[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Fishing: (6)(6)(6) Oo, look at that. Whatever it is on the other end of the hook, it's extremely heavy! Ventus has to enlist the help of his Pokemon to reel it in.

It's a Corsola! And it's holding another Hard Stone, this one glittery and shiny.

Ventus' initiative: (4) + 5 = 9
Corsola: (1) + 2 = 3

(Sorry Phantom, but I want that Corsola! Not passing up on all those 6's!)

Just as Ventus was about to leave with Shiva, his fishing rod tugged hard. Startled, he refocused all his attension on catching this whopper of a Pokémon! "Sorry Shiva, but it appears that I will be unable to attend your training session after all! If I have time left after reeling this beast in, I'll come by and help you however I can! Until then!" the researcher called out the lass as she walked of to a peaceful location. He felt bad about reigning in on his offer, but he really didn't want to lose this Pokémon!
 
As it turns out, getting the darn Pokémon was so hard he had to elist the aid of Apsis to help him pull the beast ashore. When it turned out to be a Corsola, he couldn't be happier! "Apsis, hold back for now. If I need your assitence, I'll call for you. If it try to get away, cut off its escape and use Glare on it" the researcher whispered to her, not wishing to startle the Corsela they caught. He wanted to make friends with...her? (He couldn't quite tell, but he felt that the coral Pokémon was a 'she'), so  employing diplomacy first would be the best course of action! "Greeting, Corsola! I see that you stubbled upon one of my tasty treat, given how you are now on dry land. Sorry about that, my friend!  I have more Poffins and tasty treats for you, if you can forgive me." Ventus said, pulling out his last Poffin and dipping it into the container of honey that he set beside him. Holding it out to the living mass of coral, he hope that offers of food would lure it over to his side!

Order: Use Diplomacy to get Corsola on my side peacefully, if possible. If it refuses and/or tries to escape, Apsis will cut off its path and use Glare on it until its paralyzed. Lets hope things go well!

[Iron]

Insight: (3)(2)(5)(4)
Will: (3)(6)(6)(2)(1)

Corsola is not interested in your sweets! It wants to go back and live in the awesome river! It squirts you with water until Apsis intervenes.

Corsola Round 1

Glare
4 dice, -1 accuracy = 3 dice
(3)(2)(5)
Corsola is paralyzed

Bubble
0 Dex +2 fight + 2 canalize = 4 dice
(3)(2)(1)(6)
2 Str + 2 power +1 stab -2 vit = 3 dice
(4)(3)(6) Arbok takes 2 damage.

Corsola Round 2

[Lord Windos]

Getting a little wet immedianlty put a damper on negotiation, and Ventus couldn't help the sigh that creeped out of him. "Haaa...well, I can say that I tried. Apsis, use Thunder Fang to weaken it a bit, and make sure you don't kill her. When I throw a Pokeball at them, focus on keeping them from leaving." he said, calmly watching the battle unfold in front of him. He knew that Nathan would not exactly approve of him brute forcing the Pokémon on his team, but a Corsola was too valuble of a target to let go that easily!

Order: Have Apsis use Thunder Fang on Corsola until it hits - 1 Pain Penalization or less without knocking it out/killing them, then Ventus will throw his Net Ball at it. Let's catch a Corsola!

[Iron]

Corsola Round 2

Thunder Fang
2 dex 2 fight 2 brawl, -1 pain
(6)(5)(3)(1)(3)
4 dmg, -2 vit, +1 dmg
(3)(2) Corsola takes 1 dmg. 5/6hp

Bubble
(5)(2)(2)(5)
(5)(2)(5) Arbok takes 2 more damage 9/13

Corsola Round 3

Thunder Fang
(3)(3)(2)(2)(5)
A good last minute hit.
(4)(1) Corsla takes 2 more damage. That's pain -2, and paralyzed.

He has 2 Will left after those penalties.

(6)(3)
Net Ball: (6)(6)....You get the idea.

Corsola was caught!
It has Hustle, Tackle, Harden, Bubble. 0 happiness 0 loyalty. You can pick the gender as usual.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan is VERY confused.  First of all he's happy Ralts evolved into Kirlia, but he has no idea what the heck made Ralts happy enough to evolve.  Other than it seems to be related to Shiva.  The smug attitude around her and the daycare, the timing of the evolution and that phone call...something was up.  Kirlia knows something Nathan doesn't.  And Shiva seemed to be at the heart of it...

Second, that vision...it was...strange.  Ralts and Ventus? That had to have been something in the past since Ralts was a Kirlia now...maybe the battle they'd had?  Nathan and Shiva?  That could mean any number of things...and at any time too...was it right now?  A falling ball of light?  No idea what that was...

And someone on a throne of skulls...that part was unmistakeable.  There was only one throne like that...was someone finally going to find it (and why were they sitting on it if they did?)?  Or was that a vision of the FAR past?

Whatever that vision meant, it wasn't relevant right now.  What was relevant was why Kirlia seemed to so happy around Shiva...

"Shiva, Ral...er, Kirlia, seems to be VERY happy when you're around.  And that was enough to trigger his evolution, it seems. Do you happen to know why that might be?"  The question is genuinely curious.  

Kirlia's dancing in the background, enjoying his newfound strength.  He even grabs the pink pearl from Nathan's backpack when he's not looking!  Seems he's not having much trouble holding it now that he's twice as tall...

(Note: Kirlia might not be described as empaths like their pre-evolution, but they likely retain most of that ability since they're still psychic.  Nathan'll know if Shiva's holding out on answering that question.)

[Iron]

Yep, Ralts has demonstrated very limited and rare ability to see into the future, and Kirlia can still feel emotions. They're just not as good at it as the other member of their evolutionary family.

[Lord Windos]

Ventus smiled in relief as the Net Ball let out a sharp *Click*, signaling that the Corsola had been successfully captured. Apsis, looking bruised from the surprisingly durable living coral creature, was hissing slightly in pain and anger. The Bubbles from the river rock hurt far more than imagined! If it was not for the fact that her master would be very displeased with her, the Corsola would be nothing but a pile of pebbles! Hmpt!

Noticng that Apsis was not in the greatest mood after that brief battle, he just let out a slight sigh. 'Perhaps I have to work on the ego of hers as well, but one thing at a time. First ensuring she never eats a trainer's Pokémon, then we can work on the next issue...' the researcher though, a little amused at how prideful Apsis has become. Then again, when you are a colossal snake that can crush weaker Pokémon with ease, its hard not to develop that attitude!

"Apsis, that Corsola didn't wound you thatseverely, so a little rest will repair the worst of it in no time. Now return to your ball and relax for awhile," Ventus said, recalling his Arbok for some private time with his newest addition. Going over to where the Net Ball was, he picked it up and flicked the button. In a flash, the Corsola was out, looking a bit around a bit, before coming to gaze at him. *Squirt!* ....And now he's even wetter than before. She had an cutely angry expression on her face, showing that she doesn't appreciate beaten up like that! Soon, though, her expression became downcast as Corsola realized he was her master now.

Still dripping wet, Ventus gently grinned at her, before reaching into is bag and pulling out a Potion and Paralysis Heal. "Forgive me for the rough treatment, but all I wanted was for you to become my friend and join my team. I harbor no hard feeling for being soaked repeatidly, and I wish to show this by treating your injuries. My desire is that we become great friends with you, so won't you forgive me like I did for you?"

Order: Use Potion and Paralysis Heal on Corsola (I already have a name, but I'll save that moment for later), and try to become fast friends with them. Ventus is a caring guy, and he wants to make sure that Corsola is comfortable in his presence! After that, he'll head over to the rest of the group is gathered and help Shiva in her training (offer advice), unless you have something special in mind to happen with that Corsola!

[Iron]

Corsola will eventually get over being displaced. She does like to fight.

[Lord Windos]

When the Corsola hesitately aquisted to his offer, Ventus started to carefully apply the Potion and Paralyze Heal, being sure to get every last injured treated. The living rock surprisingly didn't flitch from the medicine, and soon all its wounds were cured with no fuse at all. The Corsola took a few tentative step to see if she was alright, and she discovered that she could walk around just fine, began to hop around in glee. Chuckling at Corsola's antics, and glad to see that they were so peppy after her recent capture, he reached over and patted her on her head.

*Squirt!*

Blinking the water away, Ventus saw that living coral mass didn't like being touched, given the wary expression on her face. Looks like she didn't hold much trust in him yet, despite him treating her injuries. 'Well, I did just dreg her up from her home and assaulted them with a massive Arbok, so her cautious nature is to be expected. I guess I must work on my bond with her first, before I can proceed with more hands on contact,' the researcher thought, returning offending the hand to his side, and decided to simply introduce himself to Corsola.

"Hehe, sorry for my rudeness, but I usually like petting my Pokémon. It won't happen again, unless you desire it. Now, I never introduced myself, did I? My name is Ventus Zackarieh, and I'm a Pokémon Researcher! I'm here to explore the region and learn more about the bonds between Pokémon and how they interact with others, and I would love to have your assistance in my quest! Though, I can't just call you Corsola, as you now a part of my family, and every member deserves a name. Hmm...how about Ariel? Corsola are know for their healing power and comforting nature, so I believe it would be a perfect fit for you! What do you think?" he said, carefully observing the Pokémon's reaction.

It blinked a few seconds, processing all the information he sent her way, before nodding to her new master. Ariel sound like a pretty name, and she did like being compared to a healer! When she wasn't busy feeding herself, they always tried to help out the Pokémon that lived around her home, so it suited her just fine!

Feeling that she was pleased with her new name, he smiled at her and called for her to follow him. Nathan sent a text telling where he had set up camp, and he wanted to meet up with the group before it got too dark. "Ariel it is, then! Now come along, we have to meet up with the rest of my friends. Its getting dark, and I don't want us becoming a meal for some predator!" Getting nervous at the mention of hunger monsters, Ariel quickly followed after her master, surprisingly fast on land. Hustle must have something to do with it!

When he got there, he quickly noticed some very important things. First, judging by the twirling Kirla holding a huge purple pearl, Ralts had finally evolved into his second stage evolution! Second, Shiva was currently playing with the aforementioned Kirlia, and seem completely lost in the activity, judging by that bliss filled look on her face. Finally, Nathan was currently looking very confused, as if something completely befuddled him. Looking both joyful and worried for his friend, he walked up to gret him, and see what has caused him such a tizzy! "Nathan, I see that you have a Kirlia now, so congradulations on its evolution! You don't seem to overjoyed right now, though. I feel that you are confused by something, so what has caused you such distress?"

[Dragonstrike]

When he got there, he quickly noticed some very important things. First, judging by the twirling Kirla holding a huge purple pearl, Ralts had finally evolved into his second stage evolution! Second, Shiva was currently a few dozen meters away from the campsite, and appears to be training her Pokémon right now. Finally, Nathan was currently looking very confused, as if something completely befuddled him. Looking both joyful and worried for his friend, he walked up to gret him, and see what has caused him such a tizzy! "Nathan, I see that you have a Kirlia now, so congradulations on its evolution! You don't seem to overjoyed right now, though. I feel that you are confused by something, so what has caused you such distress?"

Shiva seems to have mostly ignored Nathan and walked off to go watch Kirlia's dances.  'Nope, no idea.' That was the gist of what she'd said.  Ventus followed several minutes later.  It was easy to see both the joy and worry he was expressing.  Nathan sees no reason to not enlighten Ventus on what just happened...and so the torrent of words begins!   

"Well...first of all, I have no idea why Ralts evolved into Kirlia!  That's the immediate issue...it's got something to do with Shiva, but she said she didn't know when I tried to ask if she has any idea why Kirlia has been so happy around her lately.  Something about that response felt...off.  I can't quite put my finger on why...but this evolution DEFINITELY has something to do with her.  Ralts had been incredibly happy around her, lately...well, and also at the daycare...and she got a phone call mere seconds before he evolved...something just isn't adding up...don't get me wrong. I'm very happy Ralts has evolved into Kirlia. But I want to know why, is all...

"Second...well, you know what Kirlia can do, right?  Well, that whole thing with visions of the past and future happened...and man, it was WEIRD.  You and Ralts, me and Shiva, a falling orb of light, and the old king's throne of skulls, with somebody sitting in it...I have some ideas about what that first one was, but the rest?  Gah, it's all just so...baffling...I have no idea what any of it means...

"I think the one with you and Ralts was something to do with our battle before.  Ralts was dodging around you, and the only time that could have happened was in the past.  Well, unless we meet ANOTHER Ralts somewhere...but the species is rare enough as it is, so that's unlikely...the parts with me and Shiva and the falling light...too general.  Can't figure out what those represent.  I suspect that one with me and Shiva is relevant right now, though...

"And the throne...shudder...I don't know if that was the past or the future, but that throne and its occupant were...horrific...King Sarimanok was not known to be a kind man by the end of his reign, and his throne was made entirely of Charizard skulls, they say...archaeologists have been trying to find it for years, but anyone that enters the depths of the Skull Ruins is unable to tell anyone about what they saw down there...if they come back at all...if somebody were to find the throne, I don't know if that would be a good or bad thing..."

Nathan sits down at this point, emotionally exhausted.  Kirlia gracefully twirls over to him soon after, and gives him another hug, wacking him with the pearl on accident!  "OOF!  Ow...Kirlia...wait, when did you pick up that pearl?!  You better not drop it!"  Kirlia just smiles playfully at him, and continues dancing with the pearl.  He even fakes dropping it a few times just to poke fun at Nathan!  "Okay, that's not funny.  I'm serious about not dropping it.  You don't want to break what might be a powerful booster for your psychic attacks, do you?"  Kirlia frowns, but stops with the fake dropping motions.  He then continues dancing, suddenly happy again.  He's having a lot of fun with this!  And he has a lot of reasons to be happy, too!  He's stronger, he's taller, he can finally pick up the pink pearl, he can dance really well, he can teleport, Shiva's plans seem to be going well so far, he's got a lot of friends now...Almanac could try and get him again if they wanted!  They weren't going to get him now!  He feels like he's on top of the world!