Creeping Crawling Crevices

Zorre
Energy: 37 - 16 (entrance) = 21
Items in Use: Defense Scarf (-1 energy to all pokemon rolls)
Inventory:
-Oran Berry (4)
-Sitrus Berry (1)
-Apple (1)
-Reviver Seed (3)


Zorre looked around the deep gulch menacingly as he approached the edge. There was a narrow path leading down into the depths of the ravine, a thick purple fog settling thicker and thicker as the crack in the earth disappeared under its heavy blanket.

The cracked mind of the scyther saw the gulch as an opportunity to fulfill his thirst for blood and hunger for flesh while blaming the death on a slip into the depths, or the weak succumbing to the heady poison in the air. It settled around the black scyther's collar like chains, but he ignored the harsh breathing he was acquiring from it and the heaviness it added to his limbs.

Only the weak would allow such barriers to stop them from their goal, and Zorre was no weakling. His insane red gaze trailed over the boulders that edged the gulch, and he let out a sinister laugh as he imagined his scythes slicing through muscles and tendons with the ease of a thorn through berries. This was his world, and all others were mere playthings for him to mess with.

(Energy - 93)

Meanwhile, a lone glaceon was already within the gulch, traveling in search of a friend, and he was not enjoying the smog. He was taking his sweet time in walking, though the poison was very little of the reason for this. He was currently under mental stress from having furthered the destruction of the world that currently seemed inevitable. He'd released a being of unimaginable power into the world, and it was not a friendly creature. He was finding it difficult to bring himself to a fast pace with the self-blame weighing him down. All he could think about was righting what he'd wronged, but for that, he was pretty sure he'd need help.

A certain outlaw-type zoroark was the only one he trusted to help him with what he had in mind. However, he had been unable to find this zoroark in her home, thus he'd turned to the Grima Outpost. She hadn't been there, so the next stop was Venen Gulch. He wasn't expecting to find Mirage here, but maybe he'd find someone who'd seen her recently. Either way, it was at least worth a try. It wasn't like there was any harm in it.... other than the deadly poison he was constantly inhaling.

Sova could feel his mind getting hazy already, but honestly, it was a welcome disorientation. He didn't want to think clearly right now; his mind just kept telling him how horrible he was no matter what he tried to think about. The more this poison affected him, the better. Sure, he could have covered his mouth with a strip of fabric, which he owned plenty of, and it probably would have helped with the environment.... But really, he just didn't care. He didn't care about his personal health at the moment, and he felt like he didn't deserve to be healthy after what he'd done.

Zorre
Energy: 21
Items in Use: Defense Scarf (-1 energy to all pokemon rolls)
Inventory:
-Oran Berry (4)
-Sitrus Berry (1)
-Apple (1)
-Reviver Seed (3)


Zorre began to pick his way down the narrow path that led into the gulch, his mind full of bloody images and fantasies. The cracked mind of the scyther thought only about his thirst for blood. It was in this mindset that the black-colored scyther spotted an ice-blue shape moving along the ravine, just below him on the path.

A manic grin carved its way across his face. This was his chance to fill his reality with blood, just as his mind was filled with it.

"Well, well, well... Who do we have here?" he called out in a crazed tone. "A walking meal, just waiting for predators to devour, I'm sure.... Darling, why don't you turn to me, and we can discuss dinner?"

Sova was taken away from his own thoughts as he heard a voice from behind him, calling out to.... well, he was assuming to him.  He turned around, as requested, and gave a vacant stare as he looked upon the one who was seemingly threatening him.  A scyther.... and.... a black one?  He was pretty sure that wasn't a natural color.  More importantly though, he supposed he needed to give a response to this creature.  He didn't want to have to stick around this guy for too long, though, because.... well, the scyther was kind of looking like a psycho.

He looked the scyther up and down, openly showing he was sizing this new "friend" up, then responded: "Nah, you don't look very appetizing."
Maybe he was depressed, maybe even too depressed to attack someone for hostility, but that didn't mean he was gonna let anyone talk down to him.  With that out of the way, he turned back around and continued walking, planning on just ignoring the scyther who seemed to either have a morbid sense of humor or a lacking sense of sanity.  Maybe it was both. Regardless, he had far better things to do than deal with this guy right now.

He needed to find Mirage. That was the priority, to find Mirage and try to make up for what he'd done wrong.

Zorre
Energy: 21
Items in Use: Defense Scarf (-1 energy to all pokemon rolls)
Inventory:
-Oran Berry (3)
-Sitrus Berry (1)
-Apple (1)
-Reviver Seed (3)


Zorre grinned at the glaceon's quick come-back. "heh... a quick one, eh? All the better to hunt, I suppose."

He bared his sharp teeth menacingly. "I'd love to see you running from me... those are always the best hunts... Or we could make it quick and easy?" The scyther didn't even register that the glaceon clearly out-classed him in terms of power, judging by the muscles under its icy pelt.

"Tell me, what secrets lie behind those clear orbs?" Zorre taunted. There was something off about the glaceon, but he wasn't able to place it. He seemed very edgy. It didn't occur to the scyther that he was the one making the glaceon anxious.

Sova did his best to ignore the vile creature.  While his moral compass normally allowed for the ruthless beating of those who openly threatened him, he was currently in a particularly.... moralistic mood.  He didn't feel he had the right to hurt anyone unless he absolutely had to, not after what he'd done.  He wasn't doing anything good for the world to balance out an act of unnecessary violence, and while he usually didn't care much for balance.... well, it was just one less excuse.  He just continued walking along, trying to tune the taunts out.... or at least, he kind of hoped they were taunts.

Then the scyther started bringing up his mental state, or at least that was what it seemed like.  He knew he wasn't in a good condition at the moment, but that didn't mean he wanted to hear about it.  Being reminded of it just.... hurt, because it reminded him all the more of why he was like that.  He stopped walking for just a moment, letting silence hang in the air.  He needed to think of a response, something to shut the scyther up, but.... his head.... he was starting to feel hazy.  Maybe the poison was getting to him?  Maybe he was just fatigued from all the wa-

"Boo," a voice echoed through his head.
"Why don't you let ME take over?  I'll make sure to treat our new friend reeeeal nice," the voice continued, and he knew exactly what it wanted; to give up control.
He wasn't going to.  He couldn't.  This was just another thing he needed to ignore right now, and more importantly, he needed to remain in control of his own-

"Not gonna say anything to me?  Well at least say something to HIM, then.  Here, I'll even help you: say.... not a soul," the voice pestered.
He hesitated at first, but.... he was willing to take shortcuts to get out of this situation.  ANYTHING to get rid of the scyther faster; if S.S. was doing his thinking for him, then despite his better judgement, he would accept.  He couldn't think for himself all that much right now anyway.

"....Not a soul.... if that's what you're looking for," he spoke back hesitantly to the scyther.
And with that, he started walking once more, without so much as looking back.

Zorre
Energy: 21
Items in Use: Defense Scarf (-1 energy to all pokemon rolls)
Inventory:
-Oran Berry (3)
-Sitrus Berry (1)
-Apple (1)
-Reviver Seed (3)


Zorre giggled mercilessly at the glaceon's response. "heeehheee... I knew I liked you for a reason.... mayhaps a hunt is out of order then? Mayhaps something more.... primal, is in order," he giggled insanely.

He edged toward the glaceon, his sharp blades glinting meanly in the dim lighting of the foggy gulch, the poison in the air swirling around his blades menacingly.

"Well, darling? Persian got your tongue?" he purred, his eyes flashing as he crept closer to the glaceon.

"I can feel your stress; you can't handle this right now. You'll give in to me sooner or later.... so how about you do it while you still have a choice in the matter?"

The unrelenting voice echoed through the glaceon's head as the scyther spoke behind him. He tried to just keep walking, but he could hear the creature's steps behind him.... approaching him....

....Before he knew it, he'd stopped. He hadn't even noticed it. "No killing," Sova thought to himself.
It wasn't exactly for himself, though.... It was for the one who was about to take over. He couldn't do this; he couldn't think straight and didn't have the will to figure out a "just" solution to this situation. With that, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to just.... drift off. It was easy.... like falling asleep.

A rather large, deranged smile crept onto the glaceon's face as he opened his eyes and turned around. S.S. stared at the creature before him and let out a slight, quiet giggle. He then spoke up, with a voice that was distinctly.... different from his weakling counterpart. "It's just.... you're so adorable.... thinking you're the predator here."
His tone and manner of speaking were so very different from Sova's that it made their voices sound nearly completely different. His was darker, more malevolent, and it sounded.... a bit scratchy.

After a short pause, he spoke once more: "How about you come see if you're right? If you've got a death-wish, that is."

Zorre
Energy: 21
Items in Use: Defense Scarf (-1 energy to all pokemon rolls)
Inventory:
-Oran Berry (3)
-Sitrus Berry (1)
-Apple (1)
-Reviver Seed (3)


Zorre's eyes lit up as his intended prey turned to face him, no longer trying to escape from him. An insane glee caused another round of giggles to escape him, even as the other threatened him.

"yes, yes...." he hissed gleefully as the glaceon challenged him. He advanced on the glaceon, practically foaming at the mouth with the idea of finally sinking his blades into flesh and getting the taste of gore on his tongue. He was ravenous at the very thought.

"Darling, I do believe it's time for dinner," he cackled and lunged at the glaceon, aiming for the glaceon's sides. He didn't want to kill the poor creature right away, after all. He did like his blood warm.

The attack was so slow.... the attacker was so slow....  S.S. decided by the time the scyther neared him that dodging wasn't worth the effort in this situation.  His fur flash-froze as the scythe-like appendage came at his side, turning into hard, bristly armor.  However, his frozen fur wasn't spiked out to punish the scyther for trying to physically attack him.  No.... he wanted to see this bold opponent struggle.  The weapon-arm slammed into his side with no reaction on his part.  He didn't even move from the force of the impact; he just stared at the creature with his smile.  His gaze fell to his side as he looked at the foe's.... claw?  Whatever it was, it was a bit of a letdown after all that big talk.

"Heh....  Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear enough....  I was extending an invitation for you to fight for your life, not invite me out to dinner and give me a love-tap," he spoke mockingly in reference to his "enemy's" threats and attempt at harming him.
He wondered if this was all this prospect had to offer, or if perhaps there was more power behind the weak hit that hadn't quite been revealed yet.  If this was all there was to look forward to, though, he didn't quite fancy humoring this scyther with a label such as "enemy."

Zorre
Energy: 21
Items in Use: Defense Scarf (-1 energy to all pokemon rolls)
Inventory:
-Oran Berry (3)
-Sitrus Berry (1)
-Apple (1)
-Reviver Seed (3)


Zorre struck the glaceon's side hard, but his scythes glanced off of the ice-spiked fur like rock on steel. Which was to say, it had barely any effect, if any. Zorre snarled at the unexpected turnabout of his attack. What was this creature, to take a direct hit from his scythes and act like nothing happened? His pelt was like steel!

"Sooo, not as vulnerable as you appear to be on the surface, are you, Darling?" Zorre hissed, a skittering sound vibrating from his throat as he ended the sentence. "Well then... perhaps a little something else might get your attention..."

With those words, Zorre sucked in a huge breath, and then let out a scream of violent proportions, the sound vibrating through the air and rushing in on the glaceon with the force of a raging rhydon.

S.S. awaited the scyther's next attempt at hurting him, brushing off the area of his fur that'd been hit with a paw as a gesture of boredom. The creature kept talking as if it had more tricks left, so that was good. He took note of the odd sound in the bug's voice and gathered that it was about to use a sound-based attack, which meant it probably wouldn't be physical.... Getting around his physical armor by just not committing to physical attacks. Well, at least the guy was somewhat smart, but was he at all strong? Intelligence alone wasn't enough to make for an exciting battle.... maybe it could give Sova a challenge, but he doubted it would be enough for himself.

Then the attack came, and it was indeed sound-based. However, it wasn't really hurting.... For just sound, it had quite a bit of force to it, able to make him take a step back. The odd vibrating sensations were probably meant to hurt, but they really just felt weird to him. Perhaps if he were weaker? Either way, the noise was very annoying, so this wasn't an attack he particularly enjoyed being in the middle of. It still wasn't worth getting out of the way of, though.... So he just started walking toward the scyther, pushing his way through the forceful sound waves with relative ease.

As he walked, the air around him began to drop in temperature along with his body. Ice crystals started forming in the air and the ground would soon be glazing over with frost from the temperature change. He would start off with a fairly weak gesture toward the scyther.... or at least, weak for his own standards. How would Mr. Black and Edgy handle suddenly being in a freezing environment?

Zorre
Energy: 21
Items in Use: Defense Scarf (-1 energy to all pokemon rolls)
Inventory:
-Oran Berry (3)
-Sitrus Berry (1)
-Apple (1)
-Reviver Seed (3)


Zorre finished his screeching attack, and stared, nonplussed, as the glaceon still left no sign that his attack had bothered him in the least. Instead, the creature advanced upon him slyly, an evil grin that matched Zorre's own on its face. As it advanced, Zorre could feel the air cooling around him.

It was like the pokemon carried a personal blizzard around with him. Zorre's red eyes narrowed as the pokemon continued its advance upon him.

"Well, Darling.... you're quite the show, are you not?" he continued his taunts, not caring about the danger he was in. His insanity was so deep that he refused to back down from the situation that he found himself in, even though it was clear by this point that he was greatly outmatched.

"Still, I wonder... you didn't start out like this, no... you were changed, like I... yes... the darkness gave birth to you, no?" he was babbling now, but it didn't matter. The freezing cold was beginning to get to the scyther, who had begun to back away uncomfortably from the lowered temperatures.

S.S. gave a hushed, strained giggle at the scyther's rambling.  Trying to understand him, eh?  Well, he didn't like to think of his situation as being born from "darkness."  He was born out of the negativity of the world affecting an already-pressured mind....  He was born to pay it forward.  And honestly, it seemed like sometimes, his existence was just necessary.  Sova couldn't handle situations like this, but him?  He was fine; more than fine!  He was having fun!  "Darkness?  You could say that, I suppose.  Negativity breeds negativity, hate breeds hate, evil breeds evil...." he responded, then paused both his speech and his movement.

He stared at the scyther for a moment.

"But there's one significant difference between you and I....  Death.... breeds death.  I am death incarnate...." and with that, he suddenly bolted forward toward the scyther so fast that it would seem like teleportation to an untrained eye.
He left behind an afterimage in his original position from the sheer speed of his movement.

"And I'm not interested in sharing my title."

He stood in front of the bug's face, staring with his hollow smile, almost inanimate in appearance.  His body temperature continued to drop and he was now right up next to his opponent.

Zorre
Energy: 21
Items in Use: Defense Scarf (-1 energy to all pokemon rolls)
Inventory:
-Oran Berry (3)
-Sitrus Berry (1)
-Apple (1)
-Reviver Seed (3)


Zorre froze, literally, as the glaceon raced up to meet him face-to-face, with that leering grin that seemed to mock his inability to even land a solid hit on the pokemon. Growling, Zorre lashed out at the creature, his joints creaking as they broke through the thin layer of ice that had grown over his carapace during his brief moment of immobility.

He aimed for the creatures ears, counting on the fact that the creature would be surprised at his ability to keep moving despite the literal freezing of the air around him. The gasses in the air that caused the poisoning in both their systems was freezing and falling to the ground with little tinkles as they broke apart on contact with the suddenly frozen tundra of the cliff-face.

Zorre knew he only had one shot at this and thus threw all of his power behind this one shot, to catch the creature off-guard, hopefully, and knock it off its balance, splattering blood everywhere and allowing Zorre to move away from the demented creature, sure that this pokemon was as insane as he was.