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.
The days were getting longer, occasional color showing itself on the primarily white hills and flats north of Cedar Town. It was a sign that Spring was coming - good news for Josh, but bad news also. Good news is temperatures were about to warm up, and he could travel rougher roads of Arciel much more easily. Bad news is the racing season would be starting up, and he would likely need to put his Gym Challenge on hold--the very Gym Challenge he hadn't even started yet! If his run on Birch's Battle Gauntlet told him anything, he wasn't ready for a Gym battle at the time.
During his stop in Cedar Town, Josh saw that while it wasn't officially recognized by the Federation (yet), Arciel did have a racing league. Due to the cooler temperatures this far north, their season started later than most Federation-recognized leagues, not starting until the middle of April. That gave him a little bit of extra time tp at least start his Gym Challenge. There was a water-type Gym in Bass City whose specialty was Water Pokémon - perfect for the lover of Electric-types.
After taking a few extra minutes to make sure his Absol's riding gear was correctly fastened without being too tight, Josh released his entire team except for Illumina, his Chinchou. Nitro the Skiddo was shivering a little, but was otherwise okay. "Alright, listen up everyone." All of Josh's Pokémon, except an Electrike that could not stop pacing back and forth, turned to face him. "You too, Saber." The green electric Pokémon held his head down for a few seconds before raising it again, giving his Trainer his attention.
"We're going to be crossing the hills to Bass City, where our first Gym awaits us. It should be pretty easy given the Leader's preference of water Pokémon, but we can't drop our guard at all. Saber, Nitro, and Blitz, I'll primarily be relying on you on the way there. Let's go!" All of his Pokémon except Twilight sounded cheerful cries. He recalled them all except Twilight. "Twilight, the rest of my team needs to become stronger. Unless it's an emergency, I don't want you intervening in any of their battles, okay?" All Josh got back was a simple nod. "Cool. Alright, let's saddle up and head north!"
It was about time to leave Bass City behind him. Much as he had, surprisingly, enjoyed his time within the city - much calmer was it than Plum - he had places to go, sights to see, and Pokemon to both train and catch. So, upon taking time to ensure his leg would fare well in the chill that lingered before spring, the man was ready to step out into the route, with Samson faithfully following along beside him. Making sure his shoes were all laced up, Lionel meanders out past into the wilds, as it were, prepared to see how things would fare.
While he could like as not challenge a Gym sometime soon, it didn't seem particularly like his first thought - in fact, not having any particularly competitive notions beyond the ones that fed him into this new lifestyle, he thinks he'd much rather see to it his Pokemon were pretty strong just for sake that it's what they deserved. Perhaps someday, though.
For now, he's rather content to just walk, his hands stuffed in his pockets as he starts his walk towards Cedar. A Town sounded pleasant, now that he thought about it - sometimes a break from the big, suffocating cities sound pretty good. And hey! This time, he wasn't on a ferry, surrounded by fish that kept bothering him for some reason.
Samson trots along happily, wagging his tail as he goes, curious to explore the area, while Lionel kept a keen eye on his movements.
With the tundra thawing out, many aquatic and coastal Pokémon would come out of hibernation - exactly what an Electric specialist like Josh wanted to see. Another quarter-mile toward Bass was Josh's first potential opponent - a small, spike-headed turtle Pokémon he had never seen before. When he pointed his Pokédex app toward it, it was identified as a Chewtle - a water-type he had not heard of, either. He had glossed over the recent Galarian discoveries months ago when they initially happened, but very few had racing potential. Certainly not this species, and certainly not one so small.
Josh released his Electrike within charging range of the wild, a crackling noise surrounding his loyal but jittery partner. The moment the water-type crossed onto the road, Saber pounced with wild speed the trainer could not wait to experience for himself upon evolution. The Electro Ball Saber slammed into made his foe dizzy, but the impact against its tough shell left Saber no better off himself. Able to shake its dizziness faster than Josh's Pokémon could recover from its mild concussion, the wild chomped down with his strong jaws and lifted the green and yellow Pokémon into the air. Saber struggled to break free. "Another Electro Ball!" Josh instinctively commanded, a second sphere of electricity ravaging the wild from the inside out. Out of strength, it released the electric-type and retreated into its shell.
Saber had won the battle, but not without cost - he was breathing heavily. For something so small, Chewtle had one nasty bite. Twilight's gaze was fixed on Saber as trainer and mount approached. "Oh, my...there's a bad black and blue mark on your nose and jaw!" Josh dismounted his dark-type and rummaged his supplies for a Potion. "Hold still for a moment, and hold your mouth shut." He kneeled down next to his closest Pokémon friend, spraying his partner's bruises with a dose of Potion. When Josh went to recall his Pokémon, Saber hopped out of the way of the beam. Twice. "You sure? Those wounds look awful," Josh worriedly remarked. Saber simply nodded, his mouth back open with an excited grin. "...You're one tough Electrike. Well, okay, but don't fall behind!" The two--now three--continued northward, the occasional patches of yellow grass and sand along the coast becoming more frequent as the morning sun thawed the land out.
Lionel Scott Saber's level is now 9! Mod note: Potion is used on Saber. (37/112 -> 112/112) {WC: 396} {PC: 2} {Josh: 112/112}
Last Edit: Feb 22, 2020 3:35:32 GMT by Josh Devlin
Not long after his walk began, Samson began to bark at something in the nearby grass. Curiously, Lionel meanders over as it seems to quite have his partner's attention, whistling not doing enough to lure him away this time. As he comes to kneel beside the patch of grass, it's a flash of pink and black that his eyes find, that little Pyukumuku wriggling out of it in an effort to escape the scrutiny of not only Samson, but the newly arrived Trainer, besides.
As it seems to pause to examine them in turn, it eventually seems to decide that it wants little to do with them - and though Samson was clearly curious about the squishy Pokemon, it doesn't seem to return the favor.
Lionel isn't so keen on fighting another Water-type, not after the travesty that was Route 3, so he decides to let it inchworm away into the nearby stream, whistling sharply this time for the canine Pokemon to re-join him at his side. Staring wistfully at the water the Pokemon had escaped into, Samson stares for a short while longer, before huffing indignantly and trotting back towards Lionel, and they continue on their walk.
The long road to Bass wound closer to the shore, which was only half-covered in snow. The sandy beaches were beautiful even in the winter months - perhaps this wasn't a bad place to have an aquatic race. Josh would have to do some research on Arciel's racing league; perhaps there was already one here. Thankfully the wind was nice and calm; any sort of wind coming off the waves would be rather cold.
As Twilight was crossing a creek, two aquatic Pokémon surfaced a few feet away, one Josh immediately recognized as a Remoraid. The other was a crustacean he had never seen before. Before he could even give Saber a command, the Remoraid fired a fast-moving Water Gun toward the leading Electric-type, Twilight suddenly stopping to avoid being blasted herself.
Saber had a type advantage, certainly, but not even he would be able to hold off two Pokémon gunning for him at once. He needed backup. "Blitz, help Saber!" Josh cried, reaching for his number five Poké Ball. From it emerged a purring Shinx. "Fry that Remoraid!" Both of Josh's Pokémon surrounded themselves with spheres of electricity and tackled the Remoraid, Saber in particular moving with such speed it looked like he was running across the surface. The combined electric charges submerged the Water-type, only for it to come belly-up in little time.
The shelled water-type let out a battle cry upon seeing its friend gravely injured and grabbed Saber with its pincers, forcing his mouth shut and pinching his right side. "No! Saber!" Josh shouted, reaching for his number one Poké Ball to recall his Pokémon. Blitz let out a loud cry of his own, now enveloped in a bright flash of yellow light that prompted Josh to cover his eyes. Even Twilight had to turn around.
Afterward, he heard a much deeper catlike cry and crackling sounds, followed by a crashing noise. When he looked up, he saw a badly wounded Saber at Twilight's feet, as well as Blitz's new hairdo--and size. "You evolved to save him! Thank you!" Josh quickly dismounted the Absol to rub his newly-evolved Luxio's forehead affectionately. Blitz was too big to run underneath Twilight now - he'd have to settle for running alongside him. Seeing what kind of condition his other Electric-type was in, he recalled Saber before mounting back up and continuing toward Bass City.
It was a little warmer today, Lionel notes, as they move on from the little squishy Pokemon from before, rolling his sleeves up until they sit around his elbows. The breeze is cool, blowing cool air down off the snow and thawing earth, but it isn't so bad with the sun upon his the crown of his head. Samson seems to be just fine, too, occasionally plopping his big paws in the various puddles in the road, where snow had melted and pooled. Lionel wasn't looking forward to that bath later, to be sure. But for now, he was fine leaving the Growlithe to his business.
At least, until a dog minding his own business turns into a dog nipping at the heels of a Bidoof, scampering across the road from the bushes that Samson had gone to examine. It looked awfully spooked, and Samson seemed to like that - little bastard he could be, sometimes. Maybe he was itching for a battle today? The way he'd treated that Pyukumuku certainly suggested it, and now this...
Sighing, he gives up. "Alright, Samson - use Bite!" As he's given permission, the Growlithe starts to wag his tail, jumping forward to bring his jaws down upon the Bidoof's leg, who returns in kind with a rough tackle, once she'd manage to wriggle out of Samson's mouth. It sends the Pokemon rolling, but getting up quickly after, barrling forward in time with Lionel calling out, "Now, double-edge!"
In that moment, Growlithe meet's the Bidoof's body in a quick hit, slamming his huge (comparative,) frame into the smaller creature's - the Bidoof going flying once it hits. Lionel almost feels bad. Watching it slowly rise, Lionel then appreciates its moxie - and reaches into his bag for one of his Pokeballs. With a brief wind-up, he tosses it across the way, to catch the Bidoof.
197 words | Josh Devlin | growlithe - intimidate (spawned pkmn user's level or higher (11)) growlithe 11 -> 12 | using Pokeball !
The view along the coastline was beautiful - a snow, sand, and grass-covered landscape typically only seen in the late Winter months. With Saber resting for the remainder of their trip, Josh let Aslan out of his Poké Ball for a run alongside Twilight instead, the Litleo's latent heat melting some of the patchy snow away as he ran over it. Though Twilight wasn't showing it, even she liked the heat the fire-type radiated.
After another mile or so, Aslan raced ahead of Twilight, the dark-type picking up the pace a little but ultimately allowing him to run ahead. Josh squinted, able to see what appeared to be a Growlithe that stood up almost to the shoulders of the man that he assumed was its Trainer. There appeared to be quite the fierce battle going on in the direction of Bass City. Unable to discern details about the Pokémon or trainer, the curious Josh pressed forward, trying to get a closer look at the two travelers.
As the high from battle wears off and Lionel's stuck staring at a wiggling Pokeball in anticipation, it fizzles out terribly when it cracks open and the Bidoof high tails it back into the rolling hills. Samson was rather intent on chasing after him, but with a curt whistle, Lionel keeps him from straying too far. Which, is probably for the best, considering the speed at which a Trainer seemed to be approaching - and Samson's returned to his side entirely, plopping his butt on the earth just as the Absol and its trainer come trotting into clear view.
Lionel offers a faint wave to them, gesturing in the direction of the Bidoof that'd just escaped. "Not so lucky today, it seems." Turning his attention toward the absol the other Trainer rode in on, he looks impressed, and glances then to Samson; he might be large enough for that someday. The thought pleases him, and he turns back to say, "You like riding them? I'd never really given it much thought before."
171 words | Josh Devlin | growlithe - intimidate (spawned pkmn user's level or higher (11))
"Aslan, don't go running off like that!" The Litleo didn't answer, chasing down the trainer's Growlithe and shooting a glance toward the larger fire-type. He turned to one side before greeting the two with an almost cute roar. Twilight caught up not too long after, Josh pointing his number two Poké Ball toward Aslan in case relations went south. "I'm sorry - I should keep a better watch over Aslan here," he apologetically greeted the muscled man. Twilight gracefully slowed to a stop next to the trainer and his striped Pokémon. Aslan turned toward the Growlithe and raised one of his front paws in greeting.
After apologizing to the tall traveler, Josh noticed the large fire-type. "Wow, your Growlithe--I mean, Ar--" He paused for a bit. Was it a giant Growlithe or a very small Arcanine? He had to think about it for a moment. Arcanine had far bushier tails and more crested fur on top of their heads. "Growlithe--is impressive. Are you a Pokémon racer, too?" Hearing that he had never considered riding, it intrigued Josh how such a person would be interested in such a large specimen - typically only racers and the very wealthy could afford one bred for this degree of size.
"Not a worry, pal. Pokemon have minds of their own, just as anyone else." Looking down to Samson, he places both his hands amidst his waist, watching as the large canine stares at the paw Aslan raises to him. At first he seems uncertain, as if some unspoken dichotomy between cats and dogs distracted him, but in the end he just wags his tail pleasantly, flopping his head one way, and then the other.
The Trainer then compliments Samson, and though the topic of conversation was on the Growlithe, his attention turns to the stranger. "No, I'm not. Fast as they may be," he rests his hand atop Samson's head, giving him a few good rubs between the ears, "I'm just a former Officer out of Unova. He was a gift from the precinct when I retired."
Samson is pleased with the pat, and slowly rises up to his feet, feeling comfortable enough to step forward a pace and sniff at the Litleo, curious.
164 words | Josh Devlin | growlithe - intimidate (spawned pkmn user's level or higher (12))
"Ah, that would explain it," Josh replied, waving Aslan away from the larger Fire-type. "...Excuse me." He faced the young feline and gave him the 'you're in trouble' look, the Pokémon quick to obey. "Thank you. Now, as I was saying, your history with the police force explains why you have such a big and strong Growlithe." Josh dismounted Twilight and walked up to where the fire-type's trainer was standing, offering a handshake. "Josh Devlin, semi-pro Pokémon racer and amateur Pokémon trainer from--"
"Poison Sting," a deep, barely audible feminine voice sounded from behind Josh. Twilight bounded toward Josh with great speed in an effort to push his trainer out of the way, but it was too late. "This is what happens when twits like you think you can cross Team Spade's turf." The boy's eyes opened wide, a hissing sound coming out of his mouth in an effort to avoid screaming from a barrage of poison needles shot behind his knees. Both of his Pokémon turned around to see the one responsible: a young girl with her black leather jacket open, her shirt's logo a spade-shape like those on common playing cards. It was her Nidoran, half-obscured by a hill, that launched the poison needled at Josh. A Seviper was coiled around her shoulders, hissing in Lionel's general direction.
Rolling her eyes at the girl and at the situation, Twilight raced toward the small Nidoran, leaping at it and diving into it with both sets of claws outstretched. Raking into its claws and back, the Absol found herself full of the same type of needles Josh was cruelly subjected to. Through rage and reckless abandon, she slashed across the poison-type's back, wincing when she took a Horn Attack to her sensitive underside but powering through. The Seviper uncoiled as the female let out a loud "Harumph", recalling the fallen horned Pokémon.
The venom and the critical strike paralyzed the brave Absol. Aslan, seeing his Pokémon mentor in dire need, entered the fray in a loud (well, as loud as a cub could) roar, getting pumped to defend his injured Trainer. He could sense Josh's urgency - the venom was already spreading up and down his legs. The bladed serpent slithered rapidly to meet Aslan's charge, head-on and fanged maw wide open. The larger Pokémon chomped down on the fire-type, leaving its teeth in the wounds to let the venom sink into his head. Big mistake - Aslan ignited his red tuft, lighting the Seviper on fire from the inside out. The girl was quick to recall her injured Pokémon and flee.
While Twilight and Aslan had won the battle, it had not come without casualties. Josh had been brought to his knees, unable to stand without the needles in the back of his knees being pushed in deeper. Twilight and Aslan were also suffering from festering wounds that looked like a Pokémon Center visit would be necessary to treat - simple Antidote would suppress the pain, but there was only so much common medicine would do.
{WC: 513} {PC: 6} {Aslan's level is now 9!} {Aslan: 59/117 | Status: POIS - Wears off in 5 posts} {Twililght's level is now 14!} {Twilight: 121/230 | Status: POIS - Wears off in 5 posts} {Josh's level is now 10!} {The poison deals 9 damage to Josh!} {Josh: 108/171 | Status: POIS - Wears off in 5 posts}
Last Edit: Feb 27, 2020 3:02:39 GMT by Josh Devlin
And so begins the polite conversation. His hand outstretches to meet the Trainer's as he comes in closer, giving him a firm handshake befitting of the large man he was. "Uh, yeah, s'pose it does." Lionel notes, as he straightens his posture, more unconsciously than not. Never having particularly paid any interest to the racing scene, he nevertheless at least feigns an interest in the matter, nodding along as he speaks. Just as he starts to open his mouth to respond is when the battle ensues.
Lionel wasn't a policeman anymore, but any means, but he certainly still held his values, and so when that girl comes into view with her Pokemon in tow, he finds himself quickly on edge. Of course, he's not the strong one he used to be, and... it seems that Josh's Pokemon come to his defense quicker than he himself could try to. Which was alright; admirable, even, that someone's Pokemon could be so ready to defend their Trainer. Lionel certainly knew what that was like, all too well.
So it's lucky that the girl ends up fleeing before things escalated too much, leaving Lionel behind to nudge the boy over so he could set about looking after him. "Here, I can get these out." Rummaging into his pocket, he finds one of his pecha berries, handing it to Josh. "Eat this, too. I don't have enough for all your Pokemon, though." He'd then adjust his knees carefully to he could swiftly, but carefully, pluck the needles out of him and toss them aside. "You're going to want to rest when you get to town. And keep riding on your Pokemon."
Behind them, the Carvanha that passes is little more than a cameo in their scene than anything else. Samson watches it pass, dutiful as ever.
301 words | Josh Devlin | growlithe - intimidate (spawned pkmn user's level or higher (12))
Josh swallowed the Pecha Berry Lionel offered him, his face tensing up in pain every time the former officer pulled out one of the poison needles. Thankfully not too many entered him. Once he felt the last group was pulled out, he tried to stand back up but couldn't quite get to his feet. "You're a lifesaver," Josh thanked the traveler. "I won't forget you. May I ask your name?"
Finding he was still unable to stand, Josh slipped his arms out of his backpack loops, letting it fall behind him so he could retrieve bottles of Antidote for his still-poisoned Pokémon. "Twilight, Aslan, come here so I can fix you right up." Twilight still looked perky despite her sweaty face. Josh was concerned she was hiding her condition. The badly-injured fire Pokémon limped behind, eventually sitting down next to him. Procuring two vials of Antidote from his supplies, Josh sprayed the blue-and-black marks from the venomous attack. He started with the Litleo, then the Absol. After a few minutes, the two appeared to be breathing normally again.
Having been able to rest a little as well, Josh was able to get to his feet, though was dizzy upon standing. He practically fell onto Twilight's back, the white Pokémon flinching when her Trainer slumped aboard. "We're almost there..."
With care does Lionel watch, and extend his hands to assist the younger man should he need it; though his attention soon turns toward the direction that the thug had ran off to, with the mild fear that they might come back, and this time with help. So distracted with this sudden vigilance is he that he nearly misses Josh talking, responding with a confused, "Mmh?"
As his gaze turns back to him, he seems to recognize what it was he'd said, and Lionel clears his throat. "I don't know about that, but I'm glad to have helped. Lucky I was here, I guess. I'm Lionel. Uh, Lionel Scott." Once his introduction was out of the way, and Josh took the time to look after his Pokemon (relieved is he to note that the Trainer was prepared and had antidotes after all,) he returned to that watching, standing guard with his shoulders squared - the way he'd always been trained to do.
Then, those several minutes pass, where silence only comes from the direction she'd booked it in, and Lionel finally allows himself to lax, just as Josh starts to pull himself up and off the ground.
"Take it easy there, bud. I don't know if anyone else is lurking around here, but with enough luck, you'll get to the town in time. I think you've earned a good rest."
229 words | Josh Devlin | growlithe - intimidate (spawned pkmn user's level or higher (12))
It took Josh a couple minutes to muster the strength to properly sit up. He was still shaking a little after the Pecha Berry did its work, but was at least feeling well enough to properly return Lionel's greeting. "Josh Devlin," he introduced himself, his voice a little more perky than the moan it was before, yet still not quite normal. "In addition to racing, I do the Gym Challenge on the side. The skills for both have a lot of overlap, so I thought it would keep my Pokémon sharp during the off-season. Speaking of which, the season opener here is in Bass at the end of the month, so I'll be there a while."
After cresting one more hill, the port of Bass was in sight. It was quite a large town, a few skyscrapers visible all the way from the hill. "Wow, Bass City is big," he remarked, Twilight stopping at its crest. "I'll have plenty to do there before I take on the Gym. You headed there too?"
Just as he asked where Lionel was heading, Josh heard the sound of splashing water from beyond the hill. He took another peek beyond and saw a school of Gorebyss shooting Water Gun attacks up the hill toward him. Twilight was harmlessly splashed a few times. "That's right in the direction I'm headed...guess there's no getting around them." The battle would be too big for Josh to follow, especially in his current state. Josh's Pokémon would be on his own.
He rolled his number two through five Poké Balls down the hill, Aslan, Nitro, Illumina, and Blitz emerging to at least thin the school down to where Josh could pass. He could send Twilight, as well, but didn't want to risk his knee buckling from having to walk. The Rangers had enough emergency calls to deal with every day - they didn't need one more.
Able to roll all the way to the river before emerging from the Poké Balls, Josh's team was able to get a round of surprise attacks in against the school, a barrage of electric, grass, and other physical attacks headed their way...
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