[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

You're positive that Shedinja will drift faster than Turiel can dig. But Turiel is willing to give it a try.

(Lagging behind it is better than letting it get away entirely, or hope that the current path will eventually lead to it when. That, and Lucifer's Tailwind will speed things up a bit, won't it? Ven's still going through with the Dig a Path Straight to It Plan!)

[Iron]

Turiel starts digging! With Tailwind, she is faster than she'd be without it. Her steel mandibles Dig through the stone at a grandma's pace - much faster than any human could dig. Whenever she hits a patch of ice or clay instead of gravel, she can go a lot faster. When she hits solid stone, it's faster to tunnel around. And that's how Mt. Sentry's labyrinth is constantly shifting!



Mr. Finder: "Hm. This Chilly Tunnel dives deep down. Possibly four or five times as deep as we are even now. There is a core of ancient ice there. Smells intriguing, but it doesn't connect to anything."

"The Winding Tunnel leads to the alleged Relic Stone, oh yes, yes. I'm quite sure. Icy that way too. I think the biome will shift here, too cold even for those hairy roots."

"And the Dripping Tunnel runs between them. And, yes, I can smell that Ventus is still there."

Slurpuff bobbles approvingly, like the sugary goof he is.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Oh dear Reshiram. No. Just....no. These words from Mr. Finder caused Shiva to figuratively fall down a much darker tunnel, ending in nothing. The pain - it huuurts! It doesn't stop!! Constant falling!!!

She looks over to that winding tunnel, very timidly though as if she was expecting anything to jump from it right away. Then at the arrow Ventus has left, which leads into the dripping tunnel and not to the Stone and Library. ....Ventus, you fool!

Just as timidly as she looked, she sounded also as she spoke up to Mr. Finder again. "Eh... Mr. Finder, can you roughly determine how many miles or hours Ven is away from here? And.... is he doing fine or do you smell blood? Because - HE HAS THE TENT."

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan remains skeptical of the Regialpha story, obviously.  Not because he doesn't think it's possible, more that there's nothing to really say whether it's possible or not.

When the pink petals the Nuzleaf had are brought up...he certainly finds that odd.  And that Druddigon had some Nuzleaf helping it too?  Nuzleaf aren't exactly cave dwellers, either...this is definitely weird...he'd have to ask Shiva about those petals later...

And when they find out Ventus took the wrong path (and the correct one is even colder...brrr...)...he can't help but facepalm in silence...

"...no matter what, we have to go after him.  The longer we wait, the farther ahead he's gonna get and the more likely it is he's going to get in trouble, if trouble hasn't found him already.  Valder and I should be able to catch up to him more easily if we go on ahead as well, since we're both faster than he is."

[Iron]

Oh dear Reshiram. No. Just....no. These words from Mr. Finder caused Shiva to figuratively fall down a much darker tunnel, ending in nothing. The pain - it huuurts! It doesn't stop!! Constant falling!!!

She looks over to that winding tunnel, very timidly though as if she was expecting anything to jump from it right away. Then at the arrow Ventus has left, which leads into the dripping tunnel and not to the Stone and Library. ....Ventus, you fool!

Just as timidly as she looked, she sounded also as she spoke up to Mr. Finder again. "Eh... Mr. Finder, can you roughly determine how many miles or hours Ven is away from here? And.... is he doing fine or do you smell blood? Because - HE HAS THE TENT."

"At least an hour or two's walk. He's disturbing a lot of soil, whatever he's doing down there. Durant is with him. And that bat Pokemon."


Oddish is slowing down a bit in the cold, but still chugging along as fast as it's capable of.

[Dragonstrike]

"At least an hour or two's walk. He's disturbing a lot of soil, whatever he's doing down there. Durant is with him. And that bat Pokemon."


Oddish is slowing down a bit in the cold, but still chugging along as fast as it's capable of.

"...sounds like he's trying to dig.  He said he was going after a Shedinja...gah, this is way too inconvenient and silly...he's never going to catch up to a Ghost type if it's phasing through walls...'lucky us', though, I guess...digging's probably going to slow him down somewhat...hopefully we can catch up to him before too long and get back on the main path..."

Ah, Oddish Ditto is slowing down a little...okay, that makes it a little easier to handle...maybe it'll tire out sooner rather than later in these temperatures...

...not that Nathan's expecting that to happen...

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

(...) When the pink petals the Nuzleaf had are brought up...he certainly finds that odd.  And that Druddigon had some Nuzleaf helping it too?  Nuzleaf aren't exactly cave dwellers, either...this is definitely weird...he'd have to ask Shiva about those petals later... (...)

(I don't know if Shiva would be up to openly speak about how she's collecting petals of Gradicea flowers. ._. The group knows that she has a liking for plants and herbs, so it's nothing too odd, and she's a type of person who doesn't share everything [every woman has her secrets?]. We'll see~)

"At least an hour or two's walk. He's disturbing a lot of soil, whatever he's doing down there. Durant is with him. And that bat Pokemon." (...)

With a bad feeling Shiva took what Mr. Finder had to say, his voice seemed to came from far far away and reached her somehow muffled. Still, it DID reach her at all, and to show that she faintly nodded once in thanks before she ends up plucking Cottonee from her head and holding her very close to herself, safely locked in a hug. Her Starter's soft fluff was tickling her cheek as she was all happy to provide some safety and comfort to her beloved Master... One worried look was also enough for Raphael to understand, and the archangel floated over to the known fae-enthusiast to half-wrap his wings around her shoulders, all while cooing in compassion - but Shiva could feel that he too was a agiated to some degree. 'Why has dad gone so far away, and can we please follow him? :C ' Yena on the other hand protectively took a stance in front of Shiva as he noticed that she's scared, and began to SNARL intimidatingly at something unseen. (Not using the move with the same name though, although that'd be a perfect move for him to learn - can I put a TM of that move onto wishlist, please? Maybe a shop sells it, or trading for it?)

Only half she also noticed what Nathan spoke, and as an instant and intutive reaction he received a pretty deadpan glare from her that she held for a few seconds, it was all speaking 'Don'tchu just d'cide on things alone!' without forming audible words. Then she averts her gaze a little and resumes to cuddle her fluffy Cottonee. Her voice was lower when she spoke up. "Fine... Ven's tough, if he....gets in trouble, he can handle it to some...degree.... But, eh, yes, maybe we should indeed...follow him. Can't leave him lurk alone down here! That bat Pokemon you mean, Mr. Finder, that's his Noibat, Lucifer. If he's out, bet he's having a Tailwind on his side... Means, if we don't run to catch up on him, our chances to catch up on him in these one or two hours decrease. If you and Valder want to go ahead, Nathan, then please do so. But only a little! Regardless how much faster you are, we shouldn't leave each other's ear- and eye-sight."

A mild sigh escaped her, as she looked down into the darkness of the dripping tunnel. Only darkness and the sound of something, well, dripping down greeted her, Shiva felt like the darkness was mocking her. 'I devoured your love, hah!'

On the run and in her mind, a huge conflict awoke, she is completely on the fence about things.

One way leads to what we're after, the other is which Ventus has followed.
I know. The third leads to ancient ice.
What's more important for you, my dear, what has priority for you?
I don't knoooooooow.
..........Think again. Stay calm.
Finding the Library is what we're here for... Can't abandon this, want to see this place, must save it...But Ven is headed the other way, following a Shedninja....
He's searching a GHOST TYPE down here? Now, good luck then, buddy.
SILENCE! >:V He's tough and he said he's used to rough terrain.... But I.......
You're feeling uneasy about the thought of leaving your dear friend and shortly-found love behind, do you?
Uhumm. What if he still gets lost? What if he gets trapped, caught, hurt and somehow can't continue the way?
Nah, before you get lost in thinking up horrible scenarios - he's not weak, dumb nor very prone to take obvious risks, and he knows he promised to take good care of himself to NOT fall into a horrible scenario. Both of you promised to keep yourselves safe, for the respective other.
I do remember... So maybe it'd be better if I'd...we'd...?
You're a bad girlfriend, leaving him behind.
I'm not! Or... I guess not, he's the experienced one!! But....
Hey, now there, look. The others desire to follow him as well, lucky you.
That's nice to see and hear.
Stick to them. For their sake, for your sake, for Ven's sake - my dear, do you know that saying that speaks about setting free what you love?
If it returns on it's own, it's forever yours. So, yes. What do you mean by that...?
He'd return on his own SOMETIME, you know that, I know that. Following him is just a huuuge safety measurement!
Seems like it, he has the tent after all. Some rest would be...appreciated...
Ah, it'll take a while until you can sleep. For now, it's running! Believe in him. Be patient, pray to the stars for his safety, and move on...
I'm already moving. Fastly. Stop distracting me!
Get going!~ He'll come back... You'll see him again, you and Raphael, just wait.
....Fine. If that ends up being untrue, I'll know who I'll blame.
There's none left to blame but you, my dear. Quiet now, watch your steps.

That Dittoddish who's still running around like nothing also began to make her nervous and uneasy, it likely won't take too long until she'll ask to have it recalled, whether it wants or not. So far, the cooler temperatures didn't bother her.

Do not take any unnecessary risks. [That's Absol's job.]
These were Golda's words, and they were ringing in her mind the whole time, her conscience was biting her.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

(...) When the pink petals the Nuzleaf had are brought up...he certainly finds that odd.  And that Druddigon had some Nuzleaf helping it too?  Nuzleaf aren't exactly cave dwellers, either...this is definitely weird...he'd have to ask Shiva about those petals later... (...)

(I don't know if Shiva would be up to openly speak about how she's collecting petals of Gradicea flowers. ._. The group knows that she has a liking for plants and herbs, so it's nothing too odd, and she's a type of person who doesn't share everything [every woman has her secrets?]. We'll see~)

"At least an hour or two's walk. He's disturbing a lot of soil, whatever he's doing down there. Durant is with him. And that bat Pokemon." (...)

With a bad feeling Shiva took what Mr. Finder had to say, his voice seemed to came from far far away and reached her somehow muffled. Still, it DID reach her at all, and to show that she faintly nodded once in thanks before she ends up plucking Cottonee from her head and holding her very close to herself, safely locked in a hug. Her Starter's soft fluff was tickling her cheek as she was all happy to provide some safety and comfort to her beloved Master... One worried look was also enough for Raphael to understand, and the archangel floated over to the known fae-enthusiast to half-wrap his wings around her shoulders, all while cooing in compassion - but Shiva could feel that he too was a agiated to some degree. 'Why has dad gone so far away, and can we please follow him? :C ' Yena on the other hand protectively took a stance in front of Shiva as he noticed that she's scared, and began to SNARL intimidatingly at something unseen. (Not using the move with the same name though, although that'd be a perfect move for him to learn - can I put a TM of that move onto wishlist, please? Maybe a shop sells it, or trading for it?)

Only half she also noticed what Nathan spoke, and as an instant and intutive reaction he received a pretty deadpan glare from her that she held for a few seconds, it was all speaking 'Don'tchu just d'cide on things alone!' without forming audible words. Then she averts her gaze a little and resumes to cuddle her fluffy Cottonee. Her voice was lower when she spoke up. "Fine... Ven's tough, if he....gets in trouble, he can handle it to some...degree.... But, eh, yes, maybe we should indeed...follow him. Can't leave him lurk alone down here! That bat Pokemon you mean, Mr. Finder, that's his Noibat, Lucifer. If he's out, bet he's having a Tailwind on his side... Means, if we don't run to catch up on him, our chances to catch up on him in these one or two hours decrease. If you and Valder want to go ahead, Nathan, then please do so. But only a little! Regardless how much faster you are, we shouldn't leave each other's ear- and eye-sight."

A mild sigh escaped her, as she looked down into the darkness of the dripping tunnel. Only darkness and the sound of something, well, dripping down greeted her, Shiva felt like the darkness was mocking her. 'I devoured your love, hah!'

On the run and in her mind, a huge conflict awoke, she is completely on the fence about things.

One way leads to what we're after, the other is which Ventus has followed.
I know. The third leads to ancient ice.
What's more important for you, my dear, what has priority for you?
I don't knoooooooow.
..........Think again. Stay calm.
Finding the Library is what we're here for... Can't abandon this, want to see this place, must save it...But Ven is headed the other way, following a Shedninja....
He's searching a GHOST TYPE down here? Now, good luck then, buddy.
SILENCE! >:V He's tough and he said he's used to rough terrain.... But I.......
You're feeling uneasy about the thought of leaving your dear friend and shortly-found love behind, do you?
Uhumm. What if he still gets lost? What if he gets trapped, caught, hurt and somehow can't continue the way?
Nah, before you get lost in thinking up horrible scenarios - he's not weak, dumb nor very prone to take obvious risks, and he knows he promised to take good care of himself to NOT fall into a horrible scenario. Both of you promised to keep yourselves safe, for the respective other.
I do remember... So maybe it'd be better if I'd...we'd...?
You're a bad girlfriend, leaving him behind.
I'm not! Or... I guess not, he's the experienced one!! But....
Hey, now there, look. The others desire to follow him as well, lucky you.
That's nice to see and hear.
Stick to them. For their sake, for your sake, for Ven's sake - my dear, do you know that saying that speaks about setting free what you love?
If it returns on it's own, it's forever yours. So, yes. What do you mean by that...?
He'd return on his own SOMETIME, you know that, I know that. Following him is just a huuuge safety measurement!
Seems like it, he has the tent after all. Some rest would be...appreciated...
Ah, it'll take a while until you can sleep. For now, it's running! Believe in him. Be patient, pray to the stars for his safety, and move on...
I'm already moving. Fastly. Stop distracting me!
Get going!~ He'll come back... You'll see him again, you and Raphael, just wait.
....Fine. If that ends up being untrue, I'll know who I'll blame.
There's none left to blame but you, my dear. Quiet now, watch your steps.

That Dittoddish who's still running around like nothing also began to make her nervous and uneasy, it likely won't take too long until she'll ask to have it recalled, whether it wants or not. So far, the cooler temperatures didn't bother her.

Do not take any unnecessary risks. [That's Absol's job.]
These were Golda's words, and they were ringing in her mind the whole time, her conscience was biting her.

@Iron

"For the love of the Creation Trio." Heart facepalm himself. "And Ventus was the one who say to all of us stick together." Heart release Viktor. "Viktor, could you please try to follow Ventus? Since he is following a ghost, the best to catch him its with another ghost. Avoid any dangers okay?" If Viktor understood and pass though the walls Heart spoke again. "I agree with Shiva. We have the Scimitars following us behind with that Solosis. I dont know about you guys, but no one is leaving behind. No on my watch!" Then Heart follow Shiva to find Ventus.

[Iron]

Mr. Finder: "Hmm...his current heading will EVENTUALLY take him back to that other tunnel. I don't know how fast a Durant digs, but it's quite a long way. We could try to meet up with him there."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Oh. Now this opening from Mr. Finder caused Shiva to halt ABRUPTLY, but the inner conflict and the bites of her conscience still happen.

The latter however, grew stronger as a new thought and idea awoke. One she didn't enjoy too much - but one that, on the logical side, sounded more appropriate in this kind of situation. While speaking up again, both Mr. Finder and Slurpuff receive a hopeful look that was clearly tinged with worry, if one only looked close enough. "With that Tailwind, relatively fast. Or so I guess. Mr. Finder, are you...sure that he'll eventually reach 'that other tunnel', that winding one that leads us further to our desired destination? VERY SURE, 100%? Please, tell me. Us. Because if so, maybe it'd be...better if we indeed follow our path and meet up with him there where you're saying we would... But that sounds like an acceptable idea, how much I don't want t..." Nope, Shiva does not desire to speak it out, she feels bad and guilty to do so, so she ends up biting her lip to prevent things.

"Please no 'trying'. We...well, NEED to meet up with him..." She turns to the others, with an open and questioning look. "What do...you people think? Ven's hours ahead of us already... And he's tough, he can handle things... Should we...well...go down the winding tunnel then?"