(ACE) The FROST Team

OoC)) Skip, got a busy day today but I'll come back to this as soon as I can.

The crunch of the icy ground was a welcome and somber change to the barn-wood floor. While not much of a difference the dry air burned as she breathed in, a frozen cloud following on her exhale in the outside chill. Soon, she was reminded, the snow would be on this area and would bring with it a fresh chill. Walking onto barren ground she stops and tosses the head out in front of her unceremoniously. With heavy beats of his wings Flamey tosses his cargo forward with more grace, allowing the corpse to fall into a mostly natural position. With the loss of hydraulic pressure its legs were already starting to curl, and its dull eyes had faded to the black of death. Grinding her teeth Green tossed the armful of straw on top of it and watched Flamey fly off without need for direction.

Scanning the barren earth Green lingers close to the farm. The field of holes would provide plenty of kindling but the risk was not worth her piece of mind. Along the fence and within the weeds she gathered a collection of brush, sticks, and broken planks. It would burn easy, bugs always did, so one good armful was more than enough. Stacking it upon the corpse so the quick burns would rise she waits for Flamey to return with his own bundle of branches and arranges accordingly. Stepping back to a safe distance her Talonflame lets rip a stream of fire, lighting the brush instantly and catching the splintered wood full of embers. The smell of burning was instant, a free fire coming to life and climbing as it consumed the fuel piled below. Finally, Flamey came to his own rest upon her shoulders, his first moment of calm since arriving at this barn, and the pair watched the rising smoke in silence.

"I hope this is alright." The Meowth frets with a concern-filled mew. Through filled cheeks the Wigglytuff's silky voice manages to escape, "Its no trouble, deary." Expanded to a size to allow ample cushion and minimal drop from her round tummy to the ground, Jiggly tapped her tummy to signal 'bombs away!' to those above. Compared to attacks, falls, and drops she had taken in the past these crates of varying weights were child's play. "Much appreciated." He follows up, clearly not convinced this was a simple task on her part. "Anytime~." She coo's, tired eyes tipping off toward the door in curious search of her trainer.

"Do we actually need that many seeds...?" He asks another question, and whether it was directed at one Pokemon or not the Wigglytuff's attention was caught. "Seeds, for plantin' and growin' and such?" She had to take in her surroundings quickly when called, a habit for all trainer Pokemon, and while 'barn' had registered the purpose had not. "A few seeds goes a long way, Sweetie. Think of how much space you have to work with. That'll tell you how much you can handle." Looking at the crates as she deflates to normal size Jiggly could tell even one box was more than most shelters would be able to handle, especially given the chill she had felt in the air. By the minimal amount of noise Jiggly could assume this group was small, though she did not know if there were more, and surmised they could not defend the massive area needed to grow dozens if not thousands of seeds. "Berry trees grow fast and produce rapidly; a few will go a long way."

With a satisfying th-thunk another crate safely made its journey to the floor. With a heaving breath Kolven took a second for himself and stared at what they had sent down so far. It seemed like a lot, and with a bead of sweat he grew more and more concerned of hauling it all back to the mansion. Checking for permission from the Wigglytuff and receiving a signal he takes the chance to hop down as well, the plush feeling of her springy body surprisingly comfortable as he rolled gently to the floor. With deft paws Kolven carefully pried open one of the crates, its wood holding up surprisingly well for the years of neglect. Inside were rows of handmade and store-bought seed packets, with images of plants upon them that he both did and didn't recognize.

Love and care were obviously put into sorting these seeds out, and Kolven was forced to pause as he gazed upon them. Their owner was no longer around, but taking anything so precious still left a sour taste in the humble feline's mouth. "Seeds, for plantin' and growin' and such?" The fae Pokemon asks, having come in late to the entire situation. "Yes, we were going to bring them back to a greenhouse and try growing a few." Would it work though? How many did they need, how many would survive? Are they like fish? Goldeen's laid hundreds of eggs in hopes a handful would survive. With a longing glance the cat knew not if they needed that many.. "A few seeds goes a long way, Sweetie. Think of how much space you have to work with. That'll tell you how much you can handle." How much space? Back in Saffron gardening space was rare, what with it being a booming city, but people made due with window boxes and rooftop greenhouses. They were always full of plants, but Kolven had no reason to ever count them. Just a handful, or maybe a dozen in the bigger ones..?

Regardless, his muzzle twists as he realizes, I never saw the greenhouse. I dont even know how big it is, or how big these things will get! Suddenly this entire endeavor felt very overwhelming, with so many factors coming to mind the cat had not thought of. Was gardening really his complicated? Nature truly is amazing to do this without help. Shaking off any apprehension Kolven regains his soft smile. "Honestly I don't know how big the space is. You'd have to ask Drake." He purrs with an awkward chuckle while tipping his amber gaze toward the Charmeleon. Snatching the burlap sack Clover had brought over Kolven inspected it for tears or holes. It looked solid, with no gaps or overly thin spots, and would graciously be able to hold their selection. "Berry trees grow fast and produce rapidly; a few will go a long way." Berry trees? Are they not all food? Legends help them, if they did all this for a field of flowers.. "You're right; iif we have a limit," he continues while running a paw through the box of seeds, "We should probably stick to the berry bushes."

Clover remained quiet but did not seek to hide her presence as she followed the human outside. She did not appear to be feeding, to want the catch for herself as she carried it haphazardly away. A waste, a sin! Why would she take it from her then?! Clover practically panted as she watched the body bob in the Talonflame's grip. Digging her paws into the dirt she hurried herself forward to catch up, and mrrow'ed in displeasure that her catch was not being used properly. In the same nonesense motion she dropped it on the ground and both walked away. Ignored by the others Clover simply sat and watched, tail flicking impertinently as she guarded the kill.

Despite craving it, wanting it, feeling desperate for the corpse the little bit she had put in to it was.. disappointing. Even as she crouched, watching its body grow cold and hard in the frosted air her desire to feed off of it specifically was.. lacking. Hunger gnawed at her belly, and her focus was entirely on the bee, yet she could not see it as a worthwhile meal. With a curious tilt of her head the cat did not know why. Even as snowflakes settled on her pelt her drive for food just could not bring her to pounce.

When the human and bird returned with wood with grass Clover had faint memories of campfires and cookouts. Did the human mean to cook this bug? Faded memories of hauntingly delectable smells drifted through her mind.. steaks, friend chicken, hotdogs.. her tongue lolls to one side, the want for food the brightest thought in her mind.
Then, the crackle of fire returned her to the present. Unlike a grill, spitroast, or normal campfire this blaze climbed upward and the bee was completely engulfed in it. It vanished within the smells, the smells that followed not at all like the savory meat scents she remembered. Burning, charring, ash and wood, it sent alarm throughout her pelt as the cat leaped to her paws. With a panicked growl she hisses at the human, tail trashing, "Why waste it?!"

With Jack letting the Wigglytuff take care of the rest, the pikachu jumps down from the second floor and lands on the ground. In truth, he doesn’t know how much space was in Drake’s greenhouse that they can use. Speaking of the charmeleon, he was starting to look outside. Jack never thought of what he might be looking for other than the sign of the weather changing more. "Berry trees grow fast and produce rapidly; a few will go a long way." Nodding to that, the others look like they’re also harvested crops that are pretty good. "We should probably stick to the berry bushes." A slight giggle came from Jack but in good humor. He was thinking about something he had a while ago that was one of the tastiest soups involving oran berries and other ingredients. What he wouldn’t give to have that again.

Drake was staring outside noticing the clouds continuing to slowly move on and the flurries becoming more of a light snow. He hoped that Maka was right about the timing. The warmth of the fire though had then popped into his head. “Shit, the fireplace!” The Charmeleon had said out loud. He forgot to get the wood into it before they left. Then he remembered Finn was still there. Afterwards a shrug came from him. “Oh well, Finn’s got it covered….hopefully.” Drake doubted the Braixen’s ability since that other fire type wasn’t smart enough to figure out where the wood is. Turning to look at the others, he knew what Green was doing. Common to burn and cremate the body so the infected can’t spread their infected blood on it. Walking over to it and seeing what they was planning, he gave a moment of silence.

Jack on the other hand went to make sure everything was good. “Looks like everything’s here. You know, this gives me an idea on a soup I had back home. I know at least most of the ingredients we need but it needed a hint of something.” The pikachu said as he looks at each bag. Oran berry seeds and various other seeds and roots. “Fresh oran berry soup I think it was called. It would be awesome if we all had it sometime.” With that, Jack then seen the fire and what Green was doing. That, he gave then some silence for what’s to come.

Unflinching, unblinking, unreadable, with cold eyes Green stared at the flames and the shrinking pile of kindling. The thick taste smell of char and burn lifted with the smoke, the cloud dark and black as it penetrated the grey sky. It was a painfully familiar smell, something done far too often in this age for safeties sake. The splintered wood caught easily, and threw embers out as it split under the stress of the heat. Was this a good thing? Such scenes were often emotionally heavy, but Green felt bitterly hollow as she watched. Which way should she feel; she didn't know this Pokemon, didn't care about this place, and didn't wish to risk a new undead. Desecrating this land, euthanizing a living Pokemon, wasting its meat before the body had even gone cold, not allowing a familiar to offer a goodbye.. she was too numb to feel or care about the whirlwind of emotions burning away within her pyre. The flames grew, burning hot and white as they greedily consumed their kindling, taking with them any chance to care or repent.

Flamey shuffled on her shoulder, bothered and alerting her to something while not fully interrupting their vigil. Clover's presence had not gone unnoticed, the undead literally attracted like a moth to a flame as they went about their work. It hissed and spat, like the feral creature it was as the food source went up in flames. How long could these Pokemon live in their delusion that this was safe? It would turn on them eventually, killing or infecting the ones that tended to it, that had loved it once upon a time. Unlike the lapdog back at Pastoria this thing didn't seem as bodily stable, but that made it all the more pointless to keep. You aren't even useful. A liability was a liability, and this blatant stain upon the group would eventually tear them apart.

"Why waste it?!"

But then again, it was different from that Weavile. Somehow, it could still talk. Hoarsely, roughly, but coherently enough that some thought was clearly ticking through its exposed skull. It responded to Kolven's commands, processing his words alongside its own. How was that even possible with a body so degraded as hers..? "Better than it ending up like you." With a voice eerily flat and cold Green could scarcely believe she was responding to an undead. "You left it anyway." Flamely scoffed, feathers ruffling as he eyed the pitiful creature with a tense gaze.

The fire continued to smolder, climbing to the heavens that did not exist, and crackling under its own might. With the pitiful undead's presence her vigil was soured, the reality of it being a waste of time settling uncomfortably upon her skin. Turning away from the flames, as it had nothing in direct proximity to light and be a threat to, she walked back to the barn without so much as a mental farewell.

Inside, her Pokemon immediately turned to her with a soft, concerned gaze. Such kindness radiated from her old friend who always worried for her well-being first, an understanding look that had seen too much sorrow. Reaching out, Green gave her a gentle ear rub, Wiggly's favorite comfort and praise. She beamed, her task successful and complete despite all the missing details, and she was returned to her ball with a whispered, "Thank you." These Pokemon were now standing around, the crates moved and ready to be pillaged. Why did they delay? Aside from the seeds there was nothing here for them but death and loneliness. "What do we have?" Green inquires sternly, approaching the crates without needing a response. Carefully organized packets from a skilled and loving hand, long since deceased no doubt, with living sustaining seeds categorized within them.

Running a soft paw through the box Kolven gently flicks the packets to get a loose count and visual inspection. While he tried to sniff the contents the thick coating to hay dust and regular dust was enough to make anyones face ooze profusely and immediately jammed his senses. With a grumble he pulls his muzzle away and rubs it with one paw. He didn't expect much scent from seeds anyway, but it was still a bit frustrating as he soothed his burning nostrils. Casting a seeking glance at the others he waits patiently for input on the seeds but the others were understandably distant. Using the task as a distraction but not present at all. Turning his sights back to the box Kolven stares blankly forward, knowing all too well that grief was a hard mistress to overcome, even if the lost was not one of their own.

“Looks like everything’s here. You know, this gives me an idea on a soup I had back home. I know at least most of the ingredients we need but it needed a hint of something.” Jack says after a quick look at the packs, his thoughts drifting somewhere more pleasant in the much needed distraction. With a light sigh the tomcat lets a smile crease his face. "Soup sure sounds lovely." He purrs, allowing himself to indulge as well. “Fresh oran berry soup I think it was called. It would be awesome if we all had it sometime.” Oran berries.. a hardy, ubiquitous fruit that would certainly aid them regardless of their ability to cook. Thumbing through the packs the cat cursed his inability to read, and the misleading pictures of multiple berries on each pack.

"What do we have?" Ears perking gratefully at the humans return Kolven's tail curls with delight. "Seeds, lots of them." He confirms for her, whiskers twitching as he gazed upon the packs. "But Im not sure what each of them is though," Unable to read or smell, he pulls a pack from the crate and feels for the seeds inside. "But we should take the Orans, of course, and anything else that's reasonable." Setting the pack down Kolven grabs the small sack Clover had brought to him. "This is for the keepers." He was quick to explain as he holds the bag open.


Better than it ending up like you. Clover could feel her frozen blood start to boil. With a thrashing tail she growls at the human, red eye blazing with indignation. It shimmered in the light of the flame an even more brilliant crimson, and undeniable symbol of her reanimation. "It's nOT!" She spits, words hitching and coming to a sudden end as she had no response, no defense. All thoughts his a dead pause with only a prickling rage tingling through her skin. She was not?

The human did not humor her pathetic comeback, leaving the scene before ceremonies end. With another angsty growl Clover's calls out to her, alerting the girl to the hazardous flames she was leaving behind, but Green did not turn back or respond. It was just her and the blazing, deathly fire. Its heat ached against her icy skin, like a stabbing pain as she stared instensely into the center of the pyre. The Beedrill could not be seen, even its scent was lost under that of wood, flame, and ash. The rising smoke blew in the cold wind, its caustic smell reminder her body of past pains. Digging her claws into the hardened ground the Meowth felt her hackles raise as the pungent memory of murderous Arcanine's returned to her.

OoC)) Skip, I can't think of anything for Drake and Jack to do at the moment.

"Seeds, lots of them." Withholding snark as the cat pointed out the obvious Green approaches and kneels next to the set of open crates. Running her hands gently across the packets a wave of nostalgia hits her, better days lost to time growing plants from these same pouches. "But Im not sure what each of them is though," he laughed awkwardly while holding up a packet. Had he said otherwise she would have been shocked, but gave no reaction while squinting at the raised item. "Well that ones got Chesto seeds in it. Probably not the best choice." The dry fruit did best along craggy and mountainous areas, and could probably survive this frozen wasteland, but it wasn't the most nutritious or helpful type.

Looking back in the box Green has to take a mental step back after judging the berry. These are for eating first, medicinal effect comes second. Survivability and production rate were key here, and Green searched the packs with that at the forefront of her mind. "But we should take the Orans, of course, and anything else that's reasonable." Orans. Prolific, hardy, useful, healing; a perfectly ubiquitous berry out-classed only by its cousin Sitrus. Thumbing through the box Green is pleased to find a vast number with Oran labels, and takes out a small pinch of packs. "Got it." She vocalizes, setting them aside to continue her search.

If she had the leisure to dawdle and look deeper into this Green would have taken out her botany book. Some plants would do better out here than others, but they had a greenhouse to negate the frozen world, and whatever was in this box reasonably would have been grown freely on this farm. The lack of common Pecha Berries told her as much, as the delicate plant would never prosper in this cold.

The number of each type of berry, among other plants, told its own story of what sold best or was most needed out here. A forgotten pack of Lum Berries stuck to the back of a row. Perhaps at one point they were sold for a good price here, but those days were as dead as the plants. They were useful but, being notoriously unforgiving to grow, would not be worth their time now. "This is for the keepers." The cat held up a bag, and placing her Oran packs inside finalizes her selection.

Pulling out a small handful of packs, far more than they should need, Green collected a variety of seeds that should serve them well. Setting them inside the burlap she offers only a quick explanation. "Alright, you got plenty of Oran berries. The Yache and Tamato berries will help keep you warm, and there was one pack of Sitrus in here too, luck enough." It wasn't a massive variety, the flavors tipping in one direction, but they would serve the group well out here.

"Well that ones got Chesto seeds in it. Probably not the best choice." Green retorts while taking the reigns. With another chuckle the cat returns the pack to the box, accepting his role on the sideline. A slight purr rumbles in his throat, grateful for the assistance of one with skills he had never gained. "Not out here at least." Speaking lightheartedly Kolven wished there was more chatter in the space, but when the others remained quiet and Green does not respond he knows it is still too soon. Between grief, the general vibe, and her focus it would be hard to hold any sort of conversation. Instead, he simply smiles and readies the sack for the selected seeds.

Waiting patiently he watches as the girl filters through the packets at a lightning pace, discerning what each was with little more than a glance while pulling select packs out. Even when finished and their selection had been placed into the sack Kolven was shocked by how little it weighed. Was the heft of the crate really all from the container itself? "Alright, you got plenty of Oran berries. The Yache and Tamato berries will help keep you warm, and there was one pack of Sitrus in here too, lucky enough." Green explains, the spread surprising small yet plentiful for all the packets she had pulled. Trusting the human's judgement Kolven assumed they would all do well here, and pulled the bag closed for safe keeping. "Its perfect, thank you." He purrs gratefully, and tipping his head toward Jack and Drake while closing the crate back up. "Yaches might be nice in that soup." He suggests with a coo, the idea still peaking his interest for when they got back to the mansion.  

Staring at the crates they had taken down a twinge pulls at his heartstrings. After all that effort they would be little more than pillagers, leaving the place worse for wear with their spoils in tow. The barn would lay abandoned, the death of its resident felt only in silence and likely forgotten by the next day.. It sunk like a stone in his heart, a heartbreaking and common scene that he had witnessed too many times now. Still, the smile remains on his maw, his care for the others always coming first.

With a twisting knot in his belly Kolven realized hunger was creeping up on him again, yet they had nothing immediate to show for their venture. They had a long walk ahead of them and nothing but sorrow awaited them at the mansion. With a hard blink he pushes the negativity away, and focuses on the 'success' of their mission, no matter how small it felt in reality. "Well, we got what we came for. Should we head back?" He keeps the suggestion open, not wishing to prematurely push them out as he awaited answers, but as soon as it leaves his mouth the tomcat realized Clover was not among them.

Scanning the room he recalls she had followed Green outside but not back in, and watched the open door with a scrutinizing gaze as a cold bead of sweat rolls across his neck. The light scent of smoke had lingered about, trailing inside but not causing concern as Kolven knew its source, but as he watched said door alarm started to twinge along his spine. Light grey and black swirls of smoke wafted across the space outside with flashes of grey ash and orange embers. All the way over here? There was no chance a burning ember would survive this far with the distance he assumed the barn was from the pyre. In fact, the scent of smoke and flames should be as strong with the distance, and growing stronger at that--

An ear-piercing shriek and squawk rattles his very body, the sound of alarmed Pokemon breaking the quiet that had gripped this barn for seasons. With an alarmed gasp he yips, "What's happening?!" but the question was futile as sound assaulted his ears. The crackling of flames was loud, too loud, and a familiar screech was enough to send him barreling toward the barn door. Before reaching the threshold he could see Clover shooting toward them, her filthy pelt charred with black spots and stopping short of the barn itself she crouched low to the ground. Kolven stops dead in his tracks, jaw trembling as his amber eyes reflected the raging flames behind Clover's stained silhouette. Whether or not she heard his query she snarls, "Out, Out!"

Jumping up from her crouch Clover bounces before the barn, hissing and growling incoherently with alarm at those inside. Kolven's eyes dont follow her movements, and she shrieks again to reclaim his focus before bolting out of view. The sound of pawsteps following her tells her of the chase, but the sound is drowned beneath the hissing, crackling, screaming sound of the inferno as it claimed the field of grass as its own.

"Alright, you got plenty of Oran berries. The Yache and Tamato berries will help keep you warm, and there was one pack of Sitrus in here too, lucky enough." What Green said was pretty knowledgable and would be of great help and Jack would remember that well. At least now they have the supplies in need, it was time to wrap this up and head back. The Pikachu looked over to see Drake looking rather tense. Normally he thought the charneleon was pretty chill but seeing him like this was completely different. The only other time was that rivalry with Finn. Something must be wrong. "Out, Out!" That only means one thing. Danger!

Drake growls in anger as he looks out seeing the fire and smoke rising into the cloudy sky. Bird pokemon fleeing in a panicked frenzy was the first sign that something was the source of the blaze that he sees before him. "We need to get out of here now! Fire in the field and its coming right towards us!" The Charmeleon calls towards the others alerting them of the impending danger that is going on.

Jack runs and looks. Listening to what is being heard and what he heard was other pokemon panicking and flying away in terror. "This isn't good! Looks like we'll have to find a different way back! Whatever caused that fire might be still nearby!" There's no way this was Finn causing it and there isn't any other fire types besides Drake and Green's pokemon. Something's got to be out there.

Closing up the crate Green stacked it with the others they had taken down from the loft, and heaved them toward a wall for safe keeping. They weren't hidden or 'protected' like before, but if something unsavory walked in at least they wouldn't be ruined for the next bastard. "Well, we got what we came for. Should we head back?" The cat's suggestion only receives a brisk nod. They would be burning daylight and clear skies alike wasting any more time here. With one last once over of the barn Green looks for anything she could use but nothing here was worth her time. This entire endeavor was but a bid to let Flamey rest up, yet he was out and--

The caterwaul of a feline pierces her ears, hissing over her communicator and nearly deafening the trainer as her hand flies toward it. Even pulling the device away does not stop the audible screeching from the device or source, but its smothered instantly as her ears honed in on the rising, fervent squawks of a bird in distress. "What's happening?!" The cat panics, but Green is already running and chasing the sound outside. She does not make it far, only a few yards out before the horrific sight of flames and smoke rolls out before her. "Flamey?!" Calling out to her partner with his ball in her hand Green can not spot the bird's shadow, nor can she pinpoint the location of the continued chirps he was making from within the smoke.

Gods, how?! Was this their doing? Their pyre had been separated by distance and stone from anything that could catch. They had watched it burn, clean and tall, with no embers making it far enough to threaten something. No, something did this. Where was it?! Beneath the chittering, screaming, and roar of crackling flames Green can not hear anything lurking within the smoke. "We need to get out of here now! Fire in the field and its coming right towards us!" Flamey's distressed squawks seemed to come from all directions, his movements too fast for her to follow. Was he chasing it..?

"This isn't good! Looks like we'll have to find a different way back! Whatever caused that fire might be still nearby!" The group was fleeing, but Green stared at the red flames with wide, unwavering eyes. Charging the flames blindly, she calls out to her partner, "what happened?" Whether or not he could hear her Flamey does not respond. The smoke burns her eyes but Geen does not stop running toward the spot with their pyre. Even within the black smoke she could see it was separate from the blazing field, a toppled, smoldering heap within the carcinogenic cloud. Squinting, and throwing a sleeve over her mouth Green tries to decipher clues in the rubble, but the smoke blocked any clear sightings.

Clover growled, hissed, and spat, her awkward gait turned to lunges as she ran ahead of the other Pokemon and away from the heat. Horrid memories of past flames burned worse than the fire she had avoided and steered her paws well away from the danger without need for thought. Yet her mind was a whirl of conscious and memories that blazed in a furious storm of fear and rage. Get away.. it would start, and then pulse into Get away from me! These Pokemon, the flames.. she wanted none of it, she wanted none of it. A furious growl breaches her maw, enraged at her own thoughts, but as Kolven ran up behind her the sound was no more than a signal of the way she had ran.

Chasing after his sister Kolven kept his head down but could not stop himself from looking back repeatedly. He had to make sure-- to know everyone was here, to know they wouldn't trap themselves in a circle of flames.
That it wouldn't be a repeat of last time.
Panic squeezed at the calm Pokemon's heart but he fought with all his might to remain in control. "This isn't good! Looks like we'll have to find a different way back! Whatever caused that fire might be still nearby!" Jack called out, and Kolven's wide amber eyes searched desperately for somewhere to go. "Head into the city!" He yowls over their steps and the crackling flames. Clover banked to the left and he had no choice but to follow. "The stony parts! Away from anything that could burn." Saffron was made of concrete, brick, metal.. fires were rare but did not spread easily when they caught.

The further they ran the more of the blaze he could see.  It was spreading rapidly across the grassy field with nothing around to spot it. Through his beating pawsteps he almost swore he could feel shaking, but legends help him the cat was not going to hold still long enough to know. Turning his head further back he searched; did green know better? Was there a better, more specific place to go? But the human was fading in the distance, having not ran like the rest of them. "Green!?" He gasps, spinning on his heels and stumbling to keep sight of her as she raced into the flames. Was she going to fight the blaze...? Her Blastoise, had it the strength to combat this? "Don't..!" He nearly begged, but as Clover outpaced him and heat still tugged at his fur the helpless cat knew not what to do.

The dirt and gravel turned to paved roads and Clover's uneven gait found purchase against the painful, cracked paths. With another growling call she could see Kolven half-heartedly turning to follow her again, his faith shaken but placed in Green's self-confidence. Hiding behind the buildings, homes, and debris the smoke finally left them be to climb into the sky. The ashen air burned his lungs but Kolven pressed forward, climbing around a piece of broken concrete to see a broken door. "Into that flower shop!" He rasps, wanting out of the smoke rather than putting more distance between them and the flames. The fire were walled from here, giving the group a chance to get their bearings. With a heavy pant the cat looks at the others with worry glistening in his amber eyes. "Everyone alright?"

Jack and Drake ran as fast as they could with the others back to Dendemille town. Not looking back to see if they was being followed by potential enemies, the pikachu takes a quick glance behind him. The fire was too much to get a view on the enemy but there was definitely something there. "Into that flower shop!" Kolven rasps out. Once they got inside though, the air was clear enough to breath. Jack caught his breath and went to look for a place that he can peek outside to see if there's anything moving other than the party. "Everyone alright?" The pikachu nods showing he was fine. However he got the feeling that the something might be more than a single something. It was too early to tell if it was a bird, another bipedal pokemon or a quadruped but the size of the fire was certain that even under these circumstances that it couldn't spread this fast.

Drake nods as he begins watching out the window corner. "That fire, there's no way it cold have spread that fast in a very short time. I mean, yeah, I'm aware of litleos and pyroars but they never would attack without reason." The Charmeleon shudders at the thought of a pride of undead pyroars. Drake then considers what Green was trying to get her partner back. "I just hope that Green and her partner are safe." Drake added as he went back to looking out for the potential threat as he started growling a bit. This wasn't without notice.

Jack looked outside, he could see a figure but the smoke was making it hard to make out who it is. "This isn't going to work to well if we can't see fifteen feet ahead of us." Yet leaving the flower shop right now was a dangerous risk. What could they do from here? Finn's probably going crazy waiting for them to get back and the storm is still coming according to Maka before he left. There was very limited options for them for now. "Damn it, if only we moved a lot sooner than we did." Jack said as he slammed his fist sideways against the wall. How will they get back before the snowstorm strikes?

Kicking what was left of the pyre and sending a fresh shower of embers flying Green grit her teeth as she tossed her head in a panicked search. The thick smoke was searing her lungs and eyes, even throwing an arm over her face did little to ease the burning sensation. She had a death sentence running into this place, but she could not think about herself as she listened to Flamey's rapid chitters. It came from everywhere, the bird moving about too quickly. He would not respond to her calls but his own sounds were enough to know he was alive.
"Flamey?!" With another distressed call the trainer grips her friend's Pokeball even tighter. While it was not the same situation as before the pain from the last fire she braved with him was still palpable. With a second kick to the pyre Green can see the smoldering, hollowing remains of the bee, and knows there will not be a full repeat of that event.

With her lungs screaming for reprieve the trainer turns in a search for higher ground. She had to find him, she had to get out of the smoke or at least the flames but despite coming straight to this known landmark Green found herself disoriented. The sky was a blur, the barn vanished within the blackened cloud and all directions looking the same. The ragged sound of steps and wingbeats assaulted her ears; was something in this hell with her? With cautious steps backwards the trainer struggles to focus on any noise over the roar of crackling flames. Coughing on each breath Green fumbles for her Pokeballs, thinking Blasty could soak the immediate area-

The roar of fire turns to the snarl of a beast, the sound most certainly of an animal and not splintering wood. Instantly her fingers shift over to her machete, instincts readying her to react though she had no hope of spying her foe. Another growl told her it was approaching but no shadows or silhouettes appeared within the poisonous fog. Clutching the weapon Green could barely see straight between her bouts of coughing, a sitting ducklet who made no progress in locating her friend, who did not find the source for those Pokemon, who would burn like her dear Ro--

Something grabbed her with a sharp, sturdy grasp, the feeling rough and unshakable as it took her within its claws. It happened too fast to react, her machete hand swiping forward but making no contact with the assailant as she felt herself being moved. Crying out with an feral growl of her own the girl flails and panics as the ground is pulled from her feet and moves away from her. A ferocious roar assaults her ears, alarmingly close as she see's a skulking creature's shadow charging her from within the smoke. But it was moving away, she was moving away as the heavy sound of wingbeats came rhythmically to her ears.

Flailing about within his grasp Green did not realize it was no would-be predator until her Talonflame's voice came in close and clear. "It aint safe in there!" Flamey squawks, the words a clear 'what were you thinking' though the dazed trainer barely registers his jibe. The familiar feeling of her friend's Fly started to kick in, her shoulders stiff but not wounded and torn open like a predator would have. But the flight was not an even one, her friend making a lot of awkward movements and sharp turns.

"Whats happening?" She asks again, the words more fervent than before as her stinging eyes tried to spot the shadow in the smoke once more. "I saw something movin' in the grass." He explained, while taking them higher. "Making a straight line for the pyre.. It was weird, I told 'em off, that it was under control! But they rushed in and attacked us!" He wheezed, panting hard, from effort unknown. "Bunch of Pyroar tried to trap us in flames!" The acrid smell of burnt flesh was a deterrent to most creatures, though Green was loath to admit it was the opposite to those that breathed fire.

"Pyroar don't usually travel this far north.. but there might not be much competition anymore." No competition? They hadn't seen so much as an undead since landing.. Nothing attack them from the field of holes; were those creatures afraid of their steps? Had they mistaken their smoking pyre as a signal of a catch? "The others better run."

Sitting in an awkward hunch Kolven wheezed and heaved as he tried to catch his breath. Between the smoke and the stress his lungs burned and rattled with each inhale, but the cat forced them to continue until his pattern evened out. With a huff and a sigh he could feel the rhythm slow and start to soothe his aching throat, and placing a paw over his chest Kolven felt his racing heart start to slow. "That fire, there's no way it cold have spread that fast in such a short time. I mean, yeah, I'm aware of litleos and pyroars but they never would attack without reason." Still decompressing, Kolven can do little more than look over in Drake's direction as he spoke. Were those local mons? Fire types he could assume, but his mind was still too sluggish to draw anymore quick lines.

"I just hope that Green and her partner are safe." The Charmeleon worries while going to keep watch. An uncomfortable twinge tightens up Kolven's shoulders, a deep dismay filling him as he recalled the trainer ignoring his warning and running off into the flames. Chest restricting, the Meowth gasps and nearly chokes on his next breath. "There was no stopping her.-- We just have to have faith she knows what to do." He wheezes on labored puffs, the sentences spaced out as he drew in more air. While the words were honest, his sigh was deeply trying to convince himself it was true. She seemed so confident, and he had to trust it was from experience and not bravado.

Finally feeling his mind and lungs clear up the cat stands and gives his pelt a shake to free himself of any lingering haze. Drake growled a warning at something outside, a worrying sign to say the least, but he did not speak on it. "This isn't going to work to well if we can't see fifteen feet ahead of us. Damn it, if only we moved a lot sooner than we did." Jack slams the wall as he fumes, his small fist only making a light thud despite all the build up behind it. "Nothing we can do to change that now." Kolven sighs, his head slowly shaking too and fro as he heads closer to the door. They could only look ahead of them now..

Hopping into the display window Clover's tail thrashes as she watches the rolling cloud outside. They had put distance between them and the flames, but they seemed to be downwind of the smoke, and while thin at this point it was enough to obscure their uneven surroundings drastically. There was a dark spot within the cloud, its distance until but path steady and moving with purpose rather than confusion. Tapping her claws against the surface beneath her Clover joins Drake in an unwelcoming growl, the fur along her neck standing tall. "Did you see what it is?" Kolven asks her as he pads up behind the molly.

She knew not the species name, the Pokemon that attacked her being unknown in her region. Was it what drake said or something else entirely? Unsheathing her claws the undead faces her kin, and in an awkward game of charades recalls what she saw. Rolling her head left and right she gives a rasping roar, her ragged voice unable to give it the body she wants. Stamping her paws against the floor she stalks too and fro, the lumbering steps reminiscent of how their parents once walked.

Kolven simply stared, his face twisting with confusion and unwanted memory of how Gidea paced their home. "Pyroars aren't feline, are they Drake?" He asks hesitantly, a pride of felines not high on his priority list of wanted threats after facing the pack of canines.

OoC)) Skip, Jack simply keeps watch and Drake nods to Kolven about pyroars being felines.

With heavy beats Flamey carried them far and fast, on a wing and a prayer he flew without a single notion of protest. "I get going after me.. but they went after the cat too!" He huffed, banking to the side to stay within the cloud. They attacked both indiscriminately? If the beasts were hunting going after something adjacent to an undead would not be a wise choice. "How many? Were they undead?" She inquires while thinking of the best course of action. "Three of them; all female. I don't think so. They spoke, and I didn't see any marks. Fire's go fast so they wouldnt be able to hide it." A small pack, relatively speaking, but three powerful lionesses were nothing to sneeze at.

"Let's lure them away from--" With an airy whoosh and loud crackle the air went ablaze as a stream of fire rushed past them. Flamey squawked with a panicked cry, the tip of his wing smoldering were Flamethrower clipped him. The flame-proof feathers were in-tack but seared nonetheless as his flight pattern faltered for just a moment. "PISS Off!" He screeches back at them, the sound of following pawsteps barely audible from their height.

Shit. They were still coming, still trying for the hunt when their prey could fly off? Were they desperate, or..? Clenching her fist as another beam of fire misses them completely Green curses being a liability. Were Flamey alone he would outpace them with ease, but he had to deal with her, and she could not deal with the cats alone. With a frustrated groan the trainer points forward. "Into the city!" She orders her friend, internally cringing at continuing to make him work. "lose them in the buildings!"

Pressing his face to the dirty translucent window Kolven strains to watch the shapes within the smoke. They had to stop, they needed a moment to breathe after all the smoke, but had he trapped them from that need..? The shapes grew bigger, more defined as they came closer but impossible to discern through the cloud, distance, and filthy window. Suddenly, a burst of fire cuts through the smoke, bright hot and claiming attention as it strikes nothing. Fire types. They had already come to that conclusion, but seeing a new stream of fire made his skin crawl. This is bad..

A loud shriek catches his attention, drawing his gaze upward to see a much more defined silhouette. "Green!" With a sharp gasp the cat throws his paws against the window, a wash of relief and concern soaking through his pelt. She was okay, Flamey was with her and covering a lot of ground, but the bursts of fire and loud calls could not be ignored. "They're being attacked!" With a raspy growl Clover makes an assortment of noises beside him, her tail thrashing as her red gaze sat locked on the shapes outside. With rippling skin and a furious growl, he could only assume this what they saw earlier.

Shit, shit! The Pokemon were still giving chase even with a flying target?! Was it Green, hunger, needing that success...? No matter how Flamey maneuvered and dodged through the smoke and debris the predators were on their heels, attacks missing and making their mark at an alarming rate. Though he could not here the hunters they were slowly coming into view, his worst fears realized at the strong shape of lionesses. Flamey did not stop, the shape of his companions quickly passing them by and heading deeper into the tattered city with the cats in tow.

With quivering muscles the tomcat throws his head to-and-fro. "We gotta move," he gasps, bounding for the door without waiting for protest. "She needs us!" With scrambling steps Clover was fast behind him, her uneven steps finding purchase without stumbles and making their way outside before he could. While the crackle of flames they left behind was no longer audible the smoke remained just as blinding. The hunters had missed them as well, their victim chosen, and both cats were quick to follow the same path. Though Kolven ran with all his might, his senses utterly fucked by the smoke, Clover was quick to overtake him. Evening out her pace the undead tore forward like a Pokemon possessed, her quarry clear in her mind. Unburdened by the environment the small Meowth ran with all her might, hardly aware of the other that followed behind her.

Something wasn't right. Green would have came in by now and the sound of Kolven being alarmed had told everything. "Green!" The meowth shouted. "They're being attacked!" Damn it, this is bad and with the threat being now exposed as feline pokemon, this would mean fire is useless in a fight. "We gotta move," This was no time to dawdle on and wait this out anymore. "She needs us!" Green needs their help. Jack nods to Drake as he runs out the door to help Green against the pyroars.

Drake runs out and through the smoke, he spots the pyroars giving chase to Green and Flamey. "Shit, Flamey can't land nor can Green get close!" There wasn't much of a choice in this matter, they needed to give Green enough of a distance for her to call upon her pokemon to combat this threat. "We need to distract them! If they manage to hit Green, she'll be done for!" The Charmeleon knew fire was useless in this fight so he had to rely on hidden power for the meantime.

Jack ran as fast as his legs could go and sent a thunderbolt out hoping to hit one of the targets or getting their attention to give Green a chance to get some distance between her and them so she can get to Flamey. "Did that get their attention?" The pikachu waited for the pyroars to change targets to focus on him. Maybe this will be a good enough distraction and given the chance to give those lionesses a little surprise to quickly leave without anyone getting hurt. "Kolven, over here!" Now he waits for the rest as he sees the felines stopped and roaring in anger. Knowing that it didn't hit, it must have struck somewhere near their vicinity to stop their pursuit.

(OoC: I will skip this round.)







.

The undead Meowth charged forward without a moment of hesitation. Memories burned in her mind and stoked the fires of hate from days long past. While these were not the Arcanines that had done misdeeds to her the flames seared and chocked the same way, the heavy pawsets of the big cats giving off the same feeling as those dreadful days. Though the gods remained silent legends knew she had suffered, and that deep seeded hate had to be paid forward. Spitting and growling a feral note the Meowth does not stop no matter the obstacles and terrain before her. The calls of the bird reached her ears, and no doubt the cats as well; even through the smoke it was a clear sound to follow.

Further behind her Kolven wheezed and gasped, struggling to keep up with the decrepit cat. Did the smoke not effect her, was she even using her one eye? Between fits of coughing he leaped and chased after his fellow Meowth, her own growls the only constant beacon as her small form faded in and out of sight from all the debris and smoke. Beyond her was another story.. The bobbing shape of the flying trainer could not hide in the smoke, and the large chasing predators were almost clear, though distance still blurred them out. Leaping onto a car Kolven mentally measured the distance before continuing to run. "Shit, Flamey can't land nor can Green get close!" To chase something this far, legends help them..

"We need to distract them! If they manage to hit Green, she'll be done for!" Drake roared, and Kolven pushed to get closer. The cats were so focused on their target, on their hunt, they were either oblivious to or ignoring the rest of them. Did it matter which? Jack released a bolt of electricity, the jolt racing toward its moving targets. Following suit Kolven released his own Thunderbolt, the blast hitting about the same spot as the previous. "Did that get their attention?" He gasps, the smoke still too thick to think or see properly. Peering through the smoke the Meowth holds his breath and can not respond; the cats stopped or at least slowed down, their voices too far away to make out words. Stamping in place Kolven let more sparks coat his pelt, but within a few heartbeats one of the Pyroars broke formation to charge at them with swift steps. "Move-- move move!" He hisses, tail high as a beacon to their new enemy though his paws were quick to flee the much larger oncoming cat. "Kolven, over here!" Jack calls to him, and the two are quick to make a getaway in the opposite direction.

Giving a longing glance in the direction of those fleeing... of Green's faded shape, Drake running ahead, and Clover's weaving form, he nearly chokes on his breath but keeps moving forward. Trying to mimic is sister's moves Kolven jumps and bounds while staying low. Waving his tail as eye-catch to the predator he lets more sparks brighten his fur. "Into that alley!" He hisses, the sting of words against his smoke lathered throat enough to bring forth more coughs. Avoiding a fallen and rusted mailbin the cat turns down the back alley, the space wide enough for cars and nostalgic for the tomcat. So much like home, so much like the dangerous, bloody time he was last home...

With his mind racing for ideas Kolven must think on his toes, of anything that could have stopped his fathers rampage other than his mothers life. This felt painfully similar, and by the gods it couldn't end the same. Could they take the lioness in a fight..? I'd rather not bet on that. They had to try something, anything else first. The dumpster. Locking his sights on the largest object about them Kolven stares at bin and drifts his sights to the fire escape above. "Climb up there!" He instructs Jack before leaping on the dumpster himself. The far half of the lid was closed, and squeezing himself between the open side and the building behind it Kolven poised himself for a single chance. "Bait a jump and Ill drop the top!" Bunching his muscles the cat does not dare leave them vulnerable. "Be ready with something though, Thunderwave if you have it."

With the attacks missing the mark and Drake already moving ahead, Jack follows Kolven into the alley to reposition and get a better view of the area. "Climb up there!" A fire escape ladder and it goes up to the roof. Excellent, now he can pick off the Pyroar chasing Green. He just needs to get Green and Flamey to move towards them and lure the pyroar into the open. "Be ready with something though, Thunderwave if you have it." Jack didn't know thunderwave but he does know how to scare something into jumping and he has made a thunderbolt make a very loud crack if he can just angle the attack just right to strike a metal object.

Drake looks around growling and looking for the pyroar. [Color=#ff3f34"Leave now pyroar! This is not your turf!"[/color] The chances of them actually leaving is little to none, he had some toxic ready to spit up if he had to retreat into a small space. "GREEN!!" The charmeleon calls out to the human. He had a plan that might work but the risk is that he has to poison certain areas to cut off the enemies or lure them into a trap. "Clover, do you smell them anywhere?" He asked her as he had difficulty seeing where she is with the smoke making it hard to see at a great distance. If only if the wind started blowing harder. All the charmeleon knew is that if they don't hurry, they'll be forced to take shelter here. The air was getting colder despite the smoke present.

Jack calls down to Kolven. "I don't have thunder wave but I got a plan. Our thunderbolts if they connect to each other, it can produce enough of a bang to make them jump in. The risk though is that our hearing will be muffled for some time. I'll see if I can get Green and Flamey to head this way to get them to lure those Pyroar into our trap." The pikachu moves over to look to the open area. There! They was still pursuing Green. This was a good chance to call out to Green. "Green! Bring them over here into the alley!" Moving back into position, he nods to Kolven to prepare the attack.

Even through her covered mouth Green's lungs burned and she coughed on each breath. As a mercy, the smoke was thinning out, its cover dissipating, but her vision remained skewed by itchy, blurry, watery eyes. With each beat of Flamey's powerful, flame-proof wings she is reminded of his power and how the smoke likely was of no concern to him. Smoke he should not have to fly through regardless. Chuffs, grunts, and roars sound below them, the Pyroars were communicating though their low bellows were not being picked up by her communicator. For all they knew the cats were not using real words. A pity, they could have used that information to ditch them.

With the speed her friend was forced to push while towing her as cargo out Flamey could not gain the height needed to top the surrounding buildings. While landing on top of a building would leave them stranded it would also end the chase and give them a chance to retaliate, but the effort to rise higher in his condition would be too much. Running her fingers across her Pokeballs the trainer cringes at her own fragility, how no matter her desire to stand upon her own feet she always came back to her companions with her tail between her legs. Ditty..? It was no fighter, but maybe it could--

The trainer's whirling thoughts are dragged back to reality as the air crackles with life and the signature dry feeling of electricity. The blazing clouds light up for just a moment from the flash, the hum and zap of a lightning bolt cracking nearby them. It was enough to spook Flamey, his gait faltering and height dropping a bit as he regained his composure. The distance did not allow for anything concrete but the hums of Pokemon words came as static over her communicators. The others? Had the Pikachu taken the initiative? Tipping her head back Green can barely catch the shapes of the small Pokemon far behind them, but the shadow of a Pyroar turning around was a welcomed but sour relief.

Squished between the lid and wall Kolven felt his body ache from the awkward positioning. The sound of pawsteps was getting closer, heavy and evenly paced as the big cat ran their way. This would work, he prayed, it had to. Soon, he tensed, he just needed Jack's signal and--- "I don't have thunder wave but I got a plan. Our thunderbolts if they connect to each other, it can produce enough of a bang to make them jump in. The risk though is that our hearing will be muffled for some time. I'll see if I can get Green and Flamey to head this way to get them to lure those Pyroar into our trap." A swarm of question marks filled Kolven's mind, his entire body jerking from the confusion and giving just enough force to tip the lid and have it slam closed. Fuck. A cold wash of alarm drenches his pelt and a fresh burst of cortisol pulses through his veins. "We had a plan!" He yowls with panicked frustration, his paws standing stiffly and dumbfounded on the freshly closed trap.

There was no time for accusations. New plan, a new plan! He panicked, tail thrashing as he tried to think of something else. The pawsteps were too close, it would be here any second, his plan was foiled, what was Jack even talking about!?! Jack peaked around the side of the alley for their fleeing companions, and yelled fervently as though he had spotted them. "What are you doing?! They're going the opposite way, they cant hear you!" Kolven practically screamed with panic, his entire body fluffing up as the heavy steps appeared around the bend of the alleyway. The angered lioness gave a vicious growl as she charged straight toward them, undeterred and clear of purpose- she wanted to kill.

A peace-loving Pokemon, Kolven never chose violence as his first option. There had to be another way, there was always another path, but as terror sparkled in his amber eyes his fearful body reacted without his say. The Pyroar's call was like lightning through his veins, igniting his muscles and sending him barrelling forward. No thoughts entered his mind but something within him simply said, protect Jack. Charging the much larger cat like a Pokemon possessed it mustn't have expected its prey to come so willingly into range. With a leap Kolven sent himself above it, exposing his belly to massive fangs and claws for a few moments, but only her eyes reacted fast enough to meet him.

A heartbeat past, and with a swift twist of his body Kolven sent his best attack down across her face. The Night Slash connected, scoring deep gouges across her eye, forehead, and ear. Blood sprayed immediately, the vascular area pouring scarlet liquid and making it unclear how cleanly his strike had landed. Falling square on his paws Kolven took a breath in and regained himself, his limber body narrowly missing a swiping paw as the Pyroar growled in enraged pain. Stumbling away from her sweeping mitts Kolven met her hisses with his own as he bolted back for the fire escape. Well its a fight now..


Clover hardly noticed as their group declined in number. She was on the prowl, weaving and literally following in the pawsteps of the big cats she was chasing. What they wanted she wanted, and the allure was too enticing to ignore. "Leave now Pyroar! This is not your turf!" The one Pokemon still traveling her way called out, the sound practically a shock to her. Did he wish to hunt too? Hissing as a follow up to his call she listened to any call back, but the sound of their targets had already faded, the distance between them growing greater.

"Clover, do you smell them anywhere?" The lizard asks her, his voice the clearest sound around. The scent of smoke had smothered the land, coating everything even thicker than the dusty scent of the town itself. Yet she breathed, drinking in the smell and realizing now thin the smoke had gotten.. yet how strong the scent remained. They.. burn. The smell.. they were the smell; the fire Pokemon carried the scent of charcoal and smoke naturally. It came from the lizard too, but the wind was not dragging his scent toward her. Lifting her nose to the sky the cat inhales and focuses all her senses toward smell. The lions had traveled forward.. yet their scent drifted from another direction.
They had made a turn.

With a tense nod and a growl she takes off to the side, her motion the only indication for Drake to follow. Forward she charged, the angle drawing her closer to the moving target. The scent grew stronger yes, but the sound of the their quarry had returned. Clover ran harder, faster, ignoring any roughness in her pads she burst from around a building to see the cats race past. You cant get away! Planting her feet for stability Clover gives her own taunt the undead, a raspy mockery growl as though imitating the lions roar. While a poor attempt it worked well as a provoke, and she roared again as the second cat slowed and looked back their way with a furious gaze.


((From Jack/Kolven's position there is no way they can see let alone be heard by Green and the others anymore.))

OoC)) Skip, Jack looks at Kolven trusting him as he readies the move and Drake follows Clover.