Ethereal Lake

[Caramell 🍬]

 
MISHU MIZUMA
Dark Type Trainer •
Education / Science

Mishu followed her wild panda through the densely packed forest. The ground seemed to sweep away from the towering trees that fought each other for domain and every inch of retail space. As they thinned out small trails of wild flora that shot up with thick vines and bright green leaves, as well as tall blades of grasses that clamored over four feet high, swelled in their wake. Mishu paused and stared in amazement at the cattails that wavered in the gentle breeze and brushed against bristly horsetails and scouring rushes. It was beautiful and awe-inspiring.

Kumaneko froze in the center of her path and just past her Mishu could see a large lake that swelled around most of the area. Several cypresses popped up along the lake with their large roots curling just above the water’s edge to leap back below its surface. Some willows populated the land near the lake, leaving little space between themselves and the shoreline that ran around the lake. Kumaneko stared, wide eyed, and growled menacingly underneath her throat as she stared at some known and unforeseen beastly creature in the distance.

“Kumaneko, what’s wrong girl?” Mishu walked over to her small bear as Ika floated along her side. She knelt down and placed a gentle hand on Kumaneko’s shoulder, careful of last time when her bear had rejected her advances to offer comfort. Kumaneko was strong willed and determined, with the heart of a true fighter that never seemed to burn out. Mishu would do all that she could to understand this, though parts of it seemed just wreckless to say the least. “Are you remembering what might have chased you out of your old habitat?” She asked her small cub, bright amber eyes glued on the back of Kumaneko’s head.

The small cub kept her paws placed firmly at her sides and curled her claws into tight fists that she was careful not to cut herself with. Her eyes narrowed down suspiciously in the distance as a small growl rumbled through her throat. Those ghastly apparitions moved in, encroaching slowly but surely through the heart of Ilex, and spilling over to any nearby route to take their hold. They fought against them in vain, having little effect on spirits from other realms who refused to release their hold on the world around them. “Yes. And they need to pay for the damage they’ve caused.” Kumaneko fumed, growling as her lips curled back in a vicious snarl.

Mishu sighed with a frown and stared out across the lake for a second with a curious hum. Though she couldn’t readily see what her cub saw, she had to wonder what was burning inside of Kumaneko’s head that caused such heated animosity to bubble up to the surface. There wasn’t anything there, that Mishu could see at least, to warrant such behavior? “Is the lake water poisoned? Did you rely on this for your thirst and had to leave to search for cleaner water?” Maybe it provided the water for the plants around them, through small streaks and babbling creaks that might run from its edge throughout Ilex? If it was poisoned or tainted and provided the water for the wild berries that grew inside of Ilex, then that might make sense why her bear went searching in the nearby city instead.

But something else caught Mishu’s attention instead, causing her eyes to widen in alarm as she noticed a small brachiosaurus laying on the ground a few paces away, shivering in a fetal position. She rushed over to the small creature and placed a hand on its body, carefully checking its temperature and relative pulse. It was alive, at least for now. But its body seemed to burn and ache uncontrollably and unnaturally, even if Mishu wasn’t as well versed with plant based Pokemon as she was with Dark Types. In a rush, she opened her backpack and rummaged through it to pull out a small yellow vial of full heal. “You poor thing! Hold still, please. Hopefully I’m not too late.” Mishu mumbled underneath her breath, having no initial way to know that her Full Heal wouldn’t work.

Set at Day

WORD COUNT: 700 words
OOC: Coming from Majestic Grove. Starting Forest's Blessing please! Kumaneko forgets Circle Throw and learns Low Sweep.

^{Mishu | Ziggy | Wanigara | Sakka | Yōsei | Ika | Kumaneko}

[Tiki]

"Miiiishuuuu......." A soft voice called out from the lake to get her attention.

"Miishuu......."

The voice seemed closer.

"Miishuu, stop!"

If Mishu hadn't turned around by now, she'll definitely hear and see a young teenage aged girl seemingly walking from the water. The moonlight's brilliance illuminated her spectral appearance. With light-blue and flowing hairs, piercingly gazing eyes that zoned in on the human and nothing else, and a pale white dress that didn't seem to be wet, the source of the whispering voice approached the educator and ominously began to speak again.

"This Chikorita was cursed, your medicine wouldn't do any help. Listen to me carefully, we don't have much time to lift the curse before the Chikorita would be done for." Only her mouth moved as she kept the gaze toward the trainer. "The forest guardian in the shrine had been sealed by evilest spirit of them all, and only it can heal the Chikorita. The culprit's minions are haunting and watching other parts of the forest, please vanquish them to force the evilest spirit out!"

She pointed one hand toward a path to other parts of the forest, while still looking at Mishu. "These spirits were evil men who had seek to destroy the forest, and now their spiteful spirits lived on to inflict harm and anguish. Take the Chikorita and defeat them, then face the final spirit and lift the curse. Celebi, the forest guardian, awaits your assistance!"

[Caramell 🍬]

 
MISHU MIZUMA
Dark Type Trainer •
Education / Science

Mishu ignored the voice at first. Whether it was another person who wanted to help or something else entirely, she had more pressing matters to attend to. “Whoever you are, it will have to wait. This poor creature may not make it if I do not help.” She called over her shoulders, propping Chikorita’s head up on a bundle of cloth she’d pulled out of her bag and rolled up into a makeshift pillow. She was worried. Fearful. Even if this might have just been the way of nature and not because of some man-made or other harmful reason, Mishu couldn’t sit idly by and let anything happen to the small Chikorita. But the strange, eerie voice that called from behind her insisted, calling louder and louder each time.

When Mishu glanced up, she noticed an apparition that bore the image of a small child. The child had pale blue hair so light it was nearly white with translucent skin you could see right through. She wore a long, white piece of cloth which was possibly a dress. As she walked through the waters, floating past cattails and horsetails that swept around the lake’s edges, Mishu’s mouth fell open in sheer shock. Was this a…ghost?! She’d never met one until now and could hardly believe that they were real. “Are you dead?” She asked dumbfounded, more out of shock than anything else. Then, “Is it dead?” Mishu asked, gesturing towards Chikorita.

The spirit spoke, explaining how her medicines couldn’t help Chikorita no matter how hard she tried. Her eyes swelled and puffed a bit as small droplets of water formed at their corners. Mishu gently pulled out a small piece of cloth from her pocket and gently tapped them away. She shouldn’t be so affected by the possibility that Chikorita had already passed but given the moment and all the efforts she’d made, just to be told they were in vain…they tore at her heart and made her emotions spin in different directions.

“Evil spirits?” Mishu clamored, grasping at straws as she tried to understand. “Track them down? Throughout the entire forest?” She pondered over it as she studied the small plant Pokemon. It wasn’t too late but soon it would be. What should she do? Would she be able to find Celebi in time and help heal Chikorita before it succumbed to the poisons inside of its veins? “I’ll try my best.” Mishu admitted, gathering Chikorita carefully in her arms to carry her off to the forest’s shrine, hoping she could move swiftly and fast enough to get her there in time.

Set at Day

WORD COUNT: 439 words
OOC: Moving to Cypress Rest!

^{Mishu | Ziggy | Wanigara | Sakka | Yōsei | Ika | Kumaneko}

[Tiki]

Coming from Majestic Grove
Putting cleanse tag back on Alex so I can get one for penelope
Put shell bell on Deerling and Skiddo for now
Swapping Diggersby for Chingling and put Soothe Bell
Naming chingling 🔔
(If I can ?)
Start quest

WE GOT BELLS EVERYWHERE

Penelope exited the forest... the forest's boundary to see a lake in the middle of a forest. Even though it was raining hard and blurring the vision, she could tell that the trees surrounded the lake entirely. She was going to turn around and head back into the forest, as she saw nothing there initially. However, Narctar and Grunch noticed a sick Chikorita laying on its side. It was whimpering in pain intelligibly.

The two grass type looked over the other grass type sympathetically, and tried to cover the rain with their bodies. Penelope walked over and scooped up the little one, using her jacket's sleeves to try to cover the rain

OOC:
I dont even remember if I made my characters put on jacket but here we are...

[Rexman]

Thunder boomed as the Thunderstorm continued on, with no reprieve in sight. Despite their best efforts, the two grass Pokemon and the female trainer could not protect the sick Chikorita, the small Pokemon wiggling in its discomfort. After all, even if you were very sick, a random stranger picking you up is not something to encourage good feelings. 

The Chikorita resisted a bit more until it seemed to go slightly limp, before a soft voice spoke. 

"Penelope.....there is but one way to help the young one..... 
If she didn't know any better, the words were spoken as if the individual was standing beside her, looking over her shoulder. It wasn't to be though, as a flash of lightening showed no one in the vicinity. 

However, if her Pokemon were paying attention, they would see the spectral form of a teenager by the water's edge. Whether they tried to get her attention or not, the ghost of the girl would continue speaking, not needed to change her volume over the crashing of thunder in the distance.

"You can't solve this Pokemon's problem. However, there is a way to help it. Deep in the forest, the Guardian's Shrine has the power to heal. The journey is not easy and is wraught with danger, especially there are restless spirits in these woods. Evil, angry spirits lurk in the various sections of the forest, waiting to exact their revenge on those that have done them wrong. Do this....and save it's life," the spirit said, before seemingly fading away in the torrent of rain. 

No time for follow-up questions, no more explanations.
Would Penelope take on the challenge? Hopefully she was ready. 

[Tiki]

Someone was speaking to her directly, and it was too dark out that Penelope was spooked for a long moment. She turned her head around and saw no one. However, when she turned around, a very convenient flash of lightning flickered and showed a girl standing in front of her. She was pale with long hairs and definitely looked spectral. They exchanged gaze briefly, but the ghost girl then resumed talking ominously.

She lifted up a hand to pat the pour Chikorita, and after hearing that this was a problem involving supernatural, Penelope gathered her resolve to smite some spirits. She got up from where she kneeled when she scooped up the Chikorita, and headed to look for these apparitions to lift some curse.

Going to Cypress Rest

[Pixel]

They had all been traveling a while. Ever since entering the forest, Silas never stopped to properly rest his feet. And finally, after putting enough distance between himself and that shrine, he felt a little less like his skin would crawl off.

He moved to the edge of the lake and sat down on a nearby log, just trying to clear his mind and rest for a moment. Mercenary settled beside him and Syn landed nearby. The bird was fixated on the lake.

"Ah, yes, the water is shiny," Silas mumbled as he pulled out a snack from his bag and began to munch on some travel rations. He curled his toes inside his shoes, tempted to kick them off and cool his feet in the water, but it was too cold for such things. He could see his breath clouding around him like a thin fog as he sat there. If he got his toes wet, they'd surely freeze off in this weather, regardless of the aching.

Silas then began to rub his temples, trying to sooth the budding tension headache that plagued him. He'd move on soon. Just once his head stopped throbbing.

—

Word Count: 200 | OOC: 

Waiting to start the Forest's Blessing quest.

Syndicate HP [ 85/89 ]

Coming from the Majestic Grove.

[Venominon]

Comin' in from the Majestic Grove

As the location known as Ethereal Lake came into view, the ominous feelings that had been plaguing Shinya seemed to have finally disappeared for the time being. Shinya didn't understand why that was, but he didn't care. He was just happy to be rid of whatever it was. That being said, there were a few presences that continued to linger close to him, as Shinya noticed Silas and his two Pokemon taking a break once they reached the edge of the body of water. Although he could've kept going all on his own, Shinya shrugged his shoulders after giving it some thought, deciding that a little down time might actually do him some good as well. So, Shinya approached the edge of the lake himself, but chose to remain standing.

The Bug type specialist then looked down, bent over, grabbed some flat rocks off the ground, and stood back up, proceeding to skip the rocks over the water's surface. After skipping five rocks four times each, Shinya glanced at Silas and his Houndoom, making the decision to initiate a conversation himself this time. "Takin' a break there, suit? That's cool, I guess. I don't know 'bout you, but it feels like this forest is tryin' to suck the life outta me or somethin'. Ya feelin' me? I know it sounds weird, but I could tell that ya felt it too back at that creepy shrine." Shinya questioned Silas and gave him some comments of his own, continuing to skip rocks over the surface of Ethereal Lake. Of course, Shinya mentally hoped that it was just his imagination, but still prepared himself for a fight if these feelings persisted during the remainder of his time in this Arceus forsaken forest.

OOC: Staying put and waiting for the start of the Forest Blessing side quest as well.

[Tiki]

Deeper in the Ilex Forest, both Shinya and Silas would feel a strange chill running up and down their spine, and this wasn't because of the cooling weather that covered the area either. The dark and thick clouds blanketed the sky, readied to send down frozen water nuggets down for unsuspecting customers. A soft but chilly wind drifted from the lake, reminding everyone that winter is here.

In addition, they could now hear voices from the lake. "Liisstten....." The mysterious but calm voice echoed from the lake. In the quietest moment, a sound of something came out of the water as dripping sound can be heard even from the dryland where the two were standing. The clouds shifted and revealed a bright and round moonlight, shining some light in the dreary wintry atmosphere and the forest. Out of the water, a figure with light blue hair appeared, and revealed itself to be looking like a young girl. Although the strange being appeared from beneath the water, it looked dry. Even if Shinya resumed skipping rocks, it looked as if the rocks phased through it, and the strange being wasn't bothered by the pebbles at all.

"Shiinyaa...." She hummed without moving her head or eyes.

"Siillass..." She called without changing her expression.

Two Lotad gently swam ashore and stood in front of them, each carrying a Chikorita that was writhing and mumbling in pain. The pure grass type looked unconscious, with eyes closed, but at the same time twitching and groaning in pain. "Chiko..." The poor grass type winced in pain.

"These Chirkoritas were cursed by a terrible evil lurking in the forest." She began talking, as the Lotads bent their head down to drop off the Chikoritas before disappearing into the lake. "Please help them to end this horrible curse! Defeat the evil spirit's minions and grab the purifying tag lurking in the forest, and then go to Forest Shrine to release the sealed Celebi, who can lift the curses on these Chikorita! Please hurry! The fate of the Chikorita and Celebi rest in your hands!"

Without any other humans in this part of the forest, the lake spirit only had to rely on these two trainers for their help. The suffering grass types twitched again, like they were in a nightmare that they couldn't wake from.

ooc:
i prob can only claim 1 point for this
Pixel Venominon

[Pixel]

Ah, the punk had kept up with him and was now skipping rocks on the water. He let out a sigh through his nose and kept petting Mercenary, who turned her head to watch Shinya in that unsettling manner of a predator looking for prey. An odd companion for a Suit, but Shinya had pinned him as trouble of some kind. 

"Yes, that shrine was...unsettling. I had dismissed it as merely...my unfamiliarity with traversing wooded areas. Perhaps there is a hostile pokemon in that area and it did not appreciate us in its territory?' he suggested lightly. Silas continued staring out over the lake, well aware he needed to get up and keep moving. "It is easier to breathe here."

It was about then that he heard the odd whisper and he was on his feet in an instant, looking around. Then a figure appeared on the lake. A young girl with blue hair and a plea. 

To...

Help these sick chickorita's?

Who were cursed by a terrible spirit?

A chill ran down his back.

"..." he glanced at Shinya. "Is it...do you think the shrine actually...?" Was haunted by the spirit and that was what made them feel so drained and creeped out? Back to the girl and the sick pokemon. He knelt to look at the ill grass types. While he was't one to martyr himself by any means, he also had a feeling that even if he turned down this 'quest' that things might go poorly for him. Best to banish this spirit before it decided to latch onto him! "Very well. I will do what I can." It also wouldn't hurt to see if celebi was actually real. Perhaps he could...take advantage of knowing its location.

He picked up one of the chickoritas.

"It seems we have a quest, Shinya. Onwards, then...to defeat these...evil spirits."

And off Silas went, fueled not by good intentions, but self-preservation.

—

Word Count: 200 | OOC: 

Moving to Cypress Rest

Decided I'd rather have ekans rather than mankey in my party. So swapped that around.

Syndicate HP [ 85/89 ]

Going to Cypress Rest.

[Venominon]

The chills in the air were something Shinya could tolerate and ignore, but the predatory stares of the large, fire breathing canine were another matter. They easily overshadowed the possible spirits floating around them, and even with his back turned towards Mercenary, he could still feel those eyes on him, watching his every move. Of course, the Team Skull grunt wasn't afraid, having faced down plenty of dangerous Pokemon in his lifetime, but they were still more than a little concerning, to say the least. So, after skipping the final stone he had in his hands, he slowly turned his head to glance at Silas and Mercenary, still able to keep his cool as he spoke to the pair. "Wouldn't surprise me. We've got more than our share of "sacred" landmarks with hostile Pokemon watchin' over 'em. I don't know who builds this stuff, but if this is some kinda joke, I sure as heck ain't laughin'."

The Alolan trainer spoke in a mildly sarcastic tone of voice, having always been the kind of person who scoffs at tradition, sanctity, and the like. But that stopped as soon as he opened his mouth to speak once again, focusing his gaze on Mercenary at that point. "Also, mind tellin' your guard dog to stop lookin' at me like I'm some kinda malasada with legs? Seriously, take it easy, puppy." Shinya said that last part to Mercenary herself, shooting his own predatory stare right back at her and slowly reaching for a Pokeball from his bag, just in case the Dark Pokemon decided to try having a go at him. However, before any fighting broke out, Shinya also heard the same whispers that Silas was hearing, looking all around in a similar fashion right away. "Who's there?! Show yourself!"

Shinya's demands did not go unanswered, as he turned his eyes towards the lake just in time to witness something that shocked even him to his core. At first, he thought that he was merely seeing things, but after hearing this spectral female say his name, Shinya's eyes grew more than a little wide. "...How do ya know my name?! Who are ya?!" The Bug type trainer continued to make demands, but then watched in silence as a pair of Lotads came ashore, presenting two very sick-looking Chikoritas to the two male trainers. Shinya took a moment to look down at the two Leaf Pokemon, before instantly looking at the floating female as soon as he heard her speak to them again, listening to what she had to say and finding it all to be rather odd. But the thing that stuck out to him the most was the possibility that Celebi itself might've actually been living in that very forest somewhere close by.

Naturally, the green-haired trainer was overloading with questions, but the lake spirit disappeared before he could ask even one, leaving Shinya and Silas to figure the rest out on their own. That is, if either of them chose to do so. Once again, Shinya glanced at Silas and listened to his words, taking a moment to think before offering up his own two cents on the matter. "Well...like I said, I've seen this kinda stuff before, but this one feels...just straight up evil." Granted, Shinya didn't have a lot of room to talk in that regard, and he knew it, but the more he looked down at the sick Chikoritas, the more he felt compelled to do something to ease their pain. Shinya didn't know it at that moment, but the things he was feeling at that very moment were Tapu Bulu's power, compelling him to help any and all sick Pokemon in need.

Not only that, but without realizing it, Shinya slowly brought one hand up to his head, as all kinds of new images began to rush through it. He didn't recognize any of them, but what he was seeing was images of his parents, struggling to bring him to Tapu Bulu's shrine when he was sick and in need. And for one very brief moment, when Shinya looked at the sick Chikoritas, he saw himself as a baby. But unlike young Shinya, these two didn't have parents to do the heavy lifting for them. And so, Shinya took a few minutes to collect himself, weight the pros and cons, and reach a decision of his own. "...Yeah, I guess we do. I'm right behind ya, suit." After quickly bending over, gently picking up the other Chikorita, and placing it inside of his bag, Shinya clenched his fists tightly, gained an expression of unwavering resolve upon his face, stood tall once again and marched after Silas, following the older male into the creepy, dark unknown.

OOC: Following Silas to the Cypress Rest.

[Pixel]

The tall cypress trees that surrounded them suddenly seemed to part, the treeline coming to an abrupt halt along the banks of a massive body of water. He had not expected the lake to be this big. Certainly he knew what lakes looked like and knew there was one in Ilex, but with all the trees, had expected, well, more of a pond. A smaller, rounder body of water that he could see across to the other side and rest easy knowing the opposite bank was just a short wade through the water away. This, however, was no oversized pond.

Adrian patted Heimdal's shoulder to slow the Arcanine down. His mount lifted his head to sniff the air, tail wagging, completely at ease. Guardian ran up behind them and searched for signs of trouble, scanning the lake with interest before relaxing. No danger here. With both of his more alert pokemon seemingly not on edge, Adrian helped Tommy down and they walked together towards the lake.

Tommy looked around, seeming distressed for a moment.

"I swear I heard a voice here!" His eyes watered again as he started to become distressed. 

"Hey, it's okay. I, uh, believe you. Why don't we take a break and, er, listen together? And we can patch up that scratch on your arm. How does that sound?" Adrian was already pulling off his backpack to retrieve some ointment and a bandage. Tommy reluctantly nodded his agreement before finding a log to sit on. He stared out over the water, legs bouncing, gaze fixated on the unblemished surface of the lake. Not a ripple in sight. Adrian politely didn't try to convince the boy that there was nothing to listen for, and simply knelt by Tommy and started to wipe the wound with a cloth he dampened with a water bottle. 

He wasn't a Nurse Joy by any means, but he had a steady hand and quickly cleaned the dried, crusted blood from the scrape. Tommy winced as the cut was exposed to the air again, but even a kid that young knew he didn't want an infection. So he sat there, silent, as Adrian applied antiseptic and a bandage. Next he cleaned the scrapes on the kid's knees and repeated the process. 

"Feel a little better?" Adrian asked, picking a twig out of Tommy's ruffled hair. He flicked it away as Tommy absently dug a leaf out of his curls. 

"A little," Tommy kicked his legs, staring now at the bandages on both knees. They were just plain ones, no super heroes or anything kid friendly. Just unremarkable, bland bandages. Maybe he should pack colorful ones for future endeavors. 

"I don't have any candy but if you're hungry, I do have some trail mix or jerky...this bag of chips? Also have a bottle of water..." Tommy nodded and Adrian set out on helping the kid feel comfortable. Soon Tommy was crunching on trail mix and downing a bottle of water like he hadn't drank anything in a week. Eventually, it was time to clean up this makeshift rest spot and head out. "Hear anything?"

Tommy grabbed his sleeve, "Let's wait a little longer. Just in case...Please... Please I swear I heard the lake whispering." 

A sucker for those sad, panicked eyes, Adrian sighed and sat down on a log as well. He checked his devices, still unable to contact the station to tell them he had found the missing child.

—

Word Count: 600 | OOC:

Waiting to start the Forest's Blessing quest.

(Adding an NPC and mini side quest for fluff)

(Swapping Clawdia out for Zoro in my party. Giving Zoro a Lum Berry. Arcanine and Gallade in my bottom bar is just for visual reference of who is out and about right now for flavor)

Coming from majestic grove

[Avalon]

Waiting seemed to be the key, as it would only be a matter of moments before Adrian might begin to notice odd happenings across the lake. The shadows from the canopy above stretched out, all-consuming as the only hints of natural light faded away. A mist began to set in, almost theatrical in the way it quickly enveloped and framed the lakeside area. If Adrian strained his eyes, he would just be able to see a diminutive figure walking through the mist, almost hovering above the water's surface as she came into view.

A pale, malnourished child in clothes from long, long ago was what Adrian's eyes would eventually decipher coming through the fog, assuming he and the boy beside him sat still long enough to let the specter approach. She stopped, just over the water's edge, a faint voice croaking out over the still of the forest. "Help...Help, please."

The spirit raised up an arm, making a "come hither" gesture to the two before turning and leading them down the edge of the lake's water. The words had come out as something between a request and a command, though the girl's demeanor gave off no menace or hostility towards the two. They were intruders upon the forest, sure, but neither of them had done anything to harm the forest. Perhaps for that, they had earned the spirit's trust and respect.

If they followed the spirit, beckoned forth by its plea for help, they would find that the girl had stopped near a bundle of fallen leaves and debris. Sitting in the midst of the leaves was a small green creature, a Chikorita with its face contorted in pain and a sickly pale color across its face. The girl looked down at the pained creature, extending her sad look to the two humans standing nearby. "Help...Help them, please. Chikorita needs help. The forest guardian can cure her, but...evil spirits will be in the way. Fight past them, find the Forest Shrine before...it's too late."

The girl hovered in place, the spirit looking at Adrian expectantly. She had seen the amount of care he had given to the lost child, and was now entrusting the care of this sickly Pokemon to him as well. She was sure that he would at least offer to do something, and she needed someone capable of fighting off the forest's evil to help with this endeavor. If she tried going on her own, she would only be waylaid by the cursed spirits.

Get Chikorita to the Forest Shrine and defeat the evil spirits to put the Ghost of Flora to rest.

[Pixel]

Adrian wasn't exactly sure he believed in the supernatural exactly. Perhaps as a concept, but not as something real and without explanation. Ghost pokemon existed. They were concrete in their own, wibbly, weird way. Be it because they were the spirits of the dead or emotions given solid form—they existed and had hard data to back it up. When one pointed a pokedex at a ghost pokemon, the pokdex could detect the type and nature with ease. However, when he heard the voice and a chill ran up his spine, Adrian realized that he might be facing down something that was wholly undocumented. 

A 'ghpst' in the spiritual sense.

The boy looked relieved when the girl spoke, smiling at her eerie form as if assured that he was indeed NOT crazy. He tugged on Adrian's sleeve and they both looked down at the small pokemon laying limp and sick on the ground. Adrian breathed in sharply and scooped the ill chikorita off the bank of the lake, instantly concerned by its odd pallor and feverish state. There were no pokemon centers nearby and the spirit spoke as if this was some sort of curse that could only be cured at the forest shrine. 

However, getting back to it would not be simple...

Backtracking was impossible in certain parts of the forest, and right now, they were in one such problematic area. It would take some effort to get to the shrine (and ultimately into a position to return the boy to the exit of the forest). 

"...I will do what I can to help," Adrian said. 

"We both will!" Tommy exclaimed. "Even...even if I'm scared. Because it's the right thing to do!"

Adrian grimaced but nodded. They were stuck together for now. He would do his best to protect the kid from himself. Thus together they left the lake and hurried towards the next part of the forest.


 

—

Word Count: 300 | OOC:

Quest start!

(Adding an NPC and mini side quest for fluff)

(Bottom bar now shows active party)

Going to cypress rest

[Pixel]

Freya didn't even notice the lake until Arcanine nearly barged chest deep into the water and started to yip in alarm. With their shoes soaked from the impromptu swim, the pair of women were also a little startled. Everyone retreated to the shore in haste. 

Once there, Freya dismounted and dumped the water out of her shoes, but groaned as sandy mud sloshed out. Great. That was just gross. Then she comforted Arcanine with pats and shushes and got a potion out to soothe his paws. She then rewarded his good behavior with a berry.

As she fussed over her big baby, Lola also emptied her shoes, her gaze longingly cast over the lake. 

"Oh, the memories... My husband took us here for our second anniversary," she murmured. "It was so beautiful."

"Shame this weather kinda ruins the scenery."

"It's okay. Even with this storm...it's still one of the most peaceful places in Ilex." 

—

Word Count; 000 | OOC:

Looking to start the Forest's Blessing Quest.

(Adding an NPC to my journey for flavor)