[System]
Current EXP: 0

Inventory:

Clothing: Alpha Rabbit Loin cloth, Medium bone and spider silk armor,

Weapons: Bite, Sharp Claws,

Acquired Skills:

Beast Tamer: See Character.

Sharp Bite: Sharpened bite is a relatively simple move allowing the user to perform a bite attack and draw blood not useful in most situations but when to use in close range fights can decisively turn the tide of battle, when upgraded can tear off limbs of enemies with ease.

Knowledge of the 3: knowing the names of the god and goddesses of the world they live in they can now properly worship them. Ramos god of light and the sun, Duvelna goddess of death and the night, Shirila the goddess of the earth and nature.

Unarmed combat, beginner: learned how to fight with ones bare hand and understands how to block and strike with one's own hands

Rookie camouflage: This goblin has learned how to use the environment to its advantage and hide even in plain sight. At higher levels will grant total camouflage regardless of environment.

Bloody strike: this goblin has learned to find the most vulnerable part of its prey and strike to cause massive bleeding damage. Warning: ineffective against inanimate objects or undead.

Gravekeepers spirit: These goblins are able to feel the strength of those that have long since passed. When near a dead body or a skeleton the goblins are able to draw strength without the requirement of being necromancers. Even carrying a skull as an adornment allows the goblins to be stronger, faster, lighter as they draw strength. However, drawing all the strength of a certain dead body or their parts will cause it to disintegrate into dust.

Silk Spinning: they have learned how to create their own silk through their fingertips, allowing them to create traps and snares without supplies. However, it isn't controllable at first and acts like silly string.

Echolocation: The ability to hear noises clearly within their immediate vicinity by creating a sound eg.a snap of the fingers, click of the tongue etc.

Vampirism: the ability to regain health by drinking the blood of other creatures

Nocturnal: Gain bonuses to both sight and sound when at night, during the day makes seeing farther distances harder.

Equilibrium: ability to balance on precarious positions like being upside down and still being able to identify the proper directions

Titles:

Blessings:

Blessings of the dead: This goblin has been blessed by the goddess of death herself he and whoever follows him now gain the ability to earn double XP. With each kill they gain, they make an offering to the goddess and it is as if her deathly presence approves of each kill. Each offering of a dead kill now offers double XP. This Hobgoblin also receives the following benefits. The ability to see and eat souls for one. He can also learn necromancy easier. Then He has mental debuff resistance and dark magic resistance.

Devils luck: they are all lucky to be alive, and it shows in how well they take chances...

Curses/ negative effects:
Dread: a creature of immense power saw them. They are filled with fear and genuinely fear for their lives. While they didn't see what it was that was staring at them the mere presence the creature exudes even from such a vast distance couldn't remove the knowledge that they were dead if they dared to challenge the beast.

Current Evolution: Hobgoblin - Day 0

Past evolutions and xp:
Hobgoblin -

Notable places: Directions from starting church.
small cave to the south west.
Wolves to the west, dangerous in packs beware of alphas.
Venomous vipers to the south east.
Venomous spiders to the North East
Bats to the north, they hide in trees during the day to hide from the sun.
also possible legendary beast to the far far north.
Gender: Male

Appearance:

Hobgoblin "The Variant" - This goblin has been changed in a more dramatic way then his siblings. Throughout his interactions and his training, he was changed making him as large as the others that have evolved however his skin tone has changed to that of pale white. This makes him stand out easily however his skin tone gives him the special affinity for death. His skin has gone pale and as such it will make him harder to not be seen however he can just as easily train his skill to blend with the environment. His claws have grown longer and sharper rivaling that of a wolves claws and his teeth have since become sharper as well making his biting skill more effective. Clearly if looked on in the right light he might look like a wraith or a vengeful ghost. He still has the three claw marks over the right side of his head and ear, as well as the mark on his left side. These marks, although still pale, are slightly darker than his current skin tone. Thanks to his goddess Duvelna, he now has 4 black claw marks stretching from the top of his right shoulder to his lower left abdomen as a sign of his faith.

Goblin - Gird has an average height and strong build. His skin is a darker than average shade of green with lighter green blotches abound giving him an almost natural forest camouflage. Gird also has two white birth marks. One looks like he was scratched by something with three claws down the right side of his head, and the second looks almost like something big bit him in the left side of his abdomen. His black hair is normally kept short and his eyes hold a yellow color.

Personality: Stoic, Brave, Stubborn, and Blunt are a few words that can describe this particular male. His loyalty to the tribe will not falter for any promise of gold or harm. He holds within him a sense of duty to his people and will do what he thinks he must do to protect them.

Past Life History: Grid was once known as Victor. A tall brute of a man with a soft spot for animals. Victor worked with a group that protected endangered animals from poachers by hunting poachers. He was even able to befriend a few of the wild animals that were around. But one day while on patrol he was mauled to death by a wounded predator.

Skill: Beast Tammer — a trait carried over from his past life. It allows him to befriend and tame beasts. Some that are lower level than he is, to the point he wouldn't learn anything from them, may very well simply ignore him or treat him as one of their own. Either way Gird seems to have a natural affinity with taming or understanding beasts and monsters.

Other: He simply wishes that one day he will be a mighty goblin that will be able to protect his tribe for years to come.

[User]
Humans fear the unknown, for they can not understand what is beyond it. Humans can have the purest of souls or the darkest of lives but one thing that connects all men and women is death. Death does not discriminate for it was their time to die. However what is beyond death? They say in the Christin faith that it is heaven and hell for those of the Jewish faith there is no hell. Some simply believe that death is the end and there is the only darkness that awaits and they are partially true.

For a rare few they are given the chance to change and are unknowingly thrust into a world that won't forgive failure or weakness. In this world, they are born as weak creatures but with the rare ability to grow in not only height but to a completely different lifeform entirely. This is the story of a few of those that are born on this day and will go out into this unforgiving world and change it in ways never thought possible, this is their story...

---

Darkness everlasting. It is all that could be seen and while it is very unsettling it is also somewhat calming. Anything from the darkness is forgotten or buried deep in the back of their minds. They don't know what is going on but soon they realize that they were dead or rather that something is happening.

Soon a soft shuffling could be heard getting closer and closer to them. When they opened their eyes the light was blinding for a brief moment before it was revealed that they were in a church and that their skin was green. While they were very tiny one word came to mind immediately

Goblin

They knew it the second they opened their eyes. The elder goblin shuffled closer to them seeing the goblin that would be soon be known as Goblin Grandpa. "Come little ones time to wake up" The goblin said in a raspy voice looking over each and every one of the baby goblins with a discerning eye gently waking each one to see the world around them and to see which one will become the strongest.

---

On the third day when the young goblins would be strong enough to walk the elder ones who have become hobgoblins will be back after another hunt. No doubt to give the new young ones their last given meal before they would be forced to hunt for themselves just like their elder brother and sisters. None get a free pass forever and that was one of the rules that governed the world. If you want to eat you have to earn the right to do so by hunting and getting your own meal. They didn't always live in a church until recently they had lived in a cave not far from here but the young hobs found this place and took it from the undead skeletons that had called this place home. Now they have stone walls and giant oak doors to defend themselves properly then before. He knew the young hobs would be back soon to greet their younger goblin brothers and sisters...

[Assistant]
Kir

Day 0 || Morning || Church

It was so...so frustrating! To be so small, to not be able to move at first! Over the following days it would get better, bit by bit, until Kir found herself unable to sit still as soon as she was able to first move about. Moving about the church, looking for cool rocks or trinkets or such to grab up into her own little pile, examining the place, examining the others, all of it! If nothing else to get a better idea of things. Strange memories of someone that 'used' to be her hung in her mind as well, what they did and were and that basic stuff, but nothing more beyond that. She got the feeling they weren't her, but also 'had been' her at the same time. It was strange, in a way, but nothing she would think hard on for the time being at all.

After all, it was a new day! The day she could escape the church, and finally stretch her legs into the forest to get an idea of more things as well. But Grandpa had said to wait for the hobs to get back with their last meal...ugh! She wanted to ask about the layout of the forest, and get out there already to explore it all so she could get started! To this end, Kir was already pacing around the entrance to the church itself. She'd already snuck this far as soon as she could simply crawl it the night before, before Grandpa had drug her back!

"They need to get here already!" the admittedly attractive female goblin said aloud, before giving a light childish 'huff' and sitting down in front of the great doors.

Was she being impatient? Yes. But to be frank, living in a tiny body unable to move only a few days ago had left her with a desire to get some fresh air. Not that she wanted to die, that's why she was still here at the church after all, but to hell if she was sitting around forever. That, and being hungry was honestly probably getting under her skin just a little bit. Just a little.

EXP:

Inventory:

Acquired Skills:

Titles:

Blessings:

Curses:

[User]
Hobgoblin Gird  A new day /// Day 0 // Morning

A gentle morning breeze blew through forest, a lush green landscape full of strange wildlife and curious plants. One such animal was a small brown and white rabbit, its defining feature being a sharp pointed horn protruding from its skull. The small creature was quick to move from bush to bush. As beautiful as the landscape may be danger and predators could be lurking around every corner. The horned rabbit was taking its time nibbling on what grass or leaf's it could get to and moved on to the next bush.

A blur was all the rabbit would see as it seemed to be devoured by a bush. A small squeak came from the rabbit as it fought to break free from the bush that seemed to stand up. In between the branches and leaves one could make out the form of a humanoid. Sharp white teeth tightened down just behind its back. One might think that the humanoid missed but as it pulled its mouth away from the bunny a small white wisp seemed to be pulled away from the animal. With one last jerk the white wisp was pulled from the rabbit and swallowed.

The bush shook itself free of several of its branches revealing bone tied together with web strands and dried tendons over pale white skin. Several scars showed through the pale skin, black marks over its chest and torso with paler ones across its head and thigh. The pale skin and goblin scent of this rather ghost looking hobgoblin was covered and concealed with mud, grass, and pieces of the bush he was pretending to be. Quickly he made his way back toward the church with three rabbits as his morning catch for the young ones, he already ate the first one he found.

The church was always a comforting sight. Not only was it made of stone like the cave they started in but it had giant doors and it was almost as tall as the trees around it for a vantage point. On top of that it held many secrets still to be found. His memory of the night they cleared out the church and the skeletons that they had to destroy flashed through his mind. After that he woke up like this, hell they all woke up to be different.

Hobgoblin Gird walked confidently through the main doors of the church to find the goblin elder helping the newest additions to their group. One could see some differences right away but for some they just looked regular. Hopefully they could become strong members of the tribe. "Goblin Elder, I have returned with three rabbits for food. I did not clean them hopefully some of these can do something with them." Gird set the rabbits down next to the elder and nodded, "I split up from the others I don't know what they will bring back."

EXP: 0

Inventory: Purple Book?

Clothing: Alpha rabbit loin cloth

Armor: Medium bone and spider silk armor

Weapons: Sharp Bite, Claws,

Acquired Skills: Beast Tamer, Sharp Bite, Knowledge of the 3, Unarmed Combat: beginner, Rookie camouflage, bloody strike, Grave keepers Spirit, Silk Spinning,

Titles:

Blessings: Blessings of the dead, Devils luck,

Current Injuries:

Curses:


[System]
Age: 16

Gender: Female
Height: 5'5"
Weight: Sensitive
Eyes: Chocolate
Hair: Vibrant

Role: Birthed Unit

Abilities and Augmentations:

* Stay Down, Okay?: Audra's bread and butter involves the use of her hands and feet, both of which come loaded for bear. There's not a whole lot of finesse to it, it's a matter of using her extensive martial arts training in a more offensive manner. A favorite of hers is an uppercut followed by a roundhouse kick, but her opener tends to involve jabs and a strong hook while using kicks to offset a fist combo or, more often, mobility. Her lack of weapon affinity with anything other than her own hands and feet means improvised weapons are next to useless in her hands.
* I'm Not Weak, You Know.: It's not unheard of for Audra to take her flurry of strikes to the natural next level and implement takedown tackles or grapples. This takes much more strength and stamina - as well as 'gas' from her boots - so she tends to use it on smaller, easily incapacitated targets or when she's trying to end things quickly. Or when she's wanting to show off. Her favorite is a German suplex but a power bomb comes in handy when showing off the strength in small packages.
* It's The Passion For My Friend!: In desperate situations or for the extra flourish, Audra can 'ignite' her limbs for an almost literal explosion of fury. She hasn't mastered the control of it - in theory she'd be able to use it to enhance her punches or kicks - but as it stands now it takes all she has to just use it once. It's desperate and it does more harm than good as it leaves her unable to continue fighting.
* Full Throttle, Yeah!: Audra is strong on her own despite what her frame might lead some to believe. She's been trained in martial arts from a young age and her body, thanks to the Birthed program, has adapted well. But had she not gone through the procedure her strength would have started and ended with knowing the basics of things like judo. With the procedure, she's had her arms and legs modified. Her arms have vambraces attached and her legs have greaves, both of which need fuel for her to remain effective. The fuel to her augments are what allows her to throw, lift, punch, and kick well above her normal physical capabilities. Every punch, kick, dodge, when used takes fuel from her limbs. She has a tendency to not notice or concern herself with how much she has left.

Appearance: Audra doesn't look like an intimidating person at a glance and in truth she isn't trying to be but there's no denying that in the average height girl there is a certain strength of presence. While not a behemoth of muscle and definition, she does have definition and the build of someone who has devoted themselves to a regimen. Her hair was once a lustrous black but she has since dyed it and often changes it depending on the season. Her hair she makes sure to style in ways to keep out of her eyes otherwise they would just get in the way when it came to the important things in life. Namely fighting and protecting her friend.

Personality/Background: It comes as no surprise that Audra is a bit reckless and tends to be proactive rather than reactive, especially when it comes to matters of protecting those she cares for. In her mind, so long as she's protecting them with her fists then it doesn't matter what happens to her. She's a weapon after all and what are weapons for if not protecting those who can't do so themselves? That this belief is rather selfish is quite lost on her. Her heart is in the right place even if the rest of her isn't. Her willingness to put herself in harm's way stems from her youth.

Audra was born into the program but was almost considered a failure from the start. Her body was rejecting the procedures and her scores on aptitude and tests were lower than others in the program. Not everyone was a success, but Audra grew up around older sorts whispering about her which did a number for her developing self esteem. Audra decided to try and leave, since she was finding she had no place; being called a 'failure' was all the reason she needed to try and go elsewhere. She didn't get very far, making it to the Village and running into, almost literally, a sickly young girl named Fiore.

Audra didn't understand how someone like Fiore, who seemed to be in failing health, could still be happy and smiling. That fascinated Audra, who had only ever known being a disappointment and not having any sort of positive reinforcement. So she stayed and talked with Fiore. When Fiore spoke of her desire to climb trees, Audra offered to carry the girl on her back and climb the both of them up. When Fiore shared that she was studying medicine, Audra injured herself by falling out of trees or tripping down hills in order to get scratches and bruises for the girl to mend. And with this friendship, Audra returned to the lab with a new outlook.

Now she had something worth fighting for and applied herself with that in mind. Her aptitude tests increased in score and she put forth the request to try a different set of tests. She wanted to protect her friend's smile with her own two hands so the scientists indulged her as a bit of a 'final request' as they still considered her a failure. They gave an injection and bonded her arms and legs with their current equipment and the failure found herself a success.

Audra put her all into the program and its testing knowing that her friend was doing the same in her studies. Audra wouldn't let herself be a failure. Her friend gave her a new lease on life, and Audra was going to return the favor.

[User]
Victor Asimov

---

 Location: At the Airstrip with his men >>> waiting on the recruits

It was morning. The smell of diesel fuel and rubber graced those near the concrete landing strip. Black streaks littered the runway from the weekly coming and goings of supply planes. A few large wood and metal hangars dotted the sidelines. Their huge doors remained closed hiding whatever may lay inside. On the outskirts of the airfield a small field of grass bled away to evergreen forest with a single paved road disappearing toward a large square structure.

A large Grey VTOL with the name Pegasus painted on the side, sat motionless near a fuel truck. A few workers wearing yellow reflective vests and orange hardhats moved between the truck and the VTOL. The cargo transport was an older model. Four giant propellers at the end of the wings could pitch up and down. Very good at maneuvering in tight quarters, had a decent top speed in higher altitudes, and could carry enough weight and had enough room for their needs. But, it was prone to mechanical issues and mid-flight system failures.

Outside toward the back of the giant VTOL stood six individuals. These six all wore the same clean dark green uniform. The uniform itself was neat but had several missing patches. The patches that were left where their names stitched above the right breast pocket and another tag above their left breast pocket that read, 'SOAS.' If one were to ask what the abbreviation meant, they would receive a simple answer. Special Operations Applied Sciences . The ranks they wore were mostly symbolic, the SOAS tag alone meant they had top secret clearance and mostly kept to themselves.

Out of the six one stood out as their leader. A tall strong man with shaved black hair and a near permanent scowl. Pinned to his right breast read the name 'Asimov.' A metal band jutted slightly out from his right temple and curved its way across his right eyebrow. A similarity all the soldiers shared. This piece of tech was implanted just the other day. Their skin still a bit red around the edges.

This tech wasn't connected to any system within them and didn't augment them in any way. But it did allow them to communicate and display the information given to them by their designated Virtual Intelligence or V.I. a 'gift' from the scientists. However, the soldiers had their suspicions that the V.I.'s were really just there to spy on them for the scientists and keep an eye on the recruits.

The soldiers were being quiet, spending their time watching the flight crews go through their final pre-flight checks. A darker skinned soldier with some Samoan ancestry spoke up first. The name 'Saga' pinned to his wide chest. He didn't speak to anyone in particular while he slowly turned to look toward the square complex in the distance.

"So, you guys think these kids are ganna be worth it?"

The large man's question was met with silence. But eventually someone decided to chime in. a short red head with a bit of Irish descent. Her hair was wrapped up in a neat bun with freckles sprinkled across her face. The name 'Kerr' sewn on her blouse.

"Yeah, cute kids that are a bit rough around the edges. All they need is for a bunch of guys like us to light a fire under their arse to get them going. They'll be killing machines in no time."

The rest of them got a good laugh in before they became silent again. They all found themselves standing in a line and looking off in the direction these recruits were supposed to arrive from. For now, they weren't behind schedule just yet. The fun for them would begin when they got on base. Until then, they would remain silent casually going over the files of the recruits that are meant for their squads and getting used to their new assistants.

[Assistant]
---

PICTURE

---

---

Kiki was bored with all, the self imposed isolation of her searches; she thought self imposed because short of confining her in an energized faraday cage. The drab little virtual world of the village but she loved how all her mother's friends her self appointed family had gathered around her and expressed how happy and sad they were to see her go.

"What a strange world surrounds me?"

She thinks as she now sits atop two large canvas gym bags, one containing her private undergarments; handmade by her mom and her two assistants. It was strange to think how the most private garments she owned had by and large been made using a 3D factory. You see her mom was a Cyber Psychologist who specialty was the development of AI's; some thought wrongly that Kiki's ability was why when her own mom abandoned her Doctor Amelia Moondance adopted her; no Kiki was daughter of the Pagan woman's spirit.

The other bag held her necessary items in case there was a supply issue and a pair of knee high pink silk pajamas decorated in 108 different fairy dragons which Kiki had used a spider silk loom normally used to make cloth combat armor and web gear. She loved them and prayed the new handlers weren't allowed to take them as it would be difficult to replace them and she had molded them so that the thread patterns gave were they should and tensioned when they could; the top was actually a pull over made to look like a short silk kimono and the whole outfit shed water quickly (84% in 5 seconds) and dried in 9 seconds even after total immersion. She usually told anyone who saw them she liked them for all the cute dragons.

Then a song intruded her reverie as she waited to board lost in the winds of memory; it was what she called a sport signal, one that mysteriously gained strength and demanded her attention.

It was a Lovely song called Bloodlip and it was so good Kiki began dancing with her eyes closed to the tune which only she heard.

A gentle but brief hand to her shoulder snapped Kiki out of her dance, it was mom biting her lower lip arked nearby was a lab car with Toshi who Kiki knew loved to be called senpai by her and beside him was Dave her mom's other assistant both men her ersatz uncles.

You're late Mom says Kiki as she embraced her. I was hoping for a limo

Her mom smiles and grabs the two meager bags looking at her daughter and asking

How can this be all you're taking?

Mom I'm going to be military trained so the first thing they'll do is dress us all alike, who knows they might shave our heads.

Under that consideration I have packed 12 different pair of underwear, my pink PJs, shower sandals, tampbft…. answered Kiki till her mom pressed her finger to her lips for silence.

I forgot my daughter is a practical witch then in a well executed display of prestidigitation her mom produces a small black box motioning they climb on the glorified electric golf cart's rear seat.

As they head to the waiting aircraft Kiki opens the box and finds and exquisite handmade Pentacle of silver wire sitting at the center of a fine but strong spider's web of silver wire. The size of a half dollar it is provided with a squires chain 20 inch necklace her mom helps put it on her.

No one says a word after that and even when they drop her off at the edge of the flight apron there is only silence as she kisses them all on the cheek and grabs her bags turns and bounces towards the waiting craft enjoying a song Toshi gave her at the party
You don't get me High anymore

[User]
Saying goodbye was not something that crossed Audra's mind nor did she quite understand others doing it, but it had been what Fiore wanted to do and the least Audra could do was wait outside. Leaving the village could only be seen as a good thing in the case of the brown-eyed girl standing with her arms at her side and looking towards the sky; she didn't have many fond memories of the place and she didn't really have anyone to say goodbye to. She knew others in the lab and she knew Fiore, and in the case of the latter she was coming with. Audra was taking everything about the village she cared about with her. So saying goodbye didn't make any sense.

Everything had been leading to this moment, the training, the hard work, it culminated in today - the day those selected were flown away and who was even sure when or if they would be coming back. If Audra was excited it didn't show on her face. If anything she was happier for her friend than anything else. She knew firsthand how much this meant to Fiore, how excited she must have been to see the results of her work and dedication paying off in strides.

Audra, on the other hand, saw it as just an expected result. When she had made it through the rigorous and uncomfortable training program it was instilled in her that this was where it would lead. With that in mind as the dawn of the departure rose the only feeling Audra had was that of expectation. But for the sake of her friend, she would feel wistful. If this was the last she saw of the village and its people, well at least she would remember the trees. The grass and how it felt when falling off said trees. The skinned knees.

Audra stirred when her friend appeared, no doubt having said the necessary goodbyes to bring a sense of closure. "Are you ready, Fiore?" Audra spoke, smiling at the sight, the memories of how they had helped each other get to this place swimming at the forefront of her mind. The skinned knees and near broken bones had been worth it.

"I can carry you there. If you want." The offer was there, but even if it wasn't accepted Audra knew the two of them would arrive together. They'd come this far, and now they could carry on together. With the others.


[System]
Monster Type: Skeleton
Gender: "PAPYRUS."
Occupation: "FORMER SENTRY OF SNOWDIN…BESTFRIEND AND BEST BROTHER!"
Weapon?: "MY SPECIAL ATTACK IS STILL MISSING!"
Armor?: "NYEH HEH HEH! SO YOU'VE NOTICED MY BATTLE BODY, HAVE YOU?"
Magic (up to three): "BONE ATTACKS, AND MY FABLED BLUE ATTACK!" As well, Papyrus seems to have the greatest pull out game/control in regards to his attack power, being able to leave Frisk at 1HP.
Personality: Papyrus is a kind and naive skeleton. Unlike his brother Sans, Papyrus works hard and is determined to always reach his goals (Which will never happen because he has no luck). When it comes to fighting, Papyrus is enthusiastic to show just how well lessons from Undyne are paying off, though he prefers to dazzle the humans with his crafty and well-built puzzles. Papyrus is always giving his all at being a good friend, and always takes his job seriously.
Bio: Before the first Frisk incident, Papyrus lived with his brother Sans in the town of Snowdin, where the two worked as a sentries for the area. After the first Frisk incident, Papyrus became Frisk's absolute number one best friend, helping him with his journey and with making new friends. In fact, without Papyrus, Frisk never would have been able to beat Asriel...mostly because he tricked Undyne into becoming Frisk's friend, but that's all in the past! After the barrier Papyrus was given the task of guarding his friend Flowey's flower pot prison, a great honor bestowed upon him.
Appearance:

"I AM SO GREAT IN THIS PICTURE."

-----

"I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, WOULD SMOOCH A GHOST!
...THOUGH, NEITHER GHOST NOR SKELETONS SUCH AS I HAVE LIPS, SO..."

[User]
Underground Search Party-Ruins

Skylar mentally face palmed herself at the fact that Aria had seen through her smile so easily. But she didn't let it fall as Aria introduced herself and explained what happened just as Papyrus (with Flowey), Celes, and David entered the room. She was glad that she was able to hear Aria, but she wasn't sure about the others. She watched as both Celes and David tried to use their healing magic on Aria to get her back to normal size. Aria remained at the same height, but both Celes and David would learn that their healing magic would need the help of the original caster in order to get Aria back to normal size.

Before Skylar could answer Aria, Papyrus already spoke up and Skylar couldn't help but smile genuinely as Papyrus spoke and introduced everyone in the room to Aria. When Papyrus introduced her, Skylar waved hi to Aria, and she said "It's nice to meet you, Aria," She smiled widely as she held back another laugh as Papyrus became distracted by the dollhouse that was in the room. Welp, she knew what Sans was going to get Papyrus for the next holiday. She shook her head to answer Papyrus's question about humans being naturally tiny.

However, her attention went to a sudden glow that was coming from Sans's other hand and she asked out loud in confusion "Huh?". It was the key. It was glowing a golden aura as it suddenly lifted itself out of Sans's hand and flew towards the door, back further into the Ruins, and towards the door, and possibly the rest of the group. Skylar stared after it with wide eyes and after snapping out of the surprised stupor, she shook her head and dashed after it, only to find that it had placed itself into the keyhole and opened the door. Skylar released a breath out of relief; At least they didn't have to try and catch the key. That would make for a very annoying puzzle.

She walked back to the others back in the room with the dollhouse and she told them, "Well...the door's open. We can continue on,"

---

Surface Group

Forest

Annie didn't listen to the voice. Now whether she knew who was calling after her or not was not made clear, but she kept on running, stubbornly desperate in trying to reach the town. There weren't anymore low hanging branches that she could use to hit her pursuer, but she made do with whatever else she could pull out from her bag (marbles, smoke screen, and throwing a pair of socks behind her. Scandalous!). It wasn't long after she used the last item that she managed to reach the town.

Town of Ebbott

Annie dashed down the sidewalk, making sure to weave through the thinning crowd (and shoving past them if she had to). The sun was starting to set, and Annie made a sharp turn into an alleyway as soon as she could, trying to disappear into the darkness of said alleyway.

[Assistant]
Erion saw the girl tired with all her might to escape. He didn't want to let her leave. He kept running, going as fast as he can, dodging branches and also jumping over anything she throw out of her bag. God those running exercises that his old fencing teacher gave him payed off. He kept running, until he got in the town of Ebbott. He knew he had to catch up to her real soon, or else he would lose her. Soon he saw her again as she shove people around to run away. He moved quickly, dodging people as he moved, soon seeing her move in a alleyway. He moved in to catch up to her.
"Wait! I just want to talk! Please!" he yelled, really worried right now. He hoped he could convince her... maybe make her givea chance to monsters. At least get her to see that not all of them are bad, just that with everything that happened, some are less... used to being so close to humans.
"I am alone, that monster that chased you was unconscious in the forest." he then adds.

---

Celes smiled as she looked at Papyrus and chuckles softly at what he said, smiling. Well, he was... adorable she could say. Like a innocent child maybe. Pure of heart... but also... maybe gullible unfortunately. She looked at the flower a bit more. She would need to keep a close eye on it she guessed. Sure, it didn't do anything, but a flower doesn't just start to speak and such. There was something special about it. She just didn't know what to think about it. Maybe it was friendly, maybe it was not, she was not sure. Maybe if she did show friendship to it, it would be nice to her and others... maybe not. She just didn't know. So she walked forwards, smiling also that Sans found the key. Finally the group could move forwards. She hoped they would find Frisk soon.

[User]
Chen paced around out of boredom as everyone tried to solve the puzzle. This was such a waste of time, those girl monsters were going to pay. He would make sure of it. Someone got startled by his presence and he jumped in surprise as well. "Oh, sorry about that." 'He's on to me. They're all onto me.' His head swiveled over to Papyrus, who was in the middle of a riveting conversation with the fat skeleton and what appeared to be a tiny human. 'Except for him. I need to stick by him. Nobody is willing to upset him.'

Chen walked over to Papyrus with a smile on his face and a greeting in store. And then a key flew past Chen's head, nearly smacking into his face. Chen turned around and followed the key to his destination and let out a genuinely happy grin. "Nice job guys! Now we can go in further!" Chen turned back to Papyrus and looked at him in admiration. 'One step closer to immortality. Your days are numbered Frisk. You're my key to the Boss Soul.'

[Assistant]
Undyne was busy searching the dollhouse for an all-important solution to the puzzle and had gone up to her neck into the upper floor of the tiny house looking for it when Skylar announced that the door had been unlocked. "That door is open already?" Undyne said, disappointment apparent in her muffled voice. "Aww, I was hoping there would be a tiny piano in that tiny house. Why does no one respect the piano!? Fine, let's just nggah-" Undyne said then stuttered as she tried to stand up, only to find that she probably should not have tried to wedge her head inside that tiny window just a minute ago. Her fingers wedged in between her neck and the diminutive window pane, she tried a few times to free herself but to no avail. Her breathing becoming heavier and more desperate, Undyne's eyes darted from one side of the tiny room to the other, wondering who had dared to play this devious prank on her. No, not a prank. A trap. A most cunning trap. One might even say...a challenge?

"You devious tiny house!" Undyne shouted loud enough to shake the roof of the dollhouse. "You may be cool and full of neat things, but if you think you can trap me like this....THEN I WILL STRIKE! YOU! DOWN! NGAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

*musical cue*

With a tremendous shout Undyne brought both fists down on the roof and ripped her head from the window simultaneously, causing a tremendous shower of broken wood as she utterly destroyed the roof of the dollhouse in her escape. Pausing to utter a victorious laugh, she turned to the others in the group triumphantly, her good eye twitching and wood splinters tangled in her red hair.

"THE DOOR IS OPEN, IT'S FRISK-SAVING TIME, NERDS! HYAAAA!"

Thus with another triumphant shout, Undyne summoned one of her magic spears and barreled past the group, charging through the door to whatever was on the other side.

[User]
Neither my, nor Celes' magic worked on the newcomer, who introduced herself as Aria, and I came to the conclusion of "We're gonna need the twins to reverse this spell. Sorry, Aria, I guess I can't he-" my voice got cut off by the door opening, and Undyne shouting that it was Frisk-saving time. Before I bolted off like I assumed the rest would do, I remembered that odd note I found in the lever. I showed the note, which went on about a doctor, and how he's going to be a father soon to both Sans and Aria, wondering if either of them had any idea who wrote it, or why it was down here.
'Today was another busy day at the hospital, as usual. I am glad to say that Mrs. Hudson's operation went smoothly, and she now no longer suffers from knee pain. Her husband certainly seemed relieved, and I am glad that the operation was a success, with no complications. Other than that, I have done the usual check ups with my patients. I fear that Mr. Baskerville may have to come back in for another check up...he may have an infection.

Annabelle just told me the most wonderful news today! I'm going to be a father! A father! I can hardly believe it! We're going to have a family! My hand is shaking as I continue to write this entry. I am not sure whether it is from my joy or my anxiety. Will I be a good father? Will I be able to raise my son/daughter properly?

I suppose only time can tell...'
"So... why do you think that note was HERE, of all places?" I finally asked the two. Of course, I was really just stalling to make sure Chen wasn't in the back of the group... as, again, that's the best time to backstab someone... and I'd rather this whole thing go through without anyone dying. Once the group answered, I slowly made my way to the next room, remembering that it should still have a dummy... that is, unless some monster actually brought it up to the surface for... whatever reason. Unfortunately, due to the fact that I stayed behind, I couldn't actually see what the next room had to offer, and since I wasn't as tall as Papyrus, or Undyne, I couldn't try to see over them without flying, which was something I didn't really want to do, given how low the ceiling was right now. I wonder if that dummy's still here... I've got a plan if it is. I thought as I tried my best to see what was in the room, though, again, the fact that everyone else was ahead of me, and several of them were taller, I couldn't tell whether I had to improvise, or if I could use the dummy for my future plans.

[Assistant]
The taller skeleton did not have time to be embarrassed at his incorrect assumptions about humans, as his eyes popped out of their sockets at Undyne's destruction of the tiny house…which was admittedly some form of clever trap, now that she had pointed such out…Papyrus took a moment to stare down sadly at the broken pieces scattered along the floor, "OH…WHAT A PITY THAT UNDYNE DESTROYED IT, EVEN IF IT WAS BUT A CLEVERLY DISGUISED TRAP!"

Seeing the human boy smile at him admiringly, Papyrus returned with a innocuously friendly smile all his own, before reacting in surprise at Undyne's exclamation nearly a room away. The thing that came from his brother's hand, and the door unlocking…?! Taking a few steps along to follow with the rest of them, his eyes popping out of their sockets again, "OH MY GOD, SANS, YOU SOLVED A PUZZLE THAT ISN'T A BORING WORD SEARCH OR CROSSWORD…AND WITHOUT MY HELP! I'M SHOCKED, BUT ALSO INSANELY PROUD!

IT WAS DUE TO MY, THE GREAT PAPYRUS', PROFOUND AND GREAT INFLUENCE THAT YOU HAVE BECOME TO GREAT IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME! OF COURSE, I KNEW YOU WERE CAPAPBLE OF SUCH A GREATNESS, I WAS JUST NOT EXPECTING SUCH SO SOON!" Eye going bit teary, he watched one in an almost admiring way all his own. Oh no, what if his brother got better at him with puzzles, would that mean he, the great Papyrus, would have to become the lazy one?! No, such a thing…! Shaking his skull, and noticing one of their fellow monster companions staring over at Flowey…

Holding the flower pot, and subsequently the Flowey out before him, presenting...one mitten set on his own chest-piece, "AH, I SEE YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MY FLOWER POTTED FLOWER PRISONER, AND BY EXTENTION….THE GUARD TASKED WITH GUARDING HIM, WHICH IS I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS! IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, AS I AM FULL OF HELPFUL INFORMATION THAT I AM NOT SHY WITH SHARING, AS SUCH VITAL PIECES OF INFORMATION THAT WOULD LIKELY NEED TO BE KNOWN IN ORDER FOR US ALL TO CONDUCT OURSELVES…!"


[System]
"Come now, we're only outnumbered ten to one. I'd say the odds are in our favor!"

Sprite:
Nicknames/Title:

Gender: Male

Marital Status: Single.

Age: 25

Sexuality: Straight

Family Ties:
Petros Argyris - Uncle / Only living family member not associated with Mustaf's treachery and subsequently current head of the household.
Carmela Argyris - Mother / Former Lady of the house / Currently serving a prison sentence for her actions in the war with her husband.
Gavriil Argyris - Father /Former Head of the Argyris family/Former advisor to Emperor Mustaf/Believed to have died during the war.

Class: Mage

Weapon Mastery(ies): Tomes

Inventory: Arcwind
 Arcfire
 Arcthunder

Personality:
 Tybalt is a flirtatious scoundrel, a free spirit with a swagger about him. He is bold, gallant, and practically exuding charisma. Unusually outgoing and sociable for a mage, he never passes up on a potential adventure or an experience and will jump at the opportunity to try something new. With a never say die attitude about life and carefree machismo to his actions, he possesses a sharp wit and a silver tongue that makes him extremely charming, though it can occasionally come off as insulting. Heroic and daring, Tybalt is quick to deliver a quip and a smile to brighten even the most somber of situations, making it easy to see why the people of Alistaf have warmed up to him.

However, beneath this outgoing and bold personality lies a man of compassion and kindness as well as impressive tactical acumen and magical knowhow. He may not act like it, but he is a very experienced and talented mage and tactician, brilliant and knowledgeable in his craft. While he more often than not spends his time using his magic to do simple parlor tricks and goof off, he truly has a untold brilliance when the situation demands it, revealing his intellect when the situation demands it. A cunning and calculating strategist, he is more than capable of assisting his unit when the time comes, both with his mind and his magic.

Biography:
Tybalt comes from the desert town of Alistaf, he hails from a noble family of dukes disgraced by their affiliation with the former dictator Mustaf. Once the city was annexed to Jotenvarr, his family immediately fell into bad standing with the new king. Even at a young age, he was very aware that the people of Alistaf despised his family's affiliation with a monster and also expressed shame at their defeat. They were only a noble house in name, prisoners of their own city and targets of their people's hatred.

This was something Tybalt refused to stand for. He began to feel it was his responsibility to give Alistaf back a member of nobility they could respect, and a noble house they could feel pride in. He worked tirelessly to assist his people, spending days in town trying to rebuilt broken homes and defend the city from bandits. He won their respect though hard work and determination, enough so that he caught the eye of Jotenvarr's royal guard. Already Tybalt could see that this was his chance to truely redeem his family's name by coming the Royal Guard to the king, to make up for the horrors his family had done during the way. He departed for the Capital on the very same day he received the invitation, intending to give it his all and prove he can be more than just some noble.

[User]
Hyakuya

More people were getting in. So all of them were in other squads but then their squadmates met their untimely deaths. And so they've been reassigned to other squads and coincidentally, the ended up in either Squad Trignita or Squad Quinque. Not that Kyakuya was complaining. It seemed that most squads composed of 6 people, like how they originally started, so they were completing their set.

Joan Croce. It was obvious that she was of noble blood, from her dress to her manners. "I had heard that Lord and Lady Croce had a daughter. I never knew that their daughter would dream of joining the army." As someone who had lived in Jotenvarr since the war and then lived in the palace, he had interacted or at least heard of talks about the nobility around here. And his ears were all too familiar with the family name Croce.

"I am Hyakuya, it is a pleasure to meet you Lady Croce. Hm... shall we call you by Joan perhaps? And I look forward to working with you." A troubadour, a healer on horseback one could say. She was needed in their squad and as one could easily see, without a healer, they would end up bleeding like Hyakuya did. He was better now but if they were to be injured in the middle of battle and cannot battle, that would pose a huge problem and thus a healer was needed.

[Assistant]
Mikhail Fuast

Mikhail had been moments away from unloading a rather snarky reply on Claude when he felt something… wrong. It wasn't the overly peppy Joan girl that made his skin crawl with her positive attitude and good manners. That was something that he had spent years growing accustomed to. No, it was more like a dark harbinger of inevitability that was eerily familiar. And then the door opened and everything became clear.

Walking like he owned the place, Scott's arrival was one that left Mikhail awfully conflicted. On one hand, the womanizer was somebody he could count on in a fight. On the other hand though, Scott also had an awful penchant for hu-

"Oof," Mikhail grunted ignobly as the other cavalier brought him into a most unwelcome embrace, which he had no intent on returning. For a man that kept most people at a figurative arm's length at all times, Scott was the one person that made it physically impossible to do so. Mikhail still wasn't sure if hated that wholeheartedly or merely hated it with a note of grudging respect.

"I find myself questioning a great deal of things," he replied, "Such as how a sorry lech like yourself is still in the military, much less a candidate for the royal guard." His words were one part harsh honesty, one part camaraderie. Unfortunately, Mikhail found himself unable to suppress a grin from surfacing, as it was never good to encourage Scott.

"Now while it is good to see you, can you let go? You're causing a scene."

[User] More and more people were joining the squads. A rather brash merc, apparently from Aika's squad, a Myrmidon - not from either of the squads in the room and a Red Knight who immediately struck a conversation with his green and rather depressive counterpart. Was that all? Fredrick was to join Aika's squad, but there still was no one to fill the missing place in their squad. Oh, there she is! An incredibly beautiful and graceful woman in a pink and white outfit entered the room and introduced herself. "Nice to meet you! I think we'll be teammates." - Pauline smiled at Joan. -"I'm Pauline at this ado- ahem, and this lady next to me is Aika." She lowered her voice slightly and turned to her companion - "See, you won't have to introduce yourself for the fifth time. Anyway, Joan, if you'd like, I could introduce you to others. I don't mind!"

[Assistant]
Aika Lennone

As Diana slowed her pace into a soft slumber, Aika herself calmed down as well, she wasn't at all embarrassed by laughing so much infront of people she barely knew, as she looked around the new faces with the same innocent smile that seemed to be her normal. When Joan introduced herself and Pauline introduced Aika, the cheery blue-eyed girl stood up to give Lady Croce a playful and exaggerated bow before turning to Pauline.

"Ahh," she began with a fake pompous royalty accent. "Many thanks, m'lady." she bowed in similar fashion, and then placed her hand on her chin in wonder. "Hmm, well I don't know about you but I'm getting kinda tired. And I think our next trials are tomorrow... Hopefully people start winding down soon. Either way, I'm gunna get ready for bed." she finished her thought more so directed out loud than to anyone in particular, even though she was sitting infront of Pauline.

With a turn and crawl across her bed, Aika made it to the center of the room before picking up her bag and exiting the quarters.

[User]
Azi Lukotta

Azi was laying on the bed, his mind just shy of being completely fizzled out. He'd only managed to retain his consciousness by concentrating on the people that came in. Even then, he'd still have to introduce himself to them, since he was too preoccupied to do that earlier. As the petting on his tail became less intense, he slowly became aware that Diana was also on his bed, still holding onto his tail. "... She might be a bit to close for my comfort." Azi would have gone to sleep regardless, since she was comfortable with it, but then he suddenly recalled something from the past...

-Four years ago-

"How are children born, father?"
"... How should I say this, when a man and woman are in the same bed together, the gods bless them with a child."
"Is it really that simple?"
"... Yes, Azi, that is how it is."

Blushing furiously, Azi pushed through his exhaustion and lightly shook Diana's shoulder. "W-we shouldn't be sleeping in the same bed, Diana!" he whispered to her with a slightly panicked tone.

[Assistant]
Claude

"I'm not sure of the 'fine' or the 'gentlemen' there, and I also don't like yer 'noble almighty' attitude." Claude's good mood (he was in a good mood, promise) had taken a turn for the worse with the improptu appearance of this stuck up noble boy.

"But if ya got ta know, I'm Claude. Claude Aster." Despite everything, perhaps Tybalt knew his name. The Asters were a famous family of mercenaries known for getting the job done when others could not. Claude too had made enough of a name for himself in the years he worked as a mercenary.

"You'll find no better merc to keep watch on yer back in this whole damn continent. I ain't from nowhere in specific, if I'm bein' honest." That was actually true, since Claude is not a citizen of any one kingdom or village.

---

Joan Croce

The first man to approach her was a man with black skin. Seemingly from out in the sticks, or so the girl thought. She kept that little rude thought under her hat and went on to give the man a sweet smile.

"A pleasure to meet you, sire Anu, and do not worry about me. I wished not to see them death, but I believe I've already worked my way past that." The girl said with a bit of a sad smile on her face, turning her gaze away from him some. "But it warms my heart to know that I know find myself with more good people." She smiled at Hiro again.

She then turned to Hyakuya, and it was at this time that the woman gasped with surprise. Was he the famous manakete who protected House Varr with all its might?

Joan quickly took his hands and started shaking them fervently, "Might you be lord Hyakuya? Oh, I have heard so MUCH about you. Mother and father have told me so much about you! A mighty Dragon, defending the mightiest of house Varr! To think you would know of one such as me, I am deeply honored! Please, call me by my name!"

After that sudden fit of fangirliness, the girl suddenly remembered that she had to keep the proper condecurum at all times.

"I-I am so sorry about that." She then turned to Pauline. "It is a pleasure to meet the both of you. Oh." The girl was surprised yet again.

Were they an item, she and Aika? The two of them... two women? Wow, she never really did expect for something like that to actually happen. Outside of fiction anyway.

"Yes please. I'd very much like you to introduce me to everyone else." The girl was quick to chase awaay her doubts in hopes of becoming good friends with the girl, and flashed yet another smile at Pauline.

[User]
Hyakuya

The Manakete was pleasantly surprised at the noble's reaction. Not only did she drop all forms of boundaries to take his hands and shake it, but she also practically fangirled. Those stories were true. He served as a loyal bodyguard to the castle itself, only being assigned to the front lines every now and then. What Hyakuya didn't know was that Lord and Lady Croce had actually talked about him. He was sure that he only exchanged a few words with the nobles just to greet them.

"I never thought myself to be famous but it is refreshing to see that someone actually acknowledges me." He said with a smile on his face. He kept a mental note to call her by her name and not by her family name. "As the daughter of one of the top nobles of Jotenvarr, I think it is mandatory that I know you. But we shall not let our titles hinder us from being comrades in battle." He continued. No matter the position or rank, they were all equal comrades and that was how Hyakuya would want everything to be like. He just nodded as she apologized because of what she did. He did not find it insulting but if it is her nature to do so, then so be it.

[Assistant]
Diana

Diana attempted to push off the hand that was shaking her to little avail. She gave a sleepy yawn and tried to talk at the same time resulting in something somewhat partly understandable. "Buwwww I duuuuun waaaan." With her opinion on the matter fully expressed Diana returned to her attempts to sleep, fondly stroking the tail every now and again. She had to get plenty of beauty sleep to be well rested and prepared for tomorrow after all.

[User]
Tybalt made a good attempt to shake off the mercenary's callous response to his extravagant introduction. This was not the first time his exuberant nature would be off-putting, and it most certainly would not be the last. The Argyris name was already dragged through the mud, one extra person being unimpressed by him, even if it was not for the reasons at hand, was something Tybalt had experience in shutting out.

"Oh come now, I was only trying to be friendly. Breaking the ice is always a challenge." Tybalt said, giving the merc a cheery grin. "It's a damn pleasure to meet you, Claude. From the reputation the Aster family possesses, you'll be a shoo-in to be a knight, eh?"

He clapped the mercenary lightly on the arm as he passed by, sliding in a chair with a cheeky smirk on his face. When the mercenary explained his expertise in protection, the mage was more than eager to lay another goofy joke upon his previous quip.

"Oh, for that I have no doubt, Sir Aster!" He said. "After all, you certainly showed that door what's what, right? I'd hate to be any inanimate object around you, my mercenary compatriot!"

He laughed, lightly elbowing Claude in the ribs. "No need to let what I get on your nerves, I don't mean anything by my jests. I'm actually quite happy to see more than just nobility among the chosen canidates. Jotenvarr made a good choice to pick skill over blood relations to defend the king. Nepotism is such a failed philosophy, people like you are the real reason kingdoms move at all, right?"


[System]
Alias/Nickname: Maelstrom, Jug, The Cauldron

Appearance:
He wears a pair crude leather shorts, that look like they might have been made from a blacksmith's apron, due the numerous pockets and general quality of the cloth. Standing at just under 8 ft tall, and weighing nearly 600 lbs, of scaled hide, thick bones, and hard muscle, he's no light weight and can take quite a punch.

Age: 576

Race: Troll

Personality: Usually an agreeable fellow, he tends to give what he gets, his attitude reflecting a tooth-for-tooth pattern with those around him. If he receives kindness, he returns it; if he receives cruelty he return that instead. He doesn't seem to harbor any driving emotions himself, preferring always to flow with the tide of emotions around him. How ever his eyes bely his cunning, and he often seeks to achieve his goals as indirectly as possible, or at the least at someone else's request. This isn't laziness, but a lifetime of being manipulated into serving others often at great personal cost.

Biography/history: Born long ago, to a fae mother and a water elemental father, he was born out of contract not love, which some would say his mother couldn't feel if she were drowned in it. Calder knows better, but he also knows better than to correct the poor fools. Knowledge is power, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time, so you never, ever give information or knowledge to someone else with out receiving something of kindred value. He has spent a lot of time, serving and giving of himself, so that he might receive knowledge and power of equal value to his services. He's been an enforcer, a guard, even a professional soldier, of sorts, for various fae lords and ladies. Few people know his heritage, few understand his beginnings, but Calder knows, and he isn't likely to share it. He is most comfortable fighting in melee, with mace and shield, bashing and pushing opponents into submission or oblivion as his orders dictated. He rarely makes a move himself, preferring to follow the lead of others. Partly so to absolve himself of blame, and partly to mask his true abilities and capabilities with arrogance and presumption of his commanding officers. Much of his pay was in the form of knowledge, knowledge of water and it's many forms and properties and knowledge of magic, mostly related to doing his job better. He has learned many things in his five and three quarters centuries of life. And his eyes show it, but if you let his manner deceive you, as many do, he's little more than a dangerous boy. Easily manipulated, and distracted, he seems to wander about from place to place, job to job, looking or nothing more than another good time of smashing beings someone is paying him to smash, for no other reason than that it pays the bills, apparently. Few pry any deeper, though one of the few who've tried is currently employed by the Stygian Blade Guild, and he's made a mistake, Calder is hunting in his own special, very patient way.

Calder seem's to be the embodiment, even the physical avatar, of the term passive-aggressive. He is well known in the fae circles for his work as a mid level enforcer for the fall court during his first three centuries of existence. He hasn't distinguished himself in any particular way, though he's never failed a job because he underestimated an opponent. The jobs he's failed were due to his having been poorly informed of the situation, or the unexpected involvement of third parties. Like all fae, his word is binding. He's never broken his word before, a mildly impressive feat at his age, and he's not about to throw that power away.

Reason for recruitment: Looking for friends again, it's been close to a century since he had any, but he remembers them and want to make new friends. At least, that's what he told the recruiter...

Strength of Will: Greater Will

Magic: Abjuration & Force.

God relations: He worships no God, instead he gives each their due, recognizing all but adhering to none.

Tech: {Boron nitride mace/Blasting rod(as per Harry's, boosts attack spells efficiency).}

{Magic shield, made of boron nitride with silver and iron embellishments. The shield itself is highly resistant to force magic, repelling it like magnets of like poles. It doesn't negate it, and strong enough blasts will still connect, but the little stuff, and a small part of the bigger stuff, will be repelled away from the shield face to hit something else. The shield is big enough that Calder won't get hit by any of the little stuff, but his allies might get hit instead. If he cares, a big if, he may try to repel the attack in a particular direction by angling the face of his shield, but that's no guarantee of the force reaction.}

{GreavesBoron nitrate plates, cold steel spikes. Enchanted to store kinetic energy as mana. Calder uses it to heal himself and allies after a fight.}

Possessions/items/property: Cargo shorts with extra dimensional pockets, delve at your own risk.

Skills: Calder Crush! A master of close quarters combat, he's learned most of what he knows on the job, not in some regulated arena, much less a peaceful dojo. His greatest skill is pattern recognition, in behavior, in thought, or in action, if a pattern exists he will find it, eventually. Natural regeneration, trolls don't die easy, never have never will, poisons are largely ineffective, wounds heal quickly, even up to full limb replacement, though that takes decades.

Name: Skanda Kulkarni

Alias/Nickname: Dark Ember

Appearance:

Age: 319(1322 as of Day 1)

Race: Hellknight

Personality: Imposing and grasping at the same time. Simply standing in his presence is enough to convince most that anything he wants is his, it's just easier that way. And this way you don't have to hear his hideous laughter as he delights in your suffering. He is utterly ruthless, willing to pay any cost to achieve his goals. Nothing stands before him long on or off the field of battle, but his pleasure is on the field of slaughter, the sounds of agony caressing his ears and often prompting his own hideous laughter. Mercy, Grace, Honor, and Tact are all dead to him, the servant of his God's hellish desires.

Biography/history: To few have survived long enough to piece together anything more than rumors of horror in regards to this creature. Though how much is true and how much is embellishment is anyone's guess. Despite this, his brutality and cruelty are considered unmatched by most who survive his passing.

Reason for recruitment: N/A

Strength of Will: Greater Will

Magic: Highly proficient in Earth and Illusion magic, Master of Necromancy, due largely to patron deity.

God relations: Cleric of the Blackened Flame.

Tech: Stygian armor and weapons. Armour enchanted to collect the souls of those slain nearby to feed him mana.

Possessions/items/property: Everything you once held dear.

Skills: Highly skilled with most melee weapons, though he favors pole-arms and massive two handed affairs, he can just as skillfully wield a short sword and tower shield should he desire to do so.

Misc: Dastardly fellow, he puts the laughter in slaughter.

[User]
Fresh Blood
Themerlinhawk
Day 1, Morning
Christian, Calder

Christian's voice came from the other side of the door. "Come in." He'd moved back to his perch in the window sill now that he'd handed off the assignment to The Master of Blade for all intensive purposes.

Turning Christian studied Calder as he walked in. Fae, troll by the look of it and too smart for his own good by half. It was always a pleasure and a headache to deal with the Fae, Crow was bad enough with his Shaitan blood, Calder looked like a whole different ball of wax. "What can I do for you my friend, I don't think we've been formally introduced yet. Christian hopped down from the window again and crossed the room. With a swift motion he drew his chair from the desk and cause another studier chair to grow from the floor on Calder's side. Sitting Christian clasped his hands in front of himself.

[Assistant]
Fresh Blood
Tracyarmav
Day 1, Morning
Christian, Calder
Calder opened the door, and ducked through as ordered, before closing the door behind him, perhaps a little harder than really necessary. He watched Christian as he moved from the window sill to his desk, considering the man whose service Calder had just joined. The Avatar of Storms did not disappoint, he was visibly a formidable person, though his aura of ... well his wealth of experience showed, and in a good way for a man leading a guild like this. Calder lumbered across the room, still playing the hulking brute for what it was worth, uncertain just how much the man before him could see through it. Falling gracelessly into the conjured chair, Calder spoke in a low monotone, clearly enunciating every word, though apparently with some difficulty.

"I am called Calder Dylan of late. You needed muscle, I wanted work. I'm not fond of fooormaaaaliities and would like to start right away. What tasks have you that I may do Stormlord?"

I consider Stormlord, he is a powerful entity and indeed a potential rival. IF I can myself become the Avatar of Water, a currently vacant position in the hall of avatars, but as of yet I had not made myself know to the Queen of Water. Hopefully after a few hundred years of working for the Stormlord I would be able to make an open bid for the position. That's not to say I would do nothing about it today, just that I would be careful to hide my hand as much as possible; including utilizing the stereotype "brute" that many people held, some of them unconsciously. Beings can't sell information they didn't know they had, and knowledge is power after all.

[User]
Fresh Blood
Themerlinhawk
Day 1, Morning
Christian, Calder

Christian flicked his eyes up to Calder and frowned. "It's been a long time since I've met a Fae that feels they're best served as a front line soldier". Christian pulled up an active roster and activated Calder. "If you really feel you're best served on the front line I'm sure Spectre and Megelis could use someone who is capable of knocking down walls and bashing in skulls."

Christian let the suggestion hang eyeing Calder suspiciously. It was probably a bad idea to offend Calder if he was in fact as intelligent as he appeared. At the same time it might be better to have a full Fae on board with this. "Do you belong to a court?" The question actually had little to do with Calder's front; it was an attempt to protect his mistress of Sight. Crow was a child of Yishreenok which was dangerous enough but he didn't need Oberon or Mab sniffing around if they figured out who Akime was.

[Assistant]
Fresh Blood
Tracyarmav
Day 1, Morning
Christian, Calder
That is why the fae breed trolls, like me. We are only half fae to them so throwing us into the fire is of little concern. It is what we are born to do, if it kills us... well, too bad but there will be other trolls.

Calder didn't think any of that was news to Stormlord, but perhaps it was... Hmm, it would be difficult to know what was and what was not news, especially to someone as old as Stormlord. Given his reputation, that shouldn't become a problem, just a minor nuisance at most. Calder had wondered why no one at recruiting had asked him his court, and was not surprised to be asked for it now. In truth he had payed his debts in full and owed no court any allegiance at the moment. However, Calder did have an outstanding offer of employment from Mab to protect the new Winter Lady. An offer he had declined on grounds of his being to young, and there by lacking in necessary experience, to protect one so important as she. Mab had laughed and said that the offer would remain open, if Calder ever changed his mind. Still that information wasn't something Stormlord would know about already and it could cause problems, so he'd have to figure that out on his own time.

I have paid my debts, no court holds my oath.

My gaze drifted to the window behind Stormlord, and the sky outside. I wondered what courts had agents employed in the Stormlord's guild and tried to think of any agents I knew of that might be suited to the service of this man. A few came to mind, but they were all busy with other assignments as I recalled... So to date, the Tower of Stars had yet to draw any official attention from the fall court. And nothing I'd seen or heard had indicated any particular interest from the other courts yet, but I hadn't been looking then so I might have missed something. Something to dwell on perhaps the Tower of Stars could provide me something besides experience... Hmm, if so, it would behoove me to do what I could to obtain their debt. I drop my gaze to Stormlord and return his question, with a slight tilt of my head to my left.

Have you a court Stormlord?

Calder Dylan was intrigued by the man before him, and was nearly willing to drop the facade simply for the sake of enjoying intelligent conversation with someone not trying to enslave him... Not yet, he decided. He wanted to finish his first mission and figure out where exactly he fit in this organization, before he started trying to change it too much. He might be on thin ice if the Stormlord had a grudge against the fae, and many who knew of them had plenty of reason to do so. Stormlord's words indicated that he had met several fae, perhaps even many fae, so that might be more probable than Calder hoped. He resolved to take extra precautions to give Stormlord exactly zero reasons to hate him in particular.


[System]
Age: 24
Magic: Lost Magic: Energy Control Magic; Mayt can control and manipulate various types of energy. He inherited this magic from his family.

Amplify - Amplifies a specified energy, cannot amplify magic.

Reflect - Reverses an energy, such as motion, at half of what it was originally.

Shape Magic - Shapes the caster's magic 'container'
Reinforce Inanimate - Reinforces an inanimate object with the caster's magic, making it more durable and allows it to act as an alternate method of using another energy control spell.
Reinforce Body - Reinforces the caster's body, making it more durable, but can cause serious damage if the energy control spell attached to this isn't maintained properly. Considered "Forbidden", but is not a taboo.

Warp - Redirects an energy, does not need to be actively used.
Magic Level: S
History: Mayt Derren Marris grew up in a small town, its name of no importance, in the middle of virtually nowhere. In his hometown, he had grown to know almost half a dozen different parents. He was taken away from his birth parents at age 10, as they were both incapable of properly taking care of a child. His second set of parents were nice, but his distrustful tendencies, and getting new parents just before his teen years, he blocked them out. They fed him, clothed him, and took him to school, that was all that was important about them to Mayt. They weren't his birth parents, he didn't like them. They gave him to the local orphanage the first time he drew a knife on them, which he had done in an attempt to prove that, despite his somewhat meek frame, he could be a powerful fighter. He didn't have to be a bookworm. By this time he was 14

At age sixteen, Mayt was adopted by, as he likes to put it, "Parent Wannabees". His parents were sort of doing a trial-run on adopting a child so that they had some idea what to expect. They didn't expect a child distrustful of them to the point of learning how to cook and handle himself while not getting in the way. Mayt turned into a child who simply lived in the same house and breathed the same air. He had gotten a part-time job, bought his own food, did his own laundry, and cleaned his room. Despite his seemingly good-nature in doing this, he acted very sour, and often was caught by Truancy Officers, and managed to barely pass his classes. Not caring about the future, the month he was allowed to leave his parents house as a legal adult, he did, setting out into the world. He wondered at first, choosing to go town to town on foot, enjoying the walk, and eventually starting to enjoy being on the road, where he could think.

By his twenty first birthday, he had rented an apartment in a small city, and has chosen to stay there for a while. He needed money and odd-jobs while traveling wasn't cutting it. On his birthday, he received a package from his birth parents. At first Mayt was skeptical of the package. He hadn't known his parents since he was a child, yet they knew where he was setting up temporary residence? Once he had gotten over this, he opened the package to reveal something stranger still, a Katana. They not only had known where he lived, but had known he had been practicing, off and on, different sword skills. Mostly due to the fact that they interested him, and he couldn't understand how they had known. He still kept the weapon, and he started to train more with it, eventually finding somebody of teach him in a more official manner. At this point, he has some skill with the weapon, but he is far from professional.

Around twenty three, he started to realize he had magic, he just had never noticed it. He discovered this when practicing with the gift sword, and he had accidentally burnt the blade on a hot day, leaving char on it. Despite how often he tries to clean it, the blade never seems to not have that char from his first real use of magic, and ever since he's been practicing to the best of his ability. He does it best through his weapon, but he can do it when not wielding his weapon.

Personality: Loner, vocal in his opinions, and stubborn.
Team Members: None
Three Strengths:
1. Good Cook, Mayt, having lived on his own for a long time, has learned how to cook pretty well, without any reliance on magic or supernatural abilities.
2. Loyal, Mayt's trust isn't the easiest to gain, but it's not difficult either. And when his trust is gained, he is quite the loyal friend, risking bodily harm to protect those close if neccessary.
3. Swordsman, Mayt is somewhat skilled at using his Katana, and he can use his magic through it.
Three Weaknesses:
1. Loner, Mayt prefers to work on his own as he has all his life, which makes it difficult for him to work in a group and follow a plan.
2. Anarchist, Mayt often outright disobeys orders simply because they were given. He doesn't take this to an extreme, but the wrong choice at the wrong time can be devastating.
3. Lost Magic, Mayt's magic is a form of lost magic, meaning it is more powerful than most magics, but also is more dangerous for him to use.
Greatest Love: Doesn't really have one.
Motivation: To find where he belongs.
Appearance: Mayt stands at 5'11" tall, and typically wears simple clothing that's close-fitting but not very restrictive. No real protection. When he's traveling, he carries a large backpack filled with his stuff, and his Katana is kept at his side. He has light skin, and medium-dark brown hair that he keeps trimmed at a little under an inch long. His eyes are green, and he's starting to grow a little bit of a mustache. The scabbard for his sword is simple leather, unadorned, but slightly charred as well.
Additional Details: Mother now lives in Magnolia Town. Maximum potential unknown, and it was recently discovered he has a great deal of knowledge about his magic stored away in his head via archive magic.

[User] Again Angel watched confused and simply annoyed "that's it, anyone needs me ill be training by myself!" Angelo said loudly to anyone who would listen. So much for Angelo's idea to train the others who were not so confident in their powers but Angelo needed to train himself so why stay around and be ignored when he can simply do something constructive. Angelo walked back out to the training yard and went ahead going into Zeus Armor mode the lighting covering his bodies as he quickly dashed from dummy to dummy hitting them hard before quickly turning to the next one...

[Assistant]
Kassimir -- Pheonix Wing Guild Hall

Kass shrugged indifferently "okay... outside it is." He looked around a bit until he found the door to the backyard where people were supposedly training. He looked to the group he spoke to and waved cheerfully "I'll see you guys some other time then." With that he wandered slowly towards the door.

As he walked he pulled his corncob pipe from his pocket and began to pack it full of tobacco from another pocket on his Olive drab paramilitary jacket. Its musky, yet sweet aroma filled his immediate vicinity as he stepped outside and lit the pipe. He took a couple drags off of it to get it burning consistently. After his match was disposed of he took a deep puff of the pipe and absentmindedly began to blow smoke rings as he surveyed the wizards training. He was measuring who looked like they would appreciate his help the most.

[User]
Jack, the Maiden of the Mist

[/center]

Jack watched Shujin. The man was obviously prepared for the fight, at least mentally. She had no interest to attack him right now. He might know her magic while she knew that his was maker but beyond that she knew nothing. The attack him now would lead to nothing but failure most likely. Not only that, but she was sure that whatever Shujin threw at her she could defend herself... if she wanted to. She knew she couldn't run the risk though and she would have to repress that part of her.
"Only a fool would charge someone at the beginning of combat, especially one they know nothing about. The attack goes to the one who takes the initiative." She said, waiting to see what Shujin would do.

Amelia Averyonna and Elyse Yashai

Tamashii @Caits

"But I want Jamie!" Elyse practically screamed now, causing Amelia to flinch.

"Elyse... do you think Jamie would be happy if she saw you like this right now?" She asked

"N-no."

"Well, Mommy doesn't like seeing you like this either and Mommy probably feels really hurt when you begin crying. Do you like it when people hurt you?"

"No."

"Then can you please calm down? If you do, you can come to town with us and we can get you some candy."

"Okay." The little girl said, wiping her eyes and slowly going from tears to sniffles.

Joshua Tamashii

Tamashii @J8cob

"A worm made of diamonds? Sorry, I'd be less then then useless to you. Diamonds are one of the toughest things in the word. If a blade could cut through them with ease, that would be a sight to see." Joshua said, sighing."Sorry for holding you up here. I would love to join ya but I won't go on a mission I can't contribute to. I don't like the idea of holding others back, especially when lives could be on the line.

Still, good luck and happy hunting. If you die, may the gods welcome you with open arms and throw a feast in your honor."

Turning towards Amaya, he gave her a questioning look.
"What about you? You plan on joining him?"

[Assistant]
Fox
NOLAN
At this point he didn't even question it. Karn had a knack of changing into different outfits in the shortest of time spans and it seemed that each time he did so it fit the theme of whatever was around them. In this case he seemed to be wearing a kimono like the inhabitants of Yokai Island. Despite how refined and feminine Karn looked the guy ate like the biggest slob he'd ever met. It was like he just opened his mouth and crammed every space of it with food. Well at least it meant he liked it. Nolan just ate along with his guild mate, even when the food was staring at him. He stared at Karn with a piece of devil cheek in his mouth swallowed it. "A job went wrong. When I first entered Fiore I wasn't in Phoenix Wing yet, but I went around as a freelancing mage and did whatever jobs that came my way. There was one job where I was to just rough some dark mages up. It went horribly wrong." The God Slayer took a break of his story to take another sip of the ghostly tea. It was still warm and it tasted similar to oolong tea as well a faint sweetness of honey and a savory smokiness.

Nolan leaned back against the bench and rested the back of his head with his arms. "I roughed them up, but they went after my client. The bastard sold me out and their entire dark guild came after me. I ran like hell to get away and I ended up here purely by accident." Nolan chuckled and popped another eyeball takoyaki. "I gained the yokais' trust and they accepted me as their own. I stayed here for three months before heading off. I guess they didn't appear when we first arrive is that they didn't know what to make of you. They're wary of strangers."

[User]
@t2wave@Burthstone@demon shinobi

The girl shied away from Fate's touch, shaking, afraid, but the rock man didn't attack fate, seeing no threat from her, for now. the girl sniffled, "D-d-daddy..." The ground had stopped shaking, at least not that violently. more like the vibrations of a herd of horses running then anything else now.

"Mommy won't let me go to Daddy"

She looked at Fate wide eyed, scared and hurting. She didn't seem to comprehend that her dad's death meant she couldn't see him anymore. "He went away. He's not there anymore. She won't let me see him" The girl whimpered, and let Fate hug her, but the rock man was still there, watching, and keeping the others at bay, away from the girl.

Jarvis
Tamashii@joshua tamashii

Jarvis knew that if Jamie didn't come back soon, chances were, that Elyse would be utterly devastated, and Jarvis didn't know what to do if that happened. Jarvis just had to hope that Jamie would return when she promised.

Jarvis took a deep breath, and said "Well then, shall we go?"

Jarvis looked over as someone approached, taking the paper from then when offered, "Okay. What do you want?" he asked, wondering why someone talked so formal. He looked at the paper seeing that it was a job, but glanced back to the girl

[Assistant] Mayt --- Phoenix Wing Guild Hall Mayt nodded. "So eating it is then, and since it's apparently not safe for you to go into magnolia, I guess I'll grab something from behind the bar," he headed over to the piece of the guild that he had just mentioned, and leaped over it, though his sword made an obnoxious "crack" sound as it hit the side of the bar. Once behind it, he grabbed the necessary ingredients, and made three sandwiches, giving them each a separate plate. It took him only a moment, and he gave a mock gesture of presentation. "Oh, and if one of you happen to be a vegetarian, then I give my apologies. Once you both are done we can head out back and try and work out how your magic works." Once he had finished talking, Mayt devoured his sandwich, apparently starving. He got a bit on his face, and once he was done, he used a napkin to wipe his face before heading out to the training yard himself.


[System]
Species: Gible

Gender: Male

Moves:
- Tackle
- Sand Attack
-
-

Bio:
 "Hiyah!" Gavin shouts, standing on a hill beside Mt. Dragoncoil and holding a pointy stick to an Axew's neck.
 "No, wait! That's not fair!" shouts his friend once he realizes he lost the mock-battle. Gavin lowers the stick.
 "What's not fair?" He asks, slightly annoyed.
 "Why do you get to use a pointy stick? Where's mine?"
 "I made this one. You don't get one because you didn't make one!"
 The Axew thinks about his predicament for a moment, but soon gets distracted by the activity down in Scale City. Gavin notices too and looks over in time to see two Pokemon walking into town. These aren't just any Pokemon, though... These are new ones! He's never seen these two around town before. One he recognizes as a Salamence, while the other is some sort of green lizard with leaves for a tail. "Who do you think those are?" his friend asks. Gavin realizes something.
 "Maybe they're adventurers!" he gasps.
 "Adventurers? Don't you mean explorers?"
 "No. Adventurers. Exploring is different from adventuring."
 "How?"
 "One's boring and the other's not." Gavin replies bluntly. "You know, that's what I want to be when I grow up. An adventurer!"
---
 Getting to see the Salamence and Sceptile, the first two Pokemon from other towns to visit Scale City, had changed Gavin. There were other towns out there! Other places to explore! Other people to meet! He became obsessed with where they'd travelled and the things he heard about their adventures, eventually getting to the point where he would sit in his room for hours on end writing stories about their endeavors. Soon, though, he switched to writing about what he would do if he were a member of a guild. The places he'd go... The wonders he'd see with his own eyes... He could hardly wait.

 Years later, Gavin was still working to become an adventurer long after his friends had lost interest in the subject. He lived in a small house far from Scale City's entrance. By now his parents (both Gabite) were well aware of his desire to move out in order to see the world. His mom, a bit overprotective at times, wasn't too keen on the idea. Meanwhile, his dad was indifferent about it (as he was about most things). To Gavin's surprise, they had finally agreed to letting him move out after years of him pestering them about it. However, his joy didn't last long once he found out that they had bought him a place just down the street instead... He decided to roll with it, though, taking what he could get.

 Gavin's desire to travel, see the world, and join Denise's Guild had stemmed from the day those now-famous explorers came to town. However, he's still not sure if he's up to the task and hasn't yet attempted to form a team there. He's especially worried about his lack of damaging moves, but makes up for it with a very sharp stick he's been carrying around for almost eight years now. Currently, Gavin is helping with what he can in the city, trying to make a bit of money on the side and waiting for the right time to join the guild.

 He's just been dragged into an argument with Danny, who he wanted to buy food from. Apparently, Danny now thinks that Gavin bought something from Bob and Ed's stall and won't sell him anything... Whoever "Bob and Ed" are...

Appearance:
 He looks like most other Gible, but usually has a bag with him. Sticking out the side of his bag is a very pointy stick, which he always carries around. Buried deeper in the bag is a blue scarf that he hopes to be able to wear one day. Don't ask him about his lack of a neck unless you want to be on the receiving end of the stick.

Picture made by Ridlins

Differences:
 Can fly and shoot lasers from his eyes. None

(If there's anything that I need to change or if this contradicts the continuity in any way, please let me know, I can edit it.)

(Edit: Changed the Milotic to a Sceptile.)

[User]
Rebecca snapped back when she got hit with a Hyper Voice, taking a moment to shake off that disoriented feeling. Maybe it really does hurt to try? That hurt way more than anything these goons were throwing out. At least that jerk got leech seeded for his trouble. It admittedly wasn't as horrible when it was being inflicted on someone else. It was suggested amidst the din and chaos of the fight that Dexter try to burn the guildmaster, to which he complained that he was just told not to use fire. Rebecca stopped for a moment. It was another one of her ideas.

"Hey, hey!" Rebecca said over the noise. "Yeah, I know we decided on No Fire, but, um, this guy's kind of soaking up everything we can throw at him to the point where we're hoping to just sort of hold out until we wear him down with leech seeds or whatever? So I'd like to point out that setting some weird chemicals on fire and hoping they explode might be a decent strategy at this point. Maybe. Just a suggestion." it was at this point that she remembered she was supposed to be attacking, and used Confusion to toss some less volatile lab equipment against the Wigglytuff's head.

[Assistant]
Oh dear. I'm so, so very sorry. I think I drifted off mid-sentence, or something... my memory's a little more than hazy past this pain. I'm getting frightened by all this blood(?) in my eyesight.

Let's get back on track. I do remember the startling suspense and tension of sifting through a curtain of darkness, not knowing what awaited you on the other side. Not that it was dark... actually it wasn't dark at all. Well, uh... hm... t-the light was in fact permeating throughout the entire cave, a-and well through a process of, well, total internal refraction which would in fact illuminate and reveal and show it to us all the enemies ahead and...

Alright come on, I'm not trying to make a memoir here. I have to tell it all, and I have to do it right, even if I literally can't remember anymore.

We marched on. This little ragtag gang stepping/floating/flying towards our goal. We were gonna unfreeze this little town even if it meant giving our lives. (Spoiler alert, we live. Otherwise I'd be a ghost right now.) I don't think I gave damn at the time, but looking back at it reassured me that it was worth living this wasn't just for some poor kelp's girl. We had an obligation not just as Guild members but living things in general to save others. After all, what would've Spruce done if he was here instead of me? He wouldn't have just flattened Kyreum's minions, he would've used their poor hides as spades to tunnel straight to Kyreum and give him a heart attack.

So, you know what? We were gonna do just that. Maybe with a little less digging, but we sure as hell weren't gonna let some measly pack of Pokemon block our way. We were boulders to these rolling pins and had just devastated a thousand other pins.

Yet we stumbled into what seemed like a trap. A featureless round room big enough to house our Guild's building. It almost got even bigger as I tilted my eyes up to see the ceiling, only to sight several Glaile and Froslass in the midst of dropping onto us. My eye got dizzy from witnessing the blur of the fall, a wave of stinging frozen air whizzing past us from their descent. A few words later and it wasn't long we were in for another fight, outnumbered and exhausted (and honestly a little unprepared). I could handle these things easily that didn't mean I wasn't taking damage. Anthony had the wind knocked out of him by a literal beam of ice, even for a dragon. As for me, despite leading the group at the time and being closest to enemy, every ice beam missed and reflected off the walls (harmlessly) like a laser show.

I gathered my charge with my magnet pair, sparks of yellow flying off my poles. Kamina literally burst into flames and began to bowl his way through, myself in the meantime locking my magnets onto a sucker that sidestepped Kamina and preparing a flash cannon, the smell of ozone almost putting me off. I knew it wasn't enough however - it might've looked cool with one magnet pointed and another spinning violently offhand with a brilliant white glow, but I couldn't make out what Josh was saying over the heat of the fight. Perhaps about Anthony being massacred if we didn't stop them, yet I knew it was too late; I sure as hell felt like an idiot not trying to block all the beams like a hero, but... well, I honestly can't remember why I didn't do it. Maybe I thought it wouldn't have mattered and that I'd just share the blow, which would at least crippled or ended us both, or that I wouldn't have been able to reach in time.

But you know what? Miracles happen, right as you screw up because life gives another chance. Sometimes Arceus knows to meet your prayers and will send you Saint Nicholas. Believe it or not (and you may ask the testimony of the others), a Pokemon with a spoon came in to save the day. He literally blinked in front of Anthony, and my goodness it makes this narration almost sound fictional. Whatever he did after involved a lot of headache-inducing purple, but at least Anthony wasn't a popsicle. I had no time to wait for the Kadabra's monologue, hovering myself steady as a bright shooting star twinkled and exploded over the unfortunate ice Pokemon. Ultimately I didn't really know how to react, perhaps a hesitant and confused grin on my eye as the Kadabra drew a look from me (and it wasn't because he could manhandle a bit of steel).

The fight certainly wasn't over though, hovering towards Anthony and trying to cover for his slimy body. "Goodness gracious Anthony!" I don't think I cried that out loud but... let's go with it. "You alright? You seen Reshiram too?" By that point... I can't actually recall seeing Reshiram. In fact, he almost disappeared from memory until I realised I lost headcount. I was still rather frantic with Anthony first however, almost ready to grasp him with my magnets though not actually doing it, considering he got knocked the hardest out of all of us.

[User]
"So..." I began, once I caught up to the Wurmple, "Who exactly are we looking for?" Hudson stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face me with fire in his eyes.
 "Who're we looking for!? Only the most ruthless pickpocket this town has ever seen!" Hudson yelled. With that, he turned back around and waddled into the forest's undergrowth. I stepped into the leaves to follow him. Forests like this were familiar to me, although I had never seen one this dense. We were barely five metres in and already the entrance was hard to make out. Sunbeams filtered down through the trees above and the pleasant smell of damp leaves hung in the air. "How will we know when we find them?" I called, "Do you know what they look like?"
 "Hmph! Of course I know what they look like!"
 I sighed at his response. Hudson certainly wasn't the type to give out useful information easily. Hopefully he was as experienced in taking down outlaws as he let on; otherwise we would be in for a tough time. As I moved a branch out of the way, I saw Hudson standing over a small river. "We're gonna need to find a way 'cross this." He said, walking away along the side of the river. I stood there for a moment to come up with an idea, but there wasn't any easy way across. "Hey! Over here!" Hudson shouted from upstream. I followed the sound of his voice and found him standing next to a log that had fallen over the river. "Think ya can walk across this?" He asked. The log looked stable, and was wide enough to walk on, but...

 "I... I think so..." I responded hesitantly, "Are you sure there's not another way? I don't know how to swim, so falling in the water..."
 "Oh, don't worry 'bout that. If ya fall in I'll go and rescue ya myself." Coming from a Wurmple, that wasn't a very reassuring statement.
 "Well... As long as you think you can." I replied. Hudson jumped up onto the log and waddled his way to the other side like it was nothing. Once he was safely on the ground, I climbed up. Suddenly, the water looked a lot farther down. Was the river moving faster now? It probably was, given my luck. I held out my arms for balance and carefully stepped forwards.
 "That's it, keep it up!" Hudson encouraged me. I took a deep breath and stepped forward again. The log wobbled a bit, but not enough to make me lose my balance. "Almost there!" he shouted. After a few more steps I was nearly across. Just when I thought I finally had it down, the log jolted to the right. I fell onto all fours to hold on.
 "Grab the log!" I shouted to Hudson, afraid it would roll me off into the river. The log rolled a bit more, and I looked up to see him holding it for me. Taking this chance, I scrambled the rest of my way across onto dry land. I lay on the ground, trying to catch my breath after that traumatic experience.
 "Ahahaha!" Hudson laughed, "The look on yer face! Priceless! Yer lucky I was there to hold the log for ya, else you'd be down the river by now!" I found his laughter less than amusing, but at least we were both okay.
 "Yeah, nothing to worry about... Only almost drowned, is all." I replied, sarcastically. The sarcasm flew right over his head.
 "Well good! Sounds like you've got the right outlook on things! Now stop yer dilly-dallying; we've got ourselves a pickpocket to catch!"