Tempest
"This bounty isn't on the board in your Kingdom, since the culprit was from the Thunder Lands. He's killed one of our exploration teams already and is very dangerous. Our guild is new, full of young rookies. I wouldnt dare get any of them to do this." She extended the paper to Tolin, who she assumed was in charge.
---Wanted---
A battle hardened Charizard with a lust for death. He has recently made his dwellings in the Tower of Origins.
((This is the result of a Bounty given directly to my team by one of the Chaos-controlled NPC's. For that reason, I would appreciate it if ye mods would let Chaos himself mark it. I think he would too. It's great if you want to read it simply to read it, but as a warning it's a little over 26 full pages in size 14 font))
Tolin was the first one to return to the team room. Sam was sitting on his bed, looking rather flustered. As soon as he noticed Tolin his back straightened and his eyes became attentive. “
Croaa~ What exactly do you need?” Sam's voice had a slight edge of fear and respect to it. This was good. “
We need a method of transport for the Charizard. We've been recruited to find one, deal with him and bring him back. We're going to need to restrain and carry him, something we're unable to do as is. That's why you're going to make something.” Sam wordlessly marched into the main room and searched the desk. Pulling out a blank sheet from Tolin's supply, he began to run his finger over it. A thin streak of poison came out as Sam drew model after model. He eventually crumpled up the sheet and tossed it. He grabbed another one, crumpling this one too after filling it.
The third sheet, however, he kept. It was essentially a complicated, 8-wheeled platform. Tolin examined the drawing, reading the notations carefully. Heavy hinges were put in place, allowing a large part of it to fold up. Each wheel had two sets of suspension which would lock in place if too much pressure was applied. “
I'll need my tools to make it.” Tolin nodded. “
I'll have them in the hour.”
And he was. It was simple enough to walk straight into Sam's old lab. A magneton guarded it, but a bit of smooth talking got him in unsupervised. All he had to do after that was grab a sack, pile everything in and drop it out a window. He left the building with a professional nod to the officer on duty, walked straight into the alleyway and grabbed the supplies.
Of course, he only got what was needed. He couldn't really hold things, so he had to rope it around his neck. It wasn't exactly the most comfortable method of transportation, but it definitely would've been a lot worse if he'd brought the whole lab with him.
He got back a little over a half hour later. Puer had already arrived, Albus was still absent. Sam went for the bag the moment it was within his reach, but thought better about invading Tolin's personal space. Tolin knelt, letting the bag touch the floor. He cut the thin rope around his neck with a swift motion and backed away, giving Sam free access.
Sam burrowed into the bag and began pulling out tools, parts and -majigs of all types and size. He'd collected a fair supply of miscellaneous supplies before frowning. He opened up the top of the bag, inspecting it through to the bottom. “
Croaa~ This isn't all of my tools!” Tolin sighed. “
Of course not. That would be far too heavy for me to carry.”
Sam began waving his hands around, emoting wildly as he spoke. “
Well go get them! Croaaa~ They're essential! Take that Rhyhorn if you have to, just get my tools!” Puer glanced disdainfully at the scientist. He seemed to resent being called “that Rhyhorn” so impersonally, if only slightly.
Tolin and Sam had meanwhile broken into a staring contest. Sam seemed unwilling to yield. Tolin wasn't keen on going back and taking the entire damn building with him, either.
Tolin was the one who accepted the loss. “
Fine, we'll get your tools. Puer, would you mind helping me carry them back?” The unusual emphasis was a not-so-subtle way of informing Sam that “that Rhyhorn” did indeed have a name. Puer began grumbling quietly, though it didn't stop him from following Tolin out the door. “
I don't see why I'm always a pack mule...” Tolin paused for a moment at the door and spoke to ASAR. “
ASAR, I want you to use Hyper Beam on Sam if he tries to leave.”
ASAR nodded, his head rattling up and down violently. Sam was less than optimistic about running away after that.
Sam examined the contents of the bag thoroughly, analyzing what he could or could not do. He had plenty of left over equipment for cables back at the shop, so that will have to wait. The stop mechanisms could be something simple as long as he did a bit of welding and moulding. Wouldn't be too hard, the bag had some scrap pipe in it.
Real problem was the suspension system. Things like that don't just show up out of nowhere, couldn't usually be made either. Probably be best to salvage it somehow... There was always back at the Metalworks. They'd originally brought everything in on a pair of platforms. They ended up abandoning them, but they might still be around. A bit of modification here, a bit of scrapping there... It might work.
Well, whatever. It would have to wait. Sam went back to the bedroom and situated himself comfortably on the bed. He'd just begun to doze slightly when two familiar voices came from the entrance. “
What do you mean I can't come in?” “
I'm sorry, but I'm nooot allowed to let guests in.” “
What do you mean 'guests'? I live here!” “
I'm sorry, but no one like you lives here. If youu were not invited, please leave.”
Sam hopped off the bed and walked to the doorway between the two rooms. He could only see the crest of the Flareon's head, but he already had enough of a guess to know who and what was at the door. “
ASAR, begin command input mode.” ASAR suddenly seized up, his arms falling to his sides as his body straightened. The black center in his eyes suddenly expanded, pushing back the normal yellow colouration and turning his eyes pure black. He spoke monotonously, something he'd never done before. “
Awaiting commands.” “
Program, run voice comparison. Analyze Flareon's vocalizations and compare to active members of this team.” “
Running... Flareon, state your name.”
Albus popped his head in slightly and gave Sam a confused stare. Sam turned his hand in a swirling motion as if to suggest “Go on”. “
I am Albus, son of Pluto.” ASAR's eyes flickered slightly, the yellow colour returning. “
Implausible. Albus is an Eevee.” Sam sighed. He really hated glitched programs sometimes. “
Program, compare voice print of unknown Flareon to Albus. Run pokedex base program, observe Eevee evolution paths. Consider possibilities & probabilities.”
ASAR's eyes flickered back to pure black. “
Comparing... Comparing... Comparing... Voice prints match 89%. Running pokedex program, accessing Eevee evolutionary information. Eevee evolutions are: “Flareon” “Jolteon” “Vaporeon” “Leafeon” “Glaceon” “Umbreon” “Espeon”. Further evolutions are suspected, but unknown. Considering probabilities... Possibility of 80% reached: Albus evolved into a Flareon. Considered highly likely with low risk. Confirming: Are you Albus, member of Team Southern Cross and former Eevee?” “
Yes, yes I am! Now let me in!”
The black of ASAR's eyes retreated, the normal yellow-with-black-rings returning. His posture relaxed and his arms swayed slightly. He spoke with the strange, usual inflection. “
Ohhh my! I'm sorry, Albus! I did not realize it was you!” He immediately got out of the way, allowing Albus to enter. Albus confronted the Croagunk. “
How did you...?”
Sam let out a slight, strange laugh. It seemed as if the question endowed him with a sense of superiority. “
Well, he's just a program. Even if he is glitched, he still has his base commands. All I did was activate them.” Albus nodded. It made sense, after all. “
I'll be in my room writing.”
So, the two relaxed until Tolin arrived. It had taken him much longer this time. He'd had a harder time getting into the building a second time and they had considerably more to bring. Albus spent his time writing in his journal. Sam just lazed around. When the duo arrived they had brought with them several large, heavy bags of machinery and tools. It looked as if they did indeed drag most of the building with them. Whatever the case, Sam began digging through the bags gleefully. He was thrilled to have his possessions back.
“
Croaa~ This is all I need. I'll just have to head back to the Metalworks for a bit. My old team ditched two platforms back there, I should be able to salvage them.” Tolin nodded. He knew how hard it would be to find specialized parts, so it was a fair proposal. “
ASAR, take Sam to the Metalworks. Keep him safe and make sure he doesn't run off. Help him if he needs it, but keep an eye on him. Once you're done with the platform, leave it somewhere quiet west of the town.” ASAR nodded.
Sam went about dumping a bag and putting miscellaneous tools and supplies into it before handing it to ASAR. “
Carry this.” ASAR pinched it between his arms and the pair left.
The rest of the team went to sleep.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASAR and Sam didn't show back up that night. In spite of the passive concerns of the rest of the party, Tolin didn't seem disturbed by it at all. “
Pack up and let's get going. I'll drop Serrin off at a daycare. We'll meet at the west gates.” Seeing as there was little they could do anyways, Puer and Albus set to packing up. Albus grabbed his amulet and quietly slipped the Toxic Plate into Puer's bag. Puer grabbed the orbs and berries, the “necessary supplies” for the fight.
When they met at the west gate a little while later, Tolin was still just as confident. It was almost unnerving until he walked straight out of the gate and down the path slightly before turning off. ASAR stood there, completely fine. Sam was sleeping on the platform, his arms waving over the edge. “
Hello!” Sam's eyes opened at the sound, any traces of grogginess absent. He climbed off the platform. “
It's all done. I had to abandon the hinges, but it should carry a Charizard easily.”
“
Good. Let's head for the tower.” Albus hopped onto the platform, hoping to hitch a free ride. It squeaked slightly under him, the platform sinking in response to his weight. The unexpected shift caused Albus to hop upwards. Landing back down, the platform sunk again. He cautiously began to shift his weight up and down, causing it to move like a trampoline. “
Heh.”
When he remembered that he was in the middle of his team, he hopped off looking somewhat embarrassed. Puer eyed the platform with amusement that did not go unnoticed. “
Sam, adjust it so that Puer can hop on. If it can't handle a Rhyhorn we won't be able to transport a Charizard, either.”
“
Croaa~ Of course it can!” Sam went to work by bringing the platform down and stiffening the suspension. “
Hop on.” Puer dropped the bag of supplies on the ground and obliged. With a strong push of his legs, he was on the metal platform which creaked wildly under him. As soon as it settled down, he began shifting his weight. The platform moved up and down slightly, much to the amusement of it's passenger. “
Hey, this is pretty fun.”
Although one might expect Sam to be annoyed by the unintended use of his invention, he was instead smiling smugly. He let out a slight laugh as he spoke, “
Shishishi, this thing could handle the entire team at the same time.” Tolin briefly mused taking him up on that, but decided not to. “
Alright, let's get going. Get all the supplies on the platform and let's get moving.”
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Tolin walked into the open gates of the tower without hesitation. The pitch black darkness inside enveloped him. Puer shifted uncomfortably when Tolin disappeared in front of him. The rest of the party, however, moved in without hesitation. Puer followed, the platform in tow behind him.
The entire party waltzed into that blackness, the only thing visible being each other. The floor under them was solid and eerily smooth, as if it were stone that had been smoothed down for hundreds of years.
A loud voice boomed out, assailing them from all directions. “
What brings you to this tower?” Tolin stepped forward, projecting his voice. “
We come to this place to purge it of an evil. A Charizard of great malice has nested here, and we have been tasked to insure it answers for it's crimes.”
There was a pause before the voice spoke again. “
...Very well. I shall grant you entrance to the place he so arrogantly claims is his.” “
I thank you for your benevolence.”
A bright light appeared in front of the party, as if a pair of doors had opened in front of them. Puer followed the rest of the party uncertainly. The whole “tower of god” thing was kind of giving him the heeby-jeebies.
The bright light enveloped each and every one of them as they went through it. Their eyes closed as they crossed the border between the entrance and the exit, appearing in the middle of a passageway. Unnatural, sourceless light filled the entire floor.
The walls were constructed of a deep, dark blue stone. Writing was scrawled from end to end on each and every wall in an old, ancient script that was unrecognizable to many today. Scratches and claw markings were present across each and every wall. Entire sections were rendered unreadable. Blood stains marked every wall and every piece of floor, deep red streaks marring the sanctuary.
“
He's here somewhere. Let's move quietly.” The rest of the party assented happily, none seeming to want to invoke the wrath of whatever left the blood. Tolin began quietly outlining the strategy. “
Sam, ASAR, I want you two to stay back. Sam, I need you to handle the orbs. We have four types. I'll call for the Rainy orb when we need it. Use the Roll Call orb if we get separated and it seems necessary. Use the Petrify orb if I call for it, or if it seems necessary. I doubt it'll hold him, but it might slow him down. Same for the Spurn orb. ASAR, stay idle. Keep Hyper Beam ready in case we need it.” He continued, looking at Puer and Albus. “
I want you two at the front. Albus, take priority if he's using mainly fire. If he falls back on physical abilities, Puer will handle him. He shouldn't have much room with this low ceiling, so rush him.” Albus and Puer nodded. Neither were keen on taking on a Charizard, but they were here for a reason. Puer, at least, had confidence in his invulnerability; not much could pierce his hide.
Sam looked around anxiously, uncomfortable with being in the middle of a fight. But, well, when you get invited into a tower by god you can't exactly just walk out. ASAR didn't seem to really mind.
The walls eventually fell away, new corridors and splits appearing at random. The structure of the floor became apparent; it was a maze.
It took them some searching to find him. Albus suggested they search for claw marks and blood; they would likely be most prevalent wherever he was staying.
And lo' did the party come across him. He was resting idly in a corner, one wing under his body. He was picking at his teeth, his jaws fresh with blood. The party was noticed in a moment. His tone was arrogant, crude and condescending. “
What do you kids want?” The orange flames on his tip flared up slightly.
Albus stepped forward. “
Tempest sent us.” The Charizard righted himself in one motion, staring at the group. He scratched the back of his neck while he spoke, “
Tch, that b***h? All I did was slaughter a few worthless brats and it's the end of the world with her.” He rose to his feet, his wings flaring. “
I'll tell you what. Just walk out right now and I'll forget you ever showed up. Normally I'd be glad to rip you apart, but I'm about to settle down for a nap.”
The offer was certainly tempting. Charizards were intimidating just to hear about, let alone meeting one. However, Tolin declined the offer. “
We cannot allow you to roam free. You are a danger and we intend to capture you.” Puer let go of the ropes around the platform in anticipation.
The Charizard let out a melodramatic sigh. “
Fine, then. I'll kill you if it'll let me get some peace and quiet.” A glint in his eye betrayed the seemingly stoic statement as he rushed towards the party. The hallways were too small to use his wings, but that didn't stop him from stomping forwards at an unseemly pace.
Tolin began shouting orders. “
Sam, ASAR, get the platform back! Albus, Puer, get to the front! Move as we talked it over!” Tolin himself sprinted off into a side passageway, avoiding the combat entirely.
“
Heh, at least that Scyther knows when he's beat. Now, back to you brats.” The flame on his tail burned bright blue as a blast of azure fire erupted from his throat, bathing the two front liners in flames. Albus soaked in the flames happily. They felt almost cool and comforting around him, his fur puffing outwards as if to grab onto every strand of flames it could.
In contrast, Puer's skin heated up rapidly. The breath of a Charizard can burn even boulders, and Puer's hide was no exception... Pain overwhelmed him as it felt as if his blood began to boil. His mind screamed for him to do the one thing he knew how to do; charge. An unending, undeniable screeching to escape the flames that threatened his life.
So he charged. He ran forward as quickly and suddenly as he could; anything to escape the fire around him. The Charizard was somehow ready for the ridiculous assault, his claws grabbing Puer's body and holding him back. The near-silent, rapid steps of Tolin advanced on him as the Scyther leaped up from behind.
The Charizard anticipated this, too. He turned his entire body, using the Rhyhorn's continued attempts to push forwards against him. Puer was still panicking when he was released from the grip and ran forwards, crashing into the wall. The Charizard tensed his wing as he turned, catching Tolin in the side and smashing him against the wall. (( Steel Wing or Wing Attack. Whichever you prefer
razz ))
Albus looked anxiously and tried to analyze the situation. Puer was down, Tolin was probably down. This meant it was time to run. “
Use the damn orb already you stupid scientist!” Sam was quietly panicking on his own back at the platform. As soon as Albus's voice sounded, he scrambled around trying to find a spurn orb. Albus launched a Flamethrower of his own, expending the heat he'd gathered.
It did little to phase the Charizard, who simply laughed it off. However, the murky blackness that erupted from the orb that Sam threw wasn't something he could resist. Black tendrils shot up and wrapped around the Charizard's body, dragging him down. “
Dammit, dammit! Damn you cowards!”
He disappeared into the floor, the stoic silence of the area returning. “
Grab the berries, quickly. Quickly!” Sam grabbed the bag and ran over to where Albus was already inspecting both of them. The impact caused the carapace around his right shoulder to shatter inwards. Deep red blood leaked out from the wound as the remnants of the side of his shoulder began to glow. ((Recover))
The fragments slowly shifted back into place, the cracks sealing themselves back up. Tolin was grinding his teeth together, his breath coming out in laboured gasps. It obviously hurt like ********, seeing as he was forcing his bones back together. “
Give him some Oran berries already!” Sam had been watching the scene unravel with baited breath, not daring to do anything. As soon as Albus shouted out the order, Sam shook 3 Oran berries out of the bag. “
Come on, open your mouth for just a second. We have Oran berries.”
Tolin's jaw went slack for a moment, a seeming acceptance. Sam stuffed the berries inside and closed Tolin's mouth, holding it loosely so he could chew. In seconds that felt like minutes, Tolin began to slowly chew and swallow. His eyes opened again, his gaze unfocused. He tried through bloody coughs. “
Che--... Check on” Tolin broke into a coughing fit, splotches of blood erupting from his mouth. He weakly raised his left arm to point over to Puer, choking out, “
Rawst berries.”
Albus nodded. “
Just rest.” Sam was already at Puer, coaxing him out of the wall with gentle tugs. The crest of his head and a good part of his body was charred black. Sam had already set to work, pulling five rawst berries from the bag. He crushed them one by one over the Rhyhorn, letting the juices dribble down onto the burnt areas. They soaked in almost unnaturally as the patches of skin reverted to their normal colour. Sam pulled out an Oran berry for good measure and offered it to Puer. Puer nimbly grabbed it with his tongue, swallowing it without a second thought.
ASAR had set about going over to Tolin and pulling him away from the wall. He laid the Scyther down, keenly observing as his entire torso glowed dimly. His breathing calmed down and became more even, methodical. Sam popped another Oran berry into his mouth, which he took willingly.
Sam and Albus waited. And waited, and waited. It took about a half hour for Tolin to get back up. He got to his feet and began moving his right arm about, trying to spin it around at the joint. He let out a pained gasp as an audible click was heard by everyone. “
It's a bit optimistic to expect it to be perfect, I guess.” He waved his arm around a bit, tracing slashes in the air. “
It's good enough for now. I'll need surgery when we're back, though.”
He turned his gaze to Puer, who shuffled back to his feet. “
How are you, Puer?” He craned his neck around and shook his body. “
I'm fine. I'll be joining you in the hospital, I think.”
Tolin nodded. “
Alright then, let's get going.” The stone in front of the party shifted. A bright, sourceless light erupted from the opening. “
Are you kidding!? He's going to kill us! He'll roast us alive, eat the flesh from our bones and then use the remains as toothpicks!”
Tolin shrugged. “
We took on the job. We're alive, we're fine and we're here to finish it. I wouldn't be here if this were something as simple as a suicide mission.” He walked through the door along with the rest of the party, the platform in tow behind Puer. More terrified of being left alone in the tower (with the Charizard) than fighting him directly, Sam followed.
A terrible heat engulfed the group as they stepped through. Long stone bridges stretched from stone platform to stone platform, each one thick, sturdy and about three meters wide. ((That's almost 10 feet for ye non-metrics!))
Far, far down below a pool of magma bubbled, encasing the entire chamber in the natural light. The bright, sourceless lighting that had been present before was absent from this chamber, leaving the high ceiling dim.
The slow flapping of wings echoed off the walls. The Charizard was nowhere to be seen.
“
s**t. He's flying around, just waiting for us to slip up.” Tolin raised his scythe, signalling for quiet. “
His tail's still lit up. Keep your eyes moving and look for him. Let's find him before he finds us. Don't separate no matter what. If we split up, he'll pick us off.”
Albus let a small stream of water out of his mouth, pooling a compact Water Pulse in front of him. Whenever he came, Albus planned to be ready. Sam hopped off the platform nervously, moving in with the rest of the group. He didn't want to be the “easy target”.
Albus started using Detect, pushing the range as far as he could without losing the Water Pulse. He followed behind Tolin absent-mindedly as he scanned the distance around him. A slight flicker of flame appeared in this vision. It was headed straight for them.
“
To our right, he's coming!” “
Puer, back! ASAR, start charging a Hyper Beam!” Puer scrambled backwards, his behind running into the cart with a loud bang. Sam panicked, unsure of which way to go. He ended up hiding behind Tolin, who seemed dependable enough.
The Charizard came down, floating in front of the party. The burning air from the magma allowed him to stay aloft, even without flapping his wings. His lungs were puffed up, filled with air.
Tolin knew what was coming and what would happen if he got hit by it. Agility was on in a moment. He shoved Sam towards Puer and pulled him along with Psychic as he himself ran, leaving Albus to deal with it on his own.
The jet of pure blue flames poured forth from his jaw, once more engulfing Albus. Albus's fur stretched out, greedily pulling in as much heat as it could. Albus himself struggled to keep his Water Pulse together in the face of flames far and beyond hot enough to evaporate the water.
By the time the blast of flames passed by, the water pulse was only the size of a baseball. Albus shot it regardless, unwilling to give the Charizard a chance to retreat. It smacked him across the face, but his head turned back with a smile. “
It'll take more than a weak little ball of water to hurt me.”
“
ASAR, Hyper Beam!” “
Roger!” ASAR's head spun as the white ball of light formed in front of him. Already prepared for the ability, it formed in mere seconds and blasted the Charizard. The blast screwed up his balance, sending him plummeting to the magma. He righted himself at the last moment, the hot air forcing him upwards. He let out a vicious roar as he glided above the magma.
“
ASAR, initiate status report mode.” ASAR's eyes turned black once more. “
Remaining power, 60%. Hyper Beams remaining before critical failure, three. Discharges remaining before critical failure, five.”
“
Tolin, we can't keep doing that! He's going to run out of power!” Tolin didn't respond. He was tracking the path of the Charizard carefully, hoping not to lose track of it.
Not that he had to. The Charizard seemed happy to abandon his previous strategy. He came back up to the top of the chamber, the beating of his wings filling the air.
And he dived. Moving past the party so fast he left a blur, he coated the area under him in blue flames. He turned around, returning for another run.
“
Abandon the platform! Grab the supplies and run. We can get it later!” Sam grabbed the orbs and berries as quickly as he could. Puer spat out the rope and ran down the pathway, hoping to separate from the rest of the group. Sam saw the Charizard coming for
him.
He dived off the platform, hoping desperately to avoid the inferno. He felt a horrific pain accompanied by the smell of burnt flesh after his foe had passed by. Too shocked to even scream, tears simply streamed from his eyes.
Sam drove his hand into the bag, grabbing a handful of whatever berries he could pull out and squeezed them over his feet. The pain diminished almost instantly, but his feet were still charred black.
Sam sobbed, trying desperately to restore feeling to his feet. Kneading them didn't even register a sensation. He half-turned when a painfully hot blast of heat hit his back. The Charizard had moved onto Albus, probably content to ignore the now-useless Croagunk.
He needed something to cool it down. Something, anything to block the flames. He needed... water.
His hand dove into the bag of orbs this time. He pulled out a blue orb and smashed it into the ground. ((Rainy orb))
Clouds formed at the ceiling. Clouds that began to rain, pouring down water. Sam continued kneading his feet, weeping all the while.
Tolin looked up at the clouds forming, watching as the water droplets crashed into the magma below. Each one evaporated, turning into a puff of steam. The steam built up and began rising violently, threatening to engulf the entire chamber. “
Dammit!”
Tolin sprinted towards Sam and pulled out a spurn orb. Tossing it at the Charizard with Psychic, it burst in midair. The blackness enveloped the Charizard before disappearing into itself. The Charizard once more called out “
Cowards! Filthy cowards!” before vanishing.
“
Arceus, we really need a way out!” The boiling steam had begun to rise to their level and it wouldn't take long for them to cook.
Fortunately, Arceus was compliant. A pillar of stone opened up, the golden gates welcoming when faced with death. Albus ran through without a second thought. Tolin threw the berries and orbs up onto the platform with a rough burst of psychic. He probably lost some, but he didn't have time to care.
He stopped for a moment to examine Sam. Sam was kneading his feet, tears streaming down his face. He was muttering something, but Tolin couldn't hear him over the hiss of the steam. “
Puer, take the platform!” Tolin hauled Sam up onto the platform with a push from psychic and a nudge from his scythes.
The three went into the opening, ASAR following behind.
The party arrived in wide, open, grassy plains. An ancient tree stood nearby, reaching to unimaginable heights. The open sky was here. A slab of stone stood nearby, a portal already open.
It was hard to believe they were in the tower, but the land was definitely artificial. It stretched on endlessly into the horizon, but not another creature or plant was visible.
Tolin turned his attention back to the scientist. Now bereft of the immediate danger, he could hear what he was saying as the tears streamed down his face. “
Oh, thank Arceus. I can still feel something, I can still feel something, I can still feel something...”
Whatever the case, he was probably useless for the rest of the bounty. Tolin pulled open the bags and checked to see what was lost.
They only had seven Rawst left. Tolin took out two and burst one over each of Sam's feet. Make that five. Only ten Orans left. Two of the Petrify orbs were lost and so were two of the Spurn orbs. The Toxic Plate was still safe and sound.
Tolin inventoried the supplies and considered their options. They only had one spurn orb left, so this next one would be their last chance. This Charizard was too strong to take on without a safety.
“
If everyone's fine, let's get going.” Everyone (but Sam) nodded their assent. The team walked through the portal.
Dusty, hollow caverns greeted them. Periodic yells of “
Stop doing that, you damn cowards! I'm going to hunt you down and kill you!” echoed throughout the caverns. It wasn't terribly hard to find him because of it. Tolin peered cautiously around a corner to see him go stomping down another tunnel.
“
ASAR, I want you to carry the orbs and the plate. We'll be leaving Sam here.” Puer and Albus both started to object. It was too dangerous, it wasn't safe, it was risky, we couldn't leave him alone... But a glance at the mess he'd become, his fingers still working anxiously at his feet, was all that was needed to realize he had to be left. If he came, he'd get killed.
The group wandered off in the direction of the pissed Charizard, leaving Sam behind on the platform.
They didn't even try a surprise attack this time. One way or another, the Charizard seemed to be able to anticipate any kind of stealth tactics.
“
You were looking for us?” The Charizard spun around, his tail crashing through a rock that was jutting out of the floor. “
I'm going to kill you for running me around like this!”
“
ASAR, use both the Rainy Orbs.” As commanded, ASAR pulled out the two orbs and tossed them to the ground. Thick, heavy clouds formed in the tight cavern and began a vicious downpour.
The Charizard didn't seem disturbed in the slightest. “
A little rain won't save you.” Inhaling deeply, he shot out a flamethrower at Puer. Puer's muscles tensed and seized up reflexively, fearing that it would be like the last time.
However, much to his happiness, it was not. His already-wet body had a much higher capacity for the flames and the rain that streamed down diminished it further.
Of course, that didn't mean he was immortal. It was still hot, painfully so. Just not mind-numbingly. Puer gritted his teeth and endured through the pain, the hot wisps of flame crawling over his body. The soft patter of Tolin's steps came from behind the Charizard.
“
Can't you do something interesting?” He swung his wing back, crashing once more into Tolin's figure.
He was rather surprised when his wing went straight
through Tolin and he felt a sharp pain across his abdomen. He looked down in surprise to see Tolin--the real Tolin--standing in front of him, his scythe trailing a deep line across his chest and stomach. ((Double Team))
Tolin hopped back as the Charizard clawed at him. His reaction time was impeccable, even after being surprised; Tolin narrowly dodged the attack. Far from enraged, the Charizard seemed gleeful to be injured. “
Haha, that's more like it! That's interesting! It makes you worth killing!” He let out a puff of flames, chasing the Scyther back further.
Puer seized the opportunity and charged, crashing into his foe from behind. The Charizard lost it's balance and tipped forward, landing on his claws.“
Tch. You're annoying, leave me alone you little weakling.”
He turned and plunged his claws into the Rhyhorn's sides, both hands near the his backside. Each finger was coated with something black and malicious that sliced through Puer's hide with ease. ((Shadow Claw))
Albus shot out a Hydro Pump in the vain hopes that it would stun or at least distract the Charizard long enough to pull him off.
It didn't. Albus watched in horror as the villain standing above his comrade pulled his arms back. Back through Puer. The fingers that had pierced so deeply cut thick lines across his hide.
Puer let out only a vocal grunt when the claws pierced him, but a scream when they began tearing through his body.
It was Tolin who stopped it. He sliced a thick line of blood through the Charizard's unprotected tail, bringing it's attention back to him. The heavy rainfall washed the blood away in an instant. Puer, released, teetered off towards ASAR.
“
Now, let's start where we left off.” Tolin hopped back to avoid the smash from the flick of a tail. The Charizard flexed his claws tentatively before attacking Tolin with them.
Tolin stepped back, narrowly avoiding the attack. Another swipe came from the side, Tolin ducked it. A downwards one had him sidestep it, his left scythe matching the motion to leave a gash across the Charizard's arm.
The Charizard licked the blood off his arm. “
You're pretty good.” Tolin took the unnecessary pause to catch his breath. He was getting too old for this crap.
When he resumed his assault, Tolin wasted little time in moving onto the offensive. He'd have to do something, or he'd end up tiring out in a pointless fight of attrition. Agility made the motions easier.
He sidestepped a forwards thrust and dodged around to the Charizard's scythe. A deep, purple liquid oozed from his left scythe as he began to slash repeatedly as he circled his prey. Three slashes on his left haunch, two on his back, one on his tail, one on his right haunch.
The cuts were thin and quick. None of them could do much on their own, but if the poison managed to work it's way in, he might have a chance. ((Poison Jab))
Of course, that chance came to a close when he lost his focus. Tolin was much more tired than he had realized. He didn't even notice the shift until it was too late. The Charizard's wing flared violently, knocking Tolin off his feet and onto the ground.
The claws shot down, pinning Tolin to the earth. These mighty, terrifying claws scraped through the stone under them to wrap around the Scyther's arms and pick him up.
The Charizard snorted. “
Tch. You're boring now.” He absent-mindedly threw Tolin to the side, no longer interested in him.
The only one left standing was Albus. “
So, am I going to have to bother crushing you, too?”
Albus was terrified but he stood his ground, growling at the creature many times larger than himself. “
Well, at least you've got guts.”
He'd long since realized that a fire-based attack was going to be ineffective. As a boon to all Flareon, the little creature before him was immune to his flames no matter how strong they were. He'd used them earlier in the hopes of a simpler battle, but it seemed like he'd have to crush the little creature manually.
And so he did. Claws shot forward, feet came down. Each swipe as deadly as the first, each one having the possibility of being the last. Albus dodged back and around, trying his best to take advantage of the difference in size.
Not that it would do anything. He had no way of attacking and he could barely defend. His most useful abilities didn't even faze him and protect barely blocked a simple attack, even at full.
ASAR was still idle, but even if he drained the thing until it died it wouldn't do more than just piss it off. It was then that the answer came to him; or rather, was forced into his head. The booming voice rattled around in between his ears, causing him great pain.
“
Take the plate you bear and I shall allow you to harvest a fragment of myself. You must live on for now; your role is not yet complete.”
Albus gritted his teeth. Well, when it was god offering you help you didn't ever say “no”.
“
ASAR, pull my plate out of the bag and toss it over here!” “
Alllrighty!”
ASAR pulled the plate out of the bag and, as instructed, tossed it towards Albus.
It didn't get anywhere near him.
The distance between the two was simply too great. There was no way he could throw a plate so far. Albus hated himself at that moment for not realizing it. He hated himself even more a moment later when he realized he took his eye off his enemy.
Protect was still active but barely blocked the blow. The Charizard smashed through it callously, his claws seeming unhindered by the supposedly invulnerable barrier.
Albus was sent reeling. The world around him spun and he floated through the air, his body turning midflight. He scrambled back to the ground and sprinted for the plate.
Long since bored with his prey, the Charizard gave him the time he needed to reach it. He placed his front paws firmly on the plate, willing for it to grant him the access he needed.
His front paws locked into the plate, immobile. Pain swelled from the tips of his paws through his arms and into his entire body. It was painful. Painful enough to cry, but Albus held back his tears and focused.
The small puddles of water all around the caverns began to change. They became thicker, muddier. The colours shifted from the crystal clear of fresh rain to deep, murky purples.
The pain gradually intensified as more and more water was transformed. Albus clenched his teeth, trying to hold back tears and grunts of pain.
Suddenly, the stress on his body redoubled. A new sense of pain shot up through the tips of his paws, spreading from each tip to his entire body in a heartbeat. The screams that erupted from his mouth drowned out even thought; “This is impossible”, “no creature could handle this”... Such thoughts were erased in the face of an unceasing, overwhelming pain.
Tears streamed down his face violently, every muscle in his body in spasm as objection. It would be better to be a cripple than continue this! It would be better to die!
Albus's vision was too blurred to see the scene that unfolded before him. It might be better that he didn't.
Tolin was still conscious. Puer had lapsed into a pained sleep at the other end of the chamber, near ASAR. He alone saw the fury of Arceus invoked.
The waters had changed. The Charizard looked on bewildered when Albus began screaming in pain, not noticing the waters around him rising.
The small puddles of water spiralled upwards, each one forming a sentient column. The columns reached out for the Charizard, siphoning into his wounds.
He idly scratched at one of his cuts, glancing down in surprise when he felt the liquid. The streams suddenly seemed to surge in response, every droplet of water-turned-poison surging in through whatever opening it could find.
A small stream came from Albus's eyes. Even his tears turned to poison and began seeking out the Charizard.
He began to panic as the poison worked it's way inside. The veins and arteries all around the cuts began to bulge violently, pressing painfully against his skin. “
What... What did you do to me!?” He tried to run towards Albus, but stumbled. The only thing that kept his balance was the wall he leaned on.
The poisons only spread. The toxins that had invaded his system did not obey normal rules. They didn't even listen to the flow of his blood as the thin streams tunneled through against the beating of his heart.
He tried desperately to hold the wounds closed, but the seemingly innumerable cuts and scrapes that marked his body were too vast to be simply held shut.
As the poison moved through his body, it became increasingly painful. His blood vessels began scraping against his nerves as the poison took over more and more of his body. He began screaming out, involuntary tears coming from his eyes.
They too turned to poison.
The pressure on his vessels created a map of his entire system. It was fascinating, in a morbid way, to see the insides so clearly. He clawed fiercely at his entire body, trying to rid himself of the pain.
The vessels were so tensed that the slightly push, the slightest slash caused them to burst out. Blood erupted from his body in streaks wherever he clawed, his violently beating heart causing a vile, black mix of blood and toxins to spurt forth. However, the power that willed it to be willed it right back in. Every break in the skin, every claw mark only allowed for the poison to force it's way back in painfully.
When he reached the realization of what he was doing, he looked at his claws in horror. Long, bloody scratches had encased anywhere on his body that he could reach. His claws were drenched in his own blood.
He collapsed onto the floor, whimpering. Then that whimper too went silent. Albus's screaming stopped as he stumbled forward, collapsing.
The sounds around him were foggy and indistinct. All of the muscles in his body objected to even the concept of moving. His mind was screeching at him, a throbbing pain coursing through his head with every beat of his heart. He thought he could vaguely make out Tolin speaking from somewhere far away.
“
ASAR, feed Puer some Oran berries.” ASAR complied, slowly pushing several inside of Puer's mouth. Tolin got to his feet and stumbled along to the Charizard. His vision was slightly blurry, so he stared for a moment.
He could make out the slight, irregular rise and fall of breathing. Good, then; he was still alive.
Tolin lurched over to Puer and ASAR. Puer had gotten up, but the six deep cuts were still bleeding. Tolin spoke through cheap breaths. “
Could you... Please... go get the platform...?”
Puer nodded. “
Yeah, I think I'll be alright for that.” Puer walked off down the way and grabbed the rope of the platform between his jaws. Sam was still sitting there, obsessively kneading his feet.
Puer pulled the platform up towards the fallen Charizard. Tolin looked somewhat better, having taken an Oran berry for himself. Albus was laying on his side, breathing much more evenly.
As soon as Sam saw the Charizard, he shrieked in fright. When he realized that it was unconscious, however, he clambered off the platform with joy. He landed on his feet, but instantly lost his balance and came crashing to the ground. It did little to dispel his “sunny” attitude, however. “
Hahaha... We got you!”
“
ASAR, please come here. We're going to need some help with this.”
With a group push, they flipped the Charizard onto it's belly. “
Sam, would you please prepare the platform for us to put the Charizard on?” Sam didn't respond. “
Sam?”
Sam seemed to snap back a little to reality. “
Y...yeah. Let me pop the suspension.” Sam crawled over to the suspension on his knees and pulled a bolt out of place. The whole end came crashing down, though the magnetic cables stayed up at the top.
“
Alright. Puer, get behind and push with your horn. ASAR, help me lift the body and head. We go on three. One, two, three...” Tolin and ASAR lifted the two hundred plus pound creature as best they could while Puer pushed it along.
After several heaves and many ho's, they got the Charizard onto the platform. He was sloppily placed to say the best, but it was all that was necessary at the moment.
“
Alright, Puer. We need you to get under there to lift it back up so we can refit the suspension.” Puer nodded, shoving his body in under the plate. With a bit of pushing and squirming, he got in under it enough to make it level. Sam popped the mechanism back in, allowing it to be stable under it's own weight.
Tolin tied the magnetic cables around the prisoner, firmly latching him against the metal. He then popped an Oran berry into it's mouth. Wouldn't be very good if it died during transfer, after all.
Tolin gave Sam a push up onto Puer. He didn't seem to be able to walk.
The luminescent gates opened before them in a nearby wall. Albus stirred from his half-conscious slumber, getting up groggily. He glanced at the Charizard in surprise. The bloody, speckled wounds that covered his body were strange to say the least. “
So, I knocked him out?”
Tolin nodded. “
Yeah, you knocked him out alright.”
The group walked through the gates and found themselves outside. So, they started walking.
Alllllll the way home.
((In total, I used...
Almost all my Oran Berries (18-19 of 21)
Ten of fifteen Rawst Berries
Four of Five Spurn orbs
Two Petrify orbs (lost)
All three Rainy orbs))
