Forum Thread

Truth's Troubling Peak

Many years after the near descrution of the world and the Kalos region thanks to a proficy and one of the Legendary Pokémon from the Species known as "Zygarde" things have been relatively calm. Sure there are minor cases of disruption thanks to the still functioning Organizations such as Team Plasma, Team Galactic, and so forth. Every now and again news comes up of some of their happenings, or of the disbanded group Team Rocket as they attempt their combacks.

Small happenings disrupt common life for those around, but nothing too major is plaguing anyone. Most of the minor things are simply ignored by the public and Trainers-- after all they have dreams to chase don't they? Though it is without saying that it is rather hard to ignore the strange chain of happenings within the past few months...

For one reason or another, there have been deaths and injuries of people and Pokémon. Some separate, some being of Trainers and their teams-- but the victims themselves are spread throughout the Regions. The culprits have not been caught, but there has been speculation concerning the surviving vitcims...Some say that they were attacked by a horrid boy in a Red Cap with bright red eyes and his Pokémon. Others say they were attacked by a group featuring the same boy-- and yet others say they were attacked by someone completely different. There is somehting more going on here...Something that could very well lead to an utter disaster.

In this day in age, you are either leaving it to the Police Force and other professionals, or you are out trying to help them and figure it out yourself. Either way, you might just get yanked right into the middle of this steadily-building chaos if you aren't too fareful...

Rules:

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- PokéHeroe Rules Apply
- No Godmodding/Gary/Mary Sues. (Yes I know this is controversal so basically: Don't make your character[s] invincible please.)
- You cannot kill a Character unless it is arranged thoroughly. (Yours or somoene elses!)
- Blood and Gore is ok, but please keep it to a minimum.
- There is no real limit to the number of Character[s] one could have. (Do not overburdern yourself though!)
- Don't be rude!
- Pokémon CAN be Mega Evolved.
- Please don't post if you are not participating in this RP. (If you wish to Join go to the Sign-Up Thread linked here where the form is.)
- Please try not to become inactive. (AKA drop off the face of the planet/stop replying) If you stay inactive for a certain period of time-- say a week or more-- we will simply have to continue without you. You may come back if you wish, but please be aware that you will need to catch up/invent a reason for why your characters were not active in the RP.

Characters So Far:

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Mine:
Humans
Trainer Hiorah
Pokémon
Pudge the Pidgeot (Female)
Chayton the Fearow (Male)
Nexus the Arbok (Male)
Icarus the Serperior (Male)
Kaiden the Megable Charizard (Male)
Quinn the Reshiram (Genderless/Unspecified)
Kuma the Zoroark (Male)
Navu the Noivern (Male)
Esmerdya the Ninetails (Female)
Mora the Shiny Sylveon (Female)
Archie the Shiny Arcanine (Male)
Rei the Perma-Mega Lucario (Male)
Zasalamel the Zygarde (Male)

Khristian_Leigh's:
Humans
Kura Konda
Keizo Sunada
Pokémon
Rubie the Typhlosion (Female)
Zircon the Walrein (Male)
Apatite the Luxray (Male)
Garnet the Braviery (Male)
Cassie the Megable Aggron (Female)
Amethyst the Gengar (Female)
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Female Megable Gardevoir
Female Flareon
Female Swanna
Female Roserade
Female Delcatty
Female Salamence

Link To Sign-Up Thread:
Sign-Up Thread

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Title: And this RP is a-go~ !

In the rather remote, dense forests of Kalos, Pokémon were rummaging around or flying and simply continuing with daily routines. Some humans-- Trainers or not-- were out here as well, which is also a common thing. They are either out exploring, trying to catch new Pokémon for their teams or Pokédexes, or other important things that had them out here. For the most part the more densely forested parts of these woods were left to the Pokémon themselves-- humans did not exactly want to tangle their legs in vines or brambles, or trip on roots or bushes and the like. However that is not to say that humans never go out there.

A small fit of laughter sounded through the thick foliage, deeper in the forest and a good distance away from most of the implemented walking and biking paths. The laughing comes from a girl in a full relaxed trecking attire, complete with a waist pouch she has strapped around her hips and a backpack that was currently resting next to her as she sat back against the tree she was leaning on. This young woman smiled broadly and covered her face as she kept laughing, watching a Sylveon and an Arbok play...Two of her rather nice-sized group of Pokémon. They were all resting and relaxing for a little while out here before deciding to move shop. There is also a town nearby that she might need to stop in at. That could wait until later of course-- right now it's just chill time.

"Pfft what are you doing..?!" She called with a smile still hidden behind her hand as she watched the two. The Arbok was completely flopped over and slightly coiled among itself as the creature attempted to catch his little purring friend...It always amuses her to see how something as strong and imposing as an Arbok can suddenly turn into the most ridiculous thing she's ever seen so quickly. "G-- guys, heheh..! Mora, come on you're gonna make him get stuck!"

The Sylveon-- which was a surprisingly bright blue shade instead of pink-- paused as her Trainer called over, and she bounced and meeped out a purr before trotting up to the Arbok and nuzzling him right on the nose. The Cobra Pokémon responded with a low hiss before he finally started to uncoil himself. The girl smiled as she watched, glad they responded so quickly.

"Hehe chill you guys..! If you work up a big appetite now you'll be waiting a while until the food is done!"

---

Meanwhile, somewhere else in that same forest-

"It's all your fault, y'know," said a dark haired, male trainer, keeping an unimpressed straight face.
The trainer wore long, dark, slightly baggy pants and a tight navy blue shirt. His sneakers had been caked in mud from all of the trekking - it was impossible to tell their original color. A large rucksack clung to his bag. As heavy as it looked, he was able to carry it with ease. From the rucksack, hung five shiny Pokeballs which defined him as a trainer. The male had jaw length black hair and ice blue eyes. He let out a 'huff' which the cat Pokemon at his side copied.

"It is not my fault," the teal haired girl beside him argued, "I can't help it if my Pokemon don't want to fight!"
With emerald green eyes, she glared at the cat Pokemon who'd previously tried to attack her own Pokemon. Her eyes rolled as she sped up, walking no where in particular. Like the boy's shoes, her boots were also caked in mud. The mud had some how gotten onto her thigh-high white socks. The socks were closely followed by a pair of black shorts, leaving little flesh exposed between the two articles of clothing. A long white vest almost covered the shorts completely, leaving about two inches of the legs showing. A dark, forest green hoodie hugged her waist. As the girl walked, her waist-length hair bounced with every step.

"We're never going to get out of here," sighs the boy, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose.

The girl pulled a Pokeball from the belt around her waist, "Garnet, come on out!"

A Braviary was released from the ball and it let out an ear-piercing shriek.

"Could you help us find the way out, Garnet?"

The Pokemon nods and flies up above the trees. He was only just visible through the thick canopies. Either way, the two trainers followed in hope they would find the way out. After all, the two had been out her for the last few hours, lost, and hadn't seen a single trainer.

Considering the distance between the two groups, the girl relaxing with her Pokémon was unaware of the two lost trainers as of yet. Unlike those poor souls this young woman is an avid traveler, and her prefered routes are short airborne flights, nice thick forests or at least pathways and walkways that see less foot-traffic. The girl is not exactly shy-- she is not against meeting other Trainers, but...Usually that ends up with a battle. That she is not too fond of. She prefers to save battles for when they are needed...Not simply because it's entertaining. She does not exactly consider watching her dear Pokémon get beat up by other Pokémon-- or beat up the others themselves-- entertaining.

The girl noticed another of her Pokémon approaching from the surrounding forest-- a fairly tall, bulky Zoroark that was likely to be a male, and she smiled and sat up a bit more as she saw the walking powerhouse was holding a few things.

"There ya are Kuma! You found some more berries it looks like?" the girl commented to her Zoroark friend, who nodded and kneeled down by her.
The girl herself seems to wear rather dark and comfortable, but mixmatched clothing: Black sweatpants, a light brownish-grey zippered hoodie sweatshirt, some basic light brown slip-on shoes and basic socks under those. The pops of color that one could see were the green T-Shirt currently under her hoodie, and the bright red and white Cap she currently wore on her head-- her long ponytail poked through the back of it through the opening. Oddly enough it looked like she had almost a full set of Badges pinned to the left side of that Cap though-- maybe eight in total. That's an odd, but open place to showcase your badges!

Kuma gently dropped the "contents" of the bundle he was carrying down on his Trainer's lap, and the girl beamed in happy surprise at seeing there weren't just berries there. He had gathered some herbs as well as some sticks and stones he found for making a fire. The dark brown-haired young woman reached up and hooked her arms around the Zoroark's fluffy neck and hugged him, gleefully smiling.

"Wow you got a lot! Thank you Kuma-- we weren't running low on herbs and medical concoctions yet but I suppose it's always better to grab a few when we see them, right?" the girl asked, still smiling as she then reached and gently scratched the large, fluffy creature's chin. "Thank you big guy~"
Her hug and the chin scratch especially had Kuma nearly melting into her touch as he slumed down next to her and leaned against her. A deep rumbling purr rose from the Zoroark, and the girl just smiled and lightly giggled at how he reacted. As big and strong as he is, Kuma is still a sucker for hugs and pets~ He's one of her most clingy out of the whole gang after all, minus a few...

Looking around a bit, the young woman spied who was here and who was still out foraging or scouting. Kuma just got back, but it looks like Archie, Rei, Chayton and Navu were still out and about. Hopefully they get back before lunchtime!

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"Delcatty didn't mean to hurt Luxray, you know that," the male trainer says to the female for what seemed to be the hundredth time already. The accused Pokemon mewed in disappointment. However, she refused to believe it, as the stubborn person she was. After that, you wouldn't have believed that the girl used to be close with the Pokemon.

"His name is Apatite..." the girl simply states. She like's to address her Pokemon by their nicknames as she believes that it is more respectful. Just like she would address anyone else by their name, sir, or madam. In her mind, it's correct. Plus the fact that she was brought up that way by her parents.

There was silence as they walked. Only the small chirps of the Pokemon that lived in the forest, and crunching of their foot steps on the fallen leaves and branches, could be heard.

"Um... Kura? Where's Brav- I mean, Garnet?"

"Uh..." Both of the trainers eyes were set on the sky. Despite them not having much of a view, there was no sign of the red and blue eagle. "Great, that's just what I need. Another Pokemon to disappear..."

"At least Apatite came back."

Kura snapped her head around, turning to the male behind her and shot him with her coldest glare. If looks could kill, he'd be dead on the spot, "This is not funny Keizo!"

The male, Keizo, put his hands up defensively, "I know, I know! It's just..."

His hands covered his mouth to prevent a laugh from escaping. Kura, on the other hand, was not impressed with today's events. She simply sat on the remaining log of a fallen tree and held her head in her hands. First, Apatite, and now Garnet. She could understand Apatite as he was almost always in a bad mood and likes to wonder off by himself. But Garnet? It was very unusual of him to just disappear. However, she knew that if she just waited, Garnet would find his way back - eventually. All her Pokemon are loyal to her.

The young woman sighs softly with a smile as she went about sorting things through her bag properly and adding the newer berries and things from Kuma to her stocks. Specific berries went to their separate labelled containers, herbs went to theirs, and the sticks and rocks were then piled up and fashioned into the firepit she already had made. She stacks the extra rocks up into the ring she has already made to strengthen it and fill in any holes, then she neatly and particularly stacks and places the sticks into a kind of "Tee-Pi" pose with some sticking up, and some laying down in the base. She smiles at her work, happy to have a fully funcitonal fire ready for when lunchtime is to be cooked-- in a little while. Hopefully when everyone gets back!

After that, she stood up and stretched, then rummaged through her packpack to take out the actual ingredients she would be using for lunch. A simple sandwich for her, but her special homemade "PokéTreats" for the rest. Though she usually makes them as actual sources of food rather than quick little snacks, they seem to adore it either way. Hence she always carries around the ingredients so she can made food and snacks for them-- though thankfully her snack stock is still full for now. The girl lifts her head though as she places things around the fire when she hears someone addressing her.

"I thought you were going to wait until everyone has returned to make lunch, Hiorah?"

The girl smiled and looked over to the one speaking; it was Quinn. They were relaxing and laying down in a patch of sun, but currently looking over at her.
"I am! Just wanna get everything out and ready first. I don't wanna loose stuff to the bowls of my backpack again when everyone is waiting for their food, eheh..."

Hiorah rubbed her head and Quinn simply chuckled, though they ruffled their wings slightly...It is not a surprise that Quinn can speak, since they are a Reshiram. They are known to be able to have that kind of power hidden within them.
"I can assure you the wait won't be much longer. I can sense some of the others nearing." Quinn responded calmly, their gaze sweeping over in some other directions for a moment. "I believe it's two of them for now."

Hiorah smiled.
"Great! They should definitely all be here soon then."

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"Kura! Come on!"

"I'm not leaving until Garnet comes back!"

The teal haired girl clung onto the log as if her life depended on it. Her knuckles white - She point blank refused to leave from her spot. Her friend's tugging failed to get her to move. Well. For a while. Until she abruptly let go, sending them both tumbling to the ground. Into the mud.

"Are you happy know?" She growls, standing and brushing herself off (only to smudge the mud even more).

Keizo rolls his eyes, grabbing her arm once again, "Let's just go. It's just a forest, if we keep walking straight, we're bound to get out at some point."

"At some point" Kura mocks as she let him drag her on.

Despite her seeming angry she was actually kind of... sad? Kura loved her Pokemon more than anything and hated not knowing where any one of them were. Although she knew they were pretty strong and she knew that they could look after themselves. She knew that they would eventually return to her. But it was as if her heart was made up of six pieces - one piece belonging to each of her Pokemon. It just wasn't the same without them.

She had been too lost in her thoughts, that hadn't noticed that they had come across a new looking path in the forest. Unlike the one they were following before, this one had structure.

"I think we made it onto the main road," Keizo points out, "So we can't be too far from the next town."

"But it's also getting kinda late. And I'm hungry..."

As if on cue, her stomach growled, demanding food. They both laughed and, between them, decided to set up their tents off of the side of the road. They found a tiny clearing, making sure it wasn't far from the road to avoid getting lost again, and put up their tents which Keizo had carried all the way on his rucksack (folded up, of course). Kura's tent was dark green, Keizo's was blue. Coincidentally, they were their favorite colors. In their tents, they changed into less mud-covered clothes, which then got stuffed in their bags. What else were they to do with them?

By time Kura was finished, Keizo was trying to start a fire. He seemed to be getting quite irritated with it, as well.

"I've got it," Kura says, sending out her fire type Pokemon, "Rubie, can you please use flamethrower on the fire?"

Rubie, a Typhlosion, roared. The flames on her back grew bigger as she blew out a few embers from her mouth. As pathetic it may have seemed to other trainers, Rubie understood that Kura was not asking for a forest fire - which she was more than capable of causing. After all, she was considered as the volcano Pokemon.

As she was continuing to set up certain things-- more specifically the campfire and the gathering of her current blob of dirty clothing, Hiorah perked up a bit and turned her head. Seeing two more Pokémon approaching got a smile out of her, and she waved at the two. One was a decent sized Fearow who soon landed with a rather big leaf folded up and dangling from his beak, and the other was a Noivern that also looked big enough for her to ride on if she wanted.

"Hey guys, welcome back! Lunch is gonna start soon, so you got back pretty much just in time." she commented, a smile still on her face. At seeing her the Noivern dropped what it was carrying in it's back paws and shot over to her with gleeful cries. Hiorah's eyes widened, but she was not fast enough to really brace for the loving tackle that she then gets from the exhuberant Noivern. The girl lets out a cry of her own as her back greets the grass, but she is soon laughing from the nuzzling and licking she gets assaulted with.
"G-- GAHAH Navu..! Ok ok, I am happy to see you too! Get off you big goon!" she protested through her laughing, trying to push his head away. Instead she got an affectionate, deep coo-like sound in reply and a big Noivern plopping down on top of her. Hiorah gagged from the sudden weight and the air being pressed out of her lungs, and she flailed her arms as well. "-- OOOOHG ow. Aaah, Navu..!" Hiorah sighed, then smiled at the mischievous create laying on her. ". . . Navu. I can't make your lunch if you lay on me."

Navu stared down at his Trainer silently, then suddenly licked her right on her face once in reply. She sputtered and shook her head with a short laugh in reply, and with a satisfied huff the Noivern finally got off, though he did drop his head to help her up once she could move. Hiorah chuckled and wiped at her face, then rubbed Navu on his head before smiling at Chayton as the Fearow approached.

A few minutes after the two returned, the other two did as well. By then Hiorah had started up the fire with help from her Charizard Kaiden, and she was currently mixing together the ingredients for their PokéTreats when she noticed the other two finally approaching. A quite large Arcanine with a peculiar color pattern. . . And a Mega Evolved Lucario, who also happened to have a peculiar color-- he was different shades of red and white, rather than blue and white. The girl smiled and greeted both warmly-- Navu relaxing and laying at her side while the Mega Lucario approached quicker than the Arcanine to nuzzle her. Hiorah rubbed him on the head between his ears in response as she greeted both.
"Welcome back Rei and Archie. Nothing too bad I hope from your patrols?"

The Lucario Rei and Arcanine Archie both shook their heads no with accompanied little sounds, and then Archie lowered his big head to lick her on her face once. She sputtered once again and giggled with a gentle swat at the air in his direction, but then she simply smiled again. "Good to hear-- no bad storms or bad guys~"

As one could think by now, Archie and Mora are both peculiar-- they are Shiny Pokémon. How this one girl managed to get two shinies, and a Permanently Mega Evolved Red Lucario (meaning he is probably as strong as he is ever going to get with max stats), is up to speculation-- she is usually not much for coversation on those things. If one is to ask, she might answer, but she never really brings it up on her own.

"Lunch is in a couple of minutes-- I'm just making your treats now," Hiorah commented as she pet both. The girl then turned her attention to the ingredients and continued with mixign and stirring them in the little bowls she had. "You can help the other two put stuff away if you want." she added while glancing over her shoulder at them. Rei perked up and nodded his head with a smile of his own, then trotted right over to the Noivern and Fearow to help them put their findings for the day away.

The sudden roar pade everyone jolt to a stop for a few moments. It did not sound close, but not too far away either. Every single being in that clearing stopped and lifted their heads, or spun around and listened for a few more moments afterward for more roars, but heard none. They waited for a few more moments, then most relaxed again as they went back to what they were doing. When you spend as much time out here as Hiorah and her gang does, hearing roars and other things becomes a bit of a norm. That however does not stop them from being startled whenever they do hear a roar loud enough to travel distances...As long as there aren't more, it does not concern any of them. Hearing more might hint that there is a nasty battle going on, and that would certainly worry Hiorah. Not to mention the slight paranoia caused by the "news" of the past few months...Those attacks and murders were also half the reason she took back to traveling so early.

---

"Did you hear that?" Kura had asked her traveling companion who was busy at attempting making something edible with what food they had. All of his focus seemed to be in that. They were due to collect food any day now - or when they,at least, arrive at the first PokeMart they come across.

"Did you say something, Kura?"

The girl mentally face-palmed. She couldn't help but question herself of why she agreed to travel with him. Of course, Keizo was her best friend and her rival. But it was their parents that came up with the idea of them both traveling together. As to not come across as rude, Kura had taken up the offer. Although, she was now debating whether or not it was the right choice. She held back a laugh as she watched the flames of the fire dance.

The sound, however. It sounded like a Pokemon to her. But she knew that she wouldn't be able to do anything about it, Keizo would think she's more crazy than he already thinks. Besides, he didn't hear a thing. Kura sometimes wished that she could just be come deaf for a few minutes, just so she didn't have to hear him complain about her.

'Hurry up, you're walking too slow'

'Hold on, let me catch my breath'

'Don't go too far'

'Don't climb that, you'll fall'

'you're going to get us into trouble, again'

"For Arceus' sake! Kura!"

"Huh?"

"Food," Keizo simply stated as he pointed to the bowl of, what looked like vomit, on her lap. Despite the look, she figured that it smelt alright... Not that she wanted to eat that, Keizo was never the best cook, but the last thing he wanted was her hurting herself and having to be taken to a Pokemon Center and neither of them knowing where the nearest one was. This was why he made him self in charge of all the 'dangerous stuff'. The food was not as bad as it seemed. Kura just couldn't figure out what he'd put into it but had to give him the benefit of the doubt.

They let out their Pokemon , after they'd eaten. Seeing that Garnet still wasn't back made Kura even more concerned whist Keizo just appeared to shrug it off.

Apatite, the Luxray, was as grumpy as always. He placed himself besides Kura, allowing her to pet him gently. She was the only one who was allowed to give him as much affection as she did. Others could pet him, but only briefly and only if he likes you. Zircon, a massive Walrein, waded in a near by puddle of mud. You would have thought the Walreins would prefer a puddle of water. But Zircon didn't really care what the puddle was made of, he just loved the cool feeling on him. Rubie had sat beside the fire - as if she wasn't already warm enough. Cassie, an Aggron, was collecting firewood. Every time she'd pile it up, Amethyst (Kura's Gengar) would move it elsewhere to torment her. At first, it was sort of funny. Amethyst loved to play tricks on people and Pokemon. However, her jokes got a bit too much when Cassie had swung her tail around, causing a tree (or two) to collapse, causing a similar loud noise like before. Except, the one before sounding more like a Pokemon cry. This was just a tree.

On the other hand, Keizo's Pokemon were a lot more chill and calm. His Delcatty lay in front of his feet. Whilst his Salamence provided his other Pokemon shelter with her wings.

Amethyst and Cassie were given a strict scolding, more so towards Amethyst. But that was soon forgotten and the Pokemon were allowed to eat. The had a mixture of berries and Pokemon food which was not exactly five-star quality, but they weren't that fussy. The fact that they all liked different berries, was understandable, but they'll eat almost anything when they're hungry. Kura had set some aside for Garnet, when he returned, and had to hide it inside her satchel so that the other Pokemon wouldn't eat it.

By the time that loud, thunderous noise spread through the more quiet forest, Hiorah and her gang were digging into the food she had prepared. Of course for herself it was a simple ham and mayonnaise sandwich on white wheat bread, and for her gang it was those delicious PokéTreats. She also had her travelers bottle full of apple juice-- the jug with the rest of it stashed in her backpack, and a nice big bowl of fresh water for her gang.

The sound startled pretty much all of them again, with Hiorah lightly choking on her bite of food actually as she had attempted to swallow and inhale at the same time. Coughing she winced and pounded her chest a few times, then raised her hand when she had some concerned Pokémon looking her over.*

"I-- I'm fine," she started, coughing a little again before clearing her throat and settling with a sigh. "Huuugh, see? I'm ok-- just tried to breath food there..." Hiorah then glanced around at her Pokémon, seeing they all have stopped eating for now. "Everyone else all right?"

"It seems we are." Quinn responded after a few moments, looking over at her. Hiorah looked over at the Reshiram, then around. She smiled when she spied the head nods from the rest of them before another more special member of her group pipped up as well. The sound of the Pokémon calling, grunting and rumbling softly up at her got her attention as she turned toward the creature.

"Ah? Good-- as long as everyone is ok and didn't pull a 'inhale the food instead of eat it' like I did." she seemed to...Reply, to the creature contently laying next to her. An odd looking, yet to Hiorah's eyes regal looking green and black dog-like Pokémon...The creature lightly grumbled and woofed back at her, and she smiled down at him.
It would not be hard for most well-taught Pokémon Trainers to realize that the powerful creature laying with her and "conversing" with her is a Zygarde.

With the Zygarde on her left, a rather gorgeous Ninetails on her right, and her sweet Sylveon Mora on her lap Hiorah glanced around again, a frown on her face.

"I don't exactly like how noisy it's been though...And that sound just now didn't sound good." Hiorah looked down toward her Zygarde friend again as the creature started to rumble and "speak" and after a few moments, she sighed softly and nodded her head. "Yea, I do wanna go chek it out. Just in case...I am not expecting anything major-- I am hoping it's not, but...We won't know unless we go, right? And it was loud.."

A deep, growly rumble came from behind her and up suddenly, and the girl lifted her head and smiled. Her Charizard lowers his head down next to hers, and with another rumble she reaches up and rubs his snout.
"Yea I know Kaiden-- I'll just ride on your back," She looked over at Quinn then, who was watching them. "I won't put you back in yet-- only if it's other people. We won't know until we get close." Hiorah smiled as Quinn simply nodded in reply, then she glanced around at the rest. "Go ahead and finish your lunch/dinner first, then we'll go ok?"

The large group complied with various noises and short calls, and though it amused her they nearly scarfed down their food. Hiorah had to urge some of them not to just flat out choke on it, but after a little while the food was gone, the dishes were cleaned and packed up, and it was time to get moving...They could set up an official "camp" for the night after going to the nearest town for any needed supplies.

Hiorah gently climbed up onto Kaiden's back, the Charizard patiently waiting for her and helping her up with an arm. Mora, Kuma and Rei leaped up to join Hiorah on his back, and Esmerdya her Ninetails, Icarus her Serperior and Nexus her Arbok climbed their way up onto Quinn. Zasalamel, Archie, and the fliers were simply going to follow them through the air or ground-- Zasalamel has amazing speed as a Zygarde of course so there are no problems (that and he simply does not want to take up more room on one of those backs), and Archie is a big boy, so he will keep up just fine...As for the others, they can fly.

Hiorah glanced back to make sure everyone was settled, and once she got various nods or waving paws she smiled and gently pat Kaiden on his head.
"Let's go buddy."

The Charizard glanced back at her with a little smile, then with a heavy outward huff of air he spread his wings and took off forward. Quinn followed after them and the others as they lead off; Kaiden was nimble enough to simply fly through the trees and stay close to the ground, but Quinn was a little too big to fly through, so they and their cargo had to fly up above the canopy. As they went Hiorah continued to look forward. She really hoped it was nothing bad...

---

It seemed like hours yet it had only been a few minutes. Kura was obviously bored out of her mind - she wasn't even aware of her foot tapping the ground, making soft and almost inaudible thuds. It was one of her unconscious reflexes. Others included whistling and drumming her fingers on tables. It was as if her Pokemon took on her traits as their own - they became easily bored. Zircon the Walrein had fallen asleep and was now snoring, quite loudly. Cassie had been trying to sleep, however, she kept being irritated by that one Gengar, who, for her own amusement, had been flicking will-o-wisps at her. Rubie kept the fire burning, regularly fetching fire wood to burn. Garnet still hadn't come back. And Apatite, a still-grumpy Luxray, was drumming the ground with his tail, as if to copy his trainer.

Keizo's Pokemon being the angels that they were, were sleeping. The Delcatty had took up refuge in his tent, whilst the others were concealed, safely, under the wings of his powerful, yet gentle, Salamence. Keizo, himself, was yawning and looked just about ready to pass out at any moment.

"How about we call it a night?" Kura suggests.

"That would be good. But what about Garnet?"

Kura sighs, at the moment, she didn't like being reminded of her lost Pokemon. It still hadn't registered that this had happened TWICE in one day. In a matter of hours too!

"Garnet is strong. I trained him since that day he hatched. He'll be fine and he'll come back... hopefully..." She mumbled the last part of her sentence, hoping that she was right. Keizo, on the other hand, was too tired to notice.

Kura went to collect her Pokeballs, to withdraw her Pokemon. Partly because she didn't want them to disappear, like Garnet. But their protesting looks pleading eyes made her give in to them. The wanted to stay out, like they usually would. They would always guard the camp - Kura had once caught them taking turns, keeping watch. Even Apatite took part. Despite his cold looks, he's really just a huge softy. He just doesn't like to show it around anyone (including Pokemon), except Kura. You could say that he was her starter, he'd been with her so long.

The two trainers took to their tents and within seconds, Kura could hear the soft snoring of her child hood friend in the next tent, even though he swore that he doesn't snore. After tossing and turning for minutes, Kura was certain that she was not going to fall asleep, no matter how hard she tried to force herself into sleep mode nothing was working. She even considered counting Mareep, but she stopped at about twenty. Nothing was working. Nothing was going to work. She had too much energy.

"Keizo won't mind if I went for a short walk, right? Of course he would! But he wouldn't know, right? I mean, he's asleep and won't be waking up for a while. I'll definitely be back before he wakes up. If I just walk straight, I can't possibly get lost. And maybe I'll be able to find Garnet. And find out what that loud sound was, earlier? Maybe not...It could be anything. And the last thing I need is Keizo going into father mode. 'That was a stupid idea, Kura! You could have gotten yourself killed! What would you're parents think? And your Pokemon? Don't ever do that again, alright?'" Kura rolled her eyes at the though but eventually decided that she would go on that walk.

She threw on her hoodie, despite it having small patches of dried mud on it, and crawled out of her tent. It triggered a growl from one of the Pokemon she recognized to be none other, but Apatite. Once he saw that the person, was in fact, his trainer, his thunder-yellow eyes softened and his head lowered to a bow. Bowing was his sign of respect and does it to very few trainers and even few Pokemon.

"It's okay Apatite..." She says in a hushed whisper as to not disturb those that were sleeping, "I couldn't sleep, so I'm going to go for a short walk." Without command, the gleam eyes Pokemon stood up and walked towards it's trainer's side. "You don't need to come with me..." But the look on the Pokemon's face said other wise, "Fine..."

"Geng..?"

"Not you too Amethyst... Ugh. Fine, whatever. If it means that you're not annoying anyone, come on."

The girl let out a sigh of defeat and she headed away from camp, closely followed by her two Pokemon. Something was nagging at her to go back yet she shrugged it off. Besides, she had two of her strongest 'mons with her. What could possibly go wrong?

After a few minutes of traveling, Kaiden spots a plume of rising smoke. Both he and Hiorah recognize that as the sign of a campfire...Or something else. Though she does not want to be too paranoid, she still wants to check, so with another light pat to his neck Kaiden angles and dives down to land. Hiorah however does glance back toward the others-- Quinn especially as she sees the big white creature just barely through the canopy and up into the darkened sky. Thankfully they are white, so it's not TOO hard to spot them. Soon after Hiorah spies them the Reshiram seems to understand exactly what has to be done-- even though she didn't say a single thing. The Legendary Pokémon lowered down swiftly through the trees before flapping their wings and slowign their descent, then landing more gently and quietly onto the grass. Their passengers jumped off-- no longer needing the ride and instead grouped back up with Kaiden, Hiorah and the others.

Hiorah stayed up on Kaiden's back, as she knows he would feel more secure with her up there and already in his presence until any possible danger was proven false or dealt with. Mora and Rei stayed up there with her too, and soon the others caught up and also regrouped. Hiorah glanced down and around, speaking in a content, but still slightly serious tone.

"There was smoke up ahead-- either a campfire or...Other worse things. We're gonna check it out just in case-- even if it is just some other Trainers, they might need help." Hiorah looked up at Quinn and smiled softly. "I'm sorry Quinn, but I need to put you back in your Pokéball until further notice."

"It's quite all right," they started in reply, smiling. "I know the routine by now Hiorah, besides I am not much to argue. I would rather not get too much attention-- such is why I am willing in the first place."

Hiorah smiled and nodded, then took one of the Pokéballs from the specific notches on the strap for her waist pouch-- more specifically an UltraBall, which obviously belongs to Quinn. Still smiling she clicked it to enlarge it, then returned them safely back inside before returning the UltraBall to its notch. She then looked around again before smiling more carefully.

"All right, we're gonna keep moving. If you wanna stay above us to stay out of sight instead of going inside your Pokéballs, that's perfectly fine," she smiled in a slightly playful way. "Speak now or forever hold your peace~"

Her large gang rumbled, snickered and purred their amused responses to her, but none wished to return. She expected as much-- she doesn't bring them back in unless she has to, or unless going into more populated areas like towns and markets. Afterward she watches as the group spread out to follow her and keep their surroundings unders trict observation-- like an escort almost. Quite a few took to the air and the trees again actually.

Pudge and Chayton were of course going to follow through the air, but slightly higher up so the darkened canopies concealed them in their shadows. Kuma and Navu follow through the darkness as well with Kuma using his speed and swiftness, and Navu using the branches as well as his flight to stay hidden. The others, such as Esmerdya and Zasalamel used the trees and darkness as cover to follow them all and stay concealed, and the others simply stayed there with Kaiden and Hiorah. Archie and all his amazing fluffy glory simply walked alongside Kaiden while Mora and Rei stayed with Hiorah; Pudge took the more sneaky approach like Kuma, while Icarus simply followed Kaiden as well. He would be up there with Hiorah, but he would take up far too much room-- so following closely by their side is the best he can do right now. He never leaves his Trainer's side.

---

"Lux....?" The dark cat-like Pokemon looked up at it's trainer with questioning eyes.

"I'm fine Apatite," the trainer gave her Pokemon a reassuring smile, "I'm just not tried yet."

"Geng... Gar?"

"No Amethyst, I don't need you to use hypnoses." Despite her trying to be serious, she failed to hold in her laugh. The Pokemon looked at each other as she did so but shrugged off her odd behavior.

The trio had been wondering around the forest for a while now, keeping in as much of a straight line as possible. However, everything began to look the same and Kura began feeling slightly dizzy. It was getting quite dark. She could only see the glow of her Pokemon's eyes and a few meters in front of her. Kura was more afraid of getting lost than she was of the dark - she got over that fear, long ago. Apatite had took the sleeve of her hoodie into his mouth, being careful not to bite his trainers arm, and tugged her in the direction of camp. It made her consider returning, for a few seconds, while she could. But that was until she heard a familiar cry in the distance. It was very faint but she'd managed to locate the direction it sounded in. Although, it would mean going off of the straight path they'd been following all this time.

She broke free of the Luxray's grip and started to run off in the direction of the cry, with her Gengar and Luxray in hot pursuit. They were fast Pokemon so they easily caught up to their trainer. Kura had almost tripped, not once, or twice, but about five times. She'd catch her foot on a she couldn't see, or get her leg tangled in a vine. It just showed how clumsy but careless she was when she was absolutely determined to do something.

Out of breath, she arrived at what she thought was her destination. Now, she was definitely tired and was just about ready to collapse from a painful stitch in her side. Her Pokemon we're fazed by the running - I was a warm up to them. Kura clutched onto her aching side and scouted out the area from where she stood. She wasn't fond of the idea of 'moving'. She couldn't see anything, mainly because of the darkness, until she looked up. In the canopy, she could just about make out a large-bird-like shadow that was perched on one of the branches. At first, she though it was just a Noctowl, since they were nocturnal and all. But it was it's cry that confirmed her original thoughts.

"Garnet!"

As if to respond, the Pokemon let out another cry, this time sounding like a scream of pain, which echoed for a good minute or two. Nevertheless, the bird glided down to the trainer looking well and unhurt. That was confirmed after a quick look over. Nothing seemed wounded, bruised or broken. She hugged her dear Pokemon, almost crying with happiness, but let no tears fall. The bird Pokemon, that was almost as tall as her, had it wings wrapped around her, as to represent a hug. His stomach growled. He'd obviously not eaten. Kura didn't question him about why he hadn't came back, she was over joyed about the fact that she finally had him back.

"Luxray?"

"Huh? Oh, I suppose you're right. We should be getting back. But... Which way do we go?"

Kura had no idea which direction she'd come from. The Braviary waddled over to some some trees, waving his wing in a 'follow me' gesture. The other's had no choice but to depend on him. Of course, she could have used Luxray's ability to see through objects but how far would he be able to see? She wasn't sure on how reliable his sight would be. So they resorted to following Garnet.

The crying had caught Hiorah's attention immediately when she heard it. It was further off-- away from the small little camp they had come across. When they stopped to survery it from the safety of the surrounding darkness they immediately noted two things: There were two tents, so likely two or more Trainers, and it looked like a few of their Pokémon were out keeping watch. Seeing the Pokémon guarding their Trainers while they slept got a smile out of Hiorah, since it immediately reminds her of how protective a good majority of her own gang are. However, those cries soon steered her and the rest of them away from the camp-- leaving them be to go investigate the reasoning for those cries instead.

"Be careful," she started as the large group continued to move off in the new direction. "Whoever let out that cry could be seriously injured or looking after someone else who is. When we get up close we need to be cautious-- for their safety and hours." Hiorah got soft hushed replies of confirmation as they continued, with her, Mora and Rei still up on Kaiden's back. For now she left Quinn in their Pokéball, not wanting to take any chances as of yet.

The rest of them continued to follow on the ground, through the trees and through the air as they moved along, though now after being called back for a moment Kuma was frequently slipping back to Hiorah to give her information of what he was seeing before darting off again. Thankfully with that Zoroark and his spectacular night vision she has a pretty good idea of what's up ahead-- if anyone is there he will see it before they do, and come back to tell her.

Though they couldn't hear anything yet, they were unconsciously moving toward the direction of Kura and her small group. If they were lucky Kuma would spot them before they have the chance to unknowingly pass each other. Even if Kuma has amazing night vision, not everyone else in her group does.

---

The bird hopped through the trees with ease as his trainer kept behind, as close as possible so that she didn't lose sight of him (again). Apatite kept so close beside Kura, that she could feel his fur brush against her leg with every step. I was a miracle that she hadn't tripped over him yet. On her shoulders sat Amethyst, like a small child would. You would think, being the shadow Pokemon, she would be light as a feather. Nope. An average weight for a Gengar is about 90 pounds (around 8 stone) which is pretty much, a small child. Amethyst was no different.She was, however, the lightest of the four of them. Garnet weighing a little over 90 pounds. Apatite being approximately 92 pounds. Kura, herself, was a little under 100 pounds.

"Are you sure you know where you're going?" Kura asked her Pokemon who was, presumably, taking them back to their camp.

Garnet stopped, turning toward his trainers and gave her the look of 'of course I do'. He then turned back around and continued to hop to camp. Well, where he thought camp was. As they walked further, the smell of smoke seemed to get stronger. Logically, smoke comes from fire. Their camp had a fire which Kura had left Rubie in charge of (Since she's one of her most responsible Pokemon). So, either they were getting closer the camp, or Rubie had managed to light that whole part of the forest on fire. The chances of that happening were very slim, but it was still possible. Besides, accidents do happen.

While continuing onward, Hiorah sat comfortably on Kaiden's back. Rei was glancing around, his long wafting sensors vibrating lowly as he kept a good feel of the area around them. This told him where everyone was, and if there was anyone new coming upon them. This also of course told him when the creature he recognized as Kuma was coming back.

The Zoroark sprang out of the darkness and up onto Kaiden's back again, once again startling Hiorah and Mora while Rei just looked at Kuma with a bit of an unamused expression. Every dang time, he swears. He even gives Kaiden a start with his sudden airborne appearance-- he's a bit more used to it now, but he still jolts a little whenever the powerful fluff suddenly launches out to his back. Kuma huffed and made a variety of soft-spoken sounds with Hiorah listening closely. She blinked and went a bit-wide eyed at what she seemed to hear.

"...What, really? Where?" Kuma turned then and pointed off a bit ahead of them, slightly to their right. It seems he had spotted a small group traveling through the dark. "Are they all right..?" Hiorah asked the Zoroark, who looked at her again and nodded. She sighed softly in relief, then nodded her head. "All right, but still let's go try to catch up to them. They might be from that camp-- and even with her Pokémon it's still dangerous to travel at night. Not every wild Pokémon is just gonna leave you be, right?" Kuma nodded again, then jumped down and made a motion with his paws. Hiorah chuckled, but gently pat Kaiden on his neck.

"All right, let's follow him-- hopefully we can help them back there if they're lost," the girl spoke, then looked back and around. "All right everyone, follow us and Kuma-- we found someone who might need help."
Kaiden gently growled his acknowledgement before turning and following the Zoroark, who slowed his pace so the others could keep up properly. The rest of them complied as well and followed Kaiden and Kuma at their normal paces, though Zasalamel did good to keep a specific distance. Hopefully with Kaiden's flame they would be noticed once close enough.

---

As they walked, Kura had noticed Apatite lagging behind, slightly. At this point, Amethyst was asleep. Still sitting on Kura's shoulders whir her head resting on top of the trainers head. However, Apatite looked... Worried? No. It was as it something had caught his attention but, by the looks of his expression, he didn't know what it was. His head was up high. His ears were turning in all directions. Even his fur stood up on end. This was not uncommon for him. He'd usually get in this state when he senses a presence which he finds suspicious (which is pretty much anything new to him).

"Come on Apatite. The sooner we get home, the sooner we can sleep."

In response, the Pokemon made a sort of grunting noise but trotted over to his trainer's side. The more they walked, the more Kura's feet began to ache and the heavier every step felt. But, soon enough, they got to a point where they could see a golden light shining at the end of the 'path', a few hundred meters away, which was soon to be identified as their camp fire. With the last ounces of energy they had left, they sprinted over to the camp. Well, Kura and Apatite did. Garnet, on the other hand, flew as he'd not very good at running.

At the camp, Kura was quick, but quietly, to greet the others. Thankfully, Keizo had slept through the whole thing so he wouldn't have to know anything.

Kura praised Rubie for keeping the fire under control. Cassie took the sleeping Amethyst and placed her on a nest-like bed that they'd made. Zircon was, well, still sleeping and snoring like a bulldozer. Apatite had sat himself down in front of Kura's tent, waiting for her, patiently. Once she were to go to bed, he would follow her, curl up next to her, and sleep beside her. He did this for comfort and protection. He'd been doing this ever since she had him as a Shinx. He hated being alone, outside.

Before Kura forgot, she fed Garnet, despite having a suspicion that he'd already eaten due to his fruity smell, earlier. But she shrugged it off. Once everything she could think of was done, she believe that it was finally time to sleep.

Though the group did seem to miss the other, Kuma lead them onward still after he and a few others noticed the small group ahead of them a distance. Hiorah had managed to spot them just barely from the surrounding darkness thanks to her leverage up on Kaiden, but after a few moments she stopped and got everyone else too as well.

"Hold it guys, let's leave them be." She looked around as the gang regrouped to her. They were a few yards from the camp-- concealed in the darkness around it. Still though she kept her voice low as she did not want to startle anyone there. "They seem to be from the camp, so they should be fine. They're not too far from the main path so I don't think they'll get lost either."

Kaiden had lifted his head and looked up at her as she spoke, and he gave a low rumble in reply. Hiorah smiled and pat his snout at his understanding, then looked forward at the camp.
"Lets not freak them out, and just leave them alone," she spoke out further as she looked back at her group again. The girl then smiled a bit as she addressed them all. "Besides we still need to set up for the night too, so let's go."

Low little huffs and calls of agreement resounded around her, and she smiled and nodded before Kaiden turned and started away from the camp again. Yea they'll be fine, better to not wake them up. Tomorrow a trip to the town nearby is definitely needed though. Even with the foraging, there are simply some things you just can't get without some money and a trip to a store!

---

"Kura... Kura wake up," the already dressed, male trainer shook his sleeping female companion who bluntly refused to get up, only groaning and pushing him away. However, she was soon to awaken by a weak electric shock from the Pokemon laying beside her.

"Ugh..." The trainer sat up and rubbed her tired eyes, her vision blurred for a short time before her eyes adjusted, "But it's like... I don't know... five am?"

"It's eight, actually. We're meant to be picking up our supplies today? So hurry up and get dressed. Oh, Garnet is back too," Keizo hadn't realized that Kura already knew he was back. He backed away from the green tent, letting out Apatite, before closing it on the girl. Fortunately, she had her satchel with her, and in it, a set of clean clothes. They'd have to stop off at a laundrette or somewhere to get their other clothes clean.

Kura pulled on a pair of black shorts and a halter top, as well as a white blazer-like jacket. Her socks rolled up to her knees, just showing above the tops of her boots (that also needed cleaning). She brushed through her long teal locks, not with ease, and tied it up into a high ponytail - leaving down what bangs she had. She then rolled up her sleeping bag, stuffed her pajamas into her satchel and exited her tent so it could be taken down.

All the Pokemon greeted her, despite her and the Delcatty being wary of each other. They settled to a breakfast of berries, which she assumed Keizo and the Pokemon had picked, and then took down the tents. The tents were put into Keizo's rucksack, which was big enough to fit in all their supplies and his own clothing etc. The sleeping bags were strapped on top.

Since they were heading to a town, they called back their Pokemon, apart from Apatite and Keizo's Delcatty. Could you imagine the tension seeing a Salamence and an Aggron walking freely in a town?

With that, they got back onto the main road, following it out to the town. They wouldn't be there for a few hours, however.

"We should battle today, Kura."

"Uh, why?"

"When was the last time we battled?"

"...A few days ago. And I won, remember?"

"Unfortunately. But I need to get stronger so I can finally defeat you."

The girl rolled her eyes, playfully, "Like that will ever happen. But sure, whatever. We'll battle when we next set up camp."

"So tonight? Great!"

In unison, Kura and Apatite let out an annoyed sigh, not particularly wanting to battle, but went along with it and continued walking.

As a daily ritual, Hiorah was woken up by a happily screeching Noivern barely even two inches from her face. That big wide mouth paired with sharp rows of teeth were literally what she woke up to every single morning. And despite the repitition of the affectionate Noivern's wake up call, it still gets her quite well sometimes. This morning Navu's happy and affectionate "Goooood moooornniiiinnggg!!" got his Trainer awake real fast, and after yelling and flailing her limbs in a terrorized panic for a few seconds Hiorah sat up from her spot on the ground and gave Navu a dead-panned stare. Which was of course responded to by a loving tackle and round of nuzzling.

Once she was free from her clingy Noivern Hiorah went about waking everyone up and greeting them before preparing breakfast for the whole gang. She had Rei and Kuma helping her this time which sped up the process a little, and eventually the whole group had settled down to eat. Hiorah was quick to clean up and gather things away again while her Pokémon were eating-- she only made herself a simple but satisfying sandwich, so she finished long before the rest of them did.

Once they were all satisfied with full bellies Hiorah had the lot of them returned to their Pokéballs for the trip to the town today, and those without Pokéballs simply walked along with her as she travelled onward in the direction of said town. She didn't really need to use the actual trail-- she just followed the direction she had glimpsed others going prior. That, and she has already walked through the town before. This time she will be spending a bit of time in there to restock on essentials she needs as well as some more filling on-the-go meal packs. And maybe grab a souvenir or two as well if anything particular grabs her attention.

The only five Pokémon that don't ever actually go into a Pokéball are Icarus, Pudge, Zasalamel, Navu and Rei. Rei and Navu have never had a Pokéball-- she had to imput them into her team manually through a Pokémon Center in a precious city she had travelled to. Icarus and Pudge did at one point have Pokéballs, but since then she had to imput them manually as well after their's broke. For Zasalamel...Well, he is a Legendary. She just never put him in a Pokéball in the first place-- after all he does not care who sees him when he walks with her, so she is not bothered either. She only puts her gang in Pokéballs if they are ok with it-- such as Quinn. They are not much for crowds, so when in populated places she keeps them in ther UltraBall.

Hiorah sighed softly with a smile on her face as she spotted the town up ahead. Hopefully they have some nice little mini restaurant-stops with chicken noodle soup~ She loves that stuff; she'll likely buy a few pre-heated cups of it if not a fresh piping hot one right then and there.

---