The Silent Traveler (OPEN!)

[briaka]

Searila padded quietly along the dark meadow, her red eyes gleaming. All was silent, and the only sound was of the Absol's clawed feet crunching on the grass. Searila traveled for several hours until the sun began to rise up over the horizon.

At the sight of the deep reds and purples that told of the sun's arrival, she stopped, and looked around for shelter. Spotting a small overhang, the Absol padded under it, and curled up.

[Ren]

All was silent for a large amount of time.

But soon, little patters were heard as two light pokemon shuffled around. Children, by the sound of the careless footsteps.
One made a quick move, and the other whispered, "No! Wai-" Too late.

Suddenly, a small weight landed on top of the absol. "I caught you!" the male voice exclaimed, snickering.

[briaka]

Searila had been trying to fall asleep when the young pokemon landed on her. The Absol looked up at him, and stared blankly.

'Who are they?', she thought, but kept her curiosity to herself.

[Ren]

Wide, brown eyes stared back at her. The pokemon turned out to be an eevee.

For a few tense moments, he just stared. Then finally, his eyes widened. "Um...sis? It's a girl..." he called.

Another eevee made herself visible. "I told you it wasn't him!" she scolded. "Bu NOOOOO! You didn't listen to me!"
She turned to the absol. "I'm so very sorry for my idiot brother's behaivor. You look like someone we know," she apologized, while the male had jumped off of the absol and was grumbling things like, "I coulda sworn it was him..."

[briaka]

Searila continued to stare, her mind swirling with questions. Finally, her curiosity overcame her anti-social nature.

"Who are you, and who are you looking for?", she asked.

[Ren]

The twins smiled. "I'm Dawn, and this is my brother Shadow," the female stated. Shadow nodded, grinning widely.
"You see," he started, "we're looking for our friend Kyou, who looks like you!"

[briaka]

Searila nodded, and curled up again, hopping that the two eevees would be alright traveling on their own. The Absol waited for the patter of feet hurrying away, as she always did when she encountered other pokemon, her eyes slightly downcast. She remembered how most pokemon usually attacked her on sight, or just ignored her. It had been a while since someone had bothered to talk to her.

[aspinwolf476]

[Mind if I join?]

It was bothersome for him to travel in the open. Normally he slept half the day, using about three of his waking hours getting out of bed, while using the rest to eat, travel, and then start sleep again. But this time it was different. He felt a slight change in atmosphere, as if the wind were disturbed. Blinking amber eyes, the poochyena scented the air, cringing as he realized there were other pokemon nearby. Narrowing his eyes, Nightshade silently crept towards the noise.

I'm Dawn...... Brother.... Looking for.... Kyou.....

He could vaguely make out the voice of a very young pokemon, and another voice, that of an equally young male. But there was a softer whisper, barely louder then that of the swaying grass. Who it belonged to, he was not sure, but it sounded foreign, as if it were unused to being used. Straightening from his haunched position, Nightshade stared at the pokemon from a nearby bush. It was unsual for him to travel in an open field, and he felt uncomfortable out in the open. However, after waiting a while, he slipped from the shadows and faced the trio.

"Don't mind my intrusion, but I couldn't help but overhear you three. You two wouldn't happen to be lost, would you?"

He coughed slightly, not used to socializing. Blinking, he felt the same cold feeling shadow his gaze momentarily.

They said something about looking for their friend, Kyou or something..... Why go through so much trouble to find someone? They should know they can't depend on anyone. Too bad they'll learn that soon, and at such a young age too.

Unaware that his eyes had narrowed into a glare, he tightened his grip on the ground, his claws digging into the ground.

[briaka]

Searila turned at the Poochyena's voice, and looked at him, her red eyes empty of any emotion except for a small trace of curiosity.

'I wonder why there are so many pokemon active tonight.', she thought, and got to her paws, knowing that she wasn't going to get much sleep tonight. Searila glanced over at the two Eevees, wondering what they would say.

[Ren]

"We're not lost!" Shadow huffed, glaring at the newcomer. His sister shook her head, sighing. "Since we've been here before with Big Sister, we're not actually lost. But, since we don't know our way around, then yes. We are lost," she corrected.
Stupid males and their pride.

[aspinwolf476]

For a moment, the poochyena said nothing. Clearly the female was more sensible then her brother, but neither of the two seemed to be making much sense.

"So you are lost then."

He stated bluntly, flicking his ears, as he noted that, even if they weren't sure as to where exactly they were, he himself was not completely sure as to which way he had been heading. Blinking, he looked over his shoulder, wondering if he had approached from the small cope of trees to the left or from the barren landscape to the right. He really could not remember. He hadn't been paying much attention while traveling, and hadn't taken the time to notice any landmarks.

"And what about you? I doubt you've associated with these two before."

He said, this time addressing the absol.

[briaka]

Searila had been watching the Poochyena the entire time. When he addressed her, she just shook her head, back to her usual, silent self. Searila looked up at the sky, and watched the millions of stars twinkle. It was a beautiful night, with not a single could in the sky, and the Absol admired the sight of it.

Hearing rustling in the distance, she pricked her ears. In the distance, a dark figure emerged from the bushes, but it was too dark to make out what kind of pokemon it was. Searila's fur bristled slightly, and she glanced back at the others.

[aspinwolf476]

Watching Searila, he noted that it was apparant that she did not intend to speak much. Flicking his torn ear, he glanced over at the two eevees.

Most pokemon give their names... But is that only between friends, or do you do so when meeting any other pokemon in general? How confusing this all can be.

Nightshade thought quietly, narrowing his eyes in concentration. So deep was he in focusing that he did not notice the shadow moving about in the nearby bushes. However, he smelt something different in the air, and he glanced up, his body tensing and his ears pricking at attention.

Something... I wonder...

Tail swaying back and forth, he wondered if any of the other pokemon had noticed. Apparently Searila had, for her fur was standing on end, though it was barely noticeable.

[Ren]

Shadow was blissfully unaware of the the newcomer, and though Dawn didn't hear anything, she judged something was wrong by the way the two older pokemon acted.

She turned her head to see the new comer, making sure she was between it and her brother.

[briaka]

Searila noticed that Dawn and Nightshade had also noticed the stranger, who appeared to be slowly moving in their direction. Forcing herself to stay calm, the Absol positioned herself so she could face the other pokemon, but could still keep an eye on the shadowy figure.

[aspinwolf476]

Shifting uncomfortably, Nightshade took several moments to assert the situation.

Why would a pokemon be spying on three travelers? It could be a thief, but a professional robber wouldn't let themselves be seen so easily. They're probably not much of a threat. But I remember hearing something along the road.... About a horde of pokemon who bring ill will.... I wonder... Wait.... I feel like I've heard of a pokemon that creates illusions of itself to distract its prey while the real one is off hiding somewhere, waiting for the right moment to strike. Uggg.... Why can't I remember anything else about it?

Shaking his head, Nightshade fixed Searila with an earnest look. Though he didn't speak, his eyes hinted clearly something along the lines of,

"I'm out of ideas. What do you suggest?[/i]

[briaka]

A few minutes of silence engulfed the small clearing. Then, Searila noticed Nightshade turn towards her, and give her an earnest look that read clearly,

"I'm out of ideas. What do you suggest?"

The Absol looked back at the stranger, who was getting closer and closer. She could now make out some of it's features. It was big, compared to her, and was darkly colored, perhaps black or dark purple. It also had two big, pointy, "ears" sticking out of the top of it's head. In the darkness, two large, red eyes glowed. The eyes seemed to be focused on them, and Searila shrank back slightly.

She returned her glaze to the Poochyena, and in a quiet, scared voice, said,

"It's a Gengar."

[aspinwolf476]

Stiffening, the poochyena peered into the darkness. Sure enough, Searila was right. From his own knowledge, he knew that gengar often enjoyed spooking travelers for the heck of it. Though it might've been fun to be the scarer, the scared might not feel the same. He knew for a fact that gengar were ghost-phycic pokemon. He was a dark type, so he would have an advantage. But the two eevee and absol were normal types, not to good a match up against a ghost type.

Shrugging it off, he reminded himself that Searila was probably a much more experienced fighter then he was, if the stranger did attack them. Unsure whether he should tell the two siblings about the gengar, as it was clear the female knew yet the male was unaware, he decided to leave things with Searila. Though he was excellent when it came to fighting and hunting, he was terrible at making decisions, having a sense of direction, and following his instincts. He was quite a poor excuse for a pack animal, though he was smart enough to know the gengar was no soft cushion. It was at its last evolution, which he had to give it credit for.

If you can read my mind.... Oh wait... I don't know your name yet. Well, if you can.... Absol, then I suggest you interact with the creature in one way or another. We can't just let it sit there and allow it to have the satisfaction of basking in our tension.

Wishing that she knew some phycic telepathy move, Nightshade wondered if he should try a leer attack to get the gengar out of hiding. It probably wouldn't work on a much spookier foe though.

[briaka]

Searila continued to watch the Gengar, unaware that Nightshade was trying to contact her. The Absol's mind was whirling with several different plans, all of them potentially dangerous. Finally, she decided that the best thing to do would be to just try and scare the stranger away. Searila was so deep in thought, she didn't notice that the Gengar had continued to advance on them. Now it was only around 50 feet away!

Her eyes widening in alarm and fear, she got to her paws and took a few steps toward the ghost pokemon, trying to look as scary as possible.

[aspinwolf476]

Shoot. Guess she can't read minds.

Not too dissappointed, he realized there was nothing to lose from trying to scare off the wild pokemon. Summing up the distance, he scooped a swift pawful of stones in his paw and flung them into the bushes. It seemed hours as the earth flew through the air. Though he could've used a long range attack, Nightshade's fighting style was phyical close combat, so using special moves weren't an option in his mind.

[briaka]

The Gengar didn't seem to be bothered by Searila or the small stones, for it continued to advance on them. Searila growled, and fluffed out her fur. The distance between the two pokemon was closing, and soon the frightened Absol could make out all of the stranger's features. It was a large Gengar, and it seemed to have no intention of being scared off by such small opponents.

Suddenly it stopped. Searila relaxed slightly, wondering if it was finally going away. She was wrong. A blob of shadows rushed towards the Absol, and she just barely dodged. Wanting to protect the other pokemon, she ran at the Gengar, and tried to slash it with her claws. To her dismay, the attack went right through the ghost-type. Seizing his chance to attack, the intruder used Shadow Punch. The blow hit it's mark, and Searila's breath was knocked out of her.

[aspinwolf476]

Exhaling in exasperation at the failed stone attempt, the poochyena was about to speak when suddenly the absol and gengar locked in combat. Shadows, most likely psybeam or something of the sort, barely missed the absol. Ducking just in time, he realized that if they were going to win, he couldn't just use physical attacks. This theory was proven as Searila's claws passed through the gengar harmlessly.

Don't tell me I have to go out of my way to beat that stalker creep.

Gritting his teeth, Nightshade realized that while he was going through his options, Searila was being struck down by Shadow Punch. Shaking his head, he realized he was mixing up his information. It was only normal attacks that were uneffective against ghost-types. If he used a dark move like bite, it might work. Grinning slightly, he noted that he might be able to assist the absol while still sticking to his own battle tactics. Then again, frowning at the thought, they were still basic pokemon against a stage 3, which wasn't much help.

Bracing himself, Nightshade rushed forward. Though he was faster then he was strong, he knew that the gengar also stood a slighter chance against two pokemon. Leaping upwards, Nightshade slammed his jaws down on the gengar's arms as forcefully as he could manage. No sooner had he done so then a sharp bolt of pain hit him in the side and he was knocked back to the earth.

Now I know how that Absol felt getting hit by that shadow punch.

[briaka]

Searila let out a small sigh of relief as Nightshade rushed to her aid. Then a thought hit her.

"I only know normal moves!", she thought.

Determined to help in this battle, she launched herself at the Gengar again, who, after hitting Nightshade with a Shadow Punch, had readied itself for another Psybeam. Searila reached the ghost pokemon just as it released his attack. The Psybeam hit Searila, but the Absol was unaffected. She landed a few feet from the Gengar.

[aspinwolf476]

Grimacing, he pulled himself back up, shaking off the blow.

It wasn't very effective, and he's not that fast, but he's strong. If we're going to win, we can't let him hit us.

Narrowing his eyes, he cast a sudden angry glare at the absol.

I don't fight tag battles. And I'm not about to start. I'll leave right after that ghost is gone.

He thought, malice curling in his mind, causing his fur to bristle. Looking back at the gengar, he raced forward once more, this time dodging neatly to the side to avoid another psybeam before leaping up and fastening his jaws upon the gengar's forehead this time.

"I fight alone... I'm not about to change that..."

He muttered under his breath.

You can't trust anyone to have your back. There's no reason for me to go back on my oath. Oh well. This isn't two against one, it's a three-way fight. That absol, and those eevee, not too mention that genger. None of them are my friends, which means they can only be one other thing...

Pale green eyes darkening over with a strange black cloud, Nightshade bared his fangs, releasing the gengar. Looking over his shoulder, he gave Searila a threatening snarl, all previous thoughts of companionship gone as a single word echoed in his mind.

Foes.

[briaka]

Searila had been watching Nightshade as she caught her breath. When he snarled at her, her eyes widened, and she shrank back.

'What did I do?', she thought.

The Absol took a step back, then another. Her eyes clouded with sadness, she turned and ran away from the two fighting pokemon. The wind whipped her fur as she dashed across the flat grassy plain, her eyes welling with tears. Searila ran until she felt she was about to collapse. She slowed to a stop and looked up at the stars.

'I thought they were different. I thought I could trust them, but no. I have learned something tonight. I have learned that no one can be trusted.'

Her thoughts made her fur bristle, and she vowed quietly to never again talk.

[aspinwolf476]

Where am I? It's dark here, and cold. It wasn't this dark before... This isn't the field, or the hollow. And where did everyone go?

Blinking, Nightshade padded in a circle, staring out at the black expanse that surrounded him.

Is this my mind? Am I walking through my thoughts? If so, then what about the fight? If I'm here, then who's fighting?

Confusion clogging his mind, he felt his head throb with a sudden pain. Feeling weak, he lowered himself to the ground, trying to catch his breath. Wincing, he felt a pain similar to hunger gnaw at his chest. Suddenly, a bright light flashed in front of him, and he could see the woods, and the field, and the sky that was brighter then his mind yet still late. And then he saw himself. Or, what looked like him. He appeared the same, and he was fighting the gengar, but his eyes were a strange gray color rather then their normal torquoise. And he could see the absol... Disappearing from view with... Tears?

What? If I'm here, who's that fighting? What happened? What's going on?

Standing up, he stepped forward as if to challenge the vision when suddenly the pounding in his head began again and Nightshade fell backwards into a blank dream.

---------

He could see Searila, and his own figure fighting. He was still moving strangely, and he felt a wave of pain, hate, and anger wash over him the moment he entered his body. And then the dark dream was forgotten, and he was overwhelmed with a dark sense of agony that threatened to destroy him.

That saves me the trouble of having to chase that absol off. And this gengar...

Turning his head, eyes a foggy gray, he released a blood-chilling snarl that could have been mistaken for that of an ursaring. Rushing forward, he flung himself at the gengar. Closer and closer, he felt his jaws part and he was barely aware of the pokemon's hands reaching upwards for a shadow punch. His vision faded before he could see the outcome.

--------

Am I dead? No, maybe I fainted.

Unsteadily, Nightshade pulled himself up. His body ached all over, and he could see the forest swaying around him. Blinking wearily, he looked sideways and felt his blood freeze. The gengar was lying limp against a nearby tree. Whether it was dead or just knocked out he didn't know. But an impending sense of dread and guilt washed over him, and he found himself running. Running farther and farther away from the scene for fear that he had murdered something, no, someone. He could not recall what had taken place. All he could remember were tears, hate, and regret.

Wait... Tears? Was someone crying?

And then he remembered the absol who he had betrayed. The pokemon he had turned his back on. Had he once faught alongside her, if not only briefly, but still having done so? A shudder ran through his body as he fled, and he realized that somethings could be forgiven, but not forgotten. He would not forget the hostlity and betrayal he had thrown at her, and he would never forgive himself for it.

[briaka]

Searila curled up, not caring that she was unprotected on the flat expanse of grass. Minutes passed, then hours, but sleep refused to come to the weary, confused Absol. Soon the sun began to rise, and a new day began. Sighing, Searila got to her feet and began her slow walk, not really going in any particular direction.

She traveled for a long time, and the sun slowly rose higher into the sky. The Absol's stomach rumbled, and she stopped and sniffed for prey. There was a pokemon nearby, but Searila couldn't tell what kind. Silently making her way towards the scent, a figure came into view.

It was a short, tan, mushroom-shaped creature with green spots covering it's body. It turned to face her, it's eyes widening with fear. Before Searila could react, several yellow spores shot out of a small hole in the strange pokemon's head. The Absol lunged at the mushroom, and bit into it's strange-tasting flesh.

The pokemon continued to spout more spores, and as Searila inhaled them, pain erupted all over her body. Releasing her prey, she fled, but couldn't get far before she doubled over from the pain. Squeezing her eyes shut, Searila wondered why her life couldn't end right then.

[aspinwolf476]

Determined to gain as much ground as possible despite having no destination, Nightshade ran through the remaining shreds of darkness. It was cold for a while, and the wind bit at his nose. Only did the poochyena stop when he spotted the faintest glimmers of light on the horizon. Slowing to a halt, he settled down and noticed the toll his constant run had delt on him. Looking at his paws, he winced as he cleaned them free of the harsh scratches they had taken. Pausing, he raised his head. Twitching his nose, he cringed slightly, standing up.

That smell... Like a bad weed being burnt.... Uggg, what is it?

Wincing, he padded through the woods towards the scent. Though he prefferred to travel when it was dark out, he found no harm in investigating a bit more before the sun rose completely and filled the sky with its light. However, this was not to be fulfilled, for by the time he was within several yards of the stench's source, the sun was illuminating the morning sky brightly.

Tired, sore, and hungry, the poochyena wondered if tracking the smell was even worth it. However, as he stepped out of a small bush, he was taken aback when he spotted Searila, lying on the forest floor, waves of pain eminating from her.

Taking an unsure step forward, he immediately regretted it as the shroomish's spores filled his nostrils with the worst smell he could ever have imagined. Exhaling sharply, he took an uneasy step back, only to pause.

She's hurt... After what I did to her, I should feel some sense of guilt. But how am I supposed to help her? Wait a minute...

Blinking, Nightshade thought for a moment. And then a spark in his mind went off.

Berries! When I was a pup, mother used to tell my littermates that if they were ever poisoned, you could use berries to help you.

Spinning around, the poochyena scented the air, immediately regretting it as the stench hit him again. Coughing, he hurriedly searched the undergrowth, holding his breath all the while.

Uggg... What berries were they anyway? It wasn't oran, and not aspear.... She said they were pink with pale white dots. Huh... Pink fruit with faint white spots.

Searching, he felt his lungs punch him as he remembered that pokemon needed to breath eventually. Running off a few paces, he exhaled and then inhaled deeply. Suddenly, he paused midway between breaths and stared at the bush in front of him. Several pink berries with white flakes hung fragily. Biting them off, he rushed back to Searila, set them in front of her, and managed to put one in her mouth.

At least wake up to chew and swallow.

He thought unhelpfully.

[briaka]

Several minutes passed, and Searila's condition didn't improve. Then the Absol heard a rustling as the Shroomish fled from it's attacker. The sound of footsteps told her that another pokemon had reached the scene, but she didn't bother to look up.

Suddenly a sweet taste filled her mouth as a berry was placed in it by the stranger. Searila chewed the soft Pecha berry, then swallowed. The pain instantly began to ease, and she sighed with relief. Opening her eyes, she was startled when she discovered that the pokemon that had helped her was Nightshade. Getting to her paws, the Absol stared at him, her eyes untrusting.

[aspinwolf476]

Wearily, the poochyena backed up to allow Searila some room.

I would apologize if I knew what I did wrong. Why can't I remember what happened in the past few hours? All I recall is this absol was crying, that gengar attacked us, and two eevees..... I must have done something bad, she doesn't look happy.

Looking sideways as to avert the absol's gaze, he stared off into the bushes as if examining a very interesting leaf. Finally, when he could bear the silence no longer, he coughed and said,

"Are you feeling better?"