The ALPH Team

Bugs. Fucking everywhere, BUGS. Circe growled to herself as she wiped the goo from her paw of a metapod. While she didn't know or care whether it was alive or not, it was gross, in the way, and actually something she could take care of herself. She frowned as she thought back to the male she'd conned into escorting her through the National Park -- a poor, dimwitted Stantler who thought he was buck enough to actually have a chance courting her. The suggestion was comical or vile -she didn't really know which- but he was useful enough to get her from Ecruteak to her present location. He frown deepened at the thought -- he'd gotten her stuck in a field of nothing but fucking bugs! Abandoning her by dying, she was now left to fend for herself... again.

She sighed, carefully making her way through the extremely tall and disgusting grass, knowing it hadn't been mowed or cared for in over a year. But maybe there was some civilization on the other side, somewhere with a clean bed and food good enough to eat still. "Yeah, right, girl. Get your head on straight."

However, something happened she did not expect. Her ears perked as she emerged out of the grass and into the entrance lined with fences and trees. Voices...? Trotting from cover to cover, she approached the gateway building, listening intently. "...Hello?" Hopefully, there'd be some dumb bastard that would take the Stantler what's-his-face's place...

Lalita sighed in relief at the consensus to go to Violet City. She was somewhat concerned that Shiro and Rune had gotten off somewhere, but she hoped wherever they were they were together. There was safety in numbers. After offering Clyde a soft smile, grateful he had done his best to explain what had happened to them back in Goldenrod, the lavender fox bent down and stretched to try and relieve herself of the stress built up that morning. She listened with a half ear as the others voiced their opinions of Violet, but at least they were all going.

Poor Calamity was stressing himself out by secluding himself from the others and Lalita felt sorry for the Absol. No one seemed to notice how far into the corner her had pushed himself as everyone started to relax once more so she felt the need to try and draw him back to the group. "Hey," she whispered on approach. "Why so shy all of a sudden?" Calamity jumped at the sudden invasion of his space, not really sure what the female wanted from him. Eying her carefully he chose his next words carefully. "Not shy. Just...observant."

"Oh, and um, has anyone been to Violet City before? All I know is that th-the gym has flying types and there's a sprout tower... I think i-it would be helpful if someone gave me and whoever else doesn't know the area a rundown..." Both the Absol and the Ninetales turned to acknowledge Champagne, but neither knew anything of the city they were going to. Lalita shook her head sadly and offered a soft no, but Calamity just shrugged.

Using the distraction to distant himself from the beauty before him he quickly moved from the corner and brushed passed the lavender tails to escape. Lalita felt a small sting at the obvious repulsion, saddened by the fact that he could dislike her so much even though he barely knew her name. Was she really so awful? A voice calling from the doorway caught her attention and Lalita turned her gaze to the entrance to the park only to find a leafy looking canine. Putting on her brightest smile she turned and greeted their newest arrival. "Hello. It's nice to see another living in this area. Are you alright?"

Everyone was in agreement that Violet City was a suitable destination. Although Clyde felt a pang of pain in having to sacrifice his intentions of seeking out his beloved Bonnie back where they’d first met, he knew it would be a bad idea. They’d deterred him from the place for a reason and he wasn’t going to challenge their judgements. Smiling aimlessly to himself, a defence mechanism whilst the inner hurt remained hidden from his company, the Vigoroth nodded his head absently as the group conversed.

"Oh, and um, has anyone been to Violet City before? All I know is that th-the gym has flying types and there's a sprout tower... I think i-it would be helpful if someone gave me and whoever else doesn't know the area a rundown..."

Lalita and the new fellow, Calamity, remained clueless and whilst Clyde had a slightly better knowledge of the region, he still had very little to offer. From what he could remember of the place, trees stood out. It had once been particularly natural, foliage surrounding the quiet streets and proving a particularly useful getaway following a ‘bad job’. Whilst he had never openly expressed the contents of his life before the epidemic, Clyde had spent the majority of his existence as a brute, an accomplice to his corrupted youth. Bonnie had become involved in the criminal lifestyle at a later date, but the three of them were notorious thieves adapting to life on the run. It had been hard at times and the day that arrogant human was caught, Clyde and Bonnie had been free to start their own life away from such chaos. Unfortunately, the epidemic had intervened to cut their peace short.

Looking to the ground, memories of those first few years in the peppy Smeargle’s company, Clyde kept a strong face. He wasn’t going to breakdown every time her face flourished in his mind – not anymore. With a sigh, he turned to the Combusken with a weak grin.
“From what I can remember there were three ways into the place,” He started, casting his mind back. “Lots of trees, a lake-pond thing, a couple of buildings and that tower – Sprout Tower, right?” It wasn’t particularly useful, but it was better than keeping silent.

"Hello. It's nice to see another living in this area. Are you alright?”

Clyde’s attention soon stolen by Lalita’s melodic voice, chiming a pleasant greeting to what he could only presume was a new, living addition to the group, the ape turned in her direction. He’d come into contact with the stranger’s species before, though the species name was keen to escape him. He gave a polite nod of his head in greeting, presuming that it would be best to let the Ninetales do the talking rather than swarm her with over-enthusiastic hellos.

Silver glance at the newcomer when she heard her voice and automatically used her Aura Sense to look at her aura. She could see that she didn't have much of a dark energy around her but she had a feeling that she may still have to keep watch on the girl to be sure she doesn't cause problems with the group since she is still new. She then glance at Lalita and Calamity and sighed as she continued to sense a misunderstanding in their auras for some reason. After she was done scanning everyone's auras to check their emotions she opened her eyes and glance at Clyde before she gently place a paw on his shoulder and gave him a soft smile before she looked at the Leafeon and said, "Hello there." She gave the Leafeon a friendly smile so she can help the Leafeon feel welcome in the group. When she heard the question about Violet City she tried to think of what she can remember while she was with her trainer but all she could think of is what all everyone already said.

"From what I can remember there were three ways into the place. Lots of trees, a lake-pond thing, a couple of buildings and that tower – Sprout Tower, right?” The fire-type nodded, imagining the area in her heads. "I wonder what Sprout Tower looks like..." Before she could mold her imagination into what she believed was the tower, a newcomer had caught her eye. It was a pretty Leafeon, just outside the doors of the building. The Combusken waved cheerfully, joining the others in welcoming the grass-type.

"H-Hi! I'm Champagne..." beak curved upwards into a cowardly smile, the chicken constantly reminded herself. 'Remember Charlotte, good impressions. Make sure everyone has good impressions of you--you need to be liked!'

No.

Just... fucking... NO.

Circe was surprised at the rather amiable response from the group -which had been a bit larger than she'd anticipated- but rather than respond with a lyrical retort of gratitude and appreciation, her eyes were locked onto a form she'd thought, she'd hoped she'd never have to see again. The telltale lavender fur of a shiny ninetales... What were the fucking odds? Her fur spiked on end, eyes flashed with hate, but she soon settled herself back down with a long, steadying breath. No... it wasn't that bitch. She'd killed that attention-grabbing concubine ages ago, with her own teeth.

Swallowing the urge to lunge and tear out the pretty little fox's throat, she cleared her own and smiled meekly. Now was not the time. She needed an escort, a meatshield... "M-My!" she began, ears lowering, taking a small step back. "...I'm sorry, I... I thought you were someone else..." she apologized to the shiny ninetales, covering up her initial reaction, lest it hinder her chances of staying with these morons. "But you're all so friendly...! I'm C-Circe, it's a pleasure..." Her eyes scanned the group, her mind settling on a wounded vigoroth and a sleek, beautiful absol. Sure, he was shiny, and he had that against him, but the aura of power that emanated from him was just too much to resist.

Oh yes. She'd found her suitors.

"M-My! ...I'm sorry, I... I thought you were someone else...”

Clyde had been a little apprehensive about the newcomer’s reaction to say the least, his form tensing in alarm as the female’s eyes flashed with an incredible hate. Instincts ordering him to protect Lalita, the Vigoroth lumbered forward just as the newcomer relaxed, clearing her throat to offer an airy apology. Scanning her features a moment, unsure whether there was some sort of malice beneath the cheery surface, Clyde chose to let the matter slip with a deep exhale. He wasn’t going to stress himself out about this – he was probably imagining things anyway.

“But you're all so friendly...! I'm C-Circe, it's a pleasure..."

Managing a weak, tired smile, the ape gave a lazy nod of his head in response. There was something a little off about this Circe girl, but he hadn’t the patience to dwell on the matter any further. Convinced his suspicions were merely a result of his recent ponderings concerning his own declining sanity, Clyde resulted on offering a blunt, but not unkind introduction.
“Clyde,” Short and sweet, the ape was slowly shaping into an individual of few words – unwilling to trust his utilization of his freedom of speech.

Silver tense up when she caught the dark aura around the Leafeon when she glance at Lalita and had her red eyes narrow as she watch the Leafeon. She didn't relax one bit when the Leafeon, who she learn is name Circe, apologize about how she acted but the Lucario decided to let it be for now and just to keep an eye on the female. "It's quiet alright Circe my name is Silver," she said before she went over to Clyde's side and looked at him with deep concern. She noticed that he is starting to speak few words at a time and that is worrying her. Knowing that he was uncomfortable with her speaking to him in mind she whispered so that only Clyde could hear her, "Clyde are you really alright? You still seem down. Remember I'm here if you want to talk about what is bothering you okay."

The incredible hate that flashed by for a moment on the Leafeon's face was enough to make the young Combusken create a growing fear for the grass-type in the pits of her stomach. "...I'm sorry, I... I thought you were someone else..." Champagne only nodded numbly, surprised that a living being could suddenly show so much detestation to another, even if it was a misconception.

"But you're all so friendly...! I'm C-Circe, it's a pleasure..." Everyone began to introduce themselves now, although the fire-type kept quiet since she already said her name. "Y-You have a very pretty name," she complimented the grass eeveelution, analyzing the Leafeon's figure. She wondered why the newcomer had such great disgust in the shiny Ninetales when she saw her. Maybe she had met a different shiny Ninetales before? Champagne couldn't understand, and decided not to dwell on the subject.

As the others introduced themselves, Circe kept her body timid and submissive, like any good stranger would. After all, these pokemon looked very used to battle, and Legends knew she had no intentions on taking them all on-- especially all at once. She nodded at each name, thanking her good memory. She had always been good at names and faces. She repeated them softly after each owner stated their own, smiling lightly. When the combusken commented on her own, she had to resist acknowledging it. Of course her name was pretty.

"Thank you, Sweetie!" she chimed softly, wagging her tail lightly. "But I don't think I heard your name, or either of yours." She turned to the absol and hateful ninetales, waiting on them for a reply.

((OOC: Shoooooooooooooooooooooort))

The response to her simple greeting was certainly not one Lalita would have expected. The leafy vulpine before her had a look of utter disdain on her face. Had she…had she done something to offend? However at the greetings of the others the look was quickly banished for one of fake civility. "M-My...I'm sorry, I... I thought you were someone else..." She did apologized but Lalita knew that kind of speech. She lived among the rich and well off her entire life, she knew when someone was putting on airs. This female hated her, there was no doubt. But…there was the question of why. Had they met before? "But you're all so friendly...! I'm C-Circe, it's a pleasure..."


Calamity was angry at the way she just brushed off the beautiful fox like she wasn’t even there. Who did this chick think she was? And to look at her like she was the most awful thing alive? That wasn’t any better. But when she started looking at him like he was a piece of meat…that was when it got weird. He could almost see the wheels in her head turning. Just what was this chick up to? "Thank you, Sweetie! But I don't think I heard your name, or either of yours."

Calamity took an unconscious step back, severely unnerved by this female. He didn’t care what the Leafeon wanted he just knew he did not want her looking at him that way. He shook his head violently, refused Circe an answer to his name and sulked off to the corner again, determined to not let this female have his back. With the way his instincts were screaming he’d likely find her chomping on it. But the kind hearted beauty, who just moments ago been beside him, was not so petty it seemed. “I’m Lalita,” she offered politely. “And his is Calamity. Pleasure to meet you.”

In her mind she knew she was putting on the same fake civility as Circe, but at least it was something she knew she could do. After all, it had been her life.

[quote="Snitch"]
"Clyde are you really alright? You still seem down. Remember I'm here if you want to talk about what is bothering you okay."

Numb, Clyde had been oblivious to Silver’s sudden appearance at his side. He didn’t jump though; he merely turned his heavy head to meet her intense eyes. A weak smile played on his lips as he nodded lightly, grateful for her unnecessary concern.
“Of course,” The Vigoroth whispered back, his voice tired and sapped of emotion despite his attempts to seem genuine. He was fine – he was convinced of it. Life went on after all; he simply had to come to terms with the bleak situation about him. But every time that Smeargle’s face flashed within his mind, he was left fighting the pain again and again. Still, he would be victorious.

As the conversation and introductions fell into an ongoing drone about him, Clyde turned from Silver to let his gaze lazily wander across the group. It was like being underwater. A numbness, almost trance-like in its manifestation, had taken hold of him. He felt nothing, his joy bottled away alongside his fears and frustrations. Shiro had been a master of the art and as the ape subconsciously put his ways to the test, he was finding the abandonment of such worthless emotion comforting, easing.

(( BLARGH, so short. Clyde’s going all emo, lol. ))

Silver nodded at Clyde and stayed close to his side but she noticed how Calamity acted around Circe and the Lucario couldn't blame him for that. The Leafeon was a strange one which is why the aura Pokemon decided that it's best to keep an eye on the female and make sure she doesn't try anything. She noticed the way the Leafeon looked at the two males in the group and she didn't like it. To make things are cleared she looked at Lalita and sent by mind, ~Lalita I'm not sure on what to make of this female but we better keep an eye on her and also make sure she pulls her weight around her if she plans on traveling with us. I do not like the way she acted when she saw you and I'm going to make sure to keep a sharp red eye on her to make sure she doesn't try anything while your not looking~ Silver was sure if her worries were valid but after the many fiasco's that has happened, especially with Garth, she isn't too trusting when she since even a little bit of dark aura in someone. She knew that there is light and dark in everyone but when the dark is prominent enough for her to be wary of it she will trust her instincts.

"Thank you, Sweetie! But I don't think I heard your name, or either of yours." The Combusken smiled, humming with happiness when the Leafeon replied. Champagne fidgeted a bit, listening to the conversations. The fire-type watched the others. Clyde seemed rather down in the dumps, Silver by his side. She quietly looked at the Lucario in awe, remembering the fact that they could read auras of other Pokemon. Was she reading the auras of everyone around her right now? If so, what did her own aura looked like?

Snapping out from her thoughts, Champagne perked up. "Oh! When will we be heading to Violet City?" she mumbled, remembering the group's conversation before Circe arrived. The late morning was making the Combusken worried, if they were to be trapped in the wild at night... She shivered at the thought, before turning to the group to listen to their replies.

Circe, though quite put out, didn't allow her face to permit a frown to cross it. No, her little short glance at the stupid friffy ninetales had seemed to be noticed by all of them, marring her first impression to the entire group. Cursing violently in her mind, knowing that she would have to work twice as hard to earn and keep their trust, she stayed her ground as the lucario stared at her, eyes glowing. She cursed inwardly again, knowing what the bipedal canine was up to. She was all too familiar with Lucario, and their aura- reading nonsense was just the thing that could eradicate any hope she had of staying with this group. While she fancied being independent and capable of handling her own problems, deep down, solitude terrified her.

The fiery chicken still ignored her request, irking her further. Who did this little pile of ugly feathers think she was? She had asked for a name, and all she got was a hum? Marking the fire bird on her black list, she dared a step closer, noting the absol and ninetales duo. He seemed unnerved, wary, which also bode ill for her efforts. Hmph. He could have his lavender harlot, then. He could keep her to the very depths of Hell. Her attention turned to the reigning "b" herself, as she politely answered Circe's earlier querie. Well. Lalita and Calamity. That would be easy enough to remember.

The little bird asked about Violet City, perking Circe's ears. "...May I accompany you?" Her voice was soft, knowing very well that this was a terribly risky move. They already distrusted her, but she had to try. She couldn't bear to think of the nights alone again... "...I don't... like the nights alone..." Her eyes shifted away; at least she was truthful in that. "Please?"

Calamity felt like it was not his place to add to the female asking to stay. He had only just arrived himself, it was the fair one who seemed to have the group all together. He used the opportunity of distraction to remove himself from her side, not wanting to allow his jinx to cause her any harm, and found himself beside the Vigaroth. He seemed...detached, much like he himself was.

Letting out a heavy sigh he had to fight the urge to say something as he had absolutely no clue how to participate in such an interaction. Calamity was an outcast, what did he know of comfort and emotions? The only person who had ever been nice to him nearly had her face ripped off and he'd been cast out as a demon. Though it seemed his awful powers were at work once again because he noticed something was wrong. One of them was missing. "Where is the blue female?"

____________________________

As Silvers words filtered through Lalita's mind she gave the Lucario a small nod, turning her attention back to Circe. She seemed safe enough, though a bit edgy, perhaps she was just overestimating the female's hostility. It just seemed to be the same quiet anger that most upper-class Pokemon had, and that was never anything dangerous. Just a lot of pomp and nonsense. "Oh! When will we be heading to Violet City?" Huh? Violet? That was right, they needed to get moving.

"...May I accompany you?" It was strange for her to suddenly be asking about going with them when she already acted like she didn't want to breathe the same air as the shiny Ninetales. "...I don't... like the nights alone...Please?" Well, that was a little more understandable. "I don't see why not. We should probably start heading out now if everyone has finished eating." Lalita shuffled around nervously for a bit before she noticed Calamity had moved away and gave him a puzzled look. That is, until he said something that terrified her.

"Where is the blue female?"

"Silver?!" She had just been talking to her! Where could she have gotten off to? Fear gripped her as she looked around, finally settling on Circe. "Did you see her go past you?" There was no way she had gotten back out the front without someone seeing her, so that only left the one option. If Circe didn't see her then...where could Silver have gone? A soft whimper escaped the Ninetales as she worried for her friend, looking to Clyde for some sort of answer or comfort. He was the only one she had left from Goldenrod now.

"...May I accompany you? ...I don't... like the nights alone... Please?"

Whilst the female’s begging for company would have usually touched him, Clyde felt nothing. He regarded the Leafeon with a subtle distaste, wondering how she was desperate enough to throw herself at a group she knew nothing of. They were volatile, dangerous even, and she wanted to join them. Nothing was making sense to the Vigoroth any more, only Lalita’s words breaking the sound barrier of his own creation at her hesitant granting of permission. You’re making a mistake…

"Where is the blue female?"

What?

"Silver?! Did you see her go past you?"

Clyde tensed as the Ninetale’s gaze fell to him, his chest constricting as a sudden, irrational panic swept over him. He stared at her open mouthed, confused and worried before the words sunk in. Snapping around, his widfe eyes furiously scanned the area for glimpse of that familiar, blue canine.
“She was right here!” Clyde snapped, his worry, fear translated as anger. Nostrils flaring, he clawed at the earth underfoot, still clinging onto the hope that Silver was just playing some ridiculous prank. His heart told him otherwise. She was gone.

Why?

Looking down, bitter and ashamed that he hadn’t done anything to prevent this, hadn’t even noticed her absence, Clyde was plunged back into that dreadful world of guilt. This was his fault. Growling quietly to himself, the self-hatred quickly overriding the sorrow of a friend’s disappearance, the ape eventually turned back to the group.
“We should go now,” It was firm, bitter even, as the Vigoroth rose to his feet. He wanted to go now. If they weren’t coming, he would be going alone.

"I don't see why not. We should probably start heading out now if everyone has finished eating." Champagne nodded, although feeling uneasy about travelling with the Leafeon. Circe seemed kind and pretty, but the Combusken was still curious about the grass-type. Quietly thinking to herself about the day, the fire starter definitely wasn't prepared for what was going to happen next.

The Absol mentioned the female Lucario, and the whole group seemed to react. "Silver?! Did you see her go past you?" The Combusken spun her head wildly around, the Aura Pokemon nowhere in sight. “She was right here!” Even if the words weren't directed at her, the chicken flinched at his harsh statement. 'Where did she go? Where did she go?' the words replayed over and over in Champagne's mind. The female was so kind, so understanding, but now... She simply vanished.

“We should go now,” The Vigoroth had risen to his feet, and the Combusken stood up tall, nodding frantically. Her eyes scanned nervously around the area, still hoping she could catch sight of the familiar blue pelt.

Well, this was awkward.

While Circe had been banking on the lucario not spouting off to anyone, she didn't actually think that the canid would just disappear. It was frightfully convenient, and it put the leafeon on edge. What sort of scheme was this? Was this just her pulling her chain? She had no idea of what kind of pokemon this Silver was, so when she just vanished, a genuine look of confusion and apprehension spread across her face. There was something wrong. Pokemon just didn't fuck off into thin air.

"Did you see her go past you?" While Circe would have normally spouted nothing but venom to a shiny ninetales, it was all the leafeon could do to simply shake her head, too dumbfounded for words. "N-No, I..."

“We should go now,” Clyde announced, his tone laced with bitterness. Circe had no idea what the hell this group had gone through, but obviously the vigoroth had had enough of it. He stood, looking ready to leave them all if need be. While the others seemed fairly upset about this "Silver" vanishing, it scared Circe more that a pokemon like her could disappear so easily. If it wasn't the lucario pulling her chain... what could hunt so expertly to just steal prey out from under their fucking noses?

"...I-I think... we should too," she commented, going closer to Clyde. There was no way in hell she was staying in one place after something like that. Vengeance or no, she wanted to get the fuck out of there before she suddenly vanished as well.

Lalita's eyes glistened with tears as Circe confirmed the violet fox's fears, Silver had simply vanished. But where she had looked to Clyde for some kind of comfort or support all she was met with was cold realism. “We should go now.” Her heart was breaking, and hearing such harsh words coming from her friend and seeing everyone else agree. Surely they weren't going to just leave? What if Silver needed their help? What if she had been kidnapped? If they just left...

"What if it had been me?" Her words were soft and sorrowful. The gentle female had no idea what was going on in the minds of her friends but she had to ask. Would they have left her so quickly? Would they just abandon her should the worst happen? Silent tears soon began making their way down her cheeks, dripping from her nose and muzzle as her head bowed in defeat. "I made a promise to protect you...all of you...and I failed." Again.

Calamity could watch this no longer, the suffering of the rare beauty too much for him. He had to confess. "It was me. I did it. She's gone because of what I am." While it wasn't much of an explanation it didn't matter, it always met with the same result. Anger, name-calling, violence and eventually him being chased out. But it was his fault and his curse that brought this wickedness upon their group. First one friend vanished and now another, both since he arrived. It had to be him. Looking to the rest of them he bowed his head in shame. "Do with me what you will, but I cannot change what I am."

"What if it had been me?"

As Clyde turned away, breathing harsh as all manner of gruesome scenarios manifested before his eyes, that single, quiet voice stopped him. Rigid, the sorrow within Lalita’s question rendering the ape immobile, a half-sob half-growl escaped him.
“No…” He muttered quietly, head hung in shame as he lacked the ability to accept the fact he was a coward. Would he leave Lalita too? Silver had been there for him, always. She’d healed him, protected him, held his paw when he couldn’t stomach facing the world alone. Now he hadn’t the courage to look for her. What’s wrong with me?

"I made a promise to protect you...all of you...and I failed."

That crushed his heart like a vice. The guilt, the irony. Lalita blamed herself for this mess when not ten minutes ago, he was willing to endanger them all by infecting himself. The Ninetales’ innocence knew no bounds, unlike Clyde. No matter how hard he tried to escape his past, he would always be that same callous thug. Bonnie had almost fixed him. He’d returned to that horrendous state the day he’d abandoned her. Growling, angry at himself and unwilling to reveal his incredible sorrow triggered by Lalita’s heartbreak, Clyde turned to face the group only when the Absol spoke.

"It was me. I did it. She's gone because of what I am."

“What?”

The air was knocked from the ape’s lungs. Eyes widening then immediately narrowing, Clyde’s attention wandered the shiny creature before realisation hit him. Absol, the disaster pokémon.
“Disaster…” Staring at the creature, his species’ famous fury slowly rising to the surface, as Calamity continued to speak, expecting some sort of punishment – Clyde was more than happy to deliver it. A snarl rippling across his face, the Vigoroth knew his reaction was wrong, unfair. But that admittance, the thought of Calamity single-handedly using some black magic on his friend to create this havoc, was enough to silence the ape’s dwindling rationality. Clyde wasn’t the villain in this, it was that damned Absol. Fangs flashing dangerously, his large claws subconsciously tearing into the vulnerable ground, Clyde was not himself. A little piece of the kindly Vigoroth had died along with each of his friends…

“Leave.”

The single word came with enough venom to fall an army, spoken through gritted fangs. Clyde’s eyes flashed with a rare hatred, his body tense and battle-ready. He didn’t want to fight, but something in the depth of his mind was urging him on. It made no sense. This fury was irrational, ridiculous, but the Vigoroth was helpless to the commands of his own deteriorating sanity. The Absol’s confession distracted him from his own guilt, his own self-hate, thus he had unknowingly become to source of Clyde’s fury. If he didn’t leave peacefully, only one effective means of disposal echoed temptingly within the ape’s mind. Kill…

(( I’ll let you know now that Clyde is infected. The cross-shaped wound on his chest is infected and will begin to turn a purple colour over the next few posts. However, the major give-away to his condition is his behaviour, unsurprisingly, lol. You are welcome to notice it even though it’s not hugely obvious yet. ))

"What if it had been me? I made a promise to protect you...all of you...and I failed." The Ninetales had started crying, and Champagne felt alarms set off in her mind. "Oh, please don't cry..." the Combusken couldn't bear to see them all so distressed, and the need to make them happier was clear in her mind, but how? "It was me. I did it. She's gone because of what I am. Do with me what you will, but I cannot change what I am."

"What?" Champagne's eyes were dead set on the Absol, staring straight at him with almost no emotion. The Vigoroth had said the same thing too."It's your fault?" her words sounded more of a statement than a question, her brain automatically telling her to pin the blame on the dark-type, but her conscious telling her not to. The sound of snarling came from the ape, before telling the shiny to leave. The fire-type backed away in fear of the Disaster Pokemon, claws up in defenses. Her nod was slow, agreeing with Clyde. "...Perhaps you should." anger was evident in her voice. She had liked the blue-pelted companion, she had been understanding and kind--why did she have to go away?

Gripping her tungsten pipe hard between her claws, she brought it up to her beak and aimed it straight to the Absol, likes of fire already escaping her mouth.

It seemed things were continually rolling downhill, as the situation went from bad to downright ugly in a matter of seconds. Circe only watched as the others quickly turned on their own, the black absol that had rather stupidly claimed responsibility for the lucario's disappearance. '...Shiny deserves it,' she growled lightly in her mind. Were she not completely wrought with fear, she would have enjoyed the entertainment. But she didn't know what took that annoying canine, and she was rather certain she didn't want to find out.

The thing that really put her on edge though, excluding the fact that she could also be whisked away within moments, was how quickly these pokemon turned on him. While she was unsure how long the absol had been traveling with them, it looked a little wrong for them to just switch like that, almost immediately vouching for his swift exile. Would they treat anyone like that? Would they treat her like that? If so, maybe she was just better off alone...

Circe shuffled, uncertain about their surroundings. "...Please... can we keep moving?"

Whilst Clyde was pleased another member of the group shared his deteriorating opinions on the Absol, the offending creature remained silent. Eyes narrowed, his expression a portrait of loathing, the Vigoroth felt his claws twitch in anticipation of gutting the bastard. Silver was gone. It was irrational, but so much easier to lay the blame with the idiotic dark-type willing to take it. However, Clyde restrained himself.

"...Please... can we keep moving?"

It was enough to distract the ape, his head turning to the voice’s owner of the group’s most recent arrival. Dark circles flourished beneath hard-set eyes as Clyde was left staring at the grass-type, his gaze unnerving as he eventually turned away with a huff. Shaking his head, his anger only dispelled for the time being.
“Fine,” He growled bluntly, the amiability of the past overwhelmed by his flourishing, new persona formed of hate.

Stalking forward to a position where he was inches from the offending dark-type’s face, Clyde spoke in hushed, deadly words.
“Just give me one more reason…” With a muffled growl, the Vigoroth turned away, wanting to be as far from the Absol as possible. He didn’t want to travel with the creature, but he just couldn’t leave him alone with Lalita. Of course, he cared for the other girls too, but Lalita – it felt as if he’d known her for years, been through everything and he was by no means ready to let her fall victim to a creature spawned from disaster itself.

((Skip. :<))