Oscar was trying his best not to panic. Every step he took into this hell was like peeling back another layer of his skin, an agonizing march pure fear. Oscar had long planned on visiting The Border, but he had procrastinated due to his own--dour opinions when it came to death. Then Petalburg happened, and Oscar vowed to overcome his greatest fear to better himself--yet it took an invitation from Tempest Quinn to spur him into finally venturing into the land beyond.

It was not what he expected; a strangely beautiful landscape that defied all logic. Yet still Oscar felt afraid, shivering within his Ultra Space suit as every twitching light and shadow made him jump. He was almost grateful when Temp handed him back his EMF reader, which Oscar gladly put all of his focus into.

"Well...this device can read electric magnetic frequencies to help locate super natural activity. Within the land of the dead, it should logically bring us to the strongest signal--which is hopefully our target."

Oscar examined the meter, sighing as he read its incoming data. "We are, unfortunately, going in the right direction."

"Heh--right." Oscar tried to stay optimistic, repeating Temp's words in his head over and over. They won't meet anything today. They were just scouting. Yet he could not help but remember when he and Lulu Flint ventured into the original ruins of New Mauville, happening upon Zapdos by complete accident. They were just scouting then too...

As they pressed on, Oscar could not get himself to relax. Without the protection of a Sygna Suit, Oscar fully felt the oppressive atmosphere of the Border. He could not help but feel as though something were watching them, waiting in the mists. Was anything really there, or was it all in Oscar's head?

Oscar kept his eyes on his device while trying to purge his anxiety with small talk. "Um--so like, remember when Prime dressed up like Zapdos and fought Thundurus? That was quirky."

Aw, now Oscar was afraid and sad.

Tempest Quinn

"Yeah..."

Oscar trailed off, trying not to think about how he had been unable to locate Prime. He had to remain in the moment, though every time he tried to focus on the task at hand he would get frightened and return back to Prime. It was a cruel cycle that eventually drove Oscar to frantically latch on to anything else.

"So uhhhh what are you hoping to find today any---"

"Murderer."

Something whispered in Oscar's ear, causing him to yelp and swing around to look for its source. Yet there was nothing, he and Temp were the only beings walking this strange land. Oscar's eyes darted about as he slowly turned back toward Temp.

"Um--you didn't happen to hear that did you?"

Tempest Quinn

Temp's words cut out, and as Oscar looked his way he would find nothing but air. Oscar turned around, as if expecting Temp to have suddenly fallen behind at some point during their walk. When failed to locate him then, Oscar began swinging around frantically. Temp was nowhere to be found, and Oscar could not help but begin to panic.

"Temp?" Oscar whimpered, desperately hoping that just saying his name would summon his companion. A lack of results sharpened Oscar's tone, "TEMP!?" Still nothing, and it suddenly dawned on Oscar how horrible his situation was. He was alone--in the land of the dead. Oscar reluctantly peered downward at his EMP reader, his hands beginning to shake as he saw the meters spiking wildly.

"Oh fuck..."

He ran. He did not know where he was going, but he could not think of anything else. He ran and ran, unknowingly further into the bowels of The Border.

Tempest Quinn

"No no no!"

Oscar kept running, the twisting land-bridge stretching on endlessly. His panic only intensified as an unfamiliar chill penetrated his suit and prickled the back of his neck. Oscar's eyes bugged, and his legs began moving into overdrive as he desperately tried to run faster.

"No no no no no!"

No matter how hard he ran, Oscar could not evade the chill. Yet even with his supposed pursuer being so close, Oscar would continue to push forward. He would not look back, he would not look what haunted him in the face. He would not dare! His terror would not let him!

As the chase persisted, unseen voices would once again taunt him from every angle.

"Murderer..."

"Shut up!"

"Heartless..."

"SHUT UP!"

The voices would not cease, no matter how much Oscar pleaded. With no end in sight, tears began to stream down Oscar's crimson cheeks.

"TEMP I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU!"

Tempest Quinn

Oscar's lungs were about to give out, his heaving breaths drowning out the taunts of his pursuers. His eyes were wild, fixated on the path forward. Unblinking as his speed faltered and his legs began to fail him. He felt the cold clasp of a hand on his shoulder, and Oscar could not help but scream as he was forced to face his doom.

Yet as he was turned around, Oscar found himself face-to-face with Temp instead. Oscar breathlessly stared at Temp, confusion replacing his terror. Oscar looked around; nothing had changed yet the oppressive atmosphere that haunted him was entirely gone. Had it--had it all been an illusion? Oscar's face scrunched up, his cheeks turning red as he grappled with both embarrassment and fury. He hated being made to look like a fool--especially by this damned hellhole.

Oscar's face softened as he looked back at Temp, only now noticing how beaten up he was. Finally the scientist spoke, "I--you disappeared. You were gone and I was alone and--this place--fuck dude what happened to you?"

Tempest Quinn

Oscar quickly put the pieces together, his face racked with guilt. Whatever happened to him had ended up leading Temp into danger, and it made Oscar furious. Firstly at himself for being a coward, and then at this damn realm for fucking with Oscar's mind. He knew this place would be intense, but it was quickly becoming apparent that he was not ready to face his fears after all. At least not at this scale.

Oscar's first instinct was to help against the shadows, pulling a pokeball off of his belt. Out came his Dragapult Razor, who had long thought that he had seen the last of this accursed place years ago. Oscar pointed toward the brawl, "Razor, beat back the shadows!" Razor nodded, jumping into the fray with a well time Sucker Punch against the nearest spirit.

It was then that Oscar noticed his device, still gripped tightly by his trembling hands. He let out a loud gasp, terror once again consuming his face. He spoke out loud as he processed what he was seeing, "Temp--we're..." Oscar aimed the device toward his companion so that he too could see it. "We're in a sweet spot!"

Tempest Quinn