11. Heatwave [Living Tree Quest] [F]

[Lamont]

Through all his celebratory chuckling the farmer managed to note something. Ethan's loving embrace of his fallen comrade sparked a realization in the farmer. Surely no hooligan vandal would show such a vulnerable side in front of an enemy. Furret seemed to take note of this as well, her big bushy tail twitching as her head wheeled around to view her quieted trainer. The farmer hmmm'd to himself.

Felime entered the scene, timidly glancing up at her evolved opponent then back round to Ethan. Of who called out his orders with an intense lace. Felime nodded, taking a breath and darting off with amazing speed. She was a beige blur in the night, whipping up and stopping right in Furret's face, meowing a boo to keep her wounded opponent off her toes. Then the attack came, a swift kick in the stomach. Furret was taken by surprise, loosing all air in her lungs. Her head was swimming as she tried to shake it off, but despite her will to stay strong for the farmer she succumbed to the cumulative damage and fell unconscious.

Felime gained 1,150 EXP and +1 Happiness (+11)!



Queen grew to LV 13 thanks to EXP Share!

---

The farmer recalled his dear pokémon, still watching Ethan care for his fallen cottonee. The joy on the boy's face from using the revive and seeing the little guy back up and moving cinched it.
"It seems I was terribly mistaken lad..." he began, scratching at the stubble on his face before turning his hand to rub the back of his neck. "There ain't no way you've been the one harming my trees. I hope we can get over this little misunderstanding." The man approached Ethan and handed him £470. "I've been a little on edge you see. Some darn vandal has been going around ruining my plots. All this land up there is mine and it's becoming quite a problem if my trees stop producing. I was doing night sentry hoping to catch the fiend when you came by and, well, I jumped to conclusions."

"I'm Rancher Bernie," he offered, cracking a smile at the younger man. "I... Would you mind helping me out? I know whoever is responsible for hurting the trees is around here; I just know it! But there's just too much land for me to patrol on my own."

"What'd yah say lad? I'll make it worth your while if you'll help an old fool out."

[Tiki]

As soon as Felime was sent out, the Furret was no more. The kitty swiftly kicked the Furret in the stomach and the opponent passed out, unconscious. When he was done healing his Cottonee, the farmer had spoken up about the situation. He listened and thought for a bit before giving a reply to the distraught farmer.

"Well, at least you're apologizing. No worries, I don't hold grudges over some randos like you, though you could learn to control your temper, right?" He paused to learn the farmer's name. His name was Bernie. "Eh, sure, I can help. i don't usually sleep that early anyways. If it's land patrol you want, I'll go get started then. We could be wasting time here talking and making up." He listened to what Bernie had to say to in response really quick, and then headed toward the left side of the plot to start exploring.

[latani]

Bernie scratched the back of his head at Ethan's parting words, knowing very well that it was his frayed temper that had gotten an innocent trainer caught up in all this, but with the misunderstanding behind him, it worked out... yep. A trainer strong enough to stand up to his Furret would surely be able to handle the real culprit wreaking havoc on his land, and no ill feelings remained to boot. Ethan's decision to take the left path soon revealed a more shadowy part of the ranch due to the multitude of trees, faint moonlight streaming down to briefly illuminate the path.

And what the light did show was almost ominous, or at the very least something to note upon, as several berries lay strewn or crushed along the ground. Bushes that lined the sides appeared to have sustained some damage as well, a sign that something was not right on this side of Bernie's property. Even more berries appeared the farther Ethan traveled, until he came upon a small pile that lay next to an unmoving body. It was quiet here, the wind so light it was a whisper in the night air, only adding to a likely mounting sense of dread. Had the true culprit done something unthinkable?

A rumbling snore broke the silence.

Startled awake by the sound, the body lurched up suddenly and made a low groan, clutching at its midsection. He glanced up at the sound of Ethan's approach, scrambling hastily to a standing position before realizing moving so fast was a mistake and doubled over with a fresh groan. "Urk... I ate so much it's like... my stomach's about to explode," the officer mumbled, wiping at his face lazily, only to spread the incriminating stains around his face further. He tried to straighten up to meet Ethan's gaze and adopted a serious face, as much as someone who'd been caught gorging to a near comatose state could look. "Um... it's not what it looks like. *hic* I was patrolling this path, came across something holding a whole lotta berries just a short while ago."

The officer indicated his flashlight before continuing with his explanation. "Highly suspicious... urp. Turned my flashlight on, but whatever it was got real freaked out and ran off eastward," the man concluded, restraining a fresh groan as he placed a single hand on his stomach and pointed with the other. He'd indicated the middle path Ethan had yet to check, finger directed towards some bushes that looked rather flattened, as if something had trampled through them. Grimacing, the officer made some shooing gesture at Ethan, silently begging the trainer to leave him be as he dealt with the aftermath of his impromptu snacking.

---

The gluttonous officer reports nothing of interest here...
Perhaps try a different path?

[Tiki]

Ethan was investigating the area when he saw rows upon rows of trees, under the moonlight shining his path. Then there were a lot of berry bushes, as ell as berries that looked like they had been picked and eaten, if not stepped on. He was walking carefully, so as to not stepped or crushed anymore berries, but this was mostly inevitable because they're almost hard to dodge in the dark.

He then spotted a body, lifeless at first, that woke up and was speaking to him. The fallen man was an officer, who apparently fell into the sweet temptation of the berries. He listened to what the officer had to say first. Something that the officer scared was the culprit, and it headed the other way. Ethan thanked the officer for his time, and then headed toward the middle path or something in the east.

[Noerd]

(Am assuming you're prioritising "the middle" here since it's the first direction you've listed.

Before anyone has a go at me... my plumbing has gone to crap so I had to put this on hold. Also people. People are a thing. They're a distracting thing. That's why there's 0 quality. ;-; )

The middle path took Ethan deep into the forest that surrounded Bernie's ranch. The moonlight filtered through the treetops above Ethan's head and lit up a thin trail of berries on the floor in front of him. As the trainer progressed through the woods, it didn't sound like there was anything nearby at all. All that could be heard was the occasional "hoo" from what sounded like a Hoothoot in the distance, but even that seemed a ways off from Ethan's position. No matter how far the trainer carried on, it seemed like this path was going to continue on for miles with no success. It looked as though Ethan would have to try another route... at least for now.

---

Nothing to be found here! Carry on searching!

[Tiki]

As Ethan strolled on this path, there wasn't much anything of particular that was piquing hie interest, or giving him leads as to where the culprit would be. If anything, this route seemed futile for Ethan. There were plants as usual, and the sound of Hoothoot, but other than those things, this path wasn't helping the farmer's case. The young trainer paused for a little yawn, and then looked for a small path to cut through to the other path that he haven't traveled yet. Hopefully, there would be clues or the culprit hiding there.

OOC: lol. well middle path is uninteresting apparently

[Lamont]

Ethan continued rightward, passing beneath the line of trees onto another path in the field of berry trees. Really it seemed to be a quiet night aside from the Farmer himself jumping the lad. Perhaps there was nothing here at all. Just the lone rural man roaming the fields driven mad by an unfortunate season for his crops.

Just then, a long grumbling groan sounded quietly off to the side. Attention snapping to the source location Ethan would move to investigate the noise. Just a few trees down there was a shadowed figure of a man leaned up against one of the trees. Another berry eater like the police officer? No. It didn't seem so. Getting closer it was clear this man had seen a rough time. Beside him was a gnarled axe, a shattered haft and chipped head, and in even worse condition was a companion. A sandslash it seemed. Sprawled along the ground with but a flicker of consciousness about him.

The crunch of autumn leaves and rustle of foot drew the man's attention upward to the approaching boy. "N-No no! Go back, get away from this place," he warned, a touch of disorientation swirling about his head and putting a waver on his voice. "There's an evil tree stalking around. A Living Tree," he continued to mutter. The man looked down to his shattered axe and picked up one of the pieces. "We heard the rumors and came to help the farmer but... It's not any normal tree lad. My axe was completely useless against it. Not even Sandslashes claws managed a scratch."

The man dropped the shard of his tool to the ground and rubbed a hand lightly across his pokémon. He then took a breath and got onto his knees with a huff. "I think we just made it mad boy."


A frightened cry rang out into the night. It sounded like Bernie! The beaten man's head turned to where Ethan had just come from, a worried look about his face. "Oh no. I think it just found the farmer," he commented, gaze turning down in defeat.

Something is happening in the middle path!

[Tiki]

Ethan examined the tired man, and noticed that his Sandslash was equally tired, as well as a gnarled ax. Ethan didn't remember the farmer telling him about the officer and the man with Sandslash, honestly. He listened to the man's warning about what happened so far, and tried to puzzle some pieces together. So, there were crushed berries, or berry bushes being destroyed, and now there was a living tree walking around causing mayhem. At the same time, maybe just this man was a bit into nicknaming an urban legend too early. Either way, his ax wasn't working as well on this tree.

"Thank you, sir. Bernie had been upset about this tree, apparently," he managed to reply a little before he heard the loud cry from Bernie. He then sighed and began making his way toward where Bernie would be. "Well, he certainly didn't tell me about you being in this farm. I'll go see what's up." He then picked up his legs and began heading toward the commotion.

[Marchbaby]

As Ethan made his way back down the middle path it was not long before he sae Bernie standing in the middle of the road with a face as white as a ghost. In front of him was a wet tree like Pokemon that had been angered by his sprinkler system and it wanted revenge. It tried to use Rock Smash on the poor farmer and barely missed the first attempy. As it went for a second swing Bernie turned his head and saw Ethan. In a panic he ran behind the young man and begged him for help.

" I know I was a jerk to you earlier but please help me out. This abomination jumped out at me right after my sprinklers turned on. I know for a fact it isnnot a real tree at all. Whatever it is it does not like me one bit and I reckon it will not stop it's rampage until it gets defeated in a battle." As he shook uncontrollably behind Ethan the tree like Pokemon rushed towards him with it's arms extended. It was going to come out swinging hoping to bring him down. Ethan would not be escaping from this battle either as it had perfected the art of blocking escape attempts.

A wild Sudowoodo (Level 24) appeared. Please select a Pokemon.

[Tiki]

Coming upon the Sudowoodo, Ethan found it ironic that he went for being accused to actually finding the culprit. Now, what he needed to do was to take out this monster villain and secure his reputation or something. He looked at the tree Pokemon and decided what to send out against. If the Pokemon was angered by the sprinkler system, then that meant something strange was going on, since grass type Pokemon actually like water like trees like water? He paused on that thought for a moment.

Bingo!

He grabbed Pokeball containing the Cottonee to block the Sudowood from advancing first. "Come on, out Weecot!"

Then, fixing his eyes on the Sudowoodo, he replied to the farmer wondering if he'll hear it or take it as an insult for not talking and facing him. "It's alright, Bernie... Let's hope the Sudowoodo isn't allergic to 100% cotton. Weecot, use Giga Drain!"

OOC: p sure my cottonnee was healed last page, if not, use revive but i'm p sure it's been healed already so don't take off an additional one

giga drain x2

[Noerd]

('S all good, Tiki.)

Sudowoodo broke up the mildly touching make-up session by screaming loudly and thrashing about in anger. Humans, it thought. So typical. They ignore you until you do something they don't like. Well. Sudowoodo could play that game too. It started to advance toward Ethan, a furious glint in its eyes. However, the trainer was clearly more alert to Sudowoodo than it realised, as he released his Revived Cottonee, Weecot. The Cottonee took very little time to get itself into the battle-to-be either, fixing its sights on Sudowoodo swiftly and glowing a vivid green. In no time at all, Sudowoodo was also glowing and cringing in pain as Giga Drain made its mark. The Rock type sunk to its knees, unsure of what was happening. Bernie nodded on the sidelines, impressed with Ethan's battling so far.

The response from Sudowoodo took a while to come, with it trying to recover from the Giga Drain, but eventually the faux tree returned to its feet and started to strike back. It stomped down into the earth beneath it, the ground quaking in reply. Seconds later, a couple of massive rocks burst out from underneath Weecot, crashing into his body abruptly. The Cottonee tried to wriggle free from the move, but to no avail. Only when Sudowoodo had had enough revenge did the rocks retreat back from whence they had come. Weecot didn't give his opponent any chance to recover, though, and let loose another of his Giga Drain attacks. Again, the green-glowing Sudowoodo fell to its knees... but this time, it fell further. Collapsing in a heap on the floor, the vandal seemed like it had had quite enough of this match already.

Wild Battle

---

Wild Sudowoodo | Level 24
HP: 0% (0/75 HP)
Status: Normal. -Ish. Kinda dead though.
Sudowoodo used Rock Tomb!

VS

Ethan's Weecot | Level 26
HP: 65% (42/64 HP)
Status: -1 Speed
Weecot used Giga Drain twice!

---

Sudowoodo has been slain!


Weecot fought well, earning himself 1200 EXP! He reached Level 27 (611/2269)
+1 Happiness too (up to +10)!


Queen got a level via EXP share, going to Level 14!

---

In a few seconds, the Sudowoodo was back up on its feet, just about, and fleeing from the scene. Well, fleeing as fast as a beaten 'mon can anyway. "And don't ya come back now!" Bernie shouted out triumphantly. He then turned to Ethan with a smile on his face. "Alright then, thanks fer all yer help, lad! I'm real sorry that I roughed you up like I did. I hope you'll accept this as an apology." He presented three berries to his helper, presumably from his plantation in its better days. "Oh, also... I found this while you was fighting. I'm not sure what it is... maybe you can make head or tail of it?" It was an HM disc. Ethan would be able to tell from a glance, having earned himself some HMs in the past already. This one was brown in colour, though. Bernie gave it to Ethan with a puzzled expression on his face, then turned back toward his ranch.

"Well, I'd best be off! Thanks fer everythin', son!" With a wave of his hand, the farmer left to tend to his plants.

---

Quest complete!

Bernie gave Ethan HM06 (Rock Smash), 1 Rawst Berry and 2 Pecha Berries as a reward!

[Tiki]

Ethan watched the battle continued, and was amused at how much the Giga Drain could dish out at the opponent. The Sudowood wavered a bit, but that wasn't enough to take it down yet. Then, it summoned a series of rocks at the Cottonee, trapping him for a bit before Weecot managed to wiggle free. However, the grass type managed to slipped in another revenge of the plant on the tree before it collapsed.

Ethan smiled when he had won, and saw the Sudowoodo running away in defeat. The farmer turned to the trainer and handed him some gifts as well as.. a disc!

"Heh, you welcome, Bernie. And thanks for the berries, I'm surprised you have some berries that aren't crushed. And this? This is a Hidden Machine or Technical Machine but I'll have to take a look at it in somewhere not as dark," He replied and then yawned. Well, this had been a long day. It was time for him to head back to Pokemon Center.