[@Gardevoiran] [@Typical]
[right][sub][sub][sub][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwdbFNGCkLw]Random music I listened to while writing.[/url][/sub][/sub][/sub][/right]

Oaken looked over Vivia and Skylar with a bit of perplexion and a bit like he was bothered. Because, like, [sub][color=7eab87]‘Tsk, this was supposed to be my trial to conquer, what are all of you doing here?’[/color][/sub] he muttered, frowning looking over at the Beheeyem blocking the path instead. Meanwhile, Vivia looked mostly surprised, but also relieved.

[color=7eab87]‘…’[/color] Oaken was quiet for a second as he gazed at Eryn after she asked if she was forgettable. [color=7eab87]‘You aren't particularly remarkable, appearance-wise. If we hadn’t battled, I don’t know if I’d have put you on my mind,’[/color] Oaken eventually replied, because that was the truth to him.

[color=b5e6e2]‘Er, well, it was a decently brief encounter…’[/color] Vivia said, looking a decent amount guilty about it. [color=b5e6e2]‘But, I’m really happy you’re here! I… it’s been such a trial, haaah…’[/color] she sighed out about it.

[color=7eab87]‘Hm. Male Ralts. Are you going for Gardevoir or Gallade?’[/color] Oaken asked Skylar with slight interest… before shaking his head. [color=7eab87]‘Nevermind, let’s get through this first,’[/color] he said, resuming looking around for an exit, his eyes landing on the flooded path south. [color=7eab87]‘The path with Beheeyem is blocked, but we have two Mr. Mimes handy, that cannot be coincidence. We’ll need to make them create a box around us so that we’ll be able to travel underwater. I presume that using the help of native Pokémon is intended…’[/color]

And around there was when Skylar suggested walking past the Beheeyem. Oaken frowned and gazed at him. Vivia was also paying attention, and… a bit of air got caught in her throat like a cough which was actually the first tone of a laugh from a closed mouth which she immediately felt guilty for, Skylar’s 4 senses joke sort of getting her. Anyway, Eryn agreed, and…

[color=7eab87]‘Stop that,’[/color] Oaken stated with a frown. [color=7eab87]‘Beheeyem are able to break down the mind of someone within their range. We can’t take that risk, we must find another way!’[/color] he called, stepping forward to try to stop them from crossing…

The approached Beheeyems awoke, the lights on their arms blinking something fierce as Skylar and Eryn approached… yet, just as Skylar had predicted, they did nothing as they squeezed past them. They did nothing whatsoever, and they were free to pass. Vivia was quick to hurry after, still giving the Beheeyem a worried look as she passed. The Mr. Mimes also followed, for some reason.

[color=7eab87]‘…’[/color] Oaken glared at them. [color=7eab87]‘Irritating. There’s a difference between a test of willpower and a test of recklessness,’[/color] he declared, before walking to join them… when the Beheeyem actually properly blocked his way, placing themselves in his way and holding their arms blinking in his direction. This, however, just made Oaken glare at them harder.

[color=7eab87]‘Oh, so did I fail the test because I insisted we don’t take the shot? I’m going to call your bluff. There’s a risk you’ll use your mind power to break me down now that I know what’s going on? Fine. Do it if you so please. But I’m not stopping here. [i]Get out of the way[/i],’[/color] he demanded, physically reaching forward to push the Beheeyem aside… and they let him, allowing themselves to be moved as Oaken pushed them aside with his hands, breathing out in relief as he stepped out after the other three.

[color=7eab87]‘Let’s keep going, already,’[/color] he requested, and walked on.

Now, during all this time, the water level at their feet was steadily increasing, actually pouring out of the room they were heading for. The path turned left, and they could follow the path forward to a vast chamber. However, with each step, the hostile presence that they’d feel earlier became stronger and stronger, a pressure on their minds as they got closer to the opening ahead of them. Yet, the will that had guided them here in the first place also made itself known, saying they were almost there. Just advance, straight ahead. Through the bright opening that was before them, like the light at the end of the tunnel.

The room was immense, with a glowing spot in the roof above them, pillars of ruin spread across the inside here. There were the ruins of what appeared to be control panels, but they felt like they belonged in a completely different world. There was what appeared to be windows in the very front, but they were shut, walls shut over them. There was water all over the floor, and the water came from…

The first thing they noticed when they entered the room was not the surroundings. It was the giant standing straight, water pouring from the cracks in its makeup, the giant stood on two legs and had two smaller, clawed arms. It had two great shields for shoulders, glowing jewels embedded in them, from which more water was currently pouring. It had an elongated neck, ending in a draconic face, unwelcoming in its expression. Its skin a steely grey, with purple lines strewn artistically across its body and tail. Its whole existence extruded a pressure on them that was apparent even now, like forcing them to acknowledge the form’s massive power.

[color=b5e6e2]‘Woah… I can’t believe it… it’s…’[/color] Vivia said, her eyes wide behind her glasses as she looked upon the being before her.

Of course the wannabe Pokémon Professor would know what this was. For any who’d taken part in education in the Pokémon World, there was little doubt what this giant was.

[hider=You Stand Before][center][url=https://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/6/66/484Palkia.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/79QlZpu.png[/img][/url]

[color=6ecff6][i]Pokédex Entry #484 – Palkia, the Spatial Pokémon. A Legendary Pokémon. Legends speak of how Arceus created Palkia and Dialga simultaneously, giving them the power to create and control space and time respectively. Palkia is the master of space, its total control over the boundaries of space enable it to transport itself to faraway places or even other dimensions. Typically residing in another dimension making it very hard to study, it’s widely considered a deity in the mythologies of the world.[/i][/color][/center]

… The massive legendary was dormant. There was no light in its open eyes, there was no movement in its great limbs or tail. It stood as a statue, yet its hostile pressure still acted upon those who had arrived inside the room. Yet, something was a little different. On top of its head sat a small little spot of blue…

The water promptly stopped pouring from the towering Legendary Pokémon, for the small blue form suddenly lifted, making an arbitrary lap around the dragon’s elongated neck before flying forth and presenting itself before the gathered humans, gazing at them analytically.

[center][url=https://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/d/d0/482Azelf.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/H7r11Nc.png[/img][/url]

[color=6ecff6][i]Pokédex Entry #482 – Azelf, the Willpower Pokémon. A Legendary Pokémon. It was born from the same egg along with its kin, Uxie and Mesprit. Known as the “Being of Willpower”, legends speak of that with its emergence it gifted humans with the gift of willpower, allowing humans to overcome adversity and rise to prominence. It can separate its spirit from its body, allowing it to scout far from its home. It’s able to enter other beings, and from there it’s completely in control of that beings desires and ambitions, and able to remove all will from an attacker.[/i][/color][/center]

From the feeling that came as it gazed upon them, it was clear Azelf was the source of the guiding will, compared to the Palkia’s hostile will that would rather they leave.

[color=7eab87]‘Finally,’[/color] Oaken breathed out in relief. [color=7eab87]‘We’ve passed your test of willpower. What say you?’[/color]

Vivia is mostly just gawping at this point.[/hider]

Does Eryn or Skylar have any particular reactions?

[hider=Map][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/SW4MhvE.png[/img][/center]

Blue dot - Entrance.
Actually maybe kinda orange/pink dot - Eryn.
Dark green dot - Oaken.
Purple dot - Skylar.
Cyan dot - Vivia.
Pinker dots - Mr. Mimes
Big dot - Palkia
Light Blue Dot - Azelf[/hider]