[color=00a99d][h2]Gentry[/h2]
[h3][u]"The Group Forms"[/u][/h3][/color]

As Gentry was making all the necessary preparations for the journey, tightening straps on saddle bags and ensuring Salamence's comfort, a strong looking woman approached, exclaiming about his Absol, who jumped up skittishly and growled, at least until she saw the other Absol. At that point the pokemon jumped down off the dragon type and walked slowly towards the other of its kind, sniffing curiously. "sol?"

[color=00a99d]"Indeed, it is. I've never seen another in my life, most people believe them to bring terrible luck. I'm sure you've found this isn't the case at all."[/color] Gentry observed the girl carefully, she was completely decked out from head to foot with weaponry and had three powerful looking pokemon at her side. She was clearly prepared for the worst at this meeting. 

"Gentry!!! We'll head west towards the coast and move up through Argent!"

Jin called, heading away from the castle and down the street. Gentry returned the wave and called back, [color=00a99d]"Meet us on the road outside the city!"[/color] Gentry wasn't so keen on heading up through Argent, but he wasn't about to suggest otherwise in the middle of the street. As far as he was concerned, the fewer people who knew where they were going the better. He still wasn't entirely trusting of the others gathered at the palace.

Then, in a sudden flash of light, two familiar figures appeared directly in the center of the group. It was none other than the phoenician warrior with her Gallade, as if his thoughts of mistrust materialized before his very eyes. Scizor was on the ready in a battle stance, and Gentry's hands gripped Salamence's reigns tightly. Absol had retreated from her counterpart and returned to her spot beside Gentry.

"Shu and Wu, soldiers of Phoenicis. You may find some use for us."

She was asking to join their group? Or, stating that she was joining rather. 

[color=00a99d]"Shu and Wu... You've got some nerve asking to join our group."[/color] Scizor looked to Gentry for direction, but the warrior shook his head slightly, signaling the pokemon to stand down. [color=00a99d]"I suppose that's enough to merit some use."[/color] He didn't exactly like the idea, but he [i]had[/i] seen her fight before, and she was capable of holding her own. Her partnership with Wu was somewhat of a marvel on the battlefield. There was also the old cliché about keeping your enemies close..

Before another word could be spoken, a man approached, carrying his dinner but also still eating it, drawing everyone's attention as he spoke.

"Paro of Leonias, reporting! And...this is Etan. I promise you, he's better-trained than I am. I-in combat, I mean!"

The young man seemed a bit clumsy and spat out bits of steak as he talked. This guy was a soldier of Leonias? He didn't carry himself like one, but he [i]was[/i] armed like one. Gentry was slightly annoyed by his goofy demeanor, but noticed the pokemon he was referring to was his blade- a Honedge. Legends say the swords evolutionary line could sense bravery and leadership, and even served royalty. Though he didn't believe all the myths and legends regarding Pokemon- like the one about Absol- it was an impressive partner to have nonetheless. 

[color=00a99d]"Alright, that makes four of us then. I'm Gentry of Leonias."[/color] He turned to Kasumi, who had not yet introduced herself. [color=00a99d]"You are welcome to join us and make five. This darkness is not an enemy you will want to face alone."[/color] He turned and looked to the rest of the group- they had amassed quite the traveling party in a short time, and most of them seemed like capable warriors. If they could all get along, it seemed like they stood as good a chance as anyone at getting to the bottom of the whole thing. But that was a big if. [color=00a99d]"Let's not waste any time. We're meeting our last party member on the road outside the city."[/color] With that, he pulled the reigns so that Salamence would turn to leave the courtyard. [color=00a99d]"We'll walk for now, Sal. We'll need all the energy we can save."
[/color]

[color=00a99d][hr][/color]

The group was just outside the city. They had traveled there in relative silence, but there would be plenty of time for small talk on the journey. They had stopped at a fork in the road; to the left was the road that led West to Argent, to the right was East to Leonias. Here they would wait for Jin before deciding exactly which path to take. 

[@ananfal][@Nuttsnbolts][@c3p-0h][@densoro]