[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

...the entire time the video is playing, Nathan's tense.

He wants to say something but...he knows it's just a recording.  Even if he did...

...once it's over, Nathan remains quiet for a solid minute as he just stares at where the message from Ventus was playing just moments ago...

...before saying one thing with a very, very shaky sounding voice.

"...I...I need a minute..."

...and then just like that, he's run off to his room, faster than anyone else can immediately react to.  The sole exception is Gallade, his stalwart and generally stoic best friend, who quickly goes after Nathan.

...though not before casting a glance behind him at the rest of the party.  There's definitely a little worry in that glance...not an alarming amount, but...some.

Gallade doesn't wait to see if anyone is following, though.  He needs to be by Nathan's side.  Now.

...and just like that, Nathan and Gallade have left the room.  Whether anyone follows him or not is up to you guys.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

...the entire time the video is playing, Nathan's tense.

He wants to say something but...he knows it's just a recording.  Even if he did...

...once it's over, Nathan remains quiet for a solid minute as he just stares at where the message from Ventus was playing just moments ago...

...before saying one thing with a very, very shaky sounding voice.

"...I...I need a minute..."

...and then just like that, he's run off to his room, faster than anyone else can immediately react to.  The sole exception is Gallade, his stalwart and generally stoic best friend, who quickly goes after Nathan.

...though not before casting a glance behind him at the rest of the party.  There's definitely a little worry in that glance...not an alarming amount, but...some.

Gallade doesn't wait to see if anyone is following, though..  He needs to be by Nathan's side.  Now.

...and just like that, Nathan and Gallade have left the room.  Whether anyone follows him or not is up to you guys.

Terra doesn't even think a second more or further processes his boss' message the moment he realizes what happened, as he shoves his Pokedex back into a random pocket and wastes no time in stomping after his intelligent young friend and his empathetic paladin with a startling amount of speed for a lumbering giant such as himself. Nowhere near as fast as them, but he was certainly no Slowpoke in his efforts to catch up to them. 

No hesitation or further deliberation was put into in his thoughts or actions. The only thing that the mountain of a man focused on was Nathan, finding out what exactly bothered him so much, and do his best to be there for him, and nothing more. Simple as that.

Presumably, he was able to either track them down or deduce that Nathan had fled to his room, and swiftly made his way there. If the door was closed, he'd gently knock on it, and simply say "Nathan? It's Terra. Can I come in?" 

If the door is open, though, he just barrels right in and looks around, searching for the boy and taking in whatever is happening at that time.

[Iron]

You can't use a move after the foe has fainted.

Gym Leader Howl vs Heart Round 3

Rock Slide 1
(4)(5)(6)(2)(2)(5)(1)
(4)(6)(6)(1)(6)(2) Mandibuzz faints! The bird is driven right out of the sky by falling rocks. Quetzal fills half the gym and his attacks are hard to avoid!

One more foe to go.

Quetzel will stay in the field.

Howl uses Weavile. "This is a bit of a risk, but..."

Weavile: (3) Grahhh

[Iron]

Spoiler

"...maybe?  I'm not sure, to be honest.  Tubareel doesn't have any bright green markings or anything.  It just looks kinda...eel-like.  And it has a particularly Strong Jaw, so I'm pretty glad it didn't have a chance to use Crunch, to be honest...it's a very good thing Princess got back in time with reinforcements, or that could have been trouble..."

Nathan considers Terra's offer to help him with trading it, a hand on his chin as he thinks.  A shieldmaiden, huh...?  Hmmmm...

"...to be honest, I am seriously considering trading it.  I could use some more funds, and more items wouldn't be bad either...this is a pretty rare pokemon, though...but not many trainers are going to want to take it if it's as Disobedient as a Tyranitar...but maybe a Shieldmaiden wouldn't mind so much...if she'd take it in the first place..."

Then he nods when he comes to a decision.

"...well, only one way to find out.  Let's see what kinda offer you can help me get for Tubareel then.  'Cuz I sure as heck don't know anyone off the top of my head who would want a super large, super Disobedient fish serpent thing."

As for Vespiquen...Nathan has to think for a moment again...

"...well, there shouldn't be any problems with meeting with her...I can't guarantee she'll take whatever advice you have for her, though, now that she's evolved.  She's spent a looooonnnngggg time thinking about what kind of ruler she wants to be, researching what past kings and queens were like, listening to stories about old royalty that I have...she's definitely going to have a firm grip on her rule, show that she's a strong ruler who isn't afraid to flex her authority if needed.  But also a kind ruler as well, one who cares for her subjects.  As the saying goes: those with power tend to use it.  It's how they use it that's really important, though."

"*Shrugs* Maybe I am wrong, but your.....description of Tubareel reminds me of Pokemon I saw. Could be no.....connection to them. *Frowns, then nods* Me too. Know how bad Strong Jaw bites can be."

To his friend's acceptance of his proposal, he only gives them a swift nod, before he pulls out his Pokedex and sends off a quick message to Brazen.

'Hello, Brazen. Have another big Pokemon that my friend is wanting to trade. It is a Tubareel. Almost large as a Gyarados, and about as Disobedient. Ability is Strong Jaw. You interested?'

(...)

His friend's tentative reply about Princess' temperament gets a small shake of the sagely monk head, before he elaborate a little more on what he wanted to discuss.

"No giving her advise on being a ruler. Not my place to - it's your's. Just a lesson, and a few question for her. That is all. She'll listen to what I have to teach, I think. If not.....so be it."

Cryptic, but not forbiddingly so. If Gallade is out with Nathan, they'd detect that Terra is not intentionally trying to be obtuse about this, only offering the briefest explanation. If requested, he'd fully explain just what he wanted to teach Princess.

"Got a buyer, Terra. The gig is $8,000 and a Net Ball. Deal?"

[Iron]

Oh yes, there is ONE more thing we probably have to do before we head to the Skull Ruins:

Evolving Quetzal into a Delta Steelix. (since Heart seems to want to do it before we head to the Ruins)

I'm assuming either Nathan or Heart would bring it up to Terra so that it could be done after Heart's finished with the Gym Battle.  With the raw iron ore, Charizard's super hot Fire moves, and anything else that may be required, it should be doable, yes?

Yep! You can flashforward to that.

[Lord Windos]

"Got a buyer, Terra. The gig is $8,000 and a Net Ball. Deal?"

*Flashback!*

Terra relies the offer to Nathan, and then silently and curiously stares at them, awaiting their decision on the matter, since they should have final say on the deal. If they say yes, then he'll immediately agree to the deal and help arrange for the trade to go down between his friend and the shieldmaiden, whereby they get their Poke and Net Ball! He doesn't ask for a finder's fee for his part in the business arrangement, as he consider it doing a favor for his friend - though he wouldn't reject getting a cut of the profit if offered. I'll leave that for Nathan/Dragonstrike to decide!

*Flashback End!*

[Dragonstrike]

Terra (and anyone else who follows) finds that the door is shut and locked.

Sobbing can definitely be heard from the other side of the door, though.

Eventually, there's a pause in the sobbing though.  It gets a lot quieter...

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

...and that's because Nathan's making a phone call.

...it's all just a bit too much for Nathan.  He has to get what he has to say off his chest.

...he's calling Ventus.  He's expecting for it to go to voicemail, but regardless of whether it does, the message is the same.

"....Ven...?  It's Nate...I...I know you don't really want to talk right now, but...I...I have to say something, and...I might not have another chance to say it, so...I...I'm sorry...it's just...hard to see someone you care about...*sniff*...I just..."

He pauses there, uncertain if he should say what he has on his mind.

He decides not to.  He's not sure it will help, so he moves on.

"...well...anyways...*sniff*...I have to do this.  Maybe you already know, but...the Ruins were where my dad was last seen.  He was looking for the same things we are, too.  I...I have to look for him and...*sniff*...reunite my family...and...*sniff*...finish what he started...and...this is my home.  My family's home.  The future home of those I promised to protect, to build a good future for.  Maybe...maybe I'll tell you a bit more about that later, though...*sniff*..."

Another pause as Nathan tries to compose himself.

"...I'm sorry that I...can't say I can put my life above anyone else's right now...that...that's just not me, to be honest...you know me...heh...*sniff*...always caring about everyone else so much without thinking about how it may affect me...I can promise I'll try to come back safe, though...bring everyone back safe and sound, too...you are right that we can't save anyone if we're...that every life is precious...that everyone has so much more that they want to do in their lifetimes...*sniff*...how long ago did I say that to you again?  How many times?  I've lost count, to be honest...*sniff*...I guess that's one more for the tally, though..."

He pauses once more as he tries to recompose himself.

"...so...I just wanted to say again that...I'm sorry...for both what I can't promise now and...*sniff*...what happened before...thank you for the support anyways, though...*sniff*...it...it means the world to me, you know.  And everyone else, I'm sure...well, maybe not Spira, but...*sniff*...you stay safe too, okay?  I'd like you to be there to watch me battle Bo, the region's Champion...if I can get that far...yeah, I've got 6 badges now...I could go battle the Elite Four if I wanted...I plan to get the last two before I attempt that, but...soon.  Okay?  Let's all get through this, and...and..."

Another pause.

"...I'm sorry...I'm just...rambling on as usual again...I think I've said enough...I don't even know if any of this is going to help, and I'm just spouting word after word anyways...you're one of the brightest shining stars I've ever had the chance to know personally, Ven...I hope I can get to see that light again after this is all over...I don't want this to be goodbye...you'll always be a friend to me and Gallade..."

If Ventus picked up, maybe he has something to say in response, maybe not.  If not and it went to voicemail...well, this is where the message ends.  Nathan isn't expecting Ventus will want to call back...

*click*

...Ventus's words...some of which echoed Nathan's own...hit the 17 year old quite hard emotionally...

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

Terra (and whoever else followed) can once again hear sobbing through the door to his room soon afterwards.

[Spiritmon]

You can't use a move after the foe has fainted.

Gym Leader Howl vs Heart Round 3

Rock Slide 1
(4)(5)(6)(2)(2)(5)(1)
(4)(6)(6)(1)(6)(2) Mandibuzz faints! The bird is driven right out of the sky by falling rocks. Quetzal fills half the gym and his attacks are hard to avoid!

One more foe to go.

Quetzel will stay in the field.

Howl uses Weavile. "This is a bit of a risk, but..."

Weavile: (3) Grahhh

"Heh. Quetzel! Rock Slide 3x! And as last action set Tailwind! If Weavile fainted already do not set!"

Rock Slide dice: 7D6/6D6/5D6
Damage: 8D6+1
Effect: D3 to flinch.

Tailwind Dice: 5D6
Effect: User and allies gain +2 Dexterity.

[Iron]

Gym Leader Howl vs Heart Round 4

Fake Out 1
(3)(4)(2)(2)(6)(5) (4)
No damage, but Onix flinches 1

Rock Slide 2
(2)(5)(1)(3)(3)(4)
(5)(6)(4)(3) Weavile takes 4 dmg 4/8hp -2 pain
Flinch: (5)(4)(3)

Icicle Crash 2
(2)(2)(4)(1)
4 Str + 3 power +1 STAB +1 Expert Belt
(4)(6)(5) Onix takes 4 dmg 9/13hp
CD: (6)(5)(1)

Onix flinches 3
-1 Def +1 Dex

Icicle Crash 3
(1)(2)(3) It misses.

Tailwind 4
(6)(4)(3)(6)
+2 Dex for Onix

Icicle Crash 4
(6)(3)
(5)(4)(2)(3) Onix takes 3 dmg 6/13hp -2 pain
CD: (4)(1)(3)

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Gym Leader Howl vs Heart Round 4


Fake Out 1
(3)(4)(2)(2)(6)(5) (4)
No damage, but Onix flinches 1

Rock Slide 2
(2)(5)(1)(3)(3)(4)
(5)(6)(4)(3) Weavile takes 4 dmg 4/8hp -2 pain
Flinch: (5)(4)(3)

Icicle Crash 2
(2)(2)(4)(1)
4 Str + 3 power +1 STAB +1 Expert Belt
(4)(6)(5) Onix takes 4 dmg 9/13hp
CD: (6)(5)(1)

Onix flinches 3
-1 Def +1 Dex

Icicle Crash 3
(1)(2)(3) It misses.

Tailwind 4
(6)(4)(3)(6)
+2 Dex for Onix

Icicle Crash 4
(6)(3)
(5)(4)(2)(3) Onix takes 3 dmg 6/13hp -2 pain
CD: (4)(1)(3)

Heart look to the little beat up Quetzel and to the also beat up Weavile. "Not bad. You was capable of putting a number on Quetzel. Despite have a not so good defensive typing, Quetzel its one of my most toughest Pokemon. If you want to put him down, you will have to use something a little more stronger."

"Quetzel! Rock Smash 4x against Weavile!"

Rock Smash dice: Dex(7*)+Fight(4)+Brawl(3)-Pain(2)-Actions(4/5/6/7) = 8D6/7D6/6D6/5D6
Damage: Power(4)+STR(4)+SE(2) = 8D6+2
Effect: D5 to reduce foe defenses.