Lugere. The country within the land of ice and snow. Wind chills blow across the hardened earth and sharp pine forests, casting almost endless cloudy skies upon the inhabitants. Lakes and oceans spread far within the kingdom, full of life and money for most of the land's people. Mountains, topped with pure white snow and full of rich ore, tower over the earth with a pure appearance. Among the frost, towns are gathered in small clumps, houses lined with stones and bricks and kept warm with hay and roaring fireplaces. The folks within are bundled heavily, whispering about the harsh winter that would soon be upon them, while their children played in the frost, blowing clouds from their mouths as they laughed thoughtlessly. Beyond the scattered towns lay a large pine forest, the probable home of many Lugere-based Morphs. Within the greenery, near the center of the forest, an eternally warm clearing stands. The Temperate Grove. Pokemon gather here all around the year, taking refugee in the constant warmth and nearby stream, and care for the land with the utmost care. Only few know of the odd clearing's location, the rest simply assume it is nothing more than a rumor. Most of those who know of the Grove are located in the main town of the country, the kingdom of Maccus. Named after the head of house Lugere, the stone-based city sits brilliantly on the side of a few close mountains, and the main castle remains on a glimmering lake. Held together by stone and frost, many people gather within the rich houses and shops that line the cobble streets. Maccus's castle is large and elegant, topped with sharp bulbs that gleam reds and blues in even the darkest of nights, and it is guarded twenty-four-seven. Within the walls, Pokemon and royals live surrounded by knowledge, Maccus himself can normally be found in the library, filling his mind with knowledge, but it has now been three weeks since he last opened a book. These days, he is in the study, with many advisers and trusted friends. They spoke with quiet intensity, discussing the land of Egyel.... And plans of war. Tensions are high within the castle, and while the head would love to keep such topics behind closed doors, rumors have spread to the main town. [i]A war? With them?[/i] [i]The land of Egyel is ripe for the picking, why not?[/i] [i]I'd rather we not get involved...[/i] Them. Ayero. The country within the land of sunlight and warmth. Green hills, made of the best soil money could buy, claim most of this land, a stark difference to Lugere's frosted earth. Thin forests dot the landscape, and the trees are caught in a forever autumn cycle, giving the leaves the colors of fire. The sun is harsh, and snow is an unknown phenomena to most of the land. Few lakes fill the flat plains, and most forests are kept alive by small streams and the occasional monsoon. Towns are found mostly on the coast or near lakes and rivers, where farming and glass making is easy to do. Golden fields of crops claim most of the grasslands now, and towns of wood and gravel run these farms. Near the center of the land lies the capital city, the kingdom of Hiden. Named after the head of house Ayero, the town is wood-based and the streets are lined with aqueducts, giving it a very fluid appearance. The main castle is located on the rive that the city surrounds, and its unique architecture has inspired thousands of artists, who fill the cover the walls of the palace with intricate designs and majestic imagery. Hiden is normally found with the guards, training them to fight with the fierceness of their crest, the fire-Pokemon Ho-Oh, but now a days he is alone with only his most trusted adviser, discussing the use of the land that was once Egyel, and the threat of Lugere. Such secrets, now, if only the walls didn't have eyes. The rumors started a few days after the first secret discussion, and Hiden made constant speeches to calm the growing worry, simply dismissing the rumors. The cover ups worked, for the most part, anyway... The people of Lugere and Ayero now live day to day, some blissfully unaware of the looming fight, and others sulking behind walls, preparing to be summoned or forced into the fight, but the upcoming war does not matter yet. On this very day, Lugere was cloudy and cold, as usual, and the threat of snow lay heavy in the air. Meanwhile, in Ayero, the sun was blissfully warm and the land was a bit dryer than usual. --- "Did you here, another child has been taken..." "Who's was it? Ms. Korin's? What an awful shame, to think some Pokemon could be so evil..." Within the wall-protected town of Ladyl, a rather small city on Ayero land, people spoke excitedly. Folks gathered in circles, sharing stories of the odd occurrences that were currently plaguing their land. Children, most no older than five summers, have been getting snatched up left and right for the past week. The perpetrator, a shiny, bird-like Pokemon. Most have been blinded by the creature's gleam, not allowing them to get a good look at the Pokemon before it was off again. The men of the town have been all around the outskirts of the land, but were much too afraid to venture into the nearby forest which was the homeland of many spooky legends. Aleida, who was currently hiding from the harsh sun's heat beneath a roof overhang, heard of these rumors from a nearby gathering of people. Curiosity and an intense motherly rage boiled up within her chest, and as her hand trailed across the back of a dozing Tidal, she spoke up suddenly, catching the circle's attention, "I could go look for the kids, if you'd like." She said instantly, a wide smile claiming her painted face. A woman with puffy eyes rose her eyebrow, obviously a bit put off by Aleida's almost-naked appearance and sudden willingness to help, but at the sight of her smile the woman sighed, head cocking, "Ya wanna go look, stranger? Go ahead, the men have already looked high and low." "High and low, sure, but not in the forest, as you said before. They're probably in there, right?" Aleida's smile dropped slightly, obviously a bit confused on the town's peoples fear of the autumn colored woods just beyond the walls. The woman's lips pursed, and whispers burst out in the group behind her, but before she could say anything else Aleida was up, using her free arm to support the still sleeping Tidal while her other hand was closed around the rod of a fishing pole, "Don't worry, Ma'am, I'll help ya out! I'll find the kids and catch the bad guy all in one go!" The woman lifted a hand, mouth opening with slight shock at the odd's girls wide grin, and before she could produce another word Aleida was gone, rushing towards the closest way out of the town. Her mind was whirling with excitement for the new adventure, and as Tidal began to stir from the sudden movement she exclaimed, "We're gonna go catch a shiny bird-Pokemon, Tidal! Get ready!"