Set in the original region of Arciel, Legends Rising is a route-inspired, but not strictly route-based, Pokemon roleplay. Pick a faction, pick a class, and strike out into the wild to take on the League, master Contest coordination, research the mysteries of Pokemon and Arciel, and much, much more. Will you be a classic trainer? A criminal? A farmer? Choose your destiny on Legends Rising.
Post by Elliot Sunderland on Jun 16, 2020 22:58:56 GMT
"I came into the battle saying I wanted to put on a show the audience hadn't seen before. Hiro must've taken that to heart when he decided to bring out that Mega Lapras," Elliot said, laughing a bit. "Really, that was half the idea behind my choice. Even the whole matching teams thing aside, the fact that my Pokemon can swim through the water instead of just standing on platforms means the action's way more dynamic, you know?
I'm hoping when I've got six Pokemon with me, some of Hiro's more acrobatic Pokemon are going to come out too. Then we'll really be putting on a show!" A sea serpent, a plesiosaur, and an electric anglerfish weren't exactly the most dynamic, mobile opponents, though the surf battle midway through managed to kick the action up a notch. Now there was a chance of a few more agile Pokemon sharing the stage, and his new catches like Elliot, Kap, and Maggie brought forth elements that were totally missing from his original battle plan. Before, he was just a passing curiosity. But now, he was going to make a name for himself!
But making a name could wait. Right now, Koa looked fatigued, and Elliot just couldn't abide by that! He whipped out a water bottle, a little package of trail mix, and a bag of chips before he could even finish speaking. "Need anything else? Some chocolate, maybe? I always come prepared on snacks," he assured Koa, continuing to root around in his backpack as if double or triple checking. "You haven't been having too rough of a time, have you? Been getting enough sleep? Pacing yourself?" Elliot was used to being a little homemaker and caretaker by this point, between looking after Isaac and now looking over Levy. Worrying over Koa was a natural next step!
"A show, huh? You really like to make people happy and entertain, don't you?" He said as they continued their walk. "Have you considered being a Coordinator? That seems like something that would suit you very well. I bet the audience loved the show and that you even gave that a passing thought means you wanted to do something special for people."
This continued with Elliot wanting Hiro, who he assumed to be the gym leader, to bring out his more acrobatic Pokemon for their rematch. Koa laughed "Next time I'd love to be in the audience for that. Though we'll have to wait and see who gets to go up against him first." He said with a grin, excited to meet this Hiro. These ventures were clearly important to Elliot, so he wanted him to succeed "You'll do well, I'm sure of it. They're lucky to have someone so passionate about entertaining others put on such a great show!"
He looked at the package of trail mix before he accepted it "T-thanks. Yeah I'm...I'm doing okay. Just busy. Lots of traveling...it feels like I've done more this past month than I have my whole life...but I guess not having a place to really go back to is starting to wear on me." He admitted as he ate a pinch of trail mix. "No place where I'm welcomed home...not place to rest my legs for a while...I don't know what I'm doing on that front." He said and seemed melancholic for once. "I just...miss the comfort of a home, I guess. The barracks just aren't the same."
He chuckled weakly "I honestly don't know what's next. I'm a Ranger, but that's just a title at this point. I haven't done anything exemplary or important yet. I haven't done anything to really earn this position aside from a few years of training and pass some tests...I've been trying so hard to find that moment where...I can just shine. Where I can really be of help to other people. At least then I'll feel like I've made up for my wasted years..." He said. He looked away "I'm sorry. I didn't want this conversation to get so heavy."
Post by Elliot Sunderland on Jun 29, 2020 22:54:30 GMT
"Guess I do," Elliot admitted, shrugging. "It's funny. The battling life's just not for me. Every time a wild Pokemon tries to come at me for a fight, my stomach kinda just twists up a little. I much prefer talking them down and ending things peacefully, especially if they're fighting because I'm in their territory or something. But having the chance to do something cool and unique, and express myself and my Pokemon in ways that we never even thought possible before? That feels really different. And maybe it's the kind of memory that'll stick with people, or even inspire them to try it out for themselves, y'know? But even if it isn't, if I made people smile, then I'd call that a successful step on my journey.
Maybe a coordinator'd be a better fit for that kind of lifestyle. But I think there's something to be said about battling in a unique way too, y'know? I know I'd never be able to take on the Elite Four or win a tournament like this, but with how much battle means to so many trainers, some kind of friendly, low-stakes entertainment battling could be a really unique change of pace, you know?"
At Koa's warm, almost teasing encouragement, Elliot couldn't help but grin. "I'm still going back to the drawing board, so you've got plenty of time to beat me to the punch there," he admitted. "My team and I are training up whenever we can, and there's so much we have left to do. And I'm going to need to get my new teammates brought up to speed, too, because there's no way I'll just be throwing a newcomer directly into the fire like that. Once I'm sure we're gonna be at our best, though, then you can bet I'll be ready for round two!
And thank you for the encouragement. You can bet I'll be cheering up a storm for your gym battle, too!" Maybe a cannier trainer would take this chance to brush up on Hiro's strategies, using both Koa and Lynn's gym battles to get some proper analysis done on his opponent. But Elliot? Did he even have enough opportunism in a single bone of his body to cook up a scheme like that? Or would he just end up smiling and clapping through the whole thing and miss out on proper strategizing time?
Perhaps he'd put two and two together if he didn't immediately distract himself with Koa's worries. The feeling of not having a home resonated with Elliot, leaving his heart thudding in his chest. "I really wish I had a place to offer you," he admitted, knowing full well that he couldn't just invite someone to live in Levy's house like that. That'd be horrible of him! "If I ever had a place of my own, you know I'd give you a place there in a heartbeat. I mean, I've been thinking of working on a secret base, and that could be a place where you could stay. I know it's different from an actual place to live, but . . ."
He let himself trail off. This was hard. Finding stability and fulfillment was hard. Yet even as his voice drifted off, his face was knit in steely determination, and his shoulders squared up as if prepared to brace all of the worries Koa could put on them. "It's okay. I'm here for you, no matter what," he said. "I promise."
Koa listened to Elliot, more than happy to listen to his reasons and motivations. "Trust me, I know how that is. I usually only battle Pokemon that want to battle or try to attack first. So pretty much when I don't have much of a choice in the matter. All of the Pokemon that I've captured so far were done through talking to them. That's actually a test I had to do as a ranger. They want to test their ranks by having them successfully communicate with Pokemon and befriend them without battling them. Once you get three of them that way, you can apply for a promotion."
He smiled warmly and wanted to encourage Elliot "See? That motivation and mindset you have is perfect for coordinating. I think you've got a pretty good shot at developing that skill to new highs, especially if you managed to entertain the way you did through a Pokemon battle. Though you're right...maybe battling in certain ways would make for interesting entertainment. Unconventional strategies, aiming to do a certain thing with what your Pokemon are capable of...it could lead to a whole new perspective on the nature of battle." He said with a slight nod to himself.
"Well if you ever need a training partner, I'd be glad to spar at some point! But take your time, man. They're not going anywhere, so just take things at your own pace." He said. He blushed and rubbed the back of his head at Elliot's promise to cheer for him during the gym battle "Thanks." He said with a small smile. That made him want to really give it his all in the battle once they made it to Bass City. That was still some time from now, but he would need that time to mentally prepare.
There was something about Elliot's sincere offer that helped Koa realize how precious a friend he is. "I appreciate the thought. It's fine though, I'll figure out a living situation one of these days." He said with a tired sigh. Though a secret base? That's a concept he hadn't heard of "Secret...base? I'm not really sure what you mean by that. Is that a thing? I'm not really aware on trainer trends like that." Despite that, he was definitely curious to learn more.
All Koa could do at his commitment to be there as his friend was wrap an arm around Elliot's shoulder with a wide smile. "Thanks, Elliot. Same goes to you, you hear me? You need anything and I'll be there beside you as soon as I can."
Post by Elliot Sunderland on Sept 1, 2020 23:04:09 GMT
Elliot perked up a little at Koa's description of the Ranger trials. He had always thought the rangers were the region's enforcement and guardians. He figured they'd battle as preparation for this, ensuring their Pokemon were the strongest and most fit for defending Arciel. Seeing this gentler, more diplomatic side of them was actually kind of inspiring. It made them less imposing as an organization, and left Elliot with even more respect for them. "That's so awesome!" Elliot said. "It explains why your Pokemon are all so kind and patient. And so loyal, too. I know if you were ever in a jam, you guys'd be working totally in sync." Were all rangers as gentle as Koa? Or was this a step above and beyond he took, on top of their requisite three?
Koa's approval of his idea got Elliot grinning ear to ear. "I'm sure I've got plenty of time to give both paths a try," he admitted. "Rematching Hiro's going to be the big test, y'know? First time was kind of a novelty. But if I can wow the audience with the same trick twice, that means it's not just some flash in the pan, you know? It means I could really be onto something." Most gyms weren't quite so simple as Hiro's, though. Fighting fire with fire may've been the turn of phrase, but it sure wouldn't make for as exciting of a fight as a full-on swimming duel. He'd have to find other tricks to challenge himself and impress those around him if he decided to take on the rest of the Arciel Region.
Like fighting Sable in pitch black, using all of his flashiest moves to light the arena up. That would be badass.
"I'd love to spar with you! Maybe once we're gearing up for our gym battles?" Elliot asked. "But maybe not right now. We've got a Corsola to bring home. You having any more luck seeing the rest of the colony?" He stood a little on his tiptoes, trying to peer at the seas, but he wasn't having any more luck seeing flashes of pink.
Though did Koa really not know what secret bases were? Huh. Maybe it was only in Hoenn that they were such a craze. "Yeah! It's like a little hidey-hole on a route, y'know?" Elliot said. "Not, like, an actual house or anything. More like a little tree fort, or a cozy little cave. Kinda like camping out, but less time sent putting up tents and more time arranging furniture. Though mine might be a little bit nontraditional. And maybe not too secret. But it sure as heck is gonna be a base!"
His smile took a turn for the bashful as Koa wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Long as it doesn't end up being any trouble for you, I'll be sure to keep that in mind," he said. The last thing he wanted was to trouble his friend. But he had to admit, the idea of taking on a sticky situation with the help of someone so cool had its appeal.
Koa scratched his cheek bashfully at Elliot's praise, but nodded gratefully anyway "Thank you. My Pokemon's comfort and happiness are the first thing on my mind in regards to how I treat them. I train them hard when it comes down to it, but I don't want to push them to the brink all the time. That's unhealthy and leads to trust issues between trainer and Pokemon." He certainly didn't really think of himself as anything special. He was just doing what he thought was the right thing to do in regards to care and training.
He smiled and gently pat Elliot's shoulder as they walked "Of course you do, we both do! There's all the time in the world to further discover ourselves and figure these things out. Maybe instead of the same kind of trick, you put a spin on it. Don't let the audience or Hiro figure out what's going on in that head of yours. Presentation, my friend, is the root to all entertainment."
Koa was pleased that his idea was considered "Yeah, not right now. There's more important things at stake right now, you know?" He reached over and pat the Corsola gently, sympathizing with the Pokemon. He took a look around and continued his observations "Not yet, unfortunately..."
He listened to his explanations on secret bases "Sounds like a lot of places would be taken, but given how long some routes are I guess I shouldn't be surprised that people make little homes away from home out in the wild. I'm curious what sort of thing you have in mind in regards to your own."
The two of them shared a pretty special bond already despite how recent they've met. It sometimes surprised Koa how magnetic his personality seemed to be, but it made him happy, at the very least.
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Koa's Team
Azura - Level 17 - 5/5
Makoto - Level 16 - 4/5
Janus - Level 15 - 5/5
Sakuya - Level 15 - 4/5
Toki - Level 17 - 4/5
Aylin - Level 10 - 5/5
Last Edit: Sept 6, 2020 0:24:21 GMT by Koa Leilani
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