[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

By the light of the Rapidash, your bees come back in the affirmative. Princess, who looked like she scouted higher, is glowing with pleasure, eyes closed, as if she saw something wonderful and is savoring it.

Zippy, by contrast, his tiny body is trembling in fear.

I took a honeybee class recently and it turns out bees communicate rather geometrically. They will crawl in a pattern that shows the other bees where the honey is, based on the current position of the sun. So if the honey was due north, and the sun was due west, they would do their honey dance going at a 90 degree angle.

Nathan has noticed the Combee do this whenever they come back from a Honey Gather trip. With a little coaxing, the bees now show the location of what they saw, on a vertical cliffside.

Zippy indicates something slightly upward and significantly to the left (south). Princess indicates something far up: first you go left, then right, then left to center and up to the goal.

Hmmm...

"...so there's something dangerous in the direction you went, Zippy?

*nod*

  And I take it you found what we might be looking for, Princess?

*blissful nod*

Did it look like there might be a safe way up for the Metagross?"

Both nod and retrace the back-and-forth path again.

[Iron]

Lucifer and Ventus have to chase off a few mountain Pokemon, but they are mostly Machop and Machoke who flee the Flying type. They look strong, but apparently smart! Their eyes gleam evilly in the dark.

The Rock Pokemon, who would be very dangerous, don't seem to be out by night.

[Dragonstrike]

Hmmm...

"...so there's something dangerous in the direction you went, Zippy?

*nod*

  And I take it you found what we might be looking for, Princess?

*blissful nod*

Did it look like there might be a safe way up for the Metagross?"

Both nod and retrace the back-and-forth path again.

"One more set of questions then before we proceed.  Zippy, do you think that dangerous thing might get in our way on the way to or from our destination? And is it a pokemon of some kind?"

[Spiritmon]

Heart then asks Nathan. "You think its a good idea for us to go there? I have bady vibes coming from that cave." Then Heart give some order for Viktor and Rose. "You two stay with me. We dont know whats there. Be ready to use Ember or Mach Punch in any sight of danger Rose. Viktor, you feel anything more about that cave? Any danger too much great to us to handle or anything?"

[Dragonstrike]

Heart then asks Nathan. "You think its a good idea for us to go there? I have bady vibes coming from that cave."

"I HAVE to go there, Heart.  Danger in the way or no."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(...)
Her question concerning Stair/Cheshire's fate caused Ventus to frown to himself as he thought it over, gazing into the sparkling heavens as if silently requesting their aid in answer his most beloved friend, before he let out a tired sigh. "I honestly don't know, dear. We have come so far on our journey, and seem so close to our goal....yet I feel that will hardly be the end to our efforts in saving Stair and Cheshire from those vile, loathsome Vines. From what I saw, the damage they have already wrought on the city is.....severe, and I expect it has only worsen in the time we've spent traveling to this location. Even if we do make it in time and eradicate the Vines in their entirety, Stair and the surrounding areas will be reeling from their assault for an untold amount of time....."

"But that is a possibility, far flung in the future. Let us for now focus on the present, and what we can immediately do to solve this crisis, alright Shiva?"

Having invested her new improvised stellar chart of Chresherian stars for long enough now to determine it as a good one for personal use, she closed journal and was just about to pack it away... When she noticed these eyesm glimming evilly in the dark, eeeek! Luckily Lucifer already stormed down to chase them off where they came from, before the startle became strong and the danger real. Ehm... This nevertheless was some sort of a lesson, so after having stared in semi-shock at the spot the Machoke and Machop formerly appeared with journal held very firmly and close to her chest, Shiva eventually called out Kyuu to the scene! Hah, if they dare coming back, they'll taste psychic power! She was pretty sure though these Fighting Types were not the only ones living here, possibly just waiting to strike... She held her psychic cat just as close to herself and eventually began to absent-minded stroke through his grey fur, showing that she cares for him just as much as he relies on her for food and wellbeing. Here in the darkness under the open starry sky, doing so felt pretty relaxing for Shiva, as if feeling him breathe was her reality check. Lucifer also received some thankful and appreciating strokes and pats ('See? Not-so-scary fae lady!'), if he decided to come within reach that is.

Speaking of the stars, she now faced Ventus. He seemed to consult the stars for an answer to her former curious-rhretorical question, and after a few moments, Shiva was right beside him. She let him speak without interefering or showing any reaction, then pondering about his answer still in that weak smile. Hmm... "That damage these Vines have already caused... Yeah, I saw it too from above. It's...saddining and heart-bleeding to see, and even more so to imagine how long the city will take to somewhat recover from the attack, even if we make it - I...I strongly believe so! Even if it's make-believe, but what to do if not try and keep on fighting, here in the present? If we fall, or the city falls, we at least can say that we DID something, and not little on top of that. Still, it barely ever will be the same for quite a while if we return with victory in our pockets - Ven, I've been looking forward to that Little Cup. But now, I guess I can kiss the hope to paticipate goodnight, can I? All because of...them..."

There was quite a trace of cold wrath in that last words, and just as much melancholy. She gently leaned into Ven, Kyuu still close to her. The others are up/out there, scouting the area, so not much for them down here to do than wait, fight off any mean Pokemon that come close, and keep one another warm and safe.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Heart then asks Nathan. "You think its a good idea for us to go there? I have bady vibes coming from that cave."

"I HAVE to go there, Heart.  Danger in the way or no."

"If you say so. Lets go then. Lets see if we can find the clue we need there. After you my rude trainer friend."

[Lord Windos]

(...) Lucifer also received some thankful and appreciating strokes and pats ('See? Not-so-scary fae lady!'), if he decided to come within reach that is.

Speaking of the stars, she now faced Ventus. He seemed to consult the stars for an answer to her former curious-rhretorical question, and after a few moments, Shiva was right beside him. She let him speak without interefering or showing any reaction, then pondering about his answer still in that weak smile. Hmm... "That damage these Vines have already caused... Yeah, I saw it too from above. It's...saddining and heart-bleeding to see, and even more so to imagine how long the city will take to somewhat recover from the attack, even if we make it - I...I strongly believe so! Even if it's make-believe, but what to do if not try and keep on fighting, here in the present? If we fall, or the city falls, we at least can say that we DID something, and not little on top of that. Still, it barely ever will be the same for quite a while if we return with victory in our pockets - Ven, I've been looking forward to that Little Cup. But now, I guess I can kiss the hope to paticipate goodnight, can I? All because of...them..."

There was quite a trace of cold wrath in that last words, and just as much melancholy. She gently leaned into Ven, Kyuu still close to her.

Ventus and Lucifer were not too thrilled and at the Machoke/Machop skulking around their current resting point, and they perfectly conveyed this lack of enthusiasm by sending them scurrying off with the occasional Gust and some withering glare sent their way. Ventus was also prepared to summon Raphael and send off to scour away the resident Fighting with a few well placed Air Slashes or, if they proved especially treacherous, Sky Attacks. "I brook no threats towards myself nor my friend and family, so those that lurk in the dark with ill intentions, beware, for my wrath for it will be unfettered and merciless for those foolish enough to dare trepass against us....." the empath proclaimed, more to himself than the afformentioned creatures in the night, but still loud enough for them to hear his warning. If the locals try anything scevy, well, no one can she he didn't warn them....

Lucifer, still quite nervous and fearful of invoking either Fairy Lady's or his master's wrath of her, stayed well out of reach of her well meaning affections. He's NOT going to make the same mistakes again, especially not in the middle of pitch black hostile territory while scouting/guarding, thank you very much, *Screee*! Shiva's sorrowfully and distressed words were not ignore by his master, however, as he carefully wrapped an arm around here waist and pulled them close, hugging and patting them all in one comforting motion. "Such is what I expect to happen when I heard the Vines breached the city, and its not the first time I've seen such devestation myself. Reminds me of when Neo Team Plasma and....Ghetsis attempted to plunge Unova into an Ice Age with Kyurem in his mad effort to take it over, hot and alive, or cold and dead.....such foolishness. Such....foolishness," the empath said, the last part muttered with not the least bit of bitter resentment. To say that he was unhappy with his former leader's/idols actions would be an understatement, but he managed to hide the most of it from his dear friend so as not to worry them/cause suspicion.

"Only this time, it falls to us in order to rescue a region from such an oppressive threat, rather than rely on the aid of hero of ages past, or the ones of modern times. Hopefully, all the diligent and exhaustive searching, researching ancient lore and folk traditions, and hard earned effort we've put in to eradicating these Vines will come to fruition, and that the Tao Trio themseleves will watch over all of us and ensure that, regardless of the outcome, Cheshire will not fall to these weeds. And in time, recover from the damage those insidious plant have wrought...." The researcher lasped into silence as finished his brief introspection, content to remain silent as he enjoyed the night with his dearest friend while keeping vigil for any threat to them.

[Iron]

Hmmm...

"...so there's something dangerous in the direction you went, Zippy?

*nod*

  And I take it you found what we might be looking for, Princess?

*blissful nod*

Did it look like there might be a safe way up for the Metagross?"

Both nod and retrace the back-and-forth path again.

"One more set of questions then before we proceed.  Zippy, do you think that dangerous thing might get in our way on the way to or from our destination?  And is it a pokemon of some kind?"

Zippy nods to both. He's always been the more realistic of the two bees .

[Dragonstrike]

So, this was it, huh?

"Heart, go get Shiva, Valder, and Ventus, and bring them here.  I'll stay here so we don't lose our starting location for the climb."