Lyanazia's Recorded History

[-Hayward-]

Xiaolin Temple

Hayward: “An honourable decision, our village is at your debt”, the wise master bobs his head surely, “you have earned the respect and support of our community through your labours, now please rest. I’m sure Yuri will be eager to hear from you. We shall meet again when the Blaziken crows at the break of dawn” With that you say a brief farewell, rushing down the drawn out flight of stairs with a spring in your step. You beeline through the settlements main strip, mulling over the market stalls which were few and far between. Hwan, the man you’d met earlier, sends you a wave from his stall, but you didn’t have time to stop and chat. You where headed to the swing set just a bit off the edge of the settlement for a much pre-empt apology. However upon breaking through the cluster of pink-topped trees you find the swing seat barely wavering. You were alone. Upon closer inspection, there appeared to be a greenish envelope sat neatly on the adjacent swing seat.



A few hours later and the shifting onomatopoeia of the tap dancing Kriketot was enough to get your mind of Yuri’s letter. You’d sat in a secluded booth at the ornate restaurant, the greenish envelope now wedged between the mahogany table and the few reddish candles flickering warmly. Your dinner was on the house, it was the least the head chef could do having conquered his lack of confidence by your hands. It was quite lonely without her, whilst you’d managed to impress the villagers she was the only one you could consider a friend. Whenever your attention wasn’t on the note it was on the scroll nestled firmly in your messenger bag. This didn’t seem like the place to open it, but its mere presence was enough to reinforce the cloud of anxiety regarding your quest. What if Yuri was upset? What if she refused to see you? Time was rolling on and the bistro was steadily starting to litter with robed villagers.

“Ha! Hale San!” A jolly voice yells, inviting himself to your booth with a large bottle of wine, “I am-a still picking my teeth from that delicious meal you helped prepare! Where are you staying tonight? Great! You’ll stay at my place! It’s the least I could do for a fellow traveller!” Hwan shook your hand vigorously, barely allowing you a word in edgeways. Minutes flew by in what felt like hours, the man had told you everything about his life as a trader whilst occasionally topping up his cup. He was also quick to apologise about Kaito’s ongoing hostility, “The boy is an orphan just like his twin sister, his life wasn’t easy...”

“Just look at the time!” Hwan blurted, downing a cup of the dark liquid, “Let’s go, you do not want to be in this place when it gets dark!” the man snorts, shuffling out of the booth and tipsily ushering to his feet. Tagging along you subconsciously find yourself a safe distance away from him on the off chance he knocked something over. A refreshing breeze of air beat against the bistro doors, the moon leisurely faring up a sea of stars. Less tame Krikitune could be heard rubbing their legs together, and a swarm of Volbeat could be seen on the hilltops outskirts in full luminescence. The few Natu and Xatu had formed a totem pole atop one of the dojos, one keeping watch whilst they others slept. Paper lanterns were tied few and far between against the small clusters of whitewash houses, shedding some much needed light against the gravelled path that Mr. Hwan was so tipsily navigating. Just a few hiccups later you’d arrived at the trader’s front room, still bound in paper walls but this time nestled in piles of souvenirs and trinkets from around the world. You recognised a pass to the SS. Aqua and an open box of Lava Cookies with nothing but the crumbs left. A small Munchlax was coiled in a fatal position above a pile of maps, Hwan smiling warmly as he threw a blanket over the chubby bear. He was kind enough to offer you his room whilst he slept in a hammock out back. Hustled into your sleeping quarters you finally had a room to yourself, although the mat you had to sleep on looked less than comfortable. The ancient scroll was still jutted out of your backpack; you’d be up at the break of dawn and now seemed like the best time to brush up on your history skills...

...With their land on the brink of invasion, Yue Fei learnt that becoming a great leader meant sacrificing his own spiritual needs for the needs of his people. However through breaking his vow of peace the great Yue Fei was more lost than ever. Several years later he led a legion of followers to a far off land which would protect itself. The terrain was feral and far too mountainous to inhabit, so he sculpted the mountain with the very same blade he took the battle, the legendary Lo_us_ blade...

“We’re under attack!” a civilian howls, the now rapturous sirens of a war horn enough to shake you into your senses. You must’ve dozed off! You barely have a chance to shuffle your gear together as you rush down stairs to see what all the fuss was about. The front room had been raided, the paper walls had been tore apart and every last box full of souvenirs had had its contents tipped across the already unorganised floorboards. The Munchlax you had seen earlier was nowhere to be found, and your heart skipped a beat a knock thudded twice against the door. You had to answer it, even if it wasn’t your house... With one hand reaching for the knob another was fingering for a Pokeball lest you be caught unarmed.

“You did this! No one knew of our existence before today and now we have been raided!” Kaito grabbed you by the neck before you could even figure out what he was talking about, “What have you done to Hwan! What have you done to my sister!” He released his grip, throwing you against a pile of cardboard boxes inside the trader’s residence. In his defence the evidence against you was astonishing, Hwan’s home had been destroyed and you’d been caught in the thick of the crime scene. There were a few villagers gathering outside now, their trust in you had been shattered and you could only guess what feeling of revenge they where harbouring. But that thought could barely cross your mind as the monk coiled his fists. The trader’s garden was a few paces your rear, but outrunning Kaito seemed like a hedgy bet. Then again, what choice did you have?

“We’re under attack!”

The panicked cry of a villager suddenly woke Ben from his slumber. He jumped out of bed, pulled on his jacket and, grabbing his bag off the floor, quickly made his way downstairs. Seeing the ransacked main room, the boy bolted in alarm and wondered what could have happened. Before he had the chance to figure it out however, he suddenly heard a knock at the door. One hand hovering over a Pokeball, he went to open it.

“You did this! No one knew of our existence before today and now we have been raided!” Kaito yelled in accusation as he entered the house. The villager grabbed Ben by the neck, and his fingers quickly tightened around Ben’s throat. Ben coughed and spluttered for air as Kaito continued. “What have you done to Hwan! What have you done to my sister!”

Releasing his grip, Kaito roughly flung Ben against a pile of cardboard boxes inside Mr. Hwan’s living room. Ben landed in the middle of them with a mighty THUD! Through the holes in the wall, Ben could see a crowd of villagers assembling outside, a mixture of anxious and angry looks beginning to appear on their faces as they began to suspect what might have happened. Kaito advanced upon the fallen Ben, his hand forming into a solid fist as he approached. There’s a time for fighting, Ben told himself, and also a time for fleeing. Extricating himself from the cardboard debris as speedily as possible, Ben scrambled to his feet. A quick glance inside his messenger bag confirmed that all his gear was present and accounted for. And with that knowledge, Ben did the only thing he could think of. He made a quick getaway in the direction of Mr. Hwan’s garden, not even looking back to see if Kaito was following him.

fizzy bubbles

[Emp]

The Safari Zone

Pikagod: Duely noted!

With Slakoth lulled into slumber it was an easy target, parrying orders onto your deviant partner the safari presses on. Erra’s beady eyes flicker blue with Confusion as they had minutes ago, telekinetically plucking leaves from the thick of trees and scooping them into a cushion a fine drop below the lazy mammalian. He follows this up with a timely Shadow Hold, black tongues binding around the nest like a parcel to keep it in place. The bell shaped Pokemon grins as he completes the combination, sweating out a great deal of psychic energy by increasing the gravity around the napping Slakoth. The weakly fortified branch dips downward, the pulling forces below unlatching the oblivious prey who falls snugly into the bed of leaves. The Slakoth stretches and starts to suck its thumb. It was an easy shot now, and yours for the taking with a bit of luck. What will you do?

John's Knight: Met with a fork in the road you decide to leave fate in the hands of a coin flip, clever! Whilst there were bound to be Pokémon at the Watering Hole, you take your trek into the deeper reaches of Jungle which were bound to house more predatory creatures. Not long passes before the dirt path breaks away, the terrain too uneven for any land vehicle with several dips and spikes in the ahead. You press onward, ankle deep in rough thickets whilst minding the occasional vine snaking across the shrubbery. A few Carterpie scuttle along the undergrowth as the bird types caw overhead. You look above instinctively, barely missing the flock of Spearow which where now concealed by the canopy of leaves. Reaching a drop in terrain you decide to see what lay in store below. From what you could see a couple of Nincada were burrowing into the mucky undergrowth which was likely to be swarming with other bugs. Just ahead a Shroomish was feasting on a pile of dead leaves, and a stretch further on a baby Teddiursa and Spinda were playing inside a hollowed out tree trunk. Moreover you could hear squawks just a tree climb above. The hunt was finally set into motion, what will you do?

Xiaolin Temple

Hayward: Driven by fear you find yourself scuffling for the nearest escape route. If it’d been a wild Tauros charging at you, some agile martial arts courtesy of Medeo would’ve been your best bet. Even Sumeo could have absorbed a mighty tackle like a stack of punching bags before hurling the bull out of the window by its horns. But no, this was between you and another trainer. And he didn’t seem interested in blowing off steam the old fashion way. The whole turn of events reeked of de ja vu – you’d never earned Kaito’s trust and it looked as though this scrap was unavoidable. Not if you could help it. As though through impulse, you lift you’re shaking body up from the pile of crumpled boxes, breaking contact with the fighter and heading straight to the backdoor. You waywardly skittle forward faster than your legs can carry you, however this is no match for Kaito who pounces forward like a tiger. Barely inches from the door you feel an arm wrestle around your neck! He locks his hand against your collar, turning you around through sheer force leaving you face to face. You froze in place, helpless as he shoves you out of the house with his left arm and lunges forward with his right... SMACK! You tumble over at the rear terrace; your fall once again broken by some conveniently planted rose bushes. Hot blood was pouring from your throbbing nose down to your chin. At the heat of things you felt like fighting back, but what would that prove? You where clearly outmatched and such a feat would only fuel the sneaking suspicions of treachery. Drawing further parallels to the day prior a sage elder breaks through the now gathering mob of villagers.

“Kaito!” Sensei howled, “Your lack of restraint under such harsh circumstances brings me great shame. I have indeed failed you!”

“But master! Yuri-“

“Silence! You must return to the dojo immediately, you have no control over your emotions. Everyone else, return to your homes, I assure you this matter is under control” Kaito’s face turned pale. His eyes welled in frustration - you could see his lip trembling as though he was bursting to vouch for forgiveness. His fists uncoiled however, his head hung low as he sauntered out of eye-line. The villagers disbanded in tow, if it weren’t for their unwavering devotion to the grand master things surely would’ve been different. Sensei helps you to your feet.

“Hale, I’m afraid both Yuri and Hwan san have indeed been captured. His footprints: The ground here tells the story... a great struggle, many warriors”, The old man mulls over the hammock which was barely strung to one tree. The other half was threadbare, the thickets below scuffed and tattered. “Kaito is right in that this is no coincidence. It appears we are not the only ones after the Lotus Blade, our mysterious enemy is at a great advantage...”

“You shall travel to the Mantis Cave as planned. I have full confidence that is where they are headed” Sensei nods, signaling you in tow. Somewhat relieved to keep clear distance from the trader’s house which where no so associated with guilt you bypass the now empty boulevards of the rural settlement, headed to the agricultural acres of land you’d shepherded. Sensei stops at a great wooden corral at least twice the size of a standard battle arena. The surrounding grass worn and scarred, you could only assume many tame Rapidash had been given free reign over these pastures. Directly adjacent to the corral was an oblong stable easily matching its length. By first impression it looked as though it’d hold a couple dozen stallions at least. Sensei pauses at the stable’s entrance, its interior too dark to make out at dawn.

“Our mysterious enemy knew we planned to travel by Rapidash. It appears they used flares to scare away the horses”, Sensei remarks, handling a burnt-out flare with much sympathy, “However one Rapidash resisted escape under the enemy’s raid. His name is Go, his masters death caused him to lose trust in others. The stallion masks its fear with aggression. He will need breaking if you are to reach Mantis Cave in time”

“Have you broke a horse before, Hale San?” Sensei hands you a rope to lasso the unruly horse, assuming you’d be capable without assistance. His trust reinforced your conflicted spirit as you pressed on, entering the dimly lit stable which was in tatters. The narrow dirt path was strewn with bales of hay and wooden crates, implying further struggle. You check past each pen in the stable: empty, empty, empty. Beside the occasional horse shoe the area appeared vacant. You could only assume Go had gone walkies himself until a gruff neigh proves otherwise. At the far end of the tattered stable, a muscled white steed attempted to go unnoticed. Flames stemmed from various spots on its body, giving of an unusual ashen hue as opposed to its usual ginger. In light of your advances Go rasped a second hee-haw, his body language more hostile. He was warning you to keep distance. Now nearing feet from the Rapidash’s pen he kicks his forelegs aggressively. The Rapidash could smell your determination, matching it as he hurdled over his steeple causing an instinct within you to back off into the corner barely inches from the rowdy horse. He was headed straight out now and you’d need to stop him!

Go Hayward Go! Here’s the Stable which has become a makeshift obstacle course. You’ll need to pick a Pokémon who can reach the exit before Go can and draw out the quickest route via MS Paint. Upon beating Go to the finish, your Pokemon will be able to lasso the Rapidash into the corral. From there you’ll have to battle it using a Pokemon of your choice to prove yourself a worthy trainer. You have to navigate around obstacles. Your Pokemon can only go forwards, left and right – it cannot go from one tile to the diagonal tile.

Pokemon with the following Performance stats will have the following advantages:

Pokémon with Speed get a head start of 7 tiles.
Pokémon with Jump can effortlessly hurdle over bales of hay. This means tiles with bales of hay are treated as though they are a normal tile.
Pokémon with Power can punch their way through boxes. This means tiles with boxes are treated as though they are a normal tile.

Note: These advantages do not stack. So if you used a Sunkern for example, you’d have to choose which stat to use. PM me if you're having any trouble. Best of luck!

[Food Guy]

The Safari Zone

Pikagod: Duely noted!

With Slakoth lulled into slumber it was an easy target, parrying orders onto your deviant partner the safari presses on. Erra’s beady eyes flicker blue with Confusion as they had minutes ago, telekinetically plucking leaves from the thick of trees and scooping them into a cushion a fine drop below the lazy mammalian. He follows this up with a timely Shadow Hold, black tongues binding around the nest like a parcel to keep it in place. The bell shaped Pokemon grins as he completes the combination, sweating out a great deal of psychic energy by increasing the gravity around the napping Slakoth. The weakly fortified branch dips downward, the pulling forces below unlatching the oblivious prey who falls snugly into the bed of leaves. The Slakoth stretches and starts to suck its thumb. It was an easy shot now, and yours for the taking with a bit of luck. What will you do?

Karmas watched as Erra got to work, making a little nest below the Slakoth. To his delight the Shadow pokemon listened to him, and didn't disobey once bit. Watching the Slakoth fall into the box, Karmas rubbed Erra on his little bell head, and walked over to the nest. He gripped one of the Safari Balls and looked down, seeing the little sloth pokemon suck its thumb. The cuteness level of the thing was nearly overwhelming.

"Well then little fella, get ready to be captured," said Karmas enlarging the Safari Ball.

[-Hayward-]

Hayward: Driven by fear you find yourself scuffling for the nearest escape route. If it’d been a wild Tauros charging at you, some agile martial arts courtesy of Medeo would’ve been your best bet. Even Sumeo could have absorbed a mighty tackle like a stack of punching bags before hurling the bull out of the window by its horns. But no, this was between you and another trainer. And he didn’t seem interested in blowing off steam the old fashion way. The whole turn of events reeked of de ja vu – you’d never earned Kaito’s trust and it looked as though this scrap was unavoidable. Not if you could help it. As though through impulse, you lift you’re shaking body up from the pile of crumpled boxes, breaking contact with the fighter and heading straight to the backdoor. You waywardly skittle forward faster than your legs can carry you, however this is no match for Kaito who pounces forward like a tiger. Barely inches from the door you feel an arm wrestle around your neck! He locks his hand against your collar, turning you around through sheer force leaving you face to face. You froze in place, helpless as he shoves you out of the house with his left arm and lunges forward with his right... SMACK! You tumble over at the rear terrace; your fall once again broken by some conveniently planted rose bushes. Hot blood was pouring from your throbbing nose down to your chin. At the heat of things you felt like fighting back, but what would that prove? You where clearly outmatched and such a feat would only fuel the sneaking suspicions of treachery. Drawing further parallels to the day prior a sage elder breaks through the now gathering mob of villagers.

“Kaito!” Sensei howled, “Your lack of restraint under such harsh circumstances brings me great shame. I have indeed failed you!”

“But master! Yuri-“

“Silence! You must return to the dojo immediately, you have no control over your emotions. Everyone else, return to your homes, I assure you this matter is under control” Kaito’s face turned pale. His eyes welled in frustration - you could see his lip trembling as though he was bursting to vouch for forgiveness. His fists uncoiled however, his head hung low as he sauntered out of eye-line. The villagers disbanded in tow, if it weren’t for their unwavering devotion to the grand master things surely would’ve been different. Sensei helps you to your feet.

“Hale, I’m afraid both Yuri and Hwan san have indeed been captured. His footprints: The ground here tells the story... a great struggle, many warriors”, The old man mulls over the hammock which was barely strung to one tree. The other half was threadbare, the thickets below scuffed and tattered. “Kaito is right in that this is no coincidence. It appears we are not the only ones after the Lotus Blade, our mysterious enemy is at a great advantage...”

“You shall travel to the Mantis Cave as planned. I have full confidence that is where they are headed” Sensei nods, signaling you in tow. Somewhat relieved to keep clear distance from the trader’s house which where no so associated with guilt you bypass the now empty boulevards of the rural settlement, headed to the agricultural acres of land you’d shepherded. Sensei stops at a great wooden corral at least twice the size of a standard battle arena. The surrounding grass worn and scarred, you could only assume many tame Rapidash had been given free reign over these pastures. Directly adjacent to the corral was an oblong stable easily matching its length. By first impression it looked as though it’d hold a couple dozen stallions at least. Sensei pauses at the stable’s entrance, its interior too dark to make out at dawn.

“Our mysterious enemy knew we planned to travel by Rapidash. It appears they used flares to scare away the horses”, Sensei remarks, handling a burnt-out flare with much sympathy, “However one Rapidash resisted escape under the enemy’s raid. His name is Go, his masters death caused him to lose trust in others. The stallion masks its fear with aggression. He will need breaking if you are to reach Mantis Cave in time”

“Have you broke a horse before, Hale San?” Sensei hands you a rope to lasso the unruly horse, assuming you’d be capable without assistance. His trust reinforced your conflicted spirit as you pressed on, entering the dimly lit stable which was in tatters. The narrow dirt path was strewn with bales of hay and wooden crates, implying further struggle. You check past each pen in the stable: empty, empty, empty. Beside the occasional horse shoe the area appeared vacant. You could only assume Go had gone walkies himself until a gruff neigh proves otherwise. At the far end of the tattered stable, a muscled white steed attempted to go unnoticed. Flames stemmed from various spots on its body, giving of an unusual ashen hue as opposed to its usual ginger. In light of your advances Go rasped a second hee-haw, his body language more hostile. He was warning you to keep distance. Now nearing feet from the Rapidash’s pen he kicks his forelegs aggressively. The Rapidash could smell your determination, matching it as he hurdled over his steeple causing an instinct within you to back off into the corner barely inches from the rowdy horse. He was headed straight out now and you’d need to stop him!

Go Hayward Go! Here’s the Stable which has become a makeshift obstacle course. You’ll need to pick a Pokémon who can reach the exit before Go can and draw out the quickest route via MS Paint. Upon beating Go to the finish, your Pokemon will be able to lasso the Rapidash into the corral. From there you’ll have to battle it using a Pokemon of your choice to prove yourself a worthy trainer. You have to navigate around obstacles. Your Pokemon can only go forwards, left and right – it cannot go from one tile to the diagonal tile.

Pokemon with the following Performance stats will have the following advantages:

Pokémon with Speed get a head start of 7 tiles.
Pokémon with Jump can effortlessly hurdle over bales of hay. This means tiles with bales of hay are treated as though they are a normal tile.
Pokémon with Power can punch their way through boxes. This means tiles with boxes are treated as though they are a normal tile.

Note: These advantages do not stack. So if you used a Sunkern for example, you’d have to choose which stat to use. PM me if you're having any trouble. Best of luck!

Apologies in advance. I have a pretty old computer and no access to MS Paint. I tried to describe the path I wanted to follow though in my reply. Hopefully it's not too confusing.

In one of the Xiaolin Monastery's stables, Ben surveys the obstacle course laid out before him and tries to decide on a suitable Pokemon to tackle the challenging track. Hay bales and boxes are randomly intersperced throughout the long rectangular field, adding to the difficulty of navigating through it, and as the boy examines the course, he reasons the quickest way to get to the finish would be to take the straightest line possible and to avoid the various obstructions. To do that, he reasons that a Pokemon with a good leaping ability would be an excellent choice as it could avoid the hay bales altogether by simply hurdling over them, and quickly consults his Pokedex. As Ben studies up on his current team's athletic stats, a look of utter disbelief slowly creeps across his face, and he suddenly bolts in astonishment to discover that he happens to a possesses a Pokemon species who happens to be a Five Star Jumper, the category's highest rating.

Reaching into his messenger bag, Ben quickly withdraws a metallic silver Pokeball, and turns it over in his hand, thinking over its occupant, the pudgy pugilist, Sumeo. Ben scratches his head in curiosity and wonders in amazement how it can be possible that the seemingly unathletic Makuhita is so proficient at jumping. Unable to puzzle it out, Ben shakes his head and shrugs, his mind made up to at least give Sumeo a fair shot. Pressing the center button, the containment orb triples in size and Ben throws it out onto the field remarking to Master Sensei that he had settled on a Pokemon. The shiny steel sphere cracks along its midline and a fountain of brilliant white light instantly explodes from within before transforming itself into the form of a chubby, yellow-gold sumo wrestler. The Guts Pokemon mumbles out his name between bites of Leftover apple, and Ben explains the village elder's assignment. Sumeo nods that he understands and he quickly tucks his Leftover apple core into one of his boxing gloves, signaling his readiness for the task at hand.

Ben grins broadly in his excitement at the upcoming race and outlines the path he wants Makuhita to follow. "Alright Sumeo, get to the far left edge of the course and go straight ahead until you come to a box. Once you get there, turn right and go to the middle of the course. Make two quick lefts to get around the box, then get back to the far left edge of the course and go straight ahead until you get to the finish line. When you get to one of the hay bales, show us what you can do!"

Full | Bio | PC | CC | DT | Credit

[Arc_Angel]

The Garden of Iris

Arc Angel: The shy breeze blows bits of pinkish cherry blossoms off the gorgeous sycamores, the signs of spring twisting up the whitewash ramparts of the beautiful tower and rippling on top of each teacup. Several others would find their senses intoxicated by the heavenly vista, but your heart couldn’t have sunk much deeper. The unnatural splits across chest lure a sickly sensation, complemented by a cold numbness that ebbs to the tips of your fingers. You where now sat drinking tea for a much needed change of pace, with a powerful lady you’d barely had a chance to speak to. She gently stirs a dollop of honey into the tea, all ears and hoping to shed light on the mysterious events despite your busy schedule. So many questions were left unanswered, and if you missed a chance now they’d continue to eat away at you. With fine opportunity presenting itself, a flood of questions involuntarily spew from your mouth leaving you little time to catch breath. Iris smiles weakly, placing her tea cup on a saucer.

“I’m sorry, it seems my attempt at calming your unsettled soul has only aggravated it...” she pauses apologetically, “Your loss of appetite was to be expected, and I’m sure you’ll soon find death brings out the worst in people; detached from the natural beauty of the world, surrounded by a mess of bleakness and grief. And I’m afraid to add this could be it, there’s not much I can do for you now Stacey. Cheating death is a very dark practice, there are consequences too...” she sighs softly, breaking contact with you rather awkwardly as she’d quite bluntly given you the answers you didn’t want to hear. Of course you already knew the answer to this question before you asked it, moving onto a more relevant issue. How did she know who you were? How did the demon so fluently hiss your occasional alias as though you’d once met?

“Well... there’s no easy way to answer those questions”, she says, stirring her cup now for no other reason than a casual distraction, “I’ve had my powers for as long as I can remember, I was born long before time itself along with the other immortals. The ancient civilisations cultivated around these jungles worshipped me as a goddess”, she continues, blushing modestly, “I share a symbiotic relationship with nature. One cannot live without the other, and even now as my beautiful jungle has been plagued I feel weaker and weaker. I’m becoming mortal now Stacey, and I won’t me much use in combat for much longer”

“Syrian – the cloaked demon - is not an immortal, although he is thousands of years old” she answers, only managing to fabricate a further string of questions “I should explain, when humans first started colonising on this Island, I felt urged to endow them with bountiful harvests - I fell in love with them. My naivety only led to their downfall. They advanced rapidly, their unstable empire splitting into factions and waging war. Every tree they set ablaze felt like a pin prick... For the first time I felt angry, heartbroken, and through my experimental urges the mighty empire fell with no exertion. Whilst most of the civilians were wise enough to retreat, a few retaliated... I killed anyone in my way, it fills me with regret”.

“However, one of the civilians, a young child, survived. Filled with so much hate and fuelled with revenge he delved into the darkest types of magic. His immortality comes from a deal he made with a dark Shadow Court as he was growing too old to fulfil his retribution; they will keep him young with sacrifices of other peoples' youth. Syrian has been very hard to keep track of over the years, always travelling as his plan slowly came into fruition. Every century or so, he would settle in a region, starting a family whilst surreptitiously recruiting lost souls for his evil cult. History would continue to repeat itself; time and time again would he sacrifice both his family and followers through his ties with the Shadow Court. Through these unnatural dealings he has become less and less human”, a chill runs down your spine as visions of the demon like creature scar your already rattled mind, “However a human sacrifice will no longer suffice, the time has come for him to execute his boiling revenge”. She pauses, taking a sip of her tea to sooth the corporeal goosebumps dimpling down her nimble arms.

“As for Giratina”, she continues, “The gatekeeper has an uncanny attraction to death and destruction. His appearance has been seen as a bad omen for thousands of years, but that’s not necessarily true. I got a ‘sense’ that Giratina was trying to help us earlier, but I can’t keep myself from wondering if Syrian planned on this all along. The ghost has some unnatural abilities; I can only assume Giratina will play a pivotal role in Syrian’s plot. Perhaps the two have crossed paths before”, she dazes up at the sky, the sun quickly climbing to its zenith.

“It’s reaching midday, I know you need to know more but we need to go...” the woman’s face pales with anxiety, her arms trembling as she tries to hast to a standing. Before she can steady the ornate teacup on its accompanying saucer a trembling sensation climbs to the tips of her fingers. The cup slips through her nimble fingers much to your concern, rolling off of the fancy table and smashing into pieces against the marble-strewn balcony. It was just a cup, but you couldn’t help wondering if Iris was becoming all too frail to be of assistance. She blushes as though embarrassed, however this emotion quickly subsides as she rises to her feet with a slight waltz of dizziness. She regains a certain sense of poise as she storms back into the guest room, although her slight lapse in strength is enough to shake your confidence in the mission ahead. Following, a gentle breeze of warm air hugging the balcony and gently wafting the double doors shut. The windowed doors painted a reflection of the bustling horizon behind, although a distinct absence of your own weak smile was enough to reiterate your recent demise.

A few staircases and locked doors later, you find yourself in tow of the deepest dungeons of the grand palace, the rough cobbled floors and prison-like vents a stark contrast to the fairytale above. You could tell by the look of unease painted all over your hostess’s face she wouldn’t dare enter this part of the castle on a normal day. Minutes fly by as the narrow corridors become ever more moss-strewn, the soily ceiling barely sustained by the cobble debris – weakly illuminated by neon-hued fungi. Iris slowed down, it was a dead end! Iris didn’t say a word, outstretching one arm and stroking the foliage which, on touch, appeared to spew into her fingertips. You could only assume it was some sort of makeshift combination lock as she remained unusually silent. The walls looked bare and medieval-like. Just a few paces ahead were the blind alley had been substituted with a fortified door. Iris swung it open, the mystique far too much for you to pass up on.

“Welcome to the Sanctuary”, the deity drolls, “Whilst your Pokémon are unharmed, in your deathly state your ties with them have been severed. Quite ironic indeed, considering you’re a ghost type specialist”. She didn’t bother to laugh at her own joke, pacing around the circular room which was parallel to the two tombs you’d visited – only it had a scale model of the jungle continent in its centre, like what you’d find in a war room. “I can’t... remember... the last time I set foot in this place, Stacey. I haven’t needed to”. She busily scatters through countless documents and books which appeared to have fallen off a bookshelf long-ago. She mulls over these trinkets and picks up a dull oil-lamp. You could only assume she was casting it aside in search of something more ‘special’, until she places it on the centre of the model. It was black rimmed and covered in dust – an old oil lamp. She smiles coyly as low and behold the trinket began rattling wildly as though pulsing with immense power. Suddenly, a small orb of emerald the size of your hand flickers out of its tip and begins bobbing in your direction! Its glow was mesmerizing and hypnotising. It flutters beside you, giving you a good glimpse of its features: a swollen head the shape of an onion freckled with two baby-blue eyes with black rims, all topped off with a pair of antennae. The fairy-like Pokemon giggles into its hand, bobbing back to the room’s centre.

“Spirit”, Iris pleas, “We need your assistance in summoning a warrior, my friend Stacy has been separated from her Pokémon”. The fairy nods intently, facing you as though she could see straight into your soul. Her emerald glow grows, burning so intensely you feel your pale corpse throb wildly. She spins across the room, leaving green dust in her wake which showers downward. The translucent greenish sand comes together before your eyes, molding itself into three animated, jelly-like silhouettes. The fairy's luminance softens as she hovers a few feet above the dim oil lamp.

“I can find one of your friends if you like!”, the sprite squeaks, the silhouetted illustrations becoming more defined and discernible, “How about a Pokemon from your past, huh?” suddenly the leftmost illustration, your since evolved Nincada, scuttles toward you warmly, its quirky mannerisms paralleling the time you’d first laid eyes on each over. “Yeah she’s still not that tough, but could come in handy!” The Celebi agrees with herself, the illustration puffing into inexistence.

“Or a Pokemon from just now, the present! Gee, I like presents!” The spirit spins on the spot, however it’s Impish who runs up to you this time, licking your face like some sort of love-crazed dog. “He’s your best friend and one of your toughest Pokémon, maybe you should pick him!” it continues giddily, the translucent imp and saliva dissipating.

“Or a friend from the future? The future is always changing... but this one is from a future where you never had a chance to reunite with your Pokemon. How sad?” Celebi enthusiasm dissipates, the silhouette of a gallant warrior pacing forward. He looked hardened and mysterious, his body veiled in a red cloak. Bowing in unquestionable loyalty, the Gallade fizzles into darkness like the two before it. “He seems the toughest for sure, and mysterious too! Pick him!”

“Ignore the spirit”, Iris says, Celebi blowing a raspberry in response, “No one else can influence your decision, but just remember, once it’s been made there’s no going back...”

---

“A good decision”, Iris says; your only Pokeball now grasped tighter than any other had been, “The spirit can teleport us to the edge of the Garden, but we’ll need to travel the rest on foot”. Now in true haste, she fingers the oil lamp in one hand and outstretches the other in your direction. You faithfully grab her hand, the fairy buzzing into the lamp as your surrounding displaced in the blink of an eye... You dizzily stumble to your feet, daylight stinging your eyes and the wildgrass cutting against your garments. Iris was stood tall just a stones throw ahead, the oil lamp no longer in her possession. Whilst the castle could be seen in the distance, nothing stood ahead of Iris... except for... Sky? Perhaps you’d reached a cliff-edge, you trick yourself into hearing the crashing waves beating away against a rocky face of rock – almost as though some supernatural subconscious was already alerted and terrified of what lay ahead. Iris seemed to physically emanate how such a subconscious would feel, her face coloured whiter than usually, gulping as she courageously upped her stride. She didn’t seem like your typical immortal.

“I’m sure you’re aware that you’re not in Lyanazia anymore, Stacy” Iris said casually, “My kingdom is hidden in the sky, higher than the tip of even the beak of Mount Eyrie could dare to reach... I’m sure it is not the strangest thing you’ve heard, didn’t you say you came from the Cloud Garden?” She smiles, one which you can’t reciprocate as this seemingly unimportant revelation only posed the question of how you were going to get to Lyanazia. “Close your eyes, and jump on the count of three”, she says almost anxiously, by which point the sound of footprints had come to a standstill. The wind gushed against the cliff face like crashing waves, as if the Island was suspended by a sea of thick clouds kicking up a rough storm. Close your eyes? That hardly seemed fair. Your instincts where itching you to do otherwise, you had a right to see what was ahead. If you’d chose to follow such instincts you’d feel your legs quiver like jelly as a sense of vertigo coursed through your veins causing your heart to sink with both fear and regret. An unnatural purple vortex veiled what would have otherwise been a birds-eye view of the Lyanazian continent and its neighbouring Islands thousands of miles below – some of which you’d visited years ago. However the purple carpet was much too prevalent; tongues of electricity coursing through it with the unvarying rumble of thunder. It pulsed with life despite its emanation of threat. If you’d dared yourself to look over the cliff over Iris’s best wishes you’d surely be flooded with second thoughts. Had death by some means immortalised your pain threshold? It certainly didn’t settle your intense emotions, or your sense of better judgement which was begging you to think things through. Iris had her eye’s shut tightly, loosely swaying backward and forward in a somewhat unsettling trance which was sure enough drowned out by the bellowing maelstrom afoot...

“Three, Two, One”

Thank you very much for continung my adventure emp, I do love it so ^-^ I heart you (reading too many House of Night Novels =p).

Stacey stared out at the bright green life that filled her surroundings as she waited for Iri's response to her questions. She couldn't help but let the selfish feelings bubble to the surface, this wasn't all about her, it was affecting others too, that much she could tell from Iris herself but for right now all she could do was feel pity. Was she truely dead, the wound beneath her bare breast would be enough to convince any medical professional, it was fatal afterall. But here she sat conversing with a goddess ... maybe that did mean she was dead after all how could she be speaking to an immortal in any other circumstance? She felt Iris move and broke her mournful gaze away from the life outside to focus on her face. She tried the tea before her bult felt it slide down her throat completely tastless and she tried to hide her grimace.

“I’m sorry, it seems my attempt at calming your unsettled soul has only aggravated it...” she pauses apologetically, “Your loss of appetite was to be expected, and I’m sure you’ll soon find death brings out the worst in people; detached from the natural beauty of the world, surrounded by a mess of bleakness and grief. And I’m afraid to add this could be it, there’s not much I can do for you now Stacey. Cheating death is a very dark practice, there are consequences too...” This was not what she wanted to hear. Some much for being a comfort to her she was really regretting getting out of that warm comfortable bed. Perhaps she could slip away and crawl under the sheets and never leave, she was 'permenantly' dead afterall. Would her current state really bring out her worst aspects? She didn't want to stay like this and find out, there was darkness within her, a small part, but it was still there and she didn't want to allow it to consume her. She began t speak again but Stacey wasn't sure she wanted to hear more even if she wanted answers to her questions.

“Well... there’s no easy way to answer those questions”, she says, stirring her cup now for no other reason than a casual distraction, “I’ve had my powers for as long as I can remember, I was born long before time itself along with the other immortals. The ancient civilisations cultivated around these jungles worshipped me as a goddess”, she continues, blushing modestly, “I share a symbiotic relationship with nature. One cannot live without the other, and even now as my beautiful jungle has been plagued I feel weaker and weaker. I’m becoming mortal now Stacey, and I won’t me much use in combat for much longer” Stacey found the distraction of talking about Iris greatly needed, she was in some intruiged by her, she was something new, something powerful and as she talked she found herself a little more enamoured by her. Stacey had seen some of the plague she mentioned first hand, the forest had been trampled and destroyed in places and it seemed that it was seriously affecting Iris.

“Syrian – the cloaked demon - is not an immortal, although he is thousands of years old” she answers, and before Stacey could ask more on the subject she closed her mouth allowing her to finish. “I should explain, when humans first started colonising on this Island, I felt urged to endow them with bountiful harvests - I fell in love with them. My naivety only led to their downfall. They advanced rapidly, their unstable empire splitting into factions and waging war. Every tree they set ablaze felt like a pin prick... For the first time I felt angry, heartbroken, and through my experimental urges the mighty empire fell with no exertion. Whilst most of the civilians were wise enough to retreat, a few retaliated... I killed anyone in my way, it fills me with regret”.

It was not surprising her recollection of history, mankind could be anything but, some people were greedy for power and independance and would fight over anything and everything. It was such a pity that they had destroyed the forest in their war and she undertsood the desire for revenge, she had given them a gift for it to be thrown back in their face. Stacey had acted rashly in the past too and had regrets so it was no suprise that even an immortal could feel that too.

“However, one of the civilians, a young child, survived. Filled with so much hate and fuelled with revenge he delved into the darkest types of magic. His immortality comes from a deal he made with a dark Shadow Court as he was growing too old to fulfil his retribution; they will keep him young with sacrifices of other peoples' youth. Syrian has been very hard to keep track of over the years, always travelling as his plan slowly came into fruition. Every century or so, he would settle in a region, starting a family whilst surreptitiously recruiting lost souls for his evil cult. History would continue to repeat itself; time and time again would he sacrifice both his family and followers through his ties with the Shadow Court. Through these unnatural dealings he has become less and less human."

Stacey felt a thread of anger at the story of how Syrian came to be how he was. She can understand, he was onyl a child afterall and he saw his goddess murder his fellow man, it would be enough to piss anyone off, but to inflict his evil on others! She had been in the position of being used as a puppet for evil, being tricked into believing what she was doing was right. His followers were most likely like her, unaware believing they are following the right man. Stacey shuddered as she remembered his visage, the demon he was now was a frightening creature no longer human.

"However a human sacrifice will no longer suffice, the time has come for him to execute his boiling revenge”. She pauses, taking a sip of her tea to sooth the corporeal goosebumps dimpling down her nimble arms.

“As for Giratina”, she continues, “The gatekeeper has an uncanny attraction to death and destruction. His appearance has been seen as a bad omen for thousands of years, but that’s not necessarily true. I got a ‘sense’ that Giratina was trying to help us earlier, but I can’t keep myself from wondering if Syrian planned on this all along. The ghost has some unnatural abilities; I can only assume Giratina will play a pivotal role in Syrian’s plot. Perhaps the two have crossed paths before”, she dazes up at the sky, the sun quickly climbing to its zenith.

Stacey felt her stomach do little somersaults as Iris spoke of Giratina, it was a beautiful, devine creature and she was not surprised by its description. It was a ghost afterall it would seek out death and destruction more than any other of its type. She could picture it perfectly its bold wings, the golden scales perfectly framing its form, she almost missed the rest of Iris' speech as she daydreamed about the ghost, she would give anything to see it again. She had been too enamoured by the beast to truely understand its purpose bu when Iris spoke of Syrian trying to use Giratina she felt her feelings shift to anger she felt almost possessive of the legend, she wouldn't let it corrupted and tainted like everything else.

Her train of thought was interupted by Iris who seemed very eager to get moving and Stacey put the now cold teacup down. Iris appeared anxious and her body shook as she stood dropping her teacup in the process. Stacey stared at the broken pieces of porcelain with concern in her eyes, the goddess seemed to be falling to pieces before her eyes. Meeting her eyes she saw the flush of embarrassment across her cheeks before a mask of seriousness replaces it. She catches herself from falling due to dizziness before storming back inside angrily. Stacey paused for a moment tilting her head silently observing the now frail looking woman before following her shutting the glass doors behind her frowning at her own reflection.

Stacey continued to follow Iris down stairs and through locked doors shivering as her barefeet touched the cold cobbled floors. The surroundings became increasingly dim as she appeared to be in more of a prison now than a princess' castle and even Iris didn't look to pleased to be down here. They walked in relative silence as the floors became covered in moss feeling soft underfoot the ceiling looking more dangerous, like it could cave in at anytime. They arrived at a deadend and Stacey didn't even want to suggest that they had taken a wrong turn when Iris seemed to carress the wall, the greenery spreading across her fingers before a door appeared and she swung it open piquing the young-dead trainers interest.

“Welcome to the Sanctuary”, the deity drolls, “Whilst your Pokémon are unharmed, in your deathly state your ties with them have been severed. Quite ironic indeed, considering you’re a ghost type specialist”. Stacey didn't find the irony amusing at all and Iris had enough sense not to laugh either. She set off into a pace around the circular room that looked eerily like the tombs in another world. What set it apart was a scale model of the jungle in its centre that Stacey found herself wanting a closer look at.

“I can’t... remember... the last time I set foot in this place, Stacey. I haven’t needed to”. She starts to route through countless documents and books that had fallen from a bookshelf and now decorated the floor. She appeared to be searching for something, a diamond in the rough Stacey assumed. She picks up a dull looking oil lamp and smiles before placing it on the centre of the jungle model. Stacey took a few steps towards before it began to rattle violently making her jump back in surprise and a bright green orb of energy the size of a fist erupts from the tip before floating towards her. Stacey longed to reach out and touch the magical orb as it danced around her. It was then that Stacey noticed it wasn't energy but a sold form with bright blue eyes rimmed in pitch black a pair of small antennae atop its head. Stacey's eyes widened as she realised what she was looking at as it giggled cutely in her face before floating back over to the lamp.

"No way ..." Stacey whispered softly.

“Spirit”, Iris pleas, “We need your assistance in summoning a warrior, my friend Stacey has been separated from her Pokémon”. Even though she was talking about her she couldn't snap out of her stupor. There were legends everywhere here. Was she truely staring at a Celebi, the little psychic fairy that could travel through time?

Celebi nods before turning to face her once again causing the breath to catch in her throat her eyes burning so intensely Stacey felt that she was burning in the fire of them. She spins across the room, leaving green dust in her wake which showers downward. The translucent greenish sand comes together before her eyes, molding itself into three animated, jelly-like silhouettes. The fairy's luminance softens as she hovers a few feet above the dim oil lamp.

“I can find one of your friends if you like!”, the fair squeaked sounding almost childlike and it was then Stacey turned her attention away from her to the now more defined silhouettes. “How about a Pokemon from your past, huh?” When she blinked she saw the leftmost form spring into life and Stacey felt a rush of emotions at seeing her young Nina again but in her pre-evolved form. She was a Nincada here and her sisters soul still resided within her. She helf a warmth in her eyes that touched her heart, it looked so much like her, it even gave her that Sassy grin. Stacey's attention was drawn away as Celebi spoke again. “Yeah she’s still not that tough, but could come in handy!” The Celebi agrees with itself, the illustration puffing out of existence saddening her deeply.

“Or a Pokemon from just now, the present! Gee, I like presents!” Celebi danced in the air very happy with herself gigglign as the middle silhouette erupts into the form. Stacey was nearly bowled over by her Sableye as he lept up her legs to rest on her chest licking her face happily whilst chattering very quickly. Stacey laughed back and hugged him tight to her chest feeling tears before her eyes. Oh how she had missed him, he was such a part of her she felt lost without him. He always knew how to cheer her up an was a constant companion by her side ready to defend her against anything and everything. “He’s your best friend and one of your toughest Pokémon, maybe you should pick him!” it spoke in its giddy voice before Impish dissipated leaving Stacey feeling very alone again. She was starting to resent the legend for tasing her like this, showing her Pokemon only to rip them from her grasp.

“Or a friend from the future? The future is always changing... but this one is from a future where you never had a chance to reunite with your Pokemon. How sad?” Celebi seemed to lose its entusiasm as it finished talking of her Pokemon. The final figure popped into existance as Stacey all but gasped at the sight of her future Pokemon. He was tall and lean, the familiar red coat swirlling around him making him look even more handsome. He paced forward and Stacey met his eyes, her Valentine sure made a perfect Gallade with a tough stance, hardened eyes and mystery swirling around him. He takes a moment to bow before her before he disappeared too like the others. enthusiasm dissipates. Celebi seems to get back its pep as it gushes over the final choice. “He seems the toughest for sure, and mysterious too! Pick him!”

“Ignore the spirit”, Iris says, Celebi blowing a raspberry in response, “No one else can influence your decision, but just remember, once it’s been made there’s no going back...”

Stacey felt a heavy weight in the pit of her stomach, how could she choose between her Pokemon to spend her last days with. She had only been given three posible choices out of the 23 Pokemon she was partnered with, she would never see the other 20 again and that thought saddened her sooo much. Pulling herself out of those thoughts she concentrated on the three Pokeballs before her, the left one, the Luxury Ball contained her de-evolved Nincada, oh how nice it would be to reminisce over the times they had spent together but if she would her choice she begrudginly agreed with Celebi, she may not be powerful enough in that form to help her win the war since that was where this was heading.

She then looked to the centre ball, the Premier Ball containing her Sableye, her starter and her best friend. They knew each other so well and she trusted him with her life. He had always been there for her and now she had the opportunity to have him with her once again. He had saved her so many times before and he was her now, he came from her present and wasn't she trying to affect the present to save the future?

Speaking of the future her eyes fell to the last Pokeball, the Fighting Ball that contained her future Gallade, her little Ralts all grown up and taking the guardian-warrior persona to the max. Celebi was right, he exuded power and that would be very useful in the coming fight, she could use all the strength she could get. But doubts pagued her mind, he was from a future where she no longer existed, she was but a memory, how would that have changed him? Woud he still follow her as loyally as before even if 'his' trainer was dead?

Stacey approached the Pokeballs stopping to stand before the centre Premier Ball. She gave a small smile before reaching her hand out to it but before could touch it she paused. Hand still hovering over the Premier Ball she looked over her shoulder to the Fighting ball to her right. A thousand thoughts were running through her mind throwing off her judgement. She should choose her Impish, he was reliable, he was trusting, he was powerful too, he would help her win this war. But .... dropping her hand she let her thoughts turn to Valentine, she would never get to see him grow up and evolve, not now her fate had been sealed for her. Now was a chance to get to know him all grown up, would he be like Lucius like his daddy or like his mother the beautiful Idrial? Here she was presented with the chance to spend time with a Pokemon she would otherwise never get the chance to again. His future might be dark from the failed war, perhaps she could show him the love she felt for him now and bring him a brighter future.

Stacey felt Iris' and Celebi's eyes on her as she pondered over her decision and feeling forced to act sooner. She let the guilt of taking her time wash over her before she swung around clutching a Pokeball to her chest before whispering.

"I choose the future, a brighter one that I will make for the world and my Pokemon" she said the burgandy and gold ball clutched tightly in her grasp as if they might take her Pokemon away from her

---

“A good decision, the spirit can teleport us to the edge of the Garden, but we’ll need to travel the rest on foot”. Hastily she grabs the oil lamp before reaching for Stacey with the other. Still clutching the ball containing her one and only Pokemon in one hand she reached for the Goddess with her other. Celebi disappeared into the lamp as the tomb shifted from view as they were thrown into the depths of the jungle. Stacey immediately felt dizzy and stumbled in the long grasses feeling them cut against her skin and nightie. The sunlight was bright and made her eyes stung, was this a reaction to being dead, did he sunlight effect her like it did vampires in stories? She didn't feel herself burst into flames so rationalised that she was being silly. Iris was standing not to far ahaead and Stacey turned around the see the castle behind them in the distance before turning to face the immortal again. There was nothing bu sky before her, where exactly were they? It looked like she was stood on the cliffs edge and Stacey could swear she could hear the crashing of waves against the bare rock. Iris seemed to physically emanate how such a subconscious would feel, her face coloured whiter than usually, gulping as she courageously upped her stride. She didn’t seem like your typical immortal.

“I’m sure you’re aware that you’re not in Lyanazia anymore, Stacey” Iris said casually, “My kingdom is hidden in the sky, higher than the tip of even the peak of Mount Eyrie could dare to reach... I’m sure it is not the strangest thing you’ve heard, didn’t you say you came from the Cloud Garden?” She smiles at her as Stacey stared over the edge of this floating island. They were in the sky? She is a Goddess after all but how did she expect them to get back to Lyanazia? Part of her had an idea and she prayed she was wrong.

“Close your eyes, and jump on the count of three” she says with a hint of nerves in her voice ...
... 'Oh my God I was right' Stacey thought panic rising throug her chest nearly stopping her un-dead heart. Stacey saw Iris standing on the cliffs edge and could feel the wind blasting against her despite her distance away. The wind created the illusion of the crashing waves. What was to stop the wind smashing their bodies back into the hard unforgiving cliff side when they did jump? And she asked her to close her eyes, her instinct would be to see where she was 'falling' to but did she dare even look to the stormly clouds below and the impending crash of the earth growing ever closer to her? A purple vortex of energy seemed to be braided into the clouds sitting unnaturally there against the blue sky blocking the view of the islands below them. Electricity seemed to spark and lurch from the purple swirls cackling with thunder most likely at the thought of tearing the two woman asunder. It seemed to radiated life despite its threatening appearance. Stacey was already having second thoughts never mind looking over the edge, that would probably seal her decision to stay on the safe floating island forever to wallow in her death. Stacey saw that Iris already had her eyes squoze tightly shut swaying back and forth and not from the wind, almost as if in a trace with didn't raise Stacey's confidence in her choice any.

Stacey walked forward to join her at the edge feeling tears prick at her eyes as she tried not to look down. She took one moment to stare at Iris trying to read her mind and see if she was truely loosing it before sighing deeply. Trembling she shut her eyes and faced forward gripping onto the Fighting Ball in her grasp for dear life nearly breaking it, she could not lose it in the fall .. oh my God they were gong to fall!

'I know I may be un-dead now ... but please don't let my body be broken anymore than it already is' she sent a mental plee to whoever would listen. She didn't want to smash into pieces and be just a talking head after all this, that was when Iris spoke ...

“Three, Two, One” and she felt the ground leave her bare feet as she was greeted with the strong gusts of wind and the wide open sky as jumped off the cliff trusting that the Immortal had followed suit.

She was just left to fall now!

[John's Knight]

The Safari Zone

John's Knight: Met with a fork in the road you decide to leave fate in the hands of a coin flip, clever! Whilst there were bound to be Pokémon at the Watering Hole, you take your trek into the deeper reaches of Jungle which were bound to house more predatory creatures. Not long passes before the dirt path breaks away, the terrain too uneven for any land vehicle with several dips and spikes in the ahead. You press onward, ankle deep in rough thickets whilst minding the occasional vine snaking across the shrubbery. A few Carterpie scuttle along the undergrowth as the bird types caw overhead. You look above instinctively, barely missing the flock of Spearow which where now concealed by the canopy of leaves. Reaching a drop in terrain you decide to see what lay in store below. From what you could see a couple of Nincada were burrowing into the mucky undergrowth which was likely to be swarming with other bugs. Just ahead a Shroomish was feasting on a pile of dead leaves, and a stretch further on a baby Teddiursa and Spinda were playing inside a hollowed out tree trunk. Moreover you could hear squawks just a tree climb above. The hunt was finally set into motion, what will you do?

As he walked alongside his companion, his attention focused primarily on his ears, waiting for any sound - and proof of someone being there. The terrain becoming somewhat more unstable, he tried to move deeper into the jungle; he spied with his little eye a small group of Caterpie, most likely avoiding to become pray to the small flock of Spearow he had almost missed, now hidden. He spotted a few more pokemon on the area, such as the bug Nincada, a nearby Shroomish, and a cute Teddiursa and Spinda, playing joyfully.

"Look Sonso!" he stealthily whispered to his pokemon. He had the rules of the Safari Game in his mind, and had been thinking of ways to capture the pokemon without actually attacking them. He believed he had come up with a good one, although he would see if he was right in a matter of seconds. "I want you to Yawn a few pink bubbles, and then use your Psychic power to command the movement of the bubbles. Move them towards the Spinda and Teddiursa, and try to lure them out of that trunk. Do NOT hit them directly; let them follow the bubbles and pop them themselves. You think you can do it?" As usual, the answer wasn't more than a lazy Slow, but he had to take it, now waiting for his prey...