[Gabe Alim]

The path to the Golden Tree, the supposed heart of Arciel, was paved with strange and powerful Pokemon. Gabe had heard the stories of these monstrous beasts since he’d come to Arciel all those years ago. All the same, this was still the first time he’d come so close to the start of the forest.

It doesn’t seem that impressive… Gabe smirked a little to himself and checked the Pokemon at his hip again. They should be more than enough to deal with whatever came in such an area, or so he told himself anyways. He’d packed food and supplies and was feeling overall pretty confident in what he had in order to progress through the area.Just a bigger forest than usual… Or so he told himself. Then why, why did he have such reservations? Why were his legs so stiff? Gabe took in a breath and forced a couple of steps forward. So long as he was walking forward, there was no chance of looking back.

Yellow eyes raised flickering from one tree to the next. This isn’t so bad… Or so he told himself.

---

Charmeleon [Lizbeth] - 50
Murkrow [Crowlie] - 45
Bubblegum [Ditto] - 41
Sceptile [Vern] - 45
Alakazam [Harriet] - 45
Eelektrik [Volt] - 42

[Ebblow]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Gabe Alim

As you make your way further into the trees, the normal rustle of leaves and underbrush begins to change. The natural sounds of the wildlife becomes more and more apparent despite there not seeming to be any obvious causes. You aren't given too long to think about this before a disgruntled screech echoes around you, followed by sounds that you could presume are a pursuit. It's coming your way!

[Gabe Alim]

The sounds in the area were not enough to deter Gabe immediately. Instead, he found himself fishing out a Pokeball and releasing Liz instead. She side-eyed him carefully, and he brought a finger to his lips and then glanced forward. Ah. Something was there. Something they couldn’t quite see or hear ye—

The sudden screech had Gabe and Liz jolting in unison. The sudden, fast paced rushing sounds that followed right after had Gabe quickly backing up behind Liz. The Charmelon took in a sharp breath ready to spew flames at whatever it was that was coming next.

[Ebblow]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Gabe Alim

Quite suddenly a Simisear bursts from the underbrush. He gets a little too close to almost slamming right into Liz before he launches himself off to the side, coming to a bit of a face-skid beside you. Behind him is a Leavanny, who has the sense and alertness to stop herself long before she gets too close to Liz. She watches warily as her would-be companion, a Kadabra, sees a human and decides it's safer to just skeedadle.

[Gabe Alim]

Liz’s maw dropped, and a small ball of flames formed— only for her to snap it shut at the last moment as a Simisear came barreling on through. Instead, she side steps him (even as he launches himself off to the side), and snarls. <Watch it!> Her thoughts were loud enough to reach Gabe then and cause him to wince.

Still, at the sight of a Pokemon— a normal sized Pokemon, Gabe slowly deflated some. Yeah, of course it was just Pokemon, yeah? Yeah. His gaze holds on the Simisear with some interest, though. That was one he hadn’t gotten in his Fire collection yet. The sound of others approaching, however, had Liz’s head turning and her gaze fixating on the Leavanny. <Are you with this bumbling fool? Care to explain what you're doing?> Liz snapped. Gabe snorted. She was not having it today, was she? Not that he blamed her here in such a dangerous area.

[Ebblow]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Gabe Alim

<With him? Ha. No, but he is to be brought before my leader. Hand him over, if you please, and we can all be on our own ways,> she requests, extending one of her forelimbs in gracious manner. Almost as if she expects the Simisear himself to just be put in her grasp.

<There's a beast that lives in the forest. It has most of the grass-types under a... a spell of some kind. It's trying to rid the forest of us fire-types. Help us, please.> The Simisear has somewhat righted himself, now kneeling on the ground beside Gabe, facing his pursuer. He looks pleadingly between trainer and Charmeleon.

[Gabe Alim]

Liz’s eyes narrowed as the Leavanny spoke. She didn’t like the way this one was talking to her, and she wasn’t ready to take her eyes off her either. The Simisear's words had a low rumble escaping from her throat right after. <He says there’s some threat in here that’s trying to eliminate all Fire types…> Liz relayed to Gabe just in case he couldn’t hear what was being said by these wild Pokemon.

Gabe was grateful for the translation but frowned at the implications. His eyes flicked from the Simisear to the Leavanny and a small, dry smirk pulled across his lips. Well, if they earned some repour with the local Fire type population in this sacred forest then maybe they could convince some of the really huge ones to come with them. “Burn her, then,” he answered. The Charmeleon didn’t need another order in this case. A deep breath was taken in before a spew of flames flew out. Flamethrower to the face.

[Ebblow]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Gabe Alim

The Leavanny was originally pretty full of herself and looked absolutely convinced no one would dare go against whatever leader she was referring to. So it comes as quite the surprise when Liz prepares for a blast of fire. The bug hardly knows what hit her. With her being twice as weak against fire, the attack is enough to take her out easily.

The Simisear looks absolutely amazed and shocked. <OH, thank you, thank you, thank you,> he gushes, all but actually bowing to Liz. Finally standing himself up, he is at least smart enough to not attempt hugging either of you and instead just looks a little sheepish. <I... don't suppose you'd be willing to help with that... beast I was talking about.> A long pause before he adds, <Would you?>

If you are going to help, you could probably force the Leavanny to lead you, either by coercion or capture. (You may choose to permanently capture the Leavanny if you like. Not necessary.)

[Gabe Alim]

Lizbeth felt a pang of satisfaction come when the Leavanny was taken out so easily. Her tail swished from one side to the other, and a low hiss escaped from her just in case the Bug/Grass Type dared try to get up again.

Gabe, meanwhile, had his attention turning to the Simisear. He still… couldn’t get a read on this one’s thoughts, damn it. At least its motions and tones made it easy to guess what was being said. “Being praised there, Lizzy?” he asked causing the Charmelon to snap back to the Simisear before her.

Lizbeth stared for a long moment as the Simisear made his request and then looked sideways at Gabe. <We’re being asked for help to deal with the threat.>

Gabe already knew that, though. “Let’s help then…” he answered. Lizbeth sighed and rolled her eyes. She already knew he was going to do that. Gabe, meanwhile, was walking over to the Leavanny. While he could toss a Pokeball at her and then order her around, he wasn’t really interested in something so weak to his natural element. “Liz, you wanna carry her in case she has anything interesting to say?” Lizbeth didn’t particularly want to. Gabe walked over instead and carefully lifted the Leavanny up. “Well, until she’s up for it….. why don’t we start walking…” Gabe hummed. Lizbeth snorted and started forward ready to burn anything in her path.

[Elayne]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Gabe Alim

The Leavanny was out cold and didn't resist being picked up and carried. The Simisear seemed relieved as Gabe offered to help, though he would eye the Leavanny warily now and again. <What are you going to do with her?> Anyone that could take out the Leavanny as quickly as the Charmeleon had was powerful, and the Simisear seemed to be almost in awe of Liz.

Of course, the Leavanny would awake shortly after this and start to struggle. She wasn't about to let herself be taken prisoner!

[Gabe Alim]

<Interrogation as needed> Liz answered the Simisear’s question. She shrugged a little at that. If Gabe wanted her to use force, she’d use force. If he wanted to… do something else, they could do that too. For now, though, they were walking through the underbrush going deeper and deeper into the forest.

As the Leavanny slowly came around again and started to struggle, Liz growled. Gabe glanced sideways and then stopped walking. “Set her down for now,” he stated. Liz complied.

Gabe stared at the struggling Pokemon for a moment wondering if this would actually work or not. He’d already surprised himself plenty of times, now, so might as well. Reaching into the back of his mind, he felt that familiar power, one that he’d had for the longest now. Doing his best to make eye-contact with the Leavanny, he then spoke carefully. “Tell me what you know about your group trying to eliminate the Fire Pokemon in this area.”

He couldn’t know if his psychic suggestion would work on a Pokemon. He couldn’t know if his Telepathy would make the request clear. But he’d wait for a response before doing anything.

[Elayne]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Gabe Alim

Even after Liz growled at her, the Leavanny wasn't about to go down without some fight. In fact, as soon as Liz put her down she brushed herself off and gave the overgrown fire lizard a steely glare. Hmph, this was exactly the kind of problem she was trying to help solve. Crossing her arms in front of herself, the Leavanny might have had some objection to whatever Gabe had to say, but even she couldn't deny the pull he had. Staring at the human for a moment, the Leavanny rolled her eyes. She supposed he was alright... it wasn't like he'd tried to capture her or anything. That was something.

<I suppose you're alright. Our leader is deep in the woods, though I would advise you not bring these... lesser creatures that would ruin the scenery. Fire is the enemy of grass after all. We refuse to be bullied anymore! Our leader has helped us to stand up at last! Starting with eliminating all fire pokemon around!> It sounded almost as if the Leavanny had been brainwashed. At any rate, she clearly believed in whatever this leader had taught her.

[Gabe Alim]

Lizbeth’s eyes narrowed softy at the Leavanny. A fire boiled in her belly, and she debated just fainting her again. Her eyes flicked up to Gabe, however, and her soul calmed again. She’d trust him to take care of this in whatever way he wanted. If he needed her help, he’d ask for it.

…And it seemed he didn’t after all. The Leavanny began speaking, and it seemed like she wasn’t holding anything back. Gabe struggled to hear exactly what she was saying, as wild Pokemon’s thoughts still weren’t as clear as he would have liked them to be, but he got the gist of it right then. The leader of this Grass brigade was further into the woods. Great. Granted they were headed that way anyways. What came immediately after, however, earned mixed reactions.

Lizbeth snarled. <You want to say that again, Lesser Creature?> she demanded harshly. She looked up at Gabe again, this time incredulously, before looking back again. Gabe actually bit back a laugh. The fact Lizbeth was taking this so personally was a testament to the nature of her being. She was a Fire type surrounded by the woods of Grass around her.

…But then so was Gabe. His features fell again slowly thereafter. He glanced sideways, away from the group and off towards the interior of the woods. Still farther to go, still a matter they could leave behind if they wanted. But still something he felt a strange pang of kinship with. “Lizbeth, let’s find this leader…” Gabe decided. The Charmeleon growled back in agreement.

As Gabe started walking, Lizbeth glanced once at the Leavanny and then at the Simisear. <You can come or run. I won’t hold it against you.> And with that, she was at Gabe’s heels. They still weren’t exactly sure where they were going, but something in Gabe told him all he had to do was walk forward now.

[overlordie]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Gabe Alim

Lesser creature? Hmph, if anything, the fire type before the Leavanny was a Lesser Creature!A leavy hand moved to rest on her hip as her eyes stared at them... however before she got the chance to get a word in they were moving away- to find her leader?! That wouldn't do, not at all! <You're going to bully us too- going to bully leader- Don't go any further.> followed by, <Please...?>

She tried to move, really, she did, but the Leavanny seemed to be struggling, already weakened by the fire types power all she could do was scowl and huff. She would try her hardest to stop them... for leaders sake. The Simisear was torn, unsure whether to follow or stay behind, the Leavanny could have been the ticket forward but... This was his home! And he was going to help take down the beast! He was quick to take behind Liz and Gabe, following them. 

The now trio began forwards, through the thick of the area. The trees seem to get denser and denser the more you walk, and after a few moments you can distinctly hear the pattern of tiny feet following them. If you looked close enough you'd be able to see the hobbling Leavanny, but at this rate she wouldn't be much of a threat! 

The soil under your feet seems to be getting less dense and more solid, you must be going in the right way, right?!

[Gabe Alim]

There was only a moment when Gabe glanced back to the Leavanny. She clearly cared for this leader whether under the influence of it or not. He could practically feel her begging through their still established telepathic link. But Gabe didn’t care. Anyone out to erase Fire types was going to be erased instead. Looking forward again, he walked onwards followed by Lizbeth and now the Simisear in turn.

They moved onwards. The sound of the Leavanny and her tormented thoughts begging him to stop, leave, and never return pushed up against Gabe’s mind. He was aware she was following them even without looking back, but she was injured. She wouldn’t be much of a threat, and Lizbeth was there blazing the way with her claws ready and her fire burning bright at the end of her tail.

As the ground becomes more solid, Gabe paused to glance down at it. Why was it more solid, though? Pushing it with the tip of his boot, he was aware of the numerous strands of tightly woven and entangled roots that were now spread out here. Distantly, he was reminded of an old story from school: The forest of the Golden Tree was where Arciel began. Perhaps it was naturally connected to life in some way. All the same… Any life that threatened his Typing was going to deal with him.

Lizbeth suddenly snarled and pulled Gabe from his thoughts. She had noticed something up ahead of them now.

[bone]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Gabe Alim

The soil was getting solid . . . maybe too solid. Fortunately, Gabe was playing this carefully, pushing at the soil with the tip of his boot as he approached. If he kept playing it safe, perhaps he'd notice what lied ahead before it was too late. Or perhaps, in his overly-vigilant caution, he would end up nudging himself right into a trap. While most of this solidness was due to sturdy, unmoving roots, there were a few vines mixed in with the network of roots. They wouldn't do anything . . . right away. However, if bumped into or stepped over, they would launch right towards the offending leg, aiming to snare their target right where they stood!

Fortunately, there were two fire types here. If anyone did get snared, it shouldn't be too much work to free them.

Right?

[Gabe Alim]

A flock of bird Pokemon burst into the air and went flying off somewhere. Gabe stared for a moment in silence before looking back towards Lizbeth. She shifted a bit awkwardly, slowly calming down from her immediate defensiveness. Perhaps this place had unjustly put her on edge. Still. “Let’s keep g—“

Gabe did not have a chance to finish the statement before something from underground wrapped around his ankle. A startled sound broke from him before he found himself falling face first into the ground and then being lifted upside down right after. Face full of dirt and then up in the air, he swore in a mix of Arroian and Common.

Lizbeth would have reacted faster, but some vines had come for her as well, and she was much faster to smash them away with a fiery tail. As her attention flashed to Gabe however, fear flashed in her eyes. Forming a Flame Charge, she dashed forward and slashed at the vine cutting just enough to have it drop Gabe. Catching him awkwardly in her arms, she looked down at him right after. <Are you ok…>

Gabe was too busy looking around now shifting to try and find where the vine had come from and where it was going. This damn forest was still after them, but if he could just zero in what Pokemon it was, they might have a chance. The Simisear had rather quickly disappeared behind Liz and was now awkwardly leaning back away from her again and blushing in embarrassment for it. 

[bone]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Gabe Alim

The first thing you notice about the vine is that it's green.  However, it isn't green in the usual sense of the word.  Most plants are a nice, rich dark green, right?  Chock full of chlorophyll?  Or maybe they're a soft spring green, like a fresh garden ready to eat.  But this?

This vine is a hideous lime green.

The Simisear's eyes widen in shock at the lime green vine, and he pretty much skedaddles away from it as quickly as possible.  He jabs a finger at the cursed bloom.  Perhaps it contains a hint as to what identity this grass type honcho might be?

But what kind of grass type is lime green!?

[Gabe Alim]

In the corner of Gabe’s eye, he saw it, the retreating of a lime green vine back into the underbrush. Squinting a moment, he had to wonder just what Pokemon that was attached to. Lime green… That was… that was not something he was readily assure of. Groaning softly, he put both hands on the ground and pushed himself slowly back to standing again. His legs shook briefly, but once he was standing, he was standing.

Clapping and brushing off his hands, he looked sideways at Lizbeth who looked back at him with a mix of disgust and concern— disgust at whatever had nearly downed him and concern over how he was doing now. “I’m alright, let’s get after whatever that was…” Gabe growled softly. Liz growled back. Whatever that was was going to pay dearly. Stepping off in the direction of it, Liz led now ready to defend Gabe as much as he needed in this treacherous environment.

[Elayne]

A random event has occurred!

What will you do?

Gabe Alim

One of the first things noticeable is how... quiet it is. Eerily quiet with hardly any sound apparent aside from your own footsteps. There are more lime green vines around, but as you get closer to it, the Simisear squeaks a warning. Not before the culprit is seen to be a smaller Tangrowth that had just raise her vines in a Vine Whip followed quickly by a shimmering Sleep Powder. She wasn't about to let anyone get too close. This was her territory after all!