ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

Danjor Island (Caverns)

If ya need me or someone else to help yas, just let us know, Marly! (Marsha tells Marlon.)

(Moving forward, the interior of the cavern is mostly dark, but past where the arrow landed, it gets noticeably brighter up ahead. If the party moves forward past where the arrow landed toward this glow, they'll see that it isn't daylight, but a more open part of the cavern with lava bubbling several hundred feet below. It's hot, but large vent holes overhead leading to outside the cavern and volcano prevent the heat from becoming unbearable.)

(Two paths hug the cavern wall; the one the group is currently on that leads to another opening in the wall across the lava pit (more glowing is visible through it, hinting at even more lava ahead), and another slightly lower path than the main group's path on the opposite side about 80 yards away, also leading to an opening in the wall. If the party looks in the direction of the other path, they'll be able to see Judy, Ophelius, and the rest of the cursed mons following this other path after having made their detour, though they seem too far away to hear the main group very well nor see them from where the path they're taking sits below them. They seem to have made good time in spite of the detour they had to take, though on the other hand it's likely they avoided being halted by the second wave of Phoebe's minions. They curiously seem to be being followed by the minions the party faced at the bridge, but they don't seem to be following them with harmful intent now.)

(I suppose I should have expected there to be lava in a volcano, but now that I'm actually seeing it, I suddenly remember how much I didn't ever want to visit a volcano or be near lava out of fear that I would somehow bumble my way into stepping on or falling into it.)

L-L-Lava...r-real l-lava.... (I stammer, wrapping my long body around the Dragonite's arm as tight as I can and trying to keep myself from trembling.)

Goobert-ow! Calm down, we're safe up here! (I grunt as I try to get Goobert to not hold on to my arm as tightly as he is.)

Yeah! Just don't look down! (Cortez adds. I can't help but notice how tightly he seems to be hugging the wall opposite of the edge of the path.)

The cave

Lava. The orange liquid of death. This takes it to another extreme. You know, I never really understood why she had to choose a Volcano to explode. Couldn't she choose a confetti machine to blow up? That'd be way less messy.

Yes...I...okay, can at least two of you guys come to either side of me to help keep me stable? This surface is starting to do a number on my leg again...ow... Preferably I'd hope you guys could just carry me up...if that isn't much a hassle.

I keep limping ahead, feeling increasing sensations of pain once again. Once we get back to Foxfell I need a damn doctor...ow...

Stellan carefully inches forth, much like most others are, when he spots someone on the lower path. He can't really see who they are, they're a good distance away, but he can at least recognize the crest on their head. They've made it through. Stellan grumbles.

Is that....that motherfucker...

It's a good thing that they've made it, yes, but Ophelius doesn't know what's coming for him, especially if Phoebe doesn't survive this encounter.

The Houndoom pads her way along the path, rather surprised that past the length of Grigs's arrow tip the cave just as quickly brightens up...but it's lava, not direct daylights, that's giving this off. Good thing she's part Fire-Type.

Alright, I jest want to remind th' lot of yeh that although this is an active volcano it hasn't had an eruption in about 10 years, so we will be safe as we climb up 'ere. Jest b'careful as we climb.

Edited by Team42Larson on Oct 28th 2019 at 3:27:30 PM

(Following Addie's lead, I'm soon able to see a more natural, and far more dangerous, light source... that of lava, of all things. The heat, oddly enough, doesn't even really bother me that much, it's moreso the thought of someone falling off into it that's worrisome.)

...That's usually something you say before the thing actually happens...

(Even more worrisome is the fact that we're now actively tempting fate.)

Edited by MetamorphicHalis on Oct 28th 2019 at 3:31:10 PM

Noriaki came to Marlon's side and helped to keep him stable.

"Hopefully we find more favorable terrain soon" he said.

Cavern

(Never in my life would I find myself in a volcano, especially with actual lava. Damn this heat... makes me wish I were at Nifel. Almost. At least we won't have to worry about light for now. So there's that. Not to mention the rocky road. Speaking of which, I come up to Marlon's side and held him steady with Nori.) At least the terrain we have now won't collapse on us, eh?

(At first, Miller was relieved to find his boss, far away as he may be, but that soon gave way to uneasiness as soon as he thought about Stellan. He hoped it wouldn't escalate any further beyond the inevitable stream of profanity and anger.)

(Is that magma? Well whatever it is, the heat in this place makes me feel like I'm about to melt.)

I take my fogged up glasses off, and store it in my rucksack. Then I drop my metal coating from earlier in an attempt to prevent myself from overheating.

(Seems like the other made it through thier detour.)

Danjor Island (Caverns)

Crack!

(There's a loud crack as a few rocks suddenly fall off the underside of the path behind everyone. A few seconds later, there is a distant sploosh.)

Might wanna hurry, fellas. (Polly says.) Th' volcano might not be about t' erupt, but I'm beginnin' t' wonder if this path is actually strong enough t' hold all of us.

(No sooner does Polly say this than a chunk of the path behind the party falls away.)

CRAAACK!!

(Cortez (still hugging the cavern wall and now lagging a bit behind) is just at the edge of where part of the path crumbled and flails around as he tries to keep his balance.)

NO! NOT LIKE THIS!! NOT LIKE THIS!!! (He squeals as he does so.) SAVE MEEEE!!!

(There is a very faint and nearly inaudible:) Boss...?? (from below the party.)

Danjor Island (Outside the Volcano)

(A flock of Wingulls and Pelippers are flying directly toward the volcano with their beaks all full of something. But why?)

The cave

Oh shit.

As if on cue from Polly's insistence a part of the path from just behind us begins to crumble

We need to keep moving ahead, somebody go back and get him!

I look to either side of me at the Decidueyes who are keeping me steady.

Keep me steady and let's keep moving.

Stellan's plans for seeking out a good-old fashioned ass kicking are brought to a halt with the crumbling of the path just behind the group and Cortez losing his balance.

I got him I got him! Somebody have my back!

Stellan turns back and starts lumbering back to try and grab the Tyrunt. However, what he's doing isn't very ideal for a speedy grab.

The Houndoom watches Stellan lumber after Cortez and then looks back to Igni.

Hop on me back, Igni, this'll get bumpy...!

Also from just below are two other voices, also subsequently faint and almost impossible to hear.

What's happening up there?

I dunno, but this thing better not be ready to pop it's top...

"Sorry about this!" I say as I swiftly grab the stranded Tyrunt in my iron mouth.

(That was close... Seems like I've still got my honed reflexes.)

"Mind if I carry you like this?" I inquire of Cortez.

Ohh, of course this would happen...

(Obeying Addie's instruction, I start hanging onto her back, hoping that we leave this place sooner rather than later.)

Danjor Island (Cavern)

(Benji hurriedly gets Renata and Gomer away from the portions that are collapsing as well. Shelley scrambles after them. Marsha does so while trying not to get too far ahead of Marlon. Georgés holds on to Marlon's scarf as tight as he can with only a pair of tiny fins to work with.)

CRAAACK!

(The ground below Daniel and Cortez (and possibly Stellan as well if he's close enough to them) starts to collapse, too.) Oh, great! Now we're BOTH in trouble! (Cortez growls.)

(Polly hurriedly moves to set Cree and Radar somewhere safe so she can help.)

Gosh, I thought they were gonna take the new path, not the old one...

Edited by kablammin45 on Oct 29th 2019 at 6:52:43 AM

The cave

I keep scrambling ahead, moving as fast I can even with this bad leg and two Decidueyes attempting to help keep me stable.

Fuck!

I grunt in frustration (and pain).

Oh, for the love of Arceus...

Stellan almost feels like wanting to facepalm as he watches Daniel have a bout of heroics only to get himself trapped in the process. With some help building up behind him he tries to direct the help that's coming.

Try to get both of them in one swoop, then we gotta haul ass outta here before we plunge into those pits!

Stellan reaches forward and tries to grab hold of either one of the trapped pair.

Addie rushes ahead herself, having also helping her Clamperlized cousin and boyfriend along as best she can.

Don't—let—go!

They must've gotten stalled out by another wave of the clan, that's the only way they could've gotten separated from us.

Whatever the case, we need to keep moving ourselves. They can't see us and we can't see them. Whatever aid we can administer would be very limited.

"Don't push yourself too hard, Marlon!" said Noriaki, trying to keep up with and help him "If you were to fall over, that would be worse than not moving fast enough."

Hikari continues scuttling along the path, looking back at those struggling but isn't sure if she can help due to her stature...

Not letting go, not letting go...

(Don't wanna die, have to keep holding, don't wanna die, have to keep holding...)

(Crap! Crap! CRAP! Why in heaven's name did that have to happen now. Hope this works.)

I try to use magnetism to float, or at least slow my descent.

"Stellan! Can you try to utilize the Magnet Pull ability, if you have it, to pull me closer to you!? That is if you aren't falling yourself..." Yell to the Alolan Golem, in rushed attempt to save both Cortez's and my own hides from magma doom.

Cavern

(As soon as I said it. As soon as I fucking said it. All I can really do is just keep going forward with Marlon in tow.) Next time, I'm gonna keep my beak shut.

(Let's hope there will be a next time.)

(Miller, in an attempt to help, attended Stellan to the Mawile-Tyrunt dilemma by pulling behind him if he got a grip on the two. He hoped he would not be too late.)

The cave

Right, right...

I say, slowing myself down just enough to help stabilize myself out and help Noriaki catch up. I value my life more than trying to push too hard at this moment.

Stellan reaches forward now, to try and grab Cortez.

Danjor Island (Cavern)

(Cortez tries to leap from Daniel to Stellan and...doesn't quite make it to him.)

NOOOOOOOOOO-oof!

(Fortunately, Cortez's fall was broken by Maran (still in cursed form), who flies up and grabs Daniel as well. He then tries to help push Stellan back to safety.)

Maran, yer my hero right now... (Cortez says.)

Gckh! No problem, boss! Bzz... (Maran wheezes through the death grip Cortez has on his neck.)

(Polly and Benji (now in Feraligatr form) then arrive to assist Miller in pulling Stellan back to safety and back to solid ground. Once Stellan is back on stable ground, Maran lands with Cortez and Daniel.)

Bzz...boss, please let go of my neck! (Maran grunts. Cortez just sort of slides down Maran's back onto the ground.)

That was close, just sayin'! (Benji says.) Let's git outta here before more of th' path crumbles!

(No one has to tell Cortez twice. He makes a mad dash for everyone else and leaps into Renata's wheelchair.)

Edited by kablammin45 on Oct 30th 2019 at 1:19:49 PM

The cave

I look behind me as the situation is resolving itself with some of the others in our group. Looking back ahead

Okay...phew...that was close. Keep moving, but just go a little slower. My leg is really hurting now.

Oh, phew..thank you all. Daniel...I'd rather you not try and brazenly get into a situation like this. We would've had it likely under control until you tried to go in there. Yes, I have Magnet Rise, but I didn't want to risk it. Now come on, before this crashing down happens again.

After he wrangles himself free from Polly, Benji, and Miller's grasps he quickly resumes moving forth.

Addie slows herself down and looks back briefly as the situation seems to have resolved itself involving the path nearly crumbling. She resumes a brisk pace ahead, knowing that at least everyone's safe.

Whew...th'was...too close fer comfort. How yeh hangin', Igni?

...Not letting go until we're out of this blazing nightmare. Nope. Not one bit. Not letting that happen to me...

(It's clear from my panicked tone of voice that I just want to get out of here as soon as physically possible, especially given that I'm still clinging just as much as I was earlier.)

Edited by MetamorphicHalis on Oct 30th 2019 at 2:04:08 PM

Noriaki just nodded to Marlon as he kept a good pace without going to fast for the Gallade.

Hikari sighed a breath of relief as the situation was diffused.

"If any of you were hurt in that ordeal, I can heal you when we're on more stable ground", she offered. "Even if it's just a scratch or a bruise, I truly don't mind helping to ease the pain."

"Thanks." I weakly say to Maran.

(I still have a mission to complete, though.)

I walk as fast as I can in this blistering heat, trying not to fall nor overheat myself.

Dieter has been around, thinking that this would have been less nerve-wracking if they were still a Fire-type, at least, assuming they would be properly resistant to this. But then they'd be helping more.

"Right..." Daniels replies. "Sorry about that, will be more careful."

Cavern

(I tried to keep up the pace, taking care not to hurt Marlon's leg too badly. A little more...)

(With this mishap sorted, Miller pressed forward.)

Danjor Island (Cavern)

Thanks a million, Hikari. (Benji says, turning back into Noivern form.) Hey, was anyone actually hurt? Cortez? Daniel?

(Cortez looks himself over.) I-I think I'm good...man, my whole life was flashin' before my eyes...and I couldn't stop thinkin' about how I was THIS close to never gettin' uncursed and never gettin' to a better place in life afterward...

(He looks back at Maran.) I really owe ya one, Maran. Thanks.

Bzz...no problem, boss. Let's keep going. We should be about to run back into everyone else. (Maran says.)

How close are we to the center of the volcano? (Shelley asks him.)

Not far, bzz. (Maran replies.)

(Georgés is beginning to look quite haggard from his position in Marlon's scarf.) Would someone please douse me in water? The heat is really starting to get to me in this form...