|
|
|
10,445 posts
|
6 likes
|
Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by lichlord on Jun 14, 2018 17:23:51 GMT
Rei continues to work on the neck and shoulders after Holly turns back.
"I don't know... When do you think it'll be dark enough that you are comfortable with exploring north?"
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jun 14, 2018 17:41:22 GMT
Holly ponders a moment. "I guess maybe in another couple of hours? It should be dark enough in the woods by then."
After a few hours of milling about, Holly and Rei head back towards the northern forest. The sun is still fairly high just now, but it's on its journey towards the western horizon. Oddly though, the light level within the forest hasn't changed at all. It is still bright as ever within it, though the light does not extend beyond the forest. To Rei, the light seems almost warm and inviting, despite its oddity. Holly, on the other hand, feels all the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end and shifts closer to Rei, Honedge in hand and held before them like a deterrent. She's definitely on edge about this place.
"M-maybe this wasn't a good idea after all, Rei. I don't trust these woods at all."
|
|
|
|
|
10,445 posts
|
6 likes
|
Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by lichlord on Jun 14, 2018 22:54:06 GMT
Rei sighs for a moment.
"Well then... I guess maybe I should do something I've been... well not looking forward to. I can't have everyone with me easily in Celadon, so maybe I should spend a few hours and figure out my team and... say my goodbyes. Hopefully temporary, but..."
Rei just sorta lets that trail off as she makes her way back out to where she was keeping most of her pokemon outside of the few that she's been keeping with her. She gathers them up and tries her best to convey what's happening. That most of them are going to have to stay here to stay safe, and that she can't really take them with. She decides it's best to just spend some time with them and maybe it'll help make her decision.
Shinpuru is the easiest because it's the only non-decision she has to make. Her little warrior has been in her life so long he's more than even 'a friend'. He might be the only family she has left here at this point.
Gryz is another easy one. Ever since he's hatched, he's shown a lot of energy, and lately a lot of power. Having a dragon at your back is certainly helpful.
Piesc is also pretty easy. His aura abilities and senses came into play once, and his steel typing will at least mean she keeps representing her branch in some way.
Which unfortunately only leaves three openings. Nasi could be a good option as she needs 'something' with the moves she can extract from for her Seed Bag... But while spending time looking around, she notices something different. The 'special' Umbreon she caught, Cien, is now playing with... another Umbreon? This one looks more normal. As Rei approaches they both look up, and she realizes what happened. Cien's sister, the sneaky Krasc, must have evolved into an Umbreon like her brother somehow overnight. And with that, Rei gets an thought. Even if it isn't D'mara, Yveltal is still death incarnate. Laurel had gained dark powers somehow, so one way or another she'll be facing down things using dark energy. So two pokemon that could resist that... That is something she could do. And it'll be a chance for her to spend some time with her two Eeveelutions seeing as she hadn't had the chance yet.
And with that, that's her six chosen. She doesn't say it quite yet out loud, as they aren't leaving quite yet, but she's mainly ready to go. After a couple hours she looks to Holly.
"Ready?"
After they head back over, Rei seems a little bit taken by the light, and it seems really inviting and warm. It seems like her problems are put in the back of her mind looking at. She takes a couple steps forward but Holly's voice cuts through the haze pretty quickly. She turns back.
"Huh? Why not? It seems so nice in there..."
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jun 14, 2018 23:08:45 GMT
"I-I don't know, but something about this place seems really off to me. I know dusk is still a few hours away, but a dense forest like this shouldn't be so bright still. It's not right."
Meanwhile, those warm, fuzzy feelings continue to entice Rei to step closer. To cross the threshold of the forest to seek out its source, to let the light wash away all her negative thoughts and feelings.
|
|
|
|
|
10,445 posts
|
6 likes
|
Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by lichlord on Jun 14, 2018 23:29:50 GMT
Rei keeps looking back between Holly and the forest. Something calming is calling her out, but Holly is her love and her rock, if she's worried...
Rei stands, unsure of what to do...
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jun 14, 2018 23:56:06 GMT
A voice calls out from the forest, heard only by Rei. "Come, human, come towards the light. It will not harm you. We only wish you peace and happiness for all of eternity. Bring your loved ones with, even. You can trust us."
|
|
|
|
|
10,445 posts
|
6 likes
|
Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by lichlord on Jun 15, 2018 1:34:36 GMT
Rei holds her hand to her head as the voice whispers sweet thoughts into her mind. She finds its hard to resist it's call but Holly seem to have a good hold on her and shes conscious of the fact that it bothers Holly. She sorta 'thinks' back toward it.
What are you? Why does your light scare her like that?
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jun 15, 2018 1:52:12 GMT
"The poor girl is too rooted in reality. In shadows and gloominess. We mean her no harm, but our nature confuses and frightens her. What we are is merely something that wishes to take you away from all of this. No more responsibility, no more worries, just you and yours happy and carefree forever."
|
|
|
|
|
10,445 posts
|
6 likes
|
Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by lichlord on Jun 15, 2018 2:39:30 GMT
It sounds so good... to just be with Holly and not have all these responsibilities. To not worry about the strife between her and her friends. To not worry about her past, her insecurities. To not have a goal thrust upon her, one that's nigh impossible.
Rei unconsciously takes a couple steps toward it. But something in her is barely holding her back from just running in. She stops and holds.
...I can't.
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jun 15, 2018 2:50:04 GMT
The voice sounds almost sad. "If that is your wish, we cannot force you. Why you would choose to live in a world so filled with strife is beyond comprehension, but humans have always been strange creatures."
The light from the forest begins to fade.
|
|
|
|
|
10,445 posts
|
6 likes
|
Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by lichlord on Jun 15, 2018 2:59:31 GMT
As the light fades, Rei's heart sinks. She know she 'can't' just run away from this. Even if she feels it's deserved.
"...Of course..."
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jun 15, 2018 3:07:59 GMT
Holly hugs Rei tightly. "Are you okay? What happened?! You just stood there staring at that weird light for like.. 5 minutes!"
|
|
|
|
|
10,445 posts
|
6 likes
|
Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by lichlord on Jun 15, 2018 3:14:02 GMT
Rei tries to ignore the hug and starts walking back. If she heard Holly, she doesn't respond, and looks depressed again.
"...Of course even a simple outing has to turn into me facing everything again..."
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jun 15, 2018 3:16:04 GMT
Holly lets go of Rei and angrily sends waves of ghostly energy into the woods at the fading light. "Leave Rei alone! Stop upsetting her, stupid...whatever you are! Why can't you just leave us alone?!"
|
|
|
|
|
10,445 posts
|
6 likes
|
Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by lichlord on Jun 15, 2018 3:19:23 GMT
Rei weakily turns back toward Holly.
"Stop it. It was offering me a way out."
She looks back down and looks zoned out.
"It was talking to me, saying it would take me away somewhere safe. Away from all of this... And I couldn't..."
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jun 15, 2018 3:23:15 GMT
"I-I'm sorry Rei, it was my fault. It was my idea to come up here.... maybe we should just go away someplace... forget all of this bad stuff. The Swamp is a lot bigger than people think, y'know. We could probably hide out there and nobody would ever find us if we didn't want them to... but all of your extra Pokemon would probably make things harder for the local Pokemon anyway just by eating all the food..."
|
|
|
|
|
10,445 posts
|
6 likes
|
Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by lichlord on Jun 15, 2018 3:27:11 GMT
"It's not your fault."
Rei just starts walking back.
"We'll never be able to escape it. The god's messengers will continue to beg and plead and deal to try to get me to fight. If the Usurper wins and I'm not there nowhere in Kanto will be safe... and I'll never forgive myself."
She sighs as she makes her way back.
"I'm not given another choice in this."
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jun 15, 2018 3:39:28 GMT
"In truth, most of the gods are lazy." Says a new voice from out of the darkness. "If they really wanted to save humanity, they could just sic the Lake Guardians on this Usurper. A human can, in truth, only have the power of one Legendary Pokemon at a time."
Holly immediately is at Rei's side, Honedge drawn and raised towards the shadowy figure. The figure only chuckles.
"Relax. If I'd wanted to hurt either of you, I wouldn't have bothered revealing myself. Instead, I'm here to offer you what you want: a shot at the power necessary to exact your revenge upon the gods who have wronged you."
|
|
|
|
|
10,445 posts
|
6 likes
|
Nov 23, 2023 19:11:09 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by lichlord on Jun 15, 2018 3:56:18 GMT
Rei jumps behind Holly as she makes her defensive motions. Rei's not currently in any good head space to be any sort of intimidating. Best let Holly do it.
Rei just listens, and doesn't respond to any one of this shadowy figures notes. Best not to entertain it.
"Who are you?"
|
|
|
|
|
17,053 posts
|
13 likes
|
May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by Raven on Jun 15, 2018 4:06:26 GMT
"Who am I? Hm. Now that's a tough question. I suppose you could say I'm 'a concerned citizen', but I doubt you'd believe that. So for now, I guess, call me 'Greg'. A nice, ordinary human name, yes?" The figure chuckles and his features come into view. He looks like.. just an ordinary guy. In ordinary clothes that happen to be colored in shades of grey, white and black.
Holly growls at the figure. "Go away! Leave us alone! We don't want your help!"
The man merely chuckles some more. "Don't you, girl? I thought you wanted revenge on Darkrai and Cresselia for sending everyone those nasty dreams, and badgering you into this 'chosen one' role or maybe on this 'Usurper' for causing the trouble in the first place? I'm merely here to offer you a way to obtain that."
Holly shouts in rage and charges at the figure, slashing and stabbing with Honedge as she assumes her spectral form.
"Ooh, scary." He laughs, appearing behind Holly. He taps her shoulder and she whirls around, slashing wildly. Her ghostly blade fails to find purchase on anything but air as the figure once again vanishes and reappears behind her. This continues until Holly pauses to catch her breath, returning to her normal state. "All done, now? Feel better?" The obviously inhuman man asks.
|
|
