The FUCHSIA team

As the Camerupt charged, Mort rose upwards and hissed aggressively, baring his long fangs. "You're still after me, you bitch? Why don't you go bother some other lot?" he hissed. Rhonda looked at the serpent in surprise. "You mean ... she has been pursuing you for some time? Whatever for?"

The undead beast was getting closer, and Rhonda braced herself to receive her attack so she could retaliate with Counter. Being at a high level she knew she could take it ... well, she hoped she could. But just then the gold Fraxure ran straight past her. "Oh no you don't!" Rhonda growled, marching forward but it was too late; Renault's tusks clipped the Camerupt's face as he passed and he was promptly knocked over by the force of his own attack. "Stay there!" Determined to get to the young dragon, Rhonda foresaw Dysis's attack as she raised her front hooves. Just as she crashed them down and unleashed a massive Magnitude attack, Rhonda scooped Renault up off the ground, protecting him and taking full force of the attack herself.

Once the earth stopped shaking, Rhonda put Renault down and staggered to one side. That Magnitude had been more powerful than she'd anticipated and her body ached from its impact. But on the plus side, her Counter attack kicked in and she sent a blast of energy at Dysis. Provided it hit, it would inflict twice the damage that she had just received.

((skip me, please, i can't seem to find anything for Renault to be doing this cycle.))

((Then I'll have to skip as well I'm afraid. ^^; Can't really do a lot until more people come out of the Safehouse.))

((skip. still can't do anything..))

"You mean ... she has been pursuing you for some time? Whatever for?" Mort backed away, the magnitude sweeping him onto his side in pain. "I... have no idea. Ever since the infection broke out where I lived, this cranky thing's been after me!" his hiss was laced with annoyance, shooting a deadly glare at the elderly undead as it thrashed around, roaring in a fit of rage.

The Camperupt flailed, retching bile from her mouth as she stomped her hooves. Battles like this weren't good for her old, worn bones. Dysis could feel her legs wearing out, and anymore of this and she may just crumple to the ground. Before she could do anything about the state of her body she felt something slam against her side, causing the elder to stagger before falling to the pavement, breathing heavily.

It was all so dull, so lifeless, where the luxray trod. There was no more prey for her, no more sport. Her dead senses- or at least, what remained of them- scanned her surroundings for something, anything to hunt, but as always, there was nothing. Her pads quietly crunched the dying grass as she trotted, her rotting form a bleak black and blue stain upon the ground. She was death, and around her, life fled.

As it should be.

However, the string of inactivity was beginning to bother her, as her paws always itched for something to claw, to sink into. No... They itched to stalk... to keep silent as they brought her closer and closer to that beautiful moment when she and her prey were perfectly aligned, where for one perfect instant, all was right with the world.

She paused as her ears picked up movement, voices. Immediately, she crouched and hid, eyes wide to catch any stray movement. She soon found herself in the ruined city of Fuschia, and a small troupe of pokemon fighting amongst themselves. While their activities intrigued her, the one that truly caught her eye was the red-stained vaporeon that lay prostrate on the ground. She grinned.

Her prey.

She came closer, and while the other pokemon were busy with a camerupt of her own kin, she snuck up behind the vaporeon. But something was wrong. It wasn't moving, it wasn't running. Disappointed, she came closer to find the vaporeon passed out, and the luxray's eyes narrowed. No. No death under the veil of sleep. All of her victims would see their fate and would know the fear that came along with it.

She poked and prodded the vaporeon, nudging her with a massive, bloated paw. When that failed, she snarled, her already thin patience giving out. What good was prey that wouldn't run?! What good was this waste of meat if they did nothing?! Snarling, the luxray picked up the vaporeon by the neck and tossed her, effectively waking her.

"I see you finally decided to wake," she growled, padding to the place the crimson water type had fallen. When she strode over her prey, her soon-to-be-kill, she delighted in the screams of threats and pleas for mercy that emitted from the creature. Her red eyes watched the creature squirm and writhe, and that moment, she decided that her paws were too good of a death for this one, this one that couldn't even give a good enough hunt. This one that lay around and did nothing. And so, the luxray rolled the vaporeon over, and before the water type could run, the lion placed her teeth on her back and pulled.

Hard.

The spine strained and pulled, but did not snap as the luxray separated it from the skin, ripping through the small guard fins that lined the back of her prey. Using her teeth only, she relished in the screams and tortured cries the vaporeon produced. At least she was good enough for that. Down to the hips, Luxray pulled up the spine, blood pouring from the hideous wound. Once finished, the lion stepped back and marveled at her work. The prey lay crying, bawling, snot-faced and bleeding, her spine ripped up out of the safety of her skin. But she was still alive, still bleeding. Luxray scoffed, lashing her tail and trotting away as the vaporeon bled out. Not worth enough to kill.

The lion disappeared into the early morn, and the vaporeon's eyes glazed as the dawn hit them. Nerves twitching, organs starving, heart stuttering, she fell into Death's grasp after a long and agonizing passing, every nerve on fire even as her vision dimmed into darkness.

Nimh watched in horror as everything around her started to pick up speed. She couldn't move as she watched the others fight and how the undead had retreated. Joy filled her old heart as time slowed down, but then the Vaporeon was attacked and time slowed down even more until it literally felt like eternity to the elderly Arbok. Then everything came to a stand still as Nimh watched the life leave the red Vaporeon.

When time finally began to move for the snake she slithered toward the carcass of the water type. Tears filled her aged eyes as she nudged the lifeless body. Her head hung low to the ground as tears streamed from her eyes. She used her length of her body and dug her tail into the ground about ten feet from her current location. Her body groaned in pain, but her ignored it and keep digging.

When she was done, she had dug at least a six foot deep hole. She gentle took the Vaporeon and layed her body in the hole. Before she buried the body, she turned to the others, tears streaming from her aged face, D-doesss anyone want to sssay anything? Her tongue flicked as she tail gripped a small mound of dirt. She was ready to finish the burial.

(RIP Arial T^T)

Rhonda immediately felt sorry for Mort having to put up with the ramaging, undead Fire-type since the start of the outbreak. She didn't have a lot of time to ponder over it though; her Counter attack hit the Camerupt dead-on, sending the dual-type over onto her side with a mighty crash. Taking the opportunity, Rhonda ignored her new aches and pains and tried to round everyone up. "Hurry, everyone, hurry! Let's get away while she's--"

She was interrupted by an almighty scream of pain from behind her. Terrified, she turned to see a Luxray leaning its head towards Ariel. Just the sight of the undead creature made the old Haxorus shiver with apprehension. There was a sickening crack and Rhonda knew that she had to do something. "GET AWAY FROM HER!" she bellowed, roaring in fury and charging at the Luxray. But before she could reach it the feline had ran away outside. Swinging her head in frustration, Rhonda looked to Ariel and almost vomited. Her entire spine had been ripped from her body. Rhonda retched violently and looked away, spitting out a blob of bile as she held back her vomit. She lowered her head and shook it as the terrible realisation of what had just happened hit her. With a livid glare she looked outside in the direction that the Luxray had gone. "You disgusting beast..."

Rhonda stood back a little and watched as Nimh begun to dig a hole using her enormous tail. She gently laid Ariel inside. "D-doesss anyone want to sssay anything?" she asked them. Rhonda snorted as she stepped towards the grave. She hadn't even gotten to know the poor dear, and didn't even know her name. She found herself not knowing what to say. Eventually something came to her and she lowered her head slowly, speaking to Ariel in her mind. I'm sorry that I could never get you to trust me.

"I've finished," she said to Nimh, raising her tusked head again. She waited for the burial to finish and then turned to everyone in the group. "Come on, let's get out of here while the Camerupt is down." Checking to see if everyone was behind her, she trod outside, making sure to keep well away from the defeated Camerupt. She started to make her way southwards towards the beach where she and Nimh had met. Her expression behind her tusks was solemn and tears filled her red eyes.

Why must it be this way? Arceus ... where are you?

[OOC: Psst psst, it should be early morning now since Luxray said Ariel died early morning.]

At the presence of another undead, Dysis has ripped around to see a Luxray, stalking towards the red Vaporeon. The Camperupt watched, sensing that this monster--whatever it was--was far more superior than her. Dipping her head with respect she watched as the lion slowly, agonizingly ripped the water-type's spine from her body, leaving Ariel to die on her own.

Mort was horrified at the scene, body frozen as he watched in disgust, before Rhonda's shout brought him back to the world. "GET AWAY FROM HER!" The Seviper launched into action, slithering at full speed. "Didn't you fucking hear what she said? GO AWAY!" he yelled, but he arrived a moment too late as the Luxray began to leave.

"D-doesss anyone want to sssay anything?" Looking to Ariel's dead body, he frowned. The serpent was at a loss for words--he was never good with them. "Uh... Rest in Peace." he mumbles, while the Haxorus suggested they escape before the Camerupt regains her strength. With a swift nod he began to slither a few ways away. "Lets go."

When the others had gathered and said their words for the red Vaporeon, Nimh finished the grave. She patted the first mound that was now the water types grave. She broke a branch of a nearby tree and placed it like a grave marker. Then she followed the others without a single word. She longer body ripped and flexed with powerful muscles. Once the dirt turned to sand she looked up and found that Rhonda had taken them to the beach where she and Nimh first met.

Nimh smiled slightly, Sssuch a beautiful place.] Her voice was small and cracked as she looked out on the ocean. She looked to Rhonda and Mort, Ssso, what do you guysss want to do now? The elderly Arbok looked at her only friends before she turned and look out at the ocean.

Rhonda was out of breath by the time she'd reached the white sands of the beach. At her size, running wasn't exactly a small feat. She came to a stop near to the water and dunked her head into it, throwing it back upwards and sending droplets of water down her armoured back to cool herself down and soothe her aches and pains. Not only that but it got rid of the tears that had escaped from her eyes previously. She had to try and keep their spirits up and crying wasn't going to help with that.

She heard Nimh mutter something softly to herself and turned to her. The Arbok was looking out over the calm ocean with a sombre expression. Before Rhonda could comfort her, Nimh slithered round to face everyone. "Ssso, what do you guysss want to do now?" she asked.

Rhonda took a deep breath and gave herself a moment to calm down before answering. "I think that ... we should try and explore the city a little. I bet that there are other survivors out there waiting to be found." She tried to keep her voice upbeat but eventually dropped it. "What happened to the Vaporeon is ... terrible, truly awful. But ... we mustn't let it get us down too much. Things like this ... they happen. No one is safe these days." With another sad sigh she looked out at the ocean and watched the sun slowly start to rise behind the hills on her left. "So ... so we need to try and push on and put it behind us. I know it's easier said than done but ... what choice do we have?"

In the decayed and destroyed city of what used to once be Fuchsia, creatures skitted away in terror. And not just any Pokemon, but undead. Their cries of fear only showing their stupidity from their decayed and lost minds. It just amused the slimy and discusting excuse for a linoone as he crawled lazily out of the shadows of a house. Eyes small and peircing, the red gaze was full of hate and a never ending need to feed. His narrowed head slowly turned to the left, survaying the city. A displeased hiss came out of his broken and deadly teeth. "...pitiful..." His voice being just a wheezy tone of barely restrained aggitation.

He had been traveling for days without so much as a fucking challange. All the Harb asked for was a nice challange. Something to get his blood boiling again, in a way. But the damn human settlement along the coast was just as boring as everywhere else. The linoone spat angerly, a pool of tainted blood staining the earth a foot away.

But some twisted god must have been smiling upon him as suddenly a sound came to his small ears. Flicking them up instantly, he moved so fast he was a blur. The Harb stared in the direction of the feminin voice. "...we mustn't let it get us down too much. Things like this...they happen. No one is safe these days." The linoone was able to easily make out the shining hide of a haxorus, her blades reflecting the light of the dawn so well that it was amazing he did not spot her earlier. No words escaped his maw, instead a mad smile of lust ripped across the linoone's face. Eyes alight with such exstacy, the Harbinger took zero to no notice of the masive serpent next to the dragon.

It was all too perfect. Bunching his powerful legs beneath him, the Harb watched as the idiot turned her gaze to the ocean. The elder was completely off gard! Then he shot forward, moving with such extreme speed and grace that had not faultered in the least since his infected state."...know it's easier said than done but...what choice do we have?" the bitch was saying as he sped forward at his famed 70 MPH. The crazed light of the thrill in his eyes, the Harb would be on her before she could even gasp.

But somehow he misjudged.

'NO!" The cry was not even completely out before the arbok was suddenly in the linoone's way. Suddenly smashed into with the tremendous weight of the snake, he roared in fury as he jumped back with grace before regaurding both females with a wrathful gaze. By then the haxorus was awear of his appearance and his attack was ruined, but yet the arbok stood bravely in his way. He could see tearstains on her stupid face and she hissed at him in an attempt to frighten him. HIM! The Harb snarled, his unkept and torn pelt suddenly spiking with such immeasurable fury. "YOU WRETCH! YOU WILL DIE FIRST!" he bellowed at the serpent, completely ignoring the dragon now.

This bitch was HIS.

Without any warning, the Harb shot forward. His entire body was a blur as he struck with the first Shadow claw. The blow hit right in the left side of the crone's hood, his massive claws striking right through her thin skin flap beside her head. The look of utter horror on her face only pleased the linoone further and he met her gaze then, winking as he ripped his paw from her flesh. "You like it, don'cha, bitch?" Her scream of pain then was completely worth it, only urging the Harb on. With a booming laugh, he struck again in the same fashion, making another massive hole in the other side of her hood. With more and more blood pouring around them, the scene was just beautiful for the Harb. He continued on with the Shadow claws, ripping and tearing at her body with massive claws as he danced around her in a blur of claws and red.

Eyes wide with a maddened glee, the normal type kept going until none of her hood was left, leaving the damn arbok with only a normal, tube like body of a normal serpent. Barking out a laugh, the linoone stood over her. His eyes flashed happily as he raised one paw to his mouth, licking the still warm blood from his claws. but he was not done. She had messed with him- she had to pay. She was already so covered in blood that it would have been impossible to tell if she lived or not other than her screams of pity.

Of course, he had none.

"Enjoy the show, bitch, because I don't do retakes." He was looking at the fucking snake, but his words were also for the haxorus. Without hesitation, the mongoose bunched up his powerful legs before leaping into the air. Easily scaling a few yards up, at the peak he positioned himself midair. His eyes glowed with exstacy as he used his most powerful attack. The Giga impact left him barreling so fast for the ground that he would not even be visible. Moving just in time, the linoone landed just perfectly upon her throat. Instantly crushing her windpipe upon impact, the snake flailed in her attempt to breathe, only earning a chuckle from the Harb as he leisurely stepped off of the bloody corpse. She died within seconds, suffocating with her own blood as well as no oxygen.

Laughing happily in his rough voice, the Harb simply walked away. His massive claws left a trail of blood as he made his leave from the fucking bitch who crossed his path.

Just, what the fuck.

Another monster of an undead had come in, killed the Arbok, and left. What's more, th fucking thing had enough nerve to call him a bitch. Mort was brimming with rage, hissing like mad. "Motherfucker..." Narrowing his eyes, he apologetically bowed to the Haxorus. "Hey, sorry, but I'm going to leave. This place is too..." the Seviper stared at the blood and gore everywhere. "Tainted for my liking. Besides, having me around means having that bitchy Camperupt around."

Mort began to slither off, waving his tail good-bye. "Sorry. See ya." As he got to the borders of Fuchsia city, the silhouette of a Camperupt slowly began to stalk him into undergrowth.

[OOC: Leaving post.]

"Such a beautiful morning.... huh, boy?"
"They always are, m'lady."
"At least it brings us some hope, don't you think?"
"I always have hope when I see you smile, m'lady."

Releasing the button of the universal communicator wrapped around her neck like a vine tendril, I alowed a smile to pry at my lips. One of the few times I would allow myself to show any sigh of joy; the world had become such a adangerous place that any spark of hope almost seemed to be begging for some sort of trouble. Something to come and ruin the fragile peace that was felt by so few. I then sighed, the small twitch of my lips falling right back into the disheartened fown. I walked slowly, daintily almost, as I cautiously explored the long laid to ruin city of Fchsia. I had come here many times in my younger years, during my many travels. I could not help but come to a hault, my thin frame shaking again as dark brown orbs threatened to allow the liquid to overflow.

Salem was beside me, having never actually left my side in the first place, and the Feraligatr was a silent becon for hope to myself personaly. Having had the feisty guy with me since I had very first started my journey over twenty five or so years ago, I would never stop counting my lucky stars that I was allowed to keep him in the middle of so much hell. On all fours, his firey eyes were soft with understanding, allowing me time to greive and take in the ruins before passing swiftly on.

Of course Salem had been with me, that entire time, when I first visited the city. I could only hope that the rest of beautiful Kanto was not the same. There might still be hope, but not for Johto. Not like my own home had any hope of redemption. Another sob threatened to choke through me and I slammed my eyes shut. Why is everything so hard?... I have failed everyone. My family, my son, my husbend... and Jolt... Once again remembering the kind hearted Ampharos, I nearly crumpled then and there. I could still remember the attack, those damn undead, and the almost innocent wound gracing the back of her neck that ensured her destruction. She was one of the very first of my family that I met, one of the first to oin me on my journey, and she had entrusted me with her well being the morning she allowed the Pokeball to overtake her.

There was a gentle nudge on my back and my eyes snapped open, wretching me from my thoughts, and I turned to see my faithful partner nudging me onward. I froze, tears still staining my dirtied face, but I nodded shakily. I did not have to use the device we found to understand the releif in his eyes as he blinked up at me. Placing one hand on his face, my fingers instinctively falling into the natural dip of his head before his spikes, I allowed him to half guid me forward. Salem and I had been traveling for a long time and one reason that we needed to hurry was ovious by my partner's posture. Being a water type, he needed to have his body cool down many times more than my own. Despite t only being the start of the morning, we had already been on the move for many hours. My legs were soar and exhausted, but there was never any time to rest. Not in the world we thived in, anyway.

The Feraligatr slowly took me through the city, not allowing me any time to focus on a single building or a particilar lang mark lest I start to break down. And for that I was grateful. Finally, as we passed the shattered shell of the gym, I forced myself to remain strong. I did not allow my mind to flash back to the friendly banter I held within those walls with both the Legendary Koga as well as his daughter who suceeded him. Seeing the shining surphase of water before me, Salem perked up noticably, earned a small smile from my lips. Cautiously making our way down the ledges, we quickly approached the beach. But then I stopped dead. Two things stood out immediately: the gore and the monsterous dragon. Choking back a cry of horror, Salem was standing protectively before me in a heart beat, his eyes harsh in case the Pokemon proved dangerous.

I recognized the species, one I had always admired from the text books but never had the honor of seeing face to face. "A... Haxorus..." Salem growled a warning as we slowly moved closer, no more than ten meters away, but my eyes never left the shining beauty of the creature before me. If there was one thing that never changed, it was my love for Pokemon. The Epidemic did not change that and I would be ready to help any in need as long as they were not infected. I cleared my throat, quickly wiping away the tears from earlier before attempting to speak. Reaching up with one hand, the other still settled on my starter's head, I pressed the button on the universal communicator. "P-please... we need to g-get to the water. M-my friend needs to rest. We mean you no harm..." I tried to keep my voice strong, but my tone was so broken. It would have fooled no one. Although we had no proof for if the Haxorus had slaughtered another living right there or not, I was itching to have one hand on my belt. Selira or Ash would be out in a flash if it decided to prove hostile.

But all I really wanted was to get Salem to the water.

[ooc: Yo Night! C: Happy to be on the team! Hope you enjoy Slyke~]

It all went by in a flash, yet why did time slow itself down so maliciously? One minute Nimh was there and the next she was dead. The Linoone wasted no time in tearing her to shreds and then suffocating her. The little monster was enjoying every second of it. By the time Rhonda came to her senses it was all over. With a massive bellow she charged at the undead Normal-type, swinging her bladed head, but the Linoone was too nimble for her and escaped. Nimh... The elderly Haxorus bent her head over the corpse of her friend; the first Pokemon in a long time that had excepted her for who she was; who had not scarpered in fear at the sight of her; who had stood up for her. Rhonda let her tears fall as she gazed silently at Nimh's motionless body. Nimh ... no ... please...

She barely noticed Mort slithering up to her until he spoke, his words sending a frozen dagger through her wounded heart. "Hey, sorry, but I'm going to leave. This place is too... tainted for my liking. Besides, having me around means having that bitchy Camperupt around." She couldn't believe what she was hearing. After two friends had been brutally murdered right in front of her, Mort was leaving her. Alone, since the golden Fraxure was nowhere in sight either, obviously having been frightened off or something. Rhonda's mouth formed silent words as Mort turned, waved and left with a simple "see ya." Don't go... Her mouth formed these words but she was too choked up, too distraught, to speak them. Mort please ... don't leave me...

It was completely silent now, apart from the soothing hiss of the sea. Rhonda stood for a long time on the sand, motionless, staring off into the distance where Mort had disappeared into. It had barely been an hour and already she was back on her own. Too tired, too crushed to take another step, Rhonda curled up on the sand next to Nimh's body. Her woeful sigh sent a cloud of sand into the air. Even though she had great power and she knew it, Rhonda felt, for the first time in her life, small and vulnerable. She would've been an easy target for either the Luxray or the Linoone if they decided to return.

What was that? Rhonda raised her head at the sound of voices nearby. She looked in its direction, hoping with all her heart that someone would emerge and nurse her lonely soul. But what stepped into view was the very last thing on earth she wanted to see. Even the undead were less of a threat to her than this. A human.

"No." Rhonda spoke aloud for the first time in a while and immediately got to her feet, glaring her down. "Go away. Don't come any closer," she growled sternly, holding herself steady, ready to fend them off if necessary. No way. No way was she about to let a human come along and try to capture her, just like they had done to her poor daughter. She stood in front of Nimh's body protectively in case either she or that Feraligatr of hers made a move for it. She'd tear them apart if she had too; no way were they going to cause her dear friend any more harm.

But then the human pulled out a strange device and spoke into it. To Rhonda's surprise, she understood every word. "P-please... we need to g-get to the water. M-my friend needs to rest. We mean you no harm..." "TRICKERY!" Rhonda immediately bellowed, shaking her head and showing off her formidable tusks in defense. "I won't let you bring any more harm to my friend! GO AWAY!" With another bellow that echoed over the cliffs, she charged forward and thrust her head in their direction, the blades missing them by mere inches. She stood her ground next to Nimh firmly, gusts of air puffing from her flaring nostrils. "Your kind have caused me nothing but grief..."

My heart broke. It broke at the reaction of the beautiful Haxorus. It was only when it whipped around did I finally realize my mistake. The posture was threatening... but also protective. And not once did the dragon move from the gore -no, not gore. My eyes widened. Oh, oh dear Lugia. A body. It was then that the roaring nearly deafened my sensetive ears, making me flinch visibly. "TRICKERY!" The Haxorus bellowed. It was then that I realized her gender, femal. I did not remove my hand from the device despite her roar, nor did I back away. Salem needed the water. "I won't let you bring any more harm to my friend! GO AWAY!" She made a feirsome show, swinging the menecingly massive blades on her head from side to side. Sarrow filled my eyes, threatening to overflow with tears. Salem recognized my reaction immediately, and he tried to warn me, slowly calling to me, "Slyke..."

But that was when things became truly frightening.

The Haxorus attacked, the huge natural weapons on her head coming closer than before. My eyes snapped shut in horror, completely preparing fro the death blow to hit. Decapitation, I could only hope for. That would be the quickest way out. Salem roared, "MASTER!!" but was helpless. But no blow came. I heard the huff of a harsh breath and my eyes slowly opened, meeting the Haxorus' own gaze. "Your kind have caused me nothing but grief..." she finally admitted. My heart bled at her words. I had lost my hld on my Feraligatr in the confusion, but my delicate fingers never left the universal communicator. Tears began to overflow then, "Oh Lugia... you poor dear... Some horrible people must have dealt with you in the past..." escaped my lips. A sob choked from my chest. "I am so sorry..." Forever my achille's heel: my love of Pokemon. No matter how cold and dangerous they were, I never stopped loving them. They all had a story, some stain writen acorss their heart's, and I always felt the need to help them.

It would get me killed one day, surely.

Taking one step forward, I raised one hand, as if to reach for her, before letting it fall limply again. I felt so helpless! I had always been able to melt even the most coldest heart before, but that took time. And trust. Both of those were in very, very short supply within the world of the Epidemic. The Feraligatr's warning growl interrupted my thoughts and my tearing gaze was ripped from the Haxorus' as I looked at Samel instead. He did not need to speak to convay the message: he needed to get to the water. The Haxorus was a problem. I tried smiled at him, failing miserably as it faultered and evaporated. I motioned to the water, just past the Unovian dragon, as I fought not to show how shaken I was by tremblng. "G-go ahead, Salem. You don't n-need m-me to go with y-you. You are a b-big Poke-emon now." I tried to make the last part a joke, but my voice cracked, sounding dead even to me by the end.

My partner had virtually not left my side since the Epidemic started. The hesitation was clear in his stance. "Go," I urged, my voice more forced as I held up a Pokeball with magenta and violet markings on top, fnaglike protrusions on the front like teeth. "Ash can help if things do become..." My voice trailed off, unable to finish the thought, but he finally nodded in understanding before turning. As he cautiosuly began skirting around the Haxorus to reach the beach, I sopke to her again, my voice monotone, underlined with pain and sarrow. "He needs the water. Please... let him pass. You can slaughter me if he tries a thing, but please, please, just let him get to the water. His h-health..." Tears built in my eyes again, but could not speak the rest of the words.

I sunk to my nees before laying down on the dirty ground, my cheek pushed against cool dirt, as I watched both the Haxorus and Salem trying to make his way past at a respectable distance. I didn't even have the strength to run anymore. If she did decide to attack, I would not make a move to stop her. Screw Ashen- I hardly deserved to live in a world my own kin ruined.

Rhonda was both amazed and hugely frustrated that neither the human or her companion had even budged after her threat display. Her blades and enormous roar had never failed her in the past, and she had even managed to chase away some large male Haxorus who had invaded her home in Unova. The elderly dragon continued to stand over Nimh protectively, eyeing them both over, trying to figure them out. If anything, their reaction to her outburst was sympathetic.

"Oh Lugia... you poor dear... Some horrible people must have dealt with you in the past," the human said, still speaking through the strange device in her hands. Rhonda snorted and shook her head again, trying not to convince herself that they meant no harm. She could not let her guard down. "I am so sorry..." Rhonda simply stared at her, her chest still heaving. A strange sound escaped the human's lips and she concluded that it was a sob. "Why are you crying?" Rhonda asked her before she could stop herself.

Just then, the human motioned her Pokemon to go over to the water. Her mind back to where it was, Rhonda growled and immediately blocked his path. When standing on his hind legs, the Feraligatr was taller than her, but she was not afraid. He was in a bad way, she could see that by his dry scales and distant gaze, but she could not risk them tricking her. But then ... you can see it for yourself, she thought. He is not well ... he couldn't attack me even if he wanted to...

"He needs the water," the human said, once again using the device in her hand. "Please... let him pass. You can slaughter me if he tries a thing, but please, please, just let him get to the water. His h-health..." Sinking to her knees and collapsing on the sand, the human looked no better than her Water-type companion. Guilt began to build up in Rhonda's old heart as she looked at them both.

After a few seconds, the old dragon moved to the side to allow the Feraligatr to pass. She still kept very close to Nimh and quietly growled a warning at the Pokemon as he went past. If he did so much as sniff at her corpse, she might be responsible for some serious injuries. As the Feraligatr bathed in the ocean, Rhonda watched the human as she lay on the sand, weak and ragged. Sympathy pulled at her heartstrings, and now that she had calmed down somewhat she was starting to see that these newcomers were not as threatening as she thought they were. Still, she remained cautious to the extreme just in case.

A need to assist the poor girl pulled Rhonda a little closer to her; very slowly she began to tread her way through the sand, her head low and outstretched. "Your Pokemon has his water," she stated quietly. "What is it that you need?"

The damn wires and plastic ear peice that wrapped around my neck did not make my laying down position too comfy, but -then again- nothing was ever enjoyable anymore. Allowing one arm to lay limp on the ground, I kept the other finger pressing the device as I allowed my dark eyes to drip closed. I could hear silence on the wind, not a sound for miles. it wretched my heart again. I could remember only too well when traveling with my family, the cries of wild Pokemon echoing in every place you could possibly go. I heard low growls but then the sliding and soft thumps of Salem's footsteps. I peeked open one eye to see the haxorus moving, allowing him to pass while not budging from her fallen comrade.

As I watched my beloved starter finally reach the water he needed, a smile graced my lips before my eyes slowly closed again. there was still hope in the world, after all. I had been correct; the dragon was not a bad Pokemon. In fact, I did not even believe bad Pokemon or people existed. No... she was just in pain and had been lashing out. My thoughts drifted as I tried not to feel the bitter feelings for my own ind, the only bastards that could possibly be responsible for such destrution on such a large scale. Focusing on the splashing sounds of the sea, I did not realize there was movement much closer to me at first. I felt no fear like any sane person would have, nor did I even react to show that I heard her approach. My breathing remained nuetral, but my heart did speed up a bit in anticipation.

This was my chance to befriend my first wild Pokemon since the Epidemic started. I could not help but feel hope thump painfully in my chest at doing something that had once been so normal and ruitine. Then the dragon finally spoke, her tone soft but not yet welcoming. "Your Pokemon has his water." I felt another grateful smile grace my face, a few more stray tears crawling down my face in my relief. "Th-thank you..." was all that I could say, my voice barely a whisper but yet just as rough and broken as before. I did not expect the Haxorus to continue, but her next words caught me so completely off gaurd that that my eyes snapped open. "What is it that you need?"

Old brown eyes met impossibly wise crimson ones as i simply stared at the wild Pokemon before me. I never got over the power within their gazes'- such a deep and untouched beauty... And each one unique. I swallowed slowly, taking in her stance and close proximety. She was still on all fours, her head the closest part to me, but I saw no agression, instead an almost curious like glow in her eyes. Of course I could have just been imagining it. But I ended up smiling weakly at her, not moving from my pathetic slump on the ground. "I do not know if to take you seriously or not," I whispered softly, more musing out loud than actually talking to the haxorus. I felt completely at ease with her, such an untamed wild spirit that I had not been able to experiance in so long. I ended up taking a deep breath before speaking the truth. "I need my family. I need the love of my life and I need my young son. I need to fight to survive and I need to protect what is left of my family from becoming one of them. I need to protect Salem. I need to potect Salem and Ashen and Jace and Fiona and Selira and Jolt and--" I cut myself off then, sobs beginning to wreak through my chest without realizing and I fought to controll the once more overflowing tears, only managing to fail miserable.

I swallowed then, fighting to control my voice. "I'm sorry. I... I don't know why I am telling you all of this. You probably just want me to leave you alone. I cannot blame you. I would too in your shoes." Glancing to my Feraligatr to make sure he was still safe and sound, I let my gaze soften on the dragon. "What do you need?" I inquired, not even knowing if she would bother replying. Surely I was just boring the powerful Pokemon to death.

"Th-thank you..." the human girl barely managed to croak as she watched her Pokemon bathe in the sea. Rhonda felt her old heart tighten as sympathy for the poor thing completely washed out her anger. While she was still fiercely protective of Nimh's body, she was starting to believe that these two newcomers truly did not mean to harm either of them. The girl's condition was starting to worry her though, so she shuffled her feet forward a bit to alleviate the awkward standing position she was in. Having her back arched like that wasn't easy at her age.

The girl's response to Rhonda's question was one of pure disbelief. The Haxorus understood; having a dragon acting like it was about to kill you one minute and then asking what you needed the next was bound to be confusing. The human smiled at her weakly and said, "I do not know if to take you seriously or not." Rhonda simply blinked at her and snorted, urging her to go on. But what she said next almost made her want to cry. "I need my family. I need the love of my life and I need my young son. I need to fight to survive and I need to protect what is left of my family from becoming one of them. I need to protect Salem. I need to potect Salem and Ashen and Jace and Fiona and Selira and Jolt and--"

"It's all right, dear," Rhonda soothed, her voice as gentle as it always was before the deaths that had ravaged her heart. "I ... I understand. I was separated from my family as well. My children..." She did not go on, fearing that her dislike of humans would start getting in the way. Now that her anger had subsided, she felt an overwhelming urge to help this girl and her Pokemon. "I'm sorry," the girl continued, trying to control herself, it seemed. "I... I don't know why I am telling you all of this. You probably just want me to leave you alone. I cannot blame you. I would too in your shoes." "It's all right," Rhonda repeated. "To be perfectly honest, I ... don't want to be left alone." After leaving Unova she had been a lone traveler, but after making friends and feeling that sense of responsibility and belonging, she did not want to lose that. "What do you need?" Rhonda barely had to think before answering, "I want my children back with me again. But ... that is unlikely. They have their own lives now. I'm sure that they would not want to return to their elderly mother. I'd only slow them down." She had no idea why she was opening her heart like this, to a human of all creatures! But it felt good to express herself for once. Before she knew it, her feet had left Nimh's side and she was now standing right next to the human, her head dipped low so that she made direct eye contact with her.

"Do humans have names?" she queried, an almost childlike curiosity welling up in her eyes. "Mine ... mine is Rhonda."

I could barely beleive it. My words were actually getting through to the beautiful beast before me.

I absorbed her words completely, a contented sigh escaping me as I listened to her voice describing what she needed. What she wanted. I slowly let my eyes close as I smiled. "I want my children back with me again. But ... that is unlikely. They have their own lives now. I'm sure that they would not want to return to their elderly mother. I'd only slow them down." I turned to lay on my back as she spoke, awkwardly crossing my thin hands over my sunken in stomach. A wince shot across my face for a second, pain deep inside my gut screaming for food. I had not eaten in many days, nothing other than a handful of berries, anyway. My body was long past making noises for food and instead was silently dying. Quickly pushing that from my thoughts, though, I allowed myself to just enjoy the Haxorus's company. I could hear her shifting and her voice was much gentler.

Was it too much to hope that I had begun to gain her trust so quickly?

I had always been one to bond with the Pokemon around me, relating to them much faster and easier than the rasism and coldness of humans. Maybe I still had it in me. I heard move shuffling beside me, and I sllowed my eyes to open slightly, the smile on my face more a grimace with my ghastly appearance as I saw her suddenly much closer. The suprisingly small head ducked down, the beautiful endless eyes meeting my own. Her next words shocked me so much that my eyes snapped wide open. "Do humans have names? Mine ... mine is Rhonda." Her tone was so... innocent. Like the curiosity of my own dear Ampharos when she was but a child. Rhonda. It was so normal. I had always wondered if and how the many vastr species of Pokemon called themselves.

"Yes," I responded with a hoarse whisper, bringing my hand up to press the button of the universal communicator. My voice hurt to speak but I was not going to fuck this up. "I have gone by many names in my day... but I prefer Slyke. You may call me Slyke. And my partner is Salem. I have five others in my family, but you don't have to meet them all now if you don't want to, Rhonda." My smile widened, speaking her name for the first time. It felt good to say it, rolling the Pokemon's name around on my tounge. "Thank you for trusting me so far, Rhonda. We won't be in your way for too much longer," I promised, my expression becoming serious. No matter what she said, the show that Rhonda gave when first seeing us was more honest than her words: she clearly did not like humans. I would love nothing more than to stay with her, but I knew that she would surely be glad to see us leave.

"Yes," the human replied to her question, obviously quite surprised that she had asked it in the first place. "I have gone by many names in my day... but I prefer Slyke. You may call me Slyke. And my partner is Salem." Rhonda looked over at the Feraligatr bathing in the water and guessed that she was referring to him. "I have five others in my family, but you don't have to meet them all now if you don't want to, Rhonda."

"I do think that meeting them all at once might be a tad overwhelming for me," said Rhonda with a slight chuckle. Concern flooded her gentle eyes again; Slyke's condition was worsening. She was very thin and pale, and had not moved off the sand. The old Haxorus looked over to Salem bathing happily in the water and then back at the emaciated human. She needed help, and now that she was much calmer than before and her mind was back where it was supposed to be, she started to wonder how she could assist her. "Thank you for trusting me so far, Rhonda. We won't be in your way for too much longer," Slyke then added. There was a hint of sadness in her voice.

Rhonda shook her mighty head slowly, a soft smile forming that was barely visible underneath her huge tusks. "Slyke ... now that I've met you and shared these honest words, I can't just let you go off alone. Not in your condition." She felt a sense of obligation towards this poor girl now, and even if they did part ways later on, Rhonda was going to make sure that Slyke was at least back on her feet before then. She looked towards the city and traced her mind back to the path she had taken when entering, trying to remember if she had seen anything useful.

Suddenly, it came to her. "On my way in here through the eastern entrance, I passed a couple of gardens on the reverse side of some human settlements. I didn't take a good look, but if you like we can see if there are any berry trees growing in them?" She was taking a chance here; she had barely even looked into these gardens, although she was pretty sure that one of them had a small pond. Berries like water, she thought.

Turning back to the Feraligatr in the water, her eyes caught sight of Nimh again. Although she had by no means forgotten she was there, she knew that she couldn't just leave the body out in the open like this. Trying to keep the tears away, she turned back to Slyke. "I ... I know that this is none of your concern but ... would you ask your Pokemon if he wouldn't mind helping me to ... dig a grave for my dear friend over there?" She gesturned to the Arbok's body and gave a shuddering sigh. "She was killed so maliciously ... and I can't just leave her here. I'm sorry ... I promise that we will go and look for those berries as soon as it is done. It's just ... something I need to do."

The respnses I received from Rhponda warmed my old heart. I had never expected her to open up to me so quickly, especially after what my kind had really done to the world. A shudder ran through my body again. I had always felt so detatched and different than everyoneelse- I could not help but bitterly think of what a good thing that was. Disrupting my thoughts, Rhonda slowly moved her head from side to side above me in a show of disapproval. As she spoke, I allowed mysel to push off the ground to straighten my frail body into a sitting position. "Slyke ... now that I've met you and shared these honest words, I can't just let you go off alone. Not in your condition." Hearing a Pokemon speak my name for the first time besides my family sent a shiver down my spine. It was so foreign and yet so amazing.

I felt strangely honored.

But her words held even more meaning. My eyes actually teared up as I gave a thin smile at her, my heart in my eyes. "Rhonda... you don't owe me a thing. But if we team up, i will fight until my last breath to give you life. You deserve it more than me." I Broke off as her gaze flitted across the ruins of Fuchsia; my words clearly would not deter her. I had really hit an amazing gold mine in earning the friendship of the Haxorus. I would never betray it. I allowed a glance to my Feraligatr in the water and took comfort in his still frmae simply laying in the life sustaining liquid. He put himself through hell for me. It sure was more than I desered. "On my way in here through the eastern entrance, I passed a couple of gardens on the reverse side of some human settlements. I didn't take a good look, but if you like we can see if there are any berry trees growing in them?" the magnificent beast suggested, catching my eternal gratefulness.

I quickly nodded in response. "I-if it's not too much trouble, that i-is," I quickly contradicted myself. I did not want to be trouble, let alone a liability, but when Rhona glanced back at Salem I was pleased to watch him coming slowly to shore, a rejuvinated life within his amber eyes. I flushed slightly in joy at the sight of him looking so well. It was more than releiving- my partner had not been given a break the entire time during the horrid Epidemic. But the Unova native's words captured my attention instantly. I was startled to find her eyes too watery, too bright. She is on the verge of crying, I realized in horror.

"I ... I know that this is none of your concern but ... would you ask your Pokemon if he wouldn't mind helping me to ... dig a grave for my dear friend over there?" I was proven right to my original assumption of her only protecting the remains of a friend when she motioned to the gore. "She was killed so maliciously ... and I can't just leave her here. I'm sorry ... I promise that we will go and look for those berries as soon as it is done. It's just ... something I need to do." Taking an enormous risk, it was then that I stood on weak legs. Stumbling forward a step, I gently rested one palm on the forehead ridge of my newest friend. I met her eyes, strength from another life making my gaze steady. "Of course," I whispered, breaking contact and recalling my hand. But the emotion in the gesture was there. It would be alright. I would help. Glancing at Salem as he slowly came our way, I knew he was not the one for the job. Grabbing a Pokeball from my belt, I expanded it while still adressing Rhonda. The top was a deep violet blue, a ridge of three spikes adorning the top. "Fiona knows Earth Power. She would be better for the job. Is that okay?" I did not release my Nidoqueen yet, not wanting to puch the Haxorus too far.

Another beautiful day, with a beautiful sky, and a beautiful road, and a beautiful tree, and beautiful dirt, and beautiful- what defines beauty?

Onne stopped on his track, outside of what appeared to be a very beautiful city before continuing on his line of thought. The city was a true beauty- but, then again, what defined beauty? How is this city more beautiful than... than, well, water? Water provided life, you drink water to live. Isn't that beauty? The beauty of something so simple as water providing life to so much... Was that beauty? Was that what this city did, as well? Provide life?

Looking around as he entered, he found that, at the moment, no. This city did not provide life, as it was as empty as the other cities he's passed in the last few months. He wondered why this was... Perhaps people found no more life in these cities. He wondered if and when they decided they could not see any beauty in these places anymore? Was it a quick decision, or did it develop over time? And what of this city? This city that he, himself thought was so grand, and wonderful, just as every other... Did he just see in a different way than the others? Or was there something missing that he would soon find he could not live without? What wasn't here?

"Fiona knows Earth Power. She would be better for the job. Is that okay?"

Onne's head snapped towards where he heard the voice, and he felt joy swell in his chest at the idea of another living, breathing being in the area. He hadn't been wandering the city long- just long enough to have given up hope on someone being there, and long enough to have wandered out to the beach where he found the source of the voice.

The first thing that caught Onne's attention was the fact that there was a human. A human! A HUMAN! He hasn't seen a human in Arceus knows how long! His light green eyes widened in happiness, and he had to stop himself from rushing over and attacking the poor girl. His excitement was staggering, and his breath came in quick pants. He wanted to ask this human so much, but knew he could not simply just bombard her. Humans were fragile, so he needed to be careful. So he slowly composed himself enough to notice what else was in the area: A Haxorus and a large pile of dead bodies. He wondered how the bodies got there... He wanted to know if the Haxorus did it. If the Haxorus was an "infected". He'd always wanted to question an undead or an infected! How perfect would that be? An undead and a human in one day?! So he decided to approach them, his excitement swelling once again, and he tried to hide his growing smile, and wonderment in his eyes.

"Excuse me?" He called as he approached the two, his sea green orbs glittering with happiness at meeting new friends. "Would you mind telling me who is responsible for this... well, mess?"

((Ooc- Long and a bit choppy, but yay~ I'm so glad to be on this team with the three of you! ^^ I look forward to this~))

Sunlight filtered though the leaves on a moderately sturdy tree, dappling the fur of the small feline at rest within them. With a raspy half cough, half grunt, the Meowth opened her lone eye. Quickly though, she narrowed it to a slit as the sun's ray beamed in on the pupil. Fucking sunlight. Letting out a gaping yawn that showed off her bloodstained teeth, Clover proceeded to stretch, and climb back down from her resting place. The bark of the tree was flaky and peeling off, making safe claw grips difficult to obtain. Her one hind-paw slipped, sending her toppling to the ground under a shower of loose bark.

With a small cry she slammed into the dirt, bark loosely tapping her pelt as it landed. A hiss of annoyance came from her muzzle. Well isn't that just fucking great. Who needs trees anyway. Clover shook off the bark, sending it flying in all directions. Composing herself once again, a split and pressing thought began to take over. So bored.. and hungry. Setting off, the young Meowth hobbled down the broken title streets of Fuchsia City. Every house and building was the same monotonous picture; broken, abandoned, and collapsed. The small Meowth had been walking for a while on this path of destruction, with only one large rundown building catching her eye. The fallen sign on it read 'Gym' across the front. Scanning the inside, Clover couldn't detect any life, and possible meals. Spitting in irritation, she muttered under her breathe, Goddamn it, is there even a fresh corpse around?

Her good ear flicked. Noise. No, words. There was speech somewhere nearby, which meant life. Life, meant food. Snickering with sudden interest, the feline Pokemon bounded off in the direction of the sound. The noises played games with her ears, teasing her to find their source. Her three legs carried her over drying grasses and dirt until there it was. Hidden in the shrubs, Clover peered at what she had been drawn to.

Two large reptilian Pokemon, far too big for food, a third prancing closer to the group, and a human of all things. The two large beasts served the Meowth no purpose but another couple of annoyances she had to deal with. The human appeared weak, but being surrounded by the apparent Feraligatr and something else Clover didn't recognize, made her a hard target. But the third, the third! Oh this Pokemon was tiny enough for her! It was too far away to determine the species, but it was it. Living were always better then corpses for a meal. This was her prey. Suppressing her rising cackle, Clover shrank deeper in her hiding place.

The game had begun.

Rhonda watched Slyke intently as she struggled to sit up, ready to use the top of her head to steady the fragile girl if she needed to. Thankfully she managed it by herself, and looked up at Rhonda with tears in her eyes. "Rhonda... you don't owe me a thing. But if we team up, I will fight until my last breath to give you life. You deserve it more than me." "That is not true," the Dragon-type immediately replied, shaking her mighty head. "Even though I ... have never liked humans very much, now is the time to ... to try and put that behind me." She lowered her head down to Slyke's level and stared at her intently with large, crimson eyes. "We are alike now, you and I ... we're survivors. Survivors of this ... this disaster that is ruining our world. And ... now that we have something in common we need to take advantage of that and help one another, yes?" She straightened up, her nostrils bursting with a cloud of air as she snorted. "With that said, I will not hear anymore talk of your life being any less value than my own, is that clear?" She wasn't sure why she spoke so sternly, as if she was scolding a child.

Finished speaking her mind for the time being, Rhonda nodded her head as Slyke agreed to go and look for berries. She held her breath as the weak human wobbled to her feet. Lowering her head again just in case she needed some support, Rhonda was surprised to feel Slyke's small, soft palm touch her forehead. Her first instinct was to back away, but as the hand, comically small up against her tusks, gently began to seal the bond between them, Rhonda felt remarkably relaxed. She sighed softly, closing her eyes for a moment. She never thought that she'd ever let a human get so close to her in a million years. "Of course." Slyke gently agreed to help as she took her hand away. Rhonda found herself watching it reach towards the piece of material around her wrist and pulling off a round ball. Rhonda took a step back, slightly spooked. Just like the one they captured Elinor with... "Fiona knows Earth Power. She would be better for the job. Is that okay?" Rhonda guessed she was referring to another one of her Pokemon. She stared at the ball in her hand for another moment before slowly nodding. "That's fine ... thank you."

"Excuse me?" came a timid voice from nearby. Rhonda turned her huge bulk to see a small, woolly Pokemon approaching them. A Mareep, unless she was mistaken. "Would you mind telling me who is responsible for this... well, mess?" The large dragon emitted a low, loud growl from her throat. "That 'mess' you are referring to was once my friend. Watch your mouth." She sighed, trying not to get herself worked up again. "It was ... I think it was a Linoone. Except ... it was no ordinary undead." She backed away until she felt the back of her foot touch Nimh's body. She doubted that this Mareep was going to try anything funny, but she didn't want to take any chances.