The S.S. ANNE Team

The famous cruise ship had been abandoned and lost at sea for quite some time now. It's crew dead and engines stalled meant the ship may very well never see land again. For most, this would be terrible, a tragedy. The food supply would only last for only so long, not to mention the lack of dry lands comforts. There were many cracks and crevices for undead to hide in. It was a death trap. But for Deluge, this was just fine.

The blastoise spent his days roaming the bloddied halls, killing any other infected that dared to disturb him. Thought his thoughts were muddy, in the back of his mind he knew he still had to defend. Defend what, he didn't know. He just knew that he should keep killing.
There were plenty of undead to slaughter. Trainers' pokemon had gotten infected aboard the vessel, and foreign ones too. They were attracted to the human and pokemon bodies sattered about the ship. The foul stench of rotting flesh carried for miles, drawing in dozens of the beasts. Their minds were too far gone to realize that anyone that entered never exited. So they kept coming, to Deluge's satisfaction.

The wind pushed through the ruffled feathers on the Swellow's head as she descended from the blustery sky. She looked both ways to her sides, checking for any that were alive or dead. The sapphire bird then spotted the ship. She looked again as she flew, checking if no living-dead were following her. She then zeroed in on the ship, and dove towards it. She flapped her wings loudly as she then stopped herself, and landed softly on the desk. She took a step forward and looked around.
"...Hello?" she quietly asked, taking another step forward. No answer. She then hopped up to the railing of the ship. She thought since she was here she might as well do something. She looked down at the water in the ocean, then to the horizon where the sun already lifted itself from the water. She smiled. "It's been so lonely since my parents disappeared...." She then frowned in remembrance. She then looked up to the sky; wispy clouds floating past in a soft, yellow light.

Wandering about the inside of the ship I heard a noise. Concerned I flipped back and as I did I covered myself with the illusion of being a Ninetales with a bright green tinge to my fur. Then with a smile and a cautious step I wandered towards the location of the sound. However being the upbeat type I couldn't remain silent."Hello!"I called out my voice ringing through the hollow ship. Now I felt giddy, as if another living being had heard my call though I knew it was unlikely.

Just as I was about to take another step I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. 'Hungry again already...' I thought to myself with a sigh. Sitting down I looked in my side bag, there wasn't much food left but it would work for now. Mumbling to myself I did my insulin and began to stuff my face with berries and what little canned food I had left as I awaited a possible response.

Friend...
The Braviary had no idea how long he had been traveling, the cold morning wind brushed against him roughly as he flew the blustering sky. Ruffles felt his non-existent heart pull him to places where he shouldn't be... But his trainer abandoned him, what could he do? He was a loyal Pokemon, but it was clear Kim did not want him the moment she had let him alone to have a brutal death... Now he's one of them. One of the dead. The walking dead - well flying.
The ocean below was a dull, and looked just like a dull colored blue. Ruffles bet that was the weather following his mood lately. Not too soon, the clouds covered the sky, dark grey clouds. The Unova Pokemon knew by instinct that it was now unsafe, thunderstorm? Possibly. He spread his wings out, letting himself drop near the ocean before flapping them again.

Squinting with his eyes, he noticed a shape of... A ship? In the distance. Abandoned? It looked more like a wreck, even from his distance. The Undead was curious, Ruffles was very curious, he moved in toward the ship. In a matter of seconds, he reached the ship, it was indeed a wreck, and now with all the details closed up, it was somewhat sad how damaged this ship was. 'Just like how Ruffles feels...' He thought silently, reminding him how damaged he felt, landing on the railing.

"...Hello?" A voice called out, it was sweet sounding. The Braviary didn't make a sound, frightened at the fact that there was another visitor or a resident here. He glanced from the corner, only to see a pretty Swellow landing on the railings as well. She was very pretty, sparkled like a jewel! Ruffles felt a small smile come on his face, 'Ruffles shall go meet new friend!' He felt himself hyped up, and motivated!... Only to end up tripping as he got off the railing and onto the ship, making a loud metallic thud sound!

Smooth Ruffles. Smooth.

The Audino had gotten to the abandoned S.S. Anne by Wailord, in all honesty. Amberly was unfamiliar with the newfound area, and, therefore, was extremely scared as she walked the halls. She heard an unfamiliar cry of 'Hello?' and the Audino spoke up. H-Hello? Amberly followed the previous voice, hoping for it to lead to someone. I-Is someone t-there? I-I'm really scared, and I don't know where to g-go... She whimpered softly, her efforts of trying to locate where the voice had come from ending in failure.

Amberly jumped at a sudden loud noise. Was it one of those undead creatures? Then again, it meant Amberly wasn't the only one on this ship, which somewhat relieved the Audino, even if it might be an infected Pokemon. She now remained quiet, hoping to get a response from someone to her cry of help.

Deluge stopped. Did he hear right? There was talking. None of the undead he had encountered so far had retained the ability to speak. That could only mean living had appeared.
In Deluge's twisted mind, the appearance of living meant that Lucidity had returned for him. And if it wasn't her...Well, they would pay for tricking him. Excited to see his love again, Deluge left the cabin area and set off for the deck. It was a bit difficult for someone as large as him to navigate the narrow, body littered halls. He made progress, but not quickly. He focused all of his concentration on the thought of reuniting with his love.
Lucidity, I'm coming...!

((Sorry for the shortness :/ ))

She didn't expect any answers, really. But she got them.

"Hello!"

"H-Hello? I-Is someone t-there? I-I'm really scared, and I don't know where to g-go...

Chex whirled around to the noises, and responded to the one who sounded terrified.
"Hello! Where are you guys? Come up onto the deck!" Chex chirped in her bright voice. She didn't even consider whether these pokemon may be infected. She suddenly felt the breeze of something come swooping in from the side, on the railing next to her. She looked to her side quickly, but calmly to see the Braviary, who can came over to see her, fall to the ground on the deck. Chex gasped, then landed on the deck next to him, ignoring his obviously bloody body.
"Are you ok?" her concerned voice rung out to him, leaning down towards the bloody eagle, trying to see if he wasn't dead or anything.

"Hello! Where are you guys? Come up onto the deck!" a voice called.Just in time too, I had just finished eating, quickly I gathered my things and made some more ice for my insulin. Then without discarding my illusion, went up on deck. At first I couldn't see anyone but after a moment of walking about, two avian figures became visible.

"E-excuse me, but are you alright?" I asked shyly. Appearing weak and frail I half stumbled, half wobbled over to the bird pokemon.However, to my dismay one of them appeared to be infected. A small gasp escaped my lips, making the other two aware of my fear. Infected are evil in my opinion, even if they act nice.

"Are you ok?" A petite voice asked, Ruffles blinked open his eyes groggily, only to see the pretty Swellow looking down at him with worry. The Braviary got up quickly, a bit too quickly, making him stumble a bit, another loud metal clang was made has he regained his balanced. The bloody bird gave a quick nod, not wanting the pretty Swellow to worry, "Ruffles is okay, Ruffles is fine." Another figure came within a distance, a glowing green fox, "E-excuse me, but are you alright?" she asked shly, she stumbled a bit, but Ruffles just simply nodded, "Yes, yes, Ruffles is okay."

The bird shook the dirt off of him, feeling the dust particles fly off of him as he shook his feathers, he gave a sheepish smile as he noticed the dust particles being visible and going everywhere, "Ruffles apologizes, he don't like dirt."
The bloody bird looked down on his chest, actually realizing the huge layer of blood on it, he frowned, he don't remember having that. Must have been from other undead attacking him.

Ruffles waves his wings as if waving a 'Hello', "Ruffles is named Ruffles. Ruffles is please to meet you."

Hello! Where are you guys? Come up onto the deck!

A response to her call! Happy that someone answered her, she made her way for the deck, even if she had no idea where she was going. After a few minutes, she got lucky and found herself on the deck. There were three Pokemon, a Braviary, another bird of which she didn't reconize at all, and a Zoroark. Weren't Zoroarks usually red, though? Oh, well. Amberly thought the green was nice too. Slowly, she walked over to the group.

H-Hi everyone. Amberly spoke softly as she walked over to the group, careful not to startle them. She made it just in time for the Braviary's introduction of himself. Ruffles is named Ruffles. Ruffles is please to meet you. The Audino smiled at Ruffles, trying to seem friendly, and then smiled at everyone else. I-I'm Amberly... She introduced herself.

((Go ahead and skip. Deluge is still trying to make his way up.))

The pretty Swellow left Ruffles a bit dense at some parts, though she didn't introduce herself, he caught sight of something pink coming towards them in the corner of his eagle eye. As the figure came over to the group, Ruffles realized it was a native from his region; Audino. They were quite common in Unova, though it made him sad how trainers always fought them rather than become friends with them. "H-Hi everyone," speaking rather softly, the Audino gave a smile at Ruffles. " I-I'm Amberly..." She introduced herself as.

The Braviary 'clapped' his wings together excitedly, "Ruffles likes new friends! Ruffles likes Amberly yes!" He glances at everyone around him, stomping his claws on the ground in pure happiness. His attempt to dance around, but sounded more like just random stomping, "Ruffles likes everyone yes~" The bloodied up Pokemon seemed rather optimist on new friends. They would serve as friends that would not betray him... Or food to be on his plate. But he rather have friends of course, he likes it when he has company that actually likes him than in his fat belly.

[OOC: Continuing post count from Fortree + Castle.]

Acro had explored two full regions looking for Lucas. Not once did she rest as she called out his name, searching every nook and cranny to try and find him. She landed on a roc in the sea, twirling her head around and gazing upon the horizon. "Lucas! Lucas!" she cried out, hoping someone would answer. The Archen waited. Nothing. No response. With a miserable sigh she hopped in the air, catching another drift of wind.

Acro couldn't really fly. Archens can't fly. But she could glide. She would spread her wings as much as she can and catch the breeze, gliding through the air. However this was extremely dangerous over water, she could easily just fall in and drown, but that didn't stop her. She would take every risk just to find her precious Lucas.

There was some kind of ship nearby. Odd. She began to angle her way towards it, as she caught the railings with her talon and sat. Acro looked around. "Lucas? Luuuucaaaaas?" she called. Maybe he was on this ship?

She heard the others talk. It seemed the Braviary wasn't as much as a threat as he looked. Chex smiled.
"Happy to meet you, Ruffles; Amberly~ My name is Chex," she opened her wing in a gesture of openness, "Pleased to meet you~" She decided she'd stay with these pokemon. It had been so long since her parents left that she knew any other nice pokemon. She opened her eyes to look at the two pokemon. She knew she'd be staying with them.

-----

(OoC: Really sorry for the super short post. I had no idea Arge was in the safehouse, and my computer lost its previous post, so fuck my computer.)

"Happy to meet you, Ruffles; Amberly~ My name is Chex, pleased to meet you~"The pretty Swellow known as Chex replied, Ruffles was at awe as she opened her wings, he wished he could give her a hug, but he needed a bath first, considering his bloody feathers. The Braviary wouldn't dare touch the pretty Swellow unless he was clean! He didn't want anyone to be uncomfortable of course, despite being in a Yankee group back then, he wanted the best for everyone and make them as comfortable as possible. Well those that were good of course, not like those Team Rocket guys!

... The ones that his group fended off from. The Braviary felt an arrow go through his heart, Kim leaving him, how the group disbanded to its old ways, he preferred it when they were defending everyone from Team Rocket.

Ruffles heard something, it sounded like a call, but he couldn't hear quite clearly on what the Pokemon - or possibly a figment of his imagination - said. It sounded like a name, the Braviary frowned at Chex, "Ruffles hears someone, does Chex hear someone too?" With, or without agreement, he called back out, "Ruffles says hi!" The bird said gleefully and with optimist.

The Braviary seemed happy. Ruffles likes new friends! Ruffles likes Amberly yes! Amberly beamed at the words, someone actually liked her! I-I like you too, Ruffles! The bird spoke up. Happy to meet you, Ruffles; Amberly~ My name is Chex. Pleased to meet you~ Amberly smiled at Chex. Nice to meet you, C-Chex. These two Pokemon seemed nice, the Audino couldn't help but grin. Amberly then suddenly jumped slightly at a voice that sounded like a call.

Ruffles hears someone, does Chex hear someone too? Amberly spoke up. I-I heard something...c-could it have been another Pokemon? What if it was an infected? She didn't want her or her new friends to get hurt by a possible undead. Ruffles says hi! Her new bird friend spoke. Trying to be optimistic, she tried to believe it was just a living Pokemon lost on this ship as well. Nothing more.

She could hear voice, voices! Acro's eyes lit up with delight as she gave a small hop of ecstasy. Maybe one of them was Lucas? She strained to hear better, closing her eyes and imagining the soft, pink lips speaking to her. The Archen frowned. None of them sounded like Lucas. Their voices weren't soft and comforting like her beloved trainer's, not at all. Different pitch, different sounds, these living were Pokemon, not Human.

With a sigh of defeat she slumped on the railing. "I want Lucas..." she whined like a 6-year-old who didn't get what she wanted. "Lucas... I want Lucas! I want him!" she began her tantrum, crying. She had glided so far, she had traveled so long, but no matter where she went she couldn't find him! It wasn't fair!

Chex looked as Ruffles jumped to attention.

"Ruffles hears someone, does Chex hear someone too?"

Chex actually did hear a faint cry.

"Lucas? Luuuucaaaaas?"

Chex perked to attention.
"Yeah, I actually did hear something."

"Ruffles says hi!"

Chex made the best grin she could with her bird beak. Ruffles was funny to refer to himself in the third person. But it didn't make her feel uncomfortable. The blood, honestly, didn't bother her either. She fluttered over next to Ruffles and looked along with him. She saw the Archen come in and near the ship. But who was this 'Lucas' it was talking about? She waited for Everyone else's reactions, looking to all of them for their response. She then jumped as the thing started to cry as it landed on the railing.

"I want Lucas... Lucas... I want Lucas! I want him!"

Chex started to slowly make her way over, then fluttered up and onto the rail.
"Who's Lucas?" she cooed quietly as she leaned towards the tiny, colorful parrot. Even if this was an infected, all creatures have the right to let out their emotions and talk. She wasn't too bothered by the living dead. A Salamence could roar in her face and she'd glare and walk away with no thought about it. She wasn't scared of anything, really....

"I want Lucas... Lucas... I want Lucas! I want him!" The voice wailed, sounded like some 6-year-old human child wanting candy and throwing a tantrum over it. Ruffles frowned, glancing at Chex to see how the pretty Swellow reacted to it, she simply cooed to the colorful bird. The Braviary gave a grin, now Chex would make a great mother! The Hawk-like Pokemon rubbed his beak on the Swellow's right wing, "Ruffles likes how Chex makes a good mommy!"

He gave a toothy grin at the Archen, "Chex is a good mommy, she'll help you find Lucas! Ruffles will help too if birdy wants!" The Braviary clapped his wings together, hopping up and down, "Adventure! Adventure!" He always wanted some adventure with new friends. Maybe now would work as a great chance! He motioned Amberly to come over, pointing at her as he smiled at the Archen, "That's Amberly! Amberly is a nice friend yes!" Then Chex, "Chex is the good mommy, Chex is a nice friend too!"

And finally, himself, "Ruffles is Ruffles! Remember that!" He placed the tip of wings on his chin, as if thinking, "Now Ruffles wonders what birdy's name is..."

I want Lucas...Lucas... I want Lucas! I want him! The voice screamed, Amberly was now very scared. She didn't know who or what this 'Lucas' character was, and she wasn't sure she wanted to find out. A small Pokemon, another bird she reconized as an Archen (which is another Unova Pokemon), made it's way onto a rail. Chex asked it who Lucas was, and Ruffles was getting excited. Amberly couldn't help but giggle as Ruffles called Chex "makes a good mommy". Ruffles motioned for her to come over, so she did as her new friend asked.

That's Amberly! Amberly is a nice friend yes! Ruffles told the Archen. Amberly smiled at the compliment. T-Thank you, Ruffles! The Braviary introduced Chex and himself, and asked for the Archen's name. Amberly listened, the Audino was curious as well.

A pretty Swellow had come near the Archen, cooing softly. "Who's Lucas?" Acro blinked. "Lucas is Lucas! He's kind, caring, helpful... He brought me to life! Lucas is amazing, Lucas is the most kindest person I've ever met, I want Lucas!" the living fossil replied, not once turning to the other bird.

After a few moment of whining Acro broke down to tears. Where was lucas? She traveled this far, this long, how can she have not found Lucas?

Chex sweetly waited for the bird to respond, but then heard Ruffles speak

"Ruffles likes how Chex makes a good mommy!"

"Wh-- Wha...?" she made a small comment in confusion, but it wasn't really audible to everyone else, it seemed. Chex's pupils shrunk with the sudden quote. She felt her face become hot. " A good... mommy?" Chex heard muffled words of what Ruffles continued to say, but just coiled back into herself as the quote rung through her head. Her face must have been beet red. She then pulled herself out of her trance when she heard and saw Ruffles come over to the little Archen next to her.

"Now Ruffles wonders what birdy's name is..."

Chex looked over to Amberly, who was standing politely a bit away from everyone. She gave her a small smile as if to invite her to come closer. Chex had always been a very inviting creature. She looked to the Archen again who had been slumped over and awaited its response. It shakily responded.

"Lucas is Lucas! He's kind, caring, helpful... He brought me to life! Lucas is amazing, Lucas is the most kindest person I've ever met, I want Lucas!"

Chex lightly patted one of her wings on it's back as it wrecked with sobs. She looked to the others for assistance. She was caring in this instance, but she needed a bit of help. She had good intentions but wasn't really good at calming things down. She looked to the Archen again.
"We.... We can help you find Lucas...?" Chex gave to the Archen, hopefully making the little pokemon feel better.

-----

(OoC: I love how I actually drew a doodle of her response to Ruffles. |D )

"T-Thank you, Ruffles!" Amberly stuttered, the Braviary gave a nod with a smile to the Audino, he turned back to the Archen, who gave a reply to Chex happily, "Lucas is Lucas! He's kind, caring, helpful... He brought me to life! Lucas is amazing, Lucas is the most kindest person I've ever met, I want Lucas!" Ruffles frowned, for the fossil Pokemon not once turned to him, and simply just broke down to tears. The pretty Swellow simply gave the Archen a pat on the back, "We.... We can help you find Lucas...?" She suggested. The hawk-like Pokemon put his wing in front of Chex, as if asking her to step aside, "Ruffles says no on helping." His voice stern, it's been a while since he was very serious, "Birdy must introduce self, we cannot help one that we don't know of."

Damn Ruffles, harsh on the kid much? Nonetheless, the Braviary stomped his foot in defiance, as if proving he is literally serious, "We will find Lucas! But Birdy must introduce self and provide information of everything Birdy knows of him!"
Cereal mode. Hardcore. Ruffles is badass. Very true indeed. He glanced back at Chex in hopes that he didn't make the motherly Swellow irritated at him, then over at Amberly to see her reaction to Ruffles' seriousness. Then over at the Archen in hopes that she would finally answer his damn question.

((OOC:Skip please. I'm very busy this week. :c Sorry!))

[OOC: Skip.]