Crowded Coppice

energy:

Isolation still seemed like a far-off dream for him.

Goro the Croagunk normally spent his days battling wild Pokémon in his home Dungeon, Cattail Marsh, and his evenings taking in the beautiful scenery provided by the Firefly Pokémon that were native there. Unfortunately, it seemed most of Rainfront Town had the same idea-- it seemed like he was chasing out more and more tourists every evening he spent at home, as citizens from both Grassveil and Rainfront swarmed the Marshlands to observe the sights. He couldn't rest easy knowing that there were visitors just a few stone's throws away. The Croagunk wasn't sure if it was the summer season that made the humid, wet Marsh so appealing, or if it was simply easier to reach for the nearby populace.

Either way, his home was overrun with tourists and Goro was distinctly chafed with the whole situation. It stood to reason he needed a place to unwind; he'd heard stories about the Fallen Leaf Copse, the small forest island nestled on the lake to the west of Grassveil. The scenery was supposed to be to die for; the eternal autumn colors reflecting off the surrounding lake waters creating a gorgeous visage. Goro wasn't normally one for sightseeing this way, but witnessing the similar view at Cattail Marsh seemed to have sparked a passing interest in sightseeing for the normally hermit-like Croagunk.

At times like these, all he wanted was some peace and quiet. The Copse seemed like a perfect place to lay low for a while-- he'd go for a stroll, maybe train against some feral Pokémon home to the Dungeon. Goro strode forward on the cobblestone trail, the lake's island in clear sight. He could make out a path of stepping stones in the distance-- it stood to reason that there was a path for Pokémon unable to swim.

energy ¦ 18:

Meanwhile, Yooka was already inside the forest. She'd had alot happen in the past couple days and more could potentially occur in the events coming soon. The copse was known for it's peace but... everytime she comes here there has always been some conflict. She kept near the waters edge to make sure she didn't come across any pokemon inside for that reason. She wanted to be alone, but also not really. Just someone to talk to.

The moment was great, if it wasn't for the one thing. She may have done something considered bad in her line of work that she currently regrets. She wants to find a way to fix her mistake before she gets blamed by someone of equal judgment. The little guy seemed to think she's given him a second chance or something. When really she doesn't know what she's done. She still doesn't really know and doesn't really want to know. The next time this situation happens she'll just deny the opportunity. She doesn't want to go through this again.

Energy:

From one forest to another Yigo followed the purple lady. He had come to her side to become strong enough to be part of Grassveil´s community but even then his mind was split. He had three options: joining the Police as an apprentice, accept  Alki´s invitation to her team or stay with Yooka as long as she allowed him to do so. However, for each of those goals, he lacked the same characteristics: willpower and strength. He had already experienced the misfortunes that came by the lack of those traits... and he had enough.

Their journey had led them to a land of oranges and yellows where water got trapped below leaves and enclosed in a barrier of sand and gravel. Its forest´s trees left out a sense of peace and tranquillity as only the breeze shaking the flora and their steps stomping leaves could be heard. That natural rhythm almost set him in a trance, but having to hold a special card with his mouth —as he didn´t any container to carry it in— and following Yooka had him occupied. On the other hand, the explorer seemed completely captivated by the forest. Maybe that was today´s lesson.

Silence was golden and nature had to be appreciated.

This is nice. In its own sorta way. Goro adeptly hopped from stepping stone to stepping stone, almost idly making his way towards the forested island. The weather seemed almost perfect; just north of humid with an almost eternal breeze, washing over him pleasantly enough that a long, content croak crept out of him before he realized it. Rather than be upset with this lack of control, the Croagunk grinned crookedly as he leaped from the last stepping stone, touching down on the island. For the first time in his life, Goro was almost excited to enter a dungeon. Not unnerved at all, actually.  I oughta get out more. See more places like this.

He strode through the first of the trees smoothly, feeling that tell-tale drain of energy that occurred every time a Pokémon entered a dungeon. It wasn't as intense it usually was-- either his training was starting to pay off, or the Copse wasn't as dangerous most other dungeons. Prolly a bit o' both. He was barely ten paces into this copse, and already he felt his mood lifting. Perhaps he was starting to see the appeal of traveling like this-- could he really blame those tourists back home?

Yeah. Sure can. His shoulders relaxed and his pace distinctly unhurried, lazy in its appearance, Goro strode forward, a merry grin on his face while he took in the sights around him.

The moment was better than she thought it was going to be. The Sandshrew that decided to follow her was pretty, uh... something. Why was it? She could only think of three things really. He either was attached to her on a more personal level, He wanted to repay her for what she did, or just didn't know what to do. She didn't mind having the company, but he was being quiet most of the time. She doesn't remember what went on that made the Sandshrew this way. She had a headache and was confused during the last bit of that mission. She hasn't even returned yet to Grassveil from that mission.

Yooka Looked over to the Sandshrew and asked a rather complex question of infamous potential, "You bored too?" The question was super out of place, considering where they are. The place did not interest her, it was the silence this place could get that she rather liked. She got up after asking that question, just to immediately say something else. "I was going to get a few items from here but, uh... I guess I should have asked you on the way... I guess I was just a bit out of it, till now. If we find enough colored leaves, perhaps I could do something with them for you. Not sure how that'll work out but, eh... I guess it's something to do." She sighed a long disappointed 'eep. "Patience and peace, in this place... is not easy, despite what it's known for. Most pokemon here are rather aggressive. except the big ones, oddly."

ooc, how's this as a side note?:

((Fifth Post starts us off!))

Ravio carried out 5 launched of one Fallen Leaf Copse :

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The Sandshrew was starting to fall under the spell of the forest. Yooka´s steps set a rhythm easy enough to follow without thinking as the environment stopped having that much importance. His eyes were about to get closed to feel the nature through other senses when he heard the explorer´s voice. "Uh?" He was a bit lost after falling in the trance so he hadn´t really understood what she said. Wasn´t the point of this place enjoying the silence and the landscape? Apparently, it wasn´t. She wanted to find items in that forest.

Those were happy news! With the card still in his mouth, Yigo nodded cheerfully, waving his tail as he moved. Finding items was something his mother had prepared him to do for a long time and seemed like an easy task; besides, if she wanted just wanted leaves, it was even easier. Maybe the challenge was getting specific leaves while avoiding those aggressive Pokemon. Yooka looked back at the Kecleon with a random leave on his hand while picking the card with the other "Leaves like this one? I can find as many as you want!"

Without waiting for her answer, he went from a pile of leaves to the next picking leaves of different shades of the few colours that were available. Deeply, he knew that Yooka didn´t want normal leaves. He just wanted to show that he was ready to work and fetch whatever she needed. After finishing with the leaves, he sat down in front of her with a mouthful of leaves and the card still in his hand, tail shaking "Are these enough?" he asked after spitting the leaves he was carrying in his mouth.

PrimordialPrim carried out 5 launched of one Fallen Leaf Copse :

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Inside the woods, he found a tranquil, silent scenery that defied any expectations of a mystery dungeon. Only the dull, quiet sounds of nature filtered through the thicket, winding about tall trees and falling autumn leaves. Goro's own breathing seemed almost deafening for all it was the only noise in his world, and the poison-fighting hybrid was all the more relaxed for it. The Croagunk hiked through the woodland easily, reveling in the perfect weather and feeling of total solitude. He'd never thought he'd be the kind of Pokémon to enjoy a late afternoon hike through the woods, of all pastimes.

Goro paused in his stroll, resting a hand against a tree next to him, eyes closed as he felt a sense of peace that he wasn't afforded back home. As suited to him as the Marsh was, there was a need for eyes in the back of his head, so to speak, for fear of Rainfront of even Grassveil citizenry traveling through to the Mire, to say nothing of the feral Pokémon that seemed keen on paying him back for attacking them daily. Granted, he was sure this Dungeon was at least as popular as his own was, but for the moment it was very easy for him to imagine he was alone. And he found he quite liked that about the Fallen Leaf Copse.

Still, as nice as this is... Almost forlornly, Goro turned from the tree he rested next to and strode in a random direction, hopefully further into the dungeon, a sense of purpose almost visible in his stride. Relaxation was the name of the game, here, and if there was one thing that tended to clear his head it was a good scrap. A long day of irritations and stress was often solved by hunting down ferals to beat on, and unfortunately, his home Dungeon had grown stale in its offerings. A good battler needed experience fighting all different kinds of Pokémon, so it was only necessary that he branch out in terms of training. I did come here lookin' fer a change of pace, so ta speak.
Let's see what the Copse 'kin give me.

the sunset hero carried out 5 launched of one Fallen Leaf Copse :

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energy¦ 13:

It was odd... her mind was clearer then ever, yet she felt like she's forgetting something important. Yigo was going around collecting the natural leaves from the forest. This almost made her chuckle, but unfortunately her thoughts were elsewhere. When he asked Yooka if this was enough she was shaking her head slowing while pondering. "Why do I feel like I forgot something...?" The unsettling white noise of nature wasn't bothering her. The noise from the sandshrew wasn't bothering her.

She passed the thought for later, she quickly waved a hand over the leaves spreading them out more than he placed. "nah, none of thes-- oh, wait... there's one." An odd looking leaf stood out from the rest. It looked more like a herb than a leaf, what with its lengthy little side whatevers, compared to the fat normal ones. "I'm looking for leaves like this one. they could be a verity of different colors."

She stared at the leaf itself. Pretty fast find, usually they are uncommon. She herself started to look around but stumbled upon a ribbon caught in a bush. As she slipped it out she noticed a berry underneath it. Yooka blinked and thoughtlessly picked up the berry aswell. Her mind was too distracted to pay attention. Just focused on collecting and searching. Until something finally clicks.

((ok, note to self... This place is one of them expensive places... i've only seen ursarings as the highest costing roll for quite some time... uh... however you guys want to portray the rolled pokemon, try not to knock your character's out. xD))

Ravio carried out 3 launched of one Fallen Leaf Copse :

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Energy:

By pure chance, Yigo apparently got it right. One of the leaves he had found was what Yooka was looking for. Its strange shape told it apart from the other useless pile, being it longer and more grass-looking than the rest. Both of them examined the item for a second just to continue their search. While the explorer went to a nearby area to begin with her hunt, Yigo decided to get to higher ground; after all, that leaf had to fall from a tree and, implying that its leaves were as unique as the one he picked up, the tree should be easily distinguishable.

With haste, Yigo searched across a nearby opening with a simple dirt road that led to the top a clear hill. He could hear the sound of small wings flapping around accompanied by the smell of pollen. Bug types were nearby. Feeling endangered, he quickly went into hiding in some bushes. Within seconds, a Dustox and a Beatufly got to the opening, sipping off flowers on their way in a move that made dust particles and petals be carried by the wind. They were performing a strange dance, circling each other and making the air current flow in circles. The tiny cyclone generated by their actions drew in many leaves and flowers, filling it with dust of many colours. When the pair had enough fun, they flew away towards the open hill, dissolving the cyclone on their leave and making all the carried goods be spread across the zone.

Being sure that the bugs were gone, Yigo decided to leave his hideout and enjoy the spectacle of the wind for a bit. Rolling around and jumping to clusters of leaves and pollen made the Sandshrew laugh and enjoy his time at the copse to the point that he forgot what was he supposed to be doing. Unfortunately, all the noise had attracted the attention of a more focused and stealthier Pokemon. Sneaking behind the distracted Sandshrew a Sentret pounced on his prey with its claws unsheathed. A loud scream could be heard not too far away from the opening as the Sentret struck relentlessly at his opponent, not leaving him any chance to recover.

Sentret:

energy:

Meanwhile, yards away, Goro stood in a small clearing, bereft for a few meters of crowding trees, his arms tense at each side of him and beneath his foot, a bruised and battered Teddiursa. The ursine cub had tried ambushing him moments earlier-- having stumbled through the clearing, claws waving about wildly. The ambush was amateurish and the fight was short-lived; no doubt his attacker was feral, telegraphing his assault with a loud snarl, no attempts at subtlety or conversation whatsoever. A single Drain Punch sufficed to ground it, before Goro kicked at the bear cub Pokémon sternly enough for it to submit. He pressed down cruelly on the wild Pokémon's torso, prompting a weak, pained yowl from it.

"Cheeky. I thought I heard that th' Copse wasn't too dangerous. Real hostile lil' thing, too, aren't ya?" The Croagunk paused for a moment, looking about the clearing as if expecting another arrival. He wasn't by any means an experienced Dungeon crawler. Cattail Marsh was perhaps the only one he delved into regularly, and that was because he slept there. Ergo, he hadn't any clue as to when and where to expect feral Pokémon to approach him. "Ya got a momma bear lurkin' anywhere close? Else ya wouldn't be so eager, I reckon."

Goro frowned when all the response he got was unintelligible growls and yips, clear signs that the Pokémon was hopelessly feral. Not that he hadn't suspected, but if it was going to reveal itself, now would have been the time. The poison-fighter hybrid pressed down harder on the Teddiursa, uncaring of its growing cries, before harshly kicking in the side, sending it rolling feet away. "Fine-- go on, git. Don't lemme see ya again, or I'll be less nice."

He relaxed when the Teddiursa seemed to have gotten the message, limping away with perhaps a well-learned lesson about assaulting visiting fighting-types. Or probably not, he hadn't the slightest clue how smart ferals were. He only hoped that it wouldn't return with an Ursaring for revenge; he knew he had advantages in his poison touch and fighting-type attacks but a Pokémon that size and strength could-- and would-- probably just overpower him instantly.

A panicked shout disrupted his musings, sounding alarmingly close in proximity. He jerked into motion before he realized it, hurriedly striding towards the noise. It occured to him dimly as he rushed through the forest that this Dungeon was popular among Grassveil citizens-- and the voice he heard sounded disturbingly young.

energy:

energy¦ 2:

After a few moments of finding the ribbon she found a scarf. A trap scarf, what unfortunate luck. She already had her defense sca--- Yooka cringed. The scarf was around her bag not her... She immediately re-wraped the scarf in similar fashion to the... ehem, "cyborg 009 series characters" ((OOC reference: for I have NO clue how to explain that. xD)) She also looked at her hands. At least they were still wrapped in the ribbons in similar fashion to boxer wraps. Her left hand was wrapped by a sun ribbon. While her right hand was wrapped by a lunar ribbon. She fist bumped herself as she blinked to look at her suroundings. She noticed a thunderstone among some random rocks. what luck! an actually valuable item of practically who cared.

She bagged the stone but held onto the scarf. perhaps it'll be a gift for Yigo. Where is Yigo? Just as cliche as it could come she heard a rather disturbed noise coming from relatively close by. At first she thought he wasn't close by due to how quiet the place is, but she found out she was wrong. He was on the other side of a few bushes. A sentret was apparently giving him a hard time, but the thing was rather merciless.

Yooka jumped the bushed and rushed at the pokemon she wanted to shove the thing into next tuesday. Her fist glowed orange as she reeled back remembering that first move Goro did to her back at his place. It may not have been drain punch but she had to get the thing off! She was pissed. Not at Yigo, but at herself. She should have warned this place was dangerous despite the serenity of the place. She was a fool!

((OOC: 0 energy after a roll. Using one of my two revival seeds on yigo if Prim allows it. also, i too am going to have 0 energy so I too am using a revival seed. Goro don't you dare fudge up. X3

Prim use the sawsbuck to knock out Yooka, if you wish. :3))

Ravio carried out 2 launched of one Fallen Leaf Copse :

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Feral Pokemon came in many ways. Some there stupid and harmless while others were aggressive and knew what they were doing. Unfortunately, the Sentret followed the latter category. Its swipes were not aimed randomly, it knew where to attack. The first strike was directed to Yigo´s right eye and ended on his nose. The consequences of the attack left Yigo blinded and unable to spot his predator anymore while the pain was enough not to make him react. It´s second swipe got to his right leg, to prevent him from running away in case that, somehow, he managed to get the Sentret off of him. The Sentret planned a third strike at the Sandshrew´s chest to finish it off but an outside force struck it with such a force that when it recovered from the hit, it was at a tree´s foot.

Yigo could feel the damage that the Sentret had inflicted on him. Even worse, he had shouted, surely attracting even more predators to his position. That was probably the reason he felt the weight of the Sentret lifted from him. Some else came... and they were going to fight to claim him as the victors. Yigo´s only chance was to escape while he still got a chance but the open wound on his leg prevented him from standing up or curling in to roll away.  A look at his hands, now painted red, with his unharmed eye was enough to tell himself what to do. Putting one claw in front of the other, the Sandshrew managed to drag his body away from where he was, leaving an easily readable trail of red behind. He had been lucky enough to get away without being interrupted. What was keeping the hunters entertained for that long?

ooc:

Goro's heart stopped beating for a moment, as he veered around a tree and found the source of the panicked yell earlier. A very visibly panicking Sandshrew was being attacked by a clearly wild Sentret, obviously scared witless by his ambusher. No doubt this was the Pokémon that cried out earlier. For a moment, the Croagunk could do nothing but stare dumbly as the raging Sentret tore into the Sandshrew with a pair of vicious and intelligent claw strikes, coppery red blood spilling from his victim's wounds. He jerked stiffly at the sight of blood before abruptly surging forward, unthinking, charging at the aggressive feral while his body operated on autopilot.

Sentret by themselves normally looked very non-threatening, with their round, fluffy bodies, tall ears and stubby feet, and the big fluffy tail. But this one took feral to a T, with furious beady eyes, bared fangs and bloody claws that gave it a dangerous look. No wonder the Sandshrew was terrified.

Still, Goro was made of sterner stuff than that. He stepped forward intently, his fist flaring white with a potent white energy-- the signature mark of his Drain Punch attack-- just before a purple lizard burst through the bushes to the side of him and cold-cocked the Sentret across the face with a glowing fist. The move was obviously super effective, as the normal-type's head rolled backward, teetering dangerously in place, its stubby arms waving backward instinctively to balance itself.  Goro moved before he could think, rushing forward right next to Yooka, following her attack with his own Drain Punch, burying his fist harshly in the Sentret's chest, directly in the center of the beige circle on its midriff.

The feral let out one last weak cry as it curled up on itself, before toppling forward as unconsciousness took over. For all its fanfare, the feral had gone down in two super effective attacks.  The Croagunk breathed out harshly as he glanced at the Sentret lying at his feet, before tensely taking in the strange Pokémon in front of him. He was distinctly reminded of the strange Pokémon that he fought with and against, in his territory in Cattail Marsh. The only difference was the distinct difference in color... no doubt they were the same type of Pokémon, however.

Goro glanced behind him towards the Sandshrew, only to notice the trail of red he left in his escape. Clearly, it took the opportunity to escape, although he wouldn't get far trailing blood like that. More ferals would be on his tail before he knew it-- and he couldn't have gotten far. Any wild critter that smelled the blood in the air would be closing in on his area as well.

But for now, he had another Pokémon to deal with. Goro turned to Yooka and clenched his fists resolutely, taking in the lizard Pokémon in front of him speculatively. His posture was tense but not overly aggressive. "You friendly, stranger? Or are ya lookin' for a brawl?"

Pokémon that have yet to be dealt with:

all of them are do-able, but not at once or were f***ed:

The feeling of the punch landing... was familiar. The rush of sudden power... de ja vu. The move Yooka used... did she use to have it before? no-- yes! a long time ago, back at her fathers place! She stood where she smashed the sentret. Just staring at her fist. She blinked. She concentrated. Nothing happened. Was she seeing things? No, couldn't be, she swore she felt like she's done that before. Why isn't the move reforming?

A few moments after Yooka's fist landed and she quickly thought of the sensation, another being had finished off the sentret. Not only that but the dragging of the sandshrew finally got Yooka's attention. Yooka ignored the sudden helper as she yelped out "Yigo?!" She remembered she still clutched the trap scarf in the other fist. Perfect. Countinuing to ignore the other pokemon, as it spoke. she rushed at Yigo and began to wrap his more obvious wounds. Bit clumsy, bit rushed, but what do expect in a panic. After which she quickly took out a revival seed. It wasn't needed as Yigo did not faint, but she slipped in under the wrapped scarf incase he ever does.

"Dammit. I'm still slow. That was a bit close, but you'll live." Her skin crawled from the sensation of panicking. Usually she would return to her original color, but whatever that pokemon did back at Grassveil... The feeling hurt as she remained purple... but It hurt worse back at Grassveil. she doesn't remember how or what had happened during that time, as the pain had knocked her out. She hated this feeling, but she doesn't want to go through that experience again. "Ah! right. You." She finally registered the crougunk. Standing up and stared at him. showing absolutely no signs of hostility considering it helped than hindered. "Uh... thanks? I suppose? heh... You, do look and sound familiar ...no, nevermind, but what was it you said? I wasn't paying attention." she looked slant-ways towards the sandshrew. "Was a little occupied."

Yigo had been caught unguarded and damaged in key areas. He was leaving a trail behind, he couldn´t move fast, he couldn´t see right. however, his ears could still catch audio. They twitched until they´ve heard alarming noises: two hits and a cry that grew weaker each second... until it had faded. It looked that someone was able to achieve victory and wanted to claim its prize. With a bit of desperation, Yigo tried to put his feet into motion, believing that if he couldn´t it would be his end. However, he could hear Yooka proving him wrong.

He faced her with his injured eye, only viewing a blurred imaged painted red between copious blinking. That was enough to see her terrified expression. She didn´t want to see him like this... and Yigo wished she needn´t to. Having to see someone injured was never easy, it made people regret decisions and believe that it is their fault! Yigo had to suffer that mainly twice: once having to see his mother almost consumed by a Torkoal´s flames and, days later, being unable to help Yooka after she had shielded him with her own body. Yigo remembered what did someone feel in those situations and he unquestionably didn´t want her to feel that way. That Sandshrew may not be strong but he could be resilient if it was on other´s shake.

"Yooka... I-I´m saf-" he got interrupted by her charge, hastily wrapping around his snout and part of his head a pink piece of clothing that was long enough to cover his scar. As for the wound on his leg... he had concealed it by pressing it against the ground. Yigo could not bear knowing that he was hindering the explorer, that he was wasting her resources when they got to the copse just to find more; besides, he could walk on three legs if needed. To make matters worse, there was another issue Yooka couldn´t deal with: the scent of open wounds and the battle racket was surely going to attract more attention.

Being in contact with the ground, he felt it shake subtly. Something heavy was stepping forth and it wasn´t the one the explorer was talking to. To transmit the information to Yooka without untying the cloth from his mouth Yigo grabbed her arm and pulled it a few times to catch her attention to later point at the direction of the unidentified source of the shockwaves. He looked at her with his only uncovered eye, wide and worried, to then try to push her away towards the opposite direction to convince her to leave the place without saying a single word. Her... friend could just follow them.