o/ On the Road Again o/

[Catilena1890]

So here they were, traveling on the road once again. Well, almost, Sawyer had opted to stay in Gustella to get in some extra training and win the badge from Wendy. Although reluctant to part with her friend, Celeste has to get going if she wanted to make it for her contest in SeaRidge town, which was just at the end of route 802 before Torrentia City. At least she wasn't alone, Lesa was here with her. Celeste enjoyed her company as she talked the girl's ear off while Reso sat on Comet's head, Vulpina scurrying about.

"...it was terrifying, yet amazing! One minute we're tucking ourselves into bed, the next, Vulpina turns into me and drags us away! I didn't know she could do that! And her instincts were right on the mark. If I didn't have Vulpina or Pendra I dunno WHAT would have happened!" Said Celeste, telling Lesa about the night she and Sawyer got their eggs. She hugged her white egg close and rubbed the top a little, feeling a bit of heat.

"So, you figured out all those eggs at that breeding center right? Can you tell me what my egg is?" She asked, holding the egg out to Lesa.

[Basile]

Lesa was trying to pay attention. Really, she was. But as the journey went on, she found her attention slipping away into other things, so that the chatter of her companion simply became a background murmur. She found herself thinking of the events of the previous day. She wondered how the entei from pokemon center was. He'd been gone by the time they made it back to the center, though the rubble was all cleared away. He may have been an old entei, but he was still a strong one. Despite the fact that he had tried to kill her, she found an affinity for the old fire pokemon. She also wondered you the fearow was from the breeding center. Some day soon, she'd decided, she'd have to go back and visit.

It was sad business that they'd needed to leave behind Sawyer, but the fact of it was, at the moment their needs were different. Sawyer had needed to train and gather her strength for the upcoming Gym Battle with Wendy. Celeste had to get to the contest that lay beyond this route. And she? Well, she had pressing need to get to Torrentia and find this Becker, who could certify Comet and get her a pokeball for him. She was getting kind of tired of being constantly started at in open shock.

That, and her poor hair needed a rest from being eaten.

A direct question from Celeste brought her out of her reverie, and she turned to look at the girl, studying her for a moment before her brain supplied her with the question. "Hm. Well, may I see it?" She waited for a nod before gingerly taking the egg and looking over it, as she had the ones in the breeding center. "Well, it's rather hot, so I'm guessing it will be a fire pokemon. It's kinda heavy for an egg, so probably it will be something big. Comet's egg was heavy for it's size, too. But to be honest, these markings don't look like any pokemon I've ever encountered before, even with my brother and sister being out and about in the world. That's how I knew about the others, I've seen or heard about them from my siblings."

She carefully handed the egg back to Celeste and shrugged, glancing at her own. At the moment, it was nestled on Comet's back, with Aunia curled around it to keep it balanced.

"I suppose it will have to just hatch before we find out."

[Catilena1890]

Celeste nodded at Lesa's assessment of her egg and held it tightly, rubbing its warm side.

"Well, I thought it might have been a Torchic, and I got burned for that, literally, haha." She chuckled, remembering her how her temperamental egg showed it's true colors that night. Course, if she had lost her mother before she got to know her Celeste figured she wouldn't be the happiest person either. She bit her lip as she remembered Team Necro's crime, and she gripped her egg tighter, looking down at it.

"I won't let that happen to you, I promise." She told it. The egg warmed comfortably in her arms, as if it could hear her and was thanking her. She smiled as they continued their journey, looking at the river every now and again when a magikarp jumped out. Vulpina occasionally bat at the pokemon that came close, snickering when they tried to splash water on her.

Celeste yawned as she tried to stretch out, moaning happily when Pendra pushed her tail into her back in a sort of massage. They decided to stop for a moment and break for lunch, and were happily eating their food when Pendra suddenly froze, her antenna the only part of her moving. Celeste looked up and saw the bug pokemon and also froze, reaching out for her egg and holding it protectively.

"I know this, Lesa something bad is about to happen." She said. Suddenly the air got really cold, prompting Celeste to hug her egg even closer for warmth which it gladly gave.

"What is with this? This is not Ranny, it doesn't get this cold when Ranny comes." She said as the wind picked up and snow began to pelt the girls. A large form suddenly blocked the sun and sailed over the pair, crash-landing just beyond the trees. A woman flew back from the crash site and fell into the river, struggling to stay afloat.

"Pft, HELP! SOMEBODY! I CAN'T SWIM!" She screamed as she continued to flail about. Celeste set her egg down and covered it and ran to the river, Lesa not far behind.

"We're coming! Hang on!" She yelled. Vulpina ran in front and her eyes glowed. She jumped once and flipped over, turning into Celeste just before landing. The girls ran along the rivers edge, looking for an opportunity to help the woman. Vulpina tried to jump in to help, only to be held back by Celeste.

"It's too fast, you won't make it!" She told the dark pokemon. Celeste turned to Lesa and stared at Comet hopefully.

"I know he just hatched and all, but Comet might be her only hope!" She said as they continued to run.

[Basile]

Something bad? Goody. Hadn't they been through enough the past few days? But no, she guessed not, because almost as soon as she thought it, Celeste and her brood were taking off, running towards the river. She was right behind them, shivering in the sudden snowfall. Why was it snowing? It had been way too warm to snow just a minute ago! And that scream. Damn! As she ran to the river, she noticed the woman in the river almost at the same time as Celeste, and watched in horror as the current picked her up and carried her away. Her companion was right, it was way too fast for anyone to jump in after her.

So she turned to Comet, quickly grabbing a startled Aunia and the container that held her egg off of his back. "Comet, suicune are known to be able to walk on water. Do you think you can go get the lady?" The big blue dog just blinked at her for a moment before jumping gracefully into the river. The rushing waters seemed to calm beneath his feet as he bounded after the screaming woman.

Once he reached her, Comet dipped his head, nudging the woman's cheek. the current wasn't carrying her now, for there seemed to be a pond of calm right in the middle of the rushing river. "Grab on!" Lesa called out, and the suicune waited until the floundering woman had grabbed a hold of him before bringing her back to dry land and next to his mama.

[Catilena1890]

Having been carried onto shore, the woman heaved and coughed up water, still hanging onto Comet. She continued to sputter as Celeste moved down to pat her back, helping to push some of the water out. When she could breathe, the woman let go of Comet and laid on her back, trying to gather her thoughts.

"Oh my, thanks so much. I *pant* didn't know what was going to happen." She said, sitting up. Celeste tilted her head at the woman as she stood up again, looking around.

"What happened?" She asked. The woman's eyes widened as she stood up abruptly and spun around rapidly. It was clear she was not from around here, as she wore heavy fur-lined clothes and a thick pair of gloves.

"Oh my oh my oh my! Sammich! Marty!" She called. She looked at the girls pleadingly and put her hands together.

"Oh please help! We were on our way to deliver a pokemon egg when something suddenly attacked us! It was weird, it sounded like it was a Reshiram, but the cry, it sounded so...eerie, as if it wasn't really a Reshiram, or any pokemon for that matter." She said, becoming silent for a moment before perking up again.

"But yeah, it attacked us out of the blue, and Marty crash-landed somewhere over there, I`m sure Sammich, my Delibird, is still with him. Will you help me find them?" She asked, not wanting to go alone.

[Basile]

Lesa's eyes glazed over as the woman chattered. She was more all-over-the-place than Celeste was, and her words quickly swirled around until it made Lesa's head feel like it was swimming. Reshirim? What in the world was that? And who named their pokemon 'Sammich'? This person apparently. But it did get through to her that she wanted them to accompany her while she searched for her pokemon, and something about an egg, so Lesa simply nodded, shifting Aunia and her egg into a more comfortable position. "Of course, let's go find them. Lost pokemon are never a good thing."

[Catilena1890]

The three girls crossed the river and began to fight their way through the trees, the strange girl seeming to get more and more tired. She really wasn't equipped for something like this. Celeste walked up to the woman and cleared her throat.

"So uh, who are you? Where did you come from?" She asked. The woman panted and turned tiredly to Celeste and nodded.

"My name is Krister, and I normally live in Blizzara Cit, but like I said was delivering an egg when---Marty! Sammy!" She exclaimed, running ahead. Celeste and Lesa did their best to catch up, getting colder and colder as the temperature dropped. Celeste's egg radiated heat, which was very much appreciated though still not quite enough.

"What is with this weather? It's so cold!" Celeste complained just as they finally caught up to Krister.

"Well that's what happens when an Articuno is in the area. Oh my friends, are you ok?" She asked, hugging a delibird tightly while petting a huge, injured Articuno. The big blue bird whimpered, trembling from the pain.

"Oh my Marty, how did this happen?" Krister asked. Celeste and Lesa carefully approached when Pendra's antenna started twitching.

"There it is! Hand over the Articuno and the eggs and no one gets hurt!" Said a dangerous voice, two skull-wearing grunts appeared from the brush with their pokemon just behind.

[Basile]

It was awkward to run with an egg and an eevee in her arms, but she managed to keep up with the other two, listening as they chatted. Blizzara huh? That was a long way away. She wondered why the woman hadn't just sent the egg along with a pokemon, especially if she had one as powerful as an articuno. It certainly did explain the sudden snow. The young breeder looked at the blue bird, but did not have long to think about this. For a voice interrupted her.

Lesa slowly turned to see a familiar symbol bearing down on them. "Not you guys again!" she groaned, her arms tightening around her own egg. Apparently they had not noticed Comet yet, but she had no doubt they wouldn't for long. "Like we told your flunkies yesterday, we aren't going to let you take these eggs, or any pokemon for that matter!" Moving institutionally, Lesa placed herself between the skull wearing goons and the injured articuno.

[Catilena1890]

The two grunts clenched their teeth at the defiance of the girls, who mirrored Lesa's actions. Looking behind Lesa, one of the grunts saw Comet and was thrown for a loop, turning to his and his partners pokemon behind him.

"Get that Suicune and Articuno! We need them and those eggs!" He said. The pokemon flopped their way in front of their trainers. Celeste made a disgusted face at the sight of those pokemon and pulled out her pokedex.



"Stunfisk, the Trap Pokemon. Stunfisk hides itself in mud when they are hunting. It smiles when transmitting electricity, which is done when prey touches it." Said the pokedex.

"Forgot to mention how gross it looks. Hmm, I wonder who I will use? I know! Let's go Reso!" She said, bringing out her beloved Ralts. Reso stood on the field and took a more offensive stance, ready to show off his new attack. Celeste held tightly onto her precious egg and glared at the two Team Necro members.

"We're not gonna let you get away with this! We'll stop you!" She said as Reso, Vulpina and Pendra chirped in agreement. The grunts merely laughed as they readied their first strike.

Health:

Reso: 20/20

Stunfisk Lv. 10: 25/25
Stunfisk Lv. 10: 25/25

[Basile]

Lesa shared Celeste's disgust for the creatures that flopped their way to the fore of the battle. Ugh! What an ugly creature! Though she was a fan of most pokemon, these... Well, Lesa decided she could make an exception, especially considering the circumstances. She'd be cold and gone before these people took anything while she was around!

With her hands full, she was unable to reach any of her pokeballs, so she simply decided to go with the easiest possible move. "Comet, you're up kiddo!" The suicune blinked at her, jumping from his place behind his mama to a place in front of her. He sniffed the air for a moment, then started to growl. While not the same as the people who had tried to hurt his mama before, these people reminded him of them.

So he took a stance in front of his mama... And promptly landed on his rear end. Oops! He seemed to have slipped.

For a moment he seemed dazed, and Lesa chuckled. "Come on, Comet. Let's try out a bubble beam!"

The suicune nodded and opened his mouth with a squeaky baby roar, powerful bubbles shooting out towards the stunfisk.

[RESULT: 5] Super Effective +1

Reso: 20/20
Comet: 35/35

Stunfisk: 25/25
Stunfisk: 19/25

[Catilena1890]

Celeste grinned as Comet was, well, Comet. She couldn't help but chuckle at the baby suicune who was still awkward on his feet. The laughter soon ended when his attack connected, making one of the disgusting pokemon create an even more disgusting sound. It squeaked angrily and was preparing an attack even before his trainer called for it.

"Stunfisk! Use Thundershock on the Suicune!" He commanded. The Stunfisk moved in for a more devastating blow only to be intercepted by Reso.

"Reso! Help with Growl!" Celeste ordered. Reso let out a piercing growl toward the pokemon, hurting it's ears.

[RESULT: 8] Stunfisk 1's attacks are cut by 2 points.

Stunfisk shrieked as it knocked Reso back, unleashing it's weakened electricity towards Comet.

[RESULT: Miss]

Meanwhile, the other grunt had his eyes set on a now-distracted Reso, grinning at the low blow he could now deal.

"Mudslap!" He commanded as the Stunfisk scuttled towards Reso for the attack.

[RESULT: 8]

The attack made contact, and poor Reso shrieked at the pain, trying to rub the mud out of his eyes.


Reso: 12/20
Comet: 35/35

Stunfisk: 25/25
Stunfisk: 19/25

[Basile]

The breeder had to hold back a gag at the sound the nasty little creatures made when Comet's attack landed. Still though, loosing the contents of her stomach at this point in time wouldn't help anyone, and especially not her. So she held her breakfast and prepared herself for the attack that was to come. Thankfully Celeste cut in, and she shot the girl a thankful look, but this was not over yet. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw sparks coming from the ugly thing, and she considered calling Comet back, but there was no time.

The stunfisk released it's attack....

Just as a piece of fluff floated by Comet's nose. The baby suicune sniffed at it, following it's ride on the breeze with his whole body, until he lost his balance and went rolling.

The electricity danced innocently in the dirt nearby as the suicune pawed at the fluff.

Lesa wasn't sure whether to laugh or slap her palm against her forehead. "Use another bubble beam on that stunfisk, Comet."

The big blue dog didn't even bother rolling over off his back. He simply tilted his head back towards the fish and let out another tide of bubbles.

[RESULT: 7] Super Effective +1

Reso: 12/20
Comet: 35/35

Stunfisk: 25/25
Stunfisk: 11/25

[Catilena1890]

Stunfisk cried again as Comet's attack crippled it, bringing it to it's "knees". Celeste took this chance to make her move as Reso scraped the mud from his eyes.

"Now, use Confusion!" She called. Reso focused his mind and aimed a mind-rending attack towards the stunfisk facing Comet.

[RESULT: 3]

Stunfisk flipped from the attack, weakened severely. It raised itself to attack once more, using a Mud Sport to soften the field. The other stunfisk, angry at its opponents for beating it's friend, lashed out at Reso without even needing to be commanded, sending a thundershock his way.

[RESULT: 2]

Reso managed to evade most of the attack, only taking a few sparks of damage instead. Celeste winced as she watched her poor ralts try his hardest.

Reso: 10/20
Comet: 35/35

Stunfisk: 25/25
Stunfisk: 8/25

[Basile]

Ohhhh, Comet was not a happy suicune, no he was not. That smelly little fish had just taken his nice playground and turned it into a mud field. Lesa could have laughed. Didn't these people know better than to take away a child's playtoy? Comet rolled over and shook himself, trying to get the mud off of his coat. When that didn't work, he roared, a real roar that shook the trees all around them.

"Don't loose your head Comet love. There will be more patches of grass for you to play in," Lesa called out in a voice that she hopped would sooth the creature. He tilted his head back slightly toward his mama, but did not seem any less angry. "Alright then. If you're mad let's show them. Water gun!"

[RESULT: 7] Super effective +1

Reso: 10/20
Comet: 35/35

Stunfisk: 25/25
Stunfisk: 0/25

[Catilena1890]

The first stunfisk fell, leaving only one to deal with not just one, but TWO opponents. The grunts gritted their teeth and growled as the lone Stunfisk stared down his opponents fiercely. Reso and Celeste met their gaze with a determined look of their own.

"Confusion Reso!" Celeste called. Reso cried out as he focused his mind on the enemy.

[RESULT: Miss]

Alas, the attack missed as Stunfisk flopped high into the air, flying and landing on top of comet. The Team Necro Grunt cackled as he pointed his finger.

"Now die! Thundershock on the Suicune!" He commanded. Stunfisk gave a creepy smile as he generated electricity, preparing to unleash it's wrath on Comet.

[RESULT: 2] Super Effective! +1

"Reso! get that thing off of Comet with your confusion!" Celeste called. Reso yelled loud as he concentrated on lifting the Stunfisk off of Comet and throwing it across the field, distracting it enough so that only a few sparks touched Comet.

Reso: 10/20
Comet: 32/35

Stunfisk: 25/25
Stunfisk: 0/25