Event - The White Dragon Travel Log

[bravenewmods]

[It's a lengthy journey even by air, that our intrepid heroes find themselves on. The veteran fliers set a quick, but not grueling pace at the suggestion of the Valkyries. Arriving to a battleground when a god had taken the field tired was not wise, they'd said, and who could really blame them? The prospect alone of facing down one of the beasts of legend would be enough to send most men fleeing in the opposite direction, but one who was working with a human? That was all the more reason to make sure that proper care was taken on the trek. And so for a day the party traveled, a caravan of birds, dragons, reptiles and the odd flying robot making steady time across the Rolling Plains before setting down at the north-eastern edge.

The curious would find that not far from where the tents were pitched, the green hills turned jagged, the land going from verdant to a sea of dark glass. Obsidian shards spiked upwards, spires gleaming in the moonlight like razor sharp teeth, setting an ominous tone for the evening's respite. Tents were pitched, fires were lit, and the more warlike companions even began a drum circle and dance. Valkyries and shirtless Calderan volunteers, a small number of visiting mages, and other more mysterious folks all curious to see the god and to help with the relief efforts. The camp, despite the circumstances, was at least a lively one.

And then came the final day.

Over the Obsidian Flats they went, the massive shapes of Boldore and Tyranitar visible even from up in the sky. And...further perhaps even more stunningly, a gigantic lake almost large enough to call an inland sea, sprawled out below. Rivers snaked out of it all around, and the water itself was a pure crystal blue. But perhaps the most awe inspiring sight of the whole journey came once they cleared the Flats and the area around Glacier came into view. An expanse of white, thick snow covering the ground this early in the year. Arctic forests cropped up here and there, snowcapped trees and a frigid looking river marring the perfect canvas beneath. And more Pokemon , of course. Gigantic Avalugg shook the ground below, and a new species plodded along, chewing amiably on the trees, largely unconcerned by the humans overhead, and the occurrences in the distance.

Along the coast a city was in flames, people streaming out of its ruined gates, desperately fleeing along the rivers before whatever it was came back. Smoke curled up along the skyline, burned hamlets and outlying settlements that'd already been destroyed.

It seems like they weren't too late, and it in the moment of respite there was a chance for our heroes to at least get their bearings and prepare for the Dragon God's return...]

[OOC: We will be opening some of these areas for bonding within the next few days for everyone who is taking part in the expedition.]

Comments

[faithfulflame]

[No ideal for her, perhaps, but Haruka and Uranus aren't the only enormous Pokemon that are airborne today. A dark shape dips out of the clouds, swooping low like a Michael Bay shot comet. Olympus Mons and Rei were coming into view now, and the larger Fire type let out a roar. The cold doesn't bother them anyway.]

Haruka-san! I like the coat! Natto?

[actsmagnificent]

[ You should see her sweater. Haruka shrugs, a stitched-leaf pattern on her shoulders rising and falling with the motion. ] It's warm.

[ Not that Rei - or her chauffeur - would need insulation. Uranus gets out a roar of greeting before Trainer nudges her to remind her not to get carried away. Hello anyway, though. They're flying! Flying is great! ] How's the ride?

[ She doesn't think she's seen you fly before. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Olympus snorts a puff of steam and falls into step with Uranus, an easy V-formation. Natto did good work, of course, and she still had the pin he'd given her attached to her belt-strap.]

Mmmm? It's fine. Warm, even. [When was she ever cold?] Olympus and I have been at this a while, and while I still prefer taking Casius out, there's something to be said for this.

[Was that psychic, or just commentary?] What...species is this one? I've never seen one.

[actsmagnificent]

"Salamence". [ Uranus roars in acknowledgement. It's a very satisfied roar. ] She hatched from an egg. It's like she knew she was going to fly someday...

[ If it's possible to do a happy dance in midair, that just happened. With a giant dragon. With Haruka atop it. Haruka puts a hand on her neck and Uranus quiets down, but the dragon clearly could not be more tickled to be here. ]

[faithfulflame]

Salamence. [Rei mouths the word, nodding quietly to herself. She could remember that. Obviously a Dragon type, based on features and coloration, and like most of Haruka’s pokemon…it probably took something to an extreme. But then, that was just the kind of person Haruka was, and should she suspect anything less?]

Most Pokemon do have some idea of their future states, I thought. What did you say her name was?

[actsmagnificent]

[ That is always an extremely dangerous question when Haruka's concerned. This one's just one word, though! ] Uranus.

[ She manages to stop said dragon from attempting a midair somersault by pressing down with her palm and thinking very strongly. Then she nods to Rei's hot ride. They've been leaving this guy out of the conversation. How rude. ] ...Olympus Mons, right?

[faithfulflame]

Olympus Mons.

[The Charizard chuffs out a sound that's oddly like a hello, and his teeth peel back in a smile.]

One of the Pokemon I'm sure followed me into this life.

[actsmagnificent]

[ Good for both of them that they found each other, then. Haruka has never had that sense about any of her Pokémon, but her Psychic typing is also much weaker than Rei's (or Michiru's, for that matter). They get along in this life. That's enough for her. ] D'you get those impressions frequently?

[faithfulflame]

No. [Rei leans down, resting her head against Olympus' neck, rubbing softly. The Charizard seems pleased, eyes closing as he flies, enjoying that feel.]

There are six that I've had that about. Only six. Phobos and Deimos, Olympus, Casius, Sabaeus, and Ravi. The...Xatu from our dream.

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka remembers that. ] And...no more people?

[ Yes, that brings up the specter of someone she hasn't wanted to talk about lately. But she was going to hang in the air between them anyway, so, there you go. ]

[faithfulflame]

No. Not at present. That doesn't mean that they aren't there though.

[Of course, she hasn't wanted to deal with that lately either.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Makes sense. ] Keep us informed.

[ Not liking how stiff Trainer has gotten, Uranus roars at Olympus Mons to ask a question. She's going to fly even faster and higher! Do you want to join her? ]

[faithfulflame]

You do the same.

[Olympus Mons echoes that, and banks upwards at an angle, sweeping into the clouds and drawing a laugh from his trainer.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka won't oppose Uranus, either: this might not be a race, but far be it from her to discourage flight. So up they go, Uranus testing herself, pushing herself, thrilled at the blueness of the sky and the whiteness of the clouds, and...

She suddenly heaves a mighty sneeze. Whew!! Don't you get a tickly feeling in your nose too, Olympus? She grumbles her question, unaware that she has now become a dragon with a runny nose. ]