Sombre Valley

[Pixel]

 
FRESH AIR!

Silas stopped at the edge of the valley and gasped in wonderful, clean, non-toxic air. And winced as he was smacked with another bit of hail. The weather seemed to be clearing up a little. Maybe this storm would pass soon and they'd be free of the obnoxious hail plague. Taking a moment to bask in the glory of escaping the swamp, he just..rested. Took inventory of his personage and the chikorita in his arm that made little trembling gasps. 

"...Could have abandoned your useless tail in the swamp," he muttered. "I have no need for an overgrown radish." The chikorita, of course, didn't respond. Silas also didn't abandon the pokemon like he grumbled about. It could be...valuable at some other point. Shinya had gotten overly hyped about the celebi, but he did have to admit, the prospect of seeing or even capturing the mythical creature held allure. And if all he had to do was keep this stupid thing alive for a little while, Silas felt he could manage that much. 

Still...

He wasn't exactly thrilled about it.

Now having recovered his breath, Silas straightened up and looked around, steps slower as his shoes crunched along already melting clumps of frost that clung to the under bush. Given the gloom atmosphere, if he had to guess, this had to be the Sombre Valley. He checked his pokegear map briefly as he sheltered under another tree.

There were many rare and valuable pokemon in this forest. Perhaps once these blizzards passed through and he was done playing hero, he could back track to investigate some more...profitable sightings. He wasn't an idiot. If he could find and capture some of these rarer pokemon, then he could make a pretty penny and not fuss about the whole 'waiting for a gig' from the Rockets. 

Silas was already annoyed that after all these recent 'missions' he was just barely considered a grunt. Bah! He wasn't about to start wearing that hideous, obvious uniform unless forced. Some people had CLASS. And honestly, nobody ever heard of the Boss of the Team Rocket wearing an R on his chest. He wore a suit like a normal person.

Grumbling a bit to himself, he kept moving and spotted Shinya.

"Find something interesting?" he asked, wandering up and plucking the other piece of paper lodged in the tree. "Odd writing..."

—

Word Count: 400 | OOC:

Syndicate HP [ 85/89 ]
Mercenary HP [ 80/85 ]

Ghosts defeated: Cypress Rest, Eerie Wood, Putrid Swamp

Waiting on ghostie!

[Tiki]

Once the cleanse tags were removed, a sudden sense of dread and doom loomed over the area. It was the feeling of an apocalypse, or making a major and irreversible mistake, or something the narrator couldn't think of at the moment. The hailing sky continued to pelt chunks of ice on the ground as the anticipation grew on what was coming. It was probably a ghost type Pokemon or two, but it certainly was taking its time to show itself. A wintry wind gusted through the area, shaking the trees and bushes in the starless sky. Some wings fluttering, buzzing, and yapping could be heard in the distance as even wild Pokemon were spooked by the howling wind and chilly weather.

"HEHEHEEHEHEHEHEHE" A cackle was heard in the distance as the trees continue to rustle.

"STTTAAYYYYY" Another voice groaned manically.

The laughter continued, coming from different corners around the two humans for another minute or two. Then, when the voices showed itself, it was two Misdreacus cornering them from running away. They were either the ghost watching the tags from being lifted, or the ghosts sealed by the tags. Either way, they're not going to let them leave easily.

"SSSTTAAYY HEEREEE!"

"FOOORREEVVEERR!"

---

Two Misdreavus (Level 19) appeared!

Come fight them here and cash them outside

[Venominon]

With the two Misdreavus sent screeching back to the underworld, Shinya, Silas, and their respective Pokemon all had yet another moment to catch their breath and collect themselves. Those two were probably the worst ghosts they had faced so far, but Shinya couldn't shake the feeling that the worst was still yet to come. Fortunately, it seemed the hail had finally come to an end, causing Yanma to finally stop fluttering her wings as soon as she noticed this change in the weather. However, whether by a cruel twist of fate or an ominous turn of events, a thick fog slowly rolled in, blanketing the entire Ilex Forest in a matter of minutes. Straight away, Shinya narrowed his eyes, raised his guard even higher, and tucked the Cleanse Tag into his pocket. The Alolan trainer still didn't know the significance of the strange item, but he'd be a fool to throw away the only clue he had after coming this far.

"Hey, suit. I think we should head back to the Forest Shrine. Somethin' tells me we'll get the rest of the puzzle pieces we need if we do." The Team Skull grunt said to Silas, then called both Yanma and Sizzlipede back to their respective Pokeballs for the time being. As important as it was to be ready at a moment's notice when dealing with ghosts, Shinya still didn't want to risk losing any of his Pokemon in the fog. With that, Shinya bent over, grabbed some rocks off the ground, stood back up, then turned right around and began the hike back to the Putrid Swamp. What were the rocks for? Well, who'd be crazy enough to hike through a swamp without some means of finding their way through it safely?

OOC: Shinya heads back to the Putrid Swamp.

[Pixel]

 
The suit in question grunted out an agreement as he returned King. He didn't bother healing the raticate's status as guts meant that the rat was stronger when in distress from a status. He might need that extra strength at some point. He swore a bit as the blizzard finally stopped, but the chilled air remained clouded, leaving behind a fog that made it hard to see. 

"I am about ready to punch a ghost myself," he muttered. That stupid shrine. This whole stupid quest. His arms were getting tired from carrying around the chikorita. But he kept telling himself that he just needed to focus if he wanted to see and possibly catch Celebi. 

After all, what other forest guardian was known about here in Johto?

Or maybe i twas all a bunch of crock and they would defeat the 'spirits' and find that it was all just a bunch of ghosts pulling a nasty prank to alleviate boredom. 

—

Word Count: 000 | OOC:

Syndicate HP [ 85/89 ]
Mercenary HP [ 80/85 ]
King's HP [ 59/67 ] | Status: Poisoned
Ghosts defeated: Cypress Rest, Eerie Wood, Putrid Swamp, Sombre Valley

Moving to putrid swamp.

[Pixel]

"This place is creepy, but at least it smells better than swamp." Tommy slumped over Heimdal's neck, face buried in the arcanine's fluff. The hound woofed softly, tail wagging a bit as he tried to keep everyone's spirits high. Adrian offered a faint, strained smile and patted the fire-type's shoulder, petting his striped fur to reassure him in return. Flicker floated around them, peering about curiously, her ghostly flame dancing as she drifted from tree-to-tree, searching for those nasty evil spirits that kept harassing them. None were found. This place still felt off and the air tasted stale, but Adrian still appreciated the moment of reprieve. He wiped his face and offered the boy a snack and some water. Tommy gratefully gulped down a whole bottle of water and then nibbled on some chips as they wandered carefully through this unfamiliar terrain.

After a while, Adrian was able to cross-reference his physical map, because his devices still refused to work, and realized they were in the Sombre Valley. This was the wrong direction. Dangit. They messed up. "We have to head back into the swamp," he told the boy, earning a groan of protest.

"Noooooo," Tommy complained, eyes tearing up as he thought about going back into the aptly named Putrid Swamp AGAIN.

"Sorry, kiddo. Let's get turned back around before we lose too much progress."

"Let's stay here longer."

"What about chikorita? You just said you wanted to make sure it was okay before I took you home. And if we stay here, we can't make it better," Adrian warned.

Tommy looked proper chastised at that, "Sorry, you're right..." Though that was when the kid spotted something odd. He pointed at the hollow of a tree. "Hey Officer Hartt, what's that?" He slid off the arcanine and scampered that way before Adrian could stop him, so he followed quickly, hand darting out to grab the back of the kid's shirt.

"Don't run off like that. You could get hurt."

"Sorry! But...look." He reached into the hollow and pulled out a scrap of paper? Adrian squinted and peered into the hollow to see broken glass jars and what looked to be the scattered ramblings of a madman. Okay. Creepy. Time to go. He took the scrap from Tommy and with a stern look, he ushered him back onto the arcanine's shoulders.

Zoro, who was following them this whole time, alert to danger, suddenly charged something, like he sensed something was amiss.
 

—

Word Count: 411 | OOC:
Using Potion (5>4) on Zoro.
HP from 46->63 (full)

Claiming cleanse tag + ghost encounter

Zoro uses Assurance x2

Sarge HP: [70/72]

Ghosts Defeated: Cypress Rest, Eerie Wood, Putrid Swamp

(Adding an NPC and mini side quest for fluff)
Porygon is holding exp share.

Coming from Putrid Swamp

[Marchbaby]

Shortly after the scrap of paper was removed from it's resting place a thick purple mist started to form around the pit before slowly making it's way towards Adrian. The mysterious mist seemed supernatural in origin as not only did the wind seem to have no effect on it but it also seemed to move in an erratic unnatural movement. Just as it seemed that the mist could not get any stranger it started to take the shape of a ghostly figure known as Misdreavus. Once the figure has started to form it started to speak in a dark, condescending, creepy voice. " How dare a whelp like you disturb my land, I shall deal with you before you can cause any more harm to my kind."

Seconds later the Misdreavus's eyes started to glow blood red as a thick fog surrounded the valley preventing Adrian from escaping. This spirit was clearly stronger than the rest he had faced and the only way he was going to be able to continue on was if he was able to defeat the evil spirit across from him. Doing so would be the only way to save Chikorita or leave the forest and Misdreavus was not about to make it an easy task. " Foolish mortal, you will not be able to leave here alive unless you can defeat me. Do you think you have what it takes to defeat a spirit such as myself?"

Just then a large ball of toxic started to leak from the Misdreavus's mouth as she prepared to strike. If Adrian did not act fast he might end up in a very bad spot.

Misdreavus (Level 19) appeared, please battle it here.


The mysterious tag turned out to be a Cleanse Tag! It will be added to Adrian's inventory.

[Pixel]

Zoro trampled the Misdreavus, tossing the ghost with his horns until the vengeful spirit had not choice but to flee! Heimdal's flames continued to pierce into the red mist that surrounded them until suddenly, his fiery assault shattered through! With a sigh of relief, Adrian urged the arcanine forward, calling back to Zoro, "Watch our backs! Make sure nothing follows us!"

He pointed forward, "Flicker, make sure nothing is in our path! Light the way back to the swamp." Then one of his hands was on the arcanine's harness, urging the hound to be as fleet of foot as a racing blitzle. His other arm clutched the sick chikorita to his chest. He could feel it shifting weakly, hear it making soft, pitiful sounds.Tommy wrapped his thin arms around Heimdal's neck, face buried in his mane, trying his best to keep the tears on the inside. He was...afraid.

That last ghost had been so scary!

The others had been spooky too, with their illusions and menace, but that one...it had attacked Adrian aggressively and it took more than one pass of Zoro's horns to banish it. Were there stronger ghosts ahead? Could the officer handle them?! 

"It's okay, bud," Adrian murmured. "You are going home. I'll make sure you get there safe. No matter how many ghosts are between here and there." The sick chikorita complicated things, but...regardless of the circumstances, he'd serve his division well. He'd bring the lost child home, save the ill pokemon and banish those spirits. (And then he'd go lay on the floor of some pokemon center and rethink his life choices, because this was NOT the best way follow up to his traumatizing ordeal in the caves. At least he wasn't thinking about how he was almost shanked anymore.)

"We're almost to the swamp."

"I know!" complained Tommy into Heimdal's fluff. "I can already smell it! Bleh."

"We'll pass through quickly."

"You better."

Despite all the scary stuff, kids were resilient. Tommy was holding together as well as one could expect. With one last push, the arcanine howled and started his sprint towards (and hopefully quickly through) the putrid swamp. At least with the toppled tree, they already had safe crossing over the sludgy water. Nobody had to walk knee deep in noxious goop, not even the pokemon with their sensitive noses. However, Adrian did return Flicker, not wanting her to start any fires.
 

—

Word Count: 411 | OOC:

Sarge HP: [70/72]
Zoro HP: [56/74]

Ghosts Defeated: Cypress Rest, Eerie Wood, Putrid Swamp, Sombre Valley

(Adding an NPC and mini side quest for fluff)
Porygon is holding exp share.

Going back to Putrid Swamp!

[Pixel]

"We're free of that accursed swamp!" Freya declared, breathing in deeply. "Even if it is super creepy here, at least it isn't gross." She reached for her belt and let Arcanine back out. "Okay, you and your sensitive sniffer should be okay now. See? No more swamp. We got out of there."

Arcanine sniffed a bit and rubbed his face with a paw. 

He shook his stony mane and peered up. It was impossible to see the sun beating down on them, now that the storm was cleared, due to the rather...dreary foliage casting shadows everywhere. It was quite somber out here. But hot. "There's that summer heat. I bet you like that, huh, bud? Then again, you didn't care about the sandstorm. Rock types love that weather."

And now it was hot. Aside from the swamp, Arcanine was just having the best time. Perfect season for him, honestly.

She helped Lola back onto his back, but before she too could climb up (Teddi on her shoulder), Freya saw something.

With a frown, she very curiously approached the odd looking stup and peered inside of it. "Huh. Is this like a note or something...?" She couldn't see very well in the dark. If she could, she would have seen the symbols and kept her hands off. She was well versed enough to know that things like this were not to be messed with...however, in the poor lighting she just thought she saw some litter. Reaching into the stump, she pulled out the scrap of paper then paled.

"Oh no. This is totally one of those sutras that bind spirits or curses or something," Freya realized. And there was no just...putting them back. She backed up and once more Teddiursa leapt into action. With a grumpy little frown, she lunged for the stump. If anything came out of it, he would give it a BIIIIG CHOMP. Maybe even two. She was super tough and these ghosts were like breakfast. Something to be chewed through! yeah. Watch out!

—

Word Count; 336 | OOC:
Coming from Putrid Swamp.

Freya grabs the cleanse tag.

2 crunches on encounter.

(Adding an NPC to my journey for flavor)

[Caramell 🍬]

The storms subsided, leaving only the heat of the day permeating through the dense foliage surrounding the land. Small creatures hurried out of their burrows. They moved swiftly, stirring the tall Cattails and Sporobolus in odd patterns as they streaked past Freya and the other woman. They were oblivious, just several paws and a multitude of eyes staring off into the distance with fear pulsating from their widened gaze. Something…a laugh carried on the wind, with the hint of depression that would seize the land. Something stirred beyond the shadows and strange silhouettes dancing in the open breeze.

Freya removed the Cleanse Tag and pocketed it with ease. A sharp gust of wind scratched by her face unrelated to any natural storms once recently mucking about. Whether she turned in its direction or not, another gust would billow through on the other side of her face, sending several sharpened rocks sputtering past. Should she not react quickly she could find some of them cutting her cheek or shoulders. “Foolish mortal, your life has been so long and so sad.” A voice cackled through the trees, causing them to shudder in their roots.

Poisoned bubbled up like toxins from the earth below them as the small bear cub rushed to a spot right beside Freya’s face, jumped up, and bit down on the hidden spirit. Misdreavus blinked into form an image reminiscent of the kids Freya grew up with back in Kitakami, before the eventual move to Paldea. The child turned with large, sorrowful eyes that watered. The tears lining the child’s were strange and dark, made of some other substance, like blood. “That really huuurrttt! Whhhyyy yooouuu gottaaa bee soooo mmeeeaaaannn!” It screamed, slamming the toxins into Teddiursa’s side before vanishing once more.

The voice returned, stuttering through the ever-changing winds. They were alone now, all other creatures that once called the area ‘home’ seemingly long since vanished from the spot. “Such a noble sort, I bet! It’ll never be enough. You can’t save those closest to you.” The breeze struck, rushing to snatch up Freya’s hair and twist it into long knots. Strange knots that looked like a two-year-old could have done them, to be honest. “If only you weren’t such a waste of space…then maybe that Chikorita would have a prayer of a chance to survive…just give up and admit it with me. Join me here…it’s peaceful, here….No expectations here….you can just surrender and let go…” It urged in a singsong, soothing voice.

When Teddiursa lunged a second time, the spirit screeched a final time and vanished completely. The air returned to its normal calm. They’d manage to chase off yet another spirit and keep Chikorita safe for now. Though, as the small plant Pokemon shook and shivered from the poisons in its body, it would be clear that they didn’t have long left before it would be too late.

Freya defeated an evil spirit!

It was no match for Teddiursa's powerful jaws!

Check Spoiler for notes!

SPOILER: Click to show

Cleanse Tag added to Freya's inventory!


Lum Berry removed from Teddiursa!
Teddiursa used it to heal herself from Mesdreavus' Toxic.
Please removed one from your Inventory if you haven't when you equipped Teddiursa. ^^ Wasn't sure.


Teddiursa gained 2 levels to [Lv 22]!
Teddiursa can learn Slash if she forgets another!

Pickup: e3vflpHtp_1-10
I've went back and rolled Pickup on the DB ones with Teddiursa in it. ^^

1-10

[Pixel]

This ghost was messing with their minds. Those words. Those words were sultry and cruel and left an unsettling chill down to the bone. Freya bared her teeth and tried to force the voice out. She peered back at Lola who was composed but shivering, clinging tight to the ailing chikorita. 

"We will NOT be tricked by you," Freya shouted. "We can do whatever we set our hearts and souls to. And that is rescuing chikorita and stopping whatever mayhem has befallen the forest guardian. Now begone!"

As she shouted that into the sky, Teddiursa landed her chomps of destruction! NOM! The ghostie shrieked and suddenly, all fell quiet again. Freya sighed and sagged a bit, looking down at the sutra in her hand. It was meant to protect against evil. Perhaps it held part of the key to rescuing the forest?

Freya wanted to stay and study this place, but right now they were under the pressure of time. So with a heavy soul, she abandoned this place, choosing to press forwards for now.

—

Word Count; 336 | OOC:
Making the loop back to the Eerie Woods.
Replacing covet with slash.

Removing Lum berry from inventory and placing one back on Teddi

(Adding an NPC to my journey for flavor)