[RP] Spiritwater – Tides of Witchcraft

[HorusMyDude]

Ruford McDonough
Hano Grand Resort -> Heahea City Urgent Care Center
Affected RPers: None yet

“Some holiday,” Ruford muttered. The entire atmosphere had changed after the dark storm clouds came in and the hexing had begun. Oh sure, tourists did what they were going to do – children played on the sandy beach, a couple more adventurous little brats dancing in the water. A couple Pyukumuku had washed up on the shore, languishing in agony on the unusually cold sand. Ruford waddled over in his full costume and picked one up, tossing it into the ocean. The entire place felt... off. There was a newfound worry in the people's eyes, and desperate as they were to distract themselves from the current events, occasionally they would whisper to one another. When Ruford had woken up this morning, twenty people had been admitted to the Urgent Care Center. He had a gut feeling that that number had increased a bit today alone.

All the more reason why he hoped Steven could hurry up the investigation on his side, though he didn't say that out loud. He made his way back up the beach, towards one of small bazaars that had been set up outside the resort. They had been built up specifically for the holiday – last year, Ruford had bought one of the souvenirs here – a small paper tag that was said to ward away spirits.

The next day, he had been attacked by a Gastly. So he didn't really put much stock in them. Tourist traps, one and all. Yet perhaps because of the increased supernatural activity around here, people were flocking to the stalls and buying overpriced wards and doodads. Not that he wasn't a believer in such protections – far from it.

Rather, the best defense was a good offense.

Ruford ducked into a small alley, pulling the head of the Lickilicky off and breathing out – Arceus, it felt good to breathe without smelling mothballs! Rummaging and cursing to himself, he freed an arm. He held a Pokeball in it, and clicked the button.

A moment later, Jim appeared – the Kecleon had been crawling on all fours, and stood up on his back legs and stared at nothing.

“Jim,” Ruford said.

The Kecleon didn't respond.

“Jim! Earth to Jim! Jimbo, calling all Jims here!” Ruford waved his hand in front of the Kecleon's face, “Jim!”

Jim didn't respond, didn't even look at his trainer. Ruford supposed that would suffice.

“Alright, this whole place is givin' me the heebie-jeebies something fierce,” he said, “I want you to go all camouflage on me and tail me in case something goes wrong. If a Ghost Pokemon shows up, I give you full permission to Shadow Sneak and wipe its %$# across the pavement. Dig?”

Jim didn't respond.

“Alright,” Ruford said, “Now, if anything happens, you follow me, got it? You find where I'm going – you can track me by scent, right?”

Jim didn't respond.

“Alright, if I end up going somewhere, and you can't find me, go to the Urgent Care Center. Let Cynthia know that ol' Ruford from Dewford got got, got it?”

Jim didn't respond.

“Alright,” Ruford finished. He noticed then his watch was buzzing. Champion Cynthia's face appeared. Ruford clicked the 'answer' button.

“This is Baron Alberto,” he said.

“Baron Alberto, I need you at the Urgent Care Center,” Cynthia responded.

“Why, what's up?” Ruford asked.

“One of our major operatives just went elsewhere. I need to make sure the Urgent Center is at full strength, in case something ends up happening,” Cynthia replied.

“What, the Champion of Sinnoh scared of a couple ghosts and jumpscares?” Ruford chuckled.

“You know it's more than that, Baron.”

“Right, right,” Ruford said, “Sorry.”

“Besides, I want you to see one of the patients. Something's off about the hex that was cast on them that I want you to see.”

“Well, I ain't an expert on all that Shadowcraft business, but alright,” Ruford said, “I'm on my way.”

He hung up, and then returned the pink, hellish dome that was the Lickilicky head to its rightful place, his own crown to adorn. Beside him, he saw Jim go invisible, barely a blur on the brick wall that shimmered subtly as the Kecleon moved beside him.

“Right,” Ruford said, “Urgent Care Center's on the other side of town...”

Oh, Arceus.

“Taxi!” he called out.

One of the banana yellow vehicles pulled up on the street. Ruford clambered in, cursing to himself as he did so – he couldn't even reach for the seatbelt. The driver had an amused smile on his face.

“Hey pal, you just roll in, or Rollout?” he said.

“Ha ha,” Ruford snapped, “Urgent Care Center. I'm entertaining a dying child.”

“Good luck with that, wearing that costume,” the taxi driver laughed. He merged into traffic and began making his way to the destination. Ruford was aware of Jim riding on the outside of the taxi, the Kecleon a mirage that gripped the door and roof. Perfect in case something went down, he could react quickly. It was a matter of minutes before the driver pulled into the parking lot of the Urgent Care Center. Ruford paid his fare and clambered out.