[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

Kirlia looks very interested by what Nathan is doing.

Staryu doesn't have expressions, but it waddles up to the stone, gazes at it for the slightest moment of hesitation, then touches the stone!

Blue and white, brilliant light plays about Staryu. He spins in the air, his color washing out. His gem becomes faceted, his arms become many, and he turns a gorgeous shade of purple!

Staryu has evolved into Starmie.

[Iron]

Ventus gets no answer except a low growling.

"Good enough for me," he growls back, and unleashes Slowpoke.

This...partially works. Ventus finds himself no longer on the dark beach, but on top of a huge obsidian cage, its door hanging partially open. It has a heavy latch from both sides of the door. All is dark here too, but there's a small circle of light emanating from a red-glowing crystal on a jetblack spear or post, hanging at about eye level. By this light he can see a black, cinder-covered rocky ground beneath the cage, and some shadows moving on the edge of the red light, growling.

Affixed to the outside of the cage, just below your feet, is a strange circle of wood, with a few charred threads clinging to it.

Inside the cage is something you never, ever expected to see: the sleeping form of Shiva, curled up on some cinders as if they were luxurious pillows.

Purple and red swamplights float in the distance. Sometimes they swirl, sometimes they simply bob along.

[Dragonstrike]

Kirlia looks very interested by what Nathan is doing.

Staryu doesn't have expressions, but it waddles up to the stone, gazes at it for the slightest moment of hesitation, then touches the stone!

Blue and white, brilliant light plays about Staryu. He spins in the air, his color washing out. His gem becomes faceted, his arms become many, and he turns a gorgeous shade of purple!

Staryu has evolved into Starmie.

"Alright, if that's your decision, then.  Welcome to the evolved pokemon club, Starmie.  According to the pokedex, you should know quite a large variety of moves now.  The most notable is the ever powerful Hydro Pump.  There's also Swift, Spotlight, Rapid Spin, and Recover.  With those moves, I think you'll be able to really show some of your best potential.  If we find any TMs or get a chance to tutor you some more moves that could be useful, I'll be sure to let you know.

"And for the benefit of both you and Kirlia, let me explain my reasoning for asking you first: as I'm sure we're all aware, evolution is a big deal for multiple reasons.  And with Stone based evolutions, they can happen at any time.  I've read about many trainers who've evolved a pokemon with an evolutionary stone, but the pokemon was unwilling or didn't like its new form.  I wanted to make sure that you were okay with the change before I exposed you to the stone.  It's significant, and more often than not, it stops most natural growth as well.  I'll give you the same choice if we happen to get a Dawn Stone, Kirlia, though I'm pretty sure I know what your answer will be.

"Anyways, I'd like you to try your new moves a couple times on the practice dummies in the Center, Starmie.  And then after that, I need to make a phone call.  And then we'll call it a night.  Again, job well done today, guys.  Especially for you, Starmie.  I'm glad we decided to bring you along with is back on Route 01."

Nathan heads inside the Center, prepping the training room for Starmie.  By the time the practice is over, the target dummy is sopping wet and beat up.  Satisfied with the starfish's performance, Nathan recalls it and heads to his room to make that phone call...

[Lord Windos]

Ventus gets no answer except a low growling.

"Good enough for me," he growls back, and unleashes Slowpoke.

This...partially works. Ventus finds himself no longer on the dark beach, but on top of a huge obsidian cage, its door hanging partially open. It has a heavy latch from both sides of the door. All is dark here too, but there's a small circle of light emanating from a red-glowing crystal on a jetblack spear or post, hanging at about eye level. By this light he can see a black, cinder-covered rocky ground beneath the cage, and some shadows moving on the edge of the red light, growling.

Affixed to the outside of the cage, just below your feet, is a strange circle of wood, with a few charred threads clinging to it.

Inside the cage is something you never, ever expected to see: the sleeping form of Shiva, curled up on some cinders as if they were luxurious pillows.

Purple and red swamplights float in the distance. Sometimes they swirl, sometimes they simply bob along.

"What. The. Fuck. " Ventus barked out, immediantly recalling Slowpoke and summoning Apsis and Raphael to his side. Raphael, upon being released, was startled by the gloomy environment they found themselves in, but was even more surprised by the sheer levels of wrath that radiating out of their master. Apsis wasted no time in letting out a horrendously sounding *HIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSS*, clearly warning the being lurking in the shadows to stay back. 

"Raphael," Ventus growled out, getting the attention of his archangel. "Fly into the cage and retrieve Shiva from its confides, and hand them to me. Apsis, reach up and grab hold of the gen torch above us, and yank it free. These creature don't appear to desire wandering in its red glow, so having it on hand will be most...helpful, "  he said, his voice full of barely restrained anger at the sight of his friend held captive. He will not be leaving without her, and he'll get out of this place, come hell or high water.

Order: Raphael will grab Shiva (Checking first to see if it's really her)' and hand her to Ventus to carry, while Apsis will grab the torch and keep hold of it. After that is done, Ven will climb onto Apsis and have her carry them to the ground, with Raphael prepared to Air Slash what ever comes near them. This...is not what I expected, Iron...

[Iron]

"I love hearing about your battles. Did you win?

Especially when you win! Are all your Pokemon doing OK? Is Shiva taking the loss well?"

[Dragonstrike]

"I love hearing about your battles. Did you win?

Especially when you win! Are all your Pokemon doing OK? Is Shiva taking the loss well?"

"Yeah, I won.  She's still somewhat new to the more advanced concepts of battles, but I held back a little so she wouldn't fall behind.  Can't learn as much if you get absolutely crushed, after all.  And she'd already been beaten pretty badly in a battle she had with Ventus the other day.  

"But, she seems to have the concepts of multiple actions down now, and letting her take a few 'practice rounds' at some of my stronger pokemon definitely evened the playing field a lot and helped her grow from the experience.  I think.  She, uh, kinda overexerted herself in the heat of the moment.  Passed out at the end of the battle.  Her pokemon are all fine, though, as are mine.  She'll be up and about again tomorrow morning, I'm sure."

Nathan seems to be enjoying talking about this.  For what reason?  Who knows!  Well, Kirlia does, actually...and he's smiling, too.

Meanwhile, a theme song for Ventus's current location:
The Encroaching Darkness: Aurora of Darkness - Bravely Default

[Iron]

Ventus gets down from the cage. Shiva is retrieved, still asleep. It doesn't seem like she was much of a captive, since the door was unlocked and there's a latch on the inside. But that only makes things even weirder...

Ventus examines the Shiva to make sure it's really her. She's wearing a simple chain necklace, like you could buy at any jewelry shop for cheap. It reflects the purple light strangely.

Oh yes, and you took the red thing. It comes free with no resistance. It feels strangely weightless, like pumice.

You can hear the creatures circling around the firelight, baying to each other like ghosts. You can even see their shadows - they're about half a meter in size, and that's all you can really make out.

Once you've brought the torch down here, you can see other cages on either side of this one. You also see some burnt trees, a shelf of crumbled black marble (raw from the earth), and a long spiky ridge of black earth. Well, you assume it's long - it goes well beyond your red light. Up on that ridge, you see a bigger red light than any that are down here with you.

[Iron]

"I love hearing about your battles. Did you win?

Especially when you win! Are all your Pokemon doing OK? Is Shiva taking the loss well?"

"Yeah, I won.  She's still somewhat new to the more advanced concepts of battles, but I held back a little so she wouldn't fall behind.  Can't learn as much if you get absolutely crushed, after all.  And she'd already been beaten pretty badly in a battle she had with Ventus the other day.  

"But, she seems to have the concepts of multiple actions down now, and letting her take a few 'practice rounds' at some of my stronger pokemon definitely evened the playing field a lot and helped her grow from the experience.  I think.  She, uh, kinda overexerted herself in the heat of the moment.  Passed out at the end of the battle.  Her pokemon are all fine, though, as are mine.  She'll be up and about again tomorrow morning, I'm sure."

Nathan seems to be enjoying talking about this.  For what reason?  Who knows!  Well, Kirlia does, actually...and he's smiling, too.

Mom rather misses the point. "I'm sure you'll grow up to be a mighty trainer! Good for you! You've got that same competitive spirit that Creshire is so proud of in its trainers. I wasn't sure, what with you going off with those Unovans..."

"Hey, that gives me an idea. I have a gift for you and your companions. It's in your PC. Give Shiva hers first - it's energy drinks for all of you! You're the perfect ones to have these."

These special Lemonade mixes will help recover faster when exhausted from lack of Will. They also heal 6HP, but not in battles. There's one for each of you including Valder.

"How's the road treating you? Are you doing OK?"

[Dragonstrike]

Mom rather misses the point. "I'm sure you'll grow up to be a mighty trainer! Good for you! You've got that same competitive spirit that Creshire is so proud of in its trainers. I wasn't sure, what with you going off with those Unovans..."

"Hey, that gives me an idea. I have a gift for you and your companions. It's in your PC. Give Shiva hers first - it's energy drinks for all of you! You're the perfect ones to have these."

These special Lemonade mixes will help recover faster when exhausted from lack of Will. They also heal 6HP, but not in battles. There's one for each of you including Valder.

"How's the road treating you? Are you doing OK?"

"That's actually perfect.  Corsage has been rather grating on everyone, to be honest...your energy drinks sound exactly like something we need right about now."  Nathan knows exactly how invigorating his mom's Lemonade is.  Ooh boy, it's potent stuff.  It's somehow still delicious, too.

Awkward question, though...

"Yeah, uh...yeah, doing okay.  It's been going well so far...looking to challenge Corsage's Gym tomorrow.  After I do some info gathering on the Leader..."

It's a pretty obvious attempt at changing the topic. Kirlia's looking a little more concerned now, as well.

[Lord Windos]

With bith arms wrapped around his most cherished friend like his life depended on it, and with one hand holding the mystical torch, Ventus stared at the circle of darkness surrounding the group. Apsis was practically glued to his side, covering his flank well, while Raphael circled around above them, vigilant for any attack coming from all sides. "Away, you foul beasts. Begone!" Ventus barks out, waving the strange light to push back these creatures. Once they hand been driven back a sufficient distance, he checked out the other cages beside him, slowing moving along with his enterouge in tow.

'If there are other cages like the one Shiva was in, it could mean that whatever interrupted my teleportation and kinapped her might have done the same to other. I'm not a hero, but Kuyrem freeze my soul if I leave anyone else here without trying to rescue them!' he vehemently, thought, scowling at the shadowy forms that darted on the edges of the red light.

Order: Check out the other cages and see if anyone else is in them. If so, He'll try to Getz Raphael to free them; if he's unable, then he'll head towards the big red light slowly. The turtle won the race in the end by taking it slowly, so that is what Im going to do as well.