Umbreon

Pavisa Trying to move her hooves in time to the rocking of the ship, Pavisa was glad she at least managed to stay upright. Well, mostly, she may have gone to one knee briefly... She didn't think anyone had noticed as she had gotten back to her hooves though. Bloody hell, that's going to take some getting used to... Hope the ship doesn't go the same path as the train did. Turning her head to watch as Kingfisher and Redwave set about putting the ship out to sea, she smiles slightly at the sight. The ex-guard had to admit that it certainly looked exciting... She found herself fixated on the two sailors, as though just by watching she could start picking up the basics of what she would need to know one day. Wandering a short distance away from the others, Pavisa continues watching the pair getting the ship moving. As well as she could while trying to keep her balance on the rocking deck, at least. Moving over to the side where she would be out of the way but still have a good view of what was going on, Pavisa lowers herself to a seated position... Mostly so she wouldn't fall off her hooves and embarrass herself. Zintiik The lurch of the ship was enough to dislodge Zintiik from his perch on the ledge of the ship, sending him tumbling down to the water with a splash. Sputtering as his head broke the surface the changeling glared up at the ship, grinding his teeth together. I bet they did that on purpose... A ridiculous thought, but by now the paranoid changeling was convinced they were all out to get him. Spreading his wings and mumbling angrily under his breath, 'Tactic' pulls himself out of the water and flaps his wings a few times. Lifting himself back up to the ship, he plants himself on the deck well away from the edge while turning his glare from one pony to the next. Huffing quietly Zintiik shakes himself off like a dog to throw the water off of his coat, not willing to drop his illusion yet in order to make the process easier. With another angry glare across the deck the changeling moves to go into the ship and go below deck - he may as well familiarize himself with the ship's hiding places, and at least they wouldn't be able to buck him into the water from down there...

@@Glaceon, ((Page 18 for the Blackthorn side, 19 for the Deep Cave. No one's been to the final part yet. Also I'm not sure if Aero is still going to take part in the RP - I've been chatting with him on Skype, but I think he may be done with forum RP'ing for a while.)) -------------------- @@Leafeon, The Blackthorn Gym was eerily quiet, with very few trainers there at the time. Clair was nowhere to be seen, nor were the young trainers she had been tutoring yesterday. A gym official is standing near one of the statues by the door, who smiles and waves Stella over as he enters. "Hey there, champ in the making! Looking to challenge Clair, huh? Good luck, she's in a pretty foul mood today... A visit from her cousin this morning followed by getting beaten by a challenger has set her off pretty well. If you're still up to the challenge she's in one of the back rooms." -------------------- @@Vaporeon, ------------------------- @@Vaporeon, As the show continued, the kimono girls continued to move in a trance-like dance. The music and movements seem to blend into one in a nearly timeless show, until the song gradually quiets down. With a silent bow the kimono girls disappear as a curtain closes over the stage to let it be cleared for the next show, a smattering of applause going up from the audience. Without much conversation, most of the townspeople stand up from their seats and start to file out of the theater. A few of them spare friendly smiles towards Cilla as they walk by - most of them seem distracted, their thoughts somewhere else now that the music and dance was no longer there to distract them.

Pavisa @, @, @@Windbreaker, Pavisa blinks a couple times at Minty's question, turning her gaze towards the Pegasus in question. "Pegasus? What Pega- oh, him..." She opened her mouth about to explain before hesitating, looking back to the others. None of those she was talking to knew about 'Tactic', or what the creature really was. Part of the ex-guard was telling her just to say it outright and get it into the open: it was bound to come out eventually, anyways. But part of her was also saying that announcing there was a changeling in their midst to these ponies she didn't know may not be the best idea... Better to let someone better with words, like Redwave or Bardic, to put something like that out there. Realizing she'd been standing there avoiding the question, Pavisa shakes her head a couple times before starting to back up. "That one is dangerous. Just... Don't go near it. There's more to it than its boring appearance. Oh, and you're better off not trusting anything it says." Feeling awkward about trying to dodge the question, Pavisa shakes her head again before gesturing away from the group. "Er, I should go, don't be shy if you need anything though." She quickly backs away before sighing quietly, turning and moving to look over the side of the ship. That was... Terribly awkward. Even when the bug isn't doing anything to me, it's still giving me trouble.

@@SilverHeart,@@Midnight Scribbler, @, Fizzle Fizzle, oblivious to Muddle falling or the new stallion's words through the throbbing in her head from running head first into the wall, was still in the process of staggering down the alley. "Hello?" The young mare glances around as she walks, trying to figure out where Suit could have possibly taken off to. The fact that she had a map slipping her mind for the moment, Fizzle just wandered down the alleyway aimlessly, still thinking that Muddle was behind her. "Suit Twister? What was that all about?" Finally turning to try and ask Muddle what she thought, Fizzle froze up when she saw the other mare wasn't with her. Slowly looking around, Fizzle very slowly starts backing down the alley, hoping to see Muddle coming up behind her by walking backwards. "Uh... Muddle?" Glancing around at the alley, Fizzle's ears go back against her head a little. "Anypony?"

Pavisa Blushing slightly as Kingfisher wandered off, Pavisa turned her head away and brought a hoof up to rub the back of her neck. What... What was that about? Bloody hell, why is it so awkward now... Granted Pavisa had been awkward around Kingfisher for a little while before the caves too, but they hadn't spoken much since the cave-in... Or since that damn changeling went and ran its mouth. Sparing a brief glance back towards the other mare, Pavisa swallows nervously before quickly glancing away. What, is she embarrassed by me? Stupid bug, who gave it the right... That's it, if we ever get a quiet moment to ourselves, I'll just... I'll come clean, if I'm lucky we can at least stay friends. Shaking her head and groaning quietly, Pavisa wanders off in the other direction a short distance to direct her attention towards the Pegasus that Fisher had introduced as Minty and the pink mare she was speaking with. She's important to the captain, huh? Keep an eye on her... I can do that much, at least. Sighing quietly, Pavisa shakes her head again and starts to walk towards the pair of them. No sense in trying to keep an eye out for the mare without speaking to her... She wanted to come across as friendly after all, not creepy. @,@@Windbreaker, @, "Erm, hey there girls." She blinks as she spots Fenix for the first time, before chuckling and adding "And bird." Looking back to Minty and Gwyn, Pavisa gestures with her armored foreleg trying to come across in a friendly manner. "Don't mean to interrupt, just thought that if we were all going to be in such tight quarters together it wouldn't hurt to get to know each other a little."

Zintiik 'Tactic' glared at Redwave for a moment before grinning, chuckling quietly under his breath. "As you say... Captain." Without waiting for another insult to come his way, the changeling disguised as a Pegasus flaps his wings and moves towards the ship. He considered waiting for Mirror, but he figured she would also have an easier time if the others didn't associate her with him... He still didn't expect his illusion to last all that long, after all. Upon landing on the deck, Zintiik looks around at the others he didn't know, trying to quickly evaluate them. Without any actual knowledge of any of them, it didn't take long for the paranoid changeling to label them all as potential threats and instead move off to sit by himself. He climbs up onto the railing of the ship, sitting where he can study the others yet far enough away it would be awkward for one of them to try and start up conversation with him. Whatever you do, don't let any of them close. They're ponies... Ponies aren't friends. Pavisa With the others seeming busy getting to know each other, Pavisa decided to start familiarizing herself with the ship. She didn't wander far - they'd just arrived, and she wanted to stay within hearing range in case there ended up being an issue with some of their... Unexpected party members. So she settled for sticking her head inside the ship to look around. Looks like about... Six rooms? Even assuming that the Captain has his own quarters, which... He might not, considering the size of the ship... I can see what they meant by the tight quarters. This might be... A little close for comfort... @, The ex-guard shook the thought out of her head and backed back out to the deck. They'd figure out the sleeping arrangement later, she figured. There were other things to deal with first, and as such she wandered back over by Kingfisher. Unsure of what to do until they were ready to go, she glanced towards her friend and gave a small shrug. "It's a nice ship. Afraid I might not be much help without a little training though... I mean, I might be planning on going with you guys once we're done here, this is actually my first time aboard a ship though."

Pavisa Despite everything that had happened since they had last met, Pavisa's smile was genuine when she saw Redwave jump down from the ship. She gave a small nod towards him, gritting her teeth at his remark about her appearance. Despite her lack of armour and lack of a proper chance to bathe within the last few days, the throb in her forehead suggested exactly what the captain was referring to. Without thinking, she responds back to him as they walk closer towards the ship. "Aye, and you're looking rather spry for a gargoyle, Captain. It's good to see you again." She was a little surprised at her own comment - there was no way she would have said something like that back when she had been with the guard and they had first started this quest. But then again, that felt like a lifetime ago now... Seeing Redwave had brought back memories of when he'd been petrified, of when he had shoved her out of the way of Orion's spell, and she made a mental note to make sure something like that didn't happen again. Walking up aboard the ship, Pavisa flicks an ear in curiosity at Scribe's voice. Not close enough to see on board yet, she started wondering just how many ponies were going to fit on the vessel... How close are we expected to be living here? Upon getting closer, the ex-guard starts looking over the ponies already on board in an effort to get an idea for their new traveling companions. First was the white and blue unicorn. Judging just off of the fact that he was the one talking, Pavisa took him to be Redwave's cousin that 'Fisher had mentioned. Glancing towards the others, Pavisa made rather quick mental notes of all of them. An experienced looking pegasus mare, a green pegasus speaking with a pink mare holding a crossbow, a royal guard... Wait, what? Doing a quick double take, Pavisa quickly averted her gaze from Terra and glanced back to make sure the others were close by. It wasn't anypony she recognized, but it still caught her off guard. His armour reminded her a little of her brother's - which meant that had she still been in the guard, he'd surely have outranked her. It's not like he's going to know you, just calm down. Even if it was somepony you knew, you look different enough now that he wouldn't even recognize you. After a few more seconds Pavisa blinks and turns back to the others again, a new thought popping into her head. My first reaction was to turn away rather than salute. Maybe I'm finally getting used to this... Realizing she hadn't said anything yet now that she'd boarded, Pavisa lifts a hoof to wave at the ponies she didn't know while just standing aside waiting for the others to come on board. "Er, hey. Name's Pavisa." Zintiik The changeling had come to a stop when Redwave had glared at him, tensing up and preparing to spring away as soon as the stallion made a move towards him. This was a terrible idea. Zintiik was no less paranoid when the captain had turned away from him, shouting for everyone to come aboard. Now speaking with the slow, apathetic voice of Tactic in case those on the boat were close enough to hear, Zintiik flaps his wings a couple times to try and get Redwave's attention. "Everypony, Redwave? Am I safe in assuming that includes me as well, or should I go now to save you the trouble of finishing me off? It sounds like close confines, are you sure you want one of my kind in such a position?" The changeling in the guise of the Pegasus grins as he starts to hover in midair - tastefully out of reach of a sword, in case things turned violent - in preparation to either fly aboard or flee, whichever became necessary.

Zintiik @@SilverHeart, Reaching the bank the others had slid down, Zintiik spreads his wings and flies down rather than kicking up his own cloud of dust. As he lands at the bottom the changeling narrows his eyes and looks towards the ship, waiting for Mirror to catch back up. "It's hard to tell from this distance, but the only one I recognize by colour is the captain. I wouldn't count on my disguise holding out much longer than a couple minutes though, as soon as someone calls me a bug that's out the window." Turning his head to look at the mare, Zintiik stares at her for a moment before nodding his head briefly. "Tell you what, I'll let you do the whole 'winning us over' thing. You'll have an easier time of it than I will. I'll keep an eye on our backs, make sure they're not about to throw us overboard or anything." Pavisa @, Blushing slightly as the other mare tapped her horn, Pavisa makes a mental note to look into getting rid of the unwanted body part again as she smiles at Kingfisher. Without thinking she mutters "I'd love that...", her eyes going wider as soon as she utters the words and quickly shaking her head. "Er, I meant going with you! Both of you!" Knowing she was going to get tongue tied and make a fool of herself, the ex-guard attempts to laugh the topic off and picks up her pace a little while averting her gaze. Idiot, knock it off... You're starting to act like your stupid brother.

Mirage Blinking a couple times at the question, Mirage hesitates before laughing out loud. It wasn't a question she was a stranger to, she still found it funny each time her outfit was pointed out though. She trots a short ways ahead before turning and striking a small pose, almost like she was modeling, before turning again and repeating the act. "Oh, do you like what you see, darling?" She finds herself unable to stifle another laugh before falling back into position next to her new companions. "I find zhat drawing zhe attention of others is rarely a vad zhing. My attire is meant to do just zhat! Vhen your goal is to learn more of other ponies, well, it helps greatly when they seek you out..." She flutters her eyelashes a few times, a small playful smile on her muzzle behind her veil. "I learned zhis from a friend, vack in Saddle Arabia. She was a..." Mirage hesitates for a moment, as though having trouble thinking of the right word. "How did she say... Paramoure? Regardless, she taught me much. A very wise mare, one I find myself missing often. Zhe company of others helps to dull zhat ache, and so zhe attire assists with zhat as well." Flicking her tail, the foreign mare shakes her head. The movement causes her golden bridle to clink, and she quickly speaks up again. "Ah, but zhat is off topic, no? You asked of my clothes and I bring up an old friend, I apologize."

Zintiik @@SilverHeart, "Hmpf, maybe... I don't like the looks either of them give me, if I got caught I'd likely get tossed overboard with a weight around my neck." Still in his Pegasus disguise, Zintiik flicks one of his ears in annoyance before turning his head towards the direction of the ship. "...Oh, great, don't tell me we're meeting up with Redwave. He knows Tactic's secret, and the last time we met he was kicking me. Hard." Zintiik flaps his wings a few times, as though forgetting they weren't his usual insectoid wings and he was trying to make them buzz in annoyance. "This trip isn't going to be any better than the last one. He probably won't even let me aboard." He spares a small glance towards Mirror before rolling his eyes. "If you wanted to get into their good graces, now would probably be a good shot. Orion's still unconscious. One cheap shot on me and you could worm your way into their group... It's not like I'm a pony, you'd have nothing to feel bad about. I know most of them already want to do it." The changeling sneers as he looks around at the group, before slowly turning his head to look at Mirror again. Pavisa @@Windbreaker,@,@@Icy Void, Pavisa let herself smile slightly at Aegis' quiet chuckle, tilting her head back to look towards the sky as he mentions it. "I don't think it'd be a problem as long as you stay in sight. I mean, it's not like the rest of us can follow you, and with weird creatures roaming around I don't want to have to worry about something jumping you..." The ex-guard grins at the pegasus before winking at him, moving up next to Aegis to nudge him with her shoulder. With that said she took her own turn sliding down the bank after Kingfisher and Bardic, kicking up another cloud of dirt as she comes to the bottom. Coughing and shaking her head she tries to wave her way through the cloud of dust before turning her attention back towards the ship. Squinting she tries to look towards the figures on board. One of them would be Captain Redwave, but there were more ponies aboard than just him. Wonder who the others are... Sighing quietly and pushing the thought out of her head, she turns to glance at Kingfisher before making herself smile again. "So... Guessing this isn't what ya had in mind back when you offered me a spot working on the Dreamer, huh?"

@@SilverHeart,@@Midnight Scribbler, @, Fizzle Fizzle scrunches up her face as Suit Twister starts to shout, her ears going back before managing to pick up on the sound of galloping hooves. She turns her head and her eyes widen when she notices the new strange stallion charging towards them, instinctively starting to back up. "Wh-what's going on!?" The young mare looks towards Muddle, though she seemed just as confused as she was. "Uh," Fizzle blinks once before turning around, away from the stallion with the puppet around his neck. It was split decision time, and they didn't have a lot of information to work with... So, Fizzle was just going to have to trust her gut. Suit Twister had been speaking with them, even if it had been strangely, but this mysterious pony was just... Running at them. And Suit had seemed rather afraid of him for some reason. "Well you heard him... Run?" The young mare was already starting to move as she spoke, turning her head back to glance towards Muddle and to see if the stallion was getting any closer. She probably should have been watching where she was running instead, as she missed the alley Suit Twister had ran down and ran into the wall of one of the buildings a few feet away. Bouncing back a couple feet, Fizzle lifts one hoof to rub at her head before staggering towards the alleyway. "Owww..."

@@Leafeon, Lhee hesitates as Aolani walks up to him, not turning to look towards her immediately. Of course someone had noticed - he wasn't lucky enough for it to have slipped by. Realizing that the pause would be suspicious, he quickly turns towards the Altaria morph and grins slightly. "F-Fine! I'm fine, really." He glances towards his knuckles, giving a small sigh as his Wish finally triggered and the scrapes started to close. He wipes the blood off on his leather armour before holding his hand up for her to see. "Erm... Just keeping in practice before anything serious comes up! Haven't had to heal anything in a while, needed to make sure it still works!" She's not going to buy that. You screamed, people don't scream for exercises. You're the leader of Sol now, you can come up with an excuse if you need to. @@Windbreaker,@@Vaporeon, @@Tricksters Pride, @, @@Aerodynas, The noise being made by the party entering the woods had attracted attention. A growl from up ahead would cut off any conversation, a Mightyena standing between two trees. It stares at the intruders to its woods for a moment before lifting its head up and howling. In the distance others take up the howl - the alarm was out that there were strangers in the woods. Before any of the morphs would have a chance to do anything to the loan Mightyena it turns around and races off towards the direction of the other howls - trying to get back to the safety of its pack.

@@Leafeon, Deerling hops back and forth eagerly, unaware that Elias couldn't actually see its antics, before rearing up on its hind legs. The small Pokemon bleats at the trainer before jumping up and down again - it would seem like an obvious yes to anyone that was actually watching the excitable Pokemon. In fact, Deerling didn't even wait for Elias to bring out a Pokeball. Rearing up on its hind legs again it would prod forward with one hoof, trying to hit one of his empty Pokeballs. -------------------- @@Vaporeon, Mankey cries out and starts to squirm, trying to escape from the rock tomb but being just a little too slow to avoid the attack. One of Mankey's hands starts to glow as it begins using Karate Chop to try and break the stones. It seemed to be working, but it would take it a minute to actually manage to get out of the rock tomb this way. In the meantime, Mankey was trapped. ------------------ @@Vaporeon, Inside the dance theater, outside noises would be quickly drowned out by the gentle music. On the stage five kimono girls were moving in time to the rhythm - it seemed as though they were in the middle of a show right now. The seats were mostly full at the moment, as though most of the town were here watching the dance. Upon hearing someone at the door a couple people in the seats closest to it turned to look at Cilla, but they quickly turned their attention back to the stage. Many people in the audience seemed rather tense, though they looked relaxed watching the girls' peaceful dance. ------------------ @, @@Aerodynas, @@Glaceon, ((Don't actually have anything to say to anyone else, just want to keep everyone up to date ))

Pavisa and Zintiik @, Pavisa pauses to stare off at the ship, swallowing briefly. This was going to be her first time at sea... And while she wasn't exactly nervous, she certainly wished it had been under better conditions. "Right behind you." Rather than focus on the thought of the voyage itself, she made her thoughts go in other directions. She was with her friends, and Kingfisher was an experienced sailor. Plus they would be meeting up with captain Redwave again - everything would be fine if they were together. Her thoughts were interrupted by the rapid beating of wings as Zintiik re-joined the group, flying up towards them from the general direction of the water. She mutters under her breath "So much for losing the bug..." as he flies back to land next to Mirror, the changeling briefly lighting up with the tell-tale green flames before in his place stood a now-familiar bland brown Pegasus. @@SilverHeart, Zintiik, now disguised as Tactic, turned his head slightly to look towards Mirror. She was the only one from their party still with them, until Orion woke up... And the changeling wasn't about to trust the others. "...You wouldn't imagine how difficult it is to feed with recent events. Ponies are paranoid... I don't like a challenge when I'm hungry." Zintiik's voice retained its usual buzz; it would seem his disguise was only skin deep for the moment. He flexes his wings in annoyance, doing his best to give off every image of an indifferent changeling who didn't mind the losses they had taken.

Pavisa @@Windbreaker,@, @@SilverHeart, @@Icy Void, The ex-guard rolls her eyes, sighing quietly. "I don't like the idea of leaving it somewhere to cause trouble, but I don't think we should wait around for it. I doubt we've seen the last of him anyway... I don't know if I should say we'll be lucky or unlucky, but it's probably going to show its ugly face again." Possibly a little harsh, it was just a changeling though. She had been grateful that it kept its distance after the cave-in. It had hardly said two words since that had happened, which was fine with Pavisa. She still remembered their invasion of Canterlot, and she wasn't about to try and make friends with one of the bugs. She was a little surprised by Mirror's comment, but it didn't really mean much to Pavisa. It's not like a pony would actually be friends with a monster like a changeling.

@@Vaporeon,@@Tricksters Pride, @@Windbreaker, @@Leafeon,@,@@Aerodynas, After waiting by the fence for a few minutes, Lhee lets out a loud sigh before pinching the bridge of his nose again. One member of the team was crying, and now another one was talking about making friends with the very Mightyena they had been ordered to go in and cull. "Bloody hell, that bastard Shade did this just to spite me..." Turning around to put his back to the others, Lhee faces the fence just long enough to kick one of the boards making up the wooden barrier. It seemed he had led them to this part of the fence on purpose - at the kick, the loose board fell away leaving a gap that was much easier to step over than the neighboring sections. "Come on - Verric can catch up... Something tells me we're going to be leaving a pretty obvious trail." He glances out of the corner of his eye towards the massive guy hauling the dead Emboar, before stepping over the fence himself. Without waiting to see that the others were following, the Umbreon-Morph starts pushing through the somewhat thick underbrush. Sure enough, it was as he said and after a few yards in the brush began to thin out. Once past the perimeter of the woods the ground was mostly clear other than fallen leaves and small ground cover, with the tall trees and their thick canopies high overhead. It was fairly dark by this point, far darker than it should have been for how early in the morning it was, but the trees did an effective job of covering the ground in shadows. It was noticeable enough that the blue rings on Lhee's ears, tail, and forehead had started to glow slightly so that his companions could better keep track of him. Turning to lean against a tree trunk, he turns around to make sure everyone had made it through the brush without problem... He was beginning to wonder if that would be the case the longer he watched them, though. Be nice, you were new once too... They don't have her to look after them like you did, either. You're the leader of Sol now, it's up to you to keep them safe. Like you couldn't keep her safe. Can you go through that failure again? "Ah!" Startled, seemingly by his own train of thought, Lhee had lashed out with a fist and struck the tree trunk he was standing near. His eyes go wide as he realizes what he was doing, his ears perking up before falling back down to their usual position tilted towards the back of his head. Too embarrassed to see if any of the others had seen his outburst, Lhee grits his teeth before turning to start walking deeper into the Wolf Woods and quickly pulling his fist in front of him so no one behind him would see as he brought his now-bloody knuckles up to his mouth. He shuts his eyes for a moment and his rings glow brighter for a couple seconds as he waits for the scrapes from the bark to heal, trying to seal them up before anyone would have a chance to point them out.

Fizzle @, @@Midnight Scribbler, By reflex, Fizzle had backed up slightly to let Muddle speak with this strange stallion... How did he know both of their names? He seemed very strange... And the way he kept speaking, what was he even talking about? It was kind of creepy, but she was trying her hardest not to show she thought so. At least, that's what she was doing until Suit Twister sat down and started talking to himself. Blinking her eyes a couple times, the younger mare steps forward and tilts her head. That close to fearful tone had suddenly made him seem less frightening, to Fizzle at least, and she slowly extended her muzzle a little closer. "Erm... Mister Suit Twister?" Fizzle spares a very quick glance towards Muddle before she extends a leg, trying to place a hoof on the stallion's shoulder. "Are you okay? What did you mean what we seek shouldn't be here?" She was thoroughly confused and rather convinced the stallion was crazy by this point, but they couldn't very well wander off to leave him talking to himself there in the road. Could they?

@@Leafeon, A scuffling can be heard as the small old woman peeks over the edge of her desk, the thick lenses of her glasses reflecting the light as she looks towards Stella. "Oh! Yup, that's a scale alright! Ya can just set it on the desk dearie, we'll take care of the rest!" The Move Tutor shuffles around from behind the desk, wandering towards the doorway and motioning for Stella, and more importantly Helioptile, to follow her. "Don't want ta do it inside, far too many books, don't want 'em to get wet..." Shuffling slowly to a clearing near her house, the small old woman reaches for a Pokeball and tosses it towards the dirt. With a flash of light a large Kingdra stood balanced on its tail, the Pokemon looking at its trainer patiently. "Ready ta work, dearie? We're gonna be teaching Helioptile how to use Surf." Kingdra nods its head before turning and crying out towards Helioptile. It spends some time speaking in that odd universal language of Pokemon, before turning and firing water from its mouth towards an open cliff-side. The water quickly expands to a rather large wave, and the dragon turns to look at Helioptile expectantly after it goes off. ((Kindgra is attempting to teach Helioptile how to use Surf. Please select a move to replace.)) -------------------- @@Leafeon, The Deerling recoils slightly when Elgyem prods it in the head, before shaking its head and bleating loudly. In response it lifts up a hoof and attempts to bonk Elgyem on the head in return - not an attack, just trying to return the... Strange gesture... Without really thinking about the fact that it had hooves. After prodding Elgyem in the head it would bounce backwards before hopping back and forth, watching the psychic type and waiting impatiently to see what the funny Pokemon would do next. ---------------------- @@Vaporeon, The Deerling that Cilla had been talking to bleated nervously and backed up, lowering its head a little. When the trainer spoke calmly and quietly it seemed to relax slightly, though it quickly turned to look towards the other Deerling when she pointed it out. Watching its friend bounce around and trying to play with the Elgyem, it DID seem likely it would be leaving. Deerling didn't particularly want to stay alone with the Stantler either... Why, the little Pokemon's legs were starting to tremble just at the thought! After a small pause the Deerling turns to extend its nose towards Cilla, and the Pokeball she was holding out. ---------------- @@Vaporeon, The Mankey cries out at the sudden attack, rolling away to its feet before glaring angrily at Rufflet. Mankey responds by using Fury Swipes in retaliation to the Fury Attack, seemingly willing to take the jabs from the bird's beak in order to respond with its claws. Seemingly unconcerned that Sable was now in a battle, or even to check that the other trainer was listening, Viro continued to speak uninterrupted. "There's twelve of us! Well, I guess you would make thirteen. And fourteen if you count the boss. I really don't know the why the boss created Storm, I asked him once but his answer left me more confused than before I had asked... Something about power, and doing it the right way, and I'm pretty sure he said something about a rebirth... I don't really know! He could probably explain better than I can. Or one of the other members could, some of them are really smart... You haven't really met any of them yet. Er, don't tell Yiree I said that!" -------------------- @, The Pokemon Center seems quite busy today - in fact it would be a couple minutes before anyone could even get to Abigail. Nurse Joy and her Pokemon seemed quite busy, and there were even a couple police officers standing by. A couple doctors could be seen going in and out of a couple doors towards the back, looking like they'd already been busy for quite some time. Something had obviously happened here recently. Eventually Nurse Joy would notice Abigail and quickly swing by to pick up her Pokemon, bowing her head slightly. "I'm sorry for the delay, we're quite busy at the moment... Part of the Center has been converted into a medical wing for a couple of injured trainers, one of them is the town's Gym Leader. Our equipment is set up more for Pokemon than for people, so we're a little frantic trying to make sure the doctors have everything they need. Plus most of the Center's staff is busy healing their wounded Pokemon, we're sort of short-handed right now." As she spoke, a Chansey had wandered over and taken Abigail's Pokeballs into the next room. After a short delay the Chansey carried them back and held the tray up to Abigail, so she could reclaim her Pokemon. "Again, I'm terribly sorry about the wait!" -----Ecruteak City----- To the south is Route 37, to the east is Route 42, and to the west is Route 38. To the very north of the town, the remains of a once-impressive tower stood charred and ashen. The Burned Tower, as that was what it was called, was currently occupied by a couple police officers searching around it while one stood near the entryway. A short distance to the east the Barrier Station stood, with the Bell Tower rising up impressively from the trees behind it. Towards the center of town, an impressive building with music coming from it would mark the Kimono Dance Theater. A pair of trainers seemed to be waiting around near it, likely killing time. They seemed to be debating about if they were going to go in or not. A short distance away a building that looked recently constructed stood, a sign outside advertising in purple letters: MOVE TUTOR. The Gym lies towards the south of the town, though a hastily-made sign was taped towards the door. Temporarily closed.

Pavisa Pavisa frowned slightly as she turned to glance at Aegis, raising an eyebrow slightly as she looked towards the pegasus. She wished there was something she could do for the author - despite a somewhat awkward conversation they'd had before everything went to hell, the stallion was still one of her closest friends... Words weren't exactly one of Pavisa's strong points though, and nothing came to her mind that she could try to say to help him. Vowing mentally to think more on it later, she turns back towards Bardic and nods her head slightly. "Pavisa, Cant-errr, just Pavisa." She was still getting used to that. Leaving to help her friends was still one of her better decisions, it was just something she wasn't used to yet. At least, she was still telling herself it was a good decision. "Pav or Pavi if ya want, I really don't care... And despite current appearances, I'm an earth pony." With her introduction out of the way, the ex-guard let her thoughts drift back to what Kingfisher had just said. A spare blade would certainly make her feel better... Glancing down to her armored foreleg she lets herself smirk at the sorry state of her armour for once. At least I don't need to worry about being weighed down... I can swim with just this bit, I've done it with both legs covered before after all... Stupid Stahl. Heck, it's more like a buckler than actual armour by this point. The mare briefly shakes her head to clear her thoughts, bringing her attention back to the topic at hoof. She spares a glance over her shoulder to see that Mirror was still following them... Pavisa had mixed feelings on that - the unicorn HAD been the one who held them hostage, after all - but she hadn't tried anything since they had left the caverns. Though one member of their rag-tag party wasn't to be accounted for. "Er... Where's the bug?"

Mirage @,@, A "firm understanding of the region's geography" for Mirage came down to following the roads and reading road signs... So, that was what she was doing now. Mostly the first part - she was much too interested in her companions to pay any attention to any signs they may have passed. At Bardic's question Mirage laughs quietly, reaching up with one hoof to brush a stray bang of her mane out of her face and causing the golden chains around her forehooves to clink quietly. "What is zhere for me to say? I am just a young mare from Saddle Arabia, hoping to see more of zhis veautiful world..." She flutters her eyelashes as she speaks, every few seconds making sure to move her gaze from Bardic to Ambrosia, watching them both curiously. To be fair there was much more about her, but most of it was of a more sensitive nature... Not that she would be reluctant to share, but only after she was positive they were trustworthy. Zhey both seem nice enough, no point to advertise my purpose zhough... If one of zhem met with zhe wrong pony, well, it would be good zhat I kept my mouth shut... There was more she could say without putting herself at risk, though... And it would hopefully keep them both willing to share if she seemed that way herself. So after a quiet giggle Mirage shrugs and moves her gaze to the road ahead of her. "You may say I am here to find a vetter life. Vack in my homeland, I came from very little. I did what I could to get by... Now, I make my own way in zhe world!"

Pavisa @, @@Windbreaker, @@Icy Void, Pavisa had been trying to think of what to say, and had been about to open her mouth when Bardic began to sing up ahead of them. Her ears perk up slightly as she turns her gaze towards the bard, staying quiet while listening to his words. The ex-guard couldn't help but let a small smile come to her muzzle at the song. It wasn't exactly a topic to smile about, but there was something about the weight of the bard's words that helped reassure her somehow... Some of the words had been things she'd already told herself, but the conviction behind his voice made them sound so much more... Real. She lowers her gaze briefly before looking back to the others. She moves over to nudge Aegis gently, smiling slightly at the stallion. "I imagine the ship can't be too far off. We should be there soon, I hope." She wanted to say something else, but any words that came to her seemed like a pale comparison to Bardic's singing. Instead she just winks at the pegasus before moving away a little, back to a more comfortable distance. Turning her gaze back towards Kingfisher, Pavisa nods at Orion's prone form. "I can take a turn carrying him if he's getting heavy. Without my armour weighing me down I don't even feel like I'm hauling my own weight." She pauses for a moment before letting her gaze drift towards the sword at Kingfisher's side. "...Off topic, but I don't suppose you have an extra blade back at your ship do you? I lost my halberd back in the mountains, and something tells me I'm going to need a weapon before all this is over."

@, Pavisa Pavisa sighed quietly as she glanced around, pausing long enough to reach up with one hoof to brush back her mane. She felt like a mess - to be fair, she hadn't taken much care about her appearance since they had gotten out of the mountains. It was hard to think about something as simple as how she looked after everything that had happened, everypony that wasn't with them any longer. The cloth wrapped around her head to hide the healing gash from a falling rock she'd taken in the mountains didn't help matters. The small clank of metal on metal accompanies her lowering her hoof back to the ground, her armored foreleg the only remaining piece of her once-impressive Canterlot Guard armour. Wish I at least had my helmet still... Not that I could wear the bloody thing anymore. As though to emphasize her thoughts, she winces slightly as a small shock rolls through her new horn. She made a mental note to ask the bard if he knew anything about it anytime they had a moment to talk... There had hardly been time for introductions with the pace they had been moving, let alone small talk. With another quiet sigh she moves to catch up to Kingfisher, glancing at the other mare out of the corner of her eye before turning her gaze towards Orion's prone form. "Still not awake?" She could see as much just by looking at the stallion, the question was unnecessary, she just had to say something. She hadn't felt much like speaking since the cave-in, and the self imposed silence was finally starting to get to her. Zintiik The changeling didn't know why he was even still with these ponies... Or why he was waiting for them now. When they had said they were going to a ship, it hadn't been hard for him to find it. So he'd flown ahead to wait, sitting near the shoreline and staring at his reflection in the water. Orion... That was why he was waiting. They were bringing Orion. 'Willow!' Zintiik tripped, falling forward as the mare pulled away from him. What was she doing!? He had been trying to push her towards the exit, why was she running back!? 'Willow, watch out!' He had tried to go back, to reach her, but a falling rock had blocked the path between them... That had been the last time he saw her... Shaking his head, Zintiik's wings buzz angrily as he smacks at his reflection in the water. "Why? Why is she gone... Why do I CARE!?" It wasn't fair! A cruel twist of fate - unlocking the emotions the changeling had buried all his life, only to have the mare he'd developed feelings for taken away! Zintiik hisses angrily at his reflection before slumping over sadly again. Suddenly the water would reflect the light of the green flames coming of the changeling's body, before they were gone just as quickly. Zintiik lowers his head towards the water, staring at his reflection again, which was now that of a familiar red unicorn mare. He shuts his eyes, as though unable to stand looking at his own transformed reflection, before pressing his muzzle to the water's surface. "...I'm sorry, Willow." The transformation goes away, leaving the changeling in his natural form once again, turning his head to glance towards the direction the ponies would be coming soon. Staring that way for a moment he sighs and turns his attention back to the water... They probably didn't want him going along with them anyways, but he had to make sure Orion was alright. That was the last thing he could do.

@@Leafeon, Lurele blinks at the challenge, looking at her Pokemon as Darin and his Absol went outside. "Wow... What do you think, Luke?" As she asks her Lucario she reaches down to pick up Mienfoo, holding the squirming Pokemon in her arms. She had quickly gone through the odds in her head, and Lucario was easily her best bet at having a chance of winning... Torchic wouldn't have a type advantage until she evolved, Mienfoo had just hatched last night, and Scraggy... He may have been strong, but with his slow reaction times there was no way he could win... Lucario grunts and nods his head, bringing a hand up to punch his palm. He was eager to prove he could stand up to the mega absol... And if it would put him closer to mega evolving himself, well, that would just make it that much easier for him to protect Lurele. He wasn't about to fail now! Grinning and pumping a fist in the air in front of her, Lurele nods and turns to follow Darin outside. Her Lucario followed quickly behind her, Mienfoo still squirming for a moment before sighing and letting herself get carried.

@@Leafeon,@@Vaporeon, The pair of Deerling look at each other before looking back to the psychic types. The braver one trots forward and bleats happily, the more timid one hiding behind its braver counterpart. At least they weren't hiding behind the Stantler anymore - in fact the larger Pokemon seemed to be wandering off a little, now that the braver Deerling was agreeing to talk to the psychic types. -------------------- @@Leafeon, Sneasel of course started to struggle as soon as the grass wrapped around its claws, though it seemed to freeze in place as Helioptile proceeded to pick up the Heart Scale with her mouth - which was currently in Sneasel's mouth. With the other Pokemon essentially kissing Sneasel in order to steal the scale, the ice type seemed to lock up in place as a scarlet blush crept up its cheeks. All signs of struggle ceased as Helioptile got away with the Heart Scale, Sneasel still standing in place with the grass around its claws... Were its legs trembling slightly? ---------------------- @@Vaporeon, Viro jumps up from where she had been sitting to follow Sable, a happy smile on her face. "I heard everything! Oh, this is going to be fun, it'll give me a chance to get to know you! I know more about all the members of Storm than anybody! If you wanna know more about anybody, you can just ask me whatever you need to know! Heck, you haven't even met everybody yet! Oh, and don't worry about the pace, I don't mind taking things easy! As long as we get things done the boss won't care, so if we need to stop anywhere it's fine with me." While she was talking, Viro helps lead Sable out of the base, pass towards where Yang was still guarding the entrance, and back out to Route 42. -----Route 42---- Route 42 is the stretch of land between Ecruteak to the west and Mahogany to the east. Through the years it looks as though a number of bridges have been constructed over the small lakes on the Route - meaning it was no longer necessary to swim or surf across. The biggest thing of importance would be the three entrances to Mt. Mortar. (Sable and Viro are leaving through the eastern-most entrance.) On the stretches of land between the lakes, a few Pokemon could be seen at rest. An Ekans was coiled up basking in the sun, while a Mareep was grazing on some of the grass. A Mankey sat near one of the lakes, looking at its reflection in the water, while a flock of Spearow were calling at each other from the tree tops. A Whismur could be seen lurking near the center entrance to Mt. Mortar. In the water, Goldeen were easily seen swimming around. A Psyduck and Ducklett were also sitting in the shallow water near the shore. ----------------- @, Heracross Pineco #1 Pineco #2 Pineco #3 Suddenly the Pokeball holding the third Pineco would begin to glow before abruptly vanishing - Abigail currently had six Pokemon with her, and any others she captures will be sent back to the Professor's for safekeeping. ---------------- @@Glaceon,@@Aerodynas, ((Don't actually have anything to say to you two, just didn't want you to feel left out))