The PORT Team

Lilith listened as the turtle told her his name, and how he was brought back from a fossil. He had never heard of a pokemon coming back from a rock before. How did the humans manage such a thing? It left her with many questions, but he didn't feel like pestering the little turtle with waves of them. "What is a fossil?" She asked. It was the only question she really wanted to ask. She always thought it was another word for a rock, but how can a pokemon come back from it, it was so confusing that she just had to ask.

(I'm so sorry, I can't post. I gotta spend tonight with my brothers.
Just say that Viggo is struggling to explain what a fossil is. Again, I'm sorry. I really wanted to post. @_@)

Shellder was very happy. Even though he was just so young, all he knew was pain and suffering for so very long. He could remember the abuse from his master all too well, nearly bing forced to evolve, but none of that seemed to matter when he was with everyone else. The big scary toothy guy had come close, speaking to Mama. Shee watched with wode eyes, nearly being forced to look straight up as to catch the expressions and words being exchanged. But he was young and gave up after a few seconds. Shell giggled at himself. He was a silly shellder alright! Hee hee! But Mama seemed sad all of a sudden. The shellfish could not help but notice just how she moved betrayed her emotions. He watched with wide, innocent eyes, absorbing all of her reactions. Funny, how the silent movements cought his attention when words spoken alloud did not.

He hopped forward, nuzzeling the Lapras' chest. "Feel bwetter, Mommah!" He chirped, patting her soft underbelly with his tounge for empasis. But as eeryone in the cavern seemed to be alive with talking and gesturing, the Shellder found himself blinking more and more, his eyelids becoming droopy. Was it really only a few hours ago that he had first met the pretty Vaporeon and Mama? The bug thing, him too... Where had he gone? Shell found himself yawning loudly, his eyes fighting to stay awake. It had been a long day for the little tyke.

Shellder nuzzled Mama happily, drifting off to sleep slowly.

((Skip, please. Jaws is just getting tired and curled up next to Nerissa, keeping his eyes slightly open.))

((Skip please, I'd normally do a dream or something for the very first time asleep but I can't think of anything right now. Sorry...))

((Please skip, not feeling well enough to post :( ))

Garland always preferred to move at night. His white feathers were practically a beacon in daylight, the colour sufficiently dulled when the moon emerged to cast a silvery glaze onto the chaotic world below. Not to mention it was quieter. Of course, there were always the occasional strangled screams and screeches echoing in the distance, but the further from land he flew, the more he could forget about the epidemic. It was almost peaceful. The great body of water was effectively a death sentence to those that dwelled within it, but there was no denying its beauty. When calm, a startling stillness in the rippling waves that could transport the viewer to the most tranquil of situations. But when the winds picked up, the sea held an incredible passion, a powerful and violent being that could bring down the biggest of opponents – ships, leviathans, even whole islands could succumb to the mighty waves. Garland was just as unpredictable as the ocean; his serene beauty masking a truly callous force that lurked within.

His red-tinted wings were beginning to ache, the swanna gradually descending from his midnight flight at the sight of land. He was unsure to where he was exactly, confident in only that the region was Johto. Vito had told him stories of this land, always suggesting that it was worth a visit for the awe-inspiring mountains alone. Garland was eager to catch glimpse of their beauty. But for now, he would take time to recuperate. There was no telling how far the next stretch of solid land would lie.

The swan landed silently, expertly, his wings folding back to his body as he flexed his claws in the sand. Simply enjoying the tingly sensation that such movement evoked, Garland stood in solitude, his demeanour calm as he observed the area. There were footprints. A slight frown surfacing over vivid, oceanic blue eyes, the bird scanned for any other telltale signs that he wasn’t alone on this island. From what the tide hadn’t already consumed, Garland succeeded in making out five distinct prints. One was a large, clawed specimen; then there were three finned beings – all of different sizes – and finally, prints almost exactly matching his own.
“Hmm,” Garland muttered quietly to himself, leisurely padding after the trail before he found himself at the entrance to a darkened cavern. His eyes feverishly scanned the formation, straining into the darkness of the cave as his claws flexed, ready for battle. However, all was still, silent save for regular, quiet breathing.

His composure unfaltering, Garland fearlessly walked into the Safari Cavern, secretly eager to cross paths with the undead. Whilst he doubted that he would discover any monsters, the lust to tear something apart was beginning to weigh on the bird’s mind. He had vowed to give up his days of violence, but a lifetime of sadism didn’t go easily quietened. The infected were a means of effectively controlling his addiction. He was disappointed, but unsurprised to stumble across a small group of pokémon lost to slumber.

Choosing to keep his distance at first, Garland simply observed each being in turn, absorbing their physical strengths and weaknesses from their body type alone. The feraligatr seemed the strongest, boasting a muscular body and betraying his only recent unconsciousness with softer, faster breaths. The swan smiled at him. Then there was a turtle-type creature, a seel, a wounded lapras and some small shell-like creature nestled to the latter’s chest. Frowning, Garland padded forward, his long elegant neck stretched forward to catch glimpse of the tiny shellder nestled closely to the female. A child. His cold heart melted at the endearing sight, an own unrequited dream for family blossoming in the back of the assassin’s mind. But he was soon distracted.

The smell of blood was incredible at this distance, the swan having to catch his breath to prevent himself from contributing to the aroma. No, they were weak, helpless. They had done nothing wrong; managing to survive this epidemic intact wasn’t something to be punished. The swan’s expression softened, turning away from the cosy scene as he turned to observe one of his own kin, a female resting on the water. She was slightly smaller than him, not to mention more attractive. Her pristine feathers weren’t stained red.

Deeming it rude to disturb them, Garland’s eyes quickly sought out a spot a few metres from the gathering in which he shortly filled with his slender frame. Scarred legs tucked beneath him, the swanna simply chose to watch the others, a guardian angel per se. Well, if guardian angels could be considered infamous, ruthless assassins. Regardless, Garland was turning a new leaf. Providing a look-out for these strangers would only be the start of a future of good deeds.


(( Garland watches you sleep, lol. Also, I presume all your characters would be asleep at midnight – if not, I’m happy to edit. ^^;))

Viggos' eyes slowly fluttered open his gaze foggy and tired as he looked about the cavern. The turtle suddenly froze as his dark blue eyes locked on a foreign bird, settled in the corner. His eyes shot quickly to the other sleeping pokemon, whom he now considered part of his school/group.
Jaws would probably be best to wake up now; he's seems the most able of the bunch...but...he doesn't seem sick.

Viggo narrowed his eyes as he slowly shuffled towards the bird.
I can use protect if he decides to attack around all of us, which would give someone time to retaliate...

"Gree'ins, newcomer...you friend or foe?" He growled quietly, his sharp gaze eyeing the bird cautiously.

Dahlias' eyes snapped open when she heard the quiet growl of the Tirtouga echo in the caves, but she stayed as still as she could, keeping her breathing unchanged, despite her heart beating fast and shallow.
Someone else is in the cave with us! she thought in terror, looking to where the turtle was speaking to, then down to the small Shellder curled up under her fin.
She waited and listened, readying herself in case Viggo needed any help.

(OoC- I'm just moving time along to morning, so everyones' rested. Hi snitch~)

Shellder had many dreams. Many flashing colors and sharp sounds going around and round within the child's mind as he dreamed peacefully through the night. he saw many things within his dreams, many clips of his life. Some were bad. His trainer yelling at him. Nearly being forced to evolve. More recent. The pretty lady going beneath the water, blood and screams swirling around her. Mama being sick. Mama scaring him... But not all of them were aweful. He also saw the few times his trained showed him kindness, taking him to the beach. Eating some food bought from a nurse at a Pokemon Center. Sitting on Mama's back. Playing with the pretty lady. Curling up next to Mama's belly...

The small shellfish was awoken by movements n the air. He blinked his eyes open, slowly and lazily, while releasing a large yawn. He was too young to understand the suddentension in the air- he just wanted some breakfast. He discovered he was under one of Mama's fins and he trilled happily, nudging her playfully before squeezing out of the crevice. He looked up to see her eyes wide, staring in a direction behind him. Shell effectively ignored that fact, only taking in that she was awake. He nudged her again lovingly, this time her bloodstained chest. "Morning mommah! I'm hungry!" He chirped blissfully, not even noticing that Mr. Turtle was confronting a newcomer.

((Ooc; Why are Shellder's posts so short? ;;A;; Sorry guys! OTL ))

Jaws awoke to the muffled voices that echoed in the watery cavern, his eyes stuck together still as he slowly stretched his stiff back and limbs. His powerful arms reached to the air, a yawn escaping him before he cracked his neck and opened his tired eyes to see what the morn had brought with it. There, floated a double of the white bird that he'd found the day prior, and Viggo was investigating. The large gator paid no mind to the little one's small churrs for attention; the newcomer gave him a weird vibe. His eyes flicked between the old and new birds-- what was the difference? Why did he invite one and be cautious of another?

He slowly made his way closer, being mindful to keep his distance. "...Morning," he offered. His posture was curious, but wary. It hadn't been ten minutes into the day; he wasn't getting the drop on him just yet.

Nerissa stirred as the morning sun hit the light of her NeverMeltIce, causing prisms of light to dance in her face. Her eyes slowly opened, blinking occasionally to adjust, and she smiled as she saw Jaws resting near her. He seemed to be stirring, and his attention was drawn to Lillith, who was using Double Team? No, there was another bird there who looked like her! Nerissa was confused as to how a species she had never seen nor heard of before suddenly had two within the waters of Johto.

The others noticed him as well and seemed to be offering a greeting, except for the Shellder who was trilling and asking for food. The small Seel's stomach cramped painfully at the thought of food, and she tried to muffle the whimper that came with it. Not really thinking anyone would notice if she slipped out Nerissa carefully slid into the water and began diving to the bottom of the cave to try and find some seaweed. Unfortunately, the cave seemed to be barren, but there were several patches just outside the mouth of the cave she could see. Her nerves gripped her but the hunger gripped tighter so she carefully darted out of the cave into a patch of seaweed...

...and right into the grip of an undead Kingler. And the chances of anyone hearing her screams underwater were slim to none.

((Anyone can come help her if they want, but I need Nerissa to be the one to kill it. This is going to be her evolution! ^_^))

Lilith had drifted off after she had talked with Viggo, that when she started to open her eyes, it was already morning. She lifted her head from between her wings as she yawned, noticing everyone was tensing up for some strange reason. "Is something the matter?" She asked as she tried to follow there gaze.

She noticed that there was a new comer in the cave with them all, and she was a littler surprised to see it the same species as herself. The pure white feathers, and blue chest, as well as the long pointed beak was a dead giveaway to any Swanna. The others seemed to be rather cautious of the new bird. He was clearly living like the rest of them.

"Hello." She said to him, giving a small smile, trying to be friendly. She believed at least one of them had to show some kindness to the newcomer. Though she was just as worry as the rest of them. Even though it was alive, didn't mean it was sane. She had seen her fair share of insane living kill just as brutally as one of the undead.

"Gree'ins, newcomer...you friend or foe?"

Garland had watched the group slowly stir, almost hypnotized by the minute movements betraying their gradual return to consciousness. Their vulnerability in such a state was almost humbling, the silent hours of waiting for their awakening only strengthening Garland’s temptation to attack. He had no reason to harm them, let alone kill them, but years of embracing his psychopathy was difficult to submerge in a cave of weak, unsuspecting victims. His oceanic eyes rested on the turtle, speaking in a growl, as he offered a slight incline of his head in greeting.
“I’ve been foe to many,” The swanna admitted honestly, his voice monotonous, face blank. “However, you may consider me a friend,” A slight smile graced the bird’s bloodstained face, his attention soon flicking to the rest of the group as they shifted, apparently too hesitant to move. Good, there was no need for such a hasty get up. Garland wouldn’t hurt them, as much as his demeanour habitually suggested so.

"Morning mommah! I'm hungry!”

The swanna’s gaze was immediately on the shellder, a paternal happiness momentarily flourishing over his being. Such innocence was admirable, almost enviable in a world such as this.
“Adopted?” The avian suddenly questioned, his eyes darting to meet those of the wounded lapras the child was seemingly addressing. There was no way it belonged to her or the other swanna for that matter – unless one of the males were in fact its father, simply choosing to leave it in the hands of a more capable female parent. Somewhat sexist, perhaps, but from Garland’s extensive life experiences, women had always proven to be better with the young. He let out a short, low chuckle. “He’s sweet,”

“…Morning,”

Movement from behind had Garland whipping around, tensed. The seal-like creature had slipped quietly into the water, whilst the ferligatr had taken steps towards him. Curious to whether this was some kind of tactical move, Garland’s attention remained firmly on the visible threat of Jaws. He seemed the strongest, physically at least, and the swan had no intentions of discovering whether his suspicions were correct. He wasn’t looking for a fight, though admittedly, the prospect was becoming more appealing. He regarded the reptilian a moment, his head held high as he managed a slight smirk.
“Indeed,” Garland was curt, calm reigning over his demeanour as suspicion built up in the back of his mind. Whilst the group didn’t seem overly aggressive, the swan knew well enough it would be best to remain alert.

He rose to his feet, ruffling his feathers as he leisurely moved to the water’s edge, keen to place some distance between himself and the feraligatr. He didn’t appreciate the gradual invasion of personal space and was curious to the seel’s intentions. Perhaps she was just shy.
“I have no intentions of harming you. I simply thought it rude to wake you,” His eyes rested on the turtle as he moved, the swan’s voice charming, eloquent. His attention drifted to the other swanna who had offered a polite ‘hello’, his expression amiable as he prepared a reply. However, the seel’s rippling form caught his eye first, the white form drifting leisurely along the cavern floor. But as he followed her movements out of the cave, a slight frown crossed the swanna’s features. Although it was difficult to decipher even with such an acute stare as Garland possessed, there was definitely another being there – a shadow tarnishing the pearl. Turning to the remainder of the group, he gestured to the cave’s exit with a flick of his slim head. ”Your seel friend seems to have company,”

Jaws didn't like this guy. He didn't like this guy at all. Even with his soft pleasantries and cool manner, there was just something weird, something off, something wrong. The gator's mouth curled into a slight frown as he listened to the other white bird lightly converse with the others, commenting on the baby shellder... No matter the context, every word that came out of that slightly crooked beak felt like a threat.

"Your seel friend seems to have company."

Eyes wide at the realization that Nerissa was no longer beside him, Jaws looked frantically for her form before realizing she was below, the water rippling slightly. What was she doing down there? He dove in, trying to blink through the murk to find her. Unfortunately, light was not on his side and he could only make out faint sounds. "Nerissa!"

Nerissa struggled and screamed, wasting her precious air fighting to escape the massive pincer that held her. She had no idea if anyone was coming, or if they could hear her, she had to find a way to get out on her own. Not really thinking, but rather doing the first thing that came to mind, Nerissa suddenly shot her Ice Shard at the Kingler's eyes causing it to screech and release her.

Her tail was bent and broken from the powerful grip, making her efforts to swim to the surface very painful. She burst through the water with a loud gasp, sucking in as much air as possible before suddenly being dragged back in. She turned to see the smaller pincer gripping the end of her fin while the larger one was glowing and poised to come down with a Guillotine. Panicked she used her Aqua Jet to rip her fin free and send her flying out into the open water.

Quickly, Nerissa summoned an Aqua Ring to help her regain her energy and heal her tail. The small Seel waited and watched for the Undead, making sure to keep her eyes everywhere since she was out in open water. True to its nature the Kingler suddenly burst up from underneath her, sending her flying out of the water and back towards the cave. She hit the water with a painful slap, dazing her and causing her to cry out in pain. Her Aqua Ring was still around her so she was able to recover quicker than before so when it came again she was ready.

Mustering her courage she sent out one more Ice Shard, which hit dead on and started to freeze the monster. As its body became solid she called forth all the energy she had into one last Aqua Jet, sending her bursting forward and right into the crab. As she made contact the frozen body began to crack and suddenly it shattered, just as a brilliant white light surrounded the Seel. As thousands of tiny shards of shell went sailing through the water, the light pulsed and morphed into a new shape. When it faded, the tiny Seel was nowhere to be seen. In her place floated an elegant new Dewgong, the only remaining piece of her former body was the NeverMeltIce still safely tied to her fin.

Nerissa had finally evolved.

Garland watched the gator’s reaction carefully, a slight smirk forming at the appearance of the reptilian’s frown. He had expected nothing less than distrust; he was familiar with such treatment, though essentially, he proved no threat to these creatures. The swanna had put his days of violence behind him – as far as the world knew, he was just your average citizen. Content with the thought that he was genuinely pursuing the path of normality, the avian watched, unflinching as Jaws dived into the water, supposedly in search of ‘Nerissa’.

Regarding the remainder of the group for a moment, the swan flexed his wings, silently judging the threat they proved were he to let his guard down. He was eager to watch the action rather than exchanged pleasantries with a group of somewhat suspicious strangers. From their current state, Garland quickly concluded that their friends’ safety would be the only thing on their mind, rather than giving him any trouble. His slender neck turning to allow better view of the blurred forms beneath the rippling liquid, the swanna’s oceanic eyes were focused to catch the battling that quickly emerged. Whilst blurred, the movements were there, sudden jets of water accompanying the seel’s lithe form as she struggled against her foe. An amused smile had made itself comfortable on the bird’s bloodstained face, a growing respect felt for the female’s admirable efforts against the crustacean undead.

It was over all too quickly, for his liking. The water misted with an off-coloured blood, fragments of shell slowly floating to the water’s surface to deem that there was indeed a winner. Garland gave a short laugh, pleased that the seel had proven herself capable of defending herself without the gator’s assistance.
“Bravo,” He called, head raised in a strange sense of pride as the victor’s form drifted back into vision. Instead of the small, chubby creature that had entered the water, an elegant dewgong was the first being to surface. Garland laughed again, nodding his head in a polite gesture of approval. “Congratulations, love. That was quite a spectacle,”

Jaws fumbled in the water, following the dark shadows below where he could swear Nerissa's screams were coming from. Heart pounding, he suddenly caught a flash of Kingler as the two fought, and chased after them. When he breached the surface, however, watching the fight commence, he was entranced.

The little seel had painted herself as such a timid girl, he hadn't realized that she would have had to survived this long somehow. He watched, dazed, as the two battled, and when Nerissa proved victorious, a white light enveloped her. She'd evolved into a beautiful dewgong. For a moment, he was speechless, wanting to agree with the newcomer Swanna and bid his own congratulations, but found his mouth mute.

As he was about to swim closer, another shadow in the water caught his gaze, and he jumped nearer to her, alarmed. "Watch out!" he cried, leaping in fron of her before a gyarados emerged from the waters. He'd fought many before, and was about to lay into the beast when it uttered a lazy, "Sup?"

....Really? "Sup"? Who and what the hell did it think it was?! They were in the middle of the end of the world and it just approaches a bunch of strangers right after a fight with a "SUP"?! Jaws snarled, hissing at the great beast. "Who are you and what do you want?" Jaws growled, motioning for Nerissa to go back to the cavern.

"Watch out!”

Whilst the warning wasn’t meant for him, Garland nonchalantly took a side-step from the water’s edge regardless. The gator would’ve cried out for a reason and whilst the bird was mainly unfazed by any potential enemy, he thought it wise to avoid being caught up in any unnecessary violence. He was unafraid, in fact quite eager to indulge in a battle, but he’d made Vito a promise. How was he meant to kick old habits when he leapt at every chance to fight?

Nodding his head firmly, insistent that he would attack only out of defence, Garland regarded the stranger disinterestedly. It was a behemoth of a gyarados, offering a childish ‘sup’ of a greeting. Garland chuckled darkly, amused at the utter juxtaposition of the beast against its stereotype.
“Nothing better than a formal greeting,” Garland smirked, his tone sarcastic as he watched the feraligatr snarling at the stranger. They were still a distance from his perch, though instinctively, the swan kept his body tense, mind calm.

"Who are you and what do you want?”

Apparently the gator was a little threatened by the stranger. Whilst his welcome had been a rather suspicious ‘morning’, the reptile was now hissing and snarling at the water-serpent, demanding its intentions.
“What’s the matter, croc?” Garland called, a certain mischief in his flowing voice. “Intimidated much?” Although part of the swan was a little disappointed that he hadn’t been greeting with such ferocity, Garland knew full well how deceiving his appearance truly was. It was partially what had made him so good at his job – nobody suspected him. The odd, almost dorky swan was rarely considered a suspect for the kind of killings he’d once indulged in. A smile surfaced at the memory, pride mounting in his chest when he suddenly reminded himself that he was required to feel shame. Vito wanted him to move on from killing; to find a proper life and settle down. Whilst the ol’ hound was dead now, Garland had to respect his mentor’s wishes. Lowering his head, roughly pushing thoughts of his glory days to the back of his mind, Garland’s eyes, sapped of their mischief, fell back to the newcomer.

Wow, I got skipped by two people. Thanks guys...........

I didn't go ANYWHERE I just asked for an extension. You didn't have to skip me. I'm actually pretty upset by it, just so you guys know. Since Nerissa did just freaking evolve.

"What’s the matter, croc?" The swan -at least, the male one- called from the cavern, causing Jaws' eye to twitch with irritation. "Intimidated much?" He sent the bird a glare, but his attention was soon drawn back to the gyarados towering before him.

The leviathan yawned and looked back down at him, his voice low and groggy. "Sorry if I scared you gator... My name is Maelstrom and I'm looking for a small Charmander and the reason why Pokemon are attacking me out of freaking nowhere... Now you all introduce yourself." The feraligatr frowned, not really wanting to back off just yet.

"...Maelstrom, eh?" Jaws frowned, glancing at the other, anxiety still written on his face. The demanding nature of the beast was already very apparent, and... wait... "Pokemon attacking him out of freaking no where"? Did that mean... "...You don't know.. about the Apocalypse that's kind of been happening...? For the past... year?" Jaws usually prided himself in his sense of tact and reason -especially when his trainer had neither- but this... was really RIDICULOUS. He turned to the others, silently asking them for some sort of aid... even the damn bird.

Nerissa danced through the water, overjoyed with her new form. She had worked hard ever since she was a child to become as lovely as her mother, to swim the the water with as much grace and beauty as she did, and now she had finally achieved it! Granted she had almost gotten herself killed in the process, and act she hoped she wouldn't have to repeat anytime soon, she was still happy. And she couldn't wait to show Jaws!

As she made her way back over the cave she noticed a distinct lack of Pokemon from before, Mr. Turtle, the Lapras and the baby Shellder where gone. In there place was a large Gyarados and Jaws didn't seem to like him much. Nervous Nerissa slowed to a stop just before the mouth of the cavern and watched as the male confronted the stranger, leaping in front of her to defend her. "W-what...what's wrong?" she stuttered out, not sure why everyone was so on edge. Jaws didn't answer but kept his ire focused firmly on the stranger, who introduced himself as Maelstrom.

"...You don't know.. about the Apocalypse that's kind of been happening...? For the past... year?" Oh dear. Swimming over to Jaws's side Nerissa placed a fin on his arm, trying to calm him. "It is possible he doesn't..." she whispered, not sure what else to say. Surely not everywhere had been hit as hard by the plague, not everything could be infected, right? Or maybe he had been lucky and had a trainer that kept him safe. "Anything is possible...right?"

((I'm a little lost right now, so please skip while I catch up.))

"Sorry if I scared you gator... My name is Maelstrom and I'm looking for a small Charmander and the reason why Pokemon are attacking me out of freaking nowhere... Now you all introduce yourself.”

Oh, this newcomer was just oozing sophistication. Garland smirked, eyes watching the lax water-beast, Maelstrom as he’d called himself, as he spoke of pokémon attacking him. It immediately caught the bird’s interest, focus unflinching from the serpent as the gator soon caught onto the topic too. Confusion was quick to engulf the small group, the reptile in particular; shocked that one could be so oblivious to the epidemic. And despite a nagging urge to harass the feraligatr further, Garland could only agree with his views. A creature of that size alone would be a beacon for the monsters of the sea; he must’ve had enough run-ins with carriers of the virus to know that something was hideously wrong.

"Anything is possible...right?"

Garland only caught part of the recently evolved female’s words, oceanic eyes lingering on her elegant new form before an amused chuckle escaped his beak.
“Not that,” He smirked, flexing his wings slightly as he moved to the water’s edge. Dipping his feet into the water, the swan glided along to inspect the group closer, all apprehension forgotten as he remained confident they would not attack. They were too engrossed with gyarados to bare any mind to a slightly peculiar avian – he was practically one of them. “Garland,” He nodded his head to Maelstrom in greeting, before continuing. “You mean to say these pokémon didn’t seem… off, to you? Endless stamina, blood red eyes, missing limbs they treat as nothing more than a paper cut…” Garland could have gone on, watching the leviathan carefully as he flashed an unpleasant, half-amused grin. His tone was sarcastic as he shrugged, drifting back to land with a surprising elegance. “Perfectly normal,”