Eli fell and plunged into the floor, just as Mariette wanted her to, quickly lifting her head to ensure “Libby” was still in her sights. Her eyes remained wide and expression twisted by fear, as Caroline revealed who she truly was, and began speaking. She had… gained powers for consuming Deni. And… she wanted more.
‘… Aaah…’ Eli, being made of slime, couldn’t properly cry. But, her eyes felt like they wanted to. The being that had eaten Deni was right there, and now she was coming for her and Mariette. Eli lay there without being able to get more. It hurt. She felt so tiny and useless, alone. It was a helpless feeling, leaving her cowering in place...
… Mariette, however, stood focused. A vile frown directed itself at the speaking enemy before her. Anyone nearby felt the magical energy she was channeling. She was feeling… anger. Far more anger than she was used to experiencing. This creature, the same had taken Deni from her, had now stepped close and dared terrify Eli. How DARE she?
Mariette stood in the forefront, and Caroline was addressing her. Caroline wanted to play. Who was she to deny the experience?
Mariette
Not waiting for anyone else in any shape or form, Mariette swung her arm and hand-mirror weapon, without a word of communication to her allies and barely restrained anger in her movements as she swung open the mana font Asengav had granted her.
A stream of portals flung open all over the area between her and Caroline, the other ends directed into the floor around her, from which tentacles sprung and swung through the portals for a swift strike at Caroline. Mariette didn’t expect to hit, but that frankly didn’t matter.
Across the Bastion dark circles formed, like purple marshes on the deck, among allies as well as elsewhere. From these, creatures appeared, creatures called from Asengav himself. Nimble, dark, humanoid in shape with white glowing eyes, seemingly made of slime or ink just like Eli, but they were mindless monsters.
Monsters whose eyes were all fixed on the foe on the ship as they growled or leaped, dashing to action, gathering around Mariette or spread across the ship. With loud snarls they threw their arms, which stretched far and fast with ends shaped as sharp points at their enemy. They were numerous, around thirty spread and jumping across the ship to get into position to attack at Caroline.
These are approximations, I searched for anything that matched my mental image of her minions.
Then started the true game. Mariette was going to hound every step of Caroline with every fabric of her being. Using her awareness and previous experience with the devil to attempt to track the superior fighter’s movements, smaller portals swung open to take the stretched attacks of her minions’ arms and set them again on track for their target. Portals opened in attempt to block Caroline in any direction she headed, with the attacks of her minions flying through numerous portals before they finally headed to strike at Caroline from difficult angles.
Quickly, a maze of dark arms would form, intent on trapping Caroline between numerous portals that could or could not shoot arms at the enemy. If Mariette’s allies were shooting projectiles as well, Mariette would reroute as many as possible of those back at Caroline the same way as well. Each attack that was rerouted flew through a string of portals just large enough for the attack to pass through pointing at one another to keep the projectiles afloat at the predicted next locations the target could be. All for the purpose of hunting Caroline down.
If Caroline hunted at her allies and Mariette could react in time, she’d open portals to attempt protecting them, and if possible catch Caroline in the portals to send her a distance away so more distance where Mariette could unload her minions’ and allies’ attacks on Caroline for the additional distance, while portals with tentacles clawing at Caroline from the floor around Mariette clawed at her in directions the portal witch didn’t want the vampire-girl to go. If Caroline attempted attacking through these portals, the attacks would go straight down into the floor of the Bastion around Mariette. Hopefully a god’s blessing made that too hard to crack.
If allies were in obvious danger, Mariette would open portals under them to relocate elsewhere on the Bastion, unless they were the ones who charged in on their own. No sense moving away a close-combat nut from close combat. Mariette would try to take advantage of such circumstances, instead, having her minions’ arms fly through more portals to punish Caroline for staying in a fight. If Caroline happened to grab any of the minions’ arms that came attacking, she’d simply command them to leap at her to make some use of their last time in existence, they’re already as good as dead if that happened.
This wasn’t hide and seek anymore. It was a frenzied game of tag where one party was extremely fast and powerful while the other had access to portals and plentiful of projectiles. Mariette would chase this girl down with all of her power.
She couldn’t keep this up indefinitely, but right now, she was charging as much of her magic as she could, perhaps unreasonably so. As soon as they were inside the castle, her bane would probably prevent her from going further. Here, she could still go all out. Besides, this was the girl that killed Deni. It was possible Mariette wasn’t acting completely rationally.
In her mind, Mariette blamed Justine far more for Deni’s death than she did Caroline, who she viewed as a being of inferior intellect. What would be more just than the possibility of murdering Justine’s precious sister in return?
… She cannot be allowed to get away…!
Edit: Since tactics-talk apparently took place on the lake shore, Mariette would have approached to speak. Meaning all this time she was in fact on the lake shore, and not on the Bastion, apparently. The portals described as going into the Bastion floor instead goes into the lake shore ground. Still needing to be close to Mariette because tentacles don't have a long range.
@Eklispe XD ... I am amused by your course of action. There's a little warrior of justice, haha. I think you got their names in inverse, though, that or what information was new to each. Anyways. Alright, very well. Nicely posted.
@Pikmin Eye Whelp. Poor Ben. Nicely posted. Now, then. I did mention the underground would be an elevator. Down that, I assume. Alright, let's see what I can cook up.
@Pirouette I do, in fact, have an idea for how Inkay's evolution is to happen. In any case. Nicely posted. Let's see how I'll answer, heh.
‘Ooooh!’ Maple’s world brightened up as Claire provided her number. ‘Thank you! Thank you! I’m so happy! I’ll call you in a bit!’ She then spun around to Ellyn and smiled so very happily. ‘Alright! Now, onto Stillwood Village and the Pokémon Gym!’ Maple called also as happily, one could think she wasn’t escaping a number of rather pissed Pokémon after losing an attack on a castle. Ellyn, as unenthusiastic as ever, threw a last glance at Claire before following.
Now, then. Claire headed into one of the larger buildings, to someplace within the castle. Here, there was a dome and a potential arena where multiple Pokémon were fighting, and there were plenty of young wannabe champions spread about. And here, Claire made her call, heads turning to look at her as they processed her words…
She may as well have made an assembly-call for the whole castle. That thing in her hand, recognition from the king? For the fighting-Pokémon here that was a guarantee that Claire was destined for greatness and would make them part of one of the most powerful teams imaginable. While there were those that stayed behind for various complex reason, a good 70% of the room scrambled over one another to get to her, Machops crawling over one another and Timburrs trying to jump forward. Meditites and Mienfoos also desired the opportunity, lining up on the sides, and a Tyrogue shouted loudly from somewhere in the crowd. Occasional Riolu, too, taking this offer seriously, trying to push their way forward. There was at least one Chimchar, too, who was now excitedly sitting on a Timburr’s stick to look at Claire from a bit higher.
Notable absence of Panchams, for the simple reason that the king wasn’t here and they’d rather be around the king than any other.
Sooooooooo… Claire’s now got a whole crowd of Pokémon that barely seems to have decreased in size, but now they’re all focused on her.
What now? … Numerous are about to start fighting to prove their worth to her on their own.
Kay’s Foul Play was way more than Eevee now could handle and Eevee was knocked out, leaving Jamie out of Pokémon.
Chu grew to Level 10! Chu learned Quick Attack!
Kay grew to Level 11!
Erika was victorious! Erika gained 352P for winning!
‘… Then again, maybe I don’t want a stone? I could just seek out the Ice Rock or the Moss Rock at… somewhere, or just hug her really tight during night or day, maybe…’ Clearly, Jamie wasn’t entirely sure which eeveelution she wanted. She thanked for the battle and then moved on.
Then, against Nuzleaf. Before Gibs got off his Dragon Rage he was hit with one set of Razor Leaf and then another, leaving him with very little health, but Dragon Rage was still way too powerful and took out Nuzleaf’s remaining health in a single hit, burning down the Grass/Dark-type.
Gibs grew to Level 11!
Eep grew to Level 10! Eep learned Ingrain!
Erika was victorious! Erika gained 503P for winning!
‘Oh! Looks like I might yet have some training to do!’ Wilhelm said, lifting his hat a bit before heading off to Lakewatch City to get his Pokémon healed. Now Erika’s team was very damaged, yeah, onto the next area. She treaded into the forest to the north of Route 5, the forest known as Stillwood Forest, and for a bit it was dark as trees blocked out the sun. But, following the route she eventually encountered Aroma Ladies. Avoiding battle because of damaged Pokémon, Erika could go past them and eventually arrive to…
Stillwood Village
Inside these calm forest 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.
Pokémon wanders or jumps along the streets…
Pokédex Entry #406 – Budew, the Bud Pokémon. It is sensitive to changing temperature. In winter it closes its bud and endures, while in summer it blooms and releases its pollen. This pollen is mildly poisonous and can cause harsh sneezing. It lives near clear ponds.
Pokédex Entry #315 – Roselia, the Thorn Pokémon. It’s flowers release a scent known to cause extreme relaxation, the scent being stronger the healthier it is. Attempting to pick the flowers will result in it defending itself with its highly poisonous thorns, which it can launch as projectiles. It is drawn towards nutritious waters.
Pokédex Entry #285 – Shroomish, the Mushroom Pokémon. It lives deep in dark, damp forest where it eats the composted soil and fallen leaves. By day it remains still in the forest shade, by night it moves to eat. If it detects danger, it can spout highly toxic spores from the top of its head, strong enough to make trees wilt.
The Budews, Roselias and Shroomish were above all the ones to blame for all the spores in the air, the relaxing smell and the effect that seemed to drain on a person’s worries entering the village. However, in the air drifted smaller beings.
Pokédex Entry #187 – Hoppip, the Cottonweed Pokémon. Known to drift on winds, Hoppip is known to clutch to others of its kind to not be separated or to prevent being blown away. It is so light, even the gentlest breeze can lift it. When Hoppips gather, it is said spring is on the way.
Pokédex Entry #188 – Skiploom, the Cottonweed Pokémon. The flower on its head reacts to temperature and opens more the warmer it is, it is sometimes used as a thermometer. The petals absorb sunlight, in sunshine it floats into the air to get closer to the sun, while in rain the flower closes and it hides under trees.
Hoppips floated along the winds in Stillwood Village, and high above Skiplooms floated to catch the light heading down, further decreasing the amount of sunlight that actually touched the villagers treading about the village. Also walking about were…
Pokédex Entry #43 – Oddish, the Weed Pokémon. During the day, Oddish finds nutrient-rich soil to sleep in and absorbs, specially preferring cold soil. When touched by the moonlight, it then pulls itself up and starts wandering, spreading its pollen and looking for a new place to sleep. If it is pulled up by an aggressor during the day, it shrieks out loudly.
Pokédex Entry #44 – Gloom, the Weed Pokémon. It releases a foul smell from the pistil of its flower. When it feels calm and secure its smell isn’t that bad, however if endangered the smell it releases in defense can get so bad it can be smelled from over a mile away. It drools out a sweet nectar that it uses to attract prey, but the nectar also smells bad.
Numerous Oddishes had apparently failed to understand that the relative dark was not due to night. That aside, the nice smell of the village was only occasionally interrupted by foul smell of a passing Gloom, but that problem seemed to only be bothering visitors as the villagers didn’t even seem to notice.
While the smell of spores washed over her and she could see all the buildings partly built onto the trees, Erika hurried to the Pokémon Center.
‘Hello, and welcome to the Pokémon Center. Would you like to rest your Pokémon?’
Assumingly, yes.
‘Okay. I’ll take your Pokémon for a few seconds, then.’
She’d then accept the Pokéballs and put them into the machine, and…
‘Thank you for waiting. We’ve restored your Pokémon to full health.’
She says as she hands the Pokéballs back. She then bows to her customer and gives a friendly smile.
‘We hope to see you again!’
… And, now she’s on her own. I would have added something more here, but seeing how this should apparently be kept short and easy for me and that I want to post this before going to bed tonight and I really should go to bed, I’ll let it be here.
What does Erika want to do here?
1. Find Pokémon. Can still search for Pokémon in cities~ 2. Talk. In cities, there are considerably more people one can talk to. Talking can give you info on local rumors and such. 3. Exit. Exit the town to any of the connected areas. 4. Specify. If you specify what you want to do, the GM will take it into account and tell the result. 5. Trigger random event. Force the GM to use his imagination to make a scenario for you. 6. Notable Places. Visit any of the places in the city! 6.1. Pokémon Center. Heal all your Pokémon. 6.2. PokéMart. Go to a store and buy things. 6.3. Pokémon Gym. ??? 6.4. Herb Store. Selling bitter medicine that is very good for your Pokémon! 6.5. Flower Shop. For decoration and for pleasant smells, the flower shop has the best selection in Isson! 6.6. Berry Garden. Allows trainers to rent earth to plant their own berries. New trainers gets a kit to start them off! 6.7. Treehouse Arena. Even forest-people want to battle it out sometimes. Lots of berries as prices~ 6.8. Ancient Woods. An older part of the forest. Dangerous, but said to hold a link to the past. There are large old rocks here. What more could they hold? 7.1. Joshua and Ewan. Where they supposed to meet here? Then Erika can search them up. Or, like, she could ditch them and run, if that’s more appealing.
Connected areas: Route 4. Forest route at the base of Mt. Strength leading west to Rainrock City. Route 5. A grassy incline connecting mountains, forests, plains, Stillwood and Lakewatch. Route 14. The waters of Dragon Lake are also known as Route 14. It connects Lakewatch Town, Highhill Town and Stillwood Village. Mountain Valley. A passage between Mt. Strength and Mt. Chill, a shortcut to Worldedge City.
Eli was a pool in the ground and Libby came and leaned over her.
‘Teh-heh, yeah,’ Eli giggled in the pain. ‘I’m a puddle~!’
Then the trip happened. Mariette stood silently, watching with small portals attached to the sides of the Bastion to look in all directions so that they weren’t ambushed, but it seemed this wasn’t necessary. So, eventually they approached Justine’s castle. Mariette stood gazing at it with an empty expression, contemplating what they were facing up against, feeling numerous strands of hesitation…
‘Ah!’ Eli jolted in surprise as Amber reached through her slimy body and took her notepad and pen from her during the planning phase. Visible panic etched into her face as she stretched a wing to try to retrieve the notebook, but stopped on a distance as she knew Amber had tactical use of using an empty page, but that didn’t stop that the pirate had Eli floating around her waving her wings in notable panic and distress all the way through explaining the tactics all the way to giving the notebook back, upon which Eli once again stuffed it in her stomach and wrapped her wings around it in a self-hug as if to keep it safe with a sulking expression on her face.
Mariette listened to the plan they were drawing out. There was an issue with it, wasn’t there? Nevermind that Mariette fundamentally didn’t like being ordered around, this time those orders could get her killed. She knew she had to speak up eventually. Amber said where she was needed, Makoto gave an alternative impression, and then Alicia asked what Sonia’s powers were. Alicia got a perhaps underserved annoyed glare, due to Mariette’s current mood, before Mariette started talking aloud.
‘… Sonia is capable of sudden dimensional travel. She has displayed the ability to add or remove herself or others to a scene from nowhere with a simple touch, with the addition that she can call objects into existence from nowhere, this “nowhere” probably being an alternative dimension she keeps around. Helga can probably expand on that and correct what I got wrong, she worked with her,’ Mariette said. Then there was that major part… ‘Sonia can use this power to neutralize me and Eli instantly. At any point Sonia still exists, I might become a liability.’
She didn’t use the word “bane”, but they should know. Justine knew her bane, and Sonia could summon it instantly. Mariette REALLY didn’t like the chances of that bane being revealed in this battle, because all things considered, Justine probably had candles hung everywhere inside the castle just for Mariette’s consideration. It was also very simple for anyone present to procure if they knew of it. She originally had only intended to guide everyone here and then leave them behind, but now they were including her in the planning… She couldn’t deny, her portals were a tremendous asset to any team. However, as long as Sonia existed she could suddenly vanish from the equation, therefore…
‘Relying on my portals and my leadership is therefore relatively unwise. With your suggested teams, should Sonia appear before the winged team, it would be down to Libby and the girl who hasn’t entirely accepted to join in battle to defend us.’ Obviously, that was no good. Mariette turned quiet there, feeling useless and embarrassed enough by having to admit that she’s got this massive flaw right about now.
Meanwhile, having been given back her notebook and relaxing a bit, Eli felt relatively ready to get going. She wasn’t very good in a fight, but she sure had the stealth abilities needed to scout out the place for whatever group she was in. Then, Libby jumped at her. Oh, it seemed like she had made a friend. In a way, having this energetic a friend was comforting, slightly filling the space of Deni disappearing.
‘Oh, you sneak, too? Alright, then let’s-’ Eli smiled, turning to Libby, when suddenly Libby leaning made Eli catch that mark. However, catching that mark would not have been enough to make Eli quieten, being the servant of a horror is but a note in the notebook and something to remember for the future. No, what stood out were…
The fangs.
Eli froze dead in her tracks, smile vanishing, eyes widening and pupils narrowing, a ripple going through her body as her body partially hardened from Reinforcement magic in uncontrolled reaction. Eli wasn’t the kind to become angry, so all that filled her was fear, terror for the being before her. The harpy took a step back and held aside a wing to harden into a blade and strike, but stopped mid-way in realization to how useless that would be. The next instinct was to announce this revelation to the others, but that was hard to commit to when the target of the terror was filling the majority of her field of vision. The third thought was that perhaps this could potentially be taken advantage of to set a trap if only Eli could keep her cool…
But that was a really tall order right now.
‘IIIIIIH!’
Eli shrieked in fear, when she finally came to move she stumbled back and fell. That shrieking perhaps wasn’t good for a group that partly intended to sneak inside didn’t entirely occur to her right about now.
In immediate reaction to the shriek which she recognized as Eli’s, Mariette spun to open a portal beneath her remaining underling, to quickly displace Eli somewhere safer behind their other allies, closing the portal as quickly as possible should this be successful. Then it was a question of what had she shrieked at? She’d likely realize in moments, but that was also long enough for a reaction to happen. In fact, there was long enough that Mariette might not even had the time to be successful with the displacement.
Xaltwind,
Lunamaria Hawke,
Kon Kon,
vue2026,
Floofenstein,
RPM,
Renose,
Rune_Alchemist,
Savo,
adncod
