The VICTORY team

((Hate to do this as well, but skip me also. Oliver was just on the other side of some foliage taking a drink and then trotted back to everyone else and offered to escort them to the water if they wanted him to.))

Watching as their young leader, Oliver, disappeared and later reappeared, Poins had helped himself to a couple of berries in his absence – they were his after all. But Hal had remained obedient, manners getting the better of his growling stomach. There was plenty for everyone, but the Arcanine was typically courteous, especially for the female who had, as of yet, left the offering untouched. Batting the Linoone away as he reached for a second berry, evoking a indignant squeak, the ferret flashed a broad grin, juice dribbling down his chin.
“What?” He exclaimed mischievously through a mouthful of food, taking a step back to ensure Hal got a good look. As expected, the Arcanine shook his head, struggling to disguise a smile in mimicry of his friend’s.
“Real gentleman, aren’t you Poins?” Hal snickered sarcastically, turning at Oliver’s mention of water. He gave a soft nod of his head, willing to follow the young canine without a moment’s hesitation. “C’mon, you could do with a clean-up too,” He gestured to the Linoone, beads of juice still clinging to his slim face, as he began walking in the direction the Growlithe had come.
“Yes, Princey,” Poins muttered, following the canine. Looking back to the others, he nodded his head to the berries, still mainly untouched. “Help yourself,”

Nearing the stream, the sound of water growing louder with each footfall, Hal remained quiet, smiling absently to himself as he stopped, waiting for his companions to catch up. Long legs had propelled him ahead of Oliver and Poins without meaning, the canine only realizing his mistake once he’d reached the destination. Turning back with a sheepish smile, guilty he’d robbed the Growlithe of the opportunity to lead, Hal’s ears flicked as another sound met him. It had started as a heavy breathing, but as he waited, body slowly growing rigid with tension, a low, guttural growl rang out.

Before he had time to react, an undead Charizard had barrelled out of the foliage.

Hal hadn’t thought these creatures capable of ambush, but he couldn’t deny what he was seeing. The beast had lunged for Poins, the Linoone meeting the undead’s ferocious, half-destroyed features just as its claws made contact with the delicate flesh of the rodent’s chest. He gave a pained gasp, launched back on impact as the agony slowly registered.
“Poins!” Hal bellowed, terrified for his companion. Lying limp, breathing harshly in a growing pool of blood, Poins seemed to be choking.
“Ha-Hal… I-“ The Arcanine sprinted to the creature’s aid, only then remembering of Oliver’s close proximity. Looking fearfully over to the youth, keeping the monstrous dragon distracted by a well-executed Double Team, each of the six Arcanine surrounding the enraged undead, Hal called desperately to the youngster.
“GO!” He bellowed, a demand, as he scooped his wounded companion onto his back. “Get out of here!”

By this time, the Charizard had effectively obliterated each of Hal’s illusory doubles, angered as his fierce glare fell to the only remaining canine, the wounded Linoone slung atop him. Hal could feel warm blood oozing down his coat, matting his fur as Poins’ breathing came in ragged gasps, body growing slack.
“Poins,” He spoke urgently, desperately. He had no idea how bad the damage was, the mystery evoking an emotional reaction that was only numbed by fear of the undead’s presence. “Poins, you’re going to be okay. Stay with me,” He muttered hurriedly, moving to take off to rejoin the group. But his path was intercepted as a monstrous flamethrower set alight to the trees, effectively blocking their route to safety. Left trapped by a wall of flames, the group isolated from them, Hal had no time to contemplate. He couldn’t brave the flames with Poins fading away with each droplet of blood.

Cursing aloud, Hal turned tail and ran in the opposite direction, paws barely touching the ground with the utilisation of ExtremeSpeed. Praying the others would survive the wrath of the infected Charizard they had left behind; the Arcanine’s mind was consumed only by Poins’ wellbeing. His life was the priority at this moment. Desperate to reach an area of peace, however temporary that may be, Hal would save Poins and they would rejoin the group, together.

(( I hate to break all these skips with a leaving post. Dx It’s been lovely RPing with you all! I hope I can rejoin when life calms down a bit. Oh, I hope you don’t mind that I’ve left you guys with a bit of action, too. ^^; ))

Brig shifted on his large, lethal feet as he continued to survey their surroundings. Surely something would have reared its ugly head by now-- even a small, weak lamebrain. But no, the group had been left in peace, leaving Brig's agitated mind to roam freely... which was not necessarily a good thing. His eyes kept darting to every small movement the wind caused, catching only benign twitches and gales. He clicked his beak, anxious.

It was too damn quiet.

The others seemed to enjoy it, for the little moments of peace were few and far between... but Brig knew all too well that those moments were ALWAYS killed by the undead, it was just a matter of time. His gaze shifted as the others headed toward the stream, where some fresh water babbled happily. He followed, snatching a couple of berries as he stalked behind them, a growing feeling of dread claiming his gut. There was something wrong. There was always something wrong...

A trap!

Without warning, a bloodied, stinking charizard pounced, getting the weasel with a good slash. There was a moment of chaos, but before anyone else could react, Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes sprang off on his own, his fallen comrade slung over his back. A snort escaped Brig; he didn't fault the arcanine for getting his wounded out of the fray, but the giant bird had a feeling he wasn't going to rush back any time soon.

"Of course..." he growled, a small smirk beginning to light his face. He opened his wings and shot up, his powerful limbs carrying quickly airborne. The charizard followed, falling for Brig's lure. Turning, he let himself begin to fall toward the grotesque dragon, claws extended. They caught their orange prey, clutching deeply into the soft, bloated meat the dragon sported. Ignoring the futile snaps and bites, Birg hurled them ever more to2ward the earth, only letting go and pulling up at the last possible second. The dragon dropped, smashing into the ground at such a speed, it was nearly liquified. Circling around, the eagle managed a spy of more undead heading their way.

Once he slowed, he landed nearby the quickly thinning group he escorted. "Looks like more trouble comin' our way. We'd better haul ass or else it's getting chewed." Remembering the candle, he turned and glared, quirking his head. "Where was that place you were talking about?"

Blink watched everyone carefully, trying to judge who was in danger of succumbing to his flame. He couldn't allow it to happen so if there was anyone too friendly or too open he would have to make sure to avoid them, and so far the most likely candidate was the pup. Oliver... He had such a friendly name too. It almost made the Litwick sad to think that he had to purposely be mean to such a kind spirit, but said spirit was the very reason he had to do it. He couldn't allow it to be sucked out and kill the boy.

The white wolf was in no danger, she just sat around doing nothing all the time yet the large Arcanine acted like she was some mystical creature to be revered. To Blink she just looked lazy and all around useless, just sitting around watching. Though admittedly, he was doing much the same thing. But the difference was he didn't want to be there, he had no choice if he wanted to get back to his sanctuary. She obviously chose to be in the group. Completely different. The only two that seemed to have any sense were the Linoone and the Braviary, but the Linoone still had his off moments of going with the Arcanine.

He watched as everyone ate and made sure to keep his distance, willing his flame to stay dull. It wouldn't do to let it even spark, lest one of the innocent souls get taken by its hellfire. But it seemed his wasn't the only hellfire around when a large fire lizard charged. It got the Linoone and forced the Arcanine away with his friend before turning on everyone else, leaving the Braviary to handle the beast. He thought it was done until the bird swooped back down and alerted that there were more coming.

"Where was that place you were talking about?" No! Not his sanctuary! If he led them there it would forever be tainted, it would no longer be free of any temptation. He couldn't! He couldn't...but neither could he let them die. That would be just as bad, wouldn't it? It seemed he had a choice to make and his hesitation was surely just angering the large bird before him. But what should he do? "I...I don't..." he sighed in defeat, too scared of what would happen rather than the possibility of what could happen later. "It's not far..."

What choice did he have?

Winter was lost for words at the appearance of the Charizard that suddenly attacked Poins, wounding him badly. Hal was trying to keep the Linoone alive, but he fled the scene, more concerned with his old friend then with his new ones, though would have likely given chase to see what the deal was, but he must have had his reasons, and right now the pokemon here needed her more.

The Mightyena watched as Brig lured the undead upwards before grabbing it in it’s claws and crushing in the ground impact. Winter was sure to say away from the range of it. She looked up at the Braviary, he seemed to be looking at something in the distance before descending toward them. "Looks like more trouble comin' our way. We'd better haul ass or else it's getting chewed." He said, and Winter instinctively raised her nose to the air to see if she could smell the oncoming danger, and in deed to smelt something, it was faint and off in the distence, but it was closing in fast.

"Yes, that would be wise." Winter said before looking around and noticing Oliver wasn’t with them. The young pup must have gone off somewhere. "You two go on ahead, I‘m going to go look for Oliver." She added before following the pup’s scent into the trees.

"I...I don't..." The little candle stuttered to Brig, the bird clicking his beak angrily at the slow response. "We don't have time for you to fuckin' sit there and drool over it, you fuckin' retard!" he growled, and the candle finished. "It's not far..." Another angry click, and Brig shoved his beaked face into the candle's waxy one. "WHERE?" he growled, eyes glaring hatefully at the little thing.

"Yes, that would be wise," the white wolf replied, her tone somewhat monotone. "You two go on ahead, I‘m going to go look for Oliver." Brig's eyes widened as she turned tail back into the brush, and he opened his wings in protest.

"Dammit, woman!" he shouted after her, his feathers slowly becoming more ruffled with frustration. "If I go on ahead, I'm in the fucking sky!"

"We don't have time for you to fuckin' sit there and drool over it, you fuckin' retard!"

Blink flinched at the disgusted tone in Brig's voice, scared that the bird would break his vow and just kill him outright without any risk to the group. "WHERE?" He wanted to answer but the damn bird wouldn't give him a chance! "If you would shut up for two seconds I could tell you! Everything isn't about you, you know!" Glaring daggers at the bird, feeling real emotion for the first time in years, Blink was ready to just abandon the lot and go on his own. But the thought of leaving the small pup to die was just a little too much for the candle to handle.

"You two go on ahead, I‘m going to go look for Oliver." The Litwick stared at the snowy hound like she was crazy, which for all intents and purposes she was. Even Brig seemed to agree. "Dammit, woman! If I go on ahead, I'm in the fucking sky!" There wasn't just the matter of outpacing the group, Blink had just decided not to abandon Oliver and the dog was telling him to do just that. "It's not that simple! If we go on ahead you will never find it!" Blink could feel himself getting angry, willing his wick not to spark. It was hard after so many years to keep his composure, not used to having anyone around him to get him in such a state. "It's hidden. I only found it in the first place because I can pass through rock. I didn't find the only entrance until almost a decade later! You never will!"

Looking to Brig he hardened his gaze and evened his tone. "If we don't all go together, then whoever is left behind is on their own. It's up to you if you can live with that decision."
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Yoru had given up on finding Armonia, ignoring the heavy feeling in his chest for not traveling further than the original route. They had been separated, sure, but she was a big girl and could take care of herself. At least, that was what he was going to tell himself for the rest of his life. Tracking his way back by scents hours old he realized she wasn't the only one who had moved on. 'Those fuckers ditched me? Me? I'm the only reason most of them are alive!' Aggravated beyond belief he settled with finding them and giving them a piece of his mind before ditching them for good measure.

It took a while but he finally picked up one of the familiar scent trails. Tracking it all the way to a small stream he arrived in time to see some Linoone and Hal getting their asses handed to them by a Charizard. They took off in a hurry and the rotting lizard made his way in another direction. Odd, he'd never known the Undead to give up on a meal no matter how far it ran. Not willing to risk being caught he circled around the area, intending to sneak up on it while it was busy doing...whatever it was doing, when a small noise caught his attention. Leaping through the brush in a flurry of fur and anger, teeth bared and a growl in his throat, he paused. Sitting before him was no Undead, no monster. It was just, "Kid?"

The hell was Oliver doing out here by himself?

((Yoru is back! But since I revamped him so much I didn't feel right starting from his old post count, so he has a brand new one. Hope he doesn't give Ollie a heart attack, lol))

Oliver should've known that things would go wrong now that everything was all right again. Hal and Poins had followed him to the water, but on the way they were ambushed by an enormous undead Charizard. The young pup had yelped in terror as the vicious beast lunged at them, his immediate instinct to hide in the nearest bush, but as he remembered who he was now - the brave leader who looked after his friends and never ran away - he sprung out and bit the lumbering dragon on the ankle to try and distract it enough for Hal and Poins to escape. But the Charizard appeared to not even notice Oliver's small teeth sinking into his scales and lunged at Poins, slashing him across the chest.

"Mr Poins!" Tears sprung from Oliver's eyes as he abandoned his attempt to distract the beast, rushing over to the fallen Linoone just as Hal used Double Team to confuse the beast before telling Oliver to go. "B-But I can't! I-- Mr Hal, wait!" Just as the trees in front of them erupted into flames, Hal quickly changed direction and charged off into the undergrowth with Poins on his back. "No! Come back!" Oliver cried as he sprinted after them, desperate to not let the Arcanine and his wounded friend leave his sight. However, with longer legs, Hal was much faster than Oliver and he quickly disappeared from sight.

"MR HAL!" Panting, Oliver came to a stop in a small clearing near to the water, whipping his head round in all directions for a glimpse of his evolved form. Finding none, he gulped back the lump in his throat and sniffed at the ground, desperately trying to pick up Hal's scent so he could follow it. At that moment, something black and red darted out of the bushes just to his left, only to come to an abrupt stop while uttering only one word: "Kid?"

"Mr ... Yoru?" Oliver didn't move a muscle for a moment or two, simply staring at the red-ringed Umbreon as if trying to figure out whether he actually was there. "MR YORU!" Oliver was sure that he hadn't ever moved so quickly as he charged at the Dark-type, rearing up onto his hind legs and soaking his face with frantic licks. "Mr Yoru, you're OK! I ... I..." Bursting into tears, the young canine nuzzled his face into Yoru's chest fur and sobbed his heart out. "O-Oh Mr Y-Yoru, it w-was h-h-horrible. B-Big dragon, came-- Mr Hal g-g-gone! Mr P-Poins hu-hurt and n-now I'm l-lost and - and - and--"

Unable to say another word, Oliver let out the tears that he'd been holding back for a long time. Pyth and Lola leaving them, Scarlet getting lost, Stavros's death ... all of it, which he had tried to be so brave about, came flooding out of him at that moment. He could only hope that Yoru would forgive him for failing as a leader.

Winter continued to follow the scent of the Growlithe, though she wasn’t having much luck finding him. She didn’t understand why he had gone off on his own like this, though not being with him for as long as Yoru or the others had, she didn’t know if this was a regular thing with Oliver. "Oliver!" She called, laud enough for the young canines ears to catch it, she just hoped no other canine would catch it as well. She continued to follow his scent until she finally spotted him. It turned out he was with them all along, she just hadn’t noticed. Winter felt rather dumb at that.

It wasn’t long before the white Mightyena noticed the black figure with the red rings appear once again. Yoru, though, something seemed different about him, he seemed a bit more, moody. She wondered if something had happened. Something held her back from going out to confront the red Umbreon, as though she wasn’t needed here. Sure, the others would say that she was probably very needed, but she couldn’t see herself being needed. Letting out a sigh she sat down, hidden in the undergrowth of the trees as she looked at how happy Oliver was to see Yoru again. She wondered if anyone she knew would be happy to see her again? Would her brother be happy to see her? He never really did like the white Mightyena, he always looked rather jealous when she looked at him. Maybe it was time she resumed her search for him?

Taking in a deep breath before exhaling she took another glance at Oliver and Yoru before smiling. They would be fine without her, and without a word she stood up and turned around, walking away from the group, her smile slowly fading from her face. It would be best if they thought she simply got lost, or was killed by the approaching undead, maybe one day she could see them again. For now though, finding her brother was her top priority.

((Winter has left the team, though this isn’t goodbye forever, I plan to rejoin again with a different character I think you will all get along well with. Until then. Sayonara))

"If you would shut up for two seconds I could tell you! Everything isn't about you, you know!" Brig nearly pecked the insolent little bastard's eyes out right then and there, his feathers ruffling with anger. Now wasn't the time for little pricks shooting their mouths off, he needed information and he needed it now. Needless to say, his eyes flicked around them, making sure that no fucking lamebrain would get the drop on him while Wax-face was busy taking his sweet damn time drooling about his ever-beloved sanctuary. With the leave of the white female, the candle bristled, shouting, "It's not that simple! If we go on ahead you will never find it! It's hidden. I only found it in the first place because I can pass through rock. I didn't find the only entrance until almost a decade later! You never will!"

He then whirled to Brig, his face tense from the situation. "If we don't all go together, then whoever is left behind is on their own. It's up to you if you can live with that decision."

Brig snorted, leaning in closer. "If Little Miss Priss wants to go off on her own, she can do it all she likes. I am not going to cater to people with their heads stuck so far up their own asses that they forget we're in the middle of a fucking WAR!" Satisfied that he made his point that there was no time to waste on sentiment, he trotted forward -at least, as best a bird could- to where the pup was having a friendly reunion with a red-ringed umbreon, who looked about as thrilled about it as Brig felt.

"If you're done making out," he growled, his wings opening as his talons scored the ground. "I suggest we get the hell outta here. Wax-For-Brains has a place we could stay, and we need to light otta here before the horde gets to us. I should be big enough for all of you to fit-- hurry up." There was little room for arguing in his tone, his eyes set with determination.

((Feel free to oppose; he's just a hard-ass XD))

"MR YORU!"

There was no warning before he found himself with a chest full of sobbing Growlithe, and Yoru had to struggle not to cringe. This was sooooo not what he had been expecting when he stumbled across the kid again. He wasn't even that fond of kids, and now one was breaking down with him as support? Which Fate did he piss off? "Uh, kid? Hey..." But he got cut off all too quickly. "Mr Yoru, you're OK! I ... I... O-Oh Mr Y-Yoru, it w-was h-h-horrible. B-Big dragon, came-- Mr Hal g-g-gone! Mr P-Poins hu-hurt and n-now I'm l-lost and - and - and--" Okay this kid needed to come with subtitles! The hell was he talking about?

Putting one paw on Oliver's shoulder he tried shaking the kid to get his attention. "Slow down, take a deep breath, calm down..." And everything in between. "Start over. What happened?" But once again he got cut off, this time by a big ass bird who for some reason had a hat strapped to the back of his head. Kay... "If you're done making out. I suggest we get the hell outta here." Yoru glared daggers at the bird who had a strange little candle floating behind him. "Wax-For-Brains has a place we could stay, and we need to light outta here before the horde gets to us. I should be big enough for all of you to fit-- hurry up."

Yoru snorted. "You have got to be kidding me. You want me to---what? Climb on you back and hold on with the thumbs I don't have. Great plan." Yoru trotted past the Braviary towards the odd little candle that seemed to have joined while he was gone. "Think I'll just walk. Where to candle?" Blink stared at the strange red-ringed Umbreon like the vulpine had grown another head while talking. He wasn't scared...not even annoyed that the Litwick was there. Was he even aware of what his kind could do? Did he even care? What was with this guy?

Gulping Blink pointed one of his stubby little wax arms towards one of the mountain spires surrounding part of the peak. "It's uh...up there. We have to move quickly if we don't want those things to find us." Damn, another kid huh? What had he done to get an attitude and two kids? And where was the chick with the attitude? He thought he had caught that Hal was off with something called 'pond', or whatever he had said, but there were more missing than that. "So did whitey ditch too or what? Kid?" He looked over to Oliver and felt a little twinge of guilt for the pup's state. He sighed and walked back over to him and nudged the puppy's side with his nose. "Come on...let's get out of here." Blink watched in amazement as this strange Umbreon seemed to change the whole demeanor of the Pokemon he had already pegged into categories. Who the hell was this guy?

Not really sure what else to do he turned and started to lead the way to the only sanctuary he had ever know, terrified of what would happen once they got there.

((Works fine Night, lol. I was hoping for an exagerrated reaction just to throw Yoru off. XD))

"You have got to be kidding me. You want me to---what? Climb on you back and hold on with the thumbs I don't have. Great plan." Brig clicked his beak as the little punk made his way around him to the candle, earning a glare from the great bird. Little prick. "Think I'll just walk. Where to candle?"

"It's uh...up there. We have to move quickly if we don't want those things to find us," Candle replied, and Brig nearly had enough of them right then and there. He turned more toward the umbreon, his feathers ruffling a little. The undead's cries could be heard more clearly now, indicating that their little pow-wow wasn't going to be honored by dozens of cannibalistic freaks.

"So did whitey ditch too or what? Kid?" Brig snorted, flexing his wings a little to dispel some of the building anxiety. You mean Miss Priss?" Brig questioned, clicking his beak angrily. "Course she's gone. Lit out not to long ago. Like some airheaded female can actually stand the sight and ferocity of battle."

Still, as the others moved onward, Brig knew he had to do something more. These assholes were too damn stupid to listen to him, a pokemon more than experienced with the vicious foes before them. That cocky bastard umbreon was likely to get himself, the kid and the candle all killed with him, including his only chance to find somewhere peaceful to recollect himself to go out and find his flock. Heaving a resolute sigh, he heaved himself into the air, flying low to avoid avian foes as well. He wasn't going to let these retards just walk into a fucking trap. "I'll find you all later," he growled as he passed over them. "There's too many dicks for too few pussies." He soared away from them, gaining speed as he raced to the horde before him.

He opened his talons, and attacked.

((Lol, Brig will hold off the horde for a while as Blink leads the way : ) ))

((I'd like to wait for Nightfall since Yoru is waiting for Ollie. I will get to Blink overreacting to Brig leaving next round. Skip please! Sil if you want we can do a turn skip next round so you don't have to skip too.))

"Slow down, take a deep breath, calm down..." Oliver looked up at Yoru as he felt the Umbreon's paw touch his shoulder. His pouring eyes and trembling lips just couldn't indicate how happy he was to see the Dark-type again; the first true friend he had made during his nightmare. Sniveling, Oliver did as he was told and dropped to all fours again, raising his paw and wiping his soaking face. "Start over. What happened?"

"W-Well, I-I--" "If you're done making out," interrupted the deep voice of Brig, "I suggest we get the hell outta here. Wax-For-Brains has a place we could stay, and we need to light outta here before the horde gets to us. I should be big enough for all of you to fit-- hurry up." Oliver's ears perked up at the exciting idea of riding on the Braviary's back and his tail began to rhythmically beat itself against the ground, but Yoru didn't seem too pleased. There was something ... different about him, but he couldn't put his paw on it.

Yoru then asked in a way that was less than friendly whether Winter had 'ditched' him as well. Slightly offended by his harsh choice of words, Oliver was about to stand up for the Mightyena when Brig butted in. "Course she's gone. Lit out not to long ago. Like some airheaded female can actually stand the sight and ferocity of battle." "M-Miss Winter is gone?" Another friend had left without a word ... which reminded Oliver that he would have a few questions for Yoru once they got to safety.

Brig announced that he was going to deal with the horde that was on their trail and promptly left. "Be careful Mr Brig!" Oliver called as he watched the Braviary disappear over the trees. He tried to convince himself that he'd be able to handle it as he trotted over to Blink, attempting to manage a smile. "O-OK, Mr Blink. I'll follow you..."

Our real leader is back now ... Well ... it was kind of fun while it lasted...

((lol, skip. He's fighting the undead and I am too lame to write a scene |D))

"I'll find you all later. There's too many dicks for too few pussies."

Blink did not really agree with Brig, his only source of freedom should the worst occur, but he understood. There were more than the few numbers could handle, especially since he refused to light his flame. It made him much weaker in the face of the enemy. "Head towards the peak and when you see three cliffs form a natural bridge you will find us. The valley is beneath." With that he floated over to the young Oliver and waved his arms for the others to follow. Yoru, however, was not happy with that comment and didn't want to leave yet.

"Who you callin' a pussy?! Get back here you overgrown cockatiel!" But it was no use, the Braviary was already off fighting the demons and he was stuck with Ollie and some candle. He was alone, with two kids. Great. Forcing a smile on he looked down to Oliver and tried to be reassuring. "He'll, uh, he'll be fine. I guess." Upon seeing the candle motioning for them to follow he gave the Growlithe a small nudge and urged him forward. "Let's go kiddo. Sooner we get there sooner I can finally relax." Blink nodded and started leading the way towards the only entrance to his safe haven. "It's not far but you will have to climb part of the way."

And Arceus help him that it stayed safe once they were there.

Oliver was spurred out his thoughts as Yoru gently nudged him forward. "Let's go kiddo. Sooner we get there sooner I can finally relax." The pup nodded but decided not to speak as he began to follow Blink. It was probably best if he kept quiet until they reached their destination; at least it would give him some time to gather his thoughts ... and decide on what questions to ask Yoru about his disappearance when they had settled down.

"How far do we have to go, Mr Blink?" Oliver was sure that that was the only question that he would voluntarily ask as he slowly padded alongside the Umbreon, his head slightly dipped. After all, he was a follower now; it wasn't his job to interfere with the actions of the leader.

"Head towards the peak and when you see three cliffs form a natural bridge you will find us. The valley is beneath."

The candle's words floated to his ear as Brig flew toward the horde, broad winds casting a shadow down upon the seemingly hundreds of eyes and teeth gleaming up hungrily at him. Face set sternly against them, his gaze narrowed as he pushed himself higher and higher, the gnawing, gnashing horde silencing beneath him. They were soon naught but a small, strangely-moving splotch on the landscape when he turned and tucked his wings in, going into a steep dive. The wind rushed past him with such ferocity, he soon had to hold his breath as breathing itself proved too strenuous. He slowly brought out his claws and began flaring his wings, and as the pokemon below speedily became more and more recognizable, it wasn't until the last second that he pulled up, claws still extended.

Every piece of rotting flesh that was in the path of his talons was immediately ripped off, heads, limbs sliced asunder with razor-sharp talons. Speed still hieghtened with momentum, he tore through the rotting bastards with an expert ease, many of them falling limp and harmless with his first pass. However, as he rose up to make another pass, a small sneasel hopped onto his quick form, its claws digging into his wing. A sharp cry of pain escaped him, the balance of his wings now off, he couldn't help but spiral out of control out of the air and crash into the dirt some yards away from the quickly approaching horde. The sneasel was liquified on impact, but it left his wing wounded. Standing, he inspected the damage, noting the nice area of dark crimson over his already scarlet plumage. "Well, fuck," he growled, turning his eyes to the threat.

While his normal eyes only spotted a few dozen, his inner eyes saw nearly a thousand. The memories playing at his mind and soul replicated that terrible, fateful day when he'd been so viciously ripped from both his human and his flock, bringing them back to haunt him in his waking moments. He was back in the squadron, watching their own mass army marching lethargically to their own, overwhelming their forces with the trademark relentlessness they always showed. Their ruthless resolve to murder and slay any life tehy came across... only to reproduce a perverted, warped version of their own. He stepped back a bit, fear gripping him for the first time since that day. He'd thought it a big grouping of the fuckers but now... Now he knew. They'd found him... and they were going to finish the job.

He clicked his beak, mind unsure how to handle the situation before him. How could he possibly take on all of these fuckers? But there was no doubt in his mind: he'd have to. Downed, grounded, his wing barely usable... he wasn't going to be able to pussy out of this fight. He opened his wings and charged, jumping and extending his talons for more bastards to die within them.

"How far do we have to go, Mr Blink?"

"Not far until the path ends, and then you'll have to climb from there. I will try to find rocks easy to access." Blink wasn't sure how else to describe the rocky crag they would need to squeeze into and hoped that they got there safely. The mountain could be treacherous even when there weren't blood thirsty beasts trying to eat you. "We will have to move quickly if we don't want to leave a trail to follow."

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Blink? The candle's name was Blink? What a weird name. Oh well, it wasn't like he had to live with that name so if he wanted to have the weird name that was totally up to him. Oliver looked a little sad though and it put Yoru in a weird spot, torn between wanting to get the hell out of there and wanting to see what was up. Setting a slower pace so that he walked beside the pup he looked down and tried to get Oliver's attention. "What's eating you kid?"

((lame post, sorry. With it being just Sil, Night and me there isn't much to work with.))

The fight was on, as each head his large, lethal talons set upon was potentially the last. Hopping over the biting, drooling, roaring horde, Brig's fear quickly subsided to manic exhilaration as his feet crushed each rotting skull they landed on. His weight alone would cause most pokemon's bones to snap, but his claws were always the ones to cinch the deal. With the aid of occasional Hone Claws and Crush Claws, there was nearly nothing that could stop him. Each encounter always placed him in the winner's corner with an added last shriek of whatever tried to take that title from him.

Until the Cryogonal.

Sharpened talons were halted as they came into contact with the thing's face, its strange eyes lazily looking up at Brig's feathered form. He was barely able to utter a word before the Ice Beam shot out, hitting him stright in the abdomen, launching him into the air. Unable to catch himself from the force of the attack, he landed hard on his back, a grunt escaping him as nearly all the air was knocked out of his lungs with it. Flipping slowly back onto his feet as he attempted to remove the throbbing pain from his attention, Brig glanced up to see it slowly making its way toward him, face blank.

"Ooh..." he chuckled, taking the opportunity to get another Hone Claws in before the ice face got near enough to attack again. "Aren't you just the belle of the fuckin' ball? Your momma must've been real proud when you hatched." He got in another Hone Claws, then another and another. Before long, he felt his muscles bulging, his body twitching for battle. Oh, yes. There was no doubt about it-- he was fucking ready.

Launching himself forward, wings open, he caught the face in time before it fired another attack, then used his wings to propel himself upward, despite the pain his wounded wing was shooting him. There'd be time to bitch and moan about it later-- now was the time to kill this sonnova bitch. Higher, higher, higher he flew, soon letting gravity take him and begin pulling him back down to the earth. The winds sweeping past him, Brig couldn't help but let a cruel grin spread across his beak. These fuckers were toast.

Opening his wings and talons simultaneously, he dropped the ice face to return to his disgusting brethren, mouth still hungrily gnawing for the braviary's flesh. However, it didn't last long. The Sky Drop attack had been so brutal, once the ice type hit the earth, it shattered; its icy shards sent every which way. The impact alone was enough to obliterate any nearby undead, but the shards picked off the scragglers who were on the outskirts of the small crater Brig had created. With a confident huff, he soared back to the others and was quickly reminded about his wing's condition. Sharp, terrible pain stabbed his shoulder, forcing him to land with a pained hiss. Damned rotters.

Loping the rest of the way, he soon saw the candle, fox and pup. "...They're taken care of," Brig growled, shaking himself to de-ruffle his feathers. "Though, we should still light out while we can."

They had finally reached the bottom of the cliff face they would have to climb when the sound of heavy wing beats caught Yoru's attention. Ears perking to attention the Umbreon looked around until the Braviary's massive form came into view and he frowned. Of course the jackass would come back without a scratch. He settled down and ruffled his feathers, much to Yoru's annoyance, and acted like they had been doing jack squat since separating from him. "...They're taken care of. Though, we should still light out while we can."

Brilliant plan Sherlock," Yoru growled out. "But as you can see we just freaking got here and according to the candle we still have to climb. SO. Unless you plan to make yourself useful could you do me a favor and just shut your beak?" Blink was getting nervous at the tension between the red ringed vulpine and the Braviary, knowing that any kind of tension could lead to him losing focus and sparking up. This was exactly what he had been afraid of. Letting such volatile creatures into his sanctuary would taint it...he would never be safe. They would never be safe. "Maybe if he carried you we would get in faster?" Yoru turned to glare at Blink and he at once regretted saying anything. "Never mind..."

"Not far until the path ends, and then you'll have to climb from there," Blink replied. "I will try to find rocks easy to access. We will have to move quickly if we don't want to leave a trail to follow." Oliver nodded as he sped up into a trot, looking down at the little Litwick as he walked beside him. But then Yoru was next to him, and the Umbreon bent his head low. "What's eating you kid?"

The question caught Oliver off guard a little; clearly Yoru had noticed his somewhat lackluster demeanor. Raising his head high and offering the Dark-type a peppy nod, Oliver forced himself to smile. "I'm fine! Just ... thinking about how nice it is to have you back with us, Mr Yoru. I wonder if Miss Lola or Mr Pyth will come back too." His ears suddenly perked up as he remembered something. Looking Yoru in the eye, he asked, "Where's Miss Armonia?"

But just then, Brig landed nearby. "...They're taken care of. Though, we should still light out while we can." "You took out all of them yourself?" Oliver stared up at the huge bird in awe, his tail wagging slightly at the realisation that he had such a strong Pokemon on his side. He let himself fade into the background at Yoru's sarcastic, somewhat nasty response. His friend had changed, there was no doubt about it, and more than anything he wanted to know what had happened to make him like this. Maybe someone made him sad...

But right now he wanted to focus on getting to the sanctuary that Blink spoke of before they were attacked again. He sat and patiently waited for orders while they conversed, pawing at the ground nervously. I don't even know who the leader is supposed to be anymore.

Brig's triumphant return seemed to bring with it a mix of different reactions, namely the amount of gratitude --or lack thereof. Brilliant plan Sherlock," the damned red-ringed umbreon growled out. "But as you can see we just freaking got here and according to the candle we still have to climb. SO. Unless you plan to make yourself useful could you do me a favor and just shut your beak?" Brig's eyes flashed over at the dark moon fox, feathers already ruffling once more. All of those Hone Claws were still in effect, but only just... He could probably get in another move... The ghost made his own obvious point, and Brig couldn't help his own words spout.

"I haven't seen you do anything but sit around and bitch you goddamned shit-eating cuntmuncher!" he cried, his towering form looming over the umbreon. "If it weren't for me, those damned lamebrains would already be chowin' down on your useless ass-- the fuckin' kid's done more than you and his balls haven't even dropped. SO. Why don't you shut your fucking face and show some goddamned respect or go back and suck your momma's fucking tit!" Scoffing, raking some dirt beneath his talons and showering it in the red-ringed umbreon's direction, he turned his attention to said pup, the little growlithe looking up at him in adoration.

"You took out all of them yourself?" Brig's furious growl switched almost instantly to a triumphant grin, his feathers smoothing themselves back down.

"I sure did, son. Nothin' you can't do with a shitton of hard work, discipline and training." He turned back, remembering the candle's words of his earlier suggestion-- hopping on Brig's back and flying up to the sanctuary. While the eagle himself had proposed the idea, with his wing now wounded... There'd be no way he could carry passengers; he could barely keep himself up in the air. He looked to the wick, nodding to the mountain. "Where to?"

"I haven't seen you do anything but sit around and bitch you goddamned shit-eating cuntmuncher!" Yoru snarled at the annoying bird as he used swearing as a method to cover up the fact that he sucked at comebacks. It was displeasing to the ear to hear so many badly phrased curse words in a row. Quickly tuning out the rest of the guy's bitching he turned his attention back to Oliver who gave a half-hearted reply to his earlier query of what was wrong. But then he mentioned the Rapidash. "I-She...that is..."

Yoru wore a guilty expression at the mention of Armonia, still upset that he hadn't been able to track her down after she ran off. He couldn't let the kid know that she was probably dead it would only upset him. Damn it, this was why he didn't like kids! They were so sensitive and he didn't know how to talk to one! "You took out all of them yourself?" He frowned at the praise heaped on the annoying patriot who acted like he was the boss because he had wings. Psht. He wasn't so great.

Blink struggled to keep from stressing as the Braviary and Umbreon went at it, hiding behind Oliver in an effort to spare himself from any uncontrolled wrath. "Please...please stop. You'll attract them..." But his soft pleas seemed to go unheard as attention soon went to Oliver. Blink realized his close proximity to the pup and soon feared Brig's understanding of the situation, floating as quickly as he could to the top of a nearby rock. Clearing his throat he looked down at the waiting Pokemon and waved one of his waxy little arms. "This way, it shouldn't take long if we move as a group."

Oh please let it not take long.

Oliver's ears pressed against his head as he stood back a little; Yoru and Brig were fighting again, the large bird throwing more insults than Oliver knew at the Dark-type. He almost wanted to defend Yoru, but at the same time he knew that his friend was treating Brigadier very unfairly, especially after he had risked his life battling those undead so that their safety could be confirmed.

When he was pretty sure that they had stopped firing curses at one another, Oliver stepped up next to Blink, dipping his head low in fear that he was only about to prolong the fight."Please ... stop fighting." He watched the little candle float to the top of a nearby rock and quietly cleared his throat as he looked back to the two bickering Pokemon. "Um ... I'm going with Mr Blink. I want to have a rest soon..." Giving them both a solemn look, Oliver turned and clambered up the rock after the Litwick.