Fantasy Pokémon Travelers

[mdebourg]

The bug staying in the bag would appear at least to be calm for the moment thanks to Andy and Cada, given Andy, there was no way he wasn't going to make the bug one strong pokemon for sure now, the bug having a nap in the bag.

Of course, Ninny doesn't listen to him when it came to resting and so gave up on that idea while he got ready to head out tomorrow, right now he just needed some sleep as ALOT had happened today, letting out a big yawn after the little hugfest was over. This did bring about a question of where they would head to next as there were 2 more exits out of Hawthorn besides the one from Maidenhair, one to the east and one to the south.

The next day thanks to last night was filled with heartfelt goodbyes mainly from Genna and Andy, while Gunther did get his in as well, he wasn't one for many of them though both would wave the two off. Andy now refreshed from a nights snooze, would have to stop to obtain more natural herbs and spices just in case situations arose yet again, and they certainly would at some point, he did also need to get in some training for Aqua and Iris, the ledyba, as well.

 

[Baphomet]

Ninny and Andy were always traveling from place to place. Sometimes though, they would choose to relax a little. This was one of those times. Since Andy had just obtained Ladyba, bringing his Pokémon count to two, and Cada had evolved, they decided it would be a good idea to do a little bit of training with their new Pokémon.


"Ninjask, catch," called Ninny, tossing a fist-sized rock in the air. She was pracricing hand-eye coordination with Cada since he can fly now. It was a beautiful day out. Despite the coming winter, it was warm enough to lay her cloak on the ground so she could play and train with Cada.


"Man, I'm kinda jealous you upped yoah (your) limit. I can still only have my Cada," she casually mentioned to Andy, still focused on Cada. She had previously attempted to tame a wild Cramorant to no effect. She didn't realize it was because, despite already being at the second limit, she had Shedinja, who had been following from a distance, keeping itself hidden. Only Cada, the Ninjask, knew about it, and he wasn't saying a word.

 

[mdebourg]

Andy during this period would be having Aqua practice bouncing for now, not the normal bouncing that she uses for movement but more an actual attack. She wasn't her evolved form yet but those forms did have quite a bit of weight to them and so was going to train the mouse to put that weight to use. Andy would have Iris taking it a lot slower. With her body only recently being bandaged up, he couldn't have her pushing herself right now, the bug still trying and currently not able to fly, with all her tries just ending in smacking the ground leaving the two frowning and iris to let out a dejected sigh.

He heard Ninny's comment and nodded, "Surely you will get another if you want to as well but wasn't about to leave Iris to die given Aqua was nearly in the same boat." this had Andy look wistfully into the distance for a moment before going scoop up Iris to avoid her smacking herself over and over, now wearing her own frown just wanting to fly again. "You have to give it time, they are set in place but it's going to take a bit before you can even move them."

Iris frowns nodding just very forlorn for the moment, Andy giving her a few pets as well now.

 

[Baphomet]

Ninny would brood for a bit over Andy getting a second Pokémon before her. She was secretly competitive about a lot of things, but only those she thought she could win. She felt no competitive spirit with Andy when it came to logic, wit or other matters of the mind. It's all just friendly competition of course, and it's one-sided, as she never announces any competition, but she still gets sour.

The whole day wouldn't be spent training. It was still a beautiful day, and everyone needs rest. There was a gentle breeze that carried the scent of the falling autumn leaves. As Ninny & Cada finished up some training, Cada would start to bug Aqua to get her to play. Meanwhile Ninny would lay in the grass as she enjoyed nature. Things weren't going to last, though.

A rustling noise came from the distance. Some footsteps could be heard. Some growling. Ninny and Cada perked up, getting to their feet as a Mega Gengar appeared. Ninny couldn't believe her eyes. It couldn't be the same one from before, could it, she thought? Things got even worse as a person appeared afterwards, followed by a Gyarados floating behind them.

The person wore all black, including a face covering. Ninny couldn't even tell their gender. There were more sounds coming from the bushes. More Pokémon? Trainers? Ninny quickly donned her gear as she shook the lazy away. The intruder didn't say a word, though the Gengar gave a wide grin as another person appeared, similarly garbed as the first, with two more Pokémon trailing behind. They trainers said nothing. The first simply pointed at Ninny, a silent command to the Gengar & Gyarados as they launched their first attacks.

 

[mdebourg]

As he does that, the day continues to pass by with both just relaxing for the time being, it's not like they spent the whole day traveling anyway. Eventually, Aqua would play around with Cada after he would bug her for a bit as if he really needed to do that to get her to play around. Both just playing what looked like a game of tag, Cada practically having to slow down to remotely make this fair thanks to the sheer speed difference.

This wouldn't last long, however, a rustle would be heard in the grass, followed by some footsteps and a growl, immediately both Cada Aqua and Iris perk up as well as Andy; they did not know what they were getting into. Two trainers appear, pointing to Ninny with a Genger and Gyarados, both in all black as if they were necromancers or something, both silent as they deliver commands to the pokemon.

"Iron Tail"

"Thunder"

These two attacks coming quick as lightning for the two pokemon, Andy, due to a flashback with the Crobat incident and fully knowing the iron deal would easily kill his beloved friend, got in the way of the move. Nothing other than the thud of the staff and Andy's body hitting the ground would be heard, the mouse not even able to get anything off other than a bubblebeam to the gengar before the Gyarados would collide with her, blasting the small mouse to who knows where. Iris sadly would have her own flashback and just run off to find the mouse instead of fighting the two pokemon being absolutely terrified of having herself mangled again.

 

[Baphomet]

Everything happened so fast. Andy and his Pokémon were downed in an instant. Ninny only had a moment to wonder if this was the same Gengar from before. Terrifying on its own, but there was also a Gyrados and two trainers that ambushed them as well. Though they didn't seem to instantly attack her. All the while the Gengar was showing off its wicked, knowing grin.

Ninny drew her dual short swords, taking a ready stance alongside Cada, though her heart was full of doubt as she stared down the Gyarados, whose face was full of rage. Her body tensed as she prepared to defend herself. What seemed like an eternity passed by, though it was only moments. No one moved. Ninny looked around in confusion.

"Minerva," came a high pitched male voice, "This is what power is. See how easily you and your so called friends fall to it. Know tha," Ninny didn't let him finished as she launched her own attack. She made a dash for the Gyarados as Cada did the same with Gengar.

Ninny struck at the Gyarados with all her might, though the gash she left seemed puny in comparison to the mighty serpent. In retaliation, Gyarados brought down its tail in a heavy slam, instantly taking out all of the fight she had in her. In a desperate ploy, Cada changed his target at the last moment. The Gyarados showed no mercy. Despite all of Cada's speed, a single Brutal Swing was all it took to bering down Cada. Though the Gyarados wasn't finished yet. Ninny stirred from her stupor just in time to witness Cada perish to a ferocious Crunch from the great creature.

A physical pain wrenched at her heart as she cried out. If sound alone were enough to kill, her anguish would have leveled the forest. Tears streamed down her face as she crawled towards Cada. She picked him up and cradled him to her chest. The black clad trainers had no remorse as they continued their previous speech as though nothing had happened.

"Know that you could have prevented all of this," continued the assailant, as though he had never been interrupted in the first place, "If you want to be strong, give up the things you attach yourself to. Do that, and we'll show you strength." With that, the two trainers left with their Pokémon, leaving Ninny to her suffering.

 

[mdebourg]

Sometime later Andy would wake up to a crying Ninny, "W-What happened?" he would get out before yelping in pain from that iron tail he took from the Gyarados, the tail leaving Andy with a large bleeding gash in his chest now doubled over in major pain before looking for his 2 pokemon. Thankfully Iris was alright but Aqua had the same gash and was also bleeding from it. The worse thing is he couldn't treat her in this state being that he was wounded himself, Andy giving a look of fear to his fainted friend, only to realize after a quick head count, that they were short 1ne pokemon.

"Where's Cada?" Did they kidnap him?" he guessed not knowing the truth was far more gruesome when he found Ninny clutching the bug, it unmoving, not even the slightest. A check for a pulse would confirm what he feared, Cada was dead, surely Ninny knew this already, but now Andy caught up and it was something he didn't want to be true.

"Just who were those bastards?" Now enraged despite the pain at the turn of events, he didn't know just yet. All he knew now was he had to get to a city before they ended up with 2 more dead bodies.

"Think you can make it back to Hawthorn Ninny?" actually expecting a no given the recent trauma she suffered only minutes earlier but hoping she would as right now, he was in no condition to be a threat to anyone, assuming he could even travel some steps before doubling over in pain again.

 

[Baphomet]

Ninny didn't even react when Andy made his way over to check on Cada. She already knew the answer. She felt it in her soul before Cada even hit the ground. And no amount of skill that Andy had could change that. She knew this, though she could barely even register Andy's presence when he asked who they were. She came to when he asked if she could make it to Hawthorne, though.

She slowly, ever so slowly, gently, with the greatest care she could muster, placed Cada down. His blood soaked her tunic, arms & hands. She looked at Andy as she rose, a fiery determination in her eyes, backed by hatred and rage.

Her voice came in a low growl, "I'm going to kill them." Her words were filled with a reckless abandon. The tone of someone who would give their life to accomplish their goal. She dashed, nimbly dodging Andy's attempt to stop her. She ran in their direction, heedless of any pain she was in, only to be stopped dead in her tracks. She stood there limply, disbelief in her eyes. Before her floated a Shedinja.

Despite the Shedinja being unable to move even the slightest muscle, floating there, expressionless like a statue, Ninny knew who it was. She dropped to her knees as tears started to flow anew.

She babbled a bit before whispering, "Cada?" The Shedinja darted forward, tumbling to the ground as it crashed into Ninny with a thud. Ninny couldn't control her emotions anymore as she laughed in a giddy manner. Tears still streamed down her face, though these were tears of joy.

"You're a Ghost?" Ninny would ask.

Cada would chitter in the manner of the living Cada, though with an echoed, distance sounding tone. He also lacked the capability to vibrate, as Shedinja didn't move their body in the slightest. She hugged Cada tightly, turned her head towards Andy and said, "We can go to Hawthorne."

 

[mdebourg]

"I'm going to kill them."

Andy did expect this, heck he was feeling so much rage mixed in with his pain from the slash that he pretty much agreed with her sentiment, they had to pay for this. Andy simply didn't have it in him currently to stop her, only really able to muster up a rather half hearted attempt to do so, not even voicing his rage, brimming from within. If they met again, and surely they would, Andy would be sure to make them scream, for ages on end if he could.

The thing that did stop them both was essentially what could be described as a ghost of Cada. "What is that?" Andy coughs out looking to the pokemon a little confused as he hadn't seen one of these before.

Nonetheless, Ninnys rapid change in demeanor did confirm one thing, it was definitely Cada, that much was certain.
"We can go to Hawthorn." He heard Ninny say which got him going in that direction, still seething with his own rage looking to his poor mouse more concerned about her than himself. Andy only able to just slow down the bleeding, not stop it. Andy would look to run the whole way there but his body wouldn't allow it, slowing him to a jog at best.

Getting to the city thankfully isn't any problem , well aside from the blood trail that was being left, andy and Ninny getting back there around the start of sunset, with the two now getting rushed to the cities medical ward, leaving Ninny to think on what just happened.

Aqua would be patched up, the gash clearly still visible after the day that each needed for surgery. The two being reunited the next day, " A-are you okay Aquamarine?" he nods to the baby pokemon who just has a teary-eyed expression along with an agape mouth, it remembered Andy taking the blow from that Gyarados and snuggles him upon seeing him alive, the mouse glows softly while this happens, the baby now becoming a marill by the time they are discharged.

To anyone that could read auras or just knew andy, he was clearly angry and seeking some retribution for the earlier events, the staff glowing a crimson red while Andy only glows a bright blue.

That blue wasn't from Andy's aura though, but rather from Marill's Aqua ring, the water functioning like Andy's heal pulse, using her own energies to heal Andy's wound from within slowly.

He was relieved that Aqua was alive but now Andy was looking to train his heart out to get stronger and prevent that from happening again

 

[Baphomet]

Ninny hasn't let go of Cada yet. She looked up to see Andy return, a blank expression on her face. She looks down at Aqua, having now become a Marill. "Are we strong enough?" Ninny was thinking about what their enemies said. Andy would have known she was starting to brood over the event. She didn't take losing very well.

"I still feel like I lost a part of myself back there," said Ninny. A rare sight of self-doubt from her. She wondered if what the trainers had said had any merit. Did she really need to give up what she was attached to? What was she attached to? Cada? Andy? Would she need to give them up in order to attain strength enough to never hurt like that again? She wasn't sure. She was so full of doubt, which was highly unlike her.

"What do we do now?" She called out to the air more than asked a question. She felt lost. Andy and Ninny have beaten stronger opponents before, but these people were on a whole other level. She buried her face in Cada. Despite him being a hollow, hard shell, it still brought her comfort.

 

[mdebourg]

"I still feel like I lost a part of myself back there,"

Now that was a scary moment, Ninny doubting herself was rare as different colored pokemon in that it hadn't happened till now. Andy looked to her and trying to offer some sage advice after trying to calm down a bit, "Dont you give up just because that happened. Its a reason to become stronger in fact. Who do you believe in more? Yourself as well as us or those two?" That meant to be more of a question Ninny would have to search herself for. "I already have my answer and I'm looking at them right now."He gives a look to Ninny, followed by Cada and his now Marill, "We have been through way too much to just get stopped now, i sti beieve in you, Cada and Aqua here no way im giving up on you guys now."

"As for the strength question, no, not yet, we need to get you another pokemon as well as bonding with the ones we currently have, you have already done a superb job at that Ninny given Cada being present in that form now, I still have a ways to go and there isn't a limit to how much stronger we can get.

"As for where we should go, I don't quite know yet, I'm more curious as to who those guys were that attacked us but that can wait for awhile." Andy now just trying to inspire her a bit ending this with a hug to Ninny," I'm so glad you're okay, sorry I failed you so horribly back there." Sure that attack was a blitzkrieg, but he felt more of the blame for not protecting her from those pokemon

 

[Baphomet]

Ninny looked Andy in the eyes as he responded. Her eyes started to become wet. It almost looked like she was going to cry. What Andy said moved her. The wetness would disappear when Andy said he believed in her. It would be replaced with a look of grim determination. Somehow Cada came back from the dead, but that doesn't change the fact that those bastards still killed him once.

Ninny would stiff arm Andy when he came in for a hug, "You may have snuck one in last time, but not this time."

"You're always so sappy," continued Ninny. She rolled her eyes at him before letting a grin creep across her face.

"Come on, I think it's time we get stronger and work on getting our revenge," Ninny would shove Cada into Andy's arms before heading out, itching to travel again. She was getting back to her old self. She wanted to see how Andy would react to Cada as a Shedinja. He was a bit strange, as he was entirely immobile, not even breathing. He was not unlike an inanimate object. He couldn't even make any expressions, though he could still chitter and makes noises similar to Cada as a Nincada and Ninjask. She wouldn't admit it, but giving Cada, after what happened and in his current form, to Andy was the ultimate form of trust for her. Ninny would wave Andy along as she trotted ahead with renewed vigor and her usual pep in her step.

 

[mdebourg]

"you're always so sappy," continued Ninny. She rolled her eyes at him before letting a grin creep across her face

"You know you love it" he teases her back before taking Cada with a little bit of a gasp. "You actually fully trust me with Cada?" he says moved by the action. Cada and Ninny being their own versions of Aqua and Andy, virtually inseparable. The mere act of her doing that confirmed that she did beieve wholeheartedly in him, Aqua giving a smile and bouncing over to Ninny in response with Andy giving a resolute nod, "Then let our pokemon be the symbols of our never wavering trust in each other" he nodded letting Ninny have Marill for now as they would once again head down the route they got attacked on.

This time though, nothing near that kind of stuff happens, it only being more of a casual trek through the plains and eventually a forest as it leads to another little town in Hydrangea, the area being more of a coastal town that was visited more as a tourist attraction for its views of the moon and many spots to stargaze, thanks to this, it also functions as a sort of government hub when the main city Nasturium, wasn't throwing out royal decrees or anyone needed advice from the heavens. The forest at this time being a brilliant orange thanks to the sunset happening at this time, giving this forest the nickname of Golden Grove. Pokemon here loving the sun in the daytime would be seen sunbathing in the rays and just overall giving off a relaxing vibe to the entire forest, Pokemon like flabebe and Chickorita would usually reside here, andy using this area to restock on his healing herbs used in his medicine

 

[Baphomet]

Ninny holds Aqua to her chest as they walk off together, a renewed vigor. Petting Aqua would also help to relieve some of her built up stress and sorrow. Cada would have vibrated in Andy's arms, but he can't, so he settled for chattering away the time in his strange, echoey voice. Nimny may have seemed cheery as she walked, but she had a fire building within her. She was resolved to extract her revenge at the earliest opportunity. Though she would maintain her cheerful guise, mostly to help put Andy at ease.

As the party trekked through Golden Grove, Ninny had taken one of her usual stops to appreciate the surrounding nature. She had even decided to take a bite out of a pretty looking apple she had found. Though, to her surprise, it was actually an Applin! The Applin peeped out of it's home to give Ninny an annoyed look. Though the Applin looked like it wanted to be left alone, Ninny decided to keep it. She stuffed it in a pocket inside her cloak like any normal apple and walked on. She later discovered it was a male and named him Turnover, after an apple turnover, a favored dessert of hers.

Hydrangea was a beautiful town. The beach was nearby, and though it brought chilly winds with the coming winter, people could still be seen swimming. An aspect Ninny found absurd. While Andy spent some time restocking supplies, Ninny had managed to rope them into another side quest. Some highwaymen had stolen the valuables from a traveling merchant that lived in Hydrangea, so Ninny had volunteered Andy and herself to resolve the issue. She was currently waiting upon a large rock on the beach to deliver the good news to Andy. Well, it was good news for Ninny. It was a chance to prove to herself that she wasn't weak. She would toss Turnover into the air and catch him repeatedly. Like throwing Cada when he was a Nincada, Turnover seemed to enjoy being tossed around too, a fact that brought comfort to Ninny.

 

[mdebourg]

Andy continues restocking stuff for his herbal remedies for a bit, stopping to appreciate the nature of the grove himself, it was quite a treat for most people around the town of Hydrangea, pretty much having 2 rather romantic places around it. In Ninny's case , it seems she took this literally thanks to an apple that was in fact a pokemon. Andy would just let cada chitter away while holding him, Aqua pretty much relaxing in Ninny's arms the entire time she wanted to hold the small mouse who would be a picture of tranquillity right now as if she didn't have a care in the world. She did still remember almost dying at the tail of a gyarados only days earlier but looked to keep Andy grounded with his own emotions, they ran wild if anyone he was friends with were in danger.

Hydrangea itself was by no means ugly, in fact it was as beautiful as the Grove around it, Andy taking the time to pursue any possible new spices or medicinal plants that they had. By the time Andy arrives, Ninny would be on the rocks waiting to tell Andy something, Iris for now relaxing as well on Andy's shoulder the best she could for now, the wounds for her healing up nicely given Aqua making a ring for the bug that would aid this as well, iriss very much thankful for this.

 

[Baphomet]

Ninny flashed her mischievous grin at Andy, tossing Turnover in the air repeatedly as he approached. A sure sign she had signed Andy up for another quest. This was a rather ordinary exchange for them, Ninny always putting her nose into others' affairs and volunteering Andy without his permission. Though Andy never seemed to mind.


After Ninny informed Andy of their task, they began making their way to the path indicated by the merchant. They had told Ninny that the highwaymen would ambush them from behind a set of trees that stand on either side of the path. It looked like they were approaching those trees now. Ninny flashed a knowing grin at Andy. She thought this would be a good time to redeem herself for her previous failure.


Turnover would be participating in his first battle. Luckily, he had since warmed up to Ninny after his reluctant plucking from his favorite tree. Ninny would have Cada float off to the side to flank the group while innocently tossing Turnover in the air like an inconspicuous apple. She whistled happily, completing her guise as an innocent, hapless passerby. From what she heard it was a small group, at least two, though no one seemed sure of how many. Though they seemed to be low level as none were reported to have more than one Pokémon. Ninny could feel the excitement in the air. It was a feeling Cada knew well. It seemed to be infecting Turnover as well as they all waited for the festivities to begin.

 

[mdebourg]

Andy doesnt mind this time either, as thieves did need to be stopped for the sake of the town and region. Ninny playing up the helpless, innocent traveler bit she had by now perfected in their numerous takedowns of other bands of thieves as they neared a group of trees that were on opposite sides of the road. Seeing her like this knowing her actual prowess had Andy wearing a smirk he had to hide to avoid giving themselves away.

This would be Iris' first battle as well since nearly perishing at the claws of that Mega Gengar those days earlier, thankfully she did seem to recover well from this in both aspects though the mental part took more time, and the true test for that would be when they battled that gengar again whenever that was. As for the 'fireworks,' those start 5 minutes after the two arrive, four men with 1 pokemon each appear, two on each side just like the trees, playing more like rouges with shortswords, the two looking to do the usual mug and dash with their pokemon. That's to bad as Andy was expecting this and turned to one of them and was able to sidestep a stab just barely, his 2 pokemon, a honchkrow and Heliolisk would appear from that tree as well but both get blown a bit away by a silver wind from Iris.

For Aqua's part, it would be an aqua tail to the guy that had dared attack Andy just now, thanks to these guys not having armor, he was one chance and done for the most part being sent back to the tree he emerged from with a thud, while the bird looks to use wing attack on iris and the lizard uses thundershock on Aqua. Both take these with seemingly no real issue despite these attacks coming from powerful evolution forms which was weird. Surely Ninny, Turnover and Cada were having just as easy of a time.

 

[Baphomet]

The bandits seemed to have gone for a straightforward attack with Andy, though they seem to have chosen a different tactic with Ninny. Perhaps because she was a defenseless girl. Two large men stepped out from the trees revealing sharp daggers a mean looking Victrebeel and a fierce Raichu.

One of the men smirked at Ninny, "Well spare your life, little pretty, if you give us all your valuables," came the gruff voice.

"No thanks," came Ninny's reply. At that same moment she chucked Turnover at the man's face, hitting him square in the nose. As the seemingly mundane apple fell to the ground, the remaining man and Pokémon charged. Also in that moment, Ninny had drawn her bow and loosed an arrow. Although she wasn't as good with a bow as she was with other, hand-thrown projectiles, like daggers & apples, she was decent from a short range. Regardless, her arrow nicked the Raichu's cheek, causing a bolt of lightning to arc sideways, narrowly missing Andy.

She would flash Andy an apologetic look as she dropped her bow, the enemy now closing the distance. The Raichu & Victrebeel, though strong looking, seem to be sluggish, like they still aren't used to their bodies. This allowed Cada to silently float into the fray. They launched a Thunder & Energy Ball, which collided harmlessly with Cada. Having never seen a Shedinja in action, this was a rather surprising feat to Ninny, though she didn't have time to process it as the man came bearing down.

As Ninny drew her short sword and began her toying dance with the man, she decided now would be a good time for a casual conversation with Andy, "What should we have for dinner? I saw this lady making a nice stew in town, you think a nice stew would be a good idea?" This, of course, upset her assailant to no end, though he could not seem to do anything about it as he fumbled about in their dance.

Meanwhile, the man had recovered from his stupor after having been clocked with an apple. He drew his bow and readied an arrow. As he was aiming at Ninny, Turnover used Astonish on him. It caught him by surprise, tripping him up, which allowed Turnover to use Sucker Punch. As an Applin, Turnover didn't have access to many moves, so, he Sucker Punched him again. And again. And...

 

[mdebourg]

It looked like they were indeed having just as easy of a time with their 2, especially with Ninny starting by tossing an apple at one of the guys faces. Minus the probably perturbed Applin, both were going well so far. Andy had also realised that the pokemon's moves were entirely too slow, did these guys just recently evolve the 4 pokemon?

This fact possibly being even more proven when a mach punch sends Heliolisk away with an Aqua jet finishing the lizard off. The man would just huff in annoyance, " Stupid pokemon! The stones were supposed to give alot more power than this!" the honchkrow now going for another wing attack, this being so slow that Andy would have Aqua and Iris team up on this using silver wind to push the Krow along. only for the bird to be bowled over via an Aqua rollout upon turning around as If it was a bowling pin.

The guy doesn't last long either after this, looking to run off, without his pokemon which was a sure way to push Andy's buttons. Human or pokemon, if one truly cared for someone, they should be willing to lay their life on the line to get them out of danger, not even trying to save them in any way earned that scurrying highwayman a moonblast to the back, scathing light burning this guy quite harshly. Andy now wearing the same angry, steely eyed gaze he gave Ninny back in Hawthorn when she broke into Gunther 's house.

Andy would hear Ninny talking about dinner plans while her fight continued, "Sure, I hear she makes a wonderful stew anyway " he says feeding into it, it's not often things would be this easy. With the Raichu's electric attack rendered inaccurate and the overall inexperience they seemed to exude, these guys weren't proving a challenge. Regardless, Andy would keep his pokemon behind him in case an attack went his way. "I wonder if these 2 attended thieving 101 or poke-school for that matter " he adds getting the guy even more flustered to the point of throwing a tantrum.

 

[Baphomet]

Ninny grunted her agreement about the stew towards Andy as she sidestepped another swipe from her opponent. Cada in the meantime was taking attacks like a champ, entirely unfazed by anything they could throw at him. A few more moments of dancing and Ninny would just begin to start perspiring as she responded to Andy's taunt to the highwaymen, "I'm not even sure they had that much schooling, hahaha!"

It was then that she remembered her previous encounter with the black clad attackers. She knew she wasn't weak, this encounter proved that. She just wasn't as strong as she needed to be. With that thought, along with the building sweat, she decided it was time to end it. With a twist and a flourish she nimbly ducked below the sloppy man's swing. She deftly shoved the tip of her sword into the unarmored armpit of her foe. The man screamed out in pain as blood rushed down his side and arm.

The man's legs grew weak, but before his knees could give out and allow him to collapse to the floor, Ninny grabbed him by his throat, choking and supporting him at the same time. A darkness grew throughout her features, "I'm not weak. You're weak," she seethed through her teeth. With that, she raised her sword, only to plunge it down, straight through his collarbone. She wrenched her sword out violently before turning her attention to the two remaining Pokémon. She marched maliciously towards them. As she neared Cada, she hooked a hand through the hole on his back and held him like a shield. She approached the Victreebel & Raichu, fresh blood still dripping from her weapon, who were frozen in fear, with the intent to kill them as well, the memory of her last opponents calling her weak still fresh in her mind.

 

[mdebourg]

The taunting banter quickly stops for now as Ninny continues on with her battle, but then something happened from within her. What exactly Andy only had a guess in those attackers clad in black that were actual threats, but this apparently caused Ninny to practically slaughter the guy relishing in the kill and the blood left behind more akin to a crazed beast than the Ninny he knew. The sheer brutality would cause his mouth to go apage now as this comes to a very dark close.

"What the pecha berry was that about? Sure they didn't pose a threat but there was no reason to just slaughter him like a Tuaros!" his voice belaying his fear now, agast and very much afraid for and of her now, he wouldn't leave her but after seeing that, getting on the wrong side of her just got a whole lot easier it appeared for even someone like him and he was nowhere near ready to defend himself against her if she had another episode like that and turned on him. He needed more training himself surely if only to stop Ninny if she went berserk again.

Seeing Ninny now make her way to the Raichu and Victeribel, he immediately would look to get in the way of her and the pokemon. "STOP THIS RIGHT NOW! IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT FOR WHAT THEY DID OR MAY DO IN THE FUTURE! THEY ARE JUST LISTENING TO THE TRAINER! NOTHING ELSE!" this being yelled at the top of his lungs fully expecting to get cut off...and cut down given Ninny's expression, The mouse now in front of Andy while the Raichu and the plant cower in terror given how their used to be trainer was made into human fertilizer. Would Ninny even stop herself or would Aqua and Andy be added to her kill score this day?

 

[Baphomet]

Ninny started when Andy jumped in front of her. Her bloodlust had seeped away, replaced with guilt and shame. She was used to being chastised by Andy, but this was something different. She saw fear in his eyes, and it was directed at her. He was afraid of her. That should never be the case. Ninny looked around sheepishly, surveying her surroundings. "I'm sorry," was all she could muster. The words came out in a weak croak.

She spent some time looking remorseful as Andy helped recenter her. She eventually told Cada to tell the other Pokémon to leave. Cada gave her a loving bump before heading off. He chittered to the Raichu and Victreebel and they promptly scurried away, leaving fearful noises wafting through the air. Her voice still weak, Ninny tried to restore some semblance of normalcy, "We should try to find the valuables they stol from the merchant." She looked to Andy, wondering if he hated her after her episode.

 

[mdebourg]

"Where did that even come from?!" he would now demand here after the two scared pokemon make their exit, just looking for some explanation as to why a blade would ever be turned on a pokemon with intent to harm or worse. Right now, he was indeed afraid of her, the sorry she mustered up was only a starting block to get back on his good graces so to speak. He definitely didn't hate her though, surely just black robed characters calling her didn't phase her that badly? Or did it?

"No, i don't hate you. i'm going to have to keep a closer eye on you now but i don't hate you" he says heaving a sigh her direction, Andys two pokemn even wearing looks of fear especially Iris for a moment as she flashbacks to the gengar episode a little bit needing both Andy and Aqua to recenter the bug again, not like he could blame her though, coming within inches of your own death is hard to get over.

Concerning the valuables, they turn out to be stones, though right now they look quite mundane. "Hmm surely these weren't they things they stole, at least not in their current state." Andy figures, finding that one was shaped like the sun, another like a leaf, one like a lightning bolt and another made of Onyx, "Seems we may have found our answer Ninny" he nods showing her the stones.

 

[Baphomet]

Ninny paused for a moment at Andy's question. She didn't know what to say. She couldn't stop thinking about the black-clad folks and what they said. She wasn't strong enough to beat them. They had power and she did not. Were they right about where power comes from and how to get stronger, she thought? She wasn't sure, but she didn't want to talk anymore about the topic. She, not so skillfully, switched topics to the valuables, "Uh, we should find the valuables."

What they found turned out to be several ornate stones. Ninny had no clue as to what they were. She ran a finger over one. They were unnaturally smooth for a random stone. They had carvings of various symbols in them. She held one out to Andy. She figured he would be better suited to understanding them. Though he seemed nearly as perplexed as she was.

 

[mdebourg]

"Hmm I'll have to look into these when I can, as I haven't seen much of these before actually" he said being just as confused as she was for the moment, as for the merchant himself, hopefully, he is still in the town, perhaps he may still have a use for these?" That to be honest, he wasn't remotely sure of as he didn't know about these stones just yet

"But at least we got them back so we should head back for now" he nods starting on the way back