LuckyBlackCat

Stranded: Blacksite (High casual Sci-fi/fantasy Horror)

@Heckno12@Emeth@Polaris North

It wasn't just her, Ziola noted. Typhon seemed to also notice the cat, or whatever it was. Still, had it really shifted into a humanoid form, or was her sanity finally cracking? As Typhon used his plasma rifle to melt through the door, Ziola shook her head, trying not to assume the worst. If she really was losing it, at least they were conveniently taking refuge in a medical bay.

Heading after Felix to the doctor's office confirmed, however, that she hadn't just been imagining things. A woman with cat ears stood talking to Lea, or rather, making odd noises at her. "Huh, so I'm not losing it," Ziola muttered, stepping back just in case the woman proved hostile. "I guess that's one positive today." Upon noticing them, the feline girl growled, her entire body turning oily black for a moment, before her features softened. Her ears shrank down, an innocent blush forming through a layer of mucus. A Sapishte? This was the first time Ziola had seen a Sapishte take on animal features.

As Lea explained that the girl, Maji, wasn't a threat, some of the tension left Ziola's muscles. No matter the situation, Lea had a knack for putting people at ease. The medic's chats, in between long stretches of isolation, were probably all that had kept her and several others from spiralling into madness. Slowly approaching, Ziola nodded in response to her question. "We're doing well, all things considered, or at least I hope," she replied, "but it's more than can be said for many others." In the back of her mind, she could still hear screams and gunshots.

She bit the inside of her lip. No, no point in thinking about that now. Not when there were people all around the medical bay in need of help, staff rushing around the sick and injured. "I know this isn't standard practice, but is there anything I can do to help?"

Pokémon: Rust

Sooo… How’s everyone doing? :)

@Crimson Flame

Good, really hyped about this! You?

Pokémon: Rust

@TheNoCoKid @Crimson Flame @Such A Birch

"Ehhhhh!" Oriana pulled back as Chomper's attack backfired, sending him flying. She nearly tripped as Shakudo coiled around her legs in alarm. So that was what Rory had been worried about - being young, these dragons had trouble controlling their abilities. Which explained Shakudo's caution. "Everything ok there?" she called, steadying herself, but Chomper looked no less eager to battle.

Just as the battle resumed with an Ember from Devastator, Rory gestured for her to follow him and do - ugh - chores. "Aww, but things are just getting good!" Oriana clasped her hands together as she reluctantly shuffled after Rory, glancing over her shoulder at the battlefield, then turning wide pleading eyes back towards him. The last thing she wanted was to be bossed around again. "Pleeeease? Shakudo wants to watch, I mean it's a form of training, right? Watch and learn, as they say." The Dratini nodded, backing her up. "I'll help out afterwards! We've just gotta see who wins first!"

Pokémon: Rust

@TheNoCoKid @Crimson Flame @Such A Birch

"Ooooh, a battle?" Oriana's eyes went wide as she followed the two boys outside, Shakudo in tow. The timid Dratini probably wouldn't be up for battling right away, but Arden and Chomper had accepted George's challenge, and watching would provide valuable experience. "And cool names! Nobody's gonna get on the wrong side of them!"

As George and Arden took their places, Oriana stood back, grinning down at Shakudo. "Want to watch?" With a nod, Shakudo edged forward and raised his head, all while keeping a safe distance from any possible stray attacks. "Woooooo!" Oriana pumped her fist into the air, eyes flicking between the trainers and the enthusiastic dragons. "Go for it, guys!"

Just then, a shout from inside the lab drew her attention. "Huh?" Rory rushed towards the group, as if less than happy about the impromptu sparring match. The guy seemed pretty nice, but Oriana hoped he wouldn't turn out to be a killjoy like her parents. "Hey, it's all ok." She smiled to ease his fears, gesturing to the unfolding battle. "I'm sure they've got this."

Malevolence from Beyond (Vega7285 and LuckyBlackCat)

With a breathless chuckle, Nanami sat down. "I say we've still both earned these though," she said, taking a box of strawberry pocky from her bag. The jog had been a fairly short one, but had cheered her up a great deal, and looked to have done Saya good. Flipping the box open, she held it out to share.

A ripple in the nearby stream caught her attention. Her smile vanishing, Nanami stared. For just a moment, among the glimmers of reflected lamplight, she thought she'd seen eyes looking out. Several pairs of bulging, inhuman eyes. "What...?" Tensing, she craned her neck. The talk of magical girls and monsters had to be making her imagination go haywire. "Did you see that?"

"No need to be afraid."

"Ehhhhh?" At the voice in her head, she dropped the box, pocky sticks spilling all over the ground - which wavered before her, cast in thin blue-green light as if she were underwater. "Ok, either I'm losing it, or we've got ourselves some kind of actual monster. Let's get out of here!"

She jumped up, only for a torrent of water to burst out of the stream, shifting like putty and taking on a solid form in front of her. An alien form, all fins and tentacles, those six yellow eyes fixed on her as she backed away.

"You want to be the best, don't you?" That voice sounded in her mind again, eerily calm, and cold. Hearing it brought the sensation of ice water trickling down her spine. "You want to be special. Noteworthy. In that case, we can both help each other."

The being reached out a hand, gripping Nanami's shoulder. Its form dissolved, seeping under her skin, permeating her very essence. Nanami's scream gave way to the gurgle of a drowning person as she collapsed, writhing. Her own body felt more liquid than solid, searing all over like she'd been plunged in acid. She could have sworn her flesh was melting, yet when she stretched out her arm like a frantic swimmer, she saw it was still whole.

Her lungs burned for air - and drew in a sudden deep breath as she surfaced back into reality. The pain was gone. Shaking and panting, she brought herself to one knee. "W-What the hell just happened?" Everything looked normal once again, but she couldn't shake the presence of something else in the park. Something otherworldly, something wrong, like whatever she'd just encountered. Raising her head, she gasped. "Saya!"

Malevolence from Beyond (Vega7285 and LuckyBlackCat)

A relaxing evening in the park was just what Nanami and Saya needed. The sun had already set, turning the sky dark blue, the soft glow of lamps illuminating ponds and flower beds that lined the path. The trickling of a waterfall over rocks was particularly soothing right now.

Nanami nodded. "Thought you'd want to," she said, strolling by Saya's side. Despite her health issues, or even because of them, Saya liked to get out and about when she could. Of course, it wasn't entirely for selfless reasons that Nanami was out here right now - the earlier argument with her parents still lingered in the back of her mind. Ever since her brother Aito had gotten that job at Chrysalis Corporation, they'd been on her case more than ever, pushing her to be more like him. Like that was going to happen. At least being around someone who appreciated her helped.

"And hey." She grinned. "Isn't night the best time for a magical girl to be out? Just in case there's any monster butt to kick." Her mom kept saying it wasn't healthy to enable Saya's delusions, but if an active imagination was how her friend coped with being cooped up, what was the harm in that? Besides, Nanami knew the need for escapism, having held on to her own mermaid fantasies. "Can't say I'll be much help, but I'll keep a look out, and cheer you on. In the meantime, wanna train by racing me to that bench?" She pointed to a steel bench in the distance, under a canopy of trees. Saya could be pretty energetic on her good days, so would likely be up for some silly fun. "One-two-three-go!"

With that, she was off, her pace a leisurely jog rather than a serious run. Her laughter carried on the breeze as she relished the feeling of freedom. For now, both she and Saya could leave all their worries behind.

Pokémon: Rust

@TheNoCoKid Question, do these Pokemon start at lv5? I assumed so because starters usually do, but if they're a different level, I can change the Dratini's move list.

Pokémon: Rust

@TheNoCoKid @Crimson Flame @Such A Birch

As George gushed about how badass and awesome the dragons were, even adding in a roar, Oriana chuckled. "That too! Dragonites are certainly a force to be reckoned with, from what I've heard!" Such Pokemon were rare, but the shop stocked a few carvings depicting Dragonites in battle, looking utterly majestic with their green metallic scales.

At his introduction, her mouth fell open. "You're kidding, right? George Pendragon? As in, you're related to those George Pendragons? That's amazing!" While she'd heard tales of their deeds, she didn't get out much, so she hadn't known about this boy. A celebrity, or close to it. Self-consciousness set in, and she resisted the urge to look at her feet. She barely knew how to interact with people in general, much less a famous person.

Attempting to hide the fact, she kept up her chatting - possibly a little too much. "I've heard all kinds of stories about them! I used to dream about having adventures just like them, while stuck at home, or in my parents' dull old shop. Is it true they travelled through all of Kaida, and met the legendary dragon? Oooh, you're gonna do great, I just know it! Of course, you've got competition as to who gets there first! Isn't that right, Dratini? C'mon, we can roar just as loud! RAAAAAWWWWRRRR!!"

The Dratini inched forward, raising its head, and let out its attempt at a roar - a squeaky "Tiiiiiini!" Seemingly embarrassed, it slithered behind Oriana's legs.

Oriana's smile turned strained. Had she overwhelmed the baby dragon again? "Hey, no need to be shy," she reassured it, turning round and petting its smooth scales again.

Another voice piped up, that of a young man feeding some snacks to the Gible, and introducing himself as Arden. "Heyyy! Nice to meet ya too!" Oriana replied. "Oooops, hahaha! I never introduced myself!" Her gaze shifted between George and Arden. "I'm Oriana, explorer and geologist in the making!" For all her confident air, her feet curled inwards. Ok, she hoped she hadn't sounded like a total nerd. At least these people were unlikely to judge, she figured, since they were all here for research purposes.

Just as the professor addressed the group, someone else rushed in. A man who looked to be in his twenties, with rust-coloured hair, soaked as if he'd had a run in with a water Pokemon. Said water type, a Floatzel, scurried after him. Although she couldn't hold back a giggle, she gave a friendly smile to reassure him it was ok.

As the lights dimmed and the screen flicked on, Oriana took in the presentation with rapt attention. Once it was over, her eyes widened at the sight of the items Rory and his Floatzel offered. Pokeballs, official trainer cards, and... DexWatches. Actual DexWatches, the latest in digital technology. Rory demonstrated his own, a holographic screen appearing above his wrist, the options clear for all of them to see.

"Awesome! That's pretty convenient!" She jumped up and took one of the three devices, sliding it onto her wrist. She flicked it on, watching the screen blink into existence above it. Trying it out, she pressed the button for the Pokedex option and pointed the device at the Dratini. Right away, information about the species flashed across the screen, accompanied by a robotic voice.

"Dratini, the Dragon Pokemon. It is called the Mirage Pokémon because so few have seen it, but its shed skin has been found." Another click revealed information about this particular Dratini. A male, who knew the moves Wrap, Leer and Twister.

"Neat! Ok little guy, you're gonna need a name." Oriana thought for a moment. "How about Shakudo? A copper and gold based metal that often has a patina, either blue like you are now, or green like the Dragonites in this region." A fitting name for a future steel type, she reasoned.

The baby dragon nodded. "Tini!"

Taking a Pokeball and trainer card, Oriana beamed. "Alright, Shakudo it is!" She glanced at and clutched the card, barely able to contain the thrill. At last, she was an official Pokemon trainer.

Notes

Pokemon Team

• Dratini (Shakudo)

Pokemon in PC

Items

Main

• Assorted trinkets (pebbles, low value gems, old coins)

Medicine

Berries

TMs

Pokemon Spiral

Vareena Town

@OtomostheCrazy

"Good work Kyra, Smack Down again!" Amber called. "Larimar, another Rock Throw! Alma, Shadow Sneak!"

The rock attacks took down two more Combees, while Gabby stuck by Kyra's side, tackling the ones who dodged. Meanwhile, Alma snickered as her shadow turned into a large hand that swatted another bug aside.

"Whew... We've got this," Amber said, turning to Alexis. Her eyes went wide at the sight of the other girl rushing into the fray herself, trying to pry the female Combee off of Yuki with her bare hands. "Ah, careful! Alma, use that Shadow Sneak to help her out!" Combees were stronger than they looked, and even if humans could withstand a fair amount, they typically didn't endure attacks as well as Pokemon did. What if the bug turned round and injured Alexis?

Almandine extended the spectral hand towards the bee, but Alexis had already prized her off of the Snorunt. Right away, Yuki retaliated with Powder Snow, hitting the Combee full force.

"Beeeeee!" Well, the Combee hadn't expected this. If she hadn't been so stunned that the human herself, not just her Pokemon, had risen to her challenge, she may just have been able to dodge the blast. Instead, the stinging flurry sent her reeling back. Struggling to fly in the chill wind, she swayed in midair.

Her six eyes scanned the area as the Eevee brought down the last of the males. Either they were pathetic, or these two humans and their Pokemon were almost good, especially the girl in blue. She turned her gaze to Alexis. The other bees would be ok, considering all the berry trees around, and it wasn't like she needed them anyway. Instead of fighting back, she bobbed up and down in a nod, to tell Alexis she was something close to impressed.

If this girl fully got the hint, the Combee might even get a trainer out of this.

Notes

Pokemon Party: Kabuto "Chalcedony" lv11, Yanma "Aeshna" lv10, Rockruff "Kyra" lv13, Rowlet "Tacita" lv12, Anorith "Larimar" lv13, Sableye "Almandine" lv12
Pokemon in PC:
Inventory: Pokeball x1, Potion x1, Dusk Ball x1

Urban Starlight Wonderland: A Magical Girl RP

@Shiyonichi@FrogRFlowR@VitaVitaAR

Out of the corner of her eye, Ukiko saw Yui rush to her side, translucent daisies forming under her feet like midair stepping stones. Uttering a slightly awkward incantation, the other girl summoned a flower stem that coiled loosely around Ukiko, and bloomed into a pink tulip when it reached the wound.

Ukiko grimaced. "It's ok, it's not that bad," she insisted, even though the slightest movement caused a fresh flare of pain. She was supposed to protect and assist others. Not be a burden who made them vulnerable. Even so, Yui persisted with the healing spell, the burning sensation fading as the singed patch became smooth, undamaged skin. Once it was complete, the charred hole in her sleeve was the only sign she'd been hit at all.

"Thanks though, and yeah." She flexed her arm, feeling not even a twinge. "That's some neat magic there! Now, let's finish this thing off." Stretching out both hands, she unleashed a flurry of wisps around Burabura's energy stream in an all-out attack.

Just when the orb glowed in preparation for another laser beam, a crack ran down its surface as if it were made of glass. All it took was a sword swing from Kana, and what was left of the shade imploded, shadowy matter collapsing in on itself in a burst of orange fluid. The orb shattered, fragments fading as they rained onto the street.

"Whew!" Once she was sure no energy signature remained, Ukiko grinned around at the team. "I knew it was nothing we couldn't handle!"

For a second, even Burabura's ragged mouth raised in a smile, although it wasn't long until her face grew serious again. "Shades sure seem to be getting stronger-bura." Her eye swivelled towards Quant. "Any idea what's causing it-bura?"