Johanna had already done a few trips here. How could she not. But now the time came for her to take Megan Whitmore here and honestly she was looking forward to it.

After all, there were few experiences in the world that could beat exploring the unknown together with the coolest person she knew.

But humans weren’t the only company she was keeping today. A small light blue and transparent white Nihilego clung to her back curiously gazing around, eager to explore the world as well.



Notes: GC EXCURSION A: Explore

X6fxRGjg

Johanna hadn’t done much exploring in the Great Chasm, save for a single trip done with Arashi Akiyama. And so she was looking forward to giving it another go as she had heard rumors that League activity down there had increased tremendously.

Of course she knew that wherever the League went, Rocket would soon follow. But she was prepared for that. She was prepared to deal with that problem should it arise. Though of course she hoped it would not.

All she hoped for as she walked through the beautiful almost artistic scenario was a nice relaxed moment of exploration. And who knows, maybe she would even meet some new people?

Notes: GC EXCURSION A: Explore

tMIpUNrt

The air had been cleared. And for a moment Johanna didn’t know what to do with herself. She waited for some sort of reaction. And then all too suddenly it came in the form of a hand to the mouth and a chuckle from Megan.

And for a very torn moment Johanna didn’t know how to feel.

Was it good?
Was it bad?

Though her worries were eased when Megan apologized and explained what all of this had been about.

A sigh of relief escaped her, only for the heat to pick up once again when Megan acknowledged the possibility that she might be feeling the same.

Johanna acknowledged Megan with a, perhaps too, eager nod. “That makes sense.”

Only for her to realize she probably appeared more experienced than she actually was. And so she began to admit “Though honestly, I don’t have a whole lot of experience in this either.”

Her experience level was a big Zero to be honest. But be that as it may she was just so relieved.

“But, uhm… I.. Honestly, I don't know what to say.” She managed to contain what she could clearly feel was a waterfall of words eager to get out. Though surely the radiance of the smile that was on her face said all that needed to be said.

Johanna had come here out of curiosity like so many others. She had made her way to the Draconid Ruins through sheer dumb luck, as she had never been here before.

Perhaps it was luck that brought her there or perhaps it was something else. Whatever lead her there she now stood before Zekrom and pondered the question it posed her.

“My ideal world is one where everyone is happy, safe, and where everyone can see past their differences and work together.” Johanna spoke. “I know this is a naive dream.” if not impossible. “But it is my dream nonetheless.”

“As for the length I am willing to go to achieve this dream. Well, as far as I need to go. But given the very nature of my ideal, a path of violence would as you can surely see, not really benefit it” This was not a lie. She would fight if she had to. But could she truly say that she had achieved her dream if it was stained in the blood of those that opposed her? No, this was a dream only possible if she changed the very foundation of the system that clearly was designed to keep this conflict going.

OO0XIMS8

The good ol ‘i'll be fine’ response. Never a good sign. But Johanna let it go, seeing as she lost two points according to Megan’s rules, in addition to Megan taking another step closer. Johanna’s heart beat faster with the proximity.

But her thoughts about that were quickly pushed aside as Megan asked the third question. And this one was a difficult one to answer. If she spoke honestly there was a chance Megan might look at her differently, and with her luck it would be for the worse. But if she lied Megan would know for sure.

What to do?

What to do?





Lie?





Her thumb felt the black metal and she knew the answer. Even if it meant Megan might hate her, even if it meant this would change their friendship forever, the truth had to be told.

“So, uhm. I hope this won’t affect our friendship negatively…” She paused, her heart beating like war drums. “What has been bothering me is that…I have…” Her throat felt like it was trying to choke her to avoid admitting a truth that needed to be said. She closed her eyes and forced the words out. “I kind of have a crush on you and I’ve been too afraid to admit it.”

And there it was. Now the Meowth was out of the bag, no way to take back words said.

Oh lord where was Dialga when you needed it.

Johanna noticed the way Megan seemed lost in thought, and as she grew a bit nervous she, without thinking about it, began to caress the black metal ring on her right ring finger with her right thumb. She had worn it ever since that time at the Ancient Tomb, though by now the memories it carried had long since faded.

Still, she knew it was important, and she knew that importance had something to do with Megan. And so it had become a source of comfort for her, even if her reasoning was sparsely understood.

And then the second question was asked, and things just grew peculiar. She tried to think of an answer for the question. And deep within the confines of hidden away feelings she felt the echo of a faint hope, a prayer that perhaps it was what Johanna had been too scared to even consider a possibility in the past.

Even now she was too scared to assume Megan felt the same way she did. And so instead her thoughts turned to worry for such questions were usually the sign of something bigger and worse.

“I can't say, I mean I am sure there could be a hundred reasons for that.” Johanna began trying to think of the right words to pick as she looked a bit worriedly at Megan.

Finally she settled on one question “Megan are you alright?”

Johanna’s reasoning for coming here had been rather flimsy. Sightseeing might be the most honest answer one could make.

Whatever her reasoning she was currently traversing through the jungle. Trying to sneak as quietly as possible, though rustling leaves and breaking bamboo branches made for poor sneaking. And it was these very sounds that allerted a Kartana swarm nearby.

They ambushed her Had it not been for quick and dexterous fiery deflection from her Flutter Mane, she would’ve become minced meat. But now she had a chance. She ran, ran as quickly as she could through the Bamboo forest. Grabbing and breaking what she could not move around as the swarm of deadly slicing paper hunted her. .



PROMPTS:
- 12 involve being ambushed or trapped.
- 23 involve the classic trope of running/fleeing through a bamboo forest/fields.

The first challenge was given. And Johanna met with Megan’s gaze as she answered without an ounce of hesitation. “You are Megan Whitmore, my best friend and the person I trust the most.”

Only moments later did the heat rise to her cheeks as she felt the embarrassment of saying such things out loud. Even so, she did not break her gaze for as long as she could. The question was up for interpretation. Had Megan simply meant for Johanna to speak her name or had the meaning been deeper than that.

Obviously Johanna had assumed it had a deeper meaning.

Johanna returned to Calyrex the following moment he awoke from the tree. Having done so thrice already, this being her fourth time to do so, it had become an almost comforting event. To be in the presence of a willing audience and tell a tale that brought hope, thought and perhaps even joy, yes it felt right.

But Calyrex wasn’t the only one that was getting something out of this exchange. As she dug deeper in her own memories looking for better stories, something came to her. Inspiration some might call it. Inspiration from a time long lost to a fog impenetrable. These Ideas that formed felt familiar to her, as if she had experienced them already.

Has she experienced them before?

Perish the thought for t’is was not time for inner contemplation but to tell the tale the King desired.

“Once upon a time…” She halted as her right thumb gently touched the Black Metal wedding ring on her ring finger. It was the one anchor to a time she was certain never existed to begin with. This was no fairy tale and so should not have a fairy tale start.

“Not too long ago danger threatened this Region once again. This time malevolent forces had set eyes upon something in an Ancient Tomb.” Johanna began. This felt more right.

“Brave heroes fought to protect what they thought was right. Some fought to protect the region, others to protect themselves. As good and evil clashed, their force tore into the very fabric of space and time plunging them into lands unknown.”

And this is where she had to fill in the blanks. This is where the fog grew dense and impenetrable. But there were certain things she felt were right. Even then she sensed in her own fears that perhaps it was merely ideas her mind tried to repaint in a futile endeavor to keep them alive.

“These heroes had no way to return home nor were the evils they had fought within sight. And so the only thing they could do was live. Some of them decided to fight the good fight and keep being the heroes they thought was right, fighting against the new evils that plagued this land. Others turned to healing and mending its people. And then there were those who wished no part in any of it.”

“One thing was for certain, whether they were fighters or not. Time passed and they settled. Some started families, had children, and loved ones.” Her finger ran over the ring once again looking for comfort, as her thoughts momentarily turned to Megan Whitmore. She hoped that what she felt she had experienced was real. And yet deep down, she always feared that what happened back then was but a simple dream. And not only that, she knew there had been more. Children she had LOVED, Children she had HELPED bring into that world. Yet no matter how much she grasped at it the memories, they were no more than flickering specks of sand on a beach.

“But the evils of the land only grew stronger as the heroes fought and lived their life. And in the end all of them had to make a stand. And so they did. I presume they won. For they… no. I all of a sudden was back at the Ancient Tomb along with the others.” She felt a sense of frustration in her. A frustration in not knowing if what she had experienced was real. “We sacrificed everything to save these people, even the very memory of them, for it fades ever more with time passing.”

A frustrated snicker escaped her. “I apologize for that your majesty, this definitely wasn’t my best story telling.”

"Cro rown!"

Her gaze turned serious for a moment as she tried to keep eye contact with Calyrex. “I know this is weird, and I am in no position to make requests of you. But can you tell me? Was it real, all of it?”

Notes:
- Johanna attempts to tell the tale of her time in Past!Galar from what little she remembers of it. She then asks Calyrex if it can confirm or deny whether it was all real, and hopefully settle some of her fears about it (Or spawn new ones)

Prompts used:
- Memory and/ or Sacrifice

@tag

(TW: Allusions to Suicide)

For the third week in a row, Johanna made her way to Calyrex. She wished to regale the king with a tale once more.

“The story I bring you today will hopefully provide some food for thought, though it will be a somber tale. The tale is about the eternal question of life. What is more important? Is it to continue the Legacy of our forebears? or is it to follow our dreams?”

She allowed Calyrex a moment to ponder this while she gathered her thoughts and readied her voice.

“Once upon a time there lived a young princess. It is said she was the fairest, the smartest and the kindest in all the realm. Not a single soul doubted that when she would take the crown the country would see an era of goodness, righteousness and prosperity.” Johanna began, her tale spoken with an oratory cadence learned through several tries.

“She was the only child of the King, and so she knew she had a duty to do. The Legacy of a crown is a heavy burden to bear, I am sure you understand just how heavy.” She looked to Calyrex for a moment, though she expected no verbal reply before she continued.

“It was a burden she did not wish to bear.” Solemn pause. “Nay she desired to travel the land, to see the wilds beyond the walls, to see the ocean beyond the mountains and to meet all the critters of the land and beyond.” Another pause. She sensed her voice trembling, as she related to the princess in the tale.

She took a quick moment to compose herself and continue.

“But though she spoke of her dream, her father would hear none of the words. She was to take the crown, to marry and to bear rightful heirs. The Princess did not relent. She wanted to do none of those. But no matter how many times she tried, how many different words she spoke, he did not budge. She even tried to compromise, to ask only for a few years to see the world and experience its wonders. But again, the King did not budge.”

“Desperate, she tried to run away. But she was quickly caught and locked away in a tower with but a single window. A window from which she could see beyond the walls and hear the calling of adventure. The Adventure her heart yearned for.”

“She spent many years in the tower. From time to time her father would try and talk sense into her. But they were feeble attempts at making her see the rightness of HIS way. He never managed to convince her that her dreams were less important than the legacy he cherished so much.”

“Her father knew this too, and saw it plainly in her defiant gaze. But she was of his blood and she would bear the burden as he had. How could he allow her to carry out the dream he never could? And so he pushed on. Bringing suitors that were all promptly rejected. Until at last he decided to force the marriage upon her.”

“It is said that one day he proclaimed to her ‘Tonight will be your last day in this tower. Forget your dream for tomorrow you will be a Queen, by force if I must.’ And so the Princess was left alone to have one final gaze out of the window she had come to cherish. One final gaze upon the Corviknights that each night flew away into the sunset.”

“When the next dawn arrived the princess was nowhere to be found in her tower. She had chosen to spend the rest of her life chasing her dream and flying alongside the Corviknights.”

She met Calyrex’s gaze. “The King was struck with grief as he finally saw the error of his ways. The burden of legacy and the fervor in which he had pursued it had ended the very legacy he so desired to see continued.”

“And on this sad and sour note my tragic tale comes to an end. I hope it was not too much” She bowed politely and respectfully.

"Cro rown!"

Notes:
- Johanna tells the tale of a Princess who dreamt of Freedom to see the world and explore its wonders, and her father who was weighted down by the burdens of the Legacy of the Crown and the regrets of the dreams he left behind in the name of legacy. The King crushes the princess' dreams and it results in her untimely demise.

Prompts used:
- Dreams and/or Legacy

@tag

Johanna and the Heebie-jeebie dragon followed Alexei out to the outdoor arena. For a brief moment she was surprised to see a lack of flying types. She figured there must be some reason, and so did not question it. She focused instead on the question posed by Alexei.

“Yes, a one-on-one match.” Johanna nodded and her dragon nodded as well. It was eager, some might say too eager to get this battle started. “And he’ll be my fighter.” She gestured for the Ghost/Dragon by her side.