Docking, Respite Village

Clearly couldn't have considering these folks made it through..—

Stellan is taken aback by the (justified) hostilities from these villagers, in particular one Vulpix among the crowd that stands out as more scared than angry.

Please...don't hurt us...Miss Judy?

Ophelius motions his lackeys to accompany him down as he climbs off the Guild Boat to explain the situation in as much of an official light as he can.

Calm yourselves for a moment! Commander Ophelius at your service, these are my lackeys Daniels and Miller. I can assure you, us and those pokémon behind us are in no way associated with that vile witch. We are on route to try and stop her before she wipes this entire place out! Am I making myself clear?

He looks between his lackeys to help back him up here. Meanwhile, Addie motions for Igni and Wreck to stay aboard the boat with her for now, and Clayton does the same.

---

I groan as these villagers begin to bound right up to us, ready to fucking end us. However, our guide...more like commander, comes up to quell the suspicions of the locals. As I move to hobble off the boat (with Marsha helping to keep me steady even with the crutches), I come to a stop just off the end of the ladder down and also assist in trying to reason with these villagers.

Please, try and understand, we have friends and family out there under her spell...we are one in the same, are we not?

Edited by Team42Larson on Sep 23rd 2019 at 12:07:16 PM

Tell....everyone....

Dieter sighs, this isn't gonna go well, hopefully the others can convince. They just... think it'd be better to leave it to them.

---

Daniels comes to his boss's side.

"Yeah, we're here to help! Plus we're not Clamperl or anything like that!"

"life is just a series of increasingly canon-eluding ao3 tags" ~ everydunsparce "Keep your hellfruit away from me, tempter" ~ also Every

Docking, Respite Village

"Yeah!" Bailey says to the Ninetales. "The Gorebyss has done awful things, and we want to help fix them."

"Humans and robots living together in harmony and equality. That was my ultimate wish."

Docking, Respite Village

"Yeah," says Rex. "She got some of our friends, too.."

A great Mascot Mook.

Docking, Respite Village

As we dock, I can see the damage isn't too bad. It could have been worse. Ideally it shouldn't have happened at all. I recognize one of the villagers that coming up to one of our group and shouting. The thing was called a Ninetales? Anyways, it demanded to know our business and asked if we were with the Gorebyss, the one that attacked the previous village. Phoebe was her name?

I decided to stick close to Addie and Igni and remain on the boat. I hadn't figured out how to do any moves yet so I felt kind of useless. Maybe one of the stronger ones could just throw me at people. I doubt it hurt.

"Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. What's the deal with this Phoebe anyways? Why is she doing this?"

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

I'm just gonna... not say anything.

(Wanting not to screw things up any more than they apparently already are, I opt to continue staying quiet on the matter. It is very worrying to me, however, and that much is apparent to anyone who looks at me.)

"I can assure you", said Noriaki, tracing the brim of his hat with one wing, "We have no affiliation with that villainous Gorebyss. We have, in fact, come to confront her and put an end to her vile ambition."

The Shifter

(Seeing as the rest of our group is trying to explain, I stayed silent. So far, no sign of any traps, at least not by the Gorebyss.)

Guild Boat

We've come from Whispering Pines, which she tore up before she got to where you're at. We're here to ensure that this island doesn't end up like that, or worse. (Miller hoped that this little explanation made the villagers trust them more.)

"I treasure every day with you, darling." "No need to be so sappy, love." "You know that's how she is, Nia." - AU!Pyra, Nia, Mythra

Disembarking, Respite Village

Still shaking off sleep, Mila hadn't been able to do much more than store the proffered food in her cheek pouches and slowly work through it on the trip over, losing track of any and all discussions in the meantime. Even as she tuned in to the talk going on now, she had to wonder whether it was just inattentiveness causing this. Did she really miss the rest of them that badly? What was she saying, of course she did. Either that, or she was about to have a heart attack, but she suspected her arteries were not to blame for the pain in her chest this time.

Looking to the approaching Ninetails, Mila decides not to approach and overwhelm them with even more claims to their goodwill. Instead, she tries to see past and gain the attention of some of the other townsfolk, calling out just loud enough for them to hear without straining her voice.

"I don't know how fast news travels here, but... I'm with Foxfell's royalty. On their goodwill, if not their orders, we're here to help. I promise you that."

I need to update these things more often

Respite Village

From a fair ways upward, a Jumpluff floats in the air. Looking down at the village… yeesh. She clutches her satchel, hoping that this rather unwelcoming sight at least yields some good news for her. And, believe it or not, it does! She's right there! Maybe! It's a Raichu, so it probably is. Letting out a long exhale of satisfaction, the Jumpluff slowly descends and hovers over to the group that just entered the area.
"Pardon me… Might you be Mila?"

Edited by shrubBird on Sep 23rd 2019 at 7:59:13 AM

If I don't clash, I don't change. The world ends at my borders, and the best moments slip away.

Respite Village

Plus, I'm here, Ronin! (Judy calls as she moves to where the Ninetales can see her.)

(After listening to what everyone has to say, along with seeing Judy, remembering her from when she came her in order to find the spring, the Ninetales' tails stop flaring, though he still seems a bit stand-offish (in particular, he isn't yet sure if he can buy that the Raichu is really in league with Foxfell's royalty as she claims, but he digresses; he can ask her questions about that later).) I see...forgive us for not trusting you. We thought you may have been in league with that Gorebyss and were coming to do even more damage to us and our village. As you can probably see, she and the many Clamperls she had with her did enough damage as she came through here as it is, and took some of our own with her using...whatever sort of Pokémon move it was that she used. In all of my years I have never seen anyone use a move like that one.

Yeah, great, whatever, now where did she go?! (Cortez yells.) She's gonna blow up the spring or somethin' and some of us kinda wanna use it!

(Upon hearing Cortez, Ronin's eyes narrow.) Blow up the-? Come again? How on earth would she do that?' (He asks, incredulously.)

(He shakes his head and turns toward the village.) Oh dear...please follow us into the village so you can tell us more about just what exactly is going on, especially if that's what she means to do...however a Gorebyss like herself would do it.

"Lucian, don’t be afraid, we’ll make it through this."

Respite Village, time to move

She...we don't know much else on why she's doing this except she want to keep growing her army. Please, we need the help, and bad.

One of the Vulpixes explains to Wreck. He also isn't sure of this Raichu's claim of being with the Foxfellian royalty.

Are you for real?

He asks.

---

I will be more than happy to explain everything that is going on to you and your people. Please, lead us on. My apologies for not giving any notice, another Ninetales named Liesl told us about you all.

Ophelius says as he motions for his lackeys to take position on either side of him. As he begins to lumber forth off the boat and into the beach proper, walking with a sense or confidence yet an air of seriousness about him, he tries to begin his own explanation.

Yes, we were able to uncover a map of which had originated from the Gorebyss herself, which had implicated that she had a goal to destroy the spring via the volcano. And we also had a member of this group following us here that also verified that the magic she uses was also seen with his old master, L'Arachel.

Addie breathes a very relieved sigh as she motions for Igni and Wreck to follow. Stellan and Clay also follow.

---

I hobble ahead, feeling about the same sense of unease as I have always felt about this since the other day in the Barracks, and now we are coming right into another village that has been taken down by the seemingly relentless war machine that is this Gorebyss and her Clamperl army. I attempt to gather the two Decidueyes, Rex and Bailey, and Marsha together for a brief chat to hopefully formulate a plan of action for what may happen here soon. If they did not already see me get illusioned, the fact that my normal colored eyes are still present would be the clear indicator.

Alright, guys, if we do get plunged into an encounter with that Gorebyss and this illusion fades while we're in the middle of it, can you all cover me while I try to pull myself to safety?

Edited by Team42Larson on Sep 24th 2019 at 2:49:00 PM

Tell....everyone....

"I will try my best to keep you covered, Marlon", Noriaki whispered back.

The Decidueye respectfully tipped his hat to the Ninetales as he was mentioned.

Respite Village

"Y-yeah, we'll do what we can," says Rex.

A great Mascot Mook.

En Route to Respite Village

Ah, Liesl, I know her...I do hope she has learned to control her temper. (Ronin says.)

Bzz, I know her, and I think she's gotten better over time. (Maran says.)

(Ronin is taken aback when magic is brought up.) Magic? Actual magic? (Ronin repeats.) To think that I thought things like that were only in stories...you'll have to tell me more about this if you can.

---

(The stone path from the docks ends in a circle with a small fountain in the middle of it. Water would likely be pouring from the three small Politoed sculptures that adorn it if not for the fact that one's head appears to have been smashed off. An Infernape seems to be in the process of repairing it.)

(All around the circle, about ten buildings sit. Some appear to be living spaces while one is a small inn and another is a small market selling various berries and even a few fairly common battle items. All of the buildings appear to be silent aside from some muffled talking from within the inn.)

Is that the spring?? (Cortez asks upon seeing the fountain, scampering ahead of everyone else toward it.)

Cortez, wait! That's just a- (sploosh!) ...normal fountain.

(Cortez peers back up out of the water, clearly expecting to return to his normal self, and looking quite annoyed when that doesn't happen (with the Infernape looking annoyed at him).)

Edited by kablammin45 on Sep 23rd 2019 at 10:14:46 AM

"Lucian, don’t be afraid, we’ll make it through this."

Respite Village

And yas already know I'll have your back regardless, Marly.

I sigh a breath of relief as I have the knowledge in the back of my head that these guys will have my back when this illusion fades out. But for now, this...village. It, like Whispering Pines before it, seems almost totally devoid of life, even in spite of outward appearance suggesting lesser amounts of damage having been incurred. Yet, I can see (and hear) signs of life from within the inn that is here. Thinking critically I realize that they probably also didn't expect us to arrive here and are likely just as confused, and perhaps about as standoffish, as their leader was.

Do these mons know that we aren't aligned in any way with that Gorebyss?

---

Oh, I can abso-fuckin'-lutely tell you what we found out about the magic this woman can do, and how she learned it. Pour me up one of your finest glasses and I'll tell you every little detail.

Ophelius proclaims to Ronin, rather boldly as he does

---

Well...another place taken out by that Gorebyss 'n her lackeys...how're the two of yeh holdin' up?

She asks her new friends.

Tell....everyone....

Dieter gives a sigh.

"Good... glad we don't have to get into anything. Didn't expect all this, hoping the spring will be easy to get to after this..."

Daniels looks a bit concerned and decides to voice said concerns after a bit of debate.

"Uh... sir, you sure you should be drinking again this soon?..."

"life is just a series of increasingly canon-eluding ao3 tags" ~ everydunsparce "Keep your hellfruit away from me, tempter" ~ also Every

Respite Village

(Miller responds to Daniels.) As long as he doesn't overdo it, boss'll be fine. Don't want it to happen again all over a few drinks.

(Probably too soon to ask where she went at this point. Hopefully it won't be too late when we do ask. The inns and the stores might be a good place to start asking, but I held off on it, keeping an eye on them just in case.)

"I treasure every day with you, darling." "No need to be so sappy, love." "You know that's how she is, Nia." - AU!Pyra, Nia, Mythra

"I know of the one who taught Phoebe what she knows in great detail", said Noriaki, "I am more than willing to tell you what can be expected from her and to what extent I think she can go."

Respite Village

I mean, I'm here with you guys, and the guys here know and trust me, so that should be enough, I would think... (Judy says.)

---

Please do! (Ronin says to Noriaki and that other Tyrantrum.) How on earth does any Pokémon acquire such...bizarre abilities? We can talk in the inn.

(But there's no telling how much time we have left at this point...) Can we make this quick, though? We don't have much time to waste. How far ahead even is Phoebe at this point?

"Lucian, don’t be afraid, we’ll make it through this."

Respite Village

Clay winces as he hears the mention of Ophelius wanting to grab up another drink. Ophelius resorted to drinking after accidentally causing Roy's death and although he's become sober since then, he has remained fearful of Ophelius slipping into a few drinks. Ophelius becomes an entirely different beast when he drinks, on an emotional scale.

Yes, we shall accompany you in. I need a drink or two...but we do best be brief in our discussions.

---

Yes, and he would have us as witnesses to what happened. We saw some of her capabilities ourselves.

Tell....everyone....

(Though I don't really feel like I'm allowed to say much, if anything, I continue to follow Addie, listening to any ongoing conversations nearby to try and get a better mental image of what's going on around here. I am getting an increasingly obvious sense of dread, however, and if this is because we're getting closer to a major threat or not is beyond me.)

Respite Village

"Yes, I'm—"

Before she can continue her thought, the Jumpluff's words register with her. This is the second time in nearly as many days that she's been called to by name by someone she hardly recognizes.

"—Mila? Y-yes, that's me. You're... with Foxfell?"

A quick scan shows some of Foxfell's heraldry, though this does little to explain things to the Raichu. She can't think of an exact reason for this Jumpluff to be here and seeking her out, and a small amount of dread begins to resurface. Did something happen back there? Is everyone okay?

I need to update these things more often

The Jumpluff is elated that she finally found her. "Right you are! Personal Messenger Tina, reporting for duty!" She proudly proclaims, saluting to the Raichu with one of her puffballs. "The Princess has appointed me with the job of delivering mail between you two as fast as the winds can carry me!" Tina rummages through her satchel, partially showing off the crest of Foxfell that was sewn into it. She pulls out an envelope and hands it to Mila.

If I don't clash, I don't change. The world ends at my borders, and the best moments slip away.

Respite Village

A Vulpix walked up to me and told me they were unsure what the Gorebyss' deal was. I wasn't even sure what a Gorebyss was. Must be one of the newer Pokemon.

I stick close to Addie and ask them something discreetly.

"Um, what's a Gorebyss?"

GIVE ME YOUR FACE