[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

...and there is a very particular reason that Nathan and Kirlia are not impressed with Ventre's most recent decision.

He has to work with cooperate with everyone here.  Not just now, but also in the future.

Based on everything they have seen of Ventus in situations like these, they have no reason to believe that this behavior is going to change voluntarily for any reason.

So Kirlia walks over to Ventus and crosses his arms rather impatiently, getting in the way of him leaving to go elsewhere.  With a series of gestures, he seems to say, 'This involves you, too.  You're not making this any easier for anyone, either, including yourself.'

Seeing as Windos said in the meta thread that Ventus would stay if Kirlia stopped him, there ya go.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, with everyone present at the table, Nathan will read the stories.  Nathan turns to one of the bookmarked pages and begins reading...

Page 33

There once was a woman who received a gift from the Lake Guardians of three red gemstones.  'If you have need of our help, call for us, and we shall answer,' they said before flying off to the far corners of Creshire.

The woman did not know what to ask them for, however, and so decided to merely keep the pretty red gemstones on display in her home instead.

An evil man who knew what the gemstones were, however, decided to steal the gems from her one day and attempt to use them to achieve his own goals.  Stealing the gems was a trivial matter for him, and none were aware of what had happened until he was long gone.

The man ascended to the top of a mountain in the Great Divide, where he summoned Palkia, the Pokemon of Space.  He took the three gemstones and formed a Red Chain with them, attempting to bind Palkia to his will, as he had heard had been done in other regions.  Palkia, however, merely ignored the chain.  Enraged that a lesser creature would attempt to dare control it through force, Palkia did what was to be expected: severely wounded the man that attempted to bind it and left.

It was then that the Lake Guardians appeared before the man.  Thinking he had been saved, the man cried out to them for help.  However, the Pokemon of Knowledge, Emotion, and Willpower were not here to help him, but to punish him.  They completely drained him of all three spiritual aspects, turning him into a stone statue which was left on the mountaintop.  The trio then retrieved the gemstones that had formed the chain, and returned them to the woman they belonged to.  She was very grateful to the Lake Trio for returning their gift to her.  She still didn't know what she would use it for, but she promised she would do a better job of protecting it until she did.

Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf then flew back to their respective domains, awaiting for her call...

Nathan then puts his Tail Gemstone Replica on the table.  "That run down shack was more important than it appears to be.  Inside it was a very realistic looking statue of Uxie.  Upon pulling out my gemstone, it turned into a psychic projection of Uxie itself.  The Embodiment of Knowledge wasn't actually present, but it had created a facsimile for one purpose: answering questions about an item called a Red Chain."

Nathan pulls out his journal, flips through it, and pulls out some very professional looking documents that feature the Lake Trio, a picture of a Red Chain, and all manner of other things relating to the two.

"From Cynthia's research, I knew that the Red Chain had the ability to bind other creatures absolutely.  Enough power to bind even a single Legendary pokemon, in fact.  However...this story contradicts that, suggesting that all the item did was summon the Lake Trio.  After some thinking, it made sense that Mesprit would only give us something like this if it intended for us to call for its aid...but I wasn't sure how to make the Chain.  I asked Uxie's facsimile a few questions, and I have a better idea of what the Red Chain is now thanks to it.  The short of it is that if we put together the three gemstones and simply will for it to make a Red Chain, we can call upon one member of the Lake Trio once for a favor relating to their powers and what they represent.  Once the Lake Guardian has determined they no longer owe that favor, the gems will lose their luster and power.  And if you're worried about the responsibility of holding an item that could potentially control a Legend, don't be.  The gemstones were given willingly, so they can only call the trio's members.  If they were taken by force...that'd be another matter entirely."

He puts his gemstone away.

"If we lose even one gemstone or gemstone half, then we can't form a Red Chain to call for Mesprit.  That's all I had to say on that matter.  Now, there's something else we learned out there that's rather...important and worrying."

Nathan turns to the other bookmarked page in the children's book.

Page 56

There once was a girl who sought to prove she was brave.  As a symbol of that bravery, she wanted to find a magic sword.  She'd heard stories about it being in hidden in the Long Grass growing in a meteor crater near the Skull Ruins.  She didn't think it would be that hard to find.  She'd been exploring Long Grass without incident for years, so what could possibly go wrong when she went to look for this sword?

Not long after entering the grass, she encountered some Clefairy.  Thinking they were cute and friendly, she decided to follow them.  She walked and she walked, never quite able to keep up with the wandering, cute fairies...

...and then she realized she was no longer in the Long Grass.  She was now deep in the Skull Ruins, surrounded by terrifying, dangerous Ghosts.  What she thought was a Clefairy had suddenly become a Gengar that was now chasing her.

She ran, and she ran, and she ran...deeper and deeper into the Skull Ruins she went, hounded by ghosts and slimy things and spooky noises...it wasn't until she entered a scary looking crypt and slammed the door shut behind her that she found some respite.  

Of course, she was also now in a crypt.  But she couldn't exactly walk back outside, either.  So venturing into the crypt she went...she didn't know why, but it almost felt like something was calling to her from this crypt...maybe that's why she ran into it?

A short while later, she found out why.  A helmet that glowed with the same light as a meteor was on display in this crypt.  Fascinated, she decided to put it on.  It shone with a warm, bright light, and she thought that she felt just a little more focused with it on.  Maybe?  She wasn't quite sure...she didn't really feel much different...but maybe with this light on her head, the ghosts would leave her alone.

Upon leaving the crypt, she found there was nothing to chase her, so she slowly and carefully made her way back to the Long Grass, ever mindful that there might be another ghost around every corner.  She reached the crater without incident, though, and plunged back into the Long Grass.

...and almost immediately, she was faced with another Clefairy.  'Follow Me!' it seemed to say as it disappeared into the grass again.  And she almost did.  But the helmet shone with that bright light, and she realized that she shouldn't follow the Clefairy.  She decided to investigate in the opposite direction.

And that was when she found the Magic Sword, it's blade glowing with a soft, comforting light.  Her symbol of courage found, she headed home to tell everyone of her adventure...

Nathan closes the book.  "...The Gauntlet is a Relic Stone, and thus tied to Celebi's power over Time Travel and Memories, as well as Celebi herself.  Upon touching it, Heart apparently heard the voice of one of his ancestors.  She apparently talked about finding a Sword of some kind, of saving this region and ending an experiment...I have reason to believe this Sword that Heart's ancestor mentioned might be related to the one in this story.  That Helmet the story mentioned might be related, too...and that vision that Lilith and Kirlia shared earlier seemed to imply that there's four items of some kind hidden in the Skull Ruins.  Kirlia had a feeling these two stories in the book might be important, and it seems they are for different reasons."

...

"...there's one more thing.  Heart and I were talking with Celebi, and...she confirmed one of my fears.  The Disaster of Stone...seems to be partially related to an out of control Rock Peak Pokemon, otherwise known as Regirock.  One that Sarimanok bound to his will...when Sarimanok was dethroned and the palace fell into disrepair, Regirock, who apparently serves as the foundation of the location, apparently began losing control as its powers mixed with the more...dangerous ones that were present in the Ruins."

...Nathan puts the book away and looks over at Slaking.  Ah, looks like he's done with his short nap.

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Post riddle evaluation, Nathan's pretty much done with talking to the group unless anyone has anything to talk with him about/questions to ask him.

Now that the important thing of informing the group is done, his main priority at this moment is helping Solosis.  So it's off to go see the Slowking with the Delta Shellder crown they go!

"...*ahem*...uh, excuse me, Slowking, but Celebi mentioned that you have a way to 'release pokemon from an apricorn's bindings', or something along those lines?  Regrettably, it seems Solosis here is in need of that kind of a service..."

[Nylon]

Valder throws away any worries and nods to Theo, "Lets see it on your head!" he says and helps Theo 'equip' the crown. fingers and toes crossed.

[Lord Windos]

(Phone deleted my post, so here is a points version of it.)

-Ven's unimpressed/annoyed at Kirlia interference, but stays due to being too tired to really want to fight/argue with them/their, and slumps into his chair looking painfully neutral. 
-He also completely tunes out/ignores the stories Nathan was telling, and only pays attention/remembers the pertinent information presented AFTER the story (Which he can pick up due to the obvious gestures/actions signally those transitions).
- No reaction or commentary is offered by the researcher before, during, and after story time is definitively done, and he simply gets up and leaves to his hammock to do as he wanted before Kirlia stopped him. If either them or Nathan stop him for any reason, he'll stay and listen to them simply because he can't be bothered to tell them to *&%! off until later.
- Internally, Ven is intrigued but mostly unconcerned with the information pertaining to the Red Chain, as he is not inclined to summon or call upon their aid unless direly needed. With the Celebit + Gauntlet + Sword, he's surprised briefly by their connection and the fact that THE Mythic in question appeared to them, before quickly growing to distrust/become quite wary the Mythical Pokémon in question for a number of reasons (The main one being their connection/influence with The Gauntlet). To the Disaster of Stone, he grows even more grave at the though of facing off against ANOTHER Legendary Pokémon in the future, and his mood drops/becomes bleaker accordingly.
- When its time to leave Antheneum/Do something else concerning the Scimitars, he'll be ready to contribute. Likewise, he's ready to continue helping Valder out , and will be swift to try and prevent him from touching The Gauntlet by pleading with him + offer him that MASSIVE bonus (discussed via PM) to not do so (He's keeping an eye on his mercenary near constantly while in Antheneum and around The Gauntlet) .

(Done. Damn it, I hate typing all that on a phone, but it must be done.....)

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Shiva opts to remain completely neutral about her love being stopped and prevented from his intentions by Nathan's psychic dancer, keeping her arms crossed, leaning into Delphox and having an expression of very mixed feelings on herself. Well, at least this does save her from approaching Ventus herself later and filling him in with the details of this quick-meeting.

As said, her mood is slightly elevated due to she having a weakness for good and fantastic children's stories, and somehow both that Nathan has read from that book matched her taste. It gave her a feeling of peacefulness to simply listen to fantastic stories and reminded her a tad bit of home even - oh the innocence of hours spent reading nothing but fairy tales and admirering the artworks that were depicted every now and then to accompany the stories, all while sharing cookies with Spectral until it became time to head to bed and dream of herself being a heroine in these tales.

That seriousness that Nathan read these stories to them all didn't really allow her dreaming away though, maybe - probably - it was intended though. Well, always forward and no time to dwell on such things, that's one of the downsides of being adult. The upside of the same issue was that one can now take a deeper look between the lines of such stories. She especially seems interested in that woman who did nothing but keep the Trio's gemstones because they're pretty.

She unwillingly perked up upon the mentioning of that Red Chain, even dares to air her thoughts. "I've heard you talking about such a Chain with that projection of Uxie inside while I was picking and watering the Apricorn bushes on the outside. Humm... Been somehow sure there was more about these Gemstones than thought at first, guess we know now what to a degree. Means we only have ONE favour we can bring to one of the trio... well, that's certainly good to know that we have such a possibility now, but it also means that we have to ponder very well what we shall ask which of the trio before we even think of making such a chain ourselves with our gemstones." Nope, Shiva is not afraid at all of the responsibility that keeping an item that might call a Legend by herself. In fact, now she's even MORE protective over her pretty small hexagonal half stone.

Concerning the second story, Shiva frowns and is spooked. The simply THOUGHT of a cute and sweet Clefaiy turning into a Gengar was enough to give her shivers, as it goes so well with the creepy idea of a Gengar being a Clefairy's/Clefable's shadow!!! She leans a bit closer into Delphox for comfort. " ......From what it sounds and looks, that sword you've been told about, Heart, and that sword in the story seem DEFINITELY related, if it's not that they are describing the very same thing. And yes, it does just as certainly relate to these four items hinted to in the vision of Lilith and Kirlia here. Gaaaahhhh....." Suddenly wincing a little in discomfort, Shiva ends up wrapping her arms around herself, looking afraid and displeased. "I....I KNEW we would have to descend down these.....these Ruins sooner or later, but now it seems that we inevitably have to do so at some point if we....we.... want to bring peace to this region and to ourselves.... Nyyyergh."

'Rest calm, my dear. You've trained a Mightyena to tear ghosts to pieces, and by now it's not like you are unable to defend yourself anymore. Think of this as an act of courage... And an adventurous search for loot together with that Luxi of yours.'
[Shiva doesn't reply, but winces once more]
'....Well?'
You...... you are probably right.... Can't sit around and watch how the region I grew so fond of ends when there's way to prevent it....Maybe....?
'That's a start for sure. Do not worry to much... All will be well in the end.'
Hopefully it will.



....Hopefully it will, yes. Shiva would ask how Nathan would think that these two stories are related to one another - but that can actually saved for another day. 'Or not', she thinks to herself, before she quick-asks Nathan for his opinion on that before he walks off to that Slowking and she'll get to follow her own things again as well.

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

-Ven's unimpressed/annoyed at Kirlia interference, but stays due to being too tired to really want to fight/argue with them/their, and slumps into his chair looking painfully neutral. 
-He also completely tunes out/ignores the stories Nathan was telling, and only pays attention/remembers the pertinent information presented AFTER the story (Which he can pick up due to the obvious gestures/actions signally those transitions).
- No reaction or commentary is offered by the researcher before, during, and after story time is definitively done, and he simply gets up and leaves to his hammock to do as he wanted before Kirlia stopped him. If either them or Nathan stop him for any reason, he'll stay and listen to them simply because he can't be bothered to tell them to *&%! off until later.
- Internally, Ven is intrigued but mostly unconcerned with the information pertaining to the Red Chain, as he is not inclined to summon or call upon their aid unless direly needed. With the Celebit + Gauntlet + Sword, he's surprised briefly by their connection and the fact that THE Mythic in question appeared to them, before quickly growing to distrust/become quite wary the Mythical Pokémon in question for a number of reasons (The main one being their connection/influence with The Gauntlet). To the Disaster of Stone, he grows even more grave at the though of facing off against ANOTHER Legendary Pokémon in the future, and his mood drops/becomes bleaker accordingly.
- When its time to leave Antheneum/Do something else concerning the Scimitars, he'll be ready to contribute. Likewise, he's ready to continue helping Valder out , and will be swift to try and prevent him from touching The Gauntlet by pleading with him + offer him that MASSIVE bonus (discussed via PM) to not do so (He's keeping an eye on his mercenary near constantly while in Antheneum and around The Gauntlet) .

Kirlia stares grimly at Ventus, but lets him leave this time.  That attitude isn't going to be doing Ventus any favors in the future if things keep going like they are...which is very likely.  The more he does stuff like this, the more he'll push everyone away from him, human and pokemon alike...

She unwillingly perked up upon the mentioning of that Red Chain, even dares to air her thoughts. "I've heard you talking about such a Chain with that projection of Uxie inside while I was picking and watering the Apricorn bushes on the outside. Humm... Been somehow sure there was more about these Gemstones than thought at first, guess we know now what to a degree. Means we only have ONE favour we can bring to one of the trio... well, that's certainly good to know that we have such a possibility now, but it also means that we have to ponder very well what we shall ask which of the trio before we even think of making such a chain ourselves with our gemstones." Nope, Shiva is not afraid at all of the responsibility that keeping an item that might call a Legend by herself. In fact, now she's even MORE protective over her pretty small hexagonal half stone.

Shiva would ask how Nathan would think that these two stories are related ton one another - but that can actually saved for another day. 'Or not', she thinks to herself, before she quick-asks Nathan for his opinion on that before he walks off to that Slowking and she'll get to follow her own things again as well.

"...there is one more detail I didn't mention: Mesprit's most likely the only one we know we can call for certain, for one favor of emotional strength...I don't know if we could call on Uxie or Azelf.  Uxie left the region when Sarimanok fell, and Azelf...disappeared without a trace.  Neither have been seen by anyone in a long, long time...they might not be able to heed the call.  And if the call goes unanswered, it's up to the trio to decide if the favor is still owed, so the gems could lose their luster even if we don't actually benefit from them.  They're also worthless in terms of forming a Red Chain if you don't have all 3.  I...want to also talk to Mesprit about something eventually, and unless we need the Chain for something more dire, I have an idea of what to ask of Mesprit when the time comes if we haven't found any other solutions by then..."

...

"...if the stories are related in any way, it would likely have to solely be because Mesprit would help us with the Disaster of Stone.  The message I got from Mesprit before the vines starter growing...I've been reviewing it, and it didn't say anything about what Mesprit would do, and 'a favor of emotional strength' could mean many things, so I can't make any guarantees.  Now if you'll excuse us, Solosis and I have some important business to attend to."

[Iron]

Tricwe

Electric Bug Pokemon

Tricwe is an excellent source of energy once it evolves into Harylect. This second-stage Pokemon can power devices, lights, or electroshock probes, its specialty. They can also act as batteries, since their antennae can transfer electricity into their bodies from an existing source. Before evolution, Tricwe is a hyperactive Pokemon and can be hard to control; shock therapies do nothing to alter this Pokemon's behavior. Certain pheromones have been observed to cause strange behavioral changes in Tricwe.

[Iron]

"All six Guardians have to be set to open an Apricorn. There is no way around this. One is always set to a fight. Completing any four of the challenges will release enough Klefki to unlock the Fairy Lock."


Slowking takes Solosis and puts it on a dais in the gigantic Time Capsule. He then grabs one of Nathan's hairs and turns his back to you, fiddling with it and the machine. Then he pushes a button, and Solosis is awash with light before vanishing.

Slowking aligns the Time Capsule with Nathan's modern day PC. It lists Solosis as a pending transaction! Looks like that transaction will not occur until Nathan returns to the surface and time can behave normally again.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Kirlia stares grimly at Ventus, but lets him leave this time.  That attitude isn't going to be doing Ventus any favors in the future if things keep going like they are...which is very likely.  The more he does stuff like this, the more he'll push everyone away from him, human and pokemon alike...

Partially wrong, as there is one person that'll stand by Ventus Zachariah no matter what and no matter how deep into the blackness he descends:

Spoiler

It's Shiva Axxxxxxxxxx, his most blessed girlfriend and fae fancy.

As long as he doesn't do anything to massively hurt her or her Pokemon with full awareness and intention, she will not adandon him.

Pondering about Nathan's answer to her quick-question for a little, she eventually gives him a nod that seems to display that she has decided on things, her voice is also kept neutral. "If that's the case.... Well, you know best about Mesprit, so I'd actually like to leave talking to her to you. You'd probably do so anyway, which is fine to me. Just make sure to update us on the things and leave room to us for adding or editing ideas and thoughts.... Yes, that'll be it then."

End of discussion. Phew, that went actually more quick than Shiva has expected it, much to her delight!~ Back to following her own business she goes then, Delphox, Lilith and Helios by her side it it's not too much for her to keep watch over three mighty Psychic Types and they don't show tiredness or feelings of discomfort. However, they are all rather obediant - to her at least. (Delphox comes with 1 point in Disobediance!)
EDIT: She was not yet finished at the Tome of Geneology! Is she indeed very distantly related to someone in Arrowroot Village?

"All six Guardians have to be set to open an Apricorn. There is no way around this. One is always set to a fight. Completing any four of the challenges will release enough Klefki to unlock the Fairy Lock."

"Oh. In that case, noble Slaking... How about we set that one about a certain rythm as #6, please? The answer would be the move Metronome, a move that - to my knowledge - barely anyone seriously uses as it's completely random. Way way earlier there even WAS a TM of that move - but it has vanished from the open market rather quickly and stopped being produced after the amount of people who were interested in was scarce."

She turns a bit meek upon speaking further. "This....is also a good opportunity for me to....well, ask you another thing, Slaking... Outside sweet Celebi mentioned that an Egg of hers is located somewhere here in Atheneum. Oh, eh.... no, I'm not interested in taking it with me! No, I... I would just like to see it. Clean it of any rubble and dirt and turn it for a century-long rest in a different position as Celebi asked me to upon bringing this sentiment to her. But... a quick search didn't brought to me encountering that Egg. If I'd....ask you where it is, as she also mentioned that you probably know, would that count as the One Question to you? H-hopefully not, as by now I know what I'd rather ask you."

Also a mental note to - just to see what will happen - expose Tricwe to that bit of hive gunk that Shiva got from that Seikamater-Encounter.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

...and there is a very particular reason that Nathan and Kirlia are not impressed with Ventre's most recent decision.

He has to work with cooperate with everyone here.  Not just now, but also in the future.

Based on everything they have seen of Ventus in situations like these, they have no reason to believe that this behavior is going to change voluntarily for any reason.

So Kirlia walks over to Ventus and crosses his arms rather impatiently, getting in the way of him leaving to go elsewhere.  With a series of gestures, he seems to say, 'This involves you, too.  You're not making this any easier for anyone, either, including yourself.'

Seeing as Windos said in the meta thread that Ventus would stay if Kirlia stopped him, there ya go.

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So, with everyone present at the table, Nathan will read the stories.  Nathan turns to one of the bookmarked pages and begins reading...

Page 33

There once was a woman who received a gift from the Lake Guardians of three red gemstones.  'If you have need of our help, call for us, and we shall answer,' they said before flying off to the far corners of Creshire.

The woman did not know what to ask them for, however, and so decided to merely keep the pretty red gemstones on display in her home instead.

An evil man who knew what the gemstones were, however, decided to steal the gems from her one day and attempt to use them to achieve his own goals.  Stealing the gems was a trivial matter for him, and none were aware of what had happened until he was long gone.

The man ascended to the top of a mountain in the Great Divide, where he summoned Palkia, the Pokemon of Space.  He took the three gemstones and formed a Red Chain with them, attempting to bind Palkia to his will, as he had heard had been done in other regions.  Palkia, however, merely ignored the chain.  Enraged that a lesser creature would attempt to dare control it through force, Palkia did what was to be expected: severely wounded the man that attempted to bind it and left.

It was then that the Lake Guardians appeared before the man.  Thinking he had been saved, the man cried out to them for help.  However, the Pokemon of Knowledge, Emotion, and Willpower were not here to help him, but to punish him.  They completely drained him of all three spiritual aspects, turning him into a stone statue which was left on the mountaintop.  The trio then retrieved the gemstones that had formed the chain, and returned them to the woman they belonged to.  She was very grateful to the Lake Trio for returning their gift to her.  She still didn't know what she would use it for, but she promised she would do a better job of protecting it until she did.

Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf then flew back to their respective domains, awaiting for her call...

Nathan then puts his Tail Gemstone Replica on the table.  "That run down shack was more important than it appears to be.  Inside it was a very realistic looking statue of Uxie.  Upon pulling out my gemstone, it turned into a psychic projection of Uxie itself.  The Embodiment of Knowledge wasn't actually present, but it had created a facsimile for one purpose: answering questions about an item called a Red Chain."

Nathan pulls out his journal, flips through it, and pulls out some very professional looking documents that feature the Lake Trio, a picture of a Red Chain, and all manner of other things relating to the two.

"From Cynthia's research, I knew that the Red Chain had the ability to bind other creatures absolutely.  Enough power to bind even a single Legendary pokemon, in fact.  However...this story contradicts that, suggesting that all the item did was summon the Lake Trio.  After some thinking, it made sense that Mesprit would only give us something like this if it intended for us to call for its aid...but I wasn't sure how to make the Chain.  I asked Uxie's facsimile a few questions, and I have a better idea of what the Red Chain is now thanks to it.  The short of it is that if we put together the three gemstones and simply will for it to make a Red Chain, we can call upon one member of the Lake Trio once for a favor relating to their powers and what they represent.  Once the Lake Guardian has determined they no longer owe that favor, the gems will lose their luster and power.  And if you're worried about the responsibility of holding an item that could potentially control a Legend, don't be.  The gemstones were given willingly, so they can only call the trio's members.  If they were taken by force...that'd be another matter entirely."

He puts his gemstone away.

"If we lose even one gemstone or gemstone half, then we can't form a Red Chain to call for Mesprit.  That's all I had to say on that matter.  Now, there's something else we learned out there that's rather...important and worrying."

Nathan turns to the other bookmarked page in the children's book.

Page 56

There once was a girl who sought to prove she was brave.  As a symbol of that bravery, she wanted to find a magic sword.  She'd heard stories about it being in hidden in the Long Grass growing in a meteor crater near the Skull Ruins.  She didn't think it would be that hard to find.  She'd been exploring Long Grass without incident for years, so what could possibly go wrong when she went to look for this sword?

Not long after entering the grass, she encountered some Clefairy.  Thinking they were cute and friendly, she decided to follow them.  She walked and she walked, never quite able to keep up with the wandering, cute fairies...

...and then she realized she was no longer in the Long Grass.  She was now deep in the Skull Ruins, surrounded by terrifying, dangerous Ghosts.  What she thought was a Clefairy had suddenly become a Gengar that was now chasing her.

She ran, and she ran, and she ran...deeper and deeper into the Skull Ruins she went, hounded by ghosts and slimy things and spooky noises...it wasn't until she entered a scary looking crypt and slammed the door shut behind her that she found some respite.  

Of course, she was also now in a crypt.  But she couldn't exactly walk back outside, either.  So venturing into the crypt she went...she didn't know why, but it almost felt like something was calling to her from this crypt...maybe that's why she ran into it?

A short while later, she found out why.  A helmet that glowed with the same light as a meteor was on display in this crypt.  Fascinated, she decided to put it on.  It shone with a warm, bright light, and she thought that she felt just a little more focused with it on.  Maybe?  She wasn't quite sure...she didn't really feel much different...but maybe with this light on her head, the ghosts would leave her alone.

Upon leaving the crypt, she found there was nothing to chase her, so she slowly and carefully made her way back to the Long Grass, ever mindful that there might be another ghost around every corner.  She reached the crater without incident, though, and plunged back into the Long Grass.

...and almost immediately, she was faced with another Clefairy.  'Follow Me!' it seemed to say as it disappeared into the grass again.  And she almost did.  But the helmet shone with that bright light, and she realized that she shouldn't follow the Clefairy.  She decided to investigate in the opposite direction.

And that was when she found the Magic Sword, it's blade glowing with a soft, comforting light.  Her symbol of courage found, she headed home to tell everyone of her adventure...

Nathan closes the book.  "...The Gauntlet is a Relic Stone, and thus tied to Celebi's power over Time Travel and Memories, as well as Celebi herself.  Upon touching it, Heart apparently heard the voice of one of his ancestors.  She apparently talked about finding a Sword of some kind, of saving this region and ending an experiment...I have reason to believe this Sword that Heart's ancestor mentioned might be related to the one in this story.  That Helmet the story mentioned might be related, too...and that vision that Lilith and Kirlia shared earlier seemed to imply that there's four items of some kind hidden in the Skull Ruins.  Kirlia had a feeling these two stories in the book might be important, and it seems they are for different reasons."

...

"...there's one more thing.  Heart and I were talking with Celebi, and...she confirmed one of my fears.  The Disaster of Stone...seems to be partially related to an out of control Rock Peak Pokemon, otherwise known as Regirock.  One that Sarimanok bound to his will...when Sarimanok was dethroned and the palace fell into disrepair, Regirock, who apparently serves as the foundation of the location, apparently began losing control as its powers mixed with the more...dangerous ones that were present in the Ruins."

...Nathan puts the book away and looks over at Slaking.  Ah, looks like he's done with his short nap.

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Post riddle evaluation, Nathan's pretty much done with talking to the group unless anyone has anything to talk with him about/questions to ask him.

Now that the important thing of informing the group is done, his main priority at this moment is helping Solosis.  So it's off to go see the Slowking with the Delta Shellder crown they go!

"...*ahem*...uh, excuse me, Slowking, but Celebi mentioned that you have a way to 'release pokemon from an apricorn's bindings', or something along those lines?  Regrettably, it seems Solosis here is in need of that kind of a service..."

(Phone deleted my post, so here is a points version of it.)

-Ven's unimpressed/annoyed at Kirlia interference, but stays due to being too tired to really want to fight/argue with them/their, and slumps into his chair looking painfully neutral. 
-He also completely tunes out/ignores the stories Nathan was telling, and only pays attention/remembers the pertinent information presented AFTER the story (Which he can pick up due to the obvious gestures/actions signally those transitions).
- No reaction or commentary is offered by the researcher before, during, and after story time is definitively done, and he simply gets up and leaves to his hammock to do as he wanted before Kirlia stopped him. If either them or Nathan stop him for any reason, he'll stay and listen to them simply because he can't be bothered to tell them to *&%! off until later.
- Internally, Ven is intrigued but mostly unconcerned with the information pertaining to the Red Chain, as he is not inclined to summon or call upon their aid unless direly needed. With the Celebit + Gauntlet + Sword, he's surprised briefly by their connection and the fact that THE Mythic in question appeared to them, before quickly growing to distrust/become quite wary the Mythical Pokémon in question for a number of reasons (The main one being their connection/influence with The Gauntlet). To the Disaster of Stone, he grows even more grave at the though of facing off against ANOTHER Legendary Pokémon in the future, and his mood drops/becomes bleaker accordingly.
- When its time to leave Antheneum/Do something else concerning the Scimitars, he'll be ready to contribute. Likewise, he's ready to continue helping Valder out , and will be swift to try and prevent him from touching The Gauntlet by pleading with him + offer him that MASSIVE bonus (discussed via PM) to not do so (He's keeping an eye on his mercenary near constantly while in Antheneum and around The Gauntlet) .

(Done. Damn it, I hate typing all that on a phone, but it must be done.....)

Shiva opts to remain completely neutral about her love being stopped and prevented from his intentions by Nathan's psychic dancer, keeping her arms crossed, leaning into Delphox and having an expression of very mixed feelings on herself. Well, at least this does save her from approaching Ventus herself later and filling him in with the details of this quick-meeting.

As said, her mood is slightly elevated due to she having a weakness for good and fantastic children's stories, and somehow both that Nathan has read from that book matched her taste. It gave her a feeling of peacefulness to simply listen to fantastic stories and reminded her a tad bit of home even - oh the innocence of hours spent reading nothing but fairy tales and admirering the artworks that were depicted every now and then to accompany the stories, all while sharing cookies with Spectral until it became time to head to bed and dream of herself being a heroine in these tales.

That seriousness that Nathan read these stories to them all didn't really allow her dreaming away though, maybe - probably - it was intended though. Well, always forward and no time to dwell on such things, that's one of the downsides of being adult. The upside of the same issue was that one can now take a deeper look between the lines of such stories. She especially seems interested in that woman who did nothing but keep the Trio's gemstones because they're pretty.

She unwillingly perked up upon the mentioning of that Red Chain, even dares to air her thoughts. "I've heard you talking about such a Chain with that projection of Uxie inside while I was picking and watering the Apricorn bushes on the outside. Humm... Been somehow sure there was more about these Gemstones than thought at first, guess we know now what to a degree. Means we only have ONE favour we can bring to one of the trio... well, that's certainly good to know that we have such a possibility now, but it also means that we have to ponder very well what we shall ask which of the trio before we even think of making such a chain ourselves with our gemstones." Nope, Shiva is not afraid at all of the responsibility that keeping an item that might call a Legend by herself. In fact, now she's even MORE protective over her pretty small hexagonal half stone.

Concerning the second story, Shiva frowns and is spooked. The simply THOUGHT of a cute and sweet Clefaiy turning into a Gengar was enough to give her shivers, as it goes so well with the creepy idea of a Gengar being a Clefairy's/Clefable's shadow!!! She leans a bit closer into Delphox for comfort. " ......From what it sounds and looks, that sword you've been told about, Heart, and that sword in the story seem DEFINITELY related, if it's not that they are describing the very same thing. And yes, it does just as certainly relate to these four items hinted to in the vision of Lilith and Kirlia here. Gaaaahhhh....." Suddenly wincing a little in discomfort, Shiva ends up wrapping her arms around herself, looking afraid and displeased. "I....I KNEW we would have to descend down these.....these Ruins sooner or later, but now it seems that we inevitably have to do so at some point if we....we.... want to bring peace to this region and to ourselves.... Nyyyergh."

'Rest calm, my dear. You've trained a Mightyena to tear ghosts to pieces, and by now it's not like you are unable to defend yourself anymore. Think of this as an act of courage... And an adventurous search for loot together with that Luxi of yours.'
[Shiva doesn't reply, but winces once more]
'....Well?'
You...... you are probably right.... Can't sit around and watch how the region I grew so fond of ends when there's way to prevent it....Maybe....?
'That's a start for sure. Do not worry to much... All will be well in the end.'
Hopefully it will.



....Hopefully it will, yes. Shiva would ask how Nathan would think that these two stories are related to one another - but that can actually saved for another day. 'Or not', she thinks to herself, before she quick-asks Nathan for his opinion on that before he walks off to that Slowking and she'll get to follow her own things again as well.

Spoiler

-Ven's unimpressed/annoyed at Kirlia interference, but stays due to being too tired to really want to fight/argue with them/their, and slumps into his chair looking painfully neutral. 
-He also completely tunes out/ignores the stories Nathan was telling, and only pays attention/remembers the pertinent information presented AFTER the story (Which he can pick up due to the obvious gestures/actions signally those transitions).
- No reaction or commentary is offered by the researcher before, during, and after story time is definitively done, and he simply gets up and leaves to his hammock to do as he wanted before Kirlia stopped him. If either them or Nathan stop him for any reason, he'll stay and listen to them simply because he can't be bothered to tell them to *&%! off until later.
- Internally, Ven is intrigued but mostly unconcerned with the information pertaining to the Red Chain, as he is not inclined to summon or call upon their aid unless direly needed. With the Celebit + Gauntlet + Sword, he's surprised briefly by their connection and the fact that THE Mythic in question appeared to them, before quickly growing to distrust/become quite wary the Mythical Pokémon in question for a number of reasons (The main one being their connection/influence with The Gauntlet). To the Disaster of Stone, he grows even more grave at the though of facing off against ANOTHER Legendary Pokémon in the future, and his mood drops/becomes bleaker accordingly.
- When its time to leave Antheneum/Do something else concerning the Scimitars, he'll be ready to contribute. Likewise, he's ready to continue helping Valder out , and will be swift to try and prevent him from touching The Gauntlet by pleading with him + offer him that MASSIVE bonus (discussed via PM) to not do so (He's keeping an eye on his mercenary near constantly while in Antheneum and around The Gauntlet) .

Kirlia stares grimly at Ventus, but lets him leave this time.  That attitude isn't going to be doing Ventus any favors in the future if things keep going like they are...which is very likely.  The more he does stuff like this, the more he'll push everyone away from him, human and pokemon alike...

She unwillingly perked up upon the mentioning of that Red Chain, even dares to air her thoughts. "I've heard you talking about such a Chain with that projection of Uxie inside while I was picking and watering the Apricorn bushes on the outside. Humm... Been somehow sure there was more about these Gemstones than thought at first, guess we know now what to a degree. Means we only have ONE favour we can bring to one of the trio... well, that's certainly good to know that we have such a possibility now, but it also means that we have to ponder very well what we shall ask which of the trio before we even think of making such a chain ourselves with our gemstones." Nope, Shiva is not afraid at all of the responsibility that keeping an item that might call a Legend by herself. In fact, now she's even MORE protective over her pretty small hexagonal half stone.

Shiva would ask how Nathan would think that these two stories are related ton one another - but that can actually saved for another day. 'Or not', she thinks to herself, before she quick-asks Nathan for his opinion on that before he walks off to that Slowking and she'll get to follow her own things again as well.

"...there is one more detail I didn't mention: Mesprit's most likely the only one we know we can call for certain, for one favor of emotional strength...I don't know if we could call on Uxie or Azelf.  Uxie left the region when Sarimanok fell, and Azelf...disappeared without a trace.  Neither have been seen by anyone in a long, long time...they might not be able to heed the call.  And if the call goes unanswered, it's up to the trio to decide if the favor is still owed, so the gems could lose their luster even if we don't actually benefit from them.  They're also worthless in terms of forming a Red Chain if you don't have all 3.  I...want to also talk to Mesprit about something eventually, and unless we need the Chain for something more dire, I have an idea of what to ask of Mesprit when the time comes if we haven't found any other solutions by then..."

...

"...if the stories are related in any way, it would likely have to solely be because Mesprit would help us with the Disaster of Stone.  The message I got from Mesprit before the vines starter growing...I've been reviewing it, and it didn't say anything about what Mesprit would do, and 'a favor of emotional strength' could mean many things, so I can't make any guarantees.  Now if you'll excuse us, Solosis and I have some important business to attend to."

Heart was in awe when he heard about the Trio tale. He takes out his own Gem half and ponder for a minutes. "So...that stone indeed have such power. Capable of summon even a might legendary pokemon. Thats will indeed save us in the future. And we must learn how to make a Red Chain. Is there any chance of enter in contact with Cynthian?"

Heart thinks too about the helmet and the blade. "So thats what my ancestor was talking about. Do you think my ancestor is that girl in the story? Is very much problable. After all, even her was not always a might knight woman. All I can say guys, is that woman, Ark, was my ancestor, and the creator of my clan, the ArcHearts. In my vision I dont recall Ark talk something about a helmet."

Then Heart look to his friends. "Nathan, is really necessary to go to the Skull Ruins? I dont want to risk any of your lives because of my mission. Ark give me that mission in find that sword, I dont want to risk any of your lives." Heart then look in the ground. "I already lost to much." He close his eyes with to much force. "It is to much selfish in ask this to you people! I...simple cant." Heart drop his arms.

[Dragonstrike]

Heart was in awe when he heard about the Trio tale. He takes out his own Gem half and ponder for a minutes. "So...that stone indeed have such power. Capable of summon even a might legendary pokemon. Thats will indeed save us in the future. And we must learn how to make a Red Chain. Is there any chance of enter in contact with Cynthian?"

Heart thinks too about the helmet and the blade. "So thats what my ancestor was talking about. Do you think my ancestor is that girl in the story? Is very much problable. After all, even her was not always a might knight woman. All I can say guys, is that woman, Ark, was my ancestor, and the creator of my clan, the ArcHearts. In my vision I dont recall Ark talk something about a helmet."

Then Heart look to his friends. "Nathan, is really necessary to go to the Skull Ruins? I dont want to risk any of your lives because of my mission. Ark give me that mission in find that sword, I dont want to risk any of your lives." Heart then look in the ground. "I already lost to much." He close his eyes with to much force. "It is to much selfish in ask this to you people! I...simple cant." Heart drop his arms.

"All we have to do to form a Red Chain is bring the three stones together and will it to be formed according to what the Uxie facsimile said.  Easy enough.  No need to bother Cynthia about that."

Nathan shakes his head.  "No, they're almost certainly unrelated.  This book was written after Sarimanok's fall.  Your ancestor is far older than that, right?"

"...Heart, this isn't just your mission.  This involves all of us.  Besides, this region is my home.  If I can do something to save it...well, why wouldn't I?"