Who is afraid of a big bad ghost? [open]

[Kore]

She had a place to sleep. The sweet old woman who was friends with her parents... yeah, she could go there, but... but there was something about Here... out in the eerily silent grove in which she had caught her second pokemon, which called to her. She shivered as a breeze made the trees tinkle and sigh. There was something about this grove. Or maybe, just something about the trees. And the sky and the wind...

She patted the Pokeballs on her belt and sighed. All of her pokemon were asleep... presumably... in their balls. "Yeah..." She said, settling into the grass. "It's the trees and sky... the stars... the Pokemon." She smiled. Then as she spread out, she felt something silky and sticky attach its self to her arm. "What-" She froze, teeth bared. "Is that?" She quickly swatted the sticky thing, but found it to be of little substance. "Huh?" She murmured, pulling the stuff off of her arm. "String shot." She said to herself. "Maybe from when..." Her mind went to the training she and Zane had had here. "Is this?" She looked around, noting the stump he had used as a stool. She chuckled, "Of all the clearings in all the grove..."

She wondered about that guy. He'd been very nice to her. Befriended her when she was alone in this new place... but the things he said. "Pain should be a sufficient motivator." She shook her head. The way he just let his pokemon have at eachother... maybe it was inexperience. Maybe it was something else. She believed that any training session her pokemon had was as much for herslf as it was for them... she scratched her temple. "These thoughts are leading me in circles." She said, curling up under her light blanket. "Good night pokemon of the grove... Good night spirit... if you do exist." She closed her eyes to sleep, but didn't quite feel comfortable, so she let out Drifloon and Growlithe. "Hey, guys, you can still sleep, I just want someone to be out here with me."

Emery huffed and curled beside her, while Drifloon happily drifted about the clearing. It seemed he enjoyed the night. "Drif floon Drifloon." It said. She nodded, suddenly much more at ease.

"You'll stay awake? You sure?" She yawned, "Thanks Boo. You're a real pal." She closed her eyes again, confident she was safe and so were her pokemon.

[Omnes D. Stahl]

Omnes walked into the grove in the dead of night, the moon shining brightly in the clearing he had found far beyond the trail. This is a perfect spot to train. He reached into his pouch and released all of his pokemon in front to of him. Ransem was the only one not in front of him, since he grasped his trainers head like his life support. “Hey, get off me.” stated Omnes with a stern tone. He pried Ransem off his face. “This is why I brought you and everyone here to train.” He placed his piplup in the middle of the group and began his training instructions.

“I’m going to help you all overcome your fears and learn ways to not only survive through a battle, but excel in it. Of course I have to learn each of your strengths and weaknesses to better assess your abilities in battle. Even if you don’t want to, Halima, and yes, you do have weaknesses Comet.” Omnes looked at all their faces to see if they understood. “Alright then, I will put you all in pairs and I will give you more instruction. Anansi, seeing as you are new, you will be with Ransem. He will show you the basics. Comet and Fuse, you two will be together. Comet... DON’T PISS HER OFF. Ok? Mosh and Halima, you two will practice together. Everyone got it? Go, I’m going to Ransem and Anansi first.”

The pokemon separated in pairs at different places around the clearing. Ransem and Anansi stayed with Omnes in the center. Comet and Fuse where north from them. Mosh and Halima were south where there were more trees and bushes.

“This is what I’ll have you both do,” started Omnes, looking down at his piplup and spinarak. “I want you to spar together, Ransem going easy on you Anansi, and have him give you more experience about battles. You were very frightened when I caught you, so you might be a little shaken to try and fight again. Ransem will make sure that you are safe while learning how to survive a battle. Ok? I’m going to go and talk to Comet and Fuse.” he said moving towards the rock pokemon. After walking away from hearing distance, he deadpanned, “Hopefully, they haven’t rampaged yet.”

The ruckus from the pokemon spread throughout the grove as their training was about to begin. In the distance there was one other trainer in the grove, sleeping with two of her pokemon out of their balls. All the noise caught the attention of one of her pokemon.

[Topic Entered]

[Kore]

As Saarda snoozed the night away, Boo had clasped her leg and was sleeping while floating, attached though, so he wouldn't drift away. Emery had woken up some minutes ago, and begun to listen to something in the distance. An odd sound. It reminded him of his trainer. Orders being called out and probably obeyed. He stood up, lifiting his nose to the breeze. His ears flattened when he recognized the scent of unfamiliar pokemon. He barked low, stance wide, then he bounded over Saarda and pawed her hip, accidentally opening another pokeball. Taillow's. He barked at the bird type, who seemed kind of miffed at being woken for no apparent reason. Then he heard it too. He squawked angrily and pecked Saarda in the hip. She sat up immediately with a cry of pain, swatting at Tai in her semi-alert state. Lucky for him he was faster than his sleepy trainer. "Tai Taillow!" He pecked her again, and held his wing out, pointing toward the noise.
Saarda rubbed her eyes and grumbled something unintelligible, but listened intently. Trusting Tai's instincts. "What?" She asked.
Emery barked and pointed in the same direction, poised for a fight. "Easy, boy. We don't know that they're unfriendly." She shook her head. "We don't know anything yet." She noticed that Boo seemed overly fatigued, so she put him back into his ball, then got up and whispered to Tai to check how many there were. Tai obeyed silently. The only sound he made was the light swoosh of his wings through the air. A few moments later he returned and scratched three sets of small pairs of lines then one large one. He looked up at her, hoping she would understand.
"So... the big one is the trainer, obviously, I heard him... Six pokemon?'
Taillow nodded happily and flitted to his perch on her shoulder. Emery lead the way to the other trainer, chest puffed in an intimidating manner. He barked to get the attention of the boy in the clearing. "Who are you?" Saarda asked, "And what do you want?"

[Omnes D. Stahl]

As he thought, the two rock pokemon were fighting each other. The only thing was Fuse couldn’t catch up to Comet, but he couldn’t make a dent on her because of Fuse’s high defense. “Oi, you two stop it, you’ll wake up the entire grove.” The two ignored their trainers warning. “Hey, stop!” Craters were starting to appear on the ground from all their tackles. The brush they fought in was in a pitiful state, broken branches and leaves everywhere. Omnes finally snapped at them, grabbing both and separating them. “I SAID STO-!!”

A small growl caught Omnes attention, and he turned to see what it was. Finding himself in an awkward position, his foot on Fuse and his arms around Comet, the three of them stared at the sudden appearance of a trainer. "op..." The small growlithe continued to growl as intimidating as it could beside a blonde haired, green eyed female trainer with a taillow perched on her shoulder. Her eyes were filled with caution as she spoke, “Who are you and what do you want?”

He only paused for a moment, trying to grasp what just happened. “That’s my line,” responded Omnes. “Who are you and why are you here?” Fuse had calmed down so Omnes placed his geodude back on the ground. “Oh and I’m a trainer training my pokemon who wants to be the one of the best pokemon trainer in the world. Does that answer your question?” He wiped his hands and clothes from all the dirt that Comet and Fuse made in their scuffle and crossed his arms in wait for the answers to his questions.

Moshennik and Halima flew over to see what was going on. Ransem and Anansi as well. The piplup and spinarak walked up beside the two rock pokemon and the others, Mosh and Halima, perched themselves on Omnes’ shoulders.

[Kore]

Saarda was not a grumpy person by nature, but then again she was sleepy, and he was snarky. "It's the Silent Grove. It's the middle of the night. What do people do in silent places when it's dark? They sleep. And you. Training your pokemon by standing on them? Grappling with them? What does that teach them?" She shook her head, "And no, it didn't answer my question. I still don't know who you are, and 'What do you want?' is more of a 'Why on earth did you think it'd be a good idea to come here and wake up the entire grove?' Emery barked in approval of the sentiment. Still growling in a menacing way. Tai flapped his wings irritably, protesting the interruption of his rest.

She folded her arms and frowned at the teen. "I am Saarda Kotka." She said. "And I was doing what any other sane person would be at this time of night; sleeping."

Best pokemon trainer in the world? She sighed, wondering what that even meant to him. "This is Tai." She gestured to her shoulder, "And Emery. Why did you join your pokemon in their battle? You're human. Your skin is soft and easily hurt. You should be conscious of that, and not go off battling Geodudes for fun. You'll lose, and I don't have time to drag you to the hospital or the pokemon center." She huffed, trying to get her mood in check. She did not like being woken up in the middle of the night, especially by unknown trainers. It brought her mother's misfortune to mind, and summoned an intense anger.

[Omnes D. Stahl]

Omnes and all of his pokemon stared at the girl trainer as she, in kind words, blew up on them, saying, “It’s the Silent Grove. It’s the middle of the night. What do people do in silent places when it’s dark? They sleep. And you. Training your pokemon by standing on them? Grappling with them? What does that teach them?” She shook her head, “And no, it didn’t answer my question. I still don’t know who you are, and ‘What do you want?’ is more of a ‘Why on earth did you think it’d be a good idea to come here and wake up the entire grove?’” The small growlithe barked in agreement and the taillow flapped its wings irritably.

Without letting Omnes speak, she folded her arms and introduced herself. “I am Saarda Kotka. And I was doing what any other sane person would be at this time of night; sleeping.”

She continued her questions, which at this point felt like an interrogation. “This is Tai.” She gestured to her shoulder, “and Emery. Why did you join your pokemon in their battle? You’re human. Your skin is soft and easily hurt. You should be conscious of that, and not go off battling Geodudes for fun. You’ll lose, and I don’t have time to drag you to the hospital or the pokemon center.” She huffed.

Without thinking, and full of honest curiosity, Omnes asked, “You done?” Taking a deep breath, he did his best to answer all her questions. The ones he remembered anyway. “Uh good to meet you, Saarda. Remind me never to wake you as you’re sleeping, by the way. First of all, yes I know I’m human, and why I was getting into my pokemon’s fight was to prevent the entire grove, or at least this area of the grove, from being destroyed. My roggenrola has a temper and my geodude is cocky. Bad mix yes, but if they had waited longer,” said Omnes with an angry glare at them, “They would’ve known what to do despite their differences. And it doesn’t matter if I get hurt. If I’m the only one not getting hurt when they get in a battle, how are they going to trust me completely unless they know I’m willing to come in and protect them myself if things go wrong. And what do you mean what every sane person does? Why do you sleep here when there’s a town nearby where you could sleep in a bed? Oh and the piplup’s Ransem, the spinarak is Anansi, the woobat is Moshennik, I sometimes call him Mosh for short, and this is Halima, the zubat. The two here,” pointing at the rock pokemon, “Are Comet and Fuse. Fuse is the roggenrola.”

Omnes took a breather from all the talking and answering. “And in regards to who I am, I am Omnes D. Stahl. I moved here from the Hoenn region, travelling through Johto, Kanto, and Sinnoh just to reach Kyozon. I’m a new trainer hoping to be one of the best trainers in the world. I was been inspired by Steven Stone when I was a boy after an incident happened.”

Looking back into Saarda’s eyes, he stood his ground and finished by saying, “That should answer your questions, I think.”

[Kore]

When he asked if she was done, she couldn't help but chuckle. He went on to explain what was going on. Fuse could have destroyed the grove. Well, so he said. Probably self destruct. That's not an attack she would have her pokemon using. It all made sense until he said "It doesn't matter if I get hurt..." She shook her head and waited for him to finish introducing all of his pokemon. She was going to have a hard time keeping everything straight... name-wise. He spoke about Steven Stone, who was a bit of a celebrity, even she knew of him. Then he said, "That should answer your questions, I think."

When she was sure he had finished, she smiled, "You done?" Intentionally echoing his earlier question. "Sorry I snapped. You said it doesn't matter if you get hurt. You're wrong. As a trainer, you're there to care for them..." she struggled to find the right words. For some reason Omnes' actions worried her. She didn't want him to get hurt. "You said Steven inspired you? He's a great trainer. Fantastic, in fact. How do you think he would have handled this situation. Would he have jumped into the fray? Would he have used what he knew about Pokemon to diffuse the situation. Yelling isn't the only solution... and neither is brute force." She said. "Can Piplup use any water attacks? I would have hit Comet with one, then gotten Fuse under control. You have six pokemon, right? Your job as trainer is to coordinate them. Be the brain not the fists."

She scratched her head, then patted Emery, who was still growling. "Easy, boy. They seem friendly." She murmured. That was when she noticed that Tai had fallen to sleep. She shook her head, "You are a dork." She nudged him with her chin. He huffed and squawked at her reproachfully. "I don't like towns. Too crowded. Shower, stockpile, pokemon center, and whatever business I might have in one, then I leave. I'm more comfortable out here. It's quiet. Beautiful. You don't have to pay for the view." She sighed, "And without people around, I can let my pokemon out. Really, who would mess with a growlithe and a ghost type? I've got a Drifloon, and a few other pokemon. I'm from Kanto." She said, trying to change the subject, "Did you like it there? I like Kyozon better. More varied pokemon." She kind of faltered, as she remembered how tired she was, and ran out of topics. She settled for silence, and keeping her eyelids opened.

[Omnes D. Stahl]

Saarda chuckled when he finished talking. She echoed his previous remark before speaking, “You done? Sorry I snapped. You said it doesn’t matter if you get hurt. You’re wrong. As a trainer, you’re there to care for them...” She paused as if looking for the right words to say. “ You said Steven inspired you? He’s a great trainer. Fantastic, in fact. How do you think he would have handled this situation. would he have jumped into the fray? Would he have used what he knew about Pokemon to diffuse the situation. Yelling isn’t the only solution... and neither is brute force.” She looked down at Ransem. “Can Piplup use any water attacks? I would have hit Comet with one, then gotten Fuse under control. You have six Pokemon, right? Your job as trainer is to coordinate them. Be the brain not the fists.”

Listening to Saarda’s lecture, instead wanting to protest, her words hit a chord within him as it dawned on him that she was right. He lowered his eyes with some shame, but at the same time knew that his Pokemon still need more team building in order for them to get along better.

Emery, the little growlith was still growling at him and his pokemon. “Easy, boy. They seem friendly.” Murmured Saarda. She muttered a few more things at her pokemon, nudging her Taillow to wake up. She turned and spoke to Omnes again. “I don’t like towns. Too crowded. Shower, stockpile, pokemon center, and whatever business I might have in one, then I leave. I’m more comfortable out here. It’s quiet. Beautiful. You don’t have to pay for the view.” She sighed, “And without people around, I can let my pokemon out. Really, who would mess with a growlithe and a ghost type?” Ransem, upon hearing this, shuddered and hid behind his trainer. “I’ve got a Drifloon, and a few other pokemon. I’m from Kanto. Did you like it there? I like Kyozon better. More varied pokemon.” She faltered a little. Omnes noticed she was still drowsy from waking up.

“So you just don’t like the company of others too well.” Muttered Omnes to himself, “ That’s understandable. Sorry if I was too rude, while I was talking. Kanto was amazing when I was there. It was a little isolated in regards to a variety of pokemon, that much is true, but it amazing seeing the sights there.” Omnes had a gentle smile on his face, thinking of all the adventures he had in Kanto. He brought out his hand. “It’s good to meet you Saarda. Could’ve been a better way to meet though.” Omnes wanted to be considerate of Saarda’s exhaustion, but he wanted to know how much she knew about training and, better yet, battling pokemon.

“Um, hey.” He started, trying to choose his words carefully, “Would you like to stay and help me train my pokemon, or would you like me to let you sleep again?”

[Ooc: You can suggest a pokebattle after this post]

[Kore]

Saarda nodded, "Good to meet you too, Omnes. Circumstances are what they are, no hard feelings?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment before he said, "Um, hey. Would you like to stay and help me train my pokemon, or would you like me to let you sleep again?"

She hesitated... laughed then grinned. "The best training for battle is in battle." She said, "How do you feel about having a Pokemon Battle?" She touched her pokeballs unconsciously, as she pondered which of her six she would use. "Double battles build teamwork skills. For example, Tai here has been training with Pidge since I caught him. Emery is partnered with my Electrike, Trish, and my other two just met, so... I don't really think my last two are suitable for eachother. Surskit and Drifloon." She shrugged. "So, whaddya say?" She rolled her shoulder, suddenly much more awake, and practically dancing, Tai noticed her energy, perking up. He eyed the little blue pokemon with curiosity, fluttering his wings in anticipation.

[Omnes D. Stahl]

[Ooc: Sorry for taking so long. Being a video editor is hard work.]

“Good to meet you Omnes. Circumstances are what they are, no hard feelings?” said Saarda, nodding at his greeting.

Omnes agreed with a smile. “Yeah, no hard feelings.”

After stating his thought, Saarda hesitated for a bit, then, with a smile, laughed out loud. “The best training for battle is a battle.” Hearing those words made his heart burn with fire. Will I really have my first battle?! He thought excitedly. “Double battles build teamwork skill. For example, Tai here has been training with Pidge since I caught him. Emery is partnered with my Electrike, Trish, and my other two just met, so... I don’t really think my last two are suitale for each other. Surskit and Drifloon.” She shrugged. “So, whaddya say?”

“Absolutely!” exclaimed Omnes, all of his pokemon showing the same excitement he had. “Let me get ready and prep my pokemon. Shout out when you’re ready too!”

Omnes walked away a bit and had his pokemon huddle around him. “Okay guys. This is your first real trainer battle. Do not be ashamed if you lose, this is gonna be used to give you experience. Remember, learn your opponents moves and dodge when possible. And when you dodge try a counter attack if there is an openning, got it?.” Everyone in attention gave an understanding nod. Anansi was nervously shaking, being the newest and youngest member. Ransem patted her on the head, comforting her, as if to say she’ll be ok. Comet let his ego soar, ready to show off the speed that surpassed many Geodudes in the region. Fuse just calmly accepted the challenge, wanting to give everything she had in the battle. Moshennik and Halima fluttered their wings in anticipation, mentally preparing themselves for a battle they prefered not to do. “Alright! You will be paired the same way I tried to pair you for training. Work together, using your strength and weaknesses to effectively win your battle. Is that clear Comet, Fuse?” Comet shrugged while Fuse shook her head in disappointment. “Remember, listen carefully to what I say. That may be the difference between getting hurt badly or leaving with minor hurts. Ready?” All of his pokemon nodded, with determined looks in their eyes. Seeing their responses, he spoke out loud, doing his best to get them excited. “Then let’s go!”

Omnes returned all but Ransem and Anansi in their balls. He walked toward Saarda and announced that he was ready. “I’m ready!”

[Kore]

Saarda let out her pokemon. Each in turn. "Right. Everyone who wasn't out a moment ago... we're about to battle. A real trainer battle. Not like last time, with Zane." Pidgey puffed her chest and chirped with satisfaction at the mention of that. "Yes, you did very well. But, this is a different trainer, with different pokemon. Remember that. This also isn't a wild fight, so there are rules. First: Only two pokemon are allowed to fight at a time. That means you have to work together. Second, no attacking trainers. So... don't worry about that. Third, and this is very important, obey my word. I know more than you do. I have a better perspective." She breathed carefully as her pulse spiked in anticipation. "This is going to be fun." She rubbed her hands together. "Trish, Emery, you're up." Then as he shouted that he was ready, she breathed, "The rest of you watch carefully, but trust me, and stay behind me. I'm watching too." Then she nodded at Omnes, "Me too. So... two pokemon at a time. Winner must KO the other trainer's pokemon, or make it so they are unable to battle. Sound good?"

She patted her dog pokemon on their heads and grinned when she felt goosebumps rise on her skin. This is what its all about... It seemed like the world slowed down for a moment, as Saarda and her pokemon waited. The sounds of the grove, not actually silent, echoed all around her, singing in her ears, a chant of encouragement. She closed her eyes... or rather, she blinked. An eternity in an instant. Then Emery barked intimidatingly, and Trish whined nervously, pawing the ground... and the moment ended. She spoke gentle words of encouragement to Trish as she shivered and shot glances at Emery, who shouldered her in encouragement. Saarda nodded, they were a good pair. Then she locked eyes with Omnes, her confidence soothing her pokemon as they faced what had to be quite scary for them... well, Emery seemed fine, but he was kinda... well, not the sharpest tool in the shed. Brave, but not very sharp. If he wasn't wise enough to be scared, Trish was scared enough for both of them. "Good boy." She said.

[Omnes D. Stahl]

[Ooc: Holy moly my hands are shaking knowing that I'm typing a pokebattle.]

Omnes took a deep breath, feeling his heart beat like a war drum in his chest. Saarda gave the rules of engagement stating: Two pokemon at time. Winner must KO the other trainers pokemon, or make it so that they are unable to battle. Conditions he would gladly follow. For a brief moment, there was a standstill, as both trainers sorted out their minds before the battle. Ransem and Anansi stood next to each other, in front of their trainer, waiting for his orders.

Omnes confirmed the air that surrounded both trainers and their pokemon. “Let’s get this started!”

Pokebattle

Omnes gave his first command, “Anansi! Use String Shot to tie yourself around Ransem and latch onto his back. Don’t let go! If you see any pokemon in front of you bite them using Poison Sting!”

Anansi followed through, shaking while doing so, spinning out webs and tying it around the piplup, placing herself on his back and holding on for dear life.

“Ransem wait for your opponent to attack and gauge its speed!” Omnes kept gazing at the other trainer, trying to figure out what she was thinking. “Use growl to intimidate them!”

The blue piplup braced itself and growled loudly to the his two opponents.

[Ooc: Enjoy the song]

[Kore]

Saarda nodded at him, solid thinking, except that Ransem was a water type. "Trish, be brave! Hit them with thunderwave! Emery, use Ember on the Spinerak!" Emery barked and spat a ball of flame at the poke-pair. Trish hesitated, but as Emery flamed them, she rushed forward, faster than the eye could follow, charging up her thunderwave, then shooting it out as she leaped over the pair. "Tackle Ransem, Trish! Emery, ember again! Use the light it gives to keep the enemy in sight, and use Leer!" She ordered. Her other pokemon stood around nervously, making sounds of encouragement to Trish, when she faltered, and whooping at Emery to raise his spirit. They were a good audience. She smiled, enjoying the feel of the battle.

[Omnes D. Stahl]

I have two disadvantages this fight. That growlithe can overpower Anansi and that electrike over Ransem. What can I do to give my pokemon and advantage?

Saarda gave out her orders. Emery, the growlithe spat out a fireball aimed at the spider pokemon. Seeing the ball of flame, Ransem turned his body just enough to protect Anansi. Immediately, the other trainer ordered the electric pokemon to use Thunder Wave. An after attack, which Ransem had no choice but to endure. Wow, hitting home right off the bat. For a split second he saw the electrike hesitate before using his attack. “Ransem charge at the elecktrike using Growl! If he gets intimidated use Pound! If not, dodge if possible!”

Ransem charged at the electrike, readying his flippers for Pound, then from the corner of his eyes saw the Growlithe preparing another Ember. Omnes noticed it too, shouting out a new order. “Nevermind, run past the Electrike! Anansi, once you see it in your sights bite using Poison Sting! Ransem, try to hold out taking care of that Ember!” Omnes just hoped they were capable of doing so in time.

[Kore]

Emery saw Trish hesitate when Ransem used growl, so he barked furiously, and he spat a huge ball if embers. "Trish, Thunderwave! Paralyze them again, and hit Ransem with a tackle. Emery, don't get mad! They're going to try using Poison sting! Ember that Spinerak! Don't just shoot attacks off at random! Every attack has a purpose, so make sure they hit!" She growled, "Trish, hit Ransem! I am not talking to myself!" She knew that was a little harsh, but she also knew that the electrike needed the discipline. Fear was only productive when it kept you from doing something stupid. When it kept you from doing something necessary, it was weakness. "Emery, make sure you don't hit Trish with that Ember!" She watched as Trish noticed Ransem charging at her. She froze for a moment, before lowering her head and charged her Thunderwave. She sparked and howled, ready for the attack, and ready to counter it with her own attacks. It helped her stand firm, knowing Emery was coming to help. She sparked brilliantly as the water and grass pokemon closed in.

Emery spat his ember attack furiously, as the pair closed on his teammate. Then, as it the ball of embers flew across the dark space between him and his partner, he snarled and roared unexpectely, throwing off Trish's attacks. Saarda groaned and watched the disobedient male charge the charging pokepair, as Trish, wide eyed, shook and cried out in fear.

[[you can use Trish-Electrike and Emery-Growlithe in your reply]]