Fragments (Invitational)

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Aisling
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Aisling was glad to see Raito back, as he was a nice person and she didn't like it when people put themselves in danger. Well, at least not when she realized they were in a dangerous situation.

"Oh so we're going by land? Hmm...," Aisling said to herself, frowning. There was something she needed to say about this but she couldn't quite put it together. Irikail was staring at her, there was no doubt that he had probably already figured it out.

Nummers was something she could ride on, the Slowking had been thinking, but the camel had just eaten a whole lot while they were outside, and so he was probably really sleepy and slow. He was only really fast when he was hungry. Not to mention, after eating all that plant material, his hump would be producing far too much heat and fire to travel in the dark with, let alone to sit on.

{Come on Aisling, you really think you can ride Nummers after he combed the forest floor eating goodness knows what?} the Slowking said to his trainer.

"It would be nice and warm," Aisling said placidly.

Irikail's mouth hung open slightly. {Oh sure, warm. Warm if you like your butt well-done like a steak,} he said, folding his arms. Aisling's eyes widened a little as if she had remembered something suddenly, and she quickly turned to the others.

"Um, I think I need something to ride on too... Nummers just got through eating and Irikail brought up some very good points," the girl said, certainly not wanting a repeat of a mistake she had made a while back.
 
I stared at Aisling for a moment before glancing down at my remaining pokemon.

<'No way. No way in all of good hell.'> Blair and Byte chorused, <'We carry pokemon, not fat humans.'>

"That's rude." I said monotonously.

<'ALL humans are fat. So technically, it's not rude at all.'> They barked back. Either way, Aisling would have to catch a different ride.

"Cyst can take two." I said, and Cyst nodded it's graceful head, all the while ignoring the faces she was getting from the mischevious dog duo, "But it'd be faster if she took one." I added, and Cyst thought for a moment.

<'In the long run, yes.'> Cyst said, nodding again. I didn't reply, instead, I decided I would go ahead and see what was waiting for us on the east end. Kicking at the joint between Trin's body and powerful legs, Trin jolted out of his sleepy trance and ran until he reached the edge of a cliff, when the two outer heads turned around to look at me for directions. I paused, silently for a moment, before pulling their rein's and staring down the cliff. No lights, meant, no hunters. The cliff's edge forest looked safe enough, but we'd have to go around it, which would take longer. To the west was a river, or whatever Samantha had said.

Trin beat it's feet on the ground in a nervous frenzy, kicking up dust and covering it's footprints. I blinked. "Go." I said, snapping the reins lightly on Trin's feathers, as he ran back to the group. I stared down the path we'd taken away from the cave. Footprints in the dirt, although, they now simply looked like little bumps in the path. We'd have to make sure to get rid of those as we walked. But, as usual, I didn't say anything about it.

OOC: It's getting better...I guess I just needed some sleep. But I still think it's a puny post. x_x
 
{Boy, what are you going to ride?}

"Huh?" Satoru blinked at Camoran's sudden interjection, snapping out of his musings about stars and plant cannibalism as he turned to adress the Espeon, immediately noting that his tail was already twitching in aggitation. An aggitated Camoran was never a good sign.

{Weren't you even LISTENING?!} the psychic type growled in exasperation, pacing back and forth a bit to calm himself down, {WHAt am I supposed to do with you? Everyone is discussing the plan for our escape and you're spacing out and thinking about flower fields or whatever it is you do in your spaced out moments! We're going by land, boy, LAND! What are you going to ride, eh? And if you're thinking about me then forget it. I'm a genius and psychic extaordinaire, but I'm most certainly not a mule.}

"Right." Satoru replied placidly, taking a moment to ponder the situation before the obvious solution struck him; "I'll ride Chichiro." he proclaimed simply, reaching for the Altaria's pokéball and releasing the flying pokémon with a flick of his wrist.

The pokémon was certainly an Altaria, the cloud wings and sky blue plumage left little doubt about that, but Chichiro certainly didn't seem to exhibit any of the usual high-strung grace that people associated with her species. On the contrary, the young Altaria looked very much like an over-energetic little Spearow as she jumped about the ground - for she still had some issues with flying - staring wide-eyed at all the new sights around her and sticking her head into a number of peculiar places, including the soup-pot and some unfortunate soul's belongings, before half-hopping and half-flying back to Satoru and rubbing herself against the boy's leg, the Altaria's innocent, beetle-black eyes staring up at him. {Oh helloes, uncle Satoru!} she chirped in her usual melodical voice, {To uncle Satoru I say hello. What is going on? Going on is what? Is the friend group heading off? Is the group of friends off to the head?}

Camoran did his best not to say something extaordinarily rude. He was always touchy about faulty use of language, and the Altaria's fondness for rearranging sentences was something akin to high treason in the Espeon's eyes.

{We're escaping, that's what's going on, you mental midget...} he grit out, {Now I request that you cease your reckless reorganization of lexemes immediately! It is giving me a throbbing headache, a handicap which I do not wish to suffer from now that my powers are once again needed!}

{What did Chichiro hear?} the Altaria retorted, {Heard something Chichiro has, but what? Is it a puff of hot air? Is heated oxygen that which causes such noise? No, Camoran it is. Camoran is that which sounded like hot air. Hello to you too, to you as well I say hello.}

{Hot air?!} Camoran fumed, his tail twitching in aggitation, {HOT AIR?! How dare you insult me and my psychic prowess you flighty, cerebrally challenged creature of-}

"Camoran, please..." Satoru cut in, "Didn't you just say that we needed to hurry? We need Chichiro's help, so don't fight with her right now, okay?"

{Help?} Chichiro echoed, {Chichiro is very helpful, yes, yes, yes, very helpful is what she is! Camoran just has too much ego to understand Chichiro's helpfulness! Too much ego is that which prevents Camoran from comprehending. So much ego there's no room for wit, no, no, no, place of brain taken by ego, yes, yes, yes. What can Chichiro do to help uncle Satoru? For the helping of uncle Satoru, what can Chichiro do?}

"I need to ride you." the boy replied, stroking the Altaria's head while consciously blocking out Camoran's disgruntled mumbling. The Espeon would sulk about this, oh yes, it would last for the rest of the day probably, and then the Espeon would dramatically proclaim that they all envied his superior intellect and didn't give him the respect that was due, it was always the same. "And I think we'll be going by water. Can you go by water, Chichiro?"

{Can Chichiro go by water?} the Altaria echoed, tilting her head to the left, {The abilitiy of swimming of Chichiro is what uncle Satoru wants to know? Chichiro loves the water, oh yes, the great blue is what Chichiro adores. Can she swim? Swim can she? No, no, no. But fly above the water can she? Can she fly above water? Oh yes, yes, yes, Chichiro can fly because papa and uncle Satoru taught her. Because of the teachings of uncle Satoru and papa, Chichiro can fly, yes, yes, yes. She can fly over many places, fly over many places can she. And water is one of many places, many places is that of which water is a part. Chichiro would happily let uncle Satoru fly, fly on Chichiro happily uncle Satoru can.}

"See?" Satoru remarked calmly in the direction of Camoran's turned back, "We'll be allright. Camoran, Hana, return." he reached for two other pokéballs on his belt, pointing one towards Hana's tree and the other at Camoran's back, both pokémon soon dissapearing to their respective places, although for those close enough, Camoran's aggitated mumbling was still audible.

"So which way do we go?" the boy asked no-one in particular, giving them all a friendly smile as he hoisted his pack onto his back, "We're going, right?"

OOC: Yish, it's been a while since I posted last. Sorry about that, everyone, even though it's perfectly in-character for Satoru to behave like he's somewhere completely else. xD
 

Aisling
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When Kirux's pokemon began to comment about Aisling's weight, Irikail whipped around faster than seemed possible for something with 'slow' in its name. He glared openly at the pair of pokemon.

{How dare you filthy little ingrates call Aisling 'fat'!} he growled, {I'll--!}

He stopped when he felt Aisling's hand on his shoulder. "It's okay Irikail," the girl said with her smile still plastered on, "Let it go."

{B-but they called you fat!} he said gruffly, still looking bothered. Aisling laughed a little.

"It's okay!" she said softly, "I know I'm not fat; I'm just happy!" It took a big insult to make Aisling react with anything but indifference to the matter. She was glad that her partner pokemon had stood up for her so loyaly. He often fought with her, and sometimes she got an inkling that he was a bit annoyed by her, but he was still the same old Slowpoke deep down inside.

She patted him on the head once more and turned to Kyra and Cyst. She was about to speak when Satoru let out his Altaria. Aisling was suddenly enthralled by the clouds surrounding it. "Wow! How's it do that?! It's like a piece of the sky when the sun was still out!" the girl said, sounding impressed. Irikail cleared his throat loudly.

Aisling looked up from it, "Huh?" She then saw Kyra and Cyst again. "Oh!" she said, turning to them again, "I wanted to ask you if you minded if I tag along on your back Cyst? It shouldn't be for long because once we get ta' the water, I can... um... wait," she trailed off, forgetting what it was she was supposed to be saying.

"What was it I was going to do? Drink the water? Put the water in the bucket? Wait! I have a bucket...?" she mumbled to herself, confusing the situation even more.

{Oh...,} Irikail said to Cyst, {She's trying to say that when we get to the water, she shall ride me. You will only have to take her so long as we're on land. Is that all right?}
 
"Fright, I'm going to need to recall you now. You can't help me at the moment, sorry," Samantha told her Gengar. {Whatever.} was his response. {I could use a break. Even us ghosts need a little sleep.}

Samantha pressed the button on the Gengar's Pokeball, absorbing him in a flash of red light. She then unclipped another Pokeball from her belt and pressed the release button, causing a Meganium to appear in a flash of white light. {Hey there! Is it my turn to help now?.} she said in her own language. Samantha was not psychic, but she could understand the gist of what most Pokemon said to her from reading her ancestor's books on Pokemon-human relations.

"Yeah, Petal," the girl responded. "I need you to take me to the river. Our whole group is moving because the hunters are nearby."

{Oh, thank goodness!,} Meganium responded. {I don't like those hunters. I don't like any people whom I don't know will be nice to me. But you can ride me! Here, I'll even help you get on!}

Before Samantha could even comment about that, she found herself being lifted in the air by the Meganium's Vine Whip. Petal placed her Trainer on her back and uncoiled the vines from around Samantha. {How's that? Are you comfy now?}

"Well, my waist hurts from that, but otherwise, yes," Samantha responded, sighing. She did not particularly enjoy being hoisted up by the Pokemon's vines, but she did not want to upset Petal; it was a little easy to hurt the Meganium's feelings. {Alright! Let's go!}

"Don't forget about Luna!," the girl added. "We can't just leave her here.... Oh... she's in my backpack." Samantha turned felt something jump into her backpack, which she had left open while she was wearing it. The little Eevee had climbed onto Petal from behind and jumped into Samantha's knapsack.

"Okay, I'm ready to get going," she said to the group. "I'll Surf on Toxin once we get to the river, but I don't think she can take anyone else. She's still getting used to swimming. It's a little hard for her because she's not really a water Pokemon."
 
<'Well I shouldn't believe there is any harm in one more passenger! There shouldn't be any problem, as long as you don't mind a rough ride. We'll have to snake through the trees, so you'll be going this way and that, so keep a tight grip you hear? I would hate for one of you to fall off, that may have a few injuring effects, as if you do fall off, I should think you'd promptly hit a tree!'> Cyst babbled in her high girly voice, and at the end, letting out a trill that was most likely her way of laughing, <'I can take two passenger's in the water as well, if one or the other doesn't mind getting a tad wet on the feet!'>

"Let's go already. If we stand around much longer we're going to have a lot of fun battling those hunters." I said, yanking on Trin's rein's and going in the direction that seemed to have been unanimously decided, save for one vote that could care less. I would've said that I found the fact that every pokemon seemed to have a personality of their own (even though I could really only understand what my own pokemon said,) and that they seemed to have more personality then humans. I had never really seen anyone else's pokemon as anything but tools, and sometimes even, my own pokemon. They never seemed like much anything else, and they knew I didn't think they were entirely my 'friends'.

But I suppose loyalty is a pokemon's greatest aspect. Trin was starting to get impatient. It's sad head lazily turned to look at me, and blinked slowly. I blinked right back and all three heads knew that they would wait, whether they wanted to or not. That is, until a root decision was reached.

OOC: Merg. I feel like a hypocrite, typing these bleh posts. My apologies ten times over. =_=
 
"On the topic of transportation, I'm afraid I'm a bit . . . Well, Obsidian can carry me well enough. But, if he were to travel above ground, he would leave a trail a blind Magikarp could follow." Raito toyed with the Onyx's Pokeball in one hand, rolling the sphere between his fingers. Suddenly, the Pokeball vanished, only to be replaced by another one. "The best option I can think of is riding my Skarmory and just staying low, if that's alright." Raito smiled slightly, glancing in what might have been amusement toward the newly-appeared Altaria. Though unable to understand what she said, her mood and personality were conveyed easily enough through her tone.

Flicking Argent's Pokeball into the air, Raito lightly caught it on the end of his index finger--merely amusing himself until the time came to leave. "So, have we decided on a direction to go?" The trainer's eyes shifted slightly about the camp, remembering every suggestion that had been offered while noting Kirux's wordless vote for eastern travel. Then, remembering Kyra's inquiry regarding bodies of water, Raito offered, "You know, before dinner I was at this lake. It was hard to see in the darkness, so I wasn't sure how big it was, though." Raito fell silent for a moment, considering the various options. "But if it's speed we want while escaping, I suppose moving water may be our best bet . . . " Samantha said the river was only fifty yards from here. That's less than a tenth of a mile. So, we could--in theory--walk like she suggested. Still, everyone seems to be putting quite an effort into finding Pokemon to ride. It would be a shame to put all that to waste . . .

Raito looked up as Samantha spoke, though for a moment he remained silent. Seems she's decided on the river. Putting his hands noncholantly behind his head, Raito leaned back on them as he commented, "Well, as long as we're all going the same way, I guess whatever's fine." I just hope we don't run into any rapids or waterfalls along the way. Heheh. Oh, well. Either way, we've been through worse.
 
Satoru blinked at Raito's comment about flying low, combined with Aisling's comment about Chichiro's wings his expression unusually attentive.

"Oh, I've got an idea!" he remarked suddenly, "We could use Chichiro's Mist attack and fly along pretending that we're a cloud, you know. Maybe we wouldn't look too genuine from the air, but I bet that people on the ground wouldn't notice the difference, and Skarmory has really good eyesight, right?" he scratched his head, wondering if he had the pokémon confused with another flying type but feeling reasonably sure that he didn't, "He could probably see even from the inside of the cloud, and no pokémon could smell us that high up. How about it?"

{Chichiro is like a piece of the sky?} Chichiro echoed at Aisling's comment, turning her attention to the girl, {Like a part of the heavens is Chichiro? That is a very nice thing to say, a muchly nice thing to say that is. Chichiro likes this person!} she hopped a few times before becoming airborne and quickly swooped down on Aisling's shoulder, nuzzling the girl affectionately, {Liking this person is Chichiro! Does the nice person have shiny things, maybe? Shining things are there in the nice person's possession?} she stared curiously at Aisling's bag before popping her head into it without any warning.
 
Kyra considered the idea of pretending to be a cloud for a moment, then said, "I don't think that'd work Satoru. And besides, we're only going by land because some people and Pokemon don't want to go by air. And the mist would probably just draw attention to us. If we were to fly we'd go high enough that the darkness would swallow us." She walked over to Cyst and climbed onto her back. She glanced at one of the Pokeballs on her belt for a moment then shook her head. Several times already the idea of riding Drake had entered her mind, but sometimes he was impatient and she didn't want to risk him flying into a tree. That would cause a commotion and slow them down quite effectively.

"Are we ready to go? Everyone has a Pokemon, right? The hunters won't be too far away and the fire is nearly dead. We should move while we can still see each other then allow our Pokemon to guide us. We can't use any source of light until we're on the river. We are all agreed to go that way, correct?" Even if we're not, she added to herself, we're going that way. Arguing will take more time which we don't have and the river will be much faster. Plus it might lead to a lake or run through a town. If it does we might be able to get some supplies, provided we hide our identity of course.

She adjusted her position on Cyst, giving a quick apology for any discomfort she might be causing, then gripped the Dragonair scales just tight enough to hold on, she didn't want to pull any off, and waited for Aisling to climb on. Fifty meters, it won't take us long to reach the river. The hunters are distracted by Raito's rumor, everyone's here, we're ready to go. She gave herself a little nod then turned her head to stare in the direction they'd be going.
 
"Meet you there." I said, kicking the Trin's leg joint with my heel and snapping the reins as Trin began to run, dodging the trees by jumping this way and that. It was a mission on it's own, trying to stay on top of the speeding bird, that seemed intent on getting there as fast as it's legs would carry without running into a tree in the process. But by keeping so low to the bird's neck that I couldn't see exactly where we were going, I managed to dodge branches and the wind that was whirling around me. At the very least, Trin was going slow enough not to make too much of a racket...

<'Too much to the left!'> Blair shouted from his pokeball, smelling for water.

<'Too much to the right!'> Byte shouted at the same time, also using his acute smelling sense for water.

Silence ensued, save for the rustle and whistling of the air and leaves around them, and Trin's angry head grumbled <'Make up yer minds you peabrained cay-nines!'>

<'PEABRAINED?!'> Blair roared, <'YOU'RE THE BIRDBRAIN...S!'> Byte added in an indignant bark.

"Shut up." I whispered, annoyed, as Trin came to a sudden spot.

<'Cold feet, Cold feet, Cold feet!!'> Trin's joyful head trilled as the bird pokemon stomped here and there, splashing everywhere before 'SMACK' "I SAID SHUT UP!" I whispered heatedly. All three of Trin's heads hung to the left, all three having been slapped across the back of the head with my right hand. I looked behind me. I knew that riding Cyst in a forest would be no more fun then it had been riding Trin (what racket!) as Cyst would make abrupt and unnesseccary turns and move through the trees like a flying snake. Oh well, they wanted transportation, they got it.

OOC: The racket wasn't THAT loud in case you want to incorporate it as something that catches the hunter's attention, but if you really want to it can be loud and it can be used to attract their attention away from north if nesseccary for some action. *shrugs*
 
"Alright. Let's head to the river," Samantha instructed her Pokemon. Petal listened, and began to move. Riding the Meganium through the woods was actually not so bad. The Grass Pokemon traveled at a slightly slower and much steadier pace; she could also fire Razor Leaves to chop overhanging branches and clear low-growing vegetaion to make Samantha's ride a little smoother.

"Some of the others are going to have a little trouble traveling through the woods because of all the trees," Samantha said to her Pokemon. "You might not move as quickly as their Pokemon, but I think we'll beat everyone to the river."

{Well, they don't have any Grass Pokemon to ride!,} was Petal's response.

"You're actually helping them, though," Samantha added. "By cutting away all these plants, you're making a path to the river that they'll have an easy time following and won't look like it isn't natural. Since you're completely cutting the plants away, there's nothing to suggest to the hunters that there were any plants there to beging with."

{Then I'm glad I can help! I like helping your friends, and I'm glad the strangers can't follow it!}

Samantha's plan was nearly foolproof. To make room for the Meganium's feet, she had to use Razor leaves to completely clear away the bushes, flinging their chopped up pieces to the sides and into more bushes. There was nothing to suggest that the plants had ever been there, except for the roots, which were concealed by the soil. The hunters would not suspect a thing; and even if they did, the fragment bearers would be far downstream.
 

Aisling
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Irikail nodded thankfully to the Dragonair. {Good, I'll get Aisling to return me to my poke... ball,} he trailed off noticing that a rather curious Altaria had now positioned itself on Aisling's pack.

Aisling thought for a moment, "Oh I have lots of shiny things! I like them too you know. Now what do I have? There's um... well, there's... well they're in there!" She smiled. She couldn't really think of anything particular right then, but she had to admit that there were things in there. Irikail approached her quickly.

{Aisling, we need to go now!} he said urgently. Cyst and Kyra weren't going to wait long and he didn't want to be left behind.

"Hm? Oh yeah, well hold on I just need to--," the girl began slowly.

{No time! No time!} Irikail said his eyes suddenly glowing a bright blue. Aisling's bag began to move oddly, and soon two objects squeezed out of the opening between Chichiro's body and the bag's edge. One was a small Pokeball, and the other was one of the pipe cleaners that Aisling had looked at earlier. The fuzzy part was colored a shiny silver color, and Irikail hoped it would distract and satisfy the shiny-seeking Chichiro.

{There Chichiro, your shiny thing, and it's soft too,} the Slowking said, wondering how such strange beings ever got through life. All the enemy needed was a piece of polished metal and they'd have it made.

Aisling grabbed the pokeball as it floated to her. "Wow...! Oh thanks Irikail! How helpful," she said slowly, holding out the pokeball, "Now return!" Suddenly Irikail was swallowed up in a flash of red light.

The girl then turned to Cyst and Kyra. "Okay, I'm a comin'!"
 
Raito had thought the idea of a cloud was alright, providing they moved with the wind. With Kyra as the acting leader, however, he had little to no desire to begin an argument. So, shrugging indifferently, he flicked a Pokeball into the air. "Hey, Argent. Let's go."

A flash of ruby light burst from the Pokeball, twisting and changing shape before finally fading to reveal a steel bird. Catching the Pokeball and returning it to his side, Raito smiled amiably at the Skarmory. "There's a river nearby--only about fifty yards, in fact. Think you can weave your way through the forest until then?"

Skarmory nodded eagerly, experience having taught it not to create too much noise while it and its trainer remained fugitives. As the Pokemon began to beat its wings, however, Raito added, "Um, you think you could carry me while doing that?"

The bird Pokemon paused. Though its metallic armor allowed for minimal expression, its irritable response seemed clear enough. As was typical of Skarmory, Argent was proud and quick-tempered, easily angered whenever anyone--including itself--began to doubt its abilities. Turning, the steel type permitted its trainer to climb onto its back as it suppressed a low hiss in its throat.

Still smiling placatingly, Raito quipped, "I'm ready. And good lu--Woah!" Before Raito could finish, Argent launched itself into the air.
 
{Shiny!} Chichiro proclaimed happily, quickly snatching the pipe cleaner with her beak and holding it up proudly while trying her best to hum a tune about it when she did so.

"Yes, that's very nice, Chichiro." Satoru commented, unable to resist a chuckle at the flying pokémon's excitement as he patter her affectionately on the head, "Remember to thank Aisling for it later, okay?" he then swiftly positioned himself on the Altaria's back, the cloud-like wings effortlessly drifting aside. Altarias weren't exactly the strongest birds around, so the more heavy-set trainers couldn't ride them, but with his rather lanky build, coupled with the somewhat small rations of food he had been going on lately, the boy could sit there with seemingly no effect on the Altaria. But then again, few things could disturb Chichiro when she had just obtained a shiny one. Alas, few things also included her trainer's orders.

"Chichiro...I think we need to move." the boy stated, his voice slowly beginning to change from its usual calm tone as more and more of his companions dissappeared into the forest, "In fact, we should move-"

He paused, suddenly spotting the pokémon Raito had chosen for the trip and grinning at the thought.

"Oh Chichiro..." Satoru remarked in a friendly voice, "...do you see what I see?" he nodded towards Argent, the Altaria briefly tearing her attention away from the pipe cleaner and catching a glimpse of the Skarmory before it dived in between the foilage.

With something that shiny, a glimpse was more than enough.

{Shiny one!} Chichiro exclaimed, managing, with quite considerable beak agility, to maintain a firm hold of the pipe cleaner, {One that is shiny!} Satoru barely had the time to grab a panicked hold around the Altaria's neck as she sped after her new target of interest. She would keep them in sight, that the boy was certain of, and Raito's pokémon would keep up with the others. All in all, things weren't too bad. 'Well...', he added for himself as he quickly pulled his head down to prevent it from slamming into a branch, '...as long as I stay alive, anyway.'
 
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OOC: I've been trying o post this for the past few days, but either the site was down or my internet wasn't working. Now that the second problem's cured, hopefully I'll be able to stay in this...
IC:
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"It seems we are moving," Suneora said to her Pokemon, eyeing the gradually lightening sky. For some reason, there was a hint of a mournful tone in her voice. But still, after a few moments, she turned to her Dragonair.
"Kalena? Shall we fly, my dragon blue?"
<"Yes,"> Kalena replied, <"but adjectives come before nouns, for future reference."> Suneora didn't even reply to her as she mounted, looking between the Dragonair and the sky. The two seemed to nearly match in colour.

Then Suneora looked to her other Pokemon.
Suthemai can fly, Suneora thought, [/i]but she must not glow. Sureana can as well; luckily she is one of shadow. Same goes for Su-Kanaori. But as for Runaito and Asachiwa...[/i]
<"Don't worry about us,"> Asachiwa reassured, as if she had read Suneora's mind. <"We'll find a way there.">
<"You want to separate?!?"> Suthemai worried. <"How do I know we'll see you again?">
<"We'll know where you are; we'll see you in the skies.">
"No you will not," Suneora corrected. "If you see us, probably the hunters can as well. Not that I mind, but..."
<"You know what will happen if we're discovered by them, right?"> Asachiwa affirmed.
<"They will hunt us down, drink your blood, and become who knows what, all-powerful!?"> Sureana continued.
"What powers?" Suneora asked, definitely sounding melancholy this time. "I was banned from my own homeland because I had none."
<"Uh... because maybe you were not born with them??"> Sureana guessed. <"Maybe the fragments weren't even there before--maybe they just... got into you somehow, after... you left.">
<"Ah, you are the hunter that disappoints only those she works for,"> Su-Kanaori said in her usual riddling manner. <"Now you must find it in the new fate that has awaited you.">
<"Can we just go already?"> Kalena suggested. <"Before our colours don't match?">

Not another word was said. Suneora and Kaleni took off, drifting gracefully up towards the clouds, which were now less numerous than before. Suneora was right about the colours: as soon as they were high up, neither Asachiwa nor Runaito could see them. Sureana, Suthemai, and Su-Kanaori had already taken to the skies, so the two ground-dwellers were left alone. Parting was a regretful action, but because all the Pokemon were still technically wild (they didn't have Pokeballs), Suneora wasn't officially responsible for them. Moreover, the group did not consist of your typical trainer who will not accept separation nor look for deeper meanings. The group members, especially Suneora, trusted each other, and even if they were millions of miles away from each other, their spirits were still close, which would tie them all back together in the end. Whichever fate met the now divided group, all members would accept without regret.

In the sky...

"As the sky becomes lighter," Suneora said to Kaleni, "we shall fly above the clouds..."
<"Just one problem,"> Kaleni answered. <"I don't see any clouds up ahead. I think we're in for a bright and sunny day ahead.">
<"I'm just grateful we're heading west, so the sun's not in our eyes when it rises.">
"But when it rises," Suneora commented, "we should probably be in another safe place."
<"And then we get to sleep through a hot and sunny day,"> Suthemai added.
<"We will probably be underground, so it won't be as hot,"> Kaleni corrected.

And besides, the group had nothing much to worry about; there was only a tiny bit of a cerulean glow behind them on the horizon, and for the first few moments after the sky was no longer black, Kaleni would blend in with the sky anyways. This state would last for a few hours yet, before the sun actually rose. The group still had time, and plenty of it.

On the ground...

To Runaito, Asachiwa, and everyone else that was on the ground, it seemed like dawn was still ages away. There were shrubs and trees all around, and cast upon them was near complete darkness. Luckily Runaito could see quite well under these conditions, as many cat Pokemon could. So Asachiwa mounted Runaito, hoping she wasn't too heavy.
<"I guess we're lucky that you haven't eaten anything in a while,"> Runaito muttered while standing up, just barely able to support Asachiwa's weight. But then again, neither have I... they ran out back at the camp... Ah well, no matter.
Runaito then started to run. Normally her movements would have been much more stealthful, but as Asachiwa was riding her, that was a little less so. Leaves rustled and branches snapped as they weaved in and out of the trees. All the two of them could do now was hope for the best. But there weren't very many worries; if they were discovered by the hunters by now, there would be no point because Suneora was not with them. And also, they were in the middle of nowhere, so they would be difficult to follow...
 
OOC: Sorry I haven't posted in a while. With school and track starting again I'm having a hard time getting on the computer. If I'm not exhausted from running two miles I have a ton of homework to do. ^^; I am giving you guys temporary control over my character just to get to the river and maybe start the journey up it. Don't make Kyra do anything too embarrassing, ok? :P
 
OOC: Alana has given me permission to join. Bet you didn't know there were NINE fragments! *laughs* Okay, she edited because I was SOOO late! But, here I am, and here I shall stay! I hope not to interrupt too badly, and am very grateful to be here!

Name: Kumori Juunin

Age: 17

Gender: Female

Pokemon: Arcanine (male, nicknamed Blaze), Dragonite (female, nicknamed Kira), Garydos (male, nicknamed Ceru), Kirlia (female, nicknamed Dancelle), Raichu (female, nicknamed Ruby), Furret (female, nicknamed Nala)

Personality: Strong but shy, it often takes Kumori a good long while to warm up to anyone. She trains strong Pokemon, but doesn't enjoy using them for battle. She doesn't have any choice most of the time, due to her having a fragment of the Stone within her soul. She prefers to think of herself as a Pokemon Breeder. She usually has a very soft smile playing about her face and has a tendency to bring hope to any situation. She never gives up and refuses to let those close to her give up either. She doesn't have many friends other than her six Pokemon. She always has one of them out with her, normally her Raichu, Ruby. Don't get her angry!! Once angered, Kumori can channel her anger into her Pokemon, and they are STRONG when mad!

Description: Rather thin and shapely (though you couldn't tell), Kumori is a delicate-looking creature. Her eyes are a dark, stormy gray that tend to sparkle and twinkle with an inner glow when she's training or just being with her Pokemon. Her hair is as black as the eternally darkened sky above her head. The long locks are kept under control by a braid decorated at the top with a bow of varying colors. She dresses rather oddly for a seventeen-year-old. You can almost always find her dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, usually one in a dark color and print. The kimonos hide her figure, which is just as well for her. She doesn't like to draw attention. The long sleeves also do a good job of covering her odd scar on her collarbone. The five-pointed figure occasionally bursts with a strange, white light. It's her mark as a fragment bearer.

Other: Kumori's entire family was killed in the hunt to capture her. She had returned to them for a few days before they were murdered in cold blood. This kept her from finding the other fragment bearers for quite some time. She couldn't get over the loss of her family. Now, she is using this as a rock, a way to help her use her Pokemon to protect others. She hopes to find the Others and aid them as best she can. And, mayhaps, make a few friends. She also shares a telekinetic bond with all of her Pokemon. Another side-effect of her fragment.


IC: I shivered and clutched Blaze's fur more tightly. I'd taken a nasty spill into the river and was freezing to death. Hypothermia would set in soon if Blaze and I didn't find somewhere to make a small fire for me to warm up. I snuggled into my Arcanine's warm fur, lightly heated by his inner fires. Dancelle had informed us of the presence of the other Fragment Bearers. We were racing in their direction. They were partway up the river. We'd make it there in time.

I sneezed. I wasn't a big fan of water. Okay, I wasn't a big fan of rivers. Lakes I could handle. Lakes didn't have deadly currents that pulled six-year-old girls under and threaten to destroy them.

I couldn't help but laugh a little. That day stood out in my memory almost as clearly as the day I watched my mother, father, and little brother be murdered.

I shook the thoughts from my head, digging my knees lightly into Blaze's sides, silently urging him forward. The lightless forest was a wonderful cover, and Blaze could see magnificently in the dark, even better than I. It was a wonderful feeling, to be rushing through the air.

And then the cold swept into me again.

I sneezed again.

Blaze gave me a mental chide and told me to snuggle closer. I did so willingly. His warmth was wonderful against my skin. We paused a good ways up river, and I slipped off of my friend. He gave me the strange, dog-like smile that only an Arkanine can give. I smiled back and quickly slipped out of my wet kimono and pulled on another, dressing quickly, tying the ribbons and bows with skilled fingers. Blaze dried the other off quickly as we settled in to wait for a sign of the Fragments.
 
OOC: Nyah, posting has been very slow around here lately so an active member is certainly welcome as far as my opinion is concerned. ^^ It's absolute murder on the gender balance, though. xD

IC:

The trip through the forest became an increasingly difficult procedure for Satoru as the canopy thickened, the boy having to stay in constant motion to avoid bruising himself on the various branches and tree trunks which darted in and out of the narrow field of vision that his eyes provided him. At the speeds with which they were moving, the air itself had taken to whipping the boy across the face, accompanied by a seemingly constant haze of debris and leaves from the forest floor, forcing him to press his head close to Chichiro's soft, downed body and hope for the best.

Suddenly, the Altaria slowed down, however, squawking out something uncomprehensible, for the pipe cleaner still remained awkwardly positioned in her beak, and eagerly circling something, and with the peculiar cold in the air around his feet, Satoru realized the situation even before he turned his face up again, which was certainly a good thing as he needed all the time he could get to make an emergency leap from the Altaria's back before she dropped into a sudden nose dive, hitting something below with a loud splash.

Satoru groaned slightly, massaging the now aching right arm - which had been unfortunate enough to take the brunt of the impact - and quickly brushing himself off as he got up from the ground, taking in his surroundings as best he could. Well, they had certainly found the river, the wildly splashing Altaria who was now fervently diving for the small reflections of light dancing across its surface. Light...the boy blinked. There might not have been any stars in the sky, but there always seemed to be something bright about, usually a searchlight. This time, the answer was easy enough to deduce as a rather disoriented-looking Chinchou briefly surfaced, glaring reproachfully at Chichiro and squirting out a small jet of water at her before dissappearing back into the river.

{Shiny one!} Chichiro called out in a melancholy way, staring after the departing angler pokémon, {One that is shiny! Come back! Back come you!} Chichiro just-!}

Satoru sighed, "Don't worry, Chichiro." he said wearily, cautiously reaching out towards the Altaria in an attempt to drag her up on land while still keeping away from the river himself, "We'll find another shiny, and you've still got the one Aisling gave you, remember? Now come on, you know you shouldn't stay in water that cold."

The Altaria seemed to perk up a bit at this statement, holding on to the pipe cleaner with newfound affection as she leapt up from the water, scattering a cascade of droplets in all directions as she performed a somewhat unsteady swoop through the air and lande next to Satoru, {That's right!} she proclaimed, nuzzling the boy's pant leg and leaving a cold, wet spot as a result, {Right is what that is! Chichiro still has a shiny! A shiny is what Chichiro has! And many more shall she have! She shall have many more! Maybe she will get one from the nice person over there? The nice person over there is the one she will get something from, maybe?}

Satoru spun around at the Altaria's last statement, finally noticing that they hadn't been alone like he had thought. Just by the river bank, curled up next to the figure of a large, canine type pokémon was a stranger. Or...wait. He squinted, there was something familiar about this girl, but the boy couldn't tell for sure in the darkness, and he knew that there was little point in calling out Camoran for light, as the Espeon was still firmly in his righteous indignation stage.

"Umm...excuse me, miss?" Satoru began, taking a step forward, but keeping a hand close to the pokéballs on his belt, "Do I know you from somewhere?"
 
Argent burst from the forest foliage, turning sharply upward and narrowly avoiding the Altaria that emerged shortly after it. Tightening his grip upon the Skarmory's neck as the Pokemon curved into an arcing backflip, Raito somehow managed to direct the metal type to land. With a decisive cloud of dust rising about him, Argent extended his wings and lowered himself regally to the riverbank. Raising an arm to block the spray of water that rose from the river as Chichiro broke the water's surface, Raito laughed quietly and dismounted his Pokemon. Reaching one hand upward, Raito stroked the crest on Argent's head for several seconds before hearing Satoru speak.

As he turned about, a Pokeball was instantly in Raito's hand at the sight of the shadows Satoru was addressing. I must be losing my touch, not noticing those two. The trainer paused. Wait. I think I've seen the human. The wanted posters . . .

"Umbreon, give us a little light." The Pokeball in Raito's hand snapped open as Twilight emerged amidst an aura of red. Shaking its head slightly as the crimson light faded, the dark type then activated the rings of gold that adorned its black form. Dim light surrounded the Pokemon, stretching toward the girl and her Arcanine that could now be seen. A smile warmer than Umbreon's light entered Raito's features as his dark blue eyes focused on Kumori. Not wanting to draw any undue attention toward the area, the trainer quietly motioned for Twilight to dim the light as he greeted the girl. "So, you're the ninth?"
 
I started as the two approached me. Blaze growled dangerously at the pair, his hackles rising a bit. I smiled at him and scratched his ear, letting him know there was nothing to fear.

He gave a snort and a yawn, reminding me that if either of them made a single wrong move...

I giggled and turned to them.

A gentle breeze flitted over the river, toying with the ribbon to my kimono. I nodded at the second speaker. "Yes, I am the ninth. My name is Kumori Juunin." I paused, smiling for a moment. "It means 'shadow dweller'. It has taken me a long time to find you, and I am sorry for that."

I peered at them anxiously. "Surely the other six are coming?"
 
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