He was drawn out of his madness induced madness by the sound of someone's voice. Looking over at the source of the voice, he saw a Cubone "Ah, reinforcements, excellent! If you could just pick me up and impale the spoony bastard over there with me, that would just be wonderful. If you could, try to aim for a kidney." It was then that he noticed a fatal flaw in his plan "wait...do Alakazam's have kidneys? I know not all Pokemon have them, I'm pretty sure I don't even have any internal organs anymore, but what about Alakazam's? Maybe they have a different amount. Come to think of it, what is the normal amount? And where would they be located? Huh, this is going to require some thought." During his kidney based musings, his sash arm had wrapped itself around the Cubone's free arm, pulling his handle up to her hand. Just then, he noticed that "gah! When did that happen!?"

My name is Kulero.

Those words bounced around the young Sableye's head. It took seconds to process, but the full weight of the name finally hit him. Kulero, the Great Seer, quite possibly the most powerful Pokemon that had ever existed, was standing there in the flesh. He had the power to crack entire civilizations wide open, and he was here. Saving the world? Champions? Summoning other Pokemon from another time? Had Kulero gone mad? The thought of someone like Kulero going mad struck horror into Monaghan's very being. He started to desperately search for any way to get out of-

Oh no, Kulero was staring right at him! Monaghan froze under the Alakazam's piercing gaze, too afraid to move. His mind raced as he tried to recall what it was that Kulero had said. The Alakazam had extended some sort of invitation to the Sableye. Did he have any choice but to accept? Denying the request of someone so powerful could only lead to ruination! Monaghan raised his hands as a sign of surrender and slowly edged his way to the trunk of the tree. Carefully, he began making his way down to the ground. He made a concious effort to avoid further eye contact with the powerful psychic in the center of the circle. As the Sableye finished descending, he raise his hands once more and nervously made his way into the circle of lunacy.

With large ears poised towards each, Luchell carefully observed the others around him as the last few reorientated themselves and some approached each other to investigate what had happened. From what he could hear, it seemed that they might have all been in the same situation—that all appeared here with no knowledge of where they were or memory of who they were. It was reassuring to know that he would not have to face his bizarre problem alone, but at the same time, Luchell felt for those who seemed even more distressed by their situation.

Hoping that Alakazam would have a way to change things back to normal—whatever "normal" was—Luchell picked himself up onto his feet. For a moment, just seconds early, he realized that the Alakazam's shouting had died down. When the Psi Pokémon's voice was next heard—so clearly as though projected directly into their minds—Luchell was probably the first to turn his head back his way.

Unfortunately, the first words turned hopes into doubts; but they also did more. As their apparent host discussed the Hanging Grimstones, Luchell couldn't help looking toward the massive stones that had been hanging above their heads, his own curiosity fostered by the Alakazam's musings. What Kulero—as the Alakazam eventually introduced himself as—had to say on the strange relic gave Luchell some possible answers, but also new questions. Then again, it still failed to answer what was possibly the most important question: How could they change things back?

Or was it, 'Why did he bring us here in the first place?', Luchell realized. With Kulero seemingly unaware of their predicament, the bat still hoped that the Seer would know a way back, but the new question bothered him. It was getting to be an awful lot of things to ask. Maybe Kulero was right; perhaps introductions were in order first. They could press questions after they were all acquainted and certain they were in the same situation.

Carrying himself over on uneasy feet at first, Luchell stopped nearby. He whispered first, to Freya, "I don't think you need to bow," before looking up at Kulero himself. Some of the others who had approached hadn't done so yet, so Luchell took the chance to introduce himself next.
"Luchell, but my friends mostly call me Lucie," he said. It was as though second nature, and Luchell hadn't even realized until then that he still knew his name. He paused, though, suddenly wondering about his friends. Luchell was left in thought in front of the Seer, intently questioning who his friends even were. For all he knew, he could be standing next to them or complete strangers right now, and not even know either way for sure.

Thrilled that her guess was right about the Vulpix, who now identified herself as Blaise, the Houndour's ears perked up joyfully as her paws beneath her began to shuffle. She however desisted once Blaise asked her what she thought had happened to them. Her mouth set in a fine line and she lowered her head, she glared in the direction of the Alakazam, a snarl beginning to play on her lips.

"Him." Zaraph then pointed with her nose up to the humming stones floating above their heads, "Or maybe those."

Just then, before the Houndour could say anymore, something gripped her mind. She literally felt as if a hand was being placed down on the inside of her skull- her full attention was caught as she began hearing a voice. As it spoke she soon made the connection that it was the only psychic Pokemon near them that was explaining the situation that they were in. Eyes wide she looked back at Blaise and knew immediately that it was just not her that Kulero, as he now identified himself as, was speaking to the Vulpix too. Possibly even the rest of the Pokemon around them. She immediately tensed upon the word Champions. Did this pokemon believe that she and the others were really that powerful? Dazed, confused, and notably weak she highly doubted that anyone of them were what Kulero believed. Yet he summoned us here, she thought, but perhaps not intentionally. She was much more confused now than before and this caused her ears to flatten against her head. He gently apologized however and she assumed he meant no harm to them, for throughout this whole ordeal the alakazam did not move even once. As he finished by asking them to socialize Zaraph felt the pressure in her skull beginning to subdue, she shuddered with how invasive the act was upon her. Suspicion of the pokemon still gripped her and she knew it would take much for her to trust the psychic.

Almost immediately after Kulero finished the eevee which she had seen early appeared from its hiding place and bowed to the pokemon. Zaraph's nose crinkled, she would never bow to another like that, she felt an immediate repulsion at the sight and had to look away, feeling embarrassed for the eevee. Quickly at her heels a Shinx followed, but before long Zaraphs attention was drawn by screaming to her left. Looking now she beheld a hondege slinking its way toward the alakazam, death threats ringing out from it. Soon it was reproached by the other crying pokemon from before, a cubone, and both pokemon soon joined hands. Zaraph hoped the cubone would not drop the boneclub it had been carrying; as a weapon like that must be priceless to it. The crowd around Kulero was growing and a Noibat approached him, saying something she was too far out of earshot to hear. Finally a tiny ball had made its way across the clearing while her attention was diverted and she saw what she believed to be a Cyndaquil sitting there, beneath the ominous floating stones.

Zaraph glanced at Blaise, then back at the Cyndaquil, "Look. That Cyndaquil is all alone." She paused to consider why exactly she was following Kulero's orders but she jotted it down to just feeling bad for the lonely ball all by itself near such mysterious and most likely dangerous stones. They were all connected in some way now, she found herself thinking, and this gave her a strange feeling that she could not quite give words to. She looked at Blaise,
"I'm going to see if they are okay, come on." She trotted past the Vulpix toward the monoliths and soon reached the Cyndaquil. Lowering her body into a crouch along with her voice she came to eye level with it, many paces away,

"I think you and I- and possibly everyone else here- have something in common, yeah?" Her rusty red eyes took in just how tiny the pokemon was, "I'm Zaraph."

“How curious.” Kulero thought aloud. “You are not actually Pokémon?”

Though he made a special effort to listen to everybody speak, making eye contact with them as they addressed him, he didn't move from his original position, even when Caliburn dragged himself through the dirt and over to him.

The Pokémon stared up at the evening sky, “I can’t even begin to imagine who you really are, where you are from, or even when you are from. Have you no memory of who you were before this or the life you lived before today? If not, why? What happened to those memories, and more importantly, the people and places in those memories? Are they across the stars? Across time? Or something even further? Curious, puzzling, even, puzzling indeed.”

“I understand your apprehension.” He continued. “Waking up with no knowledge of who you are, where you are, or what you’re doing here, and then, suddenly, you are addressed by a creature that claims to have summoned you but has no idea who you might be or where you are from. I’m sure you want answers, answers that I cannot give, and likewise, I’m sure you want a way home… a way that I cannot provide.”

Suddenly, Kulero turned his attention back to the group.

"I will do everything in my power to find you a way home, if that is what you wish, but please hear me out." He began. “This world needs champions, and if does not find these champions, then it is doomed. I will not ask you to be those champions, nor do I expect you to volunteer. However, I do ask that you journey out into the world and see for yourself what you will be leaving behind once I do send you home. Again, I apologize for my carelessness, my thoughtless actions that got you entangled into this mess, and I will make sure that you find your way home safely. All I can ask is that while I search for a way to send you home, that you journey out into the world and see for yourself…”

“You, you, and you.” He addressed Caliburn, Zee, and Enthen. “Head north through these woods and to a great city built where two rivers meet.”

“You, you, and you.” He turned to Freya, Lixy, and Zarapth. “Head west to where the lush forests turn into icy tundra, to the last settlement before the frozen abyss.”

“And you, you, and you.” He finally turned his attention to Blaise and Luchell, as well as Monaghan as he approached. “Head east to where the forestry turns into scolding waste, to the farthest village before the wastes.”

"Again, I apologize for entangling you in this mess.” He repeated. "But I implore you, fulfill this one simple request while I find you a way home."

"You!" Kulero addressed Monaghan, specifically, "You are not from the surface world. Perhaps it is better down there than it is up here, but perhaps not. Either way, you will accompany my two friends on their journey and see for yourself the world that you share with the rest of us..."

"Unlike the others," he concluded, "I am not asking."

The poor Cyndaquil seemed about ready to keel over from sheer fright and embarrassment, the outlier among the crowd of the rather larger Pokemon. Everyone seemed larger and far more competent in what they intended to do that Enthan did, and that only served to widen the void he felt between himself and the others. They were gathered among the Alakazam, introducing themselves and garnering strange reactions from the Psychic. Indeed, this is not what the Great Seer intended, but what could be surprising him now? Perhaps the reality of the situation finally weighed upon him, that these characters were not champions from beyond, but individuals brought here without any knowledge of this world. Enthen didn't actually know or care about that, really. It might be selfish, sure, but he was pretty much a certified loner, never knowing how to get along with anyone. One could only wonder what life the miserable Enthen might have lived as a human that made him act like this.

Another voice, gruff yet light and possibly concerned, spoke right in front of him. The Cyndaquil's small body squirmed in surprise before regarding the voice through its slitted eyes, and leaping back in further surprise when confronted with the frightening figure in front of him, a meek, high-pitched cry escaping his muzzle. The other Pokemon- it was a big, black dog... er, Houndour? Whatever it was, it was big and scary to the small mouse-like creature, and therefore something to hide from. Or maybe that was just him trying not to interact with anybody. Either way, it was cowardly in a rather pitiable way, how he inched away as if standing his ground from the larger Pokemon that probably didn't mean to threaten him at all.

Before Enthen could act upon running away, the Psychic's voice wormed it's way into his mind again, and everyone else's as well, presumably. Somehow, it was a captivating sound, something that just forced him to stop and stare in wonder at this individual, the being who claimed to call itself the Great Seer very well admit that even he was by no means at all perfect. His admittance that he had unwillingly brought beings from another world across time and space here echoed in Enthen's mind, and he felt almost hypnotized. Being a loner meant that he had a lot of time to think alone, and to hear such wisdom from another seemed to spark this. Maybe this was a potential weakness for the tiny Pokemon.

But then the Seer began to regard the group directly. The Alakazam pointed slim, precise fingers towards trios of the different Pokemon in the group, and on instinct Enthen curled into a ball again when the Psychic's finger landed on him. This apparently paired him with a skull-wearing marsupial wielding both a club and a intricate, violent-red sword. Enthen didn't really like it, as much of the screaming and death was coming from that Pokemon. Or was it coming from the sword itself? Enthen couldn't tell, he didn't tend to memorize Pokemon very well at all; yet another reason of the many he felt he really shouldn't be here.

As Kulero finished, starting to talk to certain people in the group with more powerful voices (not Enthen, to his relief), the Cyndaquil regarded the Great Seer's command: Go North, through the forest- wait, which way was North? Probably where most of the forest was, if he mentioned it. Then there was a great city- oh no, big cities meant a lot of people, and Enthen clearly didn't like people, especially large crowds, and very especially considering the fact that many of such individuals in such crowds could now drastically hurt him in an instant. Nope, not fun, don't wanna do it. But that Psychic really wants it, so do I have a choice anyway? Can't be much better than what home might've been like. What was home, even? Given his disposition, probably terrible. So was it an improvement to go back there and continue being a miserable loner or whatever he was doing?

Freya looked around to see that the Shinx joined her, she didn't know what to do besides staying and bowing even if the approach of the other pokémon scared her to death she attempted to ignore them. Around this god who have summoned them and wiped their memories of who they were she felt insignificant, hardly worth paying attention to among this crowd. Yet soon the Alakazam spoke and assigned them with a task, a task she was eager to be the first one to Volunteer to even if the promise of being scent back echoed in her mind, yet she didn't know where back was or if it was any better than here as she really liked here even if it was scary. Hearing him point three out, a time she was assigned to the Shinx who she assumed would be the leader since she was pointed at first and that she had already showed her dominance to her Freya nodded. "Right away Master Kulero sir..." she said and quickly tucket in behind the Shinx who was the only one she knew around here. "Pleased to work for you...My'lady..." she said bowing her head to Lixy as she assumed she would treat her suprerior pokémon as a mistress. She didn't know much about their companion yet she hoped that he or she was nice and also would accept Lixy as a leader or it would be a bit troublesome for them.

In her mind she quickly went through the possibly combinations and found to her surprise that she was probably paired with the best team around, seeing how the others was mostly so big and scary. Some of them carried bones at their heads and large swords, while others was hounds with bone heads and had sharp fangs, yeah surely she could have ended up worse and was glad that she got it this easy. She knew that at Least Lixy was a female too, and if this other member too was a female that would mean that they would be an all female team, she was unsure of what to think of that as it at least for now meant that she didn't have to submit to a male and didn't have to become engaged or a mate of someone just yet. But still she didn't know if any of these girls were into girls or not so the same thing could still happen without the risk of laying eggs afterwards. Being an all Female team too she hoped that her partners were strong, at least so they didn't end up as a team everyone would pick on and abuse to their hearts content. And after playing several scenarios through her mind she would shake her head and calm her reddening blush. She would sigh and stand down as she waited for Lixy to move or talk before following..honsetly she didn't even know where west were other than it was left of north and she had no clue where north was supposed to be either, so she had to depend on her partners knowledge about the directions.

This was it. This is how his life was going to end. It had been a short and unfulfilling experience, and Monaghan was not ready to let go of it, but he had no choice in the matter. He could barely lift his head and utter a feeble "Yes, sir." towards Kulero before averting his gaze away from the seer.

He had sealed his own fate by eavesdropping on this group of things. If the seer was correct, they weren't Pokemon. The thought of standing next to these otherworldly creatures frightened and... in a way, excited him. He had left the underground for a reason: to broaden his horizons, to venture out of the inky darkness and into the blinding stun and open up new opportunities for commerce, and these aliens just oozed business opportunities. They didn't have any knowledge of the world beyond the most basic of things. They couldn't know any better than to trust the only actual Pokemon of the group, so he could get away with outlandish claims about the products he offered! The possibilities were nearly endless with these blank slates! He could even use this odd "quest" to expand his business into the Dawn and increase the variety of his goods. He'd only ventured out into the Dusk, he hadn't even been to the grand cities of the midlands, but the chance had finally presented itself to him.

As these thoughts passed through his head, Monaghan's morale began returning, bringing the toothy grin along with it. The smile was an involuntary action, much like blinking when sneezing. He turned to face the Alakazam's "friends" and quickly studied them, his sapphire eyes and unwavering smile made it impossible top discern what he was thinking. Out of all the "pokemon" in the clearing, those he had been grouped with seemed to be the most normal. They hadn't broken down into tears or threatened anyone with violence. One was a small Noibat. He'd seen Noibats and Noiverns gracefully flying around in complete darkness before as if they could see without eyes, with the swarms being accompanied by a horrible cacophony of barely audible sound. Though looking at the Noibat, he was hard pressed to believe that something so small could cause such a painful sound. The second companion was a Vulpix. He didn't know to much about them, as they usually stayed in the desert. He recalled their evolved forms being infamous for tricking travelers and occasionally acting as oracles and doomsayers.

Eager to begin their "friendship", he strolled towards the two without making an effort to conceal his sinister smile. Making an exaggerated bowing motion, the Sableye began introducing himself to his new... adventuring group. "Greetings, I believe the seer has chosen to group us together. My name is Monaghan, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He extended a clawed hand at his two team members and waited for their response. Perhaps someone with a good ear could pick up the false sincerity in Monaghan's voice.

I listened to the Alakazam while slowing my pace until I had stopped. I still kept My body facing away from the Alakazam who had invaded my mind while my head stared the strange Pokemon down. Kulero continued pleading with the group of Pokemon that he had 'summoned' but a certain line captured myu attention. He mentioned about helping us find our way home. That seemed unusual since I don't remember anything about having a home of any type. In fact, I don't know if I had any family or even a patch of grass I could call my home. Something was being held back from us, something that we had no memory of but Kulero had knowledge of. It made sense in general since Alakazams were just about the smartest Pokemon around but it didn't seem like he was going to divulge anything else. He started pointing at all of us, putting us in groups. I had almost forgot about the other Pokemon that were put on the field with me as well and glanced around to see the wide array of types and probably personalities. There was one that stood out from the rest, though. The smaller Pokemon like myself and the Eevee who I was paired with were obviously not strong but there was a stronger looking Pokemon, a Sableye. It was the oddest one of us especially since he was commanded, not asked.

My attention was pulled away from the Sableye whenever I heard a rustling around me. I jumped and turned myself toward the sound to see Freya bowing again. I stepped back once more and cringed at the way she was talking to me. It also got to me a bit whenever she called me a girl instead of a boy but I could excuse it since we didn't have much time to get to know each other well.
"Listen, you. One: I am not a female, I am a male. Try to remember that so this isn't as awkward." I could feel my cheeks heat up as I did end up blushing a little. Normally, I don't get flustered but getting my gender wrong was an odd mistake, at least it seemed odd.
"Just get up, come on. We have to find whoever our last person is and go. I am not exactly too fond of being a leader, anyhow. I think whoever this last person is, we should let them take the lead." I lightly bit down on Freya's neck, pulling her back up into a normal position rather than her submissive one and started walking towards the group to see who was left after the rest of the Pokemon got into their groups.

She sat up as the Cyndaquil before her squirmed away out of reach, this slight action disappointed her more than she could ever admit, but her mouth soon betrayed her and dipped into a frown. The Houndour sat up then and opened her mouth to speak, to explain herself- but she was soon cut off by the still fresh in her memory pressure being placed on her mind again. This was something she would most likely have to get used to, she found herself thinking with an intense annoyance, and she soon felt the need to leave this place where no one seemed willing to accept even her most genuine efforts of kindness. Kulero then began explaining their situation; what it meant to him and how he would repay them if his assumptions were true and they were really the heroes he spoke of. Home was something flat and dull in her mind, something she could not picture and so her interest was not drawn by this reward. He then began assigning teams; something which at first shocked her, for why was he carving them up and splitting them apart? Were they not better suited to work together?

Having been too angry with the psychic before, she could not bear looking at him, but now she turned her red eyes upon him and stared in disbelief in the commanding manner which he conducted himself in. What shocked her most, however, was the simple fact that the others were actually listening to him. Did they all really feel that this creature was even telling the truth? He looked rather crazy in her eyes. Fear, she thought, is a convenient weapon. She watched as the groups were made and Kulero assigned directions for each to take and explore the world. Sending us off to our deaths, she thought numbly as his grip on her mind faded. Her gaze fell on the Eevee and Shinx which she was grouped with, her mouth set in a fine line as she watched the Shinx prod the Eevee out of its groveling position and the to face her direction. They were half way across the clearing and it made her uncomfortable to have them come to her. With a final fair well nod to Blaise, whom she wished she got to know better, the Houndour began making her way toward her group.

She made her way toward them with a stormy attitude, her gate tense and she came near the psychic, and her mind was in deep thought over the situation. She was against the idea of everyone being split up like this but a subtle curiosity about what Kulero had said made he want to go along with these 'teams'. If he was telling the truth about how much trouble the world they were in was, then she found herself resolving to actually help out. She literally had nothing to lose and if so many lives were held in the balance of her choices, then her life did not matter. Once she came few paces away from the Eevee and the Shinx, she repressed the dark thoughts, and instead looked at them sternly. Zaraph needed to take things one step at a time and slow down her assumptions.

"Zaraph." She said curtly. Painfully aware of how rude she sounded in her gruff hound voice, she looked away and muttered, "The houndour... Apparently."

Blaise followed behind Zaraph to speak to the Cyndaquil. Just as she was about to say something, the Alakazam began talking to the group of Pokemon. Well, it was more like rambling to himself for a good couple of minutes. Suddenly Kulero initiated the assigning of groups to adventure with each other to various locations. Everything flew toward Blaise rapidly so she needed a moment to recollect her thoughts.

So apparently I'm not a Pokemon? And now I may be some sort of savior... And I'm grouped with the Noibat and Sableye. She thought to herself, glancing up as the groups began making their ways toward each other. She exchanged a farewell nod to Zaraph. Maybe I'll see her again some other time...Blaise thought to herself a bit saddened. The two Pokemon from her group approached her. Monaghan, who seemed awfully suspicious, introduced himself and extended a hand. Blaise scanned him from head to toe, subconsciously going into her defensive position. It doesn't seem to be a pleasure to him to make our acquaintance. She shook off the thought and raised herself.

"I'm Blaise, nice to meet you two." She introduced as kindly as she could. If she was going to be journeying with these two, which would probably be for quite a while, suspicion isn't going to help them get along. However, the Noibat seemed harmless enough in Blaise's eyes since it hadn't spoken as of yet. Suddenly she realized that Monaghan's hand was still extended. She reached out her stubby paw and realized it couldn't reach. Blaise awkwardly retracted her paw and looked away to avoid an embarrassing situation.

Zee should have been paying more attention to what was going on around her, she usually did. But she was suddenly rather distressed. What was it about Honedge's that she suddenly recalled? Right... couldn't they suck the life force out of something by wrapping around it with their sash? And what had this rather pretty red Honedge done? Wrapped itself around her arm. Not only that, the hilt of the sword was nearly in her clutches! And from the sounds of it, they were already quite eccentric... Suddenly she sucks in a sharp breath, grabbing onto the hilt to hoist the other pokemon up. Though she stops short, suddenly discovering that this was not going to be the easiest task with just one hand, even with the sash wrapped around her arm.

Suddenly she'd reach her boneclub around, carefully wedging it somewhat between the sash and her arm, reaching her other arm around to grab onto the hilt finally. It took only a few tries, as the other pokemon was at least a good foot longer than herself, but she managed to finally pull them off of the ground with a last good heave. Luckily though she did not go tumbling backwards, though does stumble a bit. She doesn't waste a second more though, deeming that her boneclub was in a safe place and that she now was wielding some rather fancy, if not a bit heavy weaponry...

"Listen. I am helping you, so don't do anything weird! Please." Zee mutters out, sounding a bit weird as she clutches onto the shiny Honedge's hilt tightly. Though she does not get any more time to dote on it, finally snapping to attention as she was pointed at and giving directions. Her attention is turned elsewhere as she gazes about for the third pokemon she had been paired with, along with... the sword. "I will save introductions until after we get over to... this other... one." She manages it out, but her words are rather soft, just barely above a whisper.

She had been somewhat bold so far, aside from the few tears a few minutes ago. But suddenly walking the distance over towards... was that a Cyndaquil? There were other pokemon around still, and maybe it was because she had just now noticed, but it felt a bit crowded. She was not overly fond of large groups. And walking over there felt like miles suddenly. Or maybe that was just because she now had extra weight to carry and her balance was a bit off because of it, even just standing still she noticed this. It wouldn't be that hard of an adjustment, she figured... at least she had some weight on the red, rather 'eccentric' honedge.

"....Ngh." Zee groans, now promptly clutching onto the honedge's hilt for dear life as she starts to take her first step. And then another. And another... slowly making her way over towards the cyndaqil. To at least try. If the sword's mouth didn't scare them off first, she was a bit surprised not all the other pokemon had heard what they had been spewing.

For some reason, having his sash wrapped around the Cubone's arm felt right. No, scratch that. Having his sash wrapped around someone felt right. But he couldn't help but think he was missing something. Like wrapping his sash around someone's arm was step one, and now he needed to do step two. However for the life of him he just couldn't figure out what it was. It nagged at him until he got bord of it nagging at him and just filed it away under 'things that I may come back to think about if I don't have anything better to do.'

As he drifted out of his musings, he noticed the Cuebone holding him seemed to have trouble walking. "Hey...are you okay?" Caliburn asked. "I realize that you're probably like me and weren't, well...this before. Hell, I need to drag myself around with my sash arm thingy to get anywhere on my own. So I can understand the trouble of trying to adjust to a new body. I can see how your stubby legs might make walking hard, and would take some time to get adjusted to. So if you need to, you can use me as a crutch. Sure, you'll be sticking me in the ground, but it's still a lot better then having to drag myself across it. After all, you are carrying me, I figure letting you use me as a crutch is the least I can do to pay you back."

Just then, he noticed her bone club haphazardly tangled up in his sash "oh. Let me get that for you." Unwrapping himself from her just enough to free the bone club and let it drop to the ground, he reached down and grabbed it. The he slackened his grip on her further so that he could put it under a loose part of his sash. After making sure that it would stay in place for a few seconds, he wrapped the rest of his sash around the bone club, firmly locking it in place "there. That's much better."

As all of the strangers of this world gathered into the groups Kulero had instructed, they presented mixed reactions to their dilemma and the Great Seer's idea of a solution. But the Alakazam seemed resolute in his idea that these characters he had summoned happened to be some form of solace for whatever evil lurked in this world. Just another thing in the textbook of reasons why Enthen didn't really like any of this situation; the suggesting that there was a major evil so powerful it warranted using these relics, and the further idea that he was supposed to stop this evil. Well, not really, seeing as how Kulero said he didn't really hold these people to that given the misunderstanding he had caused.

Meanwhile, Enthen tried his best to observe the, uh, pair of Pokemon he was with, the Cubone and the Honedge. There were definitely separate in voice, attitude and form, and definitely were finding issues getting by together with their differences. And that was just the visual elements. And what about himself, the puny little Cyndaquil who little backbone to speak for? That Cubone definitely had a lot more bone in every way to be able to approach that wild sword and ally itself with it in the first place. Enthen would think that Pokemon would be most fit for leading the team, if it were not for the fiery nature of the sword itself. But such violent natures would be most keen to lead right into danger, someplace tiny Enthen wanted nothing to do with.

But wait, the Honedge seemed to demonstrate it wasn't able to control itself, so as long as the Cubone could keep it by its leash, so to speak. So it couldn't be so bad... right? Not everyone wanted to kill or hurt anybody, Enthen included. That would be okay, to have someone to who didn't look down upon him... was that part of what being a friend included? The poor Cyndaquil wish he knew, but it seemed like he was going to have to find everything out the hard way, like a child having to explore the world on his own. But he wasn't on his own, he had these two other with him... they could help, hopefully. Hopefully they might not berate him or harm him, maybe even protect him.

Sooner or later, though, Enthen knew he would have to truly protect himself. That was the moment he dreaded, for that would be the time that all the strength he could ever muster could not be enough.

The Fire Mouse Pokemon, trembling all the way, carefully stood itself on its miniscule limbs and made some endeavor to march towards the Cubone and Honedge. What he would do then, he couldn't say for sure. He couldn't say anything. Unconsciously, the Cyndaquil began emitting a quivering squeak or despair and fright. The Alakazam wanted him to introduce himself, to journey out with the Pokemon into filled as much with danger as there was wonder. He had to stand up, say something. As the gap closed and the trio was all in clear earshot of each other, Enthen stammered out with a weak, light voice, "U-uh.. m, I-I, I... I'm..." and then trailed off with a meek whimper.

Luchell felt relief as Kulero promised to find a way home for the misplaced group. However, the Alakazam did have one request: for them to go and see the world they had wound up in while he focused on the promised task. It may have been a bit much to expect of them, but Luchell genuinely wondered what had happened to this world that it needed champions, as Kulero claimed. Certainly, some of the places that were described sounded less than pleasant, but the Noibat felt himself needing to see them for himself, to observe firsthand why the Seer had been so desperate as to bring them here, even mistakenly. Beside that, they probably couldn't be of much help here, anyway; they might as well do something while they waited, whether it wound up productive or not.

Kulero had grouped him with a Vulpix and Sableye, the latter of whom Luchell realized hadn't woken on the field with them. Where had he come from, anyway? From the sounds of it, it seemed as though the Sableye was actually a Pokémon who lived here—or underground, anyway. The Sableye seemed to make a bit of a show of greeting them and introduced himself as Monaghan. Their other companion, Blaise, also seemed to notice, but Luchell, too, kept quiet about it.

Not wanting her to feel bad about it, Luchell quickly picked up where Blaise had left off as she withdrew herself. Stepping close enough to exchange a handshake of his own, Luchell made it a point to offer her a reassuring smile as he looked between the two. Most of them were still getting used to their new forms, after all—himself included—and he was mindful to make sure he was close enough to offer a successful shake for the both of them.

"Luchell," he introduced. "It's good to meet you both."

They were heading east, right? From what Kulero had said, it sounded like it would be hot. Luchell could only wonder what it would actually be like, though. Having never seen a map, photos, or heard anything else about it, he didn't know what to expect beyond the edge of the forest.

Freya looked at Lixy with utmost respect and waited for her commands it seemed it took a while for Lixy to swallow what the Alakazam had said just like for herself, then as Lixy finally opened her mouth Freya's eyes widened Lixy...was a male!. She gasped as she felt how her whole life almost changed in the same instant, Lixy was not a alpha female of the group at all she was...an alpha Male. Realizing her very, truly very embarassing mistake Freya blushed so deep red her whole body became bright pink. She wanted to appologize but she was struck with this realization so suddenly it were like if her breath had been knocked out of her. It was no longer a matter about yielding herself to a higher ranked female, it was about yielding her body to a higher ranked male and that realization caused her to gasp more as her mouth opened slightly with her surprise. She wanted to turn around, knowing that a male was probably a lot more interessting in seeing her rear in submission than her front...yet her paws or body didn't listen to her at all because of her shock. Seeing the Male turn red too she gulped slightly as she wondered what would happen, would he now show his dominance over her?...she saw him approach and then felt his fangs bite down on her scruff, soon getting pulled to her paws. Then she heard his command about just getting up which caused her to stick to her feet like glue and automatically follow Lixy when 'he' started to walk to find their new member.

Now Freya stayed close to Lixy, really close. She were basically huddling up towards him as she was still struck with shock and by pure instinct she knew that she was supposed to stick close to her male supperior. She was also afraid of the others from the larger group, and now being a male she more or less expected that Lixy would protect her. When they actually was out from the circle and onto their way with or without their new partner wherever it would be hiding she would realize that she had been silent. "I'm...s-orry...Master Lixy sir for mistaking your gender...I thought you...were a female when you told me your name...I'm sorry...please..please feel free to use me as your toy...I'm your eternal servant to treat as you like...just...t-tell me what to do and I'll obey..." she sad stuttering slightly as she was still afraid, she had still not really progressed that Lixy had said that they would let the third member of their group be the leader, in her mind there was only one leader right now more than ever and that was Lixy. If this other memeber probed to be male now, and there was a rivalry Feya didn't know what to do...She had sworn herself to Lixy, and if Lixy obeyed the third pokémon that meant that she would too...she had already established herself as the lowers rank of the group so she guessed she still would obey Lixy's orders. If they didn't like each other she hoped to serve as a peace keeper, if they were males she would submit to both of them and let both be her mates so they didn't have to fight over her unless they wanted it that way..and if the third memeber happened to be a female...well then she wouldn't mind ending up as the toy of the two either.

Yet to her surprise the third member was a large canine, it didn't seem to speak much but it were enough for Freya to tuck in behind Lixy as she looked at it. "...Freya....Eevee...at...your service..." she whimpered slightly as she didn't really know what to say, she just hoped that Lixy would assume command or they would all be put under the rule of this new member of the group.

Zee was quiet for a few moments as the Honedge spoke again, blinking as she was promptly told to use the other pokemon as a crutch. Suddenly a bit of a chuckle escapes her, likely the only thing closest to a laugh they'd ever hear form her. Though at the swords suggestion, she just sort of shakes her head, likely at the idea. Though the notion was rather nice... she was not just about to stab someone into the ground repeatedly. What if he hit a rock? Or his blade became dull? Could that happen, even? Her skull-encased head just continues to shake for a few more moments. She was not going to state that was her worry.

"True that we might have just gotten these bodies, but I adjust rather quickly. And using you as a crutch would be... a bit difficult, since you are quite a bit longer than myself! But thats alright, I got this." Zee chimes, seeming quite pleased that the boneclub was now more secure... its a good thing it wouldn't drop out and end up stabbing her. She already had it jabbed into her chest and ribs once, she had no plans for a repeat. An idea suddenly sprung into her mind, and it seemed like it would work if she could position everything correctly. "I've got an idea how this might work a bit better, at least for the moment."

And with that, Zee grips onto the sword hilt tightly, turned her head somewhat as she slowly lowered the raised sword back, almost like she was going to try and lean the blade against her bare shoulder. But instead, with how she had her head turned so slightly, the beautiful red blade would likely catch on the extended horn on her skull helmet. Which on the left side seemed to have a bit of a curl, which was nearly perfect to stop the other pokemon from slipping. Though it did block the view with her left eye, it seemed like it would be alright. Hopefully, anyway. Though like this, it did help with the bit of extra weight.

She would never admit that she felt like a really badass warrior at the moment. But who wouldn't? Wielding a sword nearly twice your size, that was red, and could talk? It was too bad that she was not a bit bigger, then maybe she could hold onto another one or something... The image that was running through her mind at the moment looked amazing. Though it faintly crossed her mind, that was a slightly bad idea at the moment. She was still adjusting to... all of this. And despite the great joy she suddenly found, she had more important things to worry about! Like what was that strange squeaking noise that sounded a bit terrified...? Or was that a whole-lot terrified...?

Personally, Zee really couldn't tell. But she did find the sound a bit worrisome. As she turns carefully, testing how she was holding onto the Honedge, she stops short. As fate would have it, the cyndaquil would have already made their way over here! Her right eye scans over the other stubbly-footed pokemon a bit intently, her gaze narrowing before sucking in a sharp breath. It seemed like he was trying really hard for words, though he ended up trailing off with a bit of a whimper.

"Zee! I'm Zee. I don't know this guys name yet." Zee states, pointing towards the Honedge with her free hand. "What is your name?" She asks blatantly, her voice somewhat soft. She didn't know a lot about anything here, but she did know a tiny bit about quieter, timid folk. And she didn't see any reason to beat around the bush, since they were going to be working together now it seemed.

Caliburn blinked "oh yeah. A name, I forgot all about that." Racking his mind once again, he fidgeted slightly inside his scabbed "well...I know it's not my real name. But whenever I try to remember it, all I come up with is Caliburn...so I guess that'll have to do. Even though it's not my real name, it seems...fitting for some reason, although I'm not sure why. You seem to have gotten off lucky" he said that last part while addressing the Cyndaquil "it doesn't look like you had much trouble adjusting to your new body. Unlike me, who can only get around by dragging myself, or by bumming a ride. Oh well, I suppose it could be worse. At least swords are cool, I could be something really stupid like...say...a key ring, pine cone, or ice cream cone. I'm just lucky that there aren't Pokemon like that. Knowing my luck, I'd be one of them if there were" he ranted

The Cyndaquil seemed to be trembling a bit less now, for some reason, as time passed. In the presence of these other Pokemon that he was supposed to team up with, he really had no choice but to stay strong, to try and stand up straighter. Whining and shaking and mewling like some lost child was what Enthen wanted to do, but that wasn't at all what he needed. In this new, unfamiliar world with strange rules and inhabitants, the Cyndaquil was far from strong, but that was all the more reason to gain the trust and friendship of allies... that's how it worked, right?

"M-my name... er," Enthen tried to stammer out again. His new voice sounded so light and squeaky to him, and talking just felt so awkward that way, especially to others that were bigger and likely stronger than him. They were trying to be nice, though, so Enthen had to try and be nice too. It seemed like that was how it was supposed to go, anyway. "My, uh, name, is... Enthen." The last part came out in a strange blurt. Was that even how to say his name? Seemed like it was comprehensible enough.

Now that everyone was introduced, (the sword was Caliburn, and the Cubone was... Zee? Funny name...) there was a brief, awkward silence. The Fire Mouse Pokemon sort of pawed at the ground a bit in shy idleness, before finally spouting out again, "So... uh... North?"

A Houndour came up to Freya and I, introducing himself as Zaraph and making me a feel a little nervous. I couldn't put my finger on it but there was something about this guy that wasn't very inviting, probably the way he talked and made a first impression. I wasn't the best at first impressions myself but Zaraph seemed like he was someone to watch out for. It was an assumption from the start that could change later on, though. I wanted to gauge where I would be able to fit in with the group and what I would be able to do.

I backed away a little from the two of my 'partners', for different reasons. On one hand, the houndour, Zaraph, was a mean looking Pokemon to start with and the fact he sounded like he wasn't a big team player. That probably mostly wasn't his own fault because his species wasn't the most social of types. He would make a good leader, a lot better than I would, even if i tried. It would be a pain to have to wait for someone else to make the first move but hopefully the guy had some way to plan things out.

On the other hand, Freya was being very clingy. With me being the first Pokemon she made contact with, it would make sense she would stick by me but she seemed incredibly flustered after I mentioned I was not a woman. I couldn't tell if the Zaraph was a boy or girl right off but from my limited base knowledge of Pokemon, at least what I was assuming from what came into my head after waking up not long ago, Zaraph could be a boy. Freya wouldn't get away from me, either. I wasn't exactly arguing because she could be someone who I almost was guaranteed to have on my side, she just didn't seem like the best fighter of us all. In fact, she was very shy. Then again, I didn't know how I would fight, either. Hell, the Houndour could be bad as well and we would not get far but there was no true way to tell right off the bat.

"Well, then I am nominating you as the leader, since we have to be together for a little. I don't want the responsibility and this little scaredy-cat here-" I gestured to Freya, not trying to be insulting but it may come off that way at the start, "-may need some time before she will get up and do things. i guess we are just waiting on the Alakazam." I glanced toward Kulero, more or less waiting for something to happen. If he was able to telepathically talk to the entire group, was able to summon random Pokemon from who knows where, as well as 'return them to where they came from' he would more than likely be the guide to where exactly we were headed.