<i>Finding nothing on the ATV that remained in working order, and no way to call for help - or even knowing if there was help to call, they had no choice but to carry the fading trainer. Naomi and the others with any semblance of medical training rushed to stabilize him as best they could, while the others rigged together a makeshift stretcher from branches and parts from the destroyed vehicle. Their adventure had to be put on hold, knowing that a life now teetered on the brink, and only they had the power to save it. <br/>
<br/>
Together they moved as quickly as their load would allow, forgoing all thoughts of exhaustion and injury they made for Utsumi, and back into the forest. Aisha's Pansage, a native of the area kept to the trees, guiding them through the difficult terrain, while the other Pokemon cut through the dense undergrowth to clear paths. The Bulbasaur proved instrumental with his Razor Leaf and Vine Whip, making short work of protruding branches. Time, however, was not on their side, and the clock continued to count the minutes as the trainer slipped further from life...</i><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><b><span style="font-size: 18px">Episode 4: </span></b><br/><i><span style="font-size: 18px">The Dancer of Utsumi!</span><span style="font-size: 12px"> -- Part 1</span></i><br/><br/><br/><br/>Old Brollem settled himself down onto the berm at the edge of the rice patty, and took a long deep breath. He pulled a towel from his waist and cleared the sweat from his face. The sun had past its zenith, and begun its descent, but it was no less warm, no less beautiful in the blue sky than it had been when the day was still young. Machoke sat down beside him, and Brollem smiled at the old Pokemon, putting his arm around his sturdy shoulder and giving him a pat.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkbrown">"I know, old friend. Not as easy as it used to be."</span>The Pokemon nodded, weary from the day's work as he appraised the village below. Brollem dropped his arm back down and drew a canteen of water form his waste, taking a drink.<br/><br/>The two sat at the edge of the patty, watching the fields below as the village was finishing their day of work, working in lines planting seedlings one at a time as they waded through the ankle high water of the fields. Primeape was among them, working in tandem with a headband about his furry forehead. Brollem and Machoke both chuckled at the humorous site of the short Pokemon neck deep in the water planting with the villagers.<br/><br/>To the east Graveler was affixing the last of the rocks he had brought from the mountainside to dam the new berm for the additional field. It wouldn't be but a few weeks before it would be ready and they could flood it. Brollem watched the workers, contented watching them while the warm sun eased his old body and the cool breeze from the bay at the foot of the slope brought the cool salty sent of the ocean across the fields. He had never imagined his life quite like this, but he was glad of it; he was glad of where it had come to.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkgreen">"Hello Brollem, Makka."</span>Brollem and Machoke looked up and were met by a wise old wrinkled face smiling down at them. Kaiyo leaned on her walking stick and looked out across the village with the two. Brollem and Machoke's gaze followed hers, returning to the thatched and tiled roofs of the houses, the sparkling water beyond, and the great mountainside across.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkgreen">"You're beginning to look older than I am."</span>She said, smiling.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkbrown">"Heh... some days I feel I am. I suppose it was only a matter of time before<i> Old</i> Brollem actually is."</span>He chuckled, rubbing his bald head with his sturdy, calloused hand.<br/><br/>The two fell silent, watching the work finish in the fields, the satchels emptied of their seedlings, with all the more little green sprouts in their rows in the water below. It was the last of the planting, the hard work over the last weeks at last complete.<br/><br/>Brollem and Machoke stood, though Brollem found the act harder than he expected, stumbling and being caught by Machoke who lifted the broad man up as he laughed. He gave Machoke a pat of thanks and nodded to Kaiyo to lead the way.<span style="color: darkbrown">"We'll take a rest then see to preparations for tomorrow."</span>He told her, and she nodded slowly, her world weary eyes cast across the rice terraces to the bright smile of the young girl as she helped Primeape out of the field. Brollem followed her gaze and let out a long sigh through the his thick beard.<span style="color: darkbrown">"She'll do fine. Spent all hours of the day practicing that she isn't in the fields."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: darkgreen">"Mmm... I have faith in Aiko. But I am concerned beyond tomorrow, concerned for Utsumi. Yugen is changing, Brollem. I can feel it in the earth, and I pray that they understand."</span>She paused in their walk and cast her gaze to the east, to the dark forest there that bordered the village lands, wary.<span style="color: darkgreen">"But, it is all we can do."</span>She looked up at the man. Brollem looked into the Matriarch's eyes and nodded, understanding.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkbrown">"It doesn't need to be all reverence... "</span>They started back toward the path between the fields leading down into the village.<span style="color: darkbrown">"The fields are planted, the sun is warm..."</span>He began, looking up.<br/><br/>His brow furrowed as he saw something in the western woods, emerging from the trees. Many somethings. Then he heard the shouts for help and saw arms waving. The three looked on, but in an instant Brollem and Machoke were moving, running across the berm then up the path and away from the fields toward the western forest edge. As they got closer and he saw the man in the stretched he shouted back into the village for help.<br/><br/>Eleyna nearly collapsed in relief as the large, broad shouldered man bounded their way, Pokemon in tow. He was to the stretcher in an instant, looking at the man. He put his fingers to his neck.<span style="color: darkbrown">"He's fading. Give him here!"</span>He grabbed one end of the stretcher.<span style="color: darkbrown">"Makka!"</span>He called an the Pokemon leaped into action, grabbing the other end and the two hurried down into the village, the group of trainers in tow.<span style="color: darkbrown">"Anti-septic! He's injured! Water as well! Bandages!"</span>He yelled at the villagers who were rushing to help.<span style="color: darkbrown">"To my house!"</span><br/><br/>Eleyna ran with them following as the crowd of people grew, dispersing to get things needed. They hurried down the path between the terraced rice patties, into the village, maneuvering quickly along the dirt roads between the houses. A villager ran ahead as they reached their apparent destination, pulling open the Shoji door. What followed was a blur to Eleyna as her and the other trainer's role was relegated to the sidelines. She felt suddenly helpless. As a flurry of movement, bodies coming and going with sheets and supplies from the open house, Eleyna found herself outside, out of the way of it all. An old woman looked on, watching carefully what occurred within as she leaned on her walking stick. All they could do now was wait.<br/><br/><br/>***<br/><br/><br/>Eleyna sat on the raised deck of the house, exhausted, but unwilling to leave. An hour had passed and within the home the flurry of activity had eased, though Eleyna did not know to take it as a good or bad sign. She looked at the others, at Steven, Naomi, Jake, and Aisha. They endurance and fortitude they had drawn upon to reach Utsumi had been herculean and they looked in shambles.  But they had done it, they had made it as far as they could go. That meant something, didn't it?<br/><br/>A few thunks drew Eleyna's attention as the old woman emerged from the house, her walking stick landing upon the wooden planks of the deck. She smiled warmly at them through her wrinkled old features.<span style="color: darkgreen">"You're friend will live."</span><br/><br/>Eleyna felt a great weight fall from her shoulders and she fell back onto the deck in relief.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkbrown">"But only just."</span>The large man stepped out from the house, sliding the shoji door closed behind him.<span style="color: darkbrown">"We've got him stable and asleep, but he'll need a proper hospital. We'll prepare a boat and get him on his way to Corestor City."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: blue">"There's a city?"</span>Eleyna looked at the man confused.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkbrown">"Well, under construction. But the hospital was the first thing completed, so it will be more than enough for him..."</span>He looked at them all, his features darkening.<span style="color: darkbrown">"But I think you had aught to tell us exactly what happened."</span><br/><br/>The group told the two exactly what had happened in every detail, their trek into the forest, the battle during the night and what they found afterwards. Brollem's thick brow furrowed and he tugged on his beard as they described the carnage. The old woman seemed to bear the weight of it, though.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkbrown">"Well, its not like anything I've ever heard of... and I was a gym owner for 10 years. That boy is damn lucky to be alive, and its unfortunate he's in no condition to tell us what happened. I'm Brollem, by the way... folks call me Old Brollem. This here is Kaiyo, our village elder."</span>He nodded to the old woman.<br/><br/>The old woman appraised them.<span style="color: darkgreen">"You did very well bringing him here, especially through the forest. You're friend in there is in good hands. Get some rest."</span>She managed a smile to them.<span style="color: darkgreen">"And a bath - you certainly need it. There's an Onsen up the road past the rice fields. I'll arrange for a change of clothes for you as well, though it'll be rather old fashioned."</span>She smiled raising her arm to indicate the simple linen Kimono she wore.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkbrown">"We've got a shop here as well, but don't expect much. It's rare we see trainers - though two arrived rather recently, and must be about somewhere. We don't have much to offer in the way of lodging. No hotels. I'm sure folks would be willing to offer a spare room if you ask, otherwise feel free to set up at the east end in the field. But stay clear of the festival preparations if you could. Its a bit of a mess at the moment."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: blue">A bath would be wonderful...</span>Eleyna muttered and heaved herself to her feet.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>