(ACE) The VIRIDIAN Team

Kenna didn't feel herself shifting back and forth on the mantis's back, she was almost completely oblivious to the outside world. Her senses were on alert for danger but at the moment nothing was triggering the sleepy kit from her slumber. It was refreshing. Her unstable powers were still shifting and morphing around her, giving the air surrounding the Abra a wavy appearance much like the heat rising from the streets on a midsummer day. It wasn't directly affecting anything around her, thankfully or Skoll might have dropped her then and there, but it was still a sign that her psychic energy was not yet under control.

Kenna felt something shift as the group traveled, a dark foreboding that seemed to be surrounding the direction of the city they moved towards. It wasn't a sense of immediate danger, but it was danger. They were heading into what almost felt like a nest, the place where evil breeds evil and devours the light. It was ominous and pentrated the Abra's mind like hot needles. One eye cracked open slowly to take in the female's surroundings and the first thing it locked onto was Loki. While a general sense of danger kept with the dark fox it wasn't what was causing this uncomfortable feeling.

As they passed through what felt to her like a thick muck hanging in the air, dark energy and the sense of danger coating her like a blanket of slime, something in her snapped. Both eyes flew open and revealed the violet depths beneath. There was no blue hue to them this time around, for while her powers were still unstable she had some measure of control again. But what she didn't have was any Teleports left and that was a problem.

Assessing the threat her senses took her eyes to the treeline where a green, monkey-like creature suddenly reached down and plucked her from Skoll's back. Kenna gave a small cry of alarm as she was pulled into the trees and carried away. This was completely undignified! She bore her gaze into her attacker and saw the sickly purple marks of infection covering his body like oozing sores. The leaves of his 'hair' were browning and several bald spots were visible, long since fallen from no longer being able to absorb the sun. This Simisage was one of them and he was carting her off like dinner.

Well no more.

Kenna did not wait for anyone to come to her rescue, she was too pissed. Quickly rearing back her arm she slugged the brute with a Fire Punch, effective in type but not overly physical due to her specialty with special attacks. But it got the job done and he dropped her from surprise. Catching herself in a float before hitting the ground Kenna steadied herself and waited for her opponent to try again.

((OOC: And because I have done nothing for her the last few rounds....drama. lol. Feel free to come help her out, the Simisage kidnapped her closer to the city so it is on the way.))

Although he wasn’t particularly keen on the silence that had taken the group in its vice-like grip, Loki made no effort to intervene with the ongoing stillness. Instead, he was content to stroll alongside the steel-type creature and Ari, undeniably enjoying his company whilst he remained ever averse to voicing such comfort. It had been a long time since the Zoroark had been gifted with living, breathing companions and whilst his gratitude struggled to reach the sly surface, Loki was in good spirits. They were an interesting bunch, weird and in many respects quite repulsive – he shot a glance to the infamous Luzige – but they were entertainment.

Smiling absently to himself, relishing in the steady heartbeats surrounding him, the canine was only ripped from his cheerful musings as a monkey-like creature appeared above. Slowing to a halt, he watched in quiet curiosity as the infected proceeded to pluck precious little Kenna from Skoll’s back in one swift movement. He’d seen more disgusting creatures in his lifetime, but he had to admire the being’s stealth. These so-called monsters rarely failed to impress him.

However, Loki was more surprised at the Abra’s retaliation. Clearly his damsel wasn’t as helpless, as innocent as he’d first thought. Watching her greet her attacker with a well-aimed Fire Punch, the fox felt a slick grin tugging over his features, his eyes following her small form as she caught herself with her own psychic abilities. An airy chuckle escaped him as his fierce eyes never left the fox, curious to whether she’d finish off the battle. However, movement from above suggested she may not get the opportunity. Turning his gaze to Ari, he gestured to the undead with a nonchalant flick of his head.
“I believe that’s your cue,” Loki’s mischievous smirk was unfaltering. “Unless bug-boy’s still hungry…”

It was official, Roy was lost. He had been in this forest a few months now, and he had seen no sign of Ryan the entire time he was in it, not even a hair, so it was clear that the Archen's trainer wasn't in the forest, but maybe simply passed through.
The Archen really wanted nothing more then to leave the forest, he had had nothing but infected and undead come at him the moment he got here. Though rich with bug pokemon, and he had eaten a few that hadn't been infected, this place was a death trap. He wishing he had kept at lest one with him so he wouldn't have been alone.
It was probably Afternoon, the light through the forest canopy danced on the forest floor as the wind swept through the trees. He still wished he knew where he was, a forest, that's all he knew. But he wanted to know what it was called. He remembered Ryan saying something about it, but he just couldn't recall what it was. He would remember it later, when he didn't need the info has much.

Like always, Roy was jumping through the trees, not sure which way was the exit, he was sure he would find it if he kept going in one direction.
The day kept going and the sun started to go down that it was probably about late afternoon by now. How long was it going to be before the Archen made it out of the forest. He hoped he wouldn't be stuck in here.
Noise below him made him look down, only to see some undead Raichu gorging themselves on what looked like a Pikachu and Pichu. The image would have made him gag if he didn't cover his mouth immediately to stop him from making any noise.
This wasn't the first time Roy had seen pokemon eating other pokemon, but he still wasn't used to the sight. And the smell was just as bad.
Taking a deep breath Roy began to jump from tree to tree as fast as he could, hoping the electric types would think it was just the wind, though he wasn't looking where he was going and shot right out of the forest and landed face first on the ground outside the forest.

His crash landing left Roy sore all over, but at least he was finally out of the what's it called forest. Though he knew his beak was going to be throbbing tomorrow morning.
He was glade to see that he wasn't at the end he had entered, he really didn't want to go back into that city, that was the last thing he wanted to do. Though where did this path lead? Hopefully to something to eat other then bugs, they where starting to all taste the same to him now.

With no trees for him to hide in, the Archen was darting from bush to tall grass and back again as he continued along the path. He wondered how much longer it would be before he finally made it to a city or town, though he still didn't like them, he was sure that was where Ryan would have gone.
It wasn't long before Roy started to hear things up ahead of him, but what where they? Voices? Undead couldn't talk, well, they said things but they really couldn't talk. Now the Archen was curious.

It wasn't long before he spotted the group of pokemon, though he had no idea what they where. Where they even safe? Would they help him, or try to eat him? He really didn't want to find out, but he had to ask.
Took awhile before he walked out of his hiding spot and in a somewhat trot walk, approached the group. "Um, Hello." He said, stopping a few feet away from them so he would have a good running start if they attacked. "Can you help me?" He added, though he wasn't sure if he should have asked that before, or after they talked.

Skoll had figured he'd taken the quiet scenery for granted. Hoping that they'd seen their last bit of Undead until they got to the city, he'd trudged along with the unconscious abra -or at least, that's what he assumed she was- on his back, leading the way to the city. Unfortunately, he'd forgotten to watch the trees --which was humiliating on his part. He'd worked his assassin careers in the fucking trees; why didn't he bother looking? So when the rotting monkey swung down and scooped up his burden, all he could do in retaliation was mutter a, "Shit!"

However, Ari was much more adept at adapting to the situation. While she wasn't completely on the ball, she watched in mild admiration as the abra punched the shit out of the monkey's face, even catching herself before she hit the ground. "Nice goin', doll!" she quirped, and before she could say anything else, Fox Creep-Face chimed in.

"I believe that’s your cue," the fox purred, his long face with that creepy-ass grin still plastered onto it. If she were in her right mind, she'd hit it off of him. "Unless bug-boy’s still hungry…”

"PSHT!" Ari scoffed, opening her wings to take to the air. "Like I'm gonna let some fuckin' creepy freak show take all the action! This little bitch is MINE." With that, she lunged after the monkey, cackling madly, taunting it. "Let's DANCE!" She took to flinging the monkey around as it sluggishly lunged for her, tossing it from side to side of the road. Skoll could only sigh and shake his head, diverting his attention from his warmongering sister to Kenna.

"You ok?" There was only a shred of concern in his usual tone, the mild emotion making no impact on his usual scowl. However, as he waited for an answer, bright colors from the forest's edge grabbed his attention; an archen, padding toward them curiously. It didn't seem infected at all; not that he was worried --Ari would be all to happy to dispose of the newcomer as well.

"Um, hello," he asked, as Skoll made his way closer. Since he was leading the way to the city, he seemed to have been made leader. Ugh. "Can you help me?"

"Depends," Skoll growled, trying not to pay attention to Ari's loud battlecries. "What do you want?"

"Like I'm gonna let some fuckin' creepy freak show take all the action! This little bitch is MINE." Luzige brightened at the presence of the undead monkey, jumping up and down in glee. "MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE GIVE IT TO MEEEEE!" he screeched, literally chucking his body over bushes to follow the dinosaur-bird and the grass ape. Reaching the scene where Ari simply flung the infected from side to side, he was hopping at the fossil Pokemon's side while squealing. "I WANT SOME! I WANT SOME! PLEASE PLEASE PLEEEEAAAASE?"

Ricochet stood there with a look of disapproval, watching as the freakshow threw himself towards the undead. The Oreon sighed, not wanting to be caught in any fight or chase. Soon a little mini-version of the Archeops appeared on the scene, asking for help. The Scyther confronted the little mini-dino, and the steel-type bounded over. (At least, as much as she could with two prosthetics.) "What's up with the little squirt?"

"Nice goin', doll!"

Kenna actually felt a little proud at the compliment the ancient bird had shown her, allowing the female to charge in and take care of the monkey at her own speed. Ari seemed charged for a fight and the sleepy female was more than happy to oblige. She moved away from the fight and found Skoll near her once more. "You ok?" She nodded her head slowly, turning her violet eyes to him with a sleepy expression. "I. Hate. Monkeys."

"Um, hello. Can you help me?" Kenna senses hadn't alerted her to any kind of danger, though given everything they had been through recently Skoll's harsh response wasn't totally uncalled for. She still chose to allow the male his right to question the outsider, seeing as how every had deemed him as the one to call the shots, and drifted herself slightly further from the battle as the strange bug-thing jumped into the fray.

It wasn't surprising that she found herself closer to Loki, though it was unsettling as her senses started to tingle once more, but since he was tagging along she would have to learn to deal. Looking over to him she forced a weak smile, so as not to seem frightened, before noticing there was another strange new evolution and her violet eyes widened even further. "Oh my!" she exclaimed, her awakened state not needing to return to psychic thought transfer. "I am so sorry I didn't notice you before! Please forgive me!" She noticed that the metal vulpine seemed a little on edge, eying Luzige angrily, and knew she was missing something more than just the female's arrival. Oops.

"PSHT! Like I'm gonna let some fuckin' creepy freak show take all the action! This little bitch is MINE. Let's DANCE!"

Loki watched grinning as Ari darted after the monkey, cackling in glee as the bug-mutt was quick on her heels, begging for a piece of the action. As unstable as they were, the duo provided an effective hunting pair. Hell, the Zoroark needn't left a paw when those barbarians were prepared to slaughter every glimpse of undead in the vicinity. It was almost like having bodyguards. Although a loud-mouth female and a complete freak of nature tended to be rarer choices in the occupation. Still, Loki wasn't going to complain.

"Um, Hello. Can you help me?"

A smaller version of Ari, a timid male, had approached the group amidst the battle cries and screeches just aside the more intellectual, rational company. The shiny regarded him with a look of indifference, blue eyes rapidly analysing the bird’s strengths and weaknesses whilst Skoll offered a blunt, indifferent reply. As Ricochet awkwardly bounded over with her own ‘greeting’, the canine had only then taken note of her peculiar gait. Annoyed he hadn't noticed the stiff movements earlier, he let a smirk blossom across his slender maw – he was glad she had the dignity and drive to disguise her weaknesses.
“Such a warm welcome…” He muttered nonchalantly, sarcasm lacing his spoken thoughts as his attention fell back to the newcomer. Of all the creatures to stumble upon, the bird was soon to be enlightened of how bad company could fall to in such bleak times.

"Oh my! I am so sorry I didn't notice you before! Please forgive me!"

Kenna, awoken from her seemingly endless slumber was gushing out the apologies to Ricochet at the realization of the female’s company. Clearly she wasn't as observant as Loki had first thought. Still, he nodded along at their merry conversation, noticing the Abra’s close proximity and her bold attempt at directing a smile at him. This girl was just full of surprises. Punching an undead in the face with a secret physical strength for one, but now her determination to brush aside his earlier torment was quite commendable. He returned her gesture with a slick grin of his own.

Some of the pokemon in the group seemed to spring to life, darting off to attack an undead, one of which was calling out mine, and that it wanted some, which just made Roy's stomach churn.
Roy was prepared to make a break for it if the group turned on him, he could easily make a dash for the trees and get away quickly.
"Depends, What do you want?" The green bug growled, and Roy just moved his head down into his neck feathers before the strange metal looking one stepped forward.
The Archen figured it was a she, though, like most of the others, he had no idea what she was.
"What's up with the little squirt?" She asked, talking to the green bug thing with the dangerous looking blades for hands.
Roy let out a small growl. "I'm not a squirt." He complained, taking the gesture as an insult. He wasn't very big compared to the rest of the group, but he didn't want to be referred to as small.

Taking a deep breath, we went ahead and asked them what he wanted to asked them before he was rudely insulted. "I'm looking for someone." He said, looking over the group as he talked, as though one of them was going to lash out as him at any given moment. "He's my friend. He has dark blush gray hair, and blue eyes, and dark skin. Have you seen him?"
Roy didn't even know if these pokemon could be trusted, or even if they would tell him the truth on if they saw Ryan or not.
One of the members of there group did catch the Archens eye though. It had brightly coloured feathers just like Roy, though it was hard to get a good look at it as it was bouncing around fighting off an undead with another strange bug thing.

Shit sure had not been the same since I left Celadon City. Things had actually not been the same since Kaidan and Ari left. An uncharacteristic scowl split across the handsome Leafeon as he walked slowly through the forest. Then it was gone just as fast and the clear blue eyes brightened with a toss of his upkept hair. "I am mush too sexy for this freaking grass and shit." Stepping delicately above a log that had fallen in the path, I stuck out my tounge at it triumphantly as I trotted by. Tail up in the air, I was the deffinition of confidence as I left the forest of Viridian behind.

A purr rumbled in my throat as the sunlight warmed by soft palt, smirking at the world. Being on my own was the way I like it. No one could ever dream of matching this much swag. I was just too- "...hay." Flicking my ears sharply to one side, I turned my entire body to walk in a completely new direction. Not too far away, I could hear sounds of a struggle. As well... as well as... "Like I'm gonna let some fuckin' creepy freak show take all the action! This little bitch is MINE." I smirked, recognizing the spunk with no doubt in my mind. No way. "Let's DANCE!" Yes way.

"Ari." Smirking, I quickened my pace.

Ari cackled in glee as the undead kept lunging at her, his repetitive attacks calling for more inventive responses. She then took to throwing him in the air, seeing how many times she could get him to flip before he cascaded to the earth. However, the bug's shrieking was annoying, so, a final time, she obliged his hungry demands. "OH MY GOD, take it and stuff it in your freak face and shut the fuck up!" she growled, throwing the monkey carcass down to him-- more specifically, right at his face. She landed quickly afterwards, finally noticing the small gathering the others were having.

"I do all the work and no one even tells me there's-- hey, a little me!" she exclaimed, her irritation soon turning to elated amusement. Going next to Skoll, who had been about to comment on the little Archen's question of his missing friend or trainer. The scyther couldn't tell by the vague description and really didn't care to inquire. He'd found his sister; that was all that mattered. "Skoll, lookit-- it's a Mini Me!"

"Yes, Ari," was his dull reply.

"Shit, son, you're tiny!" She exclaimed at the little mirror of her. "Skoll, Skoll, Skoll, Skoll, Skoll--"

"ARI."

"Can we keep him?"

"...He's an Archen, not a pet." The scyther sighed as Ari simply stared at him blankly. "Meaning it's up to him. Remember? Sentient beings can do that. You know. Choose? Besides, you've probably already scared him..." However, Ari didn't really seem to hear, as she went to the tyke's side and giggled.

"Lookit his little baby wings! His widdle talons! I remember pullin' eyes out at your age-- have you gotten to do that yet?" Again, it was all her brother could do but sigh.

"Pretty sure your enthusiasm puts him off. But to answer your question, kid, no. No we haven't. You can run now, if you want her chasing you."

"I am so sorry I didn't notice you before! Please forgive me!" Rico simply smiled, waving a paw. "Oh no, it's fine, I don't mind! With all that's going on, it's pretty easy to get distracted. Call me Ricochet, nice to meet you," the Oreon replied, before the little fossil bird caught her attention. "I'm not a squirt." She giggled. "Bawww, but you're so cute!" she cooed, her wire-like tail wagging behind her in amusement. "He's my friend. He has dark blush gray hair, and blue eyes, and dark skin. Have you seen him?" "Hair and skin... You're talking about a human? Sorry love, I haven't seen one in a long time,"

"OH MY GOD, take it and stuff it in your freak face and shut the fuck up!" Luzige squealed as the rotting corpse hit his face, stumbling into the grass as he squirmed in delight, already gouging and swallowing it's organs out as he ripped it's body open. "Thank youuuu!" he shouted at Ari, whom was now going back to the group. Not wanting to be left alone, he began happily skipping towards the others with the dead body in his mouth, almost his whole body covered in a deep layer of blood and flesh.

Ricochet almost screamed in horror when the fucking bug freak came back soaked in innards and body fluids. The Oreon began to bristle, baring her fangs and growling. "What the actual FUCK?" she snarled, backing away a bit while the Archeops began to obsess over the Archen. Her golden eyes were dead set on the Arachneon, looking at others for somekind of help. "Can we kill him yet?" she mumbled, her voice both terrified and angry.

Luzige couldn't quite understand why the silvery eeveelution was angry at him now, but the little Archen certainly brightened the mood. At Ari's suggestion of keeping him, the bug also frantically nodded, the dead body of the monkey flying out of his mandibles and into the ground near Rico. "Let's keep him, let's keep him!" he laughed, thinking of all the ways he could prepare the little fossil bird as a meal. If he could get some fire going on, her could probably roast him... Or chop him up into steaks! Oh oh, maybe he could have rare Archen on a stick up bug guts! The very thought made his mouth water, staring at the newcomer very intently.

Ricochet simply stood there horrified at the dead, organless body in front of her, her eyes darting from the corpse and to Luzige.

Kenna saw the smirk that Loki returned to her and felt her cheeks heating up, turning away as the blush went full force. She felt uncomfortable when he smiled like that, instincts screaming that he was up to no good going absolutely bonkers, but it couldn't stop the blush response. "Oh no, it's fine, I don't mind! With all that's going on, it's pretty easy to get distracted. Call me Ricochet, nice to meet you," She thanked whatever deity would listen for that small reprieve from her embarrassment, the excuse now before her to pretend like that smile had never happened. “Nice to meet you too, Ricochet. I'm Kenna.”

"I'm looking for someone. He's my friend. He has dark blush gray hair, and blue eyes, and dark skin. Have you seen him?" The strange question caught her off guard but Ricochet caught it and mentioned that no one had seen a human by that description. How strange that he was looking for a human in all of this mess. But Kenna didn't have much time to question it as suddenly she was hit with a powerful vision.

~~~
The sounds of footseps fell quickly through the forest, the being running as swift as the wind. She could feel his approach like fire, energy leaping from the source as it barreled in the direction of their gathering. The trees sang for it but the wind howled, angry that something dared challenge their speed.

Whatever this being was it was causing the forest distress.

She could make out four legs, an almost broken energy building up as it ran towards them. The vision shifted to Ari as the subject of its desire, a strange image of the broken energy tackling the ancient avian.

Then nothing but darkness
~~~

Her eyes snapped open and Kenna's hovering ceased at once, her powers all being temporarily drained in that vision. She pulled herself to her feet and looked over at Ari, who was still bickering with Skoll about whether or not they could keep the strange mini-version of her. Panic began creeping into her voice as she warned the other what was coming, and she couldn't stop her voice from cracking. “Ari! Something else is coming! And it is looking for you!” Because the vision went dark she had no idea if the other's intentions were malicious or benign, but she couldn't take any chances. Ari had to know. “It will be coming from that way.”

“I'm looking for someone. He's my friend. He has dark blush gray hair, and blue eyes, and dark skin. Have you seen him?"

Whilst he felt no need to offer the kid an answer, Loki had not seen a human in months. If he’d had, the last thing he’d do is talk to them, let alone help them find their sweet, innocent pet. The canine’s nose scrunched at the thought of belonging to someone, his immediate opinions on the small newcomer souring as a result. Still, his attention was mainly with Kenna. Is that a blush, I see? The grin that exploded on his slim, vulpine face was near maniacal. Oh, this was just too good. Hardly caring for Skoll and Ari’s bickering on whether to adopt the newcomer, Loki’s stare remained firmly on Kenna, enjoying seeing her squirm.

Unfortunately, his entertainment was cut short. The Abra fell into an almost trance-like state, Loki quirking a brow quizzically in response. The voices around him fell to his senses now, his gaze tearing away as he absorbed the sights around him. Well, it looked like by majority vote the little tyke would be staying – whether he himself agreed to his warm welcoming was another matter. Loki didn’t care either way. What did bother him was Luzige’s happiness. The freakish mutt was grinning away, calling his support as his latest meal was presented at the disgruntled Oreon’s paws. Loki caught her dark muttering, a smirk touching his features as he leaned over to her.
“Give it time,” He purred, more than willing to help Ricochet dispose of the creep tainting his glorious presence. Still, patience was a virtue. Loki was in no hurry to kill when there was a whole ticking time bomb around him that might do the dirty work for him. It was always a nuisance getting blood out of his fur.

“Ari! Something else is coming! And it is looking for you! It will be coming from that way.”

Loki, pleased his psychic-fox had recovered from her trance, turned at her fearful utterance. Frowning, though not overly concerned for Ari having seen the endangered bird’s power firsthand, the Zoroark crept forward. She could see into the future then too. There were no shifts in the environment to betray an outside presence and it certainly explained her moment of eerie silence. Curious, Loki first flashed a grin at Ari.
“Aren’t you the popular one?” He commented mischievously. “Any skeletons in your closet?” Loki’s attention was lost before he could dwell on the answer. Peering over Kenna’s shoulder, his face unnecessarily close to her own, he smiled. “That’s quite a skill, my dear. Do tell, what’s in store for me, hm?”

Roy was a little upset that they hadn't seen Ryan, but that wasn't very surprising. Humans are a rare sight these days, not like before when they where all over the place. The undead where just to much for them and they almost all of them died. But the Archen wouldn't give up looking for Ryan, not yet.
The only thing that was really bothering him though was the Archeops. Just a few moments ago she had been running a muck, killing that monkey the strange bug thing was eating, and now she was sitting next to him going on about how cute he was.
His eye's had this confused look to them as he looked at his evolved form and then to the Scyther. Taking one of his wing talon's and pointing it at the Archeops while still looking at the one he believed was Skoll, as that was what the Archeops had called him.
"Is she, always like this?" He asked, though already pretty sure of the answer.

He had to think a lot on how to ask him next question. He had had enough of traveling on his own, and he knew that there was strength in numbers, but how could he ask if it was ok if he joined there group? He was sure the Archeops would be happy, and so would the bug, which he really had a bad feeling about.
But what about the rest of the group? How would they react to his question? Guess he should ask, though he really didn't have time when the Abra cut in.
"Ari! Something else is coming! And it is looking for you! It will be coming from that way."
Ari was the Archeops right? The one that seemed rather attached to Roy even though they had just met. Guess like Roy, she hadn't met another of her own kind, so maybe it was a good thing he wanted to stay, maybe he can learn a thing or two about really being an Archen. He just hoped he didn't have to kill to much. He really didn't want to kill anyone.

The bickering and yelling continued, but Ari's very clear voice was not angry or aggitated. With a smirk, I could hear another voice scolding her in an irritated tone. When she left, she mentioned something about looking for her brother. Another Dino Bird. Hmm. This will be interesting. With a flick of an ear, I trotted with ease in the direction of the voices. The familiar scent was becoming stronger and I could make out several other smells as well. Blinking in suprise, I took a pause and stood still. Ari didn't seem like she had enjoyed the company back at Celadon at the beginning.

Maybe she is just trying to ditch with her big ol' brother, I mused. Coming to the firm decision, I moved forward again. Grinning beneath my brown bangs, I weaved between the trees and tall grasses. Then the sunlight was harsh, the greenery suddenly thinning out and giving me a clear veiw of that before me. I found several pairs of eyes facing this way, and I flicked one ear in good nature. "Why do I feel like you were all expecting me? Chill," I chuckled, moving lazily forward. Facing the Dino Bird, I was suprised not to see another of her kind, but a smaller clone. Giving him a puzzled look, I flashed teeth up at the only familir face. "Yo, Ari. Remember me?"

[ooc: Jude thinks Roy is her brother xD LOLOL]

"Ari! Something else is coming! And it is looking for you!"

The abra's cry did in fact catch Ari's attention, her eyes snapping to the direction Kenna soon pointed to. Her zealotry dissipated, her sharp gaze studied the tree line, only to be brought back to the face of the snide fox. "Aren’t you the popular one?" he mused, his voice full of mischief. "Any skeletons in your closet?"

"Not any that I already haven't bashed the face in..." she growled back, but it seemed ehr answer had fallen to deaf ears, as the fox seemed more enamoured over Kenna's abilities. The fuck was so interesting? She was fucking psychic-- they all did that, didn't they? Fortune telling kind of came with the typing. Still, she had little time to dwell on the fox's strange obsession with the little abra. Something was coming for her, and she really wasn't sure what it could be...

Skoll, on the other hand, wasn't at all surprised something had come for his sister. She wasn't the most amiable of creatures, and she was incredibly hard to forget. Knowing her, she had probably pissed off the wrong pokemon and it had followed her from wherever she'd come from. However, this did not instill fear in him. What did it was that Ari seemed unnerved, and she was never unnerved. While the fox was annoying, he seemed to be right...

Speaking of which, the fox had made himself best friends with Kenna, who didn't seem all that fond of the idea herself. Knowing how she acted around Loki, Skoll took a step forward after nodding to the little Archen, silently answering his question and placed a thin, lethal scythe between Kenna and Loki. He didn't like how he hovered over the small psychic, and even though he wasn't really a fan of anyone there in the group besides his own sister, he'd been fine with Kenna. Even with her little indignant spouts.

"Back off." His words were quiet, but his tone and expression said more than needed. He wasn't about to let this slimeball move in and intimidate others in the group. That wasn't going to fly. While he usually enjoyed merely following his sister's opinions on others, he didn't like what this guy was doing. His instincts screamed "doucher" and he wasn't going to ignore them now. His eyes stayed on the fox, knowing that this was likely a dangerous move; he was picking a side to a fight that was almost inevitable. Even when the thing after Ari appeared, his eyes were focused on the fox.

Ari's face broadened into a large, goofy grin at the creature that appeared. Oh thank Legends! She had feared it was the disgusting snorlax she'd already disposed of; she wasn't sure if she could win again with this group. All anxiety gone, she rushed forward and tackled the trussed-up leafeon, giving a bear hug for the ages. "JUDE! The FUCK are you doing here?!" she cried happily, releasing the quadraped from her firm hold. "I thought you'd stayed in Celadon? How's everyone back there doing? They fuck up my town?"

((OOC: I'll edit if it's not ok, Ciana :3))

“Give it time,” the purring from the odd green fox made her a bit uneasy, but at the same time his words made the Oreon excited, already planning ways to murder that bothersome little shit. "One day..." she hummed, eyeing the freakshow carefully. 'I swear to Arceus, I'll make him regret he was ever born...' Soon, the voice of the Abra, whom introduced herself as Kenna, shouted. “Ari! Something else is coming! And it is looking for you! It will be coming from that way.”

Both bug and steel types stopped and looked confused, but the Oreon recovered faster than her insectoid counterpart. 'Right, psychics. Mind shit.' Luzige himself had a similar thought, but instead panic seemed to rise in him. He had been so caught up with eating that he hadn't noticed... "GAIZ GAIZ GAIZ!" he shouted for attention, hopping everywhere. "Where's Adalia?!" he was sure she was following him a minute ago... Did the Espeon get lost?

Ricochet simply ignored her sibling, not quite interested in whoever this 'Adalia' was or where she went. Instead, her eyes were fixated on the rustling of the undergrowth as an eeveelution appeared. "Why do I feel like you were all expecting me? Chill," The Oreon blinked. "Are those... Piercings?" she mumbled, staring at his ears. She had seen humans with them too, and always thought it was painful, seeing as they're poking a hole right through your flesh. The newcomer seemed to know the dino-bird, whom promptly tackled the grass-type.

"Back off."

The deadly green scythe had proven a barrier between Loki and his object of interest moments before being accompanied by the owner’s dangerous words. The Zoroark recoiled in mock fear, a twisted excitement locked in his signature grin, stretched from ear to ear. Unafraid to meet the bug-type’s fierce glare, a mischief flashing within his own ice-like orbs, the fox merely nodded his head in a sarcastic bow.
“I’m sorry, is there some kind of problem?” His voice was dainty, delicate as he heaped on a sickening innocence that he’d abandoned years before. Chuckling to himself, his laugh akin to that of a scheming demon, the sudden ruckus loudening behind threatened to draw his attention away altogether. Pointed ears flicking back as voices of delight infected his senses, Loki’s maniacal expression eased away as he dismissed the reunion of Ari and Jude. That could wait.

Slender head turning back to Skoll’s hard expression, effectively distracting him from the meeker Kenna, Loki took a step forward. The Zoroark walked with an air of sophistication, a misplaced sense of self-importance dictating fluid, but swift movements. Of course, the canine had no intentions to start a fight. Whilst he wasn’t particularly fond of the mantis’ interruption of his innocent query, the canine wasn’t about to throw a fit over the matter. Contrary to popular belief, Loki wasn’t the drama queen many conceived him to be. Conniving, mischievous and keen to make others squirm – yes, but eccentric, perhaps only a tad.
“I think we got off on the wrong foot, Skoll. I apologise for that nickname – ‘Chickenshit’, was it? So, let’s start anew, hm?” Loki started quietly enough to leave the remainder of the group oblivious to the exchange. He managed a smile almost convincing enough to appear genuine, sympathetic. Reaching forward to trace a single claw lightly along the Scyther’s bladed arm, heavy-lidded eyes absently following his movements, the canine looked almost as if he were in some kind of trance. “All that strength…” He mused, his passion for power bubbling beneath the calm façade as he permitted his eyes to wander the creature’s powerful form. No doubt he’d prove a challenging opponent. His peaceful demeanour was cracked by a short, quiet snigger, his claw soon running out of surface as the canine swiftly regained his composure. “Why would I want to pick a fight?”

"GAIZ GAIZ GAIZ! Where's Adalia?!"

Loki’s half-amused, half-dangerous expression soured entirely at that voice. His interest in Kenna and Skoll lost, the shiny turned around, stalking away to join the bulk of the group. His glare lingered on the famous Luzige a moment, unable to disguise the wrinkling of his nose that accompanied any observance of the freakish canine. But his panic and confusion brought an extent of pleasure to the dark-type’s corrupted mind.
“Gone, obviously,” He muttered mainly to himself, adopting a maliciously blunt tone as he observed the recent arrival, a Leafeon. As Ricochet quietly spoke of the piercings adorning the stranger’s ears, an odd marking on his pelt and spiked fur, Loki immediately ruled off the creature as a hindrance. If he sprouted a few more legs, he and Luzige would get on swimmingly. Rolling his eyes, the Zoroark fell to his haunches and made himself comfortable. Introductions were always unnecessarily lengthy.

(( Was given permission for Loki to stroke Skoll's scythe, lololol. xD ))

Roy was starting to think he had just found the wrong group of pokemon to think of as traveling companions, they all seemed to be a little bit, sick in the head. Though he kept his thoughts to himself cause he didn't wish to know what they would do to him if he said anything aloud.
Ari soon forgot about the Archen as she tackle hugged a leafeon that had appeared mere moments after Roy had, though the greeting was short as the Leafeon didn't stay for long.
The weird bug type, the one that walked on all fours, or, all six as it seemed it had an extra set of legs, seemed to be asking where someone named Adalia was. "Pretty name, Adalia." Roy thought out loud, though he hoped no one had heard him, he hated saying things aloud for all to hear.

Roy waited a few moments, pondering his thoughts about the question he wished to ask, and how they would react to it. "I really don't know how to ask this." He started, trying to keep his voice steady as he looked at everyone in the group.
A shiver when down his spine as his gaze went to the Zoroark and the, whatever you call it. Those two where really the only one's that gave him a bad vibe.
"I was wondering if it would be ok with you, if I maybe tagged along?" The question felt like a brick weighing him down, but he had finally asked it. "It's just that, maybe if I stay with you, I'll probably find my friend along the way." He added, hoping they would understand, though the real reason was he just didn't want to be left alone anymore.

Ho-Oh sighed. He had been so close to finding the possible hideout of that strange undead, only to fail as the damned thing used the cover of the trees to escape. All that following for nothing! He mentally berated himself for losing the closest lead he had about these overwhelmingly strong undead pokemon. Now he was forced to go back to aimlessly wandering the regions for another sighting, something he wasn’t so fond of after failing.

He had no real destination before going on his chase, but getting closer to his home region was more appealing than staying in Kanto. So Ho-Oh decided to double back, across the viridian forest, one which was not in such a good state when he passed by before. But to his relief, it looked better than before, no imminent threat as far as he can tell, expect for the occasional looming undead of course.

He would have passed right by and never thought anything about it. But something made him stop. He wasn’t sure what made him do it though. He had to stop, no, he needed to stop and land in the forest. It was not until he arrived at whatever it was that was making him act strange that he figured out why.

There on the floor, just casually discarded there as if it was no more important than the left overs of a lunch, left to deteriorate into the earth was a body. A burnt and mangled body to be specific, one with remnants of feathers adorning its body; brown and matted. It was only by the brown feathers and the long neck that Ho-Oh was able to distinguish the species as a Ferrow.

He thought that by simple knowing its species he would be able to come to peace with the remains and simply fly away, because in this new world, death was a constant factor. But he just couldn’t pull away, it was like something inside him was urging him to do what needs to be done, like some remaining spark of life was telling him that it wants to live. No, not want, but somehow deserved to live, there was no other way to describe it. It was a feeling he was not really familiar with, the only other time he had felt something remotely similar to this was when he gave life to his three sons.

So Ho-Oh did what only he could do, using the ashes he held to be most sacred, he began the ritual to return this bird to the realm of the living. Some ashes were spread over the remains, his strength flowed from him, and his wings glowed with force that could rival that of the sun. And in a few precious moments, the mangled body of the fallen avian was no more. Instead in its placed stood the bird that once lived before, new life breathed into its very being.

As much as he wanted to stay and find out why he needed to revive that pokemon, Ho-Oh knew that doing so would mean less chances to find those strong undead pokemon. So sadly he would need to part with the bird who made him stop, who’s very being made Ho-Oh, a Legend, stop and locate. He may never find out what exactly made that pokemon special, but he could feel that it was not a waste of ashes.

“Life is precious, not many beings get the courtesy of experiencing it twice. Make sure to protect it my child.”

And with that he simply took off, casting one last look back at the Ferrow, before heading off to return to his home region.

((I have come to the team to finish the revival of the fearow, but the posting order continues as it was before I interrupted. Meaning Clockpunk should be next to post))

“I’m sorry, is there some kind of problem?” Skoll's glare remained hardened and firm as Loki playfully, almost mockingly paused, the other looking over his form with a strange intent in his eye. “I think we got off on the wrong foot, Skoll. I apologise for that nickname – ‘Chickenshit’, was it? So, let’s start anew, hm?” Again, Skoll gave no reaction, and only kept the scythe between the fox and Kenna, knowing that showing a reaction would spell "Trouble" for them moreso than his intervention already did. The fox smiled so genuinely it unnerved the mantis, a slight twitch of the eye the only indication of his unease. The fox's hand extended not in malice, a talon lightly tracing the curve of his scythe. “All that strength…” Loki mused, his curious, wandering talon sending a shiver up Skoll's spine. “Why would I want to pick a fight?”

They stood, staring at each other, waging some sort of silent duel that Skoll only half-understood himself until something tahknfully broke the fox's stare. The freakshow, Luzige, managed to pry Loki's attentnion away, giving Skoll a moment to breathe. While he wasn't fond of the thought of thrusting himself into battle like his sister so enjoyed, he knew he couldn't back down now. Swallowing the lump in his throat that had magically formed, he looked down to the little abra. "...You ok?"

Ari, completely oblivious to her brother's quiet plight, turned from her reunion with Jude to the bug-dog's loud wailing, irate that his voice was so annoying. "She probably buggered off if you didn't already eat her. Idea: why do you go and find her yourself, huh? Just sort of leave and never come back." She turned back, about to explain to Jude to stay the fuck away from the guy when she found he was no longer there. The fuck?! "...Jude?" She turned every which way, but still found herself unable to spot the very recognizable leafeon. Where did he go...? A little saddened by his sudden vanishment, she slowly trod back to the others in time to hear her minature's query.

"Sure, buddy, you can stay with us," Ari offered, bright grin replacing her worry. "Peeps gotta stick together, right? Just stick with us and you'll be fine. Just keep away from Luz's mouth."

“Gone, obviously," Luzige turned to the Zoroark, a look of confusion on his face. "Why?" he asked, ears drooping in sorrow. Why would the Espeon leave them? He had tried to be nice, even going as far as the comfort the blind girl. "She probably buggered off if you didn't already eat her. Idea: why do you go and find her yourself, huh? Just sort of leave and never come back." Those words had stung, the Arachneon's body trembling slightly. "B-bu... Why? I thought..."

"That fucking bitch,"

Almost as if his emotions took a complete turn, his fur stood on end as he bristled with a vicious rage. "I thought we were friends," the bug-type snarls, pawing the ground. His insectoid eyes were narrowed and menacing, mandibles clicking in anger. "How could she--how dare she just leave? I'm not even going to bother finding her, that blind bitch would be dead by now." Luzige spat, paying no attention to anyone else around him. Instead, he glared at the others, before grinning. "You guys won't leave me... right?"

Ricochet was terrified. The freakshow's sudden switch in emotions setting the steel-type on end. Inching away, she glanced back to where the Leafeon had been only to find him gone, vanishing like the wind. 'Better not mention his leave...' she trotted closer to where the fossil duo was, trying to shake off the anxiety. "Peeps gotta stick together, right? Just stick with us and you'll be fine. Just keep away from Luz's mouth." The Oreon tried to wear a smile, only to have the expression simply fail. "I really think we should get out of here..." she whispered instead, looking back at the furious bug. "Or like, ditch him. The way he just changed like that--that's just not fucking natural."

Watching the way Loki interacted with Skoll was just creepy, causing the psychic fox to back away slightly. Her violet eyes couldn't tear away from the scene until her vision came to fruition...rather loudly.

Kenna hadn't expected a decked out Leafeon to come bursting through the trees, nor for Ari to be so familiar with him as to offer a jovial welcome including the male's own name. Her senses couldn't make heads or tails of the guy, she wasn't sure if he was danger or just attracted it. But before anyone even realized it he had just vanished, gone off to who knew where. And it seemed another of their companions had vanished as well, leaving Kenna with a bitter taste in her mouth for not realizing sooner.

"...You ok?"

Skoll's voice caught her attention and she looked up to the large Scyther, nodding politely. "Lost in myself, I suppose..." she replied, voice distant and unsure. She was still suffering from the strike of her vision and the lack of sleep, but she wasn't ready to go back to sleep yet. The small Archen asked if he could go with them to which Ari quickly confirmed, sticking in the barb to Luzige's personality. While she herself was uncomfortable around the odd bug-thing that didn't mean he needed to keep getting picked on.

Ricochet mentioned that they should be leaving and Kenna couldn't agree more, though not quite for the reasons she was suggesting. "Moving would be best, I honestly would rather avoid getting snatched by another rotting tree swinger." She looked to Skoll and gave him a happy smile. "Still leader?" she jibed, poking fun at the tense way he assumed the role. It was obvious that he wasn't comfortable being in charge of the group but it didn't mean he wasn't suited for it. He had great skills as a leader, he just needed more level heads to help council him. Ari was powerful, but her methods were more kill first and ask questions later. All well and good when surrounded by undead, but not so great when it came to dealing with group dynamic.

Whilst Loki thought his blunt response to Luzige’s query suitable enough, the rest of the group felt obliged to throw in their own two cents. Although elaboration wasn’t necessary in the canine’s mind, the Zoroark couldn’t fault Ari’s suggestion of him leaving altogether. But almost as soon as she uttered it, the joy of her short-lived reunion was ceremoniously obliterated. Jude, eh? Watching the Archeops spin around on the spot in a desperate attempt to rediscover her absent companion, the shiny merely gave a tired snort – not like he’d miss the punk. Although given the choice, he would’ve chosen the mutt over Luzige any day.

"I thought we were friends. How could she--how dare she just leave? I'm not even going to bother finding her, that blind bitch would be dead by now. You guys won't leave me... right?"

Ari’s words seemed to have hit a nerve in Ol’ Freakshow as a barely contained anger overcame the creature. Finding a certain amusement in the creep’s ranting, the complete flip from an irregular but mainly docile personality to an infuriated beast wishing death upon an earlier fascination, Loki grinned absently at the reaction. Yeah, this was definitely one to watch, and most of the group had come to learn it. Even the pint-size version of Ari received his initial warning to avoid the clicking mandibles of their resident time-bomb, the youngster now welcomed into dysfunctional family that surrounded him.
“Good luck,” Loki muttered as he stalked past the ancient avian, keeping his distance, but not his eyes away from precious little Kenna. There was no point in pushing Skoll or his object of interest any further just yet – they had a whole troupe of oddities to defend them were things to turn nasty. Besides, Loki wasn’t ready to be evacuated just yet, nor was he the impatient type. He was having fun amongst these commoners, coming to realize exactly how superior he was to such bottom-dwellers of the epidemic world; it was almost a study into their small, hapless lives.

"Moving would be best, I honestly would rather avoid getting snatched by another rotting tree swinger,”

The Zoroark’s piercing gaze lingered on the Abra as she spoke, pleased that everyone was in agreement to get movement. Whilst Loki was obviously the best choice to lead the cretins about him, responsibility was thrust upon the shoulders of the mantis. Of course, he’d expected it. Loki was a newcomer to this group – disliked and distrusted already, so unsurprisingly the strong, silent-type Scyther was deemed fit to lead. Given the options before him, the Zoroark thought Skoll the best of the bunch. Ricochet perhaps, but glimpse of a venomous temper had flashed within her words to deter him from such an option.
“Lead on,” Loki called, nodding his head at the Scyther whilst a smirk of challenge played on his vulpine features. However, rustling within the foliage caught his attention; eyes soon widening in shock of the beast that stumbled onto the scene.

---

Life came like a jolt of electricity.

Remaining eye snapping open, a deep, shuddering inhale racked the fragile bird’s body as the consuming darkness was penetrated by the shining glow of life, a new existence. His limbs flexed experimentally, warm blood pumping around a bedraggled physique as the enormous bird was left frozen in incredible shock.

Crane had returned.

“Life is precious, not many beings get the courtesy of experiencing it twice. Make sure to protect it my child.”

The enormous, godly bird of legend stood before him. Crane had seen him once before, but now it was different. His hazy memories pieced together a gruesome, rotting image of the legendary creature, a stranger to the pristine, regal appearance it currently held. His hooked beak fell open in shock, the Fearow hesitantly rising to his feet. He wanted to talk, say something – offer his thanks, anything, but the words were trapped in his throat. Ho-Oh had turned and flown into the skies by the time he managed a weak nod of his head.
“I will,”

The incredible confusion that came with the surreal situation hit then. Ho-Oh was gone, the half-dead bird left standing shakily on charred talons. What happened? The year had been a blur, flashes of alone grotesque monsters stained red and fire clear in his mind. The Fearow involuntarily shuddered, the flickering ferocity of flames alighting within a delicate mind to leave him gasping for air. Fire was bad. Fire had robbed him of his life, his remaining memories completely overcome with those ravenous flames to leave blotchy glimpses of a past left behind. Giving a pained hiss, head stinging painfully at his vain recollection of a past intent on escaping him, Crane looked over himself.

He was a mess.

What little feathers that had survived were stained red, dark in colouration and proving a stark contrast against the regular patches of greying flesh. Cautiously extending a wing, the limb seemingly never-ending, the bird emitted a shocked gasp at the realization he was no longer a humble Spearow. In fact, he was enormous – and yet, he couldn’t remember an evolution. He couldn’t remember anything but monsters and ungodly fire. Recoiling his wing too quickly for the state of his protruding bones, a pained squawk escaped him as an aching pain rocketed up his skeletal frame. Pain was becoming far too common, every movement a struggle as fear seeped in to worsen his newly arrived state of living.

Quieted sounds in the distance piqued his attention. Long neck extended, his remaining eye glowing red as he hurriedly scanned the foliage. The voices disturbed the silence, unintelligible at this distance as his head continued to protest against any chance of communication. Instead, Crane acted on instinct, stumbling blindly forward. The skin peeling away from monstrously large talons were tender, the bird forced to use his wings as extra support as he practically crawled onwards. He needed answers, anything that might marginally explain his situation.

All too soon, he’d found them. The world still spinning, the throbbing in head threatening to plunge him back into an unconscious state, Crane stumbled through the foliage separating him from normality. His gait off, lanky frame difficult to sustain balance, the giant bird stopped abruptly as his mind registered the sight before him. A small group of pokémon, all varying in species as the Fearow was left staring dumbfounded before them. He shuffled backwards a fraction, struggling to hide the aching of his delicate joints as the charred sack atop his head swayed with the movements. The eye that wasn’t proceeding to dribble down his hidden face, was locked on the Scyther.

Something in the dark recesses of his mind clicked, a certain recognition gripping him as Crane searched to place two-and-two together. His expression was of purest confusion, an intense concentration held in the glowing orb as his bloodstained beak clicked with the mental gymnastics.
“F-Fire?” Crane asked eventually, his voice sore but laced with a surprising eloquence that could only stem from an upper-class background. Blinking hard, taking deep inhales to re-familiarize himself with the sensation of breathing, Crane kept his distance. In any other situation, he would’ve been terrified of the gathering before him, but the internal pain emanating from the body and the ferocious surrealism of the day’s event rendered him fearless. Eyes on the Scyther once more, Crane sighed, almost defeated. “You look familiar…”

“I plan too.” Roy said as he looked up to his evolved self before turning it to the Arachneon. That bug was going to make his feathers stand on end a lot, he just knew it. Roy hadn’t met a pokemon that was as disturbing as that one.
Roy decided her would stick close to the Archeops, best he stay with one of his own, and she seemed like the strongest of the group. He wondered how long it would be before he too was an Archeops. The Archen hoped he didn’t have to wait long before he evolved. He wanted to fly already.

“Still leader?” Roy didn’t even noticed who said it, he was far to lost in his own thoughts, though he was always an air head when it came to such things. He guessed the question was directed at the Scyther, as he seemed best suited for the role as leader of this group. Roy had actually believed him to be the leader, it seemed he was right.
They where all getting ready to leave, and a good thing to. This place was just far to open, and they may get attacked if they didn’t start moving soon.