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Zachary took a similar route as he kept nearby, intending to help Aaron in his quest to explore more of that other dimension. The place to travel made things a bit more difficult, but he came prepared this time. He had pokemon more useful for not just combat, but also survival and versatility. He now flew in-- and Aaron would be able to see him. A large SIGILYPH that flew overhead and began its descent. It was as big as an braviary if not bigger, being the ancient guardian of a lost city that Zachary caught on a trek through the routes. As the wind blew and it lowered down, Zachary showed on its back, looking at Aaron. [break][break] "Hey, Aaron! How you doing?" Zachary greeted cheerfully. He hopped off Sigilyph's back-- to which he still had to name the big mysterious bird-psychic creature. He didn't really know how to identify the big bird, but it was one of his most amazing pokemon he had captured. He also had a few new ones with him that might be of help on this quest. [break][break] Dizzy was with him too, hopping off the SIGILYPH's Back. But most notably was that Arron would notice a creature on Zachary's shoulder. An adorable Hoothoot that clung there, being a pleasant companion for the boy. The Hoothoot gave a friendly coo towards Aaron, greeting him in a 'hoothoot' way. [break][break] His pokemon were different from what he had brought before-- feeling to keep Tarot, his Kadabra on a timeout for his somewhat grumpy behavior last time. His usual pokemon could use a break at the Berry Farm. It gave him a chance to try some new Pokemon, and give them the attention and growth they needed. [break][break] More so, the pokemon he choose had traits to help them survive the harsh environment. NOt that he'd go anywhere without Dizzy, his partner pokemon. [break][break] "Yeah. Let's go. Best we go in the same way we came. I didn't bring Tarot with me-- unless you want me to try teleporting us again to where we were..." Zachary said with impish jest-- recalling how Aaron didn't exactly react well to Kadabra's teleporting. He threw up after ward, which Zachary regretted but couldn't help but laugh a little at that. [break][break] With a flying Pokemon like Sigilyph, however, and some of the others, they shouldn't have a problem. He recalled Sigilyph, prepared to use him after they got to the other side of the portal-- and he still had one new Pokemon that could teleport just in case...

Aaron Toral

NOTES

✦ Expedition 2.[break]
✦ XXX.[break]
✦ XXX.

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Their return through the waterfall and the portal was just like before, ending with the open sky below them like some kind of sub-terrainain world! THis time, Zachary was prepared as he once again released Sigilyph! The ball released the massive psychic bird-like construct as Zachary and Dizzy landed on it's back. Without a complaint, the ancient bird construct flew them along with Driftbloom to the ground where Arron led. [break][break] They were now in a small grove that Arron wanted to make their 'base camp'. As they touched down and Zachary jumped off the bird's back, he recalled it again, not wishing to let their location easily seen with the giant Sigilyph around. It was a decent place to set up as Dizzy and Hoothoot looked around. [break][break] As Aaron ordered his Drifbloom to guard the perimeter, Zachary shrugged. "Or you can have camflauge do the job by growing some more plants and greenery?" Zachary corrected, suggesting they could use some of their wits to use nature to their advantage. [break][break] He then took out another Pokeball taking out his newer pokemon, marked by a Pokeball labeled with "III" on it. [break][break] "Help out, Eden!" Zachary called and tossed the ball into the air. The ball opened with its light, and from it appeared a very large, and very elegant looking Leafeon. THe Leafeon gave a silent glance to Zachary, radiating serenity and peace in the presence of Zachary. It had come a long way when Zachary had found her. Zachary approached her, and she nodded her head as Zachary gave her a loving pat. "Eden, think you can use your powers to nurture some of the plants here/ Keep an eye on this area while we explore a bit and keep the Driftbloom company okay?" Zachary asked. [break][break] The Leafeon looked to Zachary, and in a regal 'sphynx' like perch, she sat down in the grove to keep guard. Already its natural energy was nurturing the air around the space. [break][break] Zachary soon turned to join Aaron as he scouted the place. [break][break] As they returned to that dangerous bridge, Zachary and Dizzy gingerly walking across it while Nyx perched still on Zachary's shoulder. Aaron broke up things by asking more about Zachary, which caught him off guard. "Really? I'm from Johto too! Violet City. Born and Raised. I had wanted to journey there, but my parents insisted I finish school first. After the incident with Rocket there, my parents decided to move and allowed me to go ahead to Hoenn, while they make their way here. They should be finding a place to live here in a month or so..." Zachary trailed, on, but he was a native Johtoian trainer. [break][break] "Hoenn is not bad. Though... I still wanna explore other places too eventually. Like Alola islands and Paldea." he mentioned with a hand behind his head, the Hoothoot giving a confident call as they talked. [break][break] They could freely converse, Zachary being far more open than Aaron more likely was. [break][break]

Aaron Toral

NOTES

✦ Expedition 2.[break]
✦ Zachary calls Leafeon to guard the camp and help grow the plants. [break]
✦ XXX.

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Hoenn was a lot more chaotic than Zachary thought, especially with the wormholes and stuff. Still, no where was 'really' safe nowadays. It came to how smart you were, but most cities were safe. At least, so Zachary hoped. He only hoped his parents adjusted well if they did come here. They soon reached the place where they had last been and teleported away. Luckily nothing was unchanged. [break][break] At the question of his family, Zachary looked to Arron. "Me? No, I'm an only child. " Zachary explained, as they walked along the obscured 'path'. Zachary looked back to Dizzy, who followed them loyally. "The closest thing to a brother, I guess though... is Dizzy. We been together for years now. My parents didn't want me being a trainer when I was younger. " he explained. [break][break] "As you may know, you can become a trainer no earlier than 10 years old, but my parents insisted I stay in school. To their credit-- they were right despite how badly I wanted to be a trainer. They were right in that it gave me more time to think about WHAT I REALLY WANTED to do." he told his story, "But while they did have me stay, they did let me pick my partner Pokemon. It was Dizzy. Even though I couldn't travel, I raised him and took care of him from home while I attended school. We been through a lot just as much." As they talked, Dizzy smiled, reminded by the nice times when he was a little Finniken and how he and Zachary grew up. [break][break] "That was about... 7 years ago now I think," he said. [break][break] As they talked, Zachary's Hoothoot--Nyx-- fluttered in the air, keeping an eye out for any danger from a few feet above. The little owl was adorable how she kept an eye out for them. [break][break]

Aaron Toral

NOTES

✦ Expedition 2.[break]
✦ Zachary calls Leafeon to guard the camp and help grow the plants. [break]
✦ XXX.

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It didn't take a Psychic to tell that Aaron's past may of been difficult. There was definitely a sorrow to his tale and his expression as Zachary watched a glance of it in the corner of his eye. He spoke, wanting to ask-- but the sound died in his throat. It was better not to ask. He bit his lip, controlling his curiosity and concern. Some things were best left alone. It wasn't like he didn't have hardships himself. [break][break] Along with the Dragapult-- Nyx soon flew upward, and spotted the giant golem-like Pokemon blocking the way, seemingly thirsty for battle with its club. [break][break] The little owl hooted and quickly flew back down. Concerned, the owl flew and bee-lined right for Zachary, crashing into his arms! The owl was a tizzy, trying to warn them about the giant golem up ahead. "I... take it Nyx found the big thing that scared us off the last time," Zachary stated, seeing how agitated the Hoothoot was. He quickly held Nyx, petting her ruffled feathers to calm down. [break][break] At Aaron's suggestion, Zachary paused. He couldn't see it from the tree coverage well. "Well there is no pokemon center if things go badly. I think it be wiser to be patient than charge in. " he suggested-- if they were that lucky. But odds are they weren't so lucky. [break][break] Dizzy in the back looked forward, worried how they would proceed. Suddenly, his ears perked up-- either by sound or a sensation in the fox's mind. He looked into the dark of the trees. Something bugged the fox as he glared at a shadowy figure there. Or a shadowy something. He didn't speak up, concerned of alerting more dangers... but he glared at it, concerned. Then again... it could of been nothing. Maybe a piggy in there or something. [break][break] The fox continued to stare... as the others talked. [break][break]

Aaron Toral

NOTES

✦ Expedition 2.[break]
✦ Zachary thinks its wiser to wait. as it may go or may not be violent. [break]
✦ Dizzy notices a suspicious shadow in the trees.

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It was not easy to just sit and wait. Zachary knew that too as he was more proactive than not. Still, a dangerous situation required patience too. They did wait a bit-- but it seemed it was the right call as it soon took action, and despite its seemingly large and sluggish body-- it was surprisingly fast and able to jump massive leaps! If they didn't wait and check, they wouldn't have known that. [break][break] As Zachary got ready to follow suit with Aaron-- Zachary noticed Dizzy's glare into the forest shadows. He felt concerned that his Fox friend had noticed something, but they didn't have the time. "Dizzy. come on! We don't have much time." he warned his fuzzy friend. [break][break] Dizzy looked for a moment, then shook his head. Realizing the danger around them, the Delphox took action and followed his trainer. [break][break] As he left though... red glowing eyes stared back as they left. [break][break]

---

[break][break] Zachary, Dizzy and Nyx continued with Aaron. As they strode forward through the rocky terrain, Zachary hopping to keep up, Zachary answered Aaron. "Well, I'm not familiar with the meta-physics of such things. I only just learned about it myself. But I do know one thing. These pokemon were affected by something. The bigger question to consider is 'what is the cause?'. Even for Pokemon, this anomaly is not in the norm. Ghosts, giant violent pokemon corrupted this way-- that doesn't happen in nature, no matter how you slice it. " Zachary said, "Even psychics and ghosts are not that forgone to be that dark. At best, they are more mischevious. Just ask my Haunter, Greed." He gave an example. [break][break] As they trailed the Golem pokemon, they would notice something odd! Ruins-- ruins of clearly a civilization far gone now. But the ruins were built into the mountainous area, clearly showing significance. Perhaps a city of some kind, or at least a small town. It was clearly worn by time, and barely shown any signs of life. The golem perhaps had come from such a place... [break][break]

Aaron Toral

NOTES

✦ Expedition 2.[break]
✦ Zachary follows and suggest something unnatural caused it's behavior and corruption. [break]
✦ The shadow is mysterious and ominous as it slowly persues them.

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Aaron had a good point. Not all pokemon were cut from the same cloth regarding motives-- or methods. There were many powers for Pokemon and mysteries to them. They were in another world completely, so there was no telling what to expect from Pokemon in this place. Still, Zachary didn't like the idea that something corrupted Vinciti from before! He just didn't want to think what would compel Pokemon to be so violent here. [break][break] The ruins indeed looked interesting. Zachary couldn't;t help but be drawn in by them. He wandered the ruins a bit, keeping separate as he looked at carvings-- finding the same carvings of unusual pokemon he had never seen before...[break][break] It was then Dizzy's ears picked up something-- the footsteps of the big giant! He let out mild barks, indicating a warning. Aaron quickly told them to hide, hearing the golem coming! Dizzy had been closer to Arron and followed suit. However-- Zachary had been out of place on the other side of the clearing-- and left him with far more limited hiding spaces. With Nyx on his shoulder, the two were too exposed! Zachary found a series of crumbled rocks of a half-worn building and quickly found cover there! It was too exposed though, if someone looked over would spot him. Taking a hold of Nyx, Zachary kept the bird in his arms and tried to keep her calm. The thumps from the incoming Pokemon made the bird coo quietly with worry as Zachary tried to stroke her feathers to keep her calm. [break][break] The golem emerged from a corner and was searching for anything, perhaps hearing them before. Zachary squeezed himself into the edge of the broken wall, hoping the golem wouldn't get close enough to see him. From their position-- Zachary could see the giant shadow of the creature as it walked by-- eclipsing the area of the building. Was it going to come closer to them? [break][break] From where Arron was, he could see how Dizzy was concerned about the Golem finding Zachary outside of their reach. It was times like this the fox wished he could teleport like Kadabra or Prophet. The Golem got closer to Zachary's hiding place, perhaps risking to see them! [break][break] It was then Dizzy took action, his eyes glowed as he used his own psychic power. [break][break] Further away back in the opposite direction, a cropping of rocks glowed with Dizzy's psychic aura. With a small push, the rocks toppled over, and that was all that happened, causing a sound. [break][break] Perhaps the Golem would notice it-- and draw its attention away? [break][break]

Aaron Toral

NOTES

✦ Expedition 2.[break]
✦ Dizzy hides with Aaron, and Zachary and Nyx hide in separate places. The golem risks getting close to Zachary's hiding place... [break]
✦ Dizzy uses Psychic to try and distract the Golem to draw it away from Zachary.

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Dizzy indeed did a good thing as the Golurk attention was diverted and soon began to walk in the opposite direction. Once cleared-- Zachary grabbed Nyx and jumped over the wall-- reaching the building where Aaron hid. Aaron led them further into the building and out a side passage-- leading to an alley, with Dizzy shortly following. However among the maze of buildings they stopped-- to find another Golurk around the corner. It couldn't of been the same one! [break][break] "Am I hallucinating or is there more than one of those things?" Zachary hissed in venomous sarcasm, starting to get scared. Dizzy too gave a grumble of discontent, realizing hiding and avoiding conflict wasn't gonna last for long. The poor Hoothoot gave a nervous coo. [break][break] Aaron had the right idea. They had to fight. However... "Yeah but the problem is the moment we do, any other Golurk may show up. I think its safe to say there is more than the one." [break][break] Hearing the plan, Zachary took a deep breath to clear his head. He had a means to deal with this. While not ideal, Aaron was right. Dizzy could help. "Okay... I'll have Dizzy start up. Luckily I also have other pokemon who are a bit more combat ready too. " he said. [break][break] Swallowing his last nerves-- Zachary turned to Dizzy. "Do it, Diz. Future Sight." he said with resolve. [break][break]
Dizzy took his stick and it's tip burst into flames-- Dizzy's eyes glowed as he stared into it, seeing the future event of the Golurk in the distance. [break][break] As it did so, Zachary looked to the Golem. If more were around they would be converging on them soon as battle broke out. Nyx now perched on Zachary's shoulder, spying the golem too with concern. However, the owl was growing aggitated-- or perhaps anxious with the promise of a fight. She would hop to her other talons on his shoulder every so often in a nervous tick. [break][break] As Aarron made the first move-- Zachary took charge. "Let's go!" Zachary urged, and ran out of hiding. [break][break] "Come on out-- Vivianne!" Zachary shouted, throwing a Pokeball out with the numbers XIV on it. From it the ball opened, and out appeared an elegant Pokemon beyond measure! [break][break] A shade of blue marking its form as the pokemon emerged with an elegant voice, her skirt flowing in the soft winds around it. A guardivour. A Shiny Guardivour of all things. After a long encounter in the realm of dreams and illusions-- Zachary came away with a being of that imaginary realm. And more... (plot driven). [break][break] "Guardivour, Alluring Voice!" Zachary shouted, encouraging the Guardivour. Soon the haunting, beautiful voice of the psychic-fairy hybrid filled the air, both softeing and grasping the golem's attention. [break][break] But would it hurt it, remained unseen. The battle had started and their was no turning back. [break][break]

Aaron Toral

NOTES

✦ Expedition 2.[break]
✦ Dizzy uses Future Sight to launch a preemptive attack in the future. Zachary brings out Nyx and his Guardivour Viviane. [break]
✦ Vivianne starts off with Alluring Voice.