[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Iron]

That catches their attention. "Hey...yeah, we noticed that the Tangrowth keep coming. What do you know about this? Anything you can tell us would help. All the agencies are working together on this...Dagny's even thinking about mounting an expedition into the Ruins...we have basically no leads."

"Not too much more than you, I'm afraid.  I do know that they intend to cover the ENTIRE region in these vines, though.  And that something in the Skull Ruins is directing this.  Or rather, somethings.  These Tangrowth were being ordered around by what I believe might be a 'manikin king.'  It was a Claydol wearing a stone crown, and it was VERY interested in the powerful and valuable pearl my Kirlia is so jealously guarding right now.  If you want to make more of an impact, you'll have to look for those 'kings.'  They're probably in the ruins, since that's the source of this danger.  My Absol's not been able to take his mind off of this since coming within sight of the Ruins."

Nathan points up at Calam, who's still staring at the ruins.

"Oh...I thought you might know something solid. Well, it's a start. What's your source on all this? Even if you somehow trust that Absol, they can't communicate such a complex idea..."

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

"Axew, eh? You got it under control? Temperamental little buggers..."
"Clauncher and Monferno, I'd be happy to have those on site. We're just bending steel rods to fit a variety of machines. Actually Clauncher might be really good at this. I've never seen one before. How much heat can he handle? I need someone to bend hot steel rods and someone to bend cooled rods. Heck, a Clauncher can cool them himself - does it know Water Gun or anything?"

"Well...my Clauncher know Bubbles and Crabhammer, so I think it handled with no problem." Then Heart bring out his Pokemon. Rose, Gustav and Koa pose to show his strength. "Koa it's a little temperamental yes, but don't worry about. He is calm and will not cause any problem. But bubbles don't help much, I have a Slowpoke who knows water gun to help." Then he brings Slowpoke who he is in his arms. "So... when I can begin?"

[Dragonstrike]

"Oh...I thought you might know something solid. Well, it's a start. What's your source on all this? Even if you somehow trust that Absol, they can't communicate such a complex idea..."

"It's a natural conclusion based on what I've observed.  Kirlia's been having some strange visions lately that pertain to kings and vines.  Just yesterday, he had a vision of a vine sprouting from the Skull Ruins, and with the speed these vines are growing, it's not unreasonable to say they're going to spread much farther than Stair City and Route 04 if left unchecked.

"Sarimanok was known for his wealth and power, so a manikin king would likely share such an interest, which would explain why that Claydol tried to steal Kirlia's pearl.  It's no secret something about Sarimanok was just...wrong.  Like he wasn't himself.  Something's at work here in the background.  Unless the source is dealt with, the problem is going to persist.  Taking out the things leading these Tangrowth is as good a place as any to start fighting back."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Within the Grand Pokemon Center are not one, but a dozen Nurse Joys all working at various tasks.
"The resort rooms have a jacuzzi, solitude, room service for people and Pokemon, big fluffy beds, and the best views!"

That surely sounds tempting... A little like a luxurious holiday. Well, duh, now she knew where that 'Grand' came from - however, Shiva was not here to spend a holiday doing nothing but relaxing and playing with her Pokemon, she was here to get things done and ear another Gym Badge! Well, maybe, because that Gym surely looked intimidating as she got a glimpse on it alongside the way. Steel, huh...

"Hmm... Thanks for that info, but I guess I'll abstain from that and take one of the rooms for two people. You can reserve it for me..." *sliding over her Breeder's Lisence for Nurse Joy to copy her name from it* "...and a person called Ventus Zachariah, who is not here with me currently, that is right... But he's a friend and a travel companion, so no issues. If he happens to arrive here and tries to reserve a room, please send him to the park outside and hint to look out for a Tropius. Thanks for that in addition!" *accepting keys for the door and pin that Lucky Charm from The Running onto them* "And thanks for the keys. This way to the park, right?" Now with room-booking done, Shiva finally retrieved that elusive Poochyena or just 'Yena' to her party, before placing herself down in the park of he Center - dear Reshiram, it was HUUUGE, maybe the size of Ginger Town as a whole? - beside that jungle gym at a slightly hidden spot. A spot where she'd see any of her party members approaching, since as soon as got herself comfy, she recalled both Tropius and that elusive Poochyena. That tropical Pokemon was surely delighted over the surroundings and even agreed to have Shiva carefully and awe-inspired stroke his forehead. "Welcome in the party, Tropius... Let's hope we'll get along well, do we? I won't boss you around, but I expect you to obey me both in and outside of battle. In return, I'll take care of your health and well being. Now, do you allow me to pick the fruits on your neck? Let's say I trade it for some of this Gourmet Food here." *offering the remains of the openened package of Gourmet Food, it's to three quarters filled*

As for that Poochyena... Shiva certainly was in silent overly proud that call this dog-hyena her own. What to with him though, she wasn't very sure yet... If there are ghosts and Ghost Pokemon around, he and his Bite would surely be useful? Hmm... For now, she was fine to smile at that dark Pokemon and offer the Nanab Berry she also picked from Tropius' neck as a snack to him. "Be welcome too, Yena! I still have no idea where those butterfree-wings come to your back, but they're surely pretty. I love this! Now, enjoy your food." As soon as he ate up, he'll be offered a log Shiva found along the way to gnaw and bite on. "I know how strong the theeth of your species are, but you still want to show me? Bite that log like it's a pesky Psychic Type!"

... Somewhere in between (before calling out her Pokemon), Shiva also typed up a message for every party member whose number she had - which a Nathan, Ventus, Valder and sadly not yet Heart. It reads the following:
"Greetings! I'm in the park of the Center or GPC as the citizans call it, near the jungle gym if someone searches for me. Just look out for someone with a Tropius. See you later, or in case we don't see another agin today: Sleep well and 'till tomorrow!"

And edit for Ventus: "I also booked a room for, well, us two as they require more then one person in one room. I hope this is fine for you, but if not just tell me!"


--------------
Mechanics:
Just keeping watch over the egg and spending some free time alongside two of her newest captures in the Center's park, as it feels natural for her to seek her own Pokemon's closure to cope with things. That's no Training Session for Poochyena, but testing what the dog-hyena is capable of and how he behaves at all - different from a normal Poochyena? Wonder if any NPC around react to Shiva, seeing that she has a Tropius that can hardly be overlooked and a Poochyena that gives off a faint bioluminescent glow from the wings... Awaiting anyone of the party coming to her if they like. Ventus has to at some point, as she has the keys to their dorm.

[Iron]

Spoiler

"Axew, eh? You got it under control? Temperamental little buggers..."
"Clauncher and Monferno, I'd be happy to have those on site. We're just bending steel rods to fit a variety of machines. Actually Clauncher might be really good at this. I've never seen one before. How much heat can he handle? I need someone to bend hot steel rods and someone to bend cooled rods. Heck, a Clauncher can cool them himself - does it know Water Gun or anything?"

"Well...my Clauncher know Bubbles and Crabhammer, so I think it handled with no problem." Then Heart bring out his Pokemon. Rose, Gustav and Koa pose to show his strength. "Koa it's a little temperamental yes, but don't worry about. He is calm and will not cause any problem. But bubbles don't help much, I have a Slowpoke who knows water gun to help." Then he brings Slowpoke who he is in his arms. "So... when I can begin?"

"Well, I think three Pokemon is about all I can pay you for. It's up to you whether you use Slowpoke as well to speed things up. Then maybe you can go home a bit early. Deal?"

If it's a deal, they can put Heart to work right away.

[Iron]

"Oh...I thought you might know something solid. Well, it's a start. What's your source on all this? Even if you somehow trust that Absol, they can't communicate such a complex idea..."

"It's a natural conclusion based on what I've observed.  Kirlia's been having some strange visions lately that pertain to kings and vines.  Just yesterday, he had a vision of a vine sprouting from the Skull Ruins, and with the speed these vines are growing, it's not unreasonable to say they're going to spread much farther than Stair City and Route 04 if left unchecked.

"Sarimanok was known for his wealth and power, so a manikin king would likely share such an interest, which would explain why that Claydol tried to steal Kirlia's pearl.  It's no secret something about Sarimanok was just...wrong.  Like he wasn't himself.  Something's at work here in the background.  Unless the source is dealt with, the problem is going to persist.  Taking out the things leading these Tangrowth is as good a place as any to start fighting back."

"Well, I don't know about all that stuff about Sarimanok, but we'll pass on your Kirlia's advice. Anything else you have? Visions on how to deal with the source? Dagny kinda agrees with you about that, that there must be something more going on. That we'll struggle against an army of Tangrowth and their vines."

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

"Axew, eh? You got it under control? Temperamental little buggers..."
"Clauncher and Monferno, I'd be happy to have those on site. We're just bending steel rods to fit a variety of machines. Actually Clauncher might be really good at this. I've never seen one before. How much heat can he handle? I need someone to bend hot steel rods and someone to bend cooled rods. Heck, a Clauncher can cool them himself - does it know Water Gun or anything?"

"Well...my Clauncher know Bubbles and Crabhammer, so I think it handled with no problem." Then Heart bring out his Pokemon. Rose, Gustav and Koa pose to show his strength. "Koa it's a little temperamental yes, but don't worry about. He is calm and will not cause any problem. But bubbles don't help much, I have a Slowpoke who knows water gun to help." Then he brings Slowpoke who he is in his arms. "So... when I can begin?"

"Well, I think three Pokemon is about all I can pay you for. It's up to you whether you use Slowpoke as well to speed things up. Then maybe you can go home a bit early. Deal?"

If it's a deal, they can put Heart to work right away.

"Before that I just want to ask a few questions: The payment include a potion or a pokeball correct? And what type of pokeball is?"

[Iron]

The food trades go well. Poochyena eats the berry like a bug, gnawing along the length until it's gone. But he instantly chomps that log in half, if it's a reasonable size. He enjoys rough play like that.

No one hardly reacts to the Tropius, but that Poochyena is something else. You have a crowd of people offering to trade for it, asking how you bred it, or scuzzballs trying to collect the Shield Dust.

[Iron]

Spoiler

"Axew, eh? You got it under control? Temperamental little buggers..."
"Clauncher and Monferno, I'd be happy to have those on site. We're just bending steel rods to fit a variety of machines. Actually Clauncher might be really good at this. I've never seen one before. How much heat can he handle? I need someone to bend hot steel rods and someone to bend cooled rods. Heck, a Clauncher can cool them himself - does it know Water Gun or anything?"

"Well...my Clauncher know Bubbles and Crabhammer, so I think it handled with no problem." Then Heart bring out his Pokemon. Rose, Gustav and Koa pose to show his strength. "Koa it's a little temperamental yes, but don't worry about. He is calm and will not cause any problem. But bubbles don't help much, I have a Slowpoke who knows water gun to help." Then he brings Slowpoke who he is in his arms. "So... when I can begin?"

"Well, I think three Pokemon is about all I can pay you for. It's up to you whether you use Slowpoke as well to speed things up. Then maybe you can go home a bit early. Deal?"

If it's a deal, they can put Heart to work right away.

"Before that I just want to ask a few questions: The payment include a potion or a pokeball correct? And what type of pokeball is?"

"You have your choice of a Potion or a standard red Pokeball as a benefit to your Pokemon. We're in favor of giving the Pokemon a little something for their hard work, since Pokedollars are probably not worth much to them!"

[Spiritmon]

"So it's a deal. Let's go, we warm up to begin!" Heart wave his punch along with his Pokemon. They are ready to begin.