Far from the tropical breeze [Alolan Quest]

[Tarlar]

The ledyba zoomed ahead, just close enough for Trixie and April to be able to seen it but with the ever risk of losing sight of it and them missing their only connection with the amulet they were looking for.
How this was a clue to the amulet might still be shrouded in mystery but the ledyba surely acted like it knew what was going on.
It slowed down a bit and grinned back at them, when Trixie had acknowledge it and confirmed they were not about to give up, it made a loop and then raced off much faster than before.
"Good luuuuck," the wind carried its farewell greeting back as it disappeared among the trees further up the path, making it clear it could have left them a long time ago but hadn't.

The trees cleared and Trixie and April found themselves on a rocky stretch which held no clues of where the ledyba was or any amulet. It rose before them in a lesser but steep hill. The wind blew among the rocks and boulders, and if they listened closely they could hear it carried the cries and whispers of pokemon.
A path with neatly laid out flat stones lead in between two pillar like boulders and further up toward the top of the hill, with a call of a pokemon in that direction.

Another path was less of a path and more just a stretch of less rocky dirt, it was a dusty flat part weaving it way in between the rocks to the right leading towards the forest in that direction. There were calls coming from the forest too.

The third 'path' was just a dried up creek, which had one end start near a hollow in the rock, which probably collected rainwater or snow, which then ran down the creek into the forest to the left. But right now it was as dry as it could get.
It was hard to say what call came from here, as it was low but there were something.

The fourth path was hard to say where it started, but somewhere around where they stood and it was most easily recognized by the round rocks which lay on it. If Trixie knew anything about archeology she might recognize it as potential fossilized wood, but it was a bit funny they were all collected around this path. It followed the hill at the base for the length which Trixie could see.
It was easy to mix this call up with the one coming from closer to the top of the hill, as they had a bit of the same direction.


Rocky path leading in between two pillars


Dusty road path


Path along a dried out creek


Path covered in what looks like petrified wood

[Jenesis]

As Trixie thought she was starting to gain on the Ledyba, it instead did a loop and zipped off, much faster than before. "Darn it!" she cried. Worse still, April was starting to fall behind, so the trainer scooped her up under her arm and kept running.

The path would thin out before coming to an end as she cleared the trees and saw the many routes winding through the rocky landscape. Hmm... which way should she go? It wasn't like a flying Ledyba was going to leave any tracks. The most attractive route seemed to be the one between the two pillars. Important things happened on top of hills, right? But she heard a familiar cry coming in that direction - was it a Rattata? If she went up there, she'd probably only run into the one from earlier. She tried to parse the other sounds coming from the dry creek bed and the petrified wood, but with them all overlapping, she struggled to recognize any of them.

<Good luck...> The Ledyba's last words lingered in April's earholes. Still being carried by her trainer, she began to wave frantically in the direction of the path doubling back into the forest. "Squirt! Squirt!"

"Oh, you think it's that way, April? Well it's as good a suggestion as any. Let's go!" The little Squirtle smacked her forehead and sighed. Trixie was oblivious as she carried April down the dusty road. It had flattened out some, which made it the easiest to traverse, too. Perhaps if she was unlucky she'd be able to reach the crossroads quickly enough to try a different path.

[words=270] to Incubator
Trixie chooses the second path.

[Caramell 🍬]

A blank slate of dull orange, yellow, and cream hues welcomed the travelers’ gazes as the trainer carried herself down the dusty trail with her trusty blue turtle in her arms. Large outcropping of huge rocks, cut up into thick layers that seemed to be smashed together and glued on top of one another and covered in moss, would beckon them onwards, as if marking the path that they must travel. The rocks would seemingly get larger and wider in their stance, until they were gigantic boulders that nearly towered over tall sixteen year old, hazel-eyed girl. The dust would kick up into the air as Trixie traversed the route. If she wasn’t careful, it would be very easy to breathe in the flying bits of sand and debris, which could make one cough and nearly choke.

The call – like a strange shrill chirp – clung on the airways. It seemed faint at first but grew louder and more profound as the trainer carried on in their journey. Small holes way up high in the trees that enshrouded the wooded area seemed to have small, glowing eyes that barely illuminated from their depths as they watched. A soft murmur – like the buzzing of a chainsaw as it grew louder – carried over the chirping melody that beckoned the traveling pair onwards. The grasses near their feet seemed to shake and shiver, though nothing ever lunged out to give sight nor sound as to why.

A large and ancient tree would tower over Trixie, etched in the center of the forest itself. Strangely familiar looking pillars stood to either side at its base. The giant sequoia tree seemed to stare down at the travelers as if the plant may have been judging Trixie this entire time. It’s large branches stretched out several feet in different directions. Its base was so huge and wide, it could would take over a dozen people holding hands together to wrap around the tree.

At the bottom of the tree was a small, dug out pit barely big enough to fit a small child inside. It would require Trixie to crouch down low and really shove herself to try to fit inside. Should she notice this den, buried at the base of the tree, Trixie would notice two other things. First, a small amulet sitting somewhere near the back of the den but within arm’s reach inside. Second, a pair of large blue eyes, whose angry expression said, ‘Think again!’ Within seconds, the Totem Pokemon would zip out from its den roaring at the top of its lungs as it challenged Trixie and her team to a fight.

Trixie found the Totem Ledian [Level 12]!

Please select your Pokemon for the battle.

[Jenesis]

The dusty path would only get worse as Trixie continued on her way, her every footstep kicking up swirls of grit. Eventually she had to stop to pause for a deep breath, letting Shade and Kung Pao (they were out of their Pokeballs? Yes they were) catch up. The trail continued to grow more eerie, with moss-covered rocks lining the way, beckoning her onward even as they were boxing her in. The sounds of Pokemon voices only grew. Finally she stopped at a massive tree, probably the tallest in the forest, unlike anything she had ever seen.

"Stay alert, everyone," she said as she approached the tree. Was it even possible to climb? Once she had finished admiring its majesty (which did take a while), she began to inspect the root structure of the massive sequoia. Given its size... how long had this thing been alive? Centuries, perhaps? It was then that she discovered the small hole at its base, and the shiny thing inside of it. She was about to reach inside when two blue eyes suddenly appeared in the dark, startling her and causing her to stagger back.

A Ledian zoomed out of the hole. It was clear that it was the guardian of this amulet, and it would not let her claim the prize until it had been defeated. Fortunately, Trixie had a plan to wrap up the battle quickly. "Kung Pao, let's go!" she called out, the fiery chick Pokemon taking her place beside her trainer on the mock battlefield. "Use Flame Charge to incinerate that insect!" As she had done many times before, the Torchic fluffed up her feathers until they were practically set alight, a ball of flame surrounding her entire figure. Then she leaped forward and ran with daredevil speed toward the Ledian.

[words=300] to Incubator
Kung Pao used Flame Charge!

[Caramell 🍬]

The Totem Ledian stared down at the small orange fire chicken. Her large blue eyes studied the Pokemon and sized it up as she tried to determine the worth of this bird and her trainer. The Ledian lifted herself up high in the air and twitched her long, black antennas in different directions as she tilted her bright red head to one side. “What makes you consider yourself worthy of the item that I must protect? What does your trainer expect to gain from this experience?” The wise, somewhat prideful Totem Pokemon called out in a sing-song voice towards the tiny fire chic.

Ledian lifted her small white arms that look like miniature gloves and began to spin them around in circles as she concentrated carefully on the task at hand. This fire chick could easily incinerate her into a quick, burnt crisp if she were not careful. A bright, brilliantly shining wall of energy that seemed both transparent and to glow in a multitude of colors formed in front of the Totem Pokemon, who used it to help shield herself from the worst of the small fire chicken’s attacks. Kung Pao coated her fluffed up orange feathers in a bright, burning ember of tall flames and rushed after the flying bug Pokemon. Kung Pao would leap up onto a large boulder, scrabbling with her clawed feet to hoist herself up on top. Then she would jump towards the base of the large tree and use it to kick herself off and come crashing into the other Pokemon.

The projection of lights that surrounded the Ledian helped to cut the damage of Torchic’s physical based move considerably. What could have nearly destroyed the flying ladybug Pokemon would help wean away the worst of their embers, though it would still take quite a toll from the flying bug. Ledian’s antennas twitched again, and she narrowed her gaze down upon Kung Pao with a hardened look. “You are considerably strong but…are you so sure you’re worthy? Worthy of all that the amulet holds and will bestow upon your trainer? How can you guarantee that they will not misuse this gift, if they were bestowed it?” She quizzed the small feathered avian with a serious undertone to her voice.


Wild Encounter

---

Weather: Clear

[attr="class","qkt-bkgd"]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Ledian LV 12
HP 61% [23/38]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Kung Pao LV 14
HP 100% [40/40]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

Totem Ledian [Early Bird]: Normal [Reflect 1/5]
Trixie's Kung Pao [Blaze]: Normal +1 SPD

SP29 Ledian used Reflect!
SP21 Kung Pao used Flame Charge!

[Jenesis]

Kung Pao's eyes widened a bit as the Ledian questioned if she was worthy. Of course she was! The Ledian would need a better explanation than that, though, so she thought back to her adventures with her trainer, who had to prove she was worthy too. <I have no doubt that I and my trainer are worthy,> the fire chick said, taking a deep breath. She thought back to all the times she had fought alongside Trixie, and of her own personal mission: to grow in strength and protect the weak. <We have survived many trials to help those in need of aid, and defeat those whose arrogance would lead them to bully others. Right now we have friends waiting for us to return victorious. I will not disappoint them!> She remembered Maui and Kaui and Cotillion, and felt them watching over her, all cheering her on to succeed.

As she spoke, another flame ignited under her feet, melting a ring of snow nearby before engulfing the Torchic's entire body again. And while Trixie couldn't understand the precise words being exchanged between bug and bird, she could feel Kung Pao's fighting spirit come through. "That barrier won't last forever! Smash right on through with Flame Charge!" Kung Pao nodded, and rushed toward the boulder again. Only this time, instead of leaping off of it as might have been expected, she would duck behind the boulder before suddenly reappearing on the ground, footprints leaving scorch marks in the grass as she ran at the Ledian with even greater speed than before.

[words=260] to Incubator
Kung Pao used Flame Charge!

[CrystalFox]

The Totem Ledian looked down upon Kung Pao, from her vantage point, taking in her words and mulling over them thoughtfully. "You are certainly passionate about you and your trainer's worthiness. Will that be enough?" The Ledian flew out of the way of Kung Pao as she ran towards the rock once more. She expected the same move, almost chided the Torchic for going for the same move again, but she was blind sided as Kung Pao expertly dashed around the rock, and charged into the Ledian's side instead.

Had the Torchic gotten faster? Before she could react, the Ledian was hit with another fiery attack, the reflective light surrounding her dampening the burning heat once more. She knew, that if she did not have that protection, the battle would be over already. "Hm, not bad. You may just beat me yet, young one, but do not underestimate me!" Spreading her wings and arms wide, the black dot on the Ledian's forehead glows and she releases a stream of yellow stars from the dot.

The stars home in on Kung Pao as she tries to run around and dodge them, but it's too much for her to avoid, even with her boosted speed and she's soon overwhelmed. Blasted back from the impact of the stars, Kung Pao skids across the dirt and snow to land at Trixie's feet.

The Ledian flew up into the air above them, arms out. "Determination and passion may not be enough for your journey, keep that in mind. Even if it wins you this fight, it may not win you others."

Wild Encounter

---

Weather: Clear

[attr="class","qkt-bkgd"]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Ledian LV 12
HP 21% [8/38]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Kung Pao LV 14
HP 73% [29/40]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

Totem Ledian [Early Bird]: Normal [Reflect 2/5]
Trixie's Kung Pao [Blaze]: Normal +2 SPD

SP31 Kung Pao used Flame Charge!
SP29 Ledian used Swift! Critical Hit!

[Jenesis]

A direct hit! The Totem Ledian was unable to see it coming as Kung Pao plowed into her side, but despite her injuries, she was able to recover in time to whip up a stream of stars toward Kung Pao. With her increased agility, she believe she could dodge the attack - but the stars honed in on her, and before Trixie could say a word, Kung Pao had been tripped by one, then battered by the others from all directions. She slowly clawed her way to her feet and shook the dirt off her feathers, looking at Trixie with determination. Her foot scraped the dirt as she built up a cloak of flame for the next charge.

"Look, the Ledian's flying out of reach," Trixie said, pointing upward at the sky. Sure enough, the bug had floated above the rock, spreading its arms wide and imparting a bit of wisdom to Kung Pao. She was right; as determined as the Torchic could be, if the Ledian had restricted her attack trajectory to a single point, it would be easy enough to dodge and counterattack. What should she do?

Trixie was thinking. "If we can't hit it with Flame Charge... why not try a charged-up Ember?" Of course! The heat surrounding Kung Pao dissipated as she drew the flame into herself, forming a round fireball in her beak which she then spat at the Ledian. One, two, more -- the fireballs were flying through the sky, and given the Ledian's current state, Trixie doubted it could dodge them all.

[words=257] to Incubator
Kung Pao used Ember!

[antonius]

The ledian believing she is safe from the flame bird on the ground takes in a deep breath watching to see what Kung Pao would do. As far as the totem bug knew, all Kung Pao had was the running fire move. She learned the hard way that this flame chick had more up her beak. Small fire balls came hurling at the ledian. The first one she dodged but felt the heat from it. Second one hit the branch just off to the right. Third time is the charm for Kung Pao as the third one hit directly in the face of the ledian knocking it out and off the branch. She fell and landed on the ground.

Maui and Kaui walks up to Trixie with an amulet in hand. Maui starts praising Trixie.

"My oh my what a wonderful battle my beautiful young lady. You have performed very admirably during this whole trial. You used your smarts in figuring out which way to go. There was also good use of battle tactics when dealing with the Pokemon you faced."

Kaui continues the praise as he offers the amulet.

"Yes, you have definitely earned this amulet. I also hope you have learned a decent amount about our home in this trial. There will be more trials as you go deeper into Johto. Remember your lessons here for they will guide you on your journey."

Trixie recieves the alolan amulet
Item: Trial Amulet

Kung Pao: +2 levels, Level 14-> Level 16 , can learn sand attack (Level 15) before evolving to combusken (Level 16)

[Jenesis]

Trixie beamed as she accepted the Alolan amulet. "Thank you! I promise I'll take good care of it! And I definitely learned a lot from these battles, too. I hope I get to meet even more Alolan Pokemon on my journeys!" She bent down to allow Kaui to slip the piece of jewelry over her neck.

Cotillion also flew over to congratulate Kung Pao. But there was something strange about the Torchic. She felt invigorated and refreshed after the battle. The fiery glow around her body began to appear again, only this time it paled to a brilliant white.

"Wh-what's going on?" Trixie said, shielding herself from the light, as it began to grow and change in shape. The Torchic's body grew larger, and longer, and it seemed additional feathers were sprouting from its frame. When the glow finally faded, there was no longer a Torchic standing there. Instead there was a fighting fowl that Trixie's Pokedex identified as Combusken.

<I... HAVE... ARMS!!>

Kung Pao flexed, and posed, impressed with her own new self. <I have arms!> she squawked with glee, sweeping up Trixie and Cotillion in a hug. Trixie could only smile. Whatever her Pokemon was saying, she had no idea, but all she knew was that Kung Pao was very impressed with herself. She would take that as a victory.

[words=222] to Incubator
Thread complete!
Kung Pao evolves into Combusken. She will keep her current moves.