Let's Go Fire-Type Hunting (Action)

[second_destiny]

[Now that he didn't have to worry as much about wild Pokémon strength, Asemu figured it was time to fervently comb the Scorched Forest. He had an aptitude for Fire-types, after all, so he might as well put it to good use.

He leaves a pair of notes -- one on the door to his home, the other on his locker -- saying that he's going to spend most of his time this week searching the Scorched Forest. They shouldn't expect to find him anywhere else, but they're free to join him, should they wish.

And searching is what he's doing now. Let's see if he can find anything new...]

Comments

[bravenewmods]

[The Scorched Forest is... murky today as Asemu searches. It had been ruined land for as long as most people could remember; no one was quite sure when the fires had originally ravaged this region. What seemed to be certain, though, was that the fire-types that had moved in later meant the forest was always in danger of burning again.

Fire, unfortunately, never came alone. There seems to be something unpleasant in the air... Could it be that something was burning? But it didn't seem like smoke, exactly...

Still, something must be creating this smog. Asemu may try to pinpoint its source if he wishes.]

[second_destiny]

[Asemu is made wary by all of the smoke -- or smog, whichever it was. It doesn't smell like smoke from a fire, which alerts him even more. He would be shirking his duties as a ranger if he were to ignore it.

Needless to say, he begins to actively search for the source.]

[bravenewmods]

[It will get thicker and thicker as he progresses deeper into the area. What a mess. Smog from Magby and Houndour could explain it, but as he continues, there's a particularly noxious component that may cause him to break out into coughing or choking.

It's difficult to continue on, but eventually, he'll reach an area where it's so thick as to be almost impossible to see.

Faintly, he may hear the sounds of something murmuring...]

[second_destiny]

[What Asemu wouldn't give for something with Defog right now. Cupping one hand to his mouth in order to reduce smoke inhalation, he pushes forward toward the noise. He also summons his Fletchling, Bullet, with his Warp Band, hoping its attentiveness to sounds will help him track down the source more quickly.]

[bravenewmods]

[Fletchling will probably do a better job than Asemu can if it can fly straight in all of this. Eventually, they will reach the source -

A wild Koffing has appeared!

...Sort of. The shape can be discerned on the ground as it continues to spew out poison gas and groan. It seems to be in pain...]

[second_destiny]

[At this point Asemu drops to the ground. Smoke rises, so he figures he's better off the lower down he is. Bullet, meanwhile, flits around the Koffing, occasionally chirping in Asemu's direction.

He also figures out it sounds labored, and he's not about to ignore something like that on his watch. So he activates the Warp Band to try to form a bond, his emotions reflecting one thought and one thought only:

I want to help you.]

[bravenewmods]

[It may take a few tries, but Koffing certainly isn't going anywhere. The beam of light will strike accurately and Asemu's thoughts will be made clear!

Unfortunately, all he gets from Koffing is intense pain...! It certainly isn't in a position to reject Asemu's help, though. It may be his imagination, but it seems to roll a little bit in his direction.]

[second_destiny]

Hrrgh!

[Asemu wasn't expecting it to be that intense. Still, he tries to get his intentions through, and feeling the Koffing's pain only amplifies his wish to help. He knows he can get someone to treat it, to return it to proper health, and he tries to make it clear. He even extends an open hand out to the Koffing.]

[bravenewmods]

[...It definitely isn't his imagination now as it will roll close enough to be fully visible almost, after a few moments.

The Koffing is in bad shape. The reason it's spewing so much gas is quickly apparent - there is a large puncture wound front and center. A great deal of its body is charred black, as from a fire or explosion.

Bringing it back to the Medical Center is an option, but is there enough time?]

[second_destiny]

Holy--

[Asemu grits his teeth. Not the best choice of words. But the point remains that this Koffing is in serious trouble. He's got some medicines and bandages in his backpack; can he slow down the effects long enough to get it to the medical center?

Well, first things first. Asemu slowly moves toward it, and at the same time unzips his backpack and thrusts his hand into it. The first thing he pulls out is a Potion; he'll try to spray that on the wound, then quickly follow it up with a Burn Heal. All the while, the Warp Band will show something else in Asemu's emotions: determination.]

[bravenewmods]

[The Potion unfortunately doesn't close the puncture wound of its own accord, but the pain Asemu feels from Koffing will immediately lessen. The Burn Heal will bring it back to an almost responsive state - feelings of fear and panic can be felt now underneath the outermost layer of pain.

Some disjointed images may rush into Asemu's mind - blood and claws and flames and an explosion. There was a vicious fight here...

The poison gas will become a little less noxious.]

[second_destiny]

[Asemu immediately recognizes these things for what they are. He'll take steps to address that, first.]

Hey, Bullet! Fly up and make sure nothing gets close to us!

[Bullet immediately chirps back and launches into the air. Meanwhile, he'll remove his rifle from the strap on his back and set it on the ground, where he can easily grab it if something unexpected pops up. He's confident nothing will be able to finish off the Koffing now.]

Okay, hold still...

[This time, Asemu pulls a bandage out of his backpack...but first, he needs to make sure he can touch the Koffing. For this, he removes his glove. Better to try it with his own skin making contact than fabric. And then, he reaches out to gently place his fingertips on it, and to lightly stroke it a bit.]

[bravenewmods]

[Bullet will find that there don't seem to be any other Pokemon nearby with the exception of some isolated Pineco trying their best to pretend to be pine cones in front of the bird. Most of the Pokemon have been driven off by the poison gas. Koffing's attacker, at least, doesn't seem to have been interested in finishing the job for good.

Asemu's fingers will not melt when he touches the Koffing, although extended contact may make him feel a bit lightheaded. The skin is very thin and very warm to the touch - Koffing shudders from the touch, but its emotions will slowly begin to calm.]

[second_destiny]

[Well, the Pineco may consider it their lucky day. Bullet ignores them, thanks to his trainer's command.

After touching the Koffing a bit more, Asemu will withdraw his hand and slip his glove back on. No matter how much he wants to help, he also needs to make sure he doesn't end up with frostbite. After that, he unrolls some bandage and carefully ties it around Koffing, making sure to get a snug cover on the hole. He then rips the roll away from the knot, and gently places his other (gloved) hand on the Koffing.]

That's all I can do here...but I'm certain I can get you home in time to get you healed up proper.

[bravenewmods]

[The sensation of pain has dulled to a throb, now, though whether or not this is because Koffing has a greater control over what it's broadcasting or because it's actually been mitigated to such an extent is debatable.

It will attempt vaguely to lift up in the air, but manages to do little more than loll about on the ground a bit.

Its emotions have fully calmed. It trusts this creature that has helped it. As Asemu watches, the Koffing's eyes will close and it will no longer seem to indicate much of anything through the Warp Band - it is unconscious or asleep.

Asemu will be able to get it the help it needs if he brings it back to Union. The bonding is successful! Koffing is Level 7, but the rest of its stats are up to your discretion!]

[second_destiny]

[Asemu lets out a sigh of relief. They aren't out of the woods yet (pun not intended), but that was one major hurdle out of the way. Carefully, he climbs to his feet -- the effects of the gas kicking in and making him feel a bit lightheaded -- then bends down, slides his rifle back into its strap, and picks up the Koffing. Then he looks up.]

Bullet! We're heading back now!

[With that, he breaks into a maintainable jog in Union's direction, his Fletchling following right behind him. When he returns, he will make a beeline for the medical center and get this Pokémon proper treatment.]