[Shalin Nariya]

Shalin took a deep breath as she left Maple City's north gate. Ahead was the Sequoia Forest, and every person she asked while preparing for the journey up there stressed how dangerous the woods were, especially farther north. That wasn't going to stop her, though--not with the allure of giant Pokémon to add to her team. Or at least to befriend and go on a little joy ride through the woods.

The blonde made sure to pack large quantities of healing supplies, including high-grade Potion such as Hyper Potion. Her Pokémon were getting strong enough that even Super Potion wouldn't patch them up completely. After checking to make sure her supplies were good, she checked her entire team, making sure their riding gear was properly attached - even getting a duplicate set for Prance so that she and Caprice would no longer have to share a set. Everything looked good.

Climbing into Flit's harness, Shalin's heart was racing. Not because of the vibration from Flit's idle droning; she had been used to it enough that it felt almost like a massage now. She was about to tread on holy ground - a land important to Arciel's history. Surely there would be something unique there waiting for her! After applying a cologne that attracted insects, Shalin put her earplugs in and let the Yanmega's reins rest. The big dragonfly leaped into the air and took flight, Shalin a bit cautious with his speed in entering the woods.

---

Bug Incense used - 5/5 encounters remaining

Injury notes: Nothing permanent please; otherwise, hurt the poor girl plenty.

Theme: Legend of the Deep Forest

NAME          SPECIES       LV    EP
Caprice       Ninetales      34     5
Prance        Stantler       19     5
Flit          Yanmega        39     7
Kiku          Skuntank       37     5
Serena        Persian        34     5
Sol           Larvesta       26     5

{WC: 245}
{PC: 1}

[Jae]

A wild Scizor has appeared!

What will you do?

	Scizor Lv26
		5 Energy
	Average	Timid
	Technician
MOVES
Metal Claw, False Swipes, Bullet Punch, Focus Energy
NOTES
N/A

[Shalin Nariya]

Flit crossed from the road north of Maple and into the forest proper. "Whoa..." Shalin gasped, unable to hear her own voice. It was surreal - she was easily fifteen feet off the ground and still could not see the treetops! This was only the beginning, too - the deeper she went into the woods, the more untrodden it was by humans. She loved exploring uncharted forest terrain in particular, and this was the largest, most untouched wood she had ever seen.

The wild Pokémon showed it too - two pairs of yellow, glaring eyes stared at her, a droning sound distinct from Flit's somewhat audible from that direction. Shalin looked toward them, finding the twin gazes belonged to a Scizor. She leaned in various directions, Flit quick to hover in the ordered directions. The steel-type mirrored the motions, but more slowly - after all, it was difficult for any Pokémon to match a Yanmega's agility.

His rider dejected and frowning, Flit dropped to ground level, his wingbeat sending loose twigs flying in all directions. The Scizor genuinely looked like it didn't want to fight, but kept blocking Shalin and Flit, as though it was a duty to keep the green girl out. "I hate to do this to you," she said, "but I really want to see what's beyond here." She released Sol to the ground, the metal insect tightening its focus as soon as it saw the orange Pokémon. "Sol, be careful to hit only the Scizor and not your surroundings with your Ember!" She immediately regretted not bringing a Water-type to put out fires.

The Larvesta let Scizor get close before shooting a barrage of Embers toward its chest. The determined bug-type, stunned for a moment from the superbly-effective strike, grabbed Sol with its right pincer and clamped down. Shalin's Pokémon let out a squeal of agony. Both of them fought valiantly. To them, this was more than just a battle - the Scizor wanted to keep this infidel from treading on holy ground, which was the opposite of what Sol's trainer wanted. Sol mustered the strength to loose another cloud of Embers into the Scizor's face from point-blank range. Unable to withstand a second fire attack, the Scizor let go of the dizzy Larvesta, passing out with a loud, metallic thud.

"Rest well, Scizor," Shalin mime-pat the unconscious Pokémon. "Sol, great job, and thank you." She recalled the fire-type, hoping that his wounds would be able to heal with just time. She pulled back up on Flit, the Yanmega quick to rise to a height of ten feet before resuming her northward trek.

---

Bug Incense: 4/5 encounters left.
Mod note: Sol's level was erroneously reported as 26 at the start of this thread - it should have been 28. This should not have impacted any of the encounter generation math.

Apply EXP. Share to Prance.
Sol's level is now 29!
Prance's level is now 20!

[Land of the Giants]
NAME          SPECIES       LV    EP
Caprice       Ninetales      34     5
Prance        Stantler       20     5
Flit          Yanmega        39     7
Kiku          Skuntank       37     5
Serena        Persian        34     5
Sol           Larvesta       29     4

{WC: 437}
{PC: 2}

[Jenesis]

A wild Leavanny has appeared!

What will you do?

	Leavanny Lv38
		5 Energy
	Average	Mild
	Chlorophyll
MOVES
Slash, Fell Stinger, Helping Hand, Leaf Blade
NOTES
N/A

[Shalin Nariya]

The farther Flit and Shalin flew into the woods, the taller the trees got. Some of them had to be well over 50 feet tall by now! "Can you slow down a little, Flit?" Shalin asked, which the big bug-type was happy to do. It let him admire the surreal woods, too. It wasn't so dense as to be pitch-dark like Ilex back home, but there was certainly a lot of diffused and reflected daylight here as opposed to direct light. She peered down at her surroundings - not a human in sight, though there was a Sewaddle colony below her.

Seconds after Flit passed above, Shalin felt a strong vibration all around her, able to hear Flit's busy wings loud and clear. The dragonfly's body was tilted to the right, the two gradually losing altitude in a downward spiral. Unable to tell what the problem was from her perch, she grabbed onto her mount with both hands, preparing for an emergency landing.

Even after Flit landed, he was still buzzing loudly, his compound eyes rapidly flashing different shades of red. Just as Shalin was about to dismount, a wild Leavenny leaped toward her. "Caprice!" she cried, bringing out her Ninetales to defend herself with, loosing a Flame Burst from her mouth to blast the wild away. The small fireball expanded right in the center of the Pokémon's upper chest, the grass-type motionless and passed out behind Flit.

Caprice carefully stepped over Flit's tail, trying not to touch it after being released straddling in front of his rear steering wings. Shalin undid her harness and dismounted the Yanmega, who was still buzzing up a storm with only his right wing. His eyes were still flickering all kinds of red shades, as well. "Hold still!" At her command, the twitchy insect relaxed.

Aha, there was the problem - a Leavenny stinger had pierced his right wing. "Hold still - I'll get this out right quick!" She dug through her bag for a pair of tweezers to pull the stinger out. Having done this many times for personal injury, she was able to pull it out with minimal discomfort to her Pokémon. Recalling Caprice, she jumped back into Flit's harness, resting her hands on the big bug and preparing for takeoff again.

---

Mod discretion on whether Flit is too injured to take off after this battle.
Bug Incense: 3/5 encounters left
Apply EXP. Share to Prance.
Caprice's level is now 35!
Prance's level is now 21!

NAME          SPECIES       LV    EP
Caprice       Ninetales      35     4
Prance        Stantler       21     5
Flit          Yanmega        39     7
Kiku          Skuntank       37     5
Serena        Persian        34     5
Sol           Larvesta       29     4

{WC: 379}
{PC: 3}

[Jae]

A wild Wormadam has appeared!

What will you do?

	Wormadam Lv29
		5 Energy
	Average	Relaxed
	Overcoat
MOVES
Quiver Dance, Metal Burst, Sucker Punch, Protect
NOTES
N/A

[Shalin Nariya]

The apex predator of insects seemed to be able to take off just fine, though the rumbling of his body seemed a bit stronger than usual. She tested the waters by having Flit make a quick move in several different directions - his rightward movement seemed to be a bit faster than left, and he occasionally tilted rightward as well. Not surprising, considering the blow he had taken from the scuffle with the Leavenny that was about as upset as the Scizor was that a human was in this wood.

Flit flew higher, up to twenty feet off the ground now. Shalin could help but giggle and laugh from time to time as Flit dodged stray tree limbs with the precision of a Taillow's flight. When the sound of a happy, entertained trainer reached the bug-type, he started rapidly bobbing up and down. Every time Flit looked like he was going to fall out of the air from stopping his wings, he fired them back up to catch himself. His flight sounded not too unlike a small gas engine being throttled on and off.

"Wahoo!" Shalin couldn't help but cry as she passed by a colony of Wormadam hanging from a particularly thick branch. They at the very least seemed indifferent about a human passing near their nest. That, or they didn't want to do anything about it.

---

Bug Incense: 2/5 encounters left.

NAME          SPECIES       LV    EP
Caprice       Ninetales      35     4
Prance        Stantler       21     5
Flit          Yanmega        39     7
Kiku          Skuntank       37     5
Serena        Persian        34     5
Sol           Larvesta       29     4

{WC: 227}
{PC: 4}

[whimsae]

Shalin Nariya

A wild Scolipede has appeared!

What will you do?

	Scolipede Lv43
		5 Energy
	Average	Timid
	Swarm
MOVES
Steamroller, Agility, Venoshock, Bug Bite
NOTES
N/A

[Shalin Nariya]

Flit's on and off flight continued for a couple more minutes before slowly descending to rest his wings. While many flying Pokémon could stay aloft for several hours before roosting thanks to efficient gliding techniques, Yanmega were not so lucky. Their agility came at the cost of endurance - the amount of exertion to flap their wings faster than the eye could see meant the time they could stay aloft was measured in minutes rather than hours. While they weren't particularly fast when out of the air, Yanmega could still crawl over land with their six legs.

All of that buzzing had attracted the attention of a Scolipede that met eye to eye with Shalin. "Caprice!" She called on her trusty golden fire-type, one of her first Pokémon in her journey across Arciel, and one that had managed to stay at her side the entire time. By the time the Ninetales touched down in front of Flit, the horned insect was already on top of her. Its foe caught completely off guard, the wild rammed and trampled Caprice, the horns coming dangerously close to Flit as well.

With the foe pinned against the ground, it was trivial for the Scolipede to lower its head and gore her with the sharp horns, piercing her fur and pumping Venoshock into her. Unable to move, the Ninetales spat a small fireball that exploded in the insect's face, causing it to rear. Shalin shielded her face as Flit started shaking from being exposed to an ember or two.

The two exchanged blows in a similar fashion twice more, Caprice passing out and Scolipede grievously wounded. Shalin didn't need to be a nurse to know Caprice's wounds were bad. She recalled the Fire-type and tossed a Net Ball toward the wild, ready to start looking for a place she could take shelter to take care of these wounds.

---

Bug Incense: 1/5 encounters left.
Apply EXP. Share to Prance.
Caprice's level is now 37!
Prance's level is now 23!

NAME          SPECIES       LV    EP   STATUS
Caprice       Ninetales      37     3  KO
Prance        Stantler       23     5
Flit          Yanmega        39     7
Kiku          Skuntank       37     5
Serena        Persian        34     5
Sol           Larvesta       29     4

{WC: 317}
{PC: 5}

[Jae]

Go, PokeBall!

One... two... and...

jiq0_pypp_


The Wild Pokemon was caught!
One Net ball has been removed from your inventory.

What's this? You've found...

Oran Berry x2!

Heals 1 HP on a Pokemon Lv1-25

[Shalin Nariya]

Flit crawled north after Shalin retrieved her new catch, the explorer miles away from civilization by now. Ah, the comforts of her true home - peace and quiet, the only sounds the cries of wild Pokémon as they passed by. She contemplated the decision of taking her new catch with her for quite some time before ultimately sending her new Scolipede, Tari, back to storage for now. Next time she jumped into the deep woods like this, she would bring her entire nest of giant bugs with her, she thought.

With the giant bug-type still recovering, Shalin called for her Pokémon to stop at one of the largest Oran trees she had ever seen. The Pokémon, the other wildlife, the trees...everything here was grown wildly out of proportion, and made her feel so small. She peered straight ahead, then to her left, then right...not a single wild Pokémon in sight.

"Finally, a break!" Shalin sighed loudly as she slid out of the saddle, her shoes completely obscured by the tall, verdant grass below. She took a moment to harvest some low-hanging Berries before examining Flit's right wing more closely. There was a small hole toward the front-middle, which explained the whirring noise that accompanied his flight. Nothing that some time or a Pokémon Center visit couldn't fix...but he certainly wouldn't be flying for a while, or that wing would tear and cause much more serious damage if enough stress were put on it.

Next, she recalled the injured Yanmega and took a look the unconscious Caprice. She was in...not very good shape at all, a couple of bad bruises around where the Scolipede had struck her. Potion by itself wasn't going to be effective against these kinds of wounds. Procuring a syringe of Revive and a vial of Super Potion from her medicine bag, Shalin injected the syringe's contents into her Ninetales, near the center of where the wounds were. Caprice let out a long groan and opened her eyes, the trainer spraying the healing medicine all over the golden, agitated skin. In a short while, her prized, swift fox would be up and ready to run again.

---

Bug Incense has expired. Please re-apply.
Revive and Super Potion are used to bring Caprice back to full health.

NAME          SPECIES       LV    EP   STATUS
Caprice       Ninetales      37     5    Good
Prance        Stantler       23     5    Good
Flit          Yanmega        39     7    Good
Kiku          Skuntank       37     5    Good
Serena        Persian        34     5    Good
Sol           Larvesta       29     4    Good

{WC: 366}
{PC: 6}

[Jenesis]

1 Bug Incense, Super Potion, and Revive removed. 4/5 spawns remain.

It's a Horde!

What will you do?

Scolipede Lv41 5 Energy Average Serious Speed Boost MOVES Baton Pass, Venoshock, Agility, Steamroller NOTES N/A		Venipede Lv38 5 Energy Average Naive Swarm MOVES Steamroller, Toxic, Venom Drench, Venoshock NOTES N/A
Whirlipede Lv38 5 Energy Tiny! Rash Poison Point MOVES Iron Defense, Venoshock, Agility, Steamroller NOTES N/A		Venipede Lv34 5 Energy Average Rash Swarm MOVES Bug Bite, Venoshock, Agility, Steamroller NOTES N/A
Scolipede Lv38 5 Energy Average Jolly Poison Point MOVES Baton Pass, Rollout, Venoshock, Agility NOTES N/A

[Shalin Nariya]

Two hours into her nap, Shalin felt a furry tug at her side. When she didn't react to the first, Caprice, the source of the tugging, barked at her. "W...what's going on?" she groaned, opening her eyes only to see herself surrounded by an entire Scolipede family. It seemed as though they were angry for kidnapping their brother, all of them pointing their toxic horns at her and her Ninetales. The two giant ones circled Shalin and Caprice so fast that escape from this battle would be nigh impossible. She wasn't leaving without taking this whole family down.

Knowing she couldn't hold back, she called out an additional Pokémon. "Sol, we need your help thinning their ranks!" Shalin cried, releasing her Larvesta directly in front of her. Flames foamed from the mouths of both fire-types, Caprice's Flamethrower and Sol's Ember volleys pointed at the alpha Scolipede. Bathed in flames that burned away at the skin under its carapace, the alpha made a desperate charge toward Caprice, falling just short before the flames completely sapped its consciousness.

Enraged, the lead Scolipede curled up, looking like a spiked tire as it sped around the fire-types and their trainer like a blur. There was no reacting to when it screeched around the grove and shifted direction. In a split second, the Scolipede turned toward Sol in a loud screech not akin to a vehicle's squealing tires, bowling the young insect over and flattening him. While the ground was soft enough for him to not instantly be crushed under the giant insect's weight, he was at the very least unconscious, likely needing immediate medical attention.

The other three focused their efforts on Caprice, the Whirlipede that was even smaller than its Venipede cousins also squealing like a rubber tire and driving its poisoned barb into the fire Pokémon's chest. While she was reeling back, the two Venipede rushed in and jabbed their barbs into her sides, injecting a vile, deadly venom that started to dissolve the fox from the inside out. The Ninetales let out a squeal unlike any Shalin had heard before, in searing pain.

The explorer shuddered - it looked like Caprice was losing this battle, and badly. With Sol out for the count, possibly for her entire trip through the woods, she was running out of good options. Then, she realized she had forgotten something. "Stupid Shalin! Stupid stupid stupid!" she mumbled to herself, taking cover behind the grove she was resting against. Hopefully the trees would provide enough cover for this to work. "Caprice, use your Heat Wave!"

All nine of her tails glowing orange, Caprice fanned them and opened her foaming mouth, searing heat expanding out from her. "aaaaAAAAAHHHH!" Shalin squinted in pain, the tree only partially deflecting the heat away. The vegetation directly underneath the fox burned to cinders, though none of the trees themselves caught on fire. The latent temperature surrounding the Venipede and Whirlipede increased to well beyond their tolerance, the invasive insects all passing out.

---

Bug Incense: 3/5 posts remaining.
Mod note: Mod discretion whether Caprice suffers an Injury for Toxic, and whether Sol suffers one for KO from a 4xE attack. Will heal them (if possible) next post.
Apply EXP. Share to Prance.
Caprice's level is now 42!
Sol's level is now 31!
Prance's level is now 31!

NAME          SPECIES       LV    EP   STATUS
Caprice       Ninetales      42     1  Toxic(2)
Prance        Stantler       31     5      Good
Flit          Yanmega        39     7      Good
Kiku          Skuntank       37     5      Good
Serena        Persian        35     5      Good
Sol           Larvesta       31     0        KO

{WC: 502}
{PC: 7}

[bone]

C8vuKtEMp_ p_

Caprice is okay, but Sol has suffered an injury for the KO.

Rising Star Eiran would like to battle!

213 Pen Nanab Berry x2, Clay x1, Razz Berry x2 Solrock Lv27 5 Energy Large Timid Levitate MOVES Flare Blitz, Cosmic Power, Morning Sun, Rock Slide Smoochum Lv31 5 Energy Average Timid Oblivious MOVES Heart Stamp, Sweet Kiss, Fake Tears, Ice Beam

·

[Shalin Nariya]

Shalin herself was breathing heavily after that one - once Caprice's heat wave had stopped, it was like stepping into an air conditioned room from a hot summer's day in Lavaridge Town. "Caprice, thank you," she managed between deep breaths, wiping the sweat from her forehead. It came right back, and she wiped it off a second time. She awkwardly swayed while walking over to Sol. He was stuck in the ground.

Recalling and releasing him again solved that problem, but revealed another problem that wasn't so simple to fix: his two front feelers were dislocated, and there were visible cracks in the white part of his exoskeleton. It looked infected, too. Even after an application of Super Potion and Revive, Sol was still hurt - this was a kind of injury that simple medicine could not fix. This would require minor surgery at a Pokémon Center. Far from a quick fix like most trips were. "I'm so sorry, Sol," she lowered her head, shedding a tear for her Pokémon.

While she was examining her Pokémon and administering first aid, a dark-skinned young man approached her. "Didn't think I'd find someone else out here," he said, a Smoochum tagging alongside him. "Got time for a quick--" He stopped himself when he saw Sol's wounds, as well as a Ninetales that was sweating profusely as the Scolipede venom continued to ravage her from the inside. "...Nevermind." With that, the traveling trainer left the girl to her business.

Once she had done everything she could for Sol, she moved on to Caprice, who by this point was coughing and groaning from a piercing blow surrounded by skin turned deep purple. This was not ordinary venom - this was deadly poison caused by a Toxic attack. It was a poison that recovery medicine alone could not fight. The use of Toxic had at one point been outlawed in Johto due to how lethal it was; unlike most Pokémon poisons, Toxic hijacked infected cells to reproduce the venom from within its host, making the victim grow more sick over time. Advances in technology had made Full Heal able to safely dissolve away such venom. She procured one from her bag and injected it next to the wound, drawing out the venom. With that taken care of, she applied another vial of Super Potion to the wound as well. In due time, Caprice would feel all better.

With many of her mounts sidelined, Shalin had to bring out an old friend - the Pokémon she had brought from Johto. "Let's go, Prance!" The Stantler emerged from her Poké Ball, rearing in excitement and nearly dropping her hoof on Shailn's foot. "Easy, girl!" She rest her hands on the Stantler's saddle for a moment before climbing up and recalling the remainder of her Pokémon. "North ho!"

---

Bug Incense: 2/5 posts left.
Sol's injury removed using a Super Potion and a Revive.
Caprice healed using a Full Heal and a Super Potion.

For the remainder of the thread, Sol's infection will prevent him from regaining HP. If he is KO'd, reviving him will restore 1 HP only.

NAME          SPECIES       LV    EP   STATUS
Caprice       Ninetales      42     3      Good
Prance        Stantler       31     5      Good
Flit          Yanmega        39     7      Good
Kiku          Skuntank       37     5      Good
Serena        Persian        35     5      Good
Sol           Larvesta       31     2   Disease

{WC: 472}
{PC: 8}

[Jae]

What luck! You found a Gacha Item!

Black Apricorn x2!

Can be cooked and crafted to make a Mammoth Ball.

[Shalin Nariya]

As Shalin bravely trekked northward, she started to hear the clopping of Prance's hooves against something far harder than dirt and grass. She looked down, noticing her Pokémon was cantering along a colossal tree root that ran along the surface! Her eyes shifted upward, unable to see the treetops. Even tilting her head backward didn't allow her to see them! She was curious how high they went up, but Flit was still resting - no need to strain his injured wing needlessly.

The root itself was so large that smaller trees grew out of it, one in front of her an Apricorn tree whose fruits were ready to be picked! Though she couldn't reach them all without Flit's help, it wasn't worth straining the bug-type over a couple of Apricorns. She hadn't even found a Poké Ball crafter yet. When she did though, was she ever going to have an order that kept her busy. With creative rearing and facing from Prance, she was able to reach two of them, briefly dismounting long enough to put them with the rest of her Apricorn stock.

The scent of Shalin's bug spray was starting to wear off, as well. Not bug spray to keep them away--bug spray to attract them! She was running out of vials, though - she had just enough for the trip to the center of the woods and the trip back. She re-applied the scent and mounted up, the light starting to get dim more quickly than she thought. Had this much time really passed? Her eyes shifted back and forth, looking for a fairly area with a nearby water source - large enough for her to pitch a tent.

---

Bug Incense: 1/5 remaining. Re-applying Bug Incense when it wears off.

NAME          SPECIES       LV    EP   STATUS
Caprice       Ninetales      42     3      Good
Prance        Stantler       32     5      Good
Flit          Yanmega        40     7      Good
Kiku          Skuntank       37     5      Good
Serena        Persian        35     5      Good
Sol           Larvesta       31     2   Disease

{WC: 280}
{PC: 9}

[Jenesis]

A wild Heracross has appeared!

What will you do?

	Heracross Lv38
		5 Energy
	Average	Lax
	Guts
MOVES
Brick Break, Take Down, Pin Missile, Megahorn
NOTES
N/A

[Shalin Nariya]

Wandering north, Shalin was able to locate a small stream right below a gap in the canopy of the colossal sequoia trees. They had to be well over a hundred feet tall this deep in the forest. Prance stopped next to the stream and let Shalin dismount, gorging herself on the pure, fresh water. Shalin was a little less eager to quench her thirst, running the water through a fine filter to ensure it was safe to drink. She filled a medium-size bottle completely before taking a drink - it felt so refreshing.

As Shalin began to set up her tent for the evening, she heard a loud sound of snapping wood and turned to face that direction. A wild Heracross had toppled a relatively small tree, causing a large limb of another tree to snap off. While Heracross would fill a nice gap in her team, it couldn't wear a saddle very well. Even if it could, it would be a bit awkward - the Pokémon wouldn't be able to retract its wings at all while wearing one.

Once she saw the coast was clear, Shalin recalled a nervous-looking Prance and began setting up her tent. After a few minutes, the temperature was really starting to drop; she called on Caprice, who was already feeling quite a bit better, to keep her warm while she set up. No Ember attacks or open flames were needed; just her excess body heat was like a warm fireplace.

Once the tent was set up, Shalin had a light supper before crawling into her sleeping bag. She had Caprice and Prance take turns standing guard - no way she could trust Serena or Kiku with it. Not until they learned chasing after random Pokémon was a bad idea. The blonde was a bit restless, unable to get her mind off Sol's injury, but the soft tendrils of sleep did eventually claim her.

---

Bug Incense expired - please re-apply.

NAME          SPECIES       LV    EP   STATUS
Caprice       Ninetales      42     3      Good
Prance        Stantler       32     5      Good
Flit          Yanmega        40     7      Good
Kiku          Skuntank       37     5      Good
Serena        Persian        35     5      Good
Sol           Larvesta       31     2   Disease

{WC: 318}
{PC: 10}

[Jae]

Not a bug but a bear. A wild Ursaring has appeared!

What will you do?

	Ursaring Lv32
		5 Energy
	Average	Hardy
	Guts
MOVES
Hammer Arm, Fake Tears, Slash, Rest
NOTES
N/A