Tales Of Our Mentors [F]

[The REAL Joey]

Waking up with a sudden start, Joey groggily opened his eyes and let out an exhausted sigh as he struggled to recall where he was. It was the night after his victory at Ecruteak's Dance Hall and he was still reeling in from it all. Having been given an incredible sum of money as part of his victory, he had gone a little heavy on treating himself, his Pokemon and others in drinks for the remainder of the night. Scrunching his eyes shut, he tried to recall the events of the evening but to no such avail. Whatever had happened, he had certainly woken up in the lap of luxury. The surroundings of this room were no doubt that of the hostel rooms of the city's Pokemon Centre but something told him they were premium. Letting out a groan, he slumped onto his other side and rested his head into the pillows as they sunk. "Whatever am I gonna do with myself. Went a bit too overboard last night, hahaha." He chuckled to himself but let out a gasp of pain. "Maybe i'll have a lil' snooze in... Lord knows I earnt some... Zzzzzz..." Drifting off as his heavy eyelids shut close, the biker thief should have perhaps paid a bit more astute attention to his surroundings.

Whilst most of his Pokemon were sound asleep in the sanctuary of their Pokeballs, their was one who despised the confines of what they could only think of as a prison. Sitting upright in a chair off to the side, she was surprised the intensity of her gaze had failed in alerting the male to her presence. "This stupid, witless human..." She muttered with venom under her breath. Having found out Joey had actually followed her the few times she had sulked off to be by herself, she was finding it hard to think fondly of the trainer. "And after everything he has done to earn some modicum of respect." Sneering her face a little, she bridged her fingers together and sat there with a soured expression. Her anger was not misplaced. At least, not from her perspective. In the times she had sauntered off, she had done so in order to remember her lost clan. To sing the tribal song of their kind. It held special power in the words of the melody and was something that was considered sacred to them. For such a block headed oaf to even catch a glimpse of the music she sang, it was sacrilegious.

Wondering if she should claw his face off or snarl so fiercely that the thief would lose all sense of hearing, she mulled over those and a million other ways to exact some vengeance on him. But amazingly, she felt herself sigh exasperatedly as she couldn't quite bring herself to do so. "Being around humans for so long has dulled my true self." She whispered aversely. Standing up, she moved over to the window leisurely and stared out at the view. Looking at the rising sun, she remembered back to her own past. "My mentor told me never to disclose the content of that song to anyone but of our own kind..." Looking down glumly, she concluded. "It seems i've failed him on more than one occasion. Our song... Care taking the runt... Tenebrae..." Her arms now folded, her fingers clutching tightly onto her arms, she felt an overwhelming sense of sadness at not being worthy enough to have succeeded in the very few tasks she had been given. Her thoughts would have dwell further on her mistakes when an abrupt voice called out. "Hnngrh... Yer pretty loud this time o' morning. Damn..." Having sat up somewhat, it seems he had been pretending to be asleep this entire time.

Turning around, scarlet in her cheeks and daggers in her eyes, Calistra did not appreciate being sneaked up upon like this. "YOU-" Shaking his head, Joey butted in before she could go on further in an outrage. "Cali... Don't yell. Easy, huh? Just take it easy." Manoeuvring himself out of bed, he got up and stood beside her. Either brave enough to do so or completely stupid in his brain to dare obstruct her. "Like I said last night at the theatre. I didn't know that was somethin' so precious to you. And I know we've still got a lot to bridge between us. Hell, you were a little Zorua when we first arrived here. We made progress and yet... From what I heard just then, it seems like you've got a tortured past and all that. You spoke of this mentor tellin' you stuff. If anything you sound like me. I had all this stuff my mentor pinned on me. His hopes, passions, dreams... And do I feel as if i'm really livin' up to them all? Haha, not really. Guess you could both say we're failing the ways of our mentors." Flashing a meek smile, he raised his arms into a weak shrug. "And if i'm honest, I didn't really hear anythin'. So it's not like you've failed on that front." Snarling her face up, she managed to claw back the conversation so she could rebuttal. "Silence! I don't care what lies you make up. I KNOW you heard the song of my people. The way you described it at the dance hall..."

Shaking with anger, Joey raised his hands and tried to move a little closer. "Woah woah woah... Calm down, ok? You want to know why I sneaked up on you? Huh? Well. It's because I was worried about you. Don't think I was stupid enough to not know you disappeared off now and again when we were explorin' around the city. You're my friend. Part o' the family. I wanted to look out for you. That's what happens when you care about someone. You wanna make sure they're happy." Her eyes flashing up, she gritted her teeth and was almost in her right mind to slash across his visage. But a part of her relented. He was a moronic, uncouth vagabond of a human male but those words he spoke to her just then. Words of bonds and family, it made her feel nostalgia to that of her clan. "You... Stupid... Idiot... Simpleton..." She murmured as she trailed off. She had been warned always not to let the outside world hear their song but maybe what her mentor had told her was wrong? What if her mentor had actually made her safeguard it so well because the majority of the outside world was so untrustworthy. Running it through her mind, surely those who boasted such ties with one another would be okay to hear the sacred song? Deciding to let go her wrathful anger, she felt a warm bond towards Joey. "Vile human... Were you always such a smooth talker?"

Turning away from him to look out the window, she stared out at the now rising sun. "One day." "Hm?" Queried Joey as he had sort of lost what she was referring to. "Perhaps one day you will be worthy to hear the song of my people." Realising what she had referred to, Joey replied quietly. "Oh." Nodding, he turned to also look out the window. "Guess we had best get going. I'm glad we could... Smooth over that rough patch?" Hoping that Calistra had let vent some of her frustration, she turned and looked at him. "Yes. Halfwit." Letting out a yawn, he shook his head. "My head's so groggy. Last time I drink that kinda amount. Surprised you ain't worse for wear." Glancing over to him, she flashed him a dismissive look. "Heh. Wonder how the others are coping. Time fer a roll call!" Taking out his Pokeballs, he began to summon his party. For the most part, they all seemed a little off kilter but there was always one. As they were summoned forth, their body could be seen slumped on the floor. "Oh whadda world... WHADDA WORLD... Can't a ghost get a little rest? I am dead y'know!?" Still insanely drunken from the night before, Joey let out a sigh. "Daaaaaante... Man. You're dead and you can't hold your alcohol. Tch." Returning him back, it appeared there were two other casualties on the list

Raising an incredulous eyebrow, Joey couldn't believe it. Doopliss and Hoodlum were slumped over each other, Doopliss having taken Hoodlum's form and were clearly both out of action. "I'm DEFINITELY making sure we limit our intake next party we have. I dunno! Looks like we're a few squaddies down of a full team." Holding three Pokeballs in his hand, he shook his head and sighed hopelessly. "Suppose it'll give some of the other gang time to have a chance in the spotlight." Moving over to a PC in the room, he logged in to his personal network and made a quick switch. The three Pokemon he had kept with him were transported off and three replacement Pokeballs, each containing a reserve member of Joey's squad, appeared. "Good. Right. I think we can give breakfast a skip and maybe i'll find some fruit or berries to eat off the route later." Pulling over his shirt and putting on his jacket, he wasted very little time in lacing up his boots. A quick tightening of his bandanna and he was good to go. "C'mon Cali, hope you ain't left anything." As they ensured nothing was left behind, they made their way out of the Pokemon Centre and it wasn't long before they made it to one of the city exits. "Ahhh... Route 38 this way huh? Don't mind if I do."

As they stepped forward onto the next route, Joey wondered what new excitement would beckon on their next chapter.

OOC: Boxing Doopliss, Dante and Hoodlum. Swapping in Slash, Salazar and Lupin.

[Kataya]

Route 38

"Sister. Do you not think they make good targets?" A pink, lithe cat asked his green companion. She was shimmering, her fur sparkling in the light as she flicked her tail in thought. They had both been watching two specific people. One a woman, with long brown hair, who seemed to be affiliated with the wrong crowd by the sorts of it. The other, a man who had so far, seemed to stop to help people whenever he could. Not to say that the girl didn't, but at least, that was what the tom cat Espeon had observed. "Yes Brother. I think so. They could both be a little more bonded with those certain partners of theirs." The mention of them was vague, but the brother Espeon nodded in understanding. These two, brother and sister Espeon, had been feral for years and years now and their psychic powers were beyond excellent. Their goal had always been the same. Helping others, even if their ways seemed extreme, and it was true that it didn't work the way they wanted it too all the time, but they still tried their best to make things work. "Who shall I visit, sister?" the brother espeon asked, to which the green creature flicked her ear softly. "The man. I will go after the woman." When she saw her brother's eyes shift to his paws, she gently touched her nose to his head. "Fear not brother. If they can outlast the tests of fear and darkness, I am confident they will come out of it stronger." Brother Espeon nodded but as she parted from him, he wondered: What if they didn't? -- Brother Espeon had spent some time looking for Joey. He knew which city the male had traveled too, but he wasn't quite positive where he was now. But then he spotted him, walking along with a gaggle of Pokemon. At least he hadn't been far too hard to locate. Closing his eyes, he began to glow a bright blue, and suddenly, Joey would find that the whole route began to vanish around him.  Trees began to distort. Ground violently began to fade into white like pixels. the sky vanished all in one swift movement, all replaced by a void of white. And then suddenly, in an explosion of white, a netted, pink and variations of red pattern began to form. It was almost like they were trapped in some digital room. But it was a room, really, and as Joey would soon find out, of someone's creation.  Joey would next find that anyone on his team who wasn't Calistra would be forcefully trapped in a dome of a psychic bubble, leaving them unable to follow the two anywhere. It was then, that he vanished, only to appear in front of them. Calmly, he looked from Joey to Calistra, and then, his eyes locked onto the Zoroark. "Tell me." He meowed, in the next instant his voice suddenly sounding like his voice was mixed in with a female's. "Who is it that you care for the most?" Though, he didn't wait for an answer, instead, turning. Two paths opened up within the barren walls of the room. One would make someone feel uneasy, and squeamish, yet the other made someone feel dread, suddenly alert. With no other way out, which path would Joey take? ---- Information Espeon seems to have trapped you in his trick room. Follow him down the Fear Pathway, or the Dark Pathway? OOC: Just noting here you and Morri (Since she has the same quest) Can chose to each go down one path each or go down the same paths. The paths each have slight variants of the story but the big difference will probably be what you get at the end. Or you can go down the same path, it doesn't really matter to me~ THREAD RESERVED BY KAT

made by redox of gs

[The REAL Joey]

As they made their move forward, the perceptive thief could already tell something was afoot. Generally, if you took a step forward, you'd be greeted with very little difference. Maybe a nice whiff of forested scent as you would be entering from out of the city into the wilderness. But instead, as he placed his foot forward, the very world around him seemed to contort madly. Trees standing once proud now coiled around in an endless spiral, the ground seemed to quake violently as it gave way to nothingness. "WOOOOOAH?! If this is a lasting effect of all that drink last night... I want my stomach pumped!" Remaining still, the biker looked up and noticed the sky itself dissipate, the very vicinity around them exploding in a burst of white. Covering both their eyes, Joey and Calistra were taken off guard by the sudden brightness but eventually lowered their guard to find themselves in the most bizarre of rooms. "Alright, alright... Who decided to play another trick in Joey's bizarre adventure?! Yeesh... Any idea Cali?" Her eyes narrowing, she sniffed her nose and glared around at the environment. "It's a powerful psychic illusion. We-"

Unable to finish her sentence, they both turned and noticed the rest of their partners in floating bubbles, frozen in time as well from their lifeless movements. "An illusion?! This looks pretty dang real to me. Help me out, we gotta-" Cut off himself, it seemed this event was allowing them a moment's time to rest on their laurels. Appearing before them was unmistakeably a certain type of Pokemon, that of an Espeon. At this point, from having met Sandy's own and another in the dance hall, he felt as if he was an expert on them at this point. "Hey! An Espeon!" He noted, thrusting a pointed finger at the newly appeared Pokemon. As the Pokemon stared them both down calmly before resting their gaze on Calistra, Joey for once kept his mouth shut and decided to observe what it had to say. After all, it appeared the Espeon was asking Calistra the question, not himself. However, as soon as the question was posed, it turned around and a warp in the fabric of reality around them appeared in the walls. Both exuding very unsettling feelings.

Stomping a foot forward and with a hint of annoyance to her voice, Calistra spoke out at the Espeon. "Who do I care for?! That should be obvious for a telepathic such as you. I live by the creed of caring for myself and myself only. If I trust nobody else, I won't be let down by anyone else!" Her clenched fist shaking angrily, Joey stepped forward and placed a hand on her arm to try and lower it. "You still goin' with that act? Eh, now's not the time. I think it wants us to... Pick a path?" Looking over to the two pathways Calistra snarled. "Or I could slit this trickster's throat where it stands." Shaking his head, Joey disagreed. "I don't think that'd be a wise choice. The last time something like this happened I was stuck there unless I played by the rules." Her face wrinkling at the thought that the simpleton human may be actually right for once, she threw her hands in the air and walked forward. "Fine! Let's get this over with then, hm?" Strutting forward, she paid the Espeon no mind as she headed towards the Dark pathway.

Not wanting to leave her on her own, Joey dashed forward but not before talking with the Espeon that remained seated on the floor. "Hey err... My Pokemon'll be ok right?" Looking over to see he still had visual of Calistra, he laughed nervously. "And don't mind her. Chick's had a rough time." Standing up straight to examine the path she was taking, he had a quick look at the other one and sensed an overwhelming amount of fear pulsating from it. Looking at the darkened path his Zoroark had taken, he shook his head as it was by no means less daunting but he felt somewhat easier if he had to make a pick of the two. "Welp, guess it's time to play along with this little game, huh?" Jogging on after Calistra, he eventually caught up with her as they slowly journeyed further.

- Joey and Calistra take the Path of Dark -

OOC: OH MY GOT. I am liking the premise of this very much. Can't wait to see what unfolds next.

[Kataya]

Dark Path

Espeon stood up, looking at Joey evenly. "I cannot tell you that I know that either of you are safe. But if you can't rely on eachother, then I doubt the outcome will be pleasurable." Staring straight at Joey with a hint of regret, he added. "For anyone." Watching as Joey took off down the Dark Path after Calistra, he shot off a quick message to his sister and followed after, his jewel lighting the way through the darkness for both himself and Joey and Calistra. Soon, the path opened up to a door and the three of them entered through the lip. trotting to their front, Espeon's eyes began to glow and a floating platform appeared before him. He hopped up onto it and was taken to the center of the room, higher up above Joey and Calistra. "Welcome to the Dark Path." His voice sounded throughout the room as if he was speaking into a microphone.Looking down upon them from where he stood, he motioned to the door that was right in front of them, at the other side of the room. standing there was a girl that Joey would likely recognize. Oceanic Sapphire eyes, long brown hair, donning rocket garb. Beside her stood a Zoroark. He however, still looked rather scared, like the Tenebrae that Calistra once knew. the woman looked steadily at Joey, though in the last moment before she turned, her eyes suddenly turned crimson, and she smirked in a devilish way. And then "Sharada" was gone through the door, "Tenebrae" following after her quickly. And then the door was covered with a barrier, preventing the passage of the remaining two in the room. Espeon then turned his attention back to them. "The test of your bond begins now." The room then suddenly went pitch black. Joey would feel himself being lifted, and deposited into another part of the room, away from Calistra's side. Cali could probably see the blue glow from across the room, but then she would find her eyes being attacked with sand, and in the next instant, the one moment she might have let her guard down, the lights roared back on. Except now Joey at her side again. And her other side, and all around her. There were more Joey's than she would probably ever have wanted to deal with, in a circular formation around the room. The real Joey of course, was in the mix, but he would find if he spoke or if he moved, the clones would speak as well, so much so that any hints to Calistra would probably be lost among the loud mess of voices. Espeon looked down at Calistra. "You must choose the correct person in this room. Your companion. Attack and destroy the others." Closing his eyes, he added. "But you must be careful or you'll harm the real one in the process. Spare the one that feels the most right to you."  ----- Information! Espeon has led you into Dark Room #1! There are now Several Joeys! Calistra must decide which one is the real Joey and destroy the others. But be careful! She may harm the real Joey if she isn't careful! OOC: You can rp out this challenge however you'd like too. How Calistra finds the real Joey is up to you~ THREAD RESERVED BY KAT

made by redox of gs

[The REAL Joey]

Progressing onwards as a group, Joey raised his arms and rested them backwards as they hung from his shoulders. This area was absurdly weird, even more so than that mansion he had got stuck in where everyone had turned into a Pokemon. Looking down at his body to be sure he hadn't become a multi-legged menace again, he shrugged contently as he could see he was still in his original form. Thankful for the Espeon's calming glow, Joey looked over to his Zoroark and noticed she seemed eager to be done with this all. Perhaps there was something in this dark that unsettled her more so than it did himself. As they reached into what can only be described as the heart of the next path, Joey stopped in his tracks with Calistra following suit as she folded her arms and strummed her fingers impatiently. Observing the Espeon leap up to the centre section, they both were unsure of what would follow through next. Their uncertainty was scuppered as all of a sudden a voice echoed throughout the room. "Dark room, eh? No kiddin'. This is worse than the time I got put in a hole by my mentor to get rid of my fear o' the dark." Calistra on the other hand noticed the figures parallel to them. "Joey, look." Following her gaze, Joe was frozen in his reaction as he instantly recognised the figures. Although, he was sure Sharada didn't have a Zoroark, she was looking after that Tenebrae who to his knowledge was still a fledgling Zorua.

"That Zoroark... It can't be and yet..." Uncertain herself, it was clear Calistra couldn't place her bet on who the mystery figure was. "That can't be Tenebrae." As Joey stared on at Sharada, he was left with a horrific jolt as he noted that her eyes appeared to take on a demonic shade. "Ahhhhhh! What the hell was that, dammit?!" His concern lying with the devilish version of Sharada he had just seen, Joey seemed disinterested over what the Espeon had to say. "No, no, no, back up a good yard. What the hell was th--" As the remaining light in the room dispersed, Joey let out a muffled outcry. "WOOOAH! Hey! What gives?! Put me--" Alerted to the sudden disappearance of her partner, Calistra unfolded her arms and cried out. "Joe!" Her concern was short lived however as a flurry of particles blinded her eyes, causing her to crease up and cover them from harm. "Enough of these parlour tricks and..!!" About to unleash a wave of dark energy, she stopped as she felt the irritating sensation desist, noting the room's light had returned to an agreeable level. Lowering her guard, she couldn't quite process what was going on around her.

Her mouth agape in surprise, she was now surrounded by perfect copies of Joey encircling her. As she turned around on the spot and hurriedly took in their visual, she felt unsettled as each one, each Joey had the exact same looks as to the others. Even down to the last smudge of dirt on his face or patch of stubble on his chin. The way they all moved was in perfect synchronisation. This was unreal. Unable to truly comprehend the situation she cried out once more. "Joey!? Which of you is... Where's the real Joey?!" Having asked out of sheer disbelief, she had perhaps wished she hadn't. As the questioned was posed, a flood of replies were made. All with the exact same tone, pitch and content. It was as if they had all spoken out in stereo. "Hey Cali." "Hey Cali." "Hey Cali." "Hey Cali." "Hey Cali." "Hey Cali." "Hey Cali." Pausing all awkwardly as they finished, the group of Joe's all looked to one another and that's when things started to become ugly. "Hey you fake, don't bother Calistra. *****!" "*****?! You're the *****, dammit!" "Me? I don't seem to be bothering her, that's you, schmuck." "No YOU are you impostor! What're ya? Stupid to think we'd believe you're the real one?!" "Joel if this is you pulling some lame ass trick... Immah kick your arse." "What was that!? I'm the real one!" "Bullshit! You don't look anything like me dammit!"

Incessant squabbling continuing, Calistra's expression winced and with a yelp, was overwhelmed by the deluge of stupidity around her. She was barely able to tolerate one Joey let alone seven or so of them. "You... Are all moronic simpletons...! I have the right mind to leave you all here and carry on without you as you seem to be getting on all so well." Gritting her teeth, she didn't see how it would be possible to distinguish them apart. Thankfully, she wouldn't have to. Stepping forward, one of the Joey's proposed a way to end the lunacy. "Alright, shuddup you fakes. I got it. Tell me exactly what underwear i'm wearing." As they all thrust a clenched fist forward and began to open their mouths, Calistra found herself answering. "Hmph. Those garish love heart ridden briefs?" As she answered the question, all several Joey's reacted in the exact same way, their mouths agape and unable to comprehend how she could have known. "HOW'D YA KNOW THAT?!" "HOW'D YA KNOW THAT?!" "HOW'D YA KNOW THAT?!" "HOW'D YA KNOW THAT?!" "HOW'D YA KNOW THAT?!" "HOW'D YA KNOW THAT?!" "HOW'D YA KNOW THAT?!" Covering her ears at the loudness of them all, Calistra growled as she came up with a way to trounce the majority of these imposters and pinpoint the real Joey.

"The Joey I know is a master thief. If there are imposters amongst the real one, then surely they wouldn't be able to perform such a feat as the real human." Her eyes brimming into a smile as she realised she had found the perfect way of filtering the real one in the midst, she proposed her own way of solving this once and for all. "Steal something from the Joey next to you without them knowing!" In Calistra's mind, this would be a simple task. Even for a human she was always amazed by the sheer dexterity and skill the male appeared to be gifted with. As the command was made, a Joey stepped forward and grinned cockily. Spinning around a trademark purple bandanna on the tip of his finger, it seemed the real one had been at least found. "Finally... Hnnrk?!" Stopped from finally concluded this mess, she looked up and noticed that the Joey that had stepped forward was also missing their bandanna. In fact, as the rest of them all stood forward, each with the same shit eating grin on their face, it soon dawned upon the Joe's that they had all just had their bandannas stolen between them. This would not sit well.

"HEY! Who the hell do you think you are?!" "Who do I think I am? I'm me dammit!" "No you're not, YOU'RE copying ME!" "Pft as if, you somehow got lucky whilst I was stealing from me." "You stole from me you mean." "That's what you... I meant!" "Dammit you fakes are making my head hurt." "Your head?! How do you think MY head feels, dammit!" Her face askance and mouth ajar as she looked in sheer disbelief, it was clear they had gone back to square one completely. "Huh. Guess we're stuck then." "You say that but I can tell you're relieved." "Sod that, I can see you're ALL breathing easier." "Says the one!" "Says the other one, one!" "What was that?! I'll take your punk ass down." "Bring it Joel!" As if reaching a boiling point, Calistra clutched her head tightly and tried to think of one possible shred that could help single out the real Joey that none of the others would be able to. "SHUT UP! ALL OF YOU! YOU GIBBERING, STUPID, DIMWITTED, HUMANS." Shutting up in complete unison, they all looked uneasy, focusing each of their attention on Calistra before sighing in saddened unison. "Cali..." Shooting a death glare out to all of them, she began working on a solution. "Right. You're all simpletons. That really doesn't help me. You are all exact copies of each other physically in how you can steal from one another... So..."

Hit by a sudden moment of realisation, her eyes widened as she realised it. "That's it..." Not wanting to admit it, the Joey that had spied on her singing would be the one able to stand out from the rest. They were good copies, that much is true but only the real Joey would be able to recite the song she had sung. "Joey. The real one. Hum, sing, whistle... ANYTHING, just remind me of that song." Their eyes all widening in realisation, it seemed that the copies were good at their purpose. It was only when a number of them began to start to sing but came out with completely off subject tunes. One started doing air guitar and copying a classic Iron Aggron tune, another started singing some silly children's nursery rhyme, another went into classical opera it seemed. But there was one. Furrowing his brow, it was clear he was uncomfortable with the act. "I dunno how I will though. The words were so... Alien and... Beautiful sounding. Urgh. If this proves it." Building up the courage, he began humming the part of the song that he knew, as he did, Calistra stepped forward and grabbed the Joey that had done so violently. "You... You are the real Joey." Turning around to the rest, an insidious dark aura came over her as her eyes began to change into that of her true form, her appearance following suit. "But the rest of you..." Building up dark energies from within, she let out a terrifying snarl that was aimed at the remaining Joey's aside from the one she had chosen to protect.

As the sound waves ripped through the fabric of reality in front of her, each of the supposed real Joey's began to shatter like broken glass. One by one they cracked and shattered as their pieces fell to the floor. By the time the attack had subsided, there were no other duplicate Joey's left to give her a headache. Turning back to face Joey, changing into her human illusionary form as she did, she stared him dead in the eye. "I thought you said you hadn't heard the song?" Her claw like nails grasping onto his jacket tightly, she softened her grip and fluffed down where she had messed up his top before turning her back to him. "One simpleton is enough." His face beaming, Joey knew that they had overcome a seriously taxing trial.

[Kataya]

Dark Path

Espeon watched from his place just above them as Calistra tried to find out which Joey was the real Joey. He was even starting to lose track of which Joey was which, and he was the one creating these other Joeys. They were almost....comical. But he continued to watch them, and finally, it seemed that Calistra had found the right Joey. When she transformed into her human illusion form, he clicked his tongue. That would have to change in the next room. He finally hopped down from his place and landed gingerly on the floor in front of them. "Very good." They had a lot more trust in each other than he had originally thought. But he knew that they'd have to work hard, particularly Joey, to prove this in the next room. The barrier in front of the door dissolved and he allowed his gem to glow again, trotting through it fully expecting Joe and Cali to follow him. Well...they had too. If they looked behind them, they'd discover the door was gone. When they entered the next room, it was dark. Darker than the last room. The only way that Joey would be able to see anything was the glow that Espeon was giving off. It went off momentarially as the Espeon climbed to his place, but he sat down promptly and the gem was back on, shining down on Joey and Calistra. A green light suddenly enveloped Calistra, forcing her back into her usual beastly form. Espeon took a deep breath. "Welcome to...your second trial." He let out a loud meow of his name and suddenly, Calistra would find herself lusting for blood. She could try and shake the feeling, but she would only find it growing stronger. The lines would quickly blur, and Joey would look like less and less of a friend, more of prey. The blue glow around her was taking control of her mind, and it was only a matter of moments before she would snap and lunge at Joey. "She has proved herself in the last room, and now it is your turn." This time he was speaking to Joey. "Display your trust in her, get her to listen to you and not the powers that have overtaken her mind. If you do you'll both leave here alive." Espeon hung his head, but shined his light back on them afterward. "If not..." he was sure he didn't need to finish the thought. ---- Information  Espeon has led you to Dark Room #2! Calistra is beginning to look sort of Feral. Convince her of your trust in her an she might snap out of it... OOC: Once again you may go through this challenge as you see fit. How Calistra comes out of this is up to you.

made by redox of gs

[The REAL Joey]

The Espeon reappearing, Joey turned to look at it and was quick to speak up over something. "Hey! Espeon fella. I got a question!" Sadly, as soon as the Espeon had appeared and provided some much appreciated light, it had began walking off onwards to the next room. Taking a turn to look at from whence they came, it was clear the only way on was forwards. "Guess the Q and A session can wait for later." As the duo hurried on after the Espeon as not to be engulfed in the unnatural darkness of the room, they paused once more as they made it to a second opening in the path. Watching as the Espeon resumed its observatory placing up above, Joey let out a sigh as he hoped to finally ask of his question. "Alright. So. Question time. Wha- Oh what?" Sidetracked by the sudden materialisation of a green light, Joey abruptly turned to look at Calistra who no longer had her illusionary form up. Instead she was in her natural form and looked ever so agitated.

Already, Joey could tell something was afoot. This was only confirmed as the Espeon made clear the second trial had begun. "Second... Trial? Wait? Are you screwin' with her head?!" Having near enough answered his own question, he foolishly stretched out a hand to console Calistra who retaliated with a vicious slash of her claws, far more vengeful than her usual personality allowed. Staring at the bloodthirsty animal he saw in front of him, it was as if no trace of Calistra remained and she had been reverted to a primordial state of beast. As the Espeon made clear the objective of the room, Joey winced his face up confusion. "Display my trust?!" As he opened his mouth, Calistra darted forward and with a deadly aim of her talon like claws, lashed out at Joey. Thankfully, as athletic as the male was, he simply pressed all of his strength into his legs and side hopped out of the way. "Kinda hard to display my trust when i'm order number 9 on the menu!"

Unrelenting her need to sate her blood lust, Calistra pounced into the air and imbued her claws with a terrifying dark, chaotic energy. Narrowly missing Joey with a swing each of the blows, Joey was kept on his feet using all manner of evasive manoeuvres to simply keep himself in one piece. "CALISTRA! It's me! Joey!? Mr.Simpleton Imbecile?! You remember me ri-WOAH?!" Swiping clean overhead, Joey dropped to his knees and with a well timed dodge, rolled out of the way, ending his position in a crouch as he looked at her with saddened disdain. His adrenaline pumping and mind racing, he was struggling to work on a way to dispel this rage. "DAMMIT! How the hell am I gonna calm her... She was a handful as it was anyway. Alright Joey... Think. THINK!" As he thought intently to himself, it gave Calistra just enough time to sneak up on him and fly her claw in an upwards motion, grazing the side of Joey's cheek barely. Pulling him off balance, he fell backwards with a thump and laid sprawled out on his back completely. Lifting himself up with his elbows, he felt the side of his cheek. It was but a mere flesh wound but it stung like crazy.

"I don't know what's gotten into you but you need to think past all that hate and malice. I know we've not had the longest of time together but in the time we have, we've become such firm partners. We look out for each other and we've both benefited from knowing one another!" Looking to where Joey had fallen, Calistra stared murderously with her glowing eyes filled with the same aura that emanated from her body. Stepping forward with one paw, she appeared to care little for his words. Groaning slightly, Joey continued on with gusto. "Don't you remember the first time we ever met?! It was at the Unova Festival. I'd slinked off with Sharada and she was introducing us when you thought it'd be reeeeeaaaaal funny to use your illusions to freak us the hell out. That crazy parade you put on for show still haunts me to this day." Another step forward, Calistra appeared unresponsive. "And and and... Don't forget about our time here in Ecruteak. It's been the city, the one place, we've bonded the most. All the memories here we've built. The moment I laid eyes upon the place, it was as if my mentor's tales were springing to life. Hell, even you went out of your way to describe how beautiful the place was. Although you're a Pokemon and i'm a human, we both share a mutual love for somethin'! We ain't so different, y'know?!" Taking another step, Joey noticed that this one seemed slightly hesitant.

Knowing he had to go further, he sped on with the very means in which they forged their trust together. Albeit even if their trust was a little rocky. "When we explored in and out of Ecruteak, you battled alongside me and we made a formidable team. All the battles we had along the route, even having to make an emergency exit 'cause of that hurricane. And then, what about Burnt Tower? That experience is gonna be with me for the rest of my life due to how many of my Pokemon came into their own but you... You entered a whole new league nobody else was in. You stood up to a LEGENDARY BEASTS and came up laughing. That Entei was a challenge but you came up trumps!" Thinking back, Joey was still a bit surprised over having met such a mythical Pokemon. He still had to pinch himself sometimes to remind himself he wasn't dreaming. "Not even that. We took on the Pokemon league gym challenge here and came out on tops. Haha, remember the look of sheer disappointment on yer face when you realised we overcame that difficult battle for... What was it? A lump of plastic?" Lifting up his lapel on his leather jacket, he flashed off his set of gym badges, predominately the fog badge. "Once we get through this, there'll be plenty more badges to earn." Now stopped terrifyingly close in front of him, Calistra appeared to be staring him, a clear conflict of personalities evidently battling for control of her body.

"You were my star fighting in the dance hall too. Boy, that fight dragged on and on and on and on. But despite all the confusion, all the assaults and hell, even my foot jamming in the door by embarrassing you like that... You came out the victor. We managed that through our trust for one another. I look out for you and in return you look out for me. There's no better winning combo. It makes us unbeatable." Her body shaking erratically, Joey gritted his teeth. He had recalled up just about everything in their past which had led to them come to an understanding of one another. And whilst the Espeon had made clear that it was the trust between Joe and Calistra that was on trial, the thief saw it as so much more. It wasn't just him. Calistra held a deep seated distrust for humankind. If anything, this was a chance to try and break that illusion. "You know what? There's somethin' else you gotta realise. It's not just me. So many other vile humans as you call 'em have helped you along the way since arrivin' here in Johto. There's Sharada, the damn girl who freed you from captivity, my entire gang who made sure they provided a good enough distraction for you to escape and helped shelter you in my warehouse. Then what about all the people we've come across, gym leaders, kimono dancers, Pokemon nurses... We all have differing amounts of time with one another but despite the duration of time we've shared with these people, we've all taken something from knowing them. Not something of hate but something of positivity."

Getting to his feet, he stared down confidently at Calistra who by now was in something of a seizure. "There's bad people in this world sure. But if you keep them out and let the good ones in. We'll build a better world together." Taking a huge risk, he stepped forward, his arms outstretched and gave her a massive hug hoping to break free the malice that had overtaken her mind. Not responding with wrath, Calistra's arms fell to her sides and she remained perfectly silent. A single tear fell from her eye and trickled along to her snout. Speaking out as she finally regained her senses, she sobbed. "T-Thank you Joey..." He had almost become shishkebab but it looked as if he had done what he could to remind Calistra of the trust he had in her.

[Kataya]

Dark Path

Espeon watched as the scene took place before him. His tail was draped over the edge of the platform he was on, curled around his front paws. Every swipe made him cringe a bit. He honestly hated these trails, and he hated working with this path, but his sister felt that even if they were risking their lives, the outcome was worth any pain they went through. And he would stand behind his sister's thoughts and choices. He continued to watch as Joey tried to snap Calistra out of it. He continued to watch with possibly, a heavy heart, as he could see the Zoroark trying to break the spell that had come over her. But finally, Joey managed to break it, and she was brought back to the state she had been in before. Seeing that she had calmed, Espeon jumped down from his spot, platform disappearing and a door forming in front of them. Espeon stepped through it, gem on his head flickering on again as he moved along. Calistra and Joey behind him, he cleared his throat. "In the next room is your final trial. You'll find it much more...complicated than the others." Was all he said before heading out the lip of the door into his room. He hopped up onto a ring of platforms again, and standing across from Joey and Calistra, were the same Sharada and Calistra that they had seen before. Sharada's eyes were emotionless, dark as she stood across from him. Tenebrae stepped in front of her so suddenly, and his stare was also cold. It wasn't the same kind of look he used to give to Calistra. He even seemed like he had never looked up to her at all. And then, had Joey still been looking at Sharada, he would have noticed her eyes flash that dangerous red again before a glass case appeared below him. Espeon looked over to Calistra. "This battle will be different from others." He commented, eyes flickering back to his illusions. "Every time you hit Tenebrae...Joey...well..." He flicked his attention back to the container that Joey was stuck inside of. At his feet, water was trickling, pooling at his feet. "If you win, Joey will drown. Is your pride going to be worth his life? This, Calistra, is your final test." He turned his attention back to the center wall. ---- Information! Espeon led you into Dark Room #3! 'Sharada' has challenged you to a battle! Remember every time Calistra lands a hit, Your container will fill further with water! 'Sharada' sends out 'Tenebrae' (Level 36)!

made by redox of gs

[The REAL Joey]

Backup slightly, Joey looked Calistra and flashed his typical beaming grin at her. "Hey, don't get all upset on me. It doesn't suit ya. 'Sides this is what friends are for. You got my back and I got your back. Everyone wins in that situation." His eyes being distracted by the sudden glow of the Espeon's gem, Joey motioned his head in its direction. "C'mon, I think we got a bit more to get through before this is over." Nodding, she looked over to where the Espeon was headed and mumbled. "So we've had multiple clones of you and I gave into the feral side of myself. Be prepared for anything." She concluded resolutely. As they walked on after the Espeon, Joey couldn't help but ignore something in his head that had been bugging him. A couple of rooms ago they had bumped into a rather frightening version of Sharada and a Zoroark. It was so unlike Sharada to flat out ignore him as such. If they were both in this situation, surely the first thing she'd have done is acknowledge a friendly face. Pulling a slightly disgruntled expression, he chalked it up to mind games by this bizarre psychic realm.

By the time they had settled in the next room, Joe had almost put the weird Sharada at the back of his mind when he began examining the room and had a sudden start. There she was once more. "YOU!" He yelled out, pointing at the decidedly different Sharada. Since she had joined Team Rocket she was a little glum over a few things but this was a complete personality change. Hearing the Espeon speak, Joey punched a clenched fist into the palm of of his hand and sided his neck from side to side. "Complicated? Hah! I bet it's gonna be some sorta weird trick where you want us to face them but it's gonna be difficult because that thing looks like Sharada and-" Despite his attempt to predict the trial of this room, it appeared Joey had been cut off as the Sharada's eyes flashed that ominous red once more. Freezing in place, the thief was taken completely off guard as the floor below him made a quick whooshing sound as he was then entrapped in a glass case. Stumbling inside the cage, Joey pulled an ired expression as it seemed there was definitely more to this trial than met the eye.

"HEY! What gives, dammit?!" Thumping his fists against the panel of glass in front of him, he noticed that there wasn't even a budge from the cage. He then began trying to kick the entrapment, even going as far as to doing a full body tackle, which had no impact whatsoever. It was as if all his motion wasn't transferring at all. "What the hell?! Cali! I dunno what's up with this but i'm seriously trapped. You gotta think fast." Looking back between the supposed Tenebrae and her trainer, Calistra snarled her muzzle as it appeared they had been duped once more. Looking over to the Espeon, the Pokemon was quick to fill her in on the catch of this room. "Hmph! Destroy them? That won-" Having interrupted the Espeon mid sentence, Calistra fell silent again as she heard there was more to the Pokemon's words. "What?! Are you trying to suggest that i'll kill that simpleton?!" Her eyes leering, she had a feeling this was likely some sort of bluff. Not really noticing the pool of water appearing at Joey's feet, she looked at the illusions and huffed angrily.

"These illusions are worthless." Building up her adrenaline, she had to try at least attacking them. If she unleashed a warning Snarl attack, it'd hopefully dispel these bizarre creations. Feeling her energy build up as she began to prepare the attack, she let out a vicious snarl aimed at the other Zoroark. It wasn't Tenebrae, no matter how much it wanted to be. "There's no way the runt would be able to evolve into such a form." Mused Calistra to herself. As she made good of her attack, Joey looked down at the water and winced slightly. "Oh boy... Here comes my annual bath time." His eyes looking over to the trial, he gulped gently.

[Kataya]

Dark Path

Sharada wasn't looking at Joey now, as she turned her head to Tenebrae. Her eyes were cold, and of all the people she could have cared about in the world, in that moment it didn't seem like it was Joey. Espeon glanced nervously to the glass that now contained Joey. It was protected, so Calistra for now couldn't get through to it. It would stay that way, for now. He watched things unfold. Calistra was faster than Tenebrae, releasing a nasty snarl that almost made the Psychic type cringe. It hit Tenebrae with a strong force, but suddenly water swirled in further around Joey's feet, pooling over his ankles and stopping short of his knees. Espeon lowered his ears. He wondered if Calistra understood that it was possible for these illusions to kill Joey? It may not have been real water, but if it submerged him, the sensation would eventually trick Joey into not breathing, tricking him into thinking he was drowning. He would die. Sharada moved her arm and Tenebrae snarled. His claw lit brightly with a dark Energy and Calistra would find that this Tenebrae was this turn too fast for her to avoid, slashing across her cheek and drawing a fair amount of blood as she was knocked back a bit. ---- Battle! Sharada's Tenebrae |Level 36| HP: 76/100 HP Status: Normal Tenebrae used Night Slash! .... VS. Joey's Calistra |Level 37| HP: 78/102 HP Status: Normal Calistra used Snarl! ....

made by redox of gs

[The REAL Joey]

Peering out from the glass trap cage he was situated in, Joey couldn't get his head around Sharada. Thinking to himself as not to distract Calistra, he was coming to the same conclusion his Pokemon had. "Considerin' Psychic types can read minds, this is obviously some trick that's been made. Damn if it ain't uncannily like her though. All except that cold, distant gaze. That alone confirms this ain't her." Trying to push past the fact it wasn't her, Joey gritted his teeth. It was difficult when someone you cared about was right in front of you but acting entirely out of character. Giving another pound of his fist against the glass barrier, he let his final thump slide down the glass as he shook his head and knew it was completely futile. Placing his faith in his Pokemon, he snapped his head back up and watched the battle unfolded. Calistra was a real tough piece of work so he had no doubt she would be able to overcome this disadvantageous battle condition that had been placed on them. So long as she hit hard and fast, surely the water wouldn't catch up.

Sadly, it didn't appear it would be as lucky. Feeling a sudden surge of water swell up to around his knees, his face distorted into that of a worried expression. "Uh ohhhh... Hey Cali. Might wanna hit a bit harder than that next time. My feet are soggy right now and that still looks good to tussle s'more." Flicking her eyes over to him, she looked back at her opponent. Whilst she was concerned for his well being, this was not the time to drop her guard. Having unleashed a warning snarl against her foe, it was time for its retaliation. Bracing herself, she leered her eyes as she beckoned the illusion to act. "Hmph. The fact you're even still alive confirms you are not Tenebrae. You may bare his scent but I of all beings should know an illusion when I see one." Unsure as to why she was trying to goad the fake copy, it seemed to make her feel better. Maybe it was a side effect of hanging around the moronic simpleton she had as a trainer for so long. Despite her words, the enemy duo reacted without restraint. Ordering the move, the puppet followed its command.

Slashing forward a slash imbued with the darkness of night, Calistra had no time in which to dodge and took a great deal of the attack. Feeling the blood drawn drip from her cheek, she raised a paw and wiped it across before licking up the excess that had accumulated. "That's another inaccuracy. A welp like Tenebrae wouldn't have the guts to strike out as that. Your attempt at trying to disconcert me has failed." Snarling her fangs, she wasn't going to hold back this time. Looking at level of water that was contained within Joey's cell, she reasoned there would be enough spacing for her to make use of one of her stronger attacks and for him to still be reasonably safe. "I'll make short work of you. A little Foul Play is in order!" Her eyes flashing menacingly, she darted forward ready to unleash another barrage against the supposed Tenebrae. Watching Calistra as she made ready her next move, Joey pulled a glum look as he splashed his boots in and out of the water. "I hope she knows what she's doin'. If anythin' it looks like she is slipping into that feral rage again."

[Kataya]

Dark Path

Espeon continued watching them from his perch, ears raising and lowering as he tried to figure out why Calistra was still attacking. What was so...important about winning a battle that you would risk the life of someone you're supposed to care about. He would have never risked his sister's life in the situation. But then again, maybe Calistra was seeing something that he just wasn't. He looked worriedly over to Joey, whose tank had filled with just a bit more water because of the attack. Calistra, having declared that Tenebrae could never have amounted to something of this fake's stature, She leaned forward, dark energy gathering around her as she prepared to launch herself at Tenebrae. Tenebrae looked back at Sharada, but neither of them seemed worried. Well composed, they seemed to be expecting this, almost. Sharada flicked her wrist and Tenebrae began glowing with the same energy of darkness. They took off at the same time and collided mid-air, before falling to the ground, feet first. The two Zoroark turned to each other again, glowing with the same energy and launching at one another again. But this time they both found a weak spot where they could lash out, and they each crashed to the floor, this time with less grace. Once again the water started flowing again, and this time came all the way mid-way of Joey's torso. Any more of this, and there would be trouble, that much Espeon knew.  ---- Battle! Sharada's Tenebrae |Level 36| HP: 44/100 HP Status: Normal Tenebrae used Foul Play! .... VS. Joey's Calistra |Level 37| HP: 48/102 HP Status: Normal Calistra used Foul Play! ....

made by redox of gs

[The REAL Joey]

Watching from the sidelines, trapped in his prison, Joey kept rubbing the glass to try and get a clear view of the action. "Oh man... They're both really goin' for it. As much as I love a good scrap, even i'm flinchin' away some. Youch." Pulling away from viewing directly head on, Joe watched as they appeared to be on equal footing, using even the same moves against one another. His eyes instead faltering to Sharada, he found it so hard to accept that she didn't react in any sort of way. He knew it was a fake but with something so uncannily like the real thing, surely there was something there that would follow her nature. Grimacing, he couldn't blank out the vicious cries the two Pokemon made as they exploited one another's openings. "C'mon Cali... Hang in there." Problematically, as they distanced themselves after the vicious entanglement, Joey startled slightly as more water appeared to fill up the tank. Now well up to his torso, he tip toed slightly to try and avoid the water from soaking him through completely.

Angrily breathing as she regained her composure, Calistra felt her wounds piling up but even more pressing than that was the accumulating water. "Curses... Why did you have to fall into such an obvious trap, simpleton?!" Clearly annoyed, it seemed as if she was falling back on her favourite past time of blaming Joey for things clearly out of his control. As she berated him, she felt a slither of hope restore. As much of an idiot as he was, he was her idiot and she knew he would come out of this ok. She just needed to land a decisive hit on this illusionary fake. Grasping at her waste, she let out a small splutter as she felt the damage taking its toll. "Moron! I'm going to go for one more strike and try to end this. You had best hold your breath for when that water comes up." Wincing in surprise, Joey looked down and splashed the water at his sides with his hands. "WHAT?! You're tryin' to kill me?! Who's to say if the water won't fill to the max if you knock out that phony?" Leering her eyes as she looked at the foes in front of them, she responded in a contemplative tone. "I'm not going to sit here and do nothing."

Raising a paw up and flicking her claws back and forth as she contemplated how best to approach this, she knew this fake was strong enough to go toe to toe with her. There wasn't going to be any easy way of out doing them. Agonised over not being able to subdue her rival, she felt at an impasse. All her life she had been a fighter, having to protect and fend off those which would wish ruin upon her clan. This was all she had known and she wasn't going to stop here. "You had best start practising your deep breathing." She referred to Joey as she leaned forward in a battle stance. "I shall continue my assault. If I take no action, we're trapped here forever. Of course each damage I deal puts you in a worse position but we'll overcome this trial like the others. I know I can rely on you to overcome the water filling up. Just as you can rely on me to make sure this phantom is put in its place. Together we'll endure worst in order to prepare ourselves for victory." Focusing now on her opponent, she made one last remark. "This has been a learning experience." Dashing forward, she decided to enact another Foul Play. It had proved effective last round and her other options were limited.

[Kataya]

Dark Path

Joey was going to die...with this Zoroark's determination not to lose...he wasn't quite sure what would happen. He watched quietly as Calistra shared words with Joey. How would she get him out. The glass was protected by a barrier, he had set it himself. Even if he had set this course, he never wanted anyone to die. That wasn't the purpose of all of this. With a quiet snuff, he laid his head on his paws. He didn't like this, not at all. If only his sister would let him stop it. Calistra, after sharing words with Joey, once again had launched herself at Tenebrae, and at the imposter's command, that Tenebrae also rushed towards her. They collided in another series of loud cries and a bit of blood shed. They seemed to be playing off her foul play, with their own. Though the Illusion Tenebrae was panting now, and it was obvious it was tired. Then, the flood gates opened within the glass. Joey would in a matter of moments, find himself submerged within the glass that was now totally filled with water. In the next shot, Calistra would likely win, but at what cost. ---- Battle! Sharada's Tenebrae |Level 36| HP: 12/100 HP Status: Normal Tenebrae used Foul Play! .... VS. Joey's Calistra |Level 37| HP: 18/102 HP Status: Normal Calistra used Foul Play! .... -- Attention! Joey has been completely submerged within the tank of water.

made by redox of gs

[The REAL Joey]

Swipe after swipe, slash after slash, the two Zoroark faced off in a blood lust battle to the death. Not wanting to let the illusion get a leg over her, she struck out with increased viciousness, the likes of which she had never even succumbed to before. It was a good thing that deep down she was a beast and could tap into the primordial feral rage she could possess. As they both struck out a final blow, the two were pushed back to opposite ends of the battlegrounds, creating a safe amount of distance. Crouching down on knee as she skidded to a halt, Calistra huffed wearily as she looked up at her aggressor. Bearing her fangs as she wiped more blood from her face, she struggled to get back up. As she did, a sudden cry of panic from Joey could be heard. The last hit had tipped the scales over what could be deemed as safe. "Calistra, you're givin' it everything you got. You gotta hang in there for this last bit. It's clear you gotta vanquish this fake and free me outta here. Whatever happens, make sure you do this." Looking down, he could see the water rising. Pouring up a bit further than he anticipated, Joey called out to reassure his Pokemon, despite an undeniable hint of worry in his own tone. "I-It's risin'! I can handle it though... Heheh. Don't worry about me now. I mean, what's a little water right? I can hold my... Oh damn. Wait. This ain't... CALISTRA! H-Help!!" He yelled out, pouring way past what either of them had anticipated the water passed by his upper chest and was now filling up to around his neck, causing him to buoy to the top of the cage, his head pushing up against the uppermost part.

Unlike him to have lost his cool so easily, the over estimation they had made had caused the thief to panic at the last minute. With the water surging, he had barely any time to take in the last breath he would before the water filled the tank completely. His arms and legs flailing about, it clear Joey was out of his depth and being in the water wasn't one of his most comfortable circumstances. Trying to keep calm, he eventually reigned in his movements but from the look on his face, it was clear he wasn't going to be able to hold his breath much longer. Opening his mouth, he let out precious oxygen from his mouth as he seemed to motion five words. "JOEY!" Cried out Calistra with an unusual sign of concern in her voice. Forcing herself back onto her feet, she gasped out painfully as the damage she had received was now critical. She had been in so many fights and this was the first one to make her feel so pained. Clutching onto her stomach as she failed to maintain a centre of gravity, she wrathfully stared down her opponents. It was now or never. She would have to see this through and finish her opponent. "I have had enough of your illusions! THIS ENDS... Here...?!" As if the words she had said had opened up a revelation before her, Calistra realised a very important fact. For all the damage she was sustaining, for every blow the opponent and she traded, even the very atmosphere of the room. It was all fake. Nothing but a powerful illusion conjured by this Espeon that had skirted them away. A sadistic grin spreading over her maw, she let out a manic fit of laughter.

"Ahahahahahaha... I should've thought of this sooner! Your illusions were powerful. Too powerful. To the point that I had become so wrapped up and lost in them that I thought them real. But that is all this is. An illusionary wonderland. And that... That is why I am going to save my friend." Her body trembling as she began tapping into her innate power, she let a dark aura flow over her outline as she continued. "You made one very fatal mistake. You thought you could subdue a being who has mastered the very art of illusion. Your skills are respectable but they're nothing compared to what I can conjure forth... Yeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhhh!" Her body thrusting upwards, each of her limbs threw off to the side as she used every remaining ounce of energy in her body to do battle with the very illusion world they were in. As dark tendrils struck forward in all directions, they appeared to shatter the supposed reality around them. Bit by bit, Calistra used her own powers of illusion to tear down this world the Espeon had created and change it to somewhere, anywhere but where they had been trapped. As the room began to transform into a massive jigsaw, the pieces of the puzzle incessantly vied back and forth to keep them in one world or the other. The Espeon's world was the one they had been trapped in for what had seemed like an eternity but with every successful tendril that lashed out and corrupted the psychic prison, Calistra appeared to make an area not unlike that of a forest. The only difference was that the area was almost sacred in its atmosphere. The very clearing appeared to radiate with a gleaming light off of every object in the area. Wherever it was, Calistra was clearly trying to transport them to a place she deemed a sanctuary.

Falling down to the ground, her magic appeared to be continuing its bid to take control of the area. With the illusions now distorting and allowing her an opportunity, she shrugged off any feeling she had of pain, comforting herself in the fact it wasn't real. Limping over as quickly as she could to where Joey was trapped, she felt her heart race as she noticed his body was no longer moving. Instead, the male's body seemed to float there lifelessly. "No... No... NO... NOOOOOOOO!" Now before the glass, she smashed her paws against the trap in an attempt to break it. Noticing it appeared almost impenetrable, she stood back and shrouded her claws with the darkness of night and slashed against them in the hopes it would shatter the prison. Nothing. "This is ridiculous... No matter how strong I try to warp these illusions with my own nothing is... WHY?!" Letting out a few more furious lashes at the barrier, she could feel her hopes start to dash. Looking up, it was clear that Joey wasn't even aware of the situation. "Surely the simpleton must know this is all an illusion...?! Why can't he realise that water is nothing and he's not suffocating...?!" Filled with anger at his inability to differentiate reality from illusion she shook her head. It wasn't his fault. These were some powerful tricks that had befallen them. "Don't you die on me...! You had best not leave me like the others...!! Curse you!" She spluttered angrily with tears in her eyes. "There must be something I can do." Her brain racking for the answer, she looked as the very world around them continued to struggle to decide where they truly were.

"ENOUGH!" Having hoped to try and transport them to an area away from this prison and freeing Joey in the process, it appeared she didn't have the sheer raw power to overcome this psychic trickery. "Maybe on my own i'm unable to but... With everyone... With everyone! That's the answer!" As if her desperation had finally bought her the answer she needed, the Pokemon closed her eyes and using every ounce of illusion magic she had available to her began to conjure forth help. Despite her aloof character, the Pokemon tightened her eyes shut closer as she began to memorise all the Pokemon Joey had encountered and bonded with in his journey. As the memories of Joey's Pokemon, his friends, her own friends, began to visualise in her mind, so did their presence in the room around them. One by one, the many faces that Joey and Calistra had come to known made their emergence in the form of Calistra's illusions. Now populating the entire room, it was as if Calistra had used her powers to call forth an army. An army which all shared a unified thread between them. To save their friend.

"EVERYONE! Lend me your strength! We must save Joe!" As all the Pokemon she had summoned readied themselves, they all focused their might on the glass prison that imprisoned him. "NOW!" As everyone unleashed their inner power, the result was a blinding combination of energy that merged into an unrivalled star of brightness. As it pulsated with the combined hopes, strengths and bonds of the Pokemon, it coursed forwards, causing a mighty quake as it collided with the barrier. The result was instantaneous, unable to withstand the sheer ferocity of the Pokemon's strength, the prison crumbled away, letting the water flood out and Joey's body tumble downwards as he was finally freed.

With their joint efforts succeeded, Calistra dashed forward and went to cradle Joey in her arms. As she did, the effort she had exerted in summoning the illusions made them appear one by one as they faded into the background. Picking him up and shrugging him violently, she desperately sought a sign of life. "Joey... Joey... JOEY! You simpleton. You can't be dead. You can't... An idiot like you doesn't know how to die! You're too stupid to manage that!" Her eyes swelling, she was fearing the worst. As a tear drop fell from her face and landed on Joey's own, he stirred slightly, his eyes flickering before he coughed, his mouth erupted with a watery discharge as he inhaled for air. "Huuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhh!" He gasped as he struggled to fill his lungs with oxygen. "H-Hey... What're you mopin' for silly? I wasn't gonna... Urk... Lose like that. No way. I ain't gonna go down like some punk ass kid who can't swim." Putting on a brave grin, he looked up to Calistra as she stared down at him. Mumbling to herself, all she could muster was very little but it summed up her appreciation it had not been too late all the same. "Thank goodness..." Having completely forfeit the battle of dominance, Calistra had chosen to save her friend. There was no way she could keep up the pretence of claiming superiority.