Marlowe

Wings of Fire: Clouded Visions

Even though she didn’t want to admit it, the dark, gloomy dragon in front of her was making a lot of sense. Vivid wanted to help the other hybrids– desperately, too– though there was simply no feasible way they could at the moment. If they were to go back, they would risk getting caught by the SandWings again. If they asked the SkyWings, they could blow their cover or get killed on the spot. She lashed her tail in frustration, not only with Frostbite, but with the predicament they were in. If only he were as willing to go back as she was. Her scales became tinged a slight pinkish color in her flurry of emotion. ”Who knows, they could surprise us…” she added in response to his claim about the SkyWings.

Oh, don’t fool yourself. You know he’s right. The thought came soon after her statement. Vivid averted her eyes and stared at the oasis. They should get moving at the very least.

”Let’s just leave it up to fate, then. We should probably get going, unless we wanna get snatched up again.” Vivid’s colors faded back to their normal shade of cyan as she glanced towards the skies. It would be a long trip to the SkyWing kingdom. What awaited them there, she wondered.

Pokemon: Ascendancy

MENTIONS: Fiona [@Psyker Landshark], Iris [@Serei2477], Bianca [@Majoras End]

The peace and quiet had to end eventually, she supposed. Fiona entered the bar like a storm, though Hestia couldn't help but greet her with a crooked smirk. There she went, all crude and loud and trying to pry personal information from the both of them. She was more surprised that the other woman had dressed up for the occasion and abided to the Chairman's demands. Before she could say anything, Ryker gave Fiona a half-hearted glare. "Hey now, I don't think it's that bad. But I'm open to take suggestions if Mason has it behind the bar," he answered as he rested his empty glass on the table.

"And don't worry so much about me. You'll see. I'll knock Ryker right out of the Cup, no matter what it takes. Next thing you know, you'll have to call me Champ." Hestia answered, her smirk growing into a full grin while she sipped on her martini. A cough escaped her at another of Fiona's questions. "Why are you asking such personal questions from him, huh? Hoping that he'll take a chance and shack up with you instead?"

Ryker only produced a deep sigh. Hestia turned her shit-eating grin towards the younger man, though she was interrupted when the door opened once again. Iris had arrived with one of her precious Pokemon, her Mimikyu, perched upon her shoulder. Least it wasn't one of the creepier members of her party. Her features softened as the Ghost-type leader sat with them. "She sure is. Our conversation's just gotten a little heated." She laughed, patting Ryker on the back.

"You two're gonna be the death of me."

"More like the death of your career!"

The door opened again. Hestia turned to see Bianca enter the bar in a flowing dress and coat. How was she not burning up under that? Then again, even though it was about to be summer it was still a little chilly during the nights. "Hey, Bianca. I've been doing well. We're in the middle of tormenting Ryker before the men come and ruin the fun. Would you like to join us?" Hestia giggled as she finished off the rest of her lemon-drop martini.

Wings of Fire: Clouded Visions

Now that Frostbite regurgitated her suggestion back towards her, she supposed that the idea sounded silly and dangerous. They would be taking a huge risk if they went back for the other hybrids. Vivid didn’t want to get caught and thrown back into the Pit. But they couldn’t just run off and leave the hybrids behind! They could get hurt or die on the sandy, bloody battlefield. And their deaths would be on their heads. She swayed her tail underneath the surface of the warm water before she pulled herself out of the oasis. Her scales shifted into the color of the sands around them with the hopes of blending in. Who knows, maybe passerbys would think Frostbite was a big rock.

”You can’t say you don’t feel bad leaving the others behind. What if they get killed?” she quipped. ”There were hybrids younger than us there. They won’t survive for long if we don’t help them!”

Vivid slumped down onto the sand beside him. Her eyes were wide, yellow discs as she gazed up at him. She stayed silent for a few moments before her head craned forward, blinking as something crossed her mind. ”There could be dragons in the SkyWing kingdom that could help us.”

Pokemon: Ascendancy

MENTIONS: Everyone

People always told her that Wyndon was the city of dreams. Years ago, when Hestia was still a teenager, she was prone to believe them. Now that she was older, she was able to see through the aura of mystique. Not only was Wyndon a city of dreams, but it was also a city of broken ones.

Hestia recalled the first time she set foot in the grand city, completely in awe of its tall buildings which seemed to rend the clouds in half. She remembered the thrill of battle– the rush of her dragons’ wings as they soared into combat, the heat of their rampant breaths, the fury of their blows, the chill of defeat, and the salt on her lips as she wept after the end of her portion of the Champion’s Cup. The night on which she lost to Ryker weighed like boulders in the very pit of her stomach. She was so close to beating him. So close to becoming Champion of Galar. Little had she known, Ryker had her dancing to the beat of his own drum. Yeah, he had her wrapped right around his little finger. It was even worse that, with every consecutive time she faced him, he emerged the victor again and again.

Her taxi landed with a slight thump against the ground, wrenching her from the past. The flash of a Corviknight’s metallic feathers flickered outside her window, shimmering against the empty night sky. The city’s lights drowned out whatever stars that might have been brave enough to shine in the darkness. Or maybe they had come down to settle on her maroon cocktail dress that she was practically forced to wear for this occasion.

She already missed Hammerlocke.

”We’re here, Lady Hestia,” her cabby said as he opened the door for her.

She gave the man a nod and stepped outside before she paid the man accordingly, giving him a hefty tip. The two of them kept their exchange brief; he murmured a thank you, stay safe, and have a good night as his eyes swept up and down her figure, while she muttered a goodbye in response. The early summer’s spring breeze poured through the streets as she walked down the block, which teased the loose curls that hung upon her bare shoulders. Her dress teased the back of her knees as she strode along in her black heels.

Hestia almost decided not to come to this little meet-up. However, Chairman Peyton Hyacinth was quick to pressure her into saying yes. ”You haven’t seen your friends in a month or two. It’s best that you all catch up before the opening ceremony tomorrow.” He had told her in his typical deep, rumbling voice. ”Make sure to wear something appropriate, yes?”

She was met with the dull ringing of their call’s end tone before she could even say anything else.

Hyacinth never took “no” for an answer; she should have known better than to try to go against what he wanted. He was a good man, really, but he was an expert on what should be done and when. If he said that the gym leaders should meet up before the opening ceremony, then they had to. Whether it was secretly for publicity or simply only to catch up as he had told her, it was wise to listen. Not doing so earned Hyacinth’s mire in one way or another. So, Hestia decided to dress up pretty and decorate herself in makeup and jewelry inlaid with rubies, even if she much preferred to stay at home and watch television from the comfort of her couch.

The venue that Hyacinth had chosen was an intimate, yet popular bar in Wyndon– The Last Dahlia. It rested on a street corner not far from where her taxi had landed. Before she knew it, she was pushing open its doors. As her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, the aroma of sweet wines and ales washed over her. She stepped inside, her gaze glossing across the empty tables that lined the walls before they settled on the bar itself. At least she could thank Hyacinth for one thing; The Last Dahlia was empty save for three people: an older gentleman behind the bar whom she assumed was the bartender, herself, and him. Clad in a jet-black suit, Ryker sat in one of the middle seats, his silvery hair slicked back as he nursed a short glass filled halfway with a dark-hued spirit. Hestia sucked in a shallow breath before she approached, her heels clacking against the aged hardwood floors.

The younger male offered her a small smile as she sat down next to him. ”Hestia,” he mused. ”Good to see you again.”

”It’s good to see you again, too. What’ve you been up to?” Hestia glanced over his face. Even though he was only nineteen, his face seemed leaner, more mature. ”Haven’t been pushing yourself too hard yet, I hope.”

Ryker’s eyes wrinkled behind the rim of his glass as he gave her a sidelong glance. ”Need to keep myself on my toes these coming months.”

”Of course. Heard anything about this season’s lineup?”

”Not yet,” Ryker sighed out after a long draft from his cup. ”You know how tight-lipped the Chairman can be.”

”Are you sure you’re not talking about yourself?”

Ryker didn’t answer her. Raising a hand, he ushered the mustachioed bartender over. ”Mason, a lemon-drop martini for the lady, please.”

Hestia bit the inside of her cheek. She knew that there were things that Ryker couldn’t talk about to the rest of the gym leaders, but c’mon. The anticipation was killing her. Every season brought along its fair share of challenges, and it was best to be prepared before they were upon your doorstep. She stared hard at the side of the Champion’s face, hoping for a reaction. Yet, he seemed much more interested in his drink than her. Nothing else was said, not until Mason rested her drink upon the dark oak bar that rested in front of them.

”You should try the Crown Royal before you leave. It’s divine,” Ryker told her, referring to his whiskey.

Hestia raised her glass to her lips, the sweet melody of the limoncello and citrus teasing her taste buds. ”I’m perfectly fine with sticking to the sweet stuff.”

Ryker barked a laugh. Hestia couldn’t help but reciprocate it.

Time passed, and with it came familiar faces that filtered through The Last Dahlia’s front door and joined them upon the brown leather bar stools.

Wings of Fire: Clouded Visions

This dragon seemed a lot more… grumpier than she expected. She shifted around in the water, trying to get the cool liquid to wash over her dusty scales. She was part SandWing, yes, but even this was too hot for her. Vivid dipped her head into the water and drank deeply once again. She never knew she could ever be so thirsty. The SandWings had given her more water than the rest of the dragons that had been contained in the courtyard, but sometimes it wasn’t enough. Her tongue had been dry as the desert on more than one occasion.

So, Frostbite was headed to the SkyWing kingdom. She tipped her head at the suggestion. The SkyWing kingdom sounded like the closest and safest place… she didn’t even want to think of trying to head to the IceWing kingdom. She swayed her thick tail under the surface of the water as Frostbite made himself more comfortable with his ice-breath, attempting to keep herself from shuddering. She was lucky that Caracal and Boa prevented them both from using breath attacks on one another. Her mind didn’t want to think about what would happen if he actually had used his ice breath on her.

”Uhm, the SkyWing kingdom…” she murmured. ”Mind if I join you? I don’t have anywhere else to go. Least not for now.”

She had to get to a place where she could actually rest for the time being before she set off somewhere else. Making a break for the RainWing kingdom was too risky, especially in her state. She wasn’t even sure if she could fly that long of a distance. And if she tried flying over the Scorpion Den, she ran the chance of getting caught once again. There was no way she stood a chance if she was. No one would save her. Her heart sank at the thought of the other hybrids stuck in that courtyard. Who would save them?

Vivid’s frills suddenly perked up. ”We could rest in the SkyWing kingdom for a bit, then come back to save the others!” she suggested.

Clans of the Coast

Frostwhisker listened intently, though she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It was a mission, then. Was she to be a spy? Why? She thought that BreezeClan and FireClan trusted one another to combine into one Clan, though it suddenly seemed like Dawnstar had her own thoughts on the matter. A wave of emotions washed over her once again. She was to leave home, work as a spy, forge fake bonds and friendships, all while never revealing her true intentions. The young she-cat took in the rest of her leader’s explanations and directions with hardly a thought, quietly waiting for her to finish before she voiced her opinions. But the other she-cat didn’t even give her a chance to. She flicked her tail in confusion.

”Very well. I’ll do as you say. Thank you, Dawnstar,” she mewed as she raised herself to her feet. She dipped her head, then turned and left her den, her mind still racing.

What a twist of events. How was she going to explain this to Lionpaw?

PMD: Explorers of the Unknown

It wasn’t unusual to see that their family hadn’t reached out to them. Sable surely wouldn’t. She would never forget her face when they returned home without their brothers. Her father’s reaction was even worse. Lumi remembered the pain that drowned his almond eyes, the way his muzzle scrunched up as he tried to prevent a scream. Even though they stuck with the plan of not telling their family what happened, it was almost like they knew. No one ever said anything about it, but the way they sat at the dinner table, two family members short, silent, staring at one another with sorrow… there was no way that they didn’t blame them. Their father must have already passed; she wondered if he forgave her in the end.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Sora spoke. ”Good.” she replied automatically. Lumi’s voice was dry, strained. Her eyes rested on the floor again. ”I’m good. Glad to see you actually find a place for yourself in Sunspear. Can’t say the same’s happened with me.”

Even though she despised Fishertown, there was almost nothing she wouldn’t give up to go back there. At least there weren’t people there that would judge her for what she had done. Lumi prayed to Arceus that her team wouldn’t either. They would never see her the same way again.

Lumi raised her eyes, but they refused to lock onto Sora’s. Instead, they fixated on a spot right past his cheek and against the warm clay walls of a building. ”You should go with the rest and get something to eat.”

Pokemon: Ascendancy

Just realized there's 3 more girls than guys I think lol

Actually it's 6-5 nvm

Pokemon: Ascendancy

Well, it was a difficult selection process, but we've decided on who will be accepted!

@PrankFox
@Serei2477
@Yankee
@LuckyBlackCat
@King Cosmos
@Vertigo
@Fabricant451
@Majoras End
@Solace

Congrats! You guys got into the roleplay. Discord links will be handed out soon, so keep on the lookout for them! That being said, please be certain that you will remain active both OOC and IC wise. Communication is just as important as getting posts out. Not to mention, chatting and plotting as a group just makes the RP more fun!

As for those who weren't accepted, please don't take this personally. A lot of factors were taken into consideration when choosing who's in and who's out, especially due to the fact that most of the characters were great. I hope to be in another roleplay with you soon.

Pokemon: Ascendancy

Since Demon unfortunately dropped, we're just waiting for @Majoras End now.