Under the snow cloud

Forte: Oh, sure. -hands Sierra's Eevee back to her-

Forte's Eevee: <Aren't I just the most darling Eevee ever?>

Forte: Of course you are. -pats her-

Fortree, under the snow cloud

Sierra: Thanks.

Eevee: (bites Sierra's hand)

Sierra: ... Can't you use the chew toy I bought for you?

Minun: (sweatdrops)

Mawile: <Can we talk about me now?>

Eevee: (lets go of Sierra's hand, looking over at Mawile) <No.> (grins)

Mawile: <... Hmph.>

AU

AU!Wolf: -smiles at AU!DS-

AU!Wolf: -shrug- You just are. I feel a connection with you. -scratches her ears some more-

The Winking Rattata

Linoone: -evades the Payback via Sand-Attack's Accuracy drop-

<So curious, what does a ghost carry? Let's see!> -uses Thief-

With Every

Rosary: <Aw, what do I do?>

Under the Snow Cloud

Glaze: *notices the other Minun* <Oh! ...Hello.>

Clover: <Aww, poor Mawile.>

Ask Tangent if you can be signed up!

Kratos: <Ow!>

- Kratos is taken to 2/3 HP by the super-effective attack. The item taken from Kratos.......is his own cutting-edge, professional filming camera.

Kratos: <Hey, you dumb furball! Do you have ANY idea how much Poké that footage is worth?!>

-Kratos used Hyper Beam!-

edited 2nd Jan '12 6:15:52 PM by gamerex27

- Continues following Wolf and the others, I guess -

Fortree City, under the snow cloud

Minun: (notices Glaze) <Oh! Hi there.>

Mawile: (looks over at Clover) <Ah, finally someone who admires my awesomeness.>

AU, Twinleaf Town

AU!DS: (smiles back) So... We'll travel to another region together?

Artemis: <... Huh.> (smiles)

49, Pokeringer isn't tomorrow

AU

AU!Wolf: You want me to come with you? -continues scratching-

Glaze *tilts his head, watching the other Minun curiously*

Clover: *leads Aqua over to the Mawile to give her attention*

Aqua: *is just there for the warmth*

edited 2nd Jan '12 6:20:56 PM by Hobgoblin

Fortree, under the snow cloud

Minun: <So... Are you from Route 110 too?>

Mawile: (to the other Pokémon) <So, how awesome do you think I am?>

AU

AU!DS: Well... If you'd like to, I guess... It's okay if you don't want to... I can take care of myself.

Artemis: (purring)

Linoone: <Oh C-> -is Blown Across the Room-

???: Well... -retrieves the camera and gives it to Gamer-

Good effort, but now... heh, the gloves come off. Rattata!

Rattata: <Oh! Big scary ghost, I'm not afraid of you!>

???: Ratatta, use HYPER BEAM!

Rattata: -fires a Hyper Beam at Kratos-

Kratos:< Well, cr->

-Kratos fainted.-

Nice job, man. Anyways, I'm down to my last mon now. Well, then. Go, Shehe-

Wait. Hyper Beam is a Normal Type move. Kratos is a Ghost Type. That attack should've gone right through him. What's going on? Did your Rattata Odor Sleuth him when I wasn't looking?

-Before I can question this further Meme lets himself out, garbed in a suprisingly well-made Elvis costume.

Meme: <YOU AIN'T NUTHIN BUT A HOUNDOOM!>

edited 2nd Jan '12 6:28:11 PM by gamerex27

Fortree

Vyvyan: The Pokeringer competition is on soon! Maybe we can delay the inevitable meeting with the...guy or creature who could be causing this...weather.

*meep!*

Skyward Race

Socrates and Sahara are nearly at the "Finish line"

Sahara: <It ENDS for you here, Pigeon Boy!>

.+Socrates+: +I dun think so~+

Socrates whips Sahara with his whiplike headfeather thingies, sending her off into a tree.

.+Socrates+: +Bye!+

Socrates crosses the finish line.

Sahara: <CHEATER!>

Sahara passes out.

^Lenore^: ^Sahara! Sahara, are you alright?^

The Staraptor picks herself off the ground.

Sahara: <Yeah... I'm fine...>

^Lenore^: ^I was about to cross the finish line... before I noticed this and you.^

Sahara: <What is that?>

^Lenore^: ^THE GODDESS MAYONNAISE!^

Sahara: <...I will never understand you Lenore...>

^Lenore^: ^It's an instrument~ :3^

Sahara starts walking away.

^Lenore^: ^Hey, where are you going :?^

Sahara: <.I'm gonna make him PAY!>

Sahara lifts off, following the purple streak that Socrates left behind. Lenore shrugs and goes back to marvelling THE GODDESS MAYONNAISE.

Glaze: <Y-yeah, I lived there for a year.> *decides not to mention the Delta thing just yet*

Clover: <Well, you do have a really pretty set of horns...or jaws...or are they both?>

Aqua: <C-cool...>

AU

AU!Wolf: I would love to come with you.

Fortree, under the snow cloud

Minun: <Huh, cool.>

Mawile: (smiles) <Thanks! They are lovely, aren't they?>

AU, Twinleaf Town

AU!DS: (smiles) Thanks. (hugs AU!Wolf)

Last post for tonight.

???: Heh. I see you haven't heard. My Rattata...

-takes off his hood-

Joey: ...is in the top percentage of all Rattata!

Rattata: <Houndoom?! Oh, no, I'm a Rattata! Top Percentage! But even bottom percentage Rattata are good!>

Under the snow cloud

Icicle: <You said something about the guy who was causing this weather? Is it too cold for you? Well, too bad! More snow is nice.>

.......Am I supposed to be impressed by that or something?

Meme: <Aw, you're so cute.> -Goes over to Rattata to vigourisly pet it. This somehow transitions to Meme hitting Rattata with a Doubleslap.-

edited 2nd Jan '12 6:34:17 PM by gamerex27

Joey: Hmm. I'll have to try that line another time... anyhow, Ratatta, show him!

Rattata: <Meanie!> -Super Fangs Meme-

edited 2nd Jan '12 6:38:11 PM by Tangent128

-Meme is hit by the attack, and is down to half HP at this point.-

Meme':<.............Die, die, die my darling, just shut your pretty mouth!>

-He hits Rattata with a Brick Break attack.-

edited 2nd Jan '12 6:44:13 PM by gamerex27

OK, I guess I should inform Pauly Shore about the news. (Grabs his pokeball and releases Pauly)

Pauly: UGH! What do you want, now?

Hey, Pauly, I have some good news

Pauly: Did you just get cancer?

No... I just entered you in the Pokeringer Competition

Pauly: Pokeringer...Pokeringer...

Yeah, are you happy?

Pauly: POKERINGER?!?! (Goes to peck 49, while he screams in pain) YOU ENTERED ME IN THE POKERINGER COMPETITION, YOU LITTLE ASS!?!? I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID THAT?!?!

Stop, Pauly, Stop.

Sorry that this was so delayed but, my country celebrates New Year pretty much last. And then there was RL. And heat. And writing QUALITY art takes some time. So assume all times in this post are relative to in-RP Jan 1. Deal with it. Enjoy it.

Closing 2011!Megapost, part Ⅰ

Former Mirage Tower, Two minutes before New Year

Silent stands on the desert, looking at the large mound of sand around him. Some Pokémon can still be hearing wailing nearby, and Dintel and his sister are also examining the place, sniffing and growling unhappily. Maekrite walks around, checking some pieces of equipment and random [coins] that are scattered across the surface. Algira and, surprisingly, Jemma, are watching around as well.

"...I didn't expect to spend the New Year like this, honest..."

Sol -rubs against Silent's leg: <I feel this is in part my fault. I should have expected that to happen...> — looks up — <It always happens in those adventure stories I read, you know? Kat takes the important object and then the whole place crumbles down.>

"...Betcha at some point it became predictable," Silent answers while petting Sol.

Sol: <It still doesn't detract from the fun, purr~>

Silent looks around at the desolation around him, while Jemma pulls some sticks and a tire.

   Jemma   : <Nya... this is so sad... even for me. Those poor Pokémon took [care] of this place!> — hops around vigorously.

Suddenly, the conversation is interrupted by some lights that begin to flash in the distance, in short bursts comine from the south, as Silent and the others can see now, for some reason the sky has cleared and the sandstorm has fully subsided. The people of Mauville are celebrating the beginning of a new year. Sol and Maekrite sit and recognize the event with flickering ears and a smile.

"Oh well what the hraka..." Silent walks up to the two shrews who are more or less ignoring the lights and picks them up. "Happy New Year, Dintel... and you too, Dintel's sister."

Sandslash♀: <...Eeeeee?> — surprised by the hug, she only hugs back when she sees Dintel doing as well — <Thanks, I guess... Uhm, I can has wuv you too?>

Dintel: <Wheeee~! It's like having a party with all my family and friends in!> — looks around — <...Where is lil'bird?>

As soon as Silent explains that Shahinne is staying in Goldenrod and lets the two shrews down, Maekrite and Silent share a knowing embrace. They don't speak to each other though, as they don't need to.

Sol is about to open her muzzle to ask about Shahinne and her "family"... when she is tackleglomphugnuzzled by a certain Leafeon.

Ichtacya: <Wheeeee~ Happy holiday beautiful Espeon!> — licks playfully.

Sol]: <T-thanks.> — blinks — <I- uhm, congratulations for getting Dintel back, Mr. Silent. Now can I breath please?> — she adds, more or less flustered.

Meanwhile, Algira flutters around Jemma as the two of them look down at a dead cactus tree on the ground.

   Jemma    -swings tail, looks up to Algira: <Uh...>

Algira: <...Errr.....>

The two casually look at each other for a moment and then turn their own way.

Algira: <...I miss Helios.> — buzzsighs — <We were finally starting to spend time together...>

Surprisingly, Jemma responds.

   Jemma   : <I miss [Rex] too...> — swings tail as Algira turns to her — <Hey, he is a good servant, can keep me healthy and amused entertained...>

The two Pokémon stay silent for a while.

Both: <So Yeah...> — they nod to each other.

After Ichtacya finally leaves Sol alone to go hug Dintel and Maekrite as well, to which the Sandshrew responds with a hug efusive enough that it is hard to know which of the two is happier, the Espeon moves a couple of steps back and closes her eyes. Meditating, she focuses her psychic power. After a moment, a small glowing blue ball of Psychic power materializes in front of her, floating against the dark sky barely illuminated by the explosions to the south.

Sol: <These are my good wishes and my hopes for the future for you, [Luke]. Now, power of good will, go!>

Sol rears back, prompting the quasi-Future Sight ball to fly high to the sky. After a couple of moments of circling around, the psychic ball shrinks and becomes white, then flies northeast, towards Fortree.

Meanwhile, Silent walks to his backpack and after some brief hammerspace fiddling, produces a shovel. He walks to a point on the mound near to where Dintel and his sister are, and starts digging. This surprises most members of the team enough, as well as the guest.

Sandslash♀: <...What is he doing?> — pokes Dintel.

Maekrite rushes in and stands besides his Trainer. In his eyes is drawn the tacit question that Silent lets drag for a moment before answering.

"Holiday is over, so let's start building a new home for Dintel's sister." Watches Maekrite start digging as well. "You'll help me hold the wall?"

Maekrite: <Sure... and you'll tell me why you have a shovel in your backpack.>

Sandslash♀: <Uhm... I'm fine. I got my brother back...>

"But you lost your home..." Silent digs. "That's a sacrifice that needed not to be made..." Digs more. "Less if it was... for human intervention..." Turns to Maekrite and leans. "This was to help Juanito dispose of some evidence back in the OI... but don't worry about it anylonger... and don't tell Rex."

Silent keeps clumsily trying to dig a trench.

Sandslash♀ -to Dintel: <Uhm... does he even know how to dig an adequate tunnel?>

Dintel: <More or less... Probably not.> — sits and swings tail.

Sandslash♀ -sits as well, pondering for a moment: <...Is he always like this? He just jumps in and tries to help wild Pokémon?>

Dintel: <All the time. He calls it "being a PEFE reseracher". It is very fun!>

Dintel jumps right in to help digging as well, speeding up the task considerably, which his sister observes for a moment, evaluating the Sandshrew's fluidity and strength in movement.

Sandslash♀ -to herself: <Then I guess you made the right call by leaving...>

In a moment, the rest of the Pokémon jump in as well - Lileep anchors to Silent's head to serve as a hat, Algira and Ichtacya start compacting some of the sand to create more solid walls, Jemma and Sol have started using their powers to hold the trench stable, while also roaming around looking for things for the mons to eat.

Sol: <...This year... perhaps I can find even more books to read. Anad hopefully I can find more cultured mons with whom to strike a conversation... I wonder if I can learn more about Eeveelutions?>

Ichtacya: <This year... well if I got a Trainer for the meantime then I better take advantage of it. I will become a good walkalong! And hopefully we can get to meet the God of [Wind]...>

Maekrite and Silent share a knowing look. The two get closer.

"I can ask Pentigan for the armband, when we get to have some spare time in between apocalypses..."

Maekrite -keeps digging: <I can wait... I chose to wait when Ho-Oh chose me...>

After a while, Silent turns to Dintel.

"This totally beats last year's celebration, don't you think?"

The Sandshrew smiles and hops around happily, drawing random Trapinch figures in the sand.

Meanwhile, some of the Pokémon who were relocating around the former tower peek in from the distance, lured back to the site by the sound and the presence the random human who out of nowhere has started trying to dig a house for a random Pokémon.

Flashback to Unova, same time last year...

Under some trees in a totally nondescript place in Unova, Silent, Maekrite, Algira and Dintel are having a picnic. Out of nowhere the researcher has produced a glass [flute] and a half-empty bottle of champagne.

"Happy New Year me!" His Pokémon stare at him. "Well this better now than never. Maekrite, Algira? Want to try this?"

The two Pokémon shake their heads and continue drinking milk and tree sap while Silent is getting the champagne ready.

Suddenly, a streak of white crosses the picnic area and and the flute disappears.

"...eeeeeep!" Silent turns to a tree where a Minccino is climbing away while skillfully handling the flute. "Come back here!"

After rushing his meal, Maekrite follows and circles the tree, while Dintel goes "play" fetch with the Minccino on the tree.

Whitestone Town, Johto, 2 weeks before New Year

A Pelipper is flying around a makeshift nest on top of a building, near the sea. Inside the nest, made of hen, leaves and sticks, three Wingull chicks are playing around, pecking each other, crying loudly and otherwise annoying their parents. Said Pelipper tries to calm her chicks by presenting them the most recent acquisitions hidden inside her beak.

Pelipper♀: <There you have, you will have fun with these...> — opens beak for the chicks to explore.

Pelipper♂: <I hope...> — flies around observing — <Because the humans don't let us drag much things hereeither. I'm gonna go for a fish.>

Wingulls: <   TOYS!   >

As the male flies off, the female roosts on the nest for the chicks to take the random objects she has collected. Pretty minor things, actually: some algæ, a wet Oran berry, a white shoelace, two [Heart Scales], tap for a milk bottle and a piece of a Macho Brace. As the chicks start infighting for the different objects, the mother fails to notice a set of claws clinging to the edge of the roof, soon followed by a violet-colored paw.

Nidoran♀: <...ufff... ufff.... almost made it!>

A battered female poison rabbit Pokémon manages to pull herself up the edge, and then shakes herself up. A similar rabbit, but of pink coloration and a larger horn, tiredly manages to clib up as well.

Nidoran♂: <Uggh... I'm sure they came... this way...>

The two Nidoran walk around and explore, until they notice the nest. As they stand on their hind legs to observe, however, the Pelipper hears something and turns around.

Pelipper♀: <....Aaaack!> — tries to look menacing — <Who are you?>

Nidoran♀: <...Oh look some Wingull! Awwwww...> — walks in — <I'm a Nidoran and my name is—>

Nidoran♂: <Aha! There's the prize! LEEEEEROY JENKIIIIIIN~> — rushes to the nest.

The young male rushes past her, horn down trying to cast a Leer at the bird to sway it away from the nest.

Wingull chick: <....Eeeeeeeep! Mom!>

Nidoran♂: <Shoo! Shoo! Give those Heart Scales back!>

Pelipper: <Those are my chicks's! I picked them from the sea for them!>

Nidoran♂: <Rrrrrr..... they were in our river! Give back!> — Poison Stings the bird.

The chicks, horrorized at the attack, cry and try to hide, but that is unneeded as the Pelipper stands before them and Protects against the attack. She scowls at the young rabbit and then stands tall before him.

Pelipper: <Approach my chicks again and I'll nom you whole!>

The male stands before the Pelipper, lunging and demanding the sclaes back, but getting a direct wing slap from the Pelipper for his troubles. As the larger bird roars (more or less) that no weird rabbit is gonna come threaten her chicks, the female Nidoran looks away at her brother trying to stand up and facepaws.

Nidoran♀: <...Betcha big bro Maekrite isn't anything like this...> — sighs and goes assist or stop her brother, whichever she can manage first.

Somewhere in a non-canon region south of Angela; 5 days before the New Year

In a city at the edge of a mountainrange, already late at night in a very populated neighborhood...

Among all those white houses with green fences however, one is special. If only because of a tidbit of plot from this otherwise for some reason unknown region to other player characters people.

The door of the house opens, and a man enters. As he walks in he hears someone more or less crudely playing the piano. It is a good sign to his ears and to his heart.

A tall brunette woman steps out from the staircase to the basement, a Serperior slithering behind coyly.

Juanito's Wife: "Honey! You are home! And just in time!"

Juanito: "The bosses were very good despite their own problems... and I could make it here on time." — smiles — "I got a nice bonus too."

The couple hugs and kisses, the Serperior coiling around them warmly.

On the living room, a young girl is practising with her new piano, much to the enjoyment to her new Pokémon companion, a Tranquill, who is taking advantage of the distraction to eat the snacks without anyone noticing. The married couple walks into the living in silence, staying quiet as to enjoy and not perturb the fascination their daughter has with the recently acquired (and very costly) [Piano].

Route 35, 4 days before the New Year

Near the entrance to the National Park, a couple of Nidoran families are spending time, playing around and collecting random items under the careful watch of Hamada, the leader of the Owsla, and four other Nidorino who are roaming around the bushes.

One of the Nidorino, standing atop a fountain on the road, drinks cautiously and hears what is going on in every direction, calling the attention of some humans around. It is very rare for the bulkier, rarer Nidorinos in the Colony to get down to the route, let alone to spend that much time in the open.

A clicking sound and a flash of light call the Nidorino's attention and he turns around, narrowing his eyes at the human who has just managed to aim at him with a camera. Before the human can get in position for a better shot, the annoyed Nidorino leaps away and runs to some nearby bushes where other Nidorino are also peeking around.

???: "You got him, that was pretty interesting."

The cameraman turns around and sees a Trainer girl walk in together with a Medicham and a Golduck. The Fighting-type moves closer to the fountain and senses around for a moment.

Geratte the Golduck♀: <That was one of them, I tell you...> — shakes her tired legs, smiling.

Adua the Medicham♀ -rolling her eyes: <You've said that of the last four Nidorino we've met.>

The woman walks up to the Cameraman and the two watch for a moment as the Nidorino that escaped the fountain seems to be arguing with a far bulkier Nidorino that has appeared from the western side of the route.

Ace Trainer Rook♀: "I'd like for you to try and take a picture of that one. I can pay you a fairly good amount..."

Cameraman: "...Sure, once I return to the city for material, because he's not coming back today most likely..." -looks around. "Seems you have an interest in the local fauna?"

Rook: "It could be said so, yes..." The woman presents to the man her belt with five Pokéballs. "I'm an Ace Trainer from a non-canon region visiting here in the hopes of getting a new Pokémon fit enough to be on my team..." Smirks. "And I think I've found them..."

The woman and the cameraman keep watching as the Nidorinos seem to discuss something. The bulkiest one in the group points a paw back to the forests to the east, prompting the smaller Nidorino to leave, ears down and grumbling. Some trainers around show awwwwness and amusement at the scene. While that happens, Adua takes a look at the sky examining the activity of the bird Pokémon flying around or very high above the park. In their circling behaviour and their grouping she senses something is wrong with them.

Rook: "Read a report some months ago... about a very organized band of Nidos who travelled to the city north of here and got into a battle with some Houndoom packs. I found it very interesting. Geratte?" talks to the Golduck. "Why don't you go and try to lure the bulkier one?"

Geratte gestures a thumbs up and trots to where the Nidorino is, prompting some weird looks from the wild and human audience. The Nidorino simply turns around, growls and walks away, disappearing into the bushes, but the Golduck decides to follow.

Cameraman: "If I may... you waste your time. These are pretty simple Pokémon if you ask me. With some luck you could evolve one into a mildly useful Nidoking, but if you want a really strong Pokémon for life, you could go to the east and try to catch a Larvitar."

The woman smirks as she points to Medicham to also follow the path Golduck took. Medicham rolls her eyes and follows.

Rook: "I'm not after strength only. It is easy to get brutes, they're dime a dozen, and the best asset of a Tyranitar is not strength anyway. I want a Pokémon who knows what they are doing..." Waits for a moment, not hearing anything from the bushes. "Those Nidorino beat [packs] of high-leveled Houndoom. You can't do that unless you have a very tightly organized group."

The Cameraman packs his stuff and waves a goodbye.

Cameraman: "Suit yourself, lady. I'm after cuter Pokémon. Old ladies pay a fortune for pictures of silly Pidgeys for some reason... But if you see me tomorrow, we can talk about that picture..."

Rook waits for a moment until Golduck emerges from the bushes again, looking annoyed. She giver her Trainer a glance and shrugs.

Adua -hops around, in an inquisitive manner: <So? What did he say?>

Geratte: <He shrugged me off. Even when I told him we had defeated Three Gym Leaders in a row once...> — blinks as Adua walks in. — <He Leered at me warned me to not try strike combat with him and to not even look at the kits. Can you believe it?>

Seeing her Pokémon dissatisfied and the lack of any clear indication of combat, Rook grins and produces a notebook to take some notes and add a record of the day.

Meanwhile, Hamada and two Nidorin@ reunite right behind the gate to the National Park for a report of the day. The three Pokémon look very annoyed, Hamada in particular grinning his teeth a lot.

Isdra the Nidorina: <Uhm... Hamada? The ithéil♦

Hamada: <I know, I know... Ugh...> — swings horn at a tree, leaving behind a deep cut — <We're supposed to be shadows. Humans are supposed to be lucky if they see us.>

Akela the Nidorino: <We do as we can, but we're short of Owsla and our two [bestest] ones are away...> — walks in cautiously — <The southern edge has been pretty much defenseless for two days.>

Hamada: <Ugh... Darn that [gray-feathered nildro]! Ever since we got the news of that creature...>

Isdra: <I can't believe that bird alone has been causing this much disorder in the humans's park. As soon as he came in, he sniped three roolil♦

Akela: <Not to mention he throws the other birds off the main area of the park...>

Hamada thinks for a moment and then marches towards the Colony, the two Nidos following. After they pass some trees and start following the trails up to the denser part of the forests, Hamada lets out a growl and turns to the two Nidos.

Hamada: <Akela? I want double shifts of three starting tomorrow. I'm gonna ask the breeders to let us call some explorers to assist us in the edge of the park. And remind them...> — turns head, swinging his horn — <try to stay away from humans. You can still smile and wave cutely if you can, but I don't want any of us caught... we are already short enough on numbers.>

Akela: <...Sure, Hamada. I'll let them know by fu Inlé. Mind if I return to the plaza at the center of the park? I feel more comfortable there...>

Hamada swings a paw, allowing the Nidorino to go not before reminding him to be careful about the bird. Then the Nidorina excuses herself to go collect berries for the group, and departs to the south, leaving the leader of the Owsla alone.

After Hamada walks to the forest for a while, his ears pick a presence following, noticing it very similar to the Golduck girl who tried to get him to invoke The Vow. Grunting in annoyance, the Nidorino left the trail and headed to a creek to lose her.

Hamada: <Oh how much I wish that nildro is done for, before I go crazy.>

Unberstknown to the Nidorino, a couple of kits have just managed to escape certain death by Staraptor, as the dangerous bird got into a fight with a Pinsir instead. Three guesses as to who won.

[AU] Violet-Ecruteak Route, Six Days Ago

Read these with Jaga's voice for maximum effect (link)

The deputy leader of the Owsla, Hamada, and three other members of the group walk across the route, keeping an eye on a group of humans fetching berries from the trees to the north while they trot and hop around to fight the chilling breeze. The Nidorina and Nidorino walk ceremoniously towards the fork on the road that leads to the south, and once they reach it they notice an Espeon and a Ursaring, as well as a group of Nidoran, are waiting for them.

The lead Nidorino frowns at the unexpected appearance, and turns to his companions.

Hamada: <Daynith, Oénan, asith ma♦

Oénan the Nidorina -bows: <Sure, Veterano.> — follows side by side.

While the other Nidorin@ couple goes check that the humans don't take all the berries from the trees, Oénan and Hamada walk up to where the Ursaring and Espeon are talking with some Nidoran. Oénan quickly recognizes some of the children as student lorekeepers, in particular one of them.

Espeon -talks to a Nidoran♀: <...I can't assure you it is not the same one that you see, as I haven't seen it again. What I can assure you,> — nuzzles the Nidoran — <is that your vision of that matter will improve... if you can relax and put order in your life.>

Hyzenthlay the Nidoran♀ -ears down: <But I'm supposed to have order in my life. I'm a... well, I'm stuying the lore and spending time with our elders.>

The Ursaring checking on them walks up to Hamada and greets him, although recoils a bit when he notices the Nidorino looks exasperated.

Hamada: <Greetings, seer.> — bows to Espeon — <I see you are coming in again with this matter? Have you gotten anything conclusive about it?>

Espeon: <Uhm... no, not yet.> — walks ahead of the Nidoran group — <As I explained your lorekeepers last time, it is about the [monster] that caused many deaths in the faraway castle.>

Hyzenthlay: <If I may, Veterano...> — steps forwards hesitantly — <The overall vision corresponds with the dreams I have had... or what I can make out of them, at least...>

Seeing the Nidoran girl shrink, Oénan steps in and nuzzles her, while also leading the other Nidorans aside, letting Hamada and Espeon some room to talk. The two Pokémon walk down the road, with Ursaring following shortly.

Espeon: <I'm sure the egg's significance in the dream is as obvious as it seems. Even though I have nothing to compare it to, as reencarnation is a complicated matter.> — shrugs, and focuses some psychic power — <I just wanted to compare dreams with the small Nidoran. She has skills, although they need to be polished. A lot.>

Hamada: <I'm worried about this closeness and the trust you are trying to impose on her.> — leers at the Espeon — <She needs to learn at the correct pace, not skip steps in the process only because you think that dream is important.>

Espeon: <...I'm sorry.>

Hamada: <That said,> — breathes, leads the Espeon to a fork in the road — <we need to figure out if there is any value in her [claims]. Suggesting that the city will be engulfed in flames, the humans vanished and the Nidoran warriors killed is something to worry after all we've been through.>

The two Pokémon take a higher trail and start following the other group as they head to the road to the Colony, noticing the harsher cold. As Hamada and the Espeon reach higher ground, they also happen to catch sight of the city of Goldenrod to the south.

Hamada: <Brrrrr.... I have a suspicion though... if thatbrrrrrr..... evil Pokémon were to reappear.> — points to the southeast — <You have heard of [Icelus]'s campaign, right?>

Espeon -nods boredly: <I think I knowbrrrr....... where you are going, though I hope it is nothing like that.> — turns to Hamada, eyes very focused — <Brrrr........ Still, would be a very bad signal if Icelus was to be attacked in sacred territory.>

Hamada: <Was thinking the same, thoughbrrrrrrrr........> — drops head, scanning his surroundings — <the breeders seem to distrust her. I can understand why, as the Colony has been [self-policing] forbrrrrr..... over six hundred generations.>

In the distance, Oénan lets the kits by the entrance to the forest, and watches them go. Then she turns around and waves at Hamada, the Nidorino returning the gesture. With that the two Pokémon dart to lower ground, shaking off some cold.

Espeon: <The humans have a celebration very soon, and Icelus will be at the human city. Regardless of our opinion, it is the chance to prevent anything serious from happening.>

Hamada: <I'm sure the eldest breeders support that notion. What do you suggest? It is you who have the dreams.>

Espeon: <Hmmm. If the evil Pokémon was recreated, perhaps he will intend to [overthrow] Icelus assuming she wins. And even if she doesn't, the Mareep is a charismatic presence, but only a presence — you'll surely want to make sure her ideals don't spread incorrectly.>

Hamada -ears flatten: <...I'm not an expert in politic. I'll surely need the assistance of some of the other local species... but I will try. We'll try and put some eyes on her.>

Espeon: <You'll do well.> — pats the Nidorino softly — <Experience can be earned. I'll return and seek for a chance to ask the Three Legendary Beasts about this situation.>

Hamada sighs and tries to relax. Then he offers Espeon and Ursaring a place to spend the night in the Colony so that they can return to Ecruteak safely the next day; with both Pokémon agreeing to the offer, Hamada guides them to a nearby river.

As that happens, a sole Nidorina is observing the scene from behind some trees. Her eyes are drawn to the lead Nidorino for a moment, wishing it was somemon else in that role.

Wales Island, Hoenn, Late Yesterday

A scientist assistant by the name of Annie is sitting on a desk in a laboratory. She is typing some of the latest data her boss, Professor Proctor, has gathered on the traits of the fossil Pokémon Lileep and Anorith.

Annie: "...and it is then confirmed that it knows to choose to attack with its claws with a knocking movement rather than a cutting one, allowing it to blunt the damage they receive during their retreat." The woman keeps typing as she eats a snack. ", ...so based in the way they pass this down, it is likely that once they evolve into Armaldo, some of the specimens might grow scales so hard as to completely blunt most weak attacks..."

The woman keeps typing up some information for a couple of minutes, until she reaches the last page of her reports.

Annie: "...We should be done with this."

As she uploads the new report with suggestions for the Anorith line, the assistant decides to check the touristic news around the area, as part of their mission to keep the fossil Pokémon preserve of Wales Island protected from exploration. What she finds is [evil] than encouraging though, and she stares in shock as Professor Proctor comes in through the door...

Annie: "...Professor? We have a problem."

Proctor -walks in: "What is it? Bad weather?"

Annie: "Much, much worse..." — shakes her head.

Annie shows a bulletin from the Hoenn Association of Touristic Enterpreneurs on Reconditioning and Servicing. Attached to the bulletin there are several pictures of mass property destruction in Fallarbor Town, in particular the [Inn]. There is also a set of profile pictures of some people and for some reason, a Sandslash all tagged as "persona non grata".

Annie: "...Is this any sort of true?"

Proctor -rubs his forehead: "...It has to be. I mean, look, it even has records of..."

The two scientists stare at each other for a moment, then gulp. After a Beat, they both stand up and rush to different ends of the laboratory to check some stuff.

Annie: "I'm gonna get the special [tasers] and calibrate them to Thunderbolt-level of damage..."

Proctor: "I'm gonna go paint signposts of 'PLAGUE' all over the shore so that no one wants to enter..."

Annie: "I'm gonna try and teach the Anorith Groin Pincering."

Proctor: "I'm gonna try and teach the Lileep Facehug Breath Sucking."

Some of the aforementioned Pokémon, blissfully unaware of the potential danger of those people dubbed as "J-Team", are calmly feeding off some Pokémon food specially grown for them.

Wherever Team Magma's Mobile HQ is, some days ago

The two technicians that headed to the mobile base with the evidence from the borked weather machine are checking their room in the premises, worried. They take a look at their superior's locking room for a moment before opening it with a master key.

Magma Technician #1: "...The keymaster said we could check... I'm worried."

Magma Technician #2: "We haven't heard from Lugaid ever since the collapse of the tower... I wonder if he is..." sighs.

The two technicians open Lugaid's locker room, finding several things inside. They focus however in one large box and one small box. They remove the small box to find inside a disc with a high-fidelity copy of a live Grasswhistle of the Eons concerto by the LaRousse Philarmonic Orchestra. Tied to it there is a post-it.

Magma Admin ?????: You'll love this interpretation of Bolero of Fire. Best wishes, Lugaid.

Technician #2 -sobs: "...I miss boss Lugaid..."

Then the two technicians check the larger box, immediately noticing it is very warm. They open it to find an egg, most likely only a day or two short of hatching.

Technician #1: "It reads 'a new experience for the Admin'."

Technician #2: "What do we do?"

The two Magma members sit on Lugaid's bed for a moment, to take care of the egg, thinking of their superior.

Lilycove Dept. Store, some days ago

There is a large cluster of people, mostly girls and then some boys, gathered around a man in a blueish cape and his Milotic. Two guards are holding off most of the people and organizing them in a row for them to have their notebooks and bras signed.

Fangirls: "Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee~!"

Wallace -mechanically swings his wrist: "Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again..." — swings wrist more, trying to not sound more bored than he already is.

Milotic, looking a bit agitated, emits a wailing call and nuzzles his Trainer.

Wallace: "There there... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again..." — retreats for a moment and nuzzles back — "We're going to return [home] soon I promise, as soon as I can finish with this stupid advertising campaign..."

While Milotic swings his tail in a display of confidence (or else), Wallace's eyes sway for a moment towards his only exit, the elevator, when he sees the door open and a man in a red cape, a bit dirty and ruged, walk in, looking around disdainfully.

Wallace: "...Lance?"

Lance -squints, surprised: "...Wallace? What happened, Bennesom advertising caught you again?"

Wallace -has to return to signing: "Three guesses. Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again..." — starts crying (which unfortunately attracts the attention of the fangirls more). — "What... what brought you here?"

For an answer Lance shows his cape, which looks pretty dirty and damaged (more than expected for a Champion, at least).

Lance: "The factory that makes these capes closed due to an unexpected Diglett invasion, so I'm looking for the artist who worked on this model... he's supposed to live around here but I've had no luck so far..." — shrughs.

Lance carefully covers his neck with his cape, and walks around for a moment, then coming in to pet Milotic for a moment while Wallace has to start signing Sealeo plushies. Fortunately the girls are infighting with enough ferocity to give the Hoenn Champion a much needed opening.

Wallace: "...psssst! Lance! Please help me!"

Lance -raises hands: "I'm not gonna get into that! I told you about that Marina girl who has been stalking me for two years!"

Wallace: "Well at least get me a [lemonade] or something to drink? Pleaaaaaaaaaaaase?" — begs.

Lance thinks for a moment, then nods.

Wallace: "Many thanks! I'll never call your Pokémon hax in national television again, I promise...."

Lance grumbles something about DVR and repetition, and then heads to the next floor of the Dept. Store. He walks around looking for the vending machines, when he suddenly catches sight of a notice on the wall behind a clerk. As he gets closer to read it, he notices something about people not welcome and some pictures of Trainers. His attention is further lured however by a specific picture.

Lance: "Oh? Let's see... hmmm... that guy looks strangely familiar..." — remembers some incidents in Angela a couple of years ago, then shudders. — "Oh wait that's the guy with the Nidorina Nidorina Nidorina Nidorina...~"

A murderous growl reverberates in the Champion's Room, eclipsing the weird, highly retro but still EPIC MIDI music track playing from the speakers high above. On the ground, Lance's Dragonite, poisoned and mildly battered, tumbles and crashes against a wall. At the call of his Master the dragon Pokémon stands up and shrugs off most of the damage, then turns around... only to notice again the blue-ish, large poisonous rabbit leaping at his chest.

Haxest Dragonite: <...Eeeep! Not again!> — summons a fourth Barrier around him.

Still roaring and gritting her teeth, Inka crashes against the defensive wall that has appeared, but the Nidorina, angered, simply bounced back to the ground and readies her claws and fangs.

Inka: <   DRRRRRRRAGONITE. ARRRRRE. NOT. SUPPOSED. TO. USE. BARRRRRRRIERRRR!!!!!   >

Inka Fury Swipes on the Barrier, trying to reach Dragonite and still managing to transfer part of the damage to the bruised Pokémon. With a cry, Dragonite tries to stand up and shove the Nidorina away, but the Pokémon won't have any of it. She readies her paws with elemental powers and, with loud roars, starts Thunder Punching, Double Kicking and otherwise letting out her Frustration at the annoying Dragonite. The barrier manages to protect him from most of the damage though.

Dragonite: <...HEEEEELP!>

Before either Lance or Silent can answer, the Dragonite tries to swipe at Inka with all his strength. Inka however counter with her own Strength, holding Dragonite's arm; then she opens her muzzle and lets out a raging Ice Beam at the Dragonite, pushing him away.

Inka: <...You want to know how does that kind of cheating feel???>

The Nidorina rushes at the Dragonite with all her strength and Skull Bashes him on the belly, finally breaking the four Barriers and lifting the Dragonite off the ground. The other Pokémon manages to recover from the pain in midair and extends his wings, ready to restabiize and try fly somewhere safe... but as soon as he opens his eyes he sees Inka divebombing at him at a very short distance, her hind foot barely a meter away from his face.

Dragonite: <Fus Oh Kra~>

One room before, Karen is busy feeding her Pokémon after the battle they've had with Silent's team. Absol and Weavile are enjoying a meal together and commenting on strategy and stuff, while Honchkrow and Houndoom are near a pillar talking about something in their own language, the canine Pokémon feeling a bit uncomfortable after the battle as Silent's Houndoom, Makenna, didn't exactly look like he remembered her.

Suddenly, Absol's fur stands and the Pokémon stops eating to look around for a moment. Then with a sense of urgency he pokes Weavile and before any complain, drags him and the food bowl away just a second before the wall before them collapses and a large Dragonite is thrown into the room like a (giand, goofy) brick, crashing on the spot Absol and Weavile just left with such strength that he bounced, leaving a small crater behind, and went to finally crash against one of the room's pillars, a short distance away, to slide down to the ground unconscious.

Karen and Umbreon go check the giant hole while the other Pokémon go to the Dragonite to check if it is still alive at least.

Karen: "...Did it finally happen?" — peeks thru the hole — "Someone finally snapped at those barriers of yours, right?"

In the room, Lance turns to the challenger, a boy in sandals and a white shirt.

Lance: "Erm... she looks a bit angry."

Silent: "Nurse said it's her time of the year, so we decided we could use the extra strength..."

At those words, Lance watches the Nidorina for a moment, as she walks near the opening and, still roaring, kicks away a random pebble.

Lance -sweatdrops: "So she's gonna be angry like this for the entire match?"

Silent: "And the rematch next week as well, if we lose."

Lance: "...." — gulps, readies a Pokéball, turns to Silent. — "Eeeep! Charizard go?"

Lance rubs his forehead, noticing himself sweating. Then a popping sound is heard and a lemonade pops out of the vending machine. As Lance picks it up, already nervous, he checks the other names in the pamphlet, recognizing some of them and remembering them to be worse. Heck even Tagg is there... But with the Nidorina guy is more than enough, and he is on the low end of the group's Law Of Distribution Of Ninjutsu.

Lance -opens the can, drinks: "Wallace be damned, I'm outta here!"

Lance sends out Dragonite and explains what happened at him, only for the Pokémon to simply stare blankly and goofily at him.

Dragonite: "...goooooo?" — licks him.

Lance: "Lucky you, your memory of that day is probably a blank..."

After offering the Pokémon a quick treat, Lance rides up and hastily flies away. He reaches Kanto in the next thirty six minutes.

Wallace -turns to cuddle with Milotic for a moment before signing more: "Don't worry Milotic I just need to sign up some more of those before Lance comes up with some [lemonade] and oh uh... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Thank you come again... Errr...." — sweatdrops as he receives a girl's underwear to sign.

Goldenrod City, Earlier Today

Copahue and Harriet are calmly soaring the clear skies of the city. While the city and its skies are open and ample, the two birds make a point of keeping their distance of some other birds, mostly Noctowl, Honchkrow and some flocks of Pidgey, who can be seen flying in the distance at their same level — or in the case of the three Honchkrows, higher, indicating positions of importance.

Copahue -looks to a Honchkrow in the distance, to the south: <Uhm... err... Harriet?>

Harriet: <Yes?> — turns to him, slowing down.

Copahue: <You, uhm... you haven't taken the chance to go meet up with your family or friends here...>

Harriet looks at him for a moment and then turns her head back, not giving much more response. However, after the two birds fight an updrift for a moment to keep of the little Starly circling a park below, the female Honchkrow answers.

Harriet: <I do have family here... friends.> — tilts her head — <Wait, do you mean [family] like "family" or...?>

Copahue: <Uhm... family? You know, like... your parents. What else?> — coos.

Harriet -flies closer to the Fearow: <Well... I don't know. I left the nest at a very young age because I wanted to be in a gang. Then I grew tired of that, and of the next thing, and of...> — blushes, turns away and stares into nowhere for a moment — <Uhm... what I mean is, I never kept much contact with them, or held them in my thoughts.>

Copahue: <It's OK. I don't remember much of what my family was like either...> — looks at the city below — <I was all... forest. Then I got caught and... never had much of a chance of looking back.>

The two birds descend in their flight silently for a while, carefully observing the world below them. Their eyes fixated on Shahinne, who is at the moment flying around a tree, apparently trying to strike conversation with a family of Hoothoot living there, without much success, as the duo can attest even with the fair distance and the slow descent.

Copahue: <I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable.>

Harriet: <You didn't. While it might sound blunt, the truth is I can't care much now about something I haven't [bothered] to care about in ages.>

The two (love)birds fly closer to each other, their wings brushing slightly. They take a turn together, to see Shahinne flying from the tree to a nearby window in a building where a Purrloin is resting on top of some clothes that were ubdoubtedly washed just now.

Harriet -her feather britle awkwarly: <I hope Shahinne doesn't grow to not care about us...>

Copahue -flies ahead and looks at her assuringly: <She won't. We can do this... she has a lot of love...>

Harriet sees the Purrloin try to slash at Shahinne; although the Starly easily manages to evade the attack and flies away back to the plaza, for the Honchkrow one scare is enough.

Harriet: <You see that? We are flying too high!> — pecks Copahue.

Copahue: <I knoOUCH!!!> — pecks her back playfully — <Don't worry, we're going down.>

Harriet: <We need to train her to fight and hunt, too! I can't believe we almost lost her to a cat...>

Copahue: <Relax, honey... I mean, uh, Harriet.> — blushes. — <She is smart. She can keep her distance. Now let's go.>

Copahue and Harriet accelerate their descent, the Honchkrow taking the lead, and fly near the top of a building. After an examination of the surroundings to check that Shahinne is trying to strike conversation with some other Pokémon, Copahue nods to Harriet and goes to fetch the Starly.

Celadon City

A dad is sitting with his daughter in bed, trying to get to her as the girl seems to still be angry about something.

Dad: "Come on, Anjuta... I'm getting you the best gift there is... see?" Shows her a box. "A golden copy of Exasperated Pidgeys, see?"

Daughter: "But I wanted a copy of Giga Golurk Legends Three!!! All my classmates wanted it!"

Dad: "...I'm sorry. We had to cancel that project, it's not like I wanted to..."

The daughter crosses arms, but after a while she returns her dad's hug. She still doesn't receive the copy of the Pidgeys game though.

Dad: "Next time we have to decide for a game to cancel, we'll call your school. I promise."

To be continued in this post...

edited 5th Jan '12 11:15:51 PM by SilentReverence