[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Lord Windos]

(....Well, it's been a couple of days, but nobody bothered in the slightest to directly respond to my last post, so I guess I'll go ahead a get up my next post then.)

*Flashback, Part 2*

Lots of Energetic Pokemon!: At the moment he receives word he's gotten his 'research specimens' from the adoption program, Terra would briefly get in contact with Keni and simply ask how long he'd think it would take them to make the Syrentide's Domain Card for him. Need to have at least an idea of when it'd be ready, as he wishes to bring along Nathan on his trip to the siren queen so that they can help him subdue his Deoxys Clone if need be (should they release themselves from his Pokemon and try to go on a revenge fueled rampage), and so to do that he needs to write up a schedule of sorts. Simple as that, really!

Additionally, If Keni's feeling uninspired/in a creative slump, then Terra would ask if there's anyhing he can do to re-invigorate their artistic passion. Might as well help the old artist out if he can!

Mallorn's Eager Request!: Initially, Terra didn't have much to say/do to the proffoser's entreaty other than to grunt and nod. Given that he currently owns TWO Legendaries himself, he could have very well just told the man about them , but decided not to for now. Mainly because for one he was planning on including the researcher/business tycoon in his research/modification on Arete once he got his end of things set up and iron out, so they could just see/meet her/it then, and for another his Deoxys clone was not yet in the right mood (Read: Not dead set against humanity) for visitation.

That, and the sagely monk was wisely reticent about revealing owned Legendary Pokemon, out of the fear he'd end up hounded by everyone about them or attract unsavory sorts trying to either barter or steal them from him (foolish as those ideas may be). Less people that know about his EXTRA-special partners, the better in his eyes!

However, once they begin speaking about Keldeo, he perks up instantly as he regards them and Nathan with renewed interest.

"Keldeo? Know of them? Interested in that Legend too, so if can share anything about it, can you? Please? *Nods* Will help you.....track them down too if I can. Want to see Keldeo too, and its brothers. Big fan of them."

A New Lease on Life!: Once he settles everything else with Mallorn and the boons he's so far dealt with up until now. he turns to Nathan and Shiva (the only two remaining group members still around and mostly sticking together) and speaks with them, motioning in the direction Stair City is in as he did so.

"Got business about lab to take of and other stuff to do, so will be gone for most of day. If need me, though, call or text me, and I will be there for you. Promise. Be safe and well, my friends."

Then he departs from the group (temporarily!) and heads over to the Pokemon Center to arrange his party into the following line-up: Shiranui, Anubi, Genie's, Arete, Sari, and Basteele. He wants to spend some more time with his blood brother, aura jackal, and bold bombshell after spending so much time without them, work on further building bonds of trust and cooperation with his magnificent monarch, and give most partners he used against DEOXYS PRIME and their doppelganger legion some well deserved rest. Genie's the only exception, as he needs her to FLY around Cheshire for a bit first, but she'll get her respite soon enough!

After that, his first destination is not Stair, but in fact Cress, as he has a few things he needs/wants to do there. First, he touches down on the outskirts and searches around for Angie, stomping the ground in his own characteristic way to beckon her from underground if she's lurking there. He left her behind in the rustic city as a precaution against he getting Captured against her will again, so he's back to pick her up and resume their father-daughter duo status!

Next, he'll enter into the city to both see how it's fairing now that all the Deoxys have been taken care of, and finish the rest of his business there by meeting up with some people and doing a few errands. First person is Tanuk, and he mainly meets up with her to for her assessment of Cress and its people, and if their's anything he could do to help while he's still here.

Second person will be actually several people - the Kimono Girls. Though it had been ages since he's last meet with them, he remembers them fondly and wishes to see how they're fairing. He'd also ask if they were planning on putting on any Performances to help cheer up the townsfolk, and if so he offers to lend a hand in helping them out there. As a Contest Master and all around decent Performer himself, he'd know several things about entertaining and enriching peoples live, and as a celebrity hero his sheer presence alone might be enough to cheer the public up alone, so why NOT help out if he possibly could?

Third, he's going to try to find a printer shop and make up however many ironclad NDAs he can for the amount of assistants he's been 'given' by Mallorn sent his way. Since he's going to be running a private lab that'll be researching his Genesect Arte and maybe his Deoxys clone (among other things), he'd want to take steps to ensure there'd be no loose lips among his employees, unless they want their mouths to write a one way ticket to the civil courts and/or in jail. His parents taught him well in this area, and believes it when they said you could NEVER be too sure when it came to handling your proprietary secrets!

Fourthly (and finally), the rugged wanderer will be rooting around for that Bug Master that helped him out and lended/gave him their Key Stone AND requested they wanted to help him research/modify Arete. When he does meet them, he'll tell them he's getting his end of things set up today (the lab, its genereal layout, and where's everyone's place in it), and ask if they want to tag along with him to Stair City to either help him out or carve out their own niche their themselves. They're the first person that offered to help him out (Well, besides Cosh, but they're in custody now....), so they get more privileges in how things will be set up and his own role in the grand scheme of things!

(For now, that'll be it until everything is resolved in Cress, so until then I'll sit tight as a camera shy Cloyster!)

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Flashback!

Heart was happy to see his old friend. "Heh, thanks mate. It's good to be able to have a... Heart-to-heart conversation with ya. And to have a...Justified reason to meet you again. And happy to know your sense of humor don't get...Badly Poisoned. Eyyyy!" Heart chuckle a bit. "Welp, as you can see, I still the old PUNisher person you know and love."

"So...I suppose you see the messages I sent you before...about...well, my story and my clan. I sorry for never telling or the others about it before...I should have trusted you more Ventus…"

Heart take Ventus cautious words. "I know Ven. I don't fully trust Cosh. However, we been traveling in the Skull Ruins for more or less a week. He even knows I was carrying...this." Heart then show to Ventus the Moltres Egg inside the Incubator. "This...is a Legendary Egg. Moltres Egg to be precisely. In our trip though time, we meet a Primal Arcanine, and he trust this Egg to me."

"Cosh knew I was with this Egg. But despite this, he didn't try to steal it. I am willing to at least listen to what he said. He also helps to save Cheshire. I despise his methods and the things he done...but he was willing to join forces to save Cheshire. I also need to learn how to use my Earthpower better Ven. There is people transformed in Kadabras. It would take weeks to restore one Kadabra to normality, let alone a greater group."

"I need to help those people Ven...I am a ArcHeart. Protect and save life's is the duty of a knight. I am the last Knight of my Clan. And I need to make a new beginning for the history of my people. For those who live today...and for those who is not anymore with me. For those who died: My mother...My grandfather...my little brother Angelo...even my father."

He ignite his hand, showing the flames of his passion. "I owe them that Ven. If I want to become the Leader my Clan needs, and to Doublade accept me as someone worth, I need to learn how to use this power...and not get corrupted by them. This is not just for me...but to purify the past of my ancestors. And create a bright future for future generations of ArcHearts. For so long I walk in darkness...but meet you all gave me the determination to change."

Heart smile to Ventus. "And yes, we still have a battle to settle. Delta Steelix become even more stronger. Get ready!"

Heart was silent when Terra speaks...but then he call him brother...that was enough to leave Heart without air for a second...a few tears roll in his eyes, but he quick try to clean then. "I...I-I have something in my eyes...must be some Deoxys blood leftover I think…" Heart try to hide the tears of happiness. "Thank you…Brother. You don't need to worry about me. I will return very soon."

Heart then look at Nathan/@Dragonstrike, who was the only one who didn't speak. "So...I guess we walking different paths to become Leaders I suppose." Heart gave Nathan a weak punch in his shoulder. "Speak of which, you was great out there with that...sword thing. I was a bit butt hurted for you be the only one to hurt Deoxys...but I guess it can't be helped. When Lancelot evolve to Aegislash, be ready with that Sword. I will make sure Lancelot be the best Sword in this side of the world, no matter how much takes."

"So...you better mastering that Sword for a good old sword fight. Be ready."

"*Chuckles* I say Ditto to all that, my friend! It'd be a Fainting shame if it were otherwise, ha ha ha! (...) *Smiles* Indeed you are, and I'm eStatic to see your sense of humor hasn't gone unRock Polished!"

What a punderful reunion!

(...)

"*Wanly Smiles* ....Yes, I have, and I don't begrudge you for keeping such sordid information concealed from me. After all, we all have things in our past we so rarely wish to divulge, and I'm more understanding of most about such reticense. Come from being an experience sociologist, I suppose."

Among other experiences....

The reveal of the Moltres Egg catch Ven completely off guard, his Sunny Day and Charming demeanor broken as he gasps and looks very taken aback.

"By Reshirm's divine white radiance....!"

His expression then shift to something half-way between excitement and awe as one of his hands reaches to touch the Legend's Incubator, before a flash of trepidation crosses him and he pulls back, looking apologetic and a bit bashful.

"Sorry about that....uncothness, Heart. I should know better by now to succumb to such Legendary Allure, but I suppose we can't always manage such unflappability...."

He doesn't have anything to say about the rare collector's reasoning to 'trust' Cosh and continue his path towards great Earthpower (Though his expression turns almost painfully neutral), but he does solemnly and respectfully nods when they declare their intent to use such supernatural power to restore the humanity of those Kadabra, and by doing so redeeming their Clan's legacy and begin anew. Such aspirations is easy to get behind for the eccentric researcher, even if they're fueled by magics best left out of the hands of man and forever forgotten. 

That moment of camaraderie wouldn't last, however, as the sudden manifestation of Fire on Heart's part causes Ven to sharply recoil away from it and them, staring at both man and magical Fire and appearing extremely unnerved, tense, agitated, and even somewhat fearful, until he managed to regain a degree of control back and deign a very reserved response.

".......Heart.....please cease your......conjuration of fire, and don't ever do it front of me again without due warning. You should by now know my......disdain towards the arcane, supernatural, and magical, and while I have been trying to temper myself towards those things for everyone's shake, such......unexpected displays do little good for me or the progress I've made. I apologize for being so rude about this, but....I'm not ready to handle that aspect of you."

Saying such, Ven doesn't have much more to say to the pun lover (or anything else to say to him at all right now), hastily regaining his composure to give his farewell to them before Teleporting away ASAP.  Oh dear......looks like time and effort hasn't fixed the oddball scientist issues just yet....

As for Terra, he doesn't have much to say either, but for very different reasons, as his happy and proud nod back to Heart speaks for itself and more. Why waste words, when a simple gesture is enough?

*Flashback End*

[Iron]

Mesprit doesn't seem interested in partnering up in general. You do feel your Red Chain gem pulse with heat briefly, though.

[Iron]

Hovering over the tiny island mentioned by Farore (it's indeed cold here, but not as cold as on the way down the mountain), the island appears to shimmer. Ducking just a little closer, you find out the island's surface is actually crawling with all the nastiest Bug types - Pinsir, Wurmple, Ariados, Scolipede, Skorupi. The air is thick with Venomoth and other Flying-move users. The perimeter of the island is shrouded in what you originally took to be mist, but later turns out to be Ghost types. As for Dark types, the third fear of Psychics, you don't see any but sense they are around. You also sense a few mischievous spirits, possibly Fairy element?


Machamp is sitting in the center of the island atop a small rock, meditating. He has a dozen arms and three faces, looking something like a Hindu god. His features are obscured, though, because Spinarak and Venipede are crawling alllll over him. He does not flinch.

[Iron]

Keni: "Fine. One more card. Then I'm done." Keni seems a little grumpy about this, but he'll have it done in 2 days.



Mallorn: "Keldeo, boss, Keldeo! What an amazing Pokemon! The fleetest and cutest equine Pokemon of all! I'd love to be a mentor for it, teaching it all about humanity and what we've built! It can be found visiting its brothers, but we don't know much about Virizion, Cobalion, and Terrakion (any relation?). We know Sarimanok had one of them in his service, and the others were somewhat divided about the idea. You see, Sarimanok was known for breaking up old Trios and forming new ones out of the best of the best. For example, he'd never own both a Shelmet and Karrablast, or a Nidoqueen and Nidoqueen, and his living chess set didn't have a single Pawniard on either side. Perhaps the same was true for Legendaries."


Cress City is receiving a bit of League attention, but the destruction was at least fairly localized there. Not like Teazel Valley/Elanor.
Tanuki: "Oh, there's always work we can do. If you loan me Dunseraph, our two sky serpents could have all this rubble cleared away in no time. : ) Or if you prefer something simpler, you could whip up a big pot of soup or chili for those who are still displaced and for the workers who aren't taking many breaks and can use something nourishing."

The Kimono Girls will be putting on their usual performances, undaunted by the destruction, as they've done for hundreds of years. Terra's celebrity status would definitely improve turnout and make the collections basket fill more quickly. They welcome Terra to do a meet and greet or even a performance battle.

Jerry definitely wants to come along. He'd love to have his own office and maybe pool his funds with yours in the future.
"Hey man, this is a reminder that we should have a nice outdoor area. Not for the you-know-what, but for more harmless Pokemon. Like you always see at a Professor's lab."

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

W-whaaaaaaaaaaa!! Calling Shiva 'impressed' upon noticing the small island would be a blatant and rude understatement, it's more like 'totally and overly thrilled to bits and completely taken aback by the scenery having caught her eyes'. In her whole journey through Chreshire, she hasn't come across a Pokemon that radiates sheer volition and psychic power like this Machamp sitting atop the rock at the center of this place. Shiva has come to the right place - that much she's certain about.


She carefully and a quietly as possible lands on the edge of the island, scared that a single wrong movement of hers will disturb this special Pokemon's meditation. Tropius and Raphael notice the tension Shiva's feelings and adapt by falling into a respectful silence until Shiva recalls them both into their Pokeballs. This only leaves her behind - and the ancient Shield, which she slowly raises to protect herself from suprise-attacks of the countless Bug-, Ghost-, Dark- and believed Fairy Types.

Shiva's knees are like butter, but nevertheless she eventually dares to move a little closer, take a tiny tiny step in direction Delta Machamp himself. She's worried too, worried that said Pokemon around could and would attack her, so she coyly glances around. In case they do, her Shield will protect her. In case nothing gets into her way, Shiva takes another small step, then another, and another, until only a few meters seperate her from this Psychic Master. Huh, from so close he's looking even more awe-inducing - a little creepy even. Just a little... Three faces...!

Taking a deep breath and working up all her courage, she eventually speaks up, slowly, quietly and coyly, but her voice nevertheless being clear. "H... Hello, dweller of this island, known to me as 'Delta Machamp' - my name is Shiva, and I'm utterly sorry for having to disturb your meditation on this day. I mean no harm - in fact, do you perhaps know why I came here? Do you...have visitors often?"

[Iron]

W-whaaaaaaaaaaa!! Calling Shiva 'impressed' upon noticing the small island would be a blatant and rude understatement, it's more like 'totally and overly thrilled to bits and completely taken aback by the scenery having caught her eyes'. In her whole journey through Chreshire, she hasn't come across a Pokemon that radiates sheer volition and psychic power like this Machamp sitting atop the rock at the center of this place. Shiva has come to the right place - that much she's certain about.


She carefully and a quietly as possible lands on the edge of the island, scared that a single wrong movement of hers will disturb this special Pokemon's meditation. Tropius and Raphael notice the tension Shiva's feelings and adapt by falling into a respectful silence until Shiva recalls them both into their Pokeballs. This only leaves her behind - and the ancient Shield, which she slowly raises to protect herself from suprise-attacks of the countless Bug-, Ghost-, Dark- and believed Fairy Types.

Shiva's knees are like butter, but nevertheless she eventually dares to move a little closer, take a tiny tiny step in direction Delta Machamp himself. She's worried too, worried that said Pokemon around could and would attack her, so she coyly glances around. In case they do, her Shield will protect her. In case nothing gets into her way, Shiva takes another small step, then another, and another, until only a few meters seperate her from this Psychic Master. Huh, from so close he's looking even more awe-inducing - a little creepy even. Just a little... Three faces...!

Taking a deep breath and working up all her courage, she eventually speaks up, slowly, quietly and coyly, but her voice nevertheless being clear. "H... Hello, dweller of this island, known to me as 'Delta Machamp' - my name is Shiva, and I'm utterly sorry for having to disturb your meditation on this day. I mean no harm - in fact, do you perhaps know why I came here? Do you...have visitors often?"

It shakes its head to both questions. This Pokemon doesn't seem capable of speech. It doesn't seem bothered, though - just calm and stoic.

[Spiritmon]

@Iron
First, Heart take the Tao Amulet in the meeting with Mallorn. 

Heart also choose as instrument a flute. Heart also choose Hidden Power as his TM choice, to simbolize his awaken potential in his journey.

As Holographic Card...I choose one with the image of Heart and Rose in his first Gym Battle, when they battle against Dagny. The day where Rose became Infernape for the first time.

Data of Bibarel and those four Unow please?

Heart also takes the Ash. He grabbed the other Legendary Dog items, to guard as memory. He also put the bag that Ancient Daggers.

Along with those fan letters to read later!

Around the description of the six types of forces Heart see, he thinks for a few minutes. "When you say about six forces of Earthpower, you mean six types of Pokemon I see correct? Since Pokemon have a deeper connection to Earthpower, each type could be translated as a manifestation of Earthpower. If that's the answer for the first question, then the answer is:"

1 - Rock
2 - Ice
3 - Electric
4 - Ground
5 - Fighting
6 - Flying

"But if the true answer is the terrains we see, then the six would be:"

1 - Cliffs
2 - Ravines
3 - Clean Mountain tarns (don't know what tarns mean IRL)
4 - Mini-mountain-peak made of Geodude, Graveler and Roggenrola
5 Mountains
6 - The Sky where the flying Pokemon fly above

"Now, about it's four uses? Hmm….I suppose it would be:"

1 - Connect with others and live in peace, just like those Machop and Murkrow.
2 - Defend those who can't defend themselves, like Rose protect me from the dangers I could not face.
3 - To sharp the survival instincts to make us survive the danger, but have a determination with a set goal, who in my case was to get back my Pokemon friends.
4 - And finally, to have insight to notice all these aspects of Earthpower and his uses.

Heart then finish speak. "I noticed these things, and take my own insight from the situation on hand. Sorry if by chance it was not the answer I suppose to your puzzle, but it the one I had on hand at the moment. I not exactly the most bright person around charades and puzzles."

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Keni: "Fine. One more card. Then I'm done." Keni seems a little grumpy about this, but he'll have it done in 2 days.

Mallorn: "Keldeo, boss, Keldeo! What an amazing Pokemon! The fleetest and cutest equine Pokemon of all! I'd love to be a mentor for it, teaching it all about humanity and what we've built! It can be found visiting its brothers, but we don't know much about Virizion, Cobalion, and Terrakion (any relation?). We know Sarimanok had one of them in his service, and the others were somewhat divided about the idea. You see, Sarimanok was known for breaking up old Trios and forming new ones out of the best of the best. For example, he'd never own both a Shelmet and Karrablast, or a Nidoqueen and Nidoqueen, and his living chess set didn't have a single Pawniard on either side. Perhaps the same was true for Legendaries."
Cress City is receiving a bit of League attention, but the destruction was at least fairly localized there. Not like Teazel Valley/Elanor.
Tanuki: "Oh, there's always work we can do. If you loan me Dunseraph, our two sky serpents could have all this rubble cleared away in no time. : ) Or if you prefer something simpler, you could whip up a big pot of soup or chili for those who are still displaced and for the workers who aren't taking many breaks and can use something nourishing."

The Kimono Girls will be putting on their usual performances, undaunted by the destruction, as they've done for hundreds of years. Terra's celebrity status would definitely improve turnout and make the collections basket fill more quickly. They welcome Terra to do a meet and greet or even a performance battle.

Jerry definitely wants to come along. He'd love to have his own office and maybe pool his funds with yours in the future.
"Hey man, this is a reminder that we should have a nice outdoor area. Not for the you-know-what, but for more harmless Pokemon. Like you always see at a Professor's lab."

The master artist's attitude would obviously concern the sagely monk, and he'd ask what's wrong or bothering them. He considers them at least a person he strongly looks up to, so leaving them in a funk isn't an option for him if he can do something about.

(...)

"*Nods and smiles* Yes, it is. Mighty warrior and protector of Pokemon too. Very.....respectable horse. Want to meet it someday, to...give my thanks and pay homage to it. If meet with, will also try to.....convince it to see you too, if I can. *Nods* Promise. Thank you for telling me about them, its kin, and King Sari , Professor."

(...) 

Terra's perfectly fine with lending the services of Angie to assist in reconstruction (Though he ask her [Angie] if she's okay with it first) and with whipping up some scrumptious grub for the workers, as until he gets started with his lab in Stair he got nothing pressing demanding his time attention that he can't be so generous and helpful! If you need it, Terra's Cooking Roll is INS (3) + Survival (5) + Science: Chemistry (5) .

Yeap, the rugged wanderer would gladly avail himself to the Kimono Girls by doing a Performance Battle with them to drum up hype/attention, using Sari the FABULOUSLY Shiny Slowking as his contestant of choice! Reasons for doing so are threefold: the more spectacular and magnificent their chosen partners are, the more buzz and fervor he and the Kimono Girls will generate with their performance, he thinks his resplendent ruler herself will love getting adoration/fame/the spotlight and the chance to show off her greatness (Ergo facilitating her bond towards Terra), and simply because he wanted the Kimono Girls themselves to see another stunning Pokemon from him, since they liked and appreciated seeing Lovely so much the last time he showed off on stage.

As for the Performance Battle itself.....well, I'm not entirely sure about that, as Terra/his Pokemon are so mighty by now any Non-Super Challenging Fighter would just end up folding to them ASAP, and therefore lead to an automatic battle. I'm fine if the Performance Battle is automated in that case, but I'm also equally fine if we actually duke it out artfully as possible (In which case, I can have Terra hold back with Sari's Attack - or try to, at any rate).

Finally in Cress City (for now), he'd welcome Jerry to hitch a ride with him on Angie to FLY on over to Stair, and go check out that Lab he got and get to setting it up with their and his assistants to their liking and specifications! Jerry's suggestion is also well received by Terra, who gives them a swift nod followed by him stroking his beard in thought on how to go about that. 

"Got it. Hmm....if we have enough space outside lab, can set up good....general terrain and environment for all kinds of Pokemon. Add some equipment and toys too, to keep them well-trained and entertained. Not have that space....maybe a fenced off rooftop garden area, with lots of bushes, flowers, Berries, and sand or mud pits? What do you think? Of both ideas? Have any ideas yourself?"

Well, if the assistants are already there at the lab, that is - if not, they'd get called to meet up with them and get things started ASAP. In any case, he doesn't have much to say in the way of grand speeches or giving primary mission/research objectives to his staff yet, as he want to save that for later when his lab is fully prepped and ready to function in full capacity and he get all the NDAs signed by everyone (and dismissing those that refuse to). Except for Jerry, since they're technically senior consultant/researcher that gets special privileges for being an early backer and his role in helping save Cheshire via his Tutoring and handing over their Mega Stone for the fight against DEOXYS PRIME'S forces. Speaking of which, does he want his Mega Stone back, now that the danger has been thoroughly squashed?

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

It shakes its head to both questions. This Pokemon doesn't seem capable of speech. It doesn't seem bothered, though - just calm and stoic.

Ah... Shiva's glad that this very special Machamp doesn't appear to be harmful, sensing this calmness he is radiating does calm her in return. Her expression and body language relax a little, it feels like some weight has been lifted from her heart, her knees are still weak though. This Machamp - Shiva obviously holds a lot of respect for him.

"I... I see", she quietly speaks up and smiles a little, "Well, I came her because I am looking for someone who can help me with something, and in this small quest of mine I've been sent to nonelse but you, dignified Delta Machamp. And so... I took a flight to your island..." Shiva respectfully bows to him before voicing her request: "Please allow me to tell and ask, are you able to teach two treasured Pokemon of mine a move that's dormant within their spirit, a move making use of the psychic power they are possessing and controlling, are you capable of teaching those two a technique that'll grant them an advantage against their foes and the dangers around? I... I'll reward and repay you of course, I will do so in whatever way you wish, you just have to let me know... I've got money, but what shall a Pokemon do with coins; I've got qualitative Pokemon Food with me; I've got treasures I'd be willing to part with; I'll run errands for you - Please, extraordinaire and unique Machamp!" Shiva remains bowed down until he 'answers', awaiting his non-verbal response with tension almost paralyzing her.