MARCH UPDATE

An observer of eons cannot feel the warmth of another.

POSTED ON Jun 4, 2024 5:53:21 GMT

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MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

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howard slayte

[attr="class","Navypog3-subtitle"]
ROUSE THYSELF, RIDER.

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“Sunny.” She repeated, the word half a chuckle. “Next, you’ll tell me the food has flavour.” Her words were punctuated with a strong kick, throwing open a wooden gate that marked the barrier between Postwick and the Weald.[break][break]
Stepping through, it was like they stepped into a different world. At last, they could see the sky. Navy’s eyes turned heavensward. There, he beheld a terrible truth. Above them was a blotted, purple sky – the same sky from the terrible nightmares of those first ten years.[break][break]
“But…how?” Navy asked as his blood ran cold. “We slew Eternatus.”[break][break]
His answer would have to wait. Humans were running towards them, ones who looked equal parts surprised and angry.[break][break]
“Oi!” The first to reach them cried. “’Ow do you lot get off, destroyin’ our gate? There’s wild Pokemon out—” Only in the middle of his sentence did reality catch up to the stranger. He realized he was speaking to humans – unfamiliar humans, who stepped out of the Slumbering Weald.[break][break]
“You lot came from the Weald? ‘Ow’d you survive out there?”[break][break]
“Good luck.” Navy answered. “And our pal’s sword.” His head inclined to Zaria’s blade, only now returned to its scabbard.[break][break]
“Sorry about your gate.” Zaria said, suddenly sheepish. “If you have tools, I can see about repairing it.”[break][break]
“Wait, wait. ‘Ang on. That blade’o yours. That’s like the one the heroes used.” Another villager said. “Like the Rider.”[break][break]
“Miss, if you’ve got a weapon like that, you can make it up t’us by watchin’ the walls for a spell. Anyone with a hero’s weapon’s welcome here in Postwick.”[break][break]
“If that’s the case, can you point us to where we can get something to eat.” Taverns are a cornerstone of fantasy for a reason. An adventurer needed his stomach filled just as bad as he needed information. A tavern could give him both.[break][break]
“That’ll be the Wompin’ Wooloo. Just up the road.” The woman pointed.[break][break]
“…I suppose this is where we part for now.” Said Zaria, turning to accompany the villagers to the north. A man rushed past them with tools, rushing to repair the destroyed gate.[break][break]
“We’ll be on shortly. Howard and I’ll bring you some food. Wait up for us.”[break][break]
“…you’ll soon see what I mean about the food.” Zaria departed on that ominous note.[break][break]
“Well,” Navy said to Howard, “Civilization. I don’t like this sky, Howard.”

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POSTED ON Jun 4, 2024 6:12:55 GMT

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[attr="class","gunstest6body howard"]

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When Howard had visited Wyndon to give a lecture on Galarian paleontology, he had been distressed at the thickness of several local accents. It was a small comfort that even at the edge of the apocalypse, the Galarian tendency to mash up words had survived. It gave Howard a newfound appreciation for Remiel Calcifet and Gwyar Wledig. [break][break]

"This is wrong. You said you beat Eternatus in the dream? How?" Now that they were here, all the information that Howard could have extracted from those who experienced it sat unused a world away. Navy was the only person who could communicate everything to Howard, and for better or worse, Navy wasn't the sharpest sword on the rack.[break][break]

Zacian had disagreed, though.[break][break]

"It's not the sky we live under in Hoenn. I thought that the world was small, because we all lived under the same sky. This isn't what I remember. What sort of monster can change the texture of the heavens?"[break][break]

Who else but a god?[break][break]

"I know the Whompin' Wooloo. At least, I've heard the name. I think it's a pub in Galar." Howard whispered to Navy as trekked through Postwick. The people were frayed, but alive. Life still existed, and from life came new growth. It filled Howard with hope. "This is fucked, Navy." [break][break]

They came to the pub in question. The battered tin sign of a Wooloo flapped in the wind, making a clinging sound as they approached. Howard opened the door with a raised eyebrow.

"Let's not raise a fuss. What currency did they use in the dream? Galarian shillings?" His eye blinked once as he scanned the room. A fire crackled in the corner, filling the pub with a homely warmth. "Did whatever sent you here supply us with money?"[break][break]

Assuming this fairytale even cared about the fundamentals of economics.

Navy [break][break]

NOTES

- March forward, squire.

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An observer of eons cannot feel the warmth of another.

POSTED ON Jun 4, 2024 6:24:00 GMT

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MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

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howard slayte

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ROUSE THYSELF, RIDER.

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“Huh. Guess this tavern’s been around for a while.” Stepping into the place, he found it surprisingly full. Postwick didn’t seem like a big town, but the Whompin’ Wooloo was fit to burst. Folk from all walks of life chattered excitedly, as if there wasn’t a purple storm raging overhead.[break][break]
“I don’t remember how I paid for things.” The rider said with a mace’s bluntness. “Spent most of my time out in the wild. I hunted, or people supplied me when I got to town. In Motostoke, Penny and Ollie made sure I was fed.” Wealth as a concept hadn’t existed.[break][break]
Reaching into his saddlebag, he found that he had a small handful of coins. It would do for now, but they would have to find their own money soon enough, or else work their way across Galar.[break][break]
Fortunately for the two of them, there were two empty seats at the bar. Sitting down, Navy finally felt the weight of his fifty years. Slumping down into his seat, he felt an incessant need to nap.[break][break]
“Keep your head up, stranger.” The barman said. His voice roused Navy back up. It was the same barman that served him drinks in Dewford. “Here, have some mead.” Pouring the drink of warriors for the two of them, he slid their tankards over.[break][break]
“Meat, too, Joey.” He said on instinct. Joey the barman nodded.[break][break]
“Howard, you’re better at this than me.” He nodded to his squire. “What in the world do we ask first to unpack what’s going on here?”

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POSTED ON Jun 4, 2024 8:05:16 GMT

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"Yeah, sure." As they trudged into the pub and sat down, Howard took a deep breath. Even if their mental ages were miles apart, their physical bodies were definitively 'middle aged'. There was little difference between forty-eight and however old Navy was. Judging from his looks, Howard placed him in his fifties. [break][break]

Not like it mattered. Looks were deceiving in both Rocket and the League.[break][break]

"What's the tax pol-" A glare from Navy cut him off. The archaeologist blinked once, before deflating. This wasn't the time to be chasing after personal fancies. "Sorry. Hey, barkeep. We're travelers, can you give us the lay of the land?" [break][break]

He let the question marinate as he quaffed his mead. The drink of warriors, Navy said. Is that why it tasted so bitter on his tongue? Howard Slayte was no warrior. He was someone who had betrayed his friend in an attempt to shoulder the world's burdens alone. Nonetheless, he drank. Traveling left the throat dusty.[break][break]

"Who rules Galar in these trying times? Is it the Calcifets? What about locally? Has anything happened around Postwick recently?"[break][break]

Fish for rumors. Fish for knowledge. From there, the two could plan their next step to getting home.

Navy [break][break]

NOTES

- March forward, squire.

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Sheriff

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In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

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An observer of eons cannot feel the warmth of another.

POSTED ON Jun 4, 2024 8:27:21 GMT

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MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

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howard slayte

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ROUSE THYSELF, RIDER.

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[break][break]

“Galar doesn’t have a king.” Joey spoke in Galar as he did in the long ago future of Hoenn, with a gruff homely accent that spoke of tilled earth and home brewed ale. “Not since the last set disappeared five years back. All the heroes left.” He shot Howard an odd look, as if he asked a Unovan if he was watching the gym circuit. [break][break]
“The only ruler we have’s the four folk terrorizing the north. Them that came after the Rider and the other heroes left. Didn’t even kill the skeletal dragon right…” [break][break]
Navy put down his tankard with a forceful slam, looking up at Joey as if for the first time. He searched the illusory barman’s face as if it hid some great, profound truth. Whatever he found there didn’t satisfy the Rider. [break][break]
“Eternatus is back.” He said. [break][break]
“Nesting in Wyndon, beyond the poisoned mist. So long as His four chosen horsemen live, no one is getting up there.” Joey slid over beef stew to go with the sour news. Navy ate hungrily. He realized as he took the first bite that it had been a full day since he last ate. When Howard sounded the attack, he had been fast asleep after an early night. [break][break]
“Are the roads as dangerous as they once were?” Navy asked as his fingers twirled in a go on gesture. [break][break]
“Oh yeah. Don’t even think the Pale Rider could get through that mist. Postwick and Wedgehurst manage to stay in contact cause somethin’ keeps the roads safe.” Joey began polishing a glass, a habit shared by his doppelgänger. “But no one’s been able to get back to Motostoke since the battle between the dragon and the black knight. ” [break][break]
“…thank you, Joey.” Navy stood up, taking another tankard and plate for Zaria. “One last thing. It’s a horse guarding the road, isn’t it?” [break][break]
“Yeah. A black horse.” [break][break]
“We’ve got work to do, Howard.” Navy said definitively, “First thing’s first, we need to get to Wedgehurst. That’s the first step to getting home.” They’d find more answers there, even if they would be paid for with peril.

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POSTED ON Jun 4, 2024 8:44:52 GMT

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It all came back to Necrozma. It had apparently appeared in the dream according to Rocket testimony, which had been remarkably easy to verify, given its Avatar worked alongside Howard in dictating Rocket's policy in the oncoming war. It was easy to forget that Necrozma was just as big a threat as Eternatus. [break][break]

When Eternatus was slain, when the last Dynamaxed Pokémon shrunk and collapsed in on itself, when the last speck of Dynite Ore was mined and scattered to the wind...[break][break]

Necrozma would follow its foe to the grave.[break][break]

"Thanks, Joey." Howard stood. There was logically no point in remembering a fictional character's name. Howard knew that. But he would do so anyway, because even stories had purposes. Howard had wanted to remember the dream. He could at least recall the names of those who made the dream into reality. "C'mon, Navy."[break][break]

He clapped his friend on the shoulder as they drained their mugs in symphony before leaving the tavern.[break][break]

"You got a weird look on your face. Why were you so interested in that horse?" Howard leaned against the side of the tavern for a moment. It quickly dawned on him. For all of Howard's faults, he wasn't slow. "You remember this horse from the dream?" [break][break]

Five years. Five years later and the dream had yet to end. They were living an epilogue of a story that had already ended.

"Splendid! That's great! That means your memories still hold weight. The bonds you forged back then still exist. We should get Zaria posthaste!" He quickly led the way back to their knightly savior, before stopping a short walk away. Howard grew thoughtful for a spell. "Navy."[break][break]

Howard turned to the sheriff, lord, and rider. [break][break]

"Did you beat Eternatus in the first dream, back at the Ancient Tomb?"

Navy [break][break]

NOTES

- March forward, squire.

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Michael Navidson

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October 13th

Slateport

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Elite 4.

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

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An observer of eons cannot feel the warmth of another.

POSTED ON Jun 4, 2024 16:33:36 GMT

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[attr="class","Navypog3-1"]

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MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

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howard slayte

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ROUSE THYSELF, RIDER.

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[break][break]

It fell upon him to tell a story. As they once more stepped out into a cool Galarian afternoon, a nostalgic smile crossed the Rider’s face. A Rider without a horse was like a Pokemon Trainer without a Charizard, or a Historian without history. They simply could not exist without one another.[break][break]
“This was the last place I saw Valkyrie, one of the high king’s two horses.” A steed as black as midnight, eyes pale like a full moon. “A Spectrier. The other horse is called Glastrier. Herds of them now roam Hoenn, but the High King can draw out the steed’s true potential. Remember that well.” In another world, they were enemies. He should not have told Howard anything of the sort. Here, they were brothers, and they needed one another to survive.[break][break]
Ahead, they spied Zaria atop the gate. Above their heads flew a Wooloo, screaming as it crashed into the trees on the edge of the Slumbering Weald. A small flock of Rookidee decided discretion was the better part of valor and flew away.[break][break]
“How many times must I tell you?! This town is now under my protection!” She shouted over the wall.[break][break]
“Someone’s hard at work.” Navy smiled, before raising his voice and calling up to her. “Zaria. Quit it with the baseball routine. I brought you some food!”[break][break]
Her head snapped around, sword returning to its scabbard. Food brought her down from the high gate so quick that he thought she was playing into his baseball talk, although he soon remembered she had no notion of what baseball was.[break][break]
“It took you two long enough!” She reached up, clasped her helmet, lifted it…[break][break]

[break][break]
And smiled.[break][break]
“Beef stew and mead? The drink of warriors!” Zaria laughed a girlish laugh, sounding just as young as she looked.[break][break]
Acreus, she can’t be older than twenty.[break][break]
“Hand it over!” Zaria insisted, snatching the bowl and sitting down on the grass without ceremony. With a shrug, Navy joined her.[break][break]
“So,” Zaria asked with a full mouth and none of a knight’s dignity, “did you two learn anything”

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POSTED ON Jun 4, 2024 19:48:55 GMT

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"You people and your drink of warriors." Howard grumbled and shook his head, the feather in his hat bobbling about as he did so. "All I taste is yeast water." [break][break]

He didn't even know if this Galar knew what yeast was. History dictated that the ingredient had been used thousands of years prior, but the fairy tale might have triumphed over the historical accuracies of the Galarian brewing process. If it did, his respect for this world would raise substantially.[break][break]

"We've learned more than I expected, less than I liked." A grunt escaped his lips as he sat next to Zaria, opposite from the sheriff turned lord. His expression made it very clear that he had wanted to grill the barkeep for hours on tax policy and other trivialities. "There's a Spectrier roaming around on the path to Wedgehurst. Navy wants to go say hi." [break][break]

The more he looked at the knight, the more his heart ached. What sort of world raised the young to pick up their swords? As soon as the thought rushed through his mind, so too did the answer: the same world that Hoenn was becoming. How many kids were growing up in a world of fire? Eris Halla ? Wasn't there a Gym Leader in Littleroot who was remarkably young as well? What was his name?[break][break]

Right. Hideo Kino . [break][break]

The young were supposed to grow up and forget how to be carefree. It seemed likely that Hoenn's young would never get that chance.

"There's also four lords up north. Know anything about them? Are they descended from the High King?"[break][break]

Calyrex.

Navy [break][break]

NOTES

- March forward, squire.

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MADE BY GUNSMILE

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Teddie

Michael Navidson

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

Elite 4.

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

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An observer of eons cannot feel the warmth of another.

POSTED ON Jun 4, 2024 20:31:27 GMT

shiv and howard slayte like this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","Navypog3"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-big-img"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-1"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-title"]
MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

[attr="class","Navypog3-tagged"]
howard slayte

[attr="class","Navypog3-subtitle"]
ROUSE THYSELF, RIDER.

[attr="class","Navypog3-pkmn"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-post"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-icon"]

“I don’t know anything about any ‘four lords’.” Zaria said in a voice that betrayed her own annoyance at the statement. “I remember my name, I remember my brother, I remember…” She stopped mid bite, expression meditative. Zaria looked as if she was trying to thread the world’s tiniest needle, like any small error would force her to start all over.[break][break]
“…that there is a land that needs you.” Navy finished for her. “A land not your own.” She looked surprised. Green eyes met steel eyes and both looked at the other with understanding.[break][break]
“Just so.”[break][break]
“That’s how it was when I rode Valkyrie. My homeland is Hoenn, but I came to love Galar as my own. No land deserves a poisoned sky.” Leaning against the wall, his eyes looked once more to the fathomless purple firmament.[break][break]
Zaria opened her mouth to speak, but a sudden intrusion interrupted her. Joey, a bit player in this character, ran up to them, breathless. After a moment of catching his breath, the barman stood up straight and addressed the Rider.[break][break]
“You three’ve got a certain look in your eyes. It’d take a right idiot to try and go up north to Wedgehurst.” His serious expression cracked. Like a ray of sun through the clouds, he smiled. “Or a hero. I found somethin’ near the Weald, after the battle. Maybe it’ll help you, maybe it won’t…” Joey, a character most who call themselves heroes on the grand stage would ignore, whether that stage be Galarian myth or Dewford, produced a crystal from his pocket.[break][break]
It was clear, clear as spring water. Navy and Zaria saw their own reflection, though the woman’s reflection was cast in a wolfish smile. Both reached out to grab it on instinct.[break][break]
And both saw a vision of a world without war. In that world, children set at ten without a care. With a partner Pokemon at their side, they journeyed far. Hopes, dreams, and prayers filled their hearts. They camped under clear skies on their quest to be ~~knights~~ trainers. A fleeting vision of a normal world, one that can never be so long as the long shadow of a red R hangs over Hoenn, or Eternatus over Galar.[break][break]
The crystal seemed to disappear, absorbed into Zaria. Both Rider and knight leaned back, breathless and shaken by the experience.[break][break]
“…never seen that happen with no one who touched it before.”

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Admin Fox

He/Him

May 9th

Rustboro City

Bisexual

Archaeologist

Rocket Admin

5'9 (with hat) height

The future will tempt you, the present will indulge you, but the past will shackle you.

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POSTED ON Jun 4, 2024 21:06:05 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstest6"]

[attr="class","topimage"]

[attr="class","gunstest6body howard"]

[attr="class","iconimg"]

It didn't take a geologist to determine what the crystal was. [break][break]

"What the...? Where'd you get a Tera Crystal from, barkeep? These should only be found in Hoenn and Paldea!" Had the infection spread so far from Hoenn that Tera Crystals were everywhere? What sort of malignant tumor were Tera Crystals, to be capable of so much havoc? His eye widened further when the crystal was absorbed into Zaria. "Neither have I. I've never seen anything like this."[break][break]

He leaned back, flabbergasted. Tera Crystals abided by no law but their own, and whoever happened to harness their power. The Megalopolans had proved that firsthand when they had carved a prison from crystal.

"I..." At the mention of a poisoned sky, Howard's gaze was pained. He tamped the emotion down to focus on the task at hand. He turned to Joey. "We need supplies. A few days, at least. Crossing to Wedgehurst should be easy, with these two." [break][break]

He clapped Zaria on the shoulder, metal ringing out as flesh struck steel.[break][break]

"An old map would be nice as well. Navy knows the way well enough, but we'd like to be prepared." No use in getting overconfident. Even if this was the world that Navy remembered, there were clearly differences that the sheriff was unaccustomed to. It was best to account for all outcomes. "If you don't, parchment would be fine. I'll make one."[break][break]

The map of Galar in Howard's office back in Sootopolis was finally pulling its weight.

"Why're you helping us?"[break][break]

To Howard, the answer was simple. This world longed for a hero, and the people did too.

Navy [break][break]

NOTES

- March forward, squire.

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[attr="class","gunstest6credit"]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

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Teddie

Michael Navidson

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

Elite 4.

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

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An observer of eons cannot feel the warmth of another.

POSTED ON Jun 4, 2024 21:37:09 GMT

shiv and howard slayte like this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","Navypog3"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-big-img"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-1"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-title"]
MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

[attr="class","Navypog3-tagged"]
howard slayte

[attr="class","Navypog3-subtitle"]
ROUSE THYSELF, RIDER.

[attr="class","Navypog3-pkmn"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-post"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-icon"]

Joey looked at Howard, puzzled. When he spoke, it was with the slow hesitation of one fumbling through an unexpected question. His lips mouthed a word, but it was not one voice that spoke.[break][break]
everywherenowhereat the end of timea burning memorythe cavewhere a tin soldier found his heartwhere a murderer can be a herowhere a coward can summon titanson his shell he holds the earth[break][break]
The voices pulled at the threads of Navy and Howard both, pulled them in a hundred dizzying directions, just as tera crystals pull those graced by their light. A moment of intense pain, like a nail jammed through their head, was followed by silence. Navy leaned back like a man caught in a drunken stupor. Joey carried on like he seen nothing out of the ordinary.[break][break]
“Anyroad, you’ll find supplies at Chester’s general store. Most o’ the goods are grown in town here. It’s suicide to go out, but maybe with that black steel the miss has, you’ll manage. I’ll see if I can rouse ya up a map.” With a nod, Joey was off.[break][break]
“Howard…don’t ask people about tera again.” Navy whispered, rubbing at his temples.[break][break]
Zaria, who was much better at hiding her pain, focused on Howard.[break][break]
“Why do I need a reason to help people?” An answer that resounded with Navy. He always fancied himself, especially when he was younger, a worldly man. Cynical, in a cool hip way – like all the swinging dicks in old detective novels. He did not recognize until Galar a certain romance in his own character, a willingness to waive fees for customers who passed through the doors of Navidson Solutions who really, truly needed his help.[break][break]
“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Navy fought off his migraine and stood up. “Besides, who’d say no to the chance to fight a dragon?”[break][break]
“The dragon.” Zaria corrected.[break][break]
“Come on. Looks like the day’s still young. If we get those supplies quick, we can make good headway. I haven’t been this way in a long, long time, but I can remember well enough how to navigate us a good way there.”

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Admin Fox

He/Him

May 9th

Rustboro City

Bisexual

Archaeologist

Rocket Admin

5'9 (with hat) height

The future will tempt you, the present will indulge you, but the past will shackle you.

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POSTED ON Jun 4, 2024 22:34:34 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstest6"]

[attr="class","topimage"]

[attr="class","gunstest6body howard"]

[attr="class","iconimg"]

Where a coward could summon titans. [break][break]

Howard Slayte could summon nothing. He could only borrow their legacy, and even that was beginning to slip through his fingers. He could only hope that Regice's rampage caused it to wound Eternatus as it raged throughout the alien world it found itself in.[break][break]

Those were his thoughts as they left Postwick behind. The echoes of Joey's chant rang in the admin's mind, and his head still ached from the words. It had been a thousand opportunities, all at once, each one a potential new world that had yet to manifest.[break][break]

"Thank you!" Howard waved his hand as he turned back to the people of Postwick. His hat was held in his hand as the party of heroes bid their farewell to the small hamlet in the corner of Galar. "We won't forget you!" [break][break]

How many times had those words been uttered during the first dream that had swallowed up dozens of people? How many truly remembered the people within?[break][break]

He suspected that the number was sobering.[break][break]

"It's not a particularly long journey to Postwick, but if the roads are as dangerous as you say, it might take us some time. Especially since we're still on foot." The crinkling of canvas filled the silence as Howard opened an old map that Joey had found in one of the pub's storerooms. It was old, likely outdated, and in need of some modifications. "I'll have to adjust the map when we make camp. Think the horse can fit all of us? Especially since..." [break][break]

He gestured at Zaria's armor sheepishly, before burying his nose back in the map.

"Nevermind. You two said the roads were dangerous. How dangerous?" He turned to Navy as they walked, the admin's massive backpack stuffed with supplies. "Worse than the Island Cave?"[break][break]

That ruin had chewed up the best of Rocket and the League and spat them out again without a second thought. It was also where Navy had saved Howard's life, starting this whole fiasco. The admin's eye lingered on the poisoned sky above.[break][break]

Navy [break][break]

NOTES

- March forward, squire.

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MADE BY GUNSMILE

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Teddie

Michael Navidson

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

Elite 4.

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

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An observer of eons cannot feel the warmth of another.

POSTED ON Jun 4, 2024 22:47:46 GMT

howard slayte likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","Navypog3"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-big-img"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-1"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-title"]
MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

[attr="class","Navypog3-tagged"]
howard slayte

[attr="class","Navypog3-subtitle"]
ROUSE THYSELF, RIDER.

[attr="class","Navypog3-pkmn"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-post"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-icon"]

“No, doubt she’ll be able to fit us all.” Navy said simply, suddenly a different man as they stepped out into the waste land beyond. Galar’s Route 1, in the proper course of time, was hailed as a pleasant little drive. A man from Postwick could drive up to Wedgehurst for some fish and chips in the afternoon and be back in time to catch a GBC series.[break][break]
In the dream, dead crops stretched out all around them. Scarecrows sat in empty fields like crucified thieves. Their hands, skeletal, pointed down a path leading nowhere. Nothing, as of yet, had attacked them.[break][break]
“Moment to moment, it’s not much worse than the Deep Sea.” Navy spoke while cool gray eyes surveyed the path ahead. “It’s only when something spots you that things can get bad.” A hand rose up sharply, ordering them to stop. Just ahead, innocuously sitting in the ground, was a patch of purple earth that looked like a scab.[break][break]
“Zaria. You go up. A hand’s going to cut out. Cut it.” He felt like a Pokemon trainer ordering a trusted companion into battle.[break][break]
“Sure.” She stepped forward, her steps careless. A hand shot out, scratching her across the chest. Grunting in protest, she brought down the massive sword in a two-handed swing. The hand had no mouth, but it died screaming.[break][break]
“You’re lucky you have that armor on.” The rider said grimly, turning to Howard. “It’s not the hands themselves that give you trouble. Everything out here’s poisoned. One scratch and you die a slow death.”[break][break]
A small pause, his eyes scanning again, wondering if rumors of a dread steed were just that.[break][break]
“I’m not a scientist, but I think Calyrex left a little of his grace in the steed. It kept me safe from the poison, and let sleep it off if I got infected.”

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Admin Fox

He/Him

May 9th

Rustboro City

Bisexual

Archaeologist

Rocket Admin

5'9 (with hat) height

The future will tempt you, the present will indulge you, but the past will shackle you.

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POSTED ON Jun 5, 2024 3:12:40 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstest6"]

[attr="class","topimage"]

[attr="class","gunstest6body howard"]

[attr="class","iconimg"]

Only Eternatus could make its innards as dangerous as the worlds it burned. It was very easy to underestimate the Ultra Deep Sea. Several months of plumbing its depths gave Navy's squire a healthy appreciation for the threat it held. Normally, he simply had Regice blast its way past anything that moved, or relied on Navy's more experienced Pokémon. [break][break]

They had neither of those here. Only Zaria. Relying on a young woman to fight their battles wasn't particularly chivalrous, but Howard wasn't complaining. He had seen what the knight could do to fearsome Wooloo flocks. Still, their nakedness without Pokémon was humbling. They needed Valkyrie.[break][break]

"Those hands look awfully similar to Eternatus. There's a correlation between the two, I suspect." [break][break]

Archaeology was mostly about taking circumstantial evidence and accumulating it to reach a conclusion. If the sky was painted violet, then it only made sense for the ground below to reap the consequences of Eternatus's influence as well. There was a world where Howard would've made a good detective, if not for the fact that digging at the ground for fossils hadn't called to him in his young age. [break][break]

It was a complicated feeling. [break][break]

"The land remembers, Navy. It remembers the footsteps of heroes and the proclamation of kings, even when we forget." After all, imprints of fossils and bones and ancient things were buried beneath the surface. It made sense that it could remember things here, as well. "Nice work, Zaria! Wait, poison?"[break][break]

He gave Navy a double take. [break][break]

"That protection from the king better extend to me, too!"

Navy [break][break]

NOTES

- March forward, squire.

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MADE BY GUNSMILE

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Teddie

Michael Navidson

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

Elite 4.

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

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