythical Pokémon in the area, I’m somewhat of a nut for capturing rare ones.â€�

“And my name is Petre - this is Gavril,�

Turning back to his side, Matthew shook the outstretched hand.

“And it is a pleasure to meet you too. You wouldn’t happen to know any mythical Pokémon around these parts, per chance?â€� Matthew asked gingerly, still not feeling quite right with asking a question just because he had helped the man.

[Mewsic Box!]

Originally Posted by Tale

Thank you everybody, and welcome MG, I'm very glad you have hopped aboard.

The Rose Arch: Dark Wood

Mewsic Box: You stare long into the eyes of your honourable saviour, her wisdom, compassion and respect conveyed in every feature of her aged face. As the pressure overwhelms you, and your better nature conflicts with every muscle in your body, to which it is known that the lessening of your hold is required with haste, you cannot restrain your emotion. Though the time in which your journey has taken you thus far has barely seen her attendance, you cannot subdue the sense of familiarity that binds you to her. Her very presence in a place where no light percolated neither the trees or your heart brought with it an unyielding bond that you cannot condemn with the loosening of your grip. Swallowing your emotion, and holding your saviours final expression and lasting words in your mind as your strongest memento, you close your eyes and allow her to slip. Beside you, a buzz zooms past as Volbeat pursues his trainer, any attempt at suspending her futile, but his presence in her final moments invaluable to her. By now, Tropius has ceased its attempts, too fatigued to re-establish flight, and merely plummets to what may well be its own demise - though it seems to do so with a serenity that allows your following actions a suitably tranquil atmosphere in which to prepare your final retaliation.

Your rage at the spirit within Niamh’s granddaughter fuels your desire to engage with the process that Niamh had detailed, and turning to your loyal ghost, who now floats with newfound rejuvenation and capability at your side as you fall through the air, you open the box, withdraw the pendant and loop it around your neck. Almost immediately, you feel the rush of ensuing magic.

The feeling is inexplicable, as though your heart has burst wide open and all that you ever cherished pervades your very soul, every love, every treasure, all swirling within your beating heart with an overwhelming sense of appreciation, within which you blissfully revel for those precious few moments. Perona places a hand upon your chest, and in perfect synchronisation with your heart, her body begins to pulsate. Her spectral body shimmers and fades with every passing second, and you feel her every power seeping though your veins like an ethereal drug. You eyes turn skyward, and glisten with the crimson hue of Perona’s own, and it is with an unyielding sense of enshrouding wellbeing that your body seems to acquire a weightlessness that lifts you gently from your seat atop the Tropius. Perona embraces her purpose, and a scarce few minutes transpire before her spectral form has vanished, though her presence remains. Within you, you can feel her essence residing, and her abilities begin to enliven every muscle in your body. Flight is now effortless, communication as simple as a fleeting thought, and the bond you had always sustained intensifies to uncompromising proportions. You have become Perona, and Perona has become you.

You begin to soar through the moonlit atmosphere, revelling in the experience of ghostly capabilities. Bliss envelopes you as you revel in the perfection of your being, the perfection of your surroundings, and the perfection you now share with Perona. Yet every pleasant moment is ultimately short lived, as the demon hovers overhead, her silhouette suspended in the light of the silvery moon. Niamh’s instructions echo through your head, and you must now take action to exorcise the spirit within her grandchild. The mountain, she said, is but a little further. Perhaps it is time to begin the battle.

What will you do?

Sorry for taking so long. School's a bitch. Hehe. RL comes before FB afterall.

"One body...." thought the new hybrid being. "Two souls.... two hearts." the being continued to say to itself. Within the body of the creature floated Tim, unconcious in a bright light, after a few seconds he came to. "I feel... so warm" he said softly as he let the light carry his soul, "So this is what Niamh meant, I've never felt such a bond..." he continued as he turned to notice his ghostly friend Perona, who was also floating about within the body. "Dus..." she said in a relaxed tone, staring at her trainer. Tim swam over to her, happy to see she was okay. Though the reunion was short lived when they both became alert of the situation again. Tim gripped his hands so tight, his knuckles began to turn white. Outside of the body, the newly created being stood silently, waiting for the two to make decisions on how to act. Back within the body, the two beings, Tim and Perona, made a decision "The mountain!" they both thought, "Prevoke her with an Ice Beam, then lead that demon to the mountain, that is where we can battle." Hearing the commands of the two , the body began preparing the icy beam as an angry expression grew on its face. "This is for Niamh!" Perona and Tim shouted in their minds, which came out of the new being voice.

[Stark]

Originally Posted by Tale

Thank you guys - brilliant replies. Sorry I couldn't get these up sooner today.

The Rainbow Waterfalls

Stark: With a head swirling with considerations on the nature of life and death following Tane’s seeming disregard for the preciousness of life in which you have a significant amount of faith, you turn to Redgrave, and demand from him reasons behind his apparent cowardice.

“No…the giant crossbow and merciless minion was pretty much the extent of it. I’m not gonna risk my life for the sake of a man who’d wanted us both dead!� Redgrave replies, gesturing to the carcass of the guard that lies a few metres from you. Just a glance at the bloodstained patch of grass upon which he inelegantly lays causes your stomach to turn. You then focus your attention on the pile of Pokeballs that contain the swarm of Scizor, slightly miffed as to why Tane made no mention of them whatsoever, what with your suspicions of his direct involvement with them upon first glance. With your better nature deterring you from simply abandoning the pile for fear of situations repeating themselves, you conclude to take the swarm along with you, in order to release them when appropriate. As you pile them into your bag, you ponder over the scenario in which you’ve become ensnared. Hostility from every angle has pervaded your every endeavour thus far. Now, you seek answers.

You get to your feet, just as Redgrave tears his sight away from the dead body that has captured his attention all the while. You inform him of your intentions to follow Tane and ascertain the details of the scenario that surrounds you, thanking him for his assistance and indebting yourself to his efforts. Redgrave frowns, “You’re going after him? You’re crazy, Stark. Pure crazy. But fine, I’ll stick here, try and relay the details to everybody still down there…something needs to happen with this uh…this body.� He seems to suppress a gag and turns away. You shake his hand with a grave nod, and turn to pursue Tane and his two companions.

When you request from him the answers that you seek, he seems to smile faintly. “So, you’re wanting to get involved. Well, well, weren’t you the one abhorrent of my work a few moments ago?� He stops, hand upon his Tauros and his crossbow slung over his shoulder, and he turns to you, “You’re getting yourself into a war. The Rainbow Falls have been tainted by the greed and ambition of man, and we are its protectors, we are the besieged and the defenders of a beauty untouchable by human sin. You are the arbitrary bystander. But you could become more,� he places a hand on your shoulder, though he does not appear convinced of your allegiance just yet. “That man is part of an organisation of tyrants, a team professing power and authority over others that they possess no right to enforce. They believe they have a claim on these falls as the governing, law-enforcing body - but their true intentions, I fear, are far more sinister. Perhaps you’ll allow me to acquaint you with my side?� He offers a hand, throwing his shaggy brown hair from his face.

What will you do?

"Make no mistake. I still abhor your work, but if there is a war going on, more innocent people are going to get hurt and I can't allow that," Stark responded taking the man's hand, "I'll go with you. Get acquainted with your side. Try to understand just what it is that you are willing to take another's life for, but that doesn't mean I'm drinking the kool aid."

It almost felt like Stark had stumbled into a fight between nature and man. On one side you had those looking to protect the falls as they were. While on the other, you had people looking to keep the progress of the world continuing. And while Stark wasn't big on governing bodies stepping in where they weren't needed, he also couldn't support the extremist view that Tane seemed to be coming from. There had to be some kind of middle ground that would benefit all the people of the world. To find it though, he would have learn who these two opposing forces were and what their ultimate goals were.

"This organization that that man was part of.... who are they?" Stark asked, "You said that they think they they are the owners of the falls. Why would they make such a big deal about them? Sure, they're a sight to behold, but it's not like they can exploited for anything more than tourism. Or is that what you fear? The idea of visitors snapping pictures and staring at nature's beauty?"

"I guess what I'm saying is help me to understand why we can't find another way to deal with this?" Stark asked.