Pokemon Master Journey!

[Hoshi]

Ok here's the scoop(mint XD).
Satoshi, Hakura, Hazuki and Hoshi(me) are traveling all regions for the 8 specific badges for a Master Leauge held in Oore. the badges include:
-Cascade Badge(Cerulean City-Kanto) Leader: Misty
-Rainbow Badge(Celadon City-Kanto) Leader: Erika
-Corel Eye Badge(Maiken Island-Orange) Leader: Sissy
-Sea Ruby Badge(Navel Island-Orange) Leader: Danny
-Zephyer Badge(Violet City-Jhoto) Leader: Falkner
-Fog Badge(Ecruteak City-Jhoto) Leader: Morty
-Knuckle Badge(Dewford Town-Hoenn) Leader: Brawly
-Heat Badge(Lavaridge Town-Hoenn) Leader: Flannery
It's mixed for trainers to travel and grow more to become stronger. 2 per each region. it's equal.
-----
Characters needed:
Satoshi
Hakura
Hazuki
---
Characters wanted:
Shuu
Shigeru
Team Rocket(J-J-M)
Teams Magma and Aqua, Leaders and Grunts.
---
FMC/OC Rules
OK you're thinking you want to use your OC, or make one. That's fine, but try to fill a major role first. Only 2 more OCs allowed until after the roleplay takes off.
---
FMC/OC Form
please fill out this form if using an OC.

Name:
Gender:
Age:
Description: -links are fine as well-
Background:
Pokemon: -up to 8 are allowed _NO LEGANDARYS!!!_-
Extra Info:

--example--
Name: Hoshi
Gender: female
Age: 15
Description: A girl with short brown hair, and blue eyes. She wears a pink cut shirt that reveals her black longsleeve shirt with yellow stripes on the sleeves and main shirt underneath, with a matching skirt with baggy jeans. She also wears schoolgirl-type socks with her pink sneakers. She wears a pink hat that matches her shirt and skirt.
Background: She lives In Altomare with her Mother, Grandmother, and baby brother.
Pokemon: Bashamo(boy), Dragonite(boy), Lapras(female), Pii(Pichu Girl), Chuu(Pichu Boy), Skitty(girl), Charizard(boy), Kippy(Mudkip Boy).
Extra Info: Her father left when she was little. He went off for his job and never returned. Location unknown. Has a crush on Hazuki, who protected her from a Team Magma assult when she first started.

--Rules--
1.you can only have -2- badges to start! it defeats the purpose of going around for them if you have them already.
2. you must have 4 or more sentences per post. Anything less is against PC rules and you will be kicked out if it persists. Accidental is ok. Just Edit your post. :classic:
3. NO DOUBLE POSTING!!!!!! EVER!!! ¬¬*
4. Romance is fine, just under PG13. We have little kids floating around PC you know? If you wana have romance higher, exchange s/n's and do it off PC.
5. Keep swearing low, or best yet, don't do it at all!
6. If talking OOC, use [brackets] or (these) or -lines-
7.have fun!
---OCS----
Name: Thunder Ketchum
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Description: brown dishelved hair, green eyes, wears a red T-shirt under a dark blue jacket, blue jeans, abelt he keeps his pokeballs on, a back pack, and tennis shoes. He is 5'6" tall.
Background: Thunder was born in Pallet Town but lived most of his life in Berry Town, north of Mt. Silver. He had a normal childhood except he never knew who his mom or brother is.
Pokemon: Blue Tail (pikachu male), Pidgeot, Blaziken, Mudkip, Eevee, and
Extra Info: Thunder has a crush on Hoshi, but since he knows she has a crush on Hazuki he is afraid to tell her.

Name:Releena
age:14
Gender:female
Descritson:Has blackened hair wears tank top and shorts and has blue eis.
Backgroud:is lazy,causes troubble[life guard needed] but gets the job done.
Other: hates toads.
Pokemon:Nidoreena,Walord,Tarous and houndoom.
---LETS START!!!---
Hoshi put on her belt pack and left the Pokemon Center. Her Pokemon were in perfect health. Hoshi walked past a water fountain to meet Satoshi, Hakura, and Hazuki at the fountain. She felt a tug on her pants.
"Pii?"
"Chuu?"
"oh, alright." Hoshi picked up the twin Pichu and turned on the fountain, allowing them to drink.

[pokefan89]

Name: Thunder Ketchum
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Description: brown dishelved hair, green eyes, wears a red T-shirt under a dark blue jacket, blue jeans, abelt he keeps his pokeballs on, a back pack, and tennis shoes. He is 5'6" tall.
Background: Thunder was born in Pallet Town but lived most of his life in Berry Town, north of Mt. Silver. He had a normal childhood except he never knew who his mom or brother is.
Pokemon: Blue Tail (pikachu male), Pidgeot, Blaziken, Mudkip, Eevee, and hitmonchan.
Extra Info: Thunder has a crush on Hoshi, but since he knows she has a crush on Hazuki he is afraid to tell her.

is it ok if I use two characters? my other will be Hazuki.

[Asura Nirosuki]

Name:Akira
age:14
Gender:female
Descritson:Has blackened hair wears tank top and shorts and has blue eis.
Backgroud:is lazy,causes troubble[life guard needed] but gets the job done.
Other: hates toads.
Pokemon:Nidoreena,Walord,Tarous and houndoom.

[Hoshi]

ahh! thank you guys so much!!

[Asura Nirosuki]

Your welcome!^^this is fun.Im going to go get more people to try this out*does that*

[Kay11190]

I hope it's ok if I use an OC if not I'll edit the post later.

Name:Kay
age:15
Gender:Male
Discription:Has brown hair and blue eyes. Wears black jeans with a red T-shirt with a a black sewatjacket over it. He also wear black fingerless gloves that have flames on them.
Backgroud:Kay's parents are pokemon breeders that live in New Bark town. So some of his pokemon have moves they normally wouldn't know know
Other:
Pokemon:Kane(Male houndour), Queen(Female Alakazam), Shade(Male Umbreon), Reece(Male Salmance), and Mint(Female Ivysaur)

[gothsinn23]

I'll be a female Team Magma Admin...if that's ok. If not then I'll edit my post...
Name: Ravana
Gender: female
Age: 19
Description: Wears all black and red clothes, resembling that of the guy in my sig
Background: Ravana came from a ninja family, so she has great ninja skills..and she is very willing to do her job
Pokemon: -up to 8 are allowed _NO LEGANDARYS!!!!- ((8?))Houndoom, Absol, Tyranitar, Charizard, Umbreon, Machamp, Nidoking, Heracross (was given to her from her father before she witnessed his death, is her strongest pokemon...uses him as a last resort)
Extra Info: She has a scar on her left eye, and she does her job proudly because her parents were abusive morons -_-....

[Kay11190]

Kay approached the pokemon Center and noticed a girl letting two pichu drink from the fountain. He walked over to introduce himself. "Hi my name is Kay. Are your pichu twins?" He asked now interested in how they looked almost eactly the same. emediatly after Kay asked the question Kane came out of his pokeball and started to bark happily. He seemed to want a drink from the fountain too seeing how he was jumping up toward it.

[Asura Nirosuki]

"Mooo!".Tarous yelled as it got out of it's pokeball."Good Tarous".I said while i petted it."lets ride to the pokemon center!".With Tarous great speed We made it no time to the pokemon center."Now come on out! Nidorina,Houndoom and Wailord....Oops".She said as Wailord blundered about since there was no water.It saw the water fountain
Inside."Waiiiiilllord!!".It charged with a mighty speed.Kays pokemon kane jumped to the fountain take a sip."NOO!".I yelled as Wailord crashed the whole water fountain.

[Kay11190]

Kay ran and jumped grabbing Kane from the fountain before the crash. "Are you okay Kane?" Kay asked brushing off the houndour. Kane barked happily and licked Kay's face. Kay stood up and looked at the gigantic wailord. "I wonder where it's trainer is, it couldn't have just appeared here." Kay walked around the wailord kane by his feet and looked down the road. He saw a girl standing there with alot of other pokemon. "Hey is this your wailord?" Kay asked yelling so the girl could hear him.

[Asura Nirosuki]

"Oh no!.I hope i didn't hurt the poor pokemon".Akira shouted in her head.She quickly ran to Kays houndour Kane."I ei yah o my gosh im So sorry are you hurt?!.Please don't be hurt you poor thing!".She turned to Kay panicing."Im so sorry what happened! I can't handle only that 50feet Wailord and I goofed up so Badly Just hit me!!".

[Kay11190]

"No, we are both ok. I can tell your a good trainer if you manage that wailord most of the time." Kay looked at the giant whale. "You know I could use a pokemon that can surf for more than ten minutes." Kay took out shadows pokeball and released him.
I know this is wierd but shadow here can use surf attack and thunderbolt. I personally think it's pretty cool."Kay put his hands on the back of his head looking at Akira. "So what's your name?" Kay asked remembering he didn't even know her.

[Asura Nirosuki]

"Ah!".She smiled"im-im Akira".Then laughed."Im so glad my clumsyness didn't hurt you and your cute houndour".She said while petting him.A siren went on and down came a motocyicle with officer jenny on it."You!".She pointed at me."Does this Wailord who almost crush the whole pokemon center belong you".I felt like dying then."I I...Yes".I finally said facing my head to the floor."Police rules you must pay for all the damage that pokemon has done understood!?"."Yes im sorry the whole thing was my terrible mistake...I will do the charges".I said while digging my bag."Theres no need".Officer jenny said."What?!".I said my face puzzled."It's pretty simple that the whole thing was an accident and i can't put charges with out doing a warning so we will handle this one".She winked."Make sure to put Wailord back in its ball".And with out word she drove off.With out any order I recalled Him"Wailord return please".It went back in its ball.I turned to Kay agian"Im so sorry agian what happened.So whats your name?".

[Kay11190]

"Oh, my name is Kay. You really don't have to apologize anymore we are okay. As long as no one was hurt. So your pokemon look really well trained." looking at her pokemon. Shadow looked up at kay looking rather disgusted at what he had said. "Shadow don't feel that way" He said to his Umbreon petting him on the head. Kane started to bark and climb on Kay's pants wanting to be pet too. "Okay, okay I only have to hands" He said picking up Kane. "

[Asura Nirosuki]

"Hehehe".I laughed as i watched him play around.*he really is sweet and kind to his pokemon*I though in my head."I can't be that good if i can't handle a Wailord".I chuckled."I bet you could though".

[Kay11190]

"Shadow I'm going to pt you in your pokeball if you don't mind." Shadow shook his head in agreement and dissapeared into his ball. "Anyway I'm sure you'll be able to handle your wailord if you tried harder and maybe got to know it more. Kane here hated me when I caught him and then I got to know him more and now he doesn't stay in his pokeball anymore. PLus wailord is col but I don't think I want to handle the responsibility of one now. So what reason do you have for training your pokemon? I personally am training to help my family breed pokemon."

[Asura Nirosuki]

*Wow a breeder!*Akira though in her head."I found my pokemon when i was little.Then i always wished i could have a pokemon for my own best friend".She threw out Tarous and petted him."He saved my life by helping me when I was lost one day and a pack of beedrill came and chased me.He was right there watching me getting attack from them and singley chased them away!".Tarous noded at that."I didn't forget that day and we are best friends ever since".And she tightly huged Tarous.

[Kay11190]

"Wow I've had Shadow since he was hatched as an Eevee for my first pokemon. My parents had spent a while raising different evolutions of Eevee to get one with an attack from each of the stone evolutions. Eventually when they finished I was about to leave on my journey and they gave him to me. Now he's my number one pokemon and companion other than the fact he is very abbitious to battle all the time. Kane here is just always near me so he's my best friend too." Kane barked happily when he heard those words and licked Kay's face again. "So do you want to go to the pokemon center for something to eat and so our pokemon can be healed?" Kay asked remembering Reece and Mint had been hurt in thier last battle.

[Asura Nirosuki]

"Oh sure".Akira answered.She hoped on tarous and turned to him."Want to ride?".

[Kay11190]

"Sure. I've never rode a tauros before" Kay walked up to the tauros and looked at it for a bit, then climbed on. Kane sat in Kay's lap sniffing the tauros and barking when it was done. Kane then sniffed Akira's back and jumped into her lap. He stared at her for a while before barking and layed down in front of her. "It seems Kane relly likes you, he didn' act like that when I first got it."

[Asura Nirosuki]

Akira giggled and petted him."You cute little ittle fuzzy wazzy...".She turned and saw Kay staring at her."I guess i got carried away".And smiled.Tarous stomped."Now hold on tight!".With no second later Tarous ran as fast as an angry bull to the pokemon center.

[Kay11190]

"Wow I didn't know tauros could move so fast." Kay said watching the scenery pass in seconds. So how long have you been traveling? I mean your pokemon are pretty well developed. Plus your tauros seems to be really healthy if it's running this fast." Kay looked ahead and saw the pokemon center. It seemed to be up in smoke by a fire and Team Magma was also there. "Hey I think we should gp check that out" Kay said pointing where two members were loading pokon into a van.

[Asura Nirosuki]

"AH!".Akira gasped."Let's go for it!.Step on it Tarous!".The bull ran like it was on a ram page."hold on tight Kay!".Soon they made it to the Van."Hey! stop the vhicle or esle!".She yelled."Go Weezing! use somkescreen on them!".The team mangans yelled.
The smokscreen blocked our view."ca can you do a Take down on the cough Van?".Akira asked Tarous."MOO!".It yelled as it made the Van tip over on the side.
The mangmas got out of the Truck."That's it punks were gonna Battle!".

[Dream Illusionist]

Can I be two Characters? If so, I would like to be both Jessie and James, but with different pokémons:

Jessie- Arbok; Seviper; Baltoy(Later Claydol); Lileep(Later Cradily); Dustox; Lunatone (Starts with these)

James- Weezing; Canea(Later Cacturne); Feebas(Later Milotic); Hypno; Ariados; Solrock (Starts with these)

I seems there's quite a commotion there, don't you think, James?
(Munch,Grof nham...)
James, what are you doing eating...! (said Jessie in a angry tone)
Oh Jessie, we haven't eat for weeks, please just let me eat a while....
Obviously no... (her stomach growls)... Uh, oh well, it doesn't hurt to eat a little... (She fastly starts to devour the food)

[Kay11190]

"You know it's people like you that make me sick. Instead of you battling just her all of us battle. Come on out Shadow" Kay threw his pokeball in the air and his Umbreon appeared next to him. "What do you say Akira shall we teach these huys never to steal again?" Kay asked with a face of extreme determination. Even Shadow seemed to be showing the same emotion staring at the team members with hs glowing red eyes.

[Asura Nirosuki]

"I couldn't say it better!".She grinned at him."Lets take down them out!.Go Tarous!".
The bull stoped."Kay i will handle the girl you take down the male!".Akira told him.The girl magman laughed."I choose you Nidoqueen!.Use a dobble kick attack".It charge at Tarous."Tarous wait and horn attack it!".

[Kay11190]

The male Magma team member called back his weezing and sent out a charizard. "Hey shadow this is going to be an easy one." Shadow shook his head and charged at the Charizard. "Now use a thunderbolt on it." Shadow started to emit static shocks into the air before unleahing a thunder bolt toward the Charizard. "NO Charizard fly away!" The magma team member yelt. His Charizard flew away dodging the thunderbolt.

[Asura Nirosuki]

Akira took a second to watch Kay fight and smiled.The Nidoqueen was in the perfect spot."Now Tarous use horn attack!".The bull charged and slammed into it's stomach.
The Nidoqueen was sent a few feet back."Think that over sized bull will beat us?.Now
Nidoqueen use Hyper beam!".The Girl magma Yelled.

[Kay11190]

Kay watched the Charizard in the air waiting for a good time to attack. Shadow alos glared at it alomost in sinc with Kay. "Charizard use a takle attack!" The Magma member screamed again. the Charizard flew down tightening it's wings to pick up speed. " Shadow I want you to dodge at the right moment okay?Shadow nodded his head.and got ready to move. "Now!" Shadow dodged the attack jumping out of range. Charizard now put them in a Seismac toss. ." The Charizard rebounded and took Shadow into the air. "Shadow now use thunderbolt before he takes you up too high!" Kay yelled as the Charizard flew higher. Shadow quickly gathered it energy and unleashed it in a thunderbolt more powerful than the first. The Charizard now heavily damaged fell out of the sky with Shaaodw. Before hitting the ground Shadow jumped off and landed next to Kay.

[Asura Nirosuki]

The Nidoqueen powered up for the big blast."Tarous do a fissure attack".Akira yelled.
"It's finished girly.Nidoqueen do it now."Nidoooo!".The pokemon yelled as it fired the attack.Akira heard stomping before smoke came from the two pokemon.When it cleared
Nidoqueen looked like it never got touch.Then Tarous was standing there brusied.
"Hahahahah!".The Magma laughed as she saw him in pain."Tarous!".Akira cryed.
"Nidoqueen lets finish it so we can steal him!"."NO!".Akira screamed."Mega punch it!. Hahahahaha-WHAT?!".She yelled as she saw her pokemon faint."Tarous you did it before the attack!".Akira cryed and hugged him."Worthless Nidoqueen return!".The Magma Lady yelled.

[Kay11190]

"My Charizard how could you do that to him. I swear you'll pay for this the next time we meet." Sai the team Magma member as he ran off to the girl who was with him. "Hey Akira I see you and Tauros beat that girl without any trouble." Running toward her with Kane and Shadow at his side. Kane ran up to Akira and sat by fer feet looking up at her with his tongue lolling out.

[latias45]

i am to late to do it i do not what to give the info if i can not do it!

[Asura Nirosuki]

Bashfuly she mange to say"Well Tarous did more work.You and shadow did an awsome job!.Especailly when Shadow jumped off Charizard and landed right next to you!".Then she looked at Kane."Hey sweetie!".She smiled and picked him up."Want to go and return the pokeballs to the center?".She asked Kay.

[latias45]

name:tony
male
decrption
where a hoody with latias on it.
about 7;6 where poke balles around waist. wheres balck pantes. back groud
nice and loaly and right near a frind that is needed. pokemon
houndoom male max( arcanine male )

[Kay11190]

"Umm, thanks" Kay said blushing. "So let's go return those pokeballs . Kay walked up to the van and took out the pokeballs they had stole.Shadow watched the two magma members while Kay finished unloading the pokeballs. IN no time officer Jenny had returned again after reciving notice about the break in. "Hey Akira can you help me bring these pokeballs back to the owners inside the center?" Kay asked struggling to hold them all in his arms.

[Asura Nirosuki]

She smiled."No problem I can handle a fe- waaooh!".She yelled when she tripped on her own feet and made Kay drop all he hade in his arms and fell on him."Ekkk! sorry sorry sorry here i will get them all!".She quickly hade them all in her hands and rushed to officer jenny droping some on the way.She breathed"Here Officer! Kay and i amazingly got all the missing before they left".and smiled.

[Kay11190]

Shadow watched Kay get up with a look suggesting he was ready to breaK into laughter. "Hey I don't think it's very funny shadow. It happens to everyone and if I remember when you triped and I laughed at you you got upset." Kay said brushing the dirt off his pants. Shadow made a gesture over toward Akira who was giving the pokeballs to officer Jenny. Kay and Shadow walked over to them, Kay picking up all the stray pokeballs on the way. "Hey you dropped a few" Kay said appraoching Akira with the rest of the pokeballs.

[Asura Nirosuki]

"uh...".She stared at him.*hum an i hum an i hum an i*"Oh sorry!".She took the balls
and thanked him."There are the reaminders Officer Jenny!".Akira smiled."Thank you both you did an honorable thing".She out her hand to her head."I saulte you both and may you Two have a safe jouney".She winked at Kay then left in her car.Akira softly growled.

[Kay11190]

Kay watched Officer Jenny drive out of sight before Shadow kicked him. "Why do you always have to hit me. I swear you do this every time I beat you in an arguement." Shadow turned around and kicked the ground causing dust to fly on Kay and Akira. "What do you think your doing." Kay said covering his eyes from the dust cloud. Shadow now sat watching in the two in amusment while Kane was at his side. "I'm soory about that Akira Shadow does this sometimes." Kay said once the cloud had cleared.

[Asura Nirosuki]

"Well couldn't say that means we won't be traped togeather".Akira grinned."Don't be mad at the cute little guy".She teased Kay by petting Kane.Akira looked at the sky.
"It;s in the afternoon now...want to walk in the park?".She smiled at him.

[Kay11190]

"Sure I think that's a good idea. Shadow I think it's time for you to take a little nap." Shadow agrred with a yawn and dissapeared into his pokeball. Kane looked up at Akira with puppy dog eyes for her to pick hiim up. "Looks like he likes you more than me now." Kay said walking next to her. He looked at Kane who now had both his front paws on Akira's legs looking up at her.

[Asura Nirosuki]

"Hahee".She picked Kane up and petted him."You take such good care of him".Akira smiled at Kay.Then began walking towards the almost empty park.*I'm so glad i met both of them.*She knew in her head she liked one more better.

[Kay11190]

Kay followed Akira into the park thinking about if they traveled together. It would be good to travel with someone else. He definetly wouldn't be lonly as much. Soon enough they had reached the park and were walking toward what was left of the fountain. They had traveled most of the way in scilence. "So do you want to travel with me after this?" Kay asked breaking the scilence. "I think it would be great if you did."

[Asura Nirosuki]

*A wonderful advanture with my first friend!*Akira's eyes geamed.She was floating in colors."I..i would love that".She said then faced the floor not trying to let the real excitment out.She watched as shadows of the sun refeclet the ground as it came midnight.All of the people left the beauitful park.*Now would seem the best time to tell him*She though in her head and blushed.She heard a yawn come from Kane and petted him while he rested on her lap."Kay...".She faced the floor agian.

[Dream Illusionist]

Hmmmmm... That Umbreon must be an extremely rare pokémon, if he can use those attacks... Let's get him!- nodded Jessie.
Yeah, and then we'll give him to the boss and we will get promoted!- said James, imagining he being a Rocket Executive.
No, you idiot-replied Jessie- if we had that pokémon, we could beat the boss and be the new leaders of Team Rocket!
That's a fine idea! Lets grab him!-said James while running off.
*
Suddenly, near Kay and Akira, a lot of smoke appeared. And the two rocket members gave them their usual introduction...

Prepare for trouble!
And make it double!
To protect the world from devastation!
To unite all people within our nation!
To announce the evils of truth and love!
To extend our reach to the stars above!
Jessie!
James!
Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!
Surrender now or prepare to fight!

[Kay11190]

"what is it that you want to tell me?" Kay turned around hearing voices from behind. It was two Team Rocket members who happened to be saying a crummy motto. "Hey what do you two want?" Kay asked walking over to them. "You all aren't welcome here so please leave, I don't want to have to battle with you." Kay took out one of his pokeballs and clenched it in his hands. "PLease just leave us alone."

[Dream Illusionist]

"You wish!"-said Jessie.
"Yeah, shut up brat, and give us that Umbreon, if you don't want trouble!"-Added James.
Both of them were holding Pokéballs in their hands-
"Go Arbok!"
"Go Weezing!"

[Kay11190]

"I gave you guys fair warning." Kay said walking towards them. "Go Queen" Kay said throwing his pokeball. After the ball hit the ground an Alakazam appeared in its place. "Considering they are both poison types that means they have a weaknes against Phychic attacks. Queen use your phybeam attack now." Gueen held her spoons and shot which started to glow red alond with her eyes. She then shot a multicolored beam at the two pokemon.

[Dream Illusionist]

"You stupid brat!"-cried James-"Weezing, use Smokescreen!"
Weezing then inflated, and made a gas nearly impossible to see a thing.
"Arbok, now's your chance! DIG!"-Ordered Jessie
And then Arbok dug a hole, and hit Alakazam, when he couldn't see a thing to avoid the attack.

[Kay11190]

"Hmmm you guys are better than I thought. Gueen use another psybeam under you then use a future sight!" queen shot another multicolored beam into the ground under it. She then jumped back and floated in the air as if meditating to set the futre attack. "Good job Queen, now use calm mind and we can finish this." Kay said confidently.

[Dream Illusionist]

"Hehe...
Weezing, smokescreen again!"

Now, Kay couldn't see a thing, and when he noticed, the Rocket Members had flew off in their Meowth balloon with Shadow's ball.

"Mwahahahah!"-Laughed James hardly
"See you, kid!"-Said Jessie

[Hoshi]

EXCUSE ME!?
People, you need to WAIT. I can't keep up with all these bios. This Roleplay is CLOSED. Until I can sort through these 3 -PAGES- of "rp" You cannot RP until you see your Bio in FIRST POST!!!!!!! If you do so, you're KICKED OUT!!!
~Hoshi

[Kurosaki]

By request of the maker, this RP will be closed. You guys really should wait before going ahead... especially for the owner. It's just basic manners >>

*~Closed~*