[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

It is time at last to journey toward that fateful place, steeped in legend and haunted by more than just Ghosts! You Teleport or ride as close as you can get, to the edge of the plains, about a mile from the outermost grave to a rest stop. Beyond that, Teleporting doesn't work - in or out. Only the local Natu are capable of teleporting short distances within the Barrow Downs.

Before you can even reach the Ruins, you are spotted! There is a sound like metal-on-metal, and three robed figures (armed with metal gauntlets, naturally) come hurtling earthward like the comet itself. They pick up speed and energy as they go, but they are still barely visible, so high up are they.

Meanwhile, huge boulders are rent from their roots in the bedrock with a horrible cracking sound. They're lifted high over the heads of a dozen more figures and ready to be hurled at the trainers!

For once, there are some Pokemon with the Scimitars - two Druddigon on thick chains, held at attention by two pre-gauntlet Scimitar apprentices.


Cosh steps forward, surrounded by shimmering runes streaming from one gauntleted hand. In the other hand he holds a boulder with ease.

"Hello again. This time we meet where there are no chokepoints, no locked doors, no puzzles. Just our magic - which you can see has been greatly enhanced even since the last time we met - and you, and your pitiful Pokemon. Now we must talk."

"Can we bargain? What would it take to get you to turn back? Do you need money? Rare Pokemon? They are of little use to us individually, and you seem keen on rescuing them. Technology? Induction? Ah, but we have promised not to recruit like those fools and their Teams. Still, let us negotiate. Clearly the odds are in our favor, and our plans must not be disturbed."

The Druddigon strain at the leashes and every Scimitar pauses, spells at the ready. Even the airborne Scimitars stop midflight, cloaking themselves in power.

Nathan stares at the Scims with narrowed eyes, completely unphazed by their attempt at intimidation.

Nathan was going to say something..

...but then Terra steps forward and tries to strike a different deal.  Gallade (who is in a fight ready stance with his blades extended) eyes Terra in his peripheral vision veeerrrry carefully, not taking his eyes off of Cosh at all...

...Gallade doesn't trust these Scims.  Cosh least of all.  Even if the Scims were to accept, he'd bet that they'd end up backstabbed when it's all said and done.  After everything they've seen these Scims do, he doesn't trust them even as far as a wild Shuckle could throw them.

Nathan is tense as well.  He has one hand in his pocket (where the Red Gemstones are hidden) and the other on one of his pokeballs, ready to throw it at a moment's notice.

He doesn't say anything...for now...