(ACE) The STARK Team

((I am so, so sorry but I have to skip. I simply do not have time to make another post tonight. Huge apologies - you guys do what you want and I'll catch up next round.))

((OoC - I hate to do this, but I'm kinda stuck, so skip. Sah holds Nikora (if that's alright. :3) and growls lightly at Marco but that's about it. D: Can't really make a post out of that lol.))

He couldnt, he just couldnt stand this. There had to be something, anything he could do for her. For his love, his life, his world. She was just dangling so still, so unnaturally still with only the soft dripping of fluids and faint whimpers to give any indication of life. Legends help him. If he lost her.. no, no he couldn't lose her. He wouldn't lose her! If he got the chance he would gladly give his life to save hers. Great Entai please dont take her.. Blinking his pained, wet eyes the hound is surprised to see a new Pokemon in his line of sight... a bit too close to Nikora for his liking. "H-hey hey not so close!" He yelps meekly, taking a few hurried steps forward to make sure the Pokemon wasnt up to anything funny. He hadnt even noticed its arrival or have even the slightest idea of what it was. Legends he was losing it.. "Marco! Don't go wandering off." Another new voice calls. When had these Pokemon arrived, where did they come from, how long had he been in a daze? Georges mind swirls too quickly to handle.

However, the next sentence the pink thing speaks manages to reach him, "There are injured, Francis, let me help them." Help? They, they were here to help! Entai heard my pleas! Moving closer to the fuzzy pink thing Georeg speaks with hurried, agonized words.  "Please, please help her. She needs help.. she.. she.." The words stop, the thoughts stemming from them too much, but his face grimaces into that of deep sorrow. "I'm a Healer, I'll do what I can to help." A healer.. A healer of all things! A light yet painful feeling fills his aching heart. It was going to be okay. Oh legends Nikora was going to be okay.
Oblivious to their positional situation the male Growlithe is completely focused on the light coming from the pink things paws. It was so weird looking, like nothing he had ever seen before. It almost look like it.. like it was an attack! "Hey what are you doing to her? W-what is that?" Anxiety tenses in his muscles until he is completely rigid, breath catching in his throat as he literally watches a miracle. Nikora was opening his eyes.

The darkness was fading. Slowly the female could feel her body again. Feel her broken, pain riddled body again. What was happening to her? What was this sensation pulsing through her numbed yet hurting form. Two cinnamon colored eyes blink open but can not see anything but one solid color. In a failed attempt to speak she lets out a soft whine of pain, a fresh dribble of blood pouring down the side o her mouth.
Whatever was happening it was.. pleasant. It felt almost soothing, numbing the pain that coursed through his veins. That coursed so hard in her veins. Fast.. No, her blood, her blood was coursing not the pain. It was going so fast it was hurting. As Nikora's body is stimulated back to life her heart beats faster and faster to pick up what it had missed. It beats hard to continue pushing what little blood was left in her body, the pressure too low for it to flow. Legends, it was going too hard, too fast. It hurt to beat.
Her teeth clench in pain. No, no her own body was working against her. Its own attempts to recover and combat the mortal wound were too much. The Growlithe yelps and whines as raw agony pierces her heart like a dagger, legs shaking in pain. The beating is just too much for her weakened state to handle.
And then, it stops completely.

((Skip, Crescent and Azura aren't doing much atm, Crescent's just spazzing out >.>))

Looking behind him Frank gives a long, low whistle.
"Puppy got totalled." He sounds more impressed than concerned.
The Gothitelle turns back to face the nervously looking Zoroark and Aggron striding ahead with a single minded determination. Frank jerks a thumb in the direction of the bloodied Growlithe.
"Did you at least get the bastard who did that back?" He demands of the Aggron's back. "It looks like she tried to french kiss a Dragalge...Or maybe a power sander."
Frank smirks, well aware that this isn't the place or time to be irritating strangers but tense enough that he just wants to hit something. Anything.
This feet don't touch the ground as he drifts closer to Marco. He sees the flare of violet light out of the corner of his eyes as Marco uses Heal Pulse. The revitalizing light drifts over his arm and makes it tingle. He can feel the blood pulse clearly in that limb for a moment before the light fades. It helps him feel less irritable from the damn heat in this mountain. He must be sweating like a waterfall.

Marco closes his eyes tightly as he focuses the epicenter of the Heal Pulse on the injured Growlithe. He pours stimulating energy from the palms of his cream paws into the orange fur of his patient, targeting the heart. The rest of the flare spreads out over the body. Cells become loaded with the energy needed to begin the healing process. As the light passes over the Fire Type's body the energy diminishes, becoming a tingle of energy at the edge of the wave.
"Hey what are you doing to her? W-what is that?" A nervous voice asks.
The flare of light fades and Marco claps his paws together in a placating pose.
"It's a Heal Pulse." He says soothing, trying not to startle the clearly concerned Fire Type. "It restores and rejuvenates cells to increase the speeds of healing. If she can be saved it'll help."
Carefully he presses the curl of his ear to the injured Growlithe's side. Her heartbeat is returning to normal but that is the only thing his Heal Pulse has restored. He can hear the strain in her muscles before her eyes flicker open. They stare unseeing at the ceiling as her mouth opens and a pathetic whine of pain leaks from around her teeth. Quickly the Audino is placing his paws on her chest again, preparing another Heal Pulse to try and stabilize her blood flow.
He has restarted her heart and now he finds himself trying to stop it as the muscle beats too rapidly without circulating blood. Those twitches of movement were not signs of recovery; they were death throes.
Marco hears her heart stop beating. His winglike ears pull backwards with a sad flutter and he shakes his head.
"I'm sorry."

Frank drifts to his side, close enough that the light of the Heal Pulse had played over one arm.
Silently he looms over the Audino, his muscled body a warning that even in grief he will not let anyone harm his healer.
The Gothitelle subtly reaches down to touch Marco on the shoulder in wordless reassurance. It wasn't the Audino's fault he had lost this patient so swiftly. Help had simply come too late. That's life.

"No shit sherlock." Smith immediately felt his nerves flare at the Gothitelle's snide remark. "Unless your steel ass can fly there's no point in us going back the way we came. The whole fucking floor fell in." He pointed over to a hole in the wall, beyond it endless, black darkness. "But if you know another way outta this pit then lead on," the Psychic-type added.

"We weren't goin' that way anyway," Smith growled, hauling himself around to continue when the Audino suddenly rushed past him.
"I'm a Healer, I'll do what I can to help," he said, kneeling next to Nikora.

Smith perked an eyebrow; a healer was certainly something useful to have around, but he doubted he could do anything for the Growlithe. He stood from a distance and watched the scene, noticing Jude cautiously creep towards them.

"You can really help her?" he asked. His eyes grew wide as a bright light radiated from the Audino's palm.

Smith felt the earth gurgle and rumble beneath him once again, and wished he could tell them to hurry up without sounding horribly disrespectful.

"Did you at least get the bastard who did that back?" Smith visibly flinched at the Gothitelle's question. "It looks like she tried to french kiss a Dragalge...Or maybe a power sander."
"Yer need to shut up," Smith growled back, only briefly looking away from the scene to shoot the black Pokemon a threatening glare. "Yer weren't even there."

The light faded, and the Audino sat up and shook his head solemnly. "I'm sorry," he murmured as his companion drifted over and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

Smith was not surprised by how events had turned out, but it did nothing to stop the empty chill that was enveloping his heart. He turned away from the scene just as Jude came padding over to his side, his fur pale.

"She's ... she's dead..."
"Aye, lad, I know," the Aggron replied softly, placing his hand on the trembling Zoroark's back. He could only imagine the emotions that must've been whirling through Jude's head at that moment; it was only by chance that he had survived that ordeal unscathed. Survivor's guilt was bound to be giving him a lot of trouble; he was very stiff and wide, unblinking eyes stared into the cavern before them. "'Tis a terrible shame..."
"That ... that Alakazam killed her ... but not me." Jude looked up at him, blinking back tears. "Why not me?"
"I don't know, lad, but that's just how things have turned out. We need ter move on and accept it."
"But ... George..."
Smith had no intention of turning round and witnessing the Growlithe's reaction to his companion's death. "We need ter believe he'll come round."

Jude was silent then, sitting slowly down on his haunches and digging his claws into the earth. The ground quaked again and Smith looked back, biting his tongue. He would give them a minute and then they would have to move, whether they liked it or not.

Sahara's eyes snapped to the Gothitelle with rage as he made a snarky comment relating to Nikora.  Go to hell. A deep growl resounded from the Arcanine's throat, daring the Psychic to say something else. The pink Pokémon glowed with a bright energy and sent it into Nikora's mangled form, this apparent Healer using a move Sahara had never seen. A new light was in Sah's eyes. Was.. was it gratitude? She was the last Pokémon that would ask for a stranger's help, but if it meant saving Nikora's life, she darn well would be thankful.

The light, what the Healer called a Heal Pulse, faded away and he placed an ear on the Growlithe. All was quiet for the moment he listened to her heart until her eyes flew open and Nikora let out a painful cry. Sahara's cyan eyes narrowed in her trademark anger but she said nothing. The Healer rushed to send another Heal Pulse, the tense moment following it was terrifying. Would Nikora live? Would she die? What was happening, anyway? How could they be sure this 'Healer' was really helping rather than making it worse? Sahara couldn't slow her racing thoughts. If she were to find out either of these Pokémon were plotting against them and hurt Nikora further, she would rip them both apart then and there.

"I'm sorry," the Healer said quietly. That was a terrible phrase, only used when someone is either truly sorry for one's loss. Or with secretly no meaning behind it. Which was the Audino using it for? That thought swirled in Sah's mind but quickly was shoved away; Nikora was really dead this time... wasn't she? Sahara had grown more attached to the Growlithe couple in such a small amount of time than she'd care to admit. No, no, no, no, no... she repeated within her thoughts, Nikora!

Sahara finally moved away from the Growlithe and sat herself down with her head hanging low and back to the group. Her throat ached and her sight became blurry, a thin trail of wetness rolled down her cheeks and a shaky, pained sigh heaved out of Sah's lungs. Was there such a thing as destiny? If so, what did Nikora do to deserve this? And, what if this happened because of someone's actions? That Alakazam. Or... Sahara ripped her gaze back to this so called 'Healer' with fire burning in blue. "You..." Sahara stepped forward and growled, "Why didn't you save her if you're a Healer!? Why the hell is Nikora dead?!"

((OoC - Aaand there she goes lol.))

He is near deaf to the Audino's reply, his eyes forcibly shifting away from Nikora as the Normal Type speaks. "It's a Heal Pulse." A.. Heal Pulse? The Growlithe had never heard of such a thing but the name explains enough. Staring in awe he watches as the soft light starts to work magic. "It restores and rejuvenates cells to increase the speeds of healing. If she can be saved it'll help." Breath hitching in the back of his throat the male completely blocks out the last part of that sentence. She was being healed, healed! Of course she would.. it was going to help, it was! She was moving, making noise again. His mate was returning to him, despite how much her pained cries hurt his aching heart. "Nikora," He breaths ecstatic, taking a step closer to her with the largest most relieved grin ever.

He doesnt even hear the small gurgle of blood as it pours from her mouth, or notice how still she was getting, the light leaving her cinnamon eyes. Or the Audino backing away. "I'm sorry." He.. what? For a few moments the male canine stands stiffly and stares at his very still mate, the stupid grin not leaving his face. W-why was he sorry? There was no reason to be sorry he was healing her, he was healing her so she would be okay. The Healer was going to make sure she was okay why had he stopped! "..Nikora?" He whispers in a voice much too high that it squeaks. Why wasnt she responding? Why, why wasn't she moving anymore? Was the healing done? It couldn't be, she was still wounded pretty bad. "She's ... she's dead..." Someone else mutters, he cant even tell who. No.. The smiles leaves, worry filling his visage. "Nikora?" He barks, much more quickly, gently nudging her side with his snout. There is no reaction.

"Nikora its okay.. its gone now. You can get up." The pups voice grows shrill. The Alakazam was gone, she didnt need to be afraid. George nudged her again, this was no time to be sleeping.. bridge were not good sleeping places! Using his forepaws his a bit less gentle, distressed at how little shes reacting. At how shes.. not.. reacting. He stares into the half open gaze of her eyes.

There is... nothing.......

"No.. no no Nikora wake up!" Its not possible, it cant be possible. There was no way she was.... One of those demonic tentacles wrapped around his heart as well. His cheeks dampen as his eyes begin to pour with no control. If you listen closely you can hear his heart break. "No, NOOO Nikora you cant..!" It wasnt true. The male turns blindly to the Pokemon around him "She cant be dead, help her get up!" But no one does.. "Please Nikora.. Nikora you have to get up...." His legs can not support him and the male collapses on his mates body. The sick scent of burnt flesh, fur, and organelle fluid hits him full force but George can not move. He cant leave her side.. she.. she wasnt gone. She couldnt be.. "Why didn't you save her if you're a Healer!? Why the hell is Nikora dead?!" That word kicks him hard in the gut, threatening to make him vomit even more.  "Say something please.. dont go.. I need you Nikora.." But the dead do not speak.

"You..." Frank's hand tightens on Marco's shoulder. The tiny rabbit pokemon flinches and Frank's eyes gleam."Why didn't you save her if you're a Healer!? Why the hell is Nikora dead?!"
"Frank!" The Audino clings to the fringe of his skirt.
With a soft scraping noise Frank ceases levitating and braces himself against the rock. He throws out his hand with violet light flaring around his fingertips.
"Yeah, no." The light of his psychic energy gleams disconcerting off his white teeth.
"First of all you're damn lucky I let him waste a Heal Pulse on that lump of dead meat in the first place. You should be thanking him for wasting his time on such a hopeless case."
He sweeps his hand to the side and as he does Sahara is dragged violently off the platform and held suspended in mid-air over the ground. The violet light coats her fur, temporarily removing the effects of gravity to keep the Fire Type suspended in an anti-gravity bubble. Marco knew from experience the slightest movement would send her spinning with no way to stop.
"Secondly if you even think of trying to hurt my healer I will drop you." He twitches his fingers. His black disc antennae fan out like an Arbok's hood, showing this was no idle threat for a Psychic Type.
The telekinetic glow fades a bit.
"Third..." He extends his other hand. "If anyone else tries to stop me I might end up dropping dear puppy here. Grieve all you want but if you hurt my medic I will kill you. Understand?"
His blue eyes are completely cold, without a hint of a mercy. His clenched fist starts to relax.
"Frank. She's just upset."
"Not important. They hurt you, I hurt them." Frank unfolds one finger from his clenched fist. Sahara drops a few inches. "Now if you don't want to end up like your friend here I suggest you don't take your anger on the messenger."

"Frank, that’s enough.” Marco brusquely snaps.
He reaches up and grabs the Gothitelle’s hand in his tiny paw.
“Now you're just trying to pick a fight."
"So what?"
“So that's a very good way to get everyone in trouble and if you start a fight for no reason I am not going to heal you." Marco replies primly.
Frank growls, an honest-to-arceus bestial snarl showing his white teeth, and swings Sahara back around. His Telekinetic hold fades as soon as soon as her paws are back over rock.
Marco squeezes his hand.
“Thank you for looking out for me." He says softly so no-one else can hear.
Frank grunts in recognition of the statement.
“I would apologize for him but he's just going to do it again." Marco adds as he peeks out from behind the Gothitelle's skirt.
“Sometimes...Parts of the body die before the rest of it. The heart can still be beating but the brain is starved of oxygen. It begins to shut down, even if they're still breathing. I'm sorry." He says solemnly. “I'm a healer, not a miracle worker. It was too late before we got here."

This was not a good day. This was very much not a good day. In fact, it was such a shit hole day that you were spending more effort uselessly bitching to yourself rather than actually working on getting yourself through the day alive. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck fUCK...." Your jaws clenched, digging your surprisingly dull teeth into your bottom jaw, but your 'cool' facade was easily broken by the growing anxiety in your eyes.

Well. Anxiety might be the wrong word for it. "I am so boned." Yes. That was better.

As you walked though, it helped your mind to focus on not panicking by looking at the positives. The roof isn't entirely falling on me and crushing my bones yet. You nod shakily to yourself. Yes, that is positive! The grimace you mentally passed for a smile grew into a deep cringe as another disturbing rumble ran through the mountain. "I just had to end up in a bloody volcano." Of all the places, of them ALL! What were you thinking? "Obviously. I wasn't," you mutter to yourself.

Yes, great. Brilliant.

But as you slowly moved through the seemingly innocent cavern, your legs were tense, your head held up to stare up at the ceilings and walls. "Don't mind me.. just casually walking through.. just stay right there Mr Stalagmites. Or Mrs. Sorry Stalagmite," you mumble to yourself, but when a violent rumble sounds directly behind you, your dark eyes go wide with alarm. "I don't even know if stalagmites exist in this kind of cave!!" You wail to the the darkness just as the ground suddenly is moving again.

Looking behind you, you see a glow coming from far inside the tunnel. The heat wave slapping your face causes sweat to form instantly on your face, and as the lava came into sight your mouth was suddenly dry. Oh fucking fuck.

In front of you was a dead end, and your heart raced faster than the speed of the roaring behind you as death loomed behind in only seconds. Already you could feel your feet going so hot they felt frozen, numbing as the molten rock ripped through your body like butter. Focus!! But a miracle happened, as suddenly the ceiling behind you gave way, tumbling down in an avalanche of rock just as the wall before you crumbled as well.

Darting forward, you slid through the second wall of the rock slide without the lava reaching you. Landing with a painful, humiliating tumble, you groaned, laying on your face for a second. "...I have got to stop doing dumb shit like this." Blinking open your eyes experimentally, a breathe of relief flowed through you as you saw no visible breaks in the glass of your lenses. Being blind in the apocalypse is the last thing you ever needed. Wiggling your bum, you scooted backwards in order to pull yourself into a sitting position. It was then that you realised two things.

One? There was a ledge and a way-too-thin bridge of rock in front of you.

But the scarier part? There were at least like ten Pokemon over there.

You instantly burn with embarrassment, feeling tears burn at the sides of your vision. "D- does anyo-one know the w-way out?" you asked, sounding like a begging, sniveling child before you realised that one of the Pokemon, a freaking Arcanine was suspended over the freaking pIT.

"Oh God, please d-don't hurt me," you stutter as terror shoots through you, making your plea too high pitched as you took in the Pokemon before you. A Gothetelle. A Zoroark? A-an Aggron.

Yep, we're boned.

As though things weren't bad enough already, they just had to get worse.

"You..." Sahara suddenly growled, stalking towards Marco. "Why didn't you save her if you're a Healer!? Why the hell is Nikora dead?!" Jude gulped as he watched the scene from Smith's side, the Aggron also hauling his great body around with a heavy sigh. The Illusion Fox shuddered as the Gothitelle, Frank, immediately retaliated, his words chillingly harsh.

"First of all you're damn lucky I let him waste a Heal Pulse on that lump of dead meat in the first place. You should be thanking him for wasting his time on such a hopeless case." Jude flinched and looked up at Smith, expecting him to say something, but the Aggron didn't move nor speak.

The next thing he knew, Sahara was hanging suspended in the air above the huge drop. "N-NO! Don't do that!" Jude cried, looking pleadingly up at the silent Aggron, hoping he would intervene. If anyone could stop this madness, it was him.

But the Steel-type did nothing.

"Secondly if you even think of trying to hurt my healer I will drop you."

"Sh-She wasn't going to hurt him," Jude stammered, growing increasingly concerned about Smith's silence. Surely it wasn't down to him to stop this instead?! Yes, he had a type advantage, but that meant nothing if Frank was going to drop Sahara to her death the second he moved.

"Third...If anyone else tries to stop me I might end up dropping dear puppy here. Grieve all you want but if you hurt my medic I will kill you. Understand?"

"We-We understand we weren't going to hurt him just please please put her down," the Zoroark desperately babbled, just wishing that he anywhere else. He'd rather be stuck on an island in the middle of a lake full of undead than in here, easily in one of the most awkward, nerve-wracking confrontations he had ever witnessed.

Not only that, but the volcano was about to blow.

The air itself seemed to rumble as the mountain groaned again, louder than ever this time. It sounded like it had a really bad stomachache.

"Frank, that’s enough," Marco then ordered, and to Jude's relief, the Gothitelle eventually complied and dropped Sahara back onto solid ground.

It wasn't until then that Smith finally made his move. "If yer all finished acting like children, then we're movin' on." he growled, marching straight into the middle of the group and promptly placing his massive form right between Sahara and Frank. "We've jus' wasted a good couple o' minutes arguing over somethin' that cannae be changed, giving the mountain yet more time ter blow up on us." He turned to the weeping George, and Jude noticed a twinge of guilt in the Aggron's voice, despite his harsh words. "I'm sorry, lad, but we need ter get movin'. Nikora's in a safe place now. I'm sure she'd want yer to get outta here alive. An' I don't mean ter sound heartless here, lad, but ... either come with us willingly or I'll carry yer out meself."

Smith pointed at the Absol writhing on the ground nearby. "That lass over there knows all about it. We are in danger. I dunnae know how many times I've said it, but it clearly hasn't sunk in for anyone yet. We're gettin' outta here, and we're doing it right now."

Without another word, Smith stomped off towards the tunnel. Jude silently followed, staring at the rock beneath his feet. Smith was truly a good soul despite his rather blunt and harsh way of saying things. He wanted to save everybody, and was taking that responsibility all upon himself. He didn't have to do this for any of them, yet here he was, even going so far as to threaten to drag George away from the body of his mate just to save his life.

But despite all that ... why hadn't he tried to help Sahara?

Jude was so deep in thought that he didn't notice the Bulbasaur until it was right in front of him. "S-Sorry..." he muttered, glancing up into the Grass-type's face and noticing how petrified she looked. Jude inclined his head at Smith and then turned his weary blue gaze to the others. "You'd better come with us," he said, flinching as the mountain gurgled again.

Sahara had reached a conclusion. She was going to rip this Gothitelle's meat from his bones and burn whatever was left as he opened his snarky mouth again, "First of all you're damn lucky I let him waste a Heal Pulse on that lump of dead meat in the first place. You should be thanking him for wasting his time on such a hopeless case." Oh. Hell. No. Sahara's anger redirected from the Audino to the Gothitelle and she leapt from her place with claws extended in front of her towards him. She was going to kill him. No one had the right to refer to Nikora like that. No one.

Before Sah could take out her rage on the intended target, she was caught mid-air and swept up. It was an odd sensation as she felt herself yanked from her place and over the drop, her stomach feeling as if she were already free-falling but backwards. She was left livid beyond speech however Jude wasn't, "N-NO! Don't do that!" It crossed her mind that Smith would save her, but he simply stood there. Fine, ya know what? She didn't need him. "Secondly if you even think of trying to hurt my healer I will drop you." Ooh, threats from the Gothitelle. Sahara ceased all movement and stared unwaveringly at Frank. "Sh-She wasn't going to hurt him," Jude stuttered in Sah's defense. She was surprised that the Zoroark would speak for her though he didn't know the things Sah was capable of. Finally she spoke with cold seriousness, "Don't worry about the Healer."

"Third... If anyone else tries to stop me I might end up dropping dear puppy here. Grieve all you want but if you hurt my medic I will kill you. Understand?" Frank let Sahara fall just a bit and she began fighting. She threw her head back and waved her legs around, aimlessly trying to escape back to the platform. "We-We understand we weren't going to hurt him just please please put her down," Jude begged, earning an ear twitch from Sahara but nothing more. The Gothitelle and Audino chatted briefly but Sahara took no interest in their words but soon enough was swung back to the platform and dropped. She landed hard on her haunches and a pain shot up her legs as she stood back up.

"I would apologize for him but he's just going to do it again." Marco said from behind Frank. Sahara couldn't care less about apologies from either Frank nor Marco and simply glared daggers at the pink Pokémon. Switching from Marco to Smith, she stared bitterly at the Steel-type which made not a move to save her. What the hell. He just wants to see me die, I swear. Steel codger.
"If yer all finished acting like children, then we're movin' on." the said Steel-type stepping between the Fire- and Psychic-type, "We've jus' wasted a good couple o' minutes arguing over somethin' that cannae be changed, giving the mountain yet more time ter blow up on us." Was that how he saw it? Sah was furious at the utter disrespect of a fallen comrade, but yet to him it was just a few minutes wasted. "That lass over there knows all about it. We are in danger. I dunnae know how many times I've said it, but it clearly hasn't sunk in for anyone yet. We're gettin' outta here, and we're doing it right now." And following that, Smith finally moved forward toward the tunnel, Jude in tow. Sahara followed in behind before she stopped for a moment and growled to Frank, "This isn't over."

His world just shattered. Nikora was dead. Dead. His love, his mate, his life. The other half of his soul, his reason for happiness, the one who always kept him going.. was laying dead in a pool of her own blood. Nothing around him mattered. Not the wailing behind him, not the roar of the mountain or the perilous drops to his sides. None of it fucking mattered when Nikora just died in front of him. Why her.. why her?! Gasping for air in between his sobs and wails the hound snivels like a child into his mates matted, bloody fur. She was innocent, she was sweet and innocent. What did she do wrong, she didnt deserve this! Already he can feel her pelt chilling, her body stiffening. Its all happening too fast. Why couldnt it of been me. "WHY?!"
The Pokemon who brought her last bout of life and suffering spoke harsh words made kind, each piercing his heart like a miniature dagger. Were they supposed to he helpful, comforting? The opposite was occurring. "I'm a healer, not a miracle worker. It was too late before we got here." If she was 'already dead' then why did he tease him by trying to help her, by lifting his heart only to break it apart? If it was 'too late' why even try?? No, he was lying. She had been alive. She still had a chance it just...

How could the legends be so cruel to one that was no more then a kind, delicate soul who wouldnt hurt anyone! the gods have forsaken me.. Another breath in and the sickly smell of death catches him again, inducing another wave of nausea and heartbreak from the male. "Frank, that’s enough." A voice snaps, breaking him away from the withdrawal if only for a moment. Sky colored eyes slowly drift over to the side, taking there time as though time no longer existed. Sahara was suspended over the pip.. lovely. Nothing about it registered as wrong. Not the panic in Judes voice, Sahara's possible death, the bickering of these new Pokemon of even the crying of the unknown. No.. he only noticed one thing.

"If yer all finished acting like children, then we're movin' on." 'Moving on'? How could he even remotely think to just be moving on. Something about a mountain, who cared about a mountain! Mountains werent alive and couldn't be murdered. George merely stares wide eyed at the Steel Type, eyes blank aside from a slight twitch. "I'm sorry, lad, but we need ter get movin'. Nikora's in a safe place now. I'm sure she'd want yer to get outta here alive. An' I don't mean ter sound heartless here, lad, but ... either come with us willingly or I'll carry yer out meself." The Absol's presence is finally noticed as Smith points and her wails reach his deafened ears. How could any of them think about a fucking mountain while his heart literally just died on the fucking floor. Smith turned and walked away, multiple Pokemon were tarting to walk away like this didnt matter. Something snaps inside him and the hound goes still. You call this a safe place.. His vision wavers, leaving him in that moment but the mental image is all he needs. "No.." His voice is no more then a whisper but it holds a cold seriousness. Then, it booms. "You cant make me leave her! I will not, I refuse!" To be without his mate... that was not a world he would live in. Its not a world he would live in.

The Growlithe grabs some place of the females orange fur, his grip oh so tender but firm enough to drag her with him and he creeps toward the edge. He wouldnt leave her. He wouldnt leave her. He would go with her. Forever. Her body is much heavier, harder and more awkward to move then he ever recalls but he doesnt falter. Each step brought him closer to hearing her voice again.. all he had to do was take a leap, or fall, of faith with his love to be with her again...

Azura shook the Absol's twitching form, looking around wildly. "Crescent! Crescent! Come on! Get up please!" She said, gritting her teeth. "Crescent, I'm sorry for this!" She said, raising a paw and bringing it down on Crescent's nose as a Faint Attack to snap the Absol out of it. Crescent lay still for a moment, dazed. Then she blinked, lifting her head from her paws. "Did... Did you just hit me?" She asked, and Azura nodded in apology. "I'm sorry Cres', but  didn't see any other way to snap you out of it..." She said, about to say something else when Crescent brought Azura in with an awkward hug. "Thank you. My horn still hurts, but now it seems I can stand it. Come on, I think... I think I can stand."

Crescent got to her feet, swaying. Her legs trembled but she stood firm. Taking a tentative step forwards, Crescent gritter her teeth as another shockwave came from her horn as soon as she got closer to the mountain. "Come on, it may sound stupid, but we're probably safer in the mountain. There's less that can fly through the air and hit us." Crescent said, now sure she was able to walk okay she started towards the mountain, her friend walking beside her. Azura shimmered as she activated her illusion to look like a Poochyena, sniffing the ground as she picked up the scent of the group from before. Their scent was strong from fear and the iron tang of blood was unmistakeable. Looking up at Crescent, she nodded and darted forwards, waiting for Crescent at the entrance to the mountain.

The duo entered the treaturous mountain, stopping often so that Crescent could get her bearings and fight off another shockwave from her horn. The closer they got to the main chamber, the worse the pain got, and by the time they got to the narrow pathway Crescent was staggering with each step. Azura pressed onwards, following the strong smell of blood and subdued fear, stopping occasionally to make sure the Absol was still following close behind. "Hang in there Cres', we're almost there." Azura reassured her friend, smiling at the Disaster Pokemon.

"This isn't over." The Arcanine growls, her violent thoughts clearly laid out to Frank's psychic vision. Rather than backing down he grins at her.
"I'm counting on that but let's save the punch-up until we're out of this shithole, shall we?" He bows mockingly, crossing one muscled arm over the white bow of his chest.
Fuck, it is hot in here. The fanned discs of his antennae can pick up the dry dusty heat of the air as rocks crumble and fall. This wasn't the fight he came here looking for and either way he didn't want to dick around on this pathetic little ledge, hoping it wouldn't fall out from under them.
With a sarcastic wave he turns his back on the irritated Fire Type, keeping his sensitive antennae fanned in case she tries to jump on him. A step to the side, a small accidental kick and bye bye bitch.
He wraps his arm around Marco's shoulders as he walks though, making sure the smaller Normal Type is shielded by the black armored folds of his scale-like dress.
"So what's your deal Zoroark?" He asks conversationally as he turns his ice blue eyes on the nervous dark type.
He is smiling but it is not a friendly smile. Now was no time to admit that his mind-reading didn't work at all on Dark Types.
"It's pretty obvious that this girl here wants to hurt me." He gestures to the Arcanine.
"Hating me's as much a part of nature as the birds and the bees so I was wonderin' why you're so intent on defending her. I may not have the most charming personality but I can tell when I'm being lied to." Frank picks at his teeth.
"Of everyone here the Aggron seems to be the only one without a deathwish."

Marco notices the newcomers long before Frank stops needling the existing group.
"D- does anyo-one know the w-way out?"
In the rocky interior of the mountain the speck of green stood out like a drop of blood on fresh-fallen snow. A Bulbasaur, lost as they had been. His ears flutter.
"Oh God, please d-don't hurt me," It says fearfully and Marco quickly runs up to defend it.
After the Aggron stumps past the small grass type looks frozen to the spot with fear.
"It's o.k. we're friendly. We're actually on the way out right now, if you would like to follow." He says in his most soothing tone.
"This Aggron here knows the way out. It's a good thing you found us when you did." Marco attempts a smile.
The Bulbasaur looks even more nervous than the Zoroark. He supposes he would be nervous too if he was a fire type inside an about to erupt volcano. Not everyone had someone as reliable as Frank to help them out.
"You cant make me leave her! I will not, I refuse!" The other Growlithe barks, frozen still in the middle of the rough path.
There is a look in his eyes, a look of despair that Marco has become all too familiar with. He's about to do something foolish out of grief. He moves closer to the edge of the platform with the corpse determinedly clutched in his jaws. Marco quickly reaches up to tug at Frank's hand. The Gothitelle looks over his shoulder and sees the Growlithe's foot slip.
"Yeah, I'm not getting a lava bath because of you. Aggron's right, we are wasting time." Frank says over his shoulder.
The light flares around his fingertips once again and he forcibly hauls the living Growlithe into the air, keeping them hovering over the void beside them. As he walks the psychically levitating fire type is forcibly dragged in line with the rest of the group.

The group was in the midst of violence as you watch fearfully. The Gothitelle finishes with the pissing match he had with the Arcanine, but you feel no less safe. The thing was tall and, as you took the time to study it.. buff? Why.. Does it have muscles?? Its a psychic type. It doesn't need muscles- it shouldn't HAVE muscles?

You felt natural revulsion from the Gothitelle, and when it turned to address another, the Zoroark, she shivered in unease and fear. Was it the leader? The pink puffball beside it was the only one to answer you, a creature you recall as an Audino. Normal type, natural healer, kind nature.. You run through information of the species in your head as the Aggron walks right past you.

"It's o.k. we're friendly. We're actually on the way out right now, if you would like to follow." You turn to blink at the Audino as he speaks to you. At least they knew the way out. "This Aggron here knows the way out. It's a good thing you found us when you did." You watch as he gives a brief smile and you scramble to return the gesture, managing a half grimace instead. You always did have awkward smiles. "Thank you," you squeak, but he moves on with his companion before you can say more.

There is a scene on the bridge still and you jump as a Growlithe you had no noticed before is yelling. "You cant make me leave her! I will not, I refuse!" You whip around to look at him with round eyes. There was blood on his fur, but it was not his. That was clear as your eyes sadden when they fall on the fallen puppy Pokemon beside him. You did not know the story, but pain and grief was raw and real before you. I'm sorry, friend...

The fire type moved towards the edge suddenly, dragging his twin with him, and alarm shot through you like ice. "S- someone stop him!" you choke out, but the Gothitelle was already ahead of you. "Yeah, I'm not getting a lava bath because of you. Aggron's right, we are wasting time." The cold psychic type picks the pair up in his telekinesis and you cringe, unnerved at the thought of being dragged not only due to your natural weakness. But at least now they were safe.

You turn and slowly start to walk after them. Your feet were numb. "What have I gotten into?" you barely breathe softly to yourself, careful that no one could hear. But suddenly the Zoroark was right in front of you, and your eyes widened with alarm. However, he spoke before you had the chance, "S-Sorry..." You swallow loudly, nodding in response as he spoke again. "You'd better come with us," he added. Another rumble ran through the rock and you flinch at the same time as the Zoroark. "Th- thank you."

As the group continues on, you scuttle with effort to keep up. You find yourself next to the Zoroark, but as you watch him, the fox did not seem as bad as most of his kind. Illusion fox pokemon.. I think. Travel in packs, very close. Family bonds. But rouges are more common than they like to say I bet. You glance at him then quickly away. What would be the appropriate way to talk to him, maybe make an ally? Should you introduce yourself? Or ask his name first? Maybe small talk? No that is a bad idea. You silently pray you don't make a fool of yourself. "I- I'm sorry.. But if you don't mind I would l-like to know your name, if that's alright.. I mean, i-in case we get out of here." You run over your words before adding in a lower tone, "I-I'm bad at talking to strangers."

"Th- thank you," the Bulbasaur said, walking alongside him. All around them the volcano growled ominously, and below their feet pounded a series of heavy footfalls.

Thud-thud-thud.

Jude gulped, hoping that Smith's intuition was right and they could get out of this stuffy, tremendously hot mountain before anything bad happened. He forced a trembling smile at the Bulbasaur as they neared the tunnel, Smith stomping a few paces ahead of them.

"I- I'm sorry.. But if you don't mind I would l-like to know your name, if that's alright.. I mean, i-in case we get out of here," she stammered, then added in a low voice, "I-I'm bad at talking to strangers."
"So am I," Jude admitted sheepishly, running a paw through his damp fur. He inhaled, each breath burning away what moisture he had left in his throat, but he wasn't prepared to think about how thirsty he was until he got out of there. "It's all right, though," he continued to the Grass-type, hopping up onto a rock and back over the other side. "It's not like we can talk much until we're out of here. That's Smith, over there. He used to live in this mountain, built all these tunnels. We're sure lucky we have him to show us the way." Positive thoughts had been Jude's only friends since he and Vince had left the circus after the epidemic began, although they seldom showed up. He thought he might as well share them before they petered away to return who knew when.

"S-Sorry, I'm rambling. My name's Jude. What's yours?"

"So what's your deal Zoroark?" Frank suddenly seemed to ... appear beside him, fixing his icy gaze onto him. "It's pretty obvious that this girl here wants to hurt me. Hating me's as much a part of nature as the birds and the bees so I was wonderin' why you're so intent on defending her. I may not have the most charming personality but I can tell when I'm being lied to.
Jude felt a hot flush that had nothing to do with the stifling air. "Erm..."
"Of everyone here the Aggron seems to be the only one without a deathwish."

Was he ... threatening him? Jude tugged at his mane nervously as he attempted to stutter out a reply. "We-Well to be honest I-I wasn't defending just h-her; I-I-I just didn't want any trouble," he babbled, wishing a rock would just fall on him. "I-I wasn't trying to pick a fight or anything, it was just--"

The ground shook so violently it felt as though a Wailord the size of Sinnoh had landed nearby. Jude had to plunge his claws into the ground to stay upright. That roar from below sounded again, louder and angrier than ever before. THUD-THUD-THUD. A loud, echoing crash from the other side of the chamber indicated there had been another rockfall. Jude's stomach twisted with panic as the ceaseless earthquake continued to batter them.

They had to get out of there now.

"THIS WAY!" Smith bellowed over the roar of the mountain. He was standing next to the tunnel entrance; the tremor was so strong even the Aggron was having trouble standing upright. "RUN!"

Jude didn't need telling twice. He bolted past the Aggron into the tunnel, panting noisily as the terror that had been building up finally unleashed itself. He was either going to be sick, have a panic attack or faint; or all three. Stones fell from the ceiling, and the Zoroark winced as they pelted his fur.

JUST GET OUT GET OUT OF THIS HELLHOLE OR WE'LL ALL DIE GET OUT

The ground lurched so violently that Jude was thrown off his feet, landing roughly on his belly and grazing his nose on the stone. The entire mountain roared like an enraged Tyranitar, and the very walls themselves trembled. Fear surged through Jude's pelt, freezing him to the spot. He was only vaguely aware of a strong hand seizing him by the scruff and hauling him along. Jude's claws skittered against the floor as Smith charged down the tunnel.

BANG!

It sounded as though someone had set off a minefield in his head. Jude clasped his paws over his ears as the explosion ripped down the corridor. The ground lurched again, and even Smith nearly lost his balance. The Aggron clung to the wall for balance and then kept going, but Jude already knew that they were too late.

Stark Mountain was erupting.

And they were still in there.

((OoC - Skip, I just don't have anything. :c))

"S- someone stop him!" Stop him, stop him?? One set of claws step over the edge and loose stones go toppling down. It was too late to stop him.. The hound gives his best effort to jump, eyes closed in preparation, and no longer feels the ground beneath his paws. It was all over now, he would be with his Love again. A light feeling of hopeful happiness creeps into his heart. The warm air against his fur is.. moving in the wrong direction. Sky blue eyes crack open to find he is not falling down, but up. They fly to the orange shape of Nikora, still lying there on the path but he could not reach her anymore. He was.. floating? "Yeah, I'm not getting a lava bath because of you. Aggron's right, we are wasting time." Time? He was worried about time?? "L-let go! Unhand me!" He barks with a new anger to his tone. Who was this guy to keep him from his love?!

George kicked and fought in the air, struggling against nothing as he dangled unnaturally in the sky. Why did they care about what he did.. they didnt help Nikora when she needed it, the least they could do is leave him be so he could join her in the afterlife. Flailing vainly the hound quickly came to the conclusion that is was pointless to free himself but he did not stop. He was moving further and further from the female, his heart cracking apart with each step. "Cut it out, let go of me!" He roars, blindly shooting heated Embers into the air. Another wash of grief comes over him as the details of Nikora's form blur with distance. He was.. growing further from her in multiple ways..

The group stops but the Pokemon hes looking at wasnt moving in the first place. The sounds of rumbling roar in his ears, even through he cant feel the heavy quaking its more then obvious as the walls shake around him. "What, whats going on?" George growls in a mix of panic and confusion. It wasnt just the ground that was roaring, there was a fucking loud bellowing coming from.. coming from everywhere. The pup grew still, suddenly thankful for not being on the violently shaking ground. Regardless, rocks and stones fall from above like a rainstorm from hell, pounding and bouncing off his skull like tiny meteors. A sound equal to all of hells fury wrecks his ears and George struggles to cover them. A dreadful feeling of foreboding shakes him to his core. "S-smith what is th-that?" He stammers, fear in his voice. The shaking intensifies, the others struggling to even stay upright. Oh dear legends what the hell was happening? "THIS WAY! RUN!"

Rocks fall everywhere, the floor shatters beneath them. They were all about to die. They were all about to die. Why did you stop me if we were doomed anyway. A sound, an explosion rings ahead of him and the hound goes deaf for several moments, all noise washes over by a constant ringing. Mind swirling, head pounding, heart aching, George's eyes fail. What the hell was happening in here.. The familiar comfort at his side is gone and now he would die alone..
.

"We-Well to be honest I-I wasn't defending just h-her; I-I-I just didn't want any trouble," The Zoroark frantically babbled, looking like it was about ready to jump out of its skin. "I-I wasn't trying to pick a fight or anything, it was just--"
Frank whistles long and low.
"Jumpy little shit aren't ya? Don't worry, I'm not gonna hurt you unless you get in my way." Frank winks jokingly and picks at his teeth.
L-let go! Unhand me!" His prisoner yells and Frank raises a hand and makes an offensive gesture over his shoulder. The psychic energy needed for Telekinesis wasn't much for him. He didn't get his muscles just from punching things. Once the initial lift was out of the way he could keep a small thing like a Growlithe suspended for a while. It was good stamina training and by the yelps of protest the fire type wasn't going to get any less suicidal soon.
Cut it out, let go of me!
The Growlithe shoots flames at nothing in particular as they walk further away from the corpse.
A tiny flame stings one of Frank's ribbons and he hisses more from anger than the pain.
"Why you little-"
Already Marco is scurrying up to press a violet glowing paw to he tiny wound. The flame only grazed him and the weak fire type attack was too shallow to leave burn. It still hurt though. His ribbons were sense organs after all; jam packed full of nerves.

"It's o.k. I'll heal that." Marco quickly catches up to the Gothitelle. He needs two steps to each one of the Psychic type's. Without slowing down he prepares a much weaker version of a Heal Pulse. He hovers one cream colored paw above the curled ribbon. He doesn't dare touch the sensitive white tendril of flesh but he keeps close enough for the violet light of his healing to quickly repair the shallow wound. If they stopped so Frank could administer a beating they'd never get out of here.
There were many, many things that made Frank angry and damage to his sensitive ribbons was one of them. It was a more justified grievance than most things that made Frank angry; those ribbons were sense organs after all.
Just as the light of healing is fading the ground shivers underfoot. The Audino is literally tossed into the air by the violence of the quake. He yelps in surprise and Frank's arms wrap around him, the Gothitelle managing to keep himself balanced by sheer dint of his psychic abilities.
With his concentration broken his telekinesis fades.
Marco clings on tightly as Frank wraps one arm firmly around his waist and tries to move forwards. The Audino reaches for the little Grass Type, hoping the Bulbasaur can grab on or at least avoid being thrown off the ledge by the quaking ground.
The ground is quaking so violently balancing on the waves of motion in the dirt is closer to surfing than running. Sheer bloody-minded determination drives Frank forwards. Not too far away something roars, a primal terrifying sound.
"THIS WAY!" The Aggron bellows and Marco finds himself being forcibly dragged along as, below, the thing that roared starts to thump of something hard.

"So am I," the Zoroark admitted, earning a sympathetic but grateful smile from you. "It's all right, though- It's not like we can talk much until we're out of here." You silently agree with the statement, but are immensely grateful when he continued speaking. "That's Smith, over there. He used to live in this mountain, built all these tunnels. We're sure lucky we have him to show us the way." You nod in agreement. What would you do without this stranger, Smith the Aggron, to lead the way out? "S-Sorry, I'm rambling. My name's Jude. What's yours?" The Zoroark awkwardly cut himself off, introducing himself as Jude. But you honestly did not mind the talking, in fact you enjoyed listening to others speak. Especially when you were in situations that are hard to remain calm in. "I- I go by Vincent. Vince. Or just Bulba. Any's cool," you stammer over yourself. You always had such a horrible time with words. And socializing. And talking in general.

In that time though, the creepy Gothitelle interrogated poor Jude. You slowed down slightly, instinctively ducking behind the fox to remain out of sight. The psychic type sent your alarm bells ringing. I do not trust him. The things he said only caused Jude to become more stressed, earning more sympathy from you and a growing dislike towards the Psychic."Jumpy little shit aren't ya? Don't worry, I'm not gonna hurt you unless you get in my way." The Gothitelle remarks calmly, picking his teeth as if he did not have a care. You glare at the back of his head. If you hurt someone, I won't be forgiving you anytime soon, prick head. You felt a growing protectiveness inside of you over Jude even after only talking for a minute. He seems to be just as scared as you were, and the ass hole was not helping.

But when the earthquakes intensified tenfold, all rational thought vanished in the screams of the other Pokemon. OH SHIT JESUS FUCK-- You were thrown into the air as Smith roared above the sound of the mountain screaming, "THIS WAY!" You were disorientated, wild panic making your eyes too bright. You were the smallest one without support, even the Growlithe was being held, but you would be flung clear off the ledge. "Help me!" you screamed in terror. I don't want to die!! Your saving grace was in the form of the Audino, who reached out one paw in your direction. Shooting out twin vines, you latched onto his paw and reeled yourself in. Attaching yourself to his side, you pushed down the hoarseness in your throat from screaming. "Thank you," you breathed, but you were far from safe. None of the group was safe. "RUN!"

[ ooc: lemme know if i need edits Kaze. ]

We're going to die, Jude thought with absolute certainty.

The entire mountain continued to roar and shake all around them as Smith dragged him down the tunnel. The Zoroark stole a glance behind him to see whether the others were following, and to his relief, they were. He looked forward, but saw only pitch black caverns ahead. They weren't near the exit yet.

Something was ... odd. Cracks of orange light were starting to appear in the floor a few metres ahead. Jude's eyes widened in alarm and he raised his paw to hit Smith's hand. "SMITH! STOP!"

Thankfully, either the Aggron heard him or he noticed the crumbling floor at the same time. He stomped to a halt, staring down into the hole in front of them. Rocks and shards of stone fell into a pit of hissing, bubbling lava.

Jude covered his nose as he felt his fur begin to singe. Smith backed away, his hand still firmly clasped around Jude's mane. The volcano growled at them, as though laughing at their futile attempts to escape.

"Th-There's another way, right?" Jude stammered, claws skittering across the cave floor as Smith hauled himself back round and charged back the way they had come. Stones fell from the ceiling and pelted them. "There's another tunnel somewhere?"

Smith didn't answer. The Aggron remarkably kept his balance despite the tremors, but they were starting to feel a little lighter. But that ominous banging noise was still there, somewhere below them.

Thud-thud-thud.

"Smith?!" Jude cried, disturbed by the Steel-type's silence. By the time they had arrived back in the main chamber, the earthquakes had stopped, the mountain eerily silent after the chaos.

Jude rubbed his screeching ears after Smith put him down. The Aggron stood with his back to everyone, his head dipped low.

"Smith?" The Zoroark crept towards him, inclining his head worriedly at the giant. "What just happened? Can we still get out?"

"Stark Mountain erupted, that's what," Smith replied gravely, still not looking at them. "Heatran's awake, the place is unstable and ... that was our last way out."

Jude felt a chill that wouldn't have otherwise been possible in the stiffing heat. "...You mean--?"

"We're trapped."

Well, this was a great idea. To escape a little rainstorm, they were now going to pay for it with their lives. Sah would be sure to thank Smith for this as their ghosts haunted Stark Mountain. She could've let an aggravated scoff, but it was definitely, surely and absolutely not the time for her childish temper, the Arcanine more serious and concerned than she'd admit to. She wanted the heck out of Stark and to a place that didn't feel like hell on earth with the lovely glaze on top of falling rocks and lava.

Sahara trotted behind Smith and Jude, scenting for the fresh smell of rain that might indicate they were getting closer to an exit seeings how the inky blackness lied to them about their location. However, her nose could only sense the dirty smell of crumbling cave and the hot, dry scent the lava gave off. "SMITH! STOP!" Jude's warning snapped Sahara's attention around wildly as her quadruped paws stopped and her eyes landed on the floor. "God!" Sah growled, backtracking away from the failing rock floor, the light of the lava peeking up at them.

Smith turned and with the dragged along Jude, marched back the way they came. "We are wasting time with this--" Sahara snapped from behind the Aggron. "... Hell, nevermind." She broke into a canter along the trail they had already traversed, listening curiously to Jude and awaiting Smith's answer;

"There's another tunnel somewhere?"

And there was nothing. Why did she expect anything more? But moreover, what the hell was that crashing noise beneath them? Sahara perked an ear and listened. Thud-thud-thud.

"What are we doing here?!" Sahara barked, trotting back into the main chamber along with everyone else. Jude approached Smith, "What just happened? Can we still get out?" Making no eye-contact, the Steel-type finally responded, "Stark Mountain erupted, that's what," Sahara's eyes narrowed angrily, stomping forward as Smith continued, "Heatran's awake, the place is unstable and ... that was our last way out."

"...You mean--?" Jude began and Smith confirmed, "We're trapped." Following that, the tiger dog was mere feet away from the Aggron's back with cerulean eyes blazing. "This--! THIS--! Look at me, Smith!" Sahara snarled viciously, "This is your fault!"

Everything just went to hell. His clumsy paws were useless to block out the noise roaring in his one ear, even more so in his bad side. He could feel the very air shaking around him even without the touch of the earth against his being. The tremors ripple through the ground, the stones cracking and becoming even more jagged while rocks rain down and pelt him from above. A large stone smacks down on his skull, a thing trail of blood quickly welling up from the spot. Kill me.. He didnt need to experience an earthquake inside a... volcano? "Help me!" Help? Help? NO. "Leave her!" He roars with a dark, angry tone. Nikora needed help, Nikora didnt get it when she needed it and now they were leaving her. Why should this Pokemon be any diferent?! Die.. die we should all die. They deserved it.

"What are we doing here?!" Sahara, the Arcanine, the only Pokemon with some sense left in here speaks. She had a point- why were they loitering around getting thrown about, rained on.. why hadnt they made it to a bunker or something already? "Stark Mountain erupted, that's what," Smith was a fuck. They all knew that, they could feel that aside from him. And you didnt let me die happy for what, for this?! Rage and sorrow mix in a dangerous mess inside him and the Growlithe let fire fall from his jaws. The Aggron better of had a good reason for his.. his hesitant insolence! "Heatran's awake, the place is unstable and ... that was our last way out." He didnt know what a Heatran was but the rest was clear.
The Volcano was erupting and they were still inside.
They were all to die for Nikora's cruel murder.
"...You mean--?" "We're trapped."
This Heatran thing was punishing them for her death.
His insides still feel cold and dead, as though a giant ball of ice had settled in his stomach. Its chilled grasp seeping into each of his bones, pulsating with each unwanted beat of his heart. "This--! THIS--! Look at me, Smith!" He couldnt even muster the interest to care about the situation. "This is your fault!" So the Psychic was keeping him alive for this? So he could die a slow death of asphyxiation, being crushed, burned and to top it off, being alone. George shudders. But nothing will ever be as bad as what she went through.. He looks back for Nikora but can not see her anymore. A fresh wave of grief courses through him and the hound whines loudly. Entei had forsaken him. He hadn't protected Nikora and he sure as hell couldnt believe in him keeping her safe now.

He goes quiet for a few moments, letting the horror of things hit the others. Anger.. fear.. The pup stops struggling against the psychic hold and laughs quietly. It was.. great. "We earned this guys!" He chuckles, the laughter growing loud and hysterical, "The world is punishing us for losing an angel!" George's sky colored eyes lock on the Aggron, "Heatran will make sure we all burn." He laughs freely, assured that whatever this Pokemon was it wouldnt rest until they were all dead. Justice.

((Skip, Crescent and Azura are just following a little ways behind.))