[Game Thread] Pokerole: Mount Coronet Mystery

[Dragonstrike]

"Ack!  Hey, what the hell!?  Watch where you're swinging that thing, Kogeki, geez..."

Lucas rubs his slightly bruised jaw, trying to ease the pain as Kogeki apologizes.  "...look, it's fine, just...watch what you're doing in the future, alright?"

He shakes his head in response to the Grassy Terrain request.  "Would if I could, but you know how it is.  Pokemon can't really use their buffing moves to their full effectiveness outside of battle.  The effects just don't linger long enough."  (Every trainer can have 1 HP of healing from the Grassy Terrain used during the D-Steelix battle, though).

"As for where everyone else is, Paula's sitting over by Turk over there.  She's been super antsy since we got away.  Had to tell her to give ya some space."  He points behind him, where Paula is leaning up against Turk's shell, anxiously fidgeting.  The turtle's watching over Heracross and Hazel too, though Hazel is unconscious and Heracross doesn't seem very concerned.  "Sally's resting right now in her pokeball.  I've got a few stern words for her myself, but...honestly, if she hadn't taken that risk, that fight might not have ended that quickly, and I don't want to imagine how much worse that situation might have been if she hadn't ended the battle right then."

"And Steelix, as best as we can tell, is buried underneath tons and tons of heavy rock and burning coal.  Don't think it'll stay there forever, of course, but I think it's safe to say the danger's passed.  We had to flee through several long corridors before finding another room where we could rest that wasn't collapsing in on itself due to the seismic activity.  Still in the mine, though.  Hasn't been that long since the battle.  Maybe an hour or so?  Always hard to tell when you're this deep underground."

Byron winces and readjusts his posture, planting the head of his shovel in the ground for stability, trying to get comfortable.  He then looks Randolph straight in the eye and gets to his own no nonsense questons. "Now then, if you don't mind me asking, aren't you one of the foremen here?  I thought I told you to get the heck out of here when I showed up to deal with that Arceus damned Onix that was causing trouble.  Not that I don't appreciate the help, but why the hell did you stick around, and how the hell did you find help so quickly?  Your friends definitely don't look like miners, after all."

As  Byon's asking these questions, Randolph gets his first real chance to really look at the Gym Leader in detail.  He looks...younger.  Noticeably younger, in fact.  Fewer wrinkles, taller stance...and that posture as well...it reminds Randolph of how Byron looked when he stumbled out of the Oreburgh Mine after the incident all those years ago, hurt, but still able to do his job...

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Well, I was talking about the items at the bottom of the lake.  From what I can tell, they look to be rather...smooth.  And rectangular.  It'll be rather difficult to hook them with a fishing pole.  It wouldn't be any trouble for me to get them for you.

????? Kee gives precious Milotic a mildly confused and somewhat odd look as gazes from the surface of the lake into their beautiful face. σ(￣、￣〃) "Ya're sayin' there's CURIOUS STUFF down at the ground of this lake?" He concentrates as he deeply looks into the lake, but then has to shake his head. "Can't see anythin' unfortunately, the lake's so murky...." But with a bright, charming and thankful smile he quickly adds "Oh well then, well then~~ I'd be honoured 'n thankful if ya could indeed fish whatever nice loot's layin' 'round down there, yes please!~" ♡(◕‿◕ )

Karen lets Drampa look at the scale, and he's curious simply because it's...well, a Dragon Scale.  Beyond that, though, he doesn't seem to be particularly interested in it in any way, treating it merely as a normal shed scale.  Not much out of the ordinary there for a Dragon.  Karen thinks about what that might mean carefully.  "Hmmmm...do you think that means that Drampa wouldn't benefit much from holding it?"

Huh... That's pretty interesting, Kee would have thought - has been almost sure! - that his dear old man of a dragon would kinda enjoy and rejoice over this scale, now he (Kee) gives him (Orpheus) a curious glance, thanks him for his insight with words and another cuddle, then lets him enjoy a bit of a break and freetime outside his Ball as well until they'll all move on.

Towards Karen's mindful words, Kee scratches his head in thought. "Well, yes and no... No, but actually yes. Such scales are usually used to 'volve a Kingdra, not much other use b'sides that is known. BUT me too feels that this scale from that Dragonair - your Dragonair now - is more th'n that, it most likely is. Well, or it only benefitc Dragonair 'EMSELVES? Ya could let 'em hold that scale and observe whether things are d'fferent when they're holdin' 'n not holdin' it, can ya?"

Rui doesn't say much when called over, just nods and quietly walks over.  She walks over to the edge of the water and sits by it with Espeon.  She absentmindedly pets the purple eeveelution as she quietly looks over the water and thinks about everything that's happened so far...

That's by far better than sitting there in the background in silence like an useless NPC, Kee just wouldn't want to see Rui like that. He gives her a timid but honest smile as she takes her place by the lakeshore and quietly reflects over things, he lets her have her peace and alone time to sort her thoughts a little.

Octavia glances over to Espeon with hanging ears, whines a little, then slowly and carefully approaches Espeon to gently nudge her with the tip of a ribbon of hers: It's her way to ask "You're okay?"

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

????? Kee gives precious Milotic a mildly confused and somewhat odd look as gazes from the surface of the lake into their beautiful face. σ(￣、￣〃) "Ya're sayin' there's CURIOUS STUFF down at the ground of this lake?" He concentrates as he deeply looks into the lake, but then has to shake his head. "Can't see anythin' unfortunately, the lake's so murky...." But with a bright, charming and thankful smile he quickly adds "Oh well then, well then~~ I'd be honoured 'n thankful if ya could indeed fish whatever nice loot's layin' 'round down there, yes please!~" ♡(◕‿◕ )

Karen lets Drampa look at the scale, and he's curious simply because it's...well, a Dragon Scale.  Beyond that, though, he doesn't seem to be particularly interested in it in any way, treating it merely as a normal shed scale.  Not much out of the ordinary there for a Dragon.  Karen thinks about what that might mean carefully.  "Hmmmm...do you think that means that Drampa wouldn't benefit much from holding it?"

Huh... That's pretty interesting, Kee would have thought - has been almost sure! - that his dear old man of a dragon would kinda enjoy and rejoice over this scale, now he (Kee) gives him (Orpheus) a curious glance, thanks him for his insight with words and another cuddle, then lets him enjoy a bit of a break and freetime outside his Ball as well until they'll all move on.

Towards Karen's mindful words, Kee scratches his head in thought. "Well, yes and no... No, but actually yes. Such scales are usually used to 'volve a Kingdra, not much other use b'sides that is known. BUT me too feels that this scale from that Dragonair - your Dragonair now - is more th'n that, it most likely is. Well, or it only benefitc Dragonair 'EMSELVES? Ya could let 'em hold that scale and observe whether things are d'fferent when they're holdin' 'n not holdin' it, can ya?"

Rui doesn't say much when called over, just nods and quietly walks over.  She walks over to the edge of the water and sits by it with Espeon.  She absentmindedly pets the purple eeveelution as she quietly looks over the water and thinks about everything that's happened so far...

That's by far better than sitting there in the background in silence like an useless NPC, Kee just wouldn't want to see Rui like that. He gives her a timid but honest smile as she takes her place by the lakeshore and quietly reflects over things, he lets her have her peace and alone time to sort her thoughts a little.

Octavia glances over to Espeon with hanging ears, whines a little, then slowly and carefully approaches Espeon to gently nudge her with the tip of a ribbon of hers: It's her way to ask "You're okay?"

"Well, it's going to be hard to tell what's special for now for now, I guess, since Dragonair's unconscious and all."

Milotic mentally chuckles again, this time at Kee's lack of perception.  Take a closer look.  You see that sparkle when your light passes over that part of the water?  I honestly thought it was rather difficult to miss.  First thing I noticed after the battle, and I'm fairly certain it's been here the entire time.  Give me a moment.

Milotic Dives down to retrieve the items.  Meanwhile, Octavia goes over to Espeon to ask if the male eeveelution is okay.

Espeon, being highly dutiful and used to these kinds of situations, simply gives Octavia a brief nod.  He then turns to give Rui a mildly concerned look as she continues to absentmindedly stroke him.

Karen, noticing this, walks over and sits down next to Rui.  She hugs her legs as she converses with the redhead.  "Are you okay, Rui?"

Rui sighs as she looks over the water.  "...I don't know...I still don't remember anything before waking up in this mountain...who I am, what I was doing, why I can see those black auras...it's all just...one big blank.  Espeon's my only clue regarding my past, and I don't even know how much of what they 'said' I should believe..."

Rui looks at Karen, sad and uncertain.  "Do you think we're close to the top yet?  Do you...think I'll get my memories back before this is all over?"

Karen returns Rui's look, but does her best to remain positive.  "I don't know...but we aren't going to find out until we get there!  Don't let it worry you too much, okay?"

Rui looks back over the water, still uncertain.  "I guess...*sigh*...you guys just all seem to know what you're doing and why you're here, though.  At least, more than I do..."

It's then that Milotic returns with the items from the bottom of the lake.  Pardon the interruption, but I think you'll all want to see these. She deposits two rectangular slabs on the shore in front of everyone.



Kee feels particularly drawn by the dark purple one.  Karen takes notice of them soon after as well.  "What do you have there, Milotic?  Wait...those looks really similar to the item Randolph got from that rich guy...except they're different colors..."

Karen's eyes seem to be drawn to the more pinkish colored plate in particular.  "Do you guys mind if I take a closer look at that pink one?"

[Spiritmon]

"And those Onix? Where they are? They get away somehow?"

[Dragonstrike]

"And those Onix? Where they are? They get away somehow?"

"Haven't seen any sign of them since the battle.  Assuming they fled.  They certainly seemed like they were able to Dig quite quickly."

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"Ack!  Hey, what the hell!?  Watch where you're swinging that thing, Kogeki, geez..."

Lucas rubs his slightly bruised jaw, trying to ease the pain as Kogeki apologizes.  "...look, it's fine, just...watch what you're doing in the future, alright?"

He shakes his head in response to the Grassy Terrain request.  "Would if I could, but you know how it is.  Pokemon can't really use their buffing moves to their full effectiveness outside of battle.  The effects just don't linger long enough."  (Every trainer can have 1 HP of healing from the Grassy Terrain used during the D-Steelix battle, though).

"As for where everyone else is, Paula's sitting over by Turk over there.  She's been super antsy since we got away.  Had to tell her to give ya some space."  He points behind him, where Paula is leaning up against Turk's shell, anxiously fidgeting.  The turtle's watching over Heracross and Hazel too, though Hazel is unconscious and Heracross doesn't seem very concerned.  "Sally's resting right now in her pokeball.  I've got a few stern words for her myself, but...honestly, if she hadn't taken that risk, that fight might not have ended that quickly, and I don't want to imagine how much worse that situation might have been if she hadn't ended the battle right then."

"And Steelix, as best as we can tell, is buried underneath tons and tons of heavy rock and burning coal.  Don't think it'll stay there forever, of course, but I think it's safe to say the danger's passed.  We had to flee through several long corridors before finding another room where we could rest that wasn't collapsing in on itself due to the seismic activity.  Still in the mine, though.  Hasn't been that long since the battle.  Maybe an hour or so?  Always hard to tell when you're this deep underground."

Byron winces and readjusts his posture, planting the head of his shovel in the ground for stability, trying to get comfortable.  He then looks Randolph straight in the eye and gets to his own no nonsense questons. "Now then, if you don't mind me asking, aren't you one of the foremen here?  I thought I told you to get the heck out of here when I showed up to deal with that Arceus damned Onix that was causing trouble.  Not that I don't appreciate the help, but why the hell did you stick around, and how the hell did you find help so quickly?  Your friends definitely don't look like miners, after all."

As  Byon's asking these questions, Randolph gets his first real chance to really look at the Gym Leader in detail.  He looks...younger.  Noticeably younger, in fact.  Fewer wrinkles, taller stance...and that posture as well...it reminds Randolph of how Byron looked when he stumbled out of the Oreburgh Mine after the incident all those years ago, hurt, but still able to do his job...

The cyborg ninja's punch (Whenever it occured) is quick to earn a double take from the dwarven craftsman and a quick "What?!" , but their (Kogeki's) subsequent apology and explanation earns him a rare sympathetic look and nod from him. "Ah, that's.....understandable." Ran doesn't really have much more to say about the impromptu 'Bullet Punch', as he doesn't want to make things even more awkward and uncomfortable for Kogeki. He very well knows how heavily such traumatic events can weigh on someone....

Ran *Tsks* at Lucas soft denial to his request, shaking his head and looking down with a pained scowl. "Thought you of all people could find a work around to that, but that was wishful thinking in the end. *Sighs* Can't ya get that undine of yours to heal Kogeki's Pokemon? I know they're capable of doing that at least, unless the Fight against that monster took too much out of them."

(Speaking of healing, Spiritmon, doesn't Kogeki have a Heal Pulse/ Pokemon with Healing Moves? Might be a good way to help everyone out by dolling out some sweet, sweet recovery)

He gaze darts over when the boy hero indicated, and let out a deep heavy *Sigh of relief to see that his siren queen was mostly alright, before looking back to them and nodding.

"Thank you, lad. Was worried I didn't see the cuddle bug hovering near me. I'll talk with her later after we sort out everything from that battle."

"....*Sighs* Agree with ya completely, but that doesn't stop me from being concerned about the pup for being so goddamn hotblooded. Results matter, but the reasons or methods don't have to good or go without reprimend. *Shakes head*.  I'll just let you handle her, but tell the lass I'll be sharing this incident with her father later unless she can convince me otherwise. He'll certainly be thrilled to hear how his daughter's fairing, I'll tell ya."

Alman's first response causes another scowl to appear, before it disappeared as he *Sighed* and nodded to them. He really want to make true on his promise and take a few chunks out of that monster for all the hell it put everyone through, but it getting buried alive would have to do it for him. He's also rather......frustrated he could get his hands on that Coal Onix, but he didn't show it beyond briefly clenching his fists at that thought. No need to take his personal vendetta on anyone besides the target of it. That, and he's too tired and in Pain to really get properly angry.

The Gym Leader's next question gets them a taken aback double take, as that was not a question he was expecting from his best friend....before he recalled how they reacted to him coming to their defense from Diamond Steelix. Randolph's eyes then narrowed in thoughtfulness, his gaze turned critical as it roamed all over Byron and took in all his details, the sum of which shocked him too. Byron....he looked younger. In his prime, even, from what he could recall about his old, long time friend. How is that possible....

Everything then clicked for the midget miner. Byron's youth, their surprise and lack of recognition with him, his more serious personality, coupled with the Tarous shit supernatural mystery force warping reality and dragging anyone from anywhere and anywhen in all realities. It all added up to one simple yet complicated as hell answer that had Randolph smacking his hand to his face and let out a long, pained groan.

"Oh Legends damn it all, it got ya too and dragged you into this present scrap heap of a mess. How much w - no, doubt jinx things, Wolfe. It always can get worse, as it just did."

He mumbles that to himself, shaking his head in purest consternation at the events and reality before him, until he let out a *Sigh* heavier than Turk (no offense to him meant!) and turned to look at his best....well, yet to be best friend with a tired, grave, yet apologetic look as he answered them.

"....No, I don't. Yes, I was a foreman, and yes, you did tell me to skedaddle like the mine was on fire. At least, from my perspective. Byron, you might want to sit down, 'cause I got long and wild story that'll answer you're questions, but leave ya with exponentially more.

Ran then proceed to explain how he got to them with his partners, his whole job here at Mt. Coronet and the whole mess plaguing it, and his adventures and observations thereof. Simply put....

"*Sighs*....To sum things up, me and my partners are currently stuck in this Mystery Dungeon Mt. Coronet has been turned into, trying to get to the top and sort out whatever is behind it to get things back to the status quo, and it seems either you and those monsters were abuducted by that cosmic disaster like a couple of our allies were into the future from your perspective, my group and I ended up traveling back in time and ended up meeting with you, or some combination of Tauros shit events. To put it even simpler, blame something fucking with Palkia and/or Dialga for this meeting, here and now."

*Sighs Again*

"You probably are skeptical of the crock of nonsense I just tried to sell ya, but just ask my partners and they'll confirm what I said, no matter how much I wish everything I just told ya was just the mad whimsy of the wickedest Fairies. I got physical proof too (The Azure Flute), if you want to see it for yourself."

*Sighs for the Nth Time and shakes his head, mumbling to himself*

"Goddamns it all, why did it have to involved you, Alman. You don't deserve this, no one deserves this...."

[Spiritmon]

"Dang it. Shame we didn't get the chance in capture one. They look very much powerful. Any idea where to go from here? Also Byron...what is the last thing you remember before meet us?"

[Dragonstrike]

"Melissa can heal up to 6 pokemon at once, yeah.  It takes a lot out of her, though, so I try to avoid asking her to do so more than once every few days unless it's absolutely necessary.  I was mostly waiting for you guys to wake up so we could make sure we have our priorities straight regarding who needs the healing the most."

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

Kogeki's question to Byron about his memory slightly offends him, actually.  "Why the hell are you acting like I'm some sort of amnesiac or something?  I remember everything perfectly clear, and I know how I ended up here.  Got an emergency call from the Oreburgh Mine about a black Onix causing havoc.  Called for everyone to drop what they were doing and get out while I dealt with it.  Found more than I was bargaining for, though, as you saw."

Understandably, Byron looks rather confused at Randolph's response to his questions at first, but he patiently listens as the former foreman explains everything that's happened to the Gym Leader.

By the end of it, Byron certainly has more questions than answers.  He brings a hand up to his forehead to try and stave off a headache as he processes the information he's been given.  Lucas, meanwhile, looks surprised himself when Randolph presents the Azure Flute as proof.  The Champ doesn't say anything about it right away, though, as there's more pressing issues currently.  Like past Byron finally responding to that massive info dump.  "...so you're telling me that something is wrong at Spear Pillar, it's twisting Time and Space, people caught up in it have no idea how they got there, and you're all from the future?  By the Steel Titan, what in the blazes have I gotten involved in...?"

He sighs, then stands up, leaning on his shovel for support on the side with his injured leg.  "Well, no use crying over dented Steel.  If it's all the same to you, I'd prefer to get out of here before I end up somewhere I shouldn't be, or something else out of the ordinary occurs.  I did what I came here to do, thanks to all of you, and I don't see any reason to stick around longer than necessary.  I honestly haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary with the mine beyond those Onix and Steelix, so I doubt the layout of the mine has changed all that much.  I should be able to find my own way out, I reckon."

"As for our next move, I did some scouting around, and as far as I can tell, we're in the Oreburgh Mine, just like Byron says.  Layout doesn't look that different to me either, aside from where we entered.  We should probably keep looking for the stairs, though I doubt they'll be in these coal mines, honestly.  It all looks like familiar territory."

"Bah.  Guess I'll have to close the mine for a week or so while we 'clear out the rubble' and 'ensure it's safe for further operations'.  Perfect.  At least I can probably get the hell out of here to do just that."

"That would probably be for the best, yeah.  Maybe don't mention the Diamond Steelix and us, either."

"Wasn't planning on it.  Don't want to bring any attention to this little crisis before it's even begun, or get any hotshot trainers like that hotheaded Cynthia I faced the other day visiting thinking they can capture that gem of a Steelix.  I'll just fudge the truth a little, say there was only one Onix and that I drove it off.  Well, if you'll excuse me, I need to be taking my leave so I can run damage control."

Byron turns to walk off, but he doesn't get very far before the ground begins to tremble!  He stumbles and catches himself on his shovel before he falls over!  "What in the blazes of Heatran...?!"

Emerging from the ground in an unoccupied corner of the room is an all too familiar shape to Randolph.  The dark black hide, the large, chipped horn...there's no mistaking it.  It's the Coal Onix that Randolph has been seeking vengeance against all these years.  It's clearly still hurt badly from the earlier battle, though, so why is it here?

It stares long and hard at Randolph and company for what feels like an eternity.  Lucas silently motions to Turk to be on guard.  Paula and Heracross tense up as they prepare for Round 2 with the snake, no matter how short lived that fight may be.  Byron reaches for a pokeball on his belt...

But then the Coal Onix does something unexpected.  The end of its tail pops out of the ground, curled around something.  It deposits whatever it is it in front of itself, gives Randolph and Kogeki a thankful nod of respect...

...then it burrows underground and out of sight, leaving behind two items.

The first, a blue, rectangular slab that Randolph can identify as a Splash Plate.  Kogeki's gaze is immediately drawn to it.



The second, a pitch black, egg shaped item decorated with what looks like sparkling diamond dust.

The mine becomes completely silent once again as those two items lay there on the ground, left as gifts by the Coal Onix...

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"Melissa can heal up to 6 pokemon at once, yeah.  It takes a lot out of her, though, so I try to avoid asking her to do so more than once every few days unless it's absolutely necessary.  I was mostly waiting for you guys to wake up so we could make sure we have our priorities straight regarding who needs the healing the most."

"Hmm, that so? *Sighs* Well, guess me and Paula can do without the undine's healing, then. Nurses will take care of my big girl, and she deserves after nearly being made into a fish patty twice by that goddamn monster. Focus on healing Kogeki's, you, and both your Pokemon, alright?"
-----------------------------------

Kogeki's question to Byron about his memory slightly offends him, actually.  "Why the hell are you acting like I'm some sort of amnesiac or something?  I remember everything perfectly clear, and I know how I ended up here.  Got an emergency call from the Oreburgh Mine about a black Onix causing havoc.  Called for everyone to drop what they were doing and get out while I dealt with it.  Found more than I was bargaining for, though, as you saw."

Understandably, Byron looks rather confused at Randolph's response to his questions at first, but he patiently listens as the former foreman explains everything that's happened to the Gym Leader.

By the end of it, Byron certainly has more questions than answers.  He brings a hand up to his forehead to try and stave off a headache as he processes the information he's been given.  Lucas, meanwhile, looks surprised himself when Randolph lresents the Azure Flute as proof.  The Champ doesn't say anything about it right away, though, as there's more pressing issues currently.  Like past Byron finally responding to that massive info dump.  "...so you're telling me that something is wrong at Spear Pillar, it's twisting Time and Space, people caught up in it have no idea how they got there, and you're all from the future?  By the Steel Titan, what in the blazes have I gotten involved in...?"

He sighs, then stands up, leaning on his shovel for support on the side with his injured leg.  "Well, no use crying over dented Steel.  If it's all the same to you, I'd prefer to get out of here before I end up somewhere I shouldn't be, or something else out of the ordinary occurs.  I did what I came here to do, thanks to all of you, and I don't see any reason to stick around longer than necessary.  I honestly haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary with the mine beyond those Onix and Steelix, so I doubt the layout of the mine has changed all that much.  I should be able to find my own way out, I reckon."

"As for our next move, I did some scouting around, and as far as I can tell, we're in the Oreburgh Mine, just like Byron says.  Layout doesn't look that different to me either, aside from where we entered.  We should probably keep looking for the stairs, though I doubt they'll be in these coal mines, honestly.  It all looks like familiar territory."

"Bah.  Guess I'll have to close the mine for a week or so while we 'clear out the rubble' and 'ensure it's safe for further operations'.  Perfect.  At least I can probably get the hell out of here to do just that."

"That would probably be for the best, yeah.  Maybe don't mention the Diamond Steelix and us, either."

"Wasn't planning on it.  Don't want to bring any attention to this little crisis before it's even begun, or get any hotshot trainers like that hotheaded Cynthia I faced the other day visiting thinking they can capture that gem of a Steelix.  I'll just fudge the truth a little, say there was only one Onix and that I drove it off.  Well, if you'll excuse me, I need to be taking my leave so I can run damage control."

Byron turns to walk off, but he doesn't get very far before the ground begins to tremble!  He stumbles and catches himself on his shovel before he falls over!  "What in the blazes of Heatran...?!"

Emerging from the ground in an unoccupied corner of the room is an all too familiar shape to Randolph.  The dark black hide, the large, chipped horn...there's no mistaking it.  It's the Coal Onix that Randolph has been seeking vengeance against all these years.  It's clearly still hurt badly from the earlier battle, though, so why is it here?

It stares long and hard at Randolph and company for what feels like an eternity.  Lucas silently motions to Turk to be on guard.  Paula and Heracross tense up as they prepare for Round 2 with the snake, no matter how short lived that fight may be.  Byron reaches for a pokeball on his belt...

But then the Coal Onix does something unexpected.  The end of its tail pops out of the ground, curled around something.  It deposits whatever it is it in front of itself, gives Randolph and Kogeki a thankful nod of respect...

...then it burrows underground and out of sight, leaving behind two items.

The first, a blue, rectangular slab that Randolph can identify as a Splash Plate.  Kogeki's gaze is immediately drawn to it.



The second, a pitch black, egg shaped item decorated with what looks like sparkling diamond dust.

The mine becomes completely silent once again as those two items lay there on the ground, left as gifts by the Coal Onix...

Well, if that snappy reply doesn't confirm this Bryon is from the past, then he'll eat his hardhat! It also 'nicely' lines up to what he remembered happening during that crisis , giving him a frame of reference of exactly when his best friend came from.

Ran takes note of Lucas' surprise over 'his' Azure Flute, but like The Champ he doesn't bring it up with them, saving that curiosity for later and comforting Alman about the completely, utterly, yet horribly true Rapidash plop he just force feed them. Oh yes, he very well understood and sympathized with their frustration about being a part of that mess, no matter how tangentially or incidentally.

"Yes, yes and yes, sorry as I am to say. Like I said before, you don't deserve to be caught up in this bloody fiasco - no one does - but if its any comfort you're handling it better than most. Including myself, when I started figuring out the sort of job I was persuaded to joining."

The dwarven craftsmith nods understandingly and in approval at his past - future - best friend period desire to get the hell out of this mess, something he wised was an option for him but wasn't, couldn't.

"Right, and that's all right by me. Perfectly logic and reasonable for anyone not being involved in this molten hot mess of a job, let alone you Bryon. *Sighs* Not sure if you can get out of this Mystery Dungeon so easy, though. Usually if you end up in one, you're stuck in it like a old rusted nut on small thread, or at least that what Scizors 'told' us. The Explorer Badge he gave us might get ya out of these mines, though, but I'm not sure if it would transport ya outside the mines in your time, or outside Mt. Coronet in my time. *Pinches nose* Goddamn it, what to do...."

Ran has zero qualms about this incident being kept in confidence between everyone present here, as the less people know about what truly took place in Orebourgh Mines on that dark, the better for all involved in it. When Byron was about to leave (whichever way he choose), though, the midget miner would briefly stop him , looking at his best friend with a quiet, solemn expression.

"....You should probably already know this or will, but my past self.....he didn't take what happened well. Not at all. It....hurt him, badly. Blames.....blamed himself the whole disaster for not acting quick enough to save his men. So much so he personally told families the news himself and quit his job out of....shame and guilt, and moved to Canaclave. To get away from it, and start again. *Looks down* But....it'll eat at him forever, and he'll have no one to help him through it all. *Looks back up at Byron* It's....not my place to ask ya this, Byron, but......could you look after my past self? Help him recover and cope, and be a good friend to him? He'll be a right moppy and mean bastard with a whole loaded minecart of issue, but beneath it all he's a real gem. *Snorts* Or will be, someday, in my impartial opinion. So....could you help him, Alman?"



That Coal Onix's aburpt reappearance caused him to go still and collapse from, paling as he stared eye to eye with the pitch black behemoth, all his old trauma rearing its ugly hand with full force. Now that he or his partners/best friend weren't in a life or death battle and him beaten up like a mistreated stress ball, Randolph was more susceptible than ever to the terror and paralysis he felt every time he recalled it. Here he was, worn out, tired, and defenseless against the Pokemon that ruined his life and took so many, many more. What could he do? What would it do?

As it turned out, give the group gifts and its gratitude for beating it near senseless, apparently. That shocked him to his core, so much so he could only vacantly stare after it retreated, looking so lost and confused as to what in all the heavens and hells just happened. Why did that....that monster thank and respect them, him, for what they did, after what [b]it did. It....it didn't make sense at all, unless, unless.....

Needless to say, Randolph was....stuck, mentally speaking.

(....And that should give Spiritmon and you Dragonstrike time to react! This whole Encounter has been one fun, wild ride, and it hasn't disappointed me once so far!)[/b]

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

"Melissa can heal up to 6 pokemon at once, yeah.  It takes a lot out of her, though, so I try to avoid asking her to do so more than once every few days unless it's absolutely necessary.  I was mostly waiting for you guys to wake up so we could make sure we have our priorities straight regarding who needs the healing the most."

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

Kogeki's question to Byron about his memory slightly offends him, actually.  "Why the hell are you acting like I'm some sort of amnesiac or something?  I remember everything perfectly clear, and I know how I ended up here.  Got an emergency call from the Oreburgh Mine about a black Onix causing havoc.  Called for everyone to drop what they were doing and get out while I dealt with it.  Found more than I was bargaining for, though, as you saw."

Understandably, Byron looks rather confused at Randolph's response to his questions at first, but he patiently listens as the former foreman explains everything that's happened to the Gym Leader.

By the end of it, Byron certainly has more questions than answers.  He brings a hand up to his forehead to try and stave off a headache as he processes the information he's been given.  Lucas, meanwhile, looks surprised himself when Randolph lresents the Azure Flute as proof.  The Champ doesn't say anything about it right away, though, as there's more pressing issues currently.  Like past Byron finally responding to that massive info dump.  "...so you're telling me that something is wrong at Spear Pillar, it's twisting Time and Space, people caught up in it have no idea how they got there, and you're all from the future?  By the Steel Titan, what in the blazes have I gotten involved in...?"

He sighs, then stands up, leaning on his shovel for support on the side with his injured leg.  "Well, no use crying over dented Steel.  If it's all the same to you, I'd prefer to get out of here before I end up somewhere I shouldn't be, or something else out of the ordinary occurs.  I did what I came here to do, thanks to all of you, and I don't see any reason to stick around longer than necessary.  I honestly haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary with the mine beyond those Onix and Steelix, so I doubt the layout of the mine has changed all that much.  I should be able to find my own way out, I reckon."

"As for our next move, I did some scouting around, and as far as I can tell, we're in the Oreburgh Mine, just like Byron says.  Layout doesn't look that different to me either, aside from where we entered.  We should probably keep looking for the stairs, though I doubt they'll be in these coal mines, honestly.  It all looks like familiar territory."

"Bah.  Guess I'll have to close the mine for a week or so while we 'clear out the rubble' and 'ensure it's safe for further operations'.  Perfect.  At least I can probably get the hell out of here to do just that."

"That would probably be for the best, yeah.  Maybe don't mention the Diamond Steelix and us, either."

"Wasn't planning on it.  Don't want to bring any attention to this little crisis before it's even begun, or get any hotshot trainers like that hotheaded Cynthia I faced the other day visiting thinking they can capture that gem of a Steelix.  I'll just fudge the truth a little, say there was only one Onix and that I drove it off.  Well, if you'll excuse me, I need to be taking my leave so I can run damage control."

Byron turns to walk off, but he doesn't get very far before the ground begins to tremble!  He stumbles and catches himself on his shovel before he falls over!  "What in the blazes of Heatran...?!"

Emerging from the ground in an unoccupied corner of the room is an all too familiar shape to Randolph.  The dark black hide, the large, chipped horn...there's no mistaking it.  It's the Coal Onix that Randolph has been seeking vengeance against all these years.  It's clearly still hurt badly from the earlier battle, though, so why is it here?

It stares long and hard at Randolph and company for what feels like an eternity.  Lucas silently motions to Turk to be on guard.  Paula and Heracross tense up as they prepare for Round 2 with the snake, no matter how short lived that fight may be.  Byron reaches for a pokeball on his belt...

But then the Coal Onix does something unexpected.  The end of its tail pops out of the ground, curled around something.  It deposits whatever it is it in front of itself, gives Randolph and Kogeki a thankful nod of respect...

...then it burrows underground and out of sight, leaving behind two items.

The first, a blue, rectangular slab that Randolph can identify as a Splash Plate.  Kogeki's gaze is immediately drawn to it.



The second, a pitch black, egg shaped item decorated with what looks like sparkling diamond dust.

The mine becomes completely silent once again as those two items lay there on the ground, left as gifts by the Coal Onix...