[TartoonHand94]

Made of sand and stone and worn by long neglect, an abandoned monument to a forgotten civilization stood tall, overlooking the once beautiful coast beside the Pokémon Cove. Besides the waves brushing indifferently against the shifting shore, it was quiet. Deathly quiet. A quiet voice could carry uninterrupted for miles in a place such as this. It was peaceful.

High in the dark dry tower, near its tip in fact, behind a dusty window, a pair of eyes stared out from within a dark dry husk. The ocean was mystifying at this hour. A moment like this deserved to be shared. Instead of basking in the view, the eyes were glaring landward in expectation.

At the first signs of activity from bellow, the first sight of someone, anyone approaching toward the Abyssal Ruins, the dark dry hollow husk retreated from the window, into the darkness. Perhaps to make its way through the labyrinth, toward the front entrance far below.

The tides were low at this hour. If one had someone to meet inside, it would be wise to enter now, if one wished to remain dry.

[Deleted]

Zeraora had been steeling herself for this day, for this moment. This... This was the crowning jewel of her works. She was going to save these people... and him as well. Looking over the warnings again and again, and watching how the others had prepared, the electric catgirl was fearful, but not dissuaded from her task, and from her goal to hopefully rid the world of one less horror. Zeraora had fought a Shedinja once, and... well... it didn't go well, especially since it was nearly three hundred years ago. For now, she left the Life Sphere, a... surf board in hand? The best way and safest way to approach was by either sailing or surfing, and she was skilled in the latter.

Zera would slowly paddle out from the far coast and begin her ascent across one of the larger waves tearing across towards the Pokemon Cove, standing upright and balancing as she felt her board rise with the coming waters, keeping near the center and leaning forward to dive down in case she needed to push on. By all means, surfing was an unconventional means of transport, but she'd rather surf potentially infested waters being that she was electrical in nature than run the risk of being attacked on land. In fact, she felt at home on a board, kind of like her same sentiments behind a screen. She could be seen along the horizon, surfing in with the coming tide, and the ebbing waves near the edge of the massive castle. With a quick cut of her board around the perimeter, Zera could feel the board beneath her soft paws begin to slow, and with that, she edged closer to the castle's entrance.

This place was terrifying. The chill of death already crept down the catgirl's spine as she stood tall, letting the brine-infested sea-breeze blow in her fur, and up her nose. The taste and scent of salt was overpowering, given this place was by the sea, but... at what reward was the cost of the saline inhalation? Was it death? Or was it to save her friends..? That Isonus fellow assured her, and the others, that if they failed, he'd save them. Hopefully this wouldn't turn into an endless cycle of pain, but... that wasn't going to happen. Everyone back home was believing in them. Even Shadow. Zera clutched her fists tight, letting the crackle of static pierce the air with a subtle and low hum. There were no words to describe this further, except a few in a sentence like this...

She was going to save them all.

[Mr. Game & Watch]

Bisharp never exactly saw himself as much of a heroic type. He could never really say that he’s ever been in a position where he had to glory charge his way out into distant lands to save a friend, let alone anyone in general, unless it was a contract that Shade took, but Shade was never much of a search and rescue type of guy. Either way, Bisharp after today, he supposed that he had the right to say that he did, assuming he was going to make it out of this alive. He wasn’t even aware if there were others joining the cause, for all he knew he was on his own.

For the first time in a couple miles, Bisharp came to a screeching halt at the shoreline, his metal hooves(?) digging into the sand. He caught a glimpse of movement from within the castle’s window, but it was so faint that he could barely tell if he saw anything at all. He took a moment to assess the situation, all the while taking huge gasps of breath to compensate for his long-winded sprint.

First major obstacle, the water. The unfortunate part of being a hulking mass of armour. Swimming wasn’t much of an option, but as the dark-type investigated the path before him he noted that the water was shallow enough for him to cross without having an impromptu swimming lesson. With one last gulp of air, Bisharp raced forward, water scattering and splashing within his wake.

As he continued his crusade, Bisharp took notice of another Pokemon near the castle. At least, he could only assume it was, he never seen one like it before. It mattered little though. It’s not like he was going to stop and chat anytime soon anyway. Bisharp hopped onto dry land once more and scurried to the entrance to the castle, with surprising speed for a steel-type. He didn’t offer the cat creature much outside of a side glare and a grunt, quickly surpassing the electric-type and racing headlong into the labyrinth. He didn’t know what the other Pokemon was here for, but he wasn’t going to assume they had any intentions on helping him.

He didn’t have much of a plan, plans were Shade’s thing. Bisharp was more of a (Poke)man of action.

[heirtothemonado]

After a while, N finally managed to make it to the Abyssal Ruins. An ancient ruin from back home in Unova, this castle was the perfect meeting place to catch this soul-stealer. And with Zeraora and Linne with him, N was sure they'd be able to take it down.....He hoped so, anyway. 

He glanced to the Ninjask on his shoulder. Poor thing just hadn't been the same since they got back from the Mirage. Understandable really. Her trainer had been one of the victims, and from what he could gather from that signup she posted, the Shedinja might have been hers. He couldn't imagine what she must be going though.

Coming up to the entrance, N spotted Zeraora waiting for them. "Glad you could make it, Zera. Hopefully we'll be able to--" N was cut off by a tall, metal blur rushing right past him, not sparing him a second thought. "W-wha-?" N sputtered "Hey, wait!" he called after Bisharp. Anything going in here would be extremely dangerous. For everyone involved. 

---

N
Pokémon: None yet
Damage: 0%
Status: Normal

[TartoonHand94]

At long last, the winds of fate have brought guests to the Abyssal Ruins. The monotony of the waves crashing against the hollow tower were finally interrupted and remixed by the run of a surf board, the rapid splashing of metal hooves, and the patter of human shoes. A Zeraora, Bisharp, a Pokémon trainer and a Ninjask had all come to play. What benignancy. The door inside had been waiting wide open despite having long lost hope of being used.

The Ninjask clutched the Pokémon trainer’s shoulder anxiously, which was aberrant for she was not his own. All the same, it could be reasoned. This was why they was here. She had lost her own trainer, for he had lost his soul, among many others, and the thief awaited within this tower. She and her trainer shared a special bond that transcended language barriers. If only she could communicate to N, her gratitude for his help.

She winced up at the Abyssal Ruins, with every uncertain feeling. She lowered her gaze ahead to find two Pokémon already at the entrance.
(#625 Bisharp?!) Nintenda gasped, surprised and relieved to see a familiar face. (You have responded to the sign-up post as well?) This revelation clearly meant a lot to her. For the first in a long time, she had found the energy to disembark from N’s shoulder and fly over to greet the Sword Blade Pokémon.
But the steadfast and stubborn Dark/Steel type spared no time for greetings and rushed inside.
(Please wait!) Nintenda pleaded to him, hesitating to fly inside herself. (Do not rush into the unknown unaccompanied!) Turning around to address Zeraora and N, she spied something much more urgent coming up behind them.

It was a tidal wave barreling toward the tower! By its sheer size and speed, it was certain to sweep anyone caught in it out to sea. The only viable way to avoid it would be to go inside.
(Quickly, everyone! Rush into the unknown and seek shelter inside!) She hastily beaconed them to join Bisharp and enter the tower. As soon as they were through the door, by none of their hands, the stone door rolled down with a thunderous slam, closing the entrance behind them. The loud slam was followed by the sound of the wave crashing against exterior loud and clear.

Attempting to reopen the door sounded unwise. The rippling water level could be heard even above the door. It sounded as if the whole floor was now submerged. There they were now trapped between a rock, the water, and darkness. Black, quiet, empty darkness. Quiet save for the sounds of Bisharp’s running from deeper within the darkness.
But this would not last long, for across the walls, runes etched in stone began to glow. The interior was scantly lit up, just enough to reveal that they were inside a winding tunnel. More runes lit the path ahead.

E D U T I T A R G S I E F I L

(Sacred memetic Helix fossil…) Nintenda sighed with dread. (I suppose a more appropriate time for introductions will not come.) She looked up at Zeraora.
(My name is Nintenda the Ninjask. Pokédex number 291. I am most honored to meet you.) She humbly bowed to Zeraora as if she were royalty.
(I must express my deepest gratitude to you for volunteering to participate in this mission… As well as apologize.) She hesitated to lift her head back up and seemed to be at a sudden loss of words.
(…If only #272 Kappa Pineapple the Ludicolo were present. He would have known the most optimal thing to say at this moment.) She sighed woefully. Kappineapple wanted to come, but they decided it would be for the best if he stayed behind to look after Purple’s body. (And #257 Clucky the Blaziken would execute the bravest course of action.) But his soul was stolen as well.
(But time is of the essence now. We must hurry forth and catch up to #265 Bisharp before consequence does.) She pushed against her own fears to lead the way toward the echoes of Bisharp’s feet when a new sound echoed from deep within the ruins.

“H-H-Ello?”

[Deleted]

"Okay, okay, so... Uh... N. This is Nintenda. She says that Bisharp's in danger unless we catch up to him. I'm Zeraora, no time for big ol' pleasantries!" Zera would dart off nearly after that, making sure Nintenda had been holding onto N before reaching for the trainer's wrist, and rushing off to find the Steel/Dark who'd ran off. The high tide terrified her, and when they rushed deeper in, Zera felt her pulse run cold as she watched this door slowly open. She fought a Shedinja before... She knew what they were...  Zera's heart was pounding and she knew that her last rites were already sang. If she were freed after death, she'd visit her beloved, visit her boy in the afterlife. Lyfte. It was a bit of solace, but not much.

Zera would begin charging static after letting the kinda cute trainer go, pulling whatever static from the surrounding area in, mainly from N's hair and clothes.

(She charges once! +1 Static, and she's using it to generate some light)

The catgirl let her horn glow and her pawpads light up, her bioluminescence charged by static to hopefully grant some light into this area. 

"What is this place..?" 

ZERAORA
HP: 130/130
Shield: 30/30
Static: 0/8
Status: Fine
Cooldowns: None

[Mr. Game & Watch]

Bisharp continued headlong, disregarding what most of his would-be allies had to say, mostly because he didn’t hear them completely. Nor was he aware of who they all were, despite knowing half of them. Ignorance is bliss. It was blissful until he found himself in pitch blackness. Couldn’t really run forward if he couldn’t tell if there was a forwards to run. Bisharp didn’t really know how these rescue mission things worked. He thought his target would have been a lot easier to find, if it didn’t find him first anyways.

A loud echoing thwomp caused the steel-type to pause for a moment, what little light that came from the entrance was suddenly missing, which meant that his only way in just got sealed off. Who did it and why was a question he could ask, but given the Shedinja’s ghostly nature, it wasn’t tough to guess. As he stood there in the darkness though, he heard the rippling sound of water rushing over the construct he was in. A certain sense of claustrophobia consumed him momentarily, knowing that he was trapped within the dark labyrinth with no clear means of escape. It didn’t help that this was Bisharp’s first venture on his own, without his master’s guidance. As much as he loathed Shade, a clear direction from an outside source was something he craved right about now.

The metallic creature waited in silence for a few brief seconds, giving himself time to breathe and combat his anxieties. As he opened his eyes though, he found text along the wall that illuminated his path. It wasn’t much, but it was more light than he had previously, so it was the best he had to work with. He investigated the marking, being able to identify the letters, but couldn’t make any sense of them. They looked jumbled, like it was proposing a challenge for him to rearrange them, but Bisharp hadn’t the mind nor the patience to accept that challenge, so he ignored the messages, but was thankful for their light.

As Bisharp turned his head back to the winding road ahead, he heard a faint voice. He didn’t recognise it and the source seemed to be deeper in the tunnel, so it wasn’t any of the people at the entrance. It sounded spooked though, somewhat cowardly. It might not be wise to communicate with whoever else was trapped in these ruins, but Bisharp didn’t have a lot of options. He stepped forward cautiously and echoed “-Sharrr?” into the void ahead.

[heirtothemonado]

N raised a finger, about to point out to Zera that translating Nintenda's words wasn't necessary, when a low rumbling sound cut him off. Looking over his shoulder, N's eye's widened when he saw a gigantic tsunami rolling toward them. He felt Zera grab his hand, and he was half-running, half-getting-pulled into the ruins, disregarding any notion of planning he might of had.

Once they got inside, N stopped to catch his breath. "Haah...haah….That was close." N gasped. Looking around and trying to make sense of his surroundings. He could barely see, but Zera's electric glow was helping a bit.  "What--" N started, before the entire corridor lit up with runes and symbols, none of which made much sense to him. The rune's light helped his vision, but there wasn't anything around that he could see. Bisharp's footsteps echoed farther down the hall, as well as a new voice that sounded from the darkness

"Well.....Best hurry forward then" N said nervously. His hands moved to the Poke Balls on his belt. If they needed to fight, N needed to be ready

---

N
Pokémon: None yet
Damage: 0%
Status: Nervous

[TartoonHand94]

The luminescent runes on the dark stone walls were aided by Zeraora’s graceful glow in lighting up the otherwise stark-black hallway. Streams of water could be found trickling down between the bricks on the walls, running through a groove where wall met floor, down the hall, as if to lead deeper into the ruins.

(I’m not sure…) Nintenda replied equally puzzled. (What little information pertaining to our location that I am aware of is that these ruins were originally located near the Unova region before being transported to Li via… wait a minute.) She froze in her sentence and zipped up to Zeraora, almost headbutting her had she not wanted to avoid the static shock. (Did you just speak English? Are you able to communicate with humans?) She double took between Zeraora and N. (Sacred memetic Helix fossil! This will create so much convenience! #272 Kappineapple the Ludicolo is fond of singing English songs but his skills are merely phonetic reproduction!) She geeked out before freezing in silence. (Did either of you hear that?)


“Come to play?” A voice echoed from the distant darkness, a sound carried mostly by bouncing off the closely proximated walls, seemingly in response to Bisharp’s call.
“It’s lonely here.” A sadder voice lamented.
“Are you alone?” the voice asked, sounding closer than before, but still shrouded by darkness. With the walls ringing with each echo, footsteps were not to be heard as clearly over the rushing water between the walls, as well as scant dripping noises scattered in the darkness.


(I agree with Trainer N.) Nintenda shook herself out of whatever it was that had just come over her. (Zeraora, please illuminate our path forward by leading the way.) She asked as she landed back on N's shoulder. Flying in such narrow space was not ideal for her wings. (I fear #265 Bisharp is in urgent need of assistance.)

[heirtothemonado]

N listened to the words of Nintenda about the ruins they were in. He was so busy thinking about the origin of the ruins he completely missed Nintenda geeking out toward Zeraora. "These ruins came from Unova. you say? Hm...There is one place in Unova I could think of that fits the look of this place. This could be...." 

N trailed off, and another voice filled the silence. Or two voices, to be exact.

"Who...? N whispered to himself. He didn't like the sound of these voices, and the fact that they were coming from deeper within the ruins told N that that Bisharp they were chasing had found something. Or at least, something had found him. He kept moving toward the source of the voices, or at least where they sounded like they were coming from. Bisharp sounded like he needed all the help he could get

---

N
Pokémon: None yet
Damage: 0%
Status: Normal

[Mr. Game & Watch]

The dark/steel type continued to creep forward but was momentarily stalled by the liquid running through the creases of the wall. Bisharp didn’t think of himself as claustrophobic, but the longer he stayed within the seemingly endless tunnel the worse it was getting. The puddles of water forming on the floor produced yet another time limit to his rescue mission and it was perhaps one too many. For all he knew, going deeper into the tunnel would only get him further lost within the maze, one step closer to becoming an ancient relic on the seafloor.

For every nervous step forward he took though, the tighter his mitted fists got. It seemed that without his trainer guidance, he’s trapped himself into a certain death. At the same time though, Purple was somewhere within the catacombs. It made him anxious because it gave an illusion that his friend was merely at the tip of his mitt.

A series of voices only taunted him further. Bisharp’s eyes darted from left to right, but there wasn’t a body to connect the voices to. At first, he merely scoffed at the idea, so used to his trainer being within the vicinity, just out of sight. However, he quickly realized that he was indeed alone. Not that he could really communicate that back.

The voices were eerie. Something was toying with him. Among the other pressures weighing down on him, the voices only cemented it further. Bisharp began to take steps back, his armour rattling with fear, but his narrow and sinister eyes attempting to deliver some back to whatever spirit was trying to spook him. He was a dark type after all, he was a ghost’s worst enemy. One misstep caused him to stumble slightly, but that’s all it took to set him off. Like there was a beast right in front of him, Bisharp tightened his stance and began to swing at the air in front of him, slashing his arm blades and incidentally bashing his fists along the sides of the walls.

With his fiery quelled for a moment, Bisharp knelt in place to both catch his breath and collect his thoughts, though each breath felt like there was less oxygen to absorb. Probably just his nerves though. “Bisssh” he groaned under his breath.

[Deleted]

The slow click of long claws against the brine-stained floor would ebb up a bit as Zera gathered another charge from the few static particles in the air, trying to draw in more lgiht for her blue spots, whiskers, and horn. The catgirl was attempting to illuminate more of the area as Nintenda and N spoke. These two were counting on her. She couldn't fail, or back out now. There was no going back from this. Last rites were spoken, and her prayers were said. Zeraora was ready for an encounter of her life, possibly her last. As the area began to light up more, it was clear the radiant catgirl's steps were drawing and leaving static on the ground, each paw lift crackling a little against the faint steps.

(Zeraora uses Charge and gains +1 Charge stack again!)

"A-Alright. So ah... gimme a sec. I-I can try to signal him..."

"ZERAAAAAAH! ORA ZER-ORA!" (BISHAAARP! IT'S DANGEROUS!)

Zeraora cried out with the shrill gleam of fear in her words. She didn't want to lose someone, not even a stranger. She kept a good eye on her surroundings, but kept a steady, forward pace, ensuring to hold N's hand all the while. Her large, fluffy digits interlaced with his slim fingers, opposite hands (her left and his right) joined. She only hoped to catch up with her increased forward march. 

ZERAORA
HP: 130/130
Shield: 30/30
Static: 2/8
Status: Sppoked
Cooldowns: None

[TartoonHand94]

(We must find #256 Bisharp quickly.) Nintenda buzzed beside N with dread. (For it has just occurred to me that we have not yet discussed nor decided our course of action in relation to #290 Shedinja once we successfully locate it.) She looked to N pleading for his wisdom, remaining in step with him instead of flying ahead as her wings were built to do.

“Is that yes?” The voice asked hopefully. “This a game?” It asked curious of the way Bisharp swung its arms before falling to his knees. The slashing of his claws against the walls seemed to activate runes in further down the maze.

E F I L G N I V I E C E R S I G N I T A E

The light of these glowing glyphs would surely illuminate the backs of whomever was talking to Bisharp. Strikingly, bizarrely, there were no human silhouettes to be found standing where the voices were coming from.
“Oh dear. You seem to have fallen over. Are you alright? Do you need a hand standing back up?” Another new voice came from the same point in dark space. It sounded concerned with the way Bisharp fell over. “Perhaps someone to lift your spirits?” It asked with a smile. “You look as though you might desire a little more than help…” “I’m-a recognize that look anywhere. You’re not-a just afraid.” “You’re alone too.” “I see it.” “Take’s-a one to know-a one.” The voice sighed before the roar of a Zeraora echoed down through the cavern.

“Ninjaaask!!!” (#265 Bisharp! Please remain where you are so that we may locate you!) Nintenda called out in tandem with Zeraora. (Zeraora! Look there! There is a 60% chance that it is him whom I see up ahead!)

“But why is that? It does not sound like you are alone at all.” “These voices sound afraid too. But they don’t-a fear for themselves. They’re afraid for-a you.” “What’s that like?” “Having others fear for your well being, I mean.”

Another source of light would come up behind Bisharp. It was more modern and electric than the ancient phosphorescent lighting of the ruins. This light made Bisharp’s polished form all the easier to recognize in the darkness.
(#265 Bisharp! There you are! Are your in any way injured?) Nintenda buzzed up behind him, inspecting him in Zeraora’s light.

(Well well well. Look who decided to show up.) A new voice scoffed in a new dialect.
(#257 Clucky the Blaziken?!?) Nintenda gasped, looking above Bisharp in terrified confusion.
“Is that the only name you would remember once lost?”

[heirtothemonado]

N was pulled along by Zeraora, but he wasn't opposed to it. They needed to get to Bisharp, fast. "I have a plan for Shedinja." N replied to Nintenda. "When it gets weakened from fighting with us, I plan to catch it. There hasn't been a Pokémon I've been unable to tame yet, so I'm confident I can control it" As N relayed is plan aloud,  he wondered about that last part. Could he control this thing? Would he be able to stop this Pokémon from stealing any more souls? N wasn't sure, but he had to try.

"BISHARP!" N called along with Nintenda and Zeraora. With all the voices echoing all around them, they needed to get to him quickly. And soon enough, Bisharp's form came into view, kneeling to the ground. 

"Bisharp, are you okay?" N said, looking over the Blade Pokémon, in case he was injured. However, his progress was halted when another voice echoed to his head, and by how Nintenda reacted, it seemed she knew him.

"Are you Nintenda's trainer? Her partner?" N asked "Are you alright? You and your Blaziken?"

---

N
Health: 140/140
Status: Nervous

[Mr. Game & Watch]

Remaining firmly in place, Bisharp paid little attention to the new symbols that lit up on the wall, mostly because they continued to mean nothing to him. He certainly noticed their presence, but for other reasons. With the slight illumination, it meant that he could possibly get a glimpse at who was talking to him, but there was nothing to be seen.

The longer he sat there, the more voices he could hear. Surrounding him, confusing him. In any other circumstance there was a simple answer, just punch and slice at the ones that spoke, but he couldn’t even get that satisfaction. While it seemed like the voices were taking pity on him, Bisharp felt it as mockery. Him needing help suggested that he was weak, and that word was a sin that burned at his soul. The creature shook his head, refuting the notion that he needed someone else to help him back up. He just needed to catch his breath, he was perfectly capable of getting back up on his own.

Bisharp’s head perked up as he heard a trio of voices call out for him, or at least for a Bisharp. The ghostly voices were just as curious about his party members concerns as he was. Bisharp would have expected more strife from them about running ahead without their presence, not that they were a team to begin with. Then again, with the creature they were up against, he supposed that it was logical to be concerned about having as many fighters to take it on as possible. The voices seemed curious about their concern, but it made logical sense to him. Well being had nothing to do with it, none of them really knew Bisharp. “…Shar, Bish bishar (…Of course, losing a soldier would worsen their odds)” he replied to the voices with uncertainty, both in what he said and whether the voices would/could discern what he said.

As the rest of the party entered the location, most rushed to his side to support if he had any injuries. At the sound of their concerns, Bisharp decided he had gotten enough of his breath back to stand up on his hooves once more and brush at his armour in a semi-casual manner, almost repellent to their concerns. “Bish (I’m fine)” he stated robotically, though his buggy eyes gazing at the water building up on the floor said something else entirely. It wasn’t the most pressing of concerns, but it was the only one that was visible to him.

More recognizable voices began to echo through the cavern, responding to Nintenda. While it could be a glimmer of hope that they were closer to their goal, Bisharp knew it was little more than two more voices to toy with them. It was enough for Bisharp to tense up though, even more than he was previously. If Nintenda was here now, what would come next?