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Wren knew nothing of the spooky Halloween shenanigans that often-times plagued the Snagems about this time of year. What he did know, however, was that he considered Odd and friend and if he was in trouble, the Grass Channeler would be glad to assist him in whatever was going on. As such, he appeared in Snowbelle city with a pair of shoes on his feet and an incredibly uncomfortable look on his face. "I hate these stupid things." He complained to himself, his legs and feet twitching in discomfort as he did.

Darts checks his SNAG and sees the message in HQ. He was still laid up on crutches but Doc had said not to make things too strenuous. What did that mean anyway? What was regular strenuous for a normal person had to be half as strenuous for a Giratina hybrid right? Eh, Doc would never find out anyway this mission was dubiously canon looked to be fairly minimal danger-wise in the first place. Shrugging, he utilizes his wings to take him to Snowbelle City, landing by planting his crutches into the ground first before settling his weight onto them as he hops around, looking for the rest.

Veronica walked back and forth, humming in glee. Halloween was here and she had planned to go trick or treating on the kids on the streets. She had begun to dress up for the ocasion, first with elavorate make up to make her look extra creepy - for a Sableye. Then 7 pm hit and a strange sensation rolled down Veronica's back. She jolted up when the SNAG rang a minute after.

Oh.

This was bad. Veronica had looked up to Odd as a capable channeler. It was a curious thing, being both dark and ghost type, but her own thoughts about all of that weren't something she was going to share. She decided there was no time to take the make up off so she teleported to Snowbelle city just as she was: in an skeleton suit with a skull painting on her face.

When she arrived, she couldn't help but grin. The suit kept the cold away pretty decently. She looked around the city. Approaching windows, cleaning the fogginess away and taking a peek into the glass to scare people. Eventually she came across Abby and felt like teasing the kid. "Trick or Treat!"

Arkelos and Jezebel was having a snack in the kitchen. Jezebel and her Alola Rattata she kept calling "Little chef" were baking up some snacks. While Arkelos had Riolu out of his pokeball so he use the Shadow Vaccine to cure him of the infection.

"Jezebel, have you thought about your next pokemon you would like to get?" Arkelos asked. Jezebel turned to answer, "Well i was hoping to find a-" just before she could finish her sentence, their Snagem devices went off.

"What's this?" Jezebel asked, Arkelos looked down at this device as well. "Odd is missing? How is that really a surprise? It's close to Hallow eve. This kind of thing normally happens. Honestly wouldn't be surprised if him and Jack are playing pranks on people in Lumios City."

Jezebel wiped off hands after cleaning up. "Well, shouldnt we go looking for him? I mean, he is part of the team."

Standing up, Arkelos walks over to the table. Finishing the last bit of his drink he brings out Alakazam. "Alright, we'll go look for him. Alakazam to Snowbelle City." He looked at Jezebel with a smart remark, "Might want to bring a coat." he laughed, as the group teleported.

Appearing outside the Pokemon center, Arkelos, Jezebel and their pokemon looked around at the Froze terrain. "Hey Jezebel, wouldnt you say this weather makes you hungry?" Jezebel gave Arkelos a confused look, "No, it's makes me want to get inside." Arkelos sighed deeply, "Well, it's making me hungry for CHILLY." Arkelos gave a dumb look at Jezebel. "Do you feel good about that joke? Really? no, no you don't." Arkelos started laughing, "Oh come on, you snow it was funny." Jezebel eye rolled, "GET, YOUR BUTT, INSIDE, NOW!" Arkleos put his hands up, leaning over picking up some snow, making a medicine shaped pill he hands it to Jezebel, "Here, take a chill pill." he said running toward the front door of the pokemon center, with Jezebel shortly behind swinging trying to smack him.

After entering the Pokemon Center and brushing off the snow, they look for the other. "Do you see them?" Jezebel asked, "Not yet, let's look around." he said

"Cold enough for you guys? Fun fact; this cold isn't natural. The gym leader seems to purposely freeze the city and the source of it is the gym its self. We won't get into the ins and outs about the ethics concerning it let alone the ecological damage, we have more important things to worry about right now." Sub said as he started for the forest at the edge of the city, that was until a certain crow came flying over and perched on his shoulder causing him to recoil slightly.

"Hey...Gima..." He said nervously, patting the bird on his shoulder a bit before shooing it off. He liked Dark types and all but he wasn't exactly ready to interact with a Honchkrow this soon, considering recent events. "Alright, let's hurry up. Be warned though, Route 20 is also known as the Winding Woods. The forest its self is very dense and the local Pokemon and their abilities make for a maze of a forest of which many get lost in." And with that said Sub proceeded south of the city into the Winding Woods.

-----

The forest was just as Sub warned, trees and foliage a plenty, so tightly packed that star nor moon light breached its cover. The Dark One had released his Koffing, Bohdan and ordered a Flash, the Gas Bag Pokemon proceeding to continuously spin in the air, igniting a special gas contained around it with shined bright turning the Koffing into one big light bulb. Even with Bohdan's Flash the forest was still incredibly dark, one had to wonder if the darkness was natural or the work of a wild Pokemon already.

Sub had kept his SNAG out, watching it carefully as he pinged Odd's SNAG, which according to the map in front of him was still in the forest and not moving, in fact it was just up ahead, just a little further and they should find it, and hopefully Odd though he had his doubts about the later.

Suddenly, a shrill cry could be heard echoing through out the forest, followed by several more. The Snagems would then find the trees around them would begin to shift around in mass clumps, the entire forest coming to life and separating them from each other. More cries could be heard that sounded like laughing. The Snagems would have to prepare themselves as something was coming for them and fast.

[Escape from the traps the wild Pokemon have laid out and make it to the forest clearing ahead to safety! There are Trevenant that will control the forest and hide among the other trees, Zoroark and their illusions, Gothorita and their ability to manipulate people and Pokemon, Noctowl and their hypnotic powers, Jigglypuff and their songs, as well as Amoonguss and their spores and deceit, even devilishly 'playful' Haunter have started appearing, or perhaps you'll run into a combination working together to trap you in the forest. You do not have to do a proper 'battle', just make something interesting concerning the wild Pokemon attempting to trap your character here and end with them making it to the clearing. You may catch one of these Pokemon if you wish or wait for a different opportunity.]

"Who me?" Darts asks innocently, striding off on his crutches, hopping every other jump to keep his injured leg elevated. "Ooooooh! Spoooooky!" He shouts, hopping along through the forest, barely containing his laughter as he does so, pulling the newly evolved hybrid with him as he did. A Jigglypuff lands on his head and he drops to the ground in mock fright careful to keep his leg uninjured as he does so.

"Tristan!" He shouts. "It's a g-g-g-g-g-woodland spirit!"

After getting to the forest and looking into the darkness, it gave the eerie vibe it was staring back. "This forest is not only alive, but i feel like it wants to eat us." he said sarcastically to himself. Moments later is when he heard the cry of what sounded like a banshee. "Okay, that was the creepiest thing i have ever heard. What about you Jezebel?" Looking over as he finished his statement. Jezebel was standing there with a pale look about her. "I- I- I- " Jezebel tried to speak but was paralyzed with fear. "Jezebel, it's just the ghost pokemon playing tricks on us. I doubt they will hurt us, besides you do have your pokemon to help fight off any that do try to attack us." Arkelos said reassuring her.

Shortly after reassuring her, a thick foggy mist grew around them. Singing could be heard, a figure came walking toward them through the mist. As it drew closer Arkelos and Jezebel saw a the same figure, but very different traits. Arkelos saw a Marvelous and toned Arcanine hybrid. Full bushy tail, long flowing white hair with strands of black and red. Their clothing was orange leather jacket and pants with a white vestment, black shoes and sunglasses.

However Jezebel saw a Beautiful Ninetales hybrid. She had a beautiful long blonde hair with orange tips. Sleek and slender, toned body. Wearing a full white outfit, with marigold colored gloves and shoes. Her tails were gliding in the wind.

The figured spoke softly, "Are you children lost? I have a house not to far from here with a map and food. More food than i can eat myself." it said with a welcoming smile.

Jezebel shook her head and snapped out of it after hearing what sounded like a stampeed. The figured turned into a ghoulish fiend screeched and vanished. The mist started to dissipate. Shaking her head she looks toward the forest; to see a massive horse heading toward them. "Arkelos, what is that?" Looking toward the darkness he sees the same thing. "Oh that? it's just a courier. They ride between towns to deliver messages. Fear, and dread grew on Jezebel face like a plague. "Ar- Arkelooos!" The Rider drew closer, and more detailed. It looked to be a Mudsdale, but skin was missing revealing bones and muscles, the head and face were completely bone, with ghostly blue flames seaming from the eyes. It stop short of running two over, the horse rallies up, the Rider was completely visible; Bone all through, with a reaper cloak that hung out down. it's brittle bone fingers tightly gripped around the reigns. It's head was replaced with a rotting Pumpkaboo. It gave a terrifying call:

"Prepare yourselves the ghouls have told, shelter your weak your new and your old. Each of your pokmemon shall pay the finally sum, cry for Arceus the reckoning now comes!" It laughed with a malice, spewing ghostly energy everywhere; Than from under it's coat it pulled out a Honedge, lifting it high in the air it prepared to strike.

Arkelos and Jezebel looked at each other, "Should we run or should we fight?" they asked each other. Looking at the Devilish creature standing before them, than back at each other, they did not hesitate. They bolted for the town, but a wall of Ghostly flames blocked their path. "Arkelos what are we to do?" Jezebel asked, staring into the beast's eyes. Briefly breaking contact, she looks over; only to find Arkelos not there. Quickly looking around she targets Arkelos running by the Rider. Dodging the attack she passes the ghoul and joins Arkelos. "YOU WERE JUST GOING TO LEAVE ME THERE!?" She screamed, "Of course not, i would have come back for you eventually." Arkelos joked, "You are joking at a time like this? We are being chased by Giratina's Messenger, and you're making jokes!?" Arkelos chuckled, "Well, i could use more discretion for this situation couldn't i?" he asked himself. "Alright, fine. I'll hold off the jokes for a bit."

Into the darkness of the forest they ran deeper, being chased by the pokemon creeper.