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Post by DataNinja on May 16, 2020 18:47:28 GMT
The new day comes with a little bit of tension, a harbinger of uncertainty. Brooke makes a hearty meal, and Rainbow pulled together light backpacks full of supplies for the road. So, as the sky begins to fade from the oranges and reds into the blue of the day, the intrepid heroes set out to meet with destiny. And those who might hopefully accompany them.
Waiting for the pair at the peninsula are four figures - two men and two women. One of the men is more slender, with pristine white and blue plumage, while the other is a muscular figure with bladed steel wings erupting from his shoulders. The woman who looks to be the most authoritative has flaming red hair and similarly coloured dragon wings which she has tucked close to her body... and little puffs of smoke from her nose. The last is another woman who looks rather nervous around the first, carrying a bow and a quiver on her back. She has bug wings similar to Rainbow, and seems to have a sort of glow emanating from her. Literally, not metaphorically.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on May 16, 2020 22:26:53 GMT
Having said her proper goodbyes to Brooke, and joining Rainbow for similar with Michael, Beatrice was resigned to the task at hand and presented herself with her best posture. Painfully aware of the weightiness in her steps, and how the heels dug into the soil as she moved. It was a smaller showing then she had expected, but by the same token the criteria given were very narrow. These few were willing to die for this cause, which was a somber thought. Taking a long inhale, she introduced herself.
"I am Beatrice Vespa Edward Melanie na LaBrasta Fallarbor Magnezone Lorekeeper, it was at my request King Gaius put out the call to arms, though I don't know how much was disclosed. Our intention is to travel to Meteor Falls in the Deadlands, gathering other willing allies along the way. Once there, retrieval of crystals from within the nexus of the corruption, and their return to Central becomes priority. On accomplishing this task, we will be capable of purifying the corruption from these lands, and in time, nature will heal." There was a pause as she quirked her head and considered other things that were on a need to know basis.
"I have with me six Pokemon, protected from the corruption and stored within special capsules." Beatrice held up Genesect's ball. "This idea will be met with skepticism, or perhaps fear, but I assure you all they are docile and safe. Situation dependent, value your own lives, and the lives of each other. Rainbow is capable of escaping on her own merit, and I have a squad of my own nestled in a pocket. If any of these details should unsettle, or deter, do not hesitate to ask questions or step down from the task while you are still here at home."
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Post by DataNinja on May 16, 2020 23:15:50 GMT
"Well met," the woman with dragon wings says, though she snorts, fire erupting from her nostrils. "I am Magnolia Sarah Runeheart Solia na Foster Mossdeep Charizard Sentinel, this is Lucille Alina Carson Sunshine na Robinson Fortree Illumise Sentinel," she gestures to the bug girl with the bow, "and these are Thomas Windcurrent Oceanus Teresa na Greene Mossdeep Swanna Sentinel," the feathered man, "and Tobias Trouble Horace Iyana na Hunter Mossdeep Skarmory Sentinel," she nods at the last one.
"I was led to expect people a little more... impressive," Magnolia says, looking over the pair. "You don't even look like a warrior," she says to Rainbow.
"I am not," she replies. "I am Chrysanthemum Rainbow Theodore Rosepetal na Callista Mossdeep Celibi Swiftwing. And I am here to see my imperative here to the end."
"Suit yourself," Magnolia snorts. "I won't be bailing you out."
"Uh, you mentioned Pokémon?" Thomas asks, hesitantly. "Do you think that's a good idea? You... say they're safe, but I've never seen one of those. And why can't you just do that to all those other ones out there?"
"It doesn't matter," Tobias says with a laugh. "If they're dangerous, we'll just kick their butts. No worries."
"I kinda want to see them..." Lucille ventures, before getting a withering glare from Magnolia.
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6,670 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on May 16, 2020 23:30:11 GMT
"I am a scholar first, and have not led a very hard life, but I am well capable of defending myself." Nodding to Lucille, she releases Bylii first, then Baied, Cumulus, Limul, Crassi, and finally, Genesect. Beginning with the cute and cuddly and moving to progressively larger and more aggressive Pokemon from there. "Purifying the wilds a single, or small group of Pokemon at a time might be a noble pursuit, but it would ultimately be futile with the sheer number of them present. This undertaking is a better task by far."
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Post by DataNinja on May 17, 2020 1:43:24 GMT
"Oh, they're cute when they're not angry..." Lucille says, bending down to take a closer look, flinching a bit whenever one moves to look at her. The men don't get as close, but mostly look on curiously.
"Hmph. All high and mighty. It may not be efficient, but you could at least get started on it." Magnolia snorts again. "Rather than dismissing it out of hand."
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6,670 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on May 17, 2020 1:56:32 GMT
"Easy to judge when you don't know the process or logistics to accomplishing such a thing yourself." Beatrice quipped back. "I am not a Sentinel, but I am making this effort because I feel it is in my ability to make this difference. Genesect, flight configuration please. We will be heading due west at high altitude. Approaching Pokemon not given clearance are to be treated as hostiles." Clasping her hands in front of herself, she regarded the four again after her sojourn to give Genesect direction.
"Pokemon had personalities once. They were friends, partners, comrades in arms. When the Shadowstone dirtied Hoenn, they devolved into a single-minded destructive purpose. Even what you are witnessing now is a pale, sad comparison to what they once were. They possessed some modicum of intelligence, a personality, a soul if you believe in such a thing. This measure does not correct that, can not truly save them. Hybridization became necessity, so that we could live, but in all my studies, I have found nothing to prove benefit to our bonded. The ones that no longer move freely, think freely, that we might live. Can you imagine a world that it isn't needed anymore? Where you could walk the streets at night without fear? Travel between towns, sail even? That -can- be once more."
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Post by DataNinja on May 17, 2020 2:08:07 GMT
The Charizard-woman snorts again. "Fine, whatever. I didn't come to hear you moralize at me. I can here because I was told there was a chance to save things... along with an opportunity to show off my prowess at going into the Deadlands and returning. I don't need a presumption on what might have been."
She pulls a piece of paper out of her backpack as the group gets ready to ascend. "This is the route that we're going to take. Most likely unoccupied islands are here, here, and here, and we should be able to rest here without too much worry of oceanic attacks." She points things out on the map. "Lucille has an extra copy if the worst happens. Now let's not waste time if we want to get there before dark while still having time to rest. Any questions?"
"...yeah." Rainbow says after a moment. "Who put you in charge?"
"Because I know the plan," she states, rolling her eyes. "But, whatever. Lead on."
"Ready, Bea?" Rainbow asks, locking eyes.
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6,670 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on May 17, 2020 2:15:59 GMT
"Ready Rainbow." She replied with a smile, climbing up onto Genesect, power arcing down her hair. The magnets in her heels gripped tightly. "You know your stamina limits better then I do, so get my attention when we need to make for one of the rest islands. Genesect, ascend and depart due west. Estimated travel time to Lilycove is approximately eight to ten hours."
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Post by DataNinja on May 17, 2020 2:52:43 GMT
"It'll be more than that," Magnolia says. "That'll be just past the midway point. On a place where we're hopefully safe resting."
And with that, they're off, high into the sky, wind whipping at their faces. Some Pokémon are seen in the ocean, riding the waves, but none of them seem to notice the humans. At this height... pretty much everything seems normal, save for the fact of the Hybrids themselves.
There are occasional rest stops on empty islands along the way, letting people rest their wings and eat to refuel themselves. The crashing of the ocean is just a constant now, only falling away when the wind returns as they take flight.
The flight, though tense, ends up being fairly uneventful up to the point where the sun begins to descend, and the point that the group plans on resting is reached. There's still no sight of Lilycove - just more islands in the ocean, blocking the way.
"So, don't suppose anyone here can see in the dark?" Magnolia asks, over dinner.
"I can, uh... light it up?" Lucille ventures.
"Not what I was looking for, Lucille," the woman replies exasperated, causing the younger girl to flinch a bit.
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6,670 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on May 17, 2020 3:25:46 GMT
"My Drapion can, but she can't fly. I can continue to navigate us west without sight if any of you brought rope." Breaking a large but bland fruit in half, she offered some to Genesect wordlessly. "Light will draw more attention to us then we want, unfortunately. Are we far from Lilycove still?" She asks Magnolia, not having expected to have to camp along the way. Travel was far faster by Pokemon or boat then... what was effectively an energy inefficient form of walking.
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Post by DataNinja on May 17, 2020 3:34:08 GMT
"I would not risk traveling after dark. Not when we can't see, and after a long day. Rest is more important. I asked for those who could see in the dark because it would be preferable to be able to keep watch without light. But, very well. Let us collect wood, and I will light a fire. We will determine watch rotation before sleep."
The Genesect doesn't seem to want to eat... or even have a traditional mouth. Voice just emits from it.
"We've still got another most-day of travel," Rainbow says. "It's far more noticeable when you don't have a boat... or Dragonite."
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6,670 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on May 17, 2020 3:48:36 GMT
"How are you holding up so far Rainbow? Used to this sort of travel enough that it isn't a bother? She asks with tenderness.
"Take a rest, Genesect." Beatrice recalls the machine-Pokemon, releasing the Ogre Scorpion in its place. "Crassi, I need you to be strong for me tonight. Outside of the firelight and keep watch, if anything stirs that isn't one of us six, alert us. Don't wander too far." She watches the Dark type disappear into the undergrowth and sighs, tucking her now empty Pokeball away.
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Post by DataNinja on May 17, 2020 7:55:36 GMT
"Yeah it's... all coming back," she says, with a mixture of laughter and sighing. "I don't miss the worry."
"What, you think I'm going to trust that thing to keep us safe?" Magnolia asks. "Absolutely not. I am going to make sure we have a good enough fire and enough wood to last the night, and we'll establish watches. I will not put our lives in those hands. You're asking too much there, Beatrice."
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6,670 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on May 17, 2020 11:56:55 GMT
"An added measure, not a replacement one. If I believed I was capable of making this journey alone I would not have asked for help. She can see in the dark, and will act as a warning system and front line until morning. The rest of us can remain in the light where we can properly defend ourselves."
Magnolia was imperious and difficult, but in her experience it was a common trait among dragons. Her fellows were much easier to get along with, though they were soft spoken and reserved by comparison. "I will take the middle watch." She added.
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Post by DataNinja on May 17, 2020 18:25:43 GMT
"I see," she says, bluntly. "Very well. Come with me Lucille, collect some firewood before we lose light entirely."
"Ah, sorry about that," Thomas says, once the dragon and her awkward compatriot are gone. "She's... intense. Very much thinks she should be in charge of everything she knows even a little about."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on May 18, 2020 14:44:15 GMT
"It's fine, that mentality is built on success and seeking perfection. It speaks of her abilities but may also be a liability in the future." Bee replied analytically, letting her eyes wander between the two bird hybrids. "She gave her reason for coming, I suspect Tobias' reasons are similar but don't want to assume. Why volunteer for something so dangerous?" She asked the pair curiously.
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Post by DataNinja on May 18, 2020 17:08:25 GMT
"It's a chance to become a hero, if I get this right," Tobias says, grinning. "It's big, important, and I get a chance to strut my stuff. Live or die, I get to be part of something great."
"I'm here mostly because he is," Thomas admits. "Need to make sure he stays doing stuff not stupid, but I do want to try to make the world better. And there's only so many of us that can fly."
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6,670 posts
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on May 18, 2020 19:13:28 GMT
"I suppose we're alike in that regard Thomas, I am here because she is." Beatrice commented, smiling at Rainbow. "This was her goal originally, not mine. I'm just a terrible enabler." She laughs softly and settles, considering the Skarmory. "Become a hero or die trying seems like a really fatalistic view of things. Do you believe passing from the mortal coil is somehow better if it has meaning?"
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Post by DataNinja on May 18, 2020 20:32:09 GMT
"Sure," he says. "As long as people remember you, you're never truly dead. And what better way to go out then in a quest to save the world, eh?" He gives a hearty laugh. "Now, don't get me wrong, I want to live... but everyone's gonna die someday. So if I do, might as well make it count in a way that's trying to make things better for people. It's why I joined the Sentinels in the first place."
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6,670 posts
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92 likes
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on May 18, 2020 21:04:41 GMT
"Wanting to make a lasting difference is the best goal any of us can strive for regardless of time or affiliation." She praied him with a smile. "Hopefully the island we've chosen is well and truly deserted, would not do to risk injury so soon."
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