[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

The mentioned of the small word 'Primal' almost caused Shiva to choke on the last sips of coffee, causing Yena to perk up in wonder and tilting his head while gazing up to his Master. (I assume the Poochyena would have noticed that these two were talking about him?) 'Primal'.... Primal Altaria! Whoah, so the South Wind Incarnate is indeed...well, that? How slightly more blessed Shiva felt that 'she' eventually arrived after her Summoning. Same with the earlier mentioning of Landorus, so it is depicted as an old man here in this region, is it...? Probably with orange hair, a large white mustache, and capable of forming clay only with acoustic orders... Shiva could only slightly chuckle at this behind the pages. Now she knows why the 'eremit' has told how she wouldn't care to be a legend if the Tusk would be save from the Vines.

Oh... A fearsome warrior but not attacking without a reason, this does sound like the noble creature elsuive Keldeo was. Still somewhat different from the image Shiva herself had about this waterly pony, at least of its Ordinary Form. "Oh. One of my newly evolved Pokemon knows Mean Look, but if I'd block him via this move, bet he'd attack, would he?"

"Anyway... I- I mean, me and the others of the traveling group will keep an eye open for that Keldeo you requested from us." Simply the thought of encountering elusive Keldeo caused a wave of excitement within Shiva, unwillingly she clenched her fists around the mug of coffee. "Besides, can I send your greetings to the others, Professor?"


--------------------
Mechanics:
Anythingelse Professor Mallorn wants to mention or share? Shiva doesn't have more to speak about at the moment, so I'd be okay to end the scene then. Next, I'd have Shiva indeed search for Tanuki's Gym simply to see the building herself, then moving on to Celebi Park where she'll spend the rest of the day doing various activities.

[Iron]

"Mean Look would be likely to utterly fail on Keldeo. Such a powerful Pokemon isn't even subject to such attacks. Well, yes, please send the others my regards...in fact, let me send Nathan and Ventus a text that I'm in town for the rest of the day, in case they need anything. I'll get this Pokedex update pushed, and be sure to buy one when you've got the funds! Can't let that bloody Almanac catch up. It was great to see you and your Poochyena. Good luck against Tanuki, and tell the others I said good luck too! Be EXCELLENT to each other! Bye now!" And he's off.

Tanuki's Gym is much as described, just a simple rectangular building of modest size and a single storey. Roof, walls, and door are all white. Climbing all over the building, via gutters and shutters and chips in the paint, are a dozen Zigzagoon! You can see, too, that the dumpster behind the Gym has a very heavy lock on it, and there's a catflap in the door of the Gym.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Heart was a bit embarassed when he finish the story and croud was around them. "Huh, sorry about that. Somtimes I get distract then telling that story. My grandma used to telling that story many and many times of the past after training sessions. About my clan." Then Heart reveal his ultimate truth. "Ark after his deband, forge a clan in Sinnoh, who follow the path of the Creation pokemon: Palkia, Dialga, Giratina and Arceus itself. The symbol of that unit was Palkia and Dialga in the top, Giratina in lower part, and Arceus as the middle of the symbol, as the core of the creation." Then Heart show a collar he carry with him. A silver one with the creation pokemon forming the symbols. "The symbol itself simbolizes a heart, something to remind us and never forget the divine things is conect to earth. "Ark" and "Heart". In honror to them, Ark name his new clan, as "ArcHeart". "Arc" with "C" no "K". Guess I dont need to say more yes?"

Then Heart look to Nathan. To expect Nathan reaction with revelation.

(Oooooh boy.  Ark, huh?  I have a PERFECT battle theme to save for later, then...much later, though)

No reaction besides stunned silence can really describe what Nathan's feeling right at that moment.  It's followed by a single question.

"...do you mind if borrow that symbol real quick?"

Heart think for a few seconds about Nathan request. He take out his necklace and give to Nathan. "Here."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Oh. So long for blocking it then, but thank you for this vital information, Professor! I'd probably be, well, maybe a tad bit devasted seeing Keldeo flee despite being mean-looked. Hehe... Ah, and yes, good idea about sending 'em a text! See you then the next time!~" Off he was, leaving Shiva alone with a special Poochyena and the remains of coffee and muffin she now finished up. Not the best lunch, maybe, but enough for quite a while shince Shiva hasn't planned any stressful activities or such which would need a lot of energy this day! Giving Yena another stroke behind and over the ears, she told him in a soft voice "My, so you're indeed something special, dear one... Well, shall we get going then as well?"



True, if Shiva wouldn't know that this is Tanuki's Gym, she would have likely completely missed it. Ordering Yena to plase stick close to her and not see all the Zigzagoon as free prey to leap at, Shiva stepped a little closer to the Gym to see whether there are any notes/hints/sounds concerning whether Tanuki currently takes Gym Battles, seems very busy, how crowded the Gym is - general info, maybe even her battle conditions to know them beforehand.

[Iron]

Tanuki's Gym doesn't have any rules up, but the sign does say "Accepting Challengers."

Celebi Park is beautiful on this spring morning. There are lots of low-growing flowers everywhere, in all colors.

You can take paths of different colors of gravel - there is supposed to be one color for each of the 18 types. Naturally, the pink gravel leads right to the Celebi Shrine, which is a lot like the one in Johto. It's just a crude little wooden structure, no taller than Shiva, with a peaked roof. Inside, people leave special stones they find that they think Celebi might like. Sometimes these stones vanish. Others grow moss at an unusual rate. The whole wooden structure is mossy, in fact.

A little pool flows from the base of the shrine. Unless it is disturbed, it reflects a perfect reflection of the shrine. At night, Illumise and Volbeat come out to provide enough light that the upside-down reflection persists even at night.

Shiva can hear Pokemon rustling around in the park if she chooses to go looking for them. The only one she sees is a Stantler bounding across the path.

[Dragonstrike]

Heart think for a few seconds about Nathan request. He take out his necklace and give to Nathan. "Here."

"Thanks."

Nathan pulls out his journal again.  Makes a few notes...and then he starts drawing a picture of the necklace.

"Well, while I'm drawing this, how about another story?  I find this one quite interesting."

Spoiler

A History of Conquest: Main Theme - Pokemon Conquest

"Maybe you're already familiar with Arceus and the Sinnohese and Creshirean lore associated with it, the Creation Trio, and the Lake Trio.  But what you probably haven't heard is the legend that it created a region in its own image.  Yes, a region shaped like Arceus itself.  It's strange to think about, but some theorize that if such a place does exist, it might be one of Arceus's most secret refuges."

"But what I find more interesting is the people and pokemon said to inhabit that place.  A long time ago, in this region far, far away, the region was divided into seventeen territories, each one primarily inhabited by pokemon of a certain type.  The people that lived in the region needed no pokeballs, no apricorns...they would simply walk up to a pokemon...and bond with them.  Not everyone could do it, though, and so those who could ended up being the military force for the region, known as Warriors.  The most powerful and dedicated Warriors would rise through the ranks and become Warlords."

"...and such titles were granted with good reason.  The region was constantly in a state of conflict.  Warlords would lead small armies into neighboring territories to attempt to claim the capitals for their own and expand their area of influence.  Why would you do that, you might ask?  Well..."

"There was a legend.  A legend that if any one Warlord could conquer all seventeen territories and unite the region, then Arceus itself would appear, and help create the world that warlord desired.  A chance to bond with the legendary Arceus...it was something that captured the hearts and minds of the people throughout the entire region."

"Eventually, one warlord did start making some significant headway in this quest.  His name...was Nobunaga.  A dragon specialist, and one who had befriended dragons as black as night, dragons that struck fear into the hearts of all that stood before him.  His conquest looked to be unstoppable, and by the time he actually ran into warlords that were proving to be obstacles to his conquest, he'd already conquered half of the region."

"On the opposite side of the region was another Warlord, one newly appointed, their name, appearance, and how they rose to that rank lost to time.  All that's known is they started with a humble Eevee, and their main adviser used a Jigglypuff.  It was not conquest they sought, but when neighboring territories came knocking on their door, they had to fight back.  Once it was finally clear to the young warlord that the conflict wouldn't stop, they resolved to end the fighting, and went on the offensive.  One by one, the territories in their half of the region fell, they gained new allies through their conquest just as Nobunaga had, though their methods were markedly more friendly than the Black Dragon's."

"It was when they managed to defeat the warlords that Nobunaga had been struggling with that the tide turned...and when they finally met the Black Dragon in person.  They would be facing Nobunaga's armies from that point on.  No new allies would be found, so they would have to make do with what they had.  And again, one by one, the territories fell, and the empire that Nobunaga had been building slowly succumbed to the young warlord's, until the Black Dragon found himself cornered...and defeated."

"A bright light shone in the dragon territory, and the top of the tallest tower in the region shone for all to see.  And at the top, as the legend has said...Arceus waited for the young warlord who had united the seventeen territories.  It seemed like the region would finally know peace...until the Black Dragon reappeared with his strongest subordinates and pokemon in one last attempt to wrest that power away from the hero."

"A battle he ultimately lost, as Arceus's power was too great to oppose without strenuous circumstances.  Nobunaga had failed in his goal to bring peace to the region and cease all conflict through force.  It was only when the hero understood that Nobunaga was thinking of the region's wellbeing when he attempted to rule with an iron fist that peace truly reigned."

"The region united in peace and the prophecy fulfilled, Arceus then left...but not before promising the hero that they would meet again one day, when they were truly ready for its Omnipotent power..."

"The myths and legends I read say this region is known as Ransei, and it is the only place in the world where people don't need pokeballs and apricorns to bond with pokemon, the only one that knows true peace.  The tale is an old one, one that probably occurred hundreds of years before...or maybe it's recent, and it resides in a universe with a timeline different from our own.  It's always struck me as a curious story, and I find the idea that people and pokemon can bond with pokemon so easily there fascinating..."

Nathan's finished his drawing at this point.  He hands the necklace back to Heart.  "Again, thank you."

He then makes sure to look carefully and see how Furret, Heart, Princess, and the surprise audience react to the tale.  It's quite the odd one, that's for sure...

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Heart think for a few seconds about Nathan request. He take out his necklace and give to Nathan. "Here."

"Thanks."

Nathan pulls out his journal again.  Makes a few notes...and then he starts drawing a picture of the necklace.

"Well, while I'm drawing this, how about another story?  I find this one quite interesting."

Spoiler

A History of Conquest: Main Theme - Pokemon Conquest

"Maybe you're already familiar with Arceus and the Sinnohese and Creshirean lore associated with it, the Creation Trio, and the Lake Trio.  But what you probably haven't heard is the legend that it created a region in its own image.  Yes, a region shaped like Arceus itself.  It's strange to think about, but some theorize that if such a place does exist, it might be one of Arceus's most secret refuges."

"But what I find more interesting is the people and pokemon said to inhabit that place.  A long time ago, in this region far, far away, the region was divided into seventeen territories, each one primarily inhabited by pokemon of a certain type.  The people that lived in the region needed no pokeballs, no apricorns...they would simply walk up to a pokemon...and bond with them.  Not everyone could do it, though, and so those who could ended up being the military force for the region, known as Warriors.  The most powerful and dedicated Warriors would rise through the ranks and become Warlords."

"...and such titles were granted with good reason.  The region was constantly in a state of conflict.  Warlords would lead small armies into neighboring territories to attempt to claim the capitals for their own and expand their area of influence.  Why would you do that, you might ask?  Well..."

"There was a legend.  A legend that if any one Warlord could conquer all seventeen territories and unite the region, then Arceus itself would appear, and help create the world that warlord desired.  A chance to bond with the legendary Arceus...it was something that captured the hearts and minds of the people throughout the entire region."

"Eventually, one warlord did start making some significant headway in this quest.  His name...was Nobunaga.  A dragon specialist, and one who had befriended dragons as black as night, dragons that struck fear into the hearts of all that stood before him.  His conquest looked to be unstoppable, and by the time he actually ran into warlords that were proving to be obstacles to his conquest, he'd already conquered half of the region."

"On the opposite side of the region was another Warlord, one newly appointed, their name, appearance, and how they rose to that rank lost to time.  All that's known is they started with a humble Eevee, and their main adviser used a Jigglypuff.  It was not conquest they sought, but when neighboring territories came knocking on their door, they had to fight back.  Once it was finally clear to the young warlord that the conflict wouldn't stop, they resolved to end the fighting, and went on the offensive.  One by one, the territories in their half of the region fell, they gained new allies through their conquest just as Nobunaga had, though their methods were markedly more friendly than the Black Dragon's."

"It was when they managed to defeat the warlords that Nobunaga had been struggling with that the tide turned...and when they finally met the Black Dragon in person.  They would be facing Nobunaga's armies from that point on.  No new allies would be found, so they would have to make do with what they had.  And again, one by one, the territories fell, and the empire that Nobunaga had been building slowly succumbed to the young warlord's, until the Black Dragon found himself cornered...and defeated."

"A bright light shone in the dragon territory, and the top of the tallest tower in the region shone for all to see.  And at the top, as the legend has said...Arceus waited for the young warlord who had united the seventeen territories.  It seemed like the region would finally know peace...until the Black Dragon reappeared with his strongest subordinates and pokemon in one last attempt to wrest that power away from the hero."

"A battle he ultimately lost, as Arceus's power was too great to oppose without strenuous circumstances.  Nobunaga had failed in his goal to bring peace to the region and cease all conflict through force.  It was only when the hero understood that Nobunaga was thinking of the region's wellbeing when he attempted to rule with an iron fist that peace truly reigned."

"The region united in peace and the prophecy fulfilled, Arceus then left...but not before promising the hero that they would meet again one day, when they were truly ready for its Omnipotent power..."

"The myths and legends I read say this region is known as Ransei, and it is the only place in the world where people don't need pokeballs and apricorns to bond with pokemon, the only one that knows true peace.  The tale is an old one, one that probably occurred hundreds of years before...or maybe it's recent, and it resides in a universe with a timeline different from our own.  It's always struck me as a curious story, and I find the idea that people and pokemon can bond with pokemon so easily there fascinating..."

Nathan's finished his drawing at this point.  He hands the necklace back to Heart.  "Again, thank you."

He then makes sure to look carefully and see how Furret, Heart, Princess, and the surprise audience react to the tale.  It's quite the odd one, that's for sure...

Wow. Just wow. Finally Heart find something he and Nathan share in common: They like a lot the old stories. Heart take back the necklace. "Its indeed great story. People bond with pokemon its something incredible for sure. Ransei would be indeed a interest region to visit, be true, or not, or be in another universe."

Heart stop to think for a few seconds, then he put back the necklace back in his neck, to be perfect hide away. "Could you...not tell Ventus or the others for now about the story I tell you? About my clan and everything. I still thinking about tell them the right moment to tell them. And...thank you for hear my story. You are a nice person in the end."

"Anyway...is there one thing I would might to ask ya. I gonna challenge Shiva in a pokemon battle. I kinda excited to the battle, but I not sure what kind of strategy I should make, since she is very unpreditable. Any tip you could tell me about from what I should be careful Warren?"

[Iron]

Heart think for a few seconds about Nathan request. He take out his necklace and give to Nathan. "Here."

"Thanks."

Nathan pulls out his journal again.  Makes a few notes...and then he starts drawing a picture of the necklace.

"Well, while I'm drawing this, how about another story?  I find this one quite interesting."

Spoiler

A History of Conquest: Main Theme - Pokemon Conquest

"Maybe you're already familiar with Arceus and the Sinnohese and Creshirean lore associated with it, the Creation Trio, and the Lake Trio.  But what you probably haven't heard is the legend that it created a region in its own image.  Yes, a region shaped like Arceus itself.  It's strange to think about, but some theorize that if such a place does exist, it might be one of Arceus's most secret refuges."

"But what I find more interesting is the people and pokemon said to inhabit that place.  A long time ago, in this region far, far away, the region was divided into seventeen territories, each one primarily inhabited by pokemon of a certain type.  The people that lived in the region needed no pokeballs, no apricorns...they would simply walk up to a pokemon...and bond with them.  Not everyone could do it, though, and so those who could ended up being the military force for the region, known as Warriors.  The most powerful and dedicated Warriors would rise through the ranks and become Warlords."

"...and such titles were granted with good reason.  The region was constantly in a state of conflict.  Warlords would lead small armies into neighboring territories to attempt to claim the capitals for their own and expand their area of influence.  Why would you do that, you might ask?  Well..."

"There was a legend.  A legend that if any one Warlord could conquer all seventeen territories and unite the region, then Arceus itself would appear, and help create the world that warlord desired.  A chance to bond with the legendary Arceus...it was something that captured the hearts and minds of the people throughout the entire region."

"Eventually, one warlord did start making some significant headway in this quest.  His name...was Nobunaga.  A dragon specialist, and one who had befriended dragons as black as night, dragons that struck fear into the hearts of all that stood before him.  His conquest looked to be unstoppable, and by the time he actually ran into warlords that were proving to be obstacles to his conquest, he'd already conquered half of the region."

"On the opposite side of the region was another Warlord, one newly appointed, their name, appearance, and how they rose to that rank lost to time.  All that's known is they started with a humble Eevee, and their main adviser used a Jigglypuff.  It was not conquest they sought, but when neighboring territories came knocking on their door, they had to fight back.  Once it was finally clear to the young warlord that the conflict wouldn't stop, they resolved to end the fighting, and went on the offensive.  One by one, the territories in their half of the region fell, they gained new allies through their conquest just as Nobunaga had, though their methods were markedly more friendly than the Black Dragon's."

"It was when they managed to defeat the warlords that Nobunaga had been struggling with that the tide turned...and when they finally met the Black Dragon in person.  They would be facing Nobunaga's armies from that point on.  No new allies would be found, so they would have to make do with what they had.  And again, one by one, the territories fell, and the empire that Nobunaga had been building slowly succumbed to the young warlord's, until the Black Dragon found himself cornered...and defeated."

"A bright light shone in the dragon territory, and the top of the tallest tower in the region shone for all to see.  And at the top, as the legend has said...Arceus waited for the young warlord who had united the seventeen territories.  It seemed like the region would finally know peace...until the Black Dragon reappeared with his strongest subordinates and pokemon in one last attempt to wrest that power away from the hero."

"A battle he ultimately lost, as Arceus's power was too great to oppose without strenuous circumstances.  Nobunaga had failed in his goal to bring peace to the region and cease all conflict through force.  It was only when the hero understood that Nobunaga was thinking of the region's wellbeing when he attempted to rule with an iron fist that peace truly reigned."

"The region united in peace and the prophecy fulfilled, Arceus then left...but not before promising the hero that they would meet again one day, when they were truly ready for its Omnipotent power..."

"The myths and legends I read say this region is known as Ransei, and it is the only place in the world where people don't need pokeballs and apricorns to bond with pokemon, the only one that knows true peace.  The tale is an old one, one that probably occurred hundreds of years before...or maybe it's recent, and it resides in a universe with a timeline different from our own.  It's always struck me as a curious story, and I find the idea that people and pokemon can bond with pokemon so easily there fascinating..."

Nathan's finished his drawing at this point.  He hands the necklace back to Heart.  "Again, thank you."

He then makes sure to look carefully and see how Furret, Heart, Princess, and the surprise audience react to the tale.  It's quite the odd one, that's for sure...

Furret stops listening to that one right about the point it becomes evident it's not Creshire related. Princess absorbs it, though - she will need all information available to her if she's ever expected to lead a hive.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Oh. How delightful to see that Tanuki accepts Challengers, as this means she's up and about after Little Cup already! Shiva does certainly desire to battle her at some point sooner or later, she's somewhat silently curious and eager to see what this overly cute forever young woman is capable of with her batch of Normal Types. Not now though, and not tomorrow, so eventually Shiva took a for today last look at the white building, waved all these Zigzagoon a goodbye, then turned around to go. Before she headed to the desired Celebi Park though, Shiva would make a stop at the Pokemon Center, or to be specific at the PC beside the Counter.

There, she would place her butterwolfly and magical fox in a Box of Bill's PC, the latter not after releasing him for short to ask how he's doing and whether he's fine with being on the PC for a little now, to take Nightshade and Tropius to her person instead. I said that Shiva would visit the shrine or now the whole park with her Grass Types, but looks like she has to come twice if she'd like to stay there with Chicorita and Oddish as well. Anyway, let's get going then!~


Naturally that she'd follow the pink path that'd eventually lead to the shrine, not only because she instantly made the assumption of Fairy or Psychic Type, depending on the shade of pink the path bears. All while she does so, she becomes more and more quiet the further she goes, while this elusive and somewhat 'meaningful' feeling within her increased, causing waves of pleasant warmth. Not even that Stantler and the rustling of more wild Pokemon here in the middle of the forest within the city were capable to decrease her mood, and very soon she began to silently sing the Skirl of the Southern Wind to herself again. Yet the suprise factor of wild Pokemon here remained.

Shiva has already visited the shrine in Jotho's Illex Forest once, and she nevertheless observes this shrine in curiosity and eventually can't help but to stroke over some of it's mossy surface. It felt...good, so soft and slightly moist. Silently, she wondered whether an Eevee brought here would evolve into a Leafeon. Any special stone Shiva would give away she currently doest own though, as she'd prefer Nightshade to keep this stone from the Tusk and for Lilith to keep that Rune Stone from the Fortune Hunter... But maybe she'll find a stone she can gift Celebi during her stay here in this park or while exploring town further.

So for now, her paying tribute consists of burning a bit of incense with a the incense burner she owns, after she has found a comfy and quiet place under a pine tree from where she can see the shrine. Together with her Pokemon, she rearranges all that cushionlike mass of pine needles a bit to make herself a very fluffy natural pillow directly there under the chosen tree. Shiva doesn't speak during this silent tribute-paying consisting of incense burning once gotten comfortable, she lets her mind wander in the process and adds in a silent prayer at some point.

Eventually, maybe an hour after Shiva has set the first foot into Celebi Park, she'd draw that book about rune reading she has bought from the Fortune Hunter, and simply starts reading in it, comparing tables of runes and their meaning among one another, making notes to eventually create her own alphabet... When she gently nudges her elusive Gothitelle to catch her attention, book still open laying there with her lap. "Lilith... Do you still have that Rune Stone we bought earlier? You have? ... Well, do you... hmm, I mean, would you be so kind to hand it to me for short? I'd like to find out what these symbols on it mean. You know, that square with the circle inside, that humanoid figure, and that half sun plus that believed tree."


(The description of how some of my Pokemon train will come in a seperate post, but probably not today anymore due to tired and it'll take a little to type it up.)

[Dragonstrike]

Heart stop to think for a few seconds, then he put back the necklace back in his neck, to be perfect hide away. "Could you...not tell Ventus or the others for now about the story I tell you? About my clan and everything. I still thinking about tell them the right moment to tell them. And...thank you for hear my story. You are a nice person in the end."

"Anyway...is there one thing I would might to ask ya. I gonna challenge Shiva in a pokemon battle. I kinda excited to the battle, but I not sure what kind of strategy I should make, since she is very unpreditable. Any tip you could tell me about from what I should be careful Warren?"

"...well, it's obviously not my story to tell, now, is it?  My lips are sealed."

...that next question kinda surprises Nathan.

"...well, uh...no, not really.  Best I could probably recommend is just to do what feels like it jives well, I suppose...there's a lot of different ways a battle with Shiva could go..."

Furret stops listening to that one right about the point it becomes evident it's not Creshire related. Princess absorbs it, though - she will need all information available to her if she's ever expected to lead a hive.

"Not your cup of tea, Furret?  That's fine.  I have another story for you specifically later, though.  Maybe you'll find it a little more interesting."

Nathan puts his journal back in his bag, stands, stretches.

"Well, I suppose that's enough storytelling and relaxing for now.  We should probably go find some lunch now, and then we can head to Cress Castle and see what fun activities await us there.  If you would like to join us, Heart, I won't object."

Nathan bows his head to the kids and the couple.  "Thank you for listening.  It's not often I encounter people willing to listen to the strange and sometimes wonderful tales I've encountered in my research."