[@Pirouette] [color=668570]‘Alright, we’ll be right behind you!’[/color] Joshua said behind her as Erika dashed into the alley and pursued their opponents. She might have barely then heard Ewan’s [color=decdad]‘Wait, who’s that…?’[/color] The Noctowl flew away at some point, perhaps unnoticed in the chaos that was unfolding. Erika pursued the big guy and his Quilladin, that rejoined shortly into the alleys. He had been running in the same direction as their leader, but into the alleys they split, and Erika followed the ones with the goods. In these allies, sparse few other people hung out, and a few Meowths and Rattata avoided them as they ran. Multiple turns were taken, to the point one could question why these alleys existed… Combusken shot an Ember at Quilladin! It hit the grass-type square in the back, and the grass-type cried out in shock and damage! It briefly slowed down, and the big guy it was running with slowed down too in order to pick him up! It looked like Erika and Chic was about to catch up, when… The sound of wings. [color=ac705c]‘Wing Attack!’[/color] Golbat suddenly swooped in front of them. As long as they didn’t keep running, they’d avoid being hit by the initial blow, but now a giant bat would be blocking the way in the alley. It was the same Golbat as they’d seen before, and the voice had come from behind them. [color=ac705c]‘Keep running!’[/color] the leader shouted where she stood behind Erika, having clearly decided to catch up after she noticed her ally had been the one to be pursued. Erika and Chic now had Golbat in front of them, and the leader herself stood behind them. She had a black hood and a facemask, as well as a piece of cloth over her eyes, but likely one of those one can see through. [color=ac705c]‘If it’s just you, I can deal with you…’[/color] What does Erika and Chic do? If they don’t deal with Golbat, it’s going to harass them, but battling it would mean the Quilladin and its trainer would likely get away… [hider=Bigfjord City][center][h2]Bigfjord City[/h2] [url=https://i.imgur.com/nnyLDfS.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/nnyLDfS.jpg[/img][/url][/center] Bigfjord City. The center of industry in Isson. If there’s a company, it likely has its headquarters in this city of commerce. The city of Bigfjord is famous for needing a lot of hands. The storehouse of Isson, the city is riddled with countless cheap apartments for the many objects of commerce that are shipped across the land. The ships of Bigfjord sail by the sea to Pureplain, where it is traded to the rest of the world. Inside the city hundreds of companies grow out of nothing and employ the population, and that is the draw of the city. The city itself are just skyscrapers after skyscrapers, modern and organized as far as the eye can see, with the larger companies growing out of the bunch with spectacular structures showing of their wealth and power, lording over the workers who move to Bigfjord for a chance at an easy life working for the big boys. As you enter the streets of Bigfjord City, the night of Route 13 does not leave. Where the roads of Worldedge City might feel magical, the streets of Bigfjord City feel unforgivingly real. Cars drive around causing long lines of traffic, and uncountable workers and humans tarry about, going to or from work. What perhaps stands out the most is the sheer lack of Pokémon-themed marketing. In Bigfjord City, it is like they look down on the premise of Pokémon driving the world. The only Pokémon you see are the Murkrows sitting on the street lights, hunting for their next meals and trinkets, as well as the Rattatas lurking just visible in the various alleys, doing very much the same thing. Unlike basically everywhere else in Isson, the atmosphere was not welcoming. It was stiffeningly uncaring.[/hider] ________________________ [@Remram] [color=9fa1b6]‘Espurr…’[/color] Espurr made a noise as Basil kept talking to it. Talked for longer than it should have taken Espurr to fire the Psybeam, as it just stayed charging, bending space around the feline’s paw, as he spoke. As Basil spoke, it seemed like Espurr was listening. Breathing a bit heavily, paw still aimed for Glory. It’s gaze wandered to the ground as he spoke about their grip on the Pokémon, and that good people existed… Then flinched as Basil spoke about fighting back, a flash of franticness entered Espurr’s expression. It looked shocked at the proclamation that it could, in fact, fight back. In unsurity, it looked at the Hawlucha it was aiming the Psybeam at… [color=f88d34]‘Don’t lose focus,’[/color] their opponent spoke, and Espurr flinched again. [color=f88d34]‘Fire.’[/color] … Yet, Espurr did not, as Glory now spoke to it. Espurr looked at him in surprise, clearly not expecting this, either. [color=9fa1b6]‘Es… purr…?’[/color] [i]Fighting for… me…?[/i] the Espurr asked, at that statement. And then, at Glory’s next question. [color=ed1c24]"[i]Maybe you're pointing that attack at the wrong person?[/i]"[/color] Espurr blinked at Glory. A little shocked to hear it. Then… it directed and pointed the unreleased beam in the direction of the orange-haired trainer. The onlookers gasped. [color=f88d34]‘Espurr,’[/color] he said again, with more urgency, his knees bending slightly and hunched over… [color=9fa1b6]‘-Spurr!’[/color] Espurr fired! A purple, extraordinary beam fired with such force it ruffled blades of grass and the clothes of the onlookers, the wind itself turned as the sheer force of the beam cruised through the air, and the opponent leapt out of the way. But, he was never the target. The beam flew low to the ground and hit the Pokéball that had been sent flying behind the trainer, and before their eyes, it was reduced to dust by the massive Psychic power of the beam emerging from the tiny paw of the Restraint Pokémon. As the beam ended… Espurr sighed out in relief… and the orange-haired trainer was booking it. Just dropping everything and dashing as fast as he could, forcing a couple disgruntled Stillwood villagers aside as he ran. [color=green]‘What was that?’[/color] [color=yellow]‘Looked dangerous!’[/color] [color=purple]‘Are you okay?’[/color] The Stillwood spectators were clearly quite confused about what just happened, but for now, the scene was Basil and Glory’s. Espurr stood silently, exactly where it began. What does Basil do? [hider=Stillwood Village][center][h2]Stillwood Village[/h2] [url=https://i.imgur.com/NDG5NfG.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/Y9bCCki.jpg[/img][/url][/center] Inside these calm forests lies a village completely in-tune with nature. The buildings are built around or in the trees of wood and stone, the light shining onto the village stifled by the great trees above. In the air, meeting your nose as soon as you tread into the village, is filled to the brim with the smell of forest and spores. It’s a wild smell, but somehow it is extremely relaxing and any worries seem to be stifled before the calming village ahead where everyone is always so calm and happy, wild Pokémon walking freely on the roads of the place. This is Stillwood Village, the most relaxing place imaginable, it’s people in touch with nature and wishing the best to all those who come to their cozy and ancient little home. Wild Grass Pokémon freely wander the streets, spreading their spores into the air which the townspeople actively walk through every single day. They are all smiles, very helpful, the entire village and all visitors afflicted by the relaxing sensations brought by the spores during their stay in Stillwood Village. However, these spores are the reason quite a few avoid Stillwood Village, arguing that it messes with one’s mind. It is extremely rare that a member of Stillwood Village moves out of the village, after all. It will also quickly become evident just how little the members of the village care about the world at large, all their worries gone by the relaxing spores and just continue living, no troubles in the slightest. That’s Stillwood Village for you.[/hider] ________________________ [@Typical] [color=98684D]‘Nope! Nothing of the sort!’[/color] Kaz replied enthusiastically about not having a phone or Pokédex. He did have an issue that he didn’t exactly have a way to write down the number, either, but that could be solved if Eryn had something she gave with it… or he turned to Golduck, asked [color=98684D]‘You remember it?’[/color] and the Golduck nodded slightly, [color=98684D]‘Great!’[/color] Kaz called, looking pleased. Then he assured he’d keep her posted about the Glaceon, and he went off. With that, Eryn headed back, and nothing in the Frozen Cave wanted to bother an Onix making her way through. The miners of the encampment welcomed her back, some asking how it went for her in the Frozen Cave proper, and then she could take her place to sleep for the night, and have her important conversation with Eri and then contact people. Then, that was enough for the day. The next day, she set off for Route 5. [hider=Route 5][center][h2]Route 5[/h2] [url=https://i.imgur.com/ooiWtLz.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/ydwR9zd.jpg[/img][/url][/center] Just as Stillwood Village is the least visited settlement in Isson, Route 5 is among the least travelled routes on Isson main landmass. The route is a steady incline from Lakewatch Town to Stillwood Village, with some elements of the base of Mt. Chill nearby, the waters of Dragon Lake next to it too, sporadic forest from that surrounding Stillwood Village and some of the plain elements from route 6 as well, along with a very traveller-friendly road makes Route 5 perhaps one of the most naturally stunning routes of Isson. There are no roads for asphalt here, only travellers are explorers seeking or exiting Lakewatch Town for some reason, as well as Pokémon trainers on their journeys. A peaceful route without any real dangers, it still offers a lot of variation. Walk on the west side by the waters of Dragon Lake to potentially encounter some Pokémon of the lake. Walk by the mountains on the east and perhaps feel some of the radiating cold of the range of Mt. Chill to perhaps see some more mountainous Pokémon or maybe an ice Pokémon that stumbled out of their caves. The route is a bit cold, attributed perhaps best to the proximity to the Frozen Cavern, and it gets colder the closer the mountain you go. Multiple rivers run down from the mountains, part of Mt. Chill that melts, but efficient wooden bridges help passage over. And of course, patches of forest here and there. The south of Route 5 opens up towards what people call the Vast Plains, or simply Route 6. There parts of the Endless Forest spread out to make things a bit more covered in trees, but as soon as you leave this forest, all you’ll see is plains as far as you can see, and that’d be Route 6. On the other side of the route is the forest that covers Stillwood Village, you need to enter the forest to get to the village. At the middle by the lake is Lakewatch Town, resting a bit above Dragon Lake. And, of course, the passage up to the Frozen Cavern lies up that hill, for those who want to brave the range that leads towards the enclosed and frozen Route 9 on the other side.[/hider] Trailing along the route on Peri, she would not run into any particular dangers, but perhaps some travellers would be a bit amazed at seeing a trainer actually ride an Onix. It wasn’t that common a sight, and the giant Pokémon was an impressive sight. But, for now, she was heading towards the coordinates she’d been given… Oaken sat on a foldable chair, leaned forward holding his Pokédex in front of him in one hand and a notebook in the other, staring down reading through his glasses. At his side stood a large horse, its mane flaming, a large horn sticking out of its forehead. On the back of the horse was a saddle, reins attached to a bridle, it outfitted to be ridden. [center][url=https://cdn2.bulbagarden.net/upload/3/3f/078Rapidash.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/0V2OyfO.png[/img][/url] [color=6ecff6][i]Pokédex Entry #78 – Rapidash, the Fire Horse Pokémon. Can usually be found cantering plains or fields. It is very competitive about speed, loving to run at full speed, around 150 mph. At great speed, its flames blaze ferociously, enhancing its appearance. It only slows down to let its children catch up to it.[/i][/color][/center] She might know about the service where one can hire Rapidashes to ride on Route 6, depending on how well informed she is. [hider=Oaken][url=http://i.imgur.com/9XFt4r1.jpg][img]http://i.imgur.com/JwzuDUO.jpg[/img][/url][/hider] [color=7eab87]‘Hmph. You came,’[/color] he said, as if it hadn’t been a given that she would. He put his Pokédex and notebook aside, standing up to face her. [color=7eab87]‘It would seem we have a mission we will need to deal with together,’[/color] he said, referring to what she’d been told down by the legendary Pokémon previously, that Oaken still intended to join in on. [color=7eab87]‘We’re going to need to be strong, so it makes sense that we should measure each other’s strength. Albeit…’[/color] He scoffed a little, as he grabbed a Pokéball from within his jacket. [color=7eab87]‘I doubt you’ll be able to match my team as you are now.’[/color] So he said, no shortage of confidence in his words. [color=7eab87]‘So. Trainer chosen by Azelf… Eryn,’[/color] he said, as he lifted the Pokéball towards her. [color=7eab87]‘I assume you’re prepared?’[/color]