Adventure start. (Open.)

[19-5=14]

A small unimposing forest, having heard a bit from in town apparently this was the place most adventurers start out at. Standing near the entrance of the woods a Mawile stretched his arms out, eyes focused on the forest ahead. "Suppose all I can do is wait till I hear back from em, Should be done once I finish up here." heading to the guild he decided to put an application in, not knowing if it was fine that he didn't have a team per say. "Worse they can say is no I guess." he mumbled to himself as he finished stretching.

It had been a whole day since he trained after all, this didn't set well with the Mawile at all, even near the entrance he seemed full of pep and energy. Bouncing up and down a bit getting himself pumped. "If I can't make it here it'd be embarrassing, here goes nothing " with that last thought to himself Alfonse ran off into the forest hopefully ready to face whatever came his way.

Sosio: {51 - 5 (entrance) = 46}

Items:

The excitable Fletchinder practically danced her way into the forest, a memorable area for her that she had visited only once before with an old friend. Now, she was evolved and in much better health than the time before, and strong enough so she could truly explore the dungeon to its fullest. Really, she was just hoping to get her claws on some useful items more than anything, especially now that she could likely handle anything she came across with ease. She trotted in, her chest puffed as if to remind all the surrounding grass types that she had fire now so none should even dare cross her path.
This'll be a cinch, she thought boldly, already imagining her future adventures, utilizing whatever she found here to bring her further along her journey.

With a flick of her tail, she was off, ready to make haste and leave no stone unturned for treasure, berries, and whatever else she could find. She would stomp with ease on any creature that got in her way. Finally, after so long, she would have an empowering adventure that wouldn't end in total failure.  She surely couldn't get too much stronger, but it was still experience that would add to her abilities overall. That's what she was after more than anything: assurance that she could explore in more difficult dungeons.

Excited and ready to face the challenge he continued running into the forest, only to miss a tree branch in front of him in his excitement and trip. Failing to catch his balance face met ground as he quickly humbled himself within the first five minutes of arriving. Rolling over he pushed himself back up with his second jaw and looked back at the branch. All of the sudden he started giggling to himself, shaking his head. "Look before you run, I can hear mom now."

Stifling his laughter he turned around to go on ahead, not before picking up the smallish branch with his second jaw and chucking it off the main path, not wanting anyone else to enjoy the ground as much as he just did. "Alright Don't let it get you down Alfonse, just gotta double down and go for it." hyping himself up he was again was ready to face the dungeon, not noticing someone else was coming from tbe same way he was.

Sosio: {46}

Items:

As she trotted along, eager to begin, she overheard a muttering coming from nearby. It sounded as if the Pokemon was talking to another, but there was no response or confirmation that it was traveling with anybody else. Sosio decided she didn't have to worry about any threat, and approached out of curiosity about what it was doing. As she grew closer to the source, she was greeted with a very long and flat mouth, similar to the wild plants of the jungle she was so familiar with. It also wasn't like the Carnivine she knew, either, given its color and its short legs. Yet, even though she was facing it, it seemed to be walking the same way she was.

The bird wasn't sure whether she should say something to it, or just follow along casually. Well that would just be creepy, she reasoned silently, mustering up whatever courage so she could face the Pokemon, but for real this time? With a few glances to the stranger, Sosio waddled over next to where the large-jawed creature was walking and matched its pace. She wanted to say something, but the more she thought about it, the more intimidating it got. Whatever happened to her carefree attitude? She knew she would go through some awkward teen stages, but she didn't expect a completely different nature to herself altogether. Now whistling nonchalantly, but very obviously, the Fletchinder tried to make her presence clear to the other.
"Oh, haha," she laughed awkwardly, stopping herself short before saying "didn't see ya there." "Hi there!"
Fantastic start.

Finally back on track making his way through the forest ready to put that little incident behind him. As he walked though he thought he heard more footsteps beside his own, thinking it nothing more then other Pokemon in the forest Alfonse contiued on. It wasn't until the sounds he heard started to match his pace that he started to get concerned about it. Looking straight ahead for some reason being unable to meet the strangers eye he kept walking forward.

The weirdness of the situation had caught him completely off guard, he had no idas what to do in this situation. While racking his brain for something to say the stranger started whistling suddenly making the alert Mawile stop and turn his head towards the noise automatically. "Oh ahh." barely even forming a sentence he wasn't prepared to make he shook his head a bit regaining his his composure. "Hello. I'm ah, Alfonse." giving a small wave unsure of what exactly to say to the bird Pokemon standing in front of him.

Sosio: {46 - Roll}

Items:

The Fletchinder nearly tripped over her own legs as she walked along with uncertainty, trying to introduce herself to the stranger without causing any problems. Her feathers prickled and raised from the stimulation of trying to start a conversation with a potentially dangerous character. However, once the Pokemon opened up and began to talk as well, she was surprised at what she saw. It had two mouths? Already that was nothing like anything the young bird had ever seen before, which was fascinating on its own. She began to wonder everything about the species all at once, stopping herself before asking questions. She could always ask her knowledgeable friend about it later.

"Oh, hi Alfonse!" she spoke chipperly, already over her strangely-placed anxieties and began to gaze with wonder at the creature she just now met. "My name's Sosio, a pleasure to meet you!"
The bird hopped along, suppressing all the questions that swirled her mind. What kind of Pokemon was this? Why did it have two mouths? Could it eat and talk with both of them, or just one? What was Alfonse doing here, and did he want to join Sosio as she explored the dungeon for items? Either way, she was going to tag along until she found what she was looking for. Which hopefully was soon.

aMEWzing carried out 10 launched of one Pecha Forest :

, , , , , , , , ,

(14-5=9)

With his introduction the stranger, now revealed Sosio, happily introduced themselves. Slowly his nerves calmed down as they seemed nice enough, even if it was a bit odd at first. Taking a moment to look over the newcomer he hadn't seen a Pokemon like her, though the redish color made something instinctively rise up, most likely doing to his own weakness to flame. Quickly pushing it down he thought about what to say for a moment.

"Did you want to tag along?" Alfonse offered with a smile, her following him and matching his pace did put him a bit on edge but maybe they were just shy. "I'm not familiar with around here but safety in numbers right?" Part of him didn't want to trust someone he just met in the forest, most of him figured if they wanted to attack they would've already when he wasn't looking.

Mathenus carried out 3 launched of one Pecha Forest :

, ,

Mathenus carried out 3 launched of one Echo World :

, ,

Sosio: {46 - 32 (rolls) = 14}

Items:

As the two strolled along, Sosio kept her eye out for any items that were along their path or in the bushes. As she spotted some, she would dash over and pick them up, placing them precariously in her bag while returning to Alfonse's side.
"Oh, sure, of course!" she chirped excitedly, glad the two were on the same page. "If you need the help, I could always guide you through. I'm very strong, after all," she proclaimed proudly, placing her left wing on her chest as she stated so. If there was anything she liked, it was assisting Pokemon through dungeons that she could manage and they can't. It gave her some form of self-importance that she couldn't manage otherwise, especially since she was so used to being considered useless or a bother. Maybe as she evolved, she would receive more respect and love from those she wanted to befriend? Hopefully, Alfonse was one of these cases.

However, their path was stopped short by 5 Pokemon blocking their path. They looked very serious, which made Sosio wonder what it was they were doing.
"Oh, hi there!" she started. "We're just some explorers looking to adventure in the dungeon, so if you'll excuse us..."
"Absolutely not," the Murkrow spat, approaching the Fletchinder angrily, clearly very determined to keep anyone from passing.
"Wh-what?" she stuttered back, confused as to why they wouldn't let others into Pecha Forest of all the dungeons. "Look, I'm very strong, see? So whatever's going on, I can handle it!" Clearly, the other Pokemon believed so, considering as soon as Sosio approached the other Pokemon had stepped back cautiously, knowing she had a type advantage. All, except for the fellow bird.

"I assure you that not even you can handle this," the dark Pokemon strained with fury in his eyes. "-and for your own good, you will stay behind this line." Now more forceful than ever, the navy blue bird stepped forward, shoulders and head raised in the most intimidating stance he could manage. This, however, just confused the less intelligent bird further. Why was he so particular about this? Surely she could just pass with ease without any issue. As she brushed past the others with an "excuse me," the Murkrow gave a silent nod over to one of the Pokemon. Tangela stepped forward, and just before she got past them, Sosio was knocked out in an instant. Fast asleep, the other Pokemon on guard carried her off to the side and out of the way. Without any further hesitation, the Nincada targetted Alfonse with a poison move, unaware that his steel typing made him impervious to the status condition.

"This portal is incredibly dangerous! Don't let them get past!" The Murkrow was now shouting, desperate to keep any passers-by from entering, whether by mistake or on purpose.

(0)

Well it seemed they were on the same page, Alfonse counted himself lucky. If he was right and they had fire it would most likely be better for them on his side instead of against. "Glad to hear it, I'm no slouch myself though." Punching his fist into his open Palm,  if there was one thing he liked it was showing his strength. "Won't let you have all the fun." now he was excited for the adventure, part of him wanted to challenge Sosio right here right now but he decided against it.

Deciding against it wasn't what he wanted though, 5 other Pokemon blocked their way further into the forest. They seemed quite adamant on not letting them through. "I don't think that's for you to decide, we'll be fine so step aside." Alfonse was calm while talking, wasn't about to lose it unless they wanted to fight. Which he was more then happy to do. Sosio didn't seem bothered and started making her way through them, Alfonse waited a second extending his hand about to warn Sosio but he was too late. Carting her off Alfonse was left all alone against the enemies.

"Alright then, if that's how you wanna do this." his voice and face seemed to shift, an intense and serious voice accompanied his similar face. Alfonse charged forward into the attack, it bounced off his body harmlessly, continuing to chare at the Nicada, spinning around in front of them as the jaws on his head glowed white and he aimed to slam them into the bug to send them flying.

Sosio: {14}

Items:

Sosio was still out cold on the ground, being guarded by the Pineco and Morelull who had Ingrained their roots that tangled around the bird and into the ground. The other three were mobile and perfectly battle-ready as Alfonse seemed to face up to the challenge. The Murkrow continued to stand his ground, surrounded on either side by his companions who were ready to face the Mawile. The Nincada had foolishly shot an ineffective needle, completely bodied by the physical attack that deflected its own, now knocked onto its back that it struggled to recover from.

The Tangela, however, seized its opportunity and launched its vines to grab hold of the steel creature, constricting his ability to move. The plant looked so furious with anger that it was almost ready to strangle Alfonse just at that moment, but in a silent wave of direction, the Murkrow lifted one wing to stop any further violence. He strode casually up to the stranger Pokemon, calmly and patiently as he stared the other in the eye.
"Don't fight when you have no idea what happened here," the bird's voice was stern, but forcibly so as if to hide any hint of emotion. "Innocent souls were lost here forever, and it's up to us to make sure no one else ends up the same way!"
At the end of his sentence, he stomped his leg down in fury. With looks of worry, the Nincada who found his way back on his feet patted the dark type's back in consolation, whose eyes were tightly shut in pain.
"Now if there are no further protests, we will gladly escort you your way back," He had turned on his heel, refusing to face Alfonse any longer as the others prepared to push the two wanderers away.

OOC:

Alfonse couldn't help but smirk as he hit his mark, watching the Pokemon hit the ground far away Alfonse felt a bit more confidant in this fight. This proved to be his downfall as he noticed a bit too late the vines creeping up at him, jumping back he wasn't able to avoid them. Leg and arm grabbed and didn't seem like they'd be able to move for a bit as he wasn't strong enough to yank them off instantly. Looking up at the enraged opponent Alfonse braced himself for another attack but they were stopped by the Murkrow raising his wing.

Alfonse met the Murkrows eye as he talked with a similar stern look. He made sure to listen to what they had to say until he mentioned any objections, carefully thinking through his words Alfonse sighed shaking his head lightly. "Look, I get it alright, That thing is dangerous. You're looking out for your fellow explorer I can respect that." Alfonse said his voice much softer then the serious tone he had before. "But at the same time I know it's a risk, and I still want to go. It's my life to risk, my choice. I don't want to fight you if I don't have to." Alfonse closed his eyes as a pink light surrounded him, as it did a strong sparkling wind blew around him aimed solely on the vines that bound him "Please stand aside, this is the only time I'm asking." it was obvious on his face he wasn't about to be deteered unless they beat him down.

Sosio: {14}

Items:

While the events of the forest floor continued on, Sosio struggled in her sound sleep, trying to wake herself from the status condition so she could get back on track. The war of her dreams and her will raged on as a battle of her own, her consciousness fighting to free itself from the temporary infliction. Those that were watching her loosened their grip slightly, exchanging a worried glance about her state as if it was something they'd done that made her react that way. The dreams in Sosio's mind weren't caused by the contact of a grip, however, and continued regardless of whether she was being held down or not. Even so, it was not yet her chance to awaken and continue what she tried while still awake.

The Murkrow continued to walk away, gesturing directions to those around him with a heavy head as he was about to send the explorers on their way, but everyone hesitated and he stopped dead in his tracks as Alfonse began to speak again.
"I am no explorer," a solemn tone had finally gripped his voice as if he were bottling emotions he could no longer contain. His pace halted, the bird's head turned slowly, still refusing to reveal his eyes to the stranger. "I was a father." He spoke quietly and painfully, trying to still disguise the croak in his gullet with the bitterness of loss he hung onto still. His stance was no longer tall and proud as he sunk lower to the ground in defeat, pained to share any emotions at all with someone he never even met. All those around him nodded and lowered their heads with closed eyes, their silence speaking for their empathy as sorrow flooded the sky faster than darkness coming after the setting sun.

Without another word exchanged, the Tangela apologetically loosened its grip on the Mawile, sinking to the ground it stood on. The Murkrow finally turned, slowly but surely foot after foot to reveal his expression. No longer serious, depression and desperation clouded his eyes and features, his form nearly opposite of what he had shown them before.
"If you insist that you have nothing to lose, then I guess all we can say now is... Good luck," the dark type's voice had a whole new softness to it, his heart now weakened at the memory of losing a loved one to the mysterious portal he spoke of before. Everyone stepped aside to reveal a nearly invisible distortion, almost remaining unnoticed save for the slight change in color of the environment past the line, where everything appeared cooler and darker. Stepping along the outside showed no physical aspects to the gash in time and space, sitting in the world as a 2-dimensional window that was only fully visible when viewing it head-on. The peculiar anomaly had no other tells that it could be dangerous, so anyone could see how one might manage to accidentally waltz right into it.

As fast as she could, Sosio snapped awake, flailing her wings groggily in an attempt to fight off those were around her, unaware of the events that just occurred.
"Alright, everyone back the heck off if you.. don't wanna get. Hurt..." she slurred, stumbling back over to Alfonse's side. With a violent shake of her head and a nearly missed impact to the ground, the fiery bird came to, looking to the steely Pokemon inquisitively. "Woah wait, what happened? And why does everyone look so..." she glanced around at the crew that had attacked them before. "...sad?" Finishing up her speech with the lack of a better term in her sleepy head, she pieced the story together as she woke up fully.
"Wow, so you're really letting us go? Thank you, mister!" She had nearly bounced over to the other bird, ready to shake his wing as she forgot to notice the clear atmosphere around her.

"Just... Be careful," the Murkrow spoke with a broken heart. "and if you find anyone lost in there, please bring them back if you can..."
The very-first mission for a first-time adventuring duo. How awesome!

Alfonse went silent as the Murkrow revealed he wasn't an explorer, but a father? Sadness gripped Alfonse when he heard that, thoughts going back to his own family back in rainfront. His mom, dad and Diana, he could easily see them doing the very same as the Murkrow in front of him. "I didn't, oh." it truely sunk in just what the Murkrow meant when he said that. The depression and sadness Alfonse saw in his eyes clarified what Alfonse hoped was wrong.

Alfonse thought about the words he said carefully, Alfonse didn't have much to lose but he couldn't bare to imagine what him vanishing or dying would do to his family, could they recover? But more then that Alfonse felt a different feeling, a burning resolve deep inside as he held his hand to his chest clenching his fist serious look on his face. But before Alfonse could say anything Sosio came and ruined the atmosphere, you could almost feel the tension break.

"I'll fill you in on what happened Sosio." Alfonse promised as he looked over to the Murkrow. "I promise, I'll do what I can to find anyone lost in there, I'll bring them back." Alfonse offered to the stranger, his tone was serious despite all that just happened. Alfonse stared at the distortion, never hearing anything about it made him concerned, but the new resolve in his heart made him ready.

Sosio: {14 - 5 (entrance) = 9}

Items:

Still confused about the events that occurred while she was asleep, Sosio accepted Alfonse's offer to explain later as he finished his conversation with the mysterious Murkrow. As far as the bird could tell, everyone had sorted things out as she dozed off, and fortunately, she was as forgiving as she's always been, even when it came to being put to sleep against your own will. With a wave of her wings as a farewell, the Fletchinder stepped into the portal, shivers traveling down her spine as they entered the strange new world. As far as she could tell, everything was exactly the same, yet somewhat off. It was almost like a perfect mirror to the Pecha Forest she had known, and the glassy mirror transport was no longer visible after entering.

The dark bird also bid his goodbyes, his hunched posture implying that this was how he usually was when he wasn't keen on protecting what he cared about and putting on a face to do so effectively. His heart seemed to break as he left his hope with two strangers, opening his beak to say one last thing to Alfonse: "Good luck out there, and be safe... Thank you..." At that, everyone parted as if they might never see one another again, and Sosio wondered from their grim expressions if that would be true. Either way, she would remain confident in her exploration to ensure that things went as smoothly as she wanted them to.
"So, ready to head into the unknown?" The fire type asked, pulling her messenger bag higher onto her shoulder as she prepared to move further into the distorted dungeon. Given that the Mawile had prepared to attack everyone just to get in, she assumed the answer was yes, but decided to check anyway. No harm in patience, after all.

Alfonse didn't know much about Pecha forest, the regular one not the super weird one. Even he could tell something was up with what was through that portal. Before he could step through though the wind he stirred up before seemed to still echo around, before he took the leap he felt something fall on his shoulder, a ribbon seemingly plain but while on his shoulder it seemed to soothe it. Deciding it might help while taking the plung he quickly tied the ribbon around his neck loosely. His body felt a lot better afterwards.

"Ready as I'll ever be." Alfonse responded looking around after he entered, looking around he felt a chill run up his spine as he looked around. "This place is weird, oh right apparently the Murkrow lost someone in here, he was trying to keep others out so no one would accidentally enter " he remembered he offered to tell her as he contiued forward looking around. "But hearing that I can't just let them be trapped in here, I want to find them." Alfonse wouldn't turn a blind eye to someone in need.

As he looked around a pair of blueish eyes seemed to stare at them from afar, deftly moving through the trees watching the new arrivals. Alfonse felt the eyes on him looking over in the direction. They quickly vanished though leaving the Mawile looking at nothing. "This place is weird though, but a bit exciting." Alfonse would be lying if he said he wasn't excited about being here.

(Heal Ribbon Equipped.)