Mauville City: 5pm - Pokemon Center on a Hilltop

"A magic show?" Rai peered curiously at the several posters adorning one of the Pokemon Center's walls, on the page was a man in a sleek suit, a flamboyant top hat and a mysterious white mask, Pidgeys fluttered wildly around him while an Ekans poked it's head out from under one of his sleeves. Bright pops of color surrounded his stage name: "The Marvelous Masked Magician" the poster read. To be honest it looked a bit cheesy, but Rai couldn't help but crack a grin, the last time she'd seen a magic show was when she was six.

People milled about the Pokemon center as usual, but the girl simply stood still, eyes focused on the poster as a goofy grin crept up her face. "Hey, Aimee, do you wanna catch the show?" Rai spun around so she was facing her friend. "It says the show isn't till eight, so we've got some time to get there. It's at the park or something." She gave the poster another quick glance and nodded her head. "I know, I know, magic shows are for kids, but hey, you might be able to get some awesome photos if you come with. Whaddya say? It'll be fun, even Flame's excited." And without saying anything else, Rai yanked up the flap of her messenger bag to reveal a napping Quilava... so much for excited. "Well, he's excited deep down. Anyways, I'll wait for you outside, it's getting a little crowded in here."

With a wave, Rai strode towards the double doors and out the Pokemon center. Outside the sun was already beginning to set and grey clouds hung ominously overhead, casting shadows over the buildings below. The air felt damp and Rai wondered if a little rain would be enough to cancel the magic show. It wasn't that she really wanted to go, but she and Aimee had traveled all day and it would be nice to start their stay in Mauville with a night of magic and Pokemon. Sure, she was mainly in the city to hit the gym but a little fun never hurt anyone. As she stared down at the city, the Quilava in her bag stirred then poked his head out to see the view. Rai gave him a pat on the head. "Whaddya think, Flame? It looks really pretty doesn't it?"

Just out of view on another hilltop farther away, an Absol also looked down on the city.

Willow paused as she surveyed her prey cooly. A lone Deerling, grazing calmly in the distance with a blissful expression on its face. She narrowed her eyes, brandishing her hunting knife in her hands. She rested her foot around a twig, silently creeping towards the creature. She would not be able to outrun the Deerling, but she had more endurance, which meant she would chase it until it could no longer run anymore. At least.. this would be the plan if Kali hadn't insisted on helping her hunt. Kali was much faster than Willow, and could use her illusions to help them hunt. Though secretly, Kali preferred hunting without her illusions.. with bigger prey she tended to use them to help her. With this young deerling.. it would be as usual.. Kali would chase the creature into Willow's trap. And they'd have enough food for the carnivorous members of her team. Herself, Kali, and Castiel. This Deerling should have just enough. After all these years.. even with the convenience of human stores with their pre made and cut food, she preferred hunting. It was better that she knew her food had come from the wild, and her own hands assured the creature did not suffer before it passed. Pokemon trainers usually fed their pokemon processed pills or sugared candies made of berries, which Willow was sure was not good for them.

Willow darted from her cover, spooking the Deerling as she let out a wild snarl, flashing her teeth. The Deerling turned and fled, panic causing its eyes to roll back in its head as it ran directly into the jaws of a waiting Kali. With a snap of her teeth, the Deerling was dead. Willow scampered over towards it as Kali lay the creature down, blood dripping from her muzzle.

"Well done." Willow thanked Kali as she bent down over the Deerling. She blessed the creature, thanking it for giving its life so they could survive. After sitting vigil for a moment, Willow carved into the creature, sectioning flesh from bone.

Willow gathered together several dry twigs, reaching into her tattered backpack to pull out flint. She struck one rock against another, blowing and poking until the twigs lit. Slowly but surely she had a small, controlled fire in the shape of a square which allowed her to set a flat rock she'd found nearby on the fire. Moments later, the scent of cooking meat tickled her tongue, causing her mouth to water.

However, she threw the first piece to Kali, as this was her kill.

"It tastes of human. We must be near a settlement." Kali projected, using her illusions to communicate. "I could not smell it because of the approaching rains."

Willow curled her lip slightly as she popped some meat in her mouth. "You are correct." Willow sat something like an animal, with her legs folded up against her chest, spread wide enough to allow her to jump up and start running if something bad happened. "We should seek shelter there.. in the human place. Though i do not like it.. it is preferable to keep my skin and furs dry so i do not catch disease again."

At the scent of meat drifting across the clearing, a stream of light appeared from the pokeballs Willow had tied to her body with paracord. Castiel appeared, standing a foot or so taller than an average Kabutops, scars littering his body. He immediately charged at the Deerling, cutting away at a good sized chunk of meat for himself. He let out its eerie cry as Kali growled at him, the burble of some kind of ancient monster from the depths of a world no one dared to know. Always the Alpha, Kali flashed her teeth, bearing down on the Kabutops.

"No." Willow commanded. "Kali. Do not fight."

"He has challenged the hierarchy." Kali snarled.

"I do not wish to treat your wounds after a spat with his scythes. I had enough last time he challenged Fury."

Kali flicked her ear, letting out a growl. "Very well. But i will keep an eye on him."

As the trio finished their meals, Castiel returned himself to his ball in a huff. What was left of the Deerling was bones and skin, and Willow dug a whole with her hands, burying it inside. What little was left would feed the ground, and more life would stem from this single death.

Wiping the blood from her hands and onto her pants, Willow sheathed her hunting knife and headed towards the city with Kali close behind. As they approached the city, Kali used her illusions, disguising herself as a Gengar. This was a ghost, native to the region, one most people wouldn't ask questions about due to their human fears. Not to mention, this form baited others into using moves which had little to no affect on Kali. If something was going to happen.. she was already one step ahead of them. Not only that, but some Gengar could talk to others by using Psychic.. so talking with her trainer was covered as well.

Willow's eyes flicked to a flamboyant poster which was stuck to the walls of one of the buildings. A man wearing strange clothing.. and some kind of thing on his hat. Annoyed looking Pidgey were flying around him while an Ekans was leering from his sleeve, looking as if it was about to bite him. It was bright and tacky with a word she'd never read before. 'magician.'

"What is a Magi-can?" Willow asked, staring at Kali.

Kali as Gengar shrugged her shoulders. "I have never heard this word."

Willow reached for her field guide, rifling through each tattered page one at a time. Not a single one said anything about a Magi-can. "It is not in the guide." she growled.

"A new experience..."

"Perhaps it shall be another thing like that 'battle royal' which was not a battle of royalty, nor a battle to become royalty.. but a battle to see who is best." Willow suggested.

"Perhaps. Only one way to find out." She floated around Willow, pausing at the sight of another human. A female, with yellow fur on her head. The scent of a Quilava radiated from nearby.. it smelled like the scent was coming from her bag strangely enough. Scenting the air again, Kali caught the faint scents of a bird pokemon, an Arcanine, some kind of ghost type, and one of the Eevee evolutions. It was harder to smell things when she had cloaked herself in illusion, and with the threat of rain as well.

Willow just stared at the girl blankly. It was kind of amazing how different humans could look from one another. How this one had blonde fur on her head which was impressively long. An easy target.. if someone grabbed her by the hair.. it would be easy to control her. The blonde furred human had sharper, angled features, and judging by distance was actually a bit taller than Willow, with slightly lighter skin. Willow made the decision to survey the female from a distance. If the female decided to approach, Willow would respond in kind. However, for now she was just going to stand here and not say a thing.

The sun was shining brightly, it really was a perfect day to go walking with his teammates. Deciding since this morning he'd go to the next city nearby, hearing their was a magic show which peaked his curiosity. He made it most of the way there thanks to one of his teammates flying him close. Following beside and around him were most of his pokemon outside their pokeballs which was incredibly common to Shawn getting a few odd looks from various passers-by's. His Espeon, Soul on his left side. His Luxray, August on his right side. Behind him, his Scizor, Blade. Lastly, his Riolu, Melody which was being held in Shawn's arms, since his back was currently occupied with a full backpack of supplies as they all approached the city able to see some of it's buildings in the distance. Shawn was talking back and forth between his teammates, laughing at a joke being told. Soul was used to being the translator of sorts making Shawn able to more effectively understand what they were all saying. Shawn looked up at the skies as they had turned quite gloomy and the dark cloud loom overhead covering the skies rather quickly, he frowned disappointed letting out a sigh looking like it was going to rain knowing they'd better get some shelter.

“Well we better hurry before it starts pouring. I don't want my supplies getting too wet. But, at least we're almost there.” Shawn spoke out looking at them all, they all gave a non-verbal nod and smile, except August who just gave a smug smirk, closing his eyes sitting down.

<”Well. I for one, would love a little rain.”> August states in a very self-satisfied tone. Though it was only sarcasm, opening one of his eyes to see Shawn's reaction. Shawn rolled his eyes.

“I'm sure your fine with it,” Shawn replied back. “Come on everyone.” Shawn added as he started to run to Mauville City, with the rest of them following in close proximity until Blade prodded August in the back of the head.

<“Bet I can beat you in a race to the welcome sign!”> Blade spoke playfully quickly dashing off ahead for the city. August took his challenge, immediately dashing off to catch up with him refusing to lose. Shawn watched them both go ahead as he looked down at Soul who looked aggravated.

<“Boys...”> Soul sighed. Shawn stopped running and reached down to pet Soul's head as she looked up at him with a smile. Shawn is interrupted before he could speak by Melody tugging gently on his shirt looking at him with pleading eyes. Shawn knew that she wanted to return to her pokeball, as he reaching in his pocket and put her back inside. As Shawn cleared his throat feeling his mouth was a little dry, as he was getting a little thirsty he quickly pulled out his large flask of water to take a drink, putting it back in his backpack when he finished.

“Let them have their fun. Come on, let's catch up.” Shawn said looking at Soul as he and she began to run to catch up with the other two. Shawn being able to run easier without having to worry about Melody's comfort. With some effort he caught up to them both as Luxray big grin it was clear who won the race.


Shawn noticed how pack full of people the town was even upon first glance, he didn't want people to chastise him for crowding up the place with his team. Shawn decided it would be best to put most of them back in the pokeballs for politeness sake, he didn't want another incident, he pulled out his pokeballs.

“I don't want anyone to complain about you guys. I promise I let you guys out soon alright?” Shawn stated. August just nodded not really comfortable being around so many strangers. Blade looked more disappointed.

<“Alright...”> Blade muttered. Shawn sympathized with him knowing he wanted to stay outside as he put them both inside their pokeballs. Knowing Soul wouldn't ever go in her ball even if he asked. Shawn began walking through the crowd of people looking around trying to find the magic show, that was supposed to be around here. The backpack let out a loud musical chime as Shawn remember he promised his dad that he would call him to let him know he made it. Shawn walked to a nearby bench and sat down to rest his legs and reach through his bag to find his cellphone, which he only had because his father forced him into having one. Shawn looks at the cellphone seeing and reading the text he had been sent a from his father. “Hope you made it to the city! Don't forget to call! Love you.” as Soul hops up on the bench and sits looking intensely at all the people walking by. Glaring daggers at a small child who was laughing and running a little to close to them. Shawn looked at Soul as he placed his hand gently on her head.

“Well let's try to find where the magic show is...I can call my dad after that. He worries too much.” Shawn says as he put his phone back and started to make his way to the magic show finally coming across it seeing all the large colorful posters. Suddenly Blade came out his pokeball with a innocent smile. “You want to watch the show that badly too?” Shawn asked Blade as he nodded in response. Shawn smiled back. “Alright. I guess it really doesn't really matter.” Shawn answered figuring it wouldn't be that big a deal, not wanting to say no. Besides, Shawn just wanted to have a good day, one of the few times his parent let him go on his own with their permission, so far away from his home. He was ready to meet new faces and talk to all new sorts of pokemon, well and some humans too, he promised his father to be a little more social to his own kind, whatever that was supposed to mean...

"Nice place, ain't it Grovy?"

"Ser."

Edgar surveyed the city of Mauville from atop the hill, his Serperior Grovy coiled round his body. Her head was perched on his shoulder as she hissed softly in approval of the view.

He was in a whole new region entirely. Hoenn, as it were. A far cry from his hometown of Saffron City in Kanto. Overseas vacations were always nice, no? And such a nice gift from his boss. The precinct chief had let him go for the trip for his birthday, which had been two weeks ago. Edgar had been trekking through Hoenn ever since. Not long after he'd arrived in Hoenn by ferry, he'd made his way from his starting point in Slateport towards Mauville. The long way around, of course. He'd gone west after leaving Slateport, cutting through Oldale and Petalburg. The woods outside Petalburg were his first real taste of adventure, and Grovy had been a big help then.

After Petalburg, he'd come out straight to Rustboro and taken a rest there. There, he'd heard talk of a mountain to the northeast called Mount Chimney, apparently a semi-active volcano that still spewed ash. That had totally piqued his interest. Asking around, he'd found out that the best way to the mountain was through Mauville in the east. That was how his destination was set.

It'd been just about two weeks. Maybe more. Maybe less. He hadn't been keeping track. But Edgar was tired, so was his team, and here laid Mauville. Next stop on his way to Mount Chimney.

With a tired but satisfied smile on his face, he sat on the grass and unzipped his pack. Almost immediately, one of the Pokeballs within leapt and burst open, releasing a bright red mass onto the ground. The little (big?) brown dinosaur that emerged from the red light clumped straight for Edgar's side, giving his entire left side an affectionate nuzzle and rub. He yelped in response as the Tyrunt's weight nearly caused him to topple over, and he rubbed its snout while chuckling to himself.

"Runt, what did I tell you? No leaning on people to get them to hug you. You're heavier than you look."

The dinosaur whined in response, which made him laugh out loud. His Serperior, obviously not amused by the little dino's antics, instead diverted her attention to conserving her energy. She laid down on his shoulders and closed her eyes, resting for the moment. Edgar grabbed a sandwich out of his pack and tucked in to his snack while he gazed out over the city.

"Don't worry fellas, we'll be at a Pokemon center soon enough. Y'all can rest there. Then we can explore the place and maybe find some more supplies."

Grovy hissed softly in response, while Runt instead tried to go for the sandwich he was eating. The dino's head suddenly occupied his entire lap, making him chuckle.

"Yes, Runt, I know. We'll get more food for you too."

Once he was done with his light snack, he dusted crumbs off his shirt, stood and patted his Tyrunt's head.

"Right fellas, let's be on our way. And don't lag behind this time, Runt."

With Grovy coiled around him, he set off down the hill, making straight for the red-roofed building he could see in the distance. The Pokecenter. Rest stop for the day.

---

---

Aimee was exploring the store near her friend, Rai. She saw a book and looked from the Spinda on her shoulders to her friend and back. "I'll buy this in advance..." She smiled and grabbed the book. She was startled by her friend speaking to her, and put it behind her back.

"Hey, Aimee, do you wanna catch the show?" She said. Aimee was curious about what she meant, so she walked over to where Rai was standing. "It says the show isn't till eight, so we've got some time to get there. It's at the park or something. I know, I know, magic shows are for kids, but hey, you might be able to get some awesome photos if you come with. Whaddya say? It'll be fun, even Flame's excited."

"Magic show. Sounds fun," Aimee said to herself. She hadn't seen a magician before, unless posters count. She wanted to see one in person for the longest time, so she thought this would be her chance. The poster was very colorful, with an Ekans coming out of his sleeve and a bunch of Pidgeys flying around him. "The Marvelous Masked Magician" was a bad name, though. Even she could do better. And she has, but that's beside the point. She was sure that the pictures she could get would be amazing. She bought the book, put it in her bag, and walked outside.

"I think it's going to rain." She said, frowning. "But the show might be in one of those tent things, right? Or do they only get those for fairs? I've never seen a magic show or one of those clown thingies, so I wouldn't know." This would mean that she couldn't take pictures. Or see a magic show. She really wanted to take pictures, though. "It's still really pretty out here. Maybe I could find a nice spot to take a few snaps before it rains. If it rains. By the way," She said, looking around the area. She saw some purple-haired girl staring at Rai. She looked a bit darker than the both of them, maybe shorter as well. She wasn't sure if Rai was looking back at her, so she tapped her on the shoulder. "That girl's looking at you. You should say hi." She gave Rai a little nudge into the direction of the purple-haired girl as to tell her to get moving.

"It looks like this magic show is going to be a big event, I reckon they'd have a plan B in case it rains." She gave Aimee a bright grin and would have started down the hill, but her friend mentioned someone staring at them and Rai followed Aimee's gaze until her eyes fell on Willow. The girl was staring at them intently and looked a little out of place, as if she wasn't from there.

"Hey!" Rai called out as she gave the girl a wave. "Do you, uh, need anything?"

She noted the Gengar that floated around the girl and wondered if she was one of those weirdos who stared at people before randomly challenging them to Pokemon battles. Rai had run into her fair share of those.

"I like shorts! You looked my way so we should totally battle!"

The memory made her roll her eyes, she was never one to back down from challenges, but with the rain coming and the magic show happening in a few hours, she wasn't exactly in the mood for a run in with a weirdo. "If you're looking for a battle, my friend and I are leaving soon. You'll probably find more eager challengers hanging around..." Rai paused to scan their surroundings and noticed a man with Serperior and Tyrunt, nah, he looked too businesslike. "Hanging around downhill," she finished.

And with that said she focused on Aimee once more and shrugged a little. "She's kind of just staring at us blankly, maybe we should just go, we don't want to get caught in the rain."

Willow had been so invested in the taller blonde-furred girl, she had nearly missed her companion. A smaller blonde furred girl. Perhaps humans were more like pokemon than she had first expected. Perhaps they traveled with those who had the same color fur as them? She tilted her head, her yellowish eyes glinting almost un-naturally as the sun reflected off of them.

The long furred blonde thing raised one of her arms and flailed her hand in Willow's direction. She had only recently learned this behavior was a commonplace.. considered a greeting in humans. Something they called 'wave' which was strange considering this was also the name of the breaking ocean waters. Humans did have some strange customs when it came to naming things. She raised her arm and flapped her hand awkwardly in a greeting 'wave' back. She tilted her head to the other side, before approaching the girl. "I do not do battle." She stated, shaking her head. Last time she had accepted a 'battle' she had gotten in trouble for biting and hitting the other trainer. She had not understood that the trainer meant 'battle' as in using ones pokemon to fight in their stead. She was fairly certain this girl meant something about having pokemon fight for her. Which was slightly offensive to Willow.

Willow approached the slightly taller girl with the longer yellow fur and moved close enough to her that she could smell her breath. "The rains will be heavy." She stated calmly. Then she turned to the wall and pulled off a poster, exposing it to the woman. "You.. human. Explain what Magi-can." she demanded.

Kali floated around Willow, staring intently at the Spinda with a cold expression in her red eyes. She gave a sly smile and gave a Gengar-like cackle.

Shawn looked around inside wandering in seeing a rather significantly long line for a ticket stand. As the women behind the counter speaking in a cheery voice trying to sell tickets for the magic show, Shawn nervously rubbed the back of his head as he still wasn't quite used to being around so many people as it was getting to him a little as much as he pretending he didn't, outwardly smiling. Soul was looking around and back at him noticing subtle behaviors he did when he was uncomfortable, though she was also intensely looking at anyone getting to close. Blade put his claw on shoulder with a beaming smile trying to make Shawn feel better, and it helped a little. Shawn gave his Scizor a nod, knowing he could buy a ticket. No problem, as he walked in the line and waited patiently as Blade pat Soul's head, her reaction was less thankful, shooting him a glare. Shawn pet his Espeon's head gently relaxing her nerves.

The line was at least moving fairly quickly, as he was halfway through. Which made him a little extra excited to see it, since so many where coming it must be good at least that's what he figured. As Blade was smiling, off in a corner of the room with a couple young girls giggling as they were playing patty cake with him. Shawn sometimes wished he had his sociability with others. And Soul hadn't growled at anyone so it was at least going smoothly in his mind. Though suddenly Melody appeared out of her pokeball on top of his shoulders holding onto him. “Melody...what's wrong dear?” He asked her concerned looking up at her seeing her hide her face a bit being surprised how many people were around her as she suddenly got startled. <”Can we go play?”> Melody whined. As Shawn thought momentarily for a solution. He reached in his pocket and released August as he looked around then at him confused. He picked up Melody and set her down on his back, as she grabbed him quickly to keep her balance. “You two go outside the city and play, alright? Keep each other close. I'll come and get you two in a little while.” Shawn talks to them both in a maternal tone. Melody reluctantly nodded with a small smile, as August nodded and letting out a short exhale of relief and slight frustration that he would have to babysit. “<Better than being constrained inside that ball.”> He commented as he swiftly left outside the building as Melody held on to his back anxiously.

<”Was that the best idea?”> Soul questioned looking up at Shawn expressing concern. Head tilting slightly to the right as she tried to remember any time those two were left alone with each other. Shawn looking down at Soul giving him the stare she gave when he made decisions she didn't approve of. As he rubbed the back of his neck uncertain but not as worried. “Don't worry, they'll be fine.” Shawn replied as he continued to move in line deciding it would be better for both of them to be outside their pokeballs knowing how much August especially loathed them, being always outside on his grandfather's ranch for the majority of his life. Besides what's the worse thing that could happen is what he was going to say aloud but he knew exactly how she'd respond to that statement. “I hope they're going to be alright at least.” Shawn thought to himself.

Meanwhile Melody was giggling as August left the city still on his back, enjoying the ride. August wasn't enjoying it as much, but it was being better than being in the city full of humans as he dashed around, seeing that she was enjoying him going faster as he roamed not exactly caring what direction he went knowing he could easily find his way back to the city on the smell alone, going up to a pokecenter on the top of the hill where he saw several female trainers talking to one another. She hopped on his back, as she started to run around playfully, He looked up at the cloudy sky knowing it was going to rain heavily, staring at the several trainers rubbing his nose some. <”Why do all humans stink so awfully...”>