[RP] Journeymon: Blackout

[SpinelWolf]

Spinel
Slateport City - Pokémon Center > North Gate
ARPers: Dragotech, The Operator

There ended up not being any other humans or Pokémon in the building, but in the back the young trainer found good quality sheet metal. A lot better than the few scraps she had found previously. She wasted no time in snagging and packing it. She had to break it down into smaller pieces to fit in her bag, but that didn't take long thanks to her fire-type.

"Looks like there's nothing else here. Might as well meet back up with Kyle and Jacob. They should still be at the gate," Spinel said.

Rayner nodded and then the two quickly made their exit, not wanting to waste anymore time. No need to keep the boys waiting any longer than necessary. They didn't even bother closing the doors behind them, the place being run down and barren as it was. As they then made their way to the meeting spot Rayner's ears twitched and he turned his head slightly. Normally Spinel would become alert but since there was no growl following the motion she figured that whatever he heard was no threat and just kept on walking. ((OoC: He picked up Dragotech's characters' scents, fyi))

Time to finally leave this place and hope the next area has more to offer, the brunette thought as she approached her destination, wondering if they actually waited for her or left before she could show up.

[[Desolate Divine]]

Bunnying permission for both characters given over Skype.

Jacob
Slateport North Gate
Affected RPers: Dragotech, Spinelwolf

"Looks like we have company Shruikan." I said, as I saw Spinel and Kyle approach us. The Absol was silent.

"The cycling road is a few hundred metres north of here." I said, "It is a direct route to Mauville, and from there we have the choice to either go north to Fallarbor or Lavaridge, West to Verdanturf or Rustboro, or East to Fortree and Lilycove. I studied a lot of maps. If we are lucky, we might find some push bikes. They are relatively silent, quick, and work well in most terrains. Perfect transport."

We began walking north, remaining silent. After a few minutes we found the building that was the entrance to the cycling road. I walked over to the door, and walked in, wondering if we would find what we were looking for, or something much worse.

[3m0d0ll]

Name: Jenn
Location: Fallarbor Town > outskirts
ARPs: uh

A dull ache from her right temple woke Jennifer up. It wasn't the usual throb of a hangover or injury, more like a very slight, constant pressure against the backside of the eye. Rolling to her side before setting herself upright, she began to come to.

'Uhg... What time is it..?' she thought, patting the sides of her legs, feeling for a cell phone or other device that might display the time. 'Oh, right; no pockets,' she grumbled to herself as she stood. After a much needed stretch, she pulled a PokeBall from her bag, releasing her Mienshao, Vidar.

"Alright, Vid, we're going into town today. Help me pack up camp, alright?" He showed his obedience with a single, confident nod.

Within a couple minutes, any trace of her residence was removed (not like there was much to hide, being that her only real possessions were a sleeping bag--now tightly rolled up and hidden under ashen leaves--and a small pack of hygiene supplies), and they made their way north to Fallarbor.

[Grsspkmnmaster]

Marleena Aller
Fallarbor Town, Border Rte. 114

I bent down, reaching for another weed in the moist dirt. Gripping the stem in my forefingers, a quick yank revealed the earthen root. I shook it to get more dirt off before tossing it in the basket at my side. I stood up again, wiping some sweat from my forehead. Fortunately the ash from Mt. Chimney kept it relatively cool here, but hard work was hard work. I looked around at the other rows in the field before getting back to work. This was home, this was people working together for a common goal. I went back to weeding, letting my mind wander a bit. Proteus, my Swampert, was out helping till some new fields. He was strong enough to pull a plow, although his talents better suited him for removing large rocks. Knowing at least that nothing serious could happen to either of us on the fields, I knelt down and kept pulling weeds.

What felt like hours later, I stood up at the end of my row. The basket was full of small weeds, and I stood up and leaned back to stretch. The sun was probably just reaching it's high point now, so I was glad to be finished before the heat started coming down. Looking over the expanses of the field, I noticed a small group walking from the far end towards us. I smiled, and started walking towards them when I noticed a particular quadruped walking beside them. I leaned down towards my Swampert. "So, you boys got done early too. Good." I patted Proteus on his head, which he only returned with a smile. "Let's head back to town for lunch, and then we'll see what else can use doing around here." With silent agreement, Proteus padded next to me and we started heading back.

[Grassy_Aggron]

Grassy_Aggron
Enja Nirr/Jade
Devon Building
ARPers: Velocity (Araceli)

Enja caught a small glimpse of sorrow on her new friend's face, but it quickly disappeared. "A few years ago, hm? That means that they're almost certain to be gone, and that's a damn shame. Not that we can get to Slateport easily; Asteria can only carry -" She suddenly whipped around, and only now did she look over to see the Togekiss landed and looking worried. In pain, even. After a few moments, Araceli sighed and looked back at the somewhat crazy engineer. "Asteria's instincts are rarely wrong. I don't suppose you'll lend us a hand?"

Enja glanced at her Aggron, who's thoughts quietly slipped into her mind. <Asteria is right. Someone out there needs help...It'd be wrong to turn a blind eye. But you already knew that, raised as you were. We have been partners for decades. The computers here are fried. There is no use in trying to stay.>

Thinking for a moment, the dark skinned woman clapped her heavily gloved hands together. "Well, that's that then. Time to go save a person and stop evil-but-trying-to-survive people. Who knows? Maybe they'll have something which can help us, and if not, another companion to join us would be nice. And even then...saving someone in a world that's gone a little bit mad, that's nice and so rare now." She pointed back to the door they had come. "You can get there faster that I can with your Togekiss. Maybe you should confront them first to buy that person time, while my partner and I get back downstairs and catch up. You have someone who is specialized in special attacks. My Jade is specialized in physical. We can handle them together."

[The Nonexistent Tazz]

Jin Leix
Fallarbor Town, Border to route 113, crossing over.
ARPers: 3m0d0ll (Possibly).

...Nothing. Jin had declared there was nothing in the rubble of the ruined house. Knowing the townspeople, they probably scavenged it up for the good of the many long before he arrived. There was nothing to find here.

Eventually, he'd settle here, maybe...But for now, he was on his own, with only Percival as company. It was a feeling he was familiar with for quite a while now-he had been traveling mostly alone, stealing what came and what went while the world was collapsing. There were very few times he was truly alone, though now, with only one Pokemon-a Pokemon he had obtained a month ago, no less-he was the loneliest he's ever been in his life. Granted, Jin was going to change that soon. Hopefully.

For now, Jin had route 113 to look forward to. The ash-covered lands were a new road for him to walk on. He wouldn't go too far on the route, though-Fallarbor town was a place where he needed to stick around, considering it had a Pokemon Center.

Jin started walking towards route 113, passing rows of crops on the main road. He could see people toil away at the food they needed so badly. It was hard work, but this was an infinitely better state than a typical town he's visited. And by town, Jin meant 'ruins of civilization.'

<"So, where to next?"> Said a voice in Jin's head. Percival's voice. <"I figured it was only a matter of time before you'd leave Fallarbor town.">

"I'm just exploring this route for a little while. I don't feel like leaving Fallarbor town that quickly...It has the only functioning Pokemon Center that I know of, possibly the only one left in the world. I'm not straying that far away." Jin thought back. Maybe he could become a telepathic right back, but for now, thinking was the only real way to respond.

<"Ayup, understood, boss. I figured you wouldn't be completely abandoning the most ordered place in the whole world that quickly."> Percival quipped.

Jin was walking straight ahead, to the ashy borders of Route 113, but he was looking at the men and women in the cropfields. If someone was walking towards him that seemed of interest, Percival would let him know. Percival was the only Pokemon Jin had left-if either of them died, so would the other. It was that simple, and Percival knew it, so Percival would not leave him in the dark.

[VeloJello]

Jade Araceli.
Devon Building.
ARPers: Grassy_Aggron (Enja), Sabi (NPC).

Large red flags waved in Jade’s head when Enja suggested Jade and Asteria head off first. Seeing her worry, Asteria switched to telepathy to inform her that <She doesn’t seem like the sort that would try to trap us. You can tell that she sounds and looks honest, but I'm empathetic, and I still can’t pick up a scrap of duplicity.>

Jade turned to Enja and nodded curtly. “All right. But follow close behind, if you would. Asteria and I can probably handle whatever’s out there, but backup’s never imprudent.”

That said, she opened up one of the tall windows. Asteria hopped onto the sill, and Jade climbed up behind her, swinging onto the feathered back with ease born of practice. The Togekiss dropped off into the chilly air and flapped to gain speed. Her urgency was out of place for someone who was usually so placid, but Jade understood it. Asteria, bless her soul, would cut off her wing to do some good for their ruined world. It was a trait that Jade often understood, resented, admired, and tempered.

Only a few minutes passed before they landed on the roof of a relatively intact building, from which they could clearly see a girl being crushed by a young woman’s boot. Nearby, a Dusclops held a Nidorino captive in its hands, and two other people lurked behind. <They’ll kill the girl.> Asteria was matter-of-fact, which meant that she was on the brink of fury. <And the Nidorino. We have to stop them. I can hit the Dusclops with an Air Slash; that’ll give them both time to escape.>

“Not the girl,” muttered Jade. “She’ll be just as stuck. Hit the Trainer with a Thunder Wave.”

Asteria was quick to retort, <That’ll give the Dusclops time to kill the Nidorino.>

Quickly, Jade formed the solution. “Okay; here’s what we’ll do. Loose the Air Slash first. Then swoop down and ram the Trainer. If she gets out of the way, fine. If we manage to break some ribs, excellent. Fair?”

After Asteria’s nodded assent, they quickly carried out the plan. A bolt of bright white light, razor-edged and blindingly fast, lanced toward Dusclops. Asteria then dropped out of the sky, zooming toward the ghost’s Trainer.

[Sieses]

Alexei Stratos and Perry Sterling (Bunnying Rights)
Rustboro City - Pokémon Trainer School
Affected RPers: NuzlockeLover

“So,” the other trainer asked, “what should we do?”

Before Alex had any time to answer, though, one of the two oncoming trainers entered the building. The only interesting feature of the man - Alex thought - were his gray eyes, which reminded the young girl very much of her own. Emotionless yet always scanning their surroundings. There was also a large Scizor accompanying him, which showed that he was no slouch in battle.

“Sorry to bother you,” the third trainer said, “but I saw you from outside and I was wondering what you were doing in here...”

Decency; the last thing that Alex would have expected from the man, and yet he was showing it. The second trainer seemed to realize that as well - or perhaps he was just naturally loose-lipped - because he was quick to explain exactly what they were doing to cause all that light, which Alex felt was information that should have been kept withheld.

“Sorry, where are my manners?” the second mused as soon as his Pachirisu coughed. “My name is Perry Sterling, that’s Chloe, and this is -”


Perry - Alex didn’t know how much she liked knowing his name - motioned towards her as he trailed off, evidently only realizing that he hadn’t previously gotten the girl’s name. She decided that, at the very least, the man would be good to have around for a laugh or two.

“Alexei Stratos, but please call me Alex,” she said with a curt nod. “This is Killer.”

The manner in which Perry’s face darkened told Alex that he wasn’t at all pleased with the name she’d bestowed upon her partner, and she was quick to explain her motives. After going over it in her head, she really wasn’t in the mood to get into a fight with him - no challenge, for one thing.

“I’d named him that before the Blackout, when I was only eight years old,” she said by way of explanation. “I thought it sounded cool, and I wanted to be the best trainer I could be. Therefore, my Pokémon would clearly have to have the coolest names I could think of.”

That seemed to appease him slightly, but he was cut off from pursuing the matter any further when the third trainer - who seemed to be in the midst of a conversation with his partner - said, “Oh right. I’m Jackson. Good to meet ‘cha.”

Alex decided that she may as well eavesdrop on the two, since their conversation was clearly much more interesting than the other two in the room, and she fought off a grin at what she heard.

“His Scizor expects an attack,” Alex said to Perry, motioning towards the other man (as though that were necessary). “No threat should be ignored these days, as I think you know - so prepare.”

Both Perry and Chloe exchanged dark looks that betrayed nervousness, and Alex decided to leave them to their own devices. Striding over to Killer, she patted the hellhound on the head as she asked for the number of people around - for some reason the dog had a bad habit of no longer announcing after two. The sheer amount of barks staggered her, though - around seven of them.

Fortunately, the worry that they were all on the same side - Alex wouldn’t have been worried about that had she been alone, but with Jackson and Perry around it was another story entirely - was quickly dissolved when a voice pierced the relative quiet of the air.

“Those were mine!” the feminine voice protested. “I’m taking them ba-”

A squeak quickly revealed that whatever the voice had attempted hadn’t gone very well, and both Alex and Killer exchanged looks. It would be best to strike while a potential ally - on each side - was still alive, even if the Houndoom was of a right mind to dispose of said ally as soon as the battle was finished.

“I don’t know about you two, but I’m going out there,” Alex said, striding towards the door with her signature silence to each step and her Pokémon by her side. “Feel free to follow, if you want.”

((OOC: Well, this post has gotten ridiculously long, hasn't it?))

[3m0d0ll]

Name: Jenn.
Location: Fallarbor Town.
ARPs: None.

The sun beat down on Jennifer's bare shoulders and she instantly regretted leaving her sunscreen back at camp. The thin trees she had to navigate to get to Fallarbor Town were hardly large enough to produce proper shade and she could feel her fair skin beginning to burn.

'I guess if I don't die of Blackout, skin cancer is my next bet,' she thought to herself and chuckled. She thought about repeating it aloud for Vidar to hear, then decided against it--he wasn't as glib about the disease as she was, and their living situation was tense enough as is. His worry and aggravation wasn't worth a simple joke.

The ash on the ground thinned, revealing more of the hardened dirt and fallen leaves below - a sign that they were getting much closer to what little civilization there was left this side of Mt. Chimney.

Also there was a wooden post to her left that said "Fallarbor Town: A farm community with small gardens. 0.5 miles ahead," but never you mind.

Focusing on the path ahead, she let her mind wander to life in Lavaridge just before the outbreak. She was 8 and studied the Pokemon world around her intently under the watchful eye of Mr. Burns, the town's Gym Leader. Since Lavaridge was so far west and the routes there were so teacherous (ehehe), he didn't receive many challengers and opened his home to tutor any children who had a desire to learn. She wouldn't venture to say that she was the best student, but she had heart and it showed in her battling capabilities.

The sound of rocky pavement beneath her feet snapped her back to reality, and she looked ahead of her, the Pokemon Center was just in view. The faint smell of food and wood made her stomach gurgle, as if to say, 'Hey, why are you walking so slow? Can't you see that I'm empty!' and she smiled, suddenly breaking out into a run for the Center, where she knew a nice, warm breakfast would be available to her.

---

"Ahhhhhh..." she groaned, satisfied. Her face felt warm from the bowl of chowder and peas she'd just inhaled, and it now sat comfortably at the bottom of her belly. Vidar at her side wiped crumbs of PokeFood from his lips, just as content with his meal. She arranged herself in her seat as her eyes scanned the bill a Nurse's Aid had left on her small table, mentally pursing her lips at the cost. "I shouldn't have ordered that extra set of biscuits. Oh well." Wrapping the three extra bundles of bread in a napkin, she tossed some Poke, along with a decent tip, onto the table and began to walk towards the door, not having a specific destination in mind. From behind her she heard a voice, "Oh, Jennifer, please wait a moment!"

Turning, she saw Nurse Joy--or one of them, anyway--scurrying around the counter and towards where she stood, "If you're not too busy, I was wondering if you could run an errand for me."

'Gah, you know I'm never busy, and even though I'm not, I don't feel like doing any favors.' "No, I'm free. What do you need?"

"Could you possibly go just passed the western part of town to Route 144? There you'll see Mr. Cainam's house (ooc: Manic backwards, heh) and I have a package there waiting for me. I would go, but the other Joy called in sick so I have to stay and mind the Center. I'd really appreciate it."

"Sure, no worries--" I really don't want to have to do this "--I'll head there right now." Joy gave me a nod of thanks and scurried - it's really the only would that could be used to describe how she runs - back to her desk.

//I'm assuming that the Blackout started ~8 years ago, meaning that the population drop and riots were partially simultaneous (which would make sense). If you had a different length of time in mind, Sabi, then I'll just edit my post.
//Also, I'm gonna use the $ instead of the Poke symbol cos.
//And Cami expressed her hatred for having to read long, small-texted posts, so different formatting for me... *small tear*
//I was going to go all the way to Route 114, but this is long enough as it is.
//Lots of ooc stuff, wooo.

[Grsspkmnmaster]

Marleena Aller
Fallarbor Town

The dusty walk back towards town was pretty uneventful. Some people who already had gotten their lunches were walking out to the fields, a few mechanics seemed to be heading out towards the generators. Heading towards the Pokémon Center, Proteus closely behind me. The automatic doors swish open, and a gentle zephyr of cooler air greets me as I walk in. People are either working or eating, Nurse Joy heading back towards the service counter. I take a seat at a table with a few other people. "Hey guys, anyone hear about the work on the generator? The farms are coming along, we might be able to increase rations next harvest if things keep up." I lay a bowl of Pokéfood down for Proteus who digs in heartily as I start cutting up my biscuits.