[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

(…)

As Gallade points and issues his silent challenge to Almanac, Nathan walks up to that boulder as well to stand next to his best friend despite feeling a little overwhelmed and/or woozy by the sudden surge of emotion that only he can really feel the true extent of (Shiva might feel a part of it, but I'm inclined to say it won't hit her nearly as hard because it's not as personal for her as it is for Nathan).  Gallade hops down moments later to steady Nathan and make sure he's okay.  Whoops, he might have accidentally overdone that a little and let his emotions get the better of him...

"...it's okay, Gallade.  You did the same for me, so I can bear this for ya.  We'll set 'em straight one day."

Gallade hesitates for a moment, then nods and goes back to staring at the Research Facility with narrowed eyes.

When Terra asks what's going on, Nathan explains.  "...you remember how I said I found Ralts nearly dead a year ago?  Almanac was the group that apparently did that to him.  All presumably as a part of their 'research' on the Ralts line."

Nathan joins Gallade in staring at the facility.  The initial spike in pain and anger was a little overwhelming at first, but it's settled down slightly, particularly since Nathan now knows to expect it in this area.  It's obvious from how Nathan is talking though that it's still far from comfortable.

"...and their methods in general are very...cold.  They have no regard for pokemon as individuals.  They're just tools to Almanac.  Never friends.  And it's especially apparent when you read their entries on the Ralts line.  If they can't get a Ralts or one of its evolutions to behave and serve a particular individual, they effectively drug the pokemon to 'persuade' it to.  Despicable..."

He falls silent at that point.  Those are the people that seemingly hurt and nearly killed his best friend.  All in the name of science for science's sake...

Blegh.

*Flashback!*

Terra slowly nods as the boy posed that question, as he could scarsely forget the grim yet heartwarming tale of how the knight and them had first meet. 

He then goes still when they revealed howand why the then Ralts ended up that way. 

Instantly, his jolly mood regressed into his usual stoicism, and then further still into an expression hard and impenetrable as a Cloyster's shell as he continued listened to and watch Nathan extol the amoral and wicked deed Almanac has done for the shake of 'science.' 

By the time they had finished, the simple monk was convinced of three thing about Almanac: That they were not good, that they must be stopped from doing what they did to Gallade to other Pokémon or worse, and that he do whatever he could to support Nathan in their struggle against them.

Several moments passed in silence between the two, until the mountain walked forward and firmly gripped the boy's shoulder.

"I am with you."

That is all he said, but when Nathan turned to look at him, they'd see the immense and unwavering resolve and solidarity in his eyes - nay, entire being, and would completely understand. For this point onward, they were together in their quest to bring Almanac to justice, no matter WHAT. 

That was that.