Aurelie Lefevre

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The moment of truth had come. Taking the piece of chainmail from Aurelie's hands, he gives it a quick look around and touch before glancing back to the smith and nodding.[break][break]

"All right... Here we go..."[break][break]

His Shaymin stands ready on the counter for its fitting. Using its hind legs, it stands up while Noel holds it in place with one hand placed on its stomach for ease. He dresses his Pokemon up in the armor, making sure it was nice and snug before letting go and seeing how it would respond.[break][break]

The small hedgehog shakes its body slightly in order to readjust the chainmail, yet while it was most definitely heavy for the grass-type, it puts on a brave face and turns around to face its trainer. Its eyes lit up as it gives a reassuring chirp to signal it was ready.[break][break]

"Now then... let's see what happens."[break][break]

Taking a pokeball from his belt, he clicks the button which sends back his Shaymin, armor and all together still. He holds the device in his hands as if expecting something to pop out any second, but all was quiet for the time being. All good so far, thought Noel. With only one course of action left to the trainer, he presses the pokeball once more to release the Pokemon.[break][break]

Landing back in its original spot, the Shaymin looks around the room, wondering if it all had gone according to plan. With the chainmail still stuck onto Noel's Pokemon, it seemed like they had achieved their goal.[break][break]

"It... it worked? That's amazing! I've never seen anything else go inside a pokeball before... I thought it was impossible... We might even be the first to do-"[break][break]

Before he could mutter another word, suddenly the chainmail breaks apart, its rings scattering around the counter and onto the floor, some of it pelting Noel as he covers up his face. After a few seconds, all that is left is his Shaymin curiously scanning its eyes all around the mess that had just been made before looking up to Aurelie, completely unsure of what had just happened.[break][break]

"I guess... it didn't work..." He sounds defeated for a moment, as if all their hopes and dreams were crushed in this single moment."[break][break]

But no. Failure was to be expected, and if it didn't work the first time, they'd try and try again until at last it would.[break][break]

"That's... all right though! Now we know it isn't quite that simple... What could have gone wrong though..."[break][break]

He's lost deep in his thoughts once more. Yet this time he snaps himself out and looks at Aurelie before questioning her.[break][break]

"Oh sorry, I guess you'd know more than me... and... we'd like to keep trying! If its ok with you, we're fine with staying as long as we need to in order to get this done!"

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howard slayte

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He had half a mind to sic his Pokemon right here and now on these two out of pure annoyance. No one would notice a trainer and their Pokemon suddenly disappearing out here, especially if he was quick. But unfortunately for Noel, he wasn't a cold-blooded murderer and he has to simply just deal with this fool's incompetence. He and his Shaymin would have their revenge someday.[break][break]

Without saying anything yet, he walks up to the Pupitar situated right down the middle of the road, taking a look down at the rock-type.[break][break]

"Come on. It can't be that hard to move this thing."[break][break]

Bending his body down forward, he places his two hands on both sides of the Pupitar's body. At first he meant to show off his strength by easily moving Howard's Pokemon out of the way. However, this proved to be more difficult than he thought it out to be. It truly would not budge even an inch. Wearied grunts leave his mouth every time he pours all his power into pulling or pushing the Pupitar away, but no matter how much he tried, it was still glued onto the pavement.[break][break]

"What... is this thing made of?... And why aren't you doing anything? Can't you just recall it?"[break][break]

Meanwhile, as this display of incompetence was playing out, figures began to creep out of Granite Cave. With Noel and Howard busy in their absurdity, neither one are able to notice what creatures were starting to spill out from the cave.[break][break]

If they weren't careful, soon they would be surrounded by monsters all too familiar to Noel.

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Like sheep, the single-file line of prisoners are herded into an entirely new room. In the direct center is a curious mask stood atop on a pedestal, the back of its face almost inviting them to take a look through. Noel and the others are instructed to gaze into the splendor of the mask, where all of their desires can be made reality. Some easily follow their instructions, some are reluctant, while others resist but are forced to by the wardens.[break][break]

There seemed to be no getting out of this situation, not with every warden along with several Megalopolan bodyguards watching their every move. With no way out, Noel decides it best to play along for now, after all, there was no chance peering into a mask would give him the power to make his dreams come true.[break][break]

Yet his heart beat loudly in his eardrums. He had every reason to be nervous, in this madhouse, the unthinkable was becoming more and more normal with each passing day. Others had already gotten accustomed to this prison life, but Noel still held onto a sliver of hope that the opportunity for some sort of rebellion could rise.[break][break]

As he affixes the mask onto his face, his vision blacks out before suddenly returning. He sees himself, standing over multiple bodies, the likes of jayden cross, Cillian Quinn, BARNABY FINCH, Elisabeth Fiorelli and declan walsh, some of their identities being completely unknown to him, all laying lifeless on the floor beneath him, blood on his clothes washed from the heavy rain pouring down on the area. An almost endless ocean of Rockets slain seemingly by his hands.[break][break]

Noel jumps backward, his body breaking out in a cold sweat as his breathing grows ragged and heavy, the mask still standing neatly in place. He has no time to think. Already he's shoved aside so that the next person has their turn, being led to the communal shower room to be cleaned of any filth.[break][break]

Naked and confused, he finds himself in a corner away from everyone else to spend some time to himself. With no clothes on and the searing hot shower water streaming down onto his slim but toned body, he is left alone with his thoughts.[break][break]

That couldn't have been his desire. No... it was true... He wants Rocket dealt with more than anything in the world. But the measures taken in that vision was much too extreme for him.[break][break]

"That... couldn't be true... I couldn't do that..."[break][break]

While deep in thought, he doesn't even notice the water being turned off, his senses only coming back when a guard yells at him to return with the other prisoners. A new set of clothes is given to him, which he doesn't even remember putting on. The next few moments were all a blur to him.[break][break]

The next thing he can remember is being put back in his cell for a good night's rest. However, sleep would not come easily to him. The darkened room let his mind wander on everything he had seen today, and whether or not he would believe it all.

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Noel wakes up drenched in sweat. His breaths grow heavy as he stirs himself up from the floor. The Toxic Chain wraps tight around his neck once more, waking him up in a frenzied mess. It was easy to forget what was real and which side was the dream. But no, this pain was real, affirming Noel's fear that he truly was stuck here for who knows how long. Over on the other side, things were much nicer, while it was an unknown world, there was no pain, no strife to go through.[break][break]

He almost wished he could remain there forever.[break][break]

No... This was the reality he was living in and he needed to face it. As he calms himself down, he looks up to see Elise Calcifet sleeping peacefully on the faulty cot. He wondered what she was experiencing in her dream, hopefully, something pleasant to ease her mind.[break][break]

Soon the cells would open up, and their days would begin, each one more or less the same as the last. Eating their disgusting mochi, working on whatever task the wardens required of them, and facing their ridicule for their amusement. The only solace being able to sleep at the end of each day, where Noel would spend his time guarding over his Shaymin companions; hoping, pleading for someone or something to set them free.[break][break]

Each time was the same however. No matter what he tried, there was nothing he could do to save his Pokemon, only being able to watch them as they float in their tanks, suspended in an eternal slumber.[break][break]

One day, that started the same as the rest, he is suddenly called to enter the Chamber of Desires. Why the wardens deemed him worthy of entering was something that he couldn't fathom an answer for.[break][break]

He follows suit behind his captors, along with others that they had chosen. Fear grips tighter onto his heart with every step he takes into the hall leading up to this so called "paradise". Unsure of what to expect, he would steel himself for whatever would be found ahead.

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howard slayte

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After having completed today's work of setting up the town's defenses and patrolling around, Noel decides to pay a visit to Granite Cave. Danger was ever lurking within those cursed halls, and there was always something trying to escape from it. Things that would turn Dewford into a ghost town should they succeed. Every so often does he stop by just to make certain that all is well.[break][break]

As he made his way down the road, a figure loomed in the distance. The closer Noel got, the more annoyed he felt. Why did he have to come across him of all people?[break][break]

The man and his Pupitar were seemingly stuck in the middle of the road, should any vehicles come by, it would create a hassle for Noel to fix. So he goes up to the troublemakers, with eyes full of irritation.[break][break]

"Well look who it is. What do you think you're doing here? You do realize there's a sidewalk you're supposed to be on right? Or is your Pokemon giving you trouble?"[break][break]

Last time when they had fought, Noel recalled that this man had a Larvitar during the Vital City tournament. How it managed to evolve under this buffoon's training, he may never know. Although, its personality was ever the same.

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freya morningstar

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Truth be told, even though he was discharged from the hospital, he was still told to take it easy and to not stress his body out in any way. He was never going to listen to the doctor's advice however, there was just too much that needed to be done in such a short amount of time. When the call to action was sounded out, he would be one of the first to respond.[break][break]

Walking side by side, the two take a stroll around town, a light breeze cooling them off from the sun beaming down on them.[break][break]

If only today could be like any other day.[break][break]

"What help would me being set aside do? No matter how many times I fall down, I'll always get back up knowing that Rocket or any danger is out there. "[break][break]

He takes a deep breath before continuing on, "Of course I'm... scared of dying... But I'm even more scared of finding out what'll happen if Rocket manages to take over. Its because of that fear, that I'll keep fighting, until my body can't take it anymore."[break][break]

Stopping in his tracks, he takes a long look at Freya's face.[break][break]

"I know of Freya the councilwoman. But what is your reason for continuing on? Don't you ever get tired of it all?"

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Aurelie Lefevre

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Aurelia is a braver person than Noel. Shaymin's cuteness was of no debate, and as much as he wanted to, he couldn't bring himself to join in her exhilarating behavior out of sheer embarrassment. In his off time, and when he was alone, he would spend hours just admiring the little hedgehog and petting its soft fur, sometimes to the dismay of the creature. A detail that he would never share with anyone under any circumstance.[break][break]

"That's right! Every other of my Pokemon already have natural armor of their own or ways to reduce any damage they take... but not this one. It can easily get hurt and even though we try to not take any risks, sometimes you have no choice." He replies back to her first question.[break][break]

He remembers their recent struggle against Grigori Sokolov, a thief that managed to elude him after an intense battle that left both Noel and his Shaymin out of commission for a few days due to their injuries... and among other things. With help from Aurelie, just maybe he wouldn't have to see his companion hurt ever again.[break][break]

"Don't worry, I guess this is going to be something new we'll tackle on together. If there's anything you need from town, or even outside of it, I'll be happy to help."[break][break]

Having only just met the blacksmith only minutes ago, already was he willing to put his entire faith into her abilities. Always was he trusting of others, even to a fault. Who knows how many people had taken advantage of his kindness already? Better that way than to forgo his morals. At least, that's what he liked to tell himself.[break][break]

Noel and his Shaymin looked on in wonder as Aurelie began to mumble about all the different ways she could create this armor. It seemed as though she was already hard at work. The grass-type nuzzles its head onto her hand atop the counter, having taken a liking to her already. Or perhaps it was trying to ease her mind.[break][break]

His body flinches slightly when he's asked one more question suddenly. While he didn't fully understand what she was saying at the end, he'd be more than content with anything she suggested.[break][break]

"Uhh, y-yes! That sounds great! And even if it doesn't work the first time, we'll just keep trying again until it does. I guess the only thing left now is... when do we start?"

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Andrea Vaneau

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The avatars. While his experience with the almost godly beings was little at best, he knew full well just what they're capable of. Noel shuddered to think what destruction they could bring under Rocket's agenda. No one person should have all that power.[break][break]

He recounts his tale against the crystal creature to Andrea, how he was caught by surprise and escaping with only an inch of his life left. Of the powers it possessed, the same ones she had experienced as well.[break][break]

"If you're interested, and once I know more, I'm planning on fighting that thing again. I could use your help along with anyone else that might be willing."[break][break]

A lie.[break][break]

Since when did he resort to dishonesty? Yet in his mind, this was the path to go on, or else more lives would be put at stake.[break][break]

A clock sits neatly on the wall behind Andrea. His eye takes a glimpse of the slow-moving hand, time had moved along faster than he thought. His face eases up and stands fully back up, a slight smile worn out across his face.[break][break]

"Thanks for all the help Andrea. I'm sure you must be busy still with wrapping up the contest so I don't want to hold you for any longer. Maybe we'll see each other again if you hold another one."[break][break]

A wave of his hand marks his farewell before he opens the door behind him. Setting out in search of more information. While he hates the idea, he may have to turn to the enemy for more clues.

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