[Coolshaymin]

On the edge of the shore, overlooking the sea of time was the meeting spot for the group, hedgehog, mermaid, robot, and serpent, all seeking ways to calm and in one case claim the vast seas that were unclaimed, save for the Starvia. Roll was looking down at the water as Seriri stretched her arms, getting ready for a bit of a swim... Roll was glad robots of her time was water proof. "I don't think a tide will change much despite what Shaymin said. We don't even know much about Li's Moon... If it has one," Roll looked to the kind of unclear skies, reminded why the Life Sphere simulated the time of day. "I am sure the tide will come any moment now... I can feel it," Seriri stated as she held her hands to her chest. The robot master on the other hand glanced at Seriri with a bit of doubt before stepping back as the water level seemed to raise at the mermaid's words. That was... kind of unusual.

However, to break Roll's moment of confusion there was a few ripples in the water that spread out before a giant building began to rise out of the water. It was comprised of a sparkling blue metal, remenescent of clear waters, reflecting the area around it brilliantly, glass-like domes scattered across the massive castle like exterior as the blue fortress of a temple rose with an azure bridge connecting the island to the temple's large arch of an entrance. It was probably safe to assume the domes were pretty well reinforced given they survive the pressures of the deep. "Wow, it's pretty beautiful. I wonder who built it..." the robot girl pondered. "I hope Shadow did not miss that sight..." Seriri stated, hoping the hedgehog was close along with... well, part of her hoped the dragon thing missed this occasion but she would not admit that. "I am sure him and Hewdraw are almost here. Don't worry, I promised Ciel I'll keep you safe in there," Roll reassured, a hand on the mermaid's shoulder as she looked out to the land.

[cynda1]

Fortunately for Seriri, Shadow wasn’t at all far away. The hedgehog made an effort to scout the area to make sure no one suspicious would come to try and interfere with their mission. The sea may have been heavily infected by Starvia, but as much as Shadow could help it, the ones on land would remain at bay. From as far as he could see, there wasn’t anything too serious to worry about, so he made his way over to the meeting area. Had the entrance finally made itself known? Perhaps. Honestly, this place wasn’t particularly safe, and their alliance with a rather… suspicious character didn’t exactly fill the hedgehog with sunshine and rainbows.

Shadow had made a promise to help calm the waters that resided around the Life Sphere. This was only natural since water was something that sustained life, or so he was told. Shadow never needed it, but the people he swore to protect did, so saving the water was the task he would partake in.

For whatever reason, the Pokemon Manaphy seemed to think Seriri, the timid little mermaid, had the qualifications of saving the ocean. What did that mean? Well, Shadow wasn’t really sure. He’d been trying to figure it out along with Seriri, and he, interestingly enough, even figured out that the voice in her head turned out to be Manaphy talking with her telepathically. However, that still didn’t explain what it was that qualified her to be the one capable of calming the sea and saving Manaphy. Did she have some kind of hidden power that not even Seriri was aware of?

Well, regardless, Shadow promised Seriri that he would help her get to her destination as safely as possible, and Shadow wasn’t one to break promises. Roll would also be there to help them, which meant that he wouldn’t have to carry that burden alone. More importantly, though, they had a rather suspicious tag along clearly outnumbered.

That’s right. In a surprise twist, there was a last minute participant had decided to join their little escort mission, and it certainly wasn’t someone worthy of any of their trust. Shadow made certain that he would show up to their meeting place before the snake Hewdraw would. The Ultimate Lifeform would ensure this mission would go smoothly while keeping himself between Seriri and the snake at all times. Roll, Shadow was convinced, was plenty capable of taking care of herself, but the hedgehog wouldn’t allow her to be in danger either. This was a team effort, and even though Seriri took priority, Shadow intended that they all would get their smoothly.

As for Hewdraw… Frankly he hoped something bad would happen to the snake.

Just as Shadow was nearing the meeting place, his ruby red eyes barely glanced at what appeared to be just water when it suddenly started to ripple as he opened his mouth to ask if it seemed like anything was happening. Clearly, his question was answered for him as the ocean split and a building seemed to slowly rise from the waters. If Seriri hoped Shadow didn’t miss this show, she certainly got her wish, and boy what a sight it was! Even Shadow, who didn’t have a shred of a sentimental bone in his artificial body, had to admit that the sight was beautiful.

It was at that moment that Shadow noticed the two girls talking about him, though they hadn’t seemed to notice him. Quite understandable, really. After all, the hedgehog was a naturally quiet person, and he was quite stealthy in his own right. Amidst all of the dramatic rising of a building from the waters, even Shadow had to forgive the girls for not noticing him, especially since he wasn’t at all offended by the prospect of being ignored in and of itself.

However, the Ultimate Lifeform had a duty. They all did. And he would bring it upon himself to give the two woman as friendly of a reminder of the task at hand as he could. The hedgehog cleared his throat in an effort to announce his arrival, though made an effort not to sound too harsh as to not spook the mermaid, who was most likely on edge enough as it was. “As beautiful as this scenery is, don’t we have a job to do?” Shadow queried simply. “Didn’t Manaphy say that the entrance here wouldn’t be open for very long?”

What Shadow was saying wasn’t false. After all, if they didn’t make their way in as soon as they could, the entrance may have had the opportunity to close on them before they had the chance to calm the ocean. On top of that, if the three of them entered the building, and the entrance were to close before that snake showed up, would that really be a bad thing?

Well, no it wouldn’t, but perhaps the building filling up with water would be. Shadow thought he could survive just fine underwater, but he had yet to find any proof of that. Either way, the sooner they started this quest, the sooner the waters would be Starvia free and that would be one less thing for everyone to worry about. At least, Shadow hoped that’s how this would turn out.

[PSYCH]

To everyone's disappointment, the dragon-serpent arrived just as Shadow was suggesting to depart. Hewdraw approached the group using the muscular coils that made up his long winding body to make lazy S-shapes in the sands of the shore. A coy smile played about his wide fanged mouth as he turned in a circle and wrapped his body about itself, raising his horned head up so that he stood higher than the others - a clear sign of posturing for dominance.

"Well well," Hewdraw called, "Isssn't thisss a sssight to sssee, little onesss?" Hewdraw's voice was like a volcano's rumble deep beneath the bedrock with the occasional hiss of pressurized steam escaping to the surface - it warned of impending danger, merciless and inhuman. He cocked his head to one side, admiring the view for a moment with near-unblinking lidless reptile eyes as if he didn't have another care in the world. "I sssuppossse the ssspiky little mammal is right - no time to ssstand on our funny little legsss and gawk. Now, we move. Later, we talk."

With that, the wyrm uncoiled himself and slithered in a direct line towards the azure crossing that led over to the temple's entrance. As his head passed the group, the vertical slit of his golden eye scanned across each party member appraisingly, and Hewdraw grinned toothily. "I'm looking forward to getting to know each of you very well..." With that suggestion left lingering, the rest of Hewdraw's body wound its way past the group as he spearheaded their progress across the bridge.