I Don't Have To Try

[wolfy]

Cody luckily landed in a tree, and watched Zilla and Chancol talk, and-unusually- he found himself respecting Chancol, a smile appearing on his face.

[Ren]

Luna shifted slightly. She remembered the rat with wings, and quite frankly didn't show any pity for it. Her eyes looked around an instantly knew that more pokemon had come. "Milord," she stated quietly. "Is this a private matter?" she asked with the same tone, wondering if Chancol wanted her gone, the others with her.

[Clif]

As Cody fell from the sky into a nearby tree, the charmeleon couldn't help but sport a look of slight confusion before he glanced upwards and answered his question. ~Strange...I wonder how long he and Blade have been here...~ he thought to himself; prying his attention from the canine and grass-type, he listened to Ren's question.

"If you wish to take leave, then so be it, I'll be fine here," Chancol replied, looking back at the umbreon, his eyes quickly shifting back to Zilla, knowing that he couldn't let his guard down at any moment. "If you happen to find any news that needs to be relayed to me, please return as quickly as you can," the charmeleon dismissed Ren with a slight gesture, and a friendly smirk, knowing that she knew how to take care of herself around the Fortress.

[runewolf]

Youko was a little startled when Cody suddenly fell from the sky, he hadn't even noticed the other Pokemon and it almost gave him away. But he somehow managed to keep still.
He quickly moved from the left side to the right side of the rock he was hiding behind, he didn't want to be spotted by the Pokemon in the tree, plus he had a better look on the situation from there.
He stiffened a groan. - As interesting as this is... I wish they would hurry up and fight if they have too. All this waiting is getting on my patience. - The vulpix was a very patient Pokemon though and he would wait for ages to see how this would turn out if need be.

[Jespeon]

Don't you disagree

Cause you know

It's all about me

Zilla's head turned to look at the rock where the Vulpix was hiding. "If you are getting impatient, you may as well leave, depending on how 'helpful' Chancol is depends on how long this will take," she said. Though she couldn't see the Vulpix, she knew where it was and as she had previously demenstrated, your thoughts weren't hidden from her. She turned to Chancol again. "Your two Hordies have been here a while, you need some a bit stonger n mind AND matter if you ask me." She paused to look at Cody in the tree and Blade further away. "My name is Zilla, it means Shadow, see if you can guess why. My business however, will be revealed when you help me out, ok?"

[runewolf]

Youko sighed, Zilla was way more powerful than he thought. There was no point in staying hidden anymore so he took a step back and leaped onto the rock behind which he had been hiding. He stood there head high, chest out. He stood proud and confident.
"You're powers are truly amazing I must say, that you could read my mind just like that..." He then lowered his head a bit and a big, sly grin spread across his muzzle, his eyes almost seemed to glow in mischief and amusement.
Though I must say, Lady Zilla, I am also wondering how this thing will end... so I have no plan on leaving anytime soon. His eyes drifted from Zilla to Chancol, awaiting the Shadow Lords next move.

[Ren]

Luna stood up, bowed quickly to Chancol, and then took her leave. She knew she had no business here. Besides, that vulpix was getting on her nerves. She figured it was because she was cranky and tired. Yes, that was it. She just needed to rest, she told herself. But she wouldn't be too far away, in case she was needed.

((Just let me know when you want her back, Clif-kun.))

[Clif]

Chancol rolled his eyes towards the now-visible vulpix, due to his assistance in the rebellion not too long ago, he hadn't been able to fully recover, his shadow powers too drained to sense the small--at least small in comparison to the rayquaza he was dealing with--canine in the shadows. "If you're looking for a conflict, go kill something there's too much going on in the Fortress if you haven't noticed already, and I have no intention of making new enemies out of Zilla," he stoically said to Youko.

Turning back to said rayquaza, Chancol's navy blue eyes scrolled upwards to meet hers, "So, you want information on Rayzor? One of the defenders of Light on this land? He isn't as big as a problem as some others are, since he hasn't attacked at all upon the Fortress, so far he's just made an idle threat to 'cleanse' my allies if I didn't stop imprisoning those who wander into my territory. That's pretty much all I know about him."

[runewolf]

Youko chuckled. "Be as it may, I have no intention of leaving yet, fight or no fight. Besides I have my reasons for being here." The sly Vulpix only smiled mysteriously and sat down on the rock. This whole thing was getting interesting and he had a feeling that, if anything happened it would happen soon. He wondered how Zilla would react to Chancols words.

[wolfy]

Cody, unfortunately heard Zilla's comment "Hey, I may not be "immortal" like yourself, but I have a backbone," he yelled, casually tuning to Kuro "unlike some people," he then smirked

[Fires and Rivers]

(am I too late to join? I'll join just in case)

Riv had been stalking something, but she forgot what when she heard voices. Sliding across the ground she watched. Her six red tails curled up behind her while her ears swiveled to listen. Midnight eyes shined slightly in the shadows of a bush. The black Pokemon before her seemed to be surrounded by others. Her body pushed her to reveal herself, but her mind told her that it might be to dangerous, so purposely rustling some leaves she waited.

[Clif]

((hehe, it's never too late to join, but this thread somewhat rides upon the reply of Jespeon another mod who controls the other major character to this thread O.o [which hasn't happened in a long while]. If you want me to fill you in on the background of this story here, just PM me and I'll gladly respond back ))

Chancol's navy blue eyes slowly scrolled over towards the location of the hidden vulpix, with his power slowly returning, the demonic aura that granted him the title of Shadow Lord confirmed that there was indeed a living being making the noise and movement. Sighing out of annoyance, the dark green charmeleon calmly motioned with his claw for the being to come out, not giving any vocal confirmation of his knowledge; if she wanted to stay in hiding, then he didn't give a damn, especially the hidden pokemon wasn't one of power that was a decent threat to his wellbeing.

[Jespeon]

Be at my beck and call

I'm a know it all

And it's all your fault

Zilla smirked as the golden vulpix. "Thank you for your cmpliment, and by all means stay as long as you want, though I doubt anything interesting will happen. If a single Pokemon so much as scratches my tail they will be blown out of Erymire by a single hyper beam, which I will now demonstrate on Kuro."

The black bird squealed loudly and curled into a ball. Zilla laughed and turned away. "Calm Kuro, I won't kill you yet." This didn't seem to make him that much happier.

"As for the rest of you you may as well show yourself," she said, looking around at the other hidden Pokemon. "Come now, step forward, let me see you all!"

Zilla finally turned her attention to Chancol. "So Rayzor is no trouble then? What about you?" she said, thinking aloud. "I could kill you now but I won't, you may be useful later..." She smiled at him before turning to the ball of feathers and flames that contained Kuro. "Kuro, find Rayzor, tell him Zilla's back. Tell him there's a killer, and she's coming after him."

[Ren]

Luna gracefully walked up. "Excuse the interuption," she said, bowing to Chancol and sitting by his side. "I got bored, and I had a bad feeling. I won't bother you; I'm just here in case you need me," she whispered to the Shadowlord. She was then quiet.

[Jespeon]

(Don't you have a houndoom Ren?)

[Ren]

((Yesh, but I guess she has been patiently waiting for everything to clear up before interupring Zilla. But she's there, I promise. I might bring her up in a second.))

[Fires and Rivers]

(shoot last night my post went poof before it posted darn)

River slipped out of the shadows into the lighter clearing. Her red fur smoothed over slight muscles. Midnight black eyes looked at the black Rayquaza. Then she lowered her head into a deep bow toward Chancol and Zilla. "River, your humble servant." She said only. Then she sat back quietly, letting her eyes drift across the group of Pokemon. Six lush tails curved along her haunches, as a notched ear swiveled to capture each noise, the other trained on Zilla and Chancol

[Clif]

Chancol's navy blue eyes rolled as Zilla didn't do anything, the legendary proving to be quite the waste of time, he had pretty much missed all of the fighting just to be asked one simple question. "So are you just here to annoy me? Or do you really need something?" he asked Zilla calmly, tilting his head to one side just a little just as Ren had appeared.

Breaking eye-contact with the legendary, he gave a nod to Ren, she was one of the few beings that he was relatively glad to see; she wasn't as incompetent as the greenies, but not as cocky and impatient as some of the generals could be. "Ah, so getting to know the locals wasn't much fun I take it?" he said briefly with a smirk before addressing Rivers.

"So, Rivers, what brings you to the Fortress? I haven't seen you around here, and by the way that you were hiding, I doubt that Zilla has seen you either," he said without directly looking at the vulpix. Although this one one seemed as undecided as the other vulpix that was on the scene, Chancol did take a liking to the obedience that seemed to show through in her introduction. Shortly after he finished talking, he dismissed Blade and Cody if they both wished to leave, all with just a hand gesture.

((sorry I couldn't post yesterday; had to pick out my 'fro...it took forever O.O))

[Ren]

Luna smirked also at Chancol's coment but said nothing about it. She felt a little more relaxed knowing he was ok. She didn't like many of the pokemon she met, thus not wanting to stumble across them again unless needed to. So, she decided she would stay here until asked to leave by Chancol and only Chancol. She did nod towards River, noting the vulpix's existance.


Meanwhile, the houndoom remained where she sat. She was not hiding; she had no reason to. She was patiently waiting for this meeting to be over so she could join the Rayquaza. She had made up her mind to do so. The Horde was losing its power, in her opinion, and the Crusaders were just too...good. But also, she admired Zilla in a way that she wasn't quiet sure of. So she watched and waited.

[Jespeon]

Zilla wasn't listening to Chancol and Rivers. She was staring up at the sky above the Great Erymirian River. A white beam of light had shot up from there. A hyper beam, but a special one. Rayzors signature move and signal. "Well, two can play at that game," she said. Within seconds a whilwind of black flames flew through the sky. A mix between a twister and her black outrage attack (it can be blue or black for her).

She turned to Chancol and smiled. "Actually I do have a reason for being here, as I now know where Rayzor is. You're feared, apparently, by a lot of Pokemon in this region. I can greatly increase your fear factor, and you can help me with taking over Erymire, get it? So, you in or out? Bearing in mind I can and may crush you like a bug if you say no."

[Clif]

Chancol's eyes followed Zilla's gaze just in time to catch the remnants of the hyper beam traveling into the sky, the light fading after a few moments. He remained silent to watch Zilla's reply to the hyper beam, "Impressive," he stated, doubting she could hear him over the noise of the attack.

The charmeleon took on a slightly surprised look, liking that he had a fearful grip over the surrounding area and not just the Fortress. "I'll work with you, there's nothing to lose with having another ally," he chuckled. Chancol paused, turning back to where the beam of light had been, "So, tell me, what do you have against Rayzor?" The charmeleon grinned to himself as he began to think of the quickest rout to victory, knowing that with Zilla on his side he would be able to capture a point of interest. "Also, just to confirm my assumption, that was Rayzor, and some form of signal?"

[Sephalesh]

(Sorry about joining late. Had trouble in the character department)

A Lunatone hovered from the shadows. "Pardons, Great lord, I apologize for spying." It said crisply and succinctly. It's blood red eyes surveyed everybody in the room. Pathetic fools. escap-eath. Impossi-krackilackin! The lunatone thought to itself. It was a pity that it couldn't stay any longer, but this was decidedly getting very boring. "I have to leave, anyway. I would be wary of the vulpix, just to inform you." the Lunatone said, eyeing the Vulpix with disdain. "She smells awfully foul, and not in the strictest sense of the. . . sense." the lunatone finished. He did have better things to do, so he turned to leave, hovering above the ground.

[Clif]

Chancol let his eyes drift towards the Lunatone, not exactly sure about what to make of the newly introduced Pokémon that seemed to be a little strange. The charmeleon had to take into account about what it said about Rivers, but personally, he had more of a sense of distrust towards the moon-shaped being. Either way, he did give an order to the Lunatone, "If you're taking your leave, then you have time to gather a information upon the prison-break that happened a couple days ago; I want you to figure out who's dead and who's missing, most likely if they aren't at their posts and their bodies aren't accounted for then we might possibly have some traitors that have escaped to ally with the Light..." the charmeleon sighed as he made a hand gesture to dismiss the Lunatone.

Zilla growled at him, her black tail swishing violently towards Chancol, though more accidentally than aggressively. "My problem with Rayzor is none of your concern!" she said. "And yes, that was him, shouting for help because he knows he's in danger now." A smile broke across her face at her own comment. Kuro swooped over the trees and landed on the branch that Blade had been on earlier. "Are you BOTH trying to kill me?" he yelled, referring to the hyper beam and fiery twister attacks he had had to dodge to get here. "Of course not, why would I kill you?" said Zilla, sarcastically. Kuro opened his mouth to argue back, but remembered what had happened last time he did and fell silent.

Chancol swiftly dodged the rayquaza’s moving tail with ease, due to the fact that he wasn’t much of a fighter, the charmeleon had a reaction time that enabled him to remain with very few battle wounds over the years of his life. “Alright, if you want to keep your personal conflicts to yourself then so be it.” Chancol’s gaze fixed itself upon the returning moltres, “You, bird. Tell me, what were they discussing when you had delivered your message?” he knew that the prison break would eventually lead to something else, but the dark green reptile already had planned for another assault upon the Fortress.

"I don't have to answer to you, you moss-covered lizard," he argued.

"Erm, yes, actually, you do," said Zilla, smiling. "That moss-covered lizard is an ally of ours now."

Kuro growled at him. "Answer him sparrow!" Zilla ordered.

Kuro squeaked and shuffled away from the Rayquaza.
"Some big white dude with yellow thorns stuck in his back was talking about some sort of prison break thing. His friend looked pretty injured. Oh and they want to kill you. I don't blame them to be honest," he said to Chancol.

"Great with descriptions aren't you," said Zilla sarcastically. "Would 'the white dude' be Alcatraz by any chance?"

"Yeah I think that’s what he's called," said Kuro. He paused. "Can I go now?"

"No," said Zilla, simply.

"Why not?! All you wanted me to do was get information and I have done!"

Zilla sighed. "DO you really want to argue with me?"

"No," he said, very quietly, now looking at the floor.

Chancol couldn’t help laughing at the quick transition of the moltres into a submissive state, “Ah, she’s really got you in a grip, doesn’t she?” he asked tauntingly. He then turned to Zilla, “I’ve already known about Alcatraz…He paid a visit to the Fortress when our first Shadow Lord still was in power, he’s the whole reason why the power was set free to connect with a different being. As for another prison break, I’ll let them have their prisoners in exchange for something much greater; while they are attacking the Fortress we’ll—that is, if you decide to participate—capture another point of interest of mine.” The charmeleon didn’t exactly wish to discuss his plan in the open with other Pokémon he didn’t trust as much; at this point he could pretty much trust Zilla, her approach and offer of alliance was good enough coming from a legendary; and Luna, she already had been involved with a previous part of the plan, unfortunately he had failed when they were attempting to carry it through.

Kuro glared at Chancol and looked away, preening his feathers. Zilla tilted her head, looking at Chancol. "Come now Chancol, tell me of this little plan of yours, I'm very interested," she said in a voice that actually showed very little interest.

"Can't you trust me?" Kuro sniggered.

"Hey, birdie, clear off for a bit will you?" she said to him.

He looked angry. "Why?" he argued. "I want to know this plan!"

"Well if you're a good little birdie I'll tell you later," she lied. Kuro muttered something and opened his wings. "Don't go too far, I'll need you back later."

<Ha, you wish! How will I know when I'm meant to come back? Freedom at last> he thought.

"When you are hit by a twister, I need you back, ok? Otherwise I will hunt you down and barbeque you. Are we agreed?" she asked him. He muttered something again and nodded, flying off. Zilla turned to Chancol and smiled. "Now can you tell me?"

Chancol couldn’t help but grin a toothy grin as Kuro was once again defeated in a battle of power, “Must be fun having him around…he doesn’t put up much of a fight does he?” he asked, not expecting an answer. The charmeleon quickly moved over to the matter at hand, which was discussing his plan, he began to discuss his experimentation, tests and observations of Pokémon who had been held within the dungeon to first let Zilla understand where he was pulling his logic from. Then, he finally opened up about his plan to the legendary reptile. “Do you understand?”


"Pretty much, though it shows the Horde has little power really if you have to do all this in secret," she said. "And you promised to help me, remember? So if during any part of this plan of yours you can assist me then you will yes?"

Chancol sighed in reply to Zilla's first comment, "Well, it's not like we have a full force, just by this past rebellion--" he had already received reports about the ending of the rebellion "--we've lost at least a quarter to half of our strength in numbers. A reasonable move like that would be much better than using full force." Personally, even if he had the numbers, the charmeleon preferred to use more strategy than blunt force as the Horde has been known for.

He took a moment to nod, "Yes, I will assist to the best of my ability, but if it extremely hinders the progress of my plan I will have to consider whether or not I can fully assist you physically, but I'd be able to pass authority over troops," he said truthfully; the initial stages of his plan would be quite difficult to execute, but once everything was set into place, assistance to the legendary would be much easier.

Zilla couldn't help but burst out laughing at his first comment. "A rebellion?" she said between laughter. "You had a rebellion? Oh this is class! And you've lost half the entire Horde ?! Oh this is fantastic!" It took her a good 5 minutes to calm down again, but a smirk remained on her lips. "And that will be why you don't like fighting then is it?" she said. Many would be wondering why she wanted to join with the Horde if she thought it was that bad, but she had her reasons, though unlike Chancol, she would not tell her plans that quickly.

Chancol took Zilla’s laughter easily and without any thought of retaliation, “Most who had been part of the Horde were fighting amongst one another in order to try to claim the Shadow Lord’s power, those who lost after their long struggle just couldn’t cope with the fact that they hadn’t achieved the status that I now hold. No matter who obtained this power this kind of rebellion would have happened either way unless that sole being had complete control over the shadowing aura,” the charmeleon smirked, “also, insult adds to injury when you find out that you had been ousted by a being that hasn’t even fully evolved, so that’s just all the more reason. Look at it as the relationship between you and that moltres…unlike I did when the rebels began to defect from the Horde, you have the power to hold that bird in check even though he constantly tries to defect from your control. With that raw power of yours, he remains a ‘loyal’ servant to you.”

The charmeleon kept a little quiet as he replied to Zilla’s second claim, “I tend to use strategy over strength for certain reasons. Like how you have your conflicts with Rayzor, I have my own.”

"I'm going to take that as a compliment," said Zilla, referring to the moltres relationship. "And I can understand why some would be angry. But how did you get the power at your stage, no offense." Kuro was circling over head. Zilla signaled him down and he landed, not exactly looking happy to be back.

The charmeleon couldn’t help but chuckle, “No offense taken…but I’m still not going to reveal that secret to anyone,” he shook his head as he replied. He quickly became more cautious about how he viewed Zilla, just that one question set off his mind into analyzing the legendary; at this point he subconsciously deemed her as one who could possibly be after the demonic aura.

Zilla grinned. "Now that you don't need to worry about," she said. "I have much bigger plans than taking over the Horde."

Chancol shrugged, “Can never be too cautious.”


Joint Post by Jespeon and Clif

[Fires and Rivers]

(sorry, wedding stuff went longer than expected! and the two didn't walk away did they? if so I didn't see it so sorry)

River waited until a moment of pause, glaring at the lunatone, flame licking her tongue. Clamping her mouth closed she turned her head from the rock and closed her ears to the conversation. It was not hers to hear. Finally she realized they had stopped talking she bowed her head and said to the chameleon. "I am new to the area yes, m'lord. And if i may use your words, one 'can never be to cautious." Brushing her tail gently to calm herself she added, "and I would not take words too seriously from a Pokemon made out of floating rock sir." She bowed her head in recognition to Luna before she turned to Zilla "beautiful display of power m'lady."

[Clif]

((hehe, no problem, good to have you back))

Chancol gave a chuckle, finding the vulpix more sane than the Lunatone that had already left, "Heh, at least you have a sense of humor, and respect. " he said, chuckling as his gaze was averted upwards towards the sky where a relatively small pidgey was circling. The charmeleon raised his hand, closed it into a fist and lowered it back down in a hastened fashion, which served as a signal for the flying type to come down to the group.

Knowing that it shouldn't disclose information to anyone else but the Shadow Lord unless instructed, the pidgey hopped over to the reptile after landing, and fluttered to Chancol's outstretched arm. Swiftly, but quietly the bird pokemon informed the charmeleon of what it knew, which quickly resulted in a nod of praise and dismissal by Chancol.

He turned back to Rivers, "So, despite the fact that Zilla and I are allied now, it doesn't matter who you serve; yet it is important that we know why you've come to us." he stated, inferring that Rivers would get the notion to reply to the implied question.

[Fires and Rivers]

(*feels loved* thanks. Shoot must think this post through carefully)

Rivers swallowed hard, casting her gaze down. "I have no were else to go m'lord. No place has felt like home where ever I have traveled. I come to you as a humble vulpix skilled in fighting and hunting, living without shelter." She swept her gaze up sharply, confidence fear and respect lacing into one on the statement, " I come to aid your purpose, and to find my own." Praying that these were the right words her gaze swept over the pidgey, charmeleon and other Pokemon in the shadowed circle. Breath she didn't know she had been holding escaped her, as she prepared herself for the worst and best case scenario.

[Clif]

The charmeleon smirked, mentally approving of Rivers' response. He took a few steps towards the canine and replied, "Good, just upon receiving this new information, I need a being who hasn't fully adapted to the shadows;" referring to the demonic aura surrounding the Fortress and some parts beyond, "according to the information that pidgey brought me, Rayzor is with Alcatraz at the moment, but that's as far as our little scout can tell us since he left just as the second legendary arrived. That's where you come in...Rivers, was it?" he asked, pausing only for a split moment before continuing on.

"According to Zilla, Rayzor feels the need to get help, and now he's obtaining it from the arceus, Alcatraz..." Chancol paused, recalling the memory of being stopped outside of the Fortress by the poke-god, just before the first Shadow Lord was destroyed, "Most likely they are going to be planning something to assault the Horde, or get rid of me or my power...me to just buy time or the demonic aura to end the threat for good." He rolled his right wrist in a circular motion before gripping his clawed hand into a fist, "I want you to go out with a few others and establish a scouting group in order to figure out what they are planning. You, of course, will be right next to the legends, doing anything that they wish in order to further their plan, but every once in a while you shall report back to another one of my close allies out in the area and they will give the information to me. I will send you with whomever you shall be feeding information to," the charmeleon paused, and made sure that he had the vulpix's attention, continuing in a slightly threatening tone, "and by all means...you shall only report to those who accompany you on your journey out there. Do I make myself clear?"

[Fires and Rivers]

Rivers looked startled, but her eyes cleared quickly as she listened to her command, nodding at her name. "Of course m'lord. I wouldn't dream of disobeying you." She bowed low to the charmeleon. "I am ready to set off when you give word, sire." She wondered who she would be feeding info to, and so on, but for now she was just a minion receiving instruction. Red fur stood slightly at attention, excitement running through her veins, but calmness cooling her hot blood. She was ready.

[Clif]

((hehe, this might be my last post until Jespeon or Ren replies, I don't want them to get too far behind, nor do I want to be the only one RPing a character with you; I want another or two others accompanying you ))

The charmeleon gave a slight smile in approval, chuckling before he spoke again, "Good. I want you to find anyone who seems strong enough to accompany you on your journey, then meet up with me again and I will assign you whomever you shall be reporting to. Got it?" Chucking once again, Chancol found it a little strange and comical that none of his own species he found to be trustworthy or loyal enough in order to send them to accompany Rivers, but he had no problem with the close allies he had now.

((Are you alright with taking a crack at starting your own thread and recruiting other Horde members?))

[Fires and Rivers]

(sounds good to me, I'm guessing it was a dismissal)

Rivers got up from the bow and said, "Of course, I shall return for approval when I have others." Her red coat was a blur as she turned and bounded back into the shadows, over her old hiding spot. Her paws stirred rattata from their resting places as she rushed past. She didn't want pokemon from the fortress, but a fresh start, those who knew what they were geting into, but were still clueless as to what the hoarde was planing. She'd start at the ruins.

(Rivers out! I'll check back from time to time, pm me when you want me back. Where is Jespeon I wonder)