bravenewworld | Ruins Exploration!

Hopefully something fun!

[The scrawny kid in the leathers and hides of the Valkyrie tribes certainly looks excited to be here, as does his Zigzagoon. The Rhyhorn, Spinarak, Rattata, and Scyther that are also present aren't as aggressively excited, but neither are they disinterested. Except maybe the Spinarak riding on the Rhyhorn, it's kind of just... there.]

That'll be neat! Maybe some new Pokemon to befriend, too. [If Right has any apprehensions to being on another expedition so soon after the whole time-travel ordeal, he's not showing it right now. He shifts from one foot to the other, an eager grin spreading his face and his blade resting in its sheath by his hip. His stuffed bag's a bit bigger than one would expect, but he's carrying it as if it's lightly packed. (Hint: Over half of what's inside's full of food.)

By his side, as always, is Soft Steel the Lucario, who's using his aura-reading skills to see if there's any Pokemon besides his fellow team members around the entrance area. Meanwhile, three of Right's Pokemon - Kisetsu the Deerling, Rick the Clefairy, and Wagon the Herdier - eagerly chat with each other about this brand new adventure that they're on. The only one not too thrilled to be here is Vlad the Zubat - he's hanging off the bottom of Right's backpack, wings tightly wrapped around him so as to spare his sensitive eyes from the sunlight.

Edited 2015-05-08 22:00 (UTC)

[Jesus Christ he's babysitting an expedition. Reasonably certain that he's older than everyone except for maybe the colorfully-dressed lizard-looking guy, Taki takes a moment to laugh at Right's optimism, looking over the other members of the group. Along are his only three Pokemon-- doubling two of the ranks with an additional Rhyhorn and Scyther, as well as his enormously fluffy Growlithe with a pompadour. Right, at least, he knew, everyone else's faces were unfamiliar. He chuckles, circling up around him and ruffling his hair. He's smiling, but his words are still firm.]

Y'all are too excited. Don't let that lower your guard.

Edited 2015-05-09 00:37 (UTC)

[Estelle's Flareon hops down to join her, and then swishes his tail, while looking up at them. She turns back around to look at Taki, grinning at him -- and Domri and Right. She's walking backwards.]

Don't worry! I always pay attention to everything!

[She's still walking backwards. This will end well. Really.]

[The older looking Lizard guy nods to Taki's words. Eiji wasn't quite as old as Taki figured, but he was at least not a teenager and he kind of looked older than he was most of the time anyway. He's not dressed as much like a weirdo for once, either. Many colorful layers were not ideal for trudging through a swamp.]

So you have eyes on the back of your head, then?

[His tone was teasing, raising an eyebrow. Being that he was familiar with Estelle's father, he felt like maybe he had some allowance to poke fun at her.]

[Unsurprisingly he has a Fletchinder perched on his shoulder. She is very settled but she's watching everything. In addition there is a Pumpkaboo floating along, carefully weaving in and around others, chittering happily. At his feet is a Glaceon that would really rather be anywhere but a swamp but she's adamantly near Eiji's feet regardless and just sort of glares at everything that comes near her.]

[As the team enters the ruins, they see inscriptions on the walls - ancient inscriptions in pictographs, many of which have been faded and are difficult to recognize. It seems the area - a large cavernous opening that stretches down into inky darkness - was once completely submerged, though how the inscriptions came to be is unknown.]

[Domri has no interest in the inscriptions (unless perhaps a particularly badass-looking one looks like it could be carted away as a trophy), but he can do something about that inky darkness. He holds his necklace and its glow shifts from that of smoldering embers to the brighter light of the continual-illumination version of Flash, bathing the surroundings in light that resembles firelight.]

Something like that!

[She does turn around, though, and she pauses as she squints down at the ground -- and then her nose wrinkles. She notices the way that it looks like it was submerged, as she walks in slowly.]

This is a little weird... wonder what they say.

[She takes a good look at those pictographs as she walks in.]

Taki~! [Right whines as his hair gets mussed up a bit. He smooths it back down a bit with his hands.] I'll be fine; don't worry.

[He and his Pokemon follow the group into the ruins. Vlad senses the shifting of light from sunlight to something akin of torchlight, which the Zubat's eyes can handle a bit better. Thus, he flies from his perch on Right's backpack and starts hovering around the group...just as Right gets interested enough in the pictographs to actually try and touch one of the writings on the wall.

[The light sure is helpful. He chuckles a bit at Estelle before taking a look at the markings on the walls himself.]

[Interesting. He doesn't think he's seen anything quite like them. He stops to study them for a moment but keeps up his pace with the others.]

[The notion of "don't worry" in regard of Right earns something of an incredulous smile, and he shakes his head.]

Of course not.

[Taking up the rear of the group to make sure no on falls behind, he pauses only for a moment to look over the inscriptions, pulling out a small pad of paper and a pen to scribble some of them down. He has no idea what they mean, so they aren't overtly important to him immediately, but there's certainly no harm in aiming to remember them later in case they prove relevant.]

Edited 2015-05-11 02:02 (UTC)

[The illumination reveals that the opening appears to go downward quite far, not even the light can fully reveal its depths. Around the opening are what appears to be a spiral staircase that descends into the darkness. The pictographs line the walls as they descend. Though much is indeed faded, the team can certainly make out the images - pictures of sea and ocean, water Pokemon known and unknown, and always, ever watchful, an enormous Pokemon with two giant fins and distinctive markings upon its front, surrounded at all times by water, rain and storm, and worshiped by the other Pokemon as if it were a god.]

[Estelle's expression becomes a little more serious as she walks. It looks like... like one of the gods. That's something to worry about. She frowns, before she glances over her shoulder.]

Hey. Anyone recognize that one? From the... uh... caves, recently.

[She's headed down the spiral stairway.]

[Most of Right's Pokemon do look a little uneasy upon seeing the images of the sea god. Memories of their trip down into those caves are still fresh enough in their minds. The only exception is Wagon, who nuzzles her friends as comfortingly as she can.

Right, though, looks more thoughtful than anything else. Though upon hearing Estelle's question, he shakes his head.] Not me and my last group. We didn't see any sea gods during our trip. Just a pair of flying ones. What about you guys? [The last question is directed to his human companions as he glances over his shoulder towards them.]

Edited 2015-05-11 05:04 (UTC)

[Domri and his team are heading down the stairs, since he's the light source and being able to see where they're going is kind of important.]

I saw a Pokémon that was kind of human-shaped, but with a tail. It could talk into people's minds and destroy a whole building without even needing to move! It was great! I want to see it again sometime!

[Eiji takes a moment to sort of stare at Domri. He shakes his head, opting not to respond to that before turning back to the drawings.]

What we saw ...it wasn't this exact God, but the markings...

[He reaches up to trace his hand along them.]

The markings were very similar. Though, the god was definitely not a water god. It came out of the ground and swam through lava.

[As the party descends, they see at the bottom a small glimmer of blue light that grows stronger. It appears to be reflecting off a pool of shimmering water]

[Estelle looks back at Eiji, then she nods.]

I saw that one, too...

[As they get down to the bottom, though, she looks at that pool. She raises her chin, staring -- and then kneels down and leans over it.]

Weird...

[Both Right and Soft Steel peers around the area, trying to find the main source of that blue light. And as Right's searching gaze turns upward...] Think I should send Vlad up to check for the source? He normally does well with low light stuff.

[Wagon, however, is sniffing the edge of the water, using Odor Sleuth as a precaution. Is it safe to drink or wade in?]

[Root the Zigzagoon sniffs at it curiously, using Odor Sleuth as well. Domri meanwhile squats down and cups one hand, trying to lift some water out to see if it still glows blue when it's not in the pool.]

[Eiji is also looking around for the source of the light, though he's wondering if maybe it's something in the water. To Right, he turns]

It couldn't hurt. Tell him to be careful. If you like, Hina can go with him.

[He glances at the Fletchinder on his shoulder who starts at being addressed but chirps in agreement.]

As the Pokemon sniff at the water, they are startled back by a splash as a Pokemon emerges from the water. It stares at the group placidly, a voice echoing through their minds.

Why comest thou, humans, to the lair of my master?

[Estelle jerks backward -- she might bounce right back into Eiji when she does, but she straightens up quickly and stares down at the Pokemon with wide, wide eyes.]

W-whoa! Sorry, we didn't mean to disturb, just--we were exploring, and--

[Someone else might need to do the 'splainin'.]

[Domri was not at all startled by that no-siree he didn't jump at all. Fortunately a wild distraction has appeared.]

You can talk into people's heads too, huh? You use weird words though. Anyways we saw this place and wanted to see if there was anything interesting here so we came in. Who's your master? Can we meet them?

[Wagon yelps as she backs up, quite startled to have someone pop up like that. Soft Steel immediately falls into a ready stance...

But Right holds his arm out in front of his Lucario - his usual "stand down" signal.] We don't mean to scare you, or to harm anyone. We just thought we could explore around and see if there's anything from the past here...maybe make a couple of new friends, too.

Scare? Human, thy might is but a pinprick to my Master. I do not fear you. As for their presence, that I cannot grant. My master has not dwelt here for many seasons.

Whoa! This--this was his home?

[She takes that in, glancing back at Right, then at Domri. He can talk in their heads, yes. She looks back at the Kingdra.]

How long have you lived here? Are... you waiting for him?

[Yeah, that water Pokemon is definitely talking in their heads, if everyone other than Right and Domri can understand what its saying.]

So...who is your Master? Is he one of the Gods?

[Eiji can't say this is the first time a God or other higher pokemon has tries speaking into his mind, so for now he stays quiet. He lets the others ask the questions before piping in with his own input. He glances around at the ruins around them once more before looking at the Kingdra.]

This must be a sacred place, then.

The Kingdra considers for a moment.

My duty is to maintain this place for my master's return. My master is the Lord of the Seas, the Bringer of the Rains and Flood. This place is sacred as it is the home of my master, and I do not look kindly upon intrusion. So speak, humans, why have you come?

[Oh crap. They're gonna piss off a god's servant.]

We--uh--we were exploring, to see more of the world. If we shouldn't be here, we can go. [A glance at the others. Right?]

She's right. We're trying to learn more about the past so that we can better ourselves - not in the old way, which pissed off your Master and his friends! Definitely not like that. We thought that this was one of the old human places that we could learn more about the past.

Cario. [And hopefully learn from the mistakes of their human ancestors. Soft Steel added.]

Yeah, what Softy said. We, uh... [Right fidgets.] We didn't mean to barge into your home without asking first. Sorry about that.

[Eiji nods. Not after seeing the wrath of those gods first hand, he has no desire to them put a mark on these kids now, for just trying to look around. He steps forward and offers a bow.]

And if there's anything we can offer to you for the inconvinience, please let us know.

[The Kingdra regards the group for a moment, staring unblinkingly]

'tis no moment. Thy presence, in truth, is refreshing. Long have I maintained this vigil in solemn silence. To see mankind as it stands today is interesting, if nothing else.

[Estelle hesitates, then she smiles.]

It must have been a little lonely. Do you need or want anything? I've got some supplies and-- [She looks back at the others.] --I'm sure we can help with anything else we don't have on hand.

[Domri nods in agreement with Estelle.]

We can, but why don't you come with us? There are lots of humans in Union you could meet. I bet your master wouldn't mind if you took a break from working for a bit to see what it's like outside.

Yeah! And we can even show you the ocean and the Lake Shrine, and all the other good places around here.

Despite having no mouth, the Kingdra seems to smile.

Nay, children, I cannot leave this spot. But perhaps, a deal can be made. I have some artifacts in my possession. Perhaps 'tis time they saw light once again. Give me a story or tale of the world as you see it, and I shall reward each of you.

You got it! Let's see, uh... someone wanna go first? Or I can. Lemme think up a good one!

A story, huh...? [Right mulls over the stories that he's either read or heard from his grandpa over the years.] ...ah! I got one!

[He clears his throat.] Once upon a time, on the edge of a village, there lived a old couple. The husband was a woodcutter who only took what he needed, and his wife was a good woman who treated Pokemon well and washed their clothes in the river. One day, while the wife was out washing clothes, she spotted a huge Pecha Berry floating down the river. She carried it into the house, but slowly because it was so big and heavy.

However, a surprise was in store for her, because as soon as she cut it open, out popped a little boy! This little boy explained that he was sent as a gift from Heaven to the old couple, since they've been good people and were only lacking a child in their lives. Both the wife and her husband were thrilled to have a child of their own, and named him Momotarou - "Pecha boy."

Momotarou grew up in the village of his parents, learning to defend himself and his home from any dangers. He was strong and brave, as well as kind and hard-working. He never hesitated to lend a hand when it was needed, but had little tolerance for bullies and other cruel beings. Plus, he shows as much kindness as his mother does.

One day, Momotarou heard about the Oni over at Onigashima Island. The Oni were fierce monsters - humans cursed to have huge fangs and huge horns poking out from their hair. Neither human nor Enlightened, nor even Pokemon...they were true monsters, trampling villages in the area and taking everyone's treasures and food. They even attack and kill Pokemon - sometimes to eat them, but often out of sport. Once Momotarou heard what they were doing, he told his parents that he was going to stop the Oni. They tried to stop him, but he already made up his mind - he was going to defeat the Oni and get everything back from them. So, his parents made him some millet dumplings for him to take on his journey.

And so, Momotarou set off towards Onigashima Island. Along the way, he came across an Growlithe, who asked for one of his dumplings to eat. "These are the most delicious dumplings in the world!" Momotarou replied. "I'm gonna eat them so that I will have strength to defeat the Oni. I can give you a dumpling, but you have to promise to come with me in return, and thus help me defeat the Oni." Growlithe agreed to go with him in exchange for a dumpling. As they traveled, Momotarou made the same deal with a Mankey, a Starly, and a Lapras.

Lapras was the last to join their group, for she lived in the waters between the mainland and Onigashima. Lapras wanted the Oni gone, but she wasn't strong enough to defeat them all. However, Momotarou and his friends promised to help her defeat the Oni together. So, she carried them across the water towards Onigashima Island. Upon landing there, they faced an immense gate...but no guards. the Oni felt that there was no need for any guards, because the gate and the walls were too high and too sheer for anyone to climb. However, Starly flew over the walls and unlatched the gates so that everyone can get inside.

And there, Momotarou and his Pokemon friend waged war against the Oni. Growlithe ran around, Biting and burning the Oni. Mankey scratched and pounded the Oni. and Starly Pecked and Gusted the Oni. Lapras froze and soaked as many Oni as she could with her ice and water powers. And Momotarou himself fight the leader of the Oni with his blade. They fought all day and into the night, until finally, the Oni leader cried:

"Enough! We surrender! Please, do not kills us"

"Do you promise not to hurt anyone ever again?" Momotaro demanded. "Do you swear never to take anything from anyone, human or Pokemon, ever again?"

"We promise! We swear on our horns to never harm another being again for as long as we lived! We will even let you take back all the treasure we took, as well as all the food that we have not yet eaten!" Now, the Oni consider swearing on their horns as important as a pinky promise to a human - and just as unbreakable, too.

And thus, Momotarou and his friends sailed away from Onigashima, carrying everyone's treasures and food back to all the affected villages. And from that day forward, humans and Pokemon were never bothered by the Oni ever again. All thanks to the teamwork of Momotarou and his friends.

Edited 2015-06-03 19:40 (UTC)

Ruins Exploration!

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Gonna move this one along

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Sorry I keep thinking there are 5 people in this log for some reason

No worries!!

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Moving this along

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Apologies for the tl;dr and for the delay!