Murder of Krows [Hills]

[AshenPhoenix]

Lv.1	Lv.1	Lv.2	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?
Husk	Plough	Vengeance	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?

    In the dead of the night, Crow stealthily made his way to the wilderness surrounding the institute. He may have ventured there without anyone's knowledge... or permission, really. He held little interest in the school itself; although the estate was impressive and the building had a stellar reputation online, Crow would sooner eat his own shoes than set foot in another classroom. Enduring formal education had burdened him with expectations so heavy they felt like they were breaking his back. The prospect of returning to classes brought up memories of sleepless nights spent solely on studying to appease live-in strangers, sending shivers down his spine.

    Studying wasn't his primary goal. It was much simpler: to capture a Murkrow. Rumors circulated that this location harbored wild Murkrows for students to observe and capture. Greed, his Honchkrow, had certainly left a huge mark on his heart, a fact he would hate to admit. His absence created a void Crow didn't quite know how to fill. Typhoon and Dart seemed loyal enough as Pokémon, but it... it just wasn't the same. Perhaps a new Honchkrow could remedy that. Moreover, the corvid evolutionary line happened to be his favorite.

    He proceeded to navigate the steep hills, weaving between trees. It posed a considerable challenge for him, given his frail stature and lack of muscle, but necessity kept him going. He was no stranger to overtime work to gain what he wanted, observing his surroundings carefully and listening to the sounds of wildlife, trying to discern Murkrow cries.

---

Bringing only 3 Pokémon from the party, Husk the Nido M, Plough the Swinub and Vengeance the Ekans, giving them Eviolite, EXP Share and Metronome respectively.

[Caramell 🍬]

Penumbra Hills teemed with life at every twist and turn, some human by design while most were animalistic in nature. Destruction bred the pathway forward through innovation. A long howl caterwauled deep within the wooded hillside, whose steep ledges climbed through thick entanglement of live oaks, sweeping vines, and bushy conifers. Some were easy to slash away without a second’s glance should one bring the right tools and acquire the right badge. Several sharp growls were heard in the dead of night, with a couple of shaggy black bodies surging past in the distance like bullets fired into the dark.

They chased after small purple rodents who squeaked loudly and darted through the tall emerald blades, whose hues were darkened to a strange, muddied silhouette under the moonlit night sky. One of the shaggy bodies snatched one of the rats up, tossed it in the air, then clenched down with a firm snap as it managed to catch its prey in midair. Only the strange, crunching noises of bone and muscle enlightened by the strange, painful squeaks of the once existent mouse carried the woeful tale of its untimely demise.

Another purple rodent crawled out from the tall grasses, exhausted and weary with large, pleading red eyes that only stared up at Crow hopeful to find his compassion and kindness on this starry night. A sharp breeze played in the background, rustling through the canopy of leaves and thick branches overhead like a strange apparition hinting at bad omens that lay waiting in the dead of night. “Help me chase down those hounds that kill my sister? Please? She was all I had!” Little squeaky squeaked its best squeaks to Crow, hoping somehow through its sorrowful gaze and soft tones, he’d understand and care enough to change history itself.

A Wild Rattata needs your help!

Lv 5 3. You wouldn't beat this lil one into a bloody pulp, now would you? After all it's been through?
Weather is GUSTING. Nuked the level a bit to be a little fair. It is usually +/- 5 xD

Shiny? Mfe3D__Bp_1-42

SPOILER: Click to show

Pokemon: (rare) p_1-10 (uncommon) p_1-3 (mon) p_1-2 (level) p_1-5

1-42·1-10·1-3·1-2·1-5

[AshenPhoenix]

Lv.1	Lv.1	Lv.2	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?
Husk	Plough	Vengeance	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?

Howls and the sounds of a chase definitely caught Crow's attention. He couldn't quite discern what or who through the deep darkness of the night, but he could at least see shadowy silhouettes in the distance. The trainer leaned against one of the bigger trees and observed; the unfortunate victims seemed to be simple Rattata, judging by their typical squeaks. He couldn't quite make out what was chasing them - maybe a gang of Poochyena? Or Houndour? Perhaps just particularly aggressive Zigzagoons? Regardless, the hunt was quite spectacular - one of the rats was thrown into the air and grabbed by unforgiving jaws, the sounds of snapping bones and agony filling the air!

A normal person would leave. An aggressive pack of dogs is just as dangerous to humans as it is to its prey. Not Crow, though; he was thrilled. Dogs tend to hunt in packs led by an alpha of some sort, the strongest of the lot. What a grand opportunity to capture it! Straying slightly from his original plan, he stepped towards the hunting grounds.

Before long, one of the chased Rattata came his way, exhausted and squeaking pitifully, possibly seeking help. He crouched before it, amused. At this moment, he could decide between life or brutal death. It was an everyday occurrence in nature that for once, he had control over—how thrilling! He leaned towards it, a cruel grin painted on his lips.

- Heh. Look at you. You may yet live another day. - he said, his words laced with fake pity. He wasn't sure if the wild rodent could understand a single word he said, but he didn't care either. - Arceus has plans for you. - He softly patted the Rattata on the head, then stood up and walked past it, towards the infuriated pack, while they were feeding on the other purple rat's body, playing with a Pokéball in his fingers.

- Alright, mutts. Whatcha got there? - he drawled as he drew closer, the shadowy silhouettes becoming more visible. - Who's the strongest of you lot?

He was ready to draw the ire of the entire pack.

---

When you get to play God for a minute

[Caramell 🍬]

The kind human provided Rattata with hope that caused its heart to swell inside of its chest. Large, red eyes stared up into Crow's own eyes. Rattata stood up on its hind legs and pressed its head against Crow's hand as he gently pet it and whistled loudly as its heart skipped a beat in excitement. "I've heard tales of humans who are so kind and thoughtful that they will help a Pokemon in need," Rattata spoke in a soft, shushed voice, "But I never quite believed it to be true until now. Thank you, kind human. May Arceus bless you a million times over!" It pressed its rodent Paws together in prayer.

Crow would find the trail of blood and bones, followed by broken stems and twigs littering the ground where the hounds rushed through the dense forest. It was a wild path, with many branches jutting out to ensnare soft, delicate flesh left open and available for easy access. Two large trees conjoined at the hips propped up in the way, causing Crow to immediately turn down a different path, though now the trail was growing thin. Many of the hounds howled into the night, their furious feet rushing fastidiously over the rough terrain and darting over short ledges in their way.

Crow would eventually find himself at a crossroad of choices in his pursuit of the wild, shaggy furred hounds. One veered up ahead along a semi-steep ledge. Crow could scale it with moderate effort, though the shortest point would come up to his chest with rocks jutting out along the way that seemed as though they might crumble underfoot. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary besides the screams of wild Pokemon up ahead. The second path veered off to the left with sharp twists and turns around bramble bushes and overgrown weeds full of sharp thorns. It would lead to a gently flowing creek, and its path was scattered with broken twigs and pushed down grass blades, as though something large enough to break them ran through. The third veered to the right along a dirt path that curled gently along a short slope on a sandy trail. Bits of fur and feathers littered the grounds.

Three Paths Lay Ahead!
⇦ ⇧ ⇨
Which Path will Crow choose?
And choose carefully. Pathways may change the path forward, leaving no option to retrace your steps!

SPOILER: Click to show

Mission:
* Find the pack that attacked Rattata and killed its sister
* Protect Rattata during the trip (cannot faint, no PSN / PARA)
Prize: ??

[AshenPhoenix]

Lv.1	Lv.1	Lv.2	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?
Husk	Plough	Vengeance	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?

    For a place intended for student traversal, it was oddly hazardous and delightfully macabre. With bits and pieces of prey scattered along the path, accompanied by wild howls, growls, and screams of terror and pain, it hardly exuded a "student-friendly" vibe. Yet, perhaps, such was the eerie beauty of the night at the school of dark types. Crow might even reconsider attending if this grisly scene was the everyday norm at the facility. Despite the gruesome surroundings, Crow's confidence remained steadfast; there was very little that frightened him, and a nighttime stroll in the woods among hunting Pokémon was not one of those things.

    Standing at the crossroads, the ex-Rocket huffed in frustration. Unwittingly, he had signed himself up for more of a journey than he had bargained for. All he wanted was to catch the biggest dog, damn it! And yet, they were making it needlessly difficult. Taking a cautious step forward, he tested the ledge by stomping on it. Initially, the beginning felt solid enough, but the further it extended, the less stable it appeared, and he couldn't discern what lay ahead. "Yeah, as if I needed to break my legs today." he thought to himself. Despite the tempting sounds emanating from the other side, he was not willing to take that risk.

    To the right, a trail of blood, fur, and feathers continued, clearly indicating where the dogs had gone. But the most intriguing path was to the left; something larger than a regular dog must have passed that way, and bigger meant more intriguing! The only obstacle was the treacherous weeds and thorns he would have to navigate to investigate further...

Well, curiosity and the lust for strength are potent drugs indeed.

    Crow pressed on down the winding path, carefully navigating between prickly undergrowth towards the creek. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't evade several sharp needles jabbing at his legs through his clothes, causing him to fling curses at the vegetation.

---

He chose left. I couldn't decide

[Caramell 🍬]

The leftmost pathway curved like a snake coiled up and hissing, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. It curled around a grove of old oak trees whose trunks were hollowed and broken in many places. The ground around the oaks sprung forth with tall wheatgrasses and cattails that stretched up towards the damaged, dying trees whose now scraggly branches no longer held the once green leaves that must have profusely decorated their branches once upon a time ago. Something called in the distance, begging Crow to continue this possibly fruitless endeavor.

Was it the loud bark of a hound, perhaps, and the very one he sought out to seek retribution for the unjust things they’d done to the wild Rattata’s family? The trail curved at sharp angles and through gnarled briar bushes at all odds and ends, cutting and scraping against the smallest bits of flesh or clothes they could manage to ensnare within their grasp. It opened up to a tiny clearing with a rock barely big enough to perch atop and rest. A gentle creek gurgled nearby, its refreshingly cool waters gently slapping against the shorelines in quiet protest.

Something else watched them, its tail poised high in the air as it rattled in alarm. Sharp eyes cut into tight slits studied its opponent as a forked tongue slipped from its lips, the gentle hiss slipping from its mouth in warning. The densely packed, dead scales vibrated at a loud volume as it shook its tail tip and glared. They were in its domain now, where only hunger seemed to gnaw away at its stomach in hushed alarm. “Ek. Kaaannns!” The snake shot out like a dart through the air, long fangs uncurling from its lips, with saliva dripping onto the ground below. Crow would scarcely have a moment’s chance to react before the snake would attempt to seize his leg, curling around it tightly, and bite down if he wasn’t quick enough.

Crow disturbed an Ekans!

Level 3 with EM Spite. What will Crow do?
Weather is Gusting. Shiny not rolled as this is part of the set-up for this route and not catchable.

[AshenPhoenix]

Lv.1	Lv.1	Lv.2	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?
Husk	Plough	Vengeance	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?

    Crow struggled his way through the relentless briars, his arms, legs, and even a small portion of his right cheek scratched raw by the thorns. Pushing through the stubborn weeds, he finally glimpsed the end of his ordeal - a clearing. Just a few more steps. In that moment, he regretted not bringing his Charmander to scorch the woods and spare himself the trouble. But here he was, driven by curiosity into this forbidden territory, searching for Murkrow and Arceus knows what else. Or perhaps to coerce Trojan back into his Rotom-Mow form.

    With one last angry tug, the ex-Rocket broke free from the thorns, though he looked as if he'd waged war and lost against an army of angry Meowths. He made his way to a rock near the sluggish brook, seating himself and assessing his condition; irritated scrapes itched fiercely, leading him to scratch his face now and then, unwittingly exacerbating the damage, his attire punctured in several places. He grumbled and cursed silently, his gaze only slightly annoyed as it flickered towards the tracks that had initially piqued his interest.

    Sitting by the water, he began to hear a sound reminiscent of maracas, growing faster and more aggressive. Must be an Ekans, he thought. He peered towards the source of the noise but saw nothing - the snake must have concealed itself well. The rattling intensified, indicating the snake was drawing nearer. He reached for a pokeball with painstaking slowness. "You want a piece of this, huh?" he taunted the Ekans inwardly, bracing for an imminent attack.

    Then, in a brief moment, the rattling ceased, and the angry serpent lunged from the bushes. In the same instant, Crow hurled the pokeball, aiming directly for its gaping mouth. As the device soared, it released the resident Pokémon within - a small, striped brown Swinub.
- Mud Shot! Use Mud Shot! - he commanded, attempting to evade the purple menace. Swinub, still groggy, sniffed around before unleashing a stream of muck towards the snake.

---

Crow sent out Plough!
Plough used Mud Shot!

[Caramell 🍬]

Sharp irises, a sea of golden hues, with thin black slits like pitfalls stared hungrily at the large human. The tail tipped with several flaked scales collected in a dried husk hissed their never-ending rattling, like sirens wailing in the distance. Long fangs glimmered under the low light trickling through the canopy, diluted poisons dripping slowly from their pointed tips. Though quick movement on the trainer’s part caused the serpent to miss its mark. A splash of murky liquids encased in thick clumps of ladened sands slammed against the side of Ekans’ face, knocking it temporarily off course.

The serpent landed on the ground and immediately slunk back off into the tall bushes once more. Though should Crow expect an easy retreat he would learn there would be none. The all too familiar rattling continued, livened by the sounds of loud hissing now emanating off Ekans’ tongue. A thick black cloud encircled Ekans, and in doing so it encircled the bush that the large snake hid in. Anger welled in the reptilian’s mind, boiling into a quiet rage ready to unleash itself upon the now suspecting prey whose quick movements wouldn’t save them for long. At least, that was the serpent’s plan.

The black cloud shot out from Ekans’ body and immediately swallowed Plough alive, eating away at his current understandings of his own move. The cat-like eyes of the slithery reptile widened in alarm, however, as the dark clouds seemingly vanished without a trace and left Plough relatively unharmed. Mud slammed against Ekans within seconds and caked to its scaley hide, causing the elongated serpent’s body to stall against the rugged foliage that scraped and clawed back in protest of Ekans trespassing through its domain. They would paayyy!

Wild Encounter

---

Weather: Gusting

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Ekans LV 3
HP 63% [10/16]

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

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

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Plough LV 1
HP 100% [12/12]

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

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

Ekans [Shed Skin]: Healthy [-1 Spd]
Plough [Snow Cloak] : Healthy

SP9 Ekans used Spite! It failed!
SP6 Plough used Mud Shot! Ekans Speed fell!

Ekan's Moves: Wrap, Leer, Spite ^EM

SPOILER: Click to show

Ekan's Attack: (move) 0AupDbGpp_1-3
Plough's Mud Shot: (95% acc) p_1-100 (crit) p_1-16 (strength) p_1-16

1-3·1-100·1-16·1-16

[AshenPhoenix]

Lv.1	Lv.1	Lv.2	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?
Husk	Plough	Vengeance	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?

    Crow watched as the Ekans slithered away into the bushes, covered in dirt shot by Swinub.

    - Yeah, you run away! Dumb[beep] snake. - he grumbled, reaching for Plough's Poké Ball to recall it. But before he could do so, a dark cloud enveloped the vegetation where the Ekans had fled. Crow raised his eyebrows; now, that was intriguing. Whatever that attack was, it couldn't be a standard Ekans move, at least not to his knowledge. His fingers itched to grab an empty Poké Ball and catch it... oh right, he already had an Ekans. A stupid, disappointing Pokémon that had done nothing thus far but let him down. He didn't need another one of those.

    The cloud moved towards Swinub and engulfed it like a particularly noxious fart, and just as quickly, it dissipated, leaving Plough and Crow utterly confused. It seemed to have no effect on Swinub at all? At least, nothing immediate. Even Swinub seemed unsure, tilting its head in confusion.

    - Uh... Mud Shot. Again. I guess. - Crow ordered hesitantly, scratching his face and causing himself even more irritation where the thorns had scraped him.

---

Using Running Shoes!
Plough used Mud Shot twice!

[Caramell 🍬]

Cat-like slits stared coldly at the small pig. It was warm-blooded despite its icy cold nature, making tracking easy by the snake’s heat pits that lined either side of its face. Ekans lowered its head and slipped a small, forked tongue out from between its two scaley lips, tasting the air quietly. It coiled, aiming at its target carefully as the black cloud began to wrap around its body once more, preparing for the attack. Plough was quick, slinging more mud at the wild serpent, causing bits to get caught between its scales. In relatiation, it sent the large cloud at Plough, which dug into Plough’s last used move and cut its effects in half.

Hisss!

Anger enraged the wild serpent. They were meals! Tasty little snacks meant to have their lifeforce squeezed out of them so that it could unhinge its jaw and slowly swallow them whole. But this small piglet was making that more than difficult, by keeping out of the way and shooting large piles of mud in Ekans’ direction. Words were cursed from the shaggy mammal’s mouth, words that were largely useless to a creature fueled by instincts and who lived a life largely left in solitude. Only the loud hissing and near-constantly rattling would remain a response to Plough’s words.

Then it shot out like a dart from the thick bush, slamming into Plough’s side and curling around the small piglet with all its strength. It coiled around Plough, thick muscles squeezing as hard as they could on their prey despite the mud and gunk clogging up most of its scales. It was a slippery surface for Plough, but nothing that the wild Ekans couldn’t persevere through. “Fooood! Yuuummmm!” Ekans hissed in delight, globs of drool pooling from its lips.

Wild Encounter

---

Weather: Gusting

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Ekans LV 3
HP 8% [1/16]

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

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

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Plough LV 1
HP 67% [8/12]

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

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

Ekans [Shed Skin]: Healthy [-3 Spd]
Plough [Snow Cloak] : Wrapped [1/5]

SP6 Plough used Mud Shot! Ekans Speed fell!
SP4 Ekans used Spite! Plough's move will be less effective next round!

SP6 Plough used Mud Shot! It was 50% less effective than before!
SP3 Ekans used Wrap! Plough has been wrapped!
Plough is hurt by being wrapped! (-2 HP)

Ekan's Moves: Wrap, Leer, Spite ^EM

SPOILER: Click to show

Ekan's Attack: (move) l3uFQ|6pp_1-3
Plough's Mud Shot: (95% acc) p_1-100 (crit) p_1-16 (strength) p_1-16
Who goes? p_1-2

Plough's Mud Shot: (95% acc) p_1-100 (crit) p_1-16 (strength) p_1-16
Ekan's Attack: Wrap! (90% acc) p_1-100 (crit) p_1-16 (strength) p_1-16 (turns) p_4-5

1-3·1-100·1-16·1-16·1-2·1-100·1-16·1-16·1-3·1-100·1-16·1-16·4-5

[AshenPhoenix]

Lv.1	Lv.1	Lv.2	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?
Husk	Plough	Vengeance	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?

    Plough couldn't react fast enough to the serpent's swift moves, despite being significantly handicapped by the dirt covering it. The Ekans coiled around its small body without any issues, given that Swinub's anatomy is rather simple. His only defence was his thick body and dense fur, making constricting him to breathlessness a tough job. Plough did whatever he could to escape, mostly helplessly waving his small paws around, unable to reach the purple Pokémon's body and trying to wiggle himself out of its strong hold, accompanied by pig-like grunting noises.

    The Ekans gazed hungrily at Plough, hissing and drooling over him, in its endless hubris not noticing that the Swinub was not afraid at all. Inconvenienced? Yes. Annoyed? Most certainly. Afraid? Not at all, as long as Ekans struggled to seriously hurt him. Plough paused his movements, looking the snake dead in its cat-like eyes, and grunted out a single word in reply:

- "No."

    Taking the deepest breath possible, Swinub forcefully spat mud in Ekans' face, only made more powerful by the Wrap; it was effectively squeezing dirt into its own face out of the furry piglet. He kept going for as long as his lungs allowed, hopefully ruining the snake's appetite for a cold snack.

    - That's right, eat filth! - Crow cheered on his Pokémon with smugness written all over his face. He was satisfied with Plough's performance - another successful catch! And about time they continued on their questionable journey!

---

Plough used Mud Shot for the last time, hopefully!

When you are saved by being smol and rotund

[Caramell 🍬]

Thick bands of musculature mass tightened their grip, squeezing tighter with every breath. Sharp eyes stayed trained on the target. Plough struggled, his little feet kicking and squirming to break away from Ekans’ long, winding body. It was a temporary impossibility. The strange smile fixed firmly on Ekans’ lips never wavered, the saliva pooling from its lips seeming to increase as he hungrily clung onto Plough. Dinner was almost served!

Plough spat in Ekan’s face, causing the snake to reel back and release the small piglet. Food dropped, Ekans hissed loudly and whacked its rattle against thick shrubs in warning. They were intruders who needed to pay! Panic set in as Ekans writhed on the ground, unable to shake muck clinging to its scales. It tried to wrap around Plough again, though the small piglet would easily shrug free and slam the wild serpent with his attack repeatedly, until he managed to chase Ekans off completely.

A strange call echoed from deeper within the forest. Beckoning Crow onwards. There was the matter of a small purple rodent, whose wide red eyes stared up hopefully towards its newfound hero. Would he keep to his word and stretch on through the vast expanse of the forest in the hunt for these illusive canines that must lurk somewhere within the thick overgrowth? Would Crow keep his word to little Rattata so that its fallen comrade could be avenged?

---

SUCCESS!!


Plough gained 3 levels.
Plough increased to Level 4!

SPOILER: Click to show

Mission:
* Find the pack that attacked Rattata and killed its sister
* Protect Rattata during the trip (cannot faint, no PSN / PARA)
Prize: ??

Notes: Quest Details
- Chose one incorrect path. Temporarily derailed.
--> Ran into Ekans. Defeated
- Offered to continue or quit quest.

[AshenPhoenix]

Lv.1	Lv.4	Lv.2	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?
Husk	Plough	Vengeance	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?

Crow chuckled lowly as he recalled Plough back into his Pokeball. A small victory against a wild Pokemon, but it still brought a rush of dopamine. It intrigued him that this Ekans knew a move that wasn't normally in its moveset. Perhaps the Mizuma Education Centre invested in high-quality Pokemon to roam their woods. If so, catching whatever he was following should prove interesting.

He heard something rustling in the grass. Jumping back, he prepared to send out another Pokeball for battle, but it was just the Rattata he had saved earlier. Truthfully, he had forgotten about it the moment he moved forward.

- What else do you want? - he asked, annoyance evident in his voice. - Don't you have a home to go back to or something? I let you live and leave, and you're still following? Are you dumb? - he continued, growing slightly worked up. Whether it was due to the rat's presence or the infuriating itching from the brambles was anyone's guess. - Of course you are. You're just a rat. - he mumbled, answering his own question and turning back to the path.

Crow crossed the flowing stream, stepping through the shallowest points, and pressed forward. Something called to him from within the forest flora, at the same time, as woods were becoming more dense and claustrophobic, his fear response started firing - what if Ursaring roamed the- No! In the back of his mind, he knew that was ridiculous, Ursarings were not said to be anywhere near the area, yet something irrational kept pushing it to the forefront of his thoughts. The green Ursaring, its rage, the speed, the strength... no, no. There are no Ursaring. He needed to keep his eyes on the prize... whatever it might be. His breathing became slightly more erratic, yet he maintained a stone-cold expression as he moved ahead.

---

Taking the EXP Share off Plough
SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT

[Caramell 🍬]

The forested landscape pressed on in a maze of tangled vines and bramble bushes all wanting to stake a small piece of Crow’s flesh for themselves. They were angry plants and though rationally they shouldn’t be able to move, it seemed with every slight step too close to one or the other, Crow would feel a small scratch against his flesh that could easily break skin if he wasn’t careful. Perhaps this would get the hotheaded young team rocket hopeful to slow down and think carefully, to avoid the worst that the forested area had to offer? Perhaps, there was a reason Crow felt so aligned to criminality, instead?

The stretch would lead Crow quite literally to a dead end. A large ledge the size of himself stacked on top of himself would stand as a posing force in front of the rocket hopeful. There remained a couple of options if he wanted to press onwards, each with their associated risks. Sounds called All around him – loud hisses and powerful squeaks that paled in comparison to the backdrop of howling carrying itself over the steep ledge, as though goading the rocket hopeful on to try his best to scale its steep ledges. Would he, though, incur such dangerous risks?

Should he search around the whole of the ledge he would notice small footstones carved along their base, leading off to the right and towards an outcropping far up on the side where a small tunnel was dug out, possibly protecting any number of Pokemon that might call it home. Before him in the center remained a long, green vine that he could use to help him pull himself up and climb over the edge. And near the other side was a tree taller than the ledge, that Crow might shimmy up.

Each would have their associated chance of success, with the worn out footstones providing the best odds (60%) and an unknown friend that might block the path still, the tree providing a medium odds chance (40%), though it was completely unknown if it was inhabited, and the vine providing the weakest chance (20%) and virtually no other signs of danger on the other side.

What will Crow Do?

Climb via [Vine], [Tree], or [Footstones]?

SPOILER: Click to show

Mission:
* Find the pack that attacked Rattata and killed its sister
* Protect Rattata during the trip (cannot faint, no PSN / PARA)
Prize: ??

Notes: Quest Details
- Chose one incorrect path. Temporarily derailed.
--> Ran into Ekans. Defeated
- Offered to continue or quit quest.

[AshenPhoenix]

Lv.1	Lv.4	Lv.2	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?
Husk	Plough	Vengeance	? ? ?	? ? ?	? ? ?

Crow was growing tired of the peculiar sidequest he had embarked upon, which was, frankly, not what he had planned to do. A flicker of hope still shone in his mind that perhaps all of this would end with him leaving this oddly perilous journey with either a strong Murkrow in his hands or some other powerful Pokémon that the Education Centre had no idea about. The realist in him knew it was possibly the biggest waste of time he had engaged in since attempting to sweet-talk a Team Magma admin into leaving his Team Rocket flock alone.

Regardless, the night was young, and he had plenty of time to do as he pleased. He forcefully pushed past brambles, completely ignoring the thorns digging into his skin and leaving irritating red marks all over his body. He felt there was no point in being careful, as the prickly vines were far too thick; he would rather pass through them quickly than move slowly and risk even worse cuts.

On the other side of the spicy greenery, Crow approached what seemed to be a dead end. He gazed all around him - the ledge appeared to be at least twice his height. He stepped back and attempted to run up it to climb, but that proved far beyond his strength and ability. "Great, all that for nothing. Figures." he sighed, placing his hands on his sides and contemplating how to proceed. Going through the brambles would be mighty annoying, so turning back wasn't an option. He scanned the area around the ledge and noticed some protruding stones that could be used as stepping stones. Tempting, sure, but far too dangerous for his taste, even if the height wasn't particularly great. One weak rock away from smashing his skull falling.

The next option was climbing the vines up the ledge, which presented the same danger as the stones - they could snap, and a concussion was guaranteed. There was also a tree, with branches reaching over the ledge. That was the ticket! He knew how to climb trees without killing himself! Crow cracked his knuckles in preparation, then began climbing the tree by grabbing the lowest branch and pulling himself up, repeating the process in hopes of reaching his destination... whatever it might be.

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Picking the tree option and crossing my fingers