The Archaeology Zone's Recorded History

[Shadowshocker]

The Isle of Talas

The Sphinx
"Ooooh, well done! You've got it!" cheers Baltoy, clapping its clay arms together like an excited child. "That was some good thinking! You'll need that if you want to clear the other riddles inside, but first... this way, please!"

As Baltoy disappears into the passage ahead, you start moving to follow it, Watermelon and Dot next to you. With each measure of distance you move deeper into the hallway small torches lining the walls light up, illuminating the way in front where Baltoy is merrily bobbing ahead, gaining speed even while you chase after it. At the corners of your vision you spot that this hall is no less ornate than the room you were in earlier, but you maintain focus on the main mission at hand. For all you knew the way ahead could be labyrinthesque and the last thing you'd want is to lose your way inside this ancient monument.

By the time you see a clearing of light ahead, Baltoy already seems to have disappeared, leaving you and your Pokémon apparently alone in a larger room about the size of a typical battle arena, filled with sand from all four corners. Ahead you barely spot the edges of a rocky slab door cut into the opposite wall, but with no clear opening mechanism. Out of curiousity you start making your way across the silicon oxide deposits, but nearly halfway across the room you feel a slight rumble in the sand beneath your feet, and a small brown head pops out of the grainy floor a moment later.

"Diglett!" it says, eyeing you in fascination, and with a start you realise that you'll have to battle your way through in order to gain permission to the next riddle. What will you do now?

[Stark]

ZA Shadow, reporting for duty in lieu of Tess. Here's to a series of exciting tales and tribulations, gentlemen!

Atlas City

The Market

Stark
With concerns for Carolina running through your mind, you turn past the corner where Carolina and the stranger went past, into a separate street that while still populated with tourists and locals moving about, gives off a different vibe from the bustling, wide open area of the marketplace. You realise with a start that you're beginning to delve into the seedier areas of the commercial region, and with your heart beating adrenalin through your body you reflexively raise a hand to touch the place where Carolina had kissed you earlier. This is certainly no place for a girl like Carolina, you think, and given that thought you continue your pursuit of the two, though guided more by instinct than anything else. Fleeting figures pass you by as you run, deeper amongst the alleys and structures, until you find yourself in a most quiet area in the market. Abandoned stalls lie against the edges of the streets, litter flies up and rides along the whispering breezes, and against the setting sun the few functioning lights flicker dysfunctionally to form dark silhouettes on the ground. Even the air itself seems to carry an aura of simmering conflict, as though at any point in time the shadows themselves might leap out and mug you.

"Why are you here?!" All of a sudden, you recognise Carolina's voice in the vicinity, clearly distressed and frustrated. "Why did you follow me?!"

"You know why I'm here, Lina." Another voice, whom you can only assume to belong to the man you saw earlier, comes gruff and questioning. "Why do you keep doing this? Doing this to yourself?"

"Don't you get it?" Carolina is heard again, exasperation distinct in her retort. "There's no other way out for us, Lawrence! You know as well as I do that we can't survive otherwise!"

"I don't want you getting involved!" roars the other person. "Especially not like this! Have you forgotten --"

"I have NOT forgotten!" screams Carolina. "You bring that up every time we argue! But what does it matter? I don't see YOU ever helping out!"

Feeling you've heard enough, you run in the direction where the voices are coming from, rounding a few more passageways before finally curving about a dead end where Carolina and the man known as Lawrence stand, with Lawrence cornering Carolina with his arms akimbo. Both their faces are flushed from their heated debate, but a surge of rage seems to burst from within you at the mystery man. How dare he harass Carolina like that?

"Oh, Stark!" Suddenly noticing your presence, Carolina darts from behind Lawrence, running behind you to cower. "You came just in time, Stark! This stalker won't stop following me no matter what I do!"

"Stalker?" Lawrence narrows his eyes at the two of you, before his lips curl into a snarl. "Look, man," he says, addressing you, "There's no need for anyone else to get involved. This is our business; no room for nosey-parkers like you to butt in. I handle this, with her alone."

"Help me, Stark!" pleads Carolina.

Multiple thoughts are running through your brain. Carolina seems desperate, it's true, and the scenario seems rather clear-cut... or does something lie behind the expressions of your newfound acquaintances? What will you choose to do?

OOC: Thanks for taking over. I'm looking forward to it.

"I don't think so," Stark sternly said to Lawrence jutting his arm out to the side of his body blocking Carolina from the other man as if to say if you want her you're going to have to go through me. He didn't know what was going on, but one thing was apparent. Carolina was in trouble and while he barely knew the young lady, he was the type of person who always helped those in trouble when he could. Especially damsels in distress. His legs soon spread about shoulder width apart as he leaned forward while his right hand swooshed back his long coat behind him as it reached for a small red and white orb attached to his belt. His eyes narrowed and all focus fell upon Lawrence.

The man had not exactly made a good first impression on Stark. Not only because of the arguing with Carolina, but also the way he stalked her through the streets before finally talking to her. Friends... No. Normal people didn't do that. Regardless, the familiarity Carolina had with him meant there was obviously something more going on than met the eye. Some skeleton in the closet looking for a way out. The answer to what was happening lying just beyond reach in the dark. Whatever the case may have been, Stark remained resolute in granting Carolina's request for assistance.

"Now then, I'd prefer not to have this end in mindless violence, so what say someone explain to me just what's going on," he seriously said with a slight tilt of the head.

[-Hayward-]

The Lost City of Lacuna

Lacuna City

Hayward
"I don't think you understand, Ben," frowns Kiru. "This is determine to where our loyalties lie in Lacuna. Either to Saros or to Rapa. There's no possibility for a middle ground."

"He's right, Ben," informs Ikira. "But if he's coming to Saros' Temple, that's two against one! We're going to Saros' Temple for sure!" Grinning at you, Ikira clasps your hand firmly before sticking her tongue out at Kiru in mock victory, much to the latter's annoyance.

"It's just like you to do things without thinking, Ikira. Just because your father expected you, you're going to the Moon Temple?" Kiru asks in near exasperation. "Well, that's your business. I'm headed for Rapa's Temple, with or without you."

"Kiru, wait!" Shouting after her friend, Ikira is too late to stop Kiru from taking his leave and going out of the house, determined to going on seperate ways. "Ooooooh! Why won't that buffoon just listen?!" she half-screams, stomping the ground frustratedly, and you can't help but feel a twinge of guilt at Kiru's departure.

"There's just no convincing him when he's like this," sighs Ikira eventually. "But at least you're going with me, Ben. I don't know what I'd do, going alone like this." At this remark Ikira looks down at the dirt ground, her fingers shyly moving against yours.

"Well, for now, perhaps we should go for a change of clothing and get there before the Temple gets too crowded," suggests Ikira. "You know how my father is... if we're not dressed for the occasion, he gets rather nitpicky about it."

***

Some time later, you find yourself going along a dirt path paved towards the Moon Temple. In Lacuna's time what vegetation that existed had been cut away to make for transportational infrastructure, and you note that it is a far cry from what you had encountered in present day, back in your time period. As of now, both you and Ikira are dressed in white, lightweight ceremonial robes, decked with just the right about of decoration -- a claw-shaped obsidian pendant for you, and a bead necklace and bracelet for Ikira. Luckily for you, Ikira ignored the futuristic look of your clothes and PokéBalls unquestioningly, and for now your PokéBalls lie in a tote bag made out of fibres. A similar one hangs across Ikira's torso as the girl merrily skips along the path with you behind, wondering how you're going to reconcile with Kiru amongst other things. Sooner than you realise it, you reach the cornerstone on which the Moon Temple was built, feeling its magical aura seep into the vicinity, and at the steps stands a figure dressed in regal-looking garb.

"Father!" Calling happily, Ikira bounds forward, catching the man in a tight hug.

"Now, now, Ikira. You know we must observe proper decorum when in the Moon Temple. Saros is watching," coaxes the man, but briefly returns the embrace all the same. "I am known as Priest Mensa within these walls, and you must address me as such."

"Alright, Priest Mensa," replies Ikira, but not without a giggle.

"I see Ben has accompanied you in joining the cause of Saros," smiles Mensa. "But what of Kiru?"

"..." Speechless, Ikira stands before her father, her lack of an answer responding for her.

"...I see. So the boy took to the side of Rapa," mutters the priest, looking in the direction where Rapa's Temple would have stood, and you hear the bitterness and pity deep in his voice. "He should heed the legends of old, Kiru, but I pray that he realises the consequences of his brash decisions before it's too late. The three of you have been friends since young and I do not wish to see you separated... Shall I tell you the legend of Saros and Rapa, Ben?"

"Fa - I mean, Priest Mensa! I'm sure Ben already knows the legend like the back of his hands," Ikira whines. "You tell it to us whenever you get the chance!"

"Ah, but surely a refresher wouldn't hurt," Mensa smiles again, stroking his priest's beard as he speaks. "The heart falters easily in times of darkness, and now, perhap, could not possibly be a more opportune time to fortify the soul. Don't you agree, Ben?"

It's time for another round of decision-making. Mensa might hold the key to helping you understanding whatever that is going on, but judging from Ikira's expression you might be risking a long earful of sermon. If you could slip away, perhaps you could explore the Temple and find your answer there.

What will you do?

"I don't think you understand, Ben," Kiru frowned. "This is to determine where our loyalties lie in Lacuna. Either to Saros or to Rapa. There's no possibility for a middle ground."

"He's right, Ben," Ikira agreed. "But if he's coming to Saros' Temple, that's two against one! We're going to Saros' Temple for sure!" Ikira grinned at Ben and clasped his hand firmly. In mock victory, she stuck her tongue out at the spiky, red-haired boy, who Ben noticed looked fairly annoyed.

"It's just like you to do things without thinking, Ikira. Just because your father expected you, you're going to the Moon Temple?" asked Kiru exasperatedly. "Well, that's your business. I'm headed for Rapa's Temple, with or without you."

"Kiru, wait!" Ikira shouted after her irritated friend. Resolved on going his own way, the spiky, red-haired boy, rapidly left the house. "Ooooooh! Why won't that buffoon just listen?!" Ikira half-screamed, stomping the ground in frustration. Watching the scene through his grey-green eyes, Ben couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty for the part he had played in Kiru’s decision.

"There's just no convincing him when he's like this," Ikira sighed after a moment. "But at least you're going with me, Ben. I don't know what I'd do, going alone like this." Ben felt Ikira’s fingers timidly moving against his own, as the silver-haired girl cast her gaze to the ground.

"Well, for now, perhaps we should go for a change of clothing and get there before the Temple gets too crowded," Ikira suggested. "You know how my father is... if we're not dressed for the occasion, he gets rather nitpicky about it."

* * *

Ben looked at the outfit that had been handed to him by Ikira - a simple, lightweight ceremonial robe, and a claw shaped pendant made of obsidian - and felt sincerely grateful that the silver-haired girl hadn’t asked any questions about his modern clothes. Glad for a moment of privacy, he unclipped a metallic Steel Ball from his belt and pressed the round trigger switch. A brilliant scarlet light lit appeared, followed by a small Meditite. “Sorry I couldn’t get you out of there earlier, mate.” Ben apologized, knowing full well his tiny partner’s distaste for that particular mode of travel. Medeo wore a slightly irritated expression. “Look, mate,” Ben continued. “I don’t know what’s going on here, but somehow when I grabbed that Moon Stone the second time, we wound up in ancient Lacuna.” The quick-witted Meditite nodded to show that he had come to the same conclusion, having followed the prior conversation of the three teens from inside his Steel Ball.

“I’m not sure, but I think fate has sent us here so that we can help these people somehow. I’m going to the Moon Temple with Ikira in a bit to meet her father and see what I can find out.” Ever-eager for action, Medeo nodded enthusiastically that he liked that plan.

“Sorry, mate,” Ben replied, seeing his diminutive companion’s look. “The Moon Temple is one of their most sacred places. I don’t know how the people of Lacuna will react to seeing you just walking around with us inside there.” Medeo frowned mightily and Ben quickly added, “but I promise at the first sign of danger, I’ll let you know.” The Yoga Pokemon looked doubtful. “You have my word, mate.” Ben assured his little friend.

Medeo sighed and hung his tiny, onion-shaped head sadly. He realized that Ben was right and knew arguing wouldn’t solve anything. After a moment he glanced ruefully at Ben, slowly nodding that he was ready. Ben pointed the Steel Ball at Medeo, and in a flash of scarlet radiance, the doleful Meditite disappeared. Ben knew his partner hated being cooped up, but didn’t feel there was any other choice at the moment. He quickly pulled on the white robe and the claw-shaped pendant, then stuffed all of his belongings into the fibre tote bag Ikira had loaned him. Slinging the simple pack over his shoulder, he rejoined the silver-haired girl, and they set out for the Moon Temple.

* * *

As Ben and Ikira made their way down the dirt paved path leading to the Moon Temple, a feeling of guilt nagged at the back of Ben’s mind as he thought about their parting with Kiru. Even though Ben wasn’t exactly sure what was going on, it was clear that Kiru and Ikira shared some sort of a past, and Ben hoped that there would be an opportunity to make things right with the boy. As they continued on, Ben noted with astonishment just how radically different Lacuna City had looked in its prime. Ben noticed that even the overhanging branches had been clipped back to make a clear avenue for travel, transportation, and trade. When he thought back to the desolation and barrenness of the ruins in the present day, Ben resolved even more firmly to try to find a way to help prevent the conflict he felt was sure to arise.

The white-robed pair approached the cornerstone of the majestic Moon Temple, and Ben couldn’t help but feel excited as a mystical sensation washed over him like a flood, warming him in its magical embrace. Surveying the stately structure, his grey-green eyes fell on a lone figure waiting at the steps. Befitting his position, the man wore the fanciest looking garments Ben had ever seen, and Ben wondered if he might not be Ikira’s father. Ben didn’t have to wait long to find out his answer.

"Father!" Ikira called happily. Bounding forward, she hugged the man tightly.

"Now, now, Ikira. You know we must observe proper decorum when in the Moon Temple. Saros is watching," her father coaxed. Nevertheless, he briefly returned the embrace and continued, [I]"I am known as Priest Mensa within these walls, and you must address me as such."

"Alright, Priest Mensa,” Ikira giggled.

"I see Ben has accompanied you in joining the cause of Saros," Mensa smiled at the teenage trainer. "But what of Kiru?"

"..." Ikira regarded her father sadly. Ben noticed that for what seemed like the first time that day, the normally garrulous girl was lost for words. However, her silence, and the look on her face, spoke louder than words ever could.

"...I see. So the boy took to the side of Rapa," Mensa muttered, gazing off thoughtfully into the distance. Ben thought he detected a faint trace of bitterness mixed with pity in the old man’s words. "He should heed the legends of old, Kiru, but I pray that he realises the consequences of his brash decisions before it's too late. The three of you have been friends since young and I do not wish to see you separated... Shall I tell you the legend of Saros and Rapa, Ben?"

"Fa - I mean, Priest Mensa! I'm sure Ben already knows the legend like the back of his hands," moaned Ikira. "You tell it to us whenever you get the chance!"

"Ah, but surely a refresher wouldn't hurt," replied Mensa. Smiling, the priest stroked his beard and spoke again, "The heart falters easily in times of darkness, and now, perhap, could not possibly be a more opportune time to fortify the soul. Don't you agree, Ben?"

“It is one of my favorites,” Ben quickly replied. “And no one tells it quite like you, sir.” The teenage trainer had followed the conversation with great interest, hoping to pick up any useful scrap of information. Seeing Ikira’s reaction to her father’s suggestion, Ben supposed the tale of Rapa and Saros would be a long one, and impatient to get on with the exploring the Temple, half-considered trying to slip away. He realized though, Priest Mensa’s knowledge could be invaluable to helping him figure out a plan to hopefully prevent the desolation of Lacuna. Glancing at the silver-haired girl, Ben grinned sheepishly and shrugged, “I guess one more time couldn’t hurt…”


__________________
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[Food Guy]

The Isle of Talas

The Sphinx
"Ooooh, well done! You've got it!" cheers Baltoy, clapping its clay arms together like an excited child. "That was some good thinking! You'll need that if you want to clear the other riddles inside, but first... this way, please!"

As Baltoy disappears into the passage ahead, you start moving to follow it, Watermelon and Dot next to you. With each measure of distance you move deeper into the hallway small torches lining the walls light up, illuminating the way in front where Baltoy is merrily bobbing ahead, gaining speed even while you chase after it. At the corners of your vision you spot that this hall is no less ornate than the room you were in earlier, but you maintain focus on the main mission at hand. For all you knew the way ahead could be labyrinthesque and the last thing you'd want is to lose your way inside this ancient monument.

By the time you see a clearing of light ahead, Baltoy already seems to have disappeared, leaving you and your Pokémon apparently alone in a larger room about the size of a typical battle arena, filled with sand from all four corners. Ahead you barely spot the edges of a rocky slab door cut into the opposite wall, but with no clear opening mechanism. Out of curiousity you start making your way across the silicon oxide deposits, but nearly halfway across the room you feel a slight rumble in the sand beneath your feet, and a small brown head pops out of the grainy floor a moment later.

"Diglett!" it says, eyeing you in fascination, and with a start you realise that you'll have to battle your way through in order to gain permission to the next riddle. What will you do now?

"Ooooh, well done! You've got it!" cheers Baltoy, clapping its clay arms together like an excited child. "That was some good thinking! You'll need that if you want to clear the other riddles inside, but first... this way, please!"

Baltoy disappeared into the passage ahead, Karmas, Dot and Watermelon having to run, or fly in Dot's case, to keep up with the small pokemon. As he ran down the hallway Karmas noticed that it was just as ornate as the hallway that he met Baltoy in, but he didn't wish to lose the pokemon; for all he knew, Karmas might have been running into a large labyrinth.

Finally Karmas came to a clearing of light, with the Baltoy nowhere to be seen. The room was large, about the size of a regular battling field and was filled by sand from all four corners. Karmas looked around the room some more and was able to spot the faint outline of a rocky slab door but, as far as he could see, there was no way to open it.

Curiously, Karmas walked towards the door and when he was about halfway across the room he thought he felt a slight rumble at his feet. Karmas looked around in surprise but couldn't see anything that could have caused it, until a small brown head popped out of the grainy floor.

"Diglett!" it says, eyeing Karmas in fascination.

It didn't take Karmas long to figure out that he needed to fight his way out of the room and gain permission to the next riddle.

"Okay Watermelon," said Karmas, "It's your time to shine."

The Nuzleaf jumped out in front of his trainer and took on a fighting stance. Karmas figured that since Watermelon was a Grass type that he would be a good pokemon to verse a Diglett, which was a ground type.

"Watermelon, I want you to start off with an Aqua Ring attack, followed by a Razor Leaf. If the Diglett attacks you I want you to counter it with a Nature Power attack!" ordered Karmas.

[Shadowshocker]

Atlas City

The Market

Stark
"It's him, Stark!" cries Carolina again, clinging to you like a daughter to her mother. "He's been following me wherever I go for the past few months, and I don't know why! You've got to stop him!"

"So you've got another unwitting victim under your belt, have you, Carolina?" Lawrence growls as he frowns. "And it didn't take long for you to convince him either, I see. The guy's smitten with you, and completely immune to reason."

"You can't listen to him, Stark..." Wrapping her arms around you, Carolina starts to whisper in your ear, clearly upping the ante as you feel her breath and voice, warm against your lobe. "But you're going to defend me, aren't you? Aren't you?"

"That's enough, Carolina." From out of nowhere Lawrence produces a PokéBall in his right hand, matching your own prepared orb in your palm. "You won't be getting away this time. Once I've dealt with him, you're next. There won't be any escape for you."

"We'll see about that!" laughs Carolina with much gaiety, and you feel her press against your back; her delicate fingers briefly brushing along your waist.

"Raticate, stand by!" Lawrence declares, flinging his containment sphere to the ground to reveal his selection: a brown-furred rodent on its hind legs, its whiskers bristling aggressively and its alarmingly large buck teeth clacking together, glaring at you all the while. Looks like your questions haven't been answered, and won't be for a while; Pokémon battle now being the only viable method of bringing any message across to anyone relevant.

What will you do?

The Isle of Talas

The Sphinx
Sending out your Nuzleaf to deal with this first of physical challenges, Watermelon wastes no time in applying the first half of his name. Circles of watery power start to form about him, creating series of Aqua Rings to soak him in recovery as the battle continues. Before he can proceed with his next move, however, Diglett comes bobbing through the sands, knocking into Watermelon's foot in a surprising tripping strike. Too Astonished to react, Watermelon topples over his brown lower limbs, falling to the sands with a soft but gritty thump.

"Diglett! Diglett!" Appearing pleased at its proverbial handiwork, Diglett begins to make happy noises before charging back in, Scratching Watermelon across the face, much to the Nuzleaf's irritation. Snarling, Watermelon starts charging Nature Power through his body, before slamming down onto the ground, drawing the sand's power to unleash a ferocious Earthquake through the field. Not having expected this turn of events, Diglett yelps as the gaiakinetic pulses echo through all eight inches of its small body, thoroughly shaking it to the core. As you try to regain your footing, not having immunity to Watermelon's attack, Diglett surprises you yet again as it pops down into the sand, leaving a hole as proof of its Dig manouvre -- at this point, Diglett could reappear anywhere, and you would have no way of knowing where it might appear; for certain, this might not be as easy a first confrontation as you might have supposed.

What will you do now?

[Shadowshocker]

The Lost City of Lacuna

The Moon Temple

Hayward
"Very well, Ben." His hand going to his shining beard once again, you watch as Mensa closes his eyes, his brow deeply furrowed in reminescing. "No one truly knows where Saros and Rapa came from, but legend has it that they were borne from the moon, after the planets and the world were formed."

"The moon?" Ikira asks, though from a glance in her direction you can tell out of her feigned interest that she's simply saying this as if on cue; unsurprising considering her experience with her father's tale.

"Yes, Ikira. Saros and Rapa represent the phases of the moon, when it is full, new or somewhere in between," nods Mensa with a smile. "As the moon ebbs and flows between its phases, so does the waters flowing through Lacuna flow. We have much to thank the moon for, and as a result, we likewise have much to thank Saros and Rapa for."

"But then, why are we even deciding who should lead the city of Lacuna?" questions Ikira, and this time you can tell she's genuinely curious, as are you. "Doesn't the legend say that both Saros and Rapa were responsible for Lacuna's prosperity?"

"As does the moon and tide follow their cycles, so do the blessings of the moon, dear child," Mensa explains. "Prosperity and disaster, darkness and light, the full moon and the new moon. None can exist without the existence of the other. However... in recent times, we have been experiencing more frequent disasters and cataclysms," frowns the priest. "Sandstorms, wild Pokémon onslaughts, even the Laos River has been flooding more frequently and strongly than it should be. We're not even in the flooding season yet." Thinking back to the verbal exchanges between Kiru and Ikira earlier, you recall that something along those lines certainly has been mentioned.

"The priority of a city's leaders is, regardless of what may come, to protect its people and safeguard their interests," sighs Mensa. "Unfortunately, ashamed as I am to admit it, we have not been able to do so for the past few weeks."

"Is that why..."

"You are correct, Ikira. Where we have failed, the practitioners of Rapa have been successfully predicting all these negative events. Usually we would be both shouldering the city's governance; specifically, they would be handling the markets and defence aspects, while we championed diplomacy and order... but since we have not been able to secure order, the temple of Rapa has been stepping in." A displeased look now darkens Mensa's expression, and you can tell he's not very happy at the apparent intervention. "For the past few days the citizens have been in heated debate, deciding that only one temple may truly lead the city... and tonight, the people will decide, once and for all."

"I see." Gazing listlessly at nothing in particular, trouble starts to cloud Ikira's face. "What do you think, Priest Mensa?"

"I cannot say for certain, Ikira. As practitioners of Saros, we believe in peace, order and rejuvenation... but we can't simply let the members of Rapa do as they please." Deeply frowning as he says this, you notice Mensa now looks the most serious he's looked yet. "I can't shake off this feeling... that things are going to take an extremely dark turn. The very existence of Lacuna will be at stake tonight, and with this division amongst us... I fear for the worst, my children."

Stroking his beard in deep, troubled silence, Mensa closes his eyes, at which Ikira beckons to you to go with her. Running along the marbled hallway, Ikira leads you into a junction in the temple where it leads on into three different areas.

"So... what do you think, Ben? Do you think that's why they asked us to bring our Pokémon?" she asks you. "Do we have to fight it out?... I don't think I'd like to fight anyone in Lacuna. Especially not Kiru; he's tough." The silver-haired girl pauses at this, though from her expression you can tell Kiru's supposed battle aptitude isn't quite why Ikira's uncomfortable with the thought of fighting him.

"If anything, maybe we should have some battle practice. There's an arena in the temple for practicing; the priests do say that battling is a time to pacify the heart for bonding with your Pokémon, and if we're battling tonight we could use the workout," suggests Ikira, brightening up. "I'm sure Debra and Medeo would benefit from the practice, and we could always heal them in the Healing Grounds later. What do you say?"

It seems whoever the Ben Ikira really knows is, he seems to be a perfect parallel to you in your time. For now, though, nothing else seems to be of much priority, and if Ikira's guess is true you might be needing all the battle experience you can get.

What will you do?

[Food Guy]

[center]

The Isle of Talas

The Sphinx
Sending out your Nuzleaf to deal with this first of physical challenges, Watermelon wastes no time in applying the first half of his name. Circles of watery power start to form about him, creating series of Aqua Rings to soak him in recovery as the battle continues. Before he can proceed with his next move, however, Diglett comes bobbing through the sands, knocking into Watermelon's foot in a surprising tripping strike. Too Astonished to react, Watermelon topples over his brown lower limbs, falling to the sands with a soft but gritty thump.

"Diglett! Diglett!" Appearing pleased at its proverbial handiwork, Diglett begins to make happy noises before charging back in, Scratching Watermelon across the face, much to the Nuzleaf's irritation. Snarling, Watermelon starts charging Nature Power through his body, before slamming down onto the ground, drawing the sand's power to unleash a ferocious Earthquake through the field. Not having expected this turn of events, Diglett yelps as the gaiakinetic pulses echo through all eight inches of its small body, thoroughly shaking it to the core. As you try to regain your footing, not having immunity to Watermelon's attack, Diglett surprises you yet again as it pops down into the sand, leaving a hole as proof of its Dig maneuver -- at this point, Diglett could reappear anywhere, and you would have no way of knowing where it might appear; for certain, this might not be as easy a first confrontation as you might have supposed.

What will you do now?

Watermelon wasted no time, immediately covering himself with his Aqua Ring attack. As he prepared to shoot off a Razor Leaf attack the Diglett bobbed through the sand and knocked into Watermelon's foot, knocking the humanoid pokemon over due to him being Astonished. Watermelon came down quick and hard. Diglett let off a couple of happy cries before it charged towards Watermelon, Scratching him across the face.

A snarling Watermelon began to charge the energy of his Nature Power before slamming his hands into the ground. To both his and Karmas' surprise the attack turned int an Earthquake which appeared to have shaken Diglett nearly to its core. The attack ended up knocking Karmas off his feet, but the trainer still managed to keep his attention on the battle as the small Diglett popped underground.

"Okay Watermelon," started Karmas. "This is obviously a little tougher than we would have expected, but we can pull through still. The Diglett is obviously using a Dig attack so we need to counter it."

Karmas stood in thought for a couple of seconds while he tried to think of a plan. Dot tapped him on the shoulder and whispered into his ear.

"That's a great idea Dot!" exclaimed Karmas. "Okay Watermelon, start off by using Nature Power, then use Blizzard when it pops back up. Then try to finish it off with a Seed Bomb!"

Watermelon nodded as Karmas braced himself for Watermelon's attack.

[-Hayward-]

The Lost City of Lacuna

The Moon Temple

Hayward
"Very well, Ben." His hand going to his shining beard once again, you watch as Mensa closes his eyes, his brow deeply furrowed in reminescing. "No one truly knows where Saros and Rapa came from, but legend has it that they were borne from the moon, after the planets and the world were formed."

"The moon?" Ikira asks, though from a glance in her direction you can tell out of her feigned interest that she's simply saying this as if on cue; unsurprising considering her experience with her father's tale.

"Yes, Ikira. Saros and Rapa represent the phases of the moon, when it is full, new or somewhere in between," nods Mensa with a smile. "As the moon ebbs and flows between its phases, so does the waters flowing through Lacuna flow. We have much to thank the moon for, and as a result, we likewise have much to thank Saros and Rapa for."

"But then, why are we even deciding who should lead the city of Lacuna?" questions Ikira, and this time you can tell she's genuinely curious, as are you. "Doesn't the legend say that both Saros and Rapa were responsible for Lacuna's prosperity?"

"As does the moon and tide follow their cycles, so do the blessings of the moon, dear child," Mensa explains. "Prosperity and disaster, darkness and light, the full moon and the new moon. None can exist without the existence of the other. However... in recent times, we have been experiencing more frequent disasters and cataclysms," frowns the priest. "Sandstorms, wild Pokémon onslaughts, even the Laos River has been flooding more frequently and strongly than it should be. We're not even in the flooding season yet." Thinking back to the verbal exchanges between Kiru and Ikira earlier, you recall that something along those lines certainly has been mentioned.

"The priority of a city's leaders is, regardless of what may come, to protect its people and safeguard their interests," sighs Mensa. "Unfortunately, ashamed as I am to admit it, we have not been able to do so for the past few weeks."

"Is that why..."

"You are correct, Ikira. Where we have failed, the practitioners of Rapa have been successfully predicting all these negative events. Usually we would be both shouldering the city's governance; specifically, they would be handling the markets and defence aspects, while we championed diplomacy and order... but since we have not been able to secure order, the temple of Rapa has been stepping in." A displeased look now darkens Mensa's expression, and you can tell he's not very happy at the apparent intervention. "For the past few days the citizens have been in heated debate, deciding that only one temple may truly lead the city... and tonight, the people will decide, once and for all."

"I see." Gazing listlessly at nothing in particular, trouble starts to cloud Ikira's face. "What do you think, Priest Mensa?"

"I cannot say for certain, Ikira. As practitioners of Saros, we believe in peace, order and rejuvenation... but we can't simply let the members of Rapa do as they please." Deeply frowning as he says this, you notice Mensa now looks the most serious he's looked yet. "I can't shake off this feeling... that things are going to take an extremely dark turn. The very existence of Lacuna will be at stake tonight, and with this division amongst us... I fear for the worst, my children."

Stroking his beard in deep, troubled silence, Mensa closes his eyes, at which Ikira beckons to you to go with her. Running along the marbled hallway, Ikira leads you into a junction in the temple where it leads on into three different areas.

"So... what do you think, Ben? Do you think that's why they asked us to bring our Pokémon?" she asks you. "Do we have to fight it out?... I don't think I'd like to fight anyone in Lacuna. Especially not Kiru; he's tough." The silver-haired girl pauses at this, though from her expression you can tell Kiru's supposed battle aptitude isn't quite why Ikira's uncomfortable with the thought of fighting him.

"If anything, maybe we should have some battle practice. There's an arena in the temple for practicing; the priests do say that battling is a time to pacify the heart for bonding with your Pokémon, and if we're battling tonight we could use the workout," suggests Ikira, brightening up. "I'm sure Debra and Medeo would benefit from the practice, and we could always heal them in the Healing Grounds later. What do you say?"

It seems whoever the Ben Ikira really knows is, he seems to be a perfect parallel to you in your time. For now, though, nothing else seems to be of much priority, and if Ikira's guess is true you might be needing all the battle experience you can get.

What will you do?

"Very well, Ben." Mensa replied, closing his eyes. Brow furrowed deeply in concentration, he stroked his beard and continued, "No one truly knows where Saros and Rapa came from, but legend has it that they were borne from the moon, after the planets and the world were formed."

"The moon?" asked Ikira. Ben threw a sideways glance in the silver-haired girl’s direction and noticed by the disinterested expression on her face that her comment had clearly been rehearsed.

"Yes, Ikira. Saros and Rapa represent the phases of the moon, when it is full, new or somewhere in between," Mensa nodded, smiling. "As the moon ebbs and flows between its phases, so does the waters flowing through Lacuna flow. We have much to thank the moon for, and as a result, we likewise have much to thank Saros and Rapa for."

"But then, why are we even deciding who should lead the city of Lacuna?" Ikira questioned. Once more, Ben quickly glanced at the teenager. Unlike before though, this time she appeared to be sincerely interested. "Doesn't the legend say that both Saros and Rapa were responsible for Lacuna's prosperity?"

"As does the moon and tide follow their cycles, so do the blessings of the moon, dear child," explained Mensa. "Prosperity and disaster, darkness and light, the full moon and the new moon. None can exist without the existence of the other. However... in recent times, we have been experiencing more frequent disasters and cataclysms," the priest frowned. "Sandstorms, wild Pokémon onslaughts, even the Laos River has been flooding more frequently and strongly than it should be. We're not even in the flooding season yet." Ben’s mind raced at the words of Ikira’s father. Clearly this was what Ikira and Kiru had been referring to in their debate earlier.

"The priority of a city's leaders is, regardless of what may come, to protect its people and safeguard their interests," Mensa sighed. "Unfortunately, ashamed as I am to admit it, we have not been able to do so for the past few weeks."

"Is that why..." Even as the silver-haired girl spoke, Ben guessed what her father’s answer would be.

"You are correct, Ikira. Where we have failed, the practitioners of Rapa have been successfully predicting all these negative events. Usually we would be both shouldering the city's governance; specifically, they would be handling the markets and defence aspects, while we championed diplomacy and order... but since we have not been able to secure order, the temple of Rapa has been stepping in." At these words, Ben noticed a look of grim displeasure cross the face of the wizened priest. Obviously, he was not in favor of the Rapa followers’ intervention, and Ben wondered what they had done, or were going to do, that was so upsetting. "For the past few days the citizens have been in heated debate, deciding that only one temple may truly lead the city... and tonight, the people will decide, once and for all."

"I see." Ikira responded. The silver-haired girl wore a troubled look as she stared absentmindedly off into the distance, and continued, "What do you think, Priest Mensa?"

"I cannot say for certain, Ikira. As practitioners of Saros, we believe in peace, order and rejuvenation... but we can't simply let the members of Rapa do as they please." Mensa said, frowning mightily. When he spoke again, Ben realized that the Priest was wearing the most solemn look he had yet seen. "I can't shake off this feeling... that things are going to take an extremely dark turn. The very existence of Lacuna will be at stake tonight, and with this division amongst us... I fear for the worst, my children."

Lost in thought, Mensa closed his eyes and contemplatively stroked his beard. Suddenly Ikira motioned to Ben to follow her, and set off down the marbled hallway at a jog. After a few moments, she stopped at the intersection of three passageways. Trotting up, Ben noticed that each way lead to a different area of the Temple.

"So... what do you think, Ben? Do you think that's why they asked us to bring our Pokémon?" Ikira asked. "Do we have to fight it out?... I don't think I'd like to fight anyone in Lacuna. Especially not Kiru; he's tough." Reading the look on her face, Ben could tell that Kiru’s battling ability wasn’t the real reason she didn’t want to fight him, and once again felt a twinge of guilt at having split up their friendship.

"If anything, maybe we should have some battle practice. There's an arena in the temple for practicing; the priests do say that battling is a time to pacify the heart for bonding with your Pokémon, and if we're battling tonight we could use the workout," Ikira suggested, cheering up. "I'm sure Debra and Medeo would benefit from the practice, and we could always heal them in the Healing Grounds later. What do you say?"

At the girl’s suggestion of working out, Medeo’s metallic Steel Ball suddenly began to wiggle back-and-forth excitedly in Ben’s fibre tote bag. The diminutive Meditite clearly wanted the chance to prove himself in the practice match against the silver-haired girl’s Pokemon. Ben grinned to himself, as he realized that at this point, Medeo was simply bored with being cooped up and would have welcomed any excuse to be liberated from his makeshift prison.

While the miniature, silver capture capsule continued to shake from side-to-side in an irritated fashion in his satchel, Ben dragged a hand through his short, brown hair, and considered their options. He now knew that the reason for the division in Lacuna had to do with the recent influx of natural disasters. The followers of Saros had not been able to adequately foresee the impending calamities. In response, the acolytes of Rapa had intervened. For a moment, he wondered if the practitioners of Rapa might be staging the disturbances in order to discredit the disciples of Saros, or gain clout in the settlement’s political realm. Only time would prove whether or not Ben’s hunch was true or not; in the meantime, all he could do was wait, and try to ready himself for whatever fate sent his way. Recalling the Priest’s grim proclamation that "the very existence of Lacuna will be at stake tonight…", he had guessed that a battle for the city was on the horizon. Like the silver-haired girl, he recognized the benefits that a bit of exercise would provide. Not only that, but he knew that Medeo was starting to get antsy.

As he noticed the look on the girl's face as she waited for him to make his decision, it seemed to Ben that whoever Ikira had mistaken him for, must be his perfect parallel. Ben knew that if he wanted to help Lacuna, he would have to continue to pretend to be this ancient doppleganger, so as not to draw an unnecessary attention to himself. Grinning at the silver-haired girl, he nodded his approval, finally answering, “A practice battle sounds great. Lead on.”


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[Shadowshocker]

The Isle of Talas

The Sphinx

Food Guy
With Diglett stuck underground, Dot offers her advice for your subsequent battle decision, which you then relay to Watermelon in turn. Taking advantage of his opponent's status, Watermelon calls on Nature's Power to once again send an Earthquake rumbling through the sands, leaving you once again wobbling for balance as the groundbreaking force ripples through the room. A shrill screaming is heard from beneath the sands as your Nuzleaf performs his task, and soon after the quaking ceases Diglett comes Digging back up, jutting into Watermelon's foot and causing him to fall over. While your Pokémon picks himself up, you note that Diglett looks considerably much more shaken than ever; its brief trip beneath the sandy surface having proved twice as deadly for the mole Pokémon.

Wasting no time Watermelon draws in a huge breath, his internal systems working at the wind to turn it freezing cold, which the acorn humanoid blasts out in the form of a chilling Blizzard. As the snow and frost screams over the ground a thin layer of ice starts forming even as the attack makes brief contact, and the moment it washes over Diglett you hear the the little Ground-type give off another piteous squeal. When the attack has cleared you notice that Watermelon's technique has caused the sand to freeze over, locking Diglett in place. Desperately Diglett tries to send a Magnitude through the solidified water; unfortunately it ends up only ranking a 4 on the scale, and barely manages to crack its icy imprisonment. Being of the Grass-type Watermelon dismisses this earthly attack with a sniff before hocking up a storm of Seed Bombs to rain botanic pain onto Diglett, clods of dirt and sand flying up as the exploding orbs make their mark. A final, high-pitched yell echoes through the chamber, and when the battlefield has resumed normal visibility conditions you spot Diglett's battered form slinking down into the sands, from which it does not resurface. Level-up for Watermelon.

A twinge of remorse pulses softly through you for your onslaught on Diglett, but you still have far more challenging issues to attend to. With this in mind you continue towards the opposite passageway, moving onward to the next riddle. Observing your surroundings, you notice that this passage is much like the one Baltoy led you through, and before you realise it you find yourself in a room much like the one where you found Baltoy, where a Meditite sits in the lotus position.

"I see you have conquered the first riddle, in addition to the Sphinx's question," it says in a serene female voice. "That is most commendable... however, if you do not keep your mind focused and your wits sharp, you will most certainly fall. An understanding of the world, be it Pokémon or people, logic or tactics, is key to overcoming the challenges that await you. Everything in this world has its other, keeping our universe in perfect balance."

As she speaks, a group of ten orbs start gathering about Meditite, orbiting her form for a few moments before falling to the floor in front of you, forming ten stony discs with words written upon them.

"From my Hidden Power I have generated your next task... you must, from the words you see on the tiles, group them into pairs," instructs Meditite. "Be warned; if you were to make an error in your judgement, regardless of your magnitude of mistakes, you will be returned outside the Sphinx, and your journey rendered fruitless."

Picking up the discs, you notice that the series of phrases comprise the following: Amnesia, Double Team, Fake Tears, Growl, Iron Defence, Meditate, Rock Polish, Scary Face, Screech, Sweet Scent. What do you think the answer could be?


The Lost City of Lacuna[/center]

The Moon Temple

Hayward
"Alright! I knew you'd like the idea!" squeals Ikira, catching you by the hand and leading you through the left passageway, your footsteps echoing through the marble surfaces. For a moment you worry if Ikira's enthusiastic advances may be causing disruption, but even as the two of you make your way along you've not seen anyone else aside from some pillars and statues, as though standing guard over the establishment. Feline creatures of stone and glyphs of a beaked, moon-like creature gaze down at you imperiously, but even in their stony stares you feel a certain sense of kinship, as though their very presence emanated an aura of protection that could nullify all threats and negativity. An odd sense of peace and happiness soaks in your mind while Ikira continues to lead you through the Temple hallway.

"Well, here we are!" Ikira declares, prompting you to halt your dashing and look ahead. A large, circular hall stands in front of you, reaching up into a clear dome about sixty feet high through which the sunlight pours in. Opposite, a similar doorway leads towards another passageway, from which you can see a faint cyan aura.

"We can heal our Pokémon in the Healing Grounds, through that passage," Ikira explains. "But for now, let's get in place first."

Beckoning you to a spot nearer to the other hallway, Ikira stands at the equidistant point between the earlier doorway and the centre of the room. "We'll be able to use the entire room to battle, but we can't touch the dome... My father told me once of how it broke in a battle once, and it wasn't pretty," she remarks as you take your position. "Debra, let's do this!"

Flinging a PokéBall to the ground, Ikira smiles as the orb's contents materialise into a yellow fox-like creature padded with brown armour, in a seated position with its clawed limbs left lazily to its sides. "Aaaaabra..." she whispers.

"You make the first move, Ben!" calls Ikira. The ball's in your court now...

[-Hayward-]

The Isle of Talas

The Lost City of Lacuna

The Moon Temple

Hayward
"Alright! I knew you'd like the idea!" squeals Ikira, catching you by the hand and leading you through the left passageway, your footsteps echoing through the marble surfaces. For a moment you worry if Ikira's enthusiastic advances may be causing disruption, but even as the two of you make your way along you've not seen anyone else aside from some pillars and statues, as though standing guard over the establishment. Feline creatures of stone and glyphs of a beaked, moon-like creature gaze down at you imperiously, but even in their stony stares you feel a certain sense of kinship, as though their very presence emanated an aura of protection that could nullify all threats and negativity. An odd sense of peace and happiness soaks in your mind while Ikira continues to lead you through the Temple hallway.

"Well, here we are!" Ikira declares, prompting you to halt your dashing and look ahead. A large, circular hall stands in front of you, reaching up into a clear dome about sixty feet high through which the sunlight pours in. Opposite, a similar doorway leads towards another passageway, from which you can see a faint cyan aura.

"We can heal our Pokémon in the Healing Grounds, through that passage," Ikira explains. "But for now, let's get in place first."

Beckoning you to a spot nearer to the other hallway, Ikira stands at the equidistant point between the earlier doorway and the centre of the room. "We'll be able to use the entire room to battle, but we can't touch the dome... My father told me once of how it broke in a battle once, and it wasn't pretty," she remarks as you take your position. "Debra, let's do this!"

Flinging a PokéBall to the ground, Ikira smiles as the orb's contents materialise into a yellow fox-like creature padded with brown armour, in a seated position with its clawed limbs left lazily to its sides. "Aaaaabra..." she whispers.

"You make the first move, Ben!" calls Ikira. The ball's in your court now...

"Alright! I knew you'd like the idea!" Ikira squealed, tightly clasping hold of Ben’s hand and half-dragging him down the marbled passageway to the left. The pounding of their footstrikes rang in Ben’s ears as the pair hurried down the hall, and Ben momentarily wondered if the silver-haired girl’s excitement hadn’t run away with her. Clearly an activity as ill-mannered as running in the hallways would draw frowns from any austere worshipper at the sacred Moon Temple. However, they didn't encounter a single soul as they continued on, and the natural peace and tranquility of the serene sanctuary settled on Ben. The teenage trainer let go of his concern and took the opportunity to marvel at the great carved-granite guardians and amazing architecture of the magnificent structure. He was glad he had chosen to come with Ikira to the Moon Temple. It almost felt to him as if he belonged here.

"Well, here we are!" declared Ikira suddenly, and Ben skidded to a halt, narrowly avoiding crashing into the back of the silver-haired girl. As his grey-green eyes surveyed the sunlit, circular arena he found himself in, he glanced at the transparent, domed ceiling enclosing and gaped at its sheer enormity.

"We can heal our Pokémon in the Healing Grounds, through that passage," explained Ikira, referring to the doorway on the opposite side of the battlefield. Glancing in the indicated direction, Ben noticed a dim azure glow faintly illuminating the doorway, and nodded. Ikira continued, "But for now, let's get in place first."

Ikira chose a spot about a quarter of the way across the arena, and motioned for Ben to do the same, explaining, "We'll be able to use the entire room to battle, but we can't touch the dome... My father told me once of how it broke in a battle once, and it wasn't pretty.” As Ben positioned himself, she flung a Pokeball to the ground, exclaiming, "Debra, let's do this!" The yellow, vulpine-like Psi Pokemon instantly appeared on the battlefield, softly cooing, ”Aaaaabra…”. Ikira smiled calling out, "You make the first move, Ben!"

Ben reached into the fibre tote bag slung across his shoulder and grabbed the metallic Steel Ball containing the Meditite Medeo. The customized capture capsule rocked back-and-forth excitedly in his palm, as he withdrew his hand. Pressing the round trigger switch in the center of the silver sphere, a brilliant scarlet light appeared, followed by a small Meditite. The moment that the Meditite Medeo emerged from his temporary prison, he made an exaggerated show of reaching over to touch his toes, running in place, and doing jumping jacks. Unimpressed by this ostentatious display, Ben calmly waited for his tiny partner to finish his theatrics before issuing instructions. “Ready, mate? Ikira’s going to let us make the first move, so hit Debra with a FAKE OUT attack. While she’s stunned, hit her with a THUNDERPUNCH.” The Yoga Pokemon nodded his understanding and Ben continued, “Look sharp, keep your cool, and be ready to defend with DETECT.” Medeo fixed his steely gaze on the lethargic Abra and adopted the Savage Butterfree Antagonism offensive kung fu stance, readying himself for the first round…


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[Shadowshocker]

The Lost City of Lacuna

The Moon Temple

Hayward
Assuming his battle stance, Medeo is quick to make use of the priority advantage he has been given. Darting forward in a series of fast steps, Medeo brings his round palms back before swinging them into Debra's face in an attempt to Fake her Out, but the Meditite is soon surprised as Debra throws herself forward, slamming into Medeo's forehead in a shimmering Zen Headbutt.

"You're forgetting, Ben," Ikira calls, concern mixed with a little snarkiness as Medeo stumbles backwards. "Debra's Inner Focus prevents any flinching! Debra, Signal Beam!"

As you take in the implications of this revelation, Medeo dives back in time before the rainbow-coloured laser fired from Debra's claws can make contact; the beam of insectoid potential flickering towards you and dissipating before it comes within range. Having managed to Detect the attack, Medeo gets back to his feet and charges towards Debra once more, bringing down a blistering Thunderpunch to Debra's noggin. The tables are briefly turned as Debra wobbles on her feet, trying her best to regain balance and tripping back several steps in quick succession. With their commands both exhausted for the moment both Psychic humanoids glare at each other; battle and victory taking priority over any sentiments that might have existed. While Debra's attack was stronger, Medeo's naturally boosted Pure Power lent a much needed aid in dealing damage, though for now both of them look fit enough to continue for quite a while.

"Not bad at all, Ben, but it's not going to be that easy!" yells Ikira with a mischevous grin on her face. "Debra, go for Energy Ball, and Ice Punch! Teleport if Medeo comes for you!"

[-Hayward-]

The Lost City of Lacuna

The Moon Temple

Hayward
Assuming his battle stance, Medeo is quick to make use of the priority advantage he has been given. Darting forward in a series of fast steps, Medeo brings his round palms back before swinging them into Debra's face in an attempt to Fake her Out, but the Meditite is soon surprised as Debra throws herself forward, slamming into Medeo's forehead in a shimmering Zen Headbutt.

"You're forgetting, Ben," Ikira calls, concern mixed with a little snarkiness as Medeo stumbles backwards. "Debra's Inner Focus prevents any flinching! Debra, Signal Beam!"

As you take in the implications of this revelation, Medeo dives back in time before the rainbow-coloured laser fired from Debra's claws can make contact; the beam of insectoid potential flickering towards you and dissipating before it comes within range. Having managed to Detect the attack, Medeo gets back to his feet and charges towards Debra once more, bringing down a blistering Thunderpunch to Debra's noggin. The tables are briefly turned as Debra wobbles on her feet, trying her best to regain balance and tripping back several steps in quick succession. With their commands both exhausted for the moment both Psychic humanoids glare at each other; battle and victory taking priority over any sentiments that might have existed. While Debra's attack was stronger, Medeo's naturally boosted Pure Power lent a much needed aid in dealing damage, though for now both of them look fit enough to continue for quite a while.

"Not bad at all, Ben, but it's not going to be that easy!" yells Ikira with a mischevous grin on her face. "Debra, go for Energy Ball, and Ice Punch! Teleport if Medeo comes for you!"

On a sunlit battlefield, in the immense, domed Moon Temple arena, the Meditite Medeo received his isntructions with a nod and eagerly scampered forward, fully prepared to deliver the first attack. The trainer Benjamin Hale watched as Medeo misleadingly swung his tiny palms backwards, then as quick as a shockwave, brought them around again, connecting with Debra’s face, trying to Fake Out the Abra. Ben bolted in shock as Ikira’s partner, rather than being stunned by the sneaky strike, retaliated immediately with a teeth-rattling Zen Headbutt.

“You’re forgetting, Ben,” Ikira sang out condescendingly, as Ben watched Medeo massage his throbbing forehead. He could tell Ikira was surprised he had neglected to take such a basic factor as Abra’s Natural Ability into account when strategising. “Debra’s Inner Focus prevents any flinching! Debra, Signal Beam!” the silver-haired girl exclaimed. Detecting the attack, Medeo instinctively somersaulted backwards, narrowly avoiding the multi-hued energy blast as it whistled past and dissolved just metres away from Ben’s position. Ben let out a grateful sigh as the Signal Beam failed to find its mark, and silently berated himself for not being more thorough in his preparations. He hadn’t been careful, and it had almost cost them; he’d have to be more cautious in the future.

Medeo was on his feet in an instant and threw a jaundicied look over his tiny shoulder at Ben. Grinning sheepishly, the teenage trainer shrugged and apologized, “Sorry, mate. Guess I forgot about Inner Focus! We can still win this though, just keep your cool!” Medeo shook his onion-shaped head from side-to-side in disgust at his trainer’s rookie mistake, then turned his steely gaze to the vulpine Abra once again. Channeling his annoyance into an energy he could use, the little Yoga Pokemon hurtled headlong at Debra as a gleaming, electric aura surrounded his clenched right hand.

Ben watched with astonishment as the determined Meditite delivered a devastating Thunderpunch to the brow of the Psi Pokemon with all the force of a charging Tauros, causing it to stagger backwards several paces. “That was brilliant, mate!” Ben praised his diminutive companion. Adrenaline coursing through his veins, Medeo let out an exuberant shout of “Medii!” in response.

"Not bad at all, Ben, but it's not going to be that easy!" Ikira yelled, smiling mischievously. "Debra, go for Energy Ball, and Ice Punch! Teleport if Medeo comes for you!"

“Look sharp now, mate!” Ben cautioned the small Meditite. “Surround yourself with an AQUA RING right away, then MEDITATE and BIDE your time while Debra attacks!” Eyes still blazing fervently at Debra, Medeo nodded his understanding and prepared himself for the next round of battle…


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[Shadowshocker]

The Lost City of Lacuna

The Moon Temple

Hayward
The both of you quickly issuing your commands, Debra and Medeo move on to the next phases of their combat sequences. As Debra begins to focus botanic power between her hands, Medeo concentrates on tapping into what aquatic ability he has. Blips of water energy begin to surround his lithe form, glowing with a similar cyan glow like you saw from the passageway leading to the Healing Grounds. As they orbit about Medeo, the Aquatic pulses soon flow into Rings, bathing Medeo in their gentle illuminescence. This, however, doesn't prepare Medeo for the Energy Ball Debra hurls subsequently, the Grass-typed explosive blowing up in Medeo's face. Rubbing his bruised complexion, Medeo sits on the floor in a lotus position to Meditate for rounds to come, focusing his mental powers to boost those of his muscles.

Sensing her chance, Debra begins charging, her fist brimming with the power of Ice, and just as Medeo completes his reflection on world affairs a freezing Punch comes his way, knocking him flat on his back. Feeling the sting of the ice fresh on his unseen nose, Medeo unhappily resumes his yoga stance in order to Bide through future attacks. Having no more opposing techniques to absorb, Medeo simply sits where he is, the aura of Bide briefly overridden for a moment as the Aqua Ring does its work, returning an appreciated fraction of Medeo's health back to him. Having taken no damage, Debra is in noticeably better shape, but Medeo's investments this round may turn the tables around.

What will you do?

[Stark]

Atlas City

The Market

Stark
"It's him, Stark!" cries Carolina again, clinging to you like a daughter to her mother. "He's been following me wherever I go for the past few months, and I don't know why! You've got to stop him!"

"So you've got another unwitting victim under your belt, have you, Carolina?" Lawrence growls as he frowns. "And it didn't take long for you to convince him either, I see. The guy's smitten with you, and completely immune to reason."

"You can't listen to him, Stark..." Wrapping her arms around you, Carolina starts to whisper in your ear, clearly upping the ante as you feel her breath and voice, warm against your lobe. "But you're going to defend me, aren't you? Aren't you?"

"That's enough, Carolina." From out of nowhere Lawrence produces a PokéBall in his right hand, matching your own prepared orb in your palm. "You won't be getting away this time. Once I've dealt with him, you're next. There won't be any escape for you."

"We'll see about that!" laughs Carolina with much gaiety, and you feel her press against your back; her delicate fingers briefly brushing along your waist.

"Raticate, stand by!" Lawrence declares, flinging his containment sphere to the ground to reveal his selection: a brown-furred rodent on its hind legs, its whiskers bristling aggressively and its alarmingly large buck teeth clacking together, glaring at you all the while. Looks like your questions haven't been answered, and won't be for a while; Pokémon battle now being the only viable method of bringing any message across to anyone relevant.

What will you do?

For the first time since meeting her, Stark felt as if he was being used. Lawrence's words screaming out over Carolina's subtle and sensual use of body and intonation had him wondering if he were merely a puppet whose strings would be cut the moment he was no longer useful. Still, better to find the answers with Carolina than with an unstable Lawrence. Afterall, the other man's threats and ultimatums left Stark little choice. It was fight or lose everything and personally, he wasn't much into giving up things he had worked hard for. In this case Carolina's friendship.

"A giant rat huh?" Stark commented, "Seems appropriate enough. They say there are some trainers that very closely resemble their partners. Of course if I were to say that about you, I'd be insulting your Raticate."

It was risky. He didn't know how strong Lawrence or his Raticate were, but the way he saw it, if he infuriated them enough they might make a mistake early and they could end the violence before it spiraled out of control and someone got seriously hurt.

"Alright Houndour let's do it," the red coated trainer said as he tossed the pokeball in his hand out onto the ground only to watch it explode into a flash of brilliant light revealing a black and brown puppy growling at the Raticate in front of her.

Stark stood up straight and offered his hand to Carolina giving her a quick warm smile and nod to know it would be okay to take it. The young woman's touch had already had his heart pounding. Having her by his side could only help reinforce his confidence. This wasn't just a trainer battle. This was a battle full of consequences if they lost. There was no do-over after some more training. The future of a girl depended on the outcome of this battle.

"Houndour use Smog and follow it up with a Fire Spin!" Stark shouted to his partner before turning to Carolina and softly adding, "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

[Shadowshocker]

Atlas City

The Market

Stark
With no turning back for any of you, you quickly issue your orders to Houndour, who sneers at Raticate disdainfully in spite of the difference in size as Carolina giggles behind you. Lawrence's lip appears to curl up a little at your sheer defiance, but whether it's over your remark or his determination you can't quite tell, nor are you too concerned about it. Taking a deep breath Houndour releases a cloud of thick, toxic Smog from her mouth, which wafts menacingly over to Raticate while the Dark canine watches smugly. For a moment as Lawrence and Raticate remain silent you almost expect this encounter to be a walkover, but this hypothesis is soon disproved.

"Raticate, use Swords Dance!" declares Lawrence, at which the whiskered mouse stands on one feet, spinning upon the spot as gracefully as a buck-toothed ball of fur can manage. Pushed apart by the miniature tornado, the gas cloud dissipates like dust mites fed through a paper shredder until its entirety has dissolved into the troposphere. "And Hyper Fang!"

"Rrrrraticate!" Launching itself at Houndour, you wince as Raticate nearly literally takes a piece out of your Pokémon, its large fangs ramming deep into her chest. In retaliation, Houndour makes use of the close range to launch a point-blank Fire Spin, catching the offensive rat in a vortex of towering flame. Screeching as it falls back, Raticate tries to roll about to put the fire out without much success, and you briefly hear Caroline coo in wonder at your Houndour's apparent strength.

"Keep calm, Raticate!" Lawrence orders. "Use Flame Wheel to counter!"

"RrrrraaaaAAAT!" Even as it squeaks loudly above the raging fire, you hear Raticate stop in its interjection, prompting you to ponder over what Lawrence could be planning this time. The answer comes as a surprise as the bottom of the inferno around Raticate suddenly gives way, unravelling from the foot like a fraying rope and running to the top, revealing Raticate spinning on the spot while surrounded in its own fire. A moment of thought makes you realise that Raticate must have countered Houndour's attack by working against the Fire Spin in the opposite direction, thus wearing out the technique.

"Raticate, take that Houndour down with a Quick Attack! Then Cut it down to size!" calls Lawrence as Raticate stops its Flame Wheel and recovers, glaring at Houndour with a murderous gleam in its eye. Now things have gone personal, it seems...

[-Hayward-]

*OOC: Hmmm… Not sure how I missed this yesterday… Sorry Shadow, my reply would have been up a day ago, had I seen it then… Oh well, thanks for all the speedy updates!

The Lost City of Lacuna

The Moon Temple

Hayward
The both of you quickly issuing your commands, Debra and Medeo move on to the next phases of their combat sequences. As Debra begins to focus botanic power between her hands, Medeo concentrates on tapping into what aquatic ability he has. Blips of water energy begin to surround his lithe form, glowing with a similar cyan glow like you saw from the passageway leading to the Healing Grounds. As they orbit about Medeo, the Aquatic pulses soon flow into Rings, bathing Medeo in their gentle illuminescence. This, however, doesn't prepare Medeo for the Energy Ball Debra hurls subsequently, the Grass-typed explosive blowing up in Medeo's face. Rubbing his bruised complexion, Medeo sits on the floor in a lotus position to Meditate for rounds to come, focusing his mental powers to boost those of his muscles.

Sensing her chance, Debra begins charging, her fist brimming with the power of Ice, and just as Medeo completes his reflection on world affairs a freezing Punch comes his way, knocking him flat on his back. Feeling the sting of the ice fresh on his unseen nose, Medeo unhappily resumes his yoga stance in order to Bide through future attacks. Having no more opposing techniques to absorb, Medeo simply sits where he is, the aura of Bide briefly overridden for a moment as the Aqua Ring does its work, returning an appreciated fraction of Medeo's health back to him. Having taken no damage, Debra is in noticeably better shape, but Medeo's investments this round may turn the tables around.

What will you do?

On a sunlit battlefield in the Moon Temple’s cavernous coliseum, Ben watched as his tiny partner closed his eyes and reached out to their surroundings with his highly-attuned senses. In an effort to provide himself with a stable source of health replenishment for the remainder of battle, Medeo summoned the water molecules from out of the surrounding atmosphere. The microscopic droplets of water encircled the Yoga Pokemon’s thin frame in a cyan halo, condensing into liquid form. While Medeo was preparing, Ikira’s Abra Debra, fired off a Ball of floral-infused Energy that exploded violently in the small Meditite’s face. Wincing in pain, Medeo rubbed his throbbing, onion-shaped head and eased himself to the ground, adopting the Meditation pose known as the Lotad Position.

Ben watched as Debra spied Medeo shut his eyes and enter a state of quiet contemplation. A frosty aura materialised around the little Abra’s clenched hand as she hurtled headlong towards the Meditating Meditite with a speed that betrayed her species’ characteristic sluggishness. Medeo’s eyes snapped open just in time to see the incoming Ice Punch Debra delivered to his face. As the powerful strike hit its mark, Medeo was forcibly thrown to the ground. Grimacing in pain, the unlucky Meditite sat up glumly, awaiting any other attacks the Abra might have planned. But no further onslaught ever came. Taking advantage of the momentary lapse in fighting, Medeo gratefully allowed the therapeutic benefits of the Aqua Ring to slightly soothe his aching injuries.

Seeing the doleful look on his diminutive companion’s face, Ben offered some encouragement. “We can still win, mate! Just keep your cool.” Dragging a hand through his short brown hair, he thought hard to come up with a strategy. Things hadn’t gone how he planned and Debra was clearly in better shape. Hopefully the preparations they had made this round would set them up for the future ones. After a moment of further consideration, Ben issued his instructions. “Let Debra make the first move this time, mate - brace yourself and take one more offensive attack! Unleash your stored energy, then hit her with a triple DRAIN PUNCH!”


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[Shadowshocker]

The Lost City of Lacuna

The Moon Temple

Hayward
Unable to move in his state of biding, Medeo can do little more than acknowledge your commands and brace himself for the pain sure to come. At the same time, Ikira frowns in thought at your Meditite's current situation.

"If we attack Medeo, we'll take twice the damage we deal to him. But if we don't attack, we'll just be wasting time!" she murmurs to herself in deliberation, before snapping her fingers. "We need to take Medeo out before he has the chance to release his Bide, Debra! Go for Iron Tail, then Shadow Ball!"

"Aaaaabra." Fully aware of what her mistress is saying, Debra jumps forward in an agile somersault, her tail gaining the texture, appearance and tenacity of steel, bringing it down onto Medeo who can only grunt at the inflicted damage; his biding aura glowing with noticeably greater intensity. Taking a few steps back to leave a wide enough berth, Debra proceeds to pull some shadows together into a tight orb form, and as it grows steadily larger you begin to worry for Medeo and if he might be able to take the attack. By the point her Shadow Ball has grown to a diameter about three-fifths her height, Debra tosses the chaos bomb at Medeo, albeit a little shakily, but the attack makes its mark in the end, swallowing up the Meditate Pokémon in an explosion of ghostly power. Your eyes gape as Medeo is clouded in a shroud of dark fog, and even Ikira and Debra almost look concerned that they may have gone overboard.

The answer arrives as the necromantic mist alleviates, revealing Medeo surrounded in a crimson glow now almost blinding to look at. Rising to his feet, Medeo glares at the heavily shocked Ikira and Debra, before releasing the aura in the form of a blistering laser. A piercing searing noise is heard as the Bide slams into Debra full-bodiedly, and against the sounds of battle you hear Ikira give a shrill cry of terror at Debra undergoing twice the agony Medeo had to go through. Even as she lies painfully on the hall floor, Medeo doesn't let up on his attacks, jumping in quickly to deal Drain Punch after Drain Punch onto Debra; the Abra's natural resistance offset by Medeo's pure strength and amplified offensive power. With a third green glowing knuckle sandwich, Medeo sends Debra skidding across the marble to Ikira's feet, at which the girl gently picks up the Psi Pokémon. Wounds and bruises are distinct on both your Pokémon, but with the equaliser round Medeo has had it's fair to say that Medeo's got a considerable lead, backed up by the restored health.

"Debra? Are you alright?" whispers Ikira. "Can you go on?"

"Aaaaa..." Stroking her mistress' arm softly with her paw, Debra gives what appears to be a nod.

"Okay. If you're sure..." Placing her Pokémon on the ground in standing position, Ikira looks at you with a determined smile on her face. "That was strong, Ben. I didn't know Medeo could use Drain Punch! In fact... I think we'll borrow it for a while if you don't mind, hee hee! Debra, Mimic Medeo's Drain Punch, then use it twice on him!"

[-Hayward-]

The Lost City of Lacuna

The Moon Temple

Hayward
Unable to move in his state of biding, Medeo can do little more than acknowledge your commands and brace himself for the pain sure to come. At the same time, Ikira frowns in thought at your Meditite's current situation.

"If we attack Medeo, we'll take twice the damage we deal to him. But if we don't attack, we'll just be wasting time!" she murmurs to herself in deliberation, before snapping her fingers. "We need to take Medeo out before he has the chance to release his Bide, Debra! Go for Iron Tail, then Shadow Ball!"

"Aaaaabra." Fully aware of what her mistress is saying, Debra jumps forward in an agile somersault, her tail gaining the texture, appearance and tenacity of steel, bringing it down onto Medeo who can only grunt at the inflicted damage; his biding aura glowing with noticeably greater intensity. Taking a few steps back to leave a wide enough berth, Debra proceeds to pull some shadows together into a tight orb form, and as it grows steadily larger you begin to worry for Medeo and if he might be able to take the attack. By the point her Shadow Ball has grown to a diameter about three-fifths her height, Debra tosses the chaos bomb at Medeo, albeit a little shakily, but the attack makes its mark in the end, swallowing up the Meditate Pokémon in an explosion of ghostly power. Your eyes gape as Medeo is clouded in a shroud of dark fog, and even Ikira and Debra almost look concerned that they may have gone overboard.

The answer arrives as the necromantic mist alleviates, revealing Medeo surrounded in a crimson glow now almost blinding to look at. Rising to his feet, Medeo glares at the heavily shocked Ikira and Debra, before releasing the aura in the form of a blistering laser. A piercing searing noise is heard as the Bide slams into Debra full-bodiedly, and against the sounds of battle you hear Ikira give a shrill cry of terror at Debra undergoing twice the agony Medeo had to go through. Even as she lies painfully on the hall floor, Medeo doesn't let up on his attacks, jumping in quickly to deal Drain Punch after Drain Punch onto Debra; the Abra's natural resistance offset by Medeo's pure strength and amplified offensive power. With a third green glowing knuckle sandwich, Medeo sends Debra skidding across the marble to Ikira's feet, at which the girl gently picks up the Psi Pokémon. Wounds and bruises are distinct on both your Pokémon, but with the equaliser round Medeo has had it's fair to say that Medeo's got a considerable lead, backed up by the restored health.

"Debra? Are you alright?" whispers Ikira. "Can you go on?"

"Aaaaa..." Stroking her mistress' arm softly with her paw, Debra gives what appears to be a nod.

"Okay. If you're sure..." Placing her Pokémon on the ground in standing position, Ikira looks at you with a determined smile on her face. "That was strong, Ben. I didn't know Medeo could use Drain Punch! In fact... I think we'll borrow it for a while if you don't mind, hee hee! Debra, Mimic Medeo's Drain Punch, then use it twice on him!"

Resigning himself to the fact that he was in for another round of pain, the Meditite Medeo nodded resolutely at Ben’s instruction to stay patient and called upon his extensive psychic training to quiet his restless spirit.

"If we attack Medeo, we'll take twice the damage we deal to him. But if we don't attack, we'll just be wasting time!" Ikira murmured, frowning. After a moment of contemplation she snapped her fingers and relayed her next orders to the Abra Debra. "We need to take Medeo out before he has the chance to release his Bide, Debra! Go for Iron Tail, then Shadow Ball!"

"Aaaaabra," the little Abra agreed, moving to attack. Deftly flipping, Debra dealt Medeo a harsh blow with her Tail, stiffened to hit with the force of solid Iron. Ben winced as his diminutive companion absorbed the full brunt of Debra’s onslaught head-on. Surrounded by a faint crimson aura, Medeo grunted painfully, but continued Biding his time as the golden Psi Pokemon retreated to safety and fired a Ball of ethereal energy at him that exploded violently on impact. Gaping, Ben watched as his tiny friend was engulfed in the swirling, Shadowy aftermath. On the other side of the battlefield, Debra and Ikira looked on, faces full of worry.

After a moment, the ghostly cloud dissipated, and Ben bolted in surprise to see that the brightness of the glow emanating from Medeo earlier had grown considerably in intensity. Unable to look directly at the brilliantly shining Meditite, Ben shielded his grey-green eyes and momentarily averted his gaze. Suddenly Medeo rose, glaring at Debra and Ikira. He slowly extended his arm, hand upturned, palm facing out, and released his stored energy. The retaliatory blast rocketed across the arena, striking the golden psychic-type squarely. Debra fell to the ground and Ikira let out an agonized wail. A greenish glow surrounded Medeo’s clenched fist as he hurried over to the prone Abra and dealt it a trio of pummeling blows. The last punch he delivered sent Debra sliding across the tiled ground, and she finally came to rest at Ikira’s feet. The silver-haired girl tenderly picked up her wounded Pokemon, lovingly cradling it in her arms.

"Debra? Are you alright?" she whispered. "Can you go on?"

"Aaaaa..." Debra replied, nodding briefly and gently rubbing Ikira’s arm. "Okay. If you're sure..." she responded hesitantly, setting the wounded Psi Pokemon on the ground.

While Ikira checked on Debra’s status, Ben turned to his own diminutive companion. Covered in bruises and breathing heavily, the small Meditite gently massaged his aching, onion-shaped head. Ben let out a grateful sigh, thankful that Medeo’s Drain Punch barrage had done the trick; they were in better shape than Debra now. Suddenly Ben glimpsed a slight smile of self-satisfaction cross the Yoga Pokemon’s tiny lips. Medeo had given a good account of himself, and he knew it; he had kept his cool despite the fierce beating the Abra had given him. Pride welled within Ben as he thought of how disciplined the usually reckless Meditite had been. “Great job, mate!” he praised the adamant little fighter. “But don’t get cocky. We haven’t won yet.”

The silver-haired girl regarded Ben with a determined look and smiled. "That was strong, Ben. I didn't know Medeo could use Drain Punch! In fact... I think we'll borrow it for a while if you don't mind, hee hee! Debra, Mimic Medeo's Drain Punch, then use it twice on him!"

As he heard Ikira’s commands, Ben dragged a hand through his short brown hair and thought hard to come up with a plan. After three rounds of Medeo getting pounded on, Ben wasn’t about to relinquish their slight lead. They would have to be careful. “Look sharp, mate,” he cautioned his tiny partner. Medeo instinctively adopted the Heavenly Dragonite Reistance kung fu stance, and Ben continued, “Time to defend now. Debra’s going to Mimic your Drain Punch technique, so try to DETECT her first attack and dodge, then PROTECT yourself from the second one. Keep your cool and hit her with a FIRE PUNCH. Let’s try to finish things off!” Medeo nodded his understanding. With his steely gaze still fixed on Debra, he quickly prepared himself for the next round…


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[Food Guy]

The Isle of Talas

The Sphinx

Food Guy
With Diglett stuck underground, Dot offers her advice for your subsequent battle decision, which you then relay to Watermelon in turn. Taking advantage of his opponent's status, Watermelon calls on Nature's Power to once again send an Earthquake rumbling through the sands, leaving you once again wobbling for balance as the groundbreaking force ripples through the room. A shrill screaming is heard from beneath the sands as your Nuzleaf performs his task, and soon after the quaking ceases Diglett comes Digging back up, jutting into Watermelon's foot and causing him to fall over. While your Pokémon picks himself up, you note that Diglett looks considerably much more shaken than ever; its brief trip beneath the sandy surface having proved twice as deadly for the mole Pokémon.

Wasting no time Watermelon draws in a huge breath, his internal systems working at the wind to turn it freezing cold, which the acorn humanoid blasts out in the form of a chilling Blizzard. As the snow and frost screams over the ground a thin layer of ice starts forming even as the attack makes brief contact, and the moment it washes over Diglett you hear the the little Ground-type give off another piteous squeal. When the attack has cleared you notice that Watermelon's technique has caused the sand to freeze over, locking Diglett in place. Desperately Diglett tries to send a Magnitude through the solidified water; unfortunately it ends up only ranking a 4 on the scale, and barely manages to crack its icy imprisonment. Being of the Grass-type Watermelon dismisses this earthly attack with a sniff before hocking up a storm of Seed Bombs to rain botanic pain onto Diglett, clods of dirt and sand flying up as the exploding orbs make their mark. A final, high-pitched yell echoes through the chamber, and when the battlefield has resumed normal visibility conditions you spot Diglett's battered form slinking down into the sands, from which it does not resurface. Level-up for Watermelon.

A twinge of remorse pulses softly through you for your onslaught on Diglett, but you still have far more challenging issues to attend to. With this in mind you continue towards the opposite passageway, moving onward to the next riddle. Observing your surroundings, you notice that this passage is much like the one Baltoy led you through, and before you realise it you find yourself in a room much like the one where you found Baltoy, where a Meditite sits in the lotus position.

"I see you have conquered the first riddle, in addition to the Sphinx's question," it says in a serene female voice. "That is most commendable... however, if you do not keep your mind focused and your wits sharp, you will most certainly fall. An understanding of the world, be it Pokémon or people, logic or tactics, is key to overcoming the challenges that await you. Everything in this world has its other, keeping our universe in perfect balance."

As she speaks, a group of ten orbs start gathering about Meditite, orbiting her form for a few moments before falling to the floor in front of you, forming ten stony discs with words written upon them.

"From my Hidden Power I have generated your next task... you must, from the words you see on the tiles, group them into pairs," instructs Meditite. "Be warned; if you were to make an error in your judgement, regardless of your magnitude of mistakes, you will be returned outside the Sphinx, and your journey rendered fruitless."

Picking up the discs, you notice that the series of phrases comprise the following: Amnesia, Double Team, Fake Tears, Growl, Iron Defence, Meditate, Rock Polish, Scary Face, Screech, Sweet Scent. What do you think the answer could be?

As the Diglett was underground Watermelon harnessed the energy of his Nature Power and unleashed an Earthquake. As the attack was executed Karmas could hear a shrill scream coming from beneath the sands, and as soon as Watermelon had finished the Diglett rose from the sand, using its Dig attack on Watermelon's foot, once again tripping him. As Watermelon pushed himself back up Karmas noticed that the Diglett looked very shaken up.

With no hesitation Watermelon blew out a huge Blizzard at Diglett. The attack made a layer of ice form on the floor of the room, causing Diglett to get locked into place. The desperate mole pokemon attempted to send a Magnitude through the ice, but it only reached a four and barely even cracked the ice. The attack didn't even phase Watermelon, who then hocked up a storm of Seed Bombs. They slammed into Diglett, raising clods of dirt and sand as they hit the pokemon. There was a high-pitched yell and then the dirt and sand cleared. Once it had cleared Karmas saw the battered Diglett slink down into the sand.

Karmas felt sad for the Diglett but he had much more pressing issues at hand. With that thought in his mind the trainer continued towards the passageway in front of him, ready for the next riddle. As Karmas walked down the passageway he noticed that it looked a lot like the one that he walked down previously. Before he knew it Karmas found himself in a room similar to the one with Baltoy in it, except this one had a Meditite in it.

"I see you have conquered the first riddle, in addition to the Sphinx's question," it said in a serene female voice. "That is most commendable... however, if you do not keep your mind focused and your wits sharp, you will most certainly fall. An understanding of the world, be it Pokémon or people, logic or tactics, is key to overcoming the challenges that await you. Everything in this world has its other, keeping our universe in perfect balance."

As she spoke, a group of ten orbs start gathering about Meditite, orbiting her form for a few moments before they fell to the floor in front of Karmas, forming ten stony discs with words written upon them.

"From my Hidden Power I have generated your next task... you must, from the words you see on the tiles, group them into pairs," instructed Meditite. "Be warned; if you were to make an error in your judgment, regardless of your magnitude of mistakes, you will be returned outside the Sphinx, and your journey rendered fruitless."

Picking up the discs, Karmas noticed that the series of phrases comprised the following: Amnesia, Double Team, Fake Tears, Growl, Iron Defence, Meditate, Rock Polish, Scary Face, Screech, Sweet Scent.

What could these mean? thought Karmas. Well the Meditite was talking about balance. Maybe it means pairs that balance each other out, or in other words, cancel out each other!

"Eureka!" yelled out Karmas, surprising Dot and Watermelon.

Karmas placed Amnesia with Fake Tears, Double Team with Sweet Scent, Meditate with Growl, Iron Defence with Screech, and Rock Polish with Scary Face.

"So did I get it right?" Karmas asked the Meditite.

[Shadowshocker]

The Lost City of Lacuna

The Moon Temple

Hayward
With victory nearly in sight and a slim line between it and losing, you declare your orders to what you believe is likely the final commands you'll need to give for this match. As Debra's eyes glint intuitively while she taps the power of her short-term memory to Mimic Medeo's attack, the Meditite in question positions himself to prepare for the coming attack. Sure enough Debra comes charging, her fist glowing green with the power of her briefly mastered Drain Punch, only for Medeo's eyes to glow in time, allowing him to Detect the attack and step to the side before it can connect.

Mildly annoyed as her attack fades, Debra brings her other hand up for a second Drain Punch, recharging the chartreuse parasitic power before bringing it forward, just in time to clash with Medeo's Protective barrier. Somewhat furiously, Debra pushes against Medeo's energy screen, at which Medeo reciprocates by pushing her backwards as well; both Pokémon staking all their strength the show of power. Eventually, however, Medeo flings Debra back with a upward heave of his arms, causing Debra to fall to her back and her technique to dissipate. As she hits the ground, Medeo releases his shield before lunging forward himself with a fistful of Fire. The moment the Punch strikes Debra by her cheek the Abra gives a drawn, shrill cry, and she completely collapses, in no condition to continue. Level up for Medeo.

As you move over to check on Medeo, you notice that Ikira has done the same thing, going up to Debra's limp form and gently cradling Debra in her arms with a doleful look on her face you can't help but feel sorry for. After noting Medeo's battered but otherwise conscious and healthy state, you look over to Ikira to see if she's alright, but she returns your gaze with a smiling one of her own.

"You gave it your all, didn't you Ben?" she says. "You've become so strong... you're not the weak Ben I used to know. I've got a lot to learn from you... and Debra, too." Lifting up Debra like a baby, Ikira nods towards the Healing Grounds. "It's time we prepared for tonight," notes the girl, and as she walks forward you recall Medeo to his Steel Ball so he needn't expend energy walking, before following Ikira into the cyan passageway. Going about a gradually curving path, you soon find yourself in another circular room, this one about double the size of a Lacunan mud house. In the centre of the chamber lies a pool of twenty metres in diameter, displaying a fountain in the shape of a graceful, crescent Pokémon you can't quite identify. Softly Ikira brings Debra to the edge of the fountain and places her at the water's edge in a sitting position, keeping her head above water. Releasing Medeo you proceed to follow Ikira's lead, and for a while the both of you watch on as the two Psychic humanoid Pokémon soak in the healing glow.

"...That's odd," remarks Ikira after a while. "Their injuries don't seem to be alleviating... look, you can still see where Medeo hit her with the Fire Punch," she points while frowning.

"Ben! Ikira!" The sound of Priest Mensa's voice wafts in behind you, and soon enough he graces you with his presence. "Ah, here you are. Our supporters have gathered, and the hour is soon upon us. We must gather, children..."

"Priest Mensa!" Ikira stands up, facing her father. "The Healing Fountain of Saros... it's not working!"

"What? That's impossible!" Quickly going over to your Pokémon, Mensa makes note of your Pokémon's conditions. "How long have they been exposed?"

"For about five minutes, Priest Mensa."

"Five minutes?" Deeply frowning Mensa strokes his chin in confused thought. "That certainly is troubling, to say the least. At your Pokémon's level, it should have taken less than a minute for their wounds to become healed... I presume you trained in the Battling Hall?"

"Yes, Priest Mensa."

"Hmmm." Continuing to ponder for a few more moments, Mensa heaves a sigh as he offers his answer. "I'm afraid I'm at a loss for ideas, children. This is the first time something like this has happened, and yet the Healing Waters are continuing to glow... I can't imagine what could possibly have happened. Even if a Rapa practitioner should attempt to sabotage the Healing Fountain, it simply wouldn't be within their capabilities... This is an extremely serious matter, indeed."

"What can we do, Priest Mensa?"

"I'm afraid there is nothing we can presently do, my child. Our presence is required in the City's Forum, and we can't delay attending the congregation. The future of Lacuna is going to be decided tonight, and while this would certainly warrant the concern of our leaders, I'm afraid the agenda tonight cannot be altered." Wringing his hands, Mensa places a comforting hand on his daughter's shoulder. "But fret not, Ikira. As she stands guard over the fountain, surely Saros watches over us. Whatever happens, she will certainly see us through... Now, you must retreat your Pokémon, and join the rest of our group."

***

As it turns out, the number of supporters certainly come in no small number; about two hundred citizens at your estimate, with you, Ikira and Mensa included. Together you walk along the roads of Lacuna, all united by similar clothing and thoughts of loyalty in your mind -- well, perhaps excepting you. Your questions have not yet been quite adequately answered, and a new one has just arrived. Lost in your thinking, you move with the crowd until a halt brings your mind back to reality: you find yourself in the main forum of the city where you had touched the mystical Moon Stone; the very stone which now stands in the middle of the plaza in its stony pedestal, albeit without its hieroglyphs as far as you can see. Five elderly men, commanding and regal in their appearance, stand around the stone, and on the other side you see the practitioners of Rapa, dressed in tattered, black hooded cloaks; a most sinister sight to behold.

"Citizens of Lacuna!" calls one of the elders. "Tonight, we decide which deity to forever swear our allegiance to, in these times of chaos and disaster. We decide which of Saros and Rapa --" At this, you hear the sounds of jeering and insults from both sides, though the elder speaking continues unperturbed, "-- will continue to provide us with the security and prosperity we have enjoyed, but are soon to lose. Tonight we come together in the sacred covenant of Pokémon battle, and by their judgement and blessing we shall see which of the two's forces wins out. Each citizen is to find another of the opposing party and do battle, under the surveillance of us and the committee, in a 1-on-1 Pokémon battle. The results shall then be tallied, and we will see whose blessings and protection reign supreme above the other. Take heed, citizens; we do not tolerate cheating in any form whatsoever. Both Saros and Rapa watch from above, and anyone found guilty of sabotage will surely be severely dealt with. Battle shall commence the moment the sun dips beyond the horizon. Citizens, may Saros and Rapa watch over us!"

Waves of people begin moving about you at the closing statement, jostling you about as the others waste no time in finding partners. After some bumping around, you find yourself face to face with a cloaked Rapa supporter -- her lithe frame wraith-like, her hair blood-red, and her ultramarine eyes piercing. Abruptly you hear the sounds of battle cries -- without you noticing, the call for combat has begun, and against the heated hollers you detect the sounds of PokéBalls popping open and Pokémon roaring with their owners.

"Renalex! Get him!" sneers the young woman you're against, summoning her partner for the battle with a swipe of her sleeved arm. A grey canine appears, growling at you with its fangs bared and fur bristling. With Medeo out for the count at the moment, looks like you'll need to depend on someone else..."

The Isle of Talas

The Sphinx

Food Guy
As you proceed to pair the discs in a suspected pattern, Meditite looks on with much interest as you do so, and when the time comes for you to present your completed handiwork she gazes thoughtfully at the arrangements, before a gentle smile graces her face.

"You're a quick one, aren't you? Being able to pick up subtle information will be invaluable to your quest," she says. "You must be capable of dealing with unexpected changes; as your next challenge will test of you."

Standing up from her lotus position, Meditite heads into the passage ahead, and with this second example no stranger to you, you quickly proceed on with Dot and Watermelon. Once again the new passage lights up in torches as you advance, and as much as you feel somewhat nervous with the lack of a guide you're not too surprise to find no sign of Meditite as you run. Soon enough you halt at the doorway leading into another battle room; this one with a dirt floor laid ahead of you instead this time. A small figure scuttles towards you, and upon closer inspection you note it to be a lavender, segmented bug with large teal eyes and dangerous-looking claws and stinger.

"Sko-rupi!" it squeaks, and before you can do much else Skorupi pokes its left arm with its right claw, and to your amazement the little scorpion's claws grow slightly longer and sharper before your very eyes from the applied Acupressure. This is going to be more interesting, challenging encounter...