The Tale of Seven: Kidnapped Hope

[Reno]

The trip back to Jubilie was short, the mother and pups finally reunited as they got her situated somewhere where they could rest. The sight of her mate helped as well, though she nipped at him some to tell him she was aggravated he hadn't been there to protect them.

Meanwhile, an older mother and child pair were giving greetings and gratitude, while uncomfortable questions were asked that even if no words were spoken to refute them, where answered in their silence. Terra could only sigh and hug his mother in return, letting her win this time. He'd do anything for her. After checking to see what his parents would do now (and expressing his concerns, which went ignored) the team dragged the brunette out the door and hurried back out to route 202. They still had some work to do in Sandgem and were losing daylight. Sympathetically though they let the exhausted and cold man ride the tiger dog with his lover. Pietra helped them get out of the down before she bid her adieus as well, stating she would be seeing off the wounded Mightyena and prepare for the influx of Pokemon that will probably be coming from the underwater town.

And now...

"Hey, you know it's kind of funny. Those baby Poochyena reminded me of something special. Didn't they reminded you guys too?" Sora asked suddenly as they walked down the route, playing a game with his yellow fox by stepping on some stones jutted from the ground, the purpose being whoever was the first to fall would lose.

"Mmm.... Sanuye?" Roxas guessed, smiling at the thought of the little red Absol.
"Noooo but good try." Sora said. the others remained silent, some of them mulling over ti, the others not really caring. "Oh come on. Don't they remind you of anything? Anyone?" The brunette emphasized as he slipped off a rock.
"Jol!" the fox barked before jumping over to him with a big smile on his face. Not only because he won, but because he knew the answer! "Jol, jol-teon!"
"That's right it's you!" Sora cheered, holding out his hands. Jolteon jumped up putting his front paws in the other's hands and the two did a little dance. "♪Seven special Eevees who brought us together~♪"
"♪Jolt, jolteon. Jolt jolt, eon!♪"

Terra rose an eyebrow before rolling his eyes. "Can you get any gayer Sora?"
"Hey!" Sora pouted before picking up his fox, "You're just jealous you're not as free-spirited as me."
"Tch, no one can be as free-spirited as you Sora. You practically crap bunnies and pee rainbows right?"
"Jeez Terra, maybe you should of stayed underwater a little longer. Might of killed off all your mean cells so you could be just a little sweeter." Aqua jumped in.
"Please. Even if I have only one brain cell left, it'll be the meanest in my whole body - just for you daaaarling." He said sarcastically, a big grin on his face.
"Oh, whatever!"

Roxas shook his head but laughed softly at the other's antics. "Alright, alright. Enough children. We have a lot of work to do today and we still got to put some land behind us before nightfall so I don't think it's time to go skipping down memory lane."
"Fine~" Sora pouted more, setting his Jolteon on the ground before he fished out some from his bag - a little blue book with no words on the cover. The diary. The sight of it made Ven and Roxas a little more subdued, especially as the brunette opened the front cover and started to silently read.

[Rikugurl]

Little black feet walked close to his master's, looking around at the darkness of the woods around them. He would know if any pokemon dared to sneak an attack on them... even if these woods weren't heavily populated with dangerous creatures. Anything could be here now that the water rose. He was just hoping no mean pokemon were being washed up by sea...

The silverette himself had to roll his eyes and rub the back of his neck, a sweatdrop forming. Sometimes... Sora even worried him. Even so... his personality and spirit would be perfect for their future family.

However, he glanced to his side when he realized everyone had gone quiet, seeing Sora reading from the diary. He stepped a bit closer so his whispered could be heard. "You should read that later. You might accidentally drop it in the water." He motioned up ahead, the trail becoming a little flooded.

Fuu and Aqua were up from, the blue fox and the purple ghost looking around as they got to a flooded part of the trail. Great.
No problem. Steelix was summoned and he laid across the waters, allowing them to cross over on him carefully. The water probably wasn't very high, maybe up to their hips and for the shorter, to their upper torso... but getting wet wasn't in the minds of the three that already too a swim today.

Ven sighed as he looked down at the water, seeing how muddy it was. He couldn't believe Terra's poor luck... but he seemed to be much like himself again so... that was good.

When they got to Sandgem, it was a sad sight.
It was empty, abandoned... and had about a few inches of water in its street, all muddy and murky. Ven finally jumped down, releasing Swampert as Roxas called back Flareon. Blue eyes looked out, seeing the gym not far off. It wasn't like this a few days ago... It was amazing how quick this was all happening... and how scary it was as well.
What was also shocking was that no rescuers or rangers were around. Did they already sweep the area?

They didn't bother to stop as they walked to Terra's gym, opening the automatic doors that still seemed to work before going into the arena. It was still dry inside, though a bit moist... which was really unusual but with the windows open still, they could understand why. "I can't believe this is all going to be underwater..." Ven spoke softy as he walked in further. Terra had worked so hard on this gym...

[Reno]

Sora had barely gotten the first two sentences read when Riku interrupted him. He looked up before glancing towards the flood - "Wow, where'd that come from?" It... hadn't been there the first time they had gone through or the second. The water level really was rising fast, wasn't it?

They made it over the large puddle, Arcanine having no problem walking across the rock snake with the added weight. There were many of her species known to be able to cross large distances over pure ice without any trouble as all - walking across something more solid then that was a piece of cake!

Once they got to the gym though, Terra and Ven both got off her back, and after giving her a yummy berry, Sora recalled her. They all headed inside and looked about the gym.
Terra sighed at Ven's words. He didn't want to think about that. Think about how everything from his small library to his bedroom would be utterly destroyed. And the greenroom was going to be hell to fix up... "If the water level goes down it should still be standing. It'll be fine." He rubbed his throat uncomfortably - fucking saltwater - reached for his pokebelt calling out Houndoom and Leafeon.
"Leee!"
"How!"
"Alright you two, I want you guys to sweep the area and clear out any Pokemon that might still be around." The fox and dog nodded before hurrying off into the trees, going their separate ways. Leafeon, being a grass type, knew the area from ground to ceiling, including all the Pokemon's habitats, and Houndoom's nose could easily fish out who was left.

"Hey," Sora started to say conversationally, "You know the last time we were all together like this was right before we all went our own ways. Isn't it kind of funny that-" The brunette quickly trialed off when the others all gave him an unfriendly look. They didn't want to hear it. He frowned a bit angrily, "You know when you guys end up forgetting all the good times we've had with all your negativity don't come crying to me!" He spun around and walked off in another direction, Jolteon quickly trotting after him. "Come on Jolt, let's go find some Pokemon to save, bet you there ten times more FRIENDLY."
"Eon!" Definitely!

The ten of seven blinked as Sora walked off before Roxas rose an eyebrow and glanced at his other brother. "What the hell was that?"

[Rikugurl]

Ven frowned as he watched Sora stomp off but as Roxas looked at him, he shrugged. "Dunno." He did however notice Riku walking after him before another beam was calling another Pokemon. This time, it was a Swellow. The bird flapped around in a loop before looking at the group. "Do you think he can assist in helping you find some airborne pokemon?" The silverette woman asked and Terra seemed to nod. Taillow and Swellow liked to nest in Torterra's tree when he wasn't fighting.

The woman nodded at the blue bird before he called and went flying up into the canopy.

The rest of them walked around, Ven silent as he sighed. He really didn't spend much time here like Terra... but he knew it had to be hard leaving it... or seeing it get all fucked up. He looked up at his lover and smile, taking his hand gently. "Let's try and salvage some of your things before we leave."
The two walked off to a door and walked though, leaving the rest to kind of just stand there.

Axel glanced down at Roxas before smiling. "Hey, let's see if we can help find some Pokemon too." He reached into his hip bag before handing Roxas their stylus. "You can get some practice in, huh?"

While the rescuer gay bags talked, Fuu sighed. "Might as well close as many windows as possible. She looked back at Aqua and smiled before walking over to one. It would help with stopping a lot of destruction.


As for Riku, he walked behind Sora as they walked down the path, looking at all the luscious plants growing. "It's amazing how Terra has such a rough outer but look at the beauty he can create." He spoke, looking around. "Breee." The black fox agreed, sniffing some flowers as he passed.
Aquamarine eyes looked at the brunette in front of him before tilting his head some. "So Sora... I know you want to work with electric pokemon.... but what do you want to do exactly?"

[Reno]

The teams went their separate ways, Ven and Terra going back into his office. The brunette hesitated here, going over to his desk and picking up a familiar pen with the outline of Houndoom's head on it's clip. It was the same one he had used not long ago to sign that fangirl's book. A gift from Ven... "Definitely this. And the pictures." He nodded the the few pictures he had sitting on the desk in their frames.

Meanwhile, Roxas was looking irresolute down at the stylus as it was handed to him. He sighed finally and nodded. "I guess..." It really shouldn't be so hard... but he was used to be wrapped up with Pokemon that commanded his respect and leadership - not his friendship. And otherwise he was still fairly shy and not at all out-going like his brothers or even Axel. Yet, it was something he was required to know - the only reason he was let out on missions before learning this skill at all was because of Axel and other rescuers being their to back his ass up if he needed it. He followed after Axel into the forest, looking about for some Pokemon to try and 'capture'.

Aqua nodded. "I guess you're right." She walked over, following her lover's example. It was no wonder Terra had so many fucking Pokemon in the place if he just kept them open all the time. "Wonder how fucking expensive this place is to irrigate with a damn desert outside."

Already down their own trial, Sora had his arms crossed, trying his best not to answer the other but damn Riku and his ways of making him not angry in about two seconds flat! He sighed, running a hand through his hair before shrugging. "Well I was thinking... Maybe of being sort of like an electric teacher?" The silverette rose an eyebrow curiously.
"Well, it's just I've come across a lot of people with electric type Pokemon who didn't treat them right. Not mistreat them exactly but they just don't always listen to their nature and get them into situations they aren't comfortable in. I was hoping maybe I could work with kids and electric types, teach them how to not be afraid of them and how to handle them, since most kids from Sunyshore will probably get an electric type as their starter." He rubbed the back of his neck, looking away. "Or I could be a masseur like Terra said."

[Rikugurl]

Ven frowned as he looked over, seeing Terra picking up a pen he got him while he was away. He had sent it to him while between a show and he hadn't seen his lover in weeks at that point. He sighed as he walked over to a bookshelf, freezing as he saw some newspaper articles that were framed. All of them.... being of him and his contests. He swallowed, picking up one that was about Venita attending a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new restaurant.

He placed the frame down and shook his head, looking down at the floor. "Terra...." The brunette hummed. "I'm sorry... I was gone so much. I was so caught up with... trying to regain some self confidence... and if I just knew that... I could find it with you the way I did..." He shook his head again and turned around, looking at the taller man. "I'm sorry if I made you sad... or hurt.... or lonely."


Axel smiled as he watched Roxas look down at the device that he tried to master four years ago... but still never seemed to get the hang of it. Sera was rather disappointed on his test the first time, second time, third, forth, fifth, sixth and seventh. When he got to his eighth and failed, that was when Axel told her to give him a break and told her just not to send him on any missions by himself. So far, it worked out... but the redhead was worried about if Roxas were ever to be on his own and he needed the help of a stylus.

So... since then, every time they would have some extra time with Pokemon that were already well to do and not in panic but still needed to be round up, Axel would have Roxas try it out. Unfortunately, he still didn't get the hang of it... even when trying to herd mareep. But that was ok, Axel knew Roxas had to be a late bloomer with it came to working it.

They walked down a path and stopped when they saw a little group of Budew huddling under a large leafed plant. "There you go Roxas... have them come over to us."


Riku walked up to Sora as he stopped, raising his eyebrow as he heard Sora's idea. A teacher? He nodded as Sora explained and smiled when he heard about the massage. "Well... I think you'd be an excellent massager. You know how to take care and calm pokemon of all kind and you're really friendly and easy to teach people things... but on the other hand, I think you'd be a great teacher too. There's nothing better than teaching people how to take care of Pokemon, especially electric and fire who seem to be mistreated the most." He brought Sora close, leaning in on him.

"You can be anything you want to be Sora... because the sky is your limit. Rayquaza better watch out."

[Reno]

Terra was rummaging through one of his drawers, not really looking for anything specific but just trying to see if their was anything worth taking. "Mmm?" He murmured when the other called. However at the tone he took and the words he said, Terra paused hesitantly, before he sighed, heading over to the other. "Ven..."

He raised a hand, running his hand over one of the shots of Venita holding up her newest ribbon proudly, Espeon sitting on his shoulders. "You know I didn't keep these to make you feel bad. I missed you alot, so what?" The blonde looked ready to respond but Terra shook his head, "Ven I put these up to show you how much you've accomplished. How much you have to be proud of. It doesn't matter if you were 'being' a girl, all this you did yourself. The bonds you created with you Pokemon, the ribbons you won, the things you learned... that was all what you did. And even after you put away the dresses I know your success isn't going to end."

He glanced at the blonde before smiling raising up his head, "I did miss you Ven. I always did. But you had a lot of things you needed to fix in your life, a lot of years of guilt you needed to get rid of and no matter how much I could have tried I doubt I could have solved everything. If you think about it, had you of not done what you did do you think our relationship would of had a shot at all?" The blonde seemed to contemplate this and Terra lent down, brushing their lips together. "Come on, help me get some things. We're now all officially homeless."


Roxas followed after the red-head until they found a small group of Budew. Ah, they were mainly gentle grass type Pokemon, pretty slow to react but fairly friendly on their own. They could be skittish but even a beginner stylus user could usually catch two or three of them at a time.

"Alright. Capture on. " He pointed the stylus at them. He hit the button, the disc of the stylus starting to spin before it shot out. A little metal rod popped out of the top and he started to move his arm in wide arcs. The little Budew carefully crowded closer together as the disc started to circle them, a blue light lighting it.

Come on...come on, trust me... He thought, trying to pour every nice feeling he could into his heart. Just as the disc was making it's third arc, just when he thought he had it, the rings turned red and snapped, the disc flying wide. The Budew gave little cries and spread in all directions.

"Ugh! Wait!!" Roxas cried, which only made them run faster. He hung his head and sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Damn it..."

How pathetic was he if he couldn't even make friends with Budew?!


Sora smiled when the other agreed to his ideas - either way... He blinked as the other brought him close, blushing some before he smiled, wrapping his arms around his neck. "You really think so?" The silverette smiled to him, not even needing to answer. The brunette grinned before leaning up, giving him a loving kiss.

When they pulled away, the younger's smile spread. "What about you, Ri? Did you think of something you want to do?"

[Rikugurl]

Ven swallowed as Terra came over, looking at one of the pictures. He wasn't sure what to say but his mouth tried to open anyway because that's just how he was but... he shook his head as Terra continued. Maybe he was right. Maybe if he didn't go out and try, work, practice have fun and laugh, building up his confidence... he and Terra wouldn't be together anymore probably. His mom had always said that if he can't love himself for who he is, he can't love someone else.

She was right... and even if Ven felt bad for hardly seeing any of his boyfriend, he was helping himself by making himself be able to have a healthy relationship. Shit, they were having a better time than they had in years of just seeing each other for a day.

His boost came back and he smiled against his lover's lips, nodding. "It's doesn't matter if we're homeless....for now... as long as we have each other, we'll be alright." That and the fact that they were fucking rich.


Axel smiled as he watched the beam wrap around the Budew, everything going well until... it turned red. His eyes widened as he started to panic, but he remembered that they were just Budew... which was a good thing because if they were any more aggressive... He shook his head as they ran off before looking at Roxas, seeing how disappointed and angry he was at himself. "Hey... don't worry about it."

Roxas started to snap at him, that he HAD to worry about it, it was a part of his job and---
"It's not a part of the job." Axel interrupted, placing his hands on Roxas's shoulder. "Roxas, being a rescuer isn't suppose to feel like a job... and I don't know why my aunt made it a rule that all rescuers need to know how to use the stylis. In my eyes, it doesn't matter what a rescuer uses or does... as long as they save and take care of wounded, mistreated and in danger pokemon. Sure it's helpful if you can calm down a panicking mass number... but everyone has their flaws."

It still didn't seem to make Roxas feel much better.
"Shit, Rox.... If I had to calm down that mightyena today, I probably would of had my hand bitten off not matter how well I handled her. You have a gift that a lot of rescuers don't have. You've helped more ghost pokemon in Hoenn than any other person because you know how to work with them and you think about how their feeling compared to how you are."

He pulled Roxas close, smiling down at him. "I know you're a loving person... and I know you have that strength. Some people just don't know how to show friendship towards every type out there. You're trained differently and it works for you. I've been a rescuer since I was nine, I have some more experience. Eskel has been a rescuer for what.... twenty years? He's more experienced. The more you work with pokemon and see things that touch you on a personal bases... you'll get it. Just give yourself time... and don't try so hard. Showing friendship... isn't about focusing or... wanting to make someone your friend. It just... happens."


Riku smiled at the kiss, kissing him back as they heard wings fly over head. They glanced up, seeing a large Swellow lead a family of Starly towards the doors.
He looked back down at Sora and shrugged. "I haven't really thought about it... Darkrai.... I promised her I'd be a great trainer... so I don't know if I should continue in collecting badges... or if her idea of being a great trainer is for myself..."

He laughed and rubbed the back of his head. "Maybe... a waiter... then again, I'm not very good with people. Hmm... maybe... I can run the lighthouse.... but then I wouldn't get to sleep with you at night." He paused as his brow pinched, thinking about what he could possibly---

Than it hit him. What had he done today without a problem, not freaking out or giving up even if the situation was really bad.
"Maybe... a lifeguard...."

[Reno]

"Yeah yeah, you sap." Terra teased as he pulled away. At least now he was able to give Ven answers, was able to tell him it was okay and reassure him everything would be alright - and actually have him believe him. It was sad it took them five years just to get to this point, at this rate...

"Come on, you lazy ass. We got a lot of work to do." The brunette said as he pulled away, glancing at the clippings. "You can take these with you if you want."


Meamwhile, a frustrated blonde had to hold his temper in check from snapping at his lover as he tried to reassure him it was alright. "No, it's not! If I don't know this I can't do my job and-" At that word though Axel was quick to jump in once more, trying to reassure him he wasn't doing a job but a good deed and that it didn't matter if he could use the stylus or not. but all he did was cross his arms and look away, not convinced in the least.

But that's when his lover started going on about his gift with dark-types and got all cuddly with him just to tell him he still had a lot of years ahead of him to learn the stylus if he wanted too. The blonde finally sighed but nodded, "Yeah... I guess you're right."


Sora watched his lover think about some options, not particularly liking the thought of Riku traveling the world without him. They'd end up like Terra and Ven.... but luckily Riku dismissed this to another idea. He started grinning teasingly at the idea of Riku actually being a waiter. It wasn't just that the job was very sociable, it was also pretty thankless and unrewarding, especially on busy days. He could imagine how that would go...
"Hey waiter I asked for scrambled eggs!"
"Well here!" Riku smashed up the eggs with his hands. "There you go, scrambled!"

It was the last one that really got him thinking. "A... lifeguard..." He repeated.
Riku came out of the water, silver hair shining and gorgeous muscles rippling as he pulled a child out to sea. "Everyone back up!" The man called, his voice full of command before he started to resuscitate the kid. The little girl soon started coughing and everyone clapped. "Oh it was nothing all in a day's work. Now if you don't mind I'm going to put on some sunscreen."

His cheeks started to redden, imagine the silverette started to rub the lotion all over himself and Mmmmm... "Yeah that's a great one..."
Riku seemed to know exactly what he was thinking from his lecherous grin and called out to him chastisement.

"What it's not my fault you're hot!" The silverette rolled his eyes but Sora chuckled, "But seriously you really would make a great lifeguard Ri. All that time in the sun... All those people depending on you... all those hot little speedo shorts..."

'SORA!'

[Rikugurl]

Ven huffed as he looked away. He wasn't sappy! It was the truth! Yea...
He looked back as Terra assured him that he could take the articles before looking at them slowly, seeing how many there were. As Terra walked off and started going through other things, he reached out and started to put the articles in his backpack.

He walked around the office, taking a few things such as records and Terra's gym title before heading to his lover's bedroom. It was basic but nice, the blonde giving Terra a teasing look. "Even away from home you make sure you clean your room~" He laughed as he walked in, but slowly frowned as he looked around. Terra was going to lose all of this...


Axel just smiled as he watched Roxas's face play out before taking his hand. "Come on, let's see if we can find anything else."


"SORA!" Riku cried as he saw his lover going into Lala Riku land, making him shake his head and sigh. Once Sora gets his head in the clouds, it was hard to bring him back down to earth. "Maybe I won't be a lifeguard.... because then I'll have to beat everyone off me with a stick to come home." He laughed before bring Sora close. "Come on, we need to help find some pokemon."



By evening, the front doors opened and a river of all sorts of Pokemon poured out, heading to the forest close by. "Take care of yourselves and keep going to high land!" Axel called as he waved to them all, hearing Terra sigh behind him. They all seemed to look back at the gym leader, watching him watch the pokemon run off. He had worked really hard to open his greenhouse to them and to gain their trust for them to start living their lives.

What Axel was worried about was about the ones that actually were born in the greenhouse... and never lived in the real outside world until now.

It was Fuu who brought them all back to track again. "We should get some traveling done... let's go."

[Reno]

The sun was a deep orange as it fell in the sky, though it wasn't so far down That there was worry of it setting for many hours yet. Roxas shifted as he stuffed the stylus in his bag, having learned practically nothing from it all day. He had managed to get a few Pidgey, but the trust was tentative and easily broken. If he kept trying with it...

He glanced back at Terra at the sigh, seeing the brunette trying to hide his sorrow about the whole thing. He frowned sympathetically, knowing how hard the man had worked to make a home for these Pokemon, to give them a sense of safety they didn't have in the wild. Each time he and Axel visited, the place was always more full of Pokemon and life. He had done a lot of good for them all and now... Ugh, why didn't Lugia see what the hell she was doing? Didn't she realize Pokemon were being hurt or... did she really not care? He thought that song meant so much...

At Fuu's voice he snapped out of it.
"Well... where are we going to go?" Sora ventured first.
"Back the way we came." The gym leader said as he looked back on his home once more before shutting the door. He prayed they had truly found them all... He had never really kept track of how many he had, since they reproduced like crazy and the windows were always open for them to come and go as they pleased.

But now he regretted that. Now he didn't know if he was dooming someone inside or not.

"All the way?!"
"If Sandgem is flooded Route 221 probably is too." Terra said as if the answer should be obvious. The beach side was actually defined as route 119 though it was recognized as a a part of Sandgem as well. Then their was a water route called 220 - and then 221 was just a small area of land off the coast further down, usually used by trainers looking to capture higher level Pokemon like Girafarig and Roselia.

"So what... back up to Jubilife and through Oreburgh again?" Aqua said with a sigh.
"Or..." Roxas suddenly jumped in, "We go off the trail and head east. We should end up straight in route 212 and hit Pastoria and save us some time."
Everyone looked at him like he was crazy. Which he was.
"Go off trail?" Aqua said, "You're fucking nuts!"
"Roxas what if we get lost?" Sora pointed out, looking at the one they all knew was very skilled at doing this. "I know we're on a time limit and all, but if we can't get out, we won't be helping anyone at all."
"Tch, you're all just a buncha of fucking sissies." Terra grumbled.

[Rikugurl]

Axel looked down at Roxas as he suggested going off course. With maps and large pokemon, they shouldn't get too lost of they just kept following the maps they had. However... "We're have to cross the mountains if we just headed north east." Everyone stopped and though about it... which brought another fact into play.
"That's right... and with all those random snow storms, we could be putting ourselves in danger." Riku added

"When haven't we put ourselves in danger? This WHOLE thing is dangerous!" Ven crossed his arms, the sight of dark circles under his eyes. "We have enough fire pokemon to thaw the fucking snow caps of Snowpoint City if we wanted to! Let's just go for it."

"Are you crazy!?" Axel exclaimed. "We don't even know if anyone lives up in those mountains or if there is anything we can take shelter under. You can't just set up a camp in the middle of a damn tundra!"

"Alright, alright..." Ven growned, sighing some as he looked out at the mountains. "I just want to get going before some other fucking disaster happens that keep holding us back. If we just go without TV, MAYBE we can get something done that will stop it completely! These bad things aren't going to stop until we get that baby back home. So I say we have a vote. Whoever wants to take the short cut, raise your hand!"

[Reno]

Everyone shifted as the arguments were made and then finally Ven announced to put it to a vote. Instantly, Terra, Ven and Roxas all put up their hands a combination of bravery and stupidity. There was hesitance among the other five, the three looking about with raised eyebrows.

"Alright," Finally a fourth hand rose, making them completely even. They looked at Sora in surprise. He just shrugged - he was worried about some of the Pokemon but... If there was an avalanche, they had Zan. If they got trapped or someone got hurt, Arcanine could get to Pastora and back in no time at all. If they got desperately lost, there was always Altaria. And Ven was right - they did have a lot of fire Pokemon so hopefully they could prevent the snow from slowing them down. It would only be a day or twos travel, probably less.

Yet even with his thoughts his consent only out them even. They needed a tie breaker.
"Well we can't just do nothing!" Terra said a bit irritably as everyone else stood around still with their heads up their asses and thinking about it. "We're losing time here just sitting around thinking about it!"

[Rikugurl]

It was still a standstill even after Terra yelled at them but green eyes finally narrowed behind his glasses. "FINE!" He rose his hand and sighed. "If I didn't have all my fire pokemon... and if there wasn't a chance of some pokemon being trapped up there that might need some saving... I would say no but... we might cut some time for this...which we really need."

Fuu sighed as she looked at Aqua. "Where did you find these maniacs again?"
Riku was silence as he looked away. The mountains? Shit... he hated the cold. He liked on a tropical beach for most of his life!

"Good! Now let's take a real quick stop at the pokemart and get some blankets!" Ven smiled as he started to run down the street.
"VEN! THAT'S STEALING! ROBBERY!" Fujin called out as her red eyes widened. The place was abandoned and he thought it would be ok just to take things from their shop!?
Axel had to bite his tongue before saying that once a thief, always a thief. He was sure Terra and Aqua would get the reference and beat him into the ground.

Even still, Ven didn't stop and disappeared around the corner.

[Reno]

Aqua shook her head, running a hand through her hair. "A fucking asylum I guess." It wasn't as if they'd save THAT much time and it'd probably be about ten times less dangerous. But noooo, they had to do everything the hard way. Then of course, Ven just had to add to the intelligence of the male population by shouting out about stealing some things and hurrying of. "Ugh, all men are idiots!"

Terra rolled his eyes. "For once, I don't think anyone gives a flying fuck because in about 12 hours the whole goddamn area will be flooded." He started out after Ven, "Besides we're fucking saving the world! They can spare some shit!"


Paws beat down on untouched ground, pine needles and compost blowing up under the leading dog. Under the heavy forest cover, never cleared because of the lack of traveling through the air, the ground was already dark like night. This was not a problem for the dog, her eyes better adjusted then a humans to seeing in dark areas. They weaved through the trees carefully.

Behind them, burning brightly, was a unicorn on fire, her hooves clomping into the ground with ease, her speed and dexterity assets to getting around the trees. She too had no problem seeing, her natural firelight making the whole area bright and easy to see. But in such thick confines she was more nervous, unable to stop from seeing things in the shadows that made her rider force her back on track.

"Ar!" Came the dogs bark as she darted over some large boulders, The horse took the warning and easily sped up, making it over the pile in an amazing jump. The had to be more careful with the horse. If she fell...

And up above...
"The fuck is this?!" Came an angry woman's cry. "Ven you've got a fucking temperamental Flygon!"
A man laughed. "What's wrong princess? Moana too refined for you?"
"Oh fuck off!"
There was a softer murmur, almost inaudible, then the angry woman spoke again. "You know we'd solve all our problems if you let us ride Steelix!"

"NO!" More than one person yelled. A softer voice, one of the one's on the horse, responded his voice calm but wise as he told Aqua once more that they couldn't just destroy half the forest - they'd upset all the Pokemon that lived there and destroy some of their homes as well.
"Ugh, I want a recount on that damn vote!"

"Ah, I see the start of the Darnell Valley. Sora take a left." Spoke the rough man.
"Roger that!" Came a cheery cry. The dog suddenly jerked the the north, Rapidash carefully following. They ran for another few minutes before the soft sound of falling water had Sora pulling up on the dog's collar. She came to a stop quickly, before the two on her back got off. Soon the horse was right behind them, two other men doing the same.
The four walked towards the water cautiously the ground turning uneven around them as rocks jutted from the ground. The smallest of them scrambled up to the highest point - despite a silver-haired man's worried called for him to be careful. The man paid him no mind, getting down on his knees and looking over the edge.
"Wooooow! Guys come look at this, it's so pretty!"

There was some hesitance before the other three carefully climbed to the other's level, the silverette reaching out to grab the smaller away from where he was practically hanging off the edge of his rock but he hesitated when he caught sight of the small nook the other was looking at.

The sun, really low in the sky now, was hitting it perfectly, turning the water falling from fall to fall a variety of colors. At the highest point it was a luscious gold, falling down into into the next stream and turning an amber orange, and then a third fall turned it a deep scarlet red before it fell again and disappeared into the black.

"Wow, I wonder where it starts." Roxas was saying, his breath taken away at the site.
"No one knows. It's called a Pnani - a water source of unknown origin." Said a voice not far behind, the man with brunette hair easily scaling up the rocks to see the beautiful nook and it's colors. Now by the horse and dog where two insect-like dragons the smaller of them dealing with two irate woman trying to get off her back. "Technically this is the end of the Darnell but no one is sure where it actually starts."