Sutoratosu

"I don't know if he;s simple, or just plain stupid..." Eric muttered under his breath as he watched Maximus charge past him into the city outskirts. He honestly expected for the man to be struck down any moment by a sudden sword swung from around a street corner, or perhaps even a sniper's bolt...Like he himself had so kindly been awarded to the shoulder while trying to be a stupid, head sick hero earlier. But nothing came. The Ekarder had gotten a few meters in now, and was still completely unscathed. "We might as well follow him..." Cesealia sighed, dreading the foolishness she had a feeling they were about to walk into. She glanced down at Eric as Blackjack trotted past, the mare taking in the surroundings like an architecture critique. "Even if it's a trap, it was already too late for us the moment we rode up to the gates. He could've easily just had his men kill us the moment we were spotted, but instead he came out here and was waiting for us without a single personal guard. Either he's so arrogant it's disgusting, or he genuinely means whatever he's spouting on about." She and blackjack began to head off after the Ekarder. "Either way, though, We should at least try to see what it is He wants with us." Then she was gone, heading up the street. Eric sighed, looking at Trystane, Octavia, Matrim, and Ko'Luki as they sat their with their mounts still. "So I guess your going to go ignoring the fact that this is most likely a trap and just waltz on in as well?" there was some venom in his voice, though whether it was just his anger at the situation, or actually directed at the three of them, it was very hard to tell.

Aye, Dios mio, soldiers... so many pages to catch up on. At times like this I wish I was young like back in the war... You can try if you want, Soldier, but I can't say as to how successful it'll be given his current mood.

"Um...N-no. Nothing," Mareek said hesitantly. It's not that he didn't want to talk to someone about...this. But he quite honestly didn't even know how to begin explaining it to another person... this feeling of being stuck behind some wall that no matter what he did, he could never bring himself to walk from behind or to scale over. Or perhaps trying to talk about it was just yet another thing the mental wall blocked him off from... either way, though, he just couldn't even find the words to start right now, so he tried to change the subject. "I'm...Fine, Mam," he lied, not even sounding very convinced of it himself. "How much longer will we be out here before heading back?"

Second thought, might take a while for that Update while I work on something for Ray and Oak and Rowan.

Actually, Antarees, forget what I said above. just follow What Commander Hukuna Said and I still foresee issues...

I can foresee a lot of issues here... Just keep from going into any explicitly offensive terms and you should be fine and avoid pissing off people, Soldier. Urban Dictionary and Google are there if you're wondering what people of the Homosexual Orientation might find Offensive.

It was not long after the travelers had all mounted up that Eric gave the go ahead to Whitehoove. Within a few minutes after, they all found themselves galloping down the mountain road, quickly gaining speed as the thundered off to the north... but this was no ordinary ride. All around the them the shadows began to move and blur as they grew faster and faster, the wind whistling past them, and then not making any noise at all. The shadows lurched out and engulfed them all, blinding their vision and swallowing all of the world into darkness. The thunder of hooves and various whinneys filled the air as they noticed a strange chill, far colder than what they had experienced out in the mountain air not long ago. There were screams... shouts...curses and swears. a thousand, upon a thousand more, voices calling out, condemning them for their trespassing. Then they stopped. The chill lifted, as did the shadows. And standing before them was there destination... The Castle Nix... the City that was just as much a Fortress. The bastions of the outer wall rose high into the night air above them, some twenty five meters, at least. The walls were wrought of Slate grey Granite blocks stacked upon each other and fused together with the power of unknown ancient magic. All around them, the wall stretched, from one direction to another. That was the Strategic Bueaty of Nix... if one was on a war path, and seeked something north beyond the Cithal Range, one would have to eventually march through it, Around was not an option... and if one marched through it, then one would most likely not hold for long against the might of the Nix Guard, sovereign rulers of the technically classified City State, as well as vassals of the Church and it's (not so anymore) Holy Army. The walls were fully manned this night, Soldiers bearing the colors of the Guard, Black and Gold and Scarlet, gazing down upon the party as they came to a halt from their ride. Not a single one of them pointed a weapon of any sort at them, however... simply all stood there, watching and conversing among themselves. The Southern Gates stood wide open, as if they had been expected, two giant slabs of oak reinforced with countless rivets and reams of black steel and the magical metal Muinnat... and there was someone waiting there for them... A man whom Maximus and Ko'Luki would've recognized instantly... "You're here, excellent," Rossephus said, his voice a perfect monotone ringing through the night. the light of the city behind him cast his face in partial shadow. But there was a few things to note of his person... he had no visible weapon, no sword scabbard, nothing. Nor did he wear armor as he had prior in Cithalos... simply a pale beige coat hanging open to reveal a series of bloodied bandanges wrapped around his chest, reaching down to his calfs, which were outfitted in black boots. He wore no Crown atop his aurburn hair... nor did his face or eyes hold the same cold, cruel ice they had whenceforth. For all appearances... this man seemed as though he may not even be the same man Maximus and Ko'Luki had seen before. "Please, let yourselves in," he continued, stepping aside from where he stood in the middle of the massive door way, a gesture to let the group pass forth into his fastness. Eric scowled at the man, riding forward a few feet on Whitehoove, careful to mind his distance though. "You have our people..." he snarled. "Where are they? Release them, then we'll decide whether we want to enter the stronghold of a monster like yourself." "I expected you say as much, Eric..." The conqueror sighed, giving a hand signal to his men on the wall. The cleared the way at the ledge, pushing forward a certain prisoner, his hands bond in irons behind his back, the soldiers escorting him all dressed in full armor and tower shields, swords drawn on the monster. Standing there...looking down on the travelers with those pair of pitch black eyes... was the Daemon who had been waiting for them inside Ko'Luki's hut. He visibly struggled and strained against his bonds, prompting all of his guards to grip their blades even harder and go on the ready. "I do believe this is the one who I charged with capturing your allies in my brother's employ... I apologize for his actions that went far beyond any of my orders. Specifically for the man he boiled alive into a stew... though, I honestly don't know how he managed to capture a sworn member of the Dirosi King's guard... Either way, your people are here, I assure you." "Show me." Eric demanded, getting off of Whitehoove. "I will," Rossephus promised. "They await you within the Castle Proper." he nodded up the slopped road behind him leading to a massive stronghold in the middle of the city. Eric took a few steps back, his hand lighting up with a mysterious light as fire danced around his palm. "Perhaps you mistake me for a simple born man then," he growled, beginning to lose his already shaky temper. "We aren't entering into your city, where you can easily capture or kill us or worse, World Wrecker. Bring our people out to us, Or so help me, I'll torch you and every single man standing atop this damn wall without another word..." "It amuses me that you believe you've the strength or the skill to do that, Alchemist," Rosse said, his voice flat contrary to his statement. He turned his attention to the others, walking past Eric and addresing them. "It's obvious he's too far in a rage against me to just stop and listen," he said, gesturing with his head towards Eric, who stood there in silence now, glaring at the man as a scarlet light began to built around his clenched fist, growing brighter and brighter... though the Conqueror seemed to not care about his little theatrics. "But perhaps you all, the ones who actually matter in this conflict anyway, will be able to hear the voice of reason. Please, enter within this city and let me explain everything that has transpired this night. I know that some of us have not been off to... shall we say, a preferable foot this night.. but nothing that's happened is as it appears. Look, not even the sky bears truth in it's own color." If they looked up, they'd see that he was indeed right... the sky was black again, lit up by countless pinpoints of star light. He extended his arms out to the side, showing he bore no weapons as he continued. "I'm stand before you all completely unarmed," he said. "As do all my men up on the wall, save for those guarding the fiend I was foolish enough to trust not to fall back into his old ways." to prove the words of their lord, all the soldiers followed his example, showing they had no armaments with them. everyone of their scabbards was empty. "None of us bare you any ill will or malice, I swear it. Now... will you enter?"

Hell, I'm not gonna Lie Panda; I myself kinda like you already, Soldier. We all need a bit of comedy from time to time.

No one should be blaming him for it anyway... after all, it IS kinda in his Job Description...

Relax, Soldier. No ones judging you.

Alright, it's fixed, Grass. And I feel sorry for Artemis now...eh, actually, no I don't.

Alright, sergeant, I'll edit it. And damn, talk about vanity...

Seacrest Out of all the areas in Seacrest Castle, the Throne room was perhaps the most impressive by far... and the most intimidating. A circular, large room with marble columns supporting the ceiling, on which a mural identical to the one out in the court yard had been carved. Water flowed in ducts running around the perimeter of the chamber, glowing with the same purity as it had in the courtyard, giving the whole space an Ethereal presence as the stuff provided all the lighting that was needed. The Floor itself was wrought of beautifully cobbled pure blue stones reminiscent of crystal, shining softly in the light of the waters. There was one thing that the Three noted above all else when they entered the place, however... The massive, roaring water fall dividing the room in two, the other side completely obscured by the might of the continuous downpour of aqua, which itself fed the Water Ducts ringing the room as it filled the whole place with mist. If they got a bit closer, they would feel just how frigid the it was in the direct vicinity of it. "Well, through the waterfall now, you three," Mercury said, his skin noticeably soaked, most likely from his own talk with Mira just moments prior. "Go on."

Oh, and just to make it known, soldiers. The ESF is the equivalent to the United States's Navy SEALS ERC (Esperanza Ranger Corps.) is the equivalent to the rest of the military.

I'm going to put Mareek through so much Emotional turmoil in the future... It's only just begun, Soldiers. Anyways, I'll leave it to you to decide when he reaches the clearing where brendan and the other Lab assistant is, Sergeant. Feel free to have them notice his look or something... his mouth may lie and say nothing's wrong, but his face still says everything. And I'll update the Team reference in his Character Profile for the new addition.

"Damn it..." Mareek snarled in japanese as he rushed to Erce's side, the swellow flying away over head. He glared at the bird as it disappeared from sight beyond the trees. "You had better pray Our paths don't cross again during these next two days,you finely feathered little bitch... cause I will end you if they do." he turned his attention back to Erce, his anger still running high as he shoved his hand into one of the pockets of his bag where he had stashed some medicine he'd bought. She was out cold, taken down with a single hit. "Erce," he said, producing a Revive from the bag. The thing had been a bit pricey in the school shop, but now he was glad as ever that he had sprung for three of them weeks earlier. "Eat this." She accepted the medicine as the boy put it up to her mouth, biting down and swallowing. A few moments later she opened her eyes, sitting up and glancing around, ready to fight whoever the hell had knocked her out like that. "It's over..." Mareek said, sighing. He stood and looked up at the vacated nest high in the tree above, glancing to the Cubone watching nearby. "It won't be too long before you get your bone back, little guy. Erce, fly up and knock that Bitch's nest out of the tree. Java, you be prepared to use Psybeam to catch the Statue and the Bone." The two nodded simply at the orders, Erce taking off and soon taking a swing at the bunch of threaded grass and twigs when she had gotten high enough, sending the thing toppling towards the forest floor. Java did his part and caught the two items before they could come to any damage from the landing, however. The nest wasn't so lucky though... but that's what Mareek had intended anyway. "She'll probably be back," he said, taking the Cubone's trinket from where Java held it with Psybeam. "But she'll have to really start over from scratch. Maybe that'll teach her not to rob the weak and the helpless." he walked over to the Orphan, kneeling down and presenting the bone, holding it out before him. "Here, it's yours again. Go on, take it." The cubone simply stared at him for a moment, awe struck by the actions he had just witnessed... that big bad Swellow, up in the tree, completely unreachable to him... and this big guy right here and his two friends had driven her out and given him his precious bone back... Why, it was just so...so... The Cubone visibly began to cry once again, but this time out of pure joy rather than frustration or despair. He gratefully took the offered Bone from the Trainer, jumping up and down in his happiness at finally having it back. "Glad to see you're happy," Mareek smiled warmly, his anger at the Swellow beginning to recede little by little. He got up and turned back to Erce and Java, picking up the Statue they had made and beginning to walk away. "Come on, let's go you two." With that the Porygon and Sycther began to follow behind their trainer. Cubone stopped it's dance of joy when it noticed the boy and his team leaving, running to catch up to him, as to not be left behind in the march. After a few more meters or so, Erce finally nodged Mareek's shoulder, nodding her head back at the little tagalong "What...oh..." he said, stopping in his tracks. "He's uh...he's following us. well...this is...unexpected." A electronic ping rang out from his pokedex as Java sent a message to him. he pulled it out, gazing at the screen. Wynaut take it with us? Covers rock types just as well as a water type could. And I Can't locate any Azumaril anywhere nearby... "Alright..." he sighed, putting the device away. Java did have a point it being able to handle rock types just fine, which is really what he was looking for at the end of the day... that, and he couldn't just leave the little guy here, now that he contemplated it. The thing was alone, no friends and no one to turn to. And he honestly could sympathize with it on a level; he too had gone through the lost of a parent... it fact, this whole situation was...cruelly ironic in a way. Cubone would actually fit his personality just fine, though he struggled to actually admit that, not wanting to dwell on such matters as his own true loneliness and self imposed isolationism at the moment. But just because he wasn't willing to think about it right now, didn't mean that he wouldn't, nor that it was any less true. He may well have always acted as if Aloofness had been just fine for him, that he preferred being not being around other people, that he disliked company... but it was all a lie deep down inside. Not to get anything wrong now; he was indeed a guy who simply needed his own solitude and time to himself often, it was simply his nature as a person. But the idea that he had Disliked other people, the way he always went out of his way to try to actively having to be around them...Why always do everything he could to keep people at an arm's length except for a select few, and even then not ever really open up to them? why? why did he do this? It only ever caused him more grief in the end, so why persist in it like this? no matter how many times he asked himself... the question always went without answer. "Cu?" the Cubone said, noticing a few tears trailing down the Trainers face. Erce and Java were both perplexed as to what was wrong as well. "Huh? oh...I- It's nothing..." he lied through his teeth, realizing he was crying a little. "Don't worry about me. Anyway, you wanna come with us, Cubone?" Still a bit suspicious that something was wrong with the trainer, The Cubone nevertheless nodded it's head eagerly, wondering at the same time what could cause the sheer sadness he'd seen just moments ago. "Alright then... come here for a moment." He took out a capsule from his pocket, kneeling down as the Pokemon approached and depressing the trigger. a bright flash of red engulfed the Cubone, the ball wiggled around in his hand for a few seconds, and then came to a still, signifying a successful catch. "It's official then," he said, depressing the Trigger again and sending his new Cubone out. "You're apart of the team... now let's get this Sculpture back for the contest." The cubone nodded happily and followed behind him as he continued off again. Erce and Java stayed behind for a few moments, the Porygon casting a questioning glance to the Scyther, expecting her to have some idea of what that sudden display from Mareek was. All she did was sigh, she had a fairly confident guess of what it was about... though she honestly hoped she was wrong, that she had managed to help him take care of it years ago with their hide and seek games. But in the back of her mind she had a hunch that what she had seen all that time ago was just the tip of the problem with Mareek... Without any other response, the two headed off behind the boy and the ground type. ((I'll leave it to you to get him back to Brendan and what's her name, Sergeant Chimchain.))

Enough, tomorrow I'm moving us along, Soldiers. Also.. you all recall from R/B, Y, FR, and LG when you'd try to use a key item in the wrong place, and oak's voice would echo through your head saying "Now's not the time for that, [insert player name here]!"? Well, soldiers... I've thought of a rather funny way to play with how that happens. Make the professor develop telepathy over the course of the years. I haven't revealed this yet, but in this version of Pokemon we're all doing in this RP, long term exposure to psychic types can actually begin to cause certain abilities to develop in individuals (It takes years and years of constant exposure for this to happen, though, and it still counts even through a capsule) Maybe I'll also break his legs and shave him bald, start calling him Charles Xavier.

"Uh huh..." Mac said, his face unreadable. "If that's the case, then Lady Mira should probably hear this as well..." Just as the words came out of his mouth, the doors to the throne room opened once more, Mercury poking his head out and looking down the stairs at the trio. "Lady Mira has approved an audience with you two and the prospective member," he said to Mac and Artemis, pushing the door open further. "Come, she awaits you within..." "Guess you'll get a chance to tell her right now then," Mac said, walking up the stairs and entering the throne room as Mercury held the door ajar.

... ... ... I'm going to go... have a bit of talk with the Oracle at Google now. If you'll excuse me, soldiers...

Nope. Exlink... the Shock Staff works nothing like that, Soldier. The Shock Staff is NOT a ranged weapon, in fact, NONE of the weapons shock troopers have are primarily ranged. they're an explicitly close ranged, up close and personal job class. It's basically just two tazers on the ends of a metal stick, like a Cattle Prod. the way you used it in this post is pretty much akin to suddenly using "Magic" in a story that's Explicit been stated to be a Sci-fi... breaks up the validity of the story quite a bit...

I assume that the Feathered bastard would try to move out of the way and subsequnetly cuase Java's Discharge to also change course in order to hit it, leaving the items within it's nest completely safe from harm upon impact, and that Erce's Vacuum wave would then either nail the Swellow as the coup de grace and finish it, or miss and keep going on into the sky before disappearing from sight entirely

"Indeed... there haven't," Mac concurred. "I'm going to just take a wild guess here... and say that perhaps the Lord Arceus may have had something to do with it." he crossed his arm's, examining the human form of Otto, the Oshawot who was also apparently now a shapeshifter like a Zoroark. "That's honestly the only way to possibly explain this, after them being gone from the world for so long... Otherwise, it's simply too strange to even consider."

Shots fired, Soldiers... Shots fired. But the Swellow started it.

"Which means... what, Exactly?" Mac prodded.

Yes, theoretically... but I don't really suggest it unless your very desperate... the landings tend to hurt like hell.