EXTRACTION

RKS

WHATEVER QUALMS individuals may have with working with children is often alleviated by merit. after all, pokemon are the great equalizer. a trainer capable enough of becoming gym leader, and the qualifications that come with it, makes age just an arbitrary measurement.

what had he accomplished at this age? touching base on mount silver. crippling himself after an encounter go wrong. that had been during peaceful times. with the world in this natural state, the sooner the better.

“hold,” fernando commands upon their entrance. the welcoming wave of dread that comes with this realm causes his SYGNA SUIT to glow.

he’s their front line.

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Hideo Kino

The pressure from this visit was from more than the oppressive atmosphere; it was the first time he was working with Fernando Silph. He had to give a good impression for who was essentially one of his bosses - but he couldn't shake off the memories of all the stuff Andy Blackadder told him about the Silphs - Fernando in particular.

It's for that reason that he did not bring Uxie. He'd been fortunate that Michael Navidson already got a run-down from Eris Halla when Uxie was outed in that trip, but there was no way he was getting away with it if Fernando found out.

For this trip, he was led by his Beheeyem. Elga couldn't provide the same mental shielding that Uxie could, but it could help keep his emotions from getting out of control here.

It's a major reason why Hideo nodded when Fernando took point. "Got it," he said.

"I know you got a Sygna Suit, but if it starts getting too rough, let me know. Elga here can help Calm Minds, if you let him."

Choice: Designate one character (Fernando) +50 points

FERNANDO SILPH

EXTRACTION

RKS

“I’LL BE FINE,” he dismisses with a wave of his hand. “i’ve gotten used to this. your pokemon should prioritize you until we are clear.”

he says this now, while they’re still fresh in the realm, but that’ll soon prove false as the climates starts to erode at his mind. the feeling of his teeth grinding against each other fills the void of a pokeball in his hand. his bisharp is already out, ready to cut through exposed veins where possible.

“stay on your toes,” he adds in. “once we’ve overstayed, hostile creations will start to materialize from our presence.”

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Hideo Kino

There's no surprise to the refusal. Whether it was out of pride or simply not believing he'd need it, Hideo wouldn't argue against Fernando.

Even if Hideo gets the least exposure, he can still feel it gnawing at his mind - and it's enough to tell him to get this over with as soon as possible. Fernando's Bisharp was quickly joined by Hideo's Excadrill and Diggersby, each hacking away at the ore vein.

Hideo's Beheeyem served as a guardian, both for Hideo's mind and for the diggers.

"I know," Hideo answered, trying to keep his mind straight. "I've been here a number of times already. We keep fighting strange creatures that pop outta nowhere. Some of them are kinda like Pokemon, but there's always stuff off about them."

Hideo was certain he wasn't telling Fernando anything he didn't already know; he just wanted to prove he knew what to expect.

Choice: Focus on mining +1 curio

FERNANDO SILPH

EXTRACTION

RKS

“NOT NOWHERE,” fernando corrects. “they are born from our very presence. the longer we stay the more prominent they become.”

he’s yet to face one of these ‘pokemon fusion’ but he’s read a few reports on them. he accounts them to the same source of his own opponents: some repressed fear or trauma. however, given the nature of PARADOX POKEMON, these pokemon being real isn’t quite off the table.

a migraine cracks across his skull at the sound of his BISHARP’s NIGHT SLASH. unchained ideas reiterate why he’s here babysitting a kid when he catches himself mid-thought.

“we’re not alone,” he says pre-emptive, familiar with the sudden uneasiness.

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Hideo Kino

Hideo quietly accepted Fernando's words. It was true that they didn't show up until they were here for long enough, though they did seem to appear out of thin air. Arguing over semantics wouldn't get them anywhere.

Not when one of those creatures appeared before them, Fernando's Bisharp already on the offensive. Its target intercepted the attack, a Night Slash of its own meeting the Bisharp's.

The creature appeared to be a series of Unown, organized such that they looked humanoid, yet its parts weren't shaped like any known Unown, save for a ! and ? Unown floating by its sides. It was shaped almost like a Gallade, even sharing the same blade through its chest and the blades along its arms. The eyes on every part focused on Hideo and Fernando.

Before Hideo could shout for his Beheeyem to act, a Rock Tomb had already been tossed over at the strange creature. The two Unown around it fired off a set of Hidden Power beams, crushing the rocks before they even got close.

The blade along one of the creature's arms glowed white, the energy of a Sacred Sword running through it as its arm flew away from its body, towards the Bisharp. Its main body floated in place, still simply observing the two trainers.

Choice: Battle a fusion Pokemon (Unown/Gallade) +50 points

FERNANDO SILPH

EXTRACTION

RKS

BLADES CLASH WHEN THE BISHARP DEFENDS ITSELF BY RAISING ITS ARMS. for a moment, it seems to hold but the power struggle is momentary. the SACRED SWORD proves too much as the BISHARP is thrown backwards, landing with a rough skid against an invisible ground.

a harsh METAL SOUND echoes when the pokemon regains its footing. the reverberations of its steel plating attempts to focus the enemy to tunnel on itself.

“we head back,” fernando orders as he oversees the battle. “now.”

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Hideo Kino

This was one of the stronger creatures that had appeared in this place; there was a pang of regret that he hadn't brought Uxie, even if he'd done so for his own safety.

The Metal Sound made Hideo flinch, his ears ringing. It did its job well, the eyes on the creatures appendages focused on the Bisharp, but Hideo only half-heard Fernando's call to retreat.

He didn't know if the call was made from their opponent or the strain of the core. "I-I got it!" he shouted (to hear himself - that ringing hurt). "Elga, Z-move!"

Hideo had no way of noticing the lights on one of his Beheeyem's hands lighting up - a quick Telepathic message to one of his Pokemon.

The Z-ring on his arm lit up, the energy within flying towards his Beheeyem. Its psychic energy enveloped every part of the creature, the Shattered Psyche tossing it around the cave, against psychically-created surfaces.

As the attack ran its course, Hideo felt on of his Pokemon pushing him along; his Diggersby broke away from its job to escort Hideo towards the exit, following the Beheeyem's message - by extension, following Fernando's order.

"D-did we get enough ore?"

FERNANDO SILPH

EXTRACTION

RKS

IT DOESN’T MATTER, is the true answer. safety comes first. double so in such a fantastical realm. but arguing the semantics does him no good here.

“yes,” he shouts in response. “go, go, go!”

his BISHARP remains in the back, ready to fend off the opponent should it rise again. such measures make sure they aren’t blindsided during their retreat but it also means the pokemon cannot carry material back home.

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Hideo Kino

Hideo's Diggersby rushed him along, his Beheeyem and Excadrill following close after. His Excadrill had taken the chance to grab some ore, but it wasn't all that they'd mined out; some had to be left behind.

The strange creature took a moment to recollect itself, its body parts returning. It watched as the group began their retreat, all eyes on the trainer - but it wouldn't pursue them beyond the core room.

Hideo's mind was elsewhere; that was the first time he had to run from the creature that appeared. His other retreats were from other Pokemon entering the area, or the strain of the core becoming too much to handle. A poor showing on his own part, in front of who was one of the worst people to give a poor first impression too.

As his heart raced, afraid he might get some form of reprimans or punishment, several lights blinked on the Beheeyem's hand, using its Telepathy to enforce a Calm Mind on Hideo. It was quick to work, the boy's breathing slowing along with his heart, his mind settling.

"You, uh, feeling alright, Mr Silph?" he asked. "And is your Pokemon ok?" They'd taken the brunt, both from the core and the creature it summoned; he wanted to make sure the only thing they came out here with was ore and knowledge - and left nobody behind.

Choice: Lessen the load and escape +100 points

FERNANDO SILPH