[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Original Post

"Please let me explain. Something, I was innocent what, has quietly tickled my senses as me and the others were on the way to Elanor. It was like...like something called for me, I might have imaginated but now I know that I didn't. Eggs of Noble Arcanine some of us do bear, in fact the precious and soft fae unicorn longed for you and this place - how could I not grant it its wish." All softly, Shiva places both the Minicorn and Flabebe Egg in front of herself into the grass, they're now between herself and the Guardian Mantis. "...They seem happy to dwell here, look." She smiles fondly towards both young Pokemon within the Eggs. Please tell me, is this what it looks to me like it is - Xerneas? ...The mystical and precious Tree of Life?"

"Our blessings are similar, but I hold only the merest fraction of Xerneas' power. Likewise, this tree is a mere tree, infused with some of my own blessing. It is called the Dragon Fig, and it is indeed a single organism. If your Egg wishes to stay here when it hatches, I will welcome it, for it does not contain a threat to our community. Indeed, Minicorn is an elusive and careful herbivore."

These two Eggs will hatch soon. You'll need to introduce them to this place and give them a sense of it as home, to fulfill your promise to Arcanine, but it would be OK if you bring them along on your journey until they reach maturity. Then they need to return here.

Oh... If the power of this Grassy Guardian is able to turn a mere tree into SUCH a precious tree, then Shiva's very impressed and enraptured by Their might, her gaze wanders beetween Them and the special Dragon Fig. "I see, thank you for explaining... Even if it was just an ordinary Dragon Fig before, it is a wonderful sight now... I love orchids, they're my favorite flowers. Allow me to ask, noble Primal Lurantis, will you let me pick an exemplar please? I will keep it alive and care for it, and it will always remind me - and Cottonee and Nightshade here - on you and this enrapturing place..."

Shiva grows very excited upon the realization that the given Eggs are soon to hatch into a smol unicorn and cute flower fairy, she smiles fondly to them - but there's a hint of bittersweetness within her expression. "I am very grateful that you welcome Minicorn and Flabebe in community and grant them your guard and blessing. But please..." She hesitates a bit before adressing the Primal mantis, "Allow me to spend a bit of time with them before it'll be goodbye, before I will have to leave their side in order for them to live in freedom and start a family, before the time has come to fulfil what I pledged for in front of Noble Arcanine. I WILL do so, I will keep my word, but yet I am not ready to part from these two special Pokemon - When they hatch they are very young, vulnerable, and I desire to share a bit of my love with them - so that both of us will keep one another in pleasant and warm memory, so that they'll remember me fondly shall we meet again. I wish to...see them grow a bit, become a bit stronger and capable to defend themselves, this is needed in order to survive in the wilderness. After they have hatched however and as soon as I can, I will stop by here to introduce them to this elusive grove, please grant me access then, Noble Primal Lurantis."

Carefully, Shiva then strokes both the Flabebe and Minicorn Egg, she feels very vividly how delightfully the young ones appear. "...They seem happy, they seem to enjoy this place. How could I not let them call this place 'home' then when the time has come..." It is true that parting ways with both will hurt Shiva, but she'll be strong and get by. She just WILL. She also hopes that she'll be allowed to visit every now and then...

"Since these two fosterlings of mine will be eventually given into your community, Noble Primal Lurantis... Please, let me ask how this grove is protected from 'ordinary' humans, from Trainers and their Pokeballs wishing to be used? It is close a Route and Elanor is not far away from here. How comes you're able to...hide away so well from people?" That's something Shiva's honestly curious about, and it also is a valid question in order to protect Flabebe and Mincorn from harm so that they have the time and peace to build up a small population again.

[Iron]

"Most mortals are not sensitive enough to know this place is even here. You will not find it on any map. I keep the secret with my own power. Minicorn and Flabebe will have a home waiting for them here when they are old enough."

"My flowers are very special. They remain infused with Earthpower even when they leave here, and possess the power to heal human and Pokemon alike. If you wish to take some, you will have to do something for me in return."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Ah, that explaiins things well enough, and now Shiva also sees why this special place has subtly called for her. How curious and clever, haha!~ She's very delighted that both the gentle unicorn and flower fairy are certain to receive a warm welcome here when time is rip, she deeply bows towards the grassy guardian. "Thank you, Noble Primal Lurantis. Thank you, in the name of all my fae and plants as well."

These orchids being so special only makes Shiva more interested in them. "That sounds...wonderful! Please tell me what you wish me to do for you in order to be granted an exemplar of these flowers." (I'd actually rather wait what Shiva will have to do before agreeing, but if I have to decide before a task is revealed, then I'll choose yes as it feels very in-chara.)

[Iron]

"You and your Pokemon must take a Pledge! You must promise to do all you can to preserve this little community. When the Millennium Comet makes landfall, its passenger will wreak havoc on Nature, trying to rearrange things to suit its alien whims. It is a great observer of creatures, loving nothing more than to partition them away in cages made not from iron bars but from mountain ranges, chasms, rivers, and Tall Grass. If you all Pledge to stop the invader, I will give you tools to help you in the quest."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Oh, lolz!~ That's something Shiva's very, like, VERY, willing to do. She chuckles delightfully over such a pleasant suprise and then looks up towards precious Primal Lurantis with a smile, a serious glance in her eyes behind the glasses shines through. "...You, oh Noble oechid mantis, know about the comet and its threat, about Deoxys and its alien powers already? That's..." She stops as she lacks proper words to express herself, so she closes her mouth and looks down to the ground with a slightly embarrased expression.

Eventually, it is Cottonee herself to chirps and catches Shiva's attention, despite she is now free (technically), she doesn't fail to build her beloved Master up in a moment of need: The vivid fluffball looks up to her with determined eyes and nudges her shoulder with a leaf-hand in silent encouragement. Nightshade almost instantly joins, she takes a dramatic stance and some moments later warm beams of sunlight shine through this special gorve, they all gently touch the Eggs in front of her. 'Young ones....'

"If that is what needs to be done -", Shiva then suddenly arises her voice, " -so mote it be, I will pledge. Pledge to do what I can, pledge to protect this community and sacred grove with everything I am able to bring up, pledge to aid Mother Nature and save Her from the threat from the cosmos. I am.... a bit insecure how much of a help I can be, but Reshiram shall awake and burn me alive shall I - us - fail to try being an irreplaceable help." She then waves to all her current Pokemon out, as well as summons those who are still within their Balls. "'Us', this is me, Cottonee, Lilith, Vaporeon, Nightshade, Primal Glaceon, Clefairy, Cherubi wihin their Egg and tiny Finneon in their glass. Come on, all of you, let us give our word and receive Noble Primal Lurantis' blessing..."

Shiva will hold both Minicorn's and Flabebe's Egg in her arms while doing so, Cottonee and Nightshade will take seat on her shoulders also to witness this ceremony first-handedly.

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan's rather quiet for the most part, letting Shiva lead the conversation mostly.  He quietly shakes his head in exasperation when Shiva guesses that the Grass Guardian might be Xerneas.  That guess was soooooo wildly incorrect.  The pink scythes, the orchids everywhere, the mantis-like appearance, the smaller pokemon with pink eyes...the clues were all pointing towards the pokemon before them being the Bloom Sickle Pokemon, or at least something similar to it.  (and woe be me if I can't recognize one of my favorite pokemon!  No, I'm not kidding.  I actually really like Lurantis's design!)  He's read about Lurantis before, so he didn't have much trouble recognizing the pokemon's form, but this is definitely unlike anything he's ever read about the species!

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Nathan's not entirely surprised when the conversation eventually turns to making a Pledge, and this is when he steps in to say a little more.

"...that's an easy Pledge for us to make, Lurantis.  We've seen the devastation that Deoxys caused 10,000 years ago first hand.  We're taking measures to try and stop it from doing the same again now that it's returning.  If you can offer us assistance in stopping a Legend...I'm not going to turn it down.  For the sake of everyone here now and those who'll come in the future...we have to stop Deoxys from doing whatever it pleases."

Nathan takes a deep breath before continuing.  "...in the process of Pledging, though, it's preferable to have Grass aligned pokemon witness the Pledge so they can help enforce it with new moves that they learn during the process, correct?  I have plenty of Grass types that could bear witness, but...well, as you can see from my lack of broken pokeballs, I don't actually have any of them on hand right now...I'm sure most of them wouldn't have any problems with bearing witness provided I have an opportunity to get them, though."

[Iron]

Nathan's rather quiet for the most part, letting Shiva lead the conversation mostly.  He quietly shakes his head in exasperation when Shiva guesses that the Grass Guardian might be Xerneas.  That guess was soooooo wildly incorrect.  The pink scythes, the orchids everywhere, the mantis-like appearance, the smaller pokemon with pink eyes...the clues were all pointing towards the pokemon before them being the Bloom Sickle Pokemon, or at least something similar to it.  (and woe be me if I can't recognize one of my favorite pokemon!  No, I'm not kidding.  I actually really like Lurantis's design!)  He's read about Lurantis before, so he didn't have much trouble recognizing the pokemon's form, but this is definitely unlike anything he's ever read about the species!

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Nathan's not entirely surprised when the conversation eventually turns to making a Pledge, and this is when he steps in to say a little more.

"...that's an easy Pledge for us to make, Lurantis.  We've seen the devastation that Deoxys caused 10,000 years ago first hand.  We're taking measures to try and stop it from doing the same again now that it's returning.  If you can offer us assistance in stopping a Legend...I'm not going to turn it down.  For the sake of everyone here now and those who'll come in the future...we have to stop Deoxys from doing whatever it pleases."

Nathan takes a deep breath before continuing.  "...in the process of Pledging, though, it's preferable to have Grass aligned pokemon witness the Pledge so they can help enforce it with new moves that they learn during the process, correct?  I have plenty of Grass types that could bear witness, but...well, as you can see from my lack of broken pokeballs, I don't actually have any of them on hand right now...I'm sure most of them wouldn't have any problems with bearing witness provided I have an opportunity to get them, though."

"Very well. I will wait for your return."

Available ? and level up moves:
-Grassy Terrain
-Grass Pledge
-Frenzy Plant
-Bullet Seed
-Synthesis
-Petal Dance

[Mikaruge108]

"I too, would like to take this Pledge, and happen to have a grass-type pokemon that could bear witness to this solemn event," Spira would then leave, and swap the Misdreavus he got in the Wonder Trade for Azazsga [Pumpkaboo] and gives the Pumpkaboo the Exp Share for now.
Moves he can (and will) learn:
-Bullet Seed
-Synthesis
Once he returns, time for the pledge!
(Oh before I forget, I think this scene deserves some music)

[Iron]

"I too, would like to take this Pledge, and happen to have a grass-type pokemon that could bear witness to this solemn event," Spira would then leave, and swap the Misdreavus he got in the Wonder Trade for Azazsga [Pumpkaboo] and gives the Pumpkaboo the Exp Share for now.
(out of that list Bullet Seed and Synthesis are on it's movelist, if it can't learn both then I'd like it to learn Synthesis (? Move)

You can learn any number of eligible moves.

[Dragonstrike]

(I like Mika's choice of music for this scene. It's a good choice of music for A Pledge to Protect the Future)

The Grass type pokemon that Nathan grabs for this are Yule, Snivy, Ray, and Sentry.  He's careful to release them from their balls before reentering the grove so their pokeballs don't end up broken like everyone else's.  He also still has Gallade and Solomon on hand as well, for obvious reasons.  He's not worried about having 6 pokemon out simultaneously because he can easily trust that at least 3 or 4 of them will behave themselves, so he can keep an eye on Yule and Sentry (and possibly Ray) specifically.

Before they enter the grove, Nathan offers an explanation to the Grass types.  "Alright you four, we're about to enter a very sacred place.  You can feel the power in the ground and air, right?  That energy that makes everything around here grow with a much more rapid pace...deep in the heart of these woods is a grove where a very powerful Grass type pokemon lives.  That pokemon can offer us aid, but in turn, we'll have to take a Pledge.  A Pledge that I would like all four of you to bear witness to."

"Snivy, I don't think any further explanation is necessary in your case.  You already know these kinds of experiences first hand, have lived with them for most of your life.  I'm glad that you're by my side to assist with my goals.  With the help of you and everyone else, I think we can stop whatever may come."

"Ray, your species is and old, old one, and this Grass Guardian is likely just as old, if not older.  They're incredibly powerful, as I'm sure you'll be as you continue to grow.  Maybe you'll be able to learn a thing or two from them.  And if you can use that to help me with fulfilling this Pledge...well, you'll have my deepest thanks and appreciation."

"Yule, what you're about to bear witness to...it's similar to what we saw in the cold, cold caverns deep below the surface Mt. Sentry, but different at the same time.  You helped us get through the tunnels safely before...so now I'd like to ask you to help some more, in a more formal capacity.  And who knows?  Maybe it will help you grow strong enough to impress Swiftfire.  It'd be a start at least, right?"

"And last but certainly not least...Sentry.  I know we've not spent much time together so far, and that I've still not fully earned your trust and happiness...but I'd like to ask for your help all the same.  This Pledge I'm about to make...it's to protect this place, this region, this world you've come to live in...there's a great danger coming, one not of this world...and I ask not only for your and the others' help in stopping it, but also to hold me accountable, to make sure I stay true to my word on doing my utmost best to stop it.  Will you help, please?  Even if not...the grove is a lovely place to visit, and I wanted to show it to you since you liked Celebi Park so much.  The orchids and lush greenery everywhere...I think it's a place worth protecting.  And there's so many other forests I could show you as well, so many other places worth protecting...if we could do it together, I'd be grateful for that.  There's few treasures in this world as valuable as a bond of friendship...and I still hope that we can become good friends, even if we aren't now."

Moves they can all learn:
Snivy: Grass Pledge
Ray: Grassy Terrain and Grass Pledge
Yule: Synthesis
Sentry: None!  She's mostly here for the bonding time.