You Don't Have to Fall Apart [Closed]

[Caramell 🍬]

“You’re welcome, Sox!” Naegi piped up as soon as his friend thanked him. He turned to the wild jellies as more strange, spongy heads bubbled up to the surface of the water. Why were they here? A strange, sticky substance oozed from their bodies and stretched through the usually bright blue waters, causing their hues to tint and change into a murky nearly sangria hue. Naegi flared his nostrils, raising his vines up high as though he might slap the surface with them. What was their problem?

“You could really hurt someone, you know!” The puffed up frog stated firmly, taking a daring step closer to the water’s edge. He nodded towards Shockira, who doubted her own capabilities. Maybe her attack wasn’t enough to truly hurt them, but if she could paralyze them then they could try to chase them off. Or at the very least, get them to back off. “We aren’t here to hurt anyone! So why do you want to hurt us?! Who are the ‘Bell Boys’?! I’m Naegi, I’m not part of any group! So why are you attacking us?!”

Tears welled up in the corners of Naegi’s eyes as he tried desperately to understand what was going on. First, they were attacked by some strange kitten who still didn’t quite trust them. Now, they were being attacked by some strange jellyfish that swam in the local river?! Naegi sniffed the water’s edge and grimaced. What a horrible stench! “Wait! Guys, the water stinks really bad. Yuck!” He called out to his friends with a wave of his head. Was this the source of the problem that caused the flowers in Litten’s garden to die?

Before he could dwell on the issue any further, two long vines shot out from the deep entanglement of a prickly bush nearby and slapped Naegi, knocking him into the water’s edge. Two large yellow carnivorous plants with large black eyes popped out from the darkness and glared at the Tentacool, whipping up a frenzy of sharp leaves that they sent flying everywhere, with little regard or care for the other Pokemon in the area. “You thought you had us!” One of the large bell-like creatures called with a loud, mocking laugh. “Well, you didn’t! I thought we made it clear that this is OUR TURF! Do you need to lose more of your hatchlings before you learn your lessons?!” They barked angrily.

Naegi splashed helplessly inside of the river, immediately consumed by the wild tentacles of the vicious jellies that inhabited its surface. “You fool! We’ve caught your friend, as payback for all the hatchlings of ours you’ve stolen!” They hissed angrily. Naegi screamed with such fervor that the limbs in the nearby trees seemed to shiver, as a large gust of wind spiraled across the open terrain. “Ohh! Help! Guys I….I can’t swim….!” The small Bulbasaur cried, struggling in vain to break free from his captors.

---

Current Posting Order: Caramell, Kito, Ashenphoenix, MPG, Jenesis.
Please allow 48 hrs before skipping over someone's turn to post. After which, all's fair in love and war.

[AshenPhoenix]

In a moment's notice, the situation grew from already dire to even worse. The two large plant-like Pokemon made themselves known, knocking poor Naegi into the water, who was now hostage of the stinky jellyfish gang. Sox's first instinct was to climb back on the tree and try to reach him again, but he looked up to see a sad leftovers of the tree limb that was there before it broke...

- Hey! Leave our friend alone! - the Mankey's fur puffed up and ears went flat to his head, calling to the water types and shuffling as close to the edge as possible, wanting to reach the Bulbasaur without falling into the contaminated waters. Ohhh, if only his arms were just a tiny bit longer...! - We're just trying to fix the garden nearby!

One of the Tentacool swam up a bit to uncover its eyes from underwater and take a better look at what is going on.
- Garden? Who cares about some garden?! - it replied in annoyance, waving Naegi around.
- Yeah, who cares?! - another Tentacool spoke up. - You're on our territory! These doofus plants stole our young ones and we're not going to let you steal any more! - the Pokemon spat in anger, splashing water onto the grass, causing it to wither nearly immediately.

- No! You're on OUR TURF! - the Victreebel retaliated. - You make your nest here and try to push us away from the river! Go away and maybe we'll let the hatchlings out of the puddle!
- Fat chance, you overgrown Wepear Berry! Just wait until Big Daddy Tentacruel comes! - a third Tentacool popped up to join the screaming match.

Sox's head was spinning from the two sides arguing. The forest was big enough and river long enough for everyone to find their place, why battle over a small patch of territory? At the moment, the most important matter was to save Naegi.
- Boing, are you able to bring Naegi closer to us? I can't reach him... - fighting type sighed, still attempting to grab onto Bulbasaur.

[Jenesis]

Boing's mind was whirring with the arrival of the new plant Pokemon, and although she couldn't understand everything that was going on, one thing was for certain: these Victreebel were NOT friends with the Tentacool and their Tentacruel leader, apparently something that had been going back long before any of their impromptu friend group had arrived on the scene. Naegi's revolted response to the water quality had her backing her fellow Grass-types at first - surely the jellyfish were the problem, polluting the river and seeping poison into the garden? But then one of the pitcher plants taunted the Tentacool about stealing their hatchlings away, so surely their actions had provoked the others - and weren't their vines also poisonous? If the soil was being attacked from both angles, it was no wonder that Litten's garden was in such a sorry state.

Boing gasped as Naegi was suddenly pulled into the water, and cried out that he couldn't swim. With Naegi held captive, Shockira wouldn't be able to use her electrical attacks for fear of him getting hurt, but luckily Sox was ready to help... if only he could reach! "Naegi, grab onto me!" Boing said, as she stood on the edge of the riverbank and reached her leaves as far forward as they were able to go. "Then Sox can pull us both back to safety!" She was relying on the Mankey to be able to out-muscle a simple sea creature that didn't even have hands; no, she had to rely on him! If only Naegi could wiggle free just a bit, the Mareep would be able to blast those jellies back into the deep sea!

But that was not the only battle that appeared to be starting. One of the Victreebel had taken affront to the Tentacool's attack, and it let out a shrill screech. In that moment, a pair of Bellsprout emerged from the trees, as the Tentacruel raised itself up. In mere moments, water blasted across the riverbank, as vines were thrown in retaliation and leaves sliced through the air.

"Give our hatchlings back and stay away from our river!" hissed a Tentacool.

"You get out of our forest first!" grumbled a Bellsprout in return.

"They're distracted, Naegi!" Boing said excitedly. "Now's our chance to escape!"

[Caramell 🍬]

The world erupted into a brutal war in the blink of an eye. Naegi struggled against the ‘strong’ tentacles of the bright blue jellyfish and gentle currents of the wide river. The more he kicked and floundered about, the more his large, bulbous frame slipped underneath the surface’s edge. Waves splashed over his face and slipped into his gaping jaws, causing Naegi to cough and sputter each moment he managed to kick his head back above the surface. The pain from the effort and aggressiveness of swallowing water down the wrong pipe burned through his windpipe and lit his lungs ablaze. It hurt so much! Why did water hurt him so much?! He was a Grass Type, naturally resistant to such attacks, wasn’t he?!

“Ack! Ughf! Ugh!” Naegi choked, struggling in vain to reach out to Sox or Boing. “I’m…I’m trying! Auuugghhh!” Tears broke from the corners of his eyes in long, streaming waves that blended with the droplets of water that clung to his chubby cheeks. He was drenched inside and out. How on earth did he expect to get out of this one?! Two long vines broke through the sides of his bulb and reached out for Boing. Just a little more…almost…he had to hope! Then a large, serrated leaf whose edges looked like the blade of a knife slapped his vined out of the way temporarily, causing Naegi to scream out from the shock and pain of it all. “Owww! Ughhh! Heeelppp!”

A level-headed Naegi would have questioned the animosity of it all. Where and when did such a vicious war start, and how their skirmish must have been the cause of the wilting gardens all along. Surely, there was a way they could all come together for the better. A way to rescue the Tentacool hatchlings, while also making sure there was space along the riverside for Victreebel and their tribe. Naegi couldn’t focus on such noble moments, though, too caught up in self-preservation and the determination to do everything he could just to survive. He struggled against the Tentacool that kept him bound, reaching out once more with a small glimmer of hope – fragile in its current stage, but still burning inside of his chest – and wrapped his vines around Boing’s leaves. “Augh! Sox, Boing, Shockira….help…!” He screamed, his voice blending with the loud shrieks of the large, carnivorous plants.

“You’ve been trying to claim all of the forest for your own selves!” One of the bright yellow-headed plants screamed. The Bellsprout waddled over to the riverbank’s edge and pointed one of its cordate leaves at one of the Tentacool, poking it in one of its large red crystals on the sides of its body. The jellyfish reeled back, hissing loudly, and snapped at Bellsprout’s leaf with its sharp beak. “See what I mean?! You almost bit me! Victreebel were right about your kind all along! Nothing but evil comes from the whole lot of you!” Bellsprout nodded its head firmly in its own bias. Tentacool puffed up angrily, emitting a loud screech that echoed through the surrounding forest. “I was only defending myself from your nasty attack! Look at the scar you left on my head!” It retort loudly, tapping a teeny tiny scratch, barely noticeable, on its dome. “I could have died! Which is what your evil kind want for everything not one of you, I bet!” It huffed very assuredly.

---

Current Posting Order: Caramell, Kito, Ashenphoenix, MPG, Jenesis.
Please allow 48 hrs before skipping over someone's turn to post. After which, all's fair in love and war.

AshenPhoenix / Jenesis it's either's turn. ^^ Not sure if you still wanted your round this turn Ashen given the time? I'll post in a couple more days if you both need the break first.

[kito]

Shockira glared at the fight that was going on. This is ridiculous. We were just trying to help a garden and now this is a thing. Seeing Nagei struggling. YOU WILL NOT HURT MY FRIENDS!!!  Shockira glared at the fight going on her fur sparking wildly unleashing waves of thunder hoping to paralyze the water pokemon. Then without stopping she charged into the fray among to take on the grass type pokemon.  This Fight Stops now your fight is causing  the land to be destroyed there will be no land to share. Sox help me with the grass pokemon, Hop can you go and help out Nagei please. We will protect this land together.

[AshenPhoenix]

Sox observed as the Hoppip took to the air again, valiantly trying to help save Naegi from the nasty jelly Pokémon. The situation was growing more alarming with each passing second. The two gangs were arguing fiercely, inching closer and closer to an actual battle, with their group caught in the potential crossfire. Both teams seemed considerably stronger than any of them.

Thankfully, Boing was on top of his game. He managed to snatch Naegi and drag him closer to the shore, allowing Sox to grab both grass types, one in each arm. The real problem arose when Mankey realized that the Tentacool had no intention of letting poor Bulbasaur go. Instead, it started pulling back harder than before, forcing Mankey into a dangerous tug of war with Naegi's body. Losing this struggle could mean both of them drowning.

- You stop that, Victreebel sympathizer! - the Tentacool yelled, using every muscle in its jelly body to keep its hostage. - You have our young, we have your bulb!
- Water clogged your ears? We don't know them! - the biggest yellow plant retorted angrily.
Sox tightened his grip on the grass types, his mind racing to find a solution.
- We need to calm this down... - he muttered to himself. Sox continued to struggle against merciless Tentacool, sometimes seemingly gaining advantage and then losing it right away.

Shockira then drew upon its power to control the electricity, sending stinging waves of thunder towards the unruly Tentacool. The electricity surged through the air, striking the Tentacool and forcing it to release Bulbasaur. The force of the attack was so sudden that it sent all three Pokémon flying backward, tumbling through the smaller Bellsprout as if they were skittle pins.

- THEY'RE KILLING ME, THEY'RE KILLING ME! - the Tentacool cried pitifully, splashing around violently in the water.
- Ohhh, now you've done it! - another jellyfish growled angrily. - I'm bringing Papa!

On land, the toppled Bellsprout began moaning painfully.
- They're working for the Tentacools! - one of them decided, wincing in pain.
- Hah! Knew you were the shady sort! - the Victreebel glared at the three, waving its sharp leaves menacingly.

Now all the ire was directed squarely at Sox and his companions. Sox quickly assessed the situation, realizing they were in grave danger of being attacked from both sides. And he had no idea how to deescalate it...

[Jenesis]

Her friends were so brave! Sox reached up to grab Boing and Naegi, and Shockira's electric attack sent the Tentacool flying, but unfortunately also knocked the party rolling backward - and bowling over top of a Bellsprout. As the jelly and plant Pokemon geared up for battle, Boing realized that unfortunately they were caught in the crossfire. She couldn't see any way to calm them down with mere words, and defeating them in battle was also out of the question. Therefore there was only one thing to do...

"RUN AWAY!"

She spun her leaves as fast as they would carry her, and buoyed by the light of the sun, they responded. Within moments she had arrived back at Litten's garden, where the fiery cat would do the opposite of welcome her, glaring at her harshly as she approached.

"What in Arceus' name is going on?" she demanded, not so reckless as to send a fireball careening Boing's direction when the hovering plant had a posse of backup, but agitated enough that she was definitely thinking about it. There was no doubt that she had overheard the fighting that was taking place at the riverside. "You stomp into my territory, you kick up a whole bunch of noise - and NOTHING is getting better!" She would look around sadly at the withered plants, and the small puddles of polluted water seeping into the soil.

Boing sighed. If anything, they had only made things worse.

"This all started because the Bell Boys took those Tentacool hatchlings, didn't it?" she said, trying her best to remember what the gangs of Pokemon had been shouting at them while they had been caught in the middle of the fight. "So, if we go find them... and we figure out why they were taken in the first place... we'll surely be able to figure out who the bad guy is!" She would look around at her newfound friends. "We wouldn't have been able to get even this far if we didn't stick together. What do you all say?"

[Caramell 🍬]

A flash of electricity surged from Shockira’s thick fleece and consumed Tentacool’s body. It sizzled the jellyfish’s long greyish tentacles, causing the wild Pokémon's grip to slip off Naegi’s body. The poor drenched bulbous Pokemon hopped back onto land with Sox’s help, spurting up thick pockets of water from his lungs as he coughed violently. “Thank…you…” Naegi struggled through tear-soaked eyes from the effort. His lungs burned from the water; his throat felt as though it was eaten by fire itself from the effort.

“That was very mean of you!” Naegi snapped, raising two long vines up into the air. A soft wind slipped through, carrying a strange scent. It had a hint of jasmine and honey blended together, though it might have been just a momentary blur in the background of the violence and chaos that surged around them. “We don’t know what happened. We’re willing to help. But not if you keep attacking us and especially not if you both keep fighting!”

Then Naegi turned and fled back to Litten’s garden once more as soon as Boing gave the command. With a scarcely given moment to consider anything else, and the Tentacools raising their long tentacles to try and snatch the troupe of mismatched Pokémon once more, all he could do was heed the words of his companions. “How is running going to solve anything?!” Naegi demanded, confused, his eyes shooting a questioning look to his floating companion who used the gusty jasmine-scented breeze to carry her all the way back.

Litten was anything but welcoming upon their arrival. Bulbasaur braced himself, stretching all four limbs apart to widen and steady his stance. Though he didn’t unleash them, the ends of his vines popped out from their deployment spots along his flesh, as though they were quietly observing the moment. “I believe the Tentacool have been poisoning the waterways, which is where your plants get most of their water from. And Victreebel’s team of Bellsprout… I think they may also play a part in this, somewhere. But their fighting is harming everything around them.” Naegi chimed in, aiding words to Boing’s own spoken thoughts.

Litten glared, her ears pinned against the side of her head. They were stirring up a ruckus?! How could they promise to help Litten out and save her garden, if they only managed to enrage the wild Pokemon of the land and sea itself?! She turned, paws digging desperately into the earth in hopes that somehow this act along could save her plants. “I don’t care about Bell Boys and Tentacools! I care about my plants! How is any of that my concern?!” The kitten yowled, thrashing her tail about angrily. Why were they even here if all they could do was actively make things worse?! “And now… MORE of my plants are dying!” Litten gestured to some other flowering bushes, whose leaves were starting to brown and wither away.

Naegi hummed thoughtfully. Something seemed…definitely off. “Boing, you and I should go investigate the nearby woods. Sox, you and Shockira should stay here with Litten… maybe? In case either of the gangs comes up this way. We’re plant types naturally so we might be able to blend in.” He asked with a knowing look to his friends. Once they worked out the details of who would patrol what, Naegi would turn and nod to his companion. He headed off towards an area thick with wooded trees just a ways from the lush landscape of wild grasses and open land where Litten’s garden grew.

“There has to be more to this story somewhere…” Naegi hummed. He carefully searched around, following strange sounds and checking in large bushes. Naegi even lifted up some large rocks with his vines, after struggling extra hard to do so, whilst searching in vain. It seemed as though nothing would come to light. Was it all just some elaborate lie? Did the Bellsprout do something heinous to the two hatchlings?!

Then… inside a grove of large weeping willows where the scent of jasmine and honey was the strongest, he would find them. Carefully hidden inside of the tall grass, Naegi peered out in shock and awe. A lone Tentacool and a lone Bellsprout sat, vine in tentacle, together staring at two hatchlings playing in a muddy puddle. They were ill-fated for each other, being Pokemon from separate egg groups that could never have children of their own naturally. Yet somehow, in this moment, it could almost feel as though everything was right.

“We can’t stay like this forever, you know.” Tentacool sighed sadly, watching the young jellyfish hatchling splashing about. “He needs open water to stretch his tentacles and survive.” It was a reality neither of the two wanted to truly face. They stared deeply into the other’s eyes for a second, then Bellsprout shoot her head firmly. “I don’t want to lose our family! Look…they’re like brother and sister over there. If we return…they’ll never get to be a family together!” Bellsprout cried, tears springing from the corners of her eyes. She pointed to the hatchling Bellsprout who used its root-like legs to kick at the water and splash the hatchling Tentacool playfully.

---

Current Posting Order: Caramell, Kito, Ashenphoenix, MPG, Jenesis.
Please allow 48 hrs before skipping over someone's turn to post. After which, all's fair in love and war.

Sorry for the wait! ^^ Hopefully with this conclusion, we can reunite everyone and conclude the story soon. It's been a lotta fun!

[Jenesis]

Boing could only bob up and down helplessly as Litten cried out in rage at the group. Her leaves drooped, and she could no longer maintain the cheerful energy she had been projecting up until this point. Perhaps Litten was right... perhaps even with a big group of friends gathered, nothing they could do would be able to help. She would agree to Naegi's plan to head into the woods, if only to get as far away from Litten as possible. At least Shockira and Sox, who stayed behind, weren't nearly as flammable as her little plant body. As she slowly floated away, out of the corner of her eye, she could see the two mammalian Pokemon struggling to clear wilted sprouts out of the earth.

As Naegi set about leaving literally no stone unturned, Boing looked to the canopy. She could see birds teaching their young ones to fly the nest, bugs spinning their coccoons, and squirrels stockpiling food for the long winter ahead. But nothing that looked like a wayward Water Pokemon hatchling. Finally, she would catch the scent of jasmine and honey drifting in on the wind. Following Naegi's lead, she silently whirred into a sheltered patch of grass surrounded by trees, where to her surprise, she saw not only a tiny Tentacool, but a baby Bellsprout playing alongside it.

"Are you two..."

The Bellsprout startled, turning around to look at Boing.

"We're not with the Bell Boys and Fleet Cool, if that's what you're wondering," Boing said, her arms outstretched in a gesture of peace. "But you two are... or were, weren't you?" They didn't need to say anything; she could tell from their crestfallen expressions all that needed to be said. What twist of fate would have led a jellyfish and a pitcher plant to run away together, would remain a mystery for the ages. What was clear, however, was that if what went wrong was to be set right, it would be up to the star-crossed pair to take the lead.

[Caramell 🍬]

t.

Small, bulbous feet not quite meant for a soothe gait stepped out from behind a thick viburnum shrub. It’s large, pedately lobed green leaves wrapped around the frog-like Pokemon’s short, thick legs and almost blended in with Naegi’s dark green markings on a soft green backdrop. His large, maroon eyes drooped, sadness clinging to their corners, as he stared at the two star-crossed lovers holding hands near the blissful hatchlings playing in the small bit of water.

“What…happened? Why aren’t you both with your groups?” Naegi tried his best to understand what happened to cause them to separate. The world around them erupted into the cheerful sounds of spring nearing its last reaches as summer slowly blended along the edges and overtook the landscape. Soon, autumn would come upon their shorelines, casting in a gentle cold to hint to the harsh winters ahead. Surely, this wouldn’t be good for any of them to remain like this for long?

“Our groups?” The ‘parent’ Bellsprout scoffed, raising herself up onto her roots to jump in front of the hatchlings. Several vines raised up like a fortress around them, protecting the young Tentacool and Bellsprout from Boing and Naegi. “They don’t understand our love! They think all there is and can ever be is hatred!” Bellsproud spat onto the ground, smashing one of her roots into the thick saliva-coated paste she’d created, and rubbed it into the dirt of the earth. “Our children would grow up away from each other, never to know their sibling, if we returned. Or perhaps…they would be taught to HATE their sibling!”

Tentacool arose, walking over in an odd gait on his many tentacles. He wrapped two around Bellsprout in a loving embrace and pulled her close to him. His heart was torn. As he glanced at the two young one playing in the water behind Bellsprout’s foretress, Tentacool knew that this wasn’t meant to last forever. But how could he give it all up now? How could he just walk away from the only Pokemon that ever truly knew him, loved him, and respected him the way Bellsprout did? Even if she was a plant? “They don’t understand us…” He sighed softly, a shake of his head.

“To answer you…” A careful cast to Boing, who spoke softly on the matter and seemed to offer peace. “Yes. I am part of Fleet Cool and my partner is part of Bell Boys.” A solemn glance cast to Bellsprout. A small scar adorned her large, bulbous yellow head. Tentacool raised a single tentacle up and rubbed the mark carefully as a tear drop clung to the corners of his eyes. “When we tried to speak to our tribes, we were both severely punished. We were told we don’t know anything. We’re too young, how could we know what love is? We’re not even part of the same Egg Group, how would that even work?”

Bellsprout sighed, turning to the only one that truly cared about her. She embraced him, wrapping her vines around his tentacles, allowing some of her plant-created walls to come down. A bed of spikes wrapped around the area that the two hatchlings played in, instead. It would provide a sharp and painful tripping hazard should Boing or Naegi try to sneak in and steal the hatchlings out of their makeshift playpens. “We know what real love is!” She screamed at the top of her lungs. All the pain she kept locked inside was unleashed in that scream, which sounded more like a howl. All the years of hurt she’d kept built up echoed through the wind, as it lashed out around them, ripping leaves off the strong branches of nearby trees to cast them haphazardly onto the ground below. “Just because we were young when we found each other! What do they know?! All they know is hatred!”

Naegi sighed, taking a step back. He glanced nervously to Boing, hoping she might have an idea on how to reunite the two and the newly hatched Pokemon back to their group. But they needed more than that. They needed the groups to cast their hatred aside, and to build a brighter future for everyone who lived in the area. Perhaps then, the grounds wouldn’t keep being tainted by the poisons the two Pokemon seeped out of their pores in their ageless battle against the other. “You would stay here…even if it meant hurting the young one?” He glanced over to the suffering, newly hatched Tentacool. “And keeping them both locked up and confined? This isn’t really a life either.” Naegi insisted.

“We’ll go with you. Protect and defend you. Right, Boing? And our friends… Shockira and Sox. I’m sure they wouldn’t stand for this, either. Your two groups don’t need to needlessly fight. We’ll prove that both hatchlings are ok and help convince them that you both can live alongside each other in peace and harmony. Would you be willing to let us lend you a hand and try to help both sides see that there’s a better way?” Naegi asked hopefully. His eyes clouded by the doubts cast in the back of his mind. What if they weren’t ok with this, and they were stuck at square one?

Bellsproud slowly relented, casting a glance towards Boing as well. “I don’t think you guys can help.” Tentacool gripped one of her vines a little tighter and straightened his posture. He nodded, eyes turning to the two hatchlings who were having the time of their lives playing in the puddle. “I think we have to try. If not for us… then for them. This… this isn’t all there is to life for us or for them. It just can’t be. We’re trapped here, afraid that anywhere else we go, we’ll be roped back into the wars of our forefathers.” Bellsprout stared into Tentacool’s eyes for some time, then slowly nodded. “If you’re both sure you don’t mind…and if it means there can be a brighter future for our young ones… sure.” She relented, with a sigh.

---

Current Posting Order: Caramell, Kito, Ashenphoenix, MPG, Jenesis.
Please allow 48 hrs before skipping over someone's turn to post. After which, all's fair in love and war.

A little long, but this should get us all wrapped up in the next post. ^^ Feel free to help the story come to a natural close (anyone) if you feel the muse. Bellsprout & Tentacool, along with their hatchlings, agree to return back to their groups so long as our troupe helps reunite the two families. <3

[Jenesis]

It was settled. Bellsprout withdrew the thorny barrier surrounding the two hatchlings, and the group would slowly make their way back over to the river. The Hoppip flew slightly above the group, her Flash occasionally pulsating to signal the group's approach to any onlookers. If they were to look in that direction, they would see a highly unusual sight: one of her arms grasping a Tentacool's stinger, the other wrapped in a Bellsprout's vine. Just below where she was hovering, the little hatchlings would approach, tentacle in leaf, clinging tightly to each other as if they couldn't bear to ever be separated.

They would travel past the garden, where Litten, Shockira, and Sox were still trying to rehabilitate what could possibly be saved of the plants, and onward to the river. The sounds of ongoing fighting grew louder as they approached. "ATTENTION!" Boing screeched at the top of her lungs, and it was one of the Bellsprouts who noticed her first. It whirled, a glob of acid just reaching the lip of its pitcher-head, but stopped short as it realized who was accompanying her. The Bellsprout let out a gasp of surprise and rushed off to tell the lead Victreebel. A high-pitched screech indicated that it had received the news, and not in a good way.

As the group approached the river bank, Naegi's vines out and ready to lash at anyone who might interrupt them, they finally came into the sight of Fleet Cool. One of the forward Tentacools shot out a tentacle, pointing frantically, and trying to gain the Tentacruel's attention. "Boss! I don't know how these interlopers did it, but-- they've rescued our hatchling!"

"WHAT?" The massive jellyfish Pokemon plowed forward through the river, raising up on its mass of tentacles to get a closer look. "That is indeed our hatchling, but-- what is THAT?" It strained its eyes to peer at the tiny Bellsprout whose leaf was gripped tightly in the tip of the Tentacool's arm. It glared at its wayward son. "Stop this foolishness and get back into the water. If you do that... we will forgive the land-dwellers, just this once!"

"Tentacruel! What is the meaning of this? What have you slime done to our hatchling?" the Victreebel shrilled.

Before they were about to fight again, Boing released a pulsing flash of light that caused both plant and jelly to shield their eyes. "Will you both knock it off for two seconds and LISTEN to them?" She smiled down at the pair. "Tell them. There's plenty of riverbank for you to both build your homes! Even if you can't live in the exact same place... your hatchlings can visit each other and play together whenever they want!"

The only matter was whether the warring clans would agree. Couldn't they see that there was plenty of territory for the both of them to live, feed, and even battle alongside each other? Or would their hatred be too much to reconcile?

Caramell 🍬 sorry for the wait! We can probably wrap it up next round.

[Caramell 🍬]

It was a difficult transition that caused Tentacool’s emotions to spiral wildly as the troupe traveled back to the two gangs. Bellsprout kept a firm grip on Tentacool’s tentacle with her leaf. Whenever he tugged a little too hard against her hold, she would lean her large, yellow, bulbous head against his in comfort. She whispered to him, soft nothings that promised a brighter tomorrow lingering just on the horizon. “How can you be sure?” Tentacool asked along the way, those Bellsprout wouldn’t indulge right away.

The trek back wasn’t particularly arduous, though it felt longer for some reason that Naegi couldn’t explain. They moved, quietly and quickly, pausing when they needed for the hatchling Pokémon to catch their breath or for the older Bellsprout and Tentacool to come to terms with what they were agreeing too. It wasn’t easy, as both would at times fight against Naegi and Boing while screaming at the top of their lungs about how being separated from each other would be a fate worse than death itself. Naegi sighed, pained by the pains he witnessed the two Pokémon endure by just the thought alone. “We won’t let that happen. Remember why you’re doing this.” He gestured to the small hatchlings silently.

Tentacool and Bellsprout nodded. Both would say in unison, “For them.” And so they continued, turning around the large bend in the trees where wild oaks slowly gave way to tall cypresses. A promise of wetter grounds were wetlands slowly intruded on wild forests. Land blended with sea, becoming a muddied mixture. Strange Pokemon loomed through this environment. Poisonous blue frogs with large eyes that popped over the surface of their muddied waters. Large catfish whose fins splashed against the water, sending large chunks to splash in every which direction. Still, Naegi persevered with Boing at his side.

Eventually, they rounded back past the gardens. Some heads shot up though Naegi paid no heed to them. One familiar black cat among the rest, eyes skeptical as they observed the troupe marching their way forward. “We’re almost there. Remember, we’re here with you. This is your lives we’re talking about. They won’t take what you have away so easily.” Naegi promised, trying to encourage the two star-struck lovers who walked leaf-in-tentacle all the way back to their respective groups. As soon as they arrived, news spread like wildfire bringing to life curious gazes from both leaders alike.

“They haven’t done anything. Neither of them!” Naegi pulled his vines away and raised them high, snapping them in the air in quick warning. It was amazing how the young hatchling himself seemingly grew so much in an entire day. Hadn’t he just wanted to escape the lab, worried that his trainer whom he’d yet to travel with might never truly show him the love and attention he craved, not that long ago? “Please, both of you… listen to them!” Naegi turned and nodded to the two star-struck lovers.

Tentacool stepped up, tentacles working like odd little feet on the ground that was ill-suited to host them. They longed for water. His clear body already wrinkled underneath the hot sun, hinting at the pain he endured to ensure the safety and sanctity of his love for Bellsprout and their adoptive children. “Tentacruel, please… I know you said it will never work, but I don’t care...” He hummed, his voice trembling. It was something other than fear. When Tentacruel raised a large, powerful tentacle to try and snatch the young Tentacool back in its watery home, it simply slapped his tentacle away. “No, listen!”

“We ran away because you were both suffocating us. All you care about is your land. Your rivalry. For as long as I can remember, you’ve never tried anything else. And what has that gotten us?” Tentacool raised one of his tentacles high into the air and gestured towards wild flora slowly dying off from the toxicity that seeped from their veins and into the world around them. It was a pitiful sight. So much death and destruction because of their hatred for one another. “There has to be a better way! I won’t forsake my love, even if we can never have hatchling of our own. Can’t you learn to respect that?!”

Bellsprout, in turn, popped up alongside her ‘mate’ and nodded her head firmly. When Victreebel hissed, insisting that she was being brainwashed, she used one of her vines to slap her leader across the face. “Mind your place, young one!” Victreebel reminded her, but she stood firm. “No, you mind yours! You’re supposed to be our wise and noble leader… but look at you! LOOK! You’re letting your hatred of Fleet Cool get to the best of you. It’s destroying our world around us!” Tears welled up in her eyes as she cast a glance to the leaves of wilted plants, curling tightly against their brown stalks. It was evident that some were too far gone to save, though there was still hope for the others. “Is this what you want for plant kind? THIS?! I LOVE Tentacool, and you’re never taking that away from me!”

Naegi stood like a beacon between the two, alongside Boing who remained a voice of reason in this storm. “Listen to them. Tentacool belong in the water. Bellsprout belong on land. If you both work together, you can save your world. Do it for them…” He gestured to the two small hatchling tagging alongside the older star-struck lovers, who already began playing in the muddy puddles by the riverside. They were happy and carefree. Oblivious to all the animosity that surrounded them. “We should all learn to be more like them, don’t you think?” Naegi insisted – pleaded – with Tentacruel and Victreebel.

Their eyes shifted to the two hatchlings nervously, a silent glare shared between them. They weren’t the best of friends and maybe never would be. But, as the silence wore on, carrying a strange wind of change, both slowly nodded. Quiet, observant. “Maybe you’re right.” Tentacruel hummed softly. He turned his attention to Victreebel folding two tentacles over each other like someone folding their arms over their chest. “What do you think? Hmm?” Victreebel sighed, eyes averted for several minutes. They felt like hours, as though time itself stood still while that large plant Pokemon deliberated on its choices. “…I… We… Well…” It huffed, shaking its head firmly. “This doesn’t make us friends! But… for our hatchling, we should learn to work together.” Victreebel finally agreed.

Naegi’s face brightened. He brimmed with hope; excitement that boiled underneath his chest. Thankfully. This worked! “Let’s hurry back to the others and tell them.” He insisted, eyes turned sharply to Boing before racing back up towards Litten’s gardens. The Bellsprout and Tentacool would remain, working alongside each other even if it was begrudgingly for some to clean up the mess they made in the process. Slowly, surely, the toxicity that seeped through the only water source for Litten’s garden would recede. Some of the plants brimmed with the new hope, their leaves slowly but surely returning back to their bright, green foliage once more.

“You guys did it! But…how?” She blinked in confusion. It was all so strange to her. What changed? “It’s a bit of a long story.” Naegi laughed. They would share the story with Litten, whose heart tugged at it as it studied the only remaining memory she worked too hard to preserve. Tears welled up in the corner of her eyes. Tears of joy, of relief. Tears for a brighter, happier tomorrow. Somehow, despite all the odds, this band of misfit Pokémon managed to help her even when she wouldn’t allow them the time of day to do so. She misjudged them, all because of her grief that kept her tethered here and her anguish at seeing her garden slowly wilt away. “I don’t think I can ever thank you enough, truthfully.” She sighed softly.

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Current Posting Order: Caramell, Kito, Ashenphoenix, MPG, Jenesis.
THREAD IS FINISHED!

Jenesis AshenPhoenix kito Snover if you have anything you want to add (IC) lemme know! Otherwise, I'll submit her for grading. <3

Fun Notes: Our story is 16,881 words long between all of us. <3

[Lamont]

My goodness! It warms my heart to hear of such heroics these days. My my, all this nonsense in the river. It's remarkable your little band was able to solve such a conflict!

Yes, quite an incredible feat. Just what we like to see with our own Trials! haha!

GRADING

2 Creative Stars

3 Teamwork Stars

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Naegi grew to Lv 6; he learned Vine Whip & Growth!
Shockira grew to Lv 10; she learned Thunder Shock!


Sox grew to Lv 6; he's trying to learn Fury Swipes. Forget an old move?


Boing grew to Lv 14!
She's trying to learn: Poison Powder, Stun Spore, Sleep Powder, and Bullet Seed.
Forget any old moves?


Unfortunately Cherry got lost very early on and missed out on most of the experience.
She grew to Lv 6!

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Litten's garden is on the mend with the underlying dangers hopefully resolved.
But she may not leave without ensuring the garden is truly safe now and will thrive.

Litten does not join anyone's trainer party immediately.

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After some time when Litten's tending is fulfilled with the garden safe and whatever life cycle concluded, she will seek out those that helped her (perhaps even her family having heard of such selfless pokemon). But the fierce cat(s) will not join without a demonstration that the trainer is as thoughtful as their pokemon from this story.


Caramell 🍬 , kito , AshenPhoenix , Jenesis
In your journey thread with the appropriate character (Zaiden, Trixie, Crow, Kito) you may prompt this encounter. Assist the mod running the encounter by giving some background around why Litten is there and what they are looking for in the trainer. The engagement must:

• Be a 1-on-1 battle
  
• Must not be against the pokemon in this story
  
• Your trainer must fulfill whatever initial requirements you set for why Litten is there
  

Litten's level will level match whoever is sent against it, up to a max of Lv12. Only level-up learnset.

Depending on the depth of the engagement, mods may award more beyond the ability to capture Litten.



Cherry unfortunately did not gain any trust or recognition from Litten.

[Jenesis]

Lamont Thank you for the grading!
Boing will forget Absorb and Tackle to learn Sleep Powder and Bullet Seed.

Taking care of this as we speak!
~ Caramell