Phoenix

Pokémon: Hoenn - Make a Wish

"Yeah, okay," she said to his introduction. She played it off as if she was more concerned with escaping than exchanging pleasantries. "'Zero' - that sounds familiar."
"Oh," she said with the inflection of a question as if to ask him if she cared. "No you don't." Images of memories flashed through her mind at an alarming rate, even a psychic Pokemon would have difficulty keeping up. "It's only ever been me and Samantha. And I only joined last year." At the mention of Samantha, the image of an orb appeared in her mind - the orb that was like a void that they saw through Oracle's visions.
"Hah, sure," she said. Her thoughts were interfering with her ability to respond properly. "This idiot thinks she would be here?" The image of Jonton's face appeared in her mind but it faded like smoke.
The young woman looked impatient as she waited for Tristan to point them in a direction to flee. She was thankful but entirely anxious - afraid. The image of that void appeared in her mind again and a disembodied voice reprimanded her with a smooth and deep feminine voice. Her heart pounded at the thought "I really hope she doesn't mind she lost this contract. I should probably learn how Jonton was found out."
The woman let out the huff of a laugh as they hastily made their way out of the Wharf. The collapsed wall was in sight and the woman sped toward it, desperate to leave. "She owes you shit. I don't even know who you are-"
Her hand shot up to cover her mouth and her eyes widened. She tried to turn and compose herself quickly so her realization wasn't so obvious. "Shit shit shit. Your Tristan Aeros of the Elite-"
Her mind shunted out anything that wasn't her own. This would have been disorienting to those who weren't used to being denied access to the mind. Furthermore, the strength and absolution of her ability to shield her mind was likely the strongest most would have ever felt. She knew exactly what she was doing and she had much practice doing it.

Once they reached an alley where Rangers and civilians weren't near, she leaned over with her hands on her knees and breathed deeply. Clearly not used to cardio or such high-stress situations, it took her a few moments to gather herself. Even in this state, her mind was a fortress that couldn't be penetrated.
She dusted herself off and looked around, still concerned someone would find them. She shifted to face Tristan and her demeanor changed entirely. Her breathing steadied and her gaze into his eyes was fierce. Her face was flat and she blinked slowly. "Mr. Aeros, thank you for getting me out of there, but we don't have time to play games. You need to tell me how you know about Ms. Shade and why you're looking for her."
She was serious and fearless. Calling him by name, she had to know very well how influential he was and how powerful his Pokemon were. It was clear by now that she had no Pokemon of her own. Still, she seemed to look at him as if he was the weaker one between them, the less threatening. Her face showed no fear like it had before. It showed nothing.

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"Softies," he scoffed with a wry smile as he watched the Gallade and Starmie heal Jonton and his Pokemon. He shook his head slightly then looked up and around as he searched for Syressa.
She eventually arrived with Shaq'ti and Damselraed underneath. Forrest nodded at Shaq'ti who nodded back while Syressa levitated Jonton and his Pokemon. She hovered much slower with only the five of them, but large people and Pokemon were, of course, more difficult to move around. Shaq'ti hovered quickly to lead the way for Syressa to bring their prisoners to the Rangers. Damselraed zipped toward and around Forrest to beg for attention, which he gave instinctually and with a smile on his face that might have looked very uncharacteristic for those who didn't know him well.
"Thanks, you two, for all your help," he said to the Gallade and Starmie. "You can go back to Mr. Aeros," he continued as he looked around to see that no one was rushing in toward them and the cries and screams were lessening. "I'm going to stay here with these guys to guard the tower until the Air and Gale Rangers get here."
He smiled and nodded at the pair. He turned and walked closer to the Tower while his Pokemon followed close behind.
It wasn't long until they heard the roar of a Salamance and the screech of a Pidgeot. Warden Lundin took a quick report from Forrest and then dismissed him. She and Sentinel Bailey then started their investigation of the Captain's Tower. Forrest walked casually out of the Wharf. Wickengu and Marionetta eventually joined by his sides. Once he reached the outside of the Wharf, he was approached by several Rangers. Forrest gave another quick report and commanded a few of them check certain locations where bodies would be found but also the places neither he nor his Pokemon went. They rushed into the Wharf and Forrest looked around to search for Mr. Aeros or any of his Pokemon. He shrugged when his lazy attempt at looking for them failed and started to casually walk back to the Rangers Headquarters. He returned all of his Pokemon to their Pokeballs except Damselraed, of course.
The commotion and rumors allowed him to hide in plain sight. Though those with a keener eye would spot someone clearly undisturbed by what happened at the Wharf, none seemed to exist along the path he took. The sun was hot and he felt the sweat that had soaked into his shirt and so decided to take it off. Damselraed showered him with cool bubbles, which made Forrest chuckle as he welcomed the comfort and appreciated the mild entertainment she provided as he started to try to pop her bubbles.
This continued even as they entered into the Headquarters, as if unaware they had even arrived. He walked straight toward the Master General's office and didn't knock before he opened the door. He popped a few more bubbles and then told Masquerain to stop through his chuckling. The wide smile on his face remained as he turned his attention toward the Master General who just sat in his chair with wide eyes and mouth slightly opened.
"That was easier than expected," he said and rose his arm to put his hands behind his head and recline in the chair that only came up to his mid back. "Though, I really have Mr. Aeros and his Pokemon to thank for that," he added with another chuckle and wiped his nose with his thumb.

Pokémon: Hoenn - Make a Wish

"What? Who?" she said rather panicked and looked around. She had flinched at the explosion and she was still hunched slightly from it. She swore he looked familiar but couldn't quite place him if only because of the sudden commotion.
She looked behind her and to each of her sides. He certainly didn't look like one of the deckhands or Jonton's lackeys. He looked far too respectable and put together. She could faintly hear shouts and shrieks closing in around them. Still, he was a stranger and she wasn't supposed to be seen. "That's what I'm trying to do," she added and started pacing down an alley in a direction she didn't know but didn't feel comfortable being followed, especially by someone who used the name 'Ms. Shade.'

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A sonic boom sounded around Antligon before the Fearow and Scyther could reach him. They were knocked away and had to take a moment to correct themselves before they could attempt to engage him properly. They were quickly surrounded by a Sandstorm that enveloped only the sky in which they flew and it centered around Antligon. The Scyther was quick and Slashed across his back. But he grabbed the oversized bug with one of his small claws and pulled it up with him. The speed with which he flew added so much gravitational force onto the Scyther that it was momentarily paralyzed in his grip. He threw the Scyther away from him and tried to find the Fearow. A bright light flashed and Antligon took a direct Brave Bird up his entire body. He cried out but knew he had to correct himself as he felt another Slash down the length of one of his wings. He roared and terrible draconic energy burst from around him, much of which coalesced around his claws. He Outraged straight through both of them which entirely overwhelmed whatever maneuvers they had prepared. He turned around and Outraged through them again but felt the powerful pulse of a Bug Buzz and the slice across his body from an Air Slash. The Fearow and Scyther slowly fell to the ground as Antligon attempted to orient himself. The sand he had summoned fell like tiny hail when the damage he'd sustained seemed to hit him all at once. He lowered himself to the ground, exhausted but not knocked out by the pair of Pokemon he just took on. He was worried, though, that he wouldn't be of much help if he would have to fight anything else.
The Rhyhorn dug up the ground with its horn a few times as it stampeded toward Halcrow. The spikes on Halcrow's arm glowed a deep green as they impacted. The Rhyhorn tore up Halcrow from its roots and knocked it far. But the Rhyhorn cried out and crashed into the building behind them. Halcrow pushed himself to his feet and regained his posture as he took aim at the Rhyhorn. It shook its head and roared quietly twice as it felt the pain it was in. Halcrow noticed he'd cleaved off a few portions of its body plates and saw blood pour out of its side. He looked down at himself and saw the spikes on his legs had been broken and he had been impaled almost too deeply into his abdomen. When he pulled his head back up, he saw the Rhyhorn begin to charge toward him once again. He reacted quickly and let out a barrage of Pin Missiles. Most of them ricocheted pathetically off the Rhyhorn though a few did find purchase under a few of the plates. Slightly panicked, he crouched down and the rest of the spikes across his body extended multiple feet outward and his body flashed white. The Rhyhorn smashed into Halcrow but ricocheted hard off him like the Pin Missiles had against the Rhyhorn. It tumbled and rolled a few times but eventually righted itself. Halcrow was breathing hard and the pain in his abdomen was growing exponentially. But he knew exactly what to do. The Rhyhorn, once again, charged toward Halcrow. He braced himself and the needles on his arm extended outward and grew teeth. Halcrow pushed off the ground to run toward the Rhyhorn. Obviously more agile, he shifted to the side before they would collide and he sunk his needles into the Rhyhorn. Many of the needles snapped and shattered, but the several that sunk into its skin glowed a light green and the Rhyhorn collapsed. With the Drain Punch, the wound in his abdomen mostly healed, though it wasn't enough to restore any of the many needles that had broken across his body.
As the Tauros charged at Kangooroom, he had just enough time to prepare a powerful Sky Uppercut under the Tauros' head that sent it flying a couple feet into the air and over his head as he ducked out of the way. The Tauros whined and brayed but Kangooroom wouldn't stop there. He broke out of his Ingrain to step toward the Tauros that got back to its feet. Kangooroom disappeared and the Tauros was knocked straight sideways from a Mach Punch to the face. The Tauros didn't moan or bray as it hit the ground.

Forrest wasn't prepared for a huge hand to grasp onto his shoulder. The hand was nearly twice the size of his own and much stronger as it pulled him to the ground. His head bounced hard off the concrete. He was quickly dizzy and nauseous when he felt a large leather shoe push into his abdomen with an amazing amount of force. Forrest vomited through a whined grunt but curled around the foot and grabbed hard around Jonton's calf and shin. He rolled to pull Jonton with him so he would get off-balance. But he felt Jonton's thigh lock it in place.
Perfect. Forrest swung an arm around to hit a big pressure point he knew of in the middle of Jonton's hamstring with his knuckles. The man grunted and winced for the first time. Forrest took this opportunity to roll and bring his leg up so his foot would crash into Jonton's face. After the roll, Forrest slammed his shin upward into Jonton's crotch. This made the monster drop to the ground with a notably grittier whined grunt than Forrest's.
Forrest got to his feet and tried to get his breath back. A hand went to grab at his abdomen while his other forearm wiped away the vomit on his face. With Jonton still in the fetal position, Forrest stepped forward to stomp on Jonton's head, which he was convinced couldn't kill a monster like Jonton. When his foot reached its apex, his other leg was pulled out from under him and he fell straight onto his back. All of the air Forrest had fought to regain was taken out of his lungs again. Forrest couldn't even cough and just laid there with his eyes wide and his mouth gaping.
Instinctually, Forrest rose his food up high and crashed his heavy hell onto Jonton's temple. There was a sharp crack that echoed briefly off the walls around them. Jonton laid still on the ground.
It felt like too long before air rushed back into Forrest's lungs with an exaggerated gasp. He shot up to sit on the ground with his legs in front of him, his right foot still on top of Jonton's head. His eyes darted around and he saw how Antligon, Halcrow, and Kangooroom had finished their fights as well and were approaching him. He was glad to see Kangooroom entirely unharmed but felt sorry for how hurt Antligon looked and how many needles had broken off Halcrow.
He felt a markedly foreign though somehow familiar feeling course through his body. Deep warmth filled his muscles and spread under his skin as he felt the abrasions across his back heal. He soon felt the cool sea air pass over his bare skin through the tears in his shirt. He groaned as he felt his abdominal muscles go back to normal which was initially very painful but instantly relieving. He looked back to see a Gallade performing some kind of healing maneuver he was currently unable to name. A Starmie followed the Gallade and seemed to soon tend to Antligon and Halcrow.
Forrest nodded his head at the Gallade with his lips pulled in in appreciation. The waves of calming warm energy were welcome and he sighed in relief. He took the white hand that reached down for him and pulled himself up. He pat the Gallade on the shoulder and said "thanks," with another nod and the hint of a chuckle. A few more Heal Pulses were sent through him as Forrest rolled his shoulders and swung his arm to test that he was completely healed.
"Wow, that was quick," he said and looked back at the Gallade with raised brows and a wide smile. "Syressa and Damselraed could learn a thing or two from you," he said with another chuckle. A heavy hand landed on Gallade's shoulder and Forrest pat him again.
He nodded and then turned to see how Antligon and Halcrow were doing. Within the Starmie's Aqua Ring, they appeared to be doing much better already. The gem at its center glowed bright and he could see the faint walls of a kind of bubble quickly form around them. It flashed white and disappeared. When Forrest recovered his eyesight, both Antligon and Halcrow appeared entirely healed.
"Wow, thanks you guys," he said as he walked over to check on his two Pokemon himself. On his way, he patted Kangooroom's shoulder who loomed over Jonton's body prepared with a Mach Punch to knock him out if he so much as twitched.

Pokémon: Hoenn - Make a Wish

Screams and groans of men and women filled the air soon after the echoes of the Draco Meteor faded. Pokemon roars and cries accompanied them. Soon, people were fleeing from the area.
Wickengu slashed wide at people and Pokemon alike. Kangooroom pummeled hard against anyone that dared to stand up to him and Marionetta frightened everyone she came across nearly-to-death. Halcrow pinned everyone around him to the buildings they were closest to. Antligon clawed at and smashed into the tall storage buildings all around them. The rubble fell to the ground and ended some unfortunate lives. Behind them, Syressa levitated bodies and brought them out of the Wharf. She healed who she could but also put them to sleep so they could no longer resist this mass-arrest. Shaq'ti and Damselraed remained by Forrest's side as he walked straight to the tallest building within the Wharf - the Captain's Tower.
Forrest punched in a couple faces and kicked a few people in the crotch or kneed them in the stomach. Any Pokemon that tried to engage him were forcefully deflected by Shaq'ti. Masquerain feigned help by randomly filling large areas around them with Bubblebeam.
Forrest dragged one individual that he pummeled the face of to knock him out for a moment. When he came-to and found his arm was in Forrest's harsh grip, he instinctually tried to escape and fight back. But Forrest slammed his entire body onto the ground to knock the wind out of him. He leaned on the man's stomach to make his breathing more difficult. He got close to the man's face and stared for a moment. It seemed to be perfectly silent.
"Is Jonton here? Is he in the tower?"
"Fu-," he tried to speak but grunted and moaned in pain. "How-"
Forrest slapped him hard across the face enough to dislocate the man's broken nose even more. He cried out in pain and his eyes leaked tears in a continuous stream. "Answer the question. I'll make sure you're pardoned if you tell me the truth."
Forrest gripped at the man's collar harder. It began to rip around his fingers. His voice was low and calm. His eyes were still and he never blinked. His face was even, level. With only Forrest in the man's view, he slowly realized the position he was in. But he couldn't help but practice his loyalty.
"Fu-ck you," he said with a shallow and short cough. "You can't be-"
"You're all under arrest under the orders of Master General Hardy. I'm under his orders to bring him Jonton and to subdue any and all resistance I come across. And after your little stunt in Mauville, I'm not inclined to be generous."
Forrest started to lean onto the knee in the man's stomach. His other hand gripped around the man's chin hard and squished his face which made it hard to speak. "Now be a good little boy and tell me the truth."
Forrest released the man's face while pressing his fingers so that it would act like a kind of slap and turn his head. Forrest harshly patted the man's cheek a few times and then pulled the man's chin back to face him.
"Y-yeah. He's here."
The man's eyes quivered with fear and sorrow. The tears that streamed down his face didn't lessen. He took a big gasp of a breath when he felt Forrest's knee rise from his stomach.
"Good boy," Forrest said and pat the man's face more gently this time. He then gripped the man's wrist and ankle hoisted his body up in a wide swing. "Here you go, Syressa!" he shouted as he released the man at the top of the swing to have him float in the air for a moment.
The man's body then rose further until it reached a kind of purple and red bubble that surrounded Syressa. Inside were several other people and Pokemon. The man quickly fell asleep and Syressa hovered away.
Forrest dusted himself off, though it was in vain considering the blood splatters and dust that caked across his body. He cracked his neck and rolled his arms a few times as if to loosen himself up for the real fight he was looking for. His eyes stayed on the Captain's Tower until he neared the base.
"What the fuck is this?" a hulking man said with a harsh and raspy voice. His arms were crossed in front of him and he was flanked by two Pokemon on each side. His face wore a frightening grin.
Jonton was known for his mildly-deformed face. His head was unnaturally wide and his ears were swollen and stuck out straight. He had a scar across his face and his head and brows were shaven. It seemed he'd acquired a few facial piercing the last time anyone saw him. The tattoo that came up his neck looked new, as well, and it made his neck look even wider, somehow. The dress shirt and pants and shoes he wore looked as if they would pop off of him at any moment. His body was massive and wide. He made Forrest look thin. Even though Jonton only stood up to Forrest's collar bone, it looked like Jonton could toss Forrest around blade of grass.
The immediate area seemed to have been cleared. Jonton glanced around as if to make sure. His small and piercing eyes shot back at Forrest and he grinned even wider. He wrapped his thick and wide hand around the lit end of the cigar between his lips. A faint hiss sounded. He crumpled the cigar in his hand and spread it onto the ground as it turned to dust.
Jonton's arms fell to his sides with his elbows bent and facing backward. His hands gripped hard into fists and he flexed nearly all the buttons of his shirt. "Time to dance," he said in a low growl with a kind of sinister chuckle.
The Pokemon at his sides scattered. The Fearow and Scyther flew up in a V away from Jonton. The Tauros and Rhyhorn charged straight ahead. Jonton's big feet pounded straight forward toward Forrest. He swung and rolled his arms which tore apart the sleeves and back apart. The seams all tore clean through. The muscles in his legs flexed for his pants to rip apart as well. His body hair was uneven in both color and thickness across his body. Bald patches showed off many more scars he'd collected over the years. Stretch marks showed how quickly and aggressively he grew both during adolescence and probably recently since Forrest didn't remember Jonton with so much muscle.
Wrestling with a man in underwear and dress shoes would have been a bit strange. It didn't lessen any of the fear of fighting against someone who was ruthless and maniacal. Forrest knew Jonton's propensity to kill. And with the rumors that Jonton would kill lackeys with his own hands, Forrest knew he had to be careful and smart about taking the man on head-to-head.
Forrest muttered out a quick "go" to Damselraed and Shaq'ti, who promptly fled the scene. The Fearow and Scyther engaged Antligon with a ferocity that took the Flygon by surprise. Rhyhorn charged straight for Halcrow who'd Ingrained himself in place and extended the spikes across his body while he took a braced stance. Kangooroom mimicked Halcrow as he took his position in front of the Tauros. Forrest rolled his shoulders and arms and shook himself loose as he watched Jonton charge toward him. Forrest put up his fists and took a boxing stance by the time Jonton reached Forrest and swung straight across Forrest's torso.
Even with both Forrest's forearms to block the punch, his elbows were pushed back into his stomach and he was knocked back hard. Forrest had to take a few steps to find his footing but Jonton was already on Forrest with another swing of his fist in an uppercut into Forrest's abdomen. Forrest flexed hard and tried to pivot so the punch would glance off him as he swung hard at Jonton's face.
They both connected. Though Forrest was known for his steely abdomen, the air was pushed out of his lungs and he was knocked back again. Jonton's face shifted only slightly from Forrest's punch. And though it looked like the blow broke his cheek bone and blood started to fill the white of his eye, he appeared unfazed.
This man was a monster. Jonton was truly the Monster of Fairfax. Forrest's heart fluttered at the realization that he wasn't going to be able to stand up to him one-on-one. His mind raced as he tried to remember what Rai had taught him. But his thoughts were too slow and he had to focus on entirely dodging swings from Jonton.
Forrest considered trying for leverage and cheap shots. He considered clawing at him to bleed him until he weakened enough to be able to overpower him. He considered trying to find something to stab and slash at him with. This particular thought brought Forrest some confusion, however. As Jonton's clothes continued to rip and tear and fall off his body, Forrest realized that Jonton was entirely unarmed. He thought it strange that a man under immediate threat of being captured and possibly killed, such a man would bring all kinds of weapons to kill anyone who might cross him. Was he expecting to eventually be taken out but wanted to prove his reputation by killing his would-be-captors bare-handed?
Forrest tried a few safe punches and kicks against Jonton. Forrest could feel how the bones in his forearms were bruised from the first punch, but fought through the pain. He couldn't seem to flex his abdomen like he usually could, which set it some panic for getting hit there again. Still, Jonton's skin tore and ripped from the force of the blows, but Jonton never reacted. Jonton chuckled. He was chuckling. He was fighting nearly-naked in the open and was getting hit and was actively bleeding, yet he chuckled. A man almost a foot taller than himself was dodging away from him - clearly afraid. He knew the position he was in and he was reveling in it.

Syressa, Shaq'ti, and Damselraed were off "helping" the soon-to-be prisoners while Marionetta and Wickengu continued to incapacitate and mow down Jonton's grunts and to keep them from reaching their trainer. Forrest knew it was only him, Halcrow, Kangooroom, and Antligon to take on Jonton and his own Pokemon.

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A particularly panicked emotion caught Veritas' attention. She caught the image of a girl - a woman - a young woman fleeing. With a ping to Ether, she would follow and eventually see the girl she'd seen in the memory within the house in Lavaridge Town. A short flash of telepathy would reveal her concern about this situation she found herself in and what Ms. Shade would think.

Pokémon: Hoenn - Make a Wish

Shaq'ti remained by Forrest's side. An aura of blue and white surrounded her body. The colors swirled around each other but never truly blended. Her eyes remained closed and she hovered slightly off the ground. Her hands were together in front of her as if in deep meditation. Her palms and fingers were aligned with each other and pointed straight up. About fifty feet from her in all directions was a calming energy that kept passers-by from approaching or even noticing her trainer and her party mates.
Marionetta hovered around and disappeared from one shadow and appeared in another. Her eyes glowed deep and menacing yellow. She's occasionally try to surprise one of her other party mates, but they merely swatted at her her giggled and joined in. She managed to scare a few people that were unaffected by Shaq-ti's aura. Her echoed giggles could be heard near-constantly as she apparated and disapparated from place to place.
Syressa's huge form hovered around twenty feet above Forrest. She coiled and swirled into and around herself so as to not go too fast but to also keep an eye around them. The scales along the lower part of her body and her tail glimmered brightly in the sunlight. Their colors often shone on those below her. Vague diamond shapes of violet and blue and green would briefly appear on Forrest and other party mates.
Halcrow kept in the sunlight as much as he could. He kept his legs stiff - never bent at his knees - to expose as much of his body to the sunlight as he could. He joined in Marionetta's games for a short bit but returned to his photosynthesis. Otherwise, he appeared mostly serious and determined as if he knew what he and his trainer were about to get themselves into.
Antligon was high in the sky above the city. His massive form was easily spotted. His snaking tail and distinctive wing shape and occasional cry kept him conspicuous among the wild Pokemon as well as any Rangers in the area. He was ready for any order at any moment. However, it seemed as if he was playing or showing off as he performed barrel rolls and loops.
Kangooroom kept to the shadows like Marionetta. But he hadn't the patience to play her games. He never liked being on pavement or dry stones. The lack of moisture under his feet and in the air made him uncomfortable - grumpy. But as they neared the port, the sea air grew more thick and his attitude slowly grew more mild.
Wickengu lept from building to building. It was hard to keep track if he was ahead of Forrest or behind him. He passively challenged Marionetta in her attempts to frighten and surprise others, but it turned into them playing a game of tag with each other. They didn't notice when Forrest stopped and started chatting with Mr. Aeros.
Damselraed hovered and zipped around Forrest and demanded his attention. She giggled and blew bubbles and tried to tickle him and keep out of his reach from swatting her away as he chuckled, himself. She lit upon his should a few times to rub against his face but then went back to playing and fooling around. She was the easiest victim of Marionetta and Wickengu, which Forrest had to scold to get them to stop.
She lit up when she saw Mr. Aeros and Ether. She hurriedly zipped over and greeted Ether with playful bubbles and alighting onto his back and playing with his tail. She pestered Mr. Aeros in a similar manner. She would have only relented when she was awarded with a smile and chuckle. But Forrest commanded her to leave them alone through a chuckle and light apology to the two, but wouldn't protest if they contradicted the command.
She was not part of the battle between Forrest and Mr. Aeros those ten years ago. And even though their initial interactions were very short around that time, she was just as lively and joyful, it seemed. Similarly, the aura of Shaq'ti would have been foreign to them, as she was, also, not part of any of their battles between each other or any other battle during the Championship. It would have felt notably weak, though possibly intentionally so, it might have been difficult to tell.
Syressa moaned a cry of greeting to the pair. Marionetta suddenly appeared in front of both of them separately with her wide grin and glowing eyes with a wave of her little arm. Wickengu and Halcrow stopped to acknowledge them both from afar, as well. A long cry was heard from far away, notably Antligon, who recognized that Forrest and Mr. Aeros had started to interact with each other. Kangooroom made not effort to acknowledge anyone as he focused on absorbing any humidity he could in the shadows of the nearby building.

Forrest frowned and pushed his brows together. He kept his stance - his arms crossed and legs spread as wide as he shoulders with his back and neck straight. "What clues do you need? Jonton is in there," he said and pointed with his chin through the high and thick concrete walls.
"He's waiting for a meeting with me," he said with the flash of a grin that turned into a deadly serious expression that shadowed his face. A brow raised to suggest his words were intentionally misleading.
"But lucky for you," he said with his brow still raised, "I've been given authority to enter."
Another short-lived grin twitched across his lips as bent his neck toward Shaq'ti but kept his head facing forward and his eyes on Mr. Aeros. "Antligon, please open the doors for us," he said with a slight inflection in his voice.
He kept his eyes on Mr. Aeros and only blinked once before the air began to rumble around them and the sunlight turned to a blueish-purple hue. A deep whistle sounded from afar but quickly grew louder. Forrest pointed with his chin behind Mr. Aeros and toward the unreasonably large gate. Descending at an angle were several orbs - no, meteors. They blazed through the sky and landed directly onto the gate. A horribly loud explosion sounded around them and the gate and much of the adjacent walls crumbled into dust. Further portions of the wall continued to crack and topple to the ground until the fifty-or-so foot wall beside them fell to the ground.
Antligon's heavy wingbeats pushed the air from around them a few times until he allowed himself to fall onto the ground between them and crack the pavement and stones under his feet. He was as massive as ever and clearly proud of his display of destruction as he let out of a roar that vibrated the air around them.
Screams and shouts could be heard from afar within the city. However, more importantly, there was shouting coming from within the Wharf. Forrest paid no mind to the sounds and kept his eyes directly on Mr. Aeros. He stepped to stand beside Antligon. Even knowing that Antligon was more than a foot taller than the average Flygon, Forrest managed to still look rather imposing next to something that was almost a foot taller than himself. It must have been the fact that his arms were at his sides and his hands were gripped into tight fists. His chin was lowered slightly. He was deadly determined toward something - Jonton.
"I can't be late for my meeting," his voice growled deep. "If you need any help, you know how to find me," he added and gestured toward Shaq'ti and Syressa.
He quickly stomped away. He managed to walk over the rubble just next to them with relative ease despite there being huge pieces of rubble and some of them crumbled beneath him or rolled when he stepped off. Shaq'ti and Damselraed kept at his side. Wickengu kept close by and Kangooroom and Halcow followed directly behind him. Marionetta was nowhere to be seen and Syressa followed Forrest into the Wharf as she hadn't altered her location relative to him. Antligon's wingbeats pounded at the air around them and he was soon high in the air again.

Pokémon: Hoenn - Make a Wish

Lavaridge Town

A squadron of Swellow glided across the skies above Lavaridge Town. Grand Watcher Clerk wasn't keen on the idea of another mystery Draco Meteor taking out the remaining survivors for which she was responsible. The squadron bullied any wild flying Pokemon from traveling through. It was announced that only those with authorized permissions from the Grand Watcher herself could have approved Pokemon fly over Lavaridge. And so they dove straight toward the Xatu they spotted from above the clouds.

Oracle would have known their approach soon enough, but their speed would be quite concerning. Though they were headed straight toward her, they broke formation and simultaneously turned away like a kind of blooming flower. Oracle would hear a faint command from a voice she wasn't familiar with. "Leave the Xatu alone..."

Before relief could wash over her completely, she was summoned to the building attached to the bathhouse by her teammates. Their collective confusion and curiosity would have filled her consciousness before she cleared it to focus on the past and the future of the place. She heard the entire conversation among three people talking about the woman she could see being commanded to go to The Quay in Rustboro City. A Decidueye shot through a window on the other side into the void that surrounded one of the women. The man was levitated and slammed into the wall. The void disappeared and the man was released. But the conversation, itself, was overall vague. The ability to hear subconscious thoughts from the past was beyond any psychic Pokemon, as they were so thin and fleeting. Fortunately, their target was confirmed - they mentioned Ms. Shade, their target. She watched as the vacant orb in the room disappeared.

The void was very familiar to Oracle. It felt very similar to what Ether would do to hide herself and others, if she chose, from the prying "eyes" of others. It was unnerving to feel something so definite and potent that she could say it matched Ether's, though the thought might have frightened her a little. Regardless, after the void disappeared, the other two eventually left the home. Oracle could follow them to the tram that went directly to Rustboro. Once they were far enough away, her vision faded into the present.

"Um, excuse me, sir? Are you going to do anything?" a voice asked behind Tristan. When he would turn, the young man would say "are you okay? Do you need help using that?" he asked and pointed at the Pokestation Tristan was standing in.

When Tristan and his team decided on their next course of action, Oracle's eyes glowed bright and her wings splayed out straight from her sides where she stood. Her body glowed bright and the air around her buzzed with intense psychic energy. Though she thought she had mastery over her visions, when she pushed her abilities, there would be times she couldn't control them. This display was specifically when she saw powerful visions of the future.

She hovered far up in the sky above Rustboro. It was pouring rain. There was no wind. It felt heavy. Rustboro was burning to the ground. Her vision zoomed in to see a large man slumped over something on the ground. A Masquerain - dead. Beyond him, another man in a suit stood emotionless. A Gorebyss and Huntail hovered on either side of this man. Her vision shot up toward the sky, past the clouds, into space. A Pokemon - unmistakably Jirachi. Her vision followed it back down until it was hovering above the man flanked by the Gorebyss and Huntail. He touched the Gorebyss and all four of them teleported away.

Her eyes dimmed and the glow around her faded and she fell to the ground - exhausted.

Mauville Island

The week went by like it always had, though with the addition of Rai. Jerrek and Rowan welcomed him to their vacation and had him chase them through the forest and swim with them and jump off a nearby cliff into a deep pool. They ate and drank much. They slept at their leisure. They chatted and sat in silence to listened to the nature around them.

When the week came to a close and Forrest was packing up camp, Shaq-ti notified Forrest of someone approaching the camp - a young woman. Shaq-ti felt a twinge of unease but thought it was just due to the surprise as she looked innocent enough. Still, she alerted the rest of her teammates and they all instinctually moved closer to the camp.

Samantha. Samantha Kurin. Rai's sister he thought had died when they were children back in Olivine City. It took some time to convince Rai that this was, indeed Samantha - his sister. She revealed she had found him thanks to years of searching and the help of her Espeon that apparated from elsewhere. The reunion was quiet but certainly intense. Forrest made Jerrek and Rowan busy with something elsewhere so they could have the time to experience the existence of each other. Forrest was glad that Rai's broken family was a little less broken.

She convinced him to go with him to where she had made her home in Mauville City. The city had yet to be entirely restored, but she knew her home would be safe to go to. Rai thanked Forrest and Forrest gave Rai his contact information as a sign of friendship. They then teleported away.

It took a few moments for Forrest to recover from the experience. But he was soon finished with packing up camp and getting to the boat that would take them to Mauville as well.

Rustboro Wharf - Rustboro City

Forrest's large brown boots seemed to pound against the tiled hallway floor. His fitted jeans zipped rapidly with his pace. The muscles under his short sleeve white shirt could be seen flexing rather erratically. His face was stern, determined, irritated. The Rangers moved out of his way when they realized he wasn't going to move for them.

It looked as if he tried to tear the door handle off the door as he swung it open. He took two steps into the office and stood straight up with his arms crossed and his brows furrowed. His eyes bore into the Master General.

"Fucking bastard decided to show his ugly fucking face right after my vacation. I haven't even had a solid week at home for eight months, now. Where is he? I'm done playing his games."

"Whoa, Forrest, calm down a little. No need to be so fired up." The Master General raised his open hands and shook them a little. "I forgot it was your vacation week. I wouldn't have called you if I had remembered."

"Yeah, and have them pussy-foot around 'cause he's a fucking Fairfax? Fuck that. I'm going to parade his head around town and then bring it to you on a platter."

"Enough theatrics, Forrest!" the Master General's voice boomed louder than Forrest was shouting. "Calm the fuck down! You're acting like a child! Now sit!"

Forrest took a deep breath. His arms lifted to his chin as they were still pulled across his chest. His jaw clenched but he took the few steps to get into one of the chairs in front of the Master General. His nostrils flared as the tensions lowered.

"You're right, Forrest. I've been too precious with him because of his last name. That ends. I'm more furious than anyone that it took the destruction of Mauville for me to wake up to that. Mauville is my fault. I had him five years ago, but I let him go just because of his last name. He's going to pay for all the lives he took and ruined."

"What's the plan, Dick?"

"Raid Rustboro Wharf."

Forrest's brow rose and he kept quite for a couple moments. "He's in the Wharf?"

"Yup. That's his domain. The Fairfax's admitted that they don't control it anymore. But only one of my spies assigned to Jonton still lives."

"So I can raze it to the ground to find him?"

"You are under my orders to use whatever means and force necessary to bring him into custody either alive or dead. You also have clearance to use whatever means required to neutralize any and all threats that you come across."

"Hell fucking yes," Forrest said with a determination that was almost gleeful though his face remained stone still.

A couple moments passed until the Master General pushed up out of his seat. "Go, you fucker! I want that fucking bitch's head on my desk before sunrise tomorrow!"

Forrest nodded and quickly rose and almost started running out of the Rangers Headquarters and straight to the Wharf. Forrest remembered how it used to be called the Quay and was still referenced as such colloquially as he released all of his Pokemon. Due to his lack of discretion, he was soon recognized and people started to follow him. Children cried for his autograph or to ride on Antligon. Adults wanted to shake his hand and ask him questions. They were all fended off by his Pokemon, however. Additionally, Rangers started to make way for him so he wouldn't be disturbed.

"Mr. Aeros? What are you doing here?" Forrest asked once he reached the massive gate to the Rustboro Wharf. He stopped and leaned back on his foot and crossed his arms. He wore a wry smile and curled a brow. "Do you know what I know. Are we both here for the same reason?" he asked and tilted his head to one side.

The Yerdreugh Confederacy: Homebrew 5e 1-20 Campaign

I'd like to run a PbP campaign in my homebrew setting of The Yerdreugh Confederacy. I will elaborate on more of the setting at a later time. Please consider reviewing the below to see if you'd be happy/interested in playing with the rules and mechanics I have in place.

This will be a character-based and roleplay-focused campaign with plenty of combat, intrigue, exploration, and adventure. It will be sandbox after the first "arc" which will be railroaded for several different reasons.

Before you consider reaching out to me, there are some significant changes you should know about:
* I've made changes to many of the classes.
1. Bards have been recreated as non-casters and a pure support class.
2. Clerics have no armor proficiencies and few weapon proficiencies and a d6 hit die and are Charisma-based spellcasters.
3. Druids have no armor proficiencies and few weapon proficiencies and have a d6 hit die.
4. Paladins & Rangers are 3rd-casters (highest level spell is 4th and no cantrips).
5. Each class has unique saving throw proficiencies (some are the same, most are different).
* I implement a homebrew point-buy system for stats. (15, 15, 15, 10, 10, 10 to 17, 17, 17, 6, 6, 6)
* Characters have max hit points. (I may be convinced to go with Average Hit Points, instead)
* Every character gets a homebrew "trinket" that will either be tied to their race, their class, their subclass, their background, or a combination of these. It will increase in power as the character levels and/or milestones are reached.
* Milestone Leveling.
* Characters are required to be from the setting and be "of" the world.
1. Monsterous races will not be allowed. (Goblinoid, Kobold, Yuan-ti, Bugbear, etc.)
2. Characters must have a reason for adventuring and seeking out a party to join.
3. Characters must have a short and long-term goal.
* I allow homebrew content, but I will work on it to be balanced to the best of my ability. I have homebrew spells created that are allowed to be used. All homebrew content is subject to change at any time.
* The setting is civilization vs. environment. All civilizations/governments are largely benevolent. Corruption of political figures is very unusual and dealt with swiftly and harshly. This is not to say that there will not be any large conflicts, political intrigue, or signs of corruption.
* I stick to RAW and don't implement any optional or variant rules from the DMG and only use the quality of life changes to character creation from XGtE & TCoE.
* Examples of specific rules: Counterspell - you don't know the name or the level of the spell being cast; Shield - you only know if the attack hits or not, not if the hit is critical like you would with Grave Domain's Sentinel at Death's Door feature; spells have flavor text that is not be taken as mechanical - see Chill Touch - it is affected by cover.
* There is a great deal of high-level lore already created. It will not be required to be familiar with or read all of it, but I will reference specific things that are pertinent to the character you are creating. But I will, otherwise, reference it ICly and OOCly. Conversely, I welcome and encourage collaboration in deeper world building and the development of specifics.
* I struggle with balancing encounters specifically for the party. I create encounters that make sense to the story, the location, and/or the event it's related to. I never have the intention of TPKing or killing any character ever, going so far as to give an "out." But if that is not taken or character actions lead to harsh outcomes, I will follow through.
* There are consequences for actions, both good and bad, both seen and unseen, both known and unknown. Threatening the Mayor will likely get you arrested - resisting arrest will get you attacked by law-enforcement. Telling an NPC you're part of a specific organization might garner help or present resistance to the point of having you assassinated. Refusing the deal of a BBEG might get an entire town killed/destroyed. Giving money to that orphan might see that orphan rescue you in a time of need. Working with an Herbalist might get you free potions from another herbalist in another town or city that's more well-off.
* There will be grander events occurring throughout the setting without the characters' knowing. Whether or not the party includes themselves is up to them. They may not even hear about it unless they ask the "right" question or overhear a conversation.
* The setting map is final and settlements are, indeed, an average of a 7-day walk between neighboring settlements (one of the main reasons why it's "civilization vs. environment").
* I will be using Foundry VTT. Character sheets will be made, maintained, and updated there. Combat and Rolls will be done there. It is free to use and requires no special requirements from anyone and doesn't require downloads or anything.
* Character development, cooperation with other player-characters, and working as a team is required.
* No evil alignments or Chaotic Neutral characters (I don't really use or reference alignments, anyway).
* Posts will only be done once after I post unless otherwise stated. You will be skipped on your request or if up to several days pass with not communication.
* Players are DM's of their own characters. I may ask a player if their character knows about something or not or has been to a specific place or not or has met a type of person or not.
* There will be no PvP unless all parties agree. I will not call for deception or perception or insight or sleight of hand checks when a character wants to do something to another character. Those two players will decide how they want to handle the situation. Actions against/toward other characters can be refused outright (though it's expected to act in good-faith).
* I'm here to provide the setting and information for your characters to help the players tell a grand story. This campaign will cater to those that want to tell an epic story with others.
* Humor is allowed and encouraged to a degree. This is meant to be on the serious/epic side, but moments/scenes/events of hilarity are welcome.
* This is not a romance-centric campaign, though I will allow it if it makes sense and adds to character development and not self-indulgence. X-rated scenes will be fade to black. Profanity, nudity, vulgarity may and likely will be present, though alluded to and not explicitly described. Topics such as sexual assault, torture, self-harm/suicide, beastiality, slavery and other extreme fetishes will not be allowed, discussed, or present in this campaign.
* It will be requested that each post responds to previous posts as well as shows a new action being taken.

I may add to, remove, or amend any of the above.
You may respond here with questions or PM me. If you are interested, please respond to as many points as you can with relative detail (organized in any way you see fit).

Thank you for your time.

Pokémon: Hoenn - Make a Wish

Lavaridge Town

This one was terse. Samantha certainly respected that. That annoying Cutiefly was forgotted by this quick response.

She shifted slightly to pause and consider which emotion she should play next. She giggled briefly and put a hand toward her mouth. Embarrassment. "Oh, yes, I apologize," she said with a slight smile and oddly dead eyes. "I'm just so caught up with the fact that my brother might be here.

"I knew him as Raiziel Kurin from Olivine City in Johto. I don't know if he's assumed any other names. I remember him having a Charmander that he called Kye or something."

She looked down at the Espeon sitting stone still beside her. She reached a hand down to place a soft hand upon the periwinkle coat. A brief twinkle in the gem upon the Espeon's forehead shone as leaves shifted in the passing breeze.

Samantha sniffed as if about to cry. "I haven't seen him in so long, I have no idea what he could look like. We were only children when we were separated.

__________

The town fell into an organized chaos. Now that some Mauville districts were habitable, there was a sense of relief among those directly impacted by the disaster. Rumors continued to swirl around, but they were casual and without much weight as the Rangers refused to disclose any more information than the news coverage that was beginning to slow down.

Despite all this, Veritas sensed a strange amount of residual guilt and embarrassment and fear. She followed it until she arrived at the Muro Bathhouse and tagged her partners to join her and affirm her assumptions. It was agreed that it would have been something to look into.

Rustboro Wharf - Rustboro City

The Rustboro Wharf was named such out of courtesy. Owned by the Fairfax Association, it was an entirely private portion of the city. Security clearances were required to enter and exit the Wharf and was well-situated to make it quite difficult for outsiders to see exactly what happened beyond the ten-foot fence, gates, and tall warehouses without windows.

Considering the current events, any Pokemon usually employed at the Wharf were now filling temporary positions in security. Much of the staff were required to relocate or change occupations temporarily to accommodate those affected by the "Mauville Incident" for those still able and needing to work for a living.he hollers boomed through the night and into the day. Metal scraped against wood and ropes were pulled taut or snapped. Planks slapped against the docks as a constant percussion to the almost-overwhelming symphony. Everyone worked as one and with a heavy sense of obligation considering the state of Mauville. But that didn't mean there was dissatisfaction and contempt that it occurred in the first place.

The gray clay-concrete walls of the storehouses made for a rather monochromatic and dull atmosphere. Splotches of white excrement were the only contrast upon the buildings throughout the Wharf. The pathways were barely wide enough for two men abreast. Hiding in the mazes of the alleys was a struggle only for the fact one could easily get lost. The textured cement pathways dissuaded walking without proper foot-wear, but that didn't deter some of the more sea-hardened individuals.

The only interest in the Wharf was a single wooden spire that shot up past the rest of the storehouses. The planks looked of a rich mahogany and cherry with steel structure beams painted black. Red velvet curtains would peak from behind windows and lights would be seen on throughout each night. Access to this building was highly restricted. Walking past it was reason for termination and arrest.

Pokémon: Hoenn - Make a Wish

Refugee Camps - Lavaridge Town

@c3p-0h
"Master General -" she said with chest high and hand at her head in salute.
"At ease, Sentinel."
"Thank you, sir."
"Where's Major White?"
"He is currently verifying the state of the refugee camps and the Lavaridge Medical Centre, sir."
"When will he be back?"
"Not until tonight, sir."
"And Grand Watcher Clerk?"
"She's in her tent, sir."
"Thank you, Sentinel."
"Sir," she said in a farewell with another proud salute.

It'd been almost a week since the Mauville Attack. He was concerned to not have heard anything devastating happen in Lavaridge. However, it was also not entirely surprising as it was Grand Watcher Clerk who was tasked with overseeing the operations of the area.

There was no contest when it came time to promote a Sentinel to Watcher. She was the youngest in history to ever be promoted to the rank, but none knew of a better candidate. She was impossibly bright and focused, though harshly stern and doggedly focused. But the Air Rangers of Hoenn were known for their effectiveness, not their sense of humor.

This kind of task is in what she excelled. She could retain high volumes of information without needing to record it immediately. In fact, she often came into the frustration of the other branches when she'd fail to properly record information despite being able to recite it verbatim.

She was the hub of all information. Currently, she was the hub of all information about the Mauville Attack and the goings-on in both Mauville and Lavaridge while she was updated about Rustboro by the Land Rangers. She had a team dedicated to solely recording all the information they'd gather in a day, and they only just recently became current.

__________

She watched from afar at this "Haven" playing with a Cutiefly. The thoughts revealed it was newly hatched. Samantha cursed at herself for finding it as cute as she did. Keeping hidden behind a tree for a little longer showed a softness and a strength in this girl that Samantha found surprising. Considering her recent past, she was impressed with Haven's determination to continue on as if nothing happened.

Samantha absent-mindedly brushed her ear where that damned Decidueye had got her. It bothered her that she didn't see it coming.

"Excuse me, Haven," she said as she stepped from behind the tree but keeping the distance between them.

Her tone was soft and polite, almost meek. She kept her hands behind her back as to keep a non-threatening air around herself. "That's an adorable Pokemon you've got there. Does it have a name?"

Now with pleasantries out of the way, she could get to the point of this conversation. But she had to be tactful. "I heard your story from the rangers around here and thought you could help me with something." She fidgeted with her hair a little to portray a kind of nervousness Samantha assumed might be warrented in this kind of situation.

"I know someone I think you might have seen and I was wondering if you'd be able to tell me where you saw him last or where he could have gone. I want to make sure he's alright."

Her brows shifted down in a kind of sadness and concern she'd seen others express before. "I haven't seen him in a while and I'd really like to meet with him."

A long pause was held between them. The mauve pelt of her Espeon appeared beside her and rubbed its face against her calf. Her eyes rose to meet Haven's. They were beginning to swell with tears she'd only recently learned she could produce.

"I'm his sister."

Mauville Island

@Kymera

The new hatchet worked well without having been sharpened after purchase. The fire-starter was largely unnecessary with Kye around. But the fact he wouldn't have to rely on his Pokemon to start a fire made him oddly self-confident. It wasn't long until he'd managed to accumulate a hefty pile of small logs and large twigs by the firepit Forrest had thrown together with some nearby rocks.

The tents were up and equipment laid out in neat order. The two men then worked on falling a tree to then chop in half to use as benches by the fire. It'd only taken a couple hours, but the moon was high and the air cool by now. Jerrek and Rowan were running around the fire and the nearby woods. Forrest paid little mind as Medicham and Flygon were around to get them out of any trouble they would be able to find.

After hiking for two days and then prepping the camp site with Forrest, Rai was ready and glad to be able to rest until the morning. He and Forrest drank a few beers each. Forrest partook in a cigar with the kids indulging in a soda before bed, something their mother would never allow. He made them go to bed soon after, which they did without much fuss. Rai was mildly relieved to see Rowan with clothes on, but with the air being cooler, he couldn't blame the kid.

Forrest, on the other hand, was down to undershorts. His shirt and pants were slung over a rope that was tied between trees so it would hang relatively close to the fire for more efficient drying. They were even wrung out before being hung, proving that staying in them was the poorer of options. By now, Rai couldn't be uncomfortable with anything they'd do.

The flick of a match pulled his eyes from the fire. His tired eyes saw a cigarette in Forrest's hand as he laid on the ground, partially propped up by the log and laying his nearly-naked body worryingly close to the fire. Another beer filled his other hand as he watched the fire as he thought Rai did. But his eyes blinked up and caught Rai's. He twitched his chin in an offer to grab another for Rai. Forrest managed to reach for one, open it, and pass it without actually getting up.

Rai was just glad to experience the calm of a silent night in front of a fire. It felt good to be out on the road again, even if he wasn't alone. It amused him how quickly he'd become used to Forrest's company. It'd been so long since he felt part of a family.

Ground Zero - Mauville City

@Akacen

Any surface damage caused by the attack was cleared away and repaired in little time with the help of the Rangers, both national and international. The presence of an Elite Four member also made things progress much faster than expected. However, repairs to the energy circuits throughout the underside of the city was a whole other project Mr. Sturm would need months to get back into normal working order.

The outskirts of Mauville were beginning to re-populate as the power grid was reworked to avoid the affected generator as it was being repaired. There was still a heavy presence of Rangers throughout Mauville as investigations continued as to cause of this attack. The suspects that didn't die were sent to Fairfax Hospital and there was precious little revealed as to the reason for this attack. All the rangers could get from these criminals was "Jonton is back."

"Sir Aeros, excuse me." A young man bowed before the Elite Four member with a hand outstretched with a piece of parchment rolled inside it. "A message from Madame Fairfax. She requests that you act upon this in haste."

When the scroll was properly delivered, the man simply turned and left without another word.

Sir Tristian Aeros,

Your presence is requested at the Fairfax Manor estate at once.

The script was a beautiful calligraphy he'd never seen before. It was never known for Mrs. Fairfax to request a personal audience with anyone. She only deigned to expose herself to the public when she so cared. This was certainly far from what would be considered expected behavior of the Queen of Fairfax.

[D&D 5e] A Thousand Roads (Homebrew)

The Valley

It took too long to repair the damages from the portal. The earth was black. The nearby trees were ash. Each house was scorched and either partially collapsed or completely destroyed.

Those who could fled. Those who would protected those who could not. Willow remembered hearing a voice warning her of a terrible danger. She looked up to see bulbous black clouds materializing directly above them. The other villagers were keenly aware, but her shouted command to run alerted them to act.

It was quiet. The Valley is known to be a sanctuary of peace and temperance. When the yellow light pierced the ground like lightning, even the children didn’t scream. When the fiends and devils spewed from the corrupting light, they found tough foes. Despite being a secluded village upon a holy site, the denizens were as fierce as any warrior. The time Brightwood spent training his children, his siblings, and his peers was clearly time well-spent. Though he wasn’t here for this atrocity, everyone else took up the mantle of a leader to protect their home and their families.

Quickly a losing battle, they fled into the distant forests in any direction. The clouds above spread like a swarm of flies, rapidly infecting the sky. It felt like days that they ran and hid. The smaller and quicker fiends were batted away from the children. Willow counted the heads of her many half-siblings. Their mothers as determined to protect them as she. Willow was quickly running out of breath, mentally unprepared for such a sudden disaster to strike them and threaten everything she knew. And she couldn’t stop thinking about her father. What would he do?

She tripped on an unearthed root and hit the forest floor hard. Her forehead touched the dirt from the impact, leaving a brown mark on her brow. She looked up and turned around. A bright flash shone through the forest from their village. And as quickly as the black clouds spread above them, they disappeared.

She realized the air had been filled with sulfur and soot. She surprised herself with a sneeze, learning the inside of her nose and mouth were coated with ash. She coughed. She continued coughing until she vomited black. She looked up to see others doing the same. Those that managed to cover their mouths and noses seemed unaffected. Her eldest half-brother, Duer, approached to help her up and to get her to breathe normally.

The silence didn’t cease. It was too soon for such a devastating threat to be neutralized. She thought how the light must have been Scathach, and that was why she was told to run. She looked around at the gathering children beginning to surround her. Another headcount. “Where’s Iden”

Her voice was a screeching caw cutting through the silence. A few eyes looked at her with concern. The others only watched the forest line and listened to the air, too skeptical to believe they were no longer being pursued. Willow’s head scanned the area. All were still. She began to walk through the crowd of her siblings and toward the village, newly determined to find her missing brother.

The crowd behind her was much more hesitant than she. Their footfalls were quieter and more deliberate. They flowed around the trunks and avoided the low hanging branches as if to begin to mourn with silence those who they’ve yet to learn to have lost. The ground grew black and the trees grew ashen as they continued toward their home. The smell of cleansing fire filled the air and the yellow light was extinguished. The daylight returned to them soon.
_________

The boys ran all around him. They were sweaty, some were smeared with dirt and some wore fresh wounds. Willow worked them well. They called out to their father to join them at the western bank, their designated bathing area. He interrupted his meditation and rose calmly to follow the high energy of the children.

Most of them he’d sired. Many of them were his nephews. To only a few he wasn’t directly related. He knew them all very well. With all the training and play and work they did every day they were turning out to be competent despite all of them being under the age of 12. His chest became ablaze with pride as they continued to play in the river or help the other boys with their injuries. Some stole their clothes off the bank and threw them into the river and laughed as they watched the current take them away. They laughed harder as the victim raced to retrieve them. Some of the older boys raced to see who could get it faster.

Brightwood’s bare feet skated over the rushing water. He scooped up the small clothing and leapt to the other side of the river. The racing boys stopped when they realized their goal had been taken from them. They looked up at the patriarch of the Valley and whined and shouted at the unfairness. Brightwood just smirked and began to pace back up the river to lay the clothes out in the sun. He then removed his own clothes to meditate in the river.

The soft coolness flowed around his body. The boys splashed and screamed around him. He could feel the power of Scatach fill his muscles and reinforce his bones. He could feel her hair as his own and her touch across her cheek. It all went silent for him.

He didn’t know how long it’d been since he fell into this meditation. When he opened his eyes, all the boys had assumed similar positions within the river, meditating as their father, uncle, and patriarch. He rose quietly and turned around to be met with a foreign yet familiar figure standing just off the bank.

“Brother Brightwood” Akacen said, greeting him with a bow.

This simulacrum was used to the rather liberal Valley, rarely phased by the unclothed man. Brightwood began to dry himself off with a piece of his clothing. It was the one Akacen remembered him wearing during the cold months during their time on Scilira. He couldn’t be sure what it was called, as it seemed like an enlarged scarf connected into a circle.

“Headmaster,” Brightwood greeted back in a stern and deep tone.

“I was wondering if you’d be willing to meet with me back in the Eastern Reaches. I know you haven’t the fondest opinion of the place, but there is something I wish to share with you.”

Brightwood dried his face, darker than Akacen remembered. Staying so long in the Valley and living how he enjoyed living, his dark skin tanned even darker. His hair, however, was highlighted by the sun. It was still twisted in the same long braid, but the coarseness was easier to see, now. His eyes looked brighter, somehow, when he finally turned to look at Akacen. They were softer. But he seemed larger than before despite Akacen being used to craning his neck to look upon Brightwood.

“Does it put my family or my home at risk?” His stare was almost paralyzing.

“It very well could, the nature is similar.”

Brightwood’s large chest pushed out in a deep breath. He sighed silently, exhaled slowly as he considered his answered.

“I will gather some things and say goodbye to my family. Meet me at my home and we will leave thereafter.”

Akacen bowed deeply, understanding all too well how conflicted his friend must be to return to the place where he died thrice and was resurrected twice. The last time, Akacen had done it in person in Tierm. His good will, determination, and righteousness was not enough to compensate for his rashness and confidence. It was all he could do to not openly sob as he approached the river once more.

He didn’t spend much time saying farewell to his children and their mothers. It was intimate in their own way, but even Akacen was surprised at how brief it seemed.

He was wearing the same type of clothing. The only thing different was a backpack that pulled against his bare skin with an amount of weight that he betrayed with his posture. Akacen had begun to perform the spell to Teleport them to his destination. Brightwood stood surprisingly close to Akacen at the spell’s activation.

He put his backpack down in a nearby dorm room. There was much more activity than he remembered. But he made his way up the foreign yet familiar staircase that followed the cylindrical walls of this Scolia Arcana. The banquet and study hall had students pacing around, practicing and reciting Arcane findings at each other. Students, Brightwood thought was interesting. Last he knew this Scolia Arcana was dying.

The third floor was harshly silent. His bare feet could not be heard slapping against the stone steps and then the stone floor. “Greetings, Headmaster. Headmistress.”

Tierm

“You shouldn’t be here.”

His voice was level. Uninterested. Bored, even.

“Nor should you.”

Her voice was stronger. Demanding.

“You don’t have that authority, miss. Why don’t we just go up to the barracks together. I’d rather this not be more tedious than it already is.”

“You don’t have the balls, sir” she said to mock his apparent lack of age. “You couldn’t touch me if you tried for 10 years!”

-

“Ah! Fuck! Fucking bastard!” she started to scream, her voice echoing against the concrete sewers all around them. She barely heard leather zip against leather before finding a knife in her thigh.

“Didn't have to be so difficult.” His voice was deeper now. Threatening.

“You don’-”

She was silenced. Muffled. An arm wrapped around her head and over her mouth while her arms were grappled behind her. A foot kicked at the back of her knee, forcing her to stumble. She got the hint and began walking forward. She screamed and fought as much as she could, but this was clearly not the first time he’d caught someone like her. The inside of his elbow was reinforced with an additional layer of leather. He couldn’t feel her gnawing at it. He forced her arms up from behind her, causing her more pain if she fought too much.

“Alright, gents. Come get the bitch!” he called up through a manhole.

The gray light of the evening cast down through the hole. It lit the bars of the ladder unevenly. Two City Watch came down, unaffected by the deceitful lighting. The first one managed to cuff the woman while Tumise still grappled her as if they’d done this every day. The second made sure she didn’t run away as she was released from the grapple.

“Gah. This one’s a right nasty cunt!” the second Watch said as her face touched the light when she was pushed forward.

Her face was plain. Her hair was a nest. Her skin was pale. What came out of her mouth was the most offensive. She kept calling for Vargrimst, for his justice, or power, or whatever. He wasn’t really listening anymore. They all said the same things.

Tumise slipped his dagger out of her thigh before she pulled away. He put a hand on the Watch’s shoulder, keeping him from moving. A piece of cloth was tied tight around the thigh to keep it from bleeding too much.

“Why bother? Just let the cunt bleed. Less work for us.”

“You know this isn’t really her,” he said plainly. “Make sure you actually get this one to Professor Illyis.”

He walked back into the sewers before they could retort further.
_________

Professor Humplebumple made short work of reconstructing the city. It was clear that she’d had plans for this reconstruction for quite some time, considering how quickly she made the city better than new. Streets were reconfigured for ease of flow. Buildings held more consistency between them while still having individuality. It was a brand new city. It had to be considering the utter destruction of it all. Not only that, the Scolia Arcana was expanded and new Schools added. She and the other Professors worked to elect heads of these schools. Each discipline would be represented at the Scolia Arcana of Tierm, even Necromancy. They would be known throughout the continent in not only being able to do so, but also choosing to do so.

Caelynn made it her priority to oversee the mass Transmutation of the city while her Lieutenant, Tumise, worked to clean up the corruption of that yellow demon light. She let him work more closely with Ghesh so Tumise would learn to appreciate her more. The Transmuter students were learning quickly as if practice and necessity accelerated one’s ability to learn. She hoped Tumise was going through a similar transformation.

The swarms of people that were teleported back from the Valley with the help of Lorilla couldn’t fill the city proper. It showed both how much Lilli and her students expanded the city as well as how few people survived the invasion. At least they fared better than Golabah. It was too bad that most of them settled permanently in the Common South rather than return to Scilira. Those that returned were absorbed into Tierm’s population. Efforts to rebuild Golabah and even Loughlof Town were postponed until further notice.

“Captain, may I have a moment?” He bowed.

Caelynn knew this was only a simulacrum. Akacen would never address her so formally, and nor she him. Her heart still sank, though, knowing he hadn’t yet returned. “Yes, Headmaster.”

“I’d like to see you in the Eastern Reaches. While Tierm is aptly rebuilding and finding a state of normalcy once more, I’m hoping you’ll find the time to help elsewhere.”

She sighed but kept an even face. She remembered her outburst. She remembered holding Brightwood’s body in her arms. She remembered sobbing so hard that her throat swelled until she could no longer make sound. The familiar feeling of her heart breaking while seeing Isshyim fall and then rise came back hard.

She took a deep breath. “We’ll see. I’ll gather Tumise and Kephalos to go with me.”

“Even better. I’ll meet you at the Spire, then?”

Caelynn didn’t answer. She took a sharp turn on the balls of her feet and pointed to one of the City Watch to fetch her Tumise and Kephalos. If they didn’t make her regret taking Akacen up on this offer, they certainly would.

-

They found rooms for themselves, though Kephalos and Tumise had to share, to place their belongings before heading up the stairs to the third floor where this meeting would be held.

Tumise was relatively glad to be back home - longed to return to his actual home and change it for the better. Kephalos was impressed with how much it’d developed since he’d first come here. They were putting in as much work as they were back home.

“Hello Akacen,” Caelynn announced in a teasing tone and a playful smile. “And hello, Headmistress. It’s good to see you alive again,” she said. It might have sounded unnecessarily informal, but those that knew her knew how serious this statement was. It was her way to continue to cope with the events that occurred.

Arhew

The Princess of Storms was beautiful. She wished to stay in her presence forever. But she was pulled back to the Prime Material after a single breath.

These mountains were steep, bare. She looked around at those who looked upon her with caring eyes. She looked up at the whipped clouds against the pale blue sky. The sun shone white. The stone beneath her was solid and unmoving. She looked down at herself. The bold reds and muted oranges of her dress proved to her how peaceful she was in death. She was no longer afraid of it.

“You bring me back for more work?” she asked rhetorically. “Fine.” She smiled, though. Warm.

Her smooth face betrayed her age as it had when she’d first accepted the crown. Her hands were soft and without a blemish. The brown-green pigment looked lush over the slate of the earth beneath her.

“It is by Diancecht’s decree that you undo what you’ve unjustly done.”

The creature hovered over the stone, as if deigning to touch it would reduce its purity. She twisted her neck toward the creature. “Merzi,” she said with a modest bow.

Her hair fell over her shoulders. The wide ringlets as defined and regal as ever. She allowed the volume of it to remain over her shoulders as she shifted to face the others who were also resurrected. Her delicate feet clicked forward. She rose a hand over their heads and released the scent of nutmeg and the seeds of a dandelion as she did so. She brought both hands under their chins and extended to them warmth and comfort as her Princess had done for her upon her arrival to the Elemental Planes.

She then turned. “High Priest Tiadar. High Priestess Taidra. Are you ready?”
_________

The Temple of Ledwonnú saw more patrons in the past week than it had in its lifetime. Wynlynn’s final Wish was to undo her Meteor Swarm that she’d cast on the city. Now she put all of her energy into resurrecting the churches, if not the people themselves. Tiadar and Taidra proved highly competent in seeking out hidden worshippers of the other Gods that had survived the culling of religion and then the dissolution of the region. They were gathered to Arhew to discuss their roles and hierarchy. They could rebuild how they saw fit. They could take leadership roles throughout the region, but within reason, of course.

Ultimately, they were the heart of the Eastern Reaches. They would be ones to mend hearts and console the broken and find the lost. While laborers rebuilt structures, the religious leaders would rebuild spirit.

During one such effort, a banquet hosted by Wynlynn herself, an unexpected visitor approached her as she worked on baking rolls and pies.

“Priestess Casilltenira, might I have a moment?”

She spun around with a fair smile on her face and in her eyes. Some sweat sparkled on her brow, proving how long she’d been working these ovens. She handed the large bowl she was mixing batter in to a halfling who anticipated the situation before Wynlynn could.

“Ah, Awoan! Good of you to join. Shall I fetch Tiadar or Taidra for you?”

“Oh, no thank you, Priestess.”

“Please, dear. Wynlynn is fine.”

“The Headmistress and Headmaster would like an audience with you when you have the time,” she said, returning the friendly air but not the informality. She couldn’t anticipate how swiftly Eladrin might change and if they could be contradictory, if their memories were different.

“I have so much work,” Wynlynn started.

“There is no rush at all, Priestess. Wynlynn,” she said as if to humor her.

“Did they receive my invitation to this event?”

“Oh, yes, of course.” Awoan took a moment to remember the enchantments placed upon the envelopes and how showy they were when it was opened. “Unfortunately, they’re not much of the celebratory types. They feel much too responsible for the state of the Reaches.”

“As do I! That’s what all of this is about!” This form seemed gracefully cheerful.

“They completely understand. But we all have our own sense of duty.”

“How true. How wise.” Wynlynn paused to ponder the idea. Her lips pursed but then spread into a gentle smile soon enough. “I will see them tomorrow,” she said with determination to keep her own promise. “Now, go find a seat. I need a representative of the Arcana here tonight.”

“I’m flattered, but -”

“No buts!” Wynlynn almost shouted with a giggle. “You shall stay and find comfort in my home,” she said, gesturing all around her.

Awoan thought for a moment but couldn’t help but smile. She thought of all she’d been through recently. She believed both that there was so much work for her to do and so much responsibility being placed on her as well as the fact she definitely deserved to have some time to relax and enjoy herself and her company. What would Headmistress Isshyim do? Fire her?

Awoan giggled, herself, and thanked Wynlynn. She offered to help in the kitchen but was shooed out as soon as she opened her mouth.The night was long, but she was full and content. She was comfortable. And, strangely enough, she was happy. Happy to be alive and happy to have the connections she did.

-

The scent of nutmeg and pumpkin filled the room before she entered. The sound of drying leaves rustling in the autumn breeze echoed against the stone as she ascended. Her heels clicked softly against the stone. Intentional as to not sound harsh even while walking.

“Greetings, Headmistress, Headmaster. You wished to see me,” she said with a shallow bow and looked upon them with a gentle, matronly smile.

[D&D 5e] A Thousand Roads (Homebrew)

I'm working on my post, don't worry. D:

Part 1 of 3 posted since I know you've been waiting for more than a month, now :)