The Labyrinth of the Full Moon

[bravenewmods]

With the thick mists upon them and people being hurtled between worlds, Union was certainly abuzz with rumors and concerns. Much had been tried, but nothing had managed to willfully bridge the gap between the world of dreams and the world of mortals. But on this night, a sense of anticipation was palpable. Something was going to happen. And, at the stroke of midnight, something did.

The moon, which had stood gibbous in the night sky, suddenly became full. Shining a gentle beam of light down onto the earth, its reflection shone clearly and brightly upon the nearby lake. And here it would stay. In the morning, no sun rose. The sky remained dark but the shine of the moon lit the city of Union in an eerie glow.

Those who travel to the lake shrine will find that where the moon shines, the waters have parted. A sturdy stone staircase descends into the depths of the lake, with moonlight shining upon it like a spotlight.

Those with the courage to enter will have to step into the darkness. Once their foot crosses the threshold they will find their world turned upside down as they are overtaken. When they awaken, they will find themselves besides some companions, perhaps known, perhaps not, and surrounded by a shimmering haze, an enormous maze of shifting walls and colors with no end in sight.

Welcome to the Labyrinth of the Full Moon.

[OOC: All plot logs for people in the Real World will occur here. Please make the first post with all the names of the people in your group in the subject line so people know where to post. Mod responses will come about once every 24 hours as long as at least one person has posted.

The group listings are here. We will not be running randomizers anymore, but you may still sign up with a full group of at least three if you can find one and tag in. Keep in mind though that the log may not be finished depending on when it is posted. You may also hop in an existing group as long as all existing group members give permission and the group is not full.]

Comments

[healthepot]

Natalia. I'm a friend of Lenna's. [She looks behind the group for a moment, letting out a soft, uncertain noise before turning back to the front. She doesn't like this eerie sense, but...]

... Well, there's no use waiting, I suppose. [That doesn't mean she's going in first, though. She's more than happy to take up the rear in this case.]

[roadroller]

Oh, okay. I'm Lenna's roommate, Rin!

[And that's all she needs as far as introductions go. Lenna and Sho already went ahead, so that puts Rin and Natalia hanging back. But she'll soon get impatient and start stalking after them.]

Really, I don't care either way. I just want to find my twin.

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

Stay together, everyone.

[Lenna is in mission mode. She gladly takes the lead, but takes care not to get too far ahead so that they become separated. Once everyone is together, she boldly strides through the door to the mysterious darkness shrouded room.]

[healthepot]

[Natalia sucks in a breath and trails along behind the group. She summons Draco--newly evolved into a Dragonair--and proceeds. She feels a little better with the dragon right by her side.]

[bravenewmods]

[The group emerges to a city in flames. It's a much different city than Union, there are towers yes but their giant buildings of glass and concrete with smaller houses much as are seen in Caldera on the ground. Furious Pokemon are rampaging through it as people run screaming.]

[isreallyasun]

[Well... this wasn't what he had been expecting. Sho looks around at the sight and now there are the beginnings of wariness present. The heat makes his skin prickle uncomfortably but it's only a slight discomfort.]

[roadroller]

[Rin draws in a quick breath - flames are never ever a good thing to see for a steel type, but the rampaging pokemon just tug once again at dimly traumatic memories of death. She shifts to a more active position, wanting to run, not sure if they'll have to fight... this is similar to what she saw in Ichigo's nightmare, but she didn't think they were in the dream world.]

What the hell? Is all of this real? ♪

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

We have to help these people!

[Lenna doesn't much care if this is a dream, an illusion, or whatever else. In fact, it hasn't even crossed her mind. All she sees right now are people in trouble, and she wants to help.]

Cait Sith... stay with Rin!

[He's going to be her bodyguard for the time being while Lenna summons her own bodyguard - Xezat the Gallade.]

Xezat, let's go!

[healthepot]

Lenna's right! Draco, Nerissa, come!

[And without a second thought, Natalia's off to start helping people get away from the rampaging Pokémon, her Dragonair and Floette following.]

[isreallyasun]

[Action time? Action time. Sho calls Kagutsuchi to his side and cracks his knuckles.]

Ready? It's sho time!

[roadroller]

Oh, okay. [Rin plays with her warp band a little more reluctantly than the others. She has Cait Sith guarding her, why should she bring her own pokemon into this probably traumatic experience?! But, her Nidoran seemed okay in the dream world before, so she can probably handle herself. It's better to help out than just stand in the background.]

Treble, let's go! Helping hand! ♪

[When the blue bunny warps in, she'll settle for power boosting her nearest allies for now. Let them do the work... Though, she's also keeping an eye on what everyone else is doing. Maybe her trading abilities will come in handy?]

[bravenewmods]

As the team moves to attack and assist, they find that they pass right through the fleeing people and attacking Pokemon alike.

And from somewhere, they sense a bit of amusement as a voice echoes in their minds.

Is that your answer? Some might say this is deserved, you know.

[isreallyasun]

[Okay, yeah, that was weird. Sho skids a little on the ground to stop himself from falling over from the force he had thrown behind one of his punches. Kagutsuchi twitches at the sound of the voice while the red-head starts looking around, trying to locate the voice.]

Yeah? And who are you supposed to be?

[roadroller]

[Rin gets a flat look watching everyone else's pokemon phase through the illusions.]

Psh. I knew it wasn't real.

[But that voice in her head is annoying, both because it's disembodied and because she doesn't appreciate what it has to say. She picks her ear in a cavalier gesture.]

Must be the one causing all this... How stupid! ♪

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

[Lenna pauses to regard the disembodied voice, looking around uncomfortably.]

Is this... the Cataclysm?

[healthepot]

[Natalia freezes in her tracks, frowning when she hears the voice. She casts an uneasy glance to the closest illusions, but doesn't say anything.

Some part of her wants to argue with the voice, but that part of her is silenced swiftly. The others have already spoken.]

[bravenewmods]

The images fades to darkness and the voice sounds a bit amused.

For your kind, perhaps Cataclysm is the right term. But many of us view it quite differently.

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

Please... show yourself to us. I'm certain we can talk this out.

[Lenna frowns, briefly bowing her head.]

Our ancestors did unspeakable things to your kind, it's true... but we've come a long way since then.

[healthepot]

[Natalia merely looks thoughtful. If the images really were from that era... then perhaps, some part of her thinks, that the people really did deserve it.]

What they did in those days... was beyond wrong. I'd like to think that we have learned from those mistakes.

[roadroller]

[Rin shifts a little nervously, not saying anything at first. If this is one of those Pokemon Gods, well. Technically she was around at the time of the Cataclysm... so this kinda feels like it's being directed at her or something. Besides, weren't the Pokemon supposed to be over this too?! She was told someone saved them. Was that not true?]

...Yeah, yeah! I don't remember anything from back then, but I've been really nice to my pokemon! Right Treble?! ♪

[Treble speaks up in her squeaky voice, though it's just pokemon language, but she will totally vouch for Rin being very nice and generous with pettings and Lenna's snacks. And she taught her how to rap battle, sort of!

Rin doesn't know what's being said exactly but she feels that she's been supported, so she crouches down to scratch Treble's ears. Good bunny, best friend. At least it's easier to be calm now that the illusion has faded. Now, you weird voice, get over it and give Len back already.]

[bravenewmods]

[The air shimmers around the team and a creature appears. In the labyrinth it's form is somewhat indistinct, but it does appear to stand some twenty five feet tall, with its body length even longer than that. It exudes an aura of grace and power, and while it does not incite terror like the last creature of this kind that Union encounter, it instead evokes an overwhelming sense of awe, even reverence]

While I've no doubt you four specifically are all much kinder, can you say with confidence the same applies to the rest of your species?

[isreallyasun]

[Sho crosses his arms and leans back on the balls of his feet slightly. He's not unaffected by the presence this Pokemon has and neither is Kagutsuchi. At the Pokemon's question he shrugs his shoulders.]

Who knows? Hard to say when there are people who'd abandon others without a second thought.

[my_father_is_a_tycoon]

[Lenna seems a bit alarmed at Sho's response - probably not the best one to give to one of the gods. But at least it's honest, and probably coming from somewhere personal, so for the moment she feels that she has no right to call him on it.]

I can't say that, no... but that's why it's important to lead by example. If we show people how to respect Pokemon and treat them the way they would want to be treated, I believe we can come to an understanding.

[Idealistic nonsense? Probably. But Lenna still holds on to that kind of naive optimism.]

[roadroller]

[What a majestic creature. Probably. It's kind of hard to make out what she really looks like, but it's a relief that she was convinced of Rin's kindness. At least Rin doesn't have to worry about that. She stands up again to talk to the giant Pokemon.]

Lenna's right, but let's be real, aren't most people in Union like half pokemon anyway? I'm not even human.

I can confidently say it about Len though! Can you tell me how to rescue him?

[Rin has a thousand tracks of songs and a one track mind.]

[healthepot]

[When the creature appears, Natalia inhales sharply. Absolutely incredible.

Natalia comes back to reality when she hears the others respond to the god's question. She thinks her response over a little bit.] I also agree with Lenna--but even if we can't get through to every person by showing them, we have to at least try.