Where the Wild Arbok Are

Silent smirks. "Someone has a good attitude. That'll show them well." -- points to the Arbok, who look scared of the Gyarados and continue to recall their clutches to their hiding burrows.

Ichtacya: <Awww…> -- lies on the ground by Scouter -- <I could not let you know Silent had been captured because they captured me too!>

"Yeah, there were some… issues shortly ago. I think Python has it mostly solved."

The young Ekans rattles fiercely as one of the other Ekans in the clutch shows his newest catch, Python's little Bibarel egg, and brags around. The Ekans then rattles back, and the two Pokémon slither towards each other and then try to Bite (not bite) each other in a somewhat non-friendly way.

…Which the Arbok mothers around don't seem to find very pleasing.

"…Uhm, as I was saying, 'mostly solved'."

Where The Wild Arbok Are

Ichtacya listens to Scouter then sighs. She then notices the dwindling Arbok activity.

Silent meanwhile goes to sit as well.

"I was trying for ]Python to convince the Arbok to migrate, but that's going to take a while it seems. Hopefully not much-" -- checks his watch -- "the cargo chopper should be about to arrive already. Speaking of which," -- to Maggie -- "if you need a ride back to civilization that's your chance."

Where The Wild Arbok Are

Silent shakes his head. "We're picking some stuff… hopefully some of the Arbok, then taking them to a temporary habitat in PEFE HQ. But the pilot can drop you in Canalave or in PEFE HQ and you can teleport from there. In the meanwhile you and your mons rest a while; I have to sign your Test papers."

A Timeskip Later

Silent and Maggie have walked a very short distance down from their mound to meet a PEFE helicopter that has just landed. Out ot the chopper comes Juanito with a couple of assistants carrying boxes.

Juanito: "Greetings, Dr. Silent."

"Greetings," -- waves a hand -- "how were these two arcs four months of vacation?"

Juanito -hands over some documents: "Mostly OK, except for the part where my wife nags at me."

Silent chuckles then moves aside to introduce Maggie.

"This is Maggie, who is running [tests] to become a new PEFE intern. Would you mind taking her to PEFE HQ and signing her entrance?"

Juanito turns and extends his hand to greet Maggie.

Juanito: "Evening... I'm Juanito from the Extractions Transportations Wing."

Juanito: "Nice to meet you too. Have any equipment to load? Because we're going to fly a bit tight, if we make good work today."

Up the mound the assistants can be seen luring some of the Arbok towards the boxes for transportation, with Python slithering nearby and trying to convince the wild mons to go with it. Some of the Arbok decide to emerge from their holes bringing in some food and Bibarel eggs.

Silent approaches Maggie.

"It's too dangerous to go alone. Take this!"

Ten Minutes Later

After the assistants and Silent have managed to convince enough Arbok of boarding the containers (and of letting the Bibarel eggs go in exchange of other kinds of food), Juanito boards the chopper and signals to Maggie to board and take the left back seat.

Silent and his group of two mons plus Algira (who has been there the whole time, I swear!) wave their good-byes from the mound.

"Luck in your next test! And please send Umbra my greetings, I haven't seen him in a long time!"

Ichtacya: <Be seeing you at the headquarters sometime!> -- waves head leaf.

Somewhere in the sea

A couple of fishermen are doing their work, which comes in easily as their friend Charizard and his Trainer are scaring all the fish towards the nets.

Fisherman  #1: "It pays to have friends in so good terms with a Pokémon!" -- waves to the Trainer.

As the Trainer flies away, the other fisherman starts dragging the nets in.

Fisherman #1: "So, what do we do now? Do we return to Fisherman's Horizon Sea Worker's Edge right away, or do we try  a quick trade with one of the nearby islands first?"

Fisherman #2: "Whichever is fine with me." -- shrugs -- "These last weeks have been so calm. It's nice to see that everything in the world is going [absolutely fine]. No big villains, no big threats..."

The two Fishermen laugh for a moment and take a brief rest before resuming their fishing trip. It is a good thing for them and their skins that the sky is just partially [cloudy]...

Everything is good in the world…

Somewhere near Goldenrod

Shahinne is happily flying with other Starly that live around the city. Some of them are trained ones, and the others live by a nearby zoo. Copahue and Harriet watch from a tree at the National Park they're perched on.

Copahue the Fearow♂: <These days have been very good…>

Harriet the Honchkrow♀: <Yeah…> -- nuzzles the Fearow -- <You know, Shahinne is spending more time with others of her own species…>

The Fearow cranes his neck and looks at the Honchkrow quizzically.

Harriet: <She'll get some friend and or return to Silent's team…> -- sorta-shrugs -- <so, uhm... that might give us some time.>

Copahue -seems to catch on: <For ourselves...>

Harrier: <To talk about stuff...>

Copahue: <Yeah… Totally.>

The two birds nuzzle each other while keeping about half an eye each on the flock Shahinne is flying with. Then they forget more about her and focus more on each other.

Meanwhile, a good distance above, a sole Staraptor is effortlessly flying and watching. Partially hidden above the lowest layer of clouds, the Pokémon looks for an easy prey, not to nom but to stalk and practise his skills on. He can not let his abilities go to waste; neither Tagg or Silent would appreciate that.

The Staraptor eyes a shadow moving to his left. About as small as his claws. Must be a Pidgey practising the basics of updrifts. Perhaps the little thing could use an extra lesson on the hardness of life. Roc will be careful to not do damage. He knows hismelf wel enough for that.

The Pidgey barely sees it coming. First there is a screech that fills his surroundings and then a big, bird-like shadow that ominously flies past him. There's no time for much processing. The skies are wild, the Pidgey is alone and in risk. And somewhere inside, a basic instinct that has been sharpened since the earliest of times, before these birds had their present shape, kicks in.

Move, dive survive.

Like the countless ones who made your species across time.

Because the ritual of feasting is now and the menu is you.

Things are going the way they have to go.

Everything is fine in the world.

Somewhere in the Skies of the Pokéverse

At the lowest layers of the sky that lay wholly above any land, the winds run wild, carrying with them water and other compounds in the form of clouds. Among those clouds though, there is one whose composition makes it special.

Darker and denser than the others, it drifts around, aimlessly and powerlessly, spending its time in just waiting for good luck to strike. For months it has wandered, every once in a while gathering enough strength to alter its own course and replenish its physical structure from the fumes of a nearby volcano, to then resume its path, wherever it may lead to. So long as this path eventually leads to the saddened Fearow whose pain gave it life, the ashcloud will be content to endure its meagre existence.

It has been hard. Sometimes it gets stuck in a rainstorm that washes away most of its physical component - though, so long as the fear and the self-doubt remain, the ashcloud will live. Now, however, the ashcloud senses something nearby, a force that is capable of driving itself despite not possessing any particular physical material.

Could it be...?

The ashcloud musters enough energy to become self-driving and then it starts floating higher in the sky. A couple of layers above, the ashcloud begins to dissipate and spread around, until it eventually comes in contact with a strange force.

Ashcloud: "…?"

????: "…?"

The ashcloud's tendrils probe the shining, sparse and strangely coloured cloud that drifts away; the other cloud, strangely, also probes back, and its magical power ominously introduces itself to the ashcloud's emergent presence.

It was born way long ago, and for a specific purpose…

But the purpose was done and the magical cloud was left to wander the harsh, cold skies of Sinnoh, which it fortunately managed to escape at some point.

…But then what?

It was just be dragged around, incapable of doing anything on its own, until it ran lucky enough to meet someone with power, hopefully an akin soul...

The ashcloud knew that feeling too well.

The two things started merging with each other…

They were swift to strike a deal.

Alone they are powerless and adrift. One lacks purpose, the other lacks direction. Execution without either one would be a meaningless task, doomed to failure.

But one could give the other power to carry out it task, and in exchange get a purpose and the ability to sustain itself.

The dark, dense ashcloud quickly merged with the magical Ominouscloud, and the two bare beings became one.

They are one. And they comprehend...

The skies were cast darker for a moment, the winds grew wilder as if trying to escape the task of carrying this new being around. But nature abhors a vaccuum, and the winds from the North were quickly designated to transport this new being around.

They were able now to deal pain and death under their own power.

In their continuous hunt for the Fearow whose sadness had given them life…

Near Humilau, Right After the Above Post

Sticy Lips: <Yeah, or something. I have no idea what it is other than that I can't be in Gym Matches anymore.> -- (；一_一)

Maekrite nods understandingly. <I see.... I got these too...> -- shows his Poison Points -- <from a dose of Frithrah's light. Can't fight in Gyms either.> -- seems to trail off -- <Got myself and my Trainer banned from some place…> --  ಥ_ಥ

Sticy Lips: <Oh *?> :O -- <You can't fight and got banned from somewhere?> :O

Sticy Lips shows more interest and prods Maekrite to tell him more about what happened. Maekrite sighs but then nods in a friendly manner.

Maekrite: <Well, there was this war… it was everywhere. It's a bit complicated, but I had to be given to my human and protect him from danger.>

<It was hard. We had to fight a madman who [corrupted] the deities of time for his own wishes... but we won.>

Sticy Lips: :O

Maekrite gets flashback eyes, then shakes himself back to reality.

Maekrite: <I saw a light guiding me home. I followed it. Got word that Frithrah wanted to see me and, when it happened, He branded me as His herald.>

Sticy Lips: <Does that mean that I'm a herald or something?> :O

Maekrite raises a figurative eyebrow as he scans Sticy Lips- <Perhaps. We may be a lot alike... Who branded you?>

Sticy Lips: <Oh, Thundurus.> :)

Maekrite stops for a moment to think about the name; he obviously knows it's somemon important, but for the love of him he can't recall anything specific.

Maekrite: <I-I see... I know it is an important god... one in a group.> -- swings a paw -- <I just don't know which one of them it is.> -- tries to remember -- <This is in Unova, right?>

Sticy Lips: <It is, yeah.> :)

Maekrite does the Nidoran equivalent of a whistle. <So you are like me! And Nadia, and Lake!> -- hops excitedly -- <Why were you summoned?>

Sticy Lips: <Oh, I had to help him and Tornadus find the [Reveal Glass].> :O

Maekrite: <…I take it that's something very important? Can you tell me more? It's for a book~> :3

Sticy Lips: <Oh, sure.> :O

And Sticy Lips begins a brief but energetic narration.

<...mirror that reveals the truth...> :O

<...allows Tornadus and Thundurus to transform...> :O

<...called Therian Formes.> :O

-Maekrite meanwhile nods and listens-

<...combined with some sort of song...> :O

<...forces of nature!> :O

Maekrite awaits for a moment, but Sticy Lips now remains silent. The two keep walking a dozen or so more steps without either talking.

Taking that as the end of the narration, Maekrite gives a gesture of contentment.

Maekrite: <Then hopefully what you have done is very good...> -- reminds of self -- <It is a shame you can no longer fight for your Trainer where he measures against other humans,
but I hope that he knows to appreciate the significance of this sacrifice.>

Sticy Lips: <I hope so too, yeah.> :)

Maekrite: <Well... it better the Task that has branded you is good for all. Wouldn't want to have oppose a ven atha ("akin heart").>

Sticy Lips puts up a more or less confused face, and Maekrite briefly explains the concept.

Maekrite:  <We share a duty.>

Sticy Lips: <Yeah, I see... I think I already met somemon like you [opposed] to me.> :(

Maekrite hums then remains silent for a moment. He shakes a paw.

Maekrite: <You follow two masters now. It is hard. But don't let it bug you. You still have to live a normal life...>

Maekrite observes his surroundings, looking nervous.

<I for example have to bring the grass back home, but I can't find the path.>

Sticy Lips -looks a bit more relaxed now: <Hm... Well, you're in [Humilau] now.> :/

<Maybe there's someone aound here who would be willing to Teleport you back.> :) -- <We have somemon on our team who knows Fly, but going to Johto would be a bit far for her.> :/

Maekrite blinks- <Humilau you say? I-I don't even know where that is…> -- looks a bit disheartened.

Sticy Lips: <Oh, it's in the Northeastern part of Unova, if you know where that is.> :)

Maekrite: <Okay, that I know…> -- sighs -- <I'm... not going to get back home before dusk it seems.>

The Nidorino mulls over the situation for a moment, being careful to not nom or break the herbs he's carrying. Sticy Lips observes for a moment.

Sticy Lips: <Sorry, I don't really know how to help.> :(

Maekrite -waves a paw: <Don't worry. I… I know to live alone, I can figure out a way...> -- thinks for a moment -- <Is your Trainer anywhere nearby?>

Sticy Lips: <Yeah. He should be around here somewhere.> :)

Maekrite nods, and a bit hesitantly asks if the trainer would have no issue with getting him to the nearest Pokémon Center available-

Maekrite: <I guess I can be easily teleported from there. So long as nomon asks about these...> -- points to his marks.

Sticy Lips: <He wouldn't have any problem doing that.> -- points to self -- <I can take you there too.> :)

Maekrite phews and thanks the Lickilicky. The two Pokémon then head in the direction of a Pokécenter, talking a bit more along the way.

Skies above the National Park, a couple of days ago

A certain bird, who shall remain nameless for a little while, soars the skies calmly looking around as Shahinne tries some tricks with the updrifts, trying to stabilize her flight. Roc looks down and yawns, thinking it is about the time to return.

Shahinne the Starly♀: <…But dad! I want Whirlwind!> -- and proceeds to demonstrate her lack of training on the move by whipping a small gust of air that barely moves Roc's crest feathers.

Roc the Staraptor♂ -sighs: <Shahinne, whipping out a Whirlwind is not something that one just does.> -- flies a bit lower -- <It takes opportunity and preparation, just like catching a good updrift.>

Shahinne -frowns: <But I can bat my wings strong! Why can't I just whip the air?>

Roc: <Because you're not that well trained yet. Come down, show me.>

Shahinne trills a note and glides down until she reaches a distance from her father's side. The Staraptor waves his crest to secure his daughter's attention then fans out his remiges to brake in mid-air, while the Starly continues onwards. Taking the cue, Shahinne circles the air for a moment before catching sensation of a current of wind she can use.

Shahinne: <I'm sure it's done like this!>

And she proceeds to brake in mid-air as well, losing some stability; she mamages to recover then spreads her wings and starts bating her wings furiously, making sure she can catch and encircle some of the current with steady backturns. Once she has gathered enough power, she bats her wings onwards and downwards to unleash the air current… which promptly dissipates a short distance beneath her, overtaken by the other current winds in the area.

Shahinne trills an unhappy note and her body language changes to a frustrated and irritated tone. Seeing this, Roc takes a mental note that at least she is becoming  more confident, as the Starly had started crying the first few times she tried a Whirlwind.

Shahinne: <...But I'm whipping the wind! Why won't it just [go] where I want! ¬¬>

Roc -flies up: <You are treating the wind like it was an enemy Pokémon, Shahinne.> -- looks at his daughter's confused look -- <I told you a Whirlwind is much like an updrift.>

Shahinne: <But I can take updrifts just fine! And Copahue taught me to fan out my wing feathers so I could tire out less!> -- puts up an angry face -- <This hraka just doesn't work!>

Roc: <Shahinne!> -sternly looks at her.

The Starly's face falls down and she comes closer to her father, flying behind him.

Roc: <…I'll have to have a word with that Nidorino.> -- shakes his head -- <Anyway. You can't treat the air like an enemy. That'll get you nowhere.>

Shahinne: <B-but I'm not... Why am I?>

Roc calls Shahinne forwards and proceeds to demonstrate a (very soft!) Wing Attack on her; Shahinne yells and falls off her course, but manages to recover and fly back up to position. She looks at her parent confused, even more so when he gives a "now your turn" gesture.

Still a bit unsure, Shahinne flies a bit higher, readies her wings and proceeds to swat Roc's left wing, managing to slow the larger bird's flight a little. Shahinne blinks then reaches Roc's side again, feeling disheartened at the obvious disappointment in his face.

Roc: <…You're not training your technique, Shahinne. You're falling behind on Wing Attack. Not to mention Endeavour.>

Shahinne -falters: <I-I just...> -- chirps angrily -- <I don't like my wings being in pain.>

The two birds sense the updrift being left behind and take a turn to the south to return to the city, very slowly.

Roc: <The pain will subside and you will get stronger, but only if you learn [how] to hit your enemies.> -- looks at her -- <You swat your wing like it was a talon -but a wing is not a talon. And that's why you lose stability.>

Shahinne thinks for a moment about how to use a wing differently than a talon. Wasn't she using both to hit her foes? Granted, she couldn't grab [nuts] with her wings, and her talons were not able to sustain her in the air. And she started seeing a bit more of what Roc was talking about when he said that she was using her wings the wrong way.

Shahinne: <…I should not swipe with my wings, then?> -- thinks for a moment -- <But I can't pierce with them, or scratch with them. How do I do Wing Attack then?>

Roc -confidently: <Your wings carry your force when flying. Observe what Copahue does, if he can get into a fight.> -- assumes a more serious tone -- <It's about time they actually teach you something.>

Shahinne: <Harriet tried to teach me how to Pursuit it I just wouldn't learn ^.^>

Roc -wryly: <I can see why not.>

As the two birds start getting closer to the city, Roc sees something parked above a building on the distance. Has to be a zeppelin, he guesses. A closer look reveals some letters written on the side, and that plus the location of the zeppelin gives him all the information he needs.

Roc: <…It seems Silent is back. You should ask to get in his team this time.>

Shahinne: <Oh! Back!> -- chirps happily -- <We can go play with them now! And Copahue will teach me!>

Roc -frowns: <I think we'd rathe-> -- looks as his charge speeds up ahead, sighs.

Shahinne flies a good distance ahead, reaching the edge of the National Park airspace and getting ready to glide towards the city, when she senses something behind her. With a swift motion of her right wing she manages to evade the big claws trying to get a grip on her, but before she can move further away she finds herself encased in another set of claws.

Shahinne: <Playtime! Weeeee~♪> -- playfully struggles to escape.

Roc: <Actually, I was thinking we should take a rest. And by rest I mean a nap. I haven't napped in six hours.>

Shahinne: <...Oh. We can go nap in the trees! :3>

Roc looks behind him to the park, then releases the lil'bird from his grip.

Roc: <Yeah, that'd be good. I don't really like napping on videophone poles. And once we've napped and had lunchtime you can go with your friends.>

Shahinne and Roc start turning away, back to the north. With a motion of his head Roc invites Shahinne to perch on his head, which the smaller bird does, and then he starts gliding safely towards the National Park.

A week ago

Silent is explaining to his mons (well, most of them) that they might be taking a trip to [Holon] for some fun and study, as he wants to prepare for some upcoming symposiums in Kalos. He is, at the moment, deciding who to bring along.

<…But I want to go!>

<…should really get out of here more often...>

<…screentime!>

<…not going if you go, someone has to stay here and take care of the house!>

…Or, rather, his mons are infighting over who gets to go. He quickly sets up some basic rules - [Sol] has to go, since she's already requested the trip and there are some things for her to see there, And he's definitively taking Lileep, considering some recent issues.

"But guys, you have to understand this is not just a normal trip. Holon is a different place."

And proceeds to explain about the little detail that Pokéballs don't work there, meaning the Pokémon will have to be in the open and for the most part on their own, unless Silent only brings two or three for the ride.

Copahue: <So, a lot of open spaces? I, uhm… would welcome the time to fly around, yeah.> -- preens nervously.

Ichtacya: <As much as it sounds like a fun place, I'm not sure if I should go.>

Roc: <It's about time you give Shahinne some more serious training.>

Ichtacya: <Speaking of which…> -- looks around -- <I have the feeling Maekrite is not coming along, so- who is going to be the [lead]?>

And all of the mons turn to stare at Silent. Ichtacya and Roc more than the others.

"Uhm..."

And Ichtacya glares.

And Roc glares.

"Okay, I guess this is as good a time as any. I'm picking Dintel as the lead."

And goes pick up the mon, who is lying by the window.

Ichtacya: <…Come again?> -_-

Dintel the Sandshrew♂: <Eeeeee~> -- swipes at the air -- <I'm  a nice lead!>

"Okay, let's sort this out. Dintel, you're coming around. Can't let you wreck everything at PEFE HQ." -- turns to a certain bird family -- "Shahinne has to come, or Roc will pry my eyes out."

The Staraptor shakes his head and moves to the back.

Roc: <And you need somemon who will train her. Like, say, her adoptive parents, as they should be doing.>

Harriet: <U-Uhm....> -- blushes.

"…Fine. Harriet and Copahue are coming along as well."

Copahue: <Eh, all of us?>

Silent nods and the three birds gather and talk for a moment, after which Silent explains that he's packing some things for them in case they need to spend time separately from the rest of the group. So long as they train Shahinne as well, he adds.

Sol: <And I'm coming as well.>

"Yes, you're coming as well." -- produces some documents -- "I got the papers you'll need to sign up to the public libraries there, if we can convince the people there you're smart enough."

Sol -stretches: <Easy, I'm a cat.>

Ichtacya glares at her for a moment, then raises a paw.

Ichtacya: <Mind if I can get transferred to PEFE HQ now? I'd like to spend some time exploring modules.>

Silent frowns, then shrugs, comments that whatever works. Then he consults Roc, who decides to stay in Goldenrod for a short while. Silent gives him a small radio clip. All the while, Python is slithering around, obviously annoyed that he doesn't get to travel.

"If you feel like you'd rather be transferred elsewhere just send a signal and come here, I'll handle the rest."

Roc -cranes head: <Isn't communications in Holon a hard issue?>

Silent brushes the Staraptor's wings as he equips the clip carefully.

"It's not for Holon, it's for my interns, I'll leave instructions for them on how to handle some of you." -- turns to Ichtacya -- "I'll have one for you tomorrow."

After that the team chatters for some minutes as they make the final arrangements. The resulting party to travel is set as follows:

Dintel, Sol, Shahinne, Copahue, Harriet, Algira, Lileep

The various mons spend some minutes saying each other goodbye or commenting on some random issues, until Silent sends them to feed and rest, except for Sol, whom he calls to follow around, and Dintel, who is returned to his little place by the window.

"Just want to make sure everything marches neatly before I go."

Sol: <Ooh? Okay, I guess....> -- and follows.

Silent and Sol leave the building and head north, out of the city. After scheduling for buying some groceries at a locat store later during the day, he heads out of the city, with the Espeon following nearby and examining various objects spread around the alleys.

Ten minutes later the two find themselves taking an exit out of the Flower Shop District and to the north, out of the city. Sol follows silently, every once in a while twirling her tail and having her head gem emit a barely noticeable pulse. She does this about four times in the next minutes before Silent looks at her.

"Something wrong?"

Sol: <We are being [followed].>

Silent raises an eyebrow, does not look back; neither does Sol. The two keep walking towards the city and disappear between the trees.

Some distance behind, Roc soars the skies behind them, and gives an unamused chirp as he turns to the east to trace the other two's path.

Coulombia City, Shortly Ago

The crowd applauds as the major of Coulombia City walks to the podium, two small plaques in his hands.

"First, we want to congratulate the eight trainers who participated in this exposition tournament and we thank them for their assistance in showcasing this new battle scheme that we hope gains some attention across the globe. Now, for the winners,"

-the TV cameras focuse on the two small plaques, each holding a small [item], one a greenish earring and the other a bronze-colored bracelet-

"we have these two items provided by our sponsors. Here we present to the winners, two special prizes."

A Medichamẟ steps in and takes one of the plaques, the one containing the earring; he walks to a nearby mon standing in the runner-up plate of the podium, bows to the Pokémon in question and hands them over the plaque.

"For our very interesting first Pokémon contestant: this earring, crafted by a specialist from Ravnica with materials originating from the nearby forests, will make its wearer more resilient against Poison-type attacks and poison effect."

The Medicham then goes take the other plaque, going to the Pokémon on the winner's plate to repeat the ceremony.

"For our self appointed specialist's team: this bracelet, nurtured by the power of Psychic Pokémon malleating it for a thousand red moons, will materialize protective energy shields of Reflect and Light Screen when its wearer enters combat."

"Our lawyers advise we thrown in this disclaimer: this equipment is not cleared for use in League-sanctioned Gym or Conference battles."

The TV cameras focuse on the two contestants.

"People of Holon: our exhibition champions!"

Argentum takes the prize on behalf of Jacob's team and departs.

Applause follows.

Renard introduces himself to Silent. Straw also greets.

-To Renard-

"A pleasure, Ren. I take you know Straw? And the weirdness he gets thrown into? By the way these are my mons, Sol and Algira."

Sol: *purrs politely* <A pleasure.>

-to Straw-

"So, how's life going? I haven't seen the others since the Alakagross ruins..."